Despite his best efforts to avoid it, using various grand excuses, Pei Shi finally understood a truth—some things are like fate, and when misfortune is about to strike you, there’s no way to escape it.

After a whirlwind of work and intense shareholder meetings, Pei Shi thought he could finally steal a half-day break, sending Bai Tao off to attend the alumni reunion alone, allowing himself a precious quiet evening.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. Even though he tried to survive against the odds, Bai Tao didn’t give him a chance to live peacefully.

On Saturday night, Pei Shi was enthusiastically dragged by Bai Tao to the alumni reunion. She ultimately chose a black high-slit satin dress, elegant and flattering to her figure. Black never goes out of style, and even for someone as picky as Pei Shi, when he saw Bai Tao in this dress, he couldn’t find a fault.

With clear eyes and radiant beauty, Bai Tao, despite not being the brightest, certainly had a striking appearance.

The neckline of the dress was uniquely designed, subtly alluring yet maintaining an air of elegance. Pei Shi glanced at her briefly, then looked away.

Doubting the mistakes Bai Tao had made, Pei Shi did not want to repeat them again.

However, as long as Bai Tao was around, mistakes seemed to continue, albeit in a different form—

Fifteen minutes later, Pei Shi was led by Bai Tao’s hand, walking intimately into the upscale alumni club where the reunion was held, and thus began his night-long experience of confronting his own mistakes.

…

*****

Although Pei Shi was probably worried about too many men looking at her, so when he entered the venue, the tension on this man’s body was very tight, but Bai Tao was still quite happy, especially when she saw so many classmates five years later, she found it quite novel.

Who would have thought that Yan Ming, who used to have thick hair, would be bald so early? Julie, who used to ignore school rules and come late or leave early, has become the head of discipline! Peng Xu, who used to shout about staying unmarried and childless for peace, got married right after college and now she’s the mother of three children…

Five years, really enough to change a person drastically!

Thinking about this, Bai Tao couldn’t help but glance at Pei Shi beside her. Isn’t that right? Pei Shi was straightforward with her back then, but now he’s so clingy to her. Oh well! Life is full of changes!

“Bai Tao, we invited you and Pei Shi to alumni events before, and you refused no matter what. We thought it was because you couldn’t bring your husband along!”

“That’s right!”

“You two are really a perfect match! Back then, no one could have imagined you would get married, hahaha!”

…

It was Bai Tao’s first time attending such a gathering, naturally arousing the curiosity of many classmates. She had completely turned the tables on Pei Shi, now standing tall and proud. Seizing the moment when Pei Shi had to step out briefly to take a call, Bai Tao couldn’t resist showing off.

“That’s right! Pei Shi is so clingy now, I never thought it would be like this before.”

“Your male classmates better keep their distance from me, Pei Shi would get jealous…”

These words from Bai Tao naturally elicited envy and sighs of admiration from the crowd. However, among the voices, a soft voice made Bai Tao uncomfortable—

“I heard in the news that your relationship after marriage is really good, you also said Pei Shi is very clingy to you, but today he seems a bit distant. Is there something bothering him…”

Though every word was innocent, the tone carried implications that made Bai Tao, not a fool, understand—

“You said Pei Shi is clingy, but I haven’t seen him sticking to you this year. Your good relationship after marriage is just your side of the story and what the news says. Who knows if it’s really that good.”

Bai Tao looked up and realized it was Zheng Qing who spoke. It all became clear.

After graduation, Zheng Qing became a manga artist, focusing on girls like herself. There’s competition in the small world of manga, and Zheng Qing’s studio didn’t hesitate to promote themselves before each new series. Zheng Qing was also a close friend of Pei Fei before, as close as sisters, and naturally took her side against Bai Fei.

Heh.

Let me show you what true love looks like!

Without responding to Zheng Qing, Bai Tao took a sip of water, got up, and left the private room, leaving behind all the whispers guided by Zheng Qing.

These alumni classmates might not believe that she and Pei Shi were affectionate, which she could understand, after all, Pei Shi was such a mess back then!

To dispel any doubts, Bai Tao decided to go out and find Pei Shi. How could this man spend so long outside on the phone?

“As she turned the corner, Bai Tao finally found Pei Shi. He had already finished his phone call and was currently in a serious conversation with a man opposite him. Bai Tao approached closer and realized the man was Pei Shi’s high school friend, Zhuang Yan. As she got nearer, Bai Tao finally heard what Pei Shi was saying—

“‘In the future, keep your distance from Bai Tao…'”

Pei Shi’s tone was serious and solemn, and Bai Tao was deeply moved to the point of tears.