140: Have a class reunion when you have nothing to do and break up the one-on-ones!

"The Chief Engineer of Dalian Shipyard is away on business and won't be back until the day after tomorrow, so there won't be anyone to host us if we go," Gu Ming said casually.

Lu Shenwei nodded and said, "Is that so? Then it's perfect; I'll just wander around the city tomorrow."

"What's there to see in the city? It's not as interesting as our laboratory," Gu Ming asked.

Lu Shenwei smiled, "What else could it be? A class reunion."

It had been nearly five years since graduation, and all his classmates had gone off to develop their careers in international metropolises, completely severing ties with Lu Shenwei, this native of Qinchuan.

This time, he didn't know who had gotten wind of his trip to Dalian, but they insisted on dragging him into organizing a class reunion.

A class reunion? Boring. Wouldn't it be better to use that free time to earn more money? He was still a long way off from his ten-billion goal.

"I get it. Achieving success without returning home is like wearing fine silks in the dark. You young people all like that sort of thing—what do you call it? Right, showing off!"

Showing off? Director Gu actually knew that term.

"What showing off? I have no choice. They said the whole class is there and just waiting for me, so I have to go make an appearance," Lu Shenwei said with a shrug.

Gu Ming muttered, "Don't tell me your first love is among those classmates?"

Organizing a class reunion for no reason, breaking up couples one by one.

"What are you thinking? I've only ever dated one person, and she ended up getting locked up," Lu Shenwei said with a darkened face.

What? What? Locked up?

Gu Ming immediately started gossiping, and Lu Shenwei reluctantly recounted the messy business from the past.

"That woman was a total brother-obsessed parasite, and the crucial thing is she even wanted to betray the country. It's good she got locked up," Gu Ming said through gritted teeth.

Lu Shenwei waved his hand, "It's all in the past. She's probably sewing mailbags in prison right now."

"You aren't familiar with Dalian. How about I send two guards to take you around tomorrow?"

"Don't. It's too conspicuous. I'll wander around myself. If you need anything, give me a call."

That evening, the Naval Equipment Procurement and R&D Department prepared a sumptuous welcome dinner for Lu Shenwei.

During the banquet, Gu Ming frequently raised his glass, and several unfamiliar faces kept flattering him and offering toasts. Before long, Lu Shenwei was down.

When he regained consciousness, it was already noon the next day.

"Your alcohol tolerance is terrible, kid. How do you go out to negotiate business usually?" Gu Ming grumbled.

Lu Shenwei wiped his face, "Usually, Director Ma and Vice Director Wang handle the drinking; I'm only responsible for R&D."

"Here are my car keys. It has military plates; you can drive it yourself."

"I've just sobered up, I don't want to get pulled over for drunk driving. I'll take a taxi."

Leaving the naval base, Lu Shenwei bought a cup of coffee and leaned against the riverside. The sea breeze blew, and his hangover cleared a bit more.

As he stuffed a piece of whole-wheat bread into his mouth, the phone in his pocket suddenly rang.

"Where did you run off to? Why didn't you say anything about the Air Force license plates?"

Zhou Wen's concerned voice came through the receiver, and Lu Shenwei said casually, "I'm on a business trip in Dalian."

Dalian?

Zhou Wen immediately understood what that meant. He asked again, "When are you coming back? I'm waiting here to drink with you."

As soon as Lu Shenwei heard the words "drink with you," his stomach began to churn.

"Why are we drinking again?"

"Didn't Zhou Cun tell you? I just took office as District Chief. As the dignified Director Lu, aren't you going to welcome me?"

"Ah? You didn't tell me in advance so I could prepare," Lu Shenwei said, surprised.

Zhou Wen said casually, "There's nothing much to prepare. I had your sister-in-law cook a table of dishes; come to my house to eat when you get back."

"Alright, I'll be there in person with a gift."

"Just showing up is enough, forget the gift. I've received quite a few 'gifts' from you over the past few years."

Julong Steel had produced quite a few good products in recent years, and the city almost entirely credited them to Zhou Wen. With these big contributions, Zhou Wen was able to climb another level at an age nearing retirement.

"You're joking. I'll visit you in person after I get back," Lu Shenwei replied.

For the entirety of Julong Steel, it was a good thing that Zhou Wen could become the District Chief of the Qinchuan Advanced Industrial Manufacturing Zone.

"Alright, that's it for now. We'll talk when you get back."

After hanging up with Zhou Wen, Lu Shenwei headed straight for the Dalian International Hotel.

That's right, and he didn't know which genius decided to host the class reunion at the most expensive hotel in Dalian.

"Room 888, the Pengcheng Wanli private room. This should be it."

Lu Shenwei looked up at the door sign and pushed the door open to enter.

"Huh? Aren't you Lu Shenwei? I don't think we've seen each other since graduation, right?"

A heavily made-up female classmate said in surprise, and Lu Shenwei quickly turned around.

"Is it you? I almost didn't recognize you; you've changed so much."

"You, on the other hand, haven't changed much. All the classmates are here, just waiting for you."

Seeing Lu Shenwei's dowdy attire, the female classmate's expression immediately fell.

The purpose of most college reunions was to build connections, find resources, and see if successful classmates could help them out.

Apart from looking healthy, Lu Shenwei looked shabby from head to toe.

"Lu the Monkey is here! Come on in and sit down."

"It really is him, Lu Shenwei. He used to be as thin as a monkey. I haven't seen him in a few years, but he's put on some weight and looks much more energetic."

"I heard he went back to his hometown in Qinchuan after graduation. Looks like he hasn't been doing very well."

"Exactly, exactly. He's even wearing a steel mill uniform."

The classmates chattered away, and Lu Shenwei pulled out a chair and sat down nonchalantly.

"Monkey, do you still remember me? Hippo Brother."

Hippo Brother?

"You're Sun Wei? How did you get so thin?" Lu Shenwei asked in surprise.

Back in school, Sun Wei had a robust build and the nickname "Hippo Brother." He never expected that just a few years after graduation, he would be battered by life to this extent.

"Don't mention it. It's exhaustion. I'm not afraid of you laughing at me, but my startup failed after graduation. Now I drive for a ride-hailing app to pay off debts, 12 hours a day, barely eating regularly," Sun Wei said with a bitter smile.

Lu Shenwei patted his shoulder, "It's not easy for anyone. I actually have a lead that could help you get a job. It wouldn't be as tiring as what you're doing now, and it would definitely pay well."

Sun Wei said with pleasant surprise, "Really? What is it..."

"You don't actually believe what Lu Shenwei is saying, do you? Just look at what he's wearing. The other classmates are in suits and leather shoes, but he just shows up to a class reunion in a work uniform."

A discordant voice interrupted Sun Wei. Lu Shenwei frowned, looked up, and didn't back down: "Isn't this Young Master Liu, Liu Zichen? Hasn't your father's company gone bankrupt yet from your mismanagement?"

"What did you say? Keep your mouth clean," Liu Zichen rebuked angrily.

Lu Shenwei's expression was calm, "If it weren't for your father, would a brat like you even be qualified to boss people around here?"

"Lu Shenwei, we're all classmates, say a little less. Liu Zichen paid for this class reunion."

"Exactly, exactly. Just sit there and eat obediently. I'm afraid this is your first time seeing such a scene, right?"

Lu Shenwei said disdainfully, "When I walked in, I was wondering which show-off was trying to act rich and treat everyone. Turns out it was just big-headed Liu."

Lu Shenwei was accustomed to keeping a low profile in his daily life, but that didn't mean he was a pushover.

Back in school, Liu Zichen relied on his family's wealth to look down on everyone. Of course, the one he looked down on most was Lu Shenwei, who had lost his parents at a young age.

Just as Liu Zichen was about to explode, he heard a commotion coming from outside the door.