Global Awakening: I'm the Only One Ready-Chapter 4. Class Gathering. A Rented Car?

Hu City.

While it didn't boast the centuries-old legacy of Lingjin, once the capital of six dynasties, it had rapidly risen to prominence over the past century, thanks to its natural advantages. Today, it was renowned across the country as the "Magical City."

Located in the heart of Hu City, Yunzhong Hotel occupied an expansive estate and was famed for its opulent interiors and extravagant design.

At that moment, several young adults were gathered at the hotel entrance.

"Li Sisi, you've gotten prettier. If I'd known earlier, I would've made a move back in college. Who knows, maybe we'd be married by now," teased Wang Zibo, a young man with tanned skin and dressed in casual clothes.

"Wang Zibo, it's still not too late now, you know? Let me tell you a secret. Sisi is still single," a girl chimed in with a mischievous grin as she looped her arm through Sisi's.

A pink blush crept onto Li Sisi's cheeks.

"Luo Xuan, what are you talking about? We're all just classmates."

Indeed, Li Sisi was a beauty with fair skin and delicate brows. Her fitted jeans further accentuated her alluring figure.

Wang Zibo let out a chuckle and a glimmer of interest flickered across his eyes. "Who said old classmates can't date each other?"

"S-sorry I'm late!"

Just then, a taxi pulled up and another young man stepped out.

Upon spotting the group of people, he hurried over. "I live a bit far and the traffic jam was so bad. I should've just taken the subway."

"Chen Song, right? No worries. The others still haven't arrived yet," someone responded.

"Yeah... Who knows how long we have to wait."

"Might as well kill some time. Why don't we go one round and share what we've been up to since graduation?"

They had only graduated for a year and everyone present was around twenty-four or twenty-five. At this current stage in life, their most concerned topic was their careers.

Compared to the lofty ambitions they once had, everyone had been exposed to the harsh realities of the working world and had lost their former drive. Of course, there were some who landed decent jobs through family connection. But, most of them were just ordinary young adults living average lives.

It didn't take long before the large group split into two smaller circles.

One was centered around Wang Zibo and Li Sisi and was rather loud and lively.

The other, composed of Cheng Song and a few others, was noticeably quiet.

"What are you guys talking about? Sounds lively," a voice spoke, causing the scene to quiet down immediately.

Heads turn in unison to see a young man step out from a sleek BMW. He was dressed in a tailored suit and had gold-rimmed glasses perched neatly on his nose. His face was graced with a polite smile and he was the picture of a successful individual.

"I-It's Li Hansheng! Class Rep!" Wang Zibo recognized the man instantly, though the surprise in his eyes were unmistakable. He hurried over to the car and ran a hand across its hood.

"Damn, Class Rep! You're even driving a BMW now.. Seems like you've made it big after graduation! Where are you working these days? Should we start calling you President Li?"

The other classmates quickly gathered around as well, their faces painted with apparent curiosity.

"Ah, it's nothing much. A relative started a company and I'm just there to help out," Li Hansheng said, adjusting his glasses. "The car's only worth a little over three hundred thousand. It's company-issued."

Though his words and tone sounded modest, there was an unmistakable hint of pride beneath the surface. His gaze swept over the group, and as he caught the admiration in their eyes, a quiet sense of satisfaction welled up inside him.

"That's three hundred thousand we're talking about. With my salary, I'd need to save for two years without spending a single cent to afford it," Wang Zibo remarked, his voice filled with envy.

Truth to be told, the rest of the group felt the same. After all, they had only left college for a year.

Some were still renting apartments. And yet, Li Hansheng was already driving a BMW. Naturally, everyone thought highly of him. Even Li Sisi's gaze sparkled with curiosity and would occasionally take the initiative to respond to whatever Li Hansheng said.

Honestly, luxury cars were a common sight at a five-star hotel like Yunzhong Hotel. But to the group, that world felt distant and out of reach. Meanwhile, Li Hansheng was someone they actually knew and that affected their mindsets.

"Alright, let's not hang out around the main entrance. We should head in," Li Hansheng said. The moment he appeared, he was already the center of attention, so naturally, everyone followed his lead.

"But Class Rep, we're still missing a few people," Chen Song voiced out softly.

"Who else isn't here yet?" 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Li Sisi scanned the group. "Zhou Yunqiong and Lu Yuan. Just those two."

"Yunqiong already messaged me that something came up at home and she'll be late," Li Hansheng said with a smile. He seemed to be subtly showing off his close relationship with Zhou Yunqiong.

"As for Lu Yuan," Li Hansheng continued. "He probably got held up waiting for a taxi. He lives pretty far out in the first place. Let's just go in first. We can post the room number in the class group chat later."

Li Sisi, Wang Zibo and the others readily agreed to Li Hansheng's suggestion.

Only Chen Song slightly lowered his head.

But just as everyone was about to enter the lobby, the girl next to Li Sisi suddenly pointed toward the road and said, "Hey! Look! A big car's driving this way."

"What big car? That's a Mercedes G-Class, the latest 2025 model. That costs around four million," Wang Zibo commented.

"Forget about it," Li Hansheng shook his head. He then urged, "Let's head in."

"The car stopped though. And that guy inside looks kinda familiar," Chen Song remarked. He craned his neck for a better view.

Wang Zibo couldn't help but brush off the comment. "Hah, you think you now know someone who drives a G-wagon? Come on. Let's go."

"He does look somewhat familiar," Li Sisi concurred.

Everyone stopped in their tracks. Their eyes glimmered with growing curiosity as they turned to look at the G-wagon.

The car smoothly pulled into a parking spot and came to a stop. Moments later, a man in his early twenties stepped out. Though dressed casually, his tall frame, sharp features, and strikingly handsome face gave him a fierce, commanding presence that was impossible to ignore.

"Th-That's Lu Yuan, right? I'm not mistaken, am I?"

"Yes. That's definitely him."

"Isn't he just from an average background? How the hell is he driving a G-Wagon?"

When everyone got a better look, shock clouded their gazes. This was out of their expectations.

Even Li Hansheng, once the class representative, was stunned and in disbelief.

Back in college, Lu Yuan had been too low-profile. He was ordinary in all aspects and hardly drew any attention. The only thing mildly worth gossiping about was his open crush on Zhou Yunqiong.

Yet, only a year after graduation, the guy had silently pulled up in a vehicle worth over four million.

Lu Yuan's male classmates couldn't help but gather around the car to get a better look.

Wang Zibo circled the vehicle and inspected every detail before asking, "Lu Yuan...Is this car yours?"

"Yeah." Lu Yuan nodded.

He had anticipated this reaction from his classmates. He hadn't meant to show off, nor appear attention seeking. But this was the only car available in his garage now.

Of course, he wasn't planning on explaining, either. Instead, he glanced at the hotel lobby and asked, "Weren't we heading inside? Let's go together."

With that, he walked past the group and entered the hotel.

"Damn..." Wang Zibo commented. "What has he been up to after graduation? Did he win the lottery or something?"

In his mind, someone of Lu Yuan's "background" couldn't possibly afford a car like that unless he struck the lottery.

"Maybe Lu Yuan really is that capable?" Li Sisi retorted, her eyes never leaving Lu Yuan's retreating figure.

"Maybe," Li Hansheng suddenly interjected. "But I heard from a friend that renting a luxury car these days doesn't cost much at all."

Without elaborating further, he walked toward the hotel as well.

The rest of the group exchanged glances; none of them knew what to say. They could only follow after him in silence.