Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 1067: The Same Old Trick

Chapter 1067: Chapter 1067: The Same Old Trick

The class reunion maintained a great atmosphere from start to finish. Under Guo Ye’s leadership, there was never a dull moment.

Everyone drank merrily and chatted harmoniously, filled with laughter and joy. It felt as if it had been ages since they had last had such fun and liveliness, and no one wanted it to end; everyone wished it could continue.

Gu Fan knew the moment had arrived, so he toasted Guo Ye, "Old classmate, you’ve really put your heart into this. If it weren’t for you organizing this reunion, who knows when all of us old friends would have been able to gather together again?"

A few other classmates chimed in, affirming and thanking Guo Ye.

Under Gu Fan’s manipulation, everyone’s attention was on Guo Ye, who became the center of attention, admired by many for his excellent arrangement of the reunion.

Guo Ye modestly said, "It’s all thanks to you old classmates for showing up. Honestly, I was worried for a while that not many people would come."

Gu Fan immediately responded, "How could that be? As classmates, after not seeing each other for so long, who wouldn’t want to meet up? After all, we used to be such a close-knit group."

Gu Fan’s words struck a chord with everyone; they all nodded in agreement that it was indeed hard to find the kind of friendship they had in high school.

After a moment of nostalgia, Gu Fan shifted the conversation to Guo Ye’s profession. Pretending to casually chat, he inquired about Guo Ye’s job, learned that Guo Ye was a doctor, and then praised how great it was to be a doctor—stable job, good income, and so forth—doing everything to elevate Guo Ye.

Joyful times are always fleeting. No matter how happy they were or how much they didn’t want it to end, they had to part ways and head home.

However, Gu Fan’s real scheming was about providing Guo Ye with an opportunity to spend time with that female classmate after the reunion was over.

Earlier, Gu Fan had made a suggestion for the reunion: "No going home sober; let’s drink our fill." Hence, he advised everyone not to drive. This way, when the reunion ended, the woman Guo Ye secretly admired wouldn’t be driving home, allowing Guo Ye not to miss his chance.

The second step was that Gu Fan figured out that the woman’s home was near a certain subway or bus line, prompting Guo Ye to book the reunion venue as close as possible to that route. This way, the woman would likely go home following the route Gu Fan anticipated.

The third step was, naturally, for Guo Ye to follow that same route and take the bus or subway home with the woman.

The fourth step was left to luck. If the woman decided to take a taxi, there was nothing they could do.

Now, everyone packed up their things and left the restaurant one by one, reluctantly saying their goodbyes. The men exchanged cigarettes and chatted idly, while the women discussed bags and other items, then made plans to go shopping together.

Gu Fan kept an eye on Guo Ye’s movements, then watched as Guo Ye and that woman headed to the subway station together. Everything was going according to plan, which greatly relieved Gu Fan, as his efforts were not in vain. What remained was seeing if Guo Ye could seize the opportunity.

By this time, most classmates had left, and Gu Fan was also preparing to leave. Just then, he caught a faint fragrance that struck a chord in him; he was all too familiar with this scent.

Gu Fan turned around to see Li Shi standing behind him, giving him a knowing smile.

Gu Fan didn’t know why, but when Li Shi looked at him that way, he felt a bit guilty, "Why didn’t you leave either?"

"I went to the restroom," Li Shi answered, her eyes full of interest as she looked at Gu Fan, suspicion dancing in her gaze as if she had seen through the little schemes in Gu Fan’s heart.

Gu Fan forced a laugh, "Alright, let’s head back early so the family won’t worry."

"Yes, if the family knew that their daughter was attending a classmate reunion only to fall into someone else’s carefully set trap, they would definitely be worried sick." After saying this, Li Shi smiled slightly, her eyes fixed on Gu Fan.

And Gu Fan pretended to be confused, "What do you mean? I don’t understand."

Li Shi still kept her smile, "Gu Fan, do you still remember? Back in our first year of high school, you went out of your way to find out where I lived and then called several classmates to hang out near my house. The location of the event and my home were on the same subway line. After the event, you took the subway with me. Back then, I thought you really were going in the same direction as me. It turns out..." After saying this, Li Shi hummed.

Gu Fan hurried to explain, "Yes, I did need to take the subway home; I really was going the same way as you. Don’t forget, we often headed in the same direction after school. Plus, I didn’t go out of my way to find out where you lived."

After hearing this, Li Shi squinted and scrutinized him, "But I was suspicious of you afterward, so I went out of my way to find out where you lived. Guess what I discovered?"

Gu Fan was taken aback, "May I ask what you discovered?"

"Back in our first year of high school, you lived at your family’s old house, which did require you to take that subway, but in the opposite direction. It wasn’t until our second year of high school that you moved to a neighborhood near my house, then going home truly put us in the same direction," Li Shi said with annoyance.

Gu Fan paused for a moment, then found another excuse, "I told you back then, I was being your ’guardian’, protecting you from the gropers on the subway, right?"

"You’re still the same as before, coming up with excuses one after another," Li Shi said in a resigned manner, then added another question, "In the past when you organized events, you called several classmates to join in the fun, including me, only to watch how you led everyone in eating, drinking, and merry-making. The friends you invited kept flattering you, making you the center of attention. Once the event was over, you found an excuse to go the same way as me, and you almost stole my first kiss. Thankfully, I held my ground. Doesn’t this reunion feel very similar?"

"Is it, isn’t the class reunion quite nice?" Gu Fan feigned calmness, but Li Shi didn’t buy it at all, "Guo Ye suggested the reunion, then organized everyone to participate, making the reunion lively, and then you stepped up to praise Guo Ye, making him the center of attention. It looks like the old tricks all over again."

After hearing this, Gu Fan’s heart skipped a beat, silently lamenting that Li Shi was indeed Li Shi, her wariness as high as ever, making her less adorable when women get too clever.

But Gu Fan still brazenly denied it, "How could that be? You’re thinking too much."

"Really? The girl who left with Guo Ye is the target of this reunion, right? If I’m not mistaken, Guo Ye and this girl taking the subway together was within your expectations, and this girl’s home is on this subway line."

Gu Fan pretended to be calm, "How could that be? You’re thinking too much."

"Still denying it, then I will just have a chat with the girl Guo Ye likes," Li Shi said, pulling out her phone with an air of actually sending out a message.

This made Gu Fan lose his composure, only able to plea, "Alright, alright, you’re impressive, you’re right. This reunion had two purposes: one was to gather old classmates who haven’t seen each other in a long time, and the second was to help Guo Ye win over the girl he likes."