Chapter 43: Grass Growing Everywhere

An ordinary sum of eight hundred thousand or a million RMB might not catch the attention of Zhang Jiujiang, who is in charge of entrepreneurial projects at Shanghai University.

However, a hundred million RMB a year is a completely different story. Even if Wang Can's project ultimately failed, the impact and ripples created by such a massive injection of capital would be impossible to ignore.

Moreover, anyone who could casually hand a hundred million RMB to his son for such a venture must possess an unimaginable network of connections and resources.

Zhang Jiujiang could not help but suspect whether Wang Can was merely a facade, and that the person truly interested in starting a live-streaming business was actually the student's father.

As for why they would go to such elaborate lengths, he could not figure it out for the moment.

Yet none of this mattered; Zhang Jiujiang only cared about his performance metrics and achievements.

Shanghai University was a rather unique institution.

Although it bore the prestigious name of "Shanghai," it was simply not in the same league as Peking University in Yan京.

It could not even match second-tier institutions like Wuhan University, Nanjing University, or Xiamen University, and was hardly held in high regard even by the locals.

Nevertheless, shielded by the golden signboard of "Shanghai," the university boasted first-rate faculty resources and policy support.

To put it more bluntly: it was wealthy.

Therefore, lacking nothing in terms of hardware facilities, Shanghai University craved fame and prestige above all else, second only to academic achievements.

Though prestige was difficult to quantify, it was vital to the school's overall evaluation.

This was precisely why Shanghai University had spared no expense in forcibly building up its Department of Art.

If they could cultivate a major enterprise originating from the school, providing preferential employment opportunities for Shanghai University graduates, it would further demonstrate the institution's competitive edge in the job market.

All of these factors directly influenced student enrollment and university rankings.

Furthermore, the incumbent Secretary of the Communist Youth League Committee of the university was set to retire next year, making this a critical period of intense competition between Zhang Jiujiang and the other two deputy secretaries.

If Wang Can's project really took off, it would undoubtedly be a monumental contribution to his record.

"Have you decided on a faculty advisor?" Zhang Jiujiang asked.

As the Deputy Secretary of the Youth League Committee, it was inappropriate for him to take on this role personally, as it might easily invite suspicion of a conflict of interest.

Shao Wenrun on the other side was equally unsuitable, given the nature of his position.

After a brief moment of thought, Wang Can replied, "Let's go with Professor Jiang Yixue."

The moment those words left his mouth, he keenly perceived that the gazes cast by Shao Wenrun and Zhang Jiujiang had shifted subtly.

They both wore an expression that clearly said, "As expected."

"Is there a problem with asking Professor Jiang?" Wang Can asked with a puzzled expression.

Zhang Jiujiang first shook his head, then nodded. "Of course it's fine, but she will need to agree to it personally and sign the application form."

"That shouldn't be a problem."

Wang Can shared the identity he had effortlessly acquired that morning, "I was just chosen by Professor Jiang to be the class representative for her course."

Zhang Jiujiang smiled without comment. "Then you should go give it a try. Once she signs, I will approve an office for you in the entrepreneurship center. As for recruitment, the Youth League Committee will issue an announcement, though you are also welcome to scout for talent within the campus. Any Shanghai University student who graduated within the past five years is eligible."

"Thank many thanks to both teachers."

After expressing his gratitude, Wang Can suddenly remembered something. "By the way, Teacher Zhang, are there any other outstanding teams from the school participating in this year's entrepreneurship competition? I'd like to go observe and learn from them."

As the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.

Zhang Jiujiang offhandedly remarked, "The Outstanding Engineers Association is currently working on an interior design website; you can go there to glean some insights."

"Understood."

Seeing that it was already past lunchtime, Wang Can sensibly refrained from mentioning anything about eating. He glanced at Zhang Jiujiang's desk and prepared to take his leave.

Just before he left, however, Zhang Jiujiang could not help but offer a parting reminder, "Wang Can, business is business, and romance is romance. The two can run parallel, but don't mix up your priorities."

"?"

Stepping out of the office, Wang Can only then belatedly realized he had been misunderstood.

The meaningful looks in the eyes of Zhang Jiujiang and Shao Wenrun clearly implied that he was just another young man using the pretext of entrepreneurship to pursue Professor Jiang.

It seemed this beautiful professor must have been pursued by quite a few people on campus, and undoubtedly some of them were wealthy second-generation students.

Fairness dictated that Jiang Yixue was indeed worthy of it; the intellectual charm radiating from her very core and the elegant poise in her every gesture made it difficult for anyone not to be moved.

Yet the word "pursue" felt far too vulgar.

Wang Can shook his head and turned toward Jiang Yixue's office, only to find the place empty.

After inquiring with the teaching assistant next door, he learned that she had undergraduate professional classes scheduled for the afternoon. Wang Can had no choice but to leave dejectedly, figuring he would come back tomorrow.

The foundation courses in the afternoon were dry and tedious, completely lacking any lecturer as stunning as Jiang Yixue.

Yang Shuang and Zhang Bailan pretended diligently to take notes, while Chen Xiaobei and Wang Can dozed off.

"This is definitely the first, and last, time I ever attend a full day of classes," Wang Can muttered to himself after nearly knocking his forehead against the desk.

He rubbed his aching eyes and noticed out of the corner of his eye that Yang Shuang, that straight-laced fellow, actually had another book tucked inside his textbook.

Looking closely, he saw the pages were densely covered with strange symbols.

"Shuangzi, what are you reading?"

Wang Can lowered his voice and leaned over with curiosity.

"The Book of Changes," Yang Shuang replied without even raising his head.

"?"

Wang Can wore a look of utter bewilderment. "Don't want to enter the imperial court anymore, looking to ascend to the heavenly court instead?"

He vaguely remembered this as a book about geomancy and divination.

"What are you even talking about?"

Yang Shuang finally raised his head and said, "I've suddenly started believing in fate lately. The more I think about it, the more I realize that winning against Shen Honghong and Guo Wanwan wasn't due to our strength at all; it was purely because I ended up sharing a dorm room with you."

"Shouldn't you be thanking me then?" Wang Can raised an eyebrow.

"No, it's purely because I have great fortune," Yang Shuang flipped a page with an expression of absolute certainty.

"Damn it!" Wang Can could not help cursing softly.

"Seriously, Big Bro Can, there is profound wisdom in this."

Yang Shuang suddenly grew enthusiastic. "How about I divine a fortune for you?"

"Sure, idle hands and all that."

Wang Can casually wrote his birth date on a slip of paper, curious to see what kind of nonsense Yang Shuang could conjure up.

Yang Shuang glanced at it and began flipping through the book, occasionally frowning in deep thought or gasping in shock, his expression as dramatic as a face-changing performance in Sichuan opera.

"Shuang, that expression of yours makes me very uneasy," Wang Can said with a hint of resignation.

"Quiet, I am comprehending the heavenly secrets," Yang Shuang said with the solemn air of a charlatan.

Wang Can rolled his eyes; it seemed the operational proficiency of this grassroots heavenly personnel still needed improvement.

Two minutes later, Yang Shuang finally put down the book and clicked his tongue in wonder, "Big Bro Can, I don't know if I misread it, but you might end up with three girlfriends in the future."

"Three? Then your divination is definitely wrong."

"I think so too, three is just ridiculous."

"No, I mean it's way too few."

"Damn it!"

The commotion between the two successfully roused the drowsy Chen Xiaobei.

"Old Wang having three girlfriends? Even more epic than my past track record? I refuse to believe it. Shuangzi, divine one for me too."

After another round of pretension involving frantic book-flipping and gasping, Yang Shuang curled his lip in disdain, "Dog Bei, you're going to be repeatedly tormented by a single woman in the future, and end up marrying her in the end."

"Damn it! I don't believe it."

"Brother Shuang, divine one for me too," Zhang Bailan chimed in, stepping closer.

"Uh... Bailan, you won't be able to get a wife until you're thirty."

"Damn it! Get lost."

The bell signaling the end of the final class rang out. After asking Yang Shuang which nearby restaurant tasted the best, Wang Can left the classroom alone.

He first made a patrol tour around the cafeteria stalls to confirm that operations were running smoothly, and only then did he set off toward the campus gates with peace of mind.

Tonight was the crucial moment to conquer Xia Kewei's... stomach.

He had to conquer this woman completely in one go so that he would have the opportunity to cook noodles for her in the future.