Chen Yang stopped what he was doing and looked at Su He, asking:
"What's wrong?"
Su He frowned slightly and said:
"I just remembered, Fang Jing called me last night, asking me to join the calligraphy and painting club's summer field trip. We'll be staying overnight on Pingdan Island. I don't really want to go, but she insisted on dragging me along..."
Fang Jing was Su He's best friend from her dorm, a bit of a fangirl, and liked Shen Tu Fan, the president of the calligraphy and painting club. Su He joined the club because she couldn't resist Fang Jing's encouragement, and ended up being relentlessly pursued by Shen Tu Fan. This time, Fang Jing also didn't want to miss this opportunity to get close to Shen Tu Fan, but most of the members of the calligraphy and painting club were art students, so she kept pestering Su He to come along.
Now that her grandmother was in Rongcheng, Su He actually didn't want to travel far and just wanted to spend more time with her grandmother. However, being an easygoing person, she couldn't resist Fang Jing's persistent pleading and agreed yesterday out of a moment of weakness. Deep down, though, she felt a slight resistance.
Furthermore, Chen Yang knew about Shen Tu Fan's pursuit of Su He, and they had even had some conflicts recently, both in the calligraphy and painting club and later during a soccer game. Su He was worried that Chen Yang would be unhappy.
Unexpectedly, Chen Yang chuckled and said,
"Going on a field trip is a good thing! Go ahead! With Aunt Wu taking care of things, you don't need to worry about Grandma."
"But..." Su He wanted to say that the activity was organized by Shen Tu Fan, but hesitated.
"Silly girl, participating in more club activities is good for broadening your horizons. University life is so rich and colorful; you should know how to enjoy it!" Chen Yang seemed like a different person, speaking carefree.
Since Chen Yang had already said that, Su He didn't say anything more. However, thinking about work, a hint of worry crossed her face as she said,
"That means I'll have to take another day off from the bar. I've been taking so many days off lately; I wonder if Boss Zhou will be unhappy!"
Chen Yang put his things away, closed the trunk, and said,
"I was just about to say that! Let's get in the car!"
The two got into the car separately. While fastening his seatbelt, Chen Yang said,
"Su He, I've been wanting to discuss this with you for a while. The job at the bar takes up too much of your free time, and the pay isn't high. Now that Grandma's here in Rongcheng, you should spend more time with her in the evenings; it'll help her recover. So, why don't you just quit the bar job?"
Su He was slightly tempted, but quickly shook her head and said,
"What you say makes sense, but the bar salary is quite good. Now that Grandma's here, expenses will be even higher. Quitting… Chen Yang, I know your financial situation is much better now, but I really can't keep spending your money." "!"
Chen Yang turned the steering wheel and drove the car out of the parking space, skillfully driving as he said,
"I knew you'd say that. Su He, I never said I'd support you like this forever. Now I have some funds, and I'll have another sum coming in soon, so I want to start my own business. Xiao Yi going to the training school every day is something I arranged, to prepare him for his future business. Xiao Yi has been helping me so much, you're my closest person, so you can't shirk your responsibility when the time comes!"
Su He heard "closest person"... The words "close friend" made her blush slightly, but her heart was filled with sweetness. Seeing this, Chen Yang pressed his advantage, saying,
"Think about it! If I start my own company, and you don't come to help, but instead go work at someone else's bar, that doesn't make sense, right? So I suggest you quit your job first. You can spend more time with Grandma during this time. Once my company is up and running, you'll be very busy!"
"But... what can I do? I haven't even graduated from university yet!" Su He hesitated for a moment, but she was already moved by Chen Yang's suggestion. Chen Yang laughed heartily:
"The position I most want to give you is, of course…the boss's wife!"
Su He blushed deeply, playfully slapping Chen Yang's arm and whispering, "Stop being so glib! We're talking business!"
Chen Yang immediately became serious:
"Su He, there are many things you can do. With the company newly established, the position of legal counsel is crucial, as we'll have a large number of contracts and agreements, all requiring highly knowledgeable individuals to oversee them. I'll definitely be overwhelmed. You're a top student from law school, so this can serve as your graduation internship! Also, I hope you can manage the company's finances; after all, that's the boss's wife's job…"
As he spoke, Chen Yang's old habit resurfaced, and he started rambling on. Su He couldn't help but roll her eyes at him. Over this period, Su He had developed a high degree of immunity to Chen Yang's glibness.
Chen Yang's words successfully persuaded Su He. After a long silence, she finally nodded slightly. Overjoyed, Chen Yang drove Su He to an elegant Western restaurant, where they enjoyed a romantic getaway before returning to the villa.
In the afternoon, Su He woke from her nap, packed a few changes of clothes, and prepared to meet up with the calligraphy and painting club at Rong University. Passing Chen Yang's room, Su He paused, noticing the quietness inside. Thinking he might still be napping, she didn't disturb him and left the villa alone, taking a bus from the community entrance to Rong University.
Rong University North Gate.
A bus was parked in the plaza at the entrance. Fang Jing, dressed in a light white t-shirt, a light purple sun hat, and a playful ponytail, looked youthful and vibrant. While everyone else was enjoying the air conditioning on the bus, Fang Jing stood alone in the blazing sun, fanning herself and looking around.
When Fang Jing saw Su He getting off the bus, she waved enthusiastically and shouted, "Su He, over here!"
After saying that, Fang Jing ran to Su He's side, took her arm, and said, "Girl! That's so kind of you! Get on the bus, we're just waiting for you."
Su He glanced at Fang Jing helplessly. She had only participated in this field trip because she couldn't resist Fang Jing's persistent pleading; she wasn't really willing.
The two boarded the bus and immediately felt a cool breeze. Shen Tu Fan, sitting behind the driver, brightened up when he saw Su He get on, and said with a beaming smile, "Su He's here? There's an empty seat, sit here!"
Shen Tu Fan was wearing a complete white Versace casual suit today, his hair was clearly freshly styled and sprayed with gel, and he smelled faintly of men's cologne. He had a rather handsome and dashing air about him, but the moment Su He saw him, she couldn't help but recall the day on the basketball court when Chen Yang had smacked his face until it was a mess, and she almost burst out laughing.
Su He frowned slightly. Looking around, the 45-seat bus was already packed. Only the seat next to Shen Tu Fan was empty, and across the aisle sat a female art student alone. Without a second thought, Su He strode over to the seat next to the girl and said casually,
"Thank you, President Shen Tu, I'll sit here."
Shen Tu Fan gave a slightly awkward dry laugh, while Fang Jing was overjoyed. Now there was only one seat left, which meant she could sit next to Senior Shen Tu! Fang Jing glanced gratefully at Su He, thinking to herself, Su He was so kind! Shen Tu Fan glanced at Fang Jing, then at Su He. Though somewhat unwilling, he couldn't show it, so he stood up and said awkwardly,
"Um... Fang Jing, you... you can sit inside by the window, the view is better..."
This way, Shen Tu Fan would be separated from Su He by only an aisle. Although not sitting together, it was better than nothing. Fang Jing, however, misunderstood, thinking Shen Tu Fan was thoughtfully considering her needs. She immediately nodded happily and stepped inside to sit by the window.
After sitting down, Shen Tu Fan said to the driver,
"Driver, everyone's here, let's go!"
"Okay!" the driver cheerfully agreed, and the bus slowly started moving, pulling out of the north gate of Rongda University.
The bus passed through the city and entered the ring road, gradually increasing its speed. The students in the calligraphy and painting club were in high spirits, chatting happily, some even singing a song. The bus was filled with the sounds of singing, brimming with youthful energy.
At this moment, a thin boy sitting behind Shen Tu Fan stood up and said loudly:
"Classmates, this field trip was made possible entirely by President Shen Tu using his personal connections. He also secured a lot of sponsorships, including transportation and accommodation, so none of you have to pay a penny. I suggest we give him a warm round of applause to express our gratitude!"
"Great!"
"Thank you, President Shen Tu!"
"Haha! President is awesome!"
The students responded with applause, some even showering him with compliments.
This thin boy was named Su Qing, a staunch follower of Shen Tu Fan. Knowing Shen Tu Fan's feelings for Su He, he opportunely stepped forward to flatter him, giving Shen Tu Fan a chance to impress Su He.
Shen Tu Fan stood up and nodded slightly to everyone, a hint of smugness on his face. Su Qing continued,
"Classmates, let's welcome President Shen Tu to sing a song for everyone! How about it?"
"Okay!"
"President, give us one!"
Young people love to cheer, and everyone responded enthusiastically at Su Qing's suggestion. Shen Tu Fan didn't refuse, clearing his throat and saying,
"Alright, then I'll sing 'The Era of Flowing White Robes' for everyone, dedicated to our wonderful university days, and also to the girl I like!"
As he spoke, Shen Tu Fan's eyes glanced at Su He, a self-satisfied smile playing on his lips. Su He, however, frowned, turning her gaze to the car window, her dislike for Shen Tu Fan growing even stronger. Objectively speaking, Shen Tu Fan's singing voice was not bad, but after hearing Chen Yang sing in the bar, Su He found Shen Tu Fan's singing somewhat effeminate. Chen Yang's slightly hoarse voice, carrying the marks of time, sounded much better.
This was a case of loving the house because of the owner.
After more than two hours, including a ferry ride, the bus finally arrived at the Qiankun Resort on Pingdan Island, where the calligraphy and painting group was staying.
Su He absentmindedly followed Fang Jing off the bus, feeling listless. In Su He's opinion, coming to an island in the sweltering heat for a sketching trip was less appealing than staying home with her grandmother and Chen Yang…
Just then, out of the corner of her eye, Su He caught sight of a familiar Audi Q7 SUV. She immediately turned her head and saw a tall, muscular young man in Adidas casual wear leaning against the hood, grinning mischievously at her.
Suhe's lips immediately curved into a beautiful smile, revealing two lovely, white teeth. Even the island's sunlight seemed to brighten because of her smile…