Chapter 46: The Chinese Cigarette is Too Mild

On the third morning, Chen Hanxing still showed up uninvited, but today he brought breakfast for Yu Yueping. This gesture carried a certain level of testing; if Yu Yueping refused the breakfast, it would indicate that there was still a long way to go.

Fortunately, Yu Yueping took it and said, "I won't be polite then. I'll pay you back for this breakfast later."

Chen Hanxing didn't play the humble card. If he thought he could win Yu Yueping over with a simple breakfast, then his scheming would be as shallow as Jin Yangming's. Yu Yueping wasn't concerned with the few bucks; what mattered to him was the respect shown.

In the morning, Chen Hanxing was still sorting through documents, and as lunchtime approached, heavy rain suddenly poured outside. Yu Yueping, probably having left his umbrella at home yesterday, frowned at the downpour.

Noticing this, Chen Hanxing pretended to go to the restroom but actually ran back to the dorm to grab an umbrella. When Yu Yueping saw the wet pant legs and the umbrella in Chen Hanxing's hand, he understood what had happened. For the first time, he invited Chen Hanxing to make tea for himself.

In the afternoon, Chen Hanxing almost finished organizing all the files in the cabinet, and Yu Yueping gave them a final check. He found that the files were not only categorized by year but also had labels with clear distinctions between "sent" and "received" documents, making them easy to find.

Yu Yueping didn't usually care much for disorganized files, but seeing everything so well arranged, he felt a lot better and tossed a cigarette to Chen Hanxing.

Chen Hanxing took the cigarette and, flipping through a file, asked, "Secretary Yu, I see there's a document encouraging college students to start businesses. I didn't know the school had such a good policy."

Yu Yueping took the document, glanced at it, and replied dismissively, "It's just for show. The school doesn't really have the resources to support student startups. The best they can do is lease out a few vacant rooms on the ground floor of the teaching building."

"Those rooms have good locations, though, with a lot of foot traffic," Chen Hanxing remarked.

Yu Yueping shook his head. "Nowadays, college students aim to go public with their startups. They're reaching too high and are not interested in these small things."

Chen Hanxing nodded without speaking. The information was crucial. There were official documents and actual resources, but as for those empty rooms, the support was minimal until results were achieved. Once that happened, the school would naturally lean resources in that direction.

At 5:30 p.m., just before the workday ended, Chen Hanxing was about to return to the dorm when Yu Yueping suddenly called out to him, "You don't need to come tomorrow. Also, have this form filled out by your classmate Shen Youchu."

Chen Hanxing took the form and saw it was a "Poverty Scholarship Eligibility Registration Form."

"Secretary Yu..." Chen Hanxing was somewhat surprised. He had thought it would take at least a week, but he had gotten it in just three days.

"I spoke with Old Gu last night. Shen Youchu's situation is basically valid. Once it's filled out, hand it to me. If everything goes smoothly, the funds should be available next week," Yu Yueping said with a smile.

However, Chen Hanxing remembered something. "Do we still need to submit proof from Shen Youchu's hometown government?"

"No need," Yu Yueping waved his hand. "Those are just supplementary materials. I know what's real, and no one will make a fuss about it."

The reasons that had stalled Hu Linyu now no longer applied.

Actually, this kind of scholarship could be given to any poor student. Since Yu Yueping couldn't pocket the money himself, the distribution depended on the closeness of the relationship.

Thus, while Hu Linyu claimed that Yu Yueping didn't understand the system, Chen Hanxing knew that Hu Linyu didn't understand politics.

On the fourth morning, Chen Hanxing still appeared in Yu Yueping's office as scheduled.

"Didn't I tell you not to come anymore? Is there an issue with filling out the form?" Yu Yueping asked in confusion.

"No, nothing like that," Chen Hanxing smiled. "I've just gotten used to coming over to Secretary Yu's office. I can't control my feet."

"Ha ha ha," Yu Yueping laughed, clearly enjoying the compliment, then said, "Alright, from now on, come once a month to help me organize files. You really don't need to come every day."

When Chen Hanxing heard this, he knew it was time to take a break from working at the Youth League Committee. He couldn't immediately stop coming now that he had the "Poverty Scholarship Eligibility Form"—that would seem too opportunistic and would come across poorly.

He had to keep the relationship intact, as he would need the Youth League Committee's help again in the future.

... 

In the afternoon, Chen Hanxing finally went to class, returning after a three-and-a-half-day absence. His dormmates in Room 602 were quick to claim credit for answering questions for him.

"Old Fourth, I helped you answer today."

"Chen Ge, I helped you answer yesterday."

"Class monitor, I helped you answer the day before."

They all knew that Chen Hanxing had been busy handling matters, but they still expected a reward for answering questions in his stead.

Chen Hanxing naturally couldn't let them get away with that. He raised his chin, lit a cigarette, and surveyed the room. "Lately, the class is planning a boys-and-girls social event."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the attention of the single men in the room was immediately drawn.

"Hu Linyu suggested eating and singing," Chen Hanxing continued.

Yang Shichao laughed and said, "Hu Linyu, that tomboy, actually does something good sometimes."

"But I vetoed it," Chen Hanxing dropped the bombshell.

When Jin Yangming heard that, he panicked. "Chen Ge, are you out of your mind? Why would you veto it?"

The guy who had been obsessing over chasing after Shang Yanyan finally saw a perfect opportunity, only for Chen Hanxing to shut it down.

Chen Hanxing sneered. "You guys are too young. Do you really think eating and singing will accomplish anything? In the end, it'll just turn into a dorm activity. You'll toast a drink, recognize some faces, but what's the progress?"

The group realized the truth of his words, and their excitement dimmed.

"Old Fourth, just tell us your idea already," Gu Shaoqiang couldn't hold it in anymore.

Chen Hanxing smiled. "The campus activity center shows movies every Friday night. The ticket is only three yuan. I plan to buy 54 tickets with the class funds, one for each person. Then, we'll have the boys and girls sit mixed. That's how we'll make it interesting."

"Brilliant!" Jin Yangming immediately shouted. If they did it this way, Chen Hanxing could even arrange for himself and Shang Yanyan to sit next to each other.

In the dimly lit theater, with boys and girls sitting together, this would indeed be much more effective than a group meal or a singing session.

The others quickly caught on, their eyes gleaming with excitement.

Jin Yangming, still the most enthusiastic, immediately said, "Chen Ge, I think…"

"Hey, the cigarette's out," Chen Hanxing interrupted.

"The cigarette's out, and my thoughts aren't as clear. What if I accidentally end up seating Zhu Chenglong and Shang Yanyan together…"

Jin Yangming quickly responded, "I'll go downstairs to buy a pack. You stay here, Chen Ge. We need to make sure our plans stay sharp."

The guy turned to leave, but Chen Hanxing stopped him.

"Old Sixth, don't buy Zhonghua. It's too mild. I'm worried it won't be strong enough."

Jin Yangming's lips twitched. He forced out a smile and said, "If I can't get used to it, I'll just keep trying. I'll go get a pack now."