After Xiang Weilai left, Sui Gang was also transferred to a unit below, and rarely returned to the city. This time he came back because Xiang Weilai returned, and he came back too.

Back then, when Yang Hui asked Ye Ling about Sui Gang, after getting a reply, Ye Ling directly passed it on to Yang Hui. After hearing it, Yang Hui said nothing and thanked Ye Ling when she left.

Ye Ling thought Yang Hui would give up, but unexpectedly, when Sui Gang was transferred to a unit below, Yang Hui also applied to be transferred along with him.

Ye Ling always thought Yang Hui was a very smart person and wouldn’t do such things, but seeing him constantly following Sui Gang, she felt it was not because of Sui Gang’s family conditions but truly because she valued Sui Gang as a person and had feelings for him.

But over the years, everyone had been apart. Ye Ling didn’t pay much attention to them anymore, only knowing that the two were still seeing each other, but there was never any news of marriage.

This time, with Sui Gang’s return, everyone booked a private room in the noodle shop and gathered together.

When Ye Ling, Shen Bin, and Xiang Weilai and his wife entered the room, they saw Sui Gang and Yang Hui had already arrived, with another woman sitting beside Sui Gang. However, Yang Hui was separated from them by two chairs.

There was no need to ask; anyone could see what was happening at a glance. The woman was very close to Sui Gang, whispering intimately, while Yang Hui sat far away. It was clear Sui Gang had someone new, and his relationship with Yang Hui was over.

Seeing this scene, Ye Ling couldn’t help but wonder, why was Yang Hui still around Sui Gang if things were like this? Why not transfer away and avoid the awkwardness of meeting each other?

Thinking of this, Ye Ling turned her gaze to Yang Hui. Seeing Yang Hui’s gaze always on Sui Gang and the woman, with a look of desolation on her face, Ye Ling sometimes could not understand why a smart person like her, knowing the situation, still chose to watch this painfully!

Zhao Guodong and the others had arrived early. Wherever Zhao Guodong was, there was never a lack of excitement. Moreover, his temperament matched well with Sui Gang’s, and with the two of them together, the room was very lively.

From Sui Gang’s introduction, Ye Ling also learned that the woman Sui Gang brought back was from their unit and was just a good friend, not someone he was dating. He and Yang Hui were still in a relationship.

Hearing Sui Gang’s introduction that they were just friends, Ye Ling felt even more puzzled. If that was the case, why push Yang Hui aside and be so intimate with her? Ye Ling really didn’t like Sui Gang’s actions.

Zhao Guodong, understanding Ye Ling’s temperament, helped speak for Sui Gang, "It’s just that they happened to be back at the same time to handle things, so they met, so we invited them to join our lively gathering."

While Zhao Guodong was explaining, the woman gave Ye Ling a somewhat unusual look, clearly displeased with Ye Ling’s criticism, noticing that no one else in the room had commented, but as soon as Ye Ling arrived, she looked like everyone owed her money.

Her disdainful demeanor naturally caught everyone’s eyes, immediately causing the room’s atmosphere to become tense.

"Sui Gang, I say, this is a gathering of old friends and classmates. Bringing an outsider along, what’s that about?" Xiang Weilai took out a cigarette, lit it, and glanced sideways at Sui Gang.

Sui Gang smiled awkwardly, "It’s just on the way, on the way, really just on the way."

Shen Bin’s expression was also unpleased, "Let’s order!"

Putting his arm around his wife’s shoulder, he called the waiter over with a cold expression, not even looking at the woman.

Liu Nan, with her straightforward nature, said, "Even if it’s on the way, you can’t bring just anyone like cats or dogs. What do you take our circle to be? Anyone can squeeze in?"

Sui Gang was at a loss for words, his face full of embarrassment.

The woman’s face turned beet red, she immediately stood up, pulling her bag over, "Since I’m not welcome here, I won’t intrude."

No one stopped her, nor called out to her. It wasn’t until she reached the box’s door that she turned back, "Sui Gang, you said you’d clarify things with Yang Hui. When will you do it? Why not in front of so many people today? So I don’t have to feel like an outsider."

The woman mentioned, Yang Hui’er, remained silent, sitting quietly, her gaze fixed on Sui Gang, showing no hint of emotion.

Everyone in the room also remained silent, looking at Sui Gang, their eyes full of disapproval.

Sui Gang felt embarrassed too, directly taking off his coat and shouting loudly, "With your temper, we’re done. No need to choose anymore. If Yang Hui agrees, I’ll go get the certificate with her tomorrow. You can leave!"

The woman had been somewhat proud as she spoke, looking at everyone in the room, delighting in Yang Hui’er’s misfortune, but she never expected Sui Gang to say that.

"Hurry up and get out of here! Who are you showing this to?" Zhao Guodong shouted, then cursed at Sui Gang, "Look at what you’ve done! Making a scene like this today, do you think Yang Hui will still marry you? Not to mention, over the years, you know how Yang Hui has treated you. I’m telling you, what you did is not respectable."

In their circle, no one was as fickle-hearted as Sui Gang.

Sui Gang looked embarrassed, "Everyone makes mistakes. Is it not okay for me to admit mine? Today, in front of everyone, I’m admitting my mistake to you."

"You’re not apologizing to us, but to Yang Hui. Let’s see if Yang Hui accepts you!" Ye Ling glared at him. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Sui Gang understood immediately and stood up to apologize to Yang Hui, "It was just something we said casually, aside from eating together a few times, there’s nothing else."

The woman couldn’t take it anymore, covered her face, and ran out crying.

The private room was silent, everyone looking at Yang Hui.

"Sui Gang, what you said is true, everyone makes mistakes, and one shouldn’t be unforgivable for a single mistake. I know why you don’t like me because you think I’m too pretentious, so you don’t like me. Over the years, if I hadn’t been pestering you, and if you didn’t worry about hurting my feelings by rejecting me, you wouldn’t have endured it until now. I understand these things. What you just said, I don’t know if you meant it sincerely. If you did, then I’m willing to marry you, and we’ll get the certificate tomorrow. If you said it just because everyone is here and you don’t want me embarrassed, you don’t have to say that, as things are already like this, there’s nothing to worry about face. We’ve been friends for so many years, we all understand each other, no need to put on a show for others."

"That’s right, Sui Gang, relationships aren’t a joke. Now, in front of everyone, just say whether you feel it’s okay to be with Yang Hui or not? Give a straightforward answer. If not, then let’s peacefully part ways and stay friends. If yes, then stop messing around and get the certificate and have a good life together." Liu Nan also chimed in.

Sui Gang was not one for pretense, seeing everyone looking at him like that, he simply spoke, "I really didn’t like Yang Hui’er before, thinking she was particularly pretentious. We’re classmates. Why play those petty tricks? I couldn’t stand it. But thinking about her being a girl, having agreed to be together, I couldn’t just say break up. Over the years, I thought a lot. Yang Hui has been changing, which I also noticed. Actually, there’s really nothing with that woman earlier. I said those things back then just to tease, not sincerely."

After Sui Gang’s words, everyone understood his meaning. Sui Gang admitting his mistake in front of everyone today, showing such a straightforward and upright attitude, also indicated that he had indeed changed.

Having been together for years, Sui Gang and Yang Hui couldn’t possibly have no feelings at all, and really break up like that. Seeing a woman who contributed to him get hurt, Sui Gang also couldn’t bear it. Moreover, with his temper, he couldn’t coax another woman, while Yang Hui’er always managed to accommodate him.

"This is my temperament, you’ve seen it over the years. If you don’t mind, let’s get the certificate tomorrow. Then I’ll ask for a few days off from the troop, go back to Beijing and tell the family, and keep the wedding simple and done." Sui Gang directly looked at Yang Hui’er, waiting for her response.

Yang Hui’er was already in tears but still pulled a big smile, "Alright then, let’s get the certificate tomorrow."

The matter between them was finally resolved. After dragging on for years, everyone was relieved, the previous tension lifted, Zhao Guodong was also happy, pulling everyone for a round of drinks.

After everyone dispersed, when separating, Yang Hui tightly held Liu Nan and Ye Ling’s hands, "I feel the happiest thing in my life is meeting you two. If it wasn’t for being with you, I’d never see my own faults or get Sui Gang’s affection. Thank you both."

What does it mean to let bygones be bygones with a smile? Ye Ling thought maybe it’s like this, no matter what happened in the past, what feelings might have been in everyone’s hearts, but after years, everyone can sit down like old friends and talk, this is letting bygones be bygones with a smile.

Sometimes good things come in pairs, the next day Sui Gang and Yang Hui went to get their marriage certificate, and news came that Liu Nan was pregnant. Zhao Guodong, delighted, couldn’t resist pulling the men for another drinking spree, seeing them come back drunk every day after going out with Zhao Guodong, inevitably Zhao Guodong got criticized by everyone once again.

Meanwhile, Ye Qian, who had been showing off, quietly disappeared, only hearing that she went to the south with her husband.