Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 496: Continuing the Previous Fate

Chapter 496: Chapter 496: Continuing the Previous Fate

After the snowstorm, today was a beautiful day. Prompted by Lin Xi’s invitation, everyone from her dorm was meeting up, bringing along anyone they could. The more, the merrier and livelier the gathering would be.

Of course, Lin Xi invited Gu Fan, who in turn invited Lu Yi and Jie, while Yang Xinran brought her boyfriend Zhang Yang.

Lin Xi booked a really good hot pot restaurant online. Based on its superb reviews, everyone agreed, finding enjoyment in the ambiance of coming together for a hot pot meal.

Everyone was chatting and eating, laughing and sharing stories, the atmosphere being highly congenial.

When Zhang Yang talked about his connection with Gu Fan, everyone was taken aback. They hadn’t realized that the Zhang and Gu families had lived under the same roof.

Lu Yi exclaimed, "Such a coincidence! Now you two, your girlfriends also live under the same roof! If that’s not fate, what is?"

Everyone burst into laughter following this comment. It really was quite the coincidence.

Zhang Yang also said, "If our family hadn’t moved away, maybe we would have half ownership of that old house."

Gu Fan laughed and agreed, "If back then, all five families hadn’t moved out, instead of living under the same roof, we’d be crammed under one."

This quip made everyone laugh again.

"Gu Fan, since our paths are so interwoven, even our girlfriends live under the same roof, I propose a toast to this incredible bond." Zhang Yang raised his glass. Gu Fan reciprocated, clinking his own with Zhang’s.

Gu Fan and Zhang Yang downed their drink in one gulp, reveling in the moment. Lin Xi, however, shook her head and reminded them, "As lively as this hot pot place is, don’t forget it’s winter. Drinking like this isn’t okay!"

Yang Xinran echoed, "Exactly! What if you overdrink and damage your stomachs?"

Gu Fan and Zhang Yang conceded their mistake, not daring to argue. Lu Yi and Jie were silently watching, feeling the fear that wives instilled in their husbands.

Zhang Yang persisted, "Gu Fan, I’m quite happy today. Even if we don’t overdo it, I still want to share a few drinks with you."

"Sure, I’ll keep up with you to the end," Gu Fan replied with a pretense of enthusiasm, suspecting that there was something fishy behind Zhang Yang’s enthusiasm.

After a few more drinks with Gu Fan, the atmosphere grew warmer. Zhang Yang confessed, "If our family hadn’t moved out of the old house early, maybe I would have grown up there. Perhaps you and I could have been good brothers."

Gu Fan nodded, "Indeed. I always wished I had a playmate growing up. There was one, but she too moved out early."

Zhang Yang perked up, "Ah, you’re referring to the one who moved out relatively later, right?"

"Yes, the Liu family. There was a girl who could have been my childhood sweetheart. But alas...." Gu Fan stopped mid-sentence upon catching a glimpse of a murderous look. He quickly changed tack, "Actually, on second thought, it’s not that regrettable. It’s all the better she moved out so I could find my true love."

Everyone silently commended Gu Fan for his delivery and survival instinct.

Zhang Yang chuckled, "I’ve always heard tales of life in the old house from elders of the six families. Despite it being crowded and despite the poverty, everyone led a fulfilling life. The house awash with warmth and vitality."

Gu Fan agreed, "My grandfather also once reminisced about the common lifestyle of the past. He claimed it wasn’t at all boring with everyone living together."

Zhang Yang sighed with longing, "It’s a pity our family moved out early. I’d love to experience life in that house, curious how it feels to have to grow up there."

"You are welcome to stay in our old house anytime," Gu Fan offered, but for some reason, he sensed Zhang Yang’s repeated mentions of the old house bore ulterior motives.

Gu Fan merely made a polite offer, but Zhang Yang readily agreed, "Alright. I’ve got some free time these few days so I’ll stay at your old house to experience the place where our elders once lived."

Gu Fan was taken aback; he was just showing courtesy and hadn’t expected Zhang Yang to take it at face value.

Not just Gu Fan, no one anticipated Zhang Yang’s response. Everyone read Gu Fan’s words as mere politeness. Zhang Yang, with years of worldly experience, couldn’t possibly have such low emotional intelligence.

Now that things had progressed this far, Gu Fan couldn’t retract the invitation and agreed to Zhang Yang’s stay, thinking it should be no big deal for just a few days. However, he planned to inform his parents beforehand to avoid giving them any ammunition for future chiding.

Once dinner was over, everyone dispersed. Gu Fan did not see off Lin Xi; Zhang Yang did not see off Yang Xinran and the two men left together for Gu Fan’s old house.

Watching their retreating figures, Lin Xi frowned. Something seemed off, really off. Zhang Yang was unusually enthusiastic today, particularly toward Gu Fan. Though the two families were acquainted, Zhang Yang and Gu Fan never knew each other as children, so Zhang Yang’s unusual enthusiasm towards Gu Fan was unfounded.

On the way home, Gu Fan called his father, Gu Chuanshan, to notify him of a visitor from the Zhang family intending to stay at their old house.

Hearing this, Chuanshan was taken aback, "Someone from the Zhangs? Are you certain?"

"Yes," Gu Fan confirmed, "I’ve met Zhang Yang at Uncle Zhang’s shop. He is indeed from the Zhang family and plans to stay for a few days. Shouldn’t be an issue, right?"

"Alright, I understand. I’ll check with Old Zhang." With that, Chuanshan promptly ended the call, leaving Gu Fan baffled, "He could simply agree or refuse. Why does my dad seem nervous? And why check with Zhang Uncle? To confirm Zhang Yang’s identity? Even if Zhang Yang wasn’t from the Zhang family, having a friend over for a few days should be okay. Right?"

Despite these suspicious instances, Gu Fan decided to stop overthinking it and continued chatting with Zhang Yang.

This Zhang Yang, wanting to stay at the old house—was he acting under Ning Qi’s instruction? But what could be his purpose behind staying a few days?

"Hold on a minute. Could Zhang Yang be an advance party, with Ning Qi following shortly after, leading to... a badger game?" Fear welled up in Gu Fan, who dared not speculate further. An uneasy sleep loomed ahead.