Su Yiran really hadn’t expected it—Gu Yuanting had done something like that behind his back.

Bullying classmates, even making people cry… that was seriously over the line.

Su Yiran felt very guilty and quickly apologized to the classmates: “I’m really sorry. I had no idea he actually did those things. Let me apologize on his behalf.”

When he got home, he would definitely confront Ting-ge and make him properly apologize to everyone. Just how big of a psychological shadow had he left on people?

The female classmate who first brought it up felt a little embarrassed seeing how guilty Su Yiran looked. “It’s fine! Now that I think about it, it’s kind of funny, haha.”

Another classmate chimed in, “It’s been so many years already. No big deal now. But next time, your Gu better treat us to a meal.”

Su Yiran quickly agreed and promised to arrange another get-together where both he and Gu Yuanting would treat everyone.

That topic temporarily passed, and the classmates began reminiscing with great interest about the old days:

“You two school heartthrobs were always glued together—it was so eye-catching. Every day felt like we were living in a teen idol drama.”

“Gu Yuanting looked after you like a guard dog. No one could get close.”

“He was so gentle and patient with you, but cold as ice to everyone else—like a completely different person.”

“I secretly shipped you two for years, hahahaha.”

“I even saw him secretly tearing up love letters from your desk and throwing them away…”

…

Su Yiran: “……”

Everyone was gossiping enthusiastically.

At this point, Qian Xiaoming, who was sitting beside him, had fallen silent. Su Yiran recalled how the two of them used to be close, but had suddenly grown distant in their second year of high school. Could it have been because…

Feeling guilty, Su Yiran looked at Qian Xiaoming. “Back then, Ting-ge… Gu Yuanting, did he—”

Qian Xiaoming subconsciously rubbed his neck, then smiled and shook his head. “It’s nothing. He made up for it later.”

In reality, he knew a lot more than the average classmate.

Just having a slightly closer relationship with Su Yiran had been enough for Gu Yuanting to grab him by the throat and threaten him—and even cause problems for his family. For a while, he had even resented Su Yiran for it.

But after he distanced himself, Gu Yuanting offered his family compensation. Over time, he got over it and began to worry more about Su Yiran instead. But he no longer dared to interfere.

Qian Xiaoming thought of the time he’d seen Gu Yuanting and Su Yiran holding hands. That image calmed him down again.

He said to Su Yiran, “Last time I saw you two together, you looked really happy. Gu Yuanting seems much more normal now. I was honestly relieved, haha.”

Su Yiran: “…” So in everyone’s eyes, Ting-ge used to be… abnormal?

Was it because he hadn’t understood him well enough? Hadn’t paid enough attention?

Back then, school was demanding, homework was endless, and Ting-ge’s grades weren’t great. He spent a lot of time tutoring him. His free time was already limited.

He had friendly, casual relationships with most classmates, but hadn’t really formed deep bonds. Even with Qian Xiaoming, they just chatted more often. He really hadn’t noticed that he might have been… collectively “isolated.”

Su Yiran started thinking deeply.

Just then, the door to the class reunion hall opened, and a man in a suit and glasses entered, greeting everyone. “Sorry I’m late. Something came up.”

Everyone turned to look. Someone recognized him. “Hang Zikun?”

There was a buzz of conversation. Qian Xiaoming leaned over and said to Su Yiran, “Didn’t expect him to show up.”

Su Yiran vaguely remembered the name but didn’t have a strong impression. Qian Xiaoming explained, “He started his own company back in college, and now he’s worth a few million. Class rep actually managed to get him to come.”

The now-bald class rep, Sun Xiaogang, had organized the reunion.

Qian Xiaoming added, “Back then, he was super low-key. Who would’ve thought he’d end up like this?”

Su Yiran thought about it and vaguely remembered that Hang Zikun had always sat quietly in a corner, unremarkable and ordinary. They’d never had much interaction.

Sun Xiaogang quickly got up to greet him and showed him to a seat.

Hang Zikun spotted Su Yiran as soon as he came in. His lips curled into a half-smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Yo, Su Yiran’s here too.” He looked around the room and then back at Su Yiran. “What, your Gu Yuanting didn’t show?”

Su Yiran replied, “He’s on a business trip and couldn’t make it.”

Hang Zikun nodded, tone laced with sarcasm: “Yeah, busy guy.”

Sensing the mood shift, some classmates quickly stepped in to greet Hang Zikun and ease the tension.

Hang Zikun pulled out a chair and sat at the same table, separated from Su Yiran by two people.

Most classmates were polite toward him, some were distant. A few from other tables came over to toast him.

Hang Zikun modestly responded, “It’s nothing. Just a small company, scraping by.” Then he turned to Su Yiran, “So how about you and your Gu Yuanting? What are you two up to these days? Where do you work?”

Su Yiran said, “He works at Weihua Finance. I opened a dessert shop. You’re welcome to come try it sometime.”

Hang Zikun nodded. “Weihua Finance—Fortune 500 company. Not bad being a regular employee there. Keep it up.”

Su Yiran smiled and didn’t say more.

A female classmate who loved sweets perked up. “Where’s your shop? What’s it called? I’ll bring my friends!”

Su Yiran replied, “It’s on Tongfu Road. It’s called Yiting Desserts. Come by and I’ll give you a discount.”

The girl’s eyes widened. “Yiting Desserts?”

Other classmates who overheard turned to look at him. “Yiting Desserts? The one that’s all over the internet?”

Su Yiran nodded and smiled. “Come by and try it. I’ll give you the classmate rate.”

The group went wild. In recent days, Yiting Desserts and its messy croissants had gone viral. No one expected it was run by their old classmate!

Qian Xiaoming, who already knew, just nodded coolly and boasted, “I’ve tried it. It’s amazing. Highly recommend.”

The classmates crowded around Su Yiran, excited that their former classmate was actually an online celebrity. Meanwhile, Hang Zikun was momentarily sidelined.

Hang Zikun squeezed his wine glass and toasted Su Yiran. “Boss Su, impressive. How’s the business doing? Need an investor?”

Su Yiran smiled politely and didn’t pick up his glass. “It’s going fine. No need, thanks. I’m driving later, so I won’t be drinking.”

There was always a sting in Hang Zikun’s words. Su Yiran didn’t understand why—he didn’t recall having any major interactions with him before.

Hang was about to say more when class rep Sun Xiaogang got up and announced the next part of the reunion: speeches.

The group moved on to the planned program—speeches, games, performances. The lively reunion went on for a few hours before wrapping up.

Some classmates were still full of energy and planned to go sing karaoke.

Qian Xiaoming asked Su Yiran if he wanted to go, but he declined. “I’ll skip it. Need to get back to the shop.”

In truth, it was because Ting-ge had always disapproved of him going to bars or KTVs. Back in university, he went once and Ting-ge sulked—not angrily, but in that quiet, restrained way that made Su Yiran feel terrible.

It wasn’t a big deal to miss it. He’d rather not upset Ting-ge.

As classmates left—some going home, some heading to karaoke—a few even cried from the emotional night. Su Yiran exchanged contacts with many of them and prepared to leave too.

As he exited the venue, Hang Zikun suddenly appeared beside him and whispered chillingly, “Do you know why Wu Lanlan transferred schools back then?”

Wu Lanlan?

Su Yiran was stunned, not immediately understanding. Hang Zikun smirked coldly and walked away.

—

Driving home, Su Yiran kept thinking about Hang Zikun’s words.

Wu Lanlan had joined their class after the arts/sciences division, sitting right in front of him.

She was beautiful and quickly became the class belle. Because they sat close, they gradually became familiar.

But Su Yiran had been busy tutoring the academically challenged Ting-ge and juggling his own studies. He hadn’t talked to Wu Lanlan much.

She transferred out in less than a year.

Su Yiran couldn’t make sense of Hang’s remark, but remembering how the classmates described Ting-ge today…

No way…

Su Yiran didn’t go back to the shop. He headed home and immediately video-called Gu Yuanting.

The call barely rang once before it was picked up.

As soon as the screen lit up, Gu Yuanting asked, “Ranran, how was the reunion?” Just thinking about Su Yiran spending time with people from the original body’s past made him feel sour inside.

Su Yiran was still thinking about Ting-ge’s misdeeds and returned to focus when he heard the question. “Mm… Not quite what I expected, but it was okay.”

Now that everyone was out in the world, reunions felt more like polite socializing than youthful joy.

Still, he added, “I saw a few classmates I used to be close with. Had a good time talking.”

Talking happily? About what? Gu Yuanting wondered.

…The past? A bitter taste rose, but he didn’t ask.

Then Su Yiran got serious. He organized his thoughts and recounted all the grievances classmates had told him at the reunion. Finally, frowning, he stared at Gu Yuanting. “How could you do that? Scaring our classmates like that behind my back—you’re no better than a school bully!”

Gu Yuanting: “…”

“…?”

Gu Yuanting forgot everything else. He gritted his teeth. “I… I did that to you?”

Su Yiran, realizing the misunderstanding, corrected him: “No, not to me. I mean you shouldn’t have done that to our classmates.”

Gu Yuanting: “…”

He shut his eyes. Just imagining the original body being that controlling toward the teenage Ranran filled him with rage.

That psycho… unforgivable.

__

Author’s note:

【(Mini-theater) Listen: That massive, pitch-black blame I have to carry!!!!! (T^T) Jealous.jpg Furious.jpg】