Chapter 25
Chapter 25: Classmate
Long Ming looked up. A young man in a white shirt and tailored gray suit, a name-brand watch on his wrist and hair slicked with mousse, smiled at him. It was Tang Ming, his university classmate.
Two others stood with him, one man and one woman. The woman in jeans and a white T-shirt with her hair in a ponytail was Sun Ran, also a classmate of Long Ming’s.
As for the other man, tall and thin with dark spots on his face, Long Ming did not know him. In any case, he had only ordinary relations with both Tang Ming and Sun Ran.
Sun Ran nodded politely and said: “Long Ming, long time no see.”
He answered politely: “Long time no see.”
The tall man glanced at Tang Ming and asked curiously: “Brother Tang, who is he? I don’t think I’ve seen him before.”
Judging from Long Ming’s slightly worn clothes, he did not look like someone with status.
Tang Ming gave a quick, unreadable look, then smiled and said: “Li Yin, let me introduce you. He’s our old classmate. Back in school, he was top of the class. His family ran a hotel too. That five-star Lightshadow Hotel is his family’s. It’s fairly well-known in Mountain City’s Upper City. But after graduation, he disappeared. Haven’t seen him around the Upper District at all.”
Li Yin reached out a hand and said: “So impressive. Mr. Long Ming, where do you work now?”
Long Ming said calmly: “Nowhere. I’m unemployed and live in the Lower District.”
Li Yin froze and slowly pulled his hand back, looking at Tang Ming in confusion. Tang had just said Long Ming’s family ran a hotel. How was he a Lower District resident?
Tang Ming looked truly surprised and said: “You live in the Lower District? No wonder I haven’t seen you these years. I heard your family’s hotel changed hands. Did something happen? Why didn’t you ask us old classmates for help? If you want, I can introduce you to a good job.”
Long Ming shook his head and said: “No need, thanks.”
Tang Ming’s words sounded nice, but Long Ming did not believe them and did not feel like chatting.
Sun Ran was also shocked. She said, a bit at a loss: “Long Ming, did something happen at home? Do you need help?”
He said: “No, thanks. I have something to do, so I’ll go first.”
Back when his father was alive, Long Ming’s life had been quite good. But after his father passed away, the two partners claimed his father had neglected management for years, caused huge losses, and even embezzled public funds. They diluted his father’s shares. They even said, as a favor to past friendship, they would not hold Long Ming’s family responsible.
Tang Ming stepped in front of him and said: “It’s rare for old classmates to meet. More classmates are coming later. Why not join us for a get-together?”
Long Ming glanced at him and said: “No.”
Tang Ming sighed and said: “Come on, why are you still such a buzzkill?”
Before he could keep persuading, a sudden commotion rose nearby.
They all turned to look.
Fifty or sixty people in different star café uniforms marched over with angry faces.
The greeters and security at the door hurried up to block them and said: “Who are you?”
A burly man in a black leather jacket with rough skin stepped forward and said: “I’m Zhao Chang, manager of Moonwave Star Cafe.”
Someone else called out: “I’m from Firefly Star Cafe!”
Another said: “I’m from Deep Sea Star Cafe!”
Others reported their shops one after another.
A glamorous woman in a black spaghetti-strap dress stepped out. Her hair was pinned up with a silver hairpin, and her red lipstick was striking. She smiled and said: “So you’re colleagues. I’m Mi La, manager of Starwish Cafe. Tell me what’s going on.”
Zhao Chang gave a cold snort and asked: “Do you people from Starwish Cafe understand the rules?”
Mi La tilted her head and said: “What rules?”
Zhao Chang said: “There are already many star cafés on this street. We didn’t complain when you opened here. But you started with half-price promotions right away. That’s not following the rules at all!”
Mi La smiled and said: “A new shop doing an opening discount is normal, isn’t it? You can run a promotion too.”
Zhao Chang let out a short laugh and said: “You’re bold. Who is your boss?”
Mi La said evenly: “You can go ask your bosses who our boss is. I’m sure they know.”
Hearing that, Zhao Chang and the others changed expressions. Anyone could hear they had run into a tough opponent. But they could not just back down with so many people watching.
So Zhao Chang said: “Cut the nonsense and have your boss come out!”
Mi La kept her smile and said: “Our boss isn’t someone you can see just because you want to.”
Zhao Chang bristled and said: “Then we’ll wait here.”
A soft, pleasant voice came from behind Mi La and asked: “Mi La, what happened?”
Everyone turned. A girl in a white sweater walked over. Her silver-white hair fell to her waist. Her skin was as fair as snow. Her face was stunning, and her blue eyes shone like gems. Her manners were elegant.
Long Ming’s eyes moved and he thought: [Is that her?] The girl was Luo Xue, a classmate from the neighboring class at his university.
Mi La bowed slightly and explained respectfully: “Miss, they’re all from nearby star cafés. They think our opening discount breaks the rules.”
Luo Xue listened, then turned to Zhao Chang and the others and said: “I understand. If you think there is a problem, have your bosses come see me.”
Her tone was gentle, but her attitude was very firm.
Zhao Chang and his group could only answer: “Fine,” then they left, looking sour.
Mi La faced the crowd with a bright smile and said: “Sorry for the disturbance. It’s resolved. Please enjoy everything at half price!”
People around them clapped.
Seeing Luo Xue, Tang Ming forgot all about Long Ming. He stepped forward excitedly and called out: “Luo Xue!”
Luo Xue turned her head and looked toward them.
When Long Ming noticed her gaze, he slipped his hands into his pockets, lowered his head slightly, and turned to leave.