Chen Hanxing originally just wanted to use the campus radio station to promote 101 Express, but later he was informed by Yu Yueping that he was going to be nominated as the school's "Three Good Student." He immediately refused.
"Secretary Yu, let's be clear—I'm definitely going to fail some exams. The pressure of being a model student is too much for me."
Yu Yueping was also helpless: "I don't really want to give you this title either. It's fine to just focus on your entrepreneurship. These superficial honors don't matter, but this is Principal Cai's idea. He believes your actions set a good example and are worth encouraging."
"As for exams," Yu Yueping sighed, "just do your best."
Chen Hanxing thought to himself, "It's not about doing my best—I can barely remember some of the courses." But he couldn't turn down Principal Cai's request, so he went back and told Shen Youchu, "Help me review. I absolutely cannot fail the final exams."
Shen Youchu had no problem with studying herself, and her notes were solid, but she wasn't the best teacher. She kept stammering as she explained, making Chen Hanxing frustrated. Eventually, he grabbed his brand-new "Western Economics" textbook and said, "Just highlight the key points. I'll memorize them myself."
After Shen Youchu carefully highlighted the key points, she turned around and found Chen Hanxing already fast asleep.
"Tap, tap."
Shen Youchu lightly poked Chen Hanxing with her pen, and he groggily opened his eyes. "What's up?"
"The key points are ready."
Shen Youchu said softly.
"Got it."
Chen Hanxing turned over and fell back asleep. Last night, he had joined a card game, and it had stretched until 3 AM, possibly because winter break was approaching.
Shen Youchu, feeling anxious, poked him a few more times.
Chen Hanxing finally woke up, glaring at her. "Why do you keep poking me?"
"Look, study."
Shen Youchu was both nervous and persistent.
Chen Hanxing sighed and began reading aloud from the textbook. "Economics is the study of the rules of human economic activity, namely the creation, transformation, and realization of value..."
"Western economics refers to the political economy paradigm that originated and became popular in Western countries..."
"Damn, why is this so verbose?"
After reading for just five minutes, Chen Hanxing lost patience. He looked at Shen Youchu, who was silently memorizing the dry material, and asked, "How can I get at least 60 in this exam?"
Shen Youchu paused, unsure how to respond.
Chen Hanxing then clarified, "How did you manage to score 60?"
This question was simple for Shen Youchu to answer. She thought for a moment, exposing her soft chin and fair neck, then said seriously, "If you leave out the last few subjective questions, you should get 60."
Chen Hanxing stared at her for a moment, sighed, and said nothing. He stood up and walked out of the room.
"Are you going home?"
"Feeling down, just going out for a smoke."
Shen Youchu didn't understand why Chen Hanxing was feeling down. She didn't know that her words had unintentionally "hurt" his feelings.
After finishing his cigarette in the cold wind, Chen Hanxing returned and didn't want to study anymore. He drank some hot water and teasingly asked, "Do you want to come home with me for the winter break?"
Shen Youchu's face immediately turned red. "I... I need to stay with my grandmother."
Chen Hanxing smiled and then asked seriously, "How long would it take to get to your house from Jianye?"
"A long time, over 30 hours."
Shen Youchu was from Liangshan, Sichuan, a remote area with inconvenient transportation.
"Such a long time, must be exhausting," Chen Hanxing asked, knowing she wouldn't be able to afford a sleeper ticket.
"No, I'm too scared to sleep."
Shen Youchu replied softly. He could already imagine her sitting by the window, clutching her luggage, eating some steamed buns when hungry, drinking hot water when thirsty, enduring the 30-hour journey alone.
Chen Hanxing couldn't help but pinch Shen Youchu's cheek, which was still as soft and elastic as ever. She looked up at him with her innocent peach blossom eyes, her face gently flushed in the warmth of the electric heater.
"Give me your ID card."
Chen Hanxing suddenly said.
Shen Youchu obediently handed over her ID. Chen Hanxing glanced at it and laughed. "You used to be so chubby?"
"Where, where am I fat?"
Shen Youchu awkwardly tried to take back her ID, but Chen Hanxing stuffed it into his pocket. "I'll keep your ID card for now. I'll buy your train ticket later."
Just then, Hu Linyu walked in.
"Chen, you're really well-treated, with someone helping you review your studies."
Chen Hanxing grinned. "If you're jealous, I can give you a chance tomorrow to tutor me."
"No, I'm not that stupid."
Hu Linyu glanced at Shen Youchu.
Chen Hanxing didn't want the "light bulb" to be too bright, so he directly asked, "Is there something you need, Secretary Hu?"
"The exams are in 10 days, and we'll be on break right after. How about we set the class party for this Saturday?"
Chen Hanxing thought for a moment. "Sure."
"Great, I'll arrange it. Do we need to buy gifts?" Hu Linyu asked.
"Of course. But don't use class funds. I'll pay for it myself."
Hu Linyu didn't understand.
Chen Hanxing explained, "Old Gu likes to smoke, but if you buy him cigarettes with class funds, will he accept them?"
Then Chen Hanxing continued, "Old Gu has a little daughter who just started kindergarten. She doesn't like to play much and prefers studying. You can go to a bookstore and buy some study materials for her. You can use class funds to buy that and present it in the class's name."
Once that matter was settled, Chen Hanxing stretched and was about to go back to the card game. He saw Shen Youchu and Hu Linyu off, and bought them both cups of hot milk tea on the way.
"Don't forget to review," Shen Youchu reminded him.
Chen Hanxing pretended not to hear. On the way back, he took out his phone and called Liang Meijuan.
"Mom."
As soon as the phone was picked up, Liang Meijuan's familiar voice came through.
"Don't call me mom. I'm not your mom. Why did I even have you? Chen Hanxing, I can't understand what's going on in your head every day..."
Chen Hanxing held the phone away from his ear until Liang Meijuan coldly asked, "Did you hear what I just said?"
"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right, mom."
Chen Hanxing flattered her.
"Then what's the reason for this call?" Liang Meijuan asked.
Chen Hanxing organized his thoughts. "We'll be off on January 14th, but I'll be coming back a little later. I wanted to let you know in advance."
"What are you planning now?" Liang Meijuan thought her son was up to something again.
"I want to send Shen Youchu back. Her home is far away, and she can only buy a hard seat ticket. I want to get her a sleeper so she can rest well."
"Oh, I see."
There was a pause on the phone as Liang Meijuan seemed to be discussing something with Chen Zhaojun. After a while, she spoke again. "Sending her off is fine, but you're not staying there for the New Year, right?"
"Of course not. I'll come back and spend the New Year with you and Dad."
Chen Hanxing laughed.
"You ungrateful child, who knows what you'll be like after you get married? Your dad asked about Xiao Rongyu. How is she getting home?"
"Uncle Xiao will definitely pick her up, and I'll wait for her to go home first before I send Shen Youchu off."
After hanging up, Chen Hanxing suddenly realized that if he sent Shen Youchu back, he would be returning to Hong Kong City alone. So, he dialed Wang Zibo's dorm number.
"Zibo, let's go traveling after the winter break. Reading thousands of books is not as good as traveling thousands of miles. We should listen to the ancients."
Wang Zibo immediately became interested. "Where are we going?"
"How about Sichuan and Chongqing?"
"Isn't that too far?"
"No, it's fine. Traveling is supposed to be a bit far."
"But I don't have enough money for the trip."
Chen Hanxing immediately replied, "Don't worry about the money. I'll cover it all. Come over a day earlier, and I'll introduce you to someone."