The remark caused a slight awkwardness in the room.
A few students with a sense of justice said, "Li Li, you can't say that. Money isn't everything. As long as two people are happy, that's all that matters."
A few others, who wanted to curry favor with Li Li, sneered, "Li Li isn't wrong. Nowadays, without money, you can't get anywhere. What's the use of a man having just a good face? Can it fill your stomach or keep you warm?"
"Heh, are you making excuses for useless men?"
"Exactly. Men are only presentable if they can earn money. Otherwise, what's the difference between them and a waste?"
Those who had tried to ease the tension didn't know what to say.
Bai Xi's eyes turned cold as she heard this.
Although she and Han Mo weren't in that kind of relationship, she truly didn't want Han Mo to be criticized because of her, nor did she want him to be looked down upon because of her. So, she said softly, "Han Mo is a doctor, an excellent doctor."
In her opinion, his profession was radiant.
Upon hearing this, Li Li retorted with a hint of mockery, "A doctor? Isn't that just someone who treats illnesses?"
Tong Yao, unable to stand Li Li's attitude of being mediocre herself yet looking down on others, spoke up directly and with a defiant gaze, "And what do you do? Do you help rich men with their physiological needs?"
The entire room fell silent. Li Li's face turned even paler, and she trembled as she said, "Miss Tong, I respect you, and I ask that you also respect me."
Tong Yao retorted mercilessly, "You disrespected my friend first. Moreover, you don't respect me at all; you only respect my surname and my family's wealth. Since that's the case... I don't respect you at all!"
Li Li's expression grew more displeased. "I was just concerned about Xi'er, and I don't want her to be held back by a useless man."
She could see clearly that Tong Yao was determined to protect Bai Xi.
Tong Yao didn't back down. "As long as Xi'er likes him, that's all that matters. Let alone that Han Mo is a handsome and skilled doctor, even if he were a beggar, it's none of your business!"
Bai Xi felt a twitch in her trigeminal nerve. She had intended to stand up for Han Mo, but hearing Tong Yao say that made Han Mo seem even more disrespected. "Tong Xiaoxiao, Han Mo is a good person. Can you be more mindful of your words?"
Tong Yao pouted upon hearing this and looked at Bai Xi with a wronged expression. "Xi'er, you've really changed. You're already so protective so quickly."
Bai Xi's trigeminal nerve twitched again. "..."
After complaining a little to Bai Xi with feigned grievance, Tong Yao turned her attention back to Li Li and said arrogantly, "Li Li, since you look down on doctors, you'd better pray you never get sick. Otherwise, a doctor you scorn might instantly become your savior!"
Her words were echoed by the crowd.
"Yes, no matter how rich you are, you can't avoid getting sick."
"Even with your money, do you think the King of Hell won't dare to claim you? In the face of life, money truly means nothing."
"Each of you, dare to say you'll never need a doctor in your life?"
"Dr. Han, which department are you in?"
Han Mo said shyly, "Neurology."
Exclamations of admiration arose from the crowd. "Wow, that department is incredibly impressive. Only top scholars can get in."
"Xi'er's grades were always excellent back in school. It's no wonder she also likes intelligent men!"
"..."
For a moment, the atmosphere improved.
Seeing the shift, Bai Xi didn't want to dwell on it further. She used her serving chopsticks to pick up some snowflake beef and placed it into the small hot pot in front of Han Mo. After all, she had invited Han Mo for dinner today and had no reason to let him go home hungry.
Although this gathering was for hot pot, due to the large number of people, everyone had their own individual small hot pots placed before them. The ingredients were in the center.
Han Mo returned her smile, his demeanor elegant and distinguished, like a noble son from a top-tier wealthy family. He carefully placed a peeled shrimp in Bai Xi's bowl, saying, "You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."
Bai Xi raised her eyebrows slightly and smiled.
This scene of a handsome man and a beautiful woman showing affection made everyone around them look on with envy.
Li Li's jealousy intensified upon witnessing this. However, her earlier attempt to belittle Han Mo had been thwarted, and she remained unresigned. "Dr. Han, our Xi'er was a goddess at our school back in middle school. Countless men showered her with attention, and she was spoiled. With your salary, it's difficult to even buy a decent house in M City. How did you manage to win her over?"
While this sounded like praise for Bai Xi's popularity in school, it subtly implied that Bai Xi had many boyfriends then, was promiscuous, and materialistic. It also hinted that she might dump Han Mo in the future or even cheat on him.
Essentially, it was a veiled attempt at provocation.
Her words caused the recently improved atmosphere to become tense once more.
Bai Xi looked at Li Li.
Honestly, someone like Li Li couldn't stir any emotion in her. However, with these repeated provocations, if she didn't do something, she feared Li Li would truly think she was easily manipulated. "The man I want doesn't need to earn a lot of money..."
Her statement caused everyone to pause, unsure how to respond, as it was an indirect admission that the young, handsome man beside her didn't have a high income.
"Xi'er still yearns for love."
"Yes, everyone has different expectations for life."
"Xi'er is so good, not materialistic at all."
"Heh, love, isn't that just an excuse for one's own incompetence? Wealthy people have very discerning tastes; they don't just like good looks."
"Hey, aren't you all just jealous talking like that!"
"..."
The entire class reunion fell into an awkward silence. Those who had spoken in Bai Xi's defense looked at her, some with embarrassed concern, others with schadenfreude.
Yet, Bai Xi remained calm and composed, as if the words spoken about her were not about her at all.
She casually placed more meat into the hot pot and calmly finished the latter half of what she intended to say: "Because I have more money than I could ever spend."
Her words stunned everyone.
The combination of these two sentences meant: My man doesn't need to earn a lot of money because I have more money than I could ever spend.
Money... never enough? What kind of arrogant statement was that? Did anyone in the world have an inexhaustible supply of money? To everyone present, these words sounded like an unrealistic boast.
If Tong Yao had said this, they might have thought, "Well, a wealthy young lady is indeed fortunate."
But for Bai Xi to say this...
Bai Xi had ceased to be a young lady from the Bai family many years ago. Like them, she was an ordinary person. For her to utter such words now was incredibly presumptuous.
Li Li immediately burst into laughter upon hearing this, her laugh sarcastic and sharp. "Hahahaha... Your money is inexhaustible? Yes, this is not the barbaric era. As long as one works diligently, surviving is certainly not a problem. Yes, for you, being an ordinary frog in a well, living a simple life, might also be a form of happiness."
The self-consolation of the poor was truly laughable.