Chapter 11: Party Storm (Additional Chapter 3)

Li Yao freshened up and checked the time—it was already a quarter past eight in the morning, with plenty of time before ten o'clock.

Modern hovercars were fast, and as long as he got in one, it would take Li Yao only ten minutes to reach Dao Ming Pearl Hotel from where he lived. So, he wasn't in a hurry and fortunately decided to log into the game.

After a day of training with Tongtong, his backpack's supply of Exploding Sheep and Spike Traps had nearly run out, so Li Yao made his way to the workbench, paid the rental fee to the trainer, and began to craft.

Such items were essential; having too few was problematic, but too many would also be an issue. Plus, they were incredibly costly. Tongtong and the Shape-shifting Sorceress had only seen the sharpness and high damage of Li Yao's Mechanical Hunter, but they had no idea that he was spending Gold Coins to level up each day. On the fourth day of the game, while most players had generally reached level three, their daily income was barely four or five silver coins.

Initially, the trainer didn't pay much attention to Li Yao renting the workbench, but after watching Exploding Sheep after Exploding Sheep smoothly crafted by Li Yao—who evidently wasn't a novice—at this point, he hadn't seen Li Yao fail even once.

An hour later, Li Yao had already crafted over a hundred sheep.

"You're not bad, kid, quite a talent. Next time, even if I'm not here, you can use the workbench; just leave the rental fee," the trainer said when he saw Li Yao was about to leave.

"Thanks," Li Yao nodded and chose to log out.

"It seems I'll need to train two players interested in engineering in the future; making them myself is too time-consuming," thought Li Yao, and then he changed into clean clothes and left the house.

The public hoverbus had a dedicated aerial lane, and the bus service was frequent. After waiting for just two minutes, Li Yao boarded one.

While observing the floating screen advertisement of "The Ancient God World" projected from the roof of the public hoverbus, Li Yao couldn't help but crack a smile. With the national endorsement, the ad campaigns for "The Ancient God World" were absolutely overwhelming.

It was almost impossible not to notice, as the large buildings outside the window were adorned with massive promotional screens, and these relentless advertisements only dwindled when it truly became the second world.

Pearl Hotel was one of the iconic buildings in Mingzhu City; from afar, it looked like a Blue Giant Dragon soaring into the sky.

This was a structure designed by a new generation of Chinese architects, using cutting-edge building materials, modeled after the Eastern Azure Dragon.

"Li Yao, you finally made it."

As soon as he arrived, Li Yao was greeted by a beautiful and capable-looking woman.

"It's been too long, squad leader; you've become even more beautiful," Li Yao said with a smile.

"You're just sweet-talking me again. I'm old now, there's no more beauty to speak of," Wang Xiaolei said with a bright smile, leading him into the hotel, "Hurry up and head upstairs. Everyone who could come has already arrived; you're the last one."

"Sorry, I didn't expect everyone to arrive so early," Li Yao said, feeling a flush of embarrassment. He lived in the city yet was the last to arrive, which made him feel slightly apologetic, "It was my oversight."

"It's fine; it's only nine-thirty," Wang Xiaolei reassured him as they entered the elevator and she pressed the button for the 105th floor. Once she saw they were alone in the elevator, she quietly added, "Today, Li Haitao is footing the bill. It's rare for classmates to gather like this, so keep it low-key and don't act rashly."

"Don't worry, I'm fully aware," Li Yao understood what Wang Xiaolei meant; he knew very well that Li Haitao was his old nemesis. Putting aside the four years of grudges, even those who wished to curry favor with Li Haitao wouldn't let an opportunity to target someone as low-profile as him slide by, as proven by Li Yao's past experience.

When they first started university, the two couldn't stand each other. Li Yao couldn't stand Li Haitao's snobbish ways, relying on his father even for being a class leader, while Li Haitao couldn't bear Li Yao's poor and down-to-earth appearance, despite being shrouded in various honors.

The real conflict between the two was essentially over a woman, Feng Yi, an extraordinary and elegant girl.

It was said that Feng Yi came from a mysterious background with a distinguished status, but she was humble and polite, without an ounce of pretentiousness. She became the dream goddess of countless students at the university as soon as she arrived at the school.

No other school beauty could shake her position ever since she topped the list of beauties; logically, such a girl would be the enemy of all other girls, but quite the opposite happened. A bunch of girls flocked around her, following her lead.

Even with Li Yao's qualities, he and Feng Yi were worlds apart—while he had his honors, he was at best mildly handsome, not even a school hunk, and he came from an ordinary family. In terms of social standing, one was a phoenix in the sky, and the other, a common chicken on the ground.

This wasn't meant as an insult, but an undeniable reality. With the emergence of the interstellar program, although the law deemed everyone equal, in reality, the social hierarchy was incredibly rigid.

It should have been impossible for two such different people, albeit in the same class, to develop anything more than a simple friendship.

However, during a school-organized trip to a primitive forest, their equipment malfunctioned, and Li Yao and Feng Yi found themselves in the same group, lost in the forest.

While the other classmates panicked, it was their cooperation that safely guided everyone back to the assembly point. From then on, they grew close and even became a couple a year later.

Li Haitao believed he was the most qualified to be Feng Yi's boyfriend, but he couldn't tolerate seeing her constantly close with his rival.

Thus, he began opposing Li Yao at every turn, even scheming to sabotage their relationship. But both Li Yao and Feng Yi were sensible and intelligent, and instead of drifting apart, their relationship only grew stronger through the adversities.

By their senior year, although Li Haitao had already given up hope, his perception shifted when he saw Feng Yi, the star of any gathering, at a high-class event he attended with his father; he finally learned of her true status.

Later, Li Haitao stirred trouble that reached Feng Yi's family and only then did Li Yao realize how noble her background was. Furthermore, Li Yao found it troubling that Feng Yi had been betrothed from a young age.

To make matters worse, without his knowledge, and with the interference of Feng Yi's fiancé's family, they had even used Li Yao's family to threaten him.

Under immense pressure from all sides, an argument over differing opinions had escalated between the two, ending in separation and the onset of a cold war.

Both of them were proud and headstrong by nature. In their past lives, they never reconciled until their rebirth.

Reborn into this life, Li Yao had not seen Feng Yi for ten years. Seeing her again stirred a complex mix of emotions within him.

The two quietly met each other's gaze for a few seconds before Li Yao gave a slight smile and walked over to his close friends, not even he knew what he was thinking at the moment.

Was that deep, unforgettable love still there? Li Yao was uncertain. Ten years of trials and tribulations can fade even the most sincere feelings.

Love enduring through rocks shattering and seas running dry may only exist in fairy tales. Such bewildering complexity was indescribable.

"Back in school you acted all high and mighty; I didn't expect you to still put on airs after graduation," Wang Qiang complained next to Li Haitao.

Zhang Ming added sarcastically from the other side, "If you ask me, it's disdain for us old classmates. He lives the closest, yet he's the last to arrive."

Knowing Feng Yi's family background, even a nouveau riche family like Li Haitao had ceased pursuit, but his grudge against Li Yao had never been dropped.

A female classmate said with a smile, "He's dressed so casually; it's clear he's looking down on us. But in my opinion, he must be doing poorly wearing street market clothes. I've always said doing well in school doesn't guarantee success later."

Before Li Yao could respond, his close friend Zhao Lei suddenly stood up and said loudly, "Enough from you all, is this still a class reunion?"

Zhang Ming laughed boisterously, "Zhao Lei is right. It's not like Li Yao did it on purpose. I heard he's not doing too well and has never been to such an upscale place. It's normal for him to get lost coming here for the first time."

Some roared with laughter, while others showed displeasure. The once harmonious atmosphere froze instantly upon Li Yao's arrival, dividing into two factions. It was well known that Li Yao's supporters were no fewer than Li Haitao's.

Zhao Lei was about to slam the table in anger when Li Yao pulled him back and sat down calmly, not even glancing at the others.

"Yaozi, can you really tolerate this?" Zhao Lei said furiously.

Li Yao pulled Zhao Lei back down to his seat and spoke indifferently, "Stay calm. Why bother stooping to the level of someone's dog, degrading ourselves to that level?"

Now it was the turn for Li Yao's side to burst into laughter. Even Feng Yi, who had been studying her drink with her head lowered, looked up at Li Yao in surprise, as if seeing him in a new light.

Having lived together for over two years, she knew him exceptionally well. In just a few words, she could tell that Li Yao seemed different from before, though she couldn't quite pinpoint how.

It was Wang Qiang's turn to be furious now. Pointing at the laughing classmates, he shouted, "You need to understand, if it weren't for Haitao's face, could we gather at such a venue? Do you even have a conscience?"

Pearl Hotel wasn't just for anyone with money; one had to have a certain social status. Upon hearing Wang Qiang's words, everyone's expressions shifted.

Li Yao simply smiled and said, "There's one thing I'd like to clarify. Is today a class reunion, or are we being treated to a meal?"

Zhang Ming scoffed, "Are you stupid? Of course, it's a class reunion."

Li Yao's smile brightened, "Then I'm even more puzzled. If it's a class reunion, aren't we all the main characters? I admit I can't shoulder such a huge expense, but I can at least afford my own share. When the bill comes, I'll settle my own part to avoid any gossip."

Zhao Lei laughed, "I'll also clear my own share. It's better than using it as an excuse to belittle a classmate."

"I'll pay for myself too."

Instantly, at least half of the several dozen people wanted to pay their own bills.

Li Haitao gave Li Yao a piercing look before standing up and saying loudly, "Quiet down, everyone. Please trust that I, Li Haitao, have never thought this way. This hall was lent to me by my father after his meeting, and the bill is already paid. How could we let such a small issue hurt our camaraderie after so many years?"

After speaking, Li Haitao gave a fierce stare to his lackeys, then he lifted a glass of wine towards Li Yao, "Don't take the misunderstanding to heart, Yaozi. I'll drink this one as self-punishment, and you do as you wish."

Li Yao also stood up, beaming, "Naturally, I won't hold a grudge against my classmates. I'll drink to that too."

After finishing his drink, Li Yao sat down with a smile. The classmates applauded his magnanimity.

Watching Li Haitao still holding his glass looking somewhat dazed, Li Yao sighed to himself, everyone can put on a show, but Haitao, with ten years of social experience, was no match for him in playacting.

And indeed, Li Haitao was confused because Li Yao had always been fiercely proud and easy to provoke, often putting people in an awkward position, especially him. Li Haitao had wrecked the relationship between Feng Yi and Li Yao, and in the past, Li Yao had treated him like a mortal enemy, never appearing so nonchalant.

His plan today was to undermine Li Yao's prestige, and even if his underlings failed, he wanted to show his own superiority and pressurize the entire room, making everyone see who was the prodigy.

All for paving the way for his own objectives, yet the first step of the plan had already changed...