The train slowly pulled into the station.
Yolanda Fang stood up and kicked Evan Lin, who was still sitting with his eyes closed, on the calf. "Wake up, we're here. Still sleeping?"
After speaking, she didn't forget to make a funny face at Evan Lin.
Joy Zheng and Lucy Lu only brought a simple bag with some clothes for the trip, and followed the crowd off the train.
"Looks like they've arrived," Derek Zhang glanced at the incoming train.
The flow of passengers getting off the train surged toward the exit.
Standing next to him, Henry Zhang was startled when he heard Derek Zhang's words. He asked cautiously, "Director Zhang, who are you waiting for?"
"Oh, we're waiting for two classmates and their children," Sharon Xiao glanced at Henry Zhang, her tone a bit proud.
In Sharon Xiao's eyes, Henry Zhang was just one of her husband Derek Zhang's subordinates.
"Over here!"
At that moment, Lucy Lu and her group happened to walk out from the other side.
Henry Zhang instinctively turned his head to look. The first people he saw were Lucy Lu and Joy Zheng leading the way, which made him pause for a second. Then his gaze moved back and spotted Lynn Chen and Yolanda Fang, making his heart skip a beat.
Henry Zhang had a strong impression of Lynn Chen and Yolanda Fang. Back when Liam Li brought his group, those two were easily the prettiest among them.
If they’re here...
Then...
Henry Zhang snapped back to attention, and his gaze quickly locked onto Evan Lin at the back, his expression calm.
"Just as I thought!"
Henry Zhang secretly exclaimed to himself.
He glanced at Derek Zhang and the others, instantly realizing that they were also waiting for Evan Lin. If they were traveling together, their relationship with Evan Lin had to be close!
Although Henry Zhang still wasn’t sure exactly how Derek Zhang’s group was connected to Evan Lin, it couldn’t hurt to play it safe and take an extra step.
Thinking of this, Henry Zhang hurriedly stepped forward before Evan Lin arrived, afraid of offending Derek Zhang and the others, who might be Evan's friends. He put on a slightly sycophantic smile, looked at Derek Zhang, and said, "Director Zhang, I've already arranged the car for all of you. Everyone can ride together, and I'll personally drive!"
Henry Zhang didn't speak quietly. As soon as he finished, Derek Zhang's face showed a hint of surprise, but he nodded calmly. "Thanks, Xiao Zhang. Much appreciated."
"Xiao Zhang is always so well-behaved," Sharon Xiao said with a showy smile from the side.
Stella Cui and the others immediately looked at Sharon Xiao and Derek Zhang with even more respect in their eyes.
Reality is always harsh. Henry Zhang cursed Derek Zhang in his heart for being so arrogant, always climbing higher when given an inch. But since he didn't dare offend Evan Lin, he kept all those words to himself.
"Sorry to keep you all waiting," Lucy Lu said as she walked over, arm in arm with Joy Zheng, her face showing a polite smile.
"Lucy, you’re still as pretty as ever. And this is... Joy Zheng!"
Sharon Xiao and Stella Cui greeted Lucy Lu with a smile, then turned to look at Joy Zheng. At first glance, they recognized her, but hesitated—she looked almost exactly the same, except much younger!
Her skin was dewy, her features pretty, and her face still carried that gentle, tranquil smile—completely unbothered by the world.
Sharon Xiao and Stella Cui, who had been waiting to see Joy Zheng looking old and worn out, nearly screamed in shock!
"Long time no see," Joy Zheng nodded slightly to Sharon Xiao and Stella Cui.
"You... How did you end up looking like this? Wait, are you sure you're not Joy Zheng's younger sister?" Stella Cui still couldn't believe it, her eyes wide.
Over the years, Sharon Xiao and Stella Cui had lived pretty comfortably and maintained themselves well. In their forties now, they couldn’t compare to girls in their twenties, but at least they could pass for just over thirty.
They’d assumed that Joy Zheng, with her tough life, would be aged and worn out. But to their shock, Joy now looked at most like she was in her twenties!
Side by side, Stella Cui and Sharon Xiao suddenly looked like the ones whose youth had faded.
"J-Joy, long time no see!"
Neil Kong, who had come ready to show off and throw barbs, found all his prepared sharp words vanishing the moment he saw Joy Zheng.
He even felt for a moment like he’d been transported back to college, seeing that goddess Joy Zheng again.
The rest of the group was just as stunned; most of the women stared with envy in their eyes.
Not only Joy Zheng, but Lucy Lu also looked much younger now. The two of them walking together looked like girls out shopping, while the rest were just a bunch of uncles and aunties.
"So you're Joy Zheng?"
After a brief silence, a cold voice cut through the group’s harmony.
Sharon Chen stepped forward, grabbed Neil Kong’s arm, and sized up Joy Zheng with open hostility. "I've often heard our Tianhua talk about you, always saying how pretty you are. Seeing you now, I guess he wasn't exaggerating."
"I heard you got pregnant before marriage, had a kid, and then went off to teach in some small county primary school?" Sharon Chen pressed, her gaze sharp. "Primary school teachers don’t make much, do they? How’s life treating you? If you’re having a tough time, you can ask our Tianhua—his company should have a position for you."
"Since you were classmates, I could even approve double salary for you. How about it?"
Sharon Chen sneered. Raised in a wealthy family, she’d imagined this rival countless times. But seeing Joy Zheng in person, a strong sense of crisis suddenly welled up inside her.
Her maintenance was way too perfect!
After Sharon Chen finished, all eyes turned to Joy Zheng. Lucy Lu raised her eyebrows, ready to speak, but Joy simply nodded to Sharon Chen. "Thank you, no need."
Just two simple words, with no hint of hostility. Joy Zheng’s calmness made Sharon Chen feel like she’d punched cotton, only highlighting her own insecurity.
"Derek, aren’t you going to have Xiao Zhang take us to the resort? We’re here to have fun, not stand around at the station," Sharon Xiao said, catching Sharon Chen’s sour mood and quickly signaling Derek Zhang.
She was still hoping to hitch a ride on the Kong–Chen couple’s ship today.