Although there were only two years between third-year and first-year female students, the difference between them was striking. First-year girls, like Lu Lin, still carried a hint of that high school vibe. No matter how they dressed—jeans or shorts like Zheng Yanyan—they still appeared a bit inexperienced.
But third-year girls were different, especially soone as prominent as Tao Tian, who was already navigating various social scenes and had adopted a more mature style in her appearance. When it ca to jobs like working as a hostess or a model, they treated it as a form of networking, going all out with their makeup and outfits.
When Zhou Yuwen’s car pulled up in front of the girls' dorm, he saw Tao Tian and her two roommates walking over, so dolled up he barely recognized them at first. Leading the group, Tao Tian wore an off-shoulder bodycon dress that highlighted her curves, with a loose sweater casually draped over her shoulders and a purse worth over two thousand RMB slung on her arm. Her long wavy hair was carefully styled, and she sported immaculate makeup. The other two girls weren’t any less eye-catching. Each of them had long legs and an average height of around 170 cm. One wore a black miniskirt paired with high boots, while the other opted for a pencil skirt and heels. They all carried understated yet fashionable handbags, giving off a vibe of young city elites.
“Thank you for waiting, junior!” Tao Tian climbed into the front seat with a smile.
Zhou Yuwen replied, “No problem. I just got here too.”
Each hostess at this event would earn four hundred yuan—a good rate for 2013. Tao Tian had recruited two of her roommates for the job, even though they weren’t mbers of the Arts Departnt and didn’t know Zhou Yuwen.
From the mont they got in, the two girls kept up a friendly banter.
“So, you’re the junior Tao Tian keeps ntioning in our dorm?”
“Oh, yes! She talks about you quite a bit.”
As Zhou Yuwen drove, he laughed and asked, “So, what’s she been saying about ?”
They chuckled. “Nothing bad, don’t worry! She’s always complinting you.”
“What does she say?”
“That you’re handso! She even jokes that it’s a sha you already have a girlfriend; otherwise, she’d snatch you up!”
“Stop it! When did I ever say that!” Tao Tian imdiately protested, pretending to scold them in a playful tone.
Girls are like this: in an all-girl setting, they’re reserved, but add a guy into the mix, and the teasing begins.
Zhou Yuwen, familiar with this kind of banter from his previous life, didn’t let it get to his head. He was there to ensure this job went smoothly. Given the nature of the modeling work and his experience from previous events, he wasn’t likely to be easily swayed by a few pretty faces.
After a 30-minute drive on the expressway, they arrived at an international convention center, where Zhou Yuwen contacted Manager Zhao. Soon enough, Manager Zhao arrived, accompanied by a middle-aged woman in a professional black uniform. Seeing Tao Tian and her friends, Manager Zhao’s eyes lit up; clearly, Zhou Yuwen’s choice had been a success.
“Hey, you’re early, Mr. Zhou!” Manager Zhao called out with a grin, reaching to shake his hand. Since Zhou Yuwen had helped him secure these stunning college students at a good rate, he had even greater respect for him now.
“Just the three of them?” Manager Zhao asked.
“There are three more on the way. Isn’t it still early?”
“Yes, yes. The convention starts at nine, followed by lunch, and wraps up at three. Miss Zhang, please take them backstage to get ready,” he instructed his assistant.
Manager Zhao handed Zhou Yuwen a badge marked “Supervisor,” allowing him full access to the event. Zhou Yuwen, dressed casually in a light blazer and khakis, exuded a laid-back yet professional vibe. As he spoke with Tao Tian, he casually placed a hand on her waist, a subtle move to signal his familiarity with her and prevent any unwanted advances from others.
“Head backstage with Miss Zhang to get ready. If you need anything, call . I’ll be here all day,” Zhou Yuwen said.
Oddly enough, despite her extensive social experience, Tao Tian felt a slight flutter at this gentle but assertive gesture. In his calm and confident manner, Zhou Yuwen hardly resembled the typical freshman.
“Alright,” she replied, feeling a surprising sense of security from his words.
She and the other girls headed off to prepare. Shortly after, two vans and a few taxis pulled up, unloading a group of young n in their late teens. Leading the group was Liu Shuo, who had assembled a team of about twenty sturdy boys, most of whom were from his own class.
On the way over, he had drilled them on the importance of making a good impression. “When we et our boss, the Xu Zhou Association President, keep it together. Anyone who embarrasses
will have to answer for it!”
As the guys ford a line, Zhou Yuwen greeted them, with Liu Shuo making them all stand at attention.
“Say hello to Brother Zhou!” Liu Shuo barked.
“Hello, Brother Zhou!” they chorused, loud enough to startle even the convention staff. The workers, busy setting up the stage, paused to watch this display, wondering what was going on.
anwhile, Tao Tian’s roommates, watching from the makeup area, were stunned by the scene unfolding outside.
“Tao Tian, who exactly is this ‘junior’ of yours?” one of them whispered, still incredulous at the display outside.
The twenty young n in matching gray T-shirts and camouflage pants saluted Zhou Yuwen with enthusiastic respect, making even the convention’s general manager hesitate. Manager Zhao assured him, “They’re just college students, young and high-spirited, but the kind you can count on.”
As the event began, Zhou Yuwen moved around, organizing security and even giving the boys reminders. To each pair, he said, “Keep your eyes on the designated areas. Only leave your post for ergencies, and contact
if anything unusual happens.”
Everyone responded with a crisp, “Yes, Brother Zhou!”
Watching the operation from afar, the general manager whispered to Manager Zhao, “This young guy’s got them under control. Make sure to give him a bonus if the event goes smoothly.”
“Understood!” Manager Zhao grinned.
At nine o’clock, the exhibition officially kicked off. Inside, Tao Tian and the other hostesses were dressed in elegant red qipao, assisting guests with tea and directions. A group of girls dressed in traditional Hanfu were even preparing tea in front of the guests.
Manager Zhao, pleased with the scene, offered Zhou Yuwen a cup of tea, saying, “This stuff sells for 1888 a bag.”
Zhou Yuwen took a sip, sniffed, then swallowed it in one go. “Honestly? I’d rather have Wahaha iced tea,” he joked, earning a laugh from Tao Tian, who looked radiant as she laughed.
Seeing her chuckle, Manager Zhao teased, “Look, even your girlfriend’s laughing.”
“Is every woman you see my ‘girlfriend’?” Zhou Yuwen replied dryly.
Manager Zhao, sensing it was ti to bow out, laughed awkwardly and left them to it.
Handing his cup back to Tao Tian, Zhou Yuwen asked, “So, how’s it going? Tired?”
“Not really. The only problem is this outfit; they didn’t have my size,” she complained.
Zhou Yuwen chuckled. “That’s not the outfit’s problem; it’s your ‘size.’”
“Can I help it if they’re big?” Tao Tian pouted, not at all offended by his teasing.
Zhou Yuwen reassured her, “Hang in there until noon, then you can change back into your clothes.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I’ll talk to Zhao about it. It should be fine.”
Giggling, Tao Tian leaned closer and asked, “Seriously, Zhou Yuwen, what’s your story? You seem to know your way around everything. Is this your family business?”
Feigning shock, Zhou Yuwen raised an eyebrow. “You figured that out? You’re sharper than you look!”
“Of course!” she smirked.
“Then go sneak a few more tea bags for .”
Tao Tian blinked. “Didn’t you say it wasn’t worth it?”
“They’re worth 1888 a bag. Drinking even one is a profit!”
She laughed, “Fine, I’ll grab you a few more!”
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