At this class reunion, Ethan Carter didn’t feel any deep camaraderie among classmates; instead, he sensed a strong air of society and—

The stench of money!

The pure friendships from campus changed as soon as people entered society. For example, when old classmates caught up, it wasn’t with those they were close to before, but with those whose status and position were similar.

After a quick look around, Ethan Carter noticed that all the classmates in the room were seated at three tables.

Those who were successful and doing well sat at one table, those doing moderately well sat at another, and those with little to show for themselves sat at the third.

Naturally, Ethan Carter and Little William sat at the third table.

“Xiaohang.” Little Brian nudged Ethan Carter, encouraging him, “Aren’t you going to head over there?”

“I’d better not!” Ethan Carter glanced at the table of successful classmates and saw Emily Foster sitting there, accepting toasts from others. He felt a pang of sourness in his heart, a bit out of sorts.

“If others can toast her, why can’t you?” Little Brian kept egging him on.

Ethan Carter was a little swayed by Little Brian, grabbed a wine glass, filled it to the brim, and walked over to that table.

“Emily Foster...”

Ethan Carter had just reached Emily Foster’s table and managed to say two words when Emily Foster stood up and went to the restroom, as if she hadn’t seen him at all, leaving the rest of his words stuck in his throat.

Emily Foster wasn’t an ordinary girl; this was no coincidence—she must have her reasons.

It was just like that time with the umbrella!

“Why does she drink when others toast her, but not when I do?”

Ethan Carter staggered a bit, asking himself over and over in his heart. He bit his lip hard and walked back to his own table.

“Looks like Little Brian was right. I really am a toad lusting after a swan!” Ethan Carter laughed at himself.

“Xiaohang, maybe she really didn’t see you just now.” Little Brian’s face looked a bit awkward. Of course, he knew what Emily Foster’s actions meant, but as a brother, he had to offer some comfort.

“I’m fine.” Ethan Carter raised a bottle of baijiu. “Come on, drink with me!”

With that, Ethan Carter lifted the bottle and started chugging.

Little Brian’s face looked a bit grim, but he had no choice but to keep him company.

Ethan Carter’s actions just now had naturally been noticed by the surrounding classmates, but everyone had different thoughts—some felt sympathy, some looked down on him, some complained about the toad wanting to eat swan meat, and some were just gloating...

When Emily Foster came out of the restroom, she saw Ethan Carter chugging from the bottle, and felt a pang in her heart.

At that moment, a barely noticeable smile appeared at the corner of Brian Bolton’s mouth.

He hurried over to pull Ethan Carter, laughing, “Xiaohang, it’s no fun drinking alone. Come on, let’s all drink together!”

As he spoke, he pulled Ethan Carter over to his table.

By now, Ethan Carter was already a bit tipsy. He thought, drinking is drinking, doesn’t matter with whom, so he didn’t refuse and sat down at Brian Bolton’s table.

As soon as he sat down, Ethan Carter realized what Brian Bolton was up to.

“Xiaohang, how about you have a toast with Grace?” Brian Bolton said with a smile.

Grace was the girl who once threw herself at Ethan Carter—a total dinosaur... No, a hundred times scarier than a dinosaur. A female dinosaur would feel a surge of confidence upon seeing her, while a male dinosaur would be so scared he’d wet his pants...

Although Grace looked like a dinosaur and hadn’t achieved much in her career, her father was a pretty wealthy business owner, so she was qualified to sit at this table.

“You want to hook up with her?” By now, Ethan Carter was a bit drunk and spoke without thinking, blurting out a question to Brian Bolton, whose face instantly stiffened.

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Chapter 8: I Am a Toad

“You... Don’t talk nonsense!” Brian Bolton quickly said.

“Nonsense? How am I talking nonsense? If you don’t want to hook up with her, why did you drag me to this table? Why do you want me to drink with her?” Ethan Carter retorted.

“I... I just...” Brian Bolton was a bit embarrassed by Ethan Carter’s questioning.

“Just what! You want to use my poverty to set off your wealth? My ugliness to set off your handsomeness? My cowardice to set off your confidence? My poor, ugly, and awkward self to set off your tall, rich, and handsome image? I’ve seen plenty of your tricks for picking up girls! But let me tell you... you picked the wrong target this time!”

Ethan Carter slammed the table, his words firing out like a machine gun, not giving Brian Bolton any chance to respond, making him so angry he was about to explode.

“Hmph, I may be a toad, but I’ll never let anyone trample on my dignity... just to pick up girls!” Ethan Carter pointed at Brian Bolton, his anger flaring, taking the opportunity to vent while drunk.

“Ethan Carter, you...” Brian Bolton was getting angry.

“What about me? You think I was too harsh? Or do you think I was wrong? You think Grace isn’t good enough for you? You don’t want to hook up with her?” As he spoke, Ethan Carter glanced at Grace with slightly drunken eyes, and she was also quite upset by him.

Brian Bolton was left speechless by his questioning. Deep down, he was a bit surprised—this Ethan Carter was nothing like the one he used to know. When did he become so bold, so brash?