Volume One, Chapter Five: Hold Me for a Minute

They had left late, and after further delays before departing, it went without saying that the two of them were the last to arrive at the alumni reunion.

Pushing open the doors, they found the room nearly full. Conversations ceased as everyone turned to look at the four people standing at the entrance.

Jiang Li wore a champagne-colored, hip-hugging long dress paired with a white overcoat. Her hair was gathered simply at the crown of her head, giving her an air of elegant, inexplicable sensuality. Xie Ya was dressed in a black miniskirt and a high-quality silk shirt, topped with a fur coat that perfectly matched her forthright personality.

Xu Ning, amidst the crowd, was the first to speak, her tone dripping with sarcasm: "Look who it is, our great chess player. It’s a rare honor indeed for you to find time in your busy divorce scandal to attend our reunion."

"If you can speak like a human, then do so; otherwise, I’ll sew your mouth shut," Xie Ya glared at her.

Perhaps emboldened by the crowd, Xu Ning didn't back down. She continued, "Why shouldn't I speak? Is it because it’s shameful?" As she spoke, she glanced at Lin Xunan standing beside Jiang Li, her eyes lighting up. "And this person by our great chess player's side... could this be the 'third party' rumored in the outside world?"

It was Jiang Li’s first time out with Lin Xunan, and she didn't want him to be maligned on her account. Just as she was about to speak, Lin Xunan chuckled lightly. "Ms. Jiang does indeed make my heart flutter, but to be honest, today is the first time we have met."

"However," he turned to look at Jiang Li, "since Ms. Jiang is now divorced, I hope to be the first in line to pursue you."

Jiang Li felt flustered because, the moment she entered, she had spotted Lu Jinye sitting at the other end of the round table. He wore a high-quality light gray shirt with a dark blue tie, and like everyone else, he had been watching her since she walked in—even now.

Perhaps sensing Jiang Li's distress, Lin Xunan didn't press the matter further. He handed his bag to her and said softly, "When it ends, I’ll come to pick you up. Or if you wish to leave early, just have Xie Ya tell me at any time."

Jiang Li nodded, feeling at a loss, but to the onlookers, the two appeared as a perfect match, and Jiang Li’s reaction seemed merely like shyness.

The two men departed, and Jiang Li and Xie Ya took their seats at the table near the entrance. The group deliberately glossed over the awkwardness and resumed their scattered chatter.

A male classmate nearby asked, "Jiang Li, will you still be playing chess in the future?"

Jiang Li nodded with a smile, "I will. I’m still employed at the Chess Academy."

"That’s great! Now I can go back to bragging to others using your award photos!"

"Oh, give it a rest. You’ve been bragging for the past few years even when she wasn't playing," another classmate said, looking at Jiang Li. "You don't know, but he’s your super fan. He even started teaching himself Go a few years ago."

"Really?" Jiang Li was surprised, but even more delighted. "Thank you so much for your support. If you have any questions about Go, feel free to contact me at any time."

"Is that okay? Can I add your WeChat then?" The male classmate pulled out his phone and quickly scanned Jiang Li’s QR code.

Xu Ning was sitting on the other side—or more precisely, right next to Lu Jinye. She glanced at Lu Jinye, then put on a look of feigned pity as she said to Jiang Li, "Jiang Li, it's not that I want to criticize you, but fine, a peaceful divorce is one thing, but why leave with nothing? Even if you were at fault, you should have fought for yourself a little."

Jiang Li held back Xie Ya, who was ready to lash out. Doing her best to ignore Lu Jinye's presence, she said calmly, "I recall that your husband's company has no financial dealings with Shen Yechu's company. Why are you so concerned about his marriage?"

"Or perhaps, are you waiting for him to get divorced so you can have some dealings?"

"You're slandering me!"

"Even if I am, it’s still better than your mouth spraying filth."

Xu Ning was so angry she couldn't speak. "You!"

Lu Jinye let out a sudden, sharp laugh, and everyone in the room heard that faint chuckle. He reached up to tug at his tie, his prominent Adam's apple bobbing, which caused the composure Jiang Li had managed to muster to instantly collapse.

"Ms. Jiang," he rested his chin on one hand, a playful, mocking smile on his face. "It seems your life these past few years has been quite colorful."

Jiang Li didn't speak, but she knew that her hands, clenched tightly in her lap, were trembling uncontrollably. Four years had passed; Lu Jinye still had the same face, though his features were sharper, more mature. Yet, the aura surrounding him was entirely different from the person she had once known.

"It seems Ms. Jiang has too many new flames to bother conversing with a... college classmate like me." Lu Jinye crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, falling silent.

The atmosphere turned awkward once more. The others could only bury their heads in their food, and those who wanted to witness the drama dared not say a word.

The private room door opened again, and a server wheeled in five or six bottles of high-end red wine.

"My treat today, in appreciation of everyone's company during our college years," Lu Jinye emphasized the last two words.

The toast became somewhat stiff. Wu Di suddenly stood up and rubbed his hands together. "Let’s play a game. We can chat another time; it’s rare for us to get together today, so let’s liven things up and talk a little less." The last sentence was directed at Lu Jinye.

With Wu Di taking the lead, the atmosphere soon became lively again. They played a game of spinning a bottle; whoever it pointed to had to drink, then choose between a truth or a dare. If they refused, they had to drink three additional penalty shots.

Xie Ya nudged Jiang Li, "Why don't you leave first?" She knew that if the bottle pointed to Lu Jinye or Jiang Li, it would be dangerous for both of them, regardless of the choice.

Jiang Li shook her head. "If I leave, who knows what nonsense Xu Ning will spout."

Xie Ya considered this, agreed, and added, "If it gets too bad, just take the penalty drinks. I’ll drink for you."

Jiang Li smiled at her, their silent understanding needing no words. Most of the classmates remained friendly and kind, and as Jiang Li watched their laughter and antics, she felt much more relaxed—if she ignored the dark, penetrating gaze that Lu Jinye occasionally shot her way.

However, the happiness didn't last long. The wine bottle eventually stopped, pointing directly at Jiang Li.

The person who had spun the bottle was a girl who loved gossip, and Jiang Li instantly sensed trouble. As expected, after downing a glass, the girl asked, "Have you ever loved Shen Yechu?"

Jiang Li paused. She wanted to refuse and take the penalty, but that seemed too deliberate. She looked at the glass in her hand and said softly, "I have."

Emotions surged in Lu Jinye's eyes. He had expected her to say she didn't, after all, they had once been a couple so deeply in love. But Jiang Li said she had loved him.

After leaving him, she had fallen for another man. They had a sweet marriage, a grand wedding, and they must have even... consummated their relationship! At this thought, anger boiled within Lu Jinye.

He remembered the first time he kissed Jiang Li on the college track field. She had squeezed her eyes shut, her cheeks flushed red like a ripe apple waiting to be picked. Every time they kissed, Jiang Li would be breathless, her face flushed with shyness.

Was she lying beneath Shen Yechu with that same look?

Lu Jinye's gaze seemed to scorch Jiang Li. She looked up at him, her eyes darting away, though the nervousness she once felt for him was still visible. Lu Jinye’s expression was grim. Beside him, Wu Di pulled his arm. "Watch yourself, what’s with that predatory look?"

He impatiently loosened his tie further and unbuttoned his collar. Lu Jinye didn't join the game, but the wine in his glass vanished faster than anyone else's.

Soon, the bottle pointed to Jiang Li again. This time, the one who spun it was the male classmate who was her fan. Perhaps due to the alcohol, his face was quite red. Because he was her fan, Jiang Li smiled at him. "Go ahead and ask."

Unexpectedly, the male classmate downed a drink first, then glanced at Lu Jinye, finally summoning the courage to say, "I... I choose a dare."

Jiang Li didn't know what he was planning, but she smiled and nodded.

The male classmate looked at her with a flushed face and said loudly, "Give me a hug for one minute!"

The room fell into a dead silence.