<h4>Chapter 605: Chapter 607: School Beauty</h4>


    Liu Mingyu frowned slightly, seeming worried it might be something urgent from work, but she still walked over and picked up her phone. After checking the number, she seemed relieved and answered with a smile, "Haili, why are you calling me at this time?"


    From Liu Mingyu''s tone, it was clear that this was someone she was familiar with.


    After chatting with the woman named Haili for a while, Liu Mingyu''s expression became slightly hesitant, but in the end, she softly agreed to something.


    Before Yang Chen could ask, Liu Mingyu exined, "Haili is my university ssmate and a good friend. She invited me to a small gathering. Our ss monitor from Jiangsu Province is back for some business and doesn''t have much time, so he wants to gather everyone this afternoon."


    Yang Chen found it quite interesting. Having never attended school himself, he was unfamiliar with the concept of "ssmates." Hearing that Liu Mingyu had a ss reunion to attend made him feel a bit envious.


    "Well, you should go then. I''m free these days anyway. After your gathering, I can apany you for some fun," Yang Chen said, not wanting to keep her from a rare get-together.


    Liu Mingyu pursed her lips and said, "Yang Chen, why don''t youe with me?"


    Yang Chen was taken aback. "Is that appropriate?"


    "What''s inappropriate about it? It''s a ss reunion; bringing your boyfriend along isn''t a big deal. Besides, no one said you couldn''t bring someone," Liu Mingyu said softly. "Many of my ssmates are married. At previous reunions, I was often the only one attending alone, which felt odd."


    Yang Chen suddenly understood that Liu Mingyu wanted him to apany her as a support. But that was fine; after all, he was her man, and it was also a good opportunity to understand her social circle better.


    "Do I need to wear a suit and tie?" Yang Chen asked, feeling a bit nervous.


    "Why would you need a suit and tie?" Liu Mingyu was puzzled.


    "I''ve never been to a ss reunion and don''t know the proper attire. I don''t want to embarrass you," Yang Chen said with a sheepish grin.


    Liu Mingyu chuckled, rolling her eyes at him. "With your thick skin, no one would notice if you did. I think you''re fine as you are. Everyone''s just gathering casually, not attending a parliamentary meeting. I''ll go change and put on some makeup. It won''t take long. Wait here."


    Though she said it wouldn''t take long, it was forty minutes before they were ready to leave.


    Liu Mingyu had changed into a light blue Chanel doubleyer pleated dress, revealing her slender and fair legs. She wore a small, stylish zer that highlighted her elegant neck, giving her a look reminiscent of a Japanese-Korean star. To shield herself from the ring sun outside, she donned a pair of fashionable Gi sunsses with painted lines.


    This outfit was something she wouldn''t wear to work. It cost at least over twenty thousand Yanxia dors. Even as a high-level executive at Yulei, such attire would be too ostentatious for the office.


    Yang Chen nced at his own attire. Although it was also branded clothing that Lin Ruoxi had bought for him, it still felt a bit shabby. However, since Liu Mingyu said it was fine, he didn''t mind.


    Since Liu Mingyu''s car was still at thepany, they took Yang Chen''s car to the gathering. The location was a high-end club in the eastern district of Zhonghai. Without an annual sry of over two hundred thousand, one wouldn''t even have the opportunity to enter, indicating that Liu Mingyu''s ssmates were doing quite well.


    When Yang Chen arrived, a few men and women were about to enter the club as well.


    After getting out of the car, Liu Mingyu removed her sunsses and waved at a tall, curly-haired woman who was about to walk through the door. "Haili!"


    The curly-haired woman turned around, revealing a round face. Seeing Liu Mingyu, she happily ran back and hugged her tightly.


    "Mingyu, it''s rare for you toe out on a workday. I thought you might note," Haili said excitedly, her eyes naturally drifting to Yang Chen, who was locking the car. She looked puzzled and asked, "Is this gentleman your boyfriend?"


    Liu Mingyu''s face flushed slightly as she shyly responded with a soft "Mm."


    Yang Chen, on the other hand, waspletely at ease and greeted, "Hello, Miss Hai. I''m Yang Chen. Mingyu said I coulde, so here I am."


    Haili covered her mouth andughed, "Who''s ''Miss Hai''? My surname is Zhao, Zhao Haili. Who has the surname ''Hai''?"


    Yang Chen was taken aback, realizing his mistake. He hadn''t reacted properly.


    Seeing Yang Chen''s bewildered expression, Hailiughed again and took Liu Mingyu''s hand. "Your boyfriend is quite funny. When the others see himter, they''ll definitely admire your taste."


    Yang Chen couldn''t tell if she wasplimenting or mocking him.


    Liu Mingyu didn''t seem to mind and smiled, "He''s my boyfriend. They can say whatever they want."


    Haili suddenly sighed. "I heard about Qikai''s situation. It''s such a tragedy for his family. I''m d you moved on so quickly and found a boyfriend. As your friend, I''m relieved."


    Both Yang Chen and Liu Mingyu knew about the massacre of Qikai''s family by Liu Qingshan''s Qinglong Gang. Though the matter had been suppressed, it was impossible to keep the publicpletely in the dark.


    Liu Mingyu''s expression didn''t change at the mention of "Qikai." "That''s all in the past. There''s nothing more to say about it."


    "You''re right," Zhao Haili quickly shifted the topic, not wanting to upset Liu Mingyu. She smiled brightly and said, "Let''s go. The ss monitor and others are inside. And Mr. Yang, you''re wee to join us for the first time!"


    Haili was naturally enthusiastic, and Yang Chen didn''t mind her yful teasing. He cheerfully followed the two women into the club.


    Although Liu Mingyu brought Yang Chen to show their rtionship, she didn''t cling to him. It wasn''t her style. Instead, she walked hand in hand with Zhao Haili, catching up with her old friend.


    The club''s interior was spacious and fully equipped with various entertainment facilities.


    Led by Zhao Haili, the three entered arge private room. Inside, popr songs were ying, and a lively group of seven or eight people were drinking and chatting.


    "You guys are too much! Drinking without us!" Zhao Haili yfully scolded as she entered.


    The group looked up and saw Zhao Haili and Liu Mingyu. They stood up, though their expressions varied.


    A handsome man in a casual suit and red shirt fixed his gaze on Liu Mingyu, smiling excitedly. "Mingyu, you''re here too."


    Liu Mingyu nodded slightly, stepped back, and naturally hooked her arm around Yang Chen''s, drawing closer to him. She then greeted everyone warmly, "It''s been a long time, everyone."


    Although Liu Mingyu was a public rtions professional and often engaged in business negotiations, she was evidently quite demure in private. This was evident in her interactions with her ssmates. Many people''s true natures differed from their work personas, so it wasn''t surprising.


    "Our school beauty keeps getting prettier. Oh, is this gentleman your new boyfriend?" The speaker was a tall, thin man with a small mustache.


    Liu Mingyu nodded. "This is Yang Chen. He''s my colleague and my boyfriend."


    Yang Chen let Liu Mingyu introduce him this time, considering it a sign of respect, and then nodded politely to everyone.


    Hearing them refer to Liu Mingyu as the school beauty amused Yang Chen. He had unwittingly ended up with a school beauty girlfriend. But on second thought, all the women around him seemed to match that caliber, so it wasn''t something to brag about.


    Though surprised, everyone responded politely and invited Yang Chen to sit on therge sofa.


    Zhao Haili, acting as the group''s social catalyst, promptly introduced each person to Yang Chen, ensuring he got to know everyone.


    The man who first spoke to Liu Mingyu was Zhu Kangyu, the ss monitor who had returned from Jiangsu Province. Hearing Liu Mingyu introduce Yang Chen as her boyfriend made his expression a bit unnatural. Once everyone was seated, he asked, "Mr. Yang, this is our first time meeting. Have you known Mingyu for long? We haven''t heard about you before."


    This question piqued the curiosity of Liu Mingyu''s other ssmates. As the renowned school beauty, Liu Mingyu had many admirers. They all knew about her ambiguous rtionship with Qikai, but since Qikai was now gone, Liu Mingyu''s "status" became a topic of renewed interest.


    ss monitor Zhu Kangyu was arguably the most sessful among the group. It wasn''t surprising that so many people hade to this gathering during work hours just because he was back in Zhonghai for a short visit. Zhu Kangyu had liked Liu Mingyu since their student days, and with Qikai no longer around, he saw a greater opportunity.


    Yang Chen wasn''t naive. He could sense Zhu Kangyu''s hostility, recognizing him as one of Liu Mingyu''s admirers. Smiling, Yang Chen replied, "Almost a year. But we''ve both been quite busy, so we haven''t had many chances to go out together."


    Zhu Kangyu nodded and then suddenly asked, "I''m currently serving as the Deputy Director of the Organization Department in Jiangsu Province''s Provincial Committee. May I ask what position Mr. Yang holds at Yulei? Considering you''ve won the favor of our school beauty, you must be quite remarkable."


    His words were sharp, clearly intended to challenge Yang Chen. Before Yang Chen could respond, a potbellied man eximed, "My goodness! ss monitor, you''ve been promoted again in just a year?"


    "My dad mentioned recently that our ss monitor joined the Provincial Committee of Jiangsu and became a member of the Standing Committee. I found it hard to believe, but it''s true!" another ssmate chimed in.


    Zhu Kangyu waved his hand modestly. "It was just good luck, filling a vacancy. Nothing to make a fuss about."


    "Don''t be so humble, ss monitor. Even someone like me, who doesn''t know much about politics, understands how impressive it is to join the Provincial Committee at your age. There aren''t many people your age working at that level nationwide," Zhao Haili said in admiration.


    As the group praised him, Zhu Kangyu''s face glowed with pride. It was clear he enjoyed the adtion. After all, being celebrated by peers from the same starting line was the best proof of sess.


    However, when Zhu Kangyu looked at Liu Mingyu, his expression dimmed upon seeing her calm, indifferent smile. There wasn''t even a hint of ttery or surprise.


    It wasn''t Liu Mingyu''s fault. In the past, she might have been impressed by Zhu Kangyu''s achievements. But now, considering her man, Yang Chen, with his extraordinary background as the legitimate grandson of the Yang family, his exceptional skills and strength, and her father Liu Qingshan''s influence as a leading figure in Yandu''s underworld, political figures held less sway over her.


    Zhu Kangyu, unaware of Liu Mingyu''splicated background, assumed she was simply mesmerized by Yang Chen and didn''t realize his own bright future. Thus, he pressed on, "Let''s not be so formal. I''m still the same ss monitor, nothing more. But Mr. Yang, you''re our guest today, and given that Mingyu chose you as her boyfriend, I''m really curious. Doesn''t everyone want to know more about him? Mr. Yang, may I ask what position you hold?"


    Regardless of how Yang Chen answered, the question was a setup to belittle him. Yang Chen couldn''t possibly be the CEO of Yulei International; at most, he''d be a senior executive. A senior executive at a multinationalpany wasn''t particrly rare and couldn''tpare to a young, powerful deputy director like Zhu Kangyu.


    Everyone knew that Zhu Kangyu was intentionally trying to embarrass Yang Chen, aiming to make Liu Mingyu see the gap between them. Even if he couldn''t win Liu Mingyu back, he wanted to make sure Yang Chen didn''t have it easy.