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“Alright, you two are the last to get here. Now that we’re all together, let’s head upstairs. The biggest private room at the east end of the second floor—it’s packed with our classmates!”

Zhou Duan Yun turned to Tang Xin with a smile. “And who might this lovely lady be?”

“Hi, I’m Tang Xin,” she replied with a warm smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Duan Yun.”

“Oh! Tang Xin!” Duan Yun exclaimed, his face lighting up with recognition. “I remember you! You joined us in our sophomore year but then left for abroad after just a few days.”

Lin Xian and Gao Yang shared a look, both impressed by Duan Yun detailed memory. “What kind of memory wizard is this guy? It’s like he’s from that ‘The Brain’ show,” Gao whispered.

Tang Xin seemed pleasantly surprised and laughed lightly. “I’m actually flattered. I was worried about coming to this reunion, thinking maybe no one would remember me.”

“Haha, beautiful people are always memorable. Ladies first,” Duan Yun said, showing a genuine smile as he held back the curtain, inviting Tang Xin to enter first.

“Thank you,” Tang Xin acknowledged, then waved to Lin Xian. “I’ll catch up with you in a bit, Lin Xian.”

Watching the two enter the elevator, Gao Yang teased Lin Xian with a mischievous grin. “You’re really lucky, Lin Xian! Tang Xin didn’t even glance at me once! She’s clearly here for you!”

Lin Xian stayed quiet, knowing Gao Yang well enough not to need formalities. He was aware of Tang Xin’s interest, which was obvious to anyone paying attention. But what was her real motive?

He recalled Tang Xin trying to speak to him earlier, only to be cut off by Gao Yang’s loud interruption. “You…”

Lin Xian sighed, turning to Gao Yang who was holding a crumpled list. “Did you check that list? Is everyone accounted for?”

Gao Yang gave the list one final check and nodded, tucking it away in his pocket. “All 41 of us are here, even more than I expected. Thankfully, the room is big enough for everyone.”

“Let’s head up then.”

The large private room on the second floor buzzed with excitement. Classmates, not seen for five years, happily caught up. They gathered in their usual groups, filling four tables with laughter and chatter.

Zhou Duan Yun was surrounded by classmates in the center of the room. “Duan Yun, is that Rolls-Royce outside yours? We saw it from the window. You must be doing well!”

“Hey, Duan Yun, how did you make so much money so fast? Someone said you won the lottery right after graduation. Is that true?”

“And I heard you dropped out to join some pyramid scheme… Any truth to that? If you’ve got a legit way to make money, you gotta share with us, man!”

Zhou Duan Yun maintained his calm demeanor, gently patting a classmate on the back. “I wasn’t very social in high school, which led to a lot of rumors. Yes, I’ve made some money, but it’s all been above board. I believe in earning money honestly.”

Duan Yun skillfully dodged the more probing questions with his responses. Lin Xian, curious about Duan Yun’s success, listened closely. Duan Yun was a quiet student with poor grades, few friends, and hardly the type to stand out.

Lin Xian was surprised Duan Yun even remembered him—they had barely interacted during high school. “Alright, everyone! Let’s find our seats!” Gao Yang announced, directing the group.

He seated Tang Xin next to Lin Xian. “Tang Xin, sit here beside Lin Xian. You don’t know many others, so you guys can chat.”

“Thank you, class president,” Tang Xin said with a natural smile, taking her seat beside Lin Xian.

The tables filled up quickly. Two were occupied by male classmates, one by females, and the fourth, a mixed table, included Lin Xian, Gao Yang, Zhou Duan Yun, Tang Xin, the Xia twins, and four others who were close back in high school.

Following Gao Yang’s spirited introduction, the reunion officially started. Everyone briefly reintroduced themselves, and the waitstaff began serving the pre-ordered dishes and drinks. The room’s atmosphere became even more lively.

As the last of the hot dishes was served, the waiters topped off everyone’s tea before leaving and closing the door behind them, allowing the group to reminisce in private.

“So, Tang Xin, what are you doing in the States? Still studying?” one classmate asked after a few rounds of drinks.

“I’m working at a research institute with my university mentor,” Tang Xin answered, her cheeks pink from the wine. “But I’m moving back to Donghai after the New Year. A prominent figure in the medical field has invited me to join his research institute. It took me a while to decide, but I’ve agreed to go.”

“That’s fantastic!” Gao Yang exclaimed, raising his glass. “Welcome back, scientist!”

“Class president, I’m hardly a scientist—just a researcher.”

“Even so, welcome back! It’s important that our achievements benefit our country. Cheers to Tang Xin!”

Always the life of the party, Gao Yang used any excuse to toast. Whether it was the New Year, an anniversary, or just because it was Thursday, his table always ran out of drinks first.

Lin Xian raised his glass, looking at Tang Xin. “What area of research are you in?”

“Hibernation,” she replied.

Lin Xian paused with his drink halfway to his mouth. “Hibernation? Like the work Professor Xu Yun did?”

“I’m nowhere near Professor Xu Yun’s level,” Tang Xin said, taking a sip of her wine. “His innovations have revolutionized multiple fields. Lin Xian, you might not keep up with this, but there’s a lot of excitement in the scientific community—new discoveries and breakthroughs every day.”

“My focus is on pharmaceuticals, specifically the side effects of hibernation. It’s a narrow field, but I owe a lot to Professor Xu Yun. Without his pioneering work, I wouldn’t have the opportunities I have today.”

“Side effects of hibernation,” Lin Xian mused. “Can your research help with memory loss?”

Tang Xin looked surprised. “Lin Xian, I didn’t know you followed hibernation research.”

“Do you think your work might address memory loss?” He pressed.

“If it could, I might be in line for a Nobel Prize,” Tang Xin laughed. “But unfortunately, memory loss is a deep, neurological issue beyond what drugs can fix. Besides, memory loss isn’t considered a major side effect in our field. It’s relatively harmless compared to other issues.”

“I see,” Lin Xian nodded, understanding the different perspectives. To Professor Xu Yun, memory loss was a critical issue, but to medical researchers like Tang Xin, it was less concerning.

“So, there are other, more harmful side effects?”

“Yes,” Tang Xin confirmed. “That’s why I’m honored to be joining this research institute in Donghai.”

“They should be honored to have you.”

“You’re too kind, Lin Xian. This institute is very special,” Tang Xin’s eyes sparkled. “Guess who invited me. It’s his private institute, but it’s as prestigious as many national institutes.”

“An important international expert?”

“More than that,” Tang Xin leaned in, whispering, “He was Professor Xu Yun’s mentor.”

Professor Xu Yun’s mentor? Lin Xian remembered Zhao Ying Jun mentioning how Xu Yun had been marginalized for his focus on hibernation pods, which eventually led to his downfall. How could this mentor now take credit?

“Did you ever ask him why he pushed Xu Yun out?” Lin Xian asked.

“I couldn’t bring myself to ask,” Tang Xin admitted with a wry smile. “But I sense he deeply regrets it.”

“What are you two whispering about over there? Time for another toast!” Gao Yang’s booming voice interrupted them. Lin Xian and Tang Xin looked up to see everyone waiting, glasses raised.

“Didn’t we just toast?” Lin Xian sighed. “What’s the occasion now?”

“To this moment!”

“And the next moment?”

“We’ll toast to that too!”

Amidst laughter, they all raised their glasses, celebrating the moment with another round of drinks.

They had indeed had quite a few drinks. Just as Gao Yang burped, a waiter approached him. “Mr. Gao, we need to confirm, are you sure you ordered 41 bowls of bird’s nest porridge?”

“Of course,” Gao Yang replied, confused. “One bowl per person, 41 bowls. What’s the issue?”

“But…” the waiter hesitated, looking around the bustling room. “There are clearly 42 people here…”