“Good morning, everyone. It’s very lively here today. It seems everyone has come for our main guest. Without further delay, let us move straight to the main event. Now, please welcome the world-renowned entrepreneur, Mr. Song Jingting!”
After the host finished speaking, he stepped backstage. Waves of applause and cheers rose from the audience as the person everyone had been waiting for slowly walked onto the stage from the side.
Song Jingting wore a suit in a coordinated color scheme, and his whole presence radiated nobility. He walked to the center of the stage and gave a slight nod to the audience below. The lights gathered around him, making him look like a god standing above the stage, gazing down at the crowd below.
The huge auditorium fell silent in an instant. Photographers sitting in the front row kept snapping pictures nonstop, white flashes flickering constantly.
“Oh my god, we’re finally seeing him in person. He’s so handsome. No wonder he’s one of the most charming men in the world.”
“His lips look so sexy. I really want to kiss them.”
“Ahhh! He’s looking over here!”
“No way, he’s looking at me.”
Among those who came to listen to the lecture today were students, company representatives sent by their firms, and admirers obsessed with Song Jingting. No wonder they were so excited.
Song Jingting disliked having distracting noises around him when he was working, especially people making comments about his appearance.
He slightly frowned, a sign of impatience.
The host was experienced and immediately noticed that today’s guest of honor had become irritated by the noise from the audience. If things continued like this and the distinguished guest they had worked so hard to invite simply walked away, what would they do?
This was someone the school principal had repeatedly instructed them to treat well. Nothing could go wrong at this stage.
The host quickly spoke to calm the crowd.
“Everyone, please keep quiet. I know you’re all very excited, but now is President Song’s time to speak. Please control your excitement and show Mr. Song some respect, alright? Thank you.”
The audience obediently quieted down.
Standing backstage, Li Ziqing wiped sweat from his palm. His boss already disliked attending events like this. If the noise from the audience irritated him further, he would not care about anyone’s connections and might simply drive away. And if he really left, the one who would be bombarded by the old master later would not be the president—it would be him.
As for what Wen Fufu was doing at that moment… Of course she was hiding.
The moment she saw the person on stage, Wen Fufu almost slipped off her seat.
Was the world really this small?
The man on stage wasn’t he her boyfriend—the male lead of this world?
No wonder those gossiping people had praised him so highly before, boasting about him as if he were above the sky. Turns out they weren’t exaggerating at all. The male lead truly had the capital to be proud.
Wen Fufu shrank into her seat, pulling the hair from both sides toward the center of her face to cover the lower half. She muttered to herself repeatedly.
Can’t see me, can’t see me, can’t see me.
Although this behavior might have been a little exaggerated—after all, who knew whether the male lead still clearly remembered what she looked like—what if he did?
Better safe than sorry.
Ever since she had decided to cut off all ties with the male lead, she had intended to eliminate every possible connection.
If former lovers met face to face, how awkward would that be?
Seeing her friend sitting in such a strange posture, Li Fei asked, “Fufu, do you need to go to the bathroom?”
Wen Fufu shook her head vigorously.
“Why would you say that?”
“Because only people who urgently need to poop hold their stomach and clamp their legs together like that. It’s okay, go ahead. I’ll save your seat.”
Li Fei wore a knowing expression and even generously moved aside to give her room to pass.
Wen Fufu felt embarrassed. She didn’t need the bathroom at all—she was just nervous.
But Li Fei’s words gave her an idea.
If she pretended to go to the bathroom, she could avoid the male lead.
Yes, that would work.
“Fei Fei, I’m going to the restroom,” she said. She planned to stay outside until the lecture was almost over before returning.
The moment Wen Fufu stood up, the host’s voice sounded from the stage.
“Ah—miss standing at the very back, please sit down quickly. The lecture is about to begin. During the speech, entering and leaving the auditorium is not allowed. Thank you for your understanding.”
People in the front rows of the auditorium all turned their heads to look at her.
Song Jingting also looked over.
His expression had originally been calm, but the moment he saw that figure, his eyes suddenly narrowed.
Wen Fufu panicked and quickly covered her face before rushing back to her seat.
It’s over. She had just seen the male lead looking in her direction.
Li Fei looked at her sympathetically.
“Fufu, just hold on a little longer. You can do it.”
Wen Fufu forced a dry laugh.
It seemed her brilliant plan of escaping by going to the restroom was useless now.
Seeing that the timing was right, the host quickly invited the big boss to begin the lecture. They really couldn’t delay any longer.
During the lecture that followed, Wen Fufu didn’t absorb a single word.
She kept her head down the entire time, doing her best to hide herself.
Meanwhile, Li Fei listened attentively and occasionally let out admiring exclamations, completely failing to notice anything unusual about her friend.
“Alright, that concludes the content of today’s lecture. Next, I will answer three questions. However, questions involving private matters are excluded. If you have something to ask, please raise your hand.”
The moment he finished speaking, most of the audience raised their hands.
Song Jingting swept his gaze across the crowd. His sharp eyes paused briefly in Wen Fufu’s direction before moving away to another area. He pointed to a male student to ask his question.
Wen Fufu’s heart thumped rapidly.
She could feel that gaze earlier, and her heart had nearly jumped out of her throat.
Fortunately, he hadn’t chosen anyone from her area.
When the lecture ended, Wen Fufu didn’t even wait for Li Fei to react. She immediately grabbed her and ran out of the auditorium, completely unaware that someone behind them had been watching her the entire time.
Song Jingting had wanted to follow her, but he was immediately surrounded by a large group of reporters.
“President Song, I’m from the Financial Times. What are your thoughts about today’s lecture?”
“President Song, could you share the secret of your success?”
“President Song, please look at this camera.”
“President Song—”
Li Ziqing struggled to protect his boss, trying to stop the reporters from pushing closer.
“Move aside! Don’t crowd in!”
He shouted at the crowd and immediately had the bodyguards he had arranged earlier form a barrier, pushing the reporters back one or two meters.
Fortunately, he had anticipated this situation and arranged bodyguards in advance.
After straightening the suit that had been tugged out of place, Li Ziqing turned to Song Jingting.
“Pres—”
“Have you investigated the person I asked you about?” Song Jingting interrupted.
Li Ziqing froze for a moment.
Which person?
“Hmm?” Song Jingting cast him a cold glance.
Li Ziqing shuddered and instantly remembered.
“Oh—President, that matter. Yes, the investigation is done. Young Master Lan said he’ll bring the information to you today.”
“Return to the company.”
“Yes.”
Li Ziqing followed his president out through the back door, ignoring the reporters shouting behind them.
Meanwhile, Li Fei suddenly stopped running halfway and shook off Wen Fufu’s hand. Standing with her hands on her hips, she said,
“Fufu, why are you running? Is there a wild beast chasing you? You’re running so fast. I never knew you could run like this.”
There wasn’t a wild beast.
But there definitely was a dangerous person.
“I was in a hurry to use the bathroom. You know, I held it in for almost two hours,” Wen Fufu explained while cautiously glancing behind her.
“Just for that? There’s a restroom right next to the auditorium. Why did you run so far?”
Li Fei looked regretful. She had wanted to try taking a photo with her idol, though she didn’t know whether she would have had the chance.
“I’m not used to the restroom near the auditorium. I prefer the one in the teaching building.”
“That’s a pretty strange preference.”
“Come on, come on. Today is our last day together. I’ll treat you to the buns the cafeteria auntie makes.”
To save money, Wen Fufu had eaten instant noodles for three days straight. Now she felt nauseous just looking at them.
With the little money she had left, she could barely buy a few buns.
They had graduated today. She had to find a job immediately.
Otherwise, she might end up dying in another way—starving to death.
“Forget it. With the little money you have, it wouldn’t even be enough to fill the gaps in my teeth. I’ll treat you instead,” Li Fei said proudly.
“Oh? Then I’ll gladly accept.”
Wen Fufu happily pulled Li Fei toward the cafeteria.
Li Fei asked with a laugh, “Weren’t you going to the bathroom? The teaching building isn’t this way.”
“The moment I thought about you treating me, I stopped feeling urgent.”
“Look at you, so hopeless.”
“People live for a mouthful of food. What’s more important—dignity or eating?”
“Little Fuzi, you’re so cute.”
“Hey, stop touching my face!”
“…”