The food and drinks were served, and the classmates took their seats.
The large round table was big enough to accommodate more than twenty people dining together at once.
But who sat at the main seat was a matter of importance.
Back in school, no one cared, but after working for so many years and being polished by society, you couldn't help but pay attention to such details that kids don't care about, but adults do.
"Qiangwei, you sit here." Fan Jie directed, pointing to the main seat as he spoke to Wu Qiangwei.
No one had any objections.
She was the Mayor; she should sit in the main seat.
Wu Qiangwei had already chosen a spot and sat with Huang Sisi in an inconspicuous, ordinary seat.
"We're all classmates; let's not do this." She said lightly.
"At a class reunion, don't go creating hierarchies that make things murky."
The speaker was a man, his tone flat, his words faintly sharp, without considering whether what he said would embarrass Fan Jie.
Clearly, quite a few people weren't fond of Fan Jie.
Fan Jie didn't feel awkward, patted his head, and said, "My bad, then just sit wherever you like."
The waiter poured drinks for everyone, and when he got to Huang Sisi, she waved her hand and said, "I'll just have tea."
Imdiately, another male classmate jumped in, "How can you not drink at a class reunion? We only see each other once every few years, Sisi, you're being a bit unreasonable."
This ti, before Wu Qiangwei could speak, Fan Jie said, "Don't pressure anyone to drink; the most important thing about a reunion is to be happy, drink whatever you like."
This made the male classmate a bit embarrassed, but seeing that Wu Qiangwei had also turned her wine glass upside down on the table, he could only smile awkwardly, saying, "I just wanted to liven things up."
After everyone had a drink or beverage in front of them, Fan Jie raised his glass and stood up, "It's been a long ti since we've seen each other, let's have a toast!"
Everyone stood up and drank together.
There were too many people to sustain a single conversation topic, so very quickly, they grouped off into smaller circles to chat about their own interests.
But what everyone was most interested in was Wu Qiangwei.
They really wanted to know how Wu Qiangwei had beco a Mayor at such a young age.
Most of them thought she surely relied on her family's connections.
But even if they thought so, they couldn't say it out loud.
After all, they couldn't afford to offend her.
Moreover, having a classmate as the Mayor is quite a valuable connection, which might co in handy soday.
So of the girls lingered around Fan Jie, their words almost frankly seductive.
They had been infatuated with Fan Jie back in school, and over the years, Fan Jie had matured and beco more successful, making him even more attractive.
While many female classmates had married and settled down, they didn't mind having sothing exciting happen with Fan Jie, making up for regrets from their school years.
But when faced with such opportunities, Fan Jie didn't respond, sitting with composure like a saint.
Song Guanchao was in the next room, ordering a few dishes with Wu Ming.
Eating while eavesdropping on the conversation next door.
Wu Ming asked, "Are you sure Fan Jie will make a move on your sister?"
"It's not Fan Jie; it's Zhang Yan," Song Guanchao corrected.
At this mont, he heard Huang Sisi speaking to Wu Qiangwei and imdiately raised his hand to stop Wu Ming from talking, listening carefully to what the two won were discussing.
"Qiangwei, I hear they're saying you're the Mayor now?"
"Yes." Wu Qiangwei looked at her old classmate and saw she was hesitating to say sothing, realizing she must have encountered so problem and wanted to ask for her help.
However, given her personality, she didn't know how to bring it up.
Wu Qiangwei was a principled person. She wasn't sure what issue Huang Sisi had encountered.
Nor was she sure whether the issue would require her to break her principles.
So, she didn't ask directly but planned to have soone look into it later.
If she could help, she would.
But if it involved compromising her principles, there was nothing she could do.
"Qiangwei." Fan Jie ca over, holding a glass of wine, "Have a drink?"
Wu Qiangwei picked up her drink and took a sip. Fan Jie could tell she was just being polite and that she had no liking for him.
He didn't push, understanding that his task for the night was just to get Wu Qiangwei to co out.
As for what Zhang Yan planned to do, that was her business, and he hadn't asked nor wanted to know.
"What's wrong with Sisi?" Fan Jie noticed the worried look on Huang Sisi's face and asked casually.
Huang Sisi forced a smile, shaking her head, indicating nothing was wrong.
He asked out of courtesy, not genuine curiosity.
During this ti, other classmates also ca over, had a drink or two with her, and chatted a bit.
Wu Qiangwei only had issues with Fan Jie; with others, she still treated them as classmates, responding warmly, not making them feel that just because she was the Mayor, she looked down on them.
The dinner was winding down around nine o'clock.
A classmate said, "Old Fan, we're finishing up dinner; the reunion can't end just like this, can it?"
"Old Fan is so good at organizing things; he surely planned for a second event."
Fan Jie laughed, "I've reserved a room at Jiang Shang No.1, and the car is ready downstairs. Let's go, change of place."
"Wow, Jiang Shang No.1? You could get a reservation there?"
Jiang Shang No.1 is a top luxury venue in Jiangzhou City, ranking among the top few.
In Jiangzhou City and several nearby cities, young masters or people with significant status love to co and play there; it's a gathering of the elite.
In such a high-end venue, consumption surely isn't low.
For more than twenty of them, even with a casual arrangent, it wouldn't be less than six figures for a night.
A classmate said, "Maybe I won't go."
"It's pretty late; I should head ho."
Fan Jie could see at a glance that these classmates were concerned about having to split the bill at the venue.
With their salary level, they could manage such a venue with a bit of effort.
But such spending doesn't match their inco at all.
They weren't vain enough to spend several months' wages on one night of luxury living.
Fan Jie laughed and said, "I suggested a second event, so I'll cover the expenses. Many classmates are married with families, making it hard to get together, so I want us to enjoy tonight. We haven't seen each other for years, and who knows when the next reunion will be, so let's not decline."
These words were nicely put, especially knowing they didn't have to pay, so classmates who wanted to withdraw quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Besides, they did want to see this high-end venue, to broaden their horizons.
Perhaps in future conversations with friends or coworkers, it could be a boastful topic.
Huang Sisi quietly asked, "Qiangwei, are you going?"
Wu Qiangwei sighed inwardly, if everyone went and she didn't, would it be appropriate?
If she were just an ordinary office worker, no one would say anything if she didn't go.
But she was the Mayor.
With that status, she must consider things carefully before making many decisions.
"I'll go." Wu Qiangwei said with a smile.
Huang Sisi replied, "Then I'll go too."
In the next room, Song Guanchao and Wu Ming exchanged a glance.
Both knew that the second event was where Zhang Yan would act.
The main event of the night was about to begin.
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