18: Showing off

"If you really don't want to come for dinner, then just come hang out and play cards. Staying cooped up at home all day is pretty boring."

Guo Gang still wouldn't give up, determined to drag Qin Shou out.

"You know I don't like playing cards."

Qin Shou had just finished typing the string of characters on his phone screen and hadn't managed to send them yet when a sudden flash of inspiration struck him.

"Playing cards? That's right! My current skill is 'Invincible Actuary,' and my mental calculation ability is better than a supercomputer. Playing cards with this bunch of pretentious show-offs—isn't that just picking up money?

Especially Zhang Wei, that show-off. Every time there's a gathering, he practically carves the words 'I'm rich' onto his face, desperately flaunting how deep his family's pockets are.

Perfect. When I go over this time, I'm definitely going to fleece them ruthlessly!

Let them know that bragging is risky, and showing off requires caution."

Thinking of this, Qin Shou immediately changed his mind, a meaningful smile appearing on his face.

"Wait a minute, I'm changing clothes right now. I'll be right over."

Qin Shou quickly deleted the text he had just typed and rapidly sent the reply.

"Holy crap, that was a fast change? Hehe, looks like you really can't forget Zhu Xinyao!"

Guo Gang sent a lewd emoji.

"You think everyone is an unproductive guy like you!"

Qin Shou sent an exasperated emoji, thinking, What does this have to do with Zhu Xinyao? I'm going to make money.

An hour later, Qin Shou had changed into a clean, sharp casual outfit and arrived at the "Zuiyue Tower" looking refreshed.

Zuiyue Tower is a well-known Chinese restaurant in the City, decorated in an antique style with an elegant environment, classifying it as a mid-to-high-end venue.

The dishes here certainly tasted good—perfect in color, aroma, and flavor—but the prices were quite steep. Usually, class reunions wouldn't choose a place like this.

But the Second-generation rich Zhang Wei was rich enough to afford it, directly booking the entire second floor. Getting a free meal drew in a large crowd who usually lurked silently in the class chat and rarely attended reunions.

People are like this: after experiencing the harsh realities of society and the struggles of life, things like 'face' become unimportant. If you can get a free grand meal, why not enjoy it?

It's just a matter of being shown up by the Second-generation rich and having a splash of superiority sprayed onto your face. They were sprayed plenty during college; they were used to it.

Maybe if they flattered the Second-generation rich during the banquet and said a few nice words, they could even land a good job opportunity. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Qin Shou walked directly toward private room 201. The door was ajar, and before he had fully crossed the threshold, he heard Zhang Wei's arrogant, booming voice.

"Everyone, eat freely today, drink freely, and have fun! All expenses are on me, Zhang Wei!"

"brother wei is awesome!"

"brother wei is mighty."

"brother wei is generous!"

"brother wei is hard!"

"brother wei is firm!"

"..."

The private room instantly erupted with a chorus of sycophantic praise, rising and falling.

"Hehe, it's nothing, nothing. It's just a bit of pocket money. The most important thing is that everyone has a good time."

After a few drinks, and amidst the endless flattery, Zhang Wei was already feeling lightheaded, nearly reaching a climax.

Just then, Qin Shou pushed the door open and entered.

"Oh ho, isn't this Qin Shou? Did the sun rise in the west today? What wind blew you over?"

Zhang Wei was in the middle of bragging when he spotted Qin Shou entering, and his eyebrow immediately twitched.

Qin Shou had never liked attending these class reunions. Moreover, during college, whenever Zhang Wei showed off his wealth, Qin Shou always maintained a detached attitude, refusing to give Zhang Wei any face, which Zhang Wei had always resented.

Most importantly, Zhang Wei had actually pursued Zhu Xinyao as well. However, he was slightly better off than Qin Shou; after all, his family had money. He didn't receive the 'jack stand' treatment, barely managing to be a backup, and had even briefly been the 'main guy' for a period.

Nevertheless, Zhang Wei was fully aware that Zhu Xinyao had Qin Shou as her 'jack stand,' so he had always disliked Qin Shou, even harboring some hostility toward him.

"Hehe, I bet Qin Shou heard that Zhu Xinyao got divorced, and that's why he scurried over, hoping to pick up a bargain!"

Le Xiang, a man next to Zhang Wei with a lewd appearance, laughed wretchedly.

Le Xiang was Zhang Wei's lackey in college. Because he licked Zhang Wei's boots so effectively, he earned Zhang Wei's appreciation. After graduation, Zhang Wei directly arranged a cushy job for Le Xiang at his father's real estate company, where his daily work consisted of nothing but flattery.

Therefore, Le Xiang was absolutely Zhang Wei's staunch confidant. He immediately saw that Zhang Wei disliked Qin Shou, so he deliberately spoke mockingly, hoping to curry favor with Zhang Wei.

"Haha, back then, Zhu Xinyao was the 'white moonlight' in the hearts of everyone in our class. Which guy can claim he never had feelings for her?

But when it comes to being devoted and working tirelessly for our Yao Yao, that definitely has to be Qin Shou. Our Yao Yao is something else; even after all that Qin Shou did, she never gave him a chance."

Zhang Hui's tone was sarcastic. She was Zhu Xinyao's college roommate and the class study representative, possessing a typical 'gossip constitution.' She would meticulously find out who was dating whom and who was sleeping with whom in the class, then spread the news everywhere, never tiring of it.

She hadn't been doing well these past few years. Being sharp-eyed, she naturally saw that Zhang Wei disliked Qin Shou, so she joined the jeering, attempting to please Zhang Wei.

Qin Shou merely smiled faintly and remained silent.

Having lived a second life, if he couldn't withstand this minor mockery, then he truly would have been reborn for nothing.

Qin Shou muttered inwardly: "Later, I'll make you lose the shirt off your back. Let's see you show off then."

"Old Qin, over here!"

Seeing Qin Shou approach, Guo Gang, who had been sitting in the corner, immediately waved excitedly.

Like Qin Shou, Guo Gang came from a poor rural family. After graduating, he had neither connections nor background, and he was doing rather poorly in society. Thus, he could only sit silently in the corner drinking alone, as no one bothered to talk to him.

Although he still couldn't forget Feng Meimei, she ignored him completely, not even sparing him a glance.

Qin Shou smiled and walked over to Guo Gang, taking the empty seat beside him.

However, Qin Shou didn't notice that the moment he stepped through the door, the eyes of many girls in the class subtly converged on him.

Actually, Qin Shou's foundation wasn't bad to begin with; he was quite handsome. Otherwise, Zhu Xinyao, known as the 'Campus Belle' back then, wouldn't have given him the chance to be her 'jack stand.'

You have to understand, being the 'jack stand' for the 'Campus Belle' wasn't easy; there was a long line of people waiting to take that position!

Moreover, now that Qin Shou had the System, his appearance had been enhanced, making him look even more handsome and full of Manliness.

Just entering the room caused many girls to glance at him repeatedly, and even Zhu Xinyao couldn't help but look at Qin Shou a few extra times.

The empty seat next to Guo Gang happened to be right beside Zhu Xinyao. After Qin Shou sat down, Zhu Xinyao subconsciously leaned closer to him, wanting to be nearer.

All of this was naturally seen by the sharp-eyed Zhang Wei. His annoyance toward Qin Shou increased further, and his expression turned somewhat gloomy.

"I say, Qin Shou, you never come to class reunions. Where have you been making your fortune all these years? How are you doing?"

Zhang Wei deliberately raised his voice, his tone clearly provocative, obviously intending to embarrass Qin Shou in front of everyone.

"Working for a living, what else? Just scraping by."

Qin Shou's tone was calm. His heart was now like a rock, and he didn't care about the opinions of others.

Since he had come, he was naturally prepared to be sprayed with superiority by the show-offs.

"How come I heard that you were laid off recently."

Zhang Wei had money and broad connections. If he wanted to, he could easily find out all the information about his classmates.

"Mm, that's true."

Qin Shou shrugged and admitted it openly.