Chapter 132: Zhang Yao
A group of people burst out laughing. The boys and girls who had been ready to watch Zhao Dong make a fool of himself were howling with laughter.
Although they didn't own cars themselves, seeing Zhao Dong with a Wuling Hongguang instantly sent their confidence soaring.
Amid the roaring laughter, Zhao Dong stood in the middle of the crowd, neither speaking nor smiling, just furrowing his brow slightly.
Ding Lan looked at Zhao Dong and bit her lip, her gaze strange. He could afford things worth hundreds of thousands before, so how could he be driving this car now? It shouldn't be possible! Could it be… everything before was a lie? Ding Lan was bewildered, looking at Zhao Dong with suspicion.
Lv Hao howled with laughter, pointing at the dilapidated van. "Zhao Dong," he said, "are you sure this thing is even street-legal? Looks to me like you stole it from somewhere."
"If you really can't afford a car, just buy a new multi-speed bicycle. Even that's more stylish than this!"
"Hahaha!"
"Exactly, Lv Shao is right! It hasn't even been that many years, and this quiet guy Zhao Dong seems to have started trying to show off, huh!"
"The main thing is, he can't even pull it off! Flexing requires money to back it up! When the wealthy do it, it's called flexing. When the poor do it, they're just clowns!"
Lv Hao loved the feeling of being the center of attention, praised by the crowd.
Zhao Dong glanced back in confusion before it dawned on him. They thought the old van was his car.
Lv Hao finally stopped laughing and taunted, "Zhao, don't even bother driving that piece of junk. It's absolute garbage. Say something nice, and maybe I'll give you a lift. Look at Zhang Shaowen's BMW—even he didn't park right at the school gate. You've got some nerve parking here. You're shameless!"
As Lv Hao spoke, he couldn't help but laugh again.
Someone nearby eagerly chimed in, "Is that BMW Zhang Shaowen's? No wonder! In our class, only someone with his family's wealth could afford it!"
A girl said with a giggle, "If Zhang Shao's BMW is full, we could always ask our classmate Zhao Dong to give us a ride! Ha!"
Immediately, a wave of snickers rippled through the crowd.
"No way, Lv Shao! That van is filthy! We'd rather take a taxi!"
"Alright, that's enough. We were all classmates once. Do you really need to mock him like this?"
Suddenly, a cool female voice cut through the noise.
Zhao Dong looked and saw that it was their former class goddess, Zhang Yao.
Zhang Yao stood at 172 centimeters tall, her figure slender and poised. Her long, black hair cascaded down to her waist, framing a delicate, pale oval face. Her sparkling eyes were captivating, drawing people in with every blink.
Back then, Zhao Dong had hardly any friends in class and almost never talked to anyone, just burying his head in his studies.
Zhang Yao, ignoring the fawning of the surrounding rich kids and young admirers, had preferred to sit opposite Zhao Dong, watching him as he studied.
The two hadn't had any contact since graduation, so this was their first time seeing each other again.
Zhang Yao looked at Zhao Dong and said calmly, "Zhao Dong, don't lower yourself to their level. What's wrong with a van? I don't think it makes anyone inferior."
Zhao Dong was taken aback. He looked at Zhang Yao, surprised that the class goddess would actually stand up for him.
He nodded and gave her a small smile, which she returned.
Lv Hao was displeased. "Zhang Yao, what's your relationship with Zhao Dong? Why are you sticking up for him?"
Back in school, mindful of his student status and the fact that many other rich kids also adored Zhang Yao, Lv Hao had avoided saying much to prevent stirring up trouble for himself.
But now that they had graduated, Zhang Yao no longer had the halo of good grades and other achievements. Lv Hao had also heard rumors that she wasn't doing well, so his words were tinged with mockery.
Zhang Yao stood firmly in front of Zhao Dong, looking Lv Hao straight in the eye. "Lv Hao, I know your family and Zhang Shaowen's family are wealthy, but that's no reason for you to mock others! The money you have was given to you by your parents. It's not something you've earned yourselves!"
"Heh, that's not quite right, Classmate Zhang." Glancing at Zhao Dong and Zhang Yao, Zhang Shaowen commented with nonchalant sarcasm, "Are we supposed to dress in rags and hand out resumes on the street? Is that how it should be?" He followed the comment with a yawn.
"Let's go, it's getting late. I've booked a banquet at the East Sea Grand Hotel! If we're late, the owner will be calling me again. Ugh, it's so annoying! So many people are constantly hounding me!"
"Let's go, let's go! Everyone get in the cars!"
Zhang Shaowen wrapped his arm around Ding Lan, led her to his BMW, and ushered a few of their closer classmates inside.
"So, Zhang Yao, what about you? You're not actually going to ride in Zhao Dong's van, are you?" Rolling down his window, Lv Hao couldn't resist being a jerk. "If it really comes down to it, you can ride with us!"
"There's no need," Zhang Yao said coolly. "I'll ride with Zhao Dong. A car is just a way to get around. It makes no difference to me what I ride in."
A girl in the other car quickly said, "Lv Shao, just ignore them. They don't get it. We're on completely different levels!"
"I guess you're right!"
Amid a chorus of derisive laughter, the rest of the classmates drove off, leaving Zhao Dong and Zhang Yao standing alone.
Zhao Dong looked at Zhang Yao and smiled. "Long time no see. Thanks for speaking up for me."
Zhang Yao gave a slight smile. "It's nothing. I just can't stand bullies. Come on, let's head over together."
Zhao Dong nodded, then teased with a smile, "So, Goddess Zhang Yao, you really don't mind my car?"
"When did you become such a smooth-talker?" Zhang Yao said, covering her mouth with her hand to hide a smile. "I really don't mind. If I did, I wouldn't have agreed to go with you."
As Zhang Yao reached for the van's door handle, Zhao Dong stopped her. With a smile, he said, "Wrong car."
Zhang Yao froze. "What do you mean? Is this the wrong door?"
Zhao Dong chuckled and walked over to the Bentley parked behind the van. He gave Zhang Yao a faint smile. "Get in, Goddess Zhang Yao."
He pressed the key fob, and the Bentley's diamond-cut crystal headlights lit up.
Zhang Yao was dumbfounded. She stood frozen for several seconds. "Zhao Dong, am I dreaming?" she finally said, her voice trembling and her eyes wide with disbelief. "You… you drive such a nice car?"
Zhao Dong smiled. "It's just a car. What's so special about it? Get in."
Still bewildered, Zhang Yao got into the car as if in a dream.
Sinking into the luxurious Bentley seat, she swallowed hard and looked at Zhao Dong. "Zhao Dong, is this your own car?"
"I just picked it up today. It hasn't even been plated yet."
Zhang Yao murmured, "My god… What are you doing now? Did you start your own business?"
"Something like that," Zhao Dong replied with a faint smile.
His calm demeanor sent shockwaves through Zhang Yao's heart. Is this really the same quiet, reticent Zhao Dong from back then? The Zhao Dong she knew came from a poor family. He was always quiet, with his head buried in his studies, and rarely spoke to anyone. But the man beside her now radiated a powerful confidence with every move. A complex series of emotions flickered in Zhang Yao's eyes.
"What are you thinking about?" Zhao Dong asked, waving his right hand in front of her face.
Zhang Yao finally snapped out of her daze. Looking into his deep eyes, her face flushed slightly. "Nothing… Let's go!" she said hastily.
"Alright!"
The V8 engine roared to life, and moments later, they arrived at the East Sea Grand Hotel.