Chapter 55: "Goodnight" is a Little Love Song

After finishing the last piece of spicy mustard greens, Tao Lisong, with a satisfied expression, said, "It's been years since I've had hometown snacks. Thanks to the classmate who provided this bag of delicacies."

That's when Chen Han Sheng realized Tao Lisong was also from Sichuan or Chongqing.

"Now, let's start the class, although we've already been delayed by 20 minutes," Tao Lisong glanced at Chen Han Sheng and added, "But I think those 20 minutes were well spent because real-life actions have more educational value than textbook theory. Today, we'll talk about how to improve team cohesion."

Tao Lisong then began his lesson, but this teacher was quite interesting. He used what had just happened as an example:

"What factors affect the cohesion of a team? The consistency of members, the status within the group, the behavior model of the core leader…"

"Consistency among members: Just now, everyone ate this bag of spicy mustard greens. While your stomach is burning, don't you also feel warm inside? But if someone didn't eat, that person would be excluded because their behavior doesn't align with everyone else."

"Group status: The class president and the group leader coordinate and organize all the class activities. Others trust their leadership abilities; otherwise, this bag of mustard greens would have gone uneaten."

"As for the behavior model of the core leader: The class president's direct way of solving problems is the kind of fair and just system that high-performing teams strive for. It ensures that everyone's basic rights within the group are protected."

Chen Han Sheng felt a bit embarrassed. If it were someone else in the class, he would have done the same thing, but with Shen Youchu, he had a slight preference.

After class, while other students were heading back to the dorms, Chen Han Sheng said to Shen Youchu, "Wait here for a moment. I'll go buy something."

Shen Youchu's emotions this morning had been like a roller coaster. First, she felt rejected when her classmates didn't appreciate the dishes she made. Then, when Chen Han Sheng "forced" the others to try, she felt moved. Finally, after Tao Lisong used theory to analyze the situation, she began to understand, but still felt a bit confused. The figure in her world was becoming more and more stable.

Soon, Chen Han Sheng returned with a bottle of floral water.

"Roll up your sleeves," he said.

Shen Youchu hesitated, but Chen Han Sheng furrowed his brows and ordered, "Hurry up."

"O-okay," Shen Youchu complied slowly, rolling up her school uniform sleeves.

Seeing she was moving too slowly, Chen Han Sheng took her hand and pushed her sleeve up. Her pale, delicate arm was revealed, covered with a few red bumps that spoiled its appearance. Chen Han Sheng felt a bit heartbroken.

Shen Youchu tried to pull back but was stopped by his stern gaze. She weakly protested, "C-can I do it myself?"

Without answering, Chen Han Sheng poured the floral water into his hand and gently applied it to the red spots.

Shen Youchu looked at him from above, watching him carefully apply the medicine, his expression serious yet domineering.

"Done. The other one."

Chen Han Sheng said, lowering his head.

Shen Youchu seemed used to it. She silently extended the other arm for him to take.

"You're really silly," Chen Han Sheng smiled inwardly, unsure whether he was referring to her for spending two days on a joke or to her submissive nature.

After applying the medicine to both arms, Chen Han Sheng asked, "Do you have red spots on your calves?"

Shen Youchu nodded.

"Then take off your pants."

Chen Han Sheng said expressionlessly.

Shen Youchu immediately panicked and pleaded, "Can I do it myself?"

Chen Han Sheng didn't speak, his stern face showing no emotion.

"Please."

Shen Youchu's eyes became teary, and Chen Han Sheng finally relented, "Take the floral water with you. Don't scratch when it itches."

Shen Youchu wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and nodded silently.

"Where's the mustard greens for the secretary?"

Chen Han Sheng suddenly remembered and asked, hoping he hadn't eaten it all.

Shen Youchu pulled a glass jar from her bag. Inside were the mustard greens, and as Chen Han Sheng reached for them, she pulled out another bottle.

"For me?" Chen Han Sheng asked, pointing to himself.

Shen Youchu's face turned red as she softly answered, "Mm."

The classroom grew quiet, the only sound was the autumn wind blowing outside.

After a long pause, Chen Han Sheng asked, "Do you want to have lunch together?"

"No, no," Shen Youchu replied shyly, as eating together seemed difficult for her.

Chen Han Sheng didn't insist. However, as they parted ways, he suddenly asked, "Why do you always keep your head down?"

Shen Youchu, embarrassed, didn't want to answer.

"Can't I know?" Chen Han Sheng raised an eyebrow.

Shen Youchu lowered her head, looking at the tips of her gray and white canvas shoes. She softly said, "Grandma says I'm pretty, so I shouldn't lift my head too much."

Chen Han Sheng understood, realizing this was probably a self-protection mechanism for someone from a vulnerable group.

"Pretty girls are rarely safe; I know that all too well," Chen Han Sheng agreed.

…

Back at the dormitory, Chen Han Sheng noticed that Jin Yangming had resumed his usual pretentious behavior, complaining about Yang Shichao's smelly feet, accusing Guo Shaoqiang of smoking in the dorm, and even grumbling about Dai Zhenyou hanging his underwear on the bed, affecting the dorm's feng shui.

Yang Shichao couldn't take it anymore and said, "Old Six, you're still so energetic after a breakup."

Jin Yangming snorted and replied, "God closes one door, but opens another. Now I don't want that door anymore. I want to go in and out through the other one."

Li Zhennan caught on, "You've found a new target?"

"Adults speak, children should keep quiet. Just keep reading your book," Jin Yangming dismissed him, annoyed.

Chen Han Sheng thought for a moment and decided to close that door too. He called Jin Yangming to the balcony and handed him a cigarette.

Jin Yangming refused, "Brother Chen, you understand me. I'm a good youth who doesn't smoke, drink, or gamble."

"Take it. You'll need it later."

After lighting one himself and taking a couple of puffs, Chen Han Sheng said, "Old Six, do you know Shen Youchu?"

Jin Yangming froze. He thought his feelings had been exposed, "Brother, do you know what she's really like? I was fooled before, but in terms of looks, Shang Yanyan is much better than Shen Youchu. I never thought there would be a girl like that around…"

Jin Yangming rambled on, throwing in some insults at Shang Yanyan, but Chen Han Sheng interrupted him abruptly, "She's mine."

"Y-yours?" Jin Yangming gaped in surprise, his eyes wide, and after processing the information, sighed deeply. "Brother Chen, can I have a light?"

"I told you, you'll need it later."

That night, just before bed, the phone in Room 602 suddenly rang.

Li Zhennan picked up the phone, "Hello? Hello? Why's no one speaking?"

Chen Han Sheng's heart skipped a beat, and he walked over to grab the receiver, "It's Chen Han Sheng."

"Goodnight."

Shen Youchu's cautious voice came from the other end, as if she had something she wanted to say but could only manage those two words in the end.

Chen Han Sheng smiled. "Goodnight" between people wasn't always the same.

Shen Youchu's "goodnight" contained the sunshine she saw in the morning, the white clouds she saw at noon, the breeze she felt in the evening, and every word she wanted to say.

"Goodnight, my treasure girl."