Chapter 442: Shifting Targets

"Tongwei, why are you standing there like a fool? Why don't you go and get the bowls and chopsticks?"

"Oh, okay."

When Mother Qi first arrived, she noticed the house was kept in perfect order; at a glance, she knew this wasn't something a big man like Qi Tongwei could have done.

After looking around, she was even more certain, especially since the decorations in one room were all feminine; she knew her son had finally wised up.

Chen Yang had been very nervous when she arrived today, but now she was infected by Mother Qi's enthusiasm, though she still felt a bit shy.

"Uncle, Auntie, Senior, this is a little fruit."

Chen Yang had originally wanted to bring some hanging ornaments or green plants, but she discovered that she and Qi Tongwei had already bought those things earlier, so she had to settle for buying some fruit to bring along.

"Good, good, good."

"Big sister, are you my future sister-in-law?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yang's face turned bright red in an instant, and Mother Qi saw it all.

"Ahem."

"You girl, even eating can't plug your mouth. Chen Yang, don't mind her, let's eat, let's eat."

"Mm, okay, thank you, Auntie."

"Hehe, good, good."

Qi Qinghai also saw that the relationship between this girl and his son was unusual; she might very well be his future daughter-in-law.

He took a careful look; she was indeed beautiful, her manners were impeccable, and she was also a student at Handa University, so he was extremely satisfied.

Lunch ended in this warm atmosphere. Watching Chen Yang skillfully clear the bowls and chopsticks, knowing the location of items in the kitchen even better than she did, Mother Qi became even more certain.

She took Chen Yang's hand and began a family background check, and Chen Yang honestly told Mother Qi everything.

Mother Qi was shocked; she hadn't expected Chen Yang to be the daughter of a Deputy Mayor, and she immediately worried about her son's future.

However, seeing the well-behaved Chen Yang and thinking of how Zhang Ping'an would transfer Qi Tongwei to work in Sijiucheng, she felt relieved.

In the afternoon, when Qi Tongwei was seeing Chen Yang out of the residential complex, he happened to run into Qin Wenzhang. Qin Wenzhang was also taken aback; he hadn't expected them to be living together.

If that old fossil Chen Yanshi found out, his lungs would surely explode with rage. While gloating, he also broke into a cold sweat for Qi Tongwei.

"Boss, stop rolling your eyes. It's not what you think." Qi Tongwei caught up with Qin Wenzhang after seeing Chen Yang out of the complex.

"Hehe, I understand. Don't worry, brother, I won't tell anyone."

"..."

Qi Tongwei opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but thinking about how, apart from the final step, they had indeed done everything that should be done.

"Old Chen doesn't know yet, right? You two should be careful in the future; that old man is quite narrow-minded."

"Mm, Boss, I know."

Thinking of Chen Yanshi's stubbornness, Qin Wenzhang patted Qi Tongwei's shoulder with deep sympathy.

Five days later, his parents and younger sister returned home. During that time, Chen Yang was called over by Mother Qi many times to chat, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law got along exceptionally well.

"Brother Tongwei, after I graduate, my dad wants me to go work in Sijiucheng." The two were snuggled together on the sofa at the time.

Chen Yang knew her father, Chen Yanshi, wanted to keep her away from Qi Tongwei and also to set her up with the child of one of his comrades-in-arms.

"That's great. I'll be going over in two years too. I was actually wondering how to tell you."

"Actually, my godfather knows about us. He's afraid I'll be bullied in Jingzhou, so he said he could transfer us both to work in Sijiucheng at any time."

Qi Tongwei had told Chen Yang about Zhang Ping'an, so Chen Yang was not unfamiliar with him.

"Really?"

"Mm."

"That's wonderful."

After the summer vacation, Qi Tongwei began his reclusive studies again. Liang Lu couldn't do anything about him for the time being, so she had to set her sights on others.

Then Hou Liangping appeared. Hou Liangping did not take Qi Tongwei's advice and was already active in the Student Union during his freshman year.

Hou Liangping was indeed skilled at socializing. Now a sophomore, he was considered a veteran of the Student Union and had been working in the Publicity Department.

Here, because Zhang Ping'an changed Zhong Mingzhu's trajectory, Zhong Xiaoai also had many cousins in Sijiucheng.

Last year, Zhong Xiaoai had a falling out with her father, Zhong Zhengguo, and stayed directly at Zhang Ping'an's house. With the guidance of her great-aunt Zhong Mingzhu, she didn't spitefully apply to Handa University but went to college in Sijiucheng instead, so Hou Liangping lost the chance to "ring the bell."

Back to the present, whether in terms of major course grades or organizational ability, Hou Liangping was a complete carbon copy of Qi Tongwei.

He was also handsome and tall, considered the "campus heartthrob" of the sophomore year. Chen Hai was equally excellent, but compared to Hou Liangping, he was a notch behind, though he was still an excellent student in Gao Yuliang's eyes.

"Hou Liangping?"

Liang Lu carefully reviewed Hou Liangping's file. His family background was much better than Qi Tongwei's; his parents were both staff members in the Yantai Development Zone.

Hou's father was a director, and Hou's mother was an Accountant; it was a standard, middle-of-the-road Cadre family, and Hou Liangping had grown up without any worries.

Of course, in Liang Lu's eyes, this so-called Cadre family was no different from farmers; in any case, none of them had a higher rank than her father.

"Secretary Liang, were you looking for me?" Hou Liangping was organizing an activity in the Student Union when someone informed him that Liang Lu was looking for him.

"Oh? Why don't you call me Teacher Liang?"

"You don't teach any classes, and you are the Youth League Committee Secretary, so naturally, I call you Secretary Liang."

Actually, this was something Hou Liangping's father had taught him: regardless of gender, if they have a position, address them by their position; if they don't, call them Teacher, and you will never be wrong.

"Hehe, not bad, you're quite sharp. I think you would be very suitable as the Youth League Branch Secretary of the Student Union."

"Thank you for your support, Secretary Liang."

Hou Liangping's eyes lit up. He was just a small fry in the Student Union right now, just a bit more active; the Youth League Branch Secretary was a big official second only to the Student Union President.

It was currently the time for the Student Union's leadership transition. If Liang Lu spoke up, he would definitely be able to secure this Youth League Branch Secretary position with ease, and he could even become a Vice Chairman. This was a huge step forward.

In the Student Union, what Hou Liangping heard most about was Qi Tongwei. He considered himself no weaker than Qi Tongwei in terms of family background, grades, or looks, but every time he thought of Chen Yang's affection for Qi Tongwei, his heart ached.

Chen Yang was considered the "department beauty" of the Political and Law Department. Hou Liangping had fallen for her at first sight, but in subsequent interactions, Chen Yang always kept a sense of distance from him, even when his good brother Chen Hai tried to help.

If he could ascend to the throne of Student Union President as a sophomore, perhaps Chen Yang would look at him with higher regard.

"Mm, you are quite good, keep working hard, and if there is anything you don't understand, you can come over and communicate with me more."

It was still summer, and Hou Liangping was wearing short sleeves; the lines of his arm muscles were distinct, and his abdominal muscles were also faintly visible, which made waves rise in Liang Lu's heart.

"Alright, Liang."

Hou Liangping was thrilled in his heart, as if he could see himself becoming the Student Union President, completely failing to notice the longing in Liang Lu's eyes.

For the following week, in order to win the election, Hou Liangping did indeed come to find Liang Lu frequently during this time; it appeared to be asking for advice, but in reality, it was also to show off his muscles in front of everyone in the Student Union—he, too, had backing.

This time, Liang Lu did not go straight to the point as she had with Qi Tongwei, but instead used gentle guidance, waiting until she had first helped Hou Liangping ascend to Student Union Vice Chairman before saying anything else.

After the Student Union election, Hou Liangping had indeed achieved his wish and become the Student Union Vice Chairman concurrently serving as the Student Union Youth League Branch Secretary.

"Liangping, how is it? Are you adapting to this Student Union work?"

"Adapting, Liang, this is all thanks to your strong support and help; without you, I wouldn't have my current position."