Chapter 37

Chapter 37

How could she still hesitate with such good fortune befalling her? Her two female classmates were anxious for her.

"What are you hesitating about?" Tian Jiaqi spoke first. "Yao Yao, this is your chance to shine close to the source of light. The Jiang Group is so hard to enter; many people would break their heads trying to get in but can't. Now, both the top and second-in-command are begging you to join. Why wouldn't you go? Self-respect is important, but it doesn't put food on the table. Why make things difficult for your own future?"

Another classmate quickly chimed in: "That's right, Yao Yao. Why hold onto that grudge? And with your current qualifications and abilities, you're not going there as a charity case but to help them. They're actively inviting you, not you shamelessly begging to join. There's a fundamental difference."

Shu Yao's internal scales had already tipped. When she had made up her mind to become a teacher, she hadn't listened to any of her mother's persuasions. But now, these classmates' incessant chatter by her ear didn't make her want to turn a deaf ear at all.

Shu Yao certainly wouldn't reveal her true thoughts. She merely said that she would consider it more.

They left at eight in the morning and arrived home around ten.

Jiang Cheng wasn't home, and Cai Wenqing immediately greeted her daughter upon her return. "Why did you suddenly decide to stay overnight yesterday? Nothing unusual happened, right?"

Ever since Jiang Cheng had mentioned those words in front of her, Cai Wenqing had been particularly worried. Worried that her daughter might really be foolish enough to choose an old classmate as a partner out of despair.

She was already concerned when Shu Yao went to the class reunion. Last night, she unexpectedly received a call saying that Shu Yao would stay overnight and not come home. The reason given was bad weather, fearing it wouldn't be safe to drive at night.

But with so many classmates around, they would surely leave together, supporting each other. What could possibly be unsafe?

Cai Wenqing feared something had happened at the reunion, causing Shu Yao to stay overnight in the countryside because of someone.

This class reunion had almost completely drained Shu Yao both mentally and physically. Ever since Jiang Yiyan appeared last night, Shu Yao hadn't felt relaxed for a moment. So, upon returning home, all she wanted was to lie down in her room and rest.

Shu Yao replied weakly, "Didn't I say on the phone last night? We decided to stay because of the sudden heavy rain." As she spoke, she headed upstairs to her room.

Cai Wenqing still wasn't reassured and continued to pry. "Was it just you staying there, or were others doing the same? Were you alone, or did you share a room with someone?"

Shu Yao's room was on the second floor, so she soon arrived. She entered her room, and Cai Wenqing followed, closing the door behind her and locking it from the inside.

Exhausted, Shu Yao handed her phone to her mother.

"Last night, Xu Yan and I shared a room. If you don't believe me, call her yourself," Shu Yao said wearily.

It was then that Cai Wenqing noticed something was off with her daughter.

"What's wrong, Yao Yao? Why do you seem unhappy? Did something happen at the reunion? Tell Mom," Cai Wenqing asked worriedly.

Shu Yao knew her mother didn't like Jiang Yiyan. If she told her about how her classmates' attitudes changed after seeing Jiang Yiyan last night and her own thoughts, her mother might be overwhelmed.

Her mother had already endured much for her sake. Shu Yao didn't want her mother to continue worrying and being troubled. Therefore, Shu Yao chose to keep it a secret.

"It was just a simple class reunion, not as grand as imagined, even a bit boring. Everyone hasn't seen each other for a long time, and many have changed. It can't go back to the way it used to be." Shu Yao's words carried hidden meanings, but only she understood what they truly meant.

After venting her frustrations, she found it laughable. Thus, she curved her lips into a self-deprecating smile.

Cai Wenqing knew her daughter well. If nothing had happened, Shu Yao wouldn't be acting like this. Although she hid it well, some of her small actions and expressions betrayed her.

However, Cai Wenqing also knew that if her daughter didn't want to talk, pressing her would only backfire. So, Cai Wenqing chose not to ask further.

"It's good that nothing happened. Mom was just worried about you. You've been abroad for five years and haven't returned for many years. Mom was afraid you wouldn't adjust well after coming back. Seeing you look a bit tired, you must not have slept well last night. Go take a nap, and I'll call you for meals."

"Okay, I got it, Mom."

After Cai Wenqing went downstairs, she immediately called Xu Yan.

Although Xu Yan didn't visit Cai Wenqing as often as Wu Jingmeng did while Shu Yao was abroad, as Shu Yao's best friend during college, Cai Wenqing naturally knew her and had her contact information.

Occasionally, Cai Wenqing would also call her. During holidays, Xu Yan would personally or send someone to deliver greetings and gifts as a sign of respect.

Xu Yan was the first to send Shu Yao home, and her car had just left the villa area where Shu Yao lived. Seeing the caller ID display "Yao Yao's Mom," Xu Yan immediately answered.

"Hello? Auntie," Xu Yan greeted.

Cai Wenqing was very polite to Xu Yan. She first thanked Xu Yan for taking care of Shu Yao with a smile, then asked, "Nothing happened at the class reunion last night, right?"

"No," Xu Yan instinctively replied without thinking. Then, she suddenly remembered how Shu Yao had hidden behind Wen Mochuan due to fear of thunder.

She realized that Auntie Cai might have something to say by calling at this time.

However, with two other female classmates in the car, Xu Yan chose to temporarily withhold the information.

"Everyone got along happily. We welcomed Yao Yao's return and development. Being old classmates, we reminisced about the past and looked forward to the future. The whole process was comfortable. Don't worry, Auntie. Even though Yao Yao has been away for five years, she can still fully integrate into our group. We all like her."

Cai Wenqing wanted to ask more, but she felt it couldn't be clearly discussed over the phone, so she let it go for now.

"Alright, no problem. Just checking in. Rock, thank you so much for taking care of Yao Yao. When you're free, let's have a meal together."

Xu Yan: "Auntie, you're too kind. With my relationship with Yao Yao, it's nothing. When you're free, let me treat you to a meal."

"Let's settle it that way then. We'll set a date later." Regardless of who treated whom, the most important thing was to meet and clarify the situation.

.

Jiang Yiyan was becoming increasingly accustomed to her current body and accepting her current life. In recent days, besides taking care of her daughter and persistently teaching her to paint every day, Jiang Yiyan gradually started sharing snippets of her life on social media platforms.

She would post pictures of her daughter on her social circle, but never clear frontal shots—usually just a back view or a blurry side profile. Sometimes, she'd share photos of Meimei painting earnestly or her daily meals.

Every time she posted such updates, they would quickly receive many likes and comments. Among them were several classmates from Wen Mochuan's class.

During the class reunion, Jiang Yiyan was added on WeChat by several of Wen Mochuan's classmates and their spouses.

Although everyone hadn't met again after the reunion and hadn't privately messaged each other, they would occasionally appear in each other's social circle updates.

Towards Wen Mochuan's female classmates or the wives of his male classmates, Jiang Yiyan was neither overly enthusiastic nor cold. She simply treated them as acquaintances. If someone commented on her posts requiring a response, she would answer seriously. However, if it was just casual praise or pleasantries, she might not reply.

But she would remember it. The next time that person posted, if she saw it, she would immediately give a like.

Adult interactions, after all, were like this. Reciprocal exchanges, supporting each other, not necessarily heartfelt.

In her social circle, Jiang Yiyan had become close with Wen Mochuan's old classmates. Shu Yao was naturally friends with these people on WeChat as well. Seeing Jiang Yiyan interact frequently with them and that they seemed to have a good relationship, Shu Yao felt increasingly uncomfortable.

She couldn't quite accept how Jiang Yiyan had so effortlessly entered her circle and changed her former classmates' perception of her, as well as taking away the attention and goodwill that should have been hers.

Five years ago, she was clearly the victim. She ultimately chose to silently turn away from Wen Mochuan, went abroad for studies, and stayed overseas for five long years, all out of sheer necessity.

The only thing that sustained her mentally over these past five years was the fact that in that incident, she was the perfect victim. For the rest of her life, she could stand on the moral high ground and condemn Jiang Yiyan for snatching away her almost-boyfriend back then.

Moreover, that incident had caused quite a stir within their small circle. Since then, Jiang Yiyan had become someone everyone despised.

But now?

She merely changed her personality slightly, put up an act of being a lady in front of everyone, and stopped being as domineering as before... And just like that, she could erase her past mistakes.

If she were granted forgiveness so readily, what would her years of suffering and grievances signify?

Shu Yao suddenly felt that many things in this world were unfair. It wasn't necessarily true that you'd face retribution if you made a mistake, nor did it mean you'd be blessed with good fortune if you were kind.

There were simply too many unfair things in this world.