The class reunion was held at a newly opened club.

Considering Xie Qingci’s current celebrity status, they specifically found a more private, albeit expensive, venue.

After all, they’re just a bunch of third-year students, not much money to spare; managing this was already quite commendable.

Xie Qingci didn’t leave until it was dark, and when he reached the venue, a classmate was at the entrance waiting to lead him in.

The two shook hands and bumped shoulders, the same greeting style as on the basketball court.

For a moment, it felt like being back in the high school days when they played ball together every day.

Zuo Ling clicked his tongue: "You’ve changed quite a lot, it’s not obvious on camera, but in person you look a lot more buff than before. Isn’t the entertainment industry all about being skinny?"

Their difference is probably like this: he’s still at the lean stage, while he’s secretly been lifting weights.

As Xie Qingci followed him inside, he casually said, "You surf too little; being skinny is for the girls. The requirement for male artists is to have a good physique."

Zuo Ling brought him to the second floor, turned back, lowered his voice, and said with interest, "Speaking of which, where’s your girlfriend? I thought you’d bring her along."

Him dating a big celebrity girlfriend was one of the most intriguing topics for everyone, especially as their romance was known by all.

"She’s in another province," he said with a gentle tone, "working in a rather remote place, can’t even get through on the phone."

While speaking, they arrived on the second floor.

The new club was a frequent haunt for students, with a new trendy entertainment setting, a winding corridor with around ten rooms, each room’s door painted in a different style.

Zuo Ling pushed open a door painted with ukiyo-e, letting him in first.

Inside, there was music playing, the sound of the door opening wasn’t loud, but as he entered, the twenty or so people sitting and talking all turned their heads towards the door in unison.

Xie Qingci took off his mask, and just at that moment, the revolving lights in the room swept past him, the beam quickly crossing from his left hairline to his right jawline, highlighting eyes accustomed to flash photography, as if the light was pointing out the best scenery to everyone.

Behind him, Zuo Ling closed the door, hanging onto his shoulder, said to the others: "Our big star is here, what are you standing around for? Make some room."

It was as if everyone suddenly came to, and the pause turned into bustling activity again, those talking continued their chatter, while the circle of people sitting outside quickly stood up to make room, but their eyes were all invariably fixed on Xie Qingci.

It’s been three years since everyone last met, and in the absence of regular contact, there wasn’t much familiarity left. Even though they were very interested in this classmate turned superstar, no one immediately asked questions.

Still, Zuo Ling poured him a drink first, asking: "You said you’re filming nearby? Not going home? If you go home, you’d pass by my house; I’d definitely spot you."

As soon as he spoke up, the chatter in the room quieted, with everyone’s attention now focused on the two of them.

"No one at home, not much point in going back," Xie Qingci took the cup, but only swirled it, not intending to drink.

Zuo Ling noticed: "What, not drinking?"

"Got a shoot early tomorrow, drinking might affect my condition."

"Oh, I thought you’d say your girlfriend doesn’t allow it."

The mention of girlfriend struck a chord with everyone, they were so familiar with the "Xie Qingci braving the entertainment industry, dating a celebrity girlfriend" narrative that they could recite it backwards, and now seeing the person in question, they were eager to hear him speak for three hours.

Xie Qingci didn’t deny it, raising his eyebrows: "That’s one reason."

After all, last time after drinking, he was kicked out of the room.

"Tsk tsk tsk—"

Seeing the conversation open up, those sitting inside also couldn’t help but speak up.

"So did you really pursue Yu Xia? We thought you’d never date anyone."

Back in high school, so many girls liked him, but he acted like he couldn’t see them.

A girl shyly handed him water on the basketball court, and he just assumed she came to the wrong person and walked away.

Playing truth or dare with him, he always seemed like the one who couldn’t play along.

Finally, there was an academically gifted girl he could speak to, everyone thought they might become a couple, but then summer break ended, and he didn’t recognize her with a new hairstyle, leaving the girl heartbroken.

With his aloof attitude, who could’ve imagined he’d chase after a girl in the open like that?

After that escape Variety Show aired, his scene of catching dumplings with his hands spread like wildfire in their school group, no one could believe it, saying it was just part of his persona for the program.

Back to the present, everyone was waiting for an answer.

Xie Qingci naturally nodded.

"Yes, I pursued her."

He seemed willing to share the gossip about his relationship with Yu Xia, and everyone’s curiosity sparked frenzied interest.

"Isn’t she with you?"

Xie Qingci: "No, she’s busier than I am."

"Wow, here we are idling away in college while you’ve already become a star and struck it big. Is the entertainment industry fun? Do you get to meet a lot of star friends?"

Xie Qingci: "It’s alright, not much different from regular work, artists don’t often contact privately."

"What made you join a talent show during your freshman summer break? I remember suddenly seeing you online and thinking it was someone who looked like you."

Xie Qingci: "I was bored, so I gave it a try."

Zuo Ling, who knew him better, interjected: "Didn’t he always run around during summer and winter breaks before? Even went abroad for summer camps and such."

His family didn’t restrict him, and he wasn’t interested in spending days at home gaming or playing sports, so he always sought excitement.

Others recalled how he couldn’t be dragged out during breaks before.

Someone sighed: "People are really different; you joined a talent show and became a hit, while we can’t even imagine doing that."

Another agreed: "If it were me, I’d at most be screaming at celebrity pictures."

Someone else asked: "Hey, Xie Qingci, is debuting through a talent show hard? You went in without knowing anything, didn’t it feel terrifying to embarrass yourself?"

This question lacked tact, and Zuo Ling leaned over to look at the person, laughing:

"What, you want to try out for a talent show too? Forget it, didn’t they say there’ll be no more talent shows? Even if there were, you’ve neither the singing nor dancing skills nor the looks; you’d just provide material for the program’s first elimination round."

Others burst into laughter, and the person was embarrassed into silence.

Xie Qingci didn’t engage with this topic, his phone rang, displaying the word "Baby."

He didn’t leave his seat, just sat there swirling his drink, answering the call.

Everyone saw the gentle smile on his lowered face; someone quipped "wow" as a tease, winking: "Girlfriend calling to check on you?"

On the other end, Yu Xia had already started talking, and Xie Qingci couldn’t respond to the questioner, so Zuo Ling jokingly added: "Got to keep tabs, after all, a face like that isn’t safe."