Chapter 29: Class Reunion

"Oh, here’s the thing: our class is having a reunion this weekend at the 'Golden Splendor' hotel. You absolutely have to come! The class monitor specifically told me to find you—you've been a 'missing person' for too long! Everyone misses you!"

A class reunion?

Flashes of his college days surfaced in Chen Yu’s mind. The original host of this body had been introverted and socially awkward, a wallflower in class who had maintained relationships with these so-called "classmates" as thin as water. A gathering like this was, to put it bluntly, just a grand display of vanity and one-upmanship—utterly tasteless. Besides, he had a child to look after.

"I think I’ll pass," Chen Yu refused without a second thought. "I have to look after my child; it’s not convenient."

"Look after your child?"

"My goodness! Chen Yu, you... you’re already a father?"

Her tone suggested that Chen Yu hadn't just gotten married and had a child, but had been diagnosed with some terminal illness. Before Chen Yu could respond, a man’s harsh, mocking voice drifted through the phone.

"Zhao Yueru, who are you talking to? Chen Yu? Which Chen Yu? Oh... I remember now. That dullard who spent every day in the library and couldn't even squeeze a word out? What about him?"

"He says he has to watch his kid and can't make it to the reunion."

"Watch his kid? Hahahaha!" The man laughed loudly. "I always said he wouldn't amount to anything! Graduated and went home to be a stay-at-home dad? What a loser! Forget it, don't bother asking him again. It’d just be an embarrassment to have him here!"

Chen Yu’s eyes turned cold in an instant. He didn't care what others thought of him, but he could not tolerate anyone using the word "loser" to insult him—even if the insult was directed at the original owner who was no longer there. More importantly, the man’s mockery ignited a fire in his chest. A fire that made him want to grind the man's face into the dirt.

"Hello? Chen Yu? Are you still there?" Zhao Yueru’s voice returned, laced with awkwardness.

Chen Yu let out a cold laugh. "Send me the address and the time. I’ll be there."

"Huh? But didn't you say you had to—"

"I’m bringing my child with me," Chen Yu interrupted. "It’ll be a perfect chance for you all to see exactly how a 'loser' raises a child."

With that, he hung up, giving the other party no time to react.

Niannian looked at her father with a touch of fear. "Daddy, what's wrong?"

Chen Yu immediately snapped out of it and replied with a smile, "Niannian, Daddy’s college classmates invited us to a party. Would you like to go out with Daddy and meet some aunts and uncles?"

"A party?" Niannian’s eyes lit up. For a child who spent most of her time at home, "going out" and a "party" were undeniably exciting.

"Yes!" She nodded vigorously. "I want to go! I want to go out and play!"

Seeing his daughter’s excitement, the last bit of hesitation in Chen Yu’s heart vanished. He would go. He had to go! And he wouldn't just go; he would go looking sharp and make a grand entrance.

But there was one more thing to do before leaving. He stood up, walked to the balcony, and dialed Jiang Zhiyun’s number. After a few rings, it was answered. Her cool, detached voice came through. "Hello?"

"It’s me."

"I... I have something to take care of, so I need to go out."

"Okay."

Chen Yu felt a bit awkward. "It’s a reunion for my college classmates. I’d like to... take Niannian with me. I don't want to leave her home alone."

A brief silence fell on the other end. Chen Yu could almost picture Jiang Zhiyun slightly furrowing her brows. After five or six seconds—just as he thought she might refuse—her voice returned. "That’s fine. Be safe, and take good care of her."

"I will."

Having received her approval, Chen Yu breathed a sigh of relief.

"Anything else?"

"...No, that’s all."

"Then I’m hanging up."

The call ended abruptly. Chen Yu didn't dwell on it; he went back to the room to change his clothes and helped Niannian get ready as well. As the two of them left the house, the live stream comments were filled with reluctance.

[No way! God Chen! I was just getting to the good part! Who were those jerks? Take us with you to slap their faces!]

[What is the production team doing? How can you cut away at such a dramatic moment? I want to file a complaint!]

[Waaah, my joy is gone... Without God Chen and Niannian to watch, life has lost all meaning...]

***

At the Golden Splendor Hotel, Chen Yu held Niannian’s hand and walked into the reserved private room. There were already over twenty people seated around a massive circular table. Chen Yu’s appearance felt distinctly out of place, especially since most of the others were dressed to the nines.

"Yo, isn't that Chen Yu? He actually came!" a man sneered. It was the class monitor, Wang Feng, the same man who had mocked him on the phone. Wang Feng looked Chen Yu up and down. "Dressed up quite nicely, I honestly didn't think you’d have the guts to show up. What’s this, you brought your daughter too? Afraid we wouldn't believe you’re just a stay-at-home dad?"

A wave of laughter erupted around him.

"Brother Wang, you can't say it like that. Chen Yu is just enjoying life. Us corporate slaves who work overtime every day don't have that luxury."

"That’s true, that’s true. Staying home to raise kids, how relaxing. Unlike us, losing our hair for a few pennies."

Chen Yu gave a cold laugh and sat down calmly in his seat. His composure only seemed to annoy Wang Feng further. Wang Feng turned his target to Niannian, who looked the easiest to bully.

"Little one, what’s your name? You’re so cute," Wang Feng said.

Niannian looked at her father, and seeing no objection, she replied in a small voice, "My name is Niannian."

"Niannian, that’s a lovely name," Wang Feng continued with a smile. "How old are you this year? Which kindergarten do you go to?"

His gaze swept over Niannian before he turned to Chen Yu. "Hey, Chen Yu, it’s not that I want to lecture you, but you can’t neglect a child’s education. Given your... well, your unique situation, if you can’t find a good school, just let me know."

He wore an expression of charitable condescension. "I’m a section chief at a unit under the Municipal Education Bureau now. It’s not a huge position, but I’m on good terms with the principals of the major private schools. If you ask, I can definitely introduce your daughter to a decent bilingual kindergarten."

He paused, adding a boastful tone, "Of course, it won't compare to the 'Dulwich International' school my son attends. That place costs over three hundred thousand a year in tuition alone, and it’s not just about having money to get in."

"But, the one I’d introduce you to is about a hundred thousand a year. It’s not the best, but it’s certainly better than the bottom. For someone like you... that should be enough, right?"