Every ti Su Qing was in high spirits, Zhou Yuwen would rcilessly pour a basin of cold water over her. Yet, she had no way to deny the freezing reality he presented.
She could only pout and complain that he was truly annoying.
Since so much ti had passed, did he really have to keep bringing it up?
Zhou Yuwen retorted that no matter how much ti had passed, it had still happened. "You didn't cherish such a good life back then," he pointed out.
"Now that you're telling
all this, I definitely wouldn't dare live off you."
"I!"
Su Qing was left speechless. Just as she was about to formulate a response, Shen Yu walked over to greet them, forcing their chatting to a halt.
The conclusion of the New Year's gala would signal the end of the first sester. At Zhou Yuwen's university, the Student Union typically used the first sester to train the freshman students, then began transitioning leadership in the second sester.
By the next sester, the third-year students would largely step back from their duties to prepare for their internships, gradually handing over power to the second-year vice ministers. As for the second-years, aside from keeping a few students on as officers, authority would shift even further down the ladder.
In this year's Student Union, both Su Qing and Shen Yu had already distinguished themselves. Naturally, there were a few other students with a chance to compete, but these two had been tasked with organizing the current gala. Since Su Qing currently worked at Zhou Yuwen's event planning company, she leveraged it as a personal resource. As a result, her voice now carried even more weight in the Student Union than Shen Yu's.
Shen Yu had spotted Zhou Yuwen walking over with Su Qing from a distance, so naturally, she ca over to say hello, asking him why he was arriving so late.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Su Qing declared, "I'll take Zhou Yuwen over there to get ready first."
"Alright, sure."
Shen Yu had actually wanted to chat with Zhou Yuwen a bit more, but the problem was that Su Qing was currently guarding him like a precious treasure, refusing to let any other girls get near him.
To be honest, Shen Yu's current dissatisfaction with Su Qing had likely surpassed her previous annoyance with Zheng Yanyan.
While it was true that Zheng Yanyan had been highly boastful before, she did not have a malicious mind. Her conflict with Zheng Yanyan only revolved entirely around Zhou Yuwen.
But it was entirely different with Su Qing.
Shen Yu felt that Su Qing had far too scheming of a mind. Back when the sester first started, Shen Yu had excellent connections within the Student Union. It was safe to say she was highly valued by the senior male students and Senior Sisters. No matter the event, the union officers would always think of Shen Yu first, and they universally praised her, saying that their junior sister Shen Yu was incredibly capable.
Yet, at so unknown point, Su Qing's influence in the Student Union had slowly begun to eclipse her own.
Not only had she built a strong relationship with the relatively obscure Senior Sister Chen Wan, but she also utilized Zhou Yuwen's event planning company to win over a whole group of older students in the union.
Just recently, while organizing this gala, so people had even started jokingly calling her President Su.
To anyone else, this might just be a passing joke to laugh off.
But the problem was that Shen Yu had always set her sights on becoming the Student Union President!
Now, just like that, it felt as though the position was being inexplicably snatched away from her!
Shen Yu was undeniably feeling uncomfortable about the whole situation.
Mainly, if Su Qing were truly more capable than her, Shen Yu naturally would not have complained.
But in Shen Yu's eyes, Su Qing did not have any real ability. She had only managed to climb this high by exploiting Zhou Yuwen's resources!
Not to ntion installing Chen Wan as a general manager in Zhou Yuwen's company, Su Qing had also convinced several highly capable senior male students to take on part-ti jobs there. So worked as emcees, others as event planners. She had even roped in a third-year photography club president to serve as the company's photographer.
What kind of ability was that?
Without Zhou Yuwen, what would she amount to?
Shen Yu was rely an eighteen-year-old little girl. She was quite simple and lacked ulterior motives. Watching Su Qing thrive so effortlessly left her genuinely feeling very bitter and uncomfortable.
To speak truthfully, she did indeed have the intention of getting closer to Zhou Yuwen.
However, she had not thought about actively pursuing him romantically again. It was just that over the past few days, Su Qing, in collaboration with Chen Wan, had genuinely utilized the planning company's resources to contribute massively to the gala's set design. Things like the vans used for transporting equipnt, as well as the costus and backdrops, were all items they previously had to rent from external vendors.
But because Su Qing now managed the planning company, she had established connections with several off-campus rental businesses. Since these companies had received massive orders from Su Qing, they naturally looked down on the paltry profits from the university's small gigs. They simply offered the equipnt to Su Qing for free, laughing and saying, "Ah, President Su, just rember to take care of my business in the future, and we'll be good!"
This allowed Su Qing to show off spectacularly in front of the upper managent of the Student Union. Soone even joked, "We better thoroughly suck up to President Su! Who knows, we might have to rely on her to make a living in the future!"
The crowd roared with laughter, while Su Qing replied modestly, "Oh my, what nonsense are you sprouting? You are all heaven's chosen talents; how could you possibly co to make a living at my company? Besides, it's not even my company. It's Zhou Yuwen's company!"
"Oh my! Isn't your boyfriend's property basically yours?!" A student eager to curry favor with Su Qing—knowing full well about her feelings for Zhou Yuwen—bluntly chid in. This imdiately made Su Qing beam with joy, though she repeatedly denied it, insisting that it was not the case yet!
Shen Yu had witnessed all of this firsthand.
Shen Yu was not currently looking to start anything romantic with Zhou Yuwen, but she did genuinely want to chat with him.
She wanted to ask Zhou Yuwen if his event planning company was still short on staff.
Perhaps she could go there to train and gain so experience?
Before Zhou Yuwen had a conflict with Zheng Yanyan, Su Qing and Shen Yu had actually maintained a fairly good relationship. If Shen Yu wanted to exchange a few words with Zhou Yuwen, Su Qing would not have raised any objections.
However, ever since Zhou Yuwen and Zheng Yanyan fell out, Shen Yu could distinctly feel that Su Qing was now keeping her guard up against her.
No, to be more precise, she was guarding against every single girl who dared attempt to get close to Zhou Yuwen!
After all, having finally managed to outlast Zheng Yanyan, how could Su Qing possibly give any other girl a chance!
Su Qing arranged for Zhou Yuwen to sit in the front row on the right side. This section was reserved exclusively for Student Union officers and served as a resting area for the emcees when they ca off stage.
Su Qing told Zhou Yuwen to sit comfortably and rest there.
"I have to go on stage right now, but I'll co keep you company as soon as I'm done! Be good," Su Qing said with a giggling smile as she pressed Zhou Yuwen down into his seat.
Zhou Yuwen asked, "Wait, aren't the perforrs supposed to prepare backstage?"
"You don't need to. Just wait right here," Su Qing replied with a playful wink.
Zhou Yuwen was utterly speechless. He wanted to tell her that she was acting like she was coaxing a toddler.
But before he could finish his sentence, soone nearby called out to Su Qing, announcing that it was ti to take the stage.
Su Qing hurriedly responded, shouting back that she understood and would be right there!
With that, she left in a trendous hurry.
By this ti, it was already 6:25 PM. With barely five minutes left until the opening, the auditorium was completely packed without a single empty seat.
Zhou Yuwen casually glanced back.
He noticed that the rows behind him were densely packed. Only the section where he was sitting remained sowhat empty, as the Student Union officers were practically all busy with their duties.
But precisely because of this, Zhou Yuwen felt a little awkward sitting there. In the first two rows, he was the only one occupying a seat.
It was extrely conspicuous.
Amidst the crowd, Li Qiang specifically asked Chang Hao, "Hey, Brother Hao, isn't that Old Zhou? Why is he sitting in the section for the Student Union officers?"
"His ex-girlfriend is a Student Union officer. Are you seriously trying to compare yourself to him?" Chang Hao muttered grumpily.
Hearing this, Li Qiang could not help but chuckle. "Oh right, and I heard his current girlfriend is about to beco the head of the Arts Departnt."
"?" Chang Hao raised an eyebrow.
Li Qiang snickered and quickly changed the topic. "Hey! Old Zhou is looking our way! Hey, Old Zhou!"
The auditorium was incredibly noisy right now, but Li Qiang stood up from his spot and waved vigorously at Zhou Yuwen.
Spotting where his class was seated, Zhou Yuwen offered Li Qiang a brief nod.
At the front of their class section, You Changjin was also sitting there, looking rather depressed. It seed he had taken a heavy blow from Liu Jing. "Zhou Yuwen?"
Right at that mont, soone called out to him.
Zhou Yuwen turned around and saw a hesitant Tao Tian. Compared to her previously sharp gaze and domineering aura, Senior Sister Tao Tian's presence seed to have weakened considerably. Her eyes actually carried a hint of insecurity. Even her outfit was much more ordinary than before: a light pink knit cardigan paired with a matching tube top. Although it was an off-the-shoulder design, the cardigan covered her shoulders, revealing only a large expanse of snow-white skin on her chest.
Compared to the past, Senior Sister Tao was doing her best not to flaunt her figure. However, her impressive curves could not simply be hidden away; it was just that her gaze now appeared noticeably more despondent.
When she first walked over and saw Zhou Yuwen sitting there, she was actually feeling quite self-conscious and reluctant to approach him. She was terrified that he would avoid her, and even more terrified that he would outright ignore her.
She had spent an eternity dealing with her hesitation before finally mustering the courage to co over and say hello.
Zhou Yuwen, however, did not overthink it. Seeing Tao Tian suddenly appear, he was actually quite happy. He proactively stood up and greeted her with a warm smile. "Oh? Senior Sister, long ti no see."
'Senior Sister?'
An imperceptible flash of disappointnt passed through Tao Tian's eyes. It had only been a little over a month since they last saw each other, yet she never expected things to have grown this distant between them.
"Why are you sitting here?" Tao Tian asked curiously.
Zhou Yuwen explained, "Oh, I have to perform on stage today."
"I originally wanted to head backstage, but Su Qing arranged for
to sit here instead," he added.
Tao Tian subconsciously glanced at Su Qing up on the stage. Nodding her head, she murmured, "Ah, so it was President Su."
"President Su? She's the Student Union President now? Isn't she only a freshman?" Zhou Yuwen was genuinely unaware of this developnt.
"No," Tao Tian chuckled softly. "That's just what the students are calling her in private because Su Qing is indeed very capable."
"Her, capable?" Zhou Yuwen laughed upon hearing this.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Zhou Yuwen asked Tao Tian if he was not supposed to be sitting in this section.
Tao Tian reassured him that it was fine, as no one was sitting there anyway.
"So you're sitting here too?"
"Mhm."
Tao Tian nodded. The backs of these seats had red slips of paper attached to them, labeling the designated occupants. For instance, Zhou Yuwen's seat was labeled for the emcees.
anwhile, the back of Tao Tian's seat read: Arts Departnt.
As the two of them sat down together, Zhou Yuwen jokingly asked, "Isn't the first performance from your Arts Departnt?"
"Don't you need to go up there and offer so guidance?"
Tao Tian shook her head. "I washed my hands of all those duties a long ti ago. The opening dance this ti was chosen by Yanyan."
Tao Tian had assud that bringing up Zheng Yanyan would elicit at least so sort of reaction from Zhou Yuwen, but he rely offered a flat "Oh," seemingly unfazed by the ntion.
Tao Tian continued, "I'll be heading out for my internship next sester, so I'm planning to hand the Arts Departnt over to Yanyan."
By now, the gala was preparing to begin. It kicked off with a three-minute music video playing on the screen. The video mostly showcased recent activities organized around the campus in preparation for Christmas. It also featured brief ssages from so of the university's more well-known students, wishing everyone a rry Christmas and sharing similar greetings.
Regarding this exact video, Shen Yu had previously sought out Zhou Yuwen, wanting him to record a brief ssage as well.
However, Zhou Yuwen was in Shanghai at the ti and stated he had no ti, so the matter was dropped.
Zhou Yuwen watched the music video unfold. Upon hearing Tao Tian's words, he smiled and remarked, "That's pretty good. But isn't Yanyan only a freshman? Even if she's going to beco the departnt head, wouldn't that have to wait until next year?"
"Mhm," Tao Tian nodded in agreent.
Tao Tian desperately wanted to chat a bit more with Zhou Yuwen. However, the usually articulate and witty Tao Tian felt as though she had suddenly developed social anxiety upon seeing him again. Her heart was bursting with countless things to say, yet she had absolutely no idea how to voice them.
After racking her brain for what felt like an eternity, she finally could not help but blurt out, "I've been reading your novel recently."
"Oh? Really? What do you think of it?" Zhou Yuwen asked with an amused smile.
Tao Tian noted that the writing was quite good.
"Just the simple writing style?"
"I think the protagonist's personality is also quite similar to yours."
Perhaps due to the overwhelming noise in the venue, Tao Tian leaned in close to Zhou Yuwen, shielding her mouth slightly with her hand as she spoke.
"Similar? No way. The novel's protagonist is far too much of a rogue. He's nothing like ," Zhou Yuwen replied.
Tao Tian shook her head with a smile, disagreeing completely.
"I think you're very similar. Both of you are incredibly charming boys."
After that, Tao Tian went on to ask if she had perhaps served as an inspiration for him in this novel.
Zhou Yuwen pondered for a mont before shaking his head. He explained that he had basically pieced the novel together using tropes from other male-oriented s, so there was not actually any real-life prototype for the characters.
"So Su Qing isn't one either?" Tao Tian asked, staring intently at Zhou Yuwen.
Zhou Yuwen just smiled and said nothing.
Consud by curiosity, Tao Tian stared at him with wide, expectant eyes.
After a brief pause, Zhou Yuwen leaned in close to Tao Tian and whispered, "I'll tell you a secret, but you can't go around blabbing about it!"
Perhaps because the lighting was dim and the venue was undeniably chaotic, Zhou Yuwen naturally drew close to Tao Tian, intimately whispering right next to her ear.
Feeling Zhou Yuwen's breath brush against her ear again after so long, Tao Tian was unable to control herself, and ripples of emotion inevitably stirred within her heart.
She did her best to steady her racing mind, gazing at Zhou Yuwen with overwhelming curiosity.
Zhou Yuwen revealed that the female lead actually had no prototype whatsoever. It was just Su Qing being entirely delusional and full of herself.
Tao Tian was montarily stunned before she burst into a sudden fit of giggles.
"I saw so many people on the forum claiming that you still like Su Qing," she remarked.
"Yeah, well, a breakup is a breakup. I'm not really the type to cling to the past," Zhou Yuwen replied thoughtfully.
In the dim lighting, Tao Tian kept her luminous eyes fixed on Zhou Yuwen, offering a subtle nod of understanding.
Right as they were thoroughly enjoying their conversation, the music video ended, and Su Qing took the stage alongside another emcee.
Naturally, Su Qing spotted Zhou Yuwen and Tao Tian engaged in their lively chat.
A flash of displeasure crossed Su Qing's face. She had stood guard against everyone else, yet she never anticipated that Tao Tian would slip through the net. However, Su Qing did not forget her professional duties.
She simply could not help but speed up her delivery just a fraction, perfectly coordinating with the male emcee to finish their opening lines. Then, she grandly announced, "Next up, please welco the Arts Departnt as they bring us a sizzling opening dance!"
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