Chapter 65: Jiang Wanyi Is Here

At noon, an Audi Q5 pulled up in front of the Information School building.

The door opened, and Jiang Wanyi stepped out wearing black cropped trousers and a knitted cardigan, heading straight for the third-floor office.

Knock, knock, knock—

Standing at the doorway, Jiang Wanyi smiled and tapped on the door.

Hearing the sound, the teachers working inside all looked toward the entrance.

"Teacher Jiang!"

The first to stand up was a short-haired female teacher named Xue Li, an administrative staff member in the Information School's Academic Affairs Department. She was the one who had previously notified Jiang Wanyi about compiling the premium course materials.

Following her were other female teachers, while the remaining male teachers kept a certain distance and greeted her from behind.

"It really is too hard to catch a glimpse of you these days. Raising a child at home must be exhausting, right?" another female teacher asked.

"Don't even mention it. I honestly feel like stuffing her back in. I haven't found a suitable nanny yet either; I'd rather spend all day cooped up in the laboratory."

"Will you still be able to come back to teach next semester? Isn't this right when she needs you the most?"

"I've already taken a whole semester off. If I don't return next semester, the dean is going to fire me," Jiang Wanyi said with a smile.

"You're a core pillar here. Even if the dean fires all of us, he wouldn't dare fire you."

"There's no need to exaggerate like that."

Before it was time for the meeting, Jiang Wanyi chatted with several female teachers.

The conversation naturally revolved around raising and caring for children. The male teachers occasionally chimed in, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

At one o'clock in the afternoon, Jiang Wanyi and several other teachers from the Information School headed to the conference room.

The agenda of the meeting was also about the premium courses.

The specific workload would be overseen by Jiang Wanyi and then submitted to the director of teaching and research for review.

When working, Jiang Wanyi's demeanor became much more serious, with not a trace of a smile on her face.

Little did she know that the classroom where Chen Yuan was attending class was just a few dozen meters away in a straight line.

...

While Jiang Wanyi was laying down the law with a stern face in the conference room...

In the Advanced Physics class, Chen Yuan tried listening to the lecture, but couldn't understand a single thing.

Even with his improved comprehension and memory, facing this level of top-tier mental cultivation was still a bit of a stretch.

However, when studying foreign languages, he could clearly feel that his efficiency had improved significantly, and his speed in memorizing things was much faster. If he put in some effort, he might actually have a chance to pass the CET-4 next semester.

Now the old Chen family had two college students, both from ordinary universities, sitting at about the same tier.

If he could pass the CET-4, he would rank one tier higher than his younger cousin, allowing him to stand in the center position during tomb-sweeping festivals.

After class, Chen Yuan and the other three walked toward the dormitory.

"Boss, look, isn't that Fang Youngning?" Liu Shiyu said quietly.

Following the direction of his finger, Fang Youngning was walking toward them, accompanied by Fan Siyu, who was holding a fruit tea.

She wore blue jeans, a pair of black ankle boots, her hair naturally cascading down her back, and a white blouse on top, giving off the vibe of a mature senior student.

"Ningning, I'll go first then. I won't play the third wheel here."

Fan Siyu smiled ambiguously, causing Fang Youngning's face to flush red.

"Stop talking nonsense..."

"Whether it's nonsense or not, only you two know. I'm off."

Fan Siyu left, and Liu Shiyu along with the other two tactfully departed as well, with Chen Yuan having them take his books up to the dorm first.

"Um..."

The blush on Fang Youngning's face had not yet faded. "The competition is starting soon, I'm heading to Room 201. Are you coming?"

"Sure, let's go."

The two walked side by side, Fang Youngning's heart beating a little fast as she searched for a topic of conversation.

"Do you remember my little nephew?"

"I do. We share the bond of having flicked each other's little guys..."

"You were just bullying a kid," Fang Youngning said shyly.

"My sister messaged me saying that the little nephew always talks about you at home, calling you 'that uncle,' and wants to play with you."

Changing her little nephew's diaper last time had directly triggered a passive quest. If there was a chance, it might be worth interacting with her little nephew.

"I'll take your little nephew out to play when I have time."

"Mmm-hmm."

Soon, the two arrived at Room 201, and the other participants had not yet arrived.

"I've found your accompaniment music. Do you want to try it out?" Fang Youngning asked.

"No need, we'll just go straight for it. No foreplay required."

"Your standard is quite high, it's fine even if you don't practice," Fang Youngning said affirmatively.

"Besides, I think you'll easily make the top 15. You can start thinking about what to sing for the finals now."

"If I really do make it through, I'll sing an English song to bluff people."

An English children's song was still an English song; he had to put on a good front first.

"An English song!"

Fang Youngning acted as if she had discovered a new continent. "Then your English must be very great, right?"

"89 points on the college entrance exam."

"Oh."

Chen Yuan: ???

"Your attack power is a bit too strong."

"No, no, no, I didn't mean anything by it," Fang Youngning quickly explained. "I only scored 141."

"What kind of deep grudge is this, still coming in for the kill shot?"

"I, I really didn't mean it that way..."

Realizing she had said the wrong thing, Fang Youngning hurriedly explained: "I mean, I didn't do that well either, I underperformed..."

Chen Yuan: ...

Your opponent kicks you, then stabs you with a knife, and spits on you as they walk away.

"My pride is hurt. I'm leaving..."

"Hey, hey, hey... Don't go, I'm apologizing to you... I'm sorry."

Fang Youngning was very sincere, even bowing at the waist.

"No need, no need..."

A woman's waist was meant for swaying, not bending.

"I haven't taken a single sip of this fruit tea yet, I'll give it to you."

"That's so embarrassing."

"Yet you've already taken it."

"Don't mind such minor details."

Holding the straw, he prepared to puncture the seal of the fruit tea cup. It was a bit troublesome; he poked it several times, almost bending the straw, before finally piercing all the way through.

Taking a fierce gulp, it refreshed him all the way to his soul. It was a bit chilly, but very satisfying and thoroughly relieved his fatigue.

This feeling definitely couldn't be compared to some naive green plum juice.

"Can I ask you a question?" Fang Youngning asked quietly.

"I used to love..."

"Huh?"

Fang Youngning's face turned slightly red. They had only just met not long ago, why was he suddenly saying such weird things?

"Just dropping an old meme, go ahead and ask."

"Do you remember the day we met at the underground shopping mall?"

"You mean the day you tried to grab me?"

"No, no, no, I wasn't trying to grab you that day," Fang Youngning's face turned even redder as she hurriedly explained. "But I am talking about that day."

"And then? What do you want to ask?"

"Didn't we change my little nephew's diaper together? I feel like you're very experienced, could you teach me?"

"Isn't it a bit early for you to learn this?"

"My sister is going on a business trip this weekend, and I'm going over to help take care of him. I need to master some experience in this area."

"Well..."

Chen Yuan sipped on his fruit tea. "Just talking about it won't make you understand. When you actually run into a problem, just message me, or video call works too."

"Can I video call you?"

What kind of question was that?

"You can even video record it with me, what's wrong with just a video call?"

"We can record together too?"

"You seem more excited than I am..."

"No, no, no, not at all..."

As time drew closer, people trickled into the room. To avoid suspicion, Fang Youngning went up to the podium to get the accompaniment ready.

His phone buzzed a few times with messages from Jiang Wanyi.

Jiang Wanyi: "A huge maternity store just opened in Qingyue City. I want to take you to check it out."

Jiang Wanyi: "We can arrange other things with the remaining time."

Chen Yuan calculated the time. The top 30 to 15 competition started at 4:30 PM. If he requested an earlier spot in the lineup, he should be done pretty quickly.

Chen Yuan: "Are you done with your stuff?"

Jiang Wanyi: "Still need a little longer, but I'm heading back home first to clear out some inventory. Sneaky smile.JPG"

Prompted by Chen Yuan, Jiang Wanyi had started referring to her personal assets as inventory.

Jiang Wanyi: "Then we'll grab dinner together. How does that sound?"

Chen Yuan: "Totally fine. What about the time?"

Jiang Wanyi: "Around 5:30. I'll come pick you up then."

Chen Yuan: "Too much trouble, let's save some time. Meet at Qingyue City at 6:00."

Jiang Wanyi: "Okay."

Just as he put his phone down, someone spoke to him.

"Brother Yuan, you're here so early."

It was He Xiaoxi and Li Yong'an.

He Xiaoxi's outfit fit the image of a female college student perfectly: a plain-colored dress with a bow tied in her hair, looking pure and innocent.

Li Yong'an: Meh.

"Why are you guys here?"

"We haven't figured out what to film yet, so our first video is going to start with you," Li Yong'an said.

"You're going to film me? Didn't we agree on sexy content? I was planning to go observe live."

"That's for later. Since we have such a good opportunity now, we have to make use of it." As he spoke, Li Yong'an had already pulled out the equipment.

"This gadget looks decent. It must have cost a pretty penny, right?"

"This is a DJI. A second-hand one still cost 380. After buying it, our department budget is down to 20 bucks. Whether our channel takes off depends entirely on you," Li Yong'an said.

"Put the remaining 20 into boosting my post on Douyin. Money must be spent on the cutting edge."

"No problem."

Bzz-bzz-bzz—

Chen Yuan's phone vibrated. It was a message from Fang Youngning.

Fang Youngning: "Li Dongyang put you at number one on the list."

Chen Yuan didn't know much about the inside tricks, but he knew that going first didn't seem like a good thing.

This was clearly bullying. I'm feeling blue.

Chen Yuan: "No matter. I alone shall suppress all enemies."

Around 4:30 PM, almost all the participants had arrived, with only a few showing up a couple of minutes late due to having classes during the second period of the afternoon.

In addition to them, there was also a female teacher.

She looked to be in her early thirties, with hair that wasn't very long and fair looks, though far inferior to the mature beauty. After entering, she greeted the students present and took a seat in the front row.

The top 30 to 15 competition officially began.

"That female teacher is Liu Dan. She works in the University Youth League Committee, graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and I heard she's very capable," He Xiaoxi said.

"Someone who studied music coming to work at our school? Wouldn't that be a reserved nepotism spot?"

"Probably not. The Youth League Committee job belongs to the administrative track, which doesn't have strict major requirements. She might just be genuinely outstanding; I heard she even has a doctorate."

"Then she must be really impressive..."

After learning about Liu Dan's background, Chen Yuan felt like his product line was getting richer.

Although it was a science and engineering university, it still needed people who could guide literary and artistic work, otherwise, there wouldn't even be a competent person to direct cultural activities when they arose.

"Hey, hey, hey..."

Li Dongyang held the microphone, tested the sound, and said:

"The 32nd Campus Singer Competition of the University of Science and Technology, the top 30 to 15 match, now begins. Next, let's invite Teacher Liu Dan to say a few words..."

Like a proper event, Li Dongyang gave a short speech. With Liu Dan present, there was no fluff, and as soon as he finished, he handed over the microphone.

"Students, being able to make it to the top 30 means you are all exceptionally outstanding. For today's competition, don't be nervous, just strive to secure your spot for the next round..."

Liu Dan didn't say much. Despite her short hair, her voice gave people a gentle feeling.

With the opening concluded, the official competition began, with Fang Youngning acting as the emcee.

"Next, let's welcome Chen Yuan from the School of Information Engineering and Computer Science, singing the song 'Luben Hua'."

Hearing that someone was going to sing 'Luben Hua', a wave of skeptical murmurs broke out in the multimedia classroom, and everyone's eyes fell upon Chen Yuan.

In an occasion like this, everyone tacitly assumed pop songs would be sung; a song like 'Luben Hua' didn't really fit this kind of stage.

"I've seen him play basketball, he's so handsome. I didn't expect him to sing too."

"Singing a song like this in a competition makes him seem like a pure person."

"I know how to sing 'Luben Hua' too, my grandma taught it to me."

Are you guys from Ionia or what?

Amidst the discussions, Chen Yuan stepped up to the front.

"Hello teacher, the song I am going to sing is 'Luben Hua'..."

"Alright, you may begin."

The prelude sounded.

"Ah~~~"

"Night after night, I recall my mother's words, the twinkling tearful light of the Luben Hua~~~"

"Stars in the sky don't speak, children on earth miss their mothers~~~"

"Eyes in the sky blink and blink, a mother's heart is like the Luben Hua~~~"

Hearing Chen Yuan's humming, Liu Dan suddenly raised her head.

Amateurs watch the fun, professionals watch the craft. While others were just listening for amusement, Liu Dan looked at Chen Yuan seriously, a flash of amazement appearing in her eyes.

Singing this well right off the bat as the very first act?

This year's freshmen really are quite something.

"Tea gardens in my hometown bloom with flowers, a mother's darling is far away at the horizon..."

"Night after night, I recall my mother's words, the twinkling tearful light of the Luben Hua~~~"

...

"Ah~~~ Night after night, I recall my mother's words, the twinkling tearful light of the Luben Hua~~~"

As the song finished, the accompaniment stopped.

Just as Liu Dan was about to offer a few words of critique, she heard Chen Yuan speak up:

"Teacher Liu, can I leave now that I'm done singing?"

Got a date to catch, goodbye to you all~~~