Chapter 543: Compensation

That evening, Li Luo took Ying Chanxi to a Sichuan restaurant at Yintai Mall, and after dinner, they went up to the cinema upstairs to watch a movie.

The next day, the filming of "Little Joy" officially wrapped up, and Li Luo took Ying Chanxi to the wrap-up banquet at noon.

Thus, the shooting of "Little Joy" came to a close; the subsequent editing and promotional tasks had little to do with Li Luo.

Li Luo and the other two returned to their normal high school lives.

Meanwhile, on Xu Youyu's side, after a week of adapting to university life, he entered the second week of department activities.

On Monday afternoon, Xu Youyu and the other new department members followed several senior students from the External Relations Department toward the shops around campus.

Each of them had been given a small booklet containing specific details about the surrounding shops from last semester.

For example, which shops along Ningshan Avenue had previously cooperated with the Literature Department's External Relations Department, which shop owners were hard to deal with, and which stores had particularly demanding requirements.

"This semester has just begun, and our task right now is simple," said Yan Yishan, the External Relations Department head, adjusting his round glasses as he scanned the freshmen before him.

His gaze paused for a moment on Xu Youyu, then quickly moved away as he continued: "The information in your booklets is still from last year."

"Our task today is to update and consolidate that information."

"The five of us second-years will split into five groups, each taking two or three freshmen to handle a portion of the shops around campus."

"Some shops may have changed from hair salons in the first half of the year to fruit stores in the second half—this information needs timely updating."

"During this process, we can also try chatting with the staff and owners to gauge their sponsorship interest and record everything."

After speaking, Yan Yishan glanced at the list in his hand: "Xu Youyu, Jiang Feiya, you two come with me."

Hearing their names called, Xu Youyu and Jiang Feiya exchanged a glance, then followed Yan Yishan.

"Yan Xuechang's family is from downtown Yuhang City; I heard his dad is the CEO of an appliance company and owns several apartments downtown," Jiang Feiya whispered as she walked beside Xu Youyu.

"You know so much about him?" Xu Youyu asked in surprise.

"I heard it from other seniors during department dinners," Jiang Feiya rolled her eyes. "His family background is definitely much stronger than Li Luo's."

Xu Youyu merely smiled at this: "Family background doesn't matter—you have to actually like the person."

"But the person has to feel the same way too," Jiang Feiya said softly, her gaze complex as she glanced at Xu Youyu, hesitated, then sighed and added, "After we finish the External Relations Department work, I need to tell you something."

"Huh?" Xu Youyu looked puzzled. "What is it?"

"I'll tell you later," Jiang Feiya waved her hand and caught up with Yan Yishan ahead.

Xu Youyu followed, filled with questions, but since she didn't elaborate further, he didn't press.

"Today we're responsible for Xijie," Yan Yishan said as he walked toward the west gate of Qianjiang University, smiling. "But the busiest area is still Ningshan Avenue."

"It's wide, close to the dormitory zone, and lined with many shops."

"But the subway is being built here, and the Times Tianjie across the way has already broken ground."

"In another year or two, Xijie might become busier than Ningshan Avenue."

"Besides being a bit farther away, some shops here are actually quite good."

"Like that Chuan-Yu Old Firepot—it has a strong cooperative relationship with our Literature Department and frequently sponsors our events."

Hearing Yan Yishan's words, Xu Youyu and Jiang Feiya exchanged a glance; the latter's eyes held a strange expression.

After all, Jiang Feiya knew exactly what that Chuan-Yu Old Firepot was really like.

"Our task isn't heavy because there aren't many shops still operating on Xijie—just record the basics."

Yan Yishan pointed to their booklets as he spoke: "Once you've roughly finished recording, we'll head to the milk tea shop beside the west gate."

"Uh…" Jiang Feiya's expression grew even stranger. "Why are we going to that milk tea shop?"

"Of course to seek sponsorship," Yan Yishan smiled. "That milk tea shop's been really popular lately—I heard they launched a group-buying promotion, and many departments have been ordering there. We even bought some during our recruitment drive. I want to use this chance to sound them out."

Hearing this, Jiang Feiya couldn't help glancing at Xu Youyu.

Xu Youyu blinked, saying nothing.

The three arrived at Xijie; following Yan Yishan's instructions, Xu Youyu and Jiang Feiya first walked around the street, updating the outdated information in their booklets.

After finishing, they followed Yan Yishan to visit the previously cooperating shops, chatting casually to confirm this year's sponsorship intentions.

As for the Chuan-Yu Old Firepot, due to the relationship between Li Luo's father, Li Guohong, and Xu Youyu's father, Xu Rongsheng, it had consistently sponsored various Literature Department events.

Xu Youyu didn't even need to speak—Yan Yishan negotiated smoothly.

But when the three arrived at the milk tea shop, Yan Yishan finally hit a wall.

"The boss isn't here. If you want sponsorship, come back another time," said Jian Chun, sitting behind the counter, staring at her laptop.

Once she confirmed Yan Yishan wasn't there to buy milk tea, she had no intention of engaging him.

But Yan Yishan wasn't about to leave empty-handed—he ordered three milk teas, hoping to use the time while they were being made to probe further and learn about the shop owner's personality.

Hearing they wanted to buy milk tea, Jian Chun promptly closed her laptop and stood up to prepare them.

But when she looked up and saw Xu Youyu, she froze.

"You Youyu? What are you doing here?"

"Senior Jian," Xu Youyu smiled slightly and waved. "I joined the External Relations Department—I'm here with the seniors to get some experience."

"Oh, I see," Jian Chun's eyes flickered. Seeing Xu Youyu didn't elaborate further, she understood her meaning. "You're here for sponsorship too?"

"Exactly!" Xu Youyu giggled behind her hand.

"Then…" Jian Chun glanced at Yan Yishan beside her. "When the boss comes back, I'll recommend you."

"Thank you so much!" Yan Yishan said quickly. "I didn't know you knew each other."

"Yeah." Xu Youyu nodded, glancing at Yan Yishan. "She's my boyfriend's uncle's wife."

"W-what wife!" Jian Chun's face flushed crimson. "Don't make things up!"

Yan Yishan beside her also froze: "B-boyfriend?"

"What's wrong?" Xu Youyu blinked, her expression innocent and pure.

"N-nothing…" Yan Yishan forced a smile. "So you have a boyfriend."

"Yeah," Xu Youyu smiled, eyes half-lidded. "We're really close."

Jiang Feiya, standing nearby, heard this and glanced at Xu Youyu, then couldn't help but sneer.

I wonder if you'll still say that after I show you the photos.

Jiang Feiya silently mourned for Xu Youyu in her heart, then strengthened her resolve to be picky and selective.

Women must never hang themselves on one tree.

After making three bubble teas, Yan Yishan had no mood to wait any longer for the boss to return.

After confirming the task was completed, he hurriedly took Xu Youyu and Jiang Feiya back to campus.

Originally, it was he who approved Xu Youyu's entry into the External Relations Department without going through the normal interview process.

Every semester at the start of term, many new female students are quite impressive.

But someone like Xu Youyu, who leaves you breathless at first glance, is exceedingly rare.

Including today's team selection, as department head, Yan Yishan naturally moved first.

But after all this preparation, she already has a boyfriend—someone beat him to it!

Although a girl like Xu Youyu could perhaps be won over by breaking up a relationship, Yan Yishan couldn't bring himself to do such a thing.

After much thought, he gave up.

The girl beside her, Jiang Feiya, also looks quite good—let's shift targets.

……

Xu Youyu and Jiang Feiya had no idea what Yan Yishan was thinking inside his head.

After returning to the dorm from the External Relations Department, Xu Youyu curiously asked: "So what did you want to tell me?"

"Well…" Jiang Feiya pulled out her phone and glanced around the dorm.

Zhao Letian joined the Sports Department and also joined the badminton club—he's already off playing badminton.

Xie Xiuying applied for financial aid and secured a part-time job through the school; since she had no class this afternoon, she went off to work.

Now only Jiang Feiya and Xu Youyu were left in the dorm.

After confirming this, Jiang Feiya opened her phone's album and warned Xu Youyu ahead of time: "I'm warning you now—stay calm when you see it. We'll discuss this properly."

Xu Youyu, seeing her so serious, remained confused: "Let me see it first."

"Here it is," Jiang Feiya pulled up several photos she took on Saturday and showed them to Xu Youyu. "I went out to eat near Yintai and took these."

"Your Li Luo went out to eat alone with a girl, and he looked really happy."

"Do you know what the real point is?"

"When they left the restaurant after eating, they held hands!"

"I was afraid you wouldn't believe me, so I specifically snapped a clear shot—take a look!"

Seeing Jiang Feiya's excited tone, Xu Youyu glanced at the girl in the photo—and her expression turned strange.

"Uh… didn't you say hello to Li Luo back then?" Xu Youyu couldn't help asking.

"Nope," Jiang Feiya shook her head vigorously. "If I'd confronted him on the spot, I'd have scared them off. Since you weren't in the dorm on Sunday, I didn't tell you then—but I would've told you right away if you'd been here."

In Jiang Feiya's mind, this kind of thing had to be told to Xu Youyu face-to-face for maximum safety.

To spare Xu Youyu's dignity, she deliberately waited until Zhao Letian and Xie Xiuying were both out of the dorm.

Compared to Xu Youyu's calm expression, Jiang Feiya looked even more excited.

She clenched her fists and continued: "Li Luo doesn't know yet. I suggest you don't rush—gather more evidence first, then expose this scumbag in full force!"

Seeing Jiang Feiya had already planned out the next steps for her, Xu Youyu couldn't help but smile.

"Alright, alright, it's nothing," Xu Youyu said, pulling out her phone and opening her album to show Jiang Feiya several photos. "The girl in your photo is Xixi—Li Luo's cousin. They're very close."

"On Saturday evening, I ate with Letian and Xiuying, so I didn't go find Li Luo."

"He happened to be with Xixi that day, so they went out for dinner and watched a movie."

"Here, look—we even have photos together."

Hearing this, Jiang Feiya was half-skeptical at first, then glanced again at the photos on Xu Youyu's phone.

She saw mostly group photos of the group, all looking harmonious.

Seeing this, Jiang Feiya's cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.

"So… I was wrong?"

"Cough… yeah, that's it," Xu Youyu said, barely holding back her laughter. "Oh, by the way, this one too—also Li Luo's cousin. Next time you see him out shopping with her, don't be so surprised."

Xu Youyu pointed to Yan Zhusheng in the photo and introduced her to Jiang Feiya.

"Do they have such good genes?" Jiang Feiya muttered under her breath after clearly seeing Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng's looks.

"Haha~" Xu Youyu laughed, then rolled her eyes. "Can you send me those photos you took?"

"What for? Didn't you say it was a mistake?"

"I'm going to tease him with them," Xu Youyu grinned, then wrapped her arm around Jiang Feiya's neck. "Besides, this was your thoughtful gesture—I really appreciate it. Dinner's on me. Let's go out and eat."

"Hmph, at least you've got some conscience," Jiang Feiya accepted the invitation, letting Xu Youyu pull her out of the dorm toward a nearby restaurant.

After dinner, since there was only one class in the evening, Xu Youyu returned to Bihai Lanting after class, planning to write some more at home.

Until 8:30 p. m., when Li Luo and the others returned from school, Xu Youyu pulled Li Luo into her bedroom, shoved him onto the bed, and chuckled:

"Do you know what you did wrong?"

Li Luo: "?"

"Still pretending," Xu Youyu snorted. "I already know everything. You'd better confess honestly."

"What are you talking about?" Li Luo looked at her in disbelief, reaching out to pinch her cheek. "Are you gathering material again?"

"Don't change the subject," Xu Youyu slapped his hand away, pulled out her phone, and opened her album. "Look—your girlfriend here, did you secretly go on a date with another woman?"

Li Luo: "... Where did you get this photo?"

"I don't care where I got it," Xu Youyu grabbed his collar. "You still owe me compensation."

"What kind of compensation does Fish Sister want?"

"Well... ah! What are you doing! Mmm... not... not compensation like this..."