Today’s installment done. Tomorrow’s double update awaits! [Even during Lunar New Year, I’ll keep updates going!]
The whispers started oddly, but clearly with purpose.
It began with a post on Yao Ge’s alumni forum.
The post seemed normal—written by a self-described freshman, saying they happened to stay at the Intercontinental during the holidays and saw an alumni gathering.
Their tone was reverent, showing admiration for the seniors.
“I snuck a few photos for everyone. Not to mention, the venue alone screams our school’s aesthetic—so classy and beautiful. If I had thicker skin, I might have taken more pics. Maybe if I work hard, I can be as excellent as these seniors when I graduate. From what I saw, they graduated only a year ago. Truly impressive and enviable.”
The post seemed normal, quickly attracting replies.
“Wow, they look great. The seniors all have such poise—it feels like a high-society event, not just a reunion.”
“Only graduated a year ago???” “Already fantasizing whether I can be like them a year after graduation—so envious!”
“Ahhhhh, OP is so lucky! I really want to see this in person. Suddenly, I feel full of motivation again!”
Up to this point, the thread was fairly normal, with the OP replying occasionally.
“I wonder which senior organized this gathering? To make it look so good at the Intercontinental, they must be really capable, right?”
“This one I actually know. There’s a name tag outside—it’s a senior called Zhang Fu. I also peeked a little, and he seems to be with a very beautiful senior girl? They look quite matched standing together.”
The OP kept posting a few more photos.
In the pictures, Zhang Fu wore a designer suit, and the class beauty wore an off-shoulder gown, arm linked with his. They genuinely looked affectionate and well-paired.
As soon as this photo went up, the forum’s activity spiked again.
“Wow wow wow! Handsome guy with a beauty—yes! Our seniors are all so outstanding.”
“Totally matches, and OP’s sneaky photography skills aren’t bad either!”
“I want to see more photos—OP, just upload boldly!”
Everyone was laughing and chatting, when suddenly someone posted:
“Hmm, weird… why is everyone dressed formally, but there seems to be someone in casual clothes? Am I seeing things?”
As soon as this comment appeared, several replies followed immediately.
“Glad I’m not the only one noticing!”
“Yeah, I saw that too—he’s hiding in the corner.”
“Strange, everyone else dressed up formally, how come someone came in casual clothes? Maybe it’s a mistake?”
These replies drew more attention. People started asking the OP what was going on.
The OP disappeared for a while before replying:
“Sorry, things got a bit hectic earlier, so I hid in the corner. Um… this person seems to be a senior too. I think he’s wearing his own design, which is why he looks different. But the outfit is really nice! I didn’t capture it clearly, but it has real design sense. I also vaguely heard the attending teacher praising him, saying it’s great that he hasn’t forgotten to design even after graduation. I think it’s quite good—but honestly, the other seniors’ outfits are also very tasteful. All looked nice.”
“Trouble’s coming.”
Fan Qing tapped his fingers lightly on the desk.
“Sheng Ge, what do you think?”
Tang Sheng smiled faintly.
“Isn’t it exactly as you calculated? Next, they’ll start dragging Yao Ge into this, trying to throw shade.”
“Yeah, nothing new under the sun.”
Fan Qing raised an eyebrow.
This little trick? He probably wouldn’t even need Jin Si for it.
As expected.
This post seemed innocent on the surface, but it was clearly aimed at Yao Ge.
The subtle undertone quickly caught attention.
“? Wait, if I’m not wrong, this senior wore his own design and was praised by the teacher? But in this kind of event, everyone else clearly wore formal clothes. Why praise him?”
“Hmm… I think I get it. But if I’m right, this senior is too calculating… using others to make himself look good. How is this any different from throwing shade? Wow, class reunions have to be this scheming now?”
“??? This gets praised? Wait, who’s the teacher? I really don’t understand… all this praise, won’t other seniors feel a bit cold? They also worked hard! My fists are clenching just imagining it.”
“Uh… I think I recognized this senior. He’s quite famous. Our teacher often mentioned him, said he’s talented in design and has won several awards. Even during school, teachers liked him and sent him to competitions—he’s a really skilled senior.”
“Sheng Ge.”
Fan Qing glanced at his assistant.
Tang Sheng nodded knowingly.
“I’ll ask PR to manage this a little.”
“Thanks, Sheng Ge.”
Fan Qing nodded and continued observing.
The forum suddenly exploded, as if a bomb had gone off.
“An alumni from the previous batch? I might know who this is. Our teacher often mentions him, said he’s really excellent. But still… wearing your own design here seems a bit inappropriate, just quietly.”
“Yeah, I know who this is too. He’s won several awards, considered a promising newcomer in the design world. But hasn’t he been inactive for almost a year?”
“??? Why do we all know who he is, and I don’t? Someone tell me, don’t leave me guessing.”
Soon, a ‘helpful’ user explained:
“This is the top-performing senior of the recent graduates, also the speaker for the alumni reps. Just search and you’ll know. But honestly, I think his designs are actually pretty average. I’ve seen his competition pieces a few times—doesn’t seem that special. Also, did everyone enter the competition or was he personally recommended by a teacher?”
“Some competitions require connections… hmm, I think I get it now.”
“Whaaat??? No way, could it be like I’m thinking?”
“Interesting.”
Fan Qing watched the forum unfold and casually called the old man via voice chat.
As soon as he was picked up, he reminded the old man.
“The school forum has a little issue. Don’t go checking it yourself, just ignore it.”
“Hmph! Do you think I need you to tell me? I’ve already noticed.”
The old man snorted coldly.
“It’s been days, and people are still pretending they just saw it—so boring. If he put this kind of thought into design, I’d have praised him long ago.”
Fan Qing raised an eyebrow.
He suddenly recalled the old man’s steely nerves. Ah, he had underestimated him.
“That won’t do. Without him, how could I find Yao Ge a stepping stone?”
Old man: …this one’s heart is even dirtier.
But he did let go of the worry he had mentioned earlier.
“Since you’re keeping an eye on it, I won’t interfere. Yao Ge is your person now—you do what you must!”
He hung up decisively and even canceled the message he had intended to send to the school admin.
Hmph, he knew this kid called Fan Qing wasn’t simple—there’s no way he wouldn’t have seen the posts. And now, it seems, maybe he’s even stirring the pot from inside!
Thinking this, the old man went off to play with his birds, carefree.
What’s the rush? He just wanted to watch the show. Yao Ge’s true talent would surely astonish everyone eventually.
As for Zhang Fu—hmph, scheming heart, no wonder the old man had dismissed him before.
Meanwhile, the forum continued to simmer, the conversation heading toward dangerous territory.
Until someone finally spoke up:
“Why not just say it’s Yao Ge? If he can pull it off, why fear criticism? I’ll be honest—I’m also from this graduating class, and back in school, Yao Ge’s name was like a mountain over all of us.
Aside from that, he had almost no friends.
But man, he was incredible. Every professor in the related fields liked him. From freshman year he joined every competition we could enter—any requiring a teacher recommendation, he was in it. And he always won something. Honestly, I’ve always wondered—he enters competitions faster than I eat. Even with all his talent, how can he have endless inspiration? Anyway, here are some photos of him at school. Look at this scruffy guy—honestly, I doubted his aesthetic sense.”
He attached several photos.
In them, Yao Ge sometimes had long, messy hair, sometimes a casually tied ponytail. His clothes were mostly ordinary, and he was always alone—silent, calm, looking like an unremarkable passerby.
Fan Qing saw this and was momentarily speechless. …Tsk, a reminder indeed.
He immediately had Yao Ge clear out all the old, worn clothes—anything usable could be donated, anything not, discarded.
What’s a future top designer doing running around all messy like this?
Hmm… maybe Yao Ge prefers this style?
Some brilliant designers do look quirky or unconventional—part of their charm.
If Yao Ge wanted this aesthetic, Fan Qing had no objection. Maybe it’s even better this way.
Later, they could let Yao Ge grow a little facial hair—he’d look more aloof and brooding, perfect for an artist vibe.
Yes.
Fan Qing thought, and actually liked the idea more.
Plus, even if Yao Ge worked overnight on orders every day, outsiders wouldn’t notice, right?
From the perspective of a ruthless, cold capitalist, this made perfect sense.