The heavens set sail from the courtyard

Lu Tao organized a dinner party, inviting his close college classmates for a farewell meal.

Wang Gang had promised Lu Tao they would have dinner together, so naturally he wouldn't refuse. He was also tired of his parents' endless nagging and wanted to find some peace and quiet.

The restaurant Lu Tao found wasn't far away, and it wasn't high-end; it was for everyday consumption.

When Wang Gang arrived by subway, Xiang Nan and Hua Zi were already there, but Lu Tao, the organizer, was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Lu Tao? He's the initiator, why is he so late?" Wang Gang said casually.

"Lu Tao is picking up Mi Lai, he'll be a little late!" Hua Zi explained.

"It must have been Mi Lai who picked up Lu Tao!" Xiang Nan joked. "Every time we have a get-together, Mi Lai always drives Lu Tao around. How come I can't find a girlfriend as rich as her!"

Wang Gang raised an eyebrow and mocked, "If you had half of Lu Tao's skills at picking up girls, you could also snag a rich and beautiful woman to take home."

What Xiang Nan and Hua Zi envied most about Lu Tao was not his good grades or his stepfather who was an official, but that he found a beautiful and wealthy girlfriend named Mi Lai during his school years.

Gao Qiang had met that Mi Lai before. She was a typical rich, beautiful, and wealthy woman. Not only was she beautiful, but her family was also very rich. Most importantly, she was devoted to Lu Tao and was the kind of woman who pursued him relentlessly.

Unfortunately, Lu Tao was oblivious to his good fortune and always treated Mi Lai coldly, sometimes even keeping her at arm's length like a kite.

When it comes to picking up girls, the other three roommates combined are no match for Lu Tao.

"Have you ordered all the food? Who's treating tonight, or should we split the bill?" Wang Gang brought his wallet out, ready to treat everyone.

Wang Gang didn't tell anyone about winning the lottery or buying a house.

"They said Lu Tao was treating, but Mi Lai will probably pay in the end!" Hua Zi said. "Qiang Zi, do your parents know about the school disciplinary action?"

"Okay, I understand," Wang Gang said calmly.

"Didn't your parents scold you?" Xiang Nan asked curiously.

"Does scolding me guarantee a degree?" Wang Gang said nonchalantly, "Actually, my parents are quite receptive to criticism."

If Wang Gang hadn't won the grand prize, he would definitely have been scolded to death by his parents. In the original story, Gao Qiang couldn't stand his father's criticism and jumped off the balcony in a moment of despair, thus meeting his demise.

"Qiangzi, what are your plans for the future? Are you going to look for a job at the job market?" Hua Zi asked. "I plan to deal in used cars after graduation. How about we do it together?"

Wang Gang knew that Hua Zi wanted to help him.

"You want to sell a used car?" Xiang Nan asked curiously. "You don't even own a car, what are you selling?"

Hua Zi said, "I buy used cars at low prices, then find repair shops to refurbish them, and then sell them at high prices. This business should be quite profitable."

Wang Gang nodded and said, "Now that everyone's living conditions have improved, everyone wants to buy a car, but new cars are too expensive, so the used car market does have a promising future."

Hua Zi laughed and said, "Qiang Zi, let's work together and make a fortune together."

Wang Gang shook his head and said, "I'll pass! I want to find something I'm interested in doing."

Hua Zi was taken aback and asked, "What do you want to do?"

Wang Gang shrugged and said, "I haven't decided yet, let's take it one step at a time!"

Hua Zi and Xiang Nan exchanged a glance, both feeling that Gao Qiang (Wang Gang) had changed somewhat. He seemed more carefree than before, and would take things one step at a time. Gao Qiang would never have said that before.

"Could it be because of the school's punishment that he was traumatized?" Hua Zi and Xiang Nan exchanged glances.

"Don't bring up the topic of punishment later."

Xiang Nan Chaohua nodded.

At this point, some classmates arrived one after another. They were all a little surprised to see Wang Gang, but they still greeted him.

Wang Gang greeted his classmates with a normal expression, but in fact he was only familiar with Hua Zi and his two roommates; he was not familiar with the others.

Lu Tao was the last to arrive, making a grand entrance. His girlfriend, Mi Lai, even brought a video camera to film the entire gathering. A group of college graduates got together, and after a few beers, the atmosphere became incredibly lively. Hua Zi, in particular, jumped around after a few beers, shouting that he wanted to make a lot of money, buy a Mercedes, and live in a mansion.

Wang Gang sat quietly in the corner, not saying anything. He responded when someone toasted him, but he didn't seem to fit in.

Mi Lai filmed around with the camera and quickly walked over to Wang Gang.

"Gao Qiang, why are you sitting so far away?" Mi Lai said with a smile, pulling Gao Qiang along. "Come and play with us."

Mi Lai is an outgoing person who loves lively environments. Holding a camera, she pulled Wang Gang to the center of the table.

"We've all gathered here, but who knows when we'll get to meet again? I propose we raise a glass to the future!" Lu Tao put his arm around Wang Gang's neck, raised his beer glass, and shouted.

"To the future, to the struggle!" Hua Zi shouted, clearly drunk, as he picked up a beer bottle.

"Yes, we must strive, we must make money, we must become superior people!" Xiang Nan echoed.

Looking at the group of spirited college students in front of him, Wang Gang couldn't help but chuckle.

This group of people are full of hope and high aspirations for the future, but once they enter society and are brutally beaten, how many of them will be able to maintain their original aspirations?
But right now they are happy, unrestrained, and living in the moment!

Wang Gang also raised his glass and drank heartily with everyone.

A group of people shouted, and the sound quickly carried to the next table.

One of the bald men glanced back, clearly annoyed by the noise, but refrained from doing anything out of consideration for the group of students, and continued eating and drinking with his friends.

At this moment, Hua Zi finished his beer and, in a moment of intoxication, threw the beer bottle away.

Wang Gang caught a glimpse of the beer bottle flying away and immediately thought, "Oh no!"

The beer bottle landed precisely in the soup on the next table, splashing soup everywhere. The bald man was the first to get splashed, getting fish soup all over his head and face, with half a piece of tofu stuck to his face.

The bald man's face twitched, he wiped himself with a napkin, then grabbed a beer bottle from the pot and charged straight at Hua Zi.

"Did you throw this bottle?" the bald man asked, pointing at Hua Zi with a beer bottle.

"What beer bottle?" Hua Zi was a little drunk and could barely stand.

A ferocious look appeared on the bald man's face as he shouted, "You dare to do it but not admit it."

As the bald friends slowly gathered around, everyone sobered up a bit.

"Excuse me, my classmate is drunk." Wang Gang quickly stepped forward and said to the bald man, "We'll pay for your meal, sorry."

The bald man scoffed, "Do I need that little bit of money for food? If he smashes a beer bottle against me, I'll smash one back against him."

Wang Gang frowned and said, "Brother, I don't see you're injured. How about we just let this go? I'll pay for your dry cleaning."

"Why should we give him money?" Hua Zi persisted, "It's just some soup that spilled, not sulfuric acid."

Upon hearing Hua Zi's words, the bald man also got carried away and immediately started smashing beer bottles.

Helpless, Wang Gang reached out and grabbed the bald man's wrist, and the next moment the bald man began to wail.

"Ouch!" The bald man loosened his grip, the beer bottle fell to the ground, and his back bent over.

"You got soup all over him, you didn't have to crack his head open!" Wang Gang shoved the bald man down with his hand.

"What are you all standing there for? Beat him up!" the bald man yelled at his friends through gritted teeth.

The bald friends swarmed forward, but within three minutes, they were all beaten down by Wang Gang alone.

The restaurant owner, sensing something was wrong, immediately called the police. (End of Chapter)