Chapter 12

Today is Wednesday, Jiang Cheng had two classes in a row starting at 8:30 a. m.

He had an appointment with a manuscript collector at 2 p. m., but since it was still early, Jiang Cheng went to the library.

He has no other hobbies; he just likes reading, playing music, drawing, and doing some 'unproductive' things.

By the locals' standards, he is a rather dull, boring, and solitary person; fortunately, these remarks never reached Jiang Cheng's ears, otherwise he would have retorted, 'What level are you on, to have tastes like mine?'

While reading in the library, his good looks indeed attracted many artsy girls who glanced at him.

But before anyone could come over to ask for his contact, Su Peng's phone call came through.

On the phone, Su Peng's voice was urgent: 'Old Jiang, where are you?'

'Something happened!'

'The library.' Jiang Cheng said and then hung up.

Normally, he doesn't answer any phone calls while reading.

But just now, his brother's sister had given him a favor, and feeling guilty, Jiang Cheng reluctantly answered the call.

However, the sister's motive is still unclear, so he can't let his brother know about this yet.

But he is confident he can deceive his brother.

As for Su Peng saying something happened, in this law-abiding society campus, what could possibly go wrong?

Soon after, Su Peng came running over, and Jiang Cheng also went downstairs in a natural way, waiting for him at the library entrance.

'Old Jiang, hurry up and come with me!' Su Peng saw Jiang Cheng running over, grabbed his hand, and pulled him along while saying, 'Liu Tao's childhood sweetheart has been taken!'

Jiang Cheng:??? 'Run, run!' Although Jiang Cheng wasn't very interested, he ended up running faster than Su Peng.

The gossip is quite big!

I want to eat it!

Liu Tao is one of Jiang Cheng's roommates, a rugged guy from the northwest.

But unlike his roughness, he has a childhood sweetheart who also studies at Modu Daxue, yet she is exceptionally delicate.

According to Liu Tao's occasional mentions, she is also a very talented girl, a popular figure in the Modu Daxue Arts Society.

But Jiang Cheng is not impressed by this world's so-called 'talent'.

This world lacks Tang poetry, Song lyrics, and the Four Great Classics; its shallow foundation leaves Jiang Cheng only able to read novels nowadays.

So he also doesn't know what level the talent Liu Tao speaks of actually is.

Jiang Shan was pulled by Su Peng out of the school gate.

They stopped at the entrance of a shop called 'Cangshuge' outside the campus.

Jiang Cheng knew this place was also a library, albeit commercial, but the prices were affordable and one could read for free inside.

Inside, there are fairly large spaces and rooms that can be rented to students, at prices far below their actual value.

The reason for such high cost-effectiveness is that this library is also funded and established by Modu Daxue.

Some school clubs often rent space here to hold activities.

Su Peng led Jiang Cheng upstairs to the second floor.

Since this is a library, not a hotel, Jiang Cheng lost interest; this gossip isn't verified.

Inside a hall on the second floor.

The northwestern rough guy Liu Tao was trembling with anger, his hand being held by a fairly delicate girl.

This girl is Liu Tao's childhood sweetheart Chen Qian; if she weren't holding him, perhaps this lad would have lost his composure.

'How come you look like a fierce demon? Are you still planning to hit someone here? I'm standing right here—go ahead and try to move me!' Opposite Liu Tao's table stood a girl in a white dress with thick makeup, looking at Liu Tao with disdain as she spoke. Around them were many students, mostly girls, all members of the Arts Society, with varied expressions, yet no one stepped forward to intervene.

Because a man in his thirties sat on the nearby sofa, wearing a suit with a roguish smile, playing with a car key in his hand.

This man is not a Modu Daxue student, but everyone knows he is a wealthy patron and also the boyfriend of Li Siyu.

Li Siyu is the girl who talked back to Liu Tao.

Just then, Su Peng pulled Jiang Cheng and rushed in.

'What's wrong?' Su Peng ran over and asked.

He is very righteous and a bit stubborn; otherwise, given his family's background, he wouldn't really need to mingle with these impoverished students at Modu Daxue.

'He's bullying people too much!' Liu Tao shouted, neck straining, at the woman.

Su Peng glanced over the people present, looked at the man on the sofa, and said, 'You go first—tell us what happened.'

Liu Tao was so angry he couldn't speak; his childhood sweetheart Chen Qian explained the situation.

As it turned out, today Liu Tao came out to meet Chen Qian, and she brought him to the place rented by the Arts Society to hang out.

They then encountered Li Siyu, who said this place belongs to the Arts Society and outsiders aren't allowed in.

That in itself is the rule.

But it's actually not a strict rule.

Usually many people also bring friends over to play.

Just find any excuse, and no one will say anything.

Chen Qian then said, 'I brought him over to check it out; he might also join the society.'

This excuse was originally understood by everyone, but Li Siyu insisted on harping on it, saying to Liu Tao, 'Look at his muscular build and simple mind—how could he possibly fit into the Arts Society?'

That remark was purely an insult.

Then an argument broke out; Li Siyu told Liu Tao to write two lines to show, and if he couldn't, to stop nagging! After hearing this, Jiang Cheng wanted to cover his face.

Actually, she wasn't wrong—Liu Tao, being big and rough, really isn't suited to play in this kind of place; in their literary sparring ground, handling you would be a breeze. 'Your friends came at just the right time.' Li Siyu gave Jiang Cheng and Su Peng a disdainful glance, 'Let them take you away; this isn't a place for you to come.'

'What do you mean, you wrote my name?!'

Su Peng, who had been in a good mood just moments ago, could no longer hold back.

Jiang Cheng quickly grabbed both of them and pulled them away, 'Stop arguing; fighting and swearing in public is embarrassing!'

Su Peng was furious, but this in itself is someone else's land, and moreover, getting them to produce some literary arts thing is truly impossible!

From the moment they entered until now, according to Jiang Cheng's observation, the literary arts club students present are definitely all biased toward that woman Li Siyu.

Otherwise, if the other side were so overbearing, there would be someone intervening.

As for the reason for favoring Li Siyu, Jiang Cheng can easily tell.

From Li Siyu's flamboyant attire, one can see that she is a woman who has shed blood and sweat.

Then look at the thirty-year-old man sitting on the sofa behind.

His oppressive aura is a bit heavy; for these students, it's indeed quite intimidating.

From this, it's easy to conclude that he is Li Siyu's backbone and also the object of fear for the literary arts club students present.

Jiang Cheng stopped Su Peng and Liu Tao, then said to Li Shiyu: "Whether one can join the literary arts club requires your consent; is that your club's rule?"

(End of chapter)