Chapter 459

"Had a good day, huh? Joined any clubs?"

Zhu Xiao Bei hooked her feet under the bed's guardrail and did sit-ups with a thump-thump-thump.

Zheng Wei let out a yelp and collapsed onto the bed beside Ruan Wan: "We both joined the chess club, but Ruan Wan only agreed because Zhang Kai nagged her into it—she just went along to fill a spot."

Thinking of Zhang Kai's relentless pestering, Ruan Wan couldn't help but smile wryly and shake her head.

Li Weijuan spoke quickly, glancing at the two of them: "What club? Isn't it just another place for guys to chase girls? I heard the chess club is the most useless on campus—classic waste of time."

"That's exactly the point—to waste time. Youth is about splurging."

Zheng Wei rolled her eyes and said: "The guys in the chess club aren't bad though. The president's name is Xu Kaiyang—he's filthy rich. I heard a few girls whispering he still doesn't have a girlfriend."

Zhu Xiao Bei burst out laughing and jumped off the bed: "You've got all the intel already? Then why not strike while the iron's hot?"

"Pfft, he wouldn't even look at me."

At that moment, a knock came—thump, thump, thump—and all four girls turned toward the door, where a man in a white shirt, a satchel slung across his shoulder, holding a bouquet, spoke: "Is Ruan Wan here?"

"She is."

The flower delivery man raised the bouquet: "For you."

Amid the exclamations of the other three girls, Ruan Wan smiled faintly, stood up, and took the flowers: "Who sent these?"

"I don't know. We just deliver flowers—we don't ask for customer details unless they sign their name. Otherwise we can't help it. Here's the receipt—sign here."

Ruan Wan signed, turned back, and carried the flowers over, where Zheng Wei and the others immediately swarmed to inspect them.

Zhu Xiao Bei frowned: "They look fine, but the scent's too faint—what kind of flowers are these?"

Zheng Wei and Li Weijuan shook their heads in unison: "Don't know. Not familiar."

"They're baby's breath," Ruan Wan said, knowledgeable as always. She explained to them, adding a story: "So baby's breath symbolizes purity, care, and longing."

"Wow, no wonder Ruan Wan's the big beauty—goes out for a stroll today and gets flowers by nightfall. So jealous. I wonder who it is—imagine how heartbroken he'd be if he found out you've got a boyfriend," Zheng Wei clucked, then suddenly snapped her fingers: "I get it!"

Zhu Xiao Bei blinked: "What's with the dramatics? What do you know?"

"I know who sent Ruan Wan the flowers."

At this, not just Zhu Xiao Bei and Li Weijuan, but even Ruan Wan turned to look: "Who?"

"It's…," Zheng Wei dragged out the word, building suspense, then declared firmly: "Wang Yan!"

Ruan Wan shook her head with a smile: "Wang Yan? Impossible."

Zhu Xiao Bei and Li Weijuan nodded vigorously—they both agreed Wang Yan would never do something like this.

"Listen to me," Zheng Wei said. "During military training, every time we saw him, Wang Yan was giving Ruan Wan those lingering glances. You two weren't there today, but I'll tell you—he showed up this morning with two giant speakers selling computers, then sang two songs. While he was singing, a crowd gathered, and he spotted Ruan Wan right away—they were exchanging looks the whole time. It's definitely him, no one else."

"He sang on the playground today?" Li Weijuan's eyes widened.

"Exactly! So tell me—isn't that right?"

"It couldn't be Wang Yan," Ruan Wan repeated.

Li Weijuan nodded firmly: "Right. Not him."

"I don't think it's him either," Zhu Xiao Bei said, touching her short hair.

"Why?" Zheng Wei couldn't understand. Why did all three of them have so much faith in Wang Yan? They were all chasing girls—why was Wang Yan the one who couldn't possibly send flowers?

"I don't know him well," Li Weijuan said, "but if he were going to send flowers, he'd walk right up to Ruan Wan himself." Her thoughts drifted back to that quiet afternoon in the library, when they'd talked so easily.

Ruan Wan and Zhu Xiao Bei nodded in agreement. That was true. Wang Yan gave them the impression of confidence, depth, mystery, even detachment. Someone like that would never send anonymous flowers.

Hearing this, Zheng Wei frowned, thinking back: Wang Yan's behavior during military training, his passionate singing on the playground, his persuasive computer sales. Such a person wouldn't hide behind anonymous flowers—he'd walk right up and flirt outright.

She sighed and shook her head: "Forget it. Whoever it is, it's not for me—why should I care? But how come all of you know Wang Yan?"

"Didn't I already say? We talked when we first started school. We got along really well."

Zhu Xiao Bei still didn't mention how hard she and her sister had worked running their steamed bun shop. Like she'd told Li Weijuan, she didn't care if people knew how poor she was—she just didn't want their pity. Besides, the shop was so close to campus, plenty of students had eaten there—she couldn't hide it even if she tried. But since they didn't know her personally, and didn't know the details, it didn't matter. If Zheng Wei and the others found out later, fine—she wouldn't be the one to tell them.

"I already told you—I met Wang Yan on the first day of school. We nodded and said hi. Since then, we always greet each other when we see him. As for how I met Li Weijuan…" Ruan Wan looked at Zheng Wei with exasperation: "Seriously? What kind of memory do you have? Didn't I already tell you? We talked in the library last time."

Li Weijuan snapped to attention, glancing at Ruan Wan—they'd agreed not to let Zheng Wei and Zhu Xiao Bei gossip about that incident.

Ruan Wan knew this too. She shook her head slightly, signaling she hadn't said more. She didn't understand—it was just a chat. What was there to hide? Even gossip would die out quickly. But she also knew Li Weijuan was unusual, a bit of a germaphobe—maybe she just didn't want such things attached to her.

Zheng Wei didn't notice any tension. She groaned and stood up: "Forget it. I'm too bored. Who cares how you all know Wang Yan? I've got laundry to do—got a bunch piled up. Anyone want to come?"

She still felt uneasy. Four girls in one dorm, and three of them knew Wang Yan—only she didn't. What was wrong with her? Why did she feel so left out?

Wang Yan didn't know the girls were holding a meeting about him. Since the campus recruitment day, when he'd given two lectures and performed, he'd received countless love letters. Confident, bold, talented guys were always popular—and he wasn't ugly either. It was natural some girls were drawn to him. More importantly, his business was taking off.

Every day people called him or came to his dorm to ask about computers—mostly about installment plans. Installments were great, but also not great. What trapped people in consumption was credit. Installments were credit.

But right now, they genuinely helped students. A standard four-person shared computer cost at least eight or nine thousand yuan—over two thousand per person. That was five months' worth of living expenses for an average person. Few could afford it outright.

He wasn't harming students. At this time, credit services hadn't even opened yet. Those who couldn't pay outright couldn't afford it at all. Even those using installments were mostly students with some family money—those who got hundreds of yuan a month for pocket money.

Add in the fact that his prices were the lowest on campus, and even if they bought and immediately resold, they'd still make a few hundred yuan profit. Anyone wanting a high-end tech product like a computer wouldn't hesitate.

Naturally, he made a decent profit.

"Tsk tsk tsk," Zhang Kai shook his head, stroking the large desktop computer on the table with affection: "Over ten thousand yuan! Ten thousand! Ten years ago, that was the kind of money that made you famous in the whole village. Now it's just a computer. Old Wang, you're really something. Compared to you, my TVs, game consoles, VCDs—worthless."

"Nothing special. Just student support and trust. Otherwise, how could I have gotten here?"

Wang Yan exhaled a puff of smoke by the door. The other three guys didn't smoke, so he never lit up inside. Even if they did, he wouldn't let them—smoke clung to the room and smelled awful.

Xu Kaiyang tapped the keyboard: "Still, you've got connections. Computers outside cost so much—you got them cheap. That's real skill."

"Why don't you get one, Xu Young Master? Support your bro's business? This thing's great—no need to mention modeling, we've got those in the computer lab. The real perks are online dating and gaming. And mine's on installment. Several guys in this dorm bought it like this—you know that."

"Nah. If I need one, yours is right here—I'll just borrow it." Xu Kaiyang shook his head, then asked: "You're selling so well—planning to make this your career?"

"No. Just this batch—to earn some pocket money. Right now, they're a steal. Who do you think pays for the installments? It's my boss. No matter how rich he is, holding five thousand yuan per computer is too heavy. You know how family businesses work—cash flow pressure's brutal. The fact he's even paying me my commission is generous. I'll sell a few dozen more, then quit."

Selling computers brought profit, but that wasn't his goal. He had skills, endless knowledge—he could make money any number of ways. He just wanted to show off, build a reputation. A little youth, a little fun.

Xu Kaiyang nodded. He was about to speak when a woman's voice came from the hallway: "Old Zhang? Old Zhang? Zhang Kai?"

Wang Yan, leaning against the doorframe, turned his head—it was Zheng Wei. Their eyes met; he nodded politely, then turned back to call Zhang Kai. But as soon as he turned, Xu Kaiyang shot out the door, followed immediately by Zhang Kai. No computer was as sweet as a girl. This wasn't yet the era where girlfriends mattered more than games.

With their departure, the group of students gathered around the new computer also filed out, since

"Weiwei, did you miss me?"

"Get off," Zheng Wei slapped away Xu Kaiyang's hand resting on her shoulder, then glanced at Wang Yan slipping into the room: "What were you two doing in there? There were so many people!"

Zhang Kai chuckled and explained: "They just bought a new computer; everyone came to check out the high-tech gadget. Alright, let's go inside—don't just stand here." As he spoke, he gripped Zheng Wei's shoulders and turned her around, then tried to push her into the messy dorm.

"Wait, let's go take a look—it cost over ten thousand! Wasn't that just Wang Yan over there? Back when they recruited new students, it was probably him selling them." Zheng Wei turned again, circled around, and headed straight for Room 312 next door.

Inside the room, the group of curious classmates had left; only the three boys from the dorm and the fat guy from Zhang Kai's room remained, fiddling with the computer. Wang Yan ignored them, quietly flipping through a book in his hands.

"Let me take a look."

Zheng Wei walked in without ceremony, scanned the room, shoved the boys aside, and began poking and tapping at the computer: "Did you buy this computer with your commission? Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself—I'm Zheng Wei. No need to introduce you; I know your name is Wang Yan."

Watching Zheng Wei step forward, hand extended, smiling confidently, Wang Yan nodded and lightly tapped her hand: "Yes, I bought it with my commission."

"Impressive. How many did you sell total?"

"Not many—just a few dozen."

Zheng Wei blinked her big eyes, hummed, and mused: "Forgive me for being forward, but… could you let me know how much you actually made selling computers?"

Wang Yan smiled politely in return: "You really are being forward."

Uh—Zheng Wei froze, unsure how to respond. Normally, if someone didn't want to answer, they'd say something like, "I didn't make much—just bought myself a computer." Why did he say it was forward? She was a top-tier beauty—was he really that rude to her? She was annoyed.

Zhang Kai, ever considerate, laughed heartily: "Hey, Wang Yan's earnings are right there in front of you, Weiwei. Look at you. Alright, guys, we'll stay here—you two hang out. We're leaving." As he spoke, he pulled Zheng Wei, still pouting, away.

Back in Room 310, Zhang Kai looked at Zheng Wei's sulking face: "Lady, would you ever ask someone how much they earned like that?"

"Fine, don't tell me. But why was he so impolite? Xu Young Master, you tell me."

"Hmm, Wang Yan really was out of line—he didn't have to say it so bluntly. Right? Calm down, calm down. I'll go talk to him later." Xu Kaiyang changed the subject: "Hey, weren't you looking for Old Zhang? What's up?"

"Oh right, I forgot the main thing. I've watched all the movies I borrowed—came to get more from Old Zhang. Here, I put all the ones I watched on the table."

"Let me find some for you." Zhang Kai pulled out a large box under the table, pointing at a pile of discs: "Come on, Weiwei, browse through them—take any you like back to watch."

Zheng Wei opened the dorm door and angrily slammed the discs onto the table.

Li Weijuan, comfortably soaking her feet on the edge of her bed, asked concernedly: "Oh, Young Lady, didn't you go to Old Zhang's to pick up discs? Who upset you?"

"No one upset me—I'm just annoyed."

Zhu Xiao Bei leaned down from the top bunk: "Tell us, let us be amused."

Ruan Wan also smiled, watching Zheng Wei seated on the stool with keen interest.

"It's that Wang Yan again."

"Wang Yan?" x3

Li Weijuan spoke quickly: "What did he do to you?"

Zheng Wei exhaled sharply and recounted the whole incident, then grumbled: "I just asked how much he made—I admit it was forward, but why did he have to be so blunt? Seriously."

Ruan Wan smiled sweetly: "You yourself admitted it was forward. He just said you were—what's wrong with that?"

Zhu Xiao Bei nodded in agreement: "Exactly. Weiwei, nobody asks like that."

"Oh come on, you guys. I didn't know any better—I'm always blunt, say whatever comes to mind. I know I was rude, but he could've just said something polite to brush me off. Why did he have to humiliate me like that? He's such a grown man, with zero grace—and you're still defending him?"

"Don't even say that—we never said anything good about him," Ruan Wan waved her hand. "That's all in your head."

"Exactly—we never said anything. But… Wang Yan really is impressive. Back home, people barely make a few thousand a year. It's only been a few weeks since school started—and he's already earned enough to buy a ten-thousand-yuan computer. Think about it: if he can spend that much, he must have money left over. He's probably made tens of thousands already. Truly amazing."

"So? Interested? Isn't he perfect for you?"

"Die, Xiao Bei. Even if I liked him, he'd have to like me back." Li Weijuan rolled her eyes, then asked: "You went to his dorm, right? How was it? Clean?"

Zheng Wei thought for a moment, then nodded: "You know what? It really was clean—cleaner than our dorm by far."

The four girls laughed and chatted again, the topic gradually drifting away from Wang Yan, their voices bright and cheerful.

Zheng Wei's annoyance lasted only a moment, but her impression of Wang Yan remained poor. Though she knew she'd been wrong first, that didn't stop her from disliking how he'd shut her down. Wasn't she, a lovely and beautiful girl, entitled to a little courtesy? Also, she'd never liked him much before—four people in his dorm, three knew Wang Yan. She didn't believe he didn't know who she was; she'd appeared near them before. Yet he still ignored her. Two wrongs piled together—how could she possibly have a good impression?

"Come on, Wang Yan, let's go wash up," Xu Kaiyang pushed open the dorm door, calling out with Zhang Kai.

Wang Yan, half-reclining on his bed reading, replied: "I just got back—you two go ahead."

Xu Kaiyang pressed: "Come on, come on—let's smoke and chat."

This meant something was up. Wang Yan nodded, casually tossed his Huazi pack aside, bare-chested, wearing only loose shorts and slippers, and strolled lazily after them toward the washroom.

He lit a cigarette, took a drag, then handed them each one: "What's up? Because of Zheng Wei?"

Xu Kaiyang lit his cigarette: "No, she's just a kid, didn't mean anything. You're a Northeastern guy—what's the big deal? I want to buy a computer."

"Huh?" Not just Wang Yan—even Zhang Kai stared at him in confusion: "Young Master, what's going on? Didn't you say just now you weren't buying? Ten thousand yuan—that's serious money. Think it through."

Wang Yan nodded, agreeing with Zhang Kai: "What changed your mind?"

"Come on, what else could I think? I just realized—getting a computer really is good. Your price is low, and you offer installments. I'll just tough it out a bit, and there it is. We're friends—you won't screw me over, right?"

With him saying that, what could Wang Yan do but nod and agree? Money walking right up to him—why refuse?