Chapter 123: Different Tastes, Different Loves

"Ugh—"

Wang Zibo had burped several times and was on the verge of throwing up, but seeing the food still on the table, he gulped down some red wine as if it were water, rested for a while, and continued eating.

"Come on, eat up, this steak is really good," he urged, noticing that Chen Hansheng hadn't really touched his food yet. Wang Zibo was getting a bit impatient.

Chen Hansheng shook his head. "I've already eaten. Don't worry about the money, it's only 800 yuan. Your health is more important. Don't overeat and hurt your stomach."

Wang Zibo went quiet at that.

Chen Hansheng didn't let him off the hook. "Aunt Zhou gives you 600 yuan a month for living expenses, right? You could save up for two months, and if it's still not enough, I can lend you some more. Then we can treat Huang Hui to another meal."

Hearing that, Wang Zibo slowed down chewing his steak. 

Chen Hansheng didn't scold or persuade him. He simply poked at Wang Zibo's feelings with these soft jabs, making him feel uncomfortable.

After finishing the meal, Chen Hansheng helped pay the bill. When they walked downstairs, Wang Zibo saw the second-hand Santana. "Is this your car?"

"It's a friend's. I'll give you a ride back."

Wang Zibo hesitated for a moment before opening the passenger door.

"You didn't want to ride just now?" Chen Hansheng asked as he drove.

Wang Zibo stayed silent for a while. Then he pulled out 300 yuan and said, "This is all I have. I'll pay the other 500 yuan next month."

Chen Hansheng didn't take the money. "Take it back. I'm not short on 300 yuan right now."

Wang Zibo, however, threw the money onto the car seat and turned his face to look out the window, not saying a word.

Chen Hansheng said, "Why are you taking your anger out on me? I didn't ask you to pay for the meal."

"I'm not angry with you," Wang Zibo denied.

His thoughts were complicated. At first, he was worried he couldn't afford the meal. Then, when Chen Hansheng helped, he was grateful. But later, being made to feel bad by Chen Hansheng, he also felt guilty about the money.

So, when he saw Chen Hansheng's car, Wang Zibo suddenly felt irritated.

Chen Hansheng chuckled. "I help you pay, and you don't appreciate it? You even repay kindness with ingratitude?"

Wang Zibo turned his face away and ignored him. After a while, he suddenly spoke up. "You used to chase after Xiao Yuyu, but she didn't accept you. How did you make her fall for you in the end?"

"You need to understand that Xiao Yuyu and Huang Hui are fundamentally different," Chen Hansheng emphasized. "If Xiao Yuyu didn't like you, no matter how much money you gave her, she wouldn't accept it. But if she liked you, she'd take even a regular paper bag from you. Do you think Xiao Yuyu would have done what happened at lunch today?"

Wang Zibo thought for a moment and silently shook his head.

Chen Hansheng continued, "Also, Xiao Yuyu and I have feelings for each other. Not to mention our parents know each other, but even as classmates, we're just one step away from being in a relationship."

"Have you taken that step yet?" Wang Zibo asked.

Chen Hansheng nodded. "I have, but I also sewed it back up."

Wang Zibo knew it was because of Shen Youchu. He cursed inwardly, "What a scumbag!"

When they reached the entrance of the university, Chen Hansheng handed Wang Zibo the 300 yuan again. "You may not be a scumbag, but don't be a simp either. Think of today's 800 yuan dinner as your tuition fee."

Wang Zibo opened his mouth as if to say something, but then hesitated and remained silent.

Seeing that Wang Zibo was still a simp, Chen Hansheng knew it was useless to say anything more. He tossed the 300 yuan outside the car, rolled up the window, and left.

The wind blew the bills lightly on the ground, making a "squeak" sound. Wang Zibo bent down to pick up the money. 

He didn't return to the dorm but went to a nearby internet café. After logging into QQ, he found Huang Hui and sent her a message: "How was lunch? Want to go again next time?"

Then, he stared at the screen, waiting for her QQ avatar to light up.

---

After returning to school, Chen Hansheng received a notice for a meeting from the student union. It was likely to discuss the upcoming Spring Sports Event.

In the student union office, many students were already present. Chen Hansheng looked around—there were many handsome guys and beautiful girls. He never expected Guan Shuman to be a "face-control" person.

Soon, Guan Shuman, with her long black straight hair, walked in wearing flat shoes. She adjusted her smooth hair and said, "Let's begin the meeting. The main topic is whether the Spring Sports Event at the Finance College should go ahead as planned."

"What's the opinion of the school leadership?" asked Zou Jun, the president of the student union.

Zou Jun was a senior at the Finance College and had already been confirmed to stay at the school as a counselor. He was also a close assistant to Guan Shuman.

Guan Shuman shook her head. "The school leaders want us to discuss it first and then consult them based on our opinion."

After some consideration, Zou Jun spoke up. "I think the Spring Sports Event should be paused this year. The pandemic is serious, and although there are no suspected cases in Jiangling, we should be cautious."

His suggestion came from a safety and stability perspective, considering the school's overall situation.

"Chen Tianyu, what's your opinion?" Guan Shuman asked.

Chen Tianyu, the vice president of the student union, cleared his throat and smiled. "Respected Guan Shuman, President Zou, and fellow students, I think the Spring Sports Event should go on. Though the pandemic is serious, holding the event will stabilize everyone's mental state, encourage more physical activity, and prevent students from staying cooped up in their dorms all day."

Zou Jun glanced at Chen Tianyu but didn't speak.

Chen Tianyu was from a wealthy family. While Chen Hansheng drove a second-hand Santana, Chen Tianyu was already flaunting his imported Lexus at the Finance College.

The student union was divided between the two opinions, and in the end, Guan Shuman, prioritizing safety, decided to cancel the Spring Sports Event.

After the meeting, Chen Tianyu ran into Chen Hansheng as they were leaving the building. He approached and said, "In the meeting, you said you'd take the whole class on a hiking trip?"

Chen Hansheng nodded. "I noticed everyone's morale is low, so I'm planning to organize a spring outing."

Chen Tianyu agreed. "University students should be as active as you. Nowadays, everyone is too lethargic."

They chatted for a while, and just as they were about to part ways, Chen Hansheng suddenly remembered something. "One of my classmates wants to join the broadcasting station, but I don't want to bother Guan Shuman. Can you help me with this?"

Chen Tianyu paused for a moment. He wasn't very familiar with Chen Hansheng, only knowing he was a representative of school entrepreneurs and quite famous in the Humanities Department. He didn't expect Chen Hansheng to make such a request.

"The broadcasting station just had someone drop out due to graduate school, so if you bring her over, I can arrange for her to try out," Chen Tianyu said after thinking for a moment.

Chen Hansheng made a call to ask Shang Yanyan to come and sent her a private message: "Dress nicely today, the vice president of the college is interviewing."

Soon, Shang Yanyan arrived, wearing a knee-length leather skirt and heavy makeup. Her strong fragrance filled the air.

Chen Hansheng couldn't help but shake his head. It was partly his fault for not explaining properly. Perhaps in Shang Yanyan's mind, dressing better meant exposing more skin.

But Chen Tianyu looked a bit dazed. Before he could speak, he turned to Chen Hansheng and said, "I think she looks great. Let's arrange for her to try out at the broadcasting station."