Chapter 28: Mature People Must Take Responsibility

After leaving the classroom, Wang Can walked through the shaded campus path toward the cafeteria.

The cafeteria was bustling with noise. As the three of them stepped through the entrance, Wang Can keenly sensed some strange gazes directed his way. A few female students were huddled together, whispering and glancing at him every so often; he could vaguely hear them referring to him as "that iron rod."

He pulled at the corner of his mouth in resignation. That nickname was truly... one of a kind.

"What do you want to eat?" Chen Xiaobei asked with a trace of reluctance. Starting today, he was responsible for covering Wang Can's lunch for the next month. It wasn't that the young master Chen cared about the small amount of money; he just couldn't quite accept the defeat after trying to chat up "cousin" Xia Kewei.

"Bailan, I'll pay for your portion too. Brother Bei will help you upgrade your diet," Chen Xiaobei said, turning his head. He noticed that Zhang Bailan’s tray always contained simple, bland vegetables, and thinking that military training was finally over, he decided to help his "brother" improve his meals.

Zhang Bailan was clearly taken aback. He waved his hand in a slightly flustered manner and said, "No need, Brother Bei, I’ll just eat something else."

"Alright then," Chen Xiaobei nodded. He was only offering as a gesture of goodwill; he wasn't desperate for anyone to accept his favor. Since the other party declined, he wouldn't force it.

Wang Can glanced at Zhang Bailan, who had gone to buy steamed buns again, and after a moment of thought, suggested, "Don't bother with that fast food. Let’s go over there and order a few dishes to share. If we mix four meat dishes and two vegetable dishes, we won't waste the food you don't like."

"Hey, that’s a good idea." Chen Xiaobei remembered the scene where a whole bowl of beef rice had been dumped out last time; this approach was indeed more practical.

Before long, the three of them were sitting together with their trays. Wang Can eyed Zhang Bailan’s meal and joked with a smile, "Oh, steamed eggs today? Bailan, let me have a taste."

"Sure, it’s not bad. Try it," Zhang Bailan said, pushing his tray toward the center.

"Don't mind if I do." Wang Can reached out with his chopsticks while simultaneously sliding his and Chen Xiaobei’s shared meat and vegetable dishes into the center of the table. "You try ours too. Truth be told, it’s actually quite good."

At the same time, he gave Chen Xiaobei’s leg a gentle nudge under the table with his knee. Chen Xiaobei was startled for a second, then smiled in realization and reached out his chopsticks: "I’ll try these steamed eggs too, see what all the fuss is about."

"Hey, you two are going to finish it all!"

"Oh, it's just steamed eggs. Come on, try Chen Xiaobei’s pig ears."

"It’s cold-tossed pig ear, not my ears, okay?"

Without realizing it, the three of them had mixed their food together, eating and joking in high spirits. Chen Xiaobei suddenly recalled something his father had told him: when you feel very comfortable around someone, it means that person’s experience and emotional intelligence are far above your own.

Not long after, Yang Shuang rushed into the cafeteria, looking frantic. He scanned the dining area and hurried over to Wang Can’s table in just a few strides.

"Old Wang! Old Wang!" he shouted, panting, with beads of sweat on his forehead.

Wang Can set down his chopsticks and looked up in surprise: "What now? You’ve already become the monitor, why are you still in such a rush?"

"Don't even mention it," Yang Shuang said, plopping down into an empty seat. "Instructor Zheng suddenly asked me if someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes."

"The instructor could even tell that?" Zhang Bailan and Chen Xiaobei, who were in the middle of eating, both looked up in astonishment.

Wang Can remained calm and nodded slightly. "Not entirely unexpected. How did you answer?" Although Zheng Jun was young, he had experience. After spending many days with Yang Shuang, it was easy for him to spot the change in his leadership style. Wang Can couldn't be by Yang Shuang’s side to guide him every second, so some slip-ups were inevitable.

"I told him the truth," Yang Shuang scratched his head.

"Then it’s fine," Wang Can picked up his chopsticks again. "The boat has already sailed; he won't remove you easily."

"That’s true," Yang Shuang recalled. "Instructor Zheng told me to focus on being the monitor and said if I run into things I don't understand, I should consult you more often." He paused, lowering his voice: "But that’s not what I came to talk about."

"Then why the roundabout way of saying it?" Wang Can gave him a helpless look. "Get to the point."

Yang Shuang leaned in closer. "The instructor told me to recommend someone for the position of Youth League Secretary."

Hearing this, Wang Can tapped his chopsticks on the table, pondering for a moment. "I suspect Zheng Jun is leaning toward Shen Hongge or Guo Wanwan. After all, they have some influence among the students. When you go to see the instructor, it’s best to only mention those two names and let him decide."

He knew clearly that Shen Hongge and Guo Wanwan might have some personal connection with Zheng Jun. Furthermore, this was likely a test from Zheng Jun to see if Yang Shuang would abuse his power for personal vendettas. A university counselor didn't have the energy to manage student relations; he didn't want students complaining to him all the time, forcing him to play therapist.

"What if Instructor Zheng insists that I recommend one person specifically?" Yang Shuang asked, frowning.

Wang Can mused for a moment and said, "Then recommend Guo Wanwan."

"Shen Hongge is more mature than you; he doesn't wear his emotions on his sleeve. If you work together, you’ll easily be overshadowed by him. When the instructor has any good opportunities, you won't be the first one he thinks of."

"Although Guo Wanwan is always stern-faced, her emotions are written all over her face, which makes her easy to manage. Besides, our class has a female majority, so having a female class officer will make things more convenient."

At this point, Wang Can added specifically: "Of course, when you speak to the instructor, just emphasizing that last point is enough."

"Don't worry, I have that much sense," Yang Shuang said, feeling enlightened after Wang Can's analysis. In fact, if he had sat down and thought about it, he could have figured most of this out himself. But due to the habits formed over the past few days, his first instinct whenever he was indecisive was to consult Wang Can.

"But wouldn't that mean Shen Hongge..." Yang Shuang hesitated. For some reason, he felt that Shen Hongge was actually quite reliable.

Wang Can replied with an unruffled expression, "If you want to hold onto a position of power, you must be a fox, but also a wolf. A wolf needs no mercy."

"Understood."

Yang Shuang took a deep breath. Just as he was about to stand up, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure standing not far away.

"Jiang Zi? Why are you just standing there with your tray?"

"I, I..." Jiang Zi’s tongue tied itself in a knot. After stammering for a long time, she managed to squeeze out: "I just finished eating and was passing by, wanted to say hello... Hello, everyone."

As soon as she finished, she performed a ninety-degree bow to the four of them. "I have things to do, I’ll go now."

Before the words faded, she hurried away with her tray, leaving the four of them staring at each other in confusion.

"????"

"A ninety-degree bow, it looked like she was paying respects to the deceased..."

"Her food... she didn't even take a single bite, did she?"

"Abstract."

...

"Oh my god, I actually heard something like that..." Jiang Zi walked mechanically through the cafeteria aisle, muttering to herself unconsciously.

After the class committee elections today, Guo Wanwan’s expression hadn't looked good, and she had gone straight back to the dorm. Jiang Zi, who had come to the cafeteria alone, only realized after getting her food that every seat was taken. While scanning the room with her tray, she happened to spot Wang Can’s table. She had intended to ask to share the table, but just as she got halfway there, she saw Yang Shuang rush in. By the time she was close enough to hear, she had caught the conversation about Wang Can recommending Guo Wanwan for the Youth League Secretary position.

"What do I do? Should I tell Wanwan? Their relationship seems really bad." Jiang Zi was in a state of distress. After arriving in the strange city of Shenhai, it should have been a happy thing to meet two fellow townspeople in her class, but now they seemed to be at odds.

"It would be so much better if everyone got along. Getting into such a mess over a class officer position, it's like middle schoolers, so childish..." she muttered with a pout. Then, she sighed: "Forget it, mature people have to take on more responsibility. I’ll find a way to ease the tension between them."

Just as she was lost in thought, a loud voice from the cafeteria lady rang in her ear: "Little girl, are you on your period or something?"

"Huh? Period? What period?"

Jiang Zi looked up, bewildered, to see the lady in charge of the dish return staring at her, frowning at the untouched tray in her hands. She looked down and realized, to her shock, that she hadn't taken a single bite of her meal.

"Uh... I think I forgot to eat..."