Chapter 462

The matter of pursuing a second degree went very smoothly; I just had a word with the leaders of the two departments, and it didn't even take a whole day.

It is always a good thing for students to want to learn more. As a well-known university, Southeast University has countless students pursuing second degrees. Wang Yan's reputation at school is still quite loud, after all, computers aren't sold for nothing. Just based on this capability alone, who knows, he might be a famous alumnus in the future, so everyone is quite accommodating.

Furthermore, Wang Yan is indeed professionally competent. After attending classes for only one month, he has basically self-studied the courses for the first half of the academic year, and he also has a certain understanding of ancient architecture from the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Even if selling computers was a coincidence, his learning ability is a certainty. He is indeed qualified, and it is within the regulations, so of course, there is no problem.

The few people in the dormitory also knew about his plan to study civil engineering, but they didn't express much. It's just that the lewd talk stopped immediately, and they started reading their books much more seriously. People comparing themselves to others really makes one want to die; they don't miss a single class and still have to stay up late to study, and even so, they aren't doing as well as Wang Yan, who skips classes and sells computers to make money on the side, and now he's even about to start a second degree—what are they waiting for if they don't study hard?

Wang Yan finished handling the matters and went to collect a set of textbooks. Basically, he didn't do anything else for the rest of the day. By November, the sky was already dimming around five o'clock. He put away his hard drive, turned off the computer, put on a long-sleeved shirt, and set off to go to the Good Luck Bun Shop.

After stepping out, he happened to see Zhang Kai coming back from dinner with the three lads from his dormitory.

Seeing Wang Yan greeting them and about to leave, Zhang Kai blocked him: "It's so late, where are you going?"

"Going out for something, what's up?"

"I heard from Mingbo, Xiao Wang, and the others that you're going to study civil engineering? Starting classes tomorrow?" Seeing Wang Yan nod, he continued: "Big brother, you must absolutely not hold a grudge against Zheng Wei, just be tolerant."

Wang Yan was a bit puzzled: "Didn't we say it all yesterday? What did she do again?"

"Oh my, you don't know. At lunch in the cafeteria today, Zheng Wei saw Chen Xiaozheng, and she dumped out Chen Xiaozheng's food, so I'm telling you to absolutely control yourself and don't be impulsive. It wouldn't have been a big deal if you just didn't see each other, but now you're going to be in the same class as her—can there even be any peace now?"

"Alright, it's no big deal, she's just a little girl, can she really turn the world upside down?" Wang Yan shook his head and smiled: "You really are a good friend."

"That's for sure, walking the world, you rely on loyalty. I'll go persuade Zheng Wei on her side too, it wasn't a big deal to begin with." Zhang Kai chuckled. Wang Yan is not Chen Xiaozheng; if Zheng Wei were really that crazy, he felt Wang Yan could really slap Zheng Wei across the face, and that would be bad.

"You worry about your own business, I'm off." Wang Yan waved his hand and turned to go downstairs.

What Zhang Kai just mentioned was the scene that originally played out; Zheng Wei didn't get the original satisfaction of revenge from Chen Xiaozheng, but instead, Chen Xiaozheng looked annoyed to death and nagged a bunch. This feeling of punching cotton didn't feel good, and Zheng Wei is a very self-centered person; Chen Xiaozheng's reaction left her at a loss, and in the end, she said, "Chen Xiaozheng, I hate you," a line very typical of a youthful love story...

And it was precisely because of this scene that Zheng Wei became interested in Chen Xiaozheng, thus starting her later pestering of him. But to be honest, this affection came too quickly; it really was like a tornado. It's somewhat inexplicable; after all, Chen Xiaozheng's dead face was full of annoyance, and he wasn't that handsome, yet Zheng Wei still took a liking to him.

Of course, if one must explain it, it's probably that Zheng Wei has a masochistic streak; perhaps that moment struck her, and there was a spark. She considers herself beautiful, she is self-centered, and from childhood to adulthood, she has always been the object of pursuit; she stands in the center of the crowd. But there was just one Chen Xiaozheng who didn't look up to her, and with this, didn't she just become obsessed with Chen Xiaozheng?

Perhaps it could also be that she just thought of it, playing ambiguous games with Chen Xiaozheng, making Chen Xiaozheng unable to stop, and then gracefully pulling away, but she herself got trapped in it.

Anyway, that's how it is; who knows what it's because of.

However, logically speaking, compared to Chen Xiaozheng, in Zheng Wei's eyes, it seems that he, Wang Mou, is even more annoying...

Aimlessly pondering like this, he soon walked to the area of the family housing. The family housing isn't far from the student dormitory building, and the bun shop's location is a shortcut through the family housing.

Perhaps God opened the valve of fate, Wang Yan looked back and saw Shi Jie not far behind, baring her tiger teeth and smiling as she greeted him; he waved back in response and stood in place to wait.

Shi Jie was wearing a denim outfit, carrying a black leather bag, her hair tied into a high ponytail, revealing a clean face; she was very beautiful. She approached and smiled: "I saw a swaying figure that looked like you, I didn't expect it really was you."

"Senior sister, you just got off work? How is the computer working? No problems, right?"

"No, it's quite good." Shi Jie nodded: "At this hour, not staying at school, where are you going?"

"A classmate's family opened a bun shop over there. I saw their business was too simple, and since I'm from the Northeast, I really like eating barbecue, and I happen to have a recipe for barbecue seasoning. I thought I'd let them try it and see if the flavor works. This way, they can earn more money, and I'll have a familiar place to eat barbecue." Wang Yan pondered: "Senior sister just got off work, haven't had dinner yet, right? Why don't you just come with me. It just so happens you're a local, you can help taste it and give some improvement suggestions."

"Ah? I won't go, there's food at home."

"Since we've run into each other, help me out, let's go, let's go." Wang Yan enthusiastically grabbed her arm and pulled her along.

Shi Jie struggled twice but couldn't break free, helplessly following his footsteps: "Alright, alright, I'll go with you, hurry and let go of me." She had no choice; this junior she just met was too enthusiastic, pulling her along, she couldn't resist at all, how could she not agree?

"Sorry, senior sister, I'm just used to it. Luckily there's no one here; if people saw us pulling and tugging like this, what would it look like."

"Look at you, what are you saying." Shi Jie rolled her eyes and walked alongside Wang Yan: "You guys just started school for less than two months, I heard you sold computers for a month, didn't your studies fall behind?"

"Not only did they not fall behind, I also applied to study in the Civil Engineering Department."

"Impressive, I didn't see that not only are you good at business, but you're also a genius at studying?"

Wang Yan smiled: "If you understand one thing, you understand everything. Although business and studying are worlds apart, our brains are sharp."

"Praise you twice and your tail goes to the sky." Shi Jie smiled charmingly; she felt this junior she was meeting for only the second time was very interesting and left a deep impression. She pondered: "I remember that for a second degree, you have to finish an undergraduate major before you can apply again, right?"

"Hmm, but rules are rules, implementation should also be flexible and adaptable. A student as excellent as me can fully study two courses at the same time, not to mention that architecture and civil engineering are not separate to begin with. As long as you set a study plan, and then go to the teacher for a small test during exams, neither will be delayed."

Wang Mou is of course a master of chatting, laughing and talking with Shi Jie all the way. Not only was there no awkwardness of silent walking, but instead, it made Shi Jie not mind being forcibly pulled along earlier, eliminating those unhappy grudges, and the perception was much better.

Before long, the two arrived at the Good Luck Bun Shop. Both Zhu sisters were there, and from afar, they saw Wang Yan coming, especially with a pretty girl by his side.

"You're here, Xiao Yan." Big Sister Zhu wiped her hands with her apron and came out to greet them two steps: "This girl is..."

Wang Yan nodded with a smile, looking at Zhu Xiao Bei who also came over, he said: "Her name is Shi Jie, a senior sister I met when I sold computers before. She was also in the Architecture Department and just graduated and started working this year. Her parents are teachers at our school. When I came over, I passed by the family housing and happened to run into her getting off work. I thought she was a local, so I pulled her over to give some ideas. Senior sister, this is Big Sister Zhu, this is her younger sister Xiaobei, the classmate I mentioned."

Big Sister Zhu nodded in greeting, while Zhu Xiao Bei followed Wang Yan's form of address: "Hello, senior sister."

Shi Jie responded with a smile, and that counted as having met.

"Big sister, did you buy everything back?"

"Bought it all, bought it all, look, the barbecue grill and the charcoal are all there, right? And the meat and vegetables and everything, I've cleaned it all up. Just waiting for you guys to come over."

Wang Yan glanced at the grill piled on the side and nodded: "Alright, then let's start. Senior sister, go inside and sit, I'll mix the barbecue seasoning, and we'll start grilling in a bit."

Shi Jie smiled and agreed, then turned and asked Big Sister Zhu: "Big sister, is there any work left undone? I'll help out."

"Oh my, it's all done, just waiting for Xiao Yan to mix the seasoning. Xiaobei, go inside with your senior sister and stay for a while, I'll go see with Xiao Yan."

Zhu Xiao Bei enthusiastically pulled Shi Jie into the house; she is an extrovert and can handle things well.

"Xiao Yan, this is the seasoning for the recipe you asked to buy."

"Good, big sister, find me a small basin." While speaking, Wang Yan took off his shirt and started working on it.

His own culinary skills were already at level three, and he was a good eater. Besides, he hadn't been poor for years, and he had eaten everything that flies in the sky, runs on the ground, and swims in the water. And as for the methods, they were even more varied. He didn't know how many private restaurants he had opened himself over the years, and he had even been an emperor twice; wasn't that just eating whatever he wanted?

Especially in terms of professionalism, the imperial chefs he had when he was emperor were even more formidable than those masters of the modern era. The reason wasn't anything else, just three words: sense of crisis.

After all, for those cooking for the emperor, if they didn't make it well or didn't have new tricks, even if he, Emperor Wang, was kind-hearted, the eunuchs and other leaders below would still torture them to death. And these were all things he couldn't see.

So over these years, although his culinary skills hadn't changed, his ability to appreciate food was there. On the other hand, he also had some collecting hobbies; whenever he encountered something delicious, he would ask about it. Whether he was a big boss or an emperor, no one would refuse to tell him the key to it. As time stretched out, naturally, there was some accumulation.

For example, the barbecue seasoning recipe he wanted to give to Big Sister Zhu was researched by the Imperial Kitchen Bureau during his last time in Water Margin. Not only does it have traditional seasonings, but also some medicinal herbs, flowers, and plants. As long as it's grilled meat, dipping it in this seasoning, it's absolutely correct.

He put it into the basin according to the ratio while introducing to Big Sister Zhu what the effects were, talking about the measurement error within the allowable range. Very quickly, he mixed the dry seasoning, wet seasoning, and a kind of sauce: "Taste it?"

Big Sister Zhu pinched a small pinch and put it in her mouth, smacking her lips as she felt the fragrance suddenly appear on her taste buds, and she widened her eyes in surprise: "So fragrant?"

Wang Yan nodded with a smile, didn't say anything more, and went straight outside to set up the grill, got the charcoal, and started the fire. Without him needing to greet her, Zhu Xiao Bei brought out the things that had long been skewered and put them aside, holding a fan and fanning the fire there.

Looking at Shi Jie who was looking around inside the house, she poked her head out and asked: "What's the situation?"

"What what situation?"

"This senior sister."

Wang Yan said "Oh," turned back and smiled at Shi Jie, and waved his hand to signal her not to come out and work, then smiled: "Is she pretty?"

"Pretty."

"Didn't I tell you last time, I said I like pretty girls. Even if I'm not dating, I'm happy just looking at such pretty girls." Wang Yan flicked her forehead with a finger: "Gossiping all day long, you really are idle, hurry up and fan the fire."

Zhu Xiao Bei let out an "ouch," gasped, and gave Wang Yan a slap on the back in annoyance, sulkily shaking the fan there.

"Hey, what kind of girls do you like? Don't say pretty, pretty is just the appearance, I'm talking about personality traits."

Wang Yan thought for a moment and pondered: "I like those who are compatible."

"Then what if there are many who are compatible?"

"Then why can't I have them all? Three wives and four concubines, every man wants that, and I want that too." Wang Yan looked at Zhu Xiao Bei with a smile and said shamelessly: "And let me tell you, Xiaobei, rich people all have several wives, the red flag at home doesn't fall, and the colorful flags outside flutter; that's what I yearn for..."

"Pah, go have your spring and autumn dreams." Zhu Xiao Bei glared at him in disgust, then got up to greet the customers coming head-on.

"Does your family sell barbecue too?"

"Not selling it now, just grilling it to try, I'll give you two skewers in a bit for you to give us some suggestions." Zhu Xiao Bei greeted the diners skillfully and brought them into the house...

The weather was getting cooler, but not to any great extent. For convenience, Big Sister Zhu simply moved a table outside, letting Shi Jie and Zhu Xiao Bei sit there, while she grilled skewers with Wang Yan to see the technique.

She originally thought she would be the one grilling, but she didn't expect to become an apprentice by Wang Yan's side.

"Come, Xiaobei, senior sister, it's grilled, hurry and eat while it's hot." He divided a handful of meat skewers in his hand to Big Sister Zhu, and put the rest on a plate and handed it to Shi Jie.

He took another large handful of various skewers and put them on the grill, opened a bottle of beer with his bare hands, drank it comfortably, ate a lamb skewer, smacked his lips, nodded with satisfaction, and looked at the three women: "How's the taste?"

In fact, there was no need for the three of them to speak; the customers eating inside were already calling out: "Boss, how do you sell this barbecue? Give me another ten lamb skewers."

Zhu Xiao Bei hurriedly took a few more skewers inside to give to the diners, apologizing and promising that they would be on the menu in a few days.

Big Sister Zhu gave a thumbs up and nodded heavily: "Delicious, Xiao Yan, you are this."

"Hmm, really delicious." Shi Jie ate until her mouth was messy and smiled: "I really didn't see it, you have this skill too?"

"I have many serious skills, you have to contact me more and discover more." Wang Yan took a gulp of beer and looked at Big Sister Zhu, whose expression was complex: "Big sister, you've tasted this flavor too. With the recipe I gave you, as long as you ensure the ingredients are fresh and don't grill the meat too big, it won't be bad. Later on, you can ponder how to process the ingredients one step ahead, like marinating the lamb in advance, and the flavor can be even better."

Glancing at her younger sister who had just come out, and then at Shi Jie who was eating skewers happily, Big Sister Zhu said: "Xiao Yan, big sister can't..."

"Hey, big sister, isn't this also for my own convenience to eat skewers? I also know that you and Xiaobei are honest people. We've known each other for two months, don't you know what kind of person I am? I know big sister, you don't want to take advantage of me, isn't it said that even brothers should settle accounts clearly? How about this, big sister, tomorrow I'll go find a lawyer, and we'll sign a contract. I'll count this barbecue seasoning recipe as my investment. Additionally, I'll put in another 20,000 yuan, and we'll find a bigger shop, decorate it well, and recruit some diligent waiters, as well as chefs and so on.

These will count as my 20% share. Big sister, don't be in a hurry to refuse. I still have to go to school and study, I don't have time to manage it. You have to be busy with all this. Senior sister should know that this is just an investment. When our barbecue shop becomes popular in the future, we'll open chain stores and branches. We've opened in Jin Ling, we'll open in Gusu, open in Shanghai, and even open in the capital. Think about it, big sister, how much money is that? So you don't have to feel like you're taking advantage of me. I have the recipe, but without time to manage it, it can't turn into money. In the end, it's still big sister helping me."

Wang Yan did this just to help the Zhu sisters get rich. After all, he had so many businesses that could make money, how could he have the leisure to do barbecue? Zhu Xiao Bei is not bad, and her sister also has backbone; he felt it was quite good, so he just helped out, that's all.

He had already said it to this point, what else could the Zhu sisters say? After hesitating and pushing back for a while, the matter was settled just like that, and the barbecue shop was named "Life in a Skewer"...

The dim light of the street lamp dispelled the darkness of the night, the tall man swayed aimlessly, the slender woman beside him stepped on the gravel under her feet, the light shone, and the shadows were long one moment and short the next.

"I didn't expect you to be quite helpful."

"Big sister, do you have any misunderstanding about being helpful?" Wang Yan tilted his head and glanced at the smiling Shi Jie: "Isn't it obvious that I'm just sending money to the two sisters?"

"Hmm, that's true too. With your recipe, anyone can get rich. Xiaobei's family situation, she told me when we were chatting, it's not easy. Wang Yan, you are a good person."

"Don't, I've also made money. It's just that a person's energy is limited, I just don't want to do a barbecue shop, otherwise wouldn't it be more profitable if I opened it myself? It's also because I trust the two sisters. Now it's like this, I still have 20% of the income. If nothing goes wrong and the recipe isn't leaked, I can retire early. Besides, the situation of the two sisters is quite good, there are many people more miserable than them, it's just that we haven't seen it. Compared to them, there are those who need help more than the two sisters."

"I'm praising you, okay." Shi Jie couldn't help but roll her eyes; she said one thing, and he countered another, he didn't understand the situation.

Wang Yan laughed: "I received it."

While laughing and talking, they soon arrived downstairs at Shi Jie's house, and he said: "Goodbye, senior sister."

Shi Jie stood at the entrance of the unit, looking at the smiling junior with deep eyes: "I'll call you when I'm off this week, and invite you to Fuzimiao to eat something delicious."

"Alright, go back."

Shi Jie waved goodbye with a smile, turned, and entered the unit building.

Wang Yan took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit one, and walked back while strolling.

Running into Shi Jie was something he hadn't expected; this was truly fate. So since the wonderful fate had arrived, of course, he had no reason to let it go. So today Shi Jie saw his versatility, saw his wealth, saw his generosity, and saw his good-person attributes. She felt his humor more deeply, felt his wisdom and maturity, and felt his uniqueness.

He just revealed his advantages bit by bit, giving people a feeling of wanting to dig deeper and see through him. This person, why couldn't it be Shi Jie...

He always did things decisively, so the next day he didn't attend a single class and went straight out to find a lawyer to draft a contract, signing it with Big Sister Zhu. He also took Big Sister Zhu for a stroll nearby, rented a large shop, and then directly contacted the renovation team, drawing the plans on-site without a word.

He didn't understand renovation, but he had aesthetics. The standard large display window, minimalist solid wood tables and chairs, glass curtain wall partitions for the back kitchen, etc., all highlighted cleanliness and hygiene, as well as the high-end atmosphere brought out by the minimalist beauty.

Afterwards, he went to find a furniture factory to customize production according to the table and chair styles he designed, and finished this work in just one day. The rest, like recruiting people, contacting stable suppliers, etc., was Big Sister Zhu's business. He had already made it clear that when opening the second branch, he would send an accountant.

Big Sister Zhu pulled Wang Yan to ask for advice without a clue, but Wang Yan didn't give any suggestions, only saying that she should make the decisions herself, as she was the boss. It was normal for a woman with no experience to suddenly manage a large shop, involving 20,000 yuan and a recipe of unknown value, to be at a loss and not know what to do. But people have to practice.

Wang Yan didn't care about her; the opportunity was given, whether she could grasp it or not was not his business. Even if the shop failed and the recipe was leaked, he didn't care.

Another day, Wang Yan looked at the class schedules of the two departments. The Architecture Department's was History of Chinese Architecture, and the Civil Engineering Department's was Materials Mechanics. Naturally, he took the Materials Mechanics textbook and set off with the three lads from the dormitory, as well as Zhang Kai and others, walking among the mighty army of students heading to the teaching building.

In the tiered classroom, there was a buzzing chaos, and students were sitting scattered in sections. In the last row, Zheng Wei and the other three sat in a row.

Seeing Zheng Wei lying listlessly on the table, Ruan Guan asked with concern: "Zheng Wei? What are you thinking about?"

"You don't even need to ask." Li Weijuan was grinding her nails with a nail clipper and glanced at Zheng Wei, who looked like she was about to die: "Zheng eldest miss is of course studying how to take revenge on that Chen Xiaozheng, and those two enemies, Wang Yan."

"No one will treat you as a mute if you don't speak." Zheng Wei snorted coldly, turned her head to look out the window, leaving them with the back of her head, and continued to look like she was about to die.

Sensing someone coming in at the door, Ruan Guan's gaze subconsciously looked toward the door, her big eyes full of confusion: "Strange, why did he come?"

"Who?" While speaking, Li Weijuan also turned her head to look at the door, but looking at this, her eyes couldn't move away.

Zhu Xiao Bei, who hadn't spoken from beginning to end and had been staring at the door, waved happily, signaling that she was here.

Zheng Wei, who sensed something was wrong, turned back to look at the door, and after being stunned for a moment, immediately glared at him.

Just see, the male student walking in from the door smiled happily toward their location, raised his head to greet them, and then walked leisurely to the podium.

Waving his hand to signal, after a group of students who didn't know what was going on quieted down, he smiled brightly: "Taking advantage of the teacher not being here, I'll delay everyone for a minute, please bear with me. First, let me introduce myself, my name is Wang Yan, I'm from the '94 Architecture Department, we are all in the same batch. I applied to the teachers and leaders to concurrently study our civil engineering, and after approval by the leaders of the two departments, I came to study. From now on, we are classmates, I hope everyone will take care of me, thank you."

While speaking, Wang Yan picked up a piece of chalk and wrote his big name on the blackboard behind him with flying dragon and dancing phoenix, signaled to everyone, and then picked up the eraser and wiped it clean.

He patted the chalk dust on his hands, a faint smile on the corner of his mouth, and under the gaze of the students, walked leisurely toward the back row...