Chapter 25: The Gathering (Part One)

No entry without lab coats.

Lu Ran's mentor was particularly strict about this rule.

Ding Wei had received a scolding from his mentor and was somewhat displeased.

He felt that Lu Ran had changed recently.

He had chosen to enter the lab with Lu Ran precisely so that Lu Ran could assist him with experiments and write up the reports.

Ding Wei had his plans well laid out.

He had weekend outings planned, needed to go home during holidays to accompany his parents, and had various exams to prepare for.

If he conducted the experiments himself, he would surely be tied down at crucial moments.

But with Lu Ran around, he could rely on his help.

Anyway, with Lu Ran's excellent academic performance, he could easily prepare for exams and didn't have friends to hang out with, so there was no need for him to return home during vacations.

Yet, Lu Ran had unexpectedly turned him down.

Ding Wei sulked for a few days and barely paid attention to Lu Ran.

However, his mood quickly improved as he finally got to know the campus heartthrob, Shen Xingran.

God, the idol was so gentle.

Truly worthy of being a young master from an influential family.

Knowing that he had been in a foul mood lately, Ding Wei was unexpectedly invited to the Shen family's banquet.

Ding Wei would never have dreamed of such an opportunity.

However, his supervisor had been closely monitoring him these past two days. If he wanted to leave, he still needed someone to cover for him by clocking in and pushing forward with the experimental progress.

Ding Wei was still angry at Lu Ran and thus didn't approach him.

Yet, after asking around the entire laboratory, nobody was willing to lend a hand.

With no other choice, Ding Wei had to seek help from Lu Ran again.

Lu Ran's recent experiments had reached a temporary conclusion, so he no longer frequented the lab as often.

Spotting Lu Ran, Ding Wei seized the opportunity and went straight to the point, "I'll be occupied in a couple of days. Could you come to the lab a few times for me?"

"No way," Lu Ran rejected promptly.

Ding Wei's mood soured, and he raised his voice, "You don't have any experiments to conduct recently, and you're not busy with anything else. Why can't you help me?"

Lu Ran looked at him as if he were an idiot, "Because I have a part-time job."

Without working, how could he afford to feed himself?

Madam Shen wouldn't genuinely give him ten billion yuan.

Ding Wei was momentarily speechless before waving it off, "You can do your part-time job anytime. This matter is crucial for me."

Lu Ran concealed his expression and gazed at him calmly:

"Ding Wei, why do you always believe that your matters are more significant than mine, requiring me to set aside my own affairs and time to accommodate you?"

Ding Wei was rendered speechless by the question.

Deep down, he still felt that his affairs were indeed more important.

He was attending the birthday banquet of the Godfather figure.

Preparations for the gift would have to start days in advance.

Yet, he mumbled something but didn't voice it out.

In truth, when Shen Xingran had invited him, he had given him extra spots to bring along a few fellow students from the same major for the fun.

However, Ding Wei had no intention of inviting Lu Ran.

"Well, if he's not going to help, then so be it," he grumbled.

Zhang Lin was also preparing for Shen Hongyuan's fiftieth birthday celebration.

The banquet was to be held at the Shen family's villa.

All three members of the Zhang family were in attendance.

The Zhangs and Shens were on an equal footing, with business rivalries usually taking precedence over their relationship.

But they still maintained the necessary facade of cordiality.

Zhang Lin had not brought Lin Yi along.

In truth, he did not have a preference for Lin Yi; he favored someone like Shen Xingran, who appeared more obedient.

However, the Zhang family had set their sights on a piece of technology owned by the Lin family.

This marriage alliance was more about acquiring that technology than marrying Lin Yi herself.

Zhang Lin himself had to accept this reality.

"Rarely do you venture out. Go and enjoy yourself thoroughly," Mrs. Zhang said, concern etched on her face as she looked at Zhang Lin.

Lately, her son had seemed listless for no apparent reason.

In the past few days, he had abruptly changed his usual demeanor and started preparing enthusiastically for the Shen family's banquet.

Indeed, Zhang Lin was in high spirits today.

That was because he intended to regain his footing at the Shen family's gathering – right there, during this very banquet – and erase the humiliation he had suffered on that fateful day.

It's only Lu Ran; can he not handle it?

Zhang Lin swayed his wine glass confidently as he went to find Shen Xingran.

As he passed by the buffet, a child carrying a plate walked past him.

Zhang Lin instinctively looked down.

On the pristine porcelain plate was a dessert shaped like a hamster.

The Shen family had clearly put a lot of effort into this banquet. The pastry chef's skills were impressive; a short-tailed hamster, with its yellow and white fur, was crafted so vividly.

This child had peculiar tastes – there was a dollop of ketchup squeezed beside the hamster.

As the mischievous child moved around, the ketchup spread everywhere, smudging the "hamster's" belly, eyes, and mouth...

Zhang Lin: "..."

He swiftly turned away, holding back the nausea rising in his stomach, and hurriedly left the dessert area with the hamster treat.

After just a few steps, Zhang Lin noticed the constantly churning brownish-black semi-solid and creamy yellow liquid in a bowl, causing his expression to shift once more.

Unable to hold back, he reached out and grabbed a passing waiter.

He sternly asked, "What is this? How could such a thing be served?"

The waiter looked utterly confused and explained, "Sir, this is just chocolate sauce and lemon salad dressing."

Zhang Lin reluctantly retracted his hand.

The boldness that had been on his face, seeking to make amends or retaliate, had faded, gradually revealing a hint of reluctance and retreat.

Looking up once more.

My gaze happened to sweep across a corner.

The youth dressed in loungewear, serenely seated and occupied with his meal, glanced over at him.

He smiled, revealing an incredibly friendly grin.

Zhang Lin shuddered instinctively, taking a step back.

Feeling as if his intestines and sphincters were convulsing in unison.

Perhaps we should call it a day today.

Zhang Lin mused inwardly.

"Brother Ling?"

Behind him came the voice of Shen Xingran.

Recalling his bold declaration on WeChat, Zhang Lin could only steel himself and turn around.

Observing Shen Xingran's visibly worried expression, he pleaded earnestly, looking directly into his eyes.

"Brother Ling, perhaps we should call it a day for today..."

"Though he does seem ungrateful, daring to cause trouble for Brother Lin like this, it is, after all, my father's birthday today..."

"Even if you, Brother Lin, spare him, no one would hold it against you."

Zhang Lin initially intended to take advantage of Shen Xingran's "advice" and abandon his plan for the day.

But as he listened to these three sentences, Zhang Lin's anger only grew.

If he let Lu Ran off today, what kind of person would that make him, Zhang Lin?

"Don't worry," Zhang Lin said coldly. "I won't disrupt Uncle Shen's banquet, but there's no way I'll let him off."

Shen Xingran faintly curved the corners of his lips.

After "advising" Zhang Lin, Shen Xingran stood by the floor-to-ceiling window and gazed outside.

Spotting the person he was waiting for, he immediately donned a warm smile and waved outside.

"Woah! The god is welcoming us!"

The moment Ding Wei got out of the car, he spotted Shen Xingran waving at him from afar.

Behind him were three to five students from the same major who, seeing the enthusiasm of Young Master Shen, felt somewhat at a loss.

"Is God actually that nice?"

"That's for sure." Ding Wei pretended to be on familiar terms with Shen Xingran. "Otherwise, why would we receive so many invitations?"

As they approached the Shen family villa, they couldn't help but gasp at the luxury cars parked around them.

Including Ding Wei, all of them were mere first-year students. None had ever witnessed such grandeur before.

Amidst the elaborate surroundings, Shen Xingran, standing before the floor-to-ceiling window, appeared even more unattainable.

Ding Wei tried his best to maintain a composed demeanor as he handed over the invitation and entered the villa.

Shen Xingran promptly approached with a smile, saying, "I've been waiting for you all. Come in! Quickly!"

He then affectionately held Ding Wei's hand and introduced him to Mrs. Shen, "Mom, they're all my classmates who specially came to wish Dad a happy birthday!"

Mrs. Shen was known for her gentle demeanor outside, and she greeted the group with a warm smile, engaging in small talk.

Shen Xingran smiled by their side, his gaze drifting past Ding Wei to the others standing behind him.

There were around seven or eight in total, which was sufficient.

He picked up a glass of fruit wine and offered it to Ding Wei, his eyes then wandering back to Zhang Lin and Lu Ran, who was nibbling on food in a corner.

A chill began to surface in his eyes.

Didn't Lu Ran enjoy spinning tales at the door?

Isn't he eager to make an appearance in the high society circle?

He'd give Lu Ran that chance.

And along with it, a chance to lose face at school.

Shen Xingran went out to greet the guests at the entrance once more.

As Ding Wei and his companions entered the hall, they couldn't help but look around in wonder.

"Hey, Ding Wei, aren't you and Lu Ran pretty close? Why didn't you bring him along this time?" a classmate asked.

"Dude's a busy bee, working his fingers to the bone. Why would I bother bringing him?" Ding Wei replied with a sarcastic tone.

Now, seeing the grand scene of the banquet, Ding Wei was secretly relishing the moment.

Lu Ran probably had no idea what he was missing out on.

If Lu Ran had earnestly helped him with the experiment these past few days, perhaps Ding Wei would have extended an invitation to him today.

Due to their dissatisfaction with Lu Ran, the few individuals he brought along were those who had professional conflicts with him.

Lu Ran was perpetually occupied with part-time jobs and didn't participate in team-building activities.

Oddly enough, his grades were unexpectedly good, earning him the favor of teachers.

Consequently, many in the major held a disdainful view of him.

Ding Wei suspected that Lu Ran might have only him as a friend.

Yet, Lu Ran seemed unaware of this fact.

After strolling for a while, Ding Wei called everyone over. They chose a striking backdrop and prepared to take a group selfie.

Adjusting the phone's angle for quite some time,

Ding Wei made an effort to capture the massive champagne pyramid behind them.

Just as he was about to tap the shutter button.

Yet, in the corner of the photograph, there was an inconspicuous yet strikingly familiar figure.

Ding Wei froze.

He turned his head to look and saw Lu Ran, who should have been outside working and weeping over his Moments, sitting at the table with a plate of small cakes being stuffed into his mouth.

"D-Did you just say something?" Ding Wei asked in surprise.

Lu Ran looked up and smiled at him. "I'm working here."

The mere mention of "part-time job" turned Ding Wei's face ashen.

Obviously, Lu Ran had just overheard his sarcastic remark.

None of the others had expected Lu Ran to be present, and they were all taken aback now.

What was even more surprising was that, at an event like this in the Shen family, the guests were either affluent or of high social standing.

Everyone around them was dressed in extravagant evening gowns.

There were also waiters in tuxedos circulating with wine glasses.

Even they, a few college students, had borrowed some ill-fitting formal attire just to blend in.

But Lu Ran...

He was still wearing that khaki hooded sweatshirt, the edges faded from countless washes.

His lower half was clad in gray sweatpants stained with iodine solution.

And on his feet were cotton slippers?

With his casual attire and composed demeanor as he sat at the table eating, he somehow appeared more like the master of the Shen family than Shen Xingran herself.