Chapter 146: Tang Mingcheng’s Olive Branch
Cheng Yuan knew Bai Xuening wasn’t being kind. She was only so enthusiastic because she wanted to grind him under her heel, making it easy to humiliate him whenever she pleased.
He glanced coolly at Bai Xuening, feeling even more thankful he hadn’t chosen her back then.
"That’s really not necessary. I have my own career plan. You should give the opportunity to a classmate who needs it more."
The classmates grew excited, all eagerly volunteering.
"Xue Ning, you know me. As our class labor representative, I was always the most dependable one. Every task the teacher gave us, I was the one leading the charge! I can definitely handle a middle management position at Dawn Doors and Windows."
"Xue Ning, I don’t need a management position. A job in finance, or even at the front desk, would be fine."
Bai Xuening rolled her eyes, speechless. ’This Cheng Yuan... He’d rather suffer than lose face. Fine, then he can go do the most menial jobs!’
"Everyone, about the internships, my Mingcheng will consider it, so please don’t worry! We take care of our own. When there’s a great opportunity, of course our people get priority."
"Thank you, Xue Ning! Thank you, Young Master Tang!"
"What do you mean, Xue Ning? You should be thanking the Young Madam!"
"I think we should be thanking the future Chairman’s wife!"
...
Amid the classmates’ flattery, Bai Xuening was in a wonderful mood. Her flushed cheeks added a certain charm that made Tang Mingcheng’s heart burn with desire.
Tang Mingcheng secretly made up his mind. ’I have to conquer Bai Xuening tonight!’
Tang Mingcheng looked at Cheng Yuan with a placid smile. "Classmate Cheng Yuan, you’re in the seat of honor. Why don’t you propose a toast?"
Cheng Yuan didn’t refuse. He decisively raised his glass and looked around at his classmates. To be honest, before coming, he had been greatly looking forward to this reunion.
But after seeing them, Cheng Yuan was very disappointed. His classmates had changed. They had become rather materialistic.
"Everyone, it’s been two years since we last saw each other, right? Two years... it’s not that long, but it’s not that short either. It’s enough time to wear down our passion, enough time for us to forget our original dreams. So here’s to all of you. May we never forget why we started, remember the meaning of our time in university, and I hope that when we meet again, we are all still young at heart."
Cheng Yuan’s words were simple, but they struck a chord like an alarm bell. Everyone was lost in thought.
They had spent so much time together day in and day out that they hadn’t realized how much they had changed. Only after Cheng Yuan’s reminder did it dawn on them.
"’May we still be young at heart when we meet again!’ Well said! I’ll drink to that!"
"Bottoms up! To never forgetting why we started and never forgetting our dreams!"
...
Cheng Yuan’s words left Bai Xuening with very complicated feelings.
Just a moment ago, she thought he was just putting on a brave front. But now, Bai Xuening suddenly felt that maybe he wasn’t just puffing up his chest to look tough—this was genuinely his code of conduct.
For some reason, Bai Xuening felt a strange pang of discomfort in her heart.
Tang Mingcheng’s attention was entirely on Bai Xuening, and he keenly noticed the change in her. This made him very unhappy.
’A useless ex-con can actually affect Xue Ning’s mood?’
’This won’t do!’
’There’s only one star of the show tonight, and that’s me, Tang Mingcheng!’
Tang Mingcheng shot a subtle glance at Pan Gang. Pan Gang immediately raised his glass. "Young Master Tang, Xue Ning, a toast to you both. May you tie the knot soon, live a long and happy life together, and have children early."
Spurred on by Pan Gang, the classmates instantly forgot the noble sentiments from a moment ago and returned to reality. One by one, they quickly raised their glasses and started toasting again.
At this, Cheng Yuan could only let out a soft sigh.
’Since the feeling from back then is gone, I should probably avoid these kinds of reunions in the future.’
"Xu Ke, let’s have a drink, just the two of us."
"You got it!" Xu Ke quickly raised his glass, clinked it against Cheng Yuan’s, and the two of them drained their drinks and exchanged a smile.
"Xu Ke, what are your plans after graduation? Are you going to take the civil service exam?"
Xu Ke shook his head gently. "Brother Yuan, there’s actually something I’ve been hiding from you. I’m a rich second-generation kid. After graduation, I have to go back to my family’s business."
Hearing this, the noisy private room instantly fell silent. Everyone looked at Xu Ke with doubt in their eyes.
’This kid, who’s always mooching meals off everyone, is a rich second-generation kid?’
Pan Gang obviously knew something. He curled his lip and said, "Xu Ke, your family just runs a decoration company. Its total assets can’t be more than ten million. Forget Young Master Tang, you’re nothing special even compared to me. I don’t even have the nerve to call myself a rich second-generation kid, so what makes you one?"
Xu Ke looked at Pan Gang defiantly. "It’s not for you to judge whether I’m a rich kid or not. At the very least, I don’t need to beg you for an internship!"
’A decoration company?’
A well-hidden trace of disdain flashed in Tang Mingcheng’s eyes. He looked at Xu Ke with a placid smile. "Classmate Xu Ke, which decoration company does your family own? Go on, tell us. Maybe we’ll have a chance to cooperate."
If it weren’t for his relationship with Cheng Yuan, Xu Ke would have definitely suppressed his disgust for Tang Mingcheng and played along, perhaps to drum up a little more business.
Unfortunately, there are no ’what ifs’ in this world.
Xu Ke’s tone was cold. "Young Master Tang, I’m terribly sorry, but like Pan Gang said, our family business is small potatoes. We’re not qualified to cooperate with a giant like Dawn Doors and Windows."
Tang Mingcheng’s expression soured. ’This Xu Ke... is he shameless?’
’He won’t even name his decoration company?’
Pan Gang, standing nearby, quickly chimed in, "Young Master Tang, I know! Tengya Decoration Company is the one his family owns!"
Tengya?
Tang Mingcheng couldn’t help but sneer. He had heard of this company. The name was quite ambitious, aspiring to "take flight in Asia."
But after more than twenty years in business, it had barely managed to become a mid-sized decoration company that could just about connect with clients to pick up small, fragmented jobs.
Tang Mingcheng looked at Xu Ke with a half-smile. "Classmate Xu Ke, I’ve heard of Tengya Decoration. If you’re willing to cooperate, for Xue Ning’s sake, I can introduce you to Young Master Mei Bin!"
Mei Bin??
’That’s the Crown Prince of Luocheng’s real estate world!’
’The Mei Family’s Xing’an Group is the biggest developer in Luocheng!’
’If he can get in with Mei Bin, will his family’s decoration company ever have to worry about not having work again?’
Xu Ke’s heart pounded wildly, nearly leaping into his throat!
The surrounding classmates practically exploded. Their faces were flushed with excitement, and they stared at Xu Ke with looks of envy, jealousy, and hate. ’What kind of damn lucky break is this for Xu Ke?’
’He’s about to take off!’
"Young Master Tang is so generous! To think he’d just hand Xu Ke a chance to soar to the heavens in a single step!"
"Xu Ke, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and thank Young Master Tang! If you can get in with Young Master Mei, your family’s company could become the biggest decoration company in Luocheng!!"
Xu Ke was also very tempted, but he knew perfectly well that Tang Mingcheng wasn’t helping him out of kindness. Tang Mingcheng was trying to drive a wedge between him and Cheng Yuan!
On one hand, there was friendship. On the other, a tangible benefit—an opportunity for his family’s business to take flight.
’How am I supposed to choose?’