Chapter 35: Identity Exposed! Zhao Maolin Grows Suspicious

On the way back to the dorm, Tang Zhenzhe pulled Chen Yansen along at the rear.

"Sen-ge, you've really done me in."

Tang Zhenzhe wore a long face, looking thoroughly unwilling.

"Cut the act!"

Chen Yansen rolled his eyes, then went on: "You think a college class monitor is the same as in high school? The resources tied to that position far exceed your imagination."

"First, class monitors get priority for Party membership; second, no worries about roll-call dorm checks or failing grades; third, more chances to meet girls, higher odds of finding a girlfriend; fourth, every session's faculty student-union chair is picked from class monitors, and at the very least you can land a department head…"

"Look at you, dressed up like a proper gentleman all day — you're probably some little virgin, you don't really want to stay single for all four years of college, do you?"

Chen Yansen squinted, sizing him up from head to toe, a teasing smile playing at the corner of his mouth as he ribbed him.

"Believe it or not, I'll sue you for slander! I dated two girls back in high school!"

Tang Zhenzhe had been quite tempted by what he said, with words of thanks already on his lips, but hearing that jab he immediately shot back.

"Left hand? Right hand?"

Chen Yansen chuckled and countered.

"Hahaha! A-Zhe, spill it honestly — have you ever actually dated anyone?" Zhu Xiaopeng grinned broadly, turning around to ask.

"Sen-ge looks like an old hand for sure, what he says can't be wrong!" Meng Xibo snickered and chimed in.

"So being class monitor comes with this many perks — if I'd known, I'd have gone up and tried too." Wang Zhengqiang, after hearing Chen Yansen's explanation, flashed a hint of envy in his eyes and sighed with full-hearted regret.

"Sen-ge, thank you."

Tang Zhenzhe hesitated briefly, then let out a long breath and sincerely thanked Chen Yansen.

He knew perfectly well that without Chen Yansen pulling votes for him, the class-monitor title would almost certainly have gone to Li Wenhao.

"With the bond between us, no need for pleasantries."

Chen Yansen waved a hand, a mischievous grin on his face.

"…"

Tang Zhenzhe gave a wry smile. If anyone else in the dorm had joked with him like that, he'd most likely have blown up — but facing Chen Yansen, he just couldn't muster any anger.

"Sen-ge, I've still got 3 left here."

Song Yang, who hadn't spoken the whole time, felt his pocket and pulled out the unsold campus cards.

Chen Yansen gave an "mm," unsurprised — the guy would later go on to open two hotels in Qindao, so naturally he had some business sense.

"What! I only sold 5 — how did you manage it?"

Zhu Xiaopeng froze, unable to believe it, and grabbed Song Yang to press him.

"I sold out completely!"

Meng Xibo announced proudly. Under the guise of the fellow-townsmen association, he specifically welcomed the new students from Huinan, and in a single afternoon he'd sold all 10 cards in his hand.

"Bobo's awesome! I only sold 3." Wang Zhengqiang looked a bit awkward, then turned reluctantly to Tang Zhenzhe: "A-Zhe, what about you?"

"I sold 9."

Tang Zhenzhe grinned. That one line made Wang Zhengqiang feel even more embarrassed.

Men, after all, always have a competitive streak in their bones — they love comparing with each other.

When they're broke, they like to compare length and girth; once they've got money, they like to flaunt their income and bank balances.

"Hold onto the remaining cards for now. Even though freshman registration is over, there'll still be people who want a campus card."

Chen Yansen pushed Song Yang's cards back.

"Alright then."

Song Yang nodded, his mind already working — besides welcoming new students, what other places could he reach large numbers of freshmen?

Chen Yansen walked ahead, the dim yellow streetlamp stretching his shadow long behind him.

……

……

The next morning, the frantic chirping of birds outside the window woke Chen Yansen.

"Looks like I'll have to move out."

Chen Yansen sat up on the bed and let out a long sigh. He'd still underestimated how hard it would be to fit back into campus life — the hurdle of roommates snoring and grinding their teeth alone was already more than he could handle.

He picked up his phone to check the time, then tapped open an unread text.

"Mr. Chen, the paperwork has been handled for you. Whenever it's convenient, you may come pick up the materials."

A message from the agency.

Chen Yansen replied with an "ok," flipped himself out of bed, brushed his teeth and washed his face, then took out a neatly pressed suit from his suitcase, and only after dressing properly did he head downstairs.

The Mercedes E300 he'd rented was parked at the cafeteria entrance. Not long after he got in, Wang Zihao, similarly dapper in a suit, came running over, panting.

"Sen-ge, are we going to Zhao Maolin now to get our commission?"

Wang Zihao got in the car and asked, curiosity all over his face.

"No rush — come with me to Huamao first, I'll pick something up while we're at it."

Chen Yansen replied casually, offering no further explanation.

Huamao is the largest mixed-use mall in Xucheng, with heavy foot traffic, and surrounded by an office-tower complex — easily the most bustling core area downtown.

Wang Zihao watched the gradually livelier scene and said with a cheeky grin: "Finally leaving East Village No. 2, at last it feels like we're heading into the city."

Chen Yansen smiled, parked in the underground lot, and the two took the elevator up to the first floor.

The lights blazed bright and dazzling, with Dior, Chanel and other big-name counters lined up in a row. A few steps further in were Tiffany and Cartier boutiques. The lavish decor made Wang Zihao a little uneasy, but the moment he saw Chen Yansen's calm, composed manner, he instantly relaxed.

"Sen-ge, what are we here for?"

Wang Zihao couldn't sit still, his face full of confusion.

"Buying a watch."

Chen Yansen pointed to a watch store not far away and answered concisely.

After speaking, he walked to the display case and said to the sales assistant, "Miss, my budget is around seventy thousand; recommend three models for me."

Hearing this, the meticulously made-up sales assistant looked up, saw the two men's attire, immediately put on a smiling face, and spoke in a coquettish voice, "Hello, Mr. For a price range of seventy thousand, there are three Rolex models that meet your requirements. Please follow me."

She made a gesture inviting them and led the two to the lounge area, smiling as she served tea.

"This Rolex Datejust is our store's best-seller, priced at sixty-two thousand eight hundred. Its strap..."

While introducing, the sales assistant observed Chen Yansen's expression. Seeing him remain unmoved, she felt reassured and continued, "This Rolex Explorer is priced at sixty-one thousand eight hundred; the top configuration can reach around seventy thousand. The last one is the Milgauss series for scientific use, which features anti-magnetic properties..."

Just as she was about to detail the specifications and materials, Chen Yansen directly interrupted her, pointed at that Rolex Explorer, and said, "Wrap it up for me, and put the invoice inside the box. By the way, if I'm not satisfied, how many days do I have for a no-questions-asked return?"

Hearing the first half, the sales assistant's heart blossomed with joy, but upon hearing the second half, she immediately deflated, cursing "What bad luck" under her breath. Being well-experienced, she instantly understood Chen Yansen's intention.

Yet she dared not show the slightest dissatisfaction and forced a smile as she replied, "Within two days, you can return or exchange it anytime with the invoice."

"Swipe the card."

Chen Yansen spoke in a flat tone and casually handed over the card.

"Brother Sen, are you crazy? This watch is sixty-one thousand eight hundred, not sixty-eight!"

After the sales assistant walked away, Wang Zihao lowered his voice and warned.

"This watch is a gift for Zhao Maolin. Did you think I was buying it for myself? We made nearly three hundred this time; we must show some sincerity and let him have a sip of the soup."

Chen Yansen explained leisurely.

The value of this watch accounted for about twenty percent of the total profit; this was also his bottom line. If the other party accepted it and still dared to tamper with the commission, then he would not mind breaking the rules.

"Damn it! We worked ourselves to death, while he sat in the office doing nothing, yet he still gets twenty percent for free?"

Wang Zihao said indignantly.

"There are many people who do nothing yet take the biggest share. If you are dissatisfied, then strive to climb higher and one day trample these people under your feet."

Chen Yansen sneered and said lightly.

Twenty percent? What the hell is that?

In the past, the campus general agent received only seventy yuan commission per card and had never seen a single cent of the recharge commission.

On the other side.

Zhao Maolin sat in his office, talking on the phone. A voice came from the receiver: "His father runs a bookstore in Chunshen. I checked that Mercedes-Benz; it is registered under a rental company in Zhoulai. Additionally, he himself owns a newly established company called Senhai..."

No power, no money, no background?

Zhao Maolin frowned tightly. From the information he had gathered, Chen Yansen was not the kind of second-generation rich kid he had imagined, yet how could the speech and knowledge of the other party be cultivated by an ordinary bookstore owner?

Something is wrong!

Zhao Maolin suddenly stood up and paced back and forth in the room.

(End of this chapter)