Chapter 3: Knowing oneself and knowing the enemy enables one to win every battle

Xu Jiao Jiao wholeheartedly said: "Yao Yao, it seems that one must cultivate to your level of beauty in order to disregard the handsome school hunk. I have heard that couples who live together for a long time will start to resemble each other... You mentioned that we have been cohabiting for four years! Will my appearance lean towards yours just a little bit?"

The old lady, her face flushed with anger, scolded: "Where did this rude young man come from? Is this how young people speak nowadays? You have no manners at all. How did your parents raise you?"

Among the top ten culinary delights in university rankings, even when compared to the cafeteria of the neighboring T University, the standout is undoubtedly the pig's trotter from P University Three. With a composition of sixty percent fat and forty percent lean meat, its vibrant red color and rich flavor are simply mouthwatering. However, only 100 portions are available each day, leading to long queues at the window year-round. Therefore, upon seeing the results of the draw for the meal, both of their eyes lit up, and they exclaimed in unison: "This is it!" They quietly packed their books, and as soon as the class bell rang, they rushed out of the classroom.

The routine ...! ... was promised ...! However, he completely forgot. ... ... It seems that love indeed makes one foolish. They hadn't even gotten very far, yet as soon as he encountered Tong Yao, his intelligence went offline.

Qin Zhan, who had been staring at her, felt a stir in his heart. He estimated the distance from the last row to the first row, preparing to discreetly move forward row by row during the intermission between the next speaker. However, under the pressure of being mocked by Ren Yue, he had only moved two rows when Tong Yao quietly slipped out the front door with her phone in hand. Without hesitation, Qin Zhan immediately exited through the back door.

Tong Yao looked utterly bewildered

"Be good, maybe the school hunk likes petite and delicate girls like you?" Tong Yao comforted.

Tong Yao introduces: "My roommate Xu Jiao Jiao, a super cute girl"

Tong Yao excelled with her long legs, arriving first at the cafeteria to queue. When Xu Jiao Jiao arrived, she proactively ran to the window to count the remaining pig's feet, then started counting the number of people from the front of the line. When she reached Tong Yao, she calculated earnestly: "There are still 43 pig's feet left, and there are 26 people ahead of us. Even if 50% of them buy two each, we still have a great chance!"

Qin Zhan stopped her and said, "No need, you treated me to hot pot last time, didn't you?"

Xu Jiao Jiao serves as an assistant at the university's career guidance center. Today, she is set to host a seminar where alumni will share their workplace experiences. However, just a few minutes ago, she learned that her idol from the cosplay community, Gu Yifan, will be attending a comic convention at an underground venue not far from the school. How can she possibly sit still?

"Isn't there a bit too much going on in your mind?" Qin Zhan remarked

Tong Yao disdainfully patted her head and said, "Hurry up, the earlier you go, the earlier you come back"

Ren Yue looked at the freshly minted individual stepping into the ranks of "The Sorrows of Young Werther" with a constipated expression—so, had he put in effort for nothing

Daydream. Qin Zhan replied, then added another line, inviting you to a spicy hot pot in the evening. Let us enjoy the spiciness to the fullest. After sending this message, he no longer paid attention to the vibrations of his phone, adjusted his expression, restrained the excitement and surging emotions within, and walked towards Tong Yao.

Qin Zhan smiled and said: "It really isn't my business, so there's no need to be polite. Moreover, encountering such 'scum', I am merely standing up for justice."

So... it seemed that Qin Zhan, who insisted on buying the spicy flavor, could hear the sound of his heart shattering into pieces. He thought to himself, fortunately Ren Yue was not around, otherwise he would have laughed for a whole year.

Tong Yao finally smiled, the gloom in her brows and eyes dissipated considerably: "That's good."

Ren Yue joked, "It seems that the handsome Qin is about to have some romantic luck. On one hand, he successfully connects with his 'ideal type', and on the other hand, he is being talked about by someone."

While two people were engaged in a lively conversation, Qin Zhan, who was a few people away from them, recognized Tong Yao's voice. His first reaction was to touch his stomach— the extremely spicy beef balls and three consecutive days of spicy hot pot were churning in his belly, but this feeling was ultimately defeated by the deeply ingrained "ideal type".

Ren Yue said without hesitation: "With five cafeterias, we should certainly rotate among them. Then we can choose the most delicious dishes from each cafeteria, such as going to Cafeteria 1 for steamed buns in the morning, Cafeteria 2 for chicken leg rice at noon, or perhaps choosing pig's trotters from Cafeteria 3, and going to Cafeteria 5 in the evening..."

Qin Zhan stared unblinkingly at the graceful beauty exiting the stage, his face full of arrogance: "Do not forget who has taken a liking to her. A few rumors are merely meant to deceive those of you with insufficient intelligence."

Ren Yue observed his expression and added, "Why not start with food? By understanding the other person's eating habits, we can create an accident while serving the meal, leading to a wonderful encounter"

Tong Yao, however, had already consciously taken a pig's trotter and said, "Then I thank you for your pig's trotter. Being able to buy it really depends on one's luck. However, you might want to try the original flavor, as the pig's trotter is truly authentic only in its original flavor."

It was at this moment that Qin Zhan looked up and saw Tong Yao. His eyesight was exceptionally good; even from more than ten rows away, he could clearly see the embarrassment on Tong Yao's face and the confusion in her eyes, which unexpectedly tugged at his heart.

Ren Yue understood that it was due to the repeated cries of "The wolf is coming," and he smiled ambiguously while taking out his phone to join the crowd taking pictures

There is no need to mention the last sentence again, classmate

Kindness and thoughtfulness should at least increase the favorability by 10 points

Tong Yao suddenly remembered: "Yes, it was to thank you for mocking the 'scumbag'. I remember you almost slipped on the way to dinner, haha."

To his utter surprise, while Qin Zhan was waiting beside the Wudaokou track, he saw Tong Yao across the way. She jumped off her bicycle, parked it properly, and went to help an elderly woman who was sitting on the ground

It’s her again! Better to demolish ten temples than to ruin a single marriage! Yet she is quite the expert at sabotaging my affairs. You didn’t tell her, did you?

The setting sun casts long shadows of the two figures behind them

Tong Yao cast a disdainful glance at them. After this exchange, she had already realized that the three were in cahoots. She took out fifty yuan from her pocket and handed it to the woman, saying: "It's not much money, but take it as a good deed, let this aunt tidy up and have a bowl of hot soup. On such a cold day, why engage in such morally degrading acts?"

"The last spicy one, do you want it?" the master asked

Are you feeling empty and lonely again? Why don't you do the paper for the financial engineering course by yourself and truly experience what it means to be 'lonely on a desolate sandbank' ? Qin Zhan said coldly. After having spicy hot pot with Tong Yao last time, he started having a stomachache when he got back, and poor Ren Yue had to find hot water and medicine, taking care of him thoroughly. Since then, Ren Yue has seized every opportunity to tease him and has developed an impressive skill in wordplay, such as 'One spice for a beauty' and 'Drunk on a beauty's lap, waking up to eat chili', which has made Qin Zhan quite annoyed.

Ren Yue smiled and patted his shoulder: "Qin, you are overthinking it. Have you seen any of my girlfriends who didn't first accompany me in playing dating simulation games?"

Xu Jiao Jiao said meaningfully: "You all seem to be having a great time chatting. He even specially escorted us downstairs..."

Tong Yao put down her script card, made a shushing gesture, and calmly admitted her mistake: "I am very sorry. Due to my ignorance, I just made a very basic verbal slip. I must admit that when I saw VC, as someone from the broadcasting department, the first thing that came to my mind was the vitamin C-rich kiwi, and I almost thought that the seniors were going to talk about finance in a very down-to-earth manner..." She paused slightly, and the boos from the audience turned into laughter. I must admit that when I saw VC, as someone from the broadcasting department, the first thing that came to my mind was the vitamin C-rich kiwi, and I almost thought that the seniors were going to talk about finance in a very down-to-earth manner..." She paused slightly, and the boos from the audience turned into laughter.

What about Qin Zhan, who just a couple of days ago reservedly said, "Isn't this inappropriate?" After having a meal with the other party, he completely abandoned his stance and even dug a pit here waiting for Ren Yue to jump in? However, the affairs of the world are beyond one's control. Even though Ren Yue is filled with helplessness, he has no choice but to embark on the path of investigation once again

Oh, the young people nowadays are truly remarkable, speaking nonsense with their eyes wide open! Wasn't it you who bumped into me? Just look around, is there anyone else here? Find one person...

I really like his bronze skin

"General Qin, you only bully honest people! If I write, wouldn't I have to write dozens of articles to pass your test?" Ren Yue decided to take the initiative to soften his stance, saying, "I will no longer mock you for pursuing your 'ideal type.' I will definitely support you based on the principles of gathering more experience and providing more practical guidance, is that acceptable?"

Sitting beside and reading a book, Tong Yao could no longer hold back and said: "Alright, I will take over for you. You go take a quick look at your idol at the comic convention and come back to switch with me."

Let it go, Tong Yao thought. She took a few deep breaths, opened the microphone, and smoothly introduced the theme of the event, the organizers, and the guests according to the script. However, when it came to the lecture segment, she inadvertently misread VC and PE as "VE".

"What a coincidence, you are here too." "You are doing a great job, especially clever." "That topic about kiwi is very interesting." ... In just a few minutes, dozens of pick-up lines flashed through Qin Zhan's mind. However, as he saw Tong Yao waving her hand and quickening her pace, those words gradually disintegrated in the increasingly close distance, leaving only a single "Hi" filling his entire brain

Xu Jiao Jiao and Tong Yao did not walk too far. She excitedly showed Tong Yao a photo of her idol, occasionally adding comments: "My idol is super handsome, isn't he? He looks a lot like Louis Koo! The facial proportions are precise to the minutest detail, the face shape is perfectly square, the jawline is very soft, and combined with a rounded yet slightly pointed chin, it's simply perfect"

Ren Yue persistently followed behind: "Come on, let's talk about it, brother, I'll help you analyze it..."

Therefore, Ren Yue looked at him warily, having a bad premonition

Tong Yao's face flushed red and then turned pale. If the other party were a thug, or even a group of thugs, she would not be afraid; at worst, she could use her fists to fend off their hands and fight back, enduring only some minor injuries, and then work on becoming stronger in the future. However, this kind of verbal dispute and unfounded accusations truly left her at a loss.

Turning to the last photo, Xu Jiaojiao was about to ask a question when she suddenly remembered the lecture still taking place in the classroom, and hurriedly bid farewell to Tong Yao

After introducing the guests, Tong Yao, who had stepped down from her heavy responsibilities, quietly walked to a corner in the front row and raised her hand to wipe away the non-existent sweat at her temples

Qin Zhan suppressed the turmoil within his heart and said with a faint smile, "Yes."

The senior brothers and sisters who came this time shared their valuable experiences, whether regarding further studies or career development, which have greatly benefited everyone—students' focus remains on the lecture segment

The atmosphere along the way was inevitably somewhat heavy

Qin Zhan further stated: "However, if I don't take a look, I always feel a sense of itchiness, unable to resist. After all, it could be a shortcut. Just as you said, knowing oneself and knowing the other is essential to cater to their preferences"

However, when he handed the brown paper bag filled with A4 paper to Qin Zhan, Qin Zhan locked it away in the bottom drawer

Qin Zhan settled the bill and stumbled out of the KTV, suddenly jolted awake by the biting cold wind and chill that hit him.

The quote is from "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu. Qin Zhan disdainfully said, "Could you at least show some professionalism while trying to be lazy? The things we could recite fluently at around ten years old, who do you think you're trying to fool by bringing them up now?"

You have so early concluded that someone belongs to you, have you asked the person involved? Perhaps they still think of you as a passerby

It is generally said that sincerity can lead to success. Coincidentally, on this day when Tong Yao and Xu Jiao Jiao were drawing lots to choose lunch, they also ended up with pig's trotters.

Qin Zhandun's face immediately turned pale

The battered Tong Yao went to the Taekwondo club on her own, engaging in a fierce competition with the president and others. By the time she left, she was drenched in sweat, and her mood had improved significantly.

"No way! Quickly tell me, have you made any progress with the school beauty?" Ren Yue asked gossipingly

Is this a complaint about the slow speed? Ren Yue opened his mouth, very much wanting to greet his grandfather.

Ren Yue pondered for a moment, feeling quite troubled: "You know, it has always been girls pursuing me... Of course, among them are my 'ideal types'—devilish figures, and I rarely turn them down... However, this absolutely cannot serve as an excuse for you to refuse to be in the same group as me."

What is fate? It is like the pig's trotter that I love to eat, which just so happens to be liked by my ideal type as well. After buying the pig's trotter, I walked past her and said, "Oh, you are here too," and it couldn't be more poetic

Ah? Tong Yao looked completely bewildered

Qin Zhan did not pay any attention, focusing intently on Tong Yao, the corners of his mouth involuntarily lifting slightly, sketching a pleasing smile.

In fact, it is not just the two of them; from the elderly to the young children, life is inextricably linked to three major questions: What to eat for breakfast? What to eat for lunch? What to eat for dinner? These three questions are often not difficult due to a lack of choices, but rather because there are too many options. When the three of them were together, they would draw lots and vote. Now, with only two people left, they inevitably felt a bit gloomy for some time, until today when both of them ended up with pig's feet.

"Remove your hand!" Qin Zhan shouted with considerable authority, "There are ways for snakes and ways for mice, and I am aware of them. Since I have caught you today and exposed you, you should stop pretending and playing tricks. Otherwise, we will see each other at the police station." Qin Zhan waved his phone at him.

Xu Jiao Jiao replied with a "hahaha" emoji, then quickly retracted it, sent a few exclamation marks, and followed up with a message: "Doesn't the Tong family have a family motto? If you are bullied, fight back!"

The flowers bloom along the path, one may return slowly

Qin Zhan seemed to perceive Ren Yue's thoughts and said, "You have not done any futile work; I appreciate you providing me with the materials only after I regained my clarity of mind"

At the beginning of November, fierce winds raged, and the temperature in the capital had dropped to single digits

Tong Yao thought for a few seconds and shook her head: "There shouldn't be... any chance of seeing him, right?"

Thank you all for your understanding, and I am also honored to have the opportunity to correct my misconceptions. In this laughter, Tong Yao picked up the script card again and said, "Now, let us welcome our first guest to share. He completed his undergraduate studies in the Finance Department at University P, and then pursued further studies at the London Business School..."

Hey! Your "ideal type"! Ren Yue, who is sitting in the last row, keeps patting Qin Zhan, who is engrossed in reading an e-book.

Qin Zhan had a bad intuition. He took a photo and was about to go over, but was blocked by the iron railing in the middle of the road. Indeed, as Tong Yao just grabbed the old lady's arm, she was caught by the old woman in return and was loudly reprimanded. Tong Yao looked surprised and confused. She hurriedly opened her mouth, but was suppressed by the old woman's loud voice: "Clearly, it was you who bumped into me, why don't you admit it? You're still young, wasting such a pretty face. Today, you just bumped into me like this, who knows what bigger mistakes you will make in the future..."

Did you leave your contact information and agree to meet again next time

Qin Zhan thought for a moment and asked, "Recently, there have been quite a few cases of staged accidents. Did you not consider this when you were helping someone?"

A young man and woman approached, persuading the elderly lady to stand up first. The old woman cursed and swore, still holding onto Tong Yao tightly.

While witnessing an injustice... Xu Jiaojiao couldn't help but burst into laughter. Tong Yao patted her on the back, and Qin Zhan quickly opened a bottle of mineral water for her. Xu Jiaojiao laughed while making a "K song" gesture towards Tong Yao. Tong Yao understood immediately, recalling the time they had a singing contest at KTV, and also laughed heartily: "Which classmate was it that sang 'Little Crocodile' back then?"

A man feels humiliated; how can he express the experience of being held by the arm and pinched painfully by a petite girl, despite his robust and strong physique?

The first task of the strategist Ren Yue upon taking office was to formulate a battle plan: to know oneself and to know the enemy

Qin Zhanle smiled and, maintaining a composed demeanor, said: "Thank you very much." Taking advantage of a moment while serving the dishes, he sent a WeChat message to Ren Yuefa: "The matter has been pleasantly settled, my dear, you may kneel in peace now"

RP (Character) Little Queen, please do not recklessly wield your magic

Before the opening, Tong Yao opened the hosting script and was momentarily stunned, suddenly feeling the urge to recall Xu Jiao Jiao—this lecture was on finance, with professional terminology involving funds, investment banks, venture capital, private equity, and so on. For Tong Yao, who had no understanding of finance, it was nothing short of a disaster

"How many do you want, and what flavor?" the window worker asked

Suddenly, the entire hall erupted in laughter, with some students even applauding.

Still laughing, he was suddenly tapped on the shoulder by someone. He turned around and said: "Ren Yue?"

Alright... because of excessive joy, Qin Zhan's tone softened considerably, no longer harsh, "Here, the date cake I bought for you."

This day is not suitable for conversation! ... Tong Yao consecutively sent out two good person cards ... . ... Xu Jiao Jiao is very curious about what the male god is thinking right now

Ren Yue said in a low voice: "Oh, not bad. At this moment, lowering one's stance to admit mistakes and being honest about one's background is evidently more effective than any pale explanation."

Qin Zhan gazed at her bright smile, wishing to freeze this moment in time. However, the reality was that Tong Yao waved goodbye to him and then rode away on her bicycle. He savored the moment for a long time, feeling as sweet as tasting honey in the cold of a winter's day.

She weakly sent a WeChat message to Xu Jiao Jiao: I feel like my intelligence has been crushed, and I have lost all will to live

Qin Zhan stood in place for several seconds before quickly catching up to Tong Yao and asking, "Classmate, I bought too many, would you like one?"

Qin Zhan had more to say, but Tong Yao shook her head at him, preparing to push the cart and leave

Never before had he been so ignored or even forgotten, which made Qin Zhan feel a bit irritated. He merely smiled and reminded her: "Extremely spicy beef meatballs"

It seems quite reasonable

However, it is merely a moment

"Comic Con, host, Comic Con, Comic Con, host, Comic Con..." Xu Jiaojiao squatted under the ginkgo tree, picking up leaves while murmuring. The blue ones represented participation in the Comic Con, and the yellow ones represented activities. Before long, the leaves under the tree were divided into two piles.

Look! What a finely crafted and rare Greek nose, with standard flat cheekbones and a high nasal bridge

As the wealthiest department in P University, the Finance Department has a siheyuan with four entrances and exits in this precious land of the capital, which serves as the administrative management area. One word can describe it: luxurious

In order to resolve his friend's issues in one go, Ren Yue swiftly excavated a network of connections centered around Tong Yao, conducted visits and research, and documented his observations without commentary, producing a thick stack of A4 paper.

Qin Zhan possesses an extraordinary insight, and naturally, he recognized it at a glance. However, after much contemplation, he still willingly decided to invest in the venture—at least when it comes to food, everyone has their needs. Of course, he did not flail about like a headless fly as Ren Yue suggested; instead, he listed the top ten food items available on campus and then selected those that resembled the dishes that Tong Yao enjoyed: the spicy hot pot available in two dining halls.

Tong Yao was unaware of his inner turmoil. Xu Jiao Jiao went to secure a spot, and she began chatting with the person behind her out of boredom. The other party was a new student who had just enrolled this year, accompanied by their mother to experience it for the first time

Even though they had known each other since the days of split-crotch pants, Ren Yue still could not understand his thoughts. Thus, he randomly found an excuse to drag Qin Zhan to karaoke, and in the process, got him half-drunk. With the help of alcohol, Qin Zhan finally revealed his inner concerns: "That day, opposing you was just a moment of impulsiveness. I've thought about it these past few days, and investigating her like this feels like an invasion of her privacy, making it difficult for me to face those materials."

Well, although your idol is somewhat weak, he is indeed a gentleman

Tong Yao waved her hand, resolutely took a step forward, and left without looking back. Left behind, besides the pig's trotter, was Qin Zhan, who was stunned by this scene.

The young woman beside him also shook her head in disapproval, while the man tended to puff out his cheeks and glare.

The lecture hall can accommodate hundreds of people, and the distance from the front door to the back door is several dozen meters. Qin Zhan took two steps forward and saw Tong Yao striding towards him with great momentum.

Perhaps Ren Yue was truly infuriated. Qin Zhan reflected for a moment and decided to take a detour to Wudaokou to queue for the renowned date cake, in an effort to salvage their precarious friendship.

As the sound of footsteps gradually faded, Qin Zhan slowly turned around and immediately locked eyes with Ren Yue, who was making a face. Ren Yue carefully closed the back door and pointed at Qin Zhan, bursting into laughter: "What should I say? Qin, the handsome guy, you have your day too!"

"Miss, why not give her three to five hundred and let the aunt go see a doctor herself? This way, we can avoid wasting everyone's time here," the young woman began to persuade Tong Yao to settle the matter with money.

Amidst the amusing anecdotes, the three quickly concluded their "battle." Qin Zhan, still wanting more, was met with Tong Yao's straightforward remark: "There are classes in the afternoon, let's disperse."

"What a clever girl, huh?" Ren Yue said with a sly smile, "It seems to contradict the saying on the BBS that big breasts mean a lack of brains."

Although he is not a "foodie," he understands the kind of craving and dedication that seasoned "foodies" have for delicious food. Yet, she found such a fitting excuse to graciously yield.

"Don't! I still want to thank you. Once again, you have stood up against injustice on the road," Tong Yao said.

Am I still afraid of you? As for PS and the like, I simply cannot do it, though I have heard that forgeries can be made to look very real. It is truly pitiful for my old bones to be knocked around like this and still be threatened by others... Oh dear, I can't go on living, my whole body hurts!" The old lady exclaimed, reaching to touch her leg, inadvertently loosening her grip on Tong Yao.

Qin Zhan refused to answer directly: "Any vague question is a form of trickery"

Next time, do not ... ...

Ren Yue expressed his dissatisfaction and threw a bottle at Qin Zhan: "What I am referring to is, of course, the practical operation part! I ask you, do you know what kind of person Tong Yao is?"

Avoiding Ren Yue's gaze, he silently doodled on his notes, multitasking to prepare his plan for flirting after the lecture.

"It is still your suggestion to accompany her just once, not to eat so much. How can one have the courage to face that extremely spicy beef meatball? This was indeed your strategy," Qin Zhan said leisurely.

"There will definitely be! Please call me RP (Character) Little Queen!" Tong Yao excitedly cracked her fingers. She has always believed that the misfortune of her life was exhausted due to her parents' divorce during her childhood, and from then on, she would be able to turn her luck around and sail smoothly. Isn't it said that when God closes a door, He will surely open a window for you?

A stir of emotions surged within, and Qin Zhan said nonchalantly: "You're welcome. If it weren't for me, you would be fine too, after all, you have good skills. If you can't win in a verbal fight, just resort to physical means, and once it's over, just run away."

Then, with a sigh, Ren Yue widened his eyes and said regretfully, "I have been discovered."

Tong Yao forced a smile and said, "I watched her fall down, thinking she had suffered some sudden illness"

Qin Zhan let out a cold snort and included the dog-headed strategist Ren Yue in the reinforcements. No matter what, it was essential to leave a deep impression on Tong Yao

Ren Yue opened his mouth wide, wearing an expression that clearly said, "What kind of international joke are you making"

Your exes all have devilishly attractive figures, and there really isn't much to distinguish them. Let me think, that girl had quite red hair, styled in large waves, and she asked me who your current girlfriend is..." Qin Zhan said slowly.

His hand, which was raised in mid-air, stiffened for a moment before naturally falling onto his head. He scratched his hair, hesitating about what to do, when he heard Tong Yao calling out in surprise: "Jiao Jiao, how did you come back so quickly?"

Qin Zhan did not think too much. He ran wildly, his mind filled with Tong Yao's every frown and smile. Her appearance was overly enchanting, giving off a somewhat seductive vibe at first glance. However, when she smiled, her eyes and brows curved like a clean child, stirring an inexplicable feeling in him. Qin Zhan rushed into the classroom, and upon seeing Ren Yue, he sneezed twice first.

Ren Yue's curiosity led him to press for a confession, but he managed to deflect it with laughter.

Ren Yue was anxious: "General Qin, please don't do this. You must save your brother. Later, you can decide how you want to..."

Qin Zhan then remembered this dark history and couldn't help but explain casually: "Well, it's my friend Ren Yue, his personality has always been rather impulsive..." In order to successfully distance himself from the situation, Qin Zhan silently apologized to Ren Yue and then casually recounted a few of Ren Yue's embarrassing incidents—although at least half of these events were instigated by him. However, as a behind-the-scenes hero, one must naturally keep their contributions and name hidden.

Having not received any further replies on WeChat, Tong Yao idly played with her phone

Tong Yao compared their heights, noting a difference of more than 20 centimeters. She then touched Xu Jiao Jiao's glasses, which had a vision correction of 0.3

Xu Jiao Jiao held her hand, her face filled with sorrow

She hummed a little tune as she returned to the dormitory, not expecting that Xu Jiao Jiao was already waiting for her. As soon as Tong Yao entered, Xu Jiao Jiao quickly asked: "I remembered what I wanted to ask you when we parted. The person standing in front of me when we met was the campus heartthrob, right? Did he greet you?"

Standing just one meter away from Tong Yao, he quickly composed himself, beaming as he raised his hand to greet her. Just as he was about to speak, Tong Yao walked past him without turning her head, leaving only a faint scent of perfume in her wake. In contrast to her dazzling and alluring appearance, the fragrance carried a hint of fresh earth, reminiscent of the gentle scent of seawater in the soft sea breeze.

Ren Yue casually brushed past the date cake path and said, "Are you apologizing? Is that so, is that so, is that so?" Without waiting for Qin Zhan to respond, he continued to speak to himself, "Then I will reluctantly accept it."

Xu Jiao Jiao hurriedly shook her head

Qin Zhan also let out a barely noticeable sigh

Tong Yao's eyes lit up instantly. She said with a beaming smile, "Yes, yes!" As she spoke, she began to reach into her pocket to look for change

Then there must be an object of suppression! Tong Yao was instantly at a loss whether to laugh or cry, knowing that Xu Jiao Jiao must have seen that coser (costume player) master, feeling excited and passionate, which is why she was completely perfunctory towards her.

"You rascal... I thought you were too drunk to cross the street, and I was looking for you everywhere. I didn't expect you to be here chatting and laughing with the campus beauty..." Ren Yue said discontentedly

Tong Yao smiled and said: "In fact, I am truly a reasonable person, I just occasionally supplement it with my fists"

Qin Zhan let out a snort, not even deigning to offer a denial

Qin Zhan feigned helplessness and nodded, taking advantage of Ren Yue's inattention to rub his stomach—after all, it was not only Ren Yue who was suffering. In fact, if Ren Yue did not bring up the issue of improving the meals again, he would have to find another way.

... ...

This is not a big deal, after all, the Earth continues to rotate regardless of who is absent. What is troubling is that after Qi Qing left, what to eat for the three meals has become a significant dilemma

"Auntie, it wasn't me who bumped into you, I just wanted to help you up..."

The man glared angrily at Qin Zhan, making a move as if to strike, but was grabbed by Tong Yao who caught hold of his arm. The young woman tugged at the man's clothing and whispered, "Let's just let it go today"

"What progress?" Qin Zhan inexplicably felt a bit embarrassed and quickly walked away

Qin Zhan decisively hummed in agreement, then looked around as if searching for a place to sit.

The cafeteria P at mealtime is always crowded, regardless of the time. It often requires one person to reserve a seat while the other stands in line. The two of them have consistently taken turns getting food. ... Now, in order to avoid queuing and to ensure he gets to eat his favorite dishes at every meal, Ren Yue brazenly drags Qin Zhan into the scheme.

It is Qin Zhan, the one who helped you scold others before!

Qin Zhan squinted his eyes: "Well, it's somewhat like the preparation done before a debate, gathering information about the opponent and analyzing it, identifying their weaknesses, guiding them to make mistakes during the debate, and then delivering a fatal blow"

"What happened to me?" Qin Zhan blinked his eyes, pressing his somewhat dizzy head, and mumbled, "Who poured me the drink..."

Ren Yueling had a sudden inspiration: "Let us go learn to eat pig's trotters! In addition to the original flavor, they also have a spicy flavor... We can also conveniently order some dishes to eat!"

The two young ladies present were overjoyed, laughing uncontrollably.

Have you been to Boya Garden?" Qin Zhan looked at Tong Yao's curious eyes, introducing Boya Garden while walking alongside them.

Qin Zhan's lips twitched slightly, deeply doubting his image in the other person's mind, and could not help but begin to ponder how to restore his own dignity

Tong Yao let out an "oh" and said somewhat uncertainly: "Maybe? But I didn't pay attention... and no one greeted me either"

Then help me gather her information, just as you said, to know both ourselves and our adversaries. Qin Zhan readily replied, However, this time it should not be the gossip from the BBS, but rather the facts.

After much contemplation, I have decided to burn that kraft paper bag. Qin Zhan felt a sense of relief, as if he had resolved a monumental problem

Tong Yao exclaimed, "Ah!" in surprise and said, "Oh, don't you have classes this afternoon?"

At the lecture venue, the only ones who were not paying attention, apart from Qin Zhan, were Tong Yao. She recognized each term and the Chinese characters, but when combined, she could not understand them at all

Tong Yao casually agreed: "Yes, they even shared pig's trotters with us, truly good people"

As his ex-girlfriend, Zhuo Yan has already helped Ren Yue break up with several girlfriends after their separation

As the laughter gradually subsided, Tong Yao continued, "However, your laughter tells me that I have a nickname called Innocent."

The three friends bid farewell amicably

"The sovereign has summoned me, how could I not return?" Xu Jiaojiao said with a hint of shyness, her face beaming with joy, "Thank you, my lord, I captured a photo of my idol! Let me show you!"

"Qin, handsome guy, have you really been watching too many domineering CEO dramas lately?" Ren Yue said with a hint of helplessness. If he didn't care about "some rumors," who was it that initially dug up all the related posts on the BBS, creating tables to analyze them one by one?

"There are a total of 5 cafeterias in the school. Where should we start?" Qin Zhan asked while scratching his chin

For Tong Yao, who is in charge of the broadcasting department, this is not a difficult task, especially with the hosting script that Xu Jiao Jiao prepared early in the morning

It is clearly a perfect match between Tong Yao and Qin Zhan! As mere mortals, witnessing the attractive school prince and school princess walking together is truly a great pleasure!

In the following days, Qin Zhan occasionally stared blankly at the drawer

Mother will have few opportunities to come to Beijing in the future, and before she leaves, I want to take her to taste the delicious food at school. The new student smiled shyly, with a hint of childishness in her still-developing features. Then the smile gradually faded, and anxiety and frustration crept in—there were 7 pig's feet left in the window, then 6, 4, 2, and finally 1.

Of course there are classes, not only that, but the instructor is also a little old man from Taiwan, who is both humorous and strict, taking attendance in every class

The clock above the blackboard ticks away second by second, signaling that it is time for the speech to begin

Original... Spicy! Qin Zhan was about to say original flavor, eager to correct himself, almost biting his own tongue. It goes without saying that the "ideal type" must definitely be the spicy one

At this moment, the man beside her reached out to stop her: "Hey, young lady, if you have any conscience, just throw a few hundred yuan to the old lady so she can go to the hospital. It's so cold today..."

Xu Jiao Jiao quietly lingered beside the two, glancing at Tong Yao from time to time and then at Qin Zhan, letting out a couple of chuckles to herself. The handsome guy and the beautiful girl are truly a sight to behold!

He nitpicked the wording and said: "Do not be polite; the one to be thanked is the pig that sacrificed itself, not me"

Tong Yao could only nod repeatedly in agreement

The next three days for Ren Yue were nothing short of a nightmare—three whole days of spicy hot pot, three meals a day, without missing a single one! In the dry and biting weather of the capital, to not break out in acne on his face is simply miraculous

Qin Zhan was about to say more, but Tong Yao shook her head at him, signaling him to leave

My roommate is saving a seat; how about I save one for you as well, and we can eat together? Tong Yao thought of his fan, Xu Jiao Jiao, and couldn't help but want to play matchmaker.

Qin Zhan said expressionlessly, with each word pronounced distinctly: "I can assure you with certainty that you will write the paper by yourself"

Having an ex-girlfriend is just troublesome..." Ren Yue replied with a hint of concealed pride, suddenly recalling something, and asked, "It’s not Zhuo Yan, is it?"

In order to have a 'chance encounter', I certainly have to queue for every meal and also wait at the window for a while

Qin Zhan fell silent for a moment and said: "To be honest, I truly admire you. There are very few people who can still think and act this way now."

"Qin, handsome guy, your strategy has issues! Pursuing someone is a skill! Besides, these matters do not affect us being a team; I do not want to disband!" Ren Yue decisively clung to Qin Zhan's thigh. His grades in all subjects were A+, a true academic elite, yet he was utterly helpless when it came to financial engineering. If Qin Zhan wanted to disband, he absolutely could not let go.

The junior was overjoyed and expressed his gratitude repeatedly

Qin Zhan cast a shadowy glance at him and said, "I don't know if someone is thinking of me. However, one of your ex-girlfriends is thinking of you; she even inquired about your recent situation yesterday"

Tong Yao couldn't help but burst into laughter: "You are right, we must first thank Brother Pig." She glanced at the remaining one on Qin Zhan's plate, hesitated for a moment, and asked: "Are you eating alone?"

Ren Yue, infuriated, slammed the door and left

A chorus of boos erupted from the audience

Next time I encounter it, I still need to help. It is not that I am a 'white lotus', but among ten people, there will always be a few who are genuine. If I do not help, and the passersby share the same sentiment, how indifferent would everyone become? Although what I do is merely a drop in the bucket, I still feel it is necessary to act without remorse.

The Siheyuan is a historical site from the Ming Dynasty, which has undergone several renovations and was later renamed "Boyayuan." Both its layout and design still retain an antique charm. Many people come here out of admiration, only to be turned away at the door—no entry for idle visitors. Even students from this department must present the badge of the institute to gain access.

She stood there stubbornly, which made Qin Zhan feel a bit heartbroken. After the railway guardrail was lifted, Qin Zhan immediately rushed to Tong Yao's side and said to the old lady in a firm tone: "My classmate was just trying to help, yet you bit back at her. Isn't there something wrong with your character?"

In simple terms, it refers to the character of the other person, oh, this is needless to say, straightforward and righteous. Then, after collecting information about her favorite foods, the TV dramas she enjoys watching, the music she often listens to, and the online games she frequently plays, you will be able to cater to her preferences.

The two individuals were conversing as they walked outside

Who made him forget his friends for the sake of beauty? If it weren't for the class, Ren Yue would have loved to laugh heartily at the sky: "It's fine, even if I didn't get to hook up with my 'ideal type', there are still people thinking of you, right?"

Tong Yao struggled to glance at the pig's trotter. Even through the display window, she could smell that aroma. ... Tsk tsk, the color, the flavor, it melts in the mouth, leaving a lingering fragrance ... She swallowed hard, shook her head, and said to the junior behind her: "You go ahead and buy it, I don't like spicy food."

After Xu Qing moved to another dormitory, the opportunities for the three of them to meet were limited to the mandatory classes held four times a week. At first, there was inevitably some awkwardness, as they had once shared a close bond, standing shoulder to shoulder on the path of revolution and holding hands at the dining table. However, Xu Qing was accustomed to reading people's expressions; upon seeing the two from a distance, she would avoid them, and if she couldn't escape, she would lower her head and pretend not to see them

Before leaving, I have one last request: I humbly ask for a reward of pig's trotters, two would be even better

He shivered and waited in the cold wind for about one minute, yet Ren Yue had not appeared.

"Wuwu, you must be the angel sent by heaven to save me!" Xu Jiaojiao jumped up and gave Tong Yao a bear hug, pretending to cry with snot and tears.

"Um, my response at that time was to let me think about it." Qin Zhan stood up and walked outside.

Qin Zhan made a fearful expression: "I solemnly assure classmate Tong Yao that I, Qin Zhan, am a good student who upholds the five virtues and four beauties, in the past, present, and future."

Tong Yao shook her head: "If I give it, I will be considered to have admitted to hitting someone. I’m sorry, I won’t take the blame for this."

It's just a piece of cake! Qin Zhan said with a proud expression

It is impossible, today was a lecture specifically for their department, and I later went to host it and saw him there!

Do not forget that my father has always referred to you as the second son, and my uncle is also your uncle. Well, I do not have a second uncle, but if you really cannot help it, you may send your regards... After putting down the burden, Qin Zhan began to engage in banter.

Upon arriving at the bottom of the broadcasting department building, Xu Jiaojiao interrupted the conversation between the two, saying, "We need to go in; the bell will ring in one minute"

"Is my strategy incorrect? Then what do you suggest I should do?" Qin Zhan rarely seeks advice with such humility

However, as the wind suddenly rises, leaves fall gently from the sky, and the two piles of leaves blur the boundaries, prompting Xu Jiaojiao to let out waves of lamentation

Knowing that asking him was unreliable, Qin Zhan said coldly: "Alright. You write the paper by yourself, I will revise it, and we will put both our names on it, with me as the first author"

"General Qin, if this continues, I might have to turn against you!" Ren Yue looked at Qin Zhan's exceptionally clean face, feeling a strong urge to rebel.

Xu Jiao Jiao's eyes sparkled as she stared at him with a lovesick smile, saying: "Thank you for your pig's trotters. By the way, you have helped our Yao Yao deal with 'scumbags' twice in a row, that's really impressive"

Thank you, I have been well-educated since childhood to respect the elderly and love the young, but not for people like you! It is one thing to be disrespectful due to age, but you also want to extort others!" Qin Zhan grabbed the old lady and held onto Tong Yao's hand, "I have already taken pictures of how she assisted you just now. If you insist on making a scene, we can go to the police station and discuss it. If you refuse to let go, that's fine too; I will call 110, and we can wait here for the police to arrive.

At this moment, all she could do was face the inexplicably restless crowd below and the flashing lights that rose and fell.

Tong Yao had heard some legends and seen some photos, yet when she listened to Qin Zhan speak about them, she still found it fresh and interesting, and thus did not notice that the Finance Department and the Broadcasting Department were completely in different directions

After walking a short distance, Xu Jiao exclaimed: "The male god is truly handsome and stylish, upright and kind!"