"Meng Yao, hello. I'm Qin Yu. How can I help you?" Qin Yu was somewhat taken aback by the attention he received. This beauty actually called out to him. At this moment, he could even sense the waves of jealousy emanating from the boys behind him.
"Qin, I really like to drink lotus seed porridge. I woke up late today, and the cafeteria has already sold out. Could you buy two bowls and sell one to me?" Meng Yao asked openly, her smile undiminished.
"To be honest, I don't really drink lotus seed porridge. I only bought it today because there was no mung bean porridge available. Since you like it, you can have both bowls." Qin Yu handed the bag containing the two bowls of lotus seed porridge to Meng Yao, completely forgetting the instructions given by the dormitory leader.
"Oh, Lao Si, I love lotus seed porridge the most. Don't forget to bring back two bowls for me when you go to the cafeteria."
"Well, thank you very much, Qin. " Meng Yao squinted her beautiful eyes, took the bag from Qin Yu, pondered for a moment, and a cunning glint flashed across her eyes. She took out a bamboo steamer of small steamed buns from the bag and said, "Let's exchange this bamboo steamer of steamed buns with you. After all, I don't really like eating steamed buns."
...
"Lao Si, didn't I ask you to buy lotus seed porridge for me? Why did you bring back a bamboo steamer of steamed buns?"
"I went late, and the lotus seed porridge was sold out. Having these steamed buns to eat is already good enough. No need to be picky." Qin Yu took a bite of the meat bun, sipped his soy milk, and without turning his head, he replied.
"Sis, the small steamed buns for today are sold out. I ended up getting an extra bowl of lotus seed porridge. Do you want it?" On the other side, Meng Yao returned to the women's dormitory and shouted at a girl who was doing her makeup.
"They sold out so quickly, huh? Did all the beasts in the school suddenly turn vegetarian today?"
...
That was their first encounter, and later, when they were together, they couldn't help but laugh every time they talked about it. Meng Yao would mischievously stick out her tongue and say, "You looked like a fool back then!"
Their second encounter with Meng Yao took place at a dormitory gathering. It turned out that the dormitory leader of Qin Yu's dorm and the dormitory leader of Meng Yao's dorm were actually from the same hometown. Through the negotiation between the two dormitory leaders, they arranged a dormitory gathering, which was more like a party where the boys would spend money to treat the girls to a meal, get to know each other, and see if there were any potential connections to explore.
Qin Yu vividly remembered his surprise when he saw Meng Yao again. At that time, Meng Yao was wearing a white dress, with her long hair flowing, and her beautiful face examining Qin Yu's dormitory of four people. Especially when her gaze fell upon Qin Yu, it was accompanied by a radiant and enchanting smile.
Qin Yu's heart skipped several beats uncontrollably. He was about to greet her when he noticed Meng Yao's beautiful eyes subtly winking at him, signaling him not to mention that they knew each other.
With a stunning beauty like Meng Yao around, the expressions of Qin Yu's dormitory mates were filled with excitement. Meng Yao's three roommates were also quite attractive, considered above average in looks. However, they paled in comparison when standing next to the dazzling presence of Meng Yao.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was lively. Qin Yu's roommates were eager to impress the girls, and they didn't refuse any toast from the girls. Before long, the second and third roommates were already lying down, unable to handle the alcohol. Seeing this, the dormitory leader knew it wouldn't do. How could they let the enemy go unscathed while their side suffered a complete defeat?
So, the dormitory leader, displaying the shrewdness of a southerner, grasped the essence of guerrilla warfare. He managed to drink three girls under the table all by himself before finally succumbing and patting his own shoulder before collapsing onto the table.
The only ones left sober at the table were Meng Yao and Qin Yu. They locked eyes and burst into laughter. Just moments ago, the dormitory leader had mentioned his love for lotus seed porridge, while the dormitory leader of Meng Yao's dorm had expressed her fondness for the small steamed buns from the second cafeteria.
Meng Yao laughed so much that her delicate body trembled, and it took her a while to regain control. Qin Yu, on the other hand, felt somewhat embarrassed, especially when the beautiful girl in front of him laughed, causing her ample bosom to rise and fall continuously. Occasionally, her fair and tender hand would pat her chest, making his face involuntarily blush.
...
When Qin Yu returned to the dormitory at night, he couldn't fall asleep. His mind was filled with images of Meng Yao – her every expression and smile at the dining table, her serene demeanor while holding a glass of juice, and her playful manner of toasting the guys at the drinking table.
"I have fallen in love with Meng Yao. I want to pursue her!"
Qin Yu's bold declaration startled his roommates. They exchanged glances, and the third roommate closed the door. The second roommate pulled out a book from under the computer, which happened to be "Marxism."
The eldest roommate, with a serious tone, gestured for Qin Yu to sit down, while the second and third roommates gathered nearby. The eldest roommate cleared his throat and exclaimed loudly, "The second general assembly of Dorm 208 is now in session. There are four representatives present out of four. All decisions made during this meeting will be recorded in the Code of Conduct for Dorm 208."
The meeting started with a practical approach and fully utilized democratic principles. From collectivism to the "Eight Honors and Eight Shames," a comprehensive criticism of Qin Yu unfolded. The aim was to make him deeply realize how detrimental it is to abandon collectivism in pursuit of personal happiness. Such behavior, prioritizing personal interests over the collective, should not be encouraged within a united and friendly community like Dorm 208. This...
The eldest roommate's words flowed eloquently; indeed, he was a member of the school debate team. After promising to take care of buying breakfast for the dormitory for a week as a favor to Qin Yu, the eldest roommate changed the topic. The assembly's focus swiftly shifted from criticizing Qin Yu's desire for personal gain and undermining collectivism to promoting the ideals of "getting rich first and then helping others" and the collective pursuit of a well-off society. During the meeting, everyone also gave suggestions on how Qin Yu could "get rich first."
However, the ideas proposed by this group of guys were simply unreliable, and Qin Yu rejected each one. In the end, he managed to obtain Meng Yao's phone number through a connection with the eldest roommate, who hailed from the same hometown as Qin Yu.
"I really like you. Can I pursue you?"
This was the first text message Qin Yu sent to Meng Yao. When he later talked about this with his roommates, the third roommate sighed deeply, saying, "The renowned campus belle of Nanchang University, without playing hard to get, was easily won over. If only I had made the first move!"
Indeed, Meng Yao quickly replied to Qin Yu's message with just a few simple words: "Well, you can try pursuing me then!"
And so, the relationship between Qin Yu and Meng Yao began. They often went to classes together, visited the library together, strolled around the campus together, and participated in club activities together.
...
"Qin Yu, do you know why I came to find you this time?"
Meng Fang and Qin Yu moved to a nearby banyan tree, and Meng Fang's direct question snapped Qin Yu back from his reverie.
"I can guess a bit."
Qin Yu nodded, not denying it. In fact, he wasn't surprised at all that Meng Yao's brother had found him. He had a hunch about it, and that's why he had gone on a trip, with the intention of avoiding any confrontation.
Since that's the case, I'll be straightforward. You and Yao Yao are not suitable for each other. It's better if you break up, and I don't want you to have any contact with her in the future!"
Meng Fang's voice carried a hint of indifference as he stared at Qin Yu.
"Is this your idea or Meng Yao's?"
Ignoring the piercing gaze, Qin Yu countered with a question.
"Whether it's my idea or Yao Yao's, the point is you two are not suitable."
"Although you are Meng Yao's brother, I don't think you can make decisions on her behalf. Only the parties involved have the right to determine suitability!"
"It seems that Yao Yao hasn't told you about our family situation," Meng Fang raised an eyebrow and said, "Regardless of how you look at it, you cannot be with my sister. The difference between the two of you is too great."
"Is the difference you're referring to related to social status?"
"Qin Yu, you're a smart person. I believe that after spending so much time with my sister, you should have guessed that our family is not an ordinary one. Often, marriages need to consider compatibility in terms of social background. Give up on this, and as long as you promise to break up with my sister and stop contacting her, I can arrange a secure position for you in your hometown, in any department of your choice."
Meng Fang's tone suddenly changed as he presented a significant condition.
"Haha, so if I don't agree to break up, not only will I not receive that secure position, but I'll also face retaliation from your side, right?"
Qin Yu smirked, his eyes fixed firmly on Meng Fang.
"I hope it doesn't come to that."
Meng Fang didn't deny it. He looked into the distance and spoke softly, "Qin Yu, Yao Yao is my younger sister. As her elder brother, I have loved and cared for her since childhood. I also want her to lead a happy and fulfilling life."
"Happiness! Fulfillment! Is tearing us apart what will make her happy? Will it bring her fulfillment?"
Qin Yu roared. He felt a fire burning in his chest, and the veins on his hands were bulging. He forcefully suppressed the urge to throw a punch at Meng Fang's face. These people only cared about social status and family background; there was no sense of familial love whatsoever.
"You didn't grow up in a family like ours, so you wouldn't understand. But in any case, I'm doing this for the sake of both of you. It's better to endure short-term pain than prolonged suffering. This is the only way to end it."
"You want me to break up with Meng Yao simply because my family background doesn't match up to the Meng family. But who can guarantee that I won't succeed one day, despite not being born into a privileged family?"
Meng Fang smiled, amused by Qin Yu's ignorance. Qin Yu didn't understand the influence of the Meng family, so how could he comprehend the difficulties of reaching such heights? As the first guy Meng Yao ever liked, Meng Fang didn't want to resort to force against Qin Yu. It would be best if he could make Qin Yu back down. Thus, he spoke:
"Since you're so confident, I can give you a chance. If you can earn my approval within two years, I will allow you to continue your relationship with my sister, and I will even help you resolve any objections from other members of the Meng family."
"You might think that I'm just using delay tactics, but I can assure you that after Yoyo graduates, I will arrange for her to study abroad for two years. If you can earn my approval during these two years, I will no longer stand in your way when Yoyo returns."
As Mengfang said this, his tone shifted, "However, if after two years you fail to gain my approval, Yoyo will participate in the arranged blind dates by our family. And I hope you won't appear in front of her again."
"In two years, I will personally come to your Meng family and take Yoyo away!"
Qin Yu glanced deeply at Mengfang and then turned and left. He currently lacked the strength to contend with the Meng family, but he had confidence that with the wisdom of the ancient text "Zhu Ge's Inner Canon," he could carve out his own path.
"Aren't you afraid that I'm just giving you empty words?" Mengfang called out, perplexed as he watched Qin Yu leave so decisively.
"You won't," Qin Yu replied.
From the moment Qin Yu laid eyes on Mengfang, he automatically observed him using the physiognomy described in "Zhu Ge's Inner Canon": observing one's appearance, looking for features that are well-proportioned and full, avoiding sunken or sharp features, evaluating the vitality and spirit. Mengfang possessed strong and long eyebrows, a well-rounded forehead, and a healthy and radiant appearance. People with such features were generally upright individuals who scorned cunning deception.
"But you should be more careful while driving recently!" Qin Yu offered a final kind-hearted reminder. He observed the slight grayish color on Mengfang's cheekbones, as they say, when the cheekbones resemble ink, there's a susceptibility to accidents. Judging by this color, it indicated a minor accident, so it probably wasn't something serious. Nevertheless, regardless of the circumstances, Mengfang was still Yoyo's older brother.