Chapter 8, The Banquet at Hongmen (I)

On the other hand, there is a sense of unwillingness. Why should those shameless individuals be able to live freely while she has to wake up early to consider what clothes to wear and how to match her accessories? The longer she spends on this, the more unwilling she becomes. In the end, a stubborn determination to go becomes an inexplicable necessity.

Lin Ran was taken aback again, and after a moment, she finally said, "... Is it true or not?"

Cheng Rumo hesitated, unable to clearly articulate her feelings at that moment. Politely, she said: "I will be going back to my parents' place tomorrow, so I may not be able to come. I will try my best to find some time."

That is because I am not like you, understanding that self-deception is of no use. If you want to go to his side, can I stop you? Besides, am I such a petty man?

Oh, that's just perfect, let me join in for a meal as well

While she was halfway through her meal, Cheng Rumo's phone rang. She put down her chopsticks, glanced at the caller ID, and reached for a tissue to wipe her hands. Upon seeing the name "Bai Su" on the phone screen, Cheng Rumo was momentarily taken aback

If Bai Su is such a woman, then there is truly nothing to be concerned about. Qiu Yu, on the surface, indeed appears to be a talented individual; without long-term contact, one cannot discern the flaws beneath. Undoubtedly, Bai Su cannot stand to see you well, which is why she deliberately took your boyfriend.

Who did it

Qi Jiantang chuckled and was just about to invite Cheng Rumo to dinner when the phone on the table rang. She glanced at the caller ID and said, "I won't chat with you anymore, I've made plans to have dinner with Lin Ran."

Cheng Rumo was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, "Then will you accompany me?"

Lin Ran noticed the time reference in her words and asked, "What happened in the third year?"

Bai Su chuckled and said, "Alright, at Jingchu Family on Southeast Road, six o'clock in the evening. If you have time, you must come over. If you are unavailable, it is no problem; indeed, everyone has inconvenient times."

So it's been a week, and you can just endure it like this

I do not know

Lin Ran watched Cheng Rumo calmly drinking tea, feeling even more furious, "So you just let those two dog lovers go like this?"

Cheng Rumo agreed with what Lin Ran said, thinking to himself, how truly disgusting

Do you really think of yourself as a meat bun? Can't you see this obvious provocation?

What can be done by going? You know this is a feast at Hongmen.

Lin Ran was eating eggplant casserole while glancing at Cheng Rumo, "Who called?"

Cheng Rumo replied languidly, "Call me tomorrow night to go out for dinner, but I do not wish to go"

Lin Ran was taken aback; she had always thought that men were unable to resist temptation, much like a dog cannot change its nature. In essence, there was really no reason for it, just the inherent flaws of the species. Therefore, she had never considered that Qiu Yu's infidelity might have a "why" behind it.

The dishes were served quickly, and as Lin Ran ate, she still felt a bit frustrated. "If I were you, I would have kicked him out long ago. Men are all like this, constantly bragging about how great they are in bed, but in reality, they are nothing special. If he can't meet your needs, then you shouldn't be meeting his needs either"

Whenever she feels nervous, she experiences some stomach pain, and while applying makeup, she feels her hands trembling. Either her eyeliner is crooked, or she applies her false eyelashes incorrectly. On one hand, she feels disappointed in herself, while on the other hand, she is frustrated with herself for enduring this suffering. She has no interest whatsoever in whether she can represent the moon to punish the unfaithful couple; the further the unfaithful couple is from her world, the more at ease she feels.

Cheng Rumo uttered an "mm" and said, "Beyond basic needs, sex is a man's primary requirement. If I cannot satisfy his needs, he will naturally seek someone who can. So in this regard, I really do not harbor much hatred towards him."

Cheng Rumo remained silent

Cheng Rumo lifted the cup and took a sip of tea, then said softly, "I feel pain, so I often don't let him touch me"

Cheng Rumo shrugged his shoulders, noncommittal.

She did not refute and obediently listened to Lin Ran's scolding while pretending to be servile by serving her food.

The waiter brought the dry pot to the table. After Cheng Rumo waited for him to leave, he finally spoke up and asked, "Do you know why Qiu Yu cheated?"

On a normal day, Cheng Rumo would definitely say that he has no particular needs. However, thinking back to that day with Lu Qiran, it seems that such a statement lacks conviction.

Cheng Rumo remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "Do you know that there are certain types of girls who do not truly consider you a friend even if they become friends with you?"

Lin Ran was taken aback, "How dare she call you? What does she want from you?"

You are truly a saintly figure, and if you feel pain, it is due to his poor skills. He should reflect on himself instead of shamelessly finding excuses for his infidelity. You should not blame him—no one should blame anyone. If you are a bun, do not complain about the dog that is eyeing you.

Over there, Bai Su's voice was laced with laughter, "I heard that Lu Qiran has come to Jiangcheng. Do you have time tomorrow? Let's have a meal together"

Cheng Rumo shook his head and answered the phone

Lin Ran understood clearly, "Of course I know. They need you to accompany them to meet their suitors, to use your openness to highlight their shyness, to have you constantly confront their rivals while they merely hide behind and feign grievances... I have always been against women attacking each other, but for such a woman, slapping her a hundred times would not be excessive.

You have a broad mind like a prime minister, and a general's forehead is capable of accommodating a horse, is that acceptable

At 5:20 PM, Lin Ran drove over to pick her up. Upon seeing her approach, she smiled and said, "Your clothes look nice"

In retrospect, those events from years ago seem like the whimsical and affected lamentations of a lovesick girl, yet at that time and place, it felt as if one were caught in a strange cycle, being pulled by an unknown force, unable to escape or find relief. The saying that those involved are often confused truly captures this essence.

Of course not, Cheng Rumo thought, I slept with Lu Qiran. But she naturally could not say this on the surface, "There were still classmates present at the time, could I just rush up and scold her like a shrew? She is shameless, but I still have my dignity."

"Go!" Lin Ran put down her chopsticks, "Why not go? I want to see who is so shameless, being a mistress and still so unrestrained."

"I really don't want to go," Cheng Rumo frowned.

Although her mood was not as bleak as during the major examination, the anxiety and fear were strikingly similar. However, unlike the major exam, which at least had some clues to follow, this banquet was shrouded in uncertainty. The only consolation was that she did not dream of losing teeth last night, perhaps indicating that the outcome would not be too bad

The next day, a haze enveloped Jiangcheng, with visibility dropping to less than fifty meters. From a distance, one could only see the tops of the tall buildings, evoking the romantic metaphor of mist obscuring the towers and the moon confusing the ferry crossing. What Cheng Rumo recalled was a passage from Zhang Ailing's "Little Reunion" that she had read in her youth: "On the morning of the major exam, that bleak mood could only be compared to the dawn before an army goes into battle, like the rebel slaves in 'Spartacus' gazing at the Roman army forming its ranks through the morning mist, the most terrifying scene in all war films, for it is entirely a matter of waiting"

Cheng Rumo paused for a moment and said, "Of course I can't tolerate it. But Qiu Yu is indeed right; I don't like him that much, so it's not entirely his fault."

Lin Ran drove towards Southeast Road, "Last time you said you had a good relationship with her, but I can't help but feel that it's clearly a matter of irreconcilable differences."

From my freshman year to my junior year, my relationship with her was indeed quite good, as we were roommates

What is so remarkable about the Banquet at Hongmen? Not only did Pei Gong survive, but he also defeated the Overlord of Chu. If you dare to yield today, then do not recognize me as your friend; I do not have cowardly friends like you.

"What business do you men have in matters between women?" Cheng Rumo answered the phone, waved goodbye to Qi Jiantang, and walked towards the meeting room door

Lin Ran pondered for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said: "Of course I will accompany you. I may not be able to indulge in meat and wine, but I have never backed down from cursing at others."

Cheng Rumo took the passenger seat, "That's because you haven't met Bai Su."

Then I would like to thank you first, Fan Yongshi

Cheng Rumo appeared somewhat displeased, furrowing her brows as she exchanged a few pleasantries. Her demeanor was notably cold, yet her tone remained polite, "Alright, I will send you a text once I am sure I can go. Goodbye"

After a moment of silence, Qi Jiantang smiled and said, "This metaphor indicates that your subconscious concern for Lu Qiran far exceeds your imagination"

Lin Ran was furious upon hearing this, "Was she intentional or unintentional?"

The two individuals found a Guizhou cuisine restaurant, chatting while waiting for their dishes to arrive. Lin Ran pressed her to report on the progress of the class reunion, while Cheng Rumo remained tight-lipped about Lu Qiran's matters, but did share some information about Bai Su.

Cheng Rumo glanced at him and said, "I have never seen someone like you, who claims to like me yet desperately pushes me towards Lu Qiran."

Cheng Rumo held her phone, her expression one of disgust, "Bai Su."

"You must be out of your mind," Lin Ran glanced at her, "For someone like him to find you, he must have burned incense for eight lifetimes. Yet you still make excuses for him. You accompany him for meals, for fun, for intimacy, and for the pleasures of life. You may not really like him, but as his girlfriend, you haven't really lost anything in the grand scheme of things."