Chapter 11 Ridicule

• “How about this? I've arranged to meet some ex-classmates at a restaurant up ahead. Why don't you two join me? It would be a good opportunity for us to catch up,” Trevor suggested reluctantly. He knew that Finnian's family was of average means and that Finnian, currently dressed in ordinary clothes, had probably not been doing well in recent years. This is a perfect chance for me to show off in front of Finnian. Perhaps, once Lindsay sees the gap between Finnian and me, she will distance herself from Finnian and fall into my arms.
• “No need. I can't afford the exorbitant costs,” Finnian said, shaking his head.
• “Don't worry, it's my treat. You don't have to pay,” Trevor said with a hearty slap on his chest. He was worried that Finnian wouldn't go, so he deliberately provoked him. “Finnian, we're all ex-classmates. We haven't seen each other for six years. You wouldn't deny us this small favor, would you?”
• “All right, then. In that case, Linds and I thank you in advance,” Finnian said, feigning sincerity. Having spent many years in Dragon Team, he had weathered all kinds of storms and understood Trevor's intentions all too well. He chuckled inwardly. If Trevor wants to show off, I'll play along, seizing the opportunity to take Trevor for a ride.
• Lindsay gently tugged at Finnian's arm, whispering softly, “Finn, there's no such thing as a free lunch. Perhaps we shouldn't go.”
• “Don't worry, it's all right.” Finnian patted Lindsay's hand, comforting her with a smile. Feeling Finnian's unintentional intimate gesture, Lindsay felt a sweetness filling her heart, and it inexplicably put her at ease.
• Sky Bliss Hotel was one of the most upscale hotels in Newcove. The interior was extravagantly decorated, with gold and jade adorning every corner, making it a place beyond the reach of ordinary people's affordability.
• Finnian and Lindsay followed behind Trevor, arriving in a private room.
• There were already people waiting in the private room for quite some time, three men and two women, all of whom were Finnian's high school classmates. He vaguely remembered them.
• Upon seeing Trevor's arrival, everyone stood up. Among them, a tall and slender young man eagerly approached him. “Trevor, you're finally here. We've all been waiting for you.”
• The tall, slender man spoke, his eyes lighting up as he saw Lindsay behind Trevor. “Who is this beauty?” he asked. “She seems quite familiar.”
• “Lionel, that look in your eyes isn't very pleasant. She is Lindsay Ziegler,” Trevor said.
• “Lindsay, the campus belle?” Lionel Davenport and the others were taken aback. Due to the significant changes in Lindsay over the years, they, like Finnian, initially failed to recognize her.
• “Lindsay, it's been years since we last met, and you've become even more beautiful...”
• “Indeed, your figure has been improving steadily...”
• Two female classmates spoke with faces full of envy, while the gazes of three male classmates constantly lingered on Lindsay. Their eyes held a certain fervor. In the past, Lindsay had always been the goddess in the hearts of all the boys in the class. When they saw her, Lindsay had grown even more beautiful. She had a beautiful face and a great figure. The few male classmates could not help but flatter her, all hoping to win the favor of the goddess.
• “Hmm? Is handsome guy Finnian?”
• Finally, a female ex-classmate noticed Finnian, who was off to the side.
• “It really is Finnian, the Ace Student of our Newcove High School. After not seeing you for several years, I didn't expect you to become even more handsome and masculine!” another girl exclaimed dramatically, her eyes sparkling. Back in the day, Finnian was quite the heartthrob at school, a campus hunk. Most of the girls in the class admired him, and these two ex-classmates were no exception. Moreover, after years of military service, Finnian had become even more mature and manly, his charm only increasing, never diminishing.
• Upon seeing his ordinary attire, the two female classmates couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. They were no longer the little girls they used to be, and they knew that in this day and age, it wasn't enough for a man to be handsome. He also had to be wealthy. Given Finnian's average clothing, they suspected that he hadn't been doing well these past few years. They feared he might just be a pretty face with no substance.
• “Finnian, I heard that you joined the army right after high school graduation. How has it been? Have you been doing well in the military all these years? What rank have you achieved? Are you a platoon leader or perhaps a battalion commander?” Lionel asked with a hint of envy in his tone.
• “I've been discharged,” Finnian said nonchalantly. His military rank in Dragon Team was quite high, far surpassing that of a platoon leader or battalion commander. But all of that was in the past. He was nothing at present.
• “Discharged from the army?” Lionel was taken aback, then gave a feigned smile. “Well, being discharged might be for the best. In the army, it's all about connections. Without any background, it's nearly impossible to climb the ranks. It might be better to leave early and find a comfortable job.”
• “Indeed, in this day and age, doing just about anything is better than being a soldier...”
• Two other men spoke with a sense of schadenfreude. Seeing the once Ace Student of Newcove High School being reduced to such a state, faring even worse than they were, they felt a sense of satisfaction in their hearts, regaining some sense of security.
• After exchanging a few pleasantries, everyone took their seats one by one under Trevor's arrangement.
• Due to Finnian's poor circumstances, none of his ex-classmates were willing to associate with him. They were primarily focused on Lindsay and Trevor. This prompted Finnian to laugh at himself. There was a time when he, too, had been glorious. At that moment, however, he was neglected, a stark reminder of the harsh realities of society.
• “Trevor, we can't thank you enough for this time. You've brought us to a five-star hotel to broaden our horizons. We're all basking in your glory. Otherwise, how could white-collar workers like us afford such luxury?” Lionel poured a cup of coffee for Trevor and handed it over, saying this with a face full of flattery.
• “It's all right. We're all ex-classmates here. No need for such formalities.” Trevor took a sip of his coffee, looking incredibly at ease.
• “Trevor, what kind of work are you doing now?” a female ex-classmate asked curiously.
• “I'm serving as a manager in a large multinational corporation, with an annual salary of around five to six hundred thousand,” Trevor said with a feigned modesty, his eyes brimming with self-satisfaction.
• “That's impressive! You've already become a manager at a major company just two or three years after graduation. Your future is boundless. In a few more years, won't you inevitably become the general manager?”
• “Indeed, it won't be long before we call you Mr. Livingston. When you soar to success, don't forget to bring us along with you...”
• “Of course not. We're all ex-classmates. I could never forget you all.”
• Several ex-classmates took turns flattering Trevor, who was inwardly thrilled. He couldn't help but glance at Finnian in a show of triumph. Unfortunately for him, Finnian didn't even blink, completely ignoring him.
• Lionel took the opportunity to praise, “Mr. Livingston, currently, there aren't many of our ex-classmates who have done as well as you. I happen to need a favor from you. I'm planning to change jobs soon. Could you possibly help me find a better one?”
• “No problem. I happen to need an operations supervisor below me. I'll just give a heads-up to the HR department later,” Trevor said heartily.
• “Thank you! Thank you so much, Mr. Livingston!” Lionel was overjoyed, nodding and bowing. He was just short of expressing his gratitude profoundly.
• “Finnian, you've just been discharged from the army, and you're still jobless, right? How about I arrange a job for you?” Trevor swiftly changed the topic, aiming at Finnian, and said insincerely, “Our company is short of a few security guards, and we prefer veterans. You fit the bill perfectly. I'll speak to the security captain and arrange for you to work as a security guard. What do you think?”
• “No need. I'm not interested in being a security guard.” Finnian's expression changed. He wasn't a fool. He could tell that Trevor was deliberately belittling him.
• Initially, he had only intended to give Trevor a minor punishment. But then, he had changed his mind. He was going to severely punish Trevor to the point where Trevor would feel the pain deep in his bones. Otherwise, wouldn't I have been ridiculed for nothing?