Chapter 13: Making Trouble

Bai Yiran being Jiang Jiu's best friend wasn't without reason—Bai Yiran's vivacious personality greatly resembled Jiang Jiu's.

In high school, Jiang Jiu often tutored Bai Yiran, and at night, she'd keep the dorm room door open for her.

Back then, Jiang Jiu had no shortage of admirers, and whenever she encountered some clingy ones, it was always Bai Yiran who would step up to handle them.

Soon, most of the classmates had arrived.

"Sorry I'm late. No one leaves today—drinks on me, and I'm covering it!"

The speaker's hands were adorned with six gold rings, a large gold chain hung outside his clothes, and the waist belt alone was worth several months' salary for an ordinary person.

He had a handbag tucked under his armpit, and after sitting down, he casually threw it on the table. It was bulging, slightly open at the seams, clearly stuffed with cash.

Bai Yiran whispered to Jiang Jiu, "Look, the show-off has arrived."

As soon as Gao Fan arrived, someone immediately came over, obsequiously offering him a cigarette, "Brother Gao, what are you busy with these days?"

"What Brother Gao? It should be President Gao!"

"Right, right, right, President Gao, since you are late, you really should have a good drink!"

Immediately, people crowded around him, and many women looked at Gao Fan with indescribable expressions in their eyes.

Gao Fan waved his hand dismissively, "Forget it, I just left another gathering. They simply wouldn't let me go. It was just a project worth a little over a million, but it's not as important as this reunion."

The man next to him nodded obsequiously, "President Gao is a busy man now; a project of a mere million surely doesn't catch your interest anymore."

Gao Fan pulled out a cigarette, and someone quickly lit it for him. "I envy you all; earning money is the easiest thing now. It's freedom that's hard to come by."

A bunch of people surrounded him, singing his praises, and a group of women approached with their drinks, coyly calling him "President Gao."

Bai Yiran, completely unapologetic, gnawed on a pig's trotter, "See, it's already getting dark."

Jiang Jiu nodded, "The bulls have flown."

Bai Yiran draped an arm around Jiang Jiu's shoulders, "Going home to watch a soap opera beats this any day!"

Jiang Jiu, with a look of distaste, pinched away her hand with two fingers, "Don't touch me, your hands are all oily."

Bai Yiran pouted, "Jiujiu, you've changed."

As drinks were pushed around and replaced, the dinner table became lively, particularly around Gao Fan, who was always surrounded by people toasting him.

Gao Fan glanced around and his eyes changed noticeably when he saw Jiang Jiu.

Gan Xiuxiu, holding a drink, stood close to Gao Fan, frequently flashing her cleavage. "President Gao, when are you bringing the 'sister-in-law' out to meet us?"

Gao Fan shook his head, "There's no 'sister-in-law.' The young ladies at the company are around me all day long. If someone really stuck by my side, who knows what drama she would create."

Speaking of which, Gao Fan looked towards Jiang Jiu. Nearly everyone at the meal had toasted him, except for Jiang Jiu who seemed rather clueless.

"That's Jiang Jiu, right?"

Gan Xiuxiu glanced at Jiang Jiu, her eyes filled with resentment, "It's her."

Gao Fan stood up with a glass in hand and approached Jiang Jiu, his hand familiarly landing on her shoulder, "Miss Jiang, how about a drink together?"

This was a privilege from Gao Fan, not often extended to others.

Jiang Jiu frowned slightly, a trace of disgust apparent, "I don't drink."

Gan Xiuxiu followed behind, chiming in, "Jiang Jiu, President Gao is giving you face by asking you to drink. How can you be so clueless?"

Jiang Jiu shrugged off his arm, "Well, you could have not offered it."

As soon as she spoke, Gao Fan's face immediately showed a mix of embarrassment and anger.

Bai Yiran immediately extended her hand to Gao Fan, "Hey, long time no see, President Gao!"

Gao Fan, despite his irritation, knew not everyone was as inconsiderate as Jiang Jiu.

He glanced at Bai Yiran, her innocent look quite to his taste.

He reached out and grabbed her hand, his facial expression instantly transforming.

Bai Yiran belatedly realized, "Oh, sorry. Look at me with my impolite greasy hands, having just grabbed a big pig's trotter before shaking hands with you. Don't be angry, okay?"