Chapter 51: Wrong Script

Since the moment Chen Hansheng learned about Meng Xuedong's identity, he had not told a single truth.

In fact, he had never actually applied for the "University Student Entrepreneurship Support Program" at the School of Finance, he had just come across it while organizing documents for the Youth League Committee. He hadn't had the chance to take any further steps, and today's intention was to discuss and communicate with Zhong Jiancheng. 

However, he unexpectedly ran into Meng Xuedong, and adhering to the mindset of "business can fail, but momentum must not falter," Chen Hansheng quickly changed his plan and started bluffing.

The key was that he had actually read the original document, so he spoke confidently, and Zhong Jiancheng was genuinely interested.

"So, you mean we should establish a base at the School of Finance and, while taking control of that market, expand to surrounding universities?" Zhong Jiancheng asked.

Chen Hansheng nodded. "Yes, because this project is supported by the school, they will provide us with several commercial spaces that are conveniently located, have high foot traffic, and are spacious."

In his words, the abandoned classrooms under the teaching building were instantly turned into treasures, and since Zhong Jiancheng had no idea, Chen Hansheng was bluffing without hesitation.

Of course, Zhong Jiancheng also had his own considerations. He thought for a moment and said, "It sounds like a big project. I should visit your school and take a look."

Chen Hansheng agreed without hesitation. "Not only should you come for an inspection, but you should also have a good discussion with the Youth League Committee leaders about how we can implement it more effectively."

When Zhong Jiancheng heard Chen Hansheng's reply, he almost believed it because Chen Hansheng even suggested a direct meeting with the Youth League leaders. That meant the project was likely real.

What Zhong Jiancheng didn't realize was that Chen Hansheng was simply drawing a picture—he would first paint a picture here, then paint another at Yu Yueping's place, and in the middle, he would mediate. This project, "born out of nothing," would be created.

"When will we go to your school?" Zhong Jiancheng asked, seeing the potential.

"It depends on when the Youth League Committee leaders have time," Chen Hansheng replied with a smile. "You know how busy they are with all their meetings."

In truth, the timing mainly depended on Chen Hansheng's coordination, and even if it failed, it would just waste a bit of energy and words.

As for face? Who needed that when talking business?

Zhong Jiancheng nodded and checked the time. "It's dinner time now. Xiao Chen, stay for a meal."

"No, no, I have to go back to school," Chen Hansheng politely declined.

"Are you looking down on our Shentong Express?" Zhong Jiancheng insisted, pulling Chen Hansheng to a nearby tavern for a meal, though the price was reasonable—just a gesture.

---

After the meal, Chen Hansheng didn't return to school or go play games with his roommates. Instead, he went straight to the girls' dormitory at East University and asked the dormitory manager, "Excuse me, I'm looking for Xiao Rongyu in Room 303."

The dormitory manager asked, "What's your name?"

"I'm Xiao Hongwei," Chen Hansheng replied.

The dorm manager made a note and called Room 303: "Xiao Rongyu, Xiao Hongwei is downstairs looking for you."

The cold war between Chen Hansheng and Xiao Rongyu had lasted since they were in Hong Kong City, and although Chen Hansheng had called a few times in between, they were always hung up on.

According to "relationship expert" Wang Zibo, Xiao Rongyu had almost been ready to accept the relationship, but at the critical moment, Chen Hansheng had gone off partying, which left her deeply disappointed.

Chen Hansheng couldn't argue that going to a bar wasn't fooling around—after all, he was still single.

"There's nothing wrong with having fun, right?" he thought to himself.

Soon, Xiao Rongyu, wearing pajamas, hurried downstairs. She was looking around, puzzled about why her father was visiting Jianye without a word.

Unlike Shen Youchu's round, beautiful face, Xiao Rongyu had a delicate oval face. Even though she wore long-sleeved, long-pants pajamas, her neck, exposed and smooth, was strikingly white, and the soft cotton clung to her slender body, accentuating her graceful figure.

The guys waiting for their girlfriends downstairs immediately became entranced, their gazes fixed on this stunning sight.

"She's definitely still the goddess from high school, even in university, she hasn't let down Hong Kong City No. 1 High School," they whispered.

Chen Hansheng grinned and approached. "Stop looking, I was just borrowing Mr. Xiao's name."

Xiao Rongyu immediately understood and turned to head back to her dorm.

Chen Hansheng jumped in front of her, blocking the way. "We can't keep going like this, can we? If there's any misunderstanding, let's talk it through, alright?"

"You talk to the bar girls about it," Xiao Rongyu replied coldly, her eyes narrowed in anger.

"Fine, you go upstairs then. I'll print a banner tomorrow and hang it downstairs," Chen Hansheng replied casually. "It'll say, 'Xiao Rongyu from Room 303, please focus on your studies, I'll raise the child alone.'"

Xiao Rongyu's face instantly turned bright red from the shameless accusation. "Chen Hansheng, are you a scoundrel?"

"I am a scoundrel," Chen Hansheng replied without hesitation.

Faced with such a rogue, Xiao Rongyu suddenly felt powerless. She had intended to never see him again, but now she was slowly being swayed.

"Then tell me, what happened?" she asked, turning her back to Chen Hansheng.

For someone like Chen Hansheng, if Xiao Rongyu insisted on going upstairs, he would have no way to stop her. However, if she stayed, it meant the conflict was essentially resolved.

"I've been calling you every day, but you never picked up," Chen Hansheng began, playing the victim. In reality, his calls had been repeatedly rejected.

This persistence wasn't pointless because after hearing it, Xiao Rongyu's tense shoulders began to relax, and the atmosphere wasn't as cold as before.

"Looks like there's a chance," Chen Hansheng thought to himself as he continued, "That night, Wang Zibo had a fight with his mom and asked me to help him unwind…"

Same old trick—share the good, share the bad.

"You mean it was Wang Zibo who invited you to the bar?" Xiao Rongyu turned around, her eyes filled with doubt.

Chen Hansheng calmly replied, "It was his idea, but I chose the place. I shouldn't have taken him to that kind of spot."

He split the blame 50/50 between himself and Wang Zibo. Surprisingly, Xiao Rongyu believed him, because it fit her understanding of the two.

Wang Zibo, the homebody, often quarreled with his family, and Chen Hansheng, always restless in high school, was familiar with those places.

"So what did you do there? What kind of fun did you have?" Xiao Rongyu asked, clearly concerned about him interacting with those flashy girls.

"We just played pool," Chen Hansheng said calmly.

"Really?"

Chen Hansheng took Xiao Rongyu's phone and dialed Wang Zibo's dorm phone.

"Hello, it's Chen Hansheng."

"Hey, Xiao Chen, long time no talk! I'm planning to visit you this week…"

"No small talk. I'm with Xiao Rongyu right now. Tell her what we did at the bar that night."

"We just played pool. Are you and Xiao Rongyu back together now?"

"No time," Chen Hansheng replied bluntly and hung up.

He then sincerely looked at Xiao Rongyu. "See? We really just played pool."

At this point, the situation was becoming clearer. Wang Zibo had quarreled with his family and invited Chen Hansheng to the bar to play pool, which Xiao Rongyu had happened to witness. That night, she was also planning to accept Chen Hansheng, so she was extremely angry.

"Then why didn't you come to me earlier?" Xiao Rongyu asked.

Chen Hansheng acted helplessly. "I've been busy with student council work. I'm both the class president and vice minister. It's been exhausting. I was hoping to talk to you about it every night, but you never picked up…"

This way, he subtly shifted the blame to Xiao Rongyu, and she took it on herself.

"Xiao Chen…" Xiao Rongyu felt a bit guilty.

Chen Hansheng started off by playing the victim, then passed on the responsibility, and finally shifted the blame. Xiao Rongyu began to calm down. She was naturally a bit willful, cute, and proud.

"It's fine, it's all in the past. We almost became a couple, it's such a pity," Chen Hansheng said magnanimously, expressing regret over the lost love.

Xiao Rongyu stared at Chen Hansheng for a moment before suddenly asking, "Chen Hansheng, will you accompany me to the library to study tomorrow?"

"?" 

A big question mark appeared in Chen Hansheng's mind.

Normally, they should have hugged and forgotten the past, becoming friends, like in a TV drama. But this felt like the wrong script.

Seeing that Chen Hansheng didn't respond, Xiao Rongyu asked again, "Do you have anything to do on Sunday?"

"Maybe, maybe not."

"Then I'll go back to the dorm. Come early tomorrow, I'll take you to have breakfast at the East University cafeteria."