Chapter 71: The Encounter

Chen Zhaojun took a glance and, sure enough, the girl was very pretty. 

The girl had a soft, rounded face with the delicate beauty of a classic oval shape. Under the glare of the fluorescent lights, her skin glowed like jade-colored glass. She had hit the table hard enough that there was an obvious red bump on her forehead, and tears welled up in her eyes from the pain. 

Her pitiful, tear-filled almond eyes tugged at the heartstrings. 

Chen Zhaojun nodded; this girl's features were almost as perfect as Xiao Rongyu's, essentially flawless. 

"What's your name, dear?" 

Liang Meijuan felt a strange pang of sympathy.

"Shen... Shen Youchu." 

"That's a beautiful name."

Liang Meijuan reached out to wipe her tears, but Shen Youchu looked a little embarrassed. "There's dust on my face too."

"Haha." 

Liang Meijuan couldn't help but laugh. Shen Youchu's nose and cheeks had smudges of dust, probably from wiping her sweat earlier.

"It's okay, Auntie doesn't mind a little dust." 

At home, Liang Meijuan had a strong, no-nonsense personality, which was why she often clashed with her son, Chen Hansheng, who was just as stubborn and unyielding. But seeing the timid and wronged Shen Youchu, Liang Meijuan took an instant liking to her. 

As she helped wipe away the tears, Liang Meijuan studied Shen Youchu. Her nose was straight, her lips had an exceptionally gentle curve, and her eyes and brows looked like they were drawn in a painting.

Yes, truly beautiful. 

Chen Zhaojun, on the other hand, couldn't hold back and finally spoke up, "We're Chen Hansheng's parents. What's your relationship with him?" 

"Class... classmates," Shen Youchu answered softly.

"And what else?" 

Chen Zhaojun pressed a little further.

"..."

Shen Youchu didn't know how to respond. The most definite term between them was indeed just classmates.

"Alright, enough. Don't clean anymore. Come take a walk with Auntie tonight."

Just as she didn't believe that Xiao Rongyu and her son were only classmates, Liang Meijuan also didn't believe that Shen Youchu, helping with cleaning at ten at night, was merely a classmate. 

Using the walk as an excuse, Liang Meijuan managed to learn quite a bit about Shen Youchu's family background on their way to the girls' dormitory. At the entrance, she told Shen Youchu to head back inside. 

"The weather outside is too cold, and your hands are freezing. Rest early." 

"Okay..." Shen Youchu obediently raised her right hand and waved goodbye. 

After watching Shen Youchu go upstairs, Chen Zhaojun sighed deeply, "Xiao Shen is so naive. She answered whatever we asked her." 

"Girls from the countryside don't see much of the world and haven't learned to lie yet." 

Liang Meijuan's warm expression from earlier turned icy. "Old Chen, your son went to college and didn't learn much, but he's got playing two-timing down to an art." 

Chen Zhaojun said nothing. 

Liang Meijuan grew angrier, her voice trembling with emotion. "It's late at night, freezing cold, and she's still helping him clean up. Of all the girls, he had to go after someone so devoted."

Chen Zhaojun lit a Hong Jinling cigarette, lost in worry. Wasn't it supposed to be Xiao Rongyu? How did Shen Youchu come into the picture? 

Liang Meijuan's face turned serious. "I don't care about anything else, and I don't want to meddle in the future. But if he dares to keep stringing them along like this—"

"I'll pretend I never had a son!"

...

Chen Hansheng had no idea what had happened that night. By Monday, he went to class as usual. Since Liang Meijuan didn't approve of him taking a leave, he was happy to keep busy with his own affairs. 

After class, Chen Hansheng called over Wang Yansong ("Duan Yu"), Xu Mengzhu ("Mu Nianci"), He Bing ("Miao Renfeng"), and Nie Xiaoyu ("Huang Rong") from the External Relations Department. 

They were all surprised by the changes in Room 101 and 102. Just a few days ago, it had been overgrown with weeds and a complete mess, but now it looked like a scenic spot in a park. 

These transformations had taken the efforts of three groups. The first group was classmates from Public Administration Class 2, who cleared most of the trash. The second group consisted of Chen Hansheng's high school friends, who laid the foundation for decoration. 

The final touch came from Shen Youchu. The potted plants by the window, the corners once marred by mold now cleaned—these were all results of her quiet work. 

"Duan Yu, Mu Nianci, Miao Renfeng, the three of you are responsible for posting these part-time job flyers in places like the water rooms, cafeterias, and dormitories. I'll divide the areas: Duan Yu, you'll cover the boys' dorms..." 

Before they left, Chen Hansheng added, "This isn't charity. Each of you will get 20 yuan for your work, but you must put up all the flyers. I'll be checking."

The three initially thought they were working for free, so they were surprised to learn there was payment. 

Given the thick stack of flyers, 20 yuan wasn't much, but it was an unexpected bonus that affirmed their efforts. 

"I'm not just in college—I can make money here, too."

This thought was shared by all three. 

Chen Hansheng watched their changing expressions with a smile. 

Part-time work for college students isn't easy. The tasks might not be complicated, but the pressure can be significant. Many start enthusiastically, motivated by curiosity or interest, but when it comes to going door-to-door and dealing with all kinds of reactions, few can persist. 

Chen Hansheng was assigning tasks gradually. Starting with simple flyer-posting, which didn't require interaction, was a way to ease them in. 

Had he made them distribute flyers directly in classrooms or dormitories, someone might have backed out immediately. 

But only those who withstand the trial by fire can stay and do something significant with "Zhang Wuji," the Ming Cult leader, as he led. 

After giving his instructions, the trio left with their flyers. 

Nie Xiaoyu looked puzzled. "What about me?" 

Chen Hansheng pulled out another stack of flyers from under the table. "Your task is different. You'll post these in the Engineering College. The pay is 50 yuan." 

Nie Xiaoyu blinked. "Am I in charge of the whole Engineering College by myself?" 

"What, can't you handle it?" 

Chen Hansheng raised an eyebrow. 

Nie Xiaoyu's determination and perseverance were above the others, so Chen Hansheng pushed her harder, aiming for mutual benefit. 

Sure enough, she took a deep breath and grabbed the flyers. "I can definitely do it!" 

Soon, the entrepreneurship base was empty again, with only Chen Hansheng remaining. The mid-morning sun gently shone on him, warming him with its comfort. 

With his feet propped up on the desk, Chen Hansheng thought about the next step. Above him, the sky was clear and blue, and he breathed in the crisp air of a late autumn day in Jianye, closing his eyes for a brief rest. 

Someone approached quietly, and Chen Hansheng didn't need to open his eyes to know who it was. 

"You came to clean last night, didn't you?" 

Chen Hansheng had noticed the cleaner state of Rooms 101 and 102 that morning, which could only be Shen Youchu's doing. 

"Mm." 

Shen Youchu made a sound of agreement. After a moment of long yet fleeting silence, she spoke again. 

"Last... last night, I met Auntie." 

"Which Auntie?" 

"Aunt Liang." 

With a sudden clatter, Chen Hansheng, caught off guard, fell off his chair. 

...