Chapter 69: Stirring Up the Scene

"Mom, I suggest you calm down."

"There are so many classmates here, could you please save me some face?"

"Old Chen, hold your wife back."

...

Liang Meijuan had expected a hug after a long absence or at least a few caring words. Who knew that this little rascal would open his mouth just to hurry her to go home? 

Empress Dowager Liang wasn't one to be trifled with. Without another word, she prepared to give Chen Yingjun "some color to see." 

Currently, Chen Hansheng's temperament could only be fully managed by Liang Meijuan.

Gao Jialiang stood up, pretending to mediate but was actually ready to block Chen Hansheng, relishing in his embarrassment.

In the end, it was Xiao Rongyu who calmed the situation.

"Aunt Liang, Xiao Chen meant to ask if you bought a ticket. If not, there's no need to rush; stay a few more days in Jianye," Xiao Rongyu said while glancing at Chen Hansheng. "Isn't that right?"

Chen Hansheng shot a grateful glance at Xiao Rongyu and quickly nodded. "Yes, that's what I meant. You haven't had lunch yet, right? I'll go get some food."

Liang Meijuan finally let out a cold snort. "I'll let it go today for Xiao Yu's sake. This scolding is on hold."

When Chen Hansheng returned with food, Liang Meijuan was already chatting harmoniously with some classmates. 

Even if she wasn't familiar with their parents, they had at least seen each other around, and as they were all from Hong Kong City, they conversed in the local dialect. 

In a university environment where Mandarin was the norm, this created a unique sense of warmth.

At this moment, Liang Meijuan played the role of the family elder, advising Zeng Yan (a high school classmate) to visit the hospital for her cough, reminding Wang Zibo to call home more often, and praising Xiao Rongyu for her beauty and thoughtfulness.

After lunch, the group, laughing and talking, went to the entrepreneurial base at Building F, Room 101.

No one noticed that at an inconspicuous seat around the cafeteria corner, Shen Youchu sat quietly.

It was an ordinary encounter, but she didn't step forward to greet them. 

In this unnoticed spot where no one disturbed her, Shen Youchu dared to lift her head and watch Chen Hansheng, along with his family and friends. Her almond-shaped eyes were pure and serene, as calm as a deep lake.

When it seemed that Chen Hansheng was about to get scolded, she frowned slightly with concern. When the dispute subsided, she let out a quiet smile.

Shen Youchu did find one thing odd, though. There was a beautiful girl in the group who was being treated like a princess, and her down jacket looked similar to her own.

But Shen Youchu was too simple-minded to dwell on it, so she let it go.

...

At Building F, Room 101, Chen Zhaojun and Liang Meijuan finally got a glimpse of Chen Hansheng's entrepreneurial base. Chen Hansheng explained that the phone was company-issued and the empty rooms were supported by the school.

Gao Jialiang wasn't impressed, and Wang Zibo, apart from envying the phone, didn't think much of it either.

There were plenty of unused rooms in the university, so they didn't realize that securing Rooms 101 and 102 required not only coordination but also a bit of luck.

Chen Zhaojun and Liang Meijuan, being more mature, were more aware of the effort. When they learned these rooms were allocated to Chen Hansheng for a year, they finally understood that their son was indeed making a mark.

"Xiao Chen, this potted devil's ivy is so pretty," said Xiao Rongyu, who had heard about these matters before and was now focusing on other things when she noticed the plant by the window.

"Yes, I think so too," replied Chen Hansheng, not missing a beat.

"Did a girl give it to you?" Xiao Rongyu suddenly looked up, her long, enchanting eyes filled with curiosity.

Chen Hansheng kept his composure and waved his hand dismissively, righteously replying, "How could it possibly be from that girl we saw earlier? Do you think she has the temperament to care for plants?"

Indeed, Shang Yanyan's flamboyant and flashy demeanor did not fit that of someone who would meticulously tend to a plant, which reassured Xiao Rongyu a bit.

But then she reconsidered, realizing that she had only asked if a girl had given him the plant, not specifically the one they had seen earlier.

Just then, the building administrator walked by, inquiring if they needed some tables and chairs. The interruption ended Xiao Rongyu's line of questioning.

Chen Hansheng took Gao Jialiang and Wang Zibo to move the furniture, which was naturally not brand new and had some signs of wear.

But Chen Hansheng had a solution: buying some tablecloths to cover them.

This move was cost-effective, as he only had 4,000 yuan in funds and needed to budget wisely. 

Moreover, Rooms 101 and 102 were not just for the entrepreneurial base but also served as a communication hub, and considering the high foot traffic from the adjacent parking lot, overly luxurious decorations were unnecessary. A few tables for sitting, chatting, and working were enough.

The deputy secretary of the youth league committee, Yu Yueping, had done a great job coordinating things. The administrator suggested they could take as many tables and chairs as needed, so Chen Hansheng didn't hold back. 

Noticing the half-height potted plants being replaced downstairs, he asked, "These are well-maintained. Why replace them so soon?"

The administrator lit a cigarette, saying, "Orders from the dean. The 50th anniversary celebration is approaching, and everything needs to be replaced with new ones."

Chen Hansheng nodded. Such ceremonies were always about going through the motions. He took out his pack of premium social cigarettes.

"Here, have one of mine," Chen Hansheng offered.

The administrator, seeing Chen Hansheng pull out a pack of Zhonghua, a high-quality cigarette, anticipated being given a single one.

But Chen Hansheng, after taking one for himself, handed over the entire pack, box and all, to the administrator.

"Hey, hey, hey," the administrator said, embarrassed.

Chen Hansheng lit the administrator's cigarette before saying, "Could these old potted plants be moved? I wouldn't take them elsewhere, just to Rooms 101 and 102."

The administrator hesitated, but weighing the pack of Zhonghua in his hand, he said, "If you weren't from the youth league, I wouldn't agree. Just don't tell anyone."

"Of course, thanks, uncle."

In reality, Chen Hansheng wasn't a member of the youth league, but the administrator assumed so due to Yu Yueping's personal involvement.

"Actually, getting a position in the youth league might not be a bad idea," Chen Hansheng suddenly thought. But joining the youth league required a teacher's approval, unlike a student council where only a department head's consent was needed.

The administrator had plenty of tools, and Chen Hansheng borrowed a small cart, selecting the best-looking potted plants and transporting them to Rooms 101 and 102. 

He even picked out some decorative stones to place on the cart.

Gao Jialiang protested, "Did you trick us here to help you move stuff?"

"You've seen the quality of the girls at our university," Chen Hansheng said, patting Gao Jialiang's shoulder. "You help me move this, and I'll set your heartbroken roommate up with someone."

"Am I that kind of person?" Gao Jialiang scoffed before walking over to a piece of laishi stone. "This one looks good too. Let's take it back together."

Rooms 101 and 102, previously empty, felt lively once tables and potted plants were added.

The decorative stones placed on the exterior's flagstone complemented the existing garden, creating a park-like atmosphere.

Liang Meijuan seemed surprised. "Weren't you just moving tables? How did you bring back so much stuff?"

Old Chen, leisurely smoking, observed his son's audacious but capable nature. Chen Hansheng's coordination skills and beyond-his-years savvy were beginning to pay off in the university microcosm.