A male classmate said to Wu Bing, "Old Wu, not bad. It's not easy for graduates from second-rate universities like ours to get three thousand yuan. I also heard that the company has year-end bonuses and benefits, and there will be a lot of New Year's goods. Hu Le, Liu Dazhuang, and Wang Nian are really lucky. Shall we ask the class monitor if they are hiring?"
Wu Bing said, "Of course we should ask! Otherwise, we won't even have a place to work next year. I think Zhao Qiang is capable enough, so we'll definitely be fine."
Zhao Qiang smiled and didn't participate in Wu Bing's discussion. Whether or not to use them was up to Xu Xiaoya, because she knew every classmate in the class perfectly well. With Xu Xiaoya's shrewdness, she could absolutely distinguish between those who should be used and those who shouldn't, and she wouldn't hesitate to say "no" out of consideration for their feelings.
"By the way, have you heard? It seems that Luo Wei is also starting her own company, and another male classmate of hers is smoking a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes and has started to reveal another inside story."
"What do you mean by 'seems'? It means 'it is,' okay? Do you know Luo Wei's family? You don't like hearing me say you're ignorant, but she's the granddaughter of Luo Xin, the chairman of Haifeng Group! How about that, are you dumbfounded? Don't even mention that she owns her own company, she could probably buy our school too. This student only knows the surface and not the inside story, which is why she exaggerates like this."
Wu Bing sighed: "Damn, whoever marries her will save half a lifetime of struggle!"
"Of course, otherwise why would she have so many boys around her, all wanting to marry into her family?"
At this time, male classmates began to arrive one after another. Luo Wei was surrounded by even more people. She dealt with them calmly. Fortunately, with so many people, some boys who wanted to confess their feelings gave up the idea; otherwise, Luo Wei would have been overwhelmed. Even so, she had to bear immense psychological pressure. These male classmates weren't like business partners. Businessmen, out of consideration for appearances, wouldn't stare intently at Luo Wei, but these male classmates didn't care about that. Their eyes were fixed on Luo Wei's thighs, as if they thought there wouldn't be a tomorrow night after seeing her.
"Zhao Qiang, get your phone from my bag. I'm going to call the classmates who didn't make it," Xu Xiaoya called to Zhao Qiang again.
Zhao Qiang grabbed Xu Xiaoya's bag, unzipped it, and found three compartments inside. The first compartment was larger, containing a mirror, comb, lipstick, tweezers, and a cell phone. The second compartment contained a wallet and a bundle of RMB. The third compartment seemed more private, containing a notebook and a neatly folded bag of women's items.
Zhao Qiang took out his phone and handed it to Xu Xiaoya. Xu Xiaoya checked the number and said, "Take out my notebook. I don't think I saved the number. Also, it seems that our counselor, Teacher Liu, couldn't get a ride. If all else fails, you can go and pick her up."
Zhao Qiang opened his bag again and pulled out a notebook. Xu Xiaoya took it and started making a phone call. The male classmates standing nearby were dumbfounded. Even if others didn't know, Wu Bing, as a class leader, knew Xu Xiaoya very well. She never allowed anyone to touch her bag, let alone rummage through it! And now Zhao Qiang had brazenly opened her bag and even touched Xu Xiaoya's things, yet she didn't show the slightest displeasure!
After hanging up the phone, Xu Xiaoya said to Zhao Qiang, "Go to the front desk and pay a deposit of five thousand yuan first, then go to the school to pick up your counselor, Teacher Liu. Also, take your clothes and bag to the car; it will be very messy later, and it's inconvenient to leave them here."
Without saying a word, Zhao Qiang picked up his clothes and bag and walked out. Wu Bing immediately followed. "Zhao Qiang, you're amazing! You have the squad leader's trust so much now? Having part-time work experience is really impressive. If the squad leader trusted me like this, I would die happy."
Zhao Qiang chuckled: "Damn it, even if I died, it would be worth it to be bossed around by the squad leader. But after working for so many years, I've learned a thing or two. No matter what kind of boss you have, you have to be patient and obedient, or you'll be fired."
Wu Bing gave a thumbs up and said, "Experience, I've got it. But it's one thing to be treated like a slave by a beautiful woman, but what if the male boss is just as submissive? He's just bullying us."
Zhao Qiang said, "We have to put up with it even if they bully us. After all, we're just working for them."
Wu Bing shook his head: "Zhao Qiang, you're being too cautious. You can't always be a menial worker. Sometimes you have to fight back. Maybe some bosses like employees with personality. Even if they don't like us, we can't let ourselves be taken advantage of. Why should they be superior to us?"
Zhao Qiang said, "Fighting and killing are meaningless. Isn't it said that peace is the most important thing? You are a class leader, so you know this better than I do."
Wu Bing continued to shake his head: "You have no backbone at all. You still look like that farm boy who just entered school four years ago. You haven't developed the domineering spirit that a big city person should have."
Zhao Qiang thought to himself, "What the hell? You're just showing off your domineering attitude to the boss? Are you stupid? If I did that, I'd starve to death long ago."
When they arrived at the front desk, Zhao Qiang opened Xu Xiaoya's bag, threw in a wad of RMB, and said, "Don't bother with all that. Just pay 10,000 first, and we'll refund any overpayment or make up any underpayment."
The boss was naturally pleased, "Good, good, you young people are efficient! Have fun, have a blast!"
Wu Bing asked Zhao Qiang, puzzled, "Didn't the squad leader tell you to pay five thousand? Can you make that decision yourself?"
Zhao Qiang said, "Our class has nearly a hundred people, do you think five thousand is enough? I estimate that even ten thousand might not be enough."
Wu Bing said nonchalantly, "Why are you worried about our squad leader being rich? By the way, Zhao Qiang, what's your relationship with the squad leader?"
Zhao Qiang said, "Whatever your relationship with her is what my relationship with her is. Isn't your question a bit absurd?"
Wu Bing said, "Of course it's different. Why won't she let me help her with her clothes? Why won't she let me carry her bag? Once during a class committee meeting, I touched her bag and she almost gave me a dressing down!"
Zhao Qiang handed the bag to Wu Bing: "Why don't you touch it a few more times? We're breaking up soon, if you don't touch it now, you won't have another chance."
Wu Bing reached out his hand, but before he could even touch the corner of the bag, a loud shout suddenly came from behind: "Wu Bing!"
Wu Bing shuddered. "Squad leader? What are you doing out here?"
Xu Xiaoya said, "Is it okay to spy on you? What are you planning to do with my bag?"
Wu Bing took two steps back and said with a grin, "It's nothing, squad leader. Why can Zhao Qiang go through your bag at will, but I can't even touch it? You're being so unfair. This is a serious psychological attack on me."
Xu Xiaoya's eyes darted around. "Uh...because he's my follower, and you're not."
Wu Bing said, "How about I become your follower now? I don't care about the salary, just give me whatever you think is fair, as long as I don't starve."
Xu Xiaoya said, "Definitely not."
Wu Bing argued, "Why not? Zhao Qiang, tell me, am I more handsome than you?"
"
Zhao Qiang said very honestly, "You're handsome, you're more handsome than me, you're the most handsome in our class."
Wu Bing said, "Look, even the squad leader and Zhao Qiang have said that."
Xu Xiaoya said, "But you don't have his good temper. Zhao Qiang never fights back or talks back when hit or cursed. Can you do that?" Ugh, why am I wasting my time here with you? I'm going to find my old man.
Volume 2 [164] To Go Their Separate Worlds
…Xiaoya left in a hurry. Zhao Qiang put on Xu Xiaoya's down jacket and rushed out of the restaurant. He smelled the clothes and found that they were indeed very fragrant and refreshing. He didn't know if it was perfume or body odor.
Wu Bing sighed in despair, "The gap, the gap! That damn Zhao Qiang, he even dares to wear the squad leader's clothes. That's something I dream about. Is he born with the potential to be the bad guy? Bah, he has no manly spirit at all. I envy him for nothing."
Zhao Qiang went to pick up the counselor, Wu Bing returned to the lobby, and Xu Xiaoya, after instructing the boss on the arrangements, turned around and ran into an acquaintance.
"Xiaoya? What a coincidence." Qian Feihao suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Xu Xiaoya smiled faintly: "There's no coincidence. I'm busy. Goodbye."
Qian Feihao bit his lip and chased after her: "No, Xiaoya. I know you're upset with what I did at the Holiday Inn, but I was just trying to save my own life. It's nothing. Anyone would do the same in a crisis."
Xu Xiaoya said, "If you're thirsty, that's your problem."
Qian Feihao knew he couldn't dwell on the matter any longer, so he immediately changed the subject, "I see many of your classmates in the hall. Are you planning to have a farewell dinner? It just so happens that a few of us classmates are also here for a get-together. Let's all get together and have some fun. Of course, we won't skimp on our share of the money."
Xu Xiaoya found it difficult to refuse such a request. Even though there was no precedent, she couldn't simply turn down the offer since it had been made. Xu Xiaoya said, "We don't have any outsiders with us tonight."
Qian Feihao said, "I think Luo Wei is there. She's an outsider to your department, right? You don't really need a few of us, do you? Do classmates hold grudges overnight?"
Xu Xiaoya said helplessly, "Whatever."
Half an hour later, Zhao Qiang brought counselor Liu Hai to the venue. By then, most of the students had arrived, and the farewell dinner officially began. The first to speak was naturally the counselor. It had been almost four years, and it would be a lie to say there were no feelings involved. Seeing that everyone was about to go their separate ways and that they might not even see each other again next year, the noisy venue immediately quieted down.
"Dear students, I am honored to have lived and studied with you for the past three years. Now you have all grown up and are about to enter society. I am reluctant to part with you but also very happy. Even raising a cat or dog for so long will make you attached to it, let alone you, a group of vibrant young people with flesh and blood and thoughts! But children grow up and eventually fly out of the nest, and eventually have to work hard to live your own lives. I wish you all a bright future and smooth sailing!"
The old classmate restaurant played music at just the right time, a melancholic melody, a low, gentle chant. "Finally, this day has come; we must go our separate ways. No one can replace you in my memories, and that youthful time."
Xu Xiaoya rubbed her eyes and said, "Teacher, do you want us to cry before dinner? That would be a waste of tonight's delicious food."
Xu Xiaoya wasn't as tall as Luo Wei, but she had the advantage of a full and sexy bust and a round and perky bottom. Every word and movement of hers exuded a woman's allure. Even a simple gesture of wiping away tears could create a dramatic effect, making Qian Feihao, who was sitting below, feel his heart pound. He couldn't help but feel an urge to hug her and caress her, but he didn't dare to do it, because if he did, he would be trampled to death by the male classmates present.
"Class monitor, say a few more words to everyone. We don't know when we'll hear you speak again. We'll miss it!" Some classmates cheered from below. As the class's top leader, Xu Xiaoya presided over one or two meetings almost every week. It would be a fond memory for the future.
Xu Xiaoya said, "We've been talking about this for almost four years now, what's the point of saying anything more? I'm a local from Donghai, and I probably won't leave here in my life. As long as you come back to Donghai, come find me. I can't guarantee anything else, but I can provide food and lodging."
One of the male students shouted, "Do we have to play with them too?"
Xu Xiaoya glared at him: "Let Niu accompany you!" This male classmate's girlfriend, known as Niu, is currently a sophomore in college.
"Class monitor, this is the last time you'll be hosting a class meeting. Tell us honestly, is there a boy in our class that you like?" Before parting ways, people naturally have fewer reservations when speaking, so they dare to ask this question directly.
Xu Xiaoya wasn't embarrassed. Her gaze swept over the faces of her classmates below the stage, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. The music continued, "We walked hand in hand, writing eternity with sweat and tears, exchanging laughter and glory for a vow, promising to meet again in our dreams every night."
"You have a chance!" Xu Xiaoya suddenly blurted out, then decisively added, "Let's eat!"
The students below were stunned at first, then all the male students burst into cheers: "Really? The class monitor likes one of us! Everyone, you must confess tonight, or you'll regret it for the rest of your life!"
Zhao Qiang sat at a table with Hu Le, Liu Dazhuang, Wang Nian, Wu Bing, and others. Other tables were filled with female classmates, but this table was all men. They had been single for nearly four years, which was a sad thing for these guys. Wu Bing joined the bachelor club not because he wasn't handsome enough, but precisely because he felt he was too handsome. Ordinary girls didn't look at him, and the better girls didn't like him.
Two bottles of Wuliangye were placed on each table, regardless of whether it was for men or women. Zhao Qiang smacked his lips and said that the cost of alcohol alone tonight was quite a lot. Fortunately, he was not short of money, otherwise he could have made Xu Xiaoya pay for it and ripped her off.
"First toast, a farewell drink, everyone down it!" As the class leader at this table, Wu Bing naturally had to be the one to lead the toast. He stood up, holding a tall glass that contained at least two ounces of liquor.
Liu Dazhuang was also the hearty type, "Cheers! I wish everyone a safe journey!"
Zhao Qiang had a bit of a headache, but he had to finish the first drink no matter what. "Have a safe journey!" everyone shouted, and the sound infected the other tables, so the sound of clinking glasses continued.
Zhao Qiang sat down unsteadily. He had realized that the advanced biochip had a drawback: it couldn't tolerate the stimulation of alcohol. Once there was an excessive amount of alcohol in the body, the system would become disordered.
"No way, Zhao Qiang, are you drunk?" Wu Bing shook Zhao Qiang's body; his alcohol tolerance should be over eight ounces.
Zhao Qiang said, "I don't drink often, so my alcohol tolerance is low. This is the last one."
Wu Bing said, "Look at you, you're already wilted before you've even stepped into society. You're currently the class monitor's favorite. If the class monitor takes pity on you and lets you stay to work in Donghai City, who knows how many drinks you'll have to drink for him in the future. You must practice."
Several classmates laughed and teased, "That's right, practice! Come on, quickly pour Zhao Qiang some wine. You can't usually drink such good wine. Zhao Qiang, you can't just work blindly. You'll regret it if you work hard all your life without enjoying it."
Zhao Qiang said, "Classmates, don't target me, hurry up and drink your own drinks."
"No way, it's your fault for not letting us smell the class monitor's clothes." The more Zhao Qiang didn't want to drink, the more they teased him.
Zhao Qiang shook his head: "A bunch of filthy bastards."
One of the male students said with a grin, "Your dorm isn't exactly a saint either. I heard you guys watch movies together and masturbate. The last picture is of the class monitor in his summer outfit, which is quite something."
Liu Dazhuang blushed and slammed his hand on the table: "Damn it, who leaked it!"
Wang Nian pulled Liu Dazhuang back to his seat: "What are you yelling about? What's so embarrassing about this? The other members... just admit it. They're all breaking up anyway, what's there to hide?"
Wu Bing blushed slightly, when suddenly someone patted him on the back: "You've been drinking pretty much. Mind if I take your seat?"
Wu Bing turned around sharply: "Squad leader? We'd love to welcome you with open arms!"
The classmate next to him chuckled softly, "Old Wu, why don't you raise your fifth hand too?"
Xu Xiaoya asked in confusion, "What fifth hand? What were you discussing just now? No one is allowed to fight today, or you will be killed without mercy!"
The male classmates burst into laughter. Xu Xiaoya seemed to sense something was amiss. She sat down next to Zhao Qiang and then casually pinched his waist. Zhao Qiang grimaced, thinking, "You're taking it out on me, aren't you? Why am I so unlucky?" Anyway, it's not like this is the first time our class monitor has been teased by the boys. He should be used to it by now.
Wu Bing was particularly enthusiastic in front of the sexy goddess he admired. He raised his full glass and said, "Come on, class monitor, get us a drink. Like I said before, have a safe journey and a bright future!" As they were about to part, all past unpleasantness would vanish. Wu Bing's words carried a sense of generosity and reluctance. The other classmates' eyes shone brightly. Although they were laughing and joking, the sadness of parting had already filled the hall.
Without hesitation, Xu Xiaoya picked up her glass and downed it in one gulp! "From the moment you stepped into the classroom and called me class monitor for the first time, I will always be your class monitor. No matter where or when, if you encounter any difficulties, don't forget to inform your class monitor!" Xu Xiaoya's face flushed slightly and her eyes began to mist over. No matter what kind of joke she made, she couldn't dispel the lingering emotions above her head.
"Zhao Qiang, why aren't you drinking?" Wu Bing noticed that only Zhao Qiang's glass of wine was left on the table.
Zhao Qiang was in a dilemma. He wasn't good at drinking to begin with, and now, because of his allergy to alcohol due to the biochip, he dared not drink at all. But it wouldn't be right not to drink in this kind of situation. A farewell dinner was a scene where people would rather crawl under the table than stand up and live.
Xu Xiaoya also noticed that Zhao Qiang's complexion was off; his alcohol allergy symptoms were quite severe, but they hadn't been this bad the previous times he drank. Xu Xiaoya took Zhao Qiang's glass and said, "He has to drive tonight, I'll drink for him."
Apart from Hu Le, Liu Dazhuang, and Wang Nian, the other male students were stunned. They wondered if they had misheard. The class monitor was drinking on Zhao Qiang's behalf? They stared wide-eyed at Xu Xiaoya, then at Zhao Qiang, and then back at Xu Xiaoya.
Xu Xiaoya felt quite embarrassed by the stares: "What are you looking at? Zhao Qiang is my driver now. I don't want to lose my life. I'll cover all his drinks. If you don't dare to drink, then forget it."
Wu Bing was the first to react, saying, "Of course! As long as you, squad leader, dare to take our place, we dare to respect you!"
Xu Xiaoya smiled and drank the wine in her glass in one gulp. After that, she accepted all the wine offered to Zhao Qiang, which moved Zhao Qiang deeply. Before long, he had drunk at least half a liter of wine. At this time, more and more people rushed around the table to offer wine, so Xu Xiaoya left Zhao Qiang's side. Wu Bing was the first to rush up and snatch the wine glass that was originally Zhao Qiang's.
"Give it to me! The cup the class monitor used, I want to keep it as a souvenir."
Liu Dazhuang laughed heartily: "Should we collect the chair the class monitor used to sit in?"