Chapter 42: Giving it to the Department Head

Yes! Cao Sheng was made to treat everyone to a meal again.

When everyone discovered that he had quietly written another book, and that it had already been published up to the fourth volume in Baodao, everyone—including their counselor Lu Xiangwei—was extremely astonished.

They had previously thought it was already impressive enough that Cao Sheng could write "Days of Living with a Flight Attendant."

No one expected that he had actually written another book, "I Desire to Become an Immortal."

What surprised everyone the most was that this book could actually be published in Baodao.

Before this, none of them had ever heard of a mainland author's work being published in Baodao.

Envy, jealousy, and hatred...

Amidst all sorts of emotions, Pang Yunhai and the others clamored for Cao Sheng to treat them, insisting he must treat them.

The class monitor, Geng Yong, joined in the clamor as well.

Counselor Lu Xiangwei did not join in, but he didn't stop them either; he just stood by with a smile, watching. When Cao Sheng helplessly agreed to treat everyone to a meal, Lu Xiangwei enjoyed the fruits of their clamoring and was dragged along by everyone to this small restaurant.

It was just a meal; for the current Cao Sheng, it was no longer a big deal.

Ever since he decided to hide his publishing achievements, he had anticipated that a day like this would come, and he had long been mentally prepared to treat everyone again.

He just hadn't expected this day to come so soon.

Who could have guessed that the envelope containing the sample copies would arrive with a hole torn in it?

However, since it had already been discovered by everyone, he could face it calmly.

It was just that he had already eaten dinner today, so eating another meal with everyone now, he couldn't eat much and could only accompany them for a few drinks.

What surprised him was counselor Lu Xiangwei, who seemed even happier than he, Cao Sheng, was. In less than half an hour at the table, he had already downed over two bottles of beer and was still drinking; he drank with whoever toasted him.

Suddenly, Lu Xiangwei started, looked up, and slapped his thigh, saying with annoyance: "Oh no! I forgot the errand your English teacher asked me to help her with! I came to your dormitory to call people to help her move, so how did I end up here drinking with you all? This... Teacher Cheng will definitely curse me to death!"

The private room quickly quieted down. They looked at each other, wanting to laugh but feeling embarrassed to do so.

Pang Yunhai suddenly waved his hand and said nonchalantly: "It's fine, Teacher! You're already here anyway. If Teacher Cheng wanted to curse you, she definitely would have already. Come! Teacher Lu, I'll toast you again. You must drink a few more cups today, otherwise, wouldn't you have been cursed by Teacher Cheng for nothing? Don't you think?"

Lu Xiangwei was startled and hesitated.

As soon as the others saw Lu Xiangwei's expression, they immediately stood up one after another to toast him, offering words of comfort to Lu Xiangwei in a jumble of voices.

"That's right, Teacher Lu! You're already here anyway, why dwell on that? Come! I'll toast you too!"

"Teacher Lu! It's fine! Let's eat quickly, and we'll go help Teacher Cheng move in a bit. It's no big deal, I believe Teacher Cheng will understand."

"Exactly, Teacher! Teacher Cheng has a very good personality, I believe she definitely won't curse you!"

"Come! Teacher! Put other things aside for now, drink up! Let's get drunk while we have wine today!"

Lu Xiangwei was still an honest man.

He wanted to drink, but he was also worried about Teacher Cheng's move.

After drinking with everyone for another half hour with a restless mind, he finally couldn't sit still. He stood up and said: "You all keep drinking! I'll head back first to call some students from other dormitories to help your Teacher Cheng move. You all just stay here and don't go."

This time, no matter how they tried to persuade him, they couldn't stop him.

But they felt embarrassed to let Lu Xiangwei go alone, so the meal broke up just like that.

Everyone followed Lu Xiangwei back to the school and arrived at the dormitory building where Teacher Cheng lived.

Cao Sheng came too.

When they arrived at the door of Teacher Cheng's dormitory, they saw Teacher Cheng and her partner moving things out. Teacher Cheng had a dark face and was covered in sweat; her partner was not only covered in sweat, but his T-shirt was also nearly soaked through. He was exhausted, mouth agape, panting heavily. It was the end of June, and it was already sweltering; moving in this kind of weather was definitely something only those who did it could truly understand.

When the two of them saw Lu Xiangwei bringing a group of students, their expressions were both quite colorful.

Teacher Cheng immediately rolled her eyes at Lu Xiangwei. "Teacher Lu, why did you bring people here so quickly? Aren't you being a bit too fast?"

Teacher Cheng's partner put down the bag of rice in his hand, stood up, took out half a pack of cigarettes, and walked over with a smile to offer one to Lu Xiangwei, saying in a low voice: "Don't be angry! She's just tired from moving things and is currently in a fit of temper!"

Lu Xiangwei apologized and explained repeatedly.

He soon mentioned that the reason he forgot to bring people to help was because he suddenly discovered that Cao Sheng actually had another novel published in Baodao, and the sample copies happened to arrive today.

Speaking of the sample copies, he handed one of the copies he had on him to Teacher Cheng to look at.

This was one Cao Sheng had given him.

He had kept it with him the whole time when they went to drink earlier, and he still had it in his hand when they arrived just now.

"Sample copy?"

Cheng Ying reached out to take it, looked at Lu Xiangwei in surprise, and then looked at Cao Sheng.

Cao Sheng returned the smile.

Cheng Ying managed to squeeze out a smile for him.

Then she lowered her head and flipped through a few pages of the sample copy, the anger on her face completely replaced by surprise.

In her impression, only ancient books had this kind of vertical, traditional-character layout, but this "I Desire to Become an Immortal" was clearly printed recently; the paper was brand new, and when opened, one could still smell the scent of paper and ink.

Cheng Ying flipped through a few pages, then looked up at Cao Sheng, revealing a kind smile. "Student Cao Sheng, you promised to give me a sample copy too, right? Could you give me a copy of this sample book as well?"

Cao Sheng's smile stiffened slightly.

Cheng Ying had indeed asked him for a sample copy before.

But what she had asked for before was "Days of Living with a Flight Attendant." At the time, he had agreed, thinking that once that book hit the market, he would buy a few copies and give her one.

After all, the number of sample copies was very limited, and he simply couldn't bear to give them to just anyone.

But what she was asking for now was "I Desire to Become an Immortal."

"I Desire to Become an Immortal" was sold in Baodao and wasn't available for sale in the mainland. Even if he wanted to buy a few copies, it wasn't convenient; he would have to discuss it with the publisher.

At that moment, Cao Sheng smiled and asked in return: "Teacher Cheng, weren't you asking for my book 'Days of Living with a Flight Attendant'? The sample copies for that book will still take some time."

Cheng Ying blinked. "I want the sample copy of that book, but I also want the sample copy of this book!"

You have some nerve!

Cao Sheng resisted the urge to roll his eyes and shook his head in refusal: "Teacher Cheng, I would like to give you a copy of every book, but the sample copies are too limited. I've already promised the other copies to others, and I also want to keep a set for my own collection, so, I'm sorry! I can give you at most one copy."

When he was young, he was thin-skinned and felt embarrassed to refuse others.

Now, however, he would refuse anything he could.

If others had the nerve to make requests, why should he feel embarrassed to refuse?

At this point, Lu Xiangwei spoke up to help: "Right! Teacher Cheng, don't make things difficult for Cao Sheng. As for sample copies, there are only a few for each book. As his teachers, it's already very respectful of him to give us one, so don't make it hard for him."

Cheng Ying felt a bit regretful, nodded, and smiled: "Fine! I was too greedy. Then just give me one copy of this sample book? I really like this kind of traditional-character sample book and would like to collect one. Is that okay, Student Cao Sheng?"

This time, Cao Sheng didn't refuse again and readily agreed.

The next morning.

Lu Xiangwei knocked on the department head's office door with a smile, walked up to the department head's desk, and handed the sample copy Cao Sheng had given him to the department head, Wu Chengping.

"Director! Take a look, this is another novel published by that student of mine. Look at this font! And look at the content inside. Guess where this book was published, hehe! Let's see if you can guess."

Wu Chengping frowned and looked suspiciously at Lu Xiangwei's smiling face. He reached out and took the sample copy, and after just one glance at the cover, a look of astonishment appeared in his eyes.