Marriage at Thirty - Chapter 54

“It’s been so many years. I wonder how everyone is doing and if they even remember me,” Lin Ran said, feeling a bit nervous in the car.

“Everyone else can be forgotten, but not you. You were so popular back then that even the class teacher remembers you,” Lian Fang said.

Lin Ran smiled and said, “We didn’t have WeChat when we graduated, or even a group chat, so we barely kept in touch.”

“Exactly! I heard someone created a group later, but no one ever chatted, so I never joined.”

As they spoke, the car arrived at the destination. Lian Fang parked, and the two got out and walked toward the hotel.

“Hey, that person looks like Wang Zhe,” Lian Fang said, pointing to a woman at the hotel entrance.

Lin Ran focused her gaze and called out, “Wang Zhe.”

Wang Zhe turned to them, waved enthusiastically, and said with some excitement, “I didn’t expect you to come! I thought you were celebrating the New Year in Jincheng!”

“Fu Linling and I came back a few days ago. I heard about the reunion today and came to join the fun,” Lin Ran said.

“You look even better. You’re getting more beautiful the older you get.”

“You too. You look much better than last time.”

Lian Fang was stunned watching them compliment each other and couldn’t help but ask, “Do you two… remember that you used to be arch-enemies?”

The two paused, then laughed simultaneously.

“That’s ancient history,” Lin Ran said.

Wang Zhe: “Exactly. I even saw her last time I was in Jincheng. Didn’t you know?”

“She mentioned it. How is your mother-in-law doing?”

“She had surgery and is much better, but she still needs to rest properly,” Wang Zhe said.

The three walked inside, chatting about their current lives, and headed up to the second floor. Lian Fang looked for the private room.

“I really didn’t think you’d come,” Wang Zhe whispered. “Are you here alone? Didn’t you bring Fu Linling?”

“She didn’t want to come. What’s wrong? Should I not come alone?” Lin Ran asked, puzzled.

“That’s not what I mean. Don’t you know who organized this reunion?”

“Who?”

“The class monitor.”

“Oh.”

“He never organized one before. I heard he’s done well for himself these past two years, so he paid to organize this reunion. You know how it is,” Wang Zhe said.

Lin Ran chuckled. “So, you mean we get a free meal out of this?”

“Yes, and we haven’t gathered in over ten years, so a lot of people came—almost everyone,” Wang Zhe paused, then added, “He’s not married yet. If he sees you later, he might say or do something you don’t like.”

Lin Ran proudly lifted her hand and showed off her sparkling wedding ring. “Let him say whatever he wants. I’m a married woman. Besides, so many years have passed. I don’t believe he still has a crush on me.”

“You never know. What if he felt he didn’t have a chance before, and now that he’s successful and sees his ‘white moonlight’ again, he might get ideas?”

“What are you two whispering about? Come on, I found it.” Lian Fang waved to them up ahead. When they reached the door, she pushed it open and greeted the people inside. “Hello, old classmates! Do you remember us?”

“Lian Fang, Wang Zhe, and—holy cow—Lin Ran!!” A guy near the door shouted.

The room suddenly fell silent. Everyone looked toward the door. When they saw Lin Ran at the back, a burst of shouts and exclamations erupted.

“Lin Ran actually came?!”

“Lin Ran, long time no see!”

“Class monitor, you’re amazing! You got Lin Ran to come! You should have told us beforehand!”

A crowd surged toward the door. Back then, except for Wang Zhe’s small group, the other girls had good relationships with Lin Ran. They all hugged, making a lot of noise and blocking the server bringing in the dishes.

The class monitor was somewhat overwhelmed. While trying to maintain order and get everyone to sit down, he constantly urged the servers to bring the food, occasionally glancing over at Lin Ran.

Once seated, classmates eagerly questioned Lin Ran about her current life. “Lin Ran, did you eat preservatives? You haven’t aged at all! You look just like you did back then—no, you look even more stylish!”

Lin Ran laughed. “It’s all thanks to good makeup skills.”

“Lin Ran, what are you doing now? Are you still painting?”

“Yes, I’ve been doing that all along.”

“Lin Ran, do you remember who I am?”

Lin Ran looked at the guy across from her, staring for a long time but still couldn’t place him. She turned to Lian Fang for help, but Lian Fang shook her head, unable to recognize him either.

A classmate next to them burst into laughter. “It’s fine; barely anyone can recognize him. He’s the Sports Representative!”

Lin Ran and Lian Fang were greatly surprised. It was hard to connect the stout, already balding man in front of them with the tall, skinny Sports Representative from years ago.

The Sports Rep’s face was squeezed with flesh when he laughed. “I even wrote you a love letter. Do you remember?”

“I can’t forget. The teacher confiscated it. But I didn’t rat out your name, so I had to write the reflection all by myself,” Lin Ran said. Everyone laughed.

The Sports Rep laughed the loudest. “A loyal friend, you are! A loyal friend!”

“That was your first crush,” Lin Ran whispered jokingly to Lian Fang.

Lian Fang covered her face, wanting to crawl into a hole. “Blind youth! Thank goodness you stopped me from confessing back then. Now I think my husband is still somewhat charming.”

“Wang Zhe, you and Lin Ran were rivals before. How did you come together today?” someone asked.

Wang Zhe said, “We’re adults now. We can’t still be pulling each other’s hair out when we meet.”

“Lin Ran, are you here alone? Are you still single?” another person asked.

Just as Lin Ran was about to answer, a server came to deliver a dish next to her, asking her to move over slightly.

She moved aside a little. The class monitor walked over, negotiated with the server to speed up the kitchen, and then naturally sat down beside her.

“The class monitor is truly generous. Today’s meal is all on him. Eat to your heart’s content,” the class monitor’s friend said.

Everyone naturally thanked the class monitor for his grand gesture. If he hadn’t funded the reunion, they might not have gathered so completely.

The topic naturally shifted to the class monitor, mentioning how he had gotten rich and was successful in business over the past few years.

“Try this one. It tastes great,” Lin Ran said, pointing out a dish to Lian Fang.

“Lin Ran, I honestly didn’t expect you to come this time,” the class monitor suddenly said.

Lin Ran turned to him. “I didn’t expect to either. If Lian Fang hadn’t told me about the reunion, I wouldn’t have been able to make it.”

“My mistake, my mistake. I forgot to add you to the group chat. Speaking of which, we don’t seem to have each other’s WeChat. Shall we add each other?” the class monitor asked, looking at her expectantly.

“WeChat isn’t necessary, but since you’re here, I want to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

“During that high school party, when I nearly drowned—was it really you who saved me?” Lin Ran asked.

The class monitor smiled awkwardly. “That was so long ago, I barely remember.”

Lin Ran gave a knowing smile.

Others saw the two whispering and started chanting playfully, “Class monitor, you’re not trying to pursue Lin Ran, are you?”

The class monitor smiled this time and didn’t deny it. He raised his glass and said, “Come on, let’s drink! I heard you’ve been divorced once.”

“That’s right. You better seize the opportunity!”

Lin Ran lowered her head and messaged Fu Linling.

[The reunion is boring. It feels a bit different.]

[Fu Linling]: I’m coming to pick you up.

[Ran.]: Okay [Kiss Emoji]

After several rounds of drinks, everyone’s reminiscing was almost done, and their tall tales had been spun.

“There’s a second round later. I’ve booked a room for karaoke,” the class monitor announced.

A group of people cheered excitedly.

“I won’t be going,” Lin Ran said, checking her phone.

“No way! You have to come! It’s rare for everyone to be here. What do you all say?” the class monitor asked the others.

Everyone tried to persuade her to stay and party with them.

“The reunion is only fun with you here.”

“That’s right. You sing so well. It would be a waste not to sing a few songs.”

“It’s been so many years since we last met, Lin Ran. Do you really want to go home so early?”

“If you don’t go, what if the class monitor doesn’t take us either?”

“The class monitor clearly wants to pursue you. Just give him a chance to fulfill his old dream.”

“You used to love excitement the most! This is the first time we’ve gathered so completely since graduation. Are you sure you’re not going?”

Lin Ran looked at her former classmates. Half of them had faces flushed from drinking, no longer possessing the pure innocence of their youth.

“Are you sure everyone who could come, came?” she asked slowly.

Everyone looked around. Aside from Lian Fang and Wang Zhe, the others were confused.

“It’s normal that a few couldn’t make it due to family matters. Everyone who was available came,” the class monitor said.

“That’s right. I came as soon as I received the invitation,” another person added.

Lin Ran asked, “Did you forget one person? She didn’t receive any invitation at all.”

“Who?” Everyone looked around.

Lian Fang realized that not a single person remembered Fu Linling and quickly raised her hand. “Our class’s number one student!”

“Number one student?” someone asked. “Who was our class’s number one student again?”

“I think she was surnamed Fu. What was her name? The really big one.”

“Fu Linling, right?”

“Oh, right, Fu Linling. I wonder how she’s doing now.”

Lin Ran scanned the room. She couldn’t wait for the dinner to end. She picked up her bag, stood up, and said, “You all have fun. I have to go back.”

“It’s still early! Stay and play for a bit longer!” everyone pleaded.

“I’m not playing anymore. My wife is here to pick me up.”

With those words, the entire room fell silent.

Only the sounds of Lian Fang and Wang Zhe chewing peanuts could be heard.

“What did you say? Wife?” the class monitor asked incredulously.

“Yes, I got married this year. Didn’t you all see my ring?” Lin Ran asked.

“You always wore all sorts of rings before. We thought they were just accessories,” a female classmate exclaimed in surprise.

“You’re so unexpected! You married a woman?”

“Yes. I really have to go. She’ll worry if I don’t go down.”

Just as Lin Ran pulled her chair away, the private room door was pushed open.

Everyone looked over, and a tall, exceptionally elegant beauty appeared in the doorway, instantly catching every eye.

Whispers started around the table. People stared at her, then watched as the beauty scanned the room and locked her gaze onto Lin Ran.

“Why did you come up?” Lin Ran walked up and asked.

“You hadn’t come down after a long time. I was worried, so I came up to check,” Fu Linling said.

“Lin Ran, is this your wife?” everyone asked, intrigued by the familiarity of their conversation.

Fu Linling turned to look at everyone.

Not a single person connected her to the class’s former number-one student.

“Oh my gosh, she’s so beautiful. She and Lin Ran are such a good match.”

“Lin Ran still has good taste.”

“Since she’s here, introduce her to everyone, won’t you?”

Lin Ran took Fu Linling’s hand and smiled. “Alright. Then allow me to formally introduce you all. She is my wife, currently an excellent dentist, and the eternal number one student of Class Six. Her name is Fu Linling.”