Shortly after Lin Mengxi arrived,

Mr. Gao, their former homeroom teacher, walked in with a few other teachers, smiling.

"Mr. Gao, Ms. Huang, Mr. Chen, Mr. Yan – finally, you're here!"

The moment the teachers arrived, Xu Cheng, who had started his own business and drove a BMW 5 Series, and Liu Ming, who worked at a state-owned enterprise with an annual salary of two to three hundred thousand, eagerly stepped forward with bright smiles.

"Xu Cheng? Liu Ming? I'm not mistaken, am I? Haha!"

Mr. Gao, now in his fifties with graying hair combed to the side and a mustache and goatee, pointed at the two with a hearty laugh.

"That's right, Mr. Gao! It's us!" They laughed along.

"It's been over ten years already! When I first started teaching you, you were just a bunch of naïve 15 or 16-year-olds. Now you've all grown up and built your own lives. You've matured, while I've grown older and my memory's fading – I probably wouldn't recognize many of you now!" Mr. Gao said with a sigh.

"Yes, Mr. Gao! I remember Xu Cheng was the most mischievous kid in the class. Look at him now – you wouldn't think he was ever that troublemaker!" Mr. Chen chuckled.

"True. But the mischievous ones often find their footing in society quickly, as long as they stay on the right path. They mature faster than the others," Mr. Gao nodded, looking at them with satisfaction. "It's great to see you both doing well. Makes me proud!"

"Mr. Gao, we've never let you down! Look at Liu Ming – working at a state enterprise with a hefty salary. It's all thanks to you!" Xu Cheng grinned.

"My little job is nothing to brag about. But you, Xu Cheng, running your own company and buying a BMW – you're the one truly making our class proud!" Liu Ming shot back, laughing.

Their playful banter made the teachers exchange amused glances and shake their heads helplessly.

"Well, it's not just me you're making proud – you're making your parents proud too!" Mr. Gao smiled faintly.

At that moment, Lin Mengxi approached, smiling.

"Mr. Gao, Ms. Huang, Mr. Chen, Mr. Yan – long time no see!"

"Ah, isn't that Mengxi? You haven't changed a bit in ten years!"

"Nonsense! Mengxi looks even prettier now!" Ms. Yan, the female teacher, joked.

"Thank you, teacher!" Lin Mengxi giggled shyly.

After some brief catching up, Mr. Gao asked, "Mengxi, isn't Ye Chen here yet?"

"Ye Chen? Not yet, but he should be here soon," Lin Mengxi replied.

"That kid – still as slow as ever! He used to be like this during school too," Mr. Gao chuckled, a fond smile on his face.

"Exactly! I remember asking him to come to my office once. He said, 'Just a moment,' and stayed in the classroom solving problems until the end of evening study. I was so mad!" Ms. Yan laughed.

"He always dragged his feet except during exams – he'd be the first to turn in his paper. But when eating, he'd take half an hour, claiming he was 'pondering life.' I've never seen a student like him!"

Hearing this, the teachers' energy lifted as they reminisced about Ye Chen.

Xu Cheng and Liu Ming, however, frowned.

It would be fine if Ye Chen was doing exceptionally well.

But why were the teachers talking endlessly about some nobody like him?

"Teachers, let's not talk about Ye Chen. Everyone's eager to greet you!" Xu Cheng forced a laugh.

With that, the teachers snapped back to reality, and the other classmates gathered around to exchange greetings.

As the clock passed six, the teachers were seated at the head of the large round dining table.

Apart from Mr. Gao, Ms. Huang, Mr. Chen, Mr. Yan, and Lin Mengxi, who occasionally glanced at the door, everyone else seemed to forget Ye Chen entirely.

The food was served, and just as everyone started eating, Ye Chen finally arrived, pushing open the private room door.

"Sorry for being late, teachers!" Ye Chen walked over quickly, apologizing sincerely – ignoring the classmates entirely.

He was here solely because of Mr. Gao's words.

"I knew you wouldn't change that slowpoke habit of yours!" Mr. Gao laughed helplessly.

"Ye Chen, sit here!" Lin Mengxi smiled, pointing to the empty seat beside her.

Ye Chen paused, glanced around, and walked towards the seat.

But before he could sit down—

"Hold on, Ye Chen!"

Liu Ming approached, holding a bottle of red wine and a glass.

"What is it?" Ye Chen raised an eyebrow.

"Don't you know the rule? If you're late, you have to drink three glasses as a penalty!" Liu Ming smirked, pouring the wine all the way to the brim, as if it were beer.

"Here you go!" Liu Ming handed over the full glass.

"I quit drinking," Ye Chen said flatly.

"Quit drinking? Seriously? Don't be shy – everyone, give Ye Chen some encouragement!" Liu Ming grinned as the room erupted in applause, though their faces were full of mockery.

The teachers' expressions darkened – this was clearly bullying.

"Liu Ming, isn't this a bit much? Since when is that how you drink wine?" Lin Mengxi stood up, frowning.

"Come on, Mengxi – it's just for fun. Besides, I've heard Ye Chen can hold his liquor. This is nothing to him!" Liu Ming dismissed it lightly.

"Fine, one glass instead of three. Drink this and take a round with us!"

"You can't understand human language? Or do you think I'm being too polite?"

Ye Chen's calm words silenced the room.

Wait – was this the same Ye Chen they used to mock?

"What did you just say?" Liu Ming asked in disbelief.

"Get lost."

Ye Chen's cold voice rang out, ending the conversation.

Liu Ming froze, humiliated.

He had carefully staged this little act, but Ye Chen had shut it down immediately.

Worse, it happened in front of the entire class.

As a respected employee of a state enterprise, being told to "get lost" by someone like Ye Chen was a slap to the face.

Liu Ming's face burned with embarrassment.

How could he possibly let this go?