Chapter 638: Don't indulge him too much

The next day, class proceeded as usual.

In the morning was an art history theory class; this semester a young professor who had just returned from M Guo took over, with an impressive academic record and a good reputation on campus.

His lecturing style wasn't stiff; he occasionally slipped a few close‑up images of obscure paintings into the slides, asking if the students knew the artist—if they didn't, he wasn't annoyed and just kept going.

Mu Youyu sat upright in a seat toward the back, occasionally lifting her head, looking earnest; a closer look revealed she was rushing a color illustration.

Jiang Liangjin was the same, merely sitting upright, his phone in hand as he replied to a message from the Special Assistant.

The morning class passed in this quiet manner, each occupied with their own tasks.

The professor ended class right at 11:40; as everyone packed up their textbooks, he glanced toward the back rows and said, "Mu classmate, stay a moment—think again about the composition of that painting just now?"

Mu Youyu lifted her eyes, her lashes fluttering slightly, "Okay, teacher."

After most people had left, Mu Youyu finally rose and walked to the podium.

The professor had already been organizing his lesson notes; seeing her approach, he pulled out his phone and brought up an image, "What do you think is wrong with the composition of this painting?"

Mu Youyu glanced at it, then answered seriously, "It's too symmetrical, too neat."

The professor chuckled, "Then how do you think it should be changed?"

Mu Youyu picked up his pen and quickly sketched a few lines on the edge of the printout, "Shift the viewpoint left, let the center drift a bit, leave some breathing space—that'll make it natural."

"Shift the viewpoint left, offset the center, leave blank space to breathe." The professor looked at those strokes, growing more pleased, "Exactly that. All right, you're free to go."

Mu Youyu said thanks and returned to her seat.

Jiang Liangjin tilted his head onto her shoulder, "Mu classmate, you're so busy."

Mu Youyu reached out and pushed his face away, "Watch your image."

"Got it—how about your fiancée giving me some face and grabbing dinner after class?" Jiang Liangjin drew out his words.

Mu Youyu glanced at her phone, "Wait half an hour; Ergege still needs half an hour over there."

Jiang Liangjin echoed her, then laughed and asked, "Has Chair Mu finished the planning proposal?"

Mu Youyu replied with a sweet laugh, "Is Baobao asking if I need help? Since Baobao asked, of course I do."

Jiang Liangjin pressed the corners of his mouth, then couldn't keep it in, "Then Baobao, send me the files first and I'll help you rush them out."

Mu Youyu didn't stand on ceremony either, sending the files via AirDrop, "No rush—first look over the company's online documents, then we'll talk; the proposal isn't due for another two days."

Jiang Liangjin stored the received files in a folder, "Company matters aren't urgent; the Special Assistant said those cooperation terms can wait until the details are nailed down before approval."

"Then it'll be hard on us, A Jin."

"Not hard at all—I'm happy to help Baobao with things."

The two lingered in the classroom a while longer, until Mu Xi came to find them, then they headed out.

Jiang Liangjin slipped his phone into his pocket, and as he rose he casually picked up Mu Youyu's bag.

She was lowering her head to reply to a message, unaware of his movement; only when she stepped forward did she notice her hand was empty, looked up to meet her fiancé's gaze, and let him keep holding it.

Mu Xi waited at the end of the hallway, "The car's parked by the school's north gate—do you have any more classes this afternoon?"

"There's an elective at 2:30." Mu Youyu turned her head, "What's up?"

"There's a concert tonight—want to go?" Mu Xi glanced sideways, "A teacher gave us the tickets; the seats are good."

Mu Youyu: "Let's head back."

Jiang Liangjin readily agreed, "I'll try to get lots of photos of Erge, not let Erge down."

Mu Xi knew he was hinting at that day's sports meet, when Song Lujing had photographed him and caught only blurs, "…Never mind, if you dare sneak‑shot me you're dead."

Jiang Liangjin feigned ignorance, "Why?"

Mu Xi replied, "No reason—I won't give you the chance to show off."

Mu Youyu soothed, "I'll give you that chance to show off."

Jiang Liangjin had been waiting for exactly those words, "Or does Baobao love me?"

Mu Xi sighed, "Baobei, don't indulge him so much."

Jiang Liangjin jumped in, "Erge, we're going to marry someday—it's only right to pamper one's future wife."

Mu Xi: "…" Was that "Baobei" meant for him? He just agreed.

November came, the sports meet wrapped up, and the preliminary rounds of the debate competition began.

Students from C University filled the auditorium about halfway.

As the event's person‑in‑charge, Mu Youyu arrived backstage half an hour early, with all the work already set up.

She had her hair tied in a Gaomawei, wore the student council uniform, and a chair badge on her chest, while she quietly checked the procedure with several committee members.

Before the debate even started, someone lowered their voice to gossip, "The negative fourth speaker seems to be that guy—the one who confessed to the sophomore girl who transferred from the School of Finance and Economics."

"Isn't that the rich second‑gen who held a golden flower and used a drone to confess on sports day?"

"I looked up that girl's photo—she's really handsome, fights like a beast, her name's Feng Cen."

"Exactly, Feng Cen is from our college—really cool, he's won an international speech competition, and his foreign language is top‑notch."

"Right, and he's got great EQ too—I, a girl, could fall for him."

"Is she the affirmative fourth speaker? Are they on the same side or opponents?"

Mu Youyu had known all along, just waiting to see the show.

"……

After the host finished the opening remarks, he announced the debate topic for this round.

The affirmative side was the School of Finance and Economics, arguing that education matters more than ability.

The negative side was the School of Humanities, claiming that ability matters more than education.

As soon as the opening debate topic was announced, a low murmur rose from the audience.

After everyone had finished their introductions, the debaters began presenting their viewpoints.

Mu Youyu listened quietly.

When it came to the second rebuttal segment, the affirmative third speaker rose, grabbed the mic, and gazed at the opposition bench, saying, "May I ask the negative debater: when a vocational school student and a graduate student compete for the same job, and their abilities are similar, which would companies prefer to hire?"

The negative first speaker answered calmly: "Companies tend to hire whoever is more suited to the position, and suitability is precisely defined by ability. Education is merely one aspect of ability, not the whole, nor the sole factor…"

The affirmative third speaker continued questioning, turning to the negative second speaker: "May I ask the opposing debater, if there is no educational credential as a stepping stone, how can an ordinary person's ability be noticed by companies?"

The negative second speaker replied: "There are many platforms and channels; works and project outcomes can demonstrate ability, and it is not the only road through education."

Finally, the affirmative third speaker turned to the negative fourth speaker: "If society completely weakens the education standard, what method could efficiently screen vast numbers of job seekers, reducing recruitment costs for companies?"

The negative fourth speaker was a gentle-looking male student wearing glasses, speaking clearly: "Selection criteria can be diversified; relying on assessments and practical tests can discern true ability better than a single diploma."

"If we treat education as the sole standard for measuring talent, many geniuses in various fields might not even get a chance to enter."