139: A woman's jealousy

“Heh heh, I say Zhang Wei, long time no see!”

Before Zhang Wei could clearly see the people at the table, he heard Guo Gang’s voice, tinged with a hint of mockery.

When Zhang Wei saw Guo Gang, his face immediately darkened. He thought to himself, “Damn it, why am I running into an old acquaintance! I should’ve dressed more modestly! This is awkward. If this bastard Guo Gang takes a picture and sends it to the class group chat, I’ll be socially dead!”

Actually, Zhang Wei was overthinking it. Dressed as he was, even if Guo Gang didn't post it to the class group chat, in front of this large table of people, he was already socially dead.

Although Qin Shou was filming a short drama, most of the team members came from Xu Sishi’s company. The lowest educational background was a bachelor's degree, and even the supporting actors were legitimate art school graduates.

Those in the film and television industry pay great attention to dressing and grooming. It needs to be presentable and stylish, but not too deliberate. Zhang Wei’s attire today, in the eyes of this group of people, was simply unbelievably low-class, a true ‘spiritual young man’ without a doubt.

“Zhang Wei, long time no see! Have a seat!”

Qin Shou looked at Zhang Wei with a half-smile, pointing to the empty seat next to Yang Lu that he had specifically made available. This was a spot Qin Shou had intentionally saved for him.

“Qin—! Brother Qin!”

Zhang Wei had only seen Guo Gang and Feng Meimei next to Guo Gang, not noticing Qin Shou in front of him. Now, suddenly hearing Qin Shou’s voice, he almost blurted out the word “beast.”

Fortunately, he reacted quickly enough, swallowing the words back and immediately changing his tone with a beaming smile, calling out “Brother Qin.”

Zhang Wei secretly congratulated himself, thinking, “Luckily, I’m quick-witted. If I had called him ‘beast’ again, my business in the City would probably be ruined. Who dares to offend him! He’s a big shot close to the mayor.”

The two words “beast” were a nickname Zhang Wei had given Qin Shou back in college, specifically to mock him, as Qin Shou had once coveted his goddess, Zhu Xinyao.

Zhang Wei was actually present at Ren Jing’s birthday party that day, but in such a setting, everyone who came was a top-tier dignitary. As an illegitimate child of a real estate developer and a mistress, he was just an insignificant small character, so naturally no one noticed him.

But Zhang Wei saw everything that happened at the time. Ren Jing’s attitude towards Qin Shou was not just that of a personal Bodyguard; it was completely like a young girl seeing her lover.

Moreover, Zhang Wei heard the conversation at the banquet that day crystal clear and never expected Qin Shou to be a young talent from an Ancient Medical Family.

The thought of how he used to show off in front of Qin Shou made Zhang Wei feel a chill, only realizing that Qin Shou was too deep, too good at pretending, and he hadn't noticed his profound background at all. If Qin Shou were in a bad mood one day and wanted to kill him, he probably wouldn't even know how he died.

So, when Zhang Wei saw Qin Shou now, he was no longer as arrogant as in the past; instead, he instinctively became somewhat timid. This was due to the change in their status. Zhang Wei looked at Qin Shou with a beaming smile, trembling slightly as he sat down next to Yang Lu.

Yang Lu, whether from embarrassment or something else, instinctively moved her chair, putting distance between herself and Zhang Wei.

“How—! Do you two know each other?”

Xu Nanqin, observing Qin Shou and the others' expressions after Zhang Wei entered, immediately noticed something amiss and couldn't help but ask.

“Oh! We know each other, college classmates.”

Qin Shou nodded faintly.

“Heh heh, not just acquaintances, but damn rivals in love too.”

Guo Gang, with a playful smile, couldn't help but tease.

“Rivals in love!”

Xu Nanqin frowned upon hearing this.

“Not at all, not at all, Guo Gang is just joking. How could I be Brother Qin’s rival in love? Brother Qin is so handsome and dashing, with such a distinguished bearing, what do I have to compare with?”

Guo Gang’s remark was unintentional, just a casual joke, but it startled Zhang Wei, who feared Qin Shou might recall that incident from college. He quickly waved his hands, denying it, and couldn’t help but flatter Qin Shou in his words.

Zhang Wei’s actions left Guo Gang bewildered, thinking, “Did this guy change his personality? Why is he praising Old Qin? Damn, this guy always liked to show off in front of me and Old Qin, then splash our faces with his arrogance, right? Is he scared after Old Qin put him in his place last time?”

Guo Gang had no idea that Zhang Wei wasn't scared of being put in his place; Zhang Wei was afraid of Ren Jing behind Qin Shou, and the unseen, intangible Ancient Medical Family behind Qin Shou—a force that even figures like Ye Wuhuan feared.

Yang Lu, being shrewd and excellent at reading people, naturally took in Zhang Wei’s every reaction.

She had originally expected to show off her boyfriend and gain an advantage over Xu Nanqin, but never imagined Zhang Wei would not only dress so lowly but also act subserviently towards Qin Shou. This left her feeling even more resentful.

Yang Lu, full of anger, naturally took it all out on Zhang Wei, instinctively giving his waist a hard, secret pinch.

Yang Lu’s pinch was quite forceful, directly twisting Zhang Wei’s face in pain, making him gasp for air.

Zhang Wei looked at Yang Lu beside him with a bewildered expression, not understanding what she was angry about now.

“I say, Lulu, what’s wrong with you?”

Yang Lu pouted, unable to speak directly in front of so many people. She just gave her boyfriend a resentful look, then glanced at Qin Shou.

After all, Zhang Wei was a Second-generation rich, and had experience with many women, so he immediately guessed his girlfriend’s little thoughts. Leaning into Yang Lu’s ear, he whispered, “Lulu, it’s not that I don’t want to give you face, but this face cannot be given. Do you know who he is? He’s a big shot close to the City mayor, a young talent from an Ancient Medical Family. If he stomps his foot, the entire City will shake. Listen to me, this person truly cannot be offended.”

Yang Lu felt even more resentful upon hearing this. She never expected Qin Shou’s background to be so significant, even connected to the mayor.

She couldn't help but steal a few more glances at Qin Shou, only to see him currently mingling, chatting and laughing with a large table of employees from her company, clearly the center of the dinner party.

For a moment, Yang Lu found Qin Shou increasingly pleasing to the eye, even more handsome than before. She couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, then glanced at Xu Nanqin, only to see her eyes filled with admiration as she stared at Qin Shou.

“Why does she get all the good things? Why can’t he be my boyfriend? What’s so good about Xu Nanqin? What right does this country bumpkin from a rural area have to win the favor of such an excellent man?”

Yang Lu looked at Xu Nanqin with a bewildered expression, and the more she looked, the more venomous her eyes became. A woman’s jealousy can sometimes be more poisonous than actual poison.

Yang Lu then looked at Zhang Wei beside her. Previously, she had thought that by hooking up with Zhang Wei, a Second-generation rich, her life would be free from worries, but now, the more she looked at Zhang Wei, the more displeased she became, only wanting to kick him away quickly.