"What's wrong?"
Seeing the strangeness in Chu Fan, Nan Baixuan asked directly.
In the past, Nan Baixuan would have shown a look of disdain and said something unpleasant.
But now, that was no longer the case.
She hesitated and said, "Well, cousin, there's still time. How about I take you to buy some clothes?"
The classmates visiting Shanhai City were all children from prominent families from various regions. Therefore, Nan Baixuan had dressed up elaborately, not wanting to lose in terms of aura.
She had initially thought that by informing Chu Fan in advance, he would have tidied himself up and changed into decent clothes.
However, Chu Fan had always acted according to his own will, and when it came to dressing, he did whatever felt comfortable.
Dressed in casual wear, he exuded no elegance. Anyone seeing him for the first time would likely mistake him for Nan Baixuan's driver.
"No need!"
Chu Fan shook his head. "I feel very comfortable dressed like this."
After a pause, he said coldly, "If you think I'll embarrass you by going like this, then you can go by yourself."
The implication was: They are your friends, not mine, so why should I treat them seriously?
What were a few brats worth?
"Uh..."
Nan Baixuan was speechless.
Thinking of Chu Fan's personality, although she was helpless, she could do nothing about it. She forced a smile and said, "It's okay, it won't affect anything. They've already arrived, let's go!"
If the kidnapping incident hadn't happened, she wouldn't have insisted if Chu Fan had said this; she would have let him not go.
She was overly cautious.
Going out alone, without Chu Fan, Nan Baixuan truly felt uneasy.
Soon, the two arrived at their destination.
There were three men and two women. The men were handsome and stylish, and the women were beautiful and graceful.
As soon as they met, Nan Baixuan happily embraced the five of them.
On the way, she had briefly told Chu Fan that these five were her closest friends during university.
After the hugs, the five pairs of eyes finally focused on Chu Fan, with varying expressions.
The two women appeared indifferent, showing no interest in Chu Fan. The three men, on the other hand, had flashes of curiosity in their eyes.
"Xuanxuan, who is this?"
One of the men asked.
Nan Baixuan quickly explained, "I forgot to tell you all. This is my cousin. My mom was worried I might get drunk tonight, so she asked him to come and look after me."
The man who asked heard about their relationship and a clear look of delight flashed in his eyes. He smiled and nodded at Chu Fan, introducing himself, "Hello, I'm Lu Zhong."
"Chu Fan!"
The remaining four maintained a cold demeanor. They neither smiled nor nodded in greeting, as if completely ignoring Chu Fan's presence.
Appearances matter, just as a Buddha needs gilding.
Although Chu Fan was Nan Baixuan's cousin, his casual attire led them to believe he was likely a distant relative who had come to depend on Nan Baixuan's family. He had no perceived value, and there was no reason for them to initiate a greeting.
Chu Fan, of course, paid no attention to all this.
Nan Baixuan also didn't want everyone staring at Chu Fan, so she immediately changed the subject and they all walked into the reserved room to dine.
As good friends and classmates who hadn't seen each other for two years, they had much to talk about, and Nan Baixuan chatted joyfully with the five of them.
As for Chu Fan, he was like air, calmly drinking tea and eating.
As they chatted, the conversation eventually turned to Tianfan Pharmaceutical.
Complimentary and envious remarks followed one after another, making Nan Baixuan so happy she felt like she was flying.
Later, they all successively mentioned that their families knew they were friends with Nan Baixuan and hoped to leverage this relationship to cooperate with Tianfan Pharmaceutical, specifically regarding the "Nine Revolutions Divine Pill."
Even though Nan Baixuan was Qin Xue's daughter, she had no authority over Tianfan Pharmaceutical's affairs.
However, out of respect for her friends, she nodded in agreement but didn't make any firm commitments, only saying that she would mention it to Qin Xue upon her return, but couldn't guarantee success.
As the conversation continued, they touched upon matters of romance.
The group was no longer young, most of them nearing the age of marriage.
Upon learning that Nan Baixuan was not yet dating and hadn't met anyone suitable, a girl named He Yue said, "Xuanxuan, you're not getting any younger. Why is your mother still so strict with you?"
"When you go out like this, always having your cousin by your side, those who don't know might mistake him for your boyfriend. How could anyone flirt with you?"
"You know, Lu Zhong had a crush on you back in school!"
"We even joked earlier about creating an opportunity for you two tonight, but who knew you'd bring a relative along."
"It seems our Lu Zhong will be left lonely and restless again tonight."
As she spoke, her gaze subtly shifted towards Chu Fan, hoping to see if he would be sensible enough to realize he wasn't welcome and leave on his own.
However, Chu Fan seemed deaf, his expression unchanged as he continued to sit quietly.
This situation caused four of them, excluding Lu Zhong, to show displeasure.
The implication was so clear, how could an irrelevant cousin be so insensible?
Nan Baixuan knew Chu Fan's strength, his connections, and his personality.
She didn't want her friends to clash with Chu Fan and cause a series of problems. Thus, she smiled and said, "No rush, no rush. Love is about fate; let's take our time, take our time."
Lu Zhong, to avoid embarrassing Nan Baixuan, also said, "Yes, no rush. Fate can't be forced."
Although the two thought this way, He Yue and the other four did not.
He Yue exchanged a look with her boyfriend, Bai Feng. Bai Feng, understanding her intent, raised his wine glass and said to Chu Fan, "Brother, we haven't really spoken since you sat down. We didn't know each other before, but now we do. Come, let me toast you."
Chu Fan shook his head and said very plainly, "I won't be drinking. I still have to drive Xuanxuan back later, so you all drink."
His refusal to accept the toast displeased Bai Feng.
He hadn't expected Chu Fan to be so uncooperative.
However, considering Nan Baixuan, he still smiled and said, "When we go back later, you can call for a designated driver."
"Come on, just for my sake, have a sip!"
Chu Fan shook his head again. "I'm sorry, I don't drink!"
The continuous refusal clearly showed disrespect, which made Bai Feng very unhappy.
As a good friend of Lu Zhong, and with family matters that required Lu Zhong's help, Bai Feng and his girlfriend had intended to help Lu Zhong "win over" Nan Baixuan tonight.
Unfortunately, Nan Baixuan had brought Chu Fan, this burden.
Since He Yue had been so blunt earlier, and Chu Fan still didn't leave, Bai Feng decided to play a trick, planning to get Chu Fan drunk so he could abandon him.
Who would have thought Chu Fan would remain unfazed by their attempts?
The atmosphere at the scene suddenly became somewhat awkward.
He Yue, a pampered young lady, became displeased when her boyfriend's dignity was challenged. She said, "Xuanxuan, what's wrong with your cousin?"
"My Bai Feng kindly offered him a toast, and he's so unappreciative."
"Bringing him here is just spoiling the mood!"
"He's eaten so many dishes and isn't drinking, why don't you let him leave first!"
"Will something happen if he stays with us?"
Nan Baixuan, whose attitude towards Chu Fan had already changed, dared not say anything that would make Chu Fan leave. She forced a smile and said, "It's okay, if he doesn't drink, I'll drink. I'll drink for him, alright?"
With that, Nan Baixuan raised her wine glass, preparing to clink it with Bai Feng's.
Bai Feng retracted his hand, a forced smile on his face. "Xuanxuan, it's not that I'm not giving you face."
"If he doesn't even drink, is he even a man?"
"How will he socialize in the future?"
"I'm not targeting your cousin, I'm just looking out for him."
Hearing this, Chu Fan let out a mocking laugh.
"Not drinking makes him less of a man?"
"As for whether you are a man or not, I think your little girlfriend knows that very well!"
As soon as these words were uttered, Bai Feng and He Yue's expressions changed drastically.
Bad!
Nan Baixuan secretly thought.