After completing ten laps around the playground, Chen Hansheng's underwear was soaked through, but when he returned, several of the boys gave him a thumbs-up. They didn't necessarily understand the deeper meaning behind his actions, but they were grateful that Chen Hansheng had protected their hair from the military training punishment.
Even Jin Yangming secretly came over and said with admiration, "Chen bro, you were amazing standing up to the instructor like that."
"What do you mean, standing up to the instructor?" Chen Hansheng didn't want to deepen any conflict between the class and the instructor, so he casually cursed, "That idiot, Zhu Chenglong, couldn't even tie his hair up properly and made me run 10 extra laps."
He said this on purpose so Zhu Chenglong would hear. Zhu Chenglong turned around and grinned, "Hey, Class Leader, I'll treat you to dinner tonight."
Yang Shichao, hearing this, quickly added, "Don't forget about your old uncle Yang."
This incident was easily brushed aside, and with Chen Hansheng's subtle handling, there was no lasting negative impact.
Hu Linyu witnessed the entire situation and felt a lot of pressure. It seemed that the boys were already united under Chen Hansheng, and now it looked like she would have to rely on the girls' support.
After dinner, when there was no military training, Hu Linyu walked around the girls' dorms with some soft drinks, snacks, and fruits, trying to strengthen relationships. During this time, she again expressed her intention to run for class monitor.
Her approach was somewhat humble and, for many first-year students, it felt a bit abrupt and too practical.
After Hu Linyu left, some of the girls, while enjoying the free snacks, discussed her tactics. "Hu Linyu really wants to be in charge. Using these little treats to win people over, no wonder they say university is like a small society."
"Yeah, but I think Chen Hansheng is pretty good. He's got that manly vibe. He looked so cool when he argued with the instructor."
"He's not bad looking, but a guy being class leader has its disadvantages. Some class matters are hard to talk about, and you can't always walk over to the boys' dormitory."
"True, but considering the snacks, I think I'll vote for Hu Linyu when the class monitor election comes around."
While Hu Linyu was working the girls' side, Chen Hansheng wasn't idle. He also bought something—two decks of cards for 3 yuan each.
Every night after military training, around 8 or 9 PM, Chen Hansheng would take off his top, smoke a cigarette, put the cards in his pocket, and stomp over to the boys' dorms, opening doors with a loud "bang" as the boys scrambled to play.
"Quit watching that stuff, let's play cards!"
"Don't be slow, I'll teach you how to shuffle."
At first, there weren't many who joined in, but as the cards got dealt, the university boys, in the days before widespread personal computers and smartphones, quickly grew fond of the game.
By the second and third nights, the boys were already eagerly anticipating their nightly card games. During this time, aside from the two decks of cards, Chen Hansheng didn't bring much with him—no water, no cigarettes—but he ended up eating and drinking a lot of local snacks. He never once mentioned running for class monitor, but the other boys just assumed he was the leader, jokingly asking him to take care of the good things in class.
This was Chen Hansheng and Hu Linyu's respective efforts in gaining support for class monitor—both of their strategies seemed equally effective in the end. However, Chen Hansheng managed to maintain both his own image and the integrity of the class monitor position, whereas Hu Linyu, while gaining attention, sometimes came off as too eager.
Yet the behind-the-scenes maneuvering didn't stop there. Occasionally, the class advisor, Guo Zhongyun, would come to inspect the military training, as required by the school. Guo was a laid-back man, quickly popping in and out, spending no more than ten minutes on campus.
Hu Linyu would use those few minutes to help classmates adjust their posture, remind them to wear their uniforms properly, or take students with heatstroke to the shaded areas. She was keen to make a good impression and show her dedication.
As for Chen Hansheng, he'd be seen chatting with Guo Zhongyun under a tree, casually smoking a cigarette, watching Hu Linyu sweat away in the sun.
"You're overdoing it; it's not worth it," Chen Hansheng thought to himself.
"Have the boys been playing cards in the dorm lately?" Guo Zhongyun suddenly asked.
Chen Hansheng, without skipping a beat, answered, "We're just playing a little mental game."
Guo almost couldn't hold back his laughter—Chen Hansheng had the thickest skin, turning card games into "mental games" with ease. However, Guo didn't think much of it, as playing cards was quite common among university students.
"I heard the boys almost had a confrontation with the instructor on the first afternoon of military training?" Guo Zhongyun asked next.
Chen Hansheng nodded silently and briefly replied, "It's all settled now."
"Mm." Guo Zhongyun nodded. There was something reassuring in Chen Hansheng's words that made Guo believe him.
Chen Hansheng didn't inquire about how Guo Zhongyun knew so much—after all, Guo had been a teacher at the finance school for many years. If he wanted to know something, nothing could be hidden from him.
Just as Guo Zhongyun was about to leave, his phone rang. As a university teacher with a formal position, it was normal for him to afford a phone.
"It's Friday today, and the kindergarten lets out early..."
"There's a meeting at the school tonight, and the department head will be there. I can't take a leave."
"You can't help out for just a bit? You're always so busy with work..."
From the phone call, it seemed Guo Zhongyun's wife was on the other end, possibly asking him to pick up their daughter since she couldn't due to work.
After hanging up, Guo Zhongyun's face was filled with worry. Family matters were obviously more important to him than work.
"Was that your wife calling?" Chen Hansheng asked.
Guo Zhongyun nodded, still frowning.
"How about I go pick up your daughter?" Chen Hansheng offered directly, without hesitation.
Guo Zhongyun was taken aback, giving Chen Hansheng a surprised look before firmly shaking his head, "No, you still have military training."
"I can ask the instructor for leave," Chen Hansheng responded.
"Don't be ridiculous. You're not familiar with Jianye."
Guo Zhongyun rejected again.
"But I have a relative in Jianye. I stayed at their house for a whole summer before school started. I'm very familiar with the city," Chen Hansheng added, coming up with another reason.
Guo Zhongyun still wasn't convinced, but just as he was about to refuse again, his wife called once more, and the two of them argued. Eventually, Guo Zhongyun angrily hung up.
"Let me give it a try, Mr. Guo," Chen Hansheng insisted.
Guo Zhongyun looked at him seriously and suddenly asked, "Do you know where Gulou Kindergarten is?"
Chen Hansheng stopped his usual playful demeanor and calmly asked, "Which district? The Gulou on Minjiang Road, Lijiang Road, or Yanjing West Road?"
"Yanjing West Road."
Upon hearing Chen Hansheng immediately name several campuses of the kindergarten, Guo Zhongyun's face softened a little, realizing that Chen Hansheng might indeed know the area well.
Chen Hansheng recalled the details and said, "You can take bus 737 from the school, then switch to bus 33 to get there. There's a duck blood noodle chain nearby, and a four-star hotel across from it. The area is full of lush phoenix trees..."
Chen Hansheng only intended to prove his familiarity with the city, but as he remembered more details, he ended up describing the entire area around Gulou Kindergarten. Guo Zhongyun finally interrupted him, "Does your relative live near there?"
"Heh, you're really sharp, Mr. Guo," Chen Hansheng replied, "Honestly, yes."
Guo Zhongyun hesitated, clearly convinced that Chen Hansheng knew the area, but still uncertain about leaving his daughter in his hands.
Chen Hansheng seized the opportunity, continuing, "Once I get to the kindergarten, you can contact the teachers there. I'll give them my student ID number, and they'll confirm it—no one will be able to impersonate me."
This was a solid plan. Parents' names and work units could be faked, but no one would remember a student ID number like Chen Hansheng's.
"Here's my phone, you can use it to stay in touch. The meeting will be done by 7 at the latest."
Eventually, Guo Zhongyun agreed, thinking he'd have to hire a nanny next time.
Chen Hansheng took the phone calmly, making sure to appear steady and trustworthy.
Before he left, he saw Hu Linyu still busy with class matters, sweating heavily. He thought to himself, no matter how well Hu Linyu handled the official duties, Guo Zhongyun would only see her as a responsible student. But by helping Guo with his private affairs, Chen Hansheng could build a personal connection and earn his favor.
"Sorry, Hu Linyu, not only will the class monitor position be mine, but I'll also become Guo Zhongyun's