"This is still a new product, it hasn't officially gone on sale yet. Chaochao, how did you get it?!"
Xie Yan was overjoyed as she touched the skincare sets, her tone filled with disbelief and surprise.
Shen Yao and the others' movements weren't small, and coupled with the slight stir Shen Yao and Xia Chao caused when they first entered, many people were looking their way.
People have a herd mentality, and wanting to join the excitement and see what was happening, they gradually gathered around.
Many girls present were knowledgeable about skincare products. Upon learning that Xia Chao had gifted them both new products from the "Huanyan" series, they couldn't help but feel envious.
At this moment, Chen Xiaodong and Zhang Qianqian outside also returned to the main hall. As soon as they entered, they saw a group of people surrounding Shen Yao and the others.
The two walked over and overheard everyone discussing the skincare products Xia Chao had gifted them.
After hearing what it was about, Zhang Qianqian couldn't help but curl her lips. "Country bumpkins, it's just a set of skincare products, why the fuss!"
Although this brand was very popular lately, for someone like her who had always used foreign luxury skincare, no matter how popular it was, she wouldn't buy it.
"You guys are really something, using anything on your faces. This kind of small brand, aren't you afraid of ruining your skin?" Zhang Qianqian said, immediately pouring cold water on them.
Everyone: ...
They could understand her rejection of domestic products, but there was no need to be so harsh. After all, not everyone had her financial means to afford international brands.
Moreover, didn't their country also have many good products? The Wei family was a prime example!
"It's obvious you're just narrow-minded. This isn't some small brand; it's the Huanyan series skincare products from the Wei family. Chaochao got them for us before they were even officially launched."
"Exactly, exactly. I've already seen the pre-orders on the Wei family's official website. I heard there won't be any stock for the next two months."
"Qianqian, you probably don't pay much attention to our domestic brands. This Huanyan series skincare products are indeed very good, and the feedback is excellent," said a female classmate who was on good terms with Zhang Qianqian.
Zhang Qianqian immediately became displeased upon hearing this, "So what if the effect is good? Who knows what ingredients are in it? It's more reliable to buy big brand products."
Zhang Qianqian clearly believed that the reason they thought this product was good was simply due to their lack of exposure.
The atmosphere became awkward for a moment. Fortunately, Chen Xiaodong quickly took out a small microphone. "Come on, everyone, since we've managed to get together, we should have a good time. Why are you all crowding together? I know you're close, but there's no need to huddle like this."
As expected, with Chen Xiaodong's timely intervention, everyone dispersed and returned to their previous state, gathering in small groups to chat and eat.
Shen Yao and Xia Chao remained in their original seats, chatting with those people.
The atmosphere had improved considerably, but unfortunately, someone insisted on breaking this harmony.
The private room in the main hall was suddenly pushed open from the outside, and a girl walked in. She was tall, wore heavy smoky eye makeup, and a tight leather skirt and jacket, making her look particularly unapproachable.
"Sheng Jia? Why is she here?" Zhou Ruoxi said upon seeing the newcomer.
Sheng Jia was a notorious figure in their class, or rather, in their entire department.
She was always idle and useless, either skipping classes or getting into fights. Writing self-criticism reports was a routine, as was failing courses.
They say bad girls can't stand good girls, and as expected, Sheng Jia disliked Shen Yao the most when they were at school.
Their personalities were such that they shouldn't have had any interaction, but unfortunately, when someone dislikes you, no matter the circumstances, they will detest you.
Shen Yao, with her excellent grades, good looks, pleasant demeanor, and popularity, immediately became an eyesore for Sheng Jia.
Whenever she didn't skip class and Shen Yao was present, she would always pick on Shen Yao.
Of course, there were instances of her cornering Shen Yao off-campus, but because Shen Yao always had Xia Chao and the others with her, she couldn't lay hands on Shen Yao to teach her a lesson.
"I don't know either. Didn't she leave the group immediately after graduation? How did she know there was a class reunion here?" Xie Yan also expressed her confusion.
"I really hope she's grown up after graduating," Xia Chao said.
It was evident that Sheng Jia was destined to disappoint them, as she marched straight towards Shen Yao upon entering.
"Oh, isn't this our class's good girl, Shen Yao? I heard you went back to your hometown to farm after graduating from college? What, couldn't farming support you, so you've dryly returned to Kyoto."
Sheng Jia's tone was extremely unfriendly, and she didn't forget to provoke Shen Yao with a look.
What's the point of having good grades? She still had to go back to the countryside to farm, to be a farmer, a country bumpkin.
"Yes, I did go back to farm. However, I might have to disappoint you; I did manage to earn a little money." Shen Yao showed no signs of anger.
Sheng Jia had previously planned to organize a bullying incident against her, but it didn't succeed due to Xia Chao and the others.
"If that's the case, then it's not too much to ask you to treat us to a meal, right? Or how about you treat tonight's meal?" Sheng Jia followed up on Shen Yao's words, casually asking Shen Yao to spend tens of thousands!
Shen Yao smiled again, "It's not that I can't treat, but it depends on my mood. On the other hand, aren't your Sheng family quite wealthy? What, you want me to treat and you'll just freeload?"
"Tch, freeload? Who cares," Sheng Jia said disdainfully.
She came here just to see the good girl Shen Yao and observe if she had changed after spending so long in the countryside.
Unfortunately, there were changes, just not the ones she had expected.
"Also, don't talk big and hurt yourself. Treating here? Your annual income might not even cover the expenses of this meal," Sheng Jia said.
"Alright, whatever you say," Shen Yao was no longer the Shen Yao of the past. She wouldn't argue with her anymore like she did in school.
After all, minor troubles like this now weren't even enough to tickle her.
"Don't be like that. Most of us here don't know much about the countryside. You can tell us about it." Sheng Jia said.
"I heard that in your villages, the water used for irrigation is all manure water. So, isn't it unappealing for you to eat it? Oh, right, you're all used to it."
After speaking, Sheng Jia pretended to cover her mouth and laughed.
However, Sheng Jia's questions were indeed what they wanted to know.