“Perhaps confidence is also a trait you all appreciate?” Wen Yan curved her lips slightly.

Jiang Luer paused, feeling that Wen Yan was almost too outstanding. Not only was she beautiful, but her emotional intelligence was this high.

“Of course. What I, Jiang Luer, love most are confident people. And also,” she leaned closer to Wen Yan, “baby, I’m shallow. You might need to be careful around me from now on.”

For some reason, Wen Yan had the feeling that a cold gaze from somewhere nearby was watching them. She gave a slight “uh” and said okay.

—

On Tuesday afternoon, both Wen Yan and Qiu Xue received notifications from the student union—good news for both of them. They had both passed the second round and successfully joined. Qiu Xue was so happy she even sent a red envelope in the roommate group chat.

A one-yuan red envelope for four people to grab.

Xiao Xinrui: 【Seriously? Can’t you send a bigger one?? I’ve got good news too—I got into the Youth Association, the Debate Club, and the Film Club.】

Zhong Youyou: 【I’m the only one who hasn’t joined any clubs. Why are you all joining clubs?】

Xiao Xinrui: 【I didn’t want to either, but—well, for my crush, I signed up for three at once! I’m impressed with myself.】

Qiu Xue: 【Who’s your crush?? You never mentioned him!】

Wen Yan was in an elective class when she saw Qiu Xue’s question. She popped up in the group chat: 【Zhou Jinyu?】

Qiu Xue: 【Zhou Jinyu? Who’s that? Never heard of him.】

Xiao Xinrui: 【Look at your memory—the guy who co-hosted the welcome gala with Yan Yan.】

Qiu Xue: 【Oh, him.】

Qiu Xue: 【Why did you join three clubs for him? Is he in those three too?】

Xiao Xinrui: 【Yeah. Actually, he joined four clubs. I failed the interview for one of them… So annoying!】

Zhong Youyou: 【…So much energy. Why’s he joining so many clubs?】

Xiao Xinrui: 【He said he wants to challenge himself and enrich his university life.】

After military training ended, university life officially began. Compared to high school, college was indeed much freer, with plenty of extracurricular time. Wen Yan spent most of hers in the library.

The first week passed quickly. On Saturday, the student union was holding an icebreaker gathering—an all-member event with participants from every department, over a hundred people in total. Technically, the expenses for such events could be reimbursed by the school, but their student union president was an ultra-rich second-generation heir. She paid out of pocket to book a rooftop terrace at a five-star hotel in Yancheng for the party.

【Rui Henry? Damn, that’s crazy rich! Aren’t student unions supposed to be boring and stuffy?? And they’re having a party at such an expensive hotel! If I’d known our student union president was this loaded, I would’ve applied too! I’m so regretful now.】 Xiao Xinrui wailed jealously in the group chat after learning Wen Yan and Qiu Xue were going to the hotel.

Qiu Xue: 【Too late for regrets. You’ll have to wait for spring recruitment next semester.】

The party was set to start at 6:30 PM.

The sun had just set, its afterglow scattering like golden fragments across the massive rooftop terrace of the Rui Henry Hotel. The boundless blue pool shimmered in harmony with the clear sky, the rippling water reflecting scattered blue tents and youthful figures.

Jiang Luer had even invited the school’s Music Association band to perform on the terrace. The pounding beat of the drums was deafening, the rhythm fast and energetic, filling the air.

—

At the same time, inside a black stretched Lincoln, Fu Lanzhuo lounged in a wide, plush leather seat. His profile was sharp and defined, nose high-bridged, thin lips pressed lightly together. Dark lashes lowered, he held his phone, scrolling through his Moments.

His finger suddenly stopped. He tapped on an image in his feed and zoomed in.

The photo appeared to be from a party—lively atmosphere. In the crowd, a girl with a ponytail wore a light green dress.

Outside the window, the scenery raced past. The sunset’s glow traced a blurred golden rim around the car, stretching infinitely as the speed increased.

“Mr. Fu, President Zhang of Mingde and President Cen of Dkell are already waiting in the conference room at the head office. The latest version of the Zhipin project proposal, revised by Manager Zhou, has been sent to your email.”

Fu Lanzhuo’s secretary, Zhang Yu, who was sitting across from him, had just finished a phone call and addressed Fu Lanzhuo.

“Change the meeting venue to the Rui Henry Hotel.”

Fu Lanzhuo’s voice was flat.

Zhang Yu paused.

Not understanding why the venue was being changed last minute, Zhang Yu didn’t ask further and quickly acknowledged, then lowered his head to send out the notification texts.

—

The party had already begun, but Jin Yang was still nowhere to be seen. Jiang Luer texted him, urging him to hurry. After sending the message, she backed out of the chat and noticed her Moments had gained a lot of likes. She tapped it open.

Her gaze froze for a moment.

Ten minutes earlier, she’d posted a few photos from the party, and now there were quite a few likes.

Among the pile of likes, one stood out conspicuously—a stuffy, old-fashioned profile picture of a sailboat on an oil painting.

The displayed nickname note: Uncle.

This was the first time Fu Lanzhuo had ever liked one of her Moments.

—

Author’s Note:
The interview question was found online.
Also, in many universities, the student union actually has three rounds of interviews, but to keep the pace faster, I only wrote two rounds. Today’s chapter is pretty hefty, isn’t it~

—

Chapter 8: Aurora – Get in the Car

She posted at least two or three times a week on Moments. Last year, when she’d posted her acceptance letter from Qingda, Fu Lanzhuo hadn’t even liked it—so she’d assumed he never looked at anyone’s Moments at all.

Why did he like this one, then?

Weird.

“What’s wrong, Luer?” Wang Yan, the head of the Arts and Culture Department, noticed Jiang Luer’s strange expression and asked.

—

“Yan Yan, do you know how to swim?” Qiu Xue asked, watching two guys change into swimsuits and jump straight into the pool.

The party had everything—food, drinks, entertainment. It was lively from the start. But both Qiu Xue and Wen Yan were relatively introverted and hadn’t quite immersed themselves in the atmosphere yet.

The pool water was crystal clear. Wen Yan was a little dazed, thinking of something. After a pause, she hummed in response to Qiu Xue: “Yes. My dad taught me.”

“Do you want to swim, then? Our department head said there are disposable swimsuits in the changing room. With your figure, you’d look amazing in one.”

“No, there are too many people.” Wen Yan tugged at her lips.

“Ah, that’s true. But it’s so hot—I kind of want to swim. I’ll have to sign up for swimming class next semester!” Qiu Xue said, then took a big gulp of her iced cola.

At that moment, a guy ran over to them.

“Hey.”

Qiu Xue looked up at the boy standing in front of her.

He wasn’t particularly tall, looked quite refined, and the mole at the corner of his eye was rather attractive.

“Huh? What’s up…”

Qiu Xue was confused.

The guy’s ears flushed faintly red. His gaze flickered quickly to Wen Yan, then back to Qiu Xue. “Excuse me, could you compliment me?”

Laughter came from the tent across the way. Qiu Xue glanced over and quickly guessed what was going on—this guy must have lost at Truth or Dare.

But why ask her instead of Wen Yan?

Since they were in the same club now, Qiu Xue kindly played along and cooperated: “You’re really handsome, especially the mole at the corner of your eye—it’s very charming.”

The guy immediately beamed. “Great taste! Hi, I’m Xia Yang. Nice to meet you?”

“I’m Qiu Xue.”

Xia Yang glanced at Wen Yan and said, “I’ll head off now—we’re playing a game, and I lost my dare. Thanks!”

“You’re welcome. No big deal.”

After he’d walked away, Qiu Xue muttered to Wen Yan, “He definitely wanted to ask you to compliment him at first. He probably felt too shy—he snuck quite a few glances at you.”

Wen Yan smiled. “I don’t think so.”

The crisp sound of high heels approached. Wen Yan was about to turn when a pale arm suddenly draped over her shoulder, a translucent jade bangle dangling from the wrist: “Yan Yan baby.”

Wen Yan paused and looked up—it was Jiang Luer.

Jiang Luer’s perfume smelled lovely.

“Why are you two girls hiding out here by yourselves? Come on, come play games with me.” Jiang Luer glanced at Qiu Xue, then back at Wen Yan.

“Play what?” Wen Yan asked.

“Anything you want. Come with me.” Jiang Luer put an arm around Wen Yan’s shoulder.

With the president personally inviting them, Wen Yan and Qiu Xue couldn’t refuse. Besides, they wanted to socialize with everyone anyway. They both stood up and followed Jiang Luer.

Jiang Luer led them to the far-right lounge area of the terrace, where most of the student union’s core members were gathered. Qiu Xue spotted her department head from the Rights and Interests Department there, who even waved at her.

They were playing board games, having just finished a round.

“Sister Luer’s here! Join us! Come on, come on!”

“You’re Wen Yan, right? I know you—Publicity Department, isn’t it? Here, sit here!”

As Wen Yan walked toward the sofa, a guy said to her.

Jiang Luer had already sat down across from Wen Yan. A senior girl was talking to her, and there were no empty seats on that side, so Wen Yan followed the guy’s suggestion and sat down beside him, with Qiu Xue behind her.

“Mm, hello, Senior.”

After sitting, Wen Yan replied.

“I’m Shao Tingyu, head of the Outreach Department.” The guy introduced himself, unable to take his eyes off Wen Yan’s face.

Wen Yan nodded. “Oh.”

“What are you guys playing? Avalon?” Jiang Luer picked up a card and examined it.

“Yeah, let’s all play. We’ll bring the two freshmen girls in for a round,” a guy said.

The “two freshmen girls” he referred to were naturally Wen Yan and Qiu Xue, brought by Jiang Luer.

“I don’t know how—I’ve never even heard of this game…” Qiu Xue said.