Chen Hansheng refused, "I've never seen such a strange request—you actually want to date a jerk."
"I don't want to date you," Shang Yanyan stepped closer and said, "You'll always belong to Shen Youchu; I promise not to compete with her. Just come and keep me company occasionally."
"Just a little time is all I need."
When she recounted her past, Shang Yanyan's emotions had been mostly calm, as if narrating someone else's story. But now, her face held a pleading expression, pitiful and endearing.
Chen Hansheng grinned, "Don't put on an act. If I'm truly a jerk, then I have as many tricks as you do. It's getting late; go back to your dorm now."
"Heartless man."
Shang Yanyan kicked at the remaining beer cans on the ground, "There's still two left; let's finish them before we go."
Chen Hansheng nodded. While drinking, Shang Yanyan asked, "I've shared my story. Can you tell me about your career as a jerk?"
"My career as a jerk, huh..."
Chen Hansheng looked up at the sky, filled with countless stars shimmering in the vast night, remote and brilliant. Finally, he exhaled and said, "I'd rather not talk about it. It's just a messy past."
Shang Yanyan didn't push. That was one of the advantages of a girl like her: having a complicated background made her capable of accepting other people's secrets. On the contrary, she found Chen Hansheng incredibly attractive at that moment. The reason she never liked Jin Yangming was that his life experiences and demeanor were too shallow, unable to pique her interest.
"Hansheng."
Shang Yanyan suddenly grabbed Chen Hansheng's hand, "Won't you please agree?"
Chen Hansheng looked down at their intertwined hands, distinct in the cold moonlight.
"If you think holding my hand means holding my heart, you're sorely mistaken."
"Why?"
"Because I'm the Thousand-Handed Guanyin."
Chen Hansheng smiled slyly and pulled his hand back, tucking it into his pocket.
Shang Yanyan realized that tonight wasn't going to work. Chen Hansheng was impervious to soft or hard tactics, but this unyielding nature was also part of his allure.
"Walk me back, then," Shang Yanyan said.
Chen Hansheng didn't refuse. The two walked in silence; Chen smoked as he walked, and Shang Yanyan seemed lost in thought.
At the dormitory entrance, Shang Yanyan said, "You're the first guy to walk me back to my dorm in college."
Chen Hansheng scoffed, "Don't be sentimental or pretentious; it doesn't suit you."
Shang Yanyan sighed, thinking that Chen Hansheng was indeed a tough nut to crack—firm in his will and immune to seduction from any angle.
"Anyway, seeing you brings me peace, so I'll keep trying."
Before heading into her dorm, she left that sentence.
Chen Hansheng didn't dwell on it. Shang Yanyan's understanding of society far surpassed the average college student, albeit in a somewhat twisted way.
"As long as you keep changing partners quickly, there's no sorrow, only love. I hope she figures that out and doesn't cling to me like I'm her only option."
Chen Hansheng didn't return right away. He called Shen Youchu to come down.
Shen Youchu was probably already in bed, but she came downstairs when she got the call, wrapped in a colorful thick jacket and holding a bag in her hand.
"That jacket is hideous. Who made it for you?" Chen Hansheng said, pretending to be annoyed despite feeling happy to see her.
"Grandma made it," Shen Youchu whispered. When she heard Chen Hansheng criticize the jacket, she pouted slightly, looking a bit aggrieved.
"Oh, you even dare to show attitude."
Chen Hansheng reached out and pinched her soft, smooth cheek.
Shen Youchu didn't move away, just looked up at him quietly.
Seeing her submissive nature, Chen Hansheng felt a flash of irritation and pressed harder.
Shen Youchu's skin was so tender that the pressure immediately left two pale marks. Only when her peach blossom eyes glistened with unshed tears did Chen Hansheng let go.
"Does it hurt?"
"A... a bit."
"Why didn't you say so?"
"I... didn't dare to."
Chen Hansheng was silent for a moment before rubbing her cheek gently, "What's in the bag?"
Shen Youchu took out a scarf from the bag.
"You knitted it?"
Chen Hansheng asked, though it was an unnecessary question.
Shen Youchu nodded.
"Put it on me."
Embarrassed, Shen Youchu hesitated because the dorm matron was watching them like a spy.
After a moment, Chen Hansheng grew impatient. "Alright, alright, I'll put it on myself. Go upstairs; you look like a penguin."
"Oh... go home early, and don't drink anymore."
The beer smell was strong, and Shen Youchu had already noticed it.
Chen Hansheng ignored her, turning to walk away.
After a few steps, whether due to the alcohol or influenced by his earlier conversation with the "femme fatale," Chen Hansheng turned around and saw that Shen Youchu was still standing there.
"Let's do better in the future, okay?"
Chen Hansheng shouted.
Shen Youchu stared at him blankly without reacting.
"So dumb!"
He cursed and finally left for real.
It was only when Chen Hansheng's figure completely disappeared that Shen Youchu whispered to herself, "Okay."
...
Shang Yanyan's persistence surprised Chen Hansheng. The next morning, when he arrived at the startup base, he was surprised to find Shang Yanyan waiting there.
"Are you here to send a package?" Chen Hansheng asked.
Shang Yanyan shook her head, "No, I'm not sending anything. I'm here to receive packages. I want to be a part-time student worker here."
"Don't kid around."
Chen Hansheng snickered, "You don't need the money."
"But I need love."
Shang Yanyan smiled sweetly and grabbed a broom to start cleaning.
Chen Hansheng ignored her, wondering how long she would keep it up.
Before long, Shen Youchu arrived, and Hu Linyu also stopped by to catch up on how the issue from yesterday had been resolved.
Hu Linyu was startled to see Shang Yanyan.
"Why are you here?"
Shang Yanyan retorted, "If you can be here, why can't I?"
There was tension between the two girls. When collecting class fees, Shang Yanyan had bypassed Hu Linyu and paid Chen Hansheng directly.
Hu Linyu didn't argue with Shang Yanyan, but turned to Chen Hansheng. "Why did you let her in?"
Chen Hansheng hadn't planned on hiring Shang Yanyan, but Hu Linyu's entitled attitude made him raise an eyebrow and say, "My shop, my rules. I hire who I want."
"You..."
Hu Linyu had no choice but to turn to Shen Youchu, "Youchu, Chen Hansheng listens to you. Tell him to get rid of Shang Yanyan."
With her personality, Shen Youchu was unlikely to kick someone out, so asking her was pointless.
Soon, students came to send packages. Shang Yanyan, looking at the bustling 101 and 102 rooms, said, "I think if you wore matching uniforms, it would boost your publicity."
Chen Hansheng was surprised at her suggestion. Shang Yanyan shrugged, "My family runs a clothing manufacturing business, so I know a little."
"That's a good idea, but I don't have any money."
Chen Hansheng was honest about his financial situation.
"My family can do it for free," Shang Yanyan said with a smile. "As long as you let me work here."
"Chen Hansheng, don't agree. If you do, I'll work here too!" Hu Linyu said, pouting.
Chen Hansheng considered for a moment, "Alright, Shang Yanyan, we're now classmates and colleagues. Your schedule is flexible, and you don't have any set tasks—just take care of the uniforms."
That afternoon, when Zhong Jiancheng came by for an inspection, he was surprised. "Manager Chen, this place is turning into a haven for pretty girls."
Chen Hansheng thought it should be called the "Center for Abnormal Girls," with him having to bear the burden of being the director.
...