Xia Lin and Liu Jingru lay on the bed, using their phones to select a suitable farm for their gathering.
The rural prices were acceptable and fit well with the purpose of their reunion.
Transportation was convenient now, making it easy to go anywhere, a task that could be accomplished with just a phone.
As Liu Jingru was the initiator of this gathering, she and Xia Lin took a taxi there in advance.
Old Times Farm.
The name itself was quite fitting, and it played a significant role in choosing this location.
After Xia Lin and Liu Jingru selected a private room, they shared the location in a newly created group chat.
Class Reunion Group:
Liu Jingru: Shared a location.
Liu Jingru: Location sent, hurry over, Xia Lin and I have already arrived.
Peng Hongguang: Still not off work? Two beautiful ladies are already here. As soon as I'm off, I'll fly over.
Fu Ming: I'm nearby, I'll be there shortly.
Wang Beibei: @Peng Hongguang, it's Saturday, do you still have to work overtime?
Peng Hongguang: Can't compare with you guys. We in sales, what weekends? We work every day.
Liu Jingru: Capitalists exploiting labor. (Winking emoji)
Xia Lin: Those who aren't working can come over first.
.....
.....
Xia Lin and Liu Jingru didn't wait long before classmates started arriving, with Fu Ming being the first.
"Two beauties, sorry for the wait." Fu Ming, dressed in casual wear, walked into the private room and greeted them first.
"Wow, you've matured in two years, no longer the bumpkin you were before," Liu Jingru teased with a smile.
"Haha... my girlfriend specially dressed me up." Fu Ming's words revealed genuine affection and obvious doting on his girlfriend.
"A compliment and you're getting ahead of yourself," Liu Jingru pouted.
"Why didn't you bring your girlfriend to show us? Honestly," Xia Lin said with a smile.
"Uh... we weren't told we could bring family members," Fu Ming said with an awkward smile.
After chatting for a while, more classmates arrived. Around 6:30 PM, all eleven classmates were present.
Liu Jingru had booked a large private room, which could comfortably seat more than eleven people.
"It's been a long time, everyone," they said, their reunion filled with warmth and pleasant conversation. A few of them saw each other more frequently than others.
Generally, university friendships were maintained through dormitories, with more private contact.
They were all old classmates, and no one talked about who was doing better or worse, nor did anyone try to show off.
At most, they wore branded clothes and dressed elegantly to satisfy a bit of vanity, but they didn't flaunt it, as everyone had some level of vanity.
Those seeking validation from classmates were not present here. After spending years together, they valued their relationships and the genuine friendship from their school days.
"Lin'er, are you still doing live streams?" Wang Beibei asked Xia Lin.
"Beibei, how did you know I did live streams? Though I rarely stream now," Xia Lin replied.
"I think I heard it from someone," Wang Beibei said, recalling.
"You've all become beautiful in the two years since we last met. I regret not pursuing you back in school," Zhou Tonggui said, looking at the four female classmates, with a mock expression of regret.
"You mean Xia Lin, Wang Beibei, and Liu Jingru, right? I wouldn't dare compare myself to them," Wang Wen said with a smile.
She then added, "Beibei is single, you still have a chance."
"Haha... it's too late, I'm getting married soon," Zhou Tonggui laughed.
"Tonggui, let us know when you get married, so we can toast to your happiness," Peng Hongguang suggested.
"Definitely, definitely," Zhou Tonggui nodded.
The entire private room was filled with a joyful atmosphere. Recalling their school days, everyone felt as if they had returned to campus, with no sense of competition, only genuine emotions.
While joking, they also inquired about each other's professions. Liu Jingru was the most envied, working at Ababa Group with her salary calculated annually.
"Jingru, your job is the best. In a few more years, you might even become a leader. Don't forget your classmates then," Peng Hongguang said, smiling at Liu Jingru.
"It's not easy at all. The work that looks glamorous is actually exhausting," Liu Jingru sighed.
While others saw her job as excellent with good benefits, the effort she put in was much greater.
"We're all working for capitalists. The salary is completely disproportionate to your contribution."
"Jingru, why do you push yourself so hard as a girl? With your looks, finding a rich young master would be a piece of cake," Wang Beibei said, puzzled.
"She's currently like this, wanting to find a rich boyfriend so she doesn't have to work. Everyone wants to live well. When the conditions are right, why shouldn't one find someone with good conditions?"
"No matter how rich others are, that wealth belongs to them. If you're not a good match, you'll be looked down upon even if you marry into wealth. It's better to work hard to achieve what you desire," Liu Jingru shook her head, expressing her unwillingness.
She only wanted to live a better life through her own efforts. She planned to buy a house in Hangcheng next year and wouldn't consider dating for the next two years.
"Men only slow down my earning speed."
"I agree with what Jingru said. People in matching circumstances will be happier together. Of course, you can't say it absolutely; many women marry into wealthy families and are doted on like treasures," Fu Ming agreed with Liu Jingru, but he didn't want to say too much to upset Wang Beibei, so he added the latter part.
"Liu Chao, weren't you preparing for a civil servant position? How's it going?" Peng Hongguang asked Liu Chao, who wore glasses.
Liu Chao was a gentle person with excellent academic performance. After working in sales for a year, he realized it wasn't suitable for him and decided to prepare for a civil servant position to secure a stable job.
"I ranked first among those who took the exam this period, and now I'm just waiting for the interview. But I don't have much hope," Liu Chao said perplexed.
He was applying for the Highway Bureau, which only had one opening. Even if he got the top score in the written exam, it didn't guarantee a position; the interview was the most crucial part.
The interview depended on overall performance, and Liu Chao knew that due to his personality, his chances were slim.
He was preparing to obtain a teaching qualification certificate and teach directly.
"What's wrong?" Peng Hongguang asked curiously.
"There's only one position, and there are six qualified candidates. They probably won't be impressed with my personality. I've already made plans to get a teaching qualification certificate and dedicate myself to educating others," Liu Chao accepted the situation calmly, realizing it was due to his own shortcomings and not anyone else's fault. If he were to be favored by a leader, it would be an unexpected surprise.
"In life, one needs to be positive and not complain. A broad mind leads to happiness."