Long Ming looked up to see a young man greeting him with a wide smile. The man wore a white shirt, a custom-tailored gray suit, and a brand-name watch on his wrist, his hair slicked back with mousse.

This was none other than Tang Ming, a classmate of Long Ming’s from university.

Tang Ming was accompanied by a man and a woman. The woman, who wore jeans, a white T-shirt, and her hair in a ponytail, was named Sun Ran—another of Long Ming’s classmates.

As for the other man, a tall, lanky fellow with a few dark spots on his face, Long Ming didn’t recognize him. It seemed neither Tang Ming nor Sun Ran knew him very well either.

"Long Ming, long time no see."

Sun Ran also greeted Long Ming politely.

"Long time no see."

Long Ming replied courteously.

"Brother Tang, who’s this? I don’t think I’ve seen him before."

The man accompanying Tang Ming sized up Long Ming with curiosity.

Judging by Long Ming’s somewhat faded clothes, he didn’t look like anyone important.

"Li Yin, let me introduce you. This is an old classmate of ours. Back in school, he was a brilliant student. His family also runs a hotel—the five-star Guangying Hotel belongs to them. It’s pretty well-known here in Mountain City Mountain’s Upper City District. But he vanished after graduation. I haven’t seen him in the Upper City District since."

An almost imperceptible expression flickered across Tang Ming’s face as he lavished praise on Long Ming with a grin.

"So impressive. Might I ask where you’re working now, Mr. Long Ming?"

Hearing Tang Ming’s introduction, Li Yin immediately extended his hand toward Long Ming.

"I don’t have a job. I’m unemployed and living in the lower district now."

Long Ming replied frankly.

When Li Yin heard Long Ming say he lived in the lower district, his body went rigid. He hesitated for a moment before pulling back his outstretched hand and shooting Tang Ming a confused look.

’Didn’t he say Long Ming’s family ran a hotel? How did he end up as a commoner in the lower district?’

At that moment, upon hearing Long Ming’s words, Tang Ming put on a look of utter surprise.

"You’re living in the lower district? No wonder I haven’t seen you all these years. I heard your family’s hotel is under new management. Did you run into some trouble? Why didn’t you ask old classmates like us for help? How about this, I can introduce you to a good job?"

"No need, thank you."

Long Ming directly refused Tang Ming’s so-called goodwill.

’Tang Ming’s words might sound nice, but I don’t believe a single one. I can’t be bothered with him.’

Sun Ran, standing to the side, was also very surprised and said in astonishment,

"Long Ming, did something happen to your family? Do you need any help?"

"No, but thanks. I have something to do, so I’m leaving."

Long Ming was in no mood to stand around and reminisce with them.

Back when his father was still alive, Long Ming’s life had actually been quite good.

But after his father passed away, his two business partners claimed that his father had been neglecting the business for years, causing massive losses for the hotel and embezzling company funds. They used this as a pretext to dilute his father’s shares.

They even had the nerve to say that, out of respect for their old friendship, they wouldn’t hold Long Ming and his family legally responsible.

"It’s not every day we old classmates get to see each other. What’s the rush? A lot more of our classmates are coming later. Why don’t you join us?"

Tang Ming subconsciously blocked Long Ming’s path, inviting him enthusiastically.

"I’ll pass."

Long Ming glanced at Tang Ming and refused, unmoved.

"Come on, you’re still the same as always. Such a buzzkill."

Seeing Long Ming’s refusal, Tang Ming was about to press him further when a sudden commotion broke out.

Long Ming and the others turned to look.

They saw a group of fifty or sixty people in various cafe uniforms approaching, all with angry expressions.

The young woman greeting guests at the door and the security guards rushed forward to block them.

"Who are you?"

"I’m Zhao Chang, manager of the Moon Wave Star Cafe!"

A burly man in a black leather jacket with coarse skin spoke up, leading the group.

"I’m from Yinghuo Cafe!"

"I’m from the Deep Sea Star Cafe!"

...

The others all chimed in, announcing which cafes they were from.

"Ah, fellow members of the trade. I’m Mira, the manager of Star Wish Cafe. If you have a problem, you can talk to me."

Just then, a beautiful woman emerged. She wore a sexy black slip dress, her hair was coiled up and held in place with a silver hairpin, and her full, red lips were coated in dark crimson lipstick.

"Hmph, does your Star Wish Cafe have any respect for the rules?"

Zhao Chang demanded with a cold snort.

"What rules?"

Mira asked with a faint smile, her eyes on Zhao Chang and his group.

"This street already has plenty of cafes. We didn’t say anything when you opened up here, but to start with a half-price promotion right off the bat? You’re completely ignoring the unwritten rules!"

"Isn’t it normal for a new store to have a grand opening promotion? You’re free to have one too."

"Unbelievable. Who’s your boss?"

Zhao Chang was so angry he actually laughed. It was the first time he’d ever met someone so brazen.

"As for who our boss is, you can go back and ask your own. They’ll definitely know."

Mira replied, unfazed.

Hearing this, the expressions on Zhao Chang and his men shifted slightly. Even an idiot could tell they’d run into someone they couldn’t afford to mess with.

But with so many people watching, they couldn’t just back down.

So, they could only retort to Mira.

"Cut the crap! Get your boss out here!"

"Our boss isn’t someone you can meet just because you feel like it."

Mira replied with a light laugh.

’As the manager, if I can’t even handle something like this and have to bother the boss, then I might as well quit.’

"Then we’ll just wait here."

Zhao Chang and his men were thoroughly provoked.

Just then, a soft, pleasant voice came from behind Mira.

"Mira, what’s happening?"

Everyone turned to look. A young woman was approaching, her bearing extraordinarily elegant. She wore a white sweater, and her silvery-white hair cascaded down to her waist. Her skin was as fair as snow, and set in her stunningly beautiful face was a pair of blue eyes as brilliant as gemstones.

’It’s her?’

Long Ming’s expression flickered. The young woman before him was Luoxue, a student from the class next to his at university.

Mira and the staff respectfully explained to Luoxue.

"Miss, these people are from the nearby cafes. They think our grand opening promotion is breaking the rules."

After listening, Luoxue turned to face Zhao Chang and his group. "I understand the situation now," she said. "If you have a problem with it, you can have your bosses come and speak with me."

Though her tone was gentle, her stance was unyielding.

"Fine."

Seeing Luoxue’s response, Zhao Chang and his men could only leave in disgruntled defeat.

"Apologies, everyone! The matter has been resolved. Please, enjoy our half-price discount on everything!"

Mira announced with a smile to all the onlookers.

Hearing Mira’s words, the crowd broke into applause.

At that moment, Tang Ming spotted Luoxue. He completely ignored Long Ming and walked forward excitedly, calling out,

"Luoxue!"

Luoxue heard him and turned to look in Tang Ming’s direction.

Seeing Luoxue look their way, Long Ming shoved his hands in his pockets, lowered his head slightly, and turned to leave.