Zhang Fu could hardly believe it.
Designer Yao?
Yao Ge… design? Orders? Rushing work?
The amount of information packed into those words was overwhelming—so much so that Zhang Fu couldn’t process it right away.
But the very next second, he forced himself to calm down.
No. Impossible.
He had checked already—long ago. Yao Ge definitely didn’t have a job and was staying at home. He had only confirmed that information a week ago. How could it have changed just like that?
After a moment’s thought, Zhang Fu suddenly let out a cold laugh.
He got it.
Yao Ge must have known the classmates would ask about it, so he had hired an actor ahead of time to put on a show with him!
Yes.
That had to be it!
Zhang Fu firmed up this conclusion in his mind and was just about to speak—
when the old man beside him moved even faster.
He stepped forward, his gaze flicking quickly over Fan Qing’s clothes before withdrawing again.
With a friendly smile, he chuckled.
“This gentleman looks a bit familiar. I’m Yao Ge’s teacher—may I ask who you are?”
He extended his hand.
Protective of his student, was he?
Fan Qing smiled faintly and shook his hand.
“Fan Qing. Just a small-time agent.”
“Holy crap—is that him? I know him!”
Someone in the crowd shouted.
That single exclamation jogged quite a few memories.
Fashion and entertainment might be different circles, but who here didn’t scroll through social media and celebrity gossip on their phones?
Before long, many people recognized Fan Qing.
Zhang Fu didn’t really understand, but the woman in his arms let out a soft gasp.
“Agent Fan? I know him—he’s pretty famous!”
Zhang Fu’s expression immediately collapsed. He instinctively looked at Yao Ge, though the question was directed at her.
“You know this guy? Is he really that famous?”
The woman bit her lip slightly.
“Yeah. He’s a talent agent—manages celebrities. One of the stars he represents is someone I know too. He’s been really popular lately… I think his name is Jian Feiyang? If I remember right, he’s the younger brother of the CEO of Yangyang Real Estate. That family’s very powerful.”
Yangyang Real Estate?
Zhang Fu froze.
Of course he knew Yangyang Real Estate.
The woman’s father had mentioned it when chatting with him before and had spoken very highly of President Jian.
But this man in front of him was the agent of President Jian’s younger brother?
Then what kind of background did that make him?
And what Yao Ge said earlier—was it really not an act?
Countless thoughts flashed through Zhang Fu’s mind, yet he failed to notice that the center of attention had already completely shifted.
Fan Qing chatted easily with the old man, relaxed and composed.
He mentioned that he had heard about the old man’s reputation from Yao Ge, and also praised his skill at teaching students.
After all, Yao Ge truly had talent for design.
The old man nodded with visible pride.
“Of course. I spotted this kid early on—lots of ideas, quick on the uptake. That’s exactly what design needs.”
Fan Qing rubbed his chin and nodded in agreement.
That was true.
Quick-thinking, flexible-minded, and full of ideas.
For example, among the latest batch Yao Ge had rushed out, there was one new design he was especially fond of—a bandage-style outfit. A high-collared shirt with a leather choker around the neck, and from the chest downward, the fabric fell apart like torn bandages, ragged yet irresistibly sexy.
When Fan Qing received it, he had been extremely satisfied.
He had already decided—
that outfit would be perfect on Nie Luo, especially when Fan Qing looked down at him from above.
It would be the most beautiful sight imaginable.
While indulging in that mental image, Fan Qing continued handling the people around him with ease.
Seeing that he seemed approachable, someone couldn’t help edging closer.
“Um… Mr. Fan, do you really know Yao Ge?”
It was one of the male classmates who had mocked Yao Ge earlier.
He genuinely found it hard to believe that Yao Ge had landed such a good job.
After all, Zhang Fu wouldn’t possibly allow Yao Ge to steal the spotlight at this reunion for the sake of the class beauty.
If Yao Ge really had turned out the best, why would Zhang Fu even invite him?
Wouldn’t that just be handing Yao Ge the stage on a silver platter?
Fan Qing turned and met his gaze, the expression on his face instantly cooling.
“Sir, isn’t this a private matter between Designer Yao and me? I don’t believe I’m obligated to answer that question.”
The man flushed bright red.
He cursed under his breath internally, but didn’t dare say another word.
Yet inexplicably, he began to feel that this was probably real.
Maybe Zhang Fu just didn’t have the connections to find out. After all, Yao Ge might be designing for celebrities—strict confidentiality would be perfectly normal.
With that thought, he couldn’t help casting a sympathetic look toward Yao Ge.
He wasn’t the only one—many others reacted the same way.
Catching those looks, Zhang Fu’s face turned extremely ugly.
Still too green.
Fan Qing took in Zhang Fu’s expression in full, then turned to look at Yao Ge.
“Designer Yao, are you busy? If not, could I take up a bit of your time to discuss some small details from the previous designs?”
“Huh? Oh—not busy,” Yao Ge replied quickly. “I just came to see my teacher. I should be able to leave now, right?”
As he spoke, Yao Ge instinctively glanced toward Zhang Fu.
Zhang Fu was so furious his face had gone green.
What did that mean?
Just earlier, he had still been grimacing as he handed over the twelve hundred yuan contribution—yet now he was saying he’d only come to see the professor?
Was he putting on airs, acting as though he completely disdained occasions like this?
Zhang Fu quietly clenched his fists, though a stiff smile was still plastered on his face.
“Wouldn’t that be a bit inappropriate? The professor still has other classmates to talk to. And you’ve already paid the contribution money. I pulled some strings to have this place arranged to the highest possible standard. Leaving just like that—wouldn’t you be missing a rare chance to experience something like this?”
In the end, he couldn’t quite hold it back; the mockery crept into his tone.
“You probably spend most of your time at home with your head buried in making clothes. A top-tier social banquet like this isn’t something you’d normally get to experience.”
Yao Ge really wanted to sigh.
He could tell Zhang Fu was implying something.
But… he didn’t really understand what.
He honestly wished Zhang Fu would just say whatever he was hinting at directly. Trying so hard to read between the lines was exhausting.
The old man’s expression darkened.
Fan Qing, on the other hand, let out a bright, flamboyant chuckle.
“What this classmate is saying is honestly a bit hard for me to understand.”
The moment he spoke, he became the focus of the entire room.
Fan Qing strolled closer to Zhang Fu. At one meter eighty-seven, paired with the combat boots he was wearing today, he looked especially tall and long-limbed next to Zhang Fu, who wasn’t even one meter eighty. What had once seemed passable proportions on Zhang Fu suddenly made him look short and stubby by comparison.
The classmates’ gazes toward Zhang Fu immediately lost a bit of admiration and gained a distinctly spectators-at-a-show quality.
Zhang Fu reacted instinctively and was just about to step back.
Fan Qing moved first, shifting slightly to the side.
It was only a small step, but it instantly widened the distance between them.
To Zhang Fu, that single step was nothing but Fan Qing flaunting his long legs!
“This classmate may not quite understand,” Fan Qing continued smoothly. “If Designer Yao wanted to attend events like this, it would actually be quite easy. For example, collaborations with our company, or his work with President Jin—either way, there would be no shortage of similar banquets waiting for Designer Yao.”
Fan Qing said it without batting an eye, to the point that even Yao Ge beside him was starting to believe it himself.
Even though… well… he was just designing fetish outfits.
Was he supposed to attend fetish parties or something?
Yao Ge thought dazedly.
That sentence from Fan Qing was like the final hammer blow sealing the verdict on the evening.
Zhang Fu’s face turned completely ashen. He stood there for a moment, then suddenly snorted coldly, flung his arm away, and strode out.
The woman whose arm he had shaken off froze. The next second, her expression soured as well.
She raised her voice slightly.
“Zhang Fu, who exactly are you throwing a tantrum at? Today’s discount was only possible because my dad helped you negotiate it! Are you showing me attitude now?”
Zhang Fu’s back stiffened, but his pace only quickened.
“Huh? So it was all thanks to the class beauty’s family?”
“Tch, I knew it—what was he putting on airs for? What ability does he actually have on his own? He couldn’t even do well in school.”
“Then what does the class beauty even see in him? I really don’t get it.”
“Who knows? Didn’t she like Yao Ge back then? No idea why she ended up with Zhang Fu. Look at how successful Yao Ge is now.”
“Exactly. If I had her looks and figure, I’d swallow my pride and go chase Yao Ge myself.”
“Who knows. Anyway—photos? We paid twelve hundred yuan, you know. I brought two outfits. I’m not leaving until I’ve gotten my money’s worth.”
“Same here. I brought an extra set too. Come on, let’s take pictures of each other.”
“Let’s go.”
The chatter grew chaotic. Fan Qing glanced around, then looked back at Yao Ge.
“Let’s go.”
Yao Ge let out a small “Ah,” then moved closer to him.
“We’re leaving already?”
“If we don’t leave now, are you planning to stay and eat the wedding banquet?”
Fan Qing spoke casually as he headed for the exit.
Yao Ge followed after him.
The old man hurried along as well.
Fan Qing: ?
Why is the old gentleman coming too?
Once they stepped outside the hotel, the old man grabbed one of them with each hand.
“We’re not eating here anymore. Come on—keep this old man company somewhere else. I came on an empty stomach, you know.”
Without giving them a chance to argue, he dragged them into a small noodle shop down the alley.
Only after they sat down did he look at Fan Qing and snort.
“Tell me—you two were just bluffing back there, right? Things aren’t actually as grand as you made them sound.”
Fan Qing paused with the menu in hand.
Beside him, Yao Ge had already blurted out,
“Teacher, how did you know?”
…Tch. A perfect example of a pig teammate.
Fan Qing ordered a beef noodle soup, confirmed the amount of beef included, then added three extra servings of sliced beef.
The old man watched him order with satisfaction, then shot Yao Ge a glare.
“Was there even any need to ask? Look at what he’s wearing—everything on him starts at five figures. Can you sell your designs for that price now?”
Yao Ge froze.
He muttered quietly,
“It’s not that I can’t sell them… it’s just that the quantity’s a bit higher…”
“Hmm?”
The old man had sharp ears. He caught that.
He instinctively looked at Fan Qing, then back at Yao Ge.
“…You really sold clothes to him? The kind you design?”
“It’s real. Don’t worry. His designs are genuinely pretty good.”
Fan Qing took a sip of the beef broth to warm himself and replied casually.
At that, the look the old man gave Fan Qing became extremely complicated.
Just then, the noodles and beef were served. The old man glanced at the beef, then at Fan Qing.
That look in his eyes carried a distinctly philosophical weight.
Fan Qing slowly typed out a question mark in his head.
That look—why was it starting to feel more and more off?
Wait. Don’t tell him—
He glanced at the old man, then at Yao Ge, whose head was bowed so low it was practically glued to his chest. Suddenly, Fan Qing was at a loss for words.
“…Your teacher knows?”
Your teacher actually knows what kind of things you design???