Li Cheng's face broke into a wicked grin. He could already imagine Wang Yue writhing in pain, clutching his stomach and wailing after taking his punch.
"Crack."
Unexpectedly, Wang Yue grabbed Li Cheng's fist and said with a smile, "I can tell you like my Xiao Xuan, but save it. She's mine."
As he spoke, Wang Yue began to exert pressure.
Li Cheng felt as if his hand was caught in an iron clamp, and the strange strength instantly turned his face purple.
Pain, such pain!
Li Cheng tried to pull his hand away, but it wouldn't budge.
Everyone else saw Li Cheng's predicament, and most of them watched with schadenfreude. The notorious troublemaker was finally getting what he deserved.
"Bro... Big brother, enough."
Li Cheng pleaded.
"Huh?"
Wang Yue let go, "I thought you wanted to shake my hand. I accidentally used a bit too much force."
"Hahahaha."
Li Cheng quickly shook his hand. If there weren't so many people around, he would have thoroughly examined his bones to see if they were crushed.
Round one, Li Cheng retreated in defeat.
Round two, Zhong Sheng made his entrance.
"Long time no see, Xuanxuan."
Zhong Sheng greeted Qiao Zixuan with a smile.
"Yes."
Qiao Zixuan also responded with a smile, but she clung tighter to Wang Yue's arm.
Zhong Sheng's smile froze for a moment again, then he smiled and nodded at Wang Yue, "Hello, Wang Yue. My name is Zhong Sheng. I used to be Xuanxuan's deskmate."
"I know. Xiao Xuan has already told me."
Wang Yue smiled broadly, "Nice to meet you."
"Why don't you two sit over here with us?"
Zhong Sheng beckoned.
Wang Yue looked at Qiao Zixuan, who nodded.
Then the two of them sat down at Zhong Sheng's table.
The atmosphere at the table became even more bizarre with Wang Yue and Qiao Zixuan's arrival.
Fei Shaobo's small eyes darted around, up to no good.
Ouyang Song, on the other hand, kept staring at Cao Fang.
Cao Fang was lost in thought, even with a faint smile on her lips.
As for Li Cheng, he sat far away in a corner.
He had intended to put Wang Yue in his place just now, but it was he who ended up losing face. This made him wary of Wang Yue.
"Xuanxuan, how are your parents doing?"
Zhong Sheng asked with a gentle smile.
"They're doing well."
Qiao Zixuan replied.
Zhong Sheng nodded and continued, "I haven't visited your home in a long time. I'll come see your parents next time."
Zhong Sheng's words were quite telling.
It was as if he were boasting to Wang Yue, "I've been to Qiao Zixuan's house, and I know her parents well."
"Heh."
Qiao Zixuan gave an awkward laugh, "No need. My parents probably don't really want to see you."
"How do you know they don't welcome me if you haven't even asked them?"
Zhong Sheng smiled slightly, "My parents had dinner with your parents last time, and they mentioned me, hoping I'd come visit.
Qiao Zixuan frowned and said, "I haven't heard my parents mention it."
"Heh."
Zhong Sheng then looked at Wang Yue and said gently, "Classmate Wang Yue, may I ask what your family does?"
Wang Yue was drinking a beverage and when Zhong Sheng called him, he replied carelessly, "My family? My family is in the funeral business."
"..."
Everyone at Zhong Sheng's table fell silent instantly.
Their eyes widened as they looked at Wang Yue.
Only Qiao Zixuan remained unfazed, as if she had known this all along.
Cao Fang's expression changed multiple times. She unconsciously moved back, and despite Wang Yue's handsome looks, she still felt a sense of ill omen.
Seeing Cao Fang do this, Ouyang Song also moved back.
Fei Shaobo coughed and said, "I'm going to the restroom."
He stood up and walked out first.
Zhong Sheng felt like he had used up all the surprises in his life for this one day. He tidied his expression and said, "Classmate Wang Yue is really honest. The business of dealing with the dead must be very profitable, right?"
This statement carried a hint of aggression.
Before Wang Yue could answer, Qiao Zixuan spoke up indignantly, "Zhong Sheng, watch your words. What do you mean by 'profitable business of dealing with the dead'?"
"I think Zhong Sheng is right. Paper houses, paper cars, wreaths, and the like that are used for the deceased aren't expensive, but they're sold at such high prices to the living. Isn't that a business with exorbitant profits?"
Ouyang Song chimed in from the side.
"Xuanxuan, I know you're defending your boyfriend, but doing that kind of business is unlucky. Making money from the dead, really, it's immoral."
Cao Fang also agreed.
Zhong Sheng remained silent, picked up his drink, and took a sip. A faint curve formed on his lips.
He hadn't expected Wang Yue to be so careless.
Talking about his family's funeral business?
Didn't he know how superstitious they were about such things?
Qiao Zixuan was about to say something else, but Wang Yue tugged her arm and said with a playful smile, "What you're saying is very interesting. People aren't divided into high and low classes, let alone professions."
"The funeral culture passed down from our ancestors for thousands of years is considered a low-class profession in your eyes. Who doesn't die? Don't they need us when someone dies?"
"Moreover, I don't think it's an unlucky profession. I believe every star in the sky is someone who loved us. As long as you truly believe, you are the one planting stars."
Wang Yue's words silenced everyone.
Zhong Sheng was silent for a moment, then said, "Don't romanticize it too much. Undeniably, you make money from the dead. If it were really that noble, why would you charge money?"
"Hahaha."
Wang Yue laughed, "Living as an upright person and earning money with integrity, whether it's money from the dead or the living, is not shameful. Since labor has been rendered, there should be compensation. Are your families all charities? Do you work without payment?"
"Perhaps your parents have respectable jobs and earn vast sums that ordinary people can only imagine in a lifetime, but if you look down on people in other professions because of that, I can only say you're too naive."
After speaking, Wang Yue put down his drink and stood up, "It just so happens that I feel I can't get along with a bunch of naive brats like you. Xiao Xuan, let's go."
Qiao Zixuan also stood up, held Wang Yue's hand tightly, and said to everyone, "One's birth cannot be chosen, but one's character can. I am very disappointed in all of you."
Seeing Wang Yue holding Qiao Zixuan's hand and about to leave.
The private room erupted into a commotion.
"Class beauty, don't go! We're not like Zhong Sheng and his crowd. We don't look down on your boyfriend."
"Yeah, so what if he's in the funeral business? He's not stealing or robbing. That's hilarious."
"I don't mind anyway. My family sweeps the streets. Why don't you discriminate against me?"
"Hahaha, my parents used to push a tricycle. I used to think it was embarrassing, but I've come to accept it now."
Hearing these voices, Qiao Zixuan winked at Wang Yue, "Are we still leaving?"
"Leave for what? Let's go back and party."
Wang Yue said with a smile.