Chapter 78: High School Classmates

By mid-to-late May, preparations at the store had gradually fallen into place.

The renovation was taking shape, leaving only finishing touches.

Materials were arriving, equipment was being installed.

As for personnel, all positions had been filled. With Bei Jiajia’s help, everyone was now in training and familiarization.

It seemed like everything was nearly ready, just waiting for the final push.

Zhang Yang watched the store evolve from a bare shell to a basic form, and couldn’t help but feel something indescribable. Even if it was just a small store, even if it seemed insignificant.

“Zhang, even though we’re close, I still need to report to you,” Bei Jiajia said with mock seriousness, giving an update on her duties-renovation progress, material coordination, staff training, and so on.

“Also, the management company is chosen-absolutely reliable, no cutting corners!” she added confidently.

“Cutting corners?” Zhang Yang felt a bit embarrassed.

Strictly speaking, the ultimate goal of this store was to attract franchisees-that was the real “cutting corners.” Who expected this store to last long?

“And you, why are you smiling, little boss lady?” Bei Jiajia looked up, noticing Bei Wei quietly chuckling.

Bei Wei flushed. “Don’t say that. I’m just helping Zhang Yang at the store.”

“Tch, modesty,” Bei Jiajia rolled her eyes. “I bet you mean you’re preparing to work forever.”

Bei Wei immediately joined in, and the two of them started playfully tussling.

Zhang Yang stood outside, smiling as he watched their antics, then lifted his phone, took a photo of the storefront, and casually posted it to his social feed.

Luxury watches, Bentleys-he didn’t need to show off.

Pretending was beneath him.

But achievements built through one’s own effort? That was worth sharing.

Soon, likes started coming in.

Zhuang Jiayi: Got it. So this is your base, huh? I’ll check it out next time I’m in Shanghai.

Zhang Yang muttered a curse under his breath. That girl seemed innocent, but he’d better keep an eye on her.

Others followed with likes and comments:

Xiang Youde: Looks good! Let me know when it opens, I’ll definitely come.

Zhang Zhaohai: Keep it up, son. Earning more or less doesn’t matter, just do your best.

Song Wenqin: Good luck, it’ll be a hit!

Zhang Yang browsed a bit, then paused at a message.

Chen Zhuo: Yang, you’re doing well now. Where are you? Still in Shanghai?

Chen Zhuo was his high school classmate, also his deskmate. They had been close back then, keeping in touch even after Chen Zhuo moved to Gusu for school, sold his Yinhai property, and settled there.

Since an old classmate had reached out, Zhang Yang chatted briefly, sharing some updates.

“You won’t believe it-Zhou Shanshan and Luo Yuan got married in Shanghai and invited us,” Chen Zhuo said enthusiastically. “Hilton Hotel, sixty tables, four groomsmen, four bridesmaids… quite a show.”

Both were classmates from high school, wealthy families, and after years of dating, finally together.

Zhang Yang had no interaction with them-they were always the standout, high-achieving types, while he had been the quiet underperformer. Their paths had diverged after the college entrance exams: they went to first-tier universities, he went to a vocational college. A completely different trajectory.

Now, with his own efforts and system support, looking back at those seemingly brilliant classmates, they felt like nothing.

“Oh, that’s good,” Zhang Yang replied casually, without feeling the urge to catch up.

“Want to meet up?” Chen Zhuo asked, still enthusiastic.

“I’m stuck at the store for now,” Zhang Yang answered honestly. Today was busy, with too many small matters to step away.

“No problem, just send the location, we’ll drop by when we can,” Chen Zhuo persisted.

Zhang Yang sent the store’s location, and after a brief chat, they ended the conversation.

In Shanghai, Hilton Hotel’s banquet hall.

The traditional Chinese wedding setup was stunning, almost dreamlike.

Staff, hosts, and supervisors were helping the couple rehearse for the evening ceremony.

Down below, classmates who had just arrived stood together, eyes full of admiration and longing as they watched the bride and groom, their former classmates.

“Eight years of dating, finally married. Not easy,” class monitor Zou Jun exclaimed. “How many from our class came?”

“About ten,” Song Lina replied, counting.

“I wonder if anyone from our class is in Shanghai but didn’t come? Wouldn’t it be nice to gather?” Zou Jun added. “After all, we’re classmates.”

“Actually… I know one,” Chen Zhuo suddenly spoke up.

“Who?” Everyone looked at him, curious.

“Uh… my deskmate, Zhang Yang,” Chen Zhuo said.

“Zhang Yang?” They repeated in unison, their minds blanking. With multiple class divisions and his low profile, they recognized the name but couldn’t recall him immediately.

“Oh, right, deskmate Zhang Yang. You were close, but grades not great, quiet guy,” someone recalled.

“After the college entrance exam, we lost track. Which college did he go to? Chen Zhuo, you’re still in touch?” classmates asked, chatting and recalling bits of memory.

Chen Zhuo laughed awkwardly. “I think a vocational college. Seems he opened a spicy hot pot store in Shanghai. I’m planning to check it out. Anyone want to come?”

“Uh… no, we’ll stay here at the hotel,” others replied.

“Yeah, Chen Zhuo, you check it out for us and report back,” they added.

Seeing no interest from the others, Chen Zhuo prepared to go alone.

“Wait, Chen Zhuo, I’ll come with you,” Meng Baihan called out.

“Meng Baihan, you… you’re going?” Chen Zhuo was surprised.

Meng Baihan had been the class beauty, talented and smart, pursued by countless boys, yet unmoved. She had done well in the college entrance exams too.

“I’m bored here, might as well check it out,” she said with a smile.

Naturally, she had no connection to the quiet students-she was just bored and wanted a reason to go out.

“Okay, let’s go together,” Chen Zhuo nodded, and the two left the hotel, taking the subway to the store’s location.

On the way, they chatted about Zhang Yang.

“I remember Zhang Yang. Quiet, but you two were close, always eating together in the cafeteria, right?” Meng Baihan recalled.

“Yes, we kept in touch. I heard he worked at an ad company a couple of years ago. Didn’t expect he’d open a store on his own,” Chen Zhuo said.

“Opening your own store… that’s good. You have your own ideas. Way better than a lifetime of just working,” she said casually.

While chatting, Meng Baihan pulled out her phone and found a graduation photo.

“Here, you two are in the picture together. That’s you, that’s Zhang Yang.”

“You kept this in your digital album?” Chen Zhuo nodded, staring at the photo. They wore blue-and-white uniforms, looking young and innocent.

Time flies-people change. Zhang Yang was still thin, but what did he look like now?

“Zhang Yang’s a bit chubbier now, probably looks similar overall. Chen Zhuo, you’re still skinny as ever,” Meng Baihan teased.

“Ha, I’ve been eating enough,” Chen Zhuo said, embarrassed.

Meng Baihan relied on memory to recall classmates-truly, there was little trace left of him in her mind since graduation.

Soon they arrived near Skyview Business Plaza.

“Not a bad location. Where’s his store?” Meng Baihan looked around.

“Let me check,” Chen Zhuo said, following the GPS. They found the store eventually.

“Shudu Spicy Roast Duck? This must be it,” they said, looking at the storefront.

“Nice size, not small,” Meng Baihan noted, tilting her head.

Before they could wonder if it was a partnership, a short-haired girl walked out.

“Can I help you? Are you looking for someone?” Bei Jiajia asked, seeing them lingering.

The boy was thin like a stick, the girl unusually pretty-an innocent, first-love kind of beauty.

“We… want to see Zhang Yang,” Chen Zhuo stepped forward.

Meng Baihan just looked inside, taking in the store.

“Oh, looking for Zhang Yang? He’s inside, busy. I’ll call him,” Bei Jiajia said, walking in to announce loudly,

“Zhang Yang, someone’s here to see you.”

“Got it, coming,” a voice replied from inside.

They focused on the interior. Soon, a tall figure emerged.

“Zhang Yang?!” Chen Zhuo froze. The tall, handsome man with sharp features standing before him barely resembled the past.

This… this is a total transformation. A real heartthrob.

He felt the overwhelming presence of handsomeness and was instantly tongue-tied, unable to form a coherent sentence.

“Chen Zhuo? Welcome, welcome.” Zhang Yang smiled, glancing at the skinny figure in front of him-of course it was Chen Zhuo. Even after all these years, he was still that thin.

“Hmm… and this is… Meng Baihan?”

He finally noticed the beautiful girl with long black hair standing beside Chen Zhuo, and his thoughts immediately went back to high school years long ago.

“Zhang Yang, long time no see.” Meng Baihan stepped forward with a smile, examining the tall, handsome figure before her. “You’ve changed… so much! Incredible.”

The quiet, slightly chubby boy from high school had grown into a tall, thin, sharp-featured, charismatic young man? Such a transformation was almost unbelievable.

Zhang Yang simply smiled and warmly invited them in.

The three of them walked into the store, looking around at the furnishings and the ongoing renovation, curious about Zhang Yang’s store.

“This… you’re about to open, right?” Chen Zhuo said. “Too bad I’ll be leaving Shanghai in a couple of days, but don’t worry-I’ll call the florist to send a bouquet to support you.”

“I appreciate the thought; no need for all that,” Zhang Yang replied with thanks.

“I happen to be in Shanghai. Zhang Yang, I can come by to support you too,” Meng Baihan said, her gaze on him.

“Thanks, you’re both too kind,” Zhang Yang smiled.

“By the way, the girl outside just now-who was that?” Meng Baihan suddenly turned her head, curious.

At that moment, Bei Jiajia was outside, directing the workers installing the store sign, looking capable and efficient.

“Oh, that’s our store supervisor,” Zhang Yang glanced at her and said.

“Store supervisor, huh.” Meng Baihan nodded. She was about to continue the conversation when the sound of light footsteps approached.

“Zhang Yang, you have company?”

Meng Baihan and Chen Zhuo saw a radiant, fair-skinned girl walk in. She approached Zhang Yang and, almost playfully, bent behind him, hugging his neck lightly.

The relationship was obvious.

“Zhang Yang… is this… your girlfriend?” Chen Zhuo stammered.

“Hi, I’m Bei Wei, Zhang Yang’s girlfriend. You must be his friends?” Bei Wei greeted them confidently.

“These two are my high school classmates,” Zhang Yang introduced.

“Hello! I’ll get you some water,” Bei Wei said cheerfully, grabbing cups, pouring water, and handing them over.

Meng Baihan glanced at the girl with her flawless, delicate skin and softly said thanks.

“By the way, Zhang Yang, are you going back for the school anniversary next month?”

“Anniversary?” Zhang Yang chuckled softly and shook his head. “I wasn’t an outstanding graduate; why would I go back?”

“Just to see old classmates, sit together, reminisce. I think everyone would be surprised by how much you’ve changed,” Meng Baihan smiled at him.

“We’ll see then. You know, I’m busy with the store opening,” Zhang Yang replied casually.

Whether he went or not wasn’t important; school anniversaries were never really for alumni like him, and he had no interest in joining the crowd.

Meng Baihan nodded, lightly holding her teacup, trying to find more topics.

She realized she actually knew very little about this former classmate. After a few sentences, she ran out of things to say.

“Well… we should get going,” she said.

“Already leaving?” Chen Zhuo exclaimed. “Sit a little longer?”

He had a million questions, wanting to chat for hours. Seeing Zhang Yang now, looking so transformed, with such a beautiful girlfriend-what a life turnaround!

“Why don’t you sit and catch up with Zhang Yang?” Meng Baihan tilted her head, amused, looking at Chen Zhuo.

“Forget it, next time. Zhang Yang, we’ll head off now.” It was better to leave together; seeing Meng Baihan ready to go, Chen Zhuo stood to say goodbye.

“Alright, next time we’ll meet again,” Zhang Yang stood with them. “Since you’re heading to the wedding tonight, I won’t hold you up.”

He walked out of the store with his two former classmates.

Outside, Meng Baihan had already walked quite a distance but couldn’t help glancing back at the tall figure standing at the door.

“Can such a huge transformation really happen to one person?”

“I didn’t expect it. Zhang Yang looks like this now… you really can’t underestimate anyone. My deskmate turned out to be a hidden gem,” Chen Zhuo kept marveling.

“And he even has such a beautiful girlfriend. Somehow, I feel like Zhang Yang is the real winner in life,” he added.

“Your job is stable, yet you envy others?” Meng Baihan shook her head. “Just because Zhang Yang opened a store doesn’t mean he’s free of pressure. His stress could be higher than anyone else’s.”

“True, opening a store is freer but riskier. What if he loses money…” Chen Zhuo shook his head, imagining the possibilities.

With that thought, he no longer envied Zhang Yang so much.

Nowadays, stability was best. Like him-good job, a house in Gusu, a calm and steady life. Truly promising youth.

And for a future partner, most likely within his circle.

You can’t tell now. In ten or twenty years, you’ll truly see the measure of life, watching it all unfold.