Chapter 34 I Want Her to Have Me

Today was the official start of classes. After Wang Can gave a few brief instructions, he and Zhang Bailan hurried off to the teaching building.

Regardless of anything else, one must always take the first class of university seriously. Skipping class on the very first day would be far too reckless.

When they arrived, the classroom was already packed. The two classes of Business Administration, along with the Finance and International Trade majors from the Department of Economics, were all crammed into this tiered lecture hall. The first subject they were about to face was "Advanced Mathematics," a course that gave countless students endless headaches.

"That's him, the guy who sang 'Iron Rod' during the military training talent show."
"Wow, he’s actually quite good-looking."
"Don't even think about it. I heard he's already been claimed by the twins from the Art Department."

As soon as Wang Can stepped into the classroom, he felt hot gazes converging on him from all directions. His original song, which had stunned everyone during the military training performance, combined with the fact that the campus celebrities Qi Dong and Qi Xia had made a special trip to the parade ground to find him, had already made him quite famous within the Economics Department.

"Old Wang! Bailan! Over here!" Yang Shuang’s voice drifted from the back row as he waved his arms vigorously. Wang Can and Zhang Bailan followed the sound and walked quickly toward them. As they passed the seats of Guo Wanwan and Jiang Zi, Wang Can keenly sensed that Guo Wanwan’s gaze was somewhat peculiar, appearing to carry a hint of scrutiny.

"Where did you two run off to so early?" Chen Xiaobei glared at them with resentment. "Do you know what it feels like to wake up and realize you're the only one left in the dorm?"

When he had opened his eyes that morning, he found the beds of his three roommates empty and had jumped right out of bed in a panic. His first instinct was that these bastards had abandoned him to go to class. He hurriedly checked his phone, only to find it was just 7:30 AM. He even suspected his phone’s time was wrong and checked the Beijing time online before he finally relaxed.

"We went for a morning run. Are you coming tomorrow?" Wang Can gave Zhang Bailan a look, signaling him not to reveal the chicken shop business yet.

Chen Xiaobei yawned lazily. "No thanks. I’d rather sleep in."

"There’s a new female student today," Chen Xiaobei suddenly said with a mischievous grin. "Shuangzi says she’s an icy beauty, and her looks don't lose to Guo Wanwan. How about it, Old Wang? Interested?"

Yang Shuang leaned in and whispered, "I saw her get out of a Ferrari 458 this morning."

Wang Can was genuinely surprised to hear about a Ferrari 458. This classic mid-rear engine, 8-cylinder sports car cost over four million yuan even for a standard model.

Shanghai was truly the economic hub of China; the children of the wealthy were as common as dogs.

Noticing Wang Can’s expression, Chen Xiaobei teased, "Old Wang, why not make a move on a girl who is both rich and beautiful? Shuangzi has her contact info."

Wang Can curled his lip in disdain. He saw through these guys instantly—they were up to no good. If she were really that great, would they have left her for him? Moreover, Yang Shuang had said she "got out of a Ferrari," not that she "drove a Ferrari"; that detail was quite telling.

With a rough idea of the situation, Wang Can gave a dismissive "ha" and joked, "So what if she's rich and beautiful? I will always be the man she can never have."

Just as he finished speaking, a girl in the row ahead turned around and glanced at him. Wang Can didn't pay it any mind; he recognized her face—her name was Shi Qing, and she was definitely not the new arrival.

"Old Wang, your method of mental self-gratification is invincible," Chen Xiaobei quipped, then copied him, "By that logic, I am also the man your cousin can never have."

"As long as I can have her, that's enough."
"Damn, you're a real German."

Just as Wang Can and Chen Xiaobei were engaging in their friendly banter, a girl with long, center-parted hair appeared at the classroom door. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, and her long neck and straight back outlined perfect curves, exuding an elegance reminiscent of a ballet dancer. Her appearance instantly captured the attention of most of the room.

The boys began to whisper and gossip, with murmurs rising one after another.

"So elegant, what class is she in?"
"I want her full profile within three minutes, or none of you are walking out of this classroom alive."
"Just watch me try."

Yang Shuang poked Wang Can with his elbow. "That's her."

Wang Can looked the girl over carefully. Her beauty was indeed slightly superior to Guo Wanwan’s, on par with the twins Qi Dong and Qi Xia, though still a step behind Xia Kewei.

"Her name is Meng Nanxi," Yang Shuang continued in a low voice. "But she already has a boyfriend. That Ferrari this morning was her boyfriend's."

Wang Can chuckled. Just as he thought—a trap.

Meng Nanxi seemed accustomed to being the center of attention and walked toward the back of the classroom with a composed expression.

"Why do I get the feeling she's walking toward us?" Zhang Bailan said hesitantly, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Chen Xiaobei looked at Wang Can with a bitter face. "Old Wang, don't tell me she's another one of your fellow townspeople?" He clearly still had lingering trauma from when the twins visited during military training.

"I really don't know her," Wang Can shook his head.

Meng Nanxi finally stopped in the row ahead of them. The girl who had glanced back at Wang Can earlier immediately stood up with a smile. "Nanxi, you finally made it."

Meng Nanxi smiled faintly and nodded. "Qingqing, long time no see."

Before sitting down, the girl named Shi Qing gave Wang Can a meaningful look, then leaned over to whisper into Meng Nanxi’s ear. As she listened, Meng Nanxi casually glanced back at Wang Can as well.

"Pfft." Chen Xiaobei couldn't help but laugh, quickly covering his mouth. Soon after, Zhang Bailan and Yang Shuang couldn't hold it in either, their shoulders shaking with laughter as they leaned against their desks.

Wang Can was speechless. This was getting a bit embarrassing.

"Damn it, are you two doing this on purpose?"
"Really not," Yang Shuang replied, suppressing his laughter. "We didn't know you were going to brag like that."

Hearing this, Wang Can fished two fifty-cent coins out of his pocket and solemnly handed them to Yang Shuang and Chen Xiaobei.

"Take these two coins first."
The two subconsciously took the coins, looking confused. "What for?"
"I never hit someone who isn't armed."
"Screw you."

Just as the boys in the classroom were heatedly discussing Meng Nanxi, the bell for class suddenly rang. As another graceful figure appeared at the doorway, the entire classroom fell abruptly silent.

Another beauty!

But this time, the boys held their breath in unison, and even the girls couldn't hide their awe.

The figure stood about 1.7 meters tall, with a slender build and shoulder-length chestnut hair tucked slightly inward. A pair of golden clover earrings swayed gently with her steps, glinting with fine light amidst the shadows. Her features were as beautiful as a painting, the upward curve of her eyes carrying a touch of lazy allure, and her slightly pursed red lips hinted at an elusive smile.

Most captivating of all was the air of maturity about her—that elegance refined by time, which a naive young girl could never hope to imitate.

Chen Xiaobei, his neck stiff, felt his Adam's apple bob involuntarily. With a look of stunned disbelief, he whispered, "Old Wang, someone who doesn't lose to your cousin has finally appeared."

Wang Can nodded in agreement. "I’m going to make her have me."