Si Liang looked somewhat awkward and gave a forced laugh: “Oh, I see.”

I didn’t speak again.

The wedding banquet was in full swing, but around me seemed completely silent. Though everyone was talking, it felt so distant, quiet enough that I could almost hear my heartbeat.

Ye Rong asked Zhuang Xu with a hint of intimacy: “Why did you come over? Shouldn’t you be helping with the toasts?”

Si Liang and the others turned to look at Zhuang Xu simultaneously, but he acted as if he hadn’t heard, quietly taking a sip of wine without saying a word.

The table remained silent for a while until Si Liang finally spoke up: “I saw their relatives can really drink, they probably don’t need Zhuang Xu. Oh right, Zhuang Xu, Zhuo Hui said he saw you near the Rongzi Building a few days ago.”

Zhuo Hui chimed in: “Yeah, I forgot to ask you yesterday. Were you at the Rongzi Building last week? I was there on business and saw someone who looked like you. I wanted to call out, but in the blink of an eye, they were gone. Was that you? What were you doing there?”

“I work there now.”

The cool voice rang out, so close it seemed to resonate in my chest.

Zhuo Hui was surprised: “When did you change jobs?”

“You…” Ye Rong blurted out at the same time, then quickly pressed her lips together.

“A month ago.”

“You’re quite tight-lipped, not even mentioning changing companies. Though Bank A is already very strong, where did you move to?”

“Still Bank A, different department.”

“Which department?” another classmate asked.

“Investment Banking Division.”

The classmates were stunned, looking at him in shock.

Global banks like Bank A, are divided into commercial banking and investment banking. Commercial banking handles traditional deposit and loan business – Zhuang Xu’s previous visits to our company must have been related to commercial banking loans. Investment banking is entirely different, handling IPOs and M&As.

At these top-tier global banks, it’s already difficult to get into commercial banking, let alone investment banking. Only the most exceptional talent can enter, yet he managed to transfer to Bank A’s investment banking division in just six months…

However, working in investment banking means frequent client entertainment. Would that suit Zhuang Xu’s personality?

As soon as this thought surfaced, I forcefully suppressed it. What business was it of mine? It was ridiculous to think about such things. Besides, although Zhuang Xu was proud and aloof, he always had good relationships with people. Back in school, both teachers and students liked him, and even Jiang Rui greatly admired him. He wasn’t as cold to others as he was to me.

Perhaps he reserved all his aloofness just for me…

Zhuo Hui was still amazed: “I know you’re professionally brilliant and hardworking, bound to succeed eventually, but this advancement is incredibly fast. In investment banking, your monthly salary must have at least doubled. I heard year-end bonuses are six figures. At this rate, it wouldn’t be surprising if your annual salary hits a million in a few years.”

“That’s nothing.” Zhuang Xu’s tone carried a hint of mockery.

I couldn’t help but shift my gaze.

It met him directly.

I was stunned, suddenly remembering before graduation, when I learned he was going to Bank A, the way he looked at me…

As if wanting to see how I would react.

Only now it was even more profound, as if separated by a layer of frost.

At the table, only Xiao Feng seemed uninterested in this topic, busy questioning Lin Yusen about our “love story.”

“So you and Xigua had an office romance! Since you’re Xigua’s superior, you must be in a similar field as us, right? MBA?”

“No.” Lin Yusen’s response was delayed, his tone dropping, “I studied medicine.”

“What? That’s quite different! Then why aren’t you working as a doctor?”

Why is she so nosy? I hurriedly turned to interrupt her.

“Why are you asking so many questions?”

Xiao Feng made a teasing sound, “Can’t I even ask? Why are you so possessive? Xigua, I never knew you were so jealous. I’m just curious why someone who studied medicine isn’t working as a doctor.”

She’s still going on!

I glared at her. “What’s so strange about that? Haven’t you seen multi-talented people before?”

Lin Yusen laughed suddenly, “She’s never seen someone boast like you do.” Then he said soothingly to me: “It’s fine.”

How is it fine? He’s usually so composed, but even I could hear the disappointment in his voice just now.

I changed the subject: “The fish soup tastes quite good, have you tried it?”

He looked at me, his lips curving slightly, “Not yet.”

He showed no intention of serving himself, so I took the initiative to turn the lazy susan and ladled him a bowl of fish soup, then one for Xiao Feng, and finally one for myself.

I put down the ladle, paused for a moment, then turned back as naturally as possible, lowering my head to start drinking the soup, inevitably catching Zhuang Xu in my peripheral vision.

He was just picking up his wine glass, draining it in one go.

The table conversation continued, mainly among the male classmates.

“Investment banking suits you well, you were already working 80-hour weeks anyway, unlike me, just coasting along.”

“At least you know you’re coasting.” Si Liang, who hadn’t spoken for a while, opened with a criticism of Zhuo Hui. She looked at Zhuang Xu, her expression complicated, “I never imagined you’d advance so quickly. You’ll probably be able to buy a house in Shanghai soon.”

Xiao Feng spoke while drinking her soup: “Didn’t your family buy Zhuo Hui a house as soon as he came to Shanghai? You two must be getting married once you get the house, right?”

Zhuo Hui chuckled, while Si Liang fell silent, turning to talk with the suddenly quiet Ye Rong.

Another male classmate chimed in: “Oh right, Zhuang Xu, I recently bought two stocks, can you take a look when you have time? Don’t be so unsupportive like in university. I heard that in senior year you bought a stock that hit the daily limit the next day.”

Zhuo Hui added: “Yeah, too bad he sold it right away.”

Zhuang Xu kept his head down while pouring himself wine: “My current job doesn’t allow such investments, I closed my trading account long ago.”

“That may be true, but just some advice…”

His words were cut off halfway as the bride and groom approached with wine glasses for a toast amid the noise.

The groom immediately pleaded: “Thank you all for coming. We’re all brothers here, so instead of going one by one, let’s all toast together.”

Seeing his already flushed face, no one objected. Everyone stood up, offered congratulations, and raised their glasses.

The wine-filled glasses clinked in the air.

Somehow, Zhuang Xu seemed to lose his grip on his glass, and upon contact, it tilted toward me. I couldn’t dodge in time, and all the red wine spilled onto the sleeve of my white sweater, quickly spreading into a large stain.

Si Liang gasped, and everyone stopped moving.

“Sorry.” Zhuang Xu turned to look at me, his apologetic words not even reaching the level of perfunctory, his gaze filled with coldness.

“…It’s fine.” I took the napkin Lin Yusen handed me and roughly wiped at it a few times.

Lao Da asked: “Xigua, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I raised my glass and toasted them again: “To a hundred years of happiness.”

“I apologize, I didn’t hold my glass steady just now. I’ll punish myself with three glasses.” Zhuang Xu turned back to apologize to the newlyweds, then took the wine bottle, poured a full glass, and drank it down in one go.

Then he lowered his head to pour another full glass and drank that too.

Then a third glass.

Only after he finished his three glasses did everyone seem to wake up and finish the wine in their glasses.

Lin Yusen smiled slightly and drank his slowly.

“…Thank you, thank you, please enjoy your meal.” The groom gestured before leading the bride to the next table.

I took another napkin to wipe my hand, which still felt sticky. “I’m going to the restroom,” I said to Lin Yusen.

He didn’t answer.

For a moment, the surrounding silence felt strange. Sitting down I hadn’t noticed, but now standing between two equally tall men, I suddenly felt an odd sense of pressure.

I looked up, and Lin Yusen finally returned his gaze to me, saying slowly: “Go ahead.”

Water rushed through my fingers.

The sounds of the wedding banquet filtered in faintly from outside. I looked at myself in the mirror, wondering if it was because of staying out too late last night, but suddenly felt tired…

It might be okay to leave now. Though it’s a bit early, using the excuse of having to return to Suzhou and the long journey should be acceptable.

Yes, I’ll say goodbye to Lao Da when I get back.

Having made up my mind, I turned off the tap and left the restroom.

The path back to the banquet hall led through a long corridor. I walked back slowly, looking down, my mind blank, until a pair of black leather shoes abruptly appeared in my view, blocking my path.

I looked up.

The handsome best man from the wedding was standing right in front of me.

Why was he here? Did he need to use the restroom too?

Should I greet him? Or just walk past without a word?

I hadn’t expected him to speak first.

“What’s your phone number?”

My steps faltered as I stopped, and after several seconds, I said: “It’s still the same.”

“Mine is too.” He looked at me, his gaze cold and deep.

“Remember to send me your bank account number.”

So… he wants to pay for my ruined clothes?

Why am I not surprised at all?

“…No need.”

“Indeed.” He nodded, his tone slightly mocking, “Congratulations, by the way. A match of equals.”

You and Ye Rong are the true match of equals, aren’t you?

“You too, congratulations.”

A moment of silence.

I lifted my foot to walk away, but he suddenly let out a scornful laugh.

“Nie Xiguang, why were you looking at me like that just now?” He raised his eyes to look at me, his gaze full of derision, “Are you fickle? Or still harboring old feelings for me?”

I felt immediately mortified.

What was he trying to prove? That I still couldn’t let him go, that I still loved him?

Yes…

I am!

I raised my head, forcing myself to look straight into his eyes without flinching, “Yesterday Ye Rong apologized to me, which surprised me. I thought she would pretend that the incident never happened for the rest of her life, never admitting her mistake. But since she apologized, I remembered I still owe her an answer.”

I stared at him without blinking, “Back then she asked me, ‘Don’t you still like Zhuang Xu?’ I think I can answer her now.”

“I don’t anymore,” I said, emphasizing each word.

“Please tell her not to worry, I have no interest in someone else’s happiness.”