Chapter 190: The Circle

Chapter 190: The Circle

"You'll find out when we meet..."

This sentence felt like a vicious curse, giving Ye Xiaoxiao nightmares all night long, and she was in a foul mood when she went to driving practice the next day.

Today was her last day of practice. Tomorrow, her instructor Wu Xuan would take her for the driving test, and if she passed, she could get her driver's license within a week.

After her morning practice, she had a gathering in the afternoon.

Ye Xiaoxiao thought Bai Mengan would come by bicycle, but a flashy SUV stopped at the entrance of the Song residence.

The driver was a baby-faced boy who didn't look old enough to drive. He rolled down the window, flashing a bright smile at Ye Xiaoxiao.

Ye Xiaoxiao waved like a lucky cat: "Morning!"

The baby-faced boy looked up: "Isn't it afternoon already?"

Bai Mengan hopped out and pulled Ye Xiaoxiao into the car.

"What do you think? To welcome you, I specifically asked Lin Zhilu to bring out his family's car."

"Does he have a driver's license?"

Lin Zhilu piped up: "I just got it."

Ye Xiaoxiao arched an eyebrow, so his skills were about on par with hers.

A girl in the passenger seat turned to face Ye Xiaoxiao: "Xiao Xiao, did you miss me at all?"

Ye Xiaoxiao examined the beautiful girl with long black hair. If she wasn't mistaken, it was Su Tong.

Originally a friend of Ye Xiaoxiao's, Su Tong had been butting heads with Hao Yanyan earlier. After spending more time together and under the pressure from the Xu and Hao families, Su Tong and Hao Yanyan buried the hatchet and became good friends.

Ye Xiaoxiao tapped her chin thoughtfully.

"I missed you so much."

Su Tong pouted in dissatisfaction, "Could you be any more half-hearted?"

Ye Xiaoxiao grabbed Su Tong's face and planted an enthusiastic kiss on her.

"I missed you so much!"

"Hey! I want one too!" Lin Zhilu squealed like a groundhog beside them.

Ye Xiaoxiao coldly sat back, "Drive your car."

Lin Zhilu was instantly dejected; he was just an unimportant tool after all.

Su Tong also blushed at Ye Xiaoxiao's sudden enthusiasm.

Ah!!!

Xiao Xiao seems to have become even more beautiful!

Beauty sticking together!

Meanwhile, Bai Mengan threw her arms around Ye Xiaoxiao, "I booked a high-end restaurant near our compound, just to welcome you back."

Ye Xiaoxiao smiled, her eyes curving. "Thank you."

Bai Mengan: "No need to thank me; I'm the only one among us who's started working."

Of course, Bai Mengan's salary is absolutely insufficient to cover daily expenses; she proudly relies on her parents.

Her parents don't expect her to achieve anything major, just to stay out of trouble and keep the family business going.

But even this small wish wasn't fulfilled in the original story.

Ye Xiaoxiao looked at the carefree Bai Mengan.

"How's work been lately?"

Bai Mengan: "It's going well."

"And life?"

Bai Mengan: "Pretty good, actually."

"What about your love life?"

"Let's not go there."

Bai Mengan is currently single.

Ye Xiaoxiao didn't press further, meaning the scoundrel who deceived Bai Mengan hadn't shown up yet.

The Bai Shun Grand Hotel, a three-story establishment complete with a lobby and private rooms, was considered quite luxurious at the time.

"How many people did you invite?"

Ye Xiaoxiao asked Bai Mengan.

Bai Mengan: "Aside from our close friends, there are also some high school classmates and folks from the neighborhood."

"..."

Ye Xiaoxiao recalled that Bai Mengan wasn't just a leader among her peers but also a real socialite.

Please don't stereotype girls just because they wear skirts.

Bai Mengan: "I expect a good turnout, if not for me, then for you."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "What kind of reputation do I have?"

She's already left the Hao family.

"Don't forget who your boyfriend is, but if you really marry Lu Hanchuan, attending these kinds of events will be normal for you, and it's not bad to know more people."

It's just a regular dinner, maybe with a couple of pricey bottles of wine, but Ye Xiaoxiao is okay with that.

It's nothing like the wild nightclubs and bars that would come later.

"Thanks for looking out for me."

"Between us, who needs formalities? Even if you're no longer with the Hao family, we're still good friends. I can't stand Hao Yanyan. Xiao Xiao, you've got to outdo them, really show them."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Didn't we agree to leave Hao Yanyan out of this? Let's just stick to our own lanes."

Bai Meng'an: "Right, right, let's not talk about her anymore."

Bai Meng'an led Ye Xiaoxiao to the reserved private room, which was spacious, resembling an entire reception hall.

It looked like a banquet hall for weddings.

Many people were already seated inside, and only then did Ye Xiaoxiao realize how many people Bai Meng'an knew.

They were all around her age, making the atmosphere lively.

"Alright, now let's welcome Xiaoxiao back!"

Bai Meng'an pushed Ye Xiaoxiao forward, leading everyone in a warm welcome.

The people in the private room gave their full attention.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "No need to be so formal, we're all friends here."

"Xiaoxiao, come sit down, it's been so long."

In a familiar gathering, everyone was open and friendly, and before the meal started, a group of people engaged Ye Xiaoxiao in conversation.

She no longer needed to figure out who was who.

Because no one approached her asking if she knew who they were; instead, they naturally asked questions.

From the conversations, Ye Xiaoxiao also learned more about the others.

She was very confident that she had almost fully grasped this circle.

Since they were all Ye Xiaoxiao's high school classmates, most of these people were from the capital and also lived in military compounds.

Although Ye Xiaoxiao no longer lived in the compound, her legend still lived on there.

What everyone was most concerned about was whether Ye Xiaoxiao was really with Lu Hanchuan.

Facing everyone's questions, Ye Xiaoxiao could only affirm once again.

"Wow, Xiao Xiao, it has to be you—taking on challenges like a champ."

Hearing this, Ye Xiaoxiao's mind wandered to less innocent thoughts.

Someone even whispered, "I heard that the Lu family's son has a very bad temper."

"He's not that bad," Ye Xiaoxiao said. But the others looked at her with even more admiration.

Lu Hanchuan's reputation was taking a hit.

Su Tong sat next to Ye Xiaoxiao. "If he gives you any trouble, you better let us know."

"Don't worry, he wouldn't dare," Ye Xiaoxiao replied.

"But Lu, the so-called 'King of Hell,' is quite good-looking," Su Tong added. "You two make a good match."

"Have you seen Lu Hanchuan?" Ye Xiaoxiao asked.

"I've seen him around a few times, but never actually talked to him," Su Tong replied.

(Note: The nickname "King of Hell" refers to Lu Hanchuan's stern demeanor and commanding presence, though it may not fully capture his personality.)

Ye Xiaoxiao: "He's really not that intimidating. Next time, I can bring him to meet you."

Su Tong shook her head: "I don't think it's a good idea for us to have a meal together."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "..."

At the same time, a welcome banquet was taking place in the next room.

Xu Jianwen, who had just completed his internship in Ning'an County, finally returned to Beijing, so his good friends prepared a welcome party for him.

Xu Jianwen also brought Hao Yanyan along.

All of Xu Jianwen's friends looked at Hao Yanyan with subtle expressions.

Deng Xuefeng couldn't help but say: "Jianwen, I never realized you didn't like Xiao Xiao because you prefer this type."

Hao Yanyan immediately turned red with embarrassment.

Xu Jianwen cautioned: "Don't talk nonsense. Yan Yan is my fiancée now."