The next day during class, the counselor, Guo Zhongyun, specifically found Chen Hansheng to discuss the debate competition, which made Chen realize it was quite a big deal.
"There's only a bit more than a month left this year, and there's still a lot going on—either the college debate competition or the 50th anniversary celebration," said the old Guo gloomily.
Chen Hansheng chuckled inwardly. Guo was inherently averse to trouble, yet he was a university counselor, a job filled with various trivial matters. But because Chen Hansheng was the class president, and Hu Linyu was the league secretary, one handled the big issues while the other took care of the small things. This allowed Guo to slack off a bit, as long as he kept things in order.
"The 50th anniversary celebration has nothing to do with our class. It's the league and the student union's responsibility. I heard it will be combined with the New Year's Eve party," Chen Hansheng comforted him.
Guo Zhongyun's face brightened slightly. "But the debate competition is related. I heard the department is holding internal competitions to select articulate students to represent the Humanities Department."
"Yeah, I know about it. It's been quite busy," Chen Hansheng replied calmly.
"I'm leaving it all to you," Guo said, patting Chen Hansheng on the shoulder with a sense of trust.
After Guo left, Chen Hansheng immediately called Hu Linyu over. "The department is organizing a selection for the debate competition? How come I didn't know about this?"
Hu Linyu rolled her eyes. "You spend more time not in class than in class. I've come to look for you twice at 101 but couldn't find you. How could I report to you?"
"Besides, even if I did report, you wouldn't care."
Chen Hansheng didn't deny it. "Hu, you're right, but you should still mind your attitude. Until I step down, I'm still the class president."
"Pfft!" Hu Linyu spat to show her disdain.
Chen Hansheng didn't bother with her attitude. "So, which brave souls are representing our class?"
"Bai Yongshan, Tan Min, Zhang Minghui, and Dong Xiuxiu, they'll be the first to fourth debaters," Hu Linyu said.
Chen Hansheng nodded. As class president, although he didn't micromanage, he knew everyone well. In simple terms, while he didn't handle the details, he held control over personnel matters.
Bai Yongshan was the second most beautiful girl in the class after Shang Yanyan, a cute girl with quick thinking, and surprisingly a sharp debater. Tan Min was Chen Hansheng's fellow villager, and Dong Xiuxiu shared a dorm with Shen Youchu. Zhang Minghui, the only male debater, probably saw the competition as an opportunity for romance.
"Are there any problems, either material or mental?" Chen Hansheng asked.
Hu Linyu thought for a moment. "It's too cold when they practice in the classrooms at night. The library can't be used either because it's too noisy."
"Then they can practice at my entrepreneurial base. It's just like a class activity center. Room 102 is used as a warehouse, but they could sing in there if needed," Chen Hansheng suggested.
Hu Linyu snorted. "It's just as cold there."
"Minor issue," Chen Hansheng said generously. "I'll buy two space heaters, and we'll serve them some hot milk tea. Hopefully, our debaters will bring glory to our class."
Hu Linyu paused for a moment. "Will we use class funds to buy them?"
"No need," Chen Hansheng waved his hand. "I don't take advantage of class funds. Besides, the equipment will be used at the entrepreneurial base too."
…
True to his word, in the afternoon, Chen Hansheng went to the Yiwu Goods Center and bought four space heaters. He also ordered paper bags from a printing shop, each featuring the words "F Building 101" on both sides.
In the post-event feedback from students, someone had suggested these paper bags, and Chen Hansheng decided to use them as promotional gifts. Even if others threw them away, the bags lying around would still promote the name of F Building 101.
As Chen Hansheng was unloading the heaters, Shen Youchu was diligently taking notes, recording data for packages and letters. She had to keep track of where they were sent from and to, ensuring safety and verifying commissions for referrals.
Chen Hansheng thought it would be great to have a computer for faster and more convenient record-keeping. The only person he knew with a laptop was Xiao Rongyu, who had a Toshiba SP6100 worth over 17,000 yuan—she was the perfect example of a "rich, white, and beautiful" type.
"Only an idiot would buy it himself. I'll borrow it from Xiao Rongyu first and then figure out how to get a computer from the school as a project support," Chen Hansheng mused.
Li Zhenan happened to be in the entrepreneurial base, sorting through packages and letters in Room 102.
"Anan, I'm worried you'll be cold tonight, so I bought two space heaters for you," Chen Hansheng said with a grin.
"You think I'd believe that?" Li Zhenan huffed, realizing Chen Hansheng had bought them for Shen Youchu.
Shen Youchu's face immediately turned red, and she stammered, "I-I'm not afraid of the cold."
Indeed, the heaters were partly for Shen Youchu, but Chen Hansheng didn't deny it. He also told her, "Put one in 101, one by your feet, and let the others share the rest."
From a distance, Li Zhenan overheard this and recalled when Chen Hansheng had once had his lip bitten by a girl, though it definitely wasn't Shen Youchu.
"Pfft, playboy!" Li Zhenan muttered.
…
In the afternoon, while Chen Hansheng was in class, the printing shop called to say the sample of the promotional paper bags was ready. They asked him to come check it, and if everything was fine, they would begin mass production.
Chen Hansheng skipped class again and rushed to Yiwu. The shop owner, who was familiar with him, pointed at the paper bags and said, "If it weren't for your request, I wouldn't have printed these. The cost is too high, and we won't make much profit."
The paper bags were about the size of a book, designed for university students to carry during class. The bags had a half-circle cut-out for a handle, and the words "F Building 101 Express" were printed in red on the light yellow paper.
Chen Hansheng picked up the sample and turned it over a few times. "Boss, can you add a small cartoon rocket logo to the side?"
The owner, pleased, said, "Are you a Houston Rockets fan? Yao Ming joined the NBA this year, so I've become a Rockets fan too."
Chen Hansheng was momentarily taken aback, realizing it had indeed been a while since Yao Ming was drafted as the first pick in the 2002 NBA draft.
"Right, since we're all Rockets fans, you'd better make sure it's done right," Chen Hansheng said, smiling.
The boss was glad to get some praise and didn't haggle over the price. Chen Hansheng was satisfied with the rest of the bag's design, took the sample back to school, and prepared for the second round of student part-time activities that night.
He had originally planned to eat dinner first and then tease Shen Youchu at the base. However, just as he was about to leave, Xiao Rongyu called.
"Xiao Chen, you haven't come to see me in a few days," she said, clearly pouting.
Chen Hansheng had been so busy that he'd neglected Xiao Rongyu recently.
"I've been busy, you know how it is," he replied.
"I know, but I don't have many friends at school, and you haven't come to see me…"
Even though Chen Hansheng couldn't see her, he knew Xiao Rongyu was probably pouting at the moment.
Thinking about borrowing her laptop later, Chen Hansheng changed his course and headed straight for Dongda University. "Let's have dinner tonight," he suggested.
"Really?" Xiao Rongyu's voice brightened immediately.
"Of course, I even brought you a gift," Chen Hansheng added with a laugh.
When they met later, Xiao Rongyu sweetly took the paper bag from Chen Hansheng's hand.
"It's rare for you to remember a gift for me… Hmm? Where's the gift?" she asked, noticing the bag was empty.
"The bag is the gift. I personally designed and made it. See how sturdy it is?" Chen Hansheng replied.
There was a long silence, and then Xiao Rongyu's frustrated voice came through, "Chen Hansheng, can't you be a little more generous with me?!"