"Teacher, this is a massager that Yifeng picked out for you at the specialty store. It can massage your head and neck, as well as your legs and arms, so you can use it when you're tired.
As for the price, it's only a little more expensive than what Gao classmate bought, just twenty-eight hundred yuan."
Gao Shuai's expression turned sour when he heard the price. He had been outdone by a poor kid.
Zhang Shuixin didn't believe Liu Yifeng would buy such an expensive gift. After all, salaries weren't high these days, and earning two thousand yuan a month was already quite good.
This gift was equivalent to a month and a half's salary. Who would be willing to spend so much money on a former teacher for such a precious gift?
Thinking of this, he said, "Are you bragging? What kind of massager costs twenty-eight hundred?"
"You still don't believe it? The receipt is right here, you can all take a look!" Qiangzi took out the receipt from the box.
The price on it was indeed two thousand eight hundred and twenty yuan. Zhang Shuixin subconsciously glanced at Gao Shuai.
He had originally intended to use this occasion to boost Gao Shuai's image in front of everyone and to thoroughly humiliate Liu Yifeng.
Who would have thought that his gift would be more expensive than Gao Shuai's?
"Classmate Liu Yifeng is truly generous. However, I am very curious, if you can afford such a valuable gift, why would you borrow Liu Qiang's van for so long? Why not buy a new one? After all, isn't borrowing less convenient than owning your own?"
When everyone heard that Liu Yifeng had borrowed a van to attend the gathering, they thought he was very vain.
He was so poor that he had to borrow a van, yet he bought such an expensive gift.
"Yifeng, I absolutely cannot accept this gift. You should save this money and buy a car for yourself in the future so you can travel conveniently," Teacher Xiong immediately repacked the gift, handing it back to Liu Yifeng, box and bag included.
This time, his attitude was resolute; he refused to accept the gift.
It was one thing for others to have the ability to give, but Liu Yifeng was borrowing a car. His family background must be very ordinary. How could he, as a teacher, accept such a valuable gift from him and add to his financial burden?
Just as Liu Yifeng was about to speak, another person entered the private room. It was none other than Liu Yifeng's first love, Du Qing.
"Everyone's here, what a lively scene!"
Everyone's attention was once again drawn to Du Qing.
After so many years, she was still as beautiful, and even more alluring, exuding charm.
But Liu Yifeng felt an unusual calm upon seeing her again.
Because he had long let go of his feelings and obsession for her.
"Isn't this our campus belle Du Qing? You're the last one to arrive today, you'll have to pour three drinks as a penalty!" someone joked with a smile.
Du Qing readily agreed, "That's easy to say!" After speaking, she walked up to Teacher Xiong and, ignoring Liu Yifeng, presented her gift.
Her gift was an eye massager, similar to Liu Yifeng's, but it cost less than three hundred yuan, much less than Liu Yifeng's.
"Teacher, you've accepted gifts from all the other classmates, it would be awkward to return only mine. Please accept it along with the others!"
"But..." Teacher Xiong looked at Liu Yifeng, his eyes hesitant.
Qiangzi stepped in to smooth things over, "Teacher, since Yifeng is giving it to you, please accept it with peace of mind. Don't worry about him going bankrupt; this kid can make money better than anyone!"
"Oh, so you're saying Liu Yifeng has made a fortune? We're all old classmates, if you have any profitable ventures, let us join in!" Zhang Shuixin said.
"There aren't any special ventures, I just went back to my hometown to grow some vegetables and fruits to sell!" Liu Yifeng replied.
The crowd lost interest upon hearing this. They thought he was involved in some business outside and had quickly returned to his hometown to farm.
In their eyes, a young man returning to the countryside to farm was the most unpromising choice.
Zhang Shuixin, unafraid of offending Liu Yifeng, stated frankly, "How much money can you make farming in the countryside?
It's not that I'm criticizing you, Yifeng, but why would a young person like you give up and go back to farming?
The teacher put in a lot of effort for you to get into this university. Are you being fair to the teacher's hard work?"
"What, in your opinion, is farming in the countryside a shameful act? Don't you eat vegetables or fruits normally?" Liu Yifeng retorted.
"I eat them, but I would never abandon a good job to go farming. Only uncultured people do that," Zhang Shuixin said bluntly.
Teacher Xiong was displeased by his remarks. "Classmate Zhang, there is no distinction between jobs in terms of nobility or baseness. You've studied at university, so why would you view other people's work with such prejudice? You have absolutely no manners!"
"Classmate Zhang, Teacher is right. There are winners in all walks of life. Since classmate Liu has chosen to go back to farming, we, as classmates, should support him.
After dinner, let's all exchange contact information. We'll buy our vegetables from him in the future!" Gao Shuai stepped in to mediate.
The awkward atmosphere was thus controlled, and Zhang Shuixin had nothing more to say.
"Look, we've been so busy chatting that we're all standing. Let's find seats. The food should be here soon," Gao Shuai called out.
After speaking, he looked at Du Qing, "Du Qing, sit next to me. We haven't seen each other for so many years, and you're still so beautiful. I'll have to ask you for some beauty secrets later for my mother. That way, she won't have to use expensive skincare products with no visible effect."
In fact, everyone knew this was just an excuse for her to sit next to Gao Shuai. They also wanted to sit with Du Qing, but their status didn't allow it. They were better off not embarrassing themselves.
In the end, Du Qing sat to Gao Shuai's right and Liu Yifeng's left, as if returning to their love triangle days, creating an awkward atmosphere.
Qiangzi sat on Liu Yifeng's other side. He gently nudged Liu Yifeng's arm and whispered, "This Du Qing is someone's mistress. If she finds out later that you're a great earner, she might try to get back with you. Whatever you do, don't agree, even if she breaks up with that man."
He wasn't afraid of anything else, just that Liu Yifeng, seeing Du Qing's beauty undiminished, or even enhanced, would lose his reason and be ensnared by her charms.
He had personally witnessed how the other man's wife had come to confront them, a scene that was still unforgettable.
However, he also thought Du Qing was making a mistake. With her beauty, she could at least find a man of comparable standing if not a very rich one. Why would she go and be someone's mistress and endure such infamy?
"What are you thinking, kid? She and I are ancient history," Liu Yifeng replied in a low voice.
Hearing Liu Yifeng say this, Qiangzi was relieved.
It wasn't that he was overly confident, but even if he were single, he wouldn't be interested in someone like Du Qing.
When it comes to marriage, one should find someone stable. A woman who is too beautiful can be difficult to manage and might even lead to being cuckolded.