After dinner at the East University canteen, Chen Hanxing and Xiao Rongyu returned to their dormitory, Room 602 at the Business School. Except for Li Zhennan, who hadn't arrived yet, everyone else was already there.
It was the first gathering since the New Year, and everyone was excited. They chatted, ate local specialties brought by others, complained about the chilly weather in Jianye, and then began cleaning and tidying up. Chen Hanxing was still full of energy. He felt the need to release some of it, so he suggested they go online and play games.
Guo Shaoqiang and Jin Yangming didn't mind, but Yang Shichao refused to join in.
"I told you last year that I'd focus on my studies this semester. All my all-nighters in college were used up last semester," Yang Shichao said firmly.
Guo Shaoqiang didn't believe him, and, like Chen Hanxing, tried to convince him.
"Old Yang, stop acting tough, I'm treating tonight," he said.
Yang Shichao shook his head. "No."
"Add chicken legs."
"Add swan meat, I still won't go."
Jin Yangming also tried to persuade him. "CS updated to the latest version, let's go experience it."
"You guys go, I want to read. Auntie can help you guys out," Yang Shichao said, picking up a book.
In the end, it was Chen Hanxing who took action.
"Old Yang, I need to talk to you about something."
Yang Shichao looked up. "If you're trying to convince me to go online, forget it. I'm planning to run for half an hour tomorrow morning, I'll bring breakfast for you guys then."
"It's not about convincing you to go online," Chen Hanxing said. "Last semester, I got 46 in Western Economics, 37 in Management Principles, 60 in Organizational Behavior, 51 in Applied Statistics, 60 in Marxist Theory, and 12 in Advanced Math. I just wanted to ask, how did you do?"
Yang Shichao stood up suddenly. "You failed that many courses?"
Chen Hanxing nodded silently.
"Hahahaha," Yang Shichao laughed heartily. "Damn, I failed two subjects and was so upset I wanted to cry, but I didn't expect you, the class president, to only pass two subjects. With you at the bottom, I'm not afraid of anything. You still want to read a book?"
He shoved the book back into his bag.
"Let's go online?"
Chen Hanxing asked.
"Let's go, there must be a lot of people online today."
Yang Shichao grabbed his wallet and was the first to head out.
Chen Hanxing looked at Guo Shaoqiang and Jin Yangming, who were still in a daze. "Did you see that? Solve problems by addressing the root cause."
When they arrived at the Yiwu Commodity Center Internet café, they realized there were still plenty of internet addicts. It seemed they had all been cooped up during the winter break. They waited for half an hour before finding an empty spot. Luckily, when you're deep into internet addiction, you don't care about such things—just slap on the headphones and dive into a heated battle.
Chen Hanxing, usually the one to think strategically when playing games, was especially hyped today, and the keyboard clicked loudly under his hands.
The other three roommates looked at each other. Jin Yangming commented, "Fourth Brother must be lacking a woman, he's treating the keyboard like one."
Chen Hanxing didn't bother to argue. Jin Yangming was making a true yet pointless observation.
The next morning, the group ran back to their dormitory in the cold wind. As they passed the campus bulletin board in front of the administration building, they saw student leaders posting red-headed documents.
"I think it's about scholarships," Guo Shaoqiang said, spotting the words clearly.
"Let's take a look," Chen Hanxing suggested.
Yang Shichao, eager to get to the cafeteria, impatiently said, "Old Four, with only two passing grades, do you have the nerve to look at these?"
Jin Yangming understood. "He's the class president, he should know about what's going on in our class."
Yang Shichao finally got it, but still tried to act cool. "I thought Old Four was going to look for his name. If his name is on there, I'll skip breakfast and eat shit."
Chen Hanxing only looked at the notices for his class. He found three names for scholarships:
- First Prize for Humanities and Social Sciences: Shen Youchu, Class 2 of Public Administration;
- No second prize for Class 2 of Public Administration;
- Third Prize for Humanities and Social Sciences: Tan Min, Bai Yongshan, Class 2 of Public Administration.
These were all students who worked hard in their studies, so it wasn't too surprising.
Just then, Guo Shaoqiang suddenly pointed to another bulletin board. "Old Four, come over here, there's someone with your exact name!"
The group gathered around and saw the announcement.
"Oh, this person is also a model student. Old Four, look at you, and then look at them."
"Not only the same name, but the same department too."
"Wait, they're even in the same class."
The three roommates looked at Chen Hanxing with confused eyes, and he cleared his throat. "It should be me."
"No way!" Yang Shichao didn't believe it. "You failed four courses and got 12 in Advanced Math. How the hell are you a model student?"
Chen Hanxing explained, "This model student award isn't based on grades. It's because of the entrepreneurial base I set up. The school considers it part of overall development."
The group fell silent, heading to the cafeteria to eat. They had all planned to slack off and play games, but Chen Hanxing quietly became a model student. Who could accept that?
Jin Yangming quietly nudged Yang Shichao. "Yang, remember what you said earlier? I've been having stomach issues recently..."
"Get lost!" Yang Shichao responded.
...
The next day, classes officially resumed. Everyone started to feel numb about university life, as the free time was just too much, though that didn't apply to those with a partner. Normally, the hotel business was good during the first few days of the semester.
Counselor Guo Zhongyun pulled Chen Hanxing aside and gave him a good talking-to. Chen Hanxing was the first model student in the Business School to need a retake. Fortunately, the teachers were kind and gave passing grades during the retakes.
The 101 Entrepreneurship Base officially opened, and everything seemed the same. However, two members of the student council, Hu Xiuping and Zuo Xiaoli, had resigned.
Chen Hanxing understood. They were both juniors, and if they hadn't become student council president in the second half of their junior year, they wouldn't stay in the council.
But with the resignation of two vice-presidents, the student council president, Mu Wenling, definitely needed help.
Sure enough, less than two weeks into the semester, the External Relations Department called a meeting.
Before the meeting, Mu Wenling and Qi Wei suddenly approached Chen Hanxing.
"Hanxing, since Hu Xiuping and Zuo Xiaoli left, I'm planning to nominate Qi Wei as vice-president of the student council," Mu Wenling said.
This wasn't unexpected. Chen Hanxing thought to himself that if he were student council president, he'd definitely promote his own people. He looked at Qi Wei and said, "Congratulations, President Qi."
"Don't congratulate me, you should congratulate yourself," Qi Wei said with a smile. "We both think you're the right person for the position of External Relations Department Minister."
Chen Hanxing immediately asked, "What about Senior Yao?"
Qi Wei hesitated. "Qingguo is a good guy, but his ability isn't as strong as yours. The freshmen only respect you. Qingguo might not be able to manage them."
Chen Hanxing thought for a moment but didn't say anything.
Mu Wenling noticed he hadn't agreed yet and asked, "Are you having second thoughts?"
Chen Hanxing nodded. "This semester I'm going to be pretty busy. But that's not the only reason. Senior Yao is very honest, and if I become the minister, his resume will probably only say Vice-Minister of External Relations."
"Let him do it this time. Mu Wenling is leaving the student council in her senior year. Qi Wei will take over as president. I'll be the vice-president," Chen Hanxing said with a smile.
Mu Wenling realized he was speaking sincerely and didn't press further. She and Qi Wei left.
"Wenling, Chen Hanxing is always joking. Don't take it to heart," Qi Wei said, thinking he was too direct earlier.
Mu Wenling gave her a strange look.
"What's there to take to heart? I was planning it this way from the start."