Chapter 102: I Didn’t Buy Earrings, I Bought Her Mood
Early the next morning, Jiang Zhou first headed to Ganfanren headquarters.
He assigned tasks to several team leaders and gave instructions on how to handle emergencies.
After that, he drove off to pick up Su Nan and Mu Xiaoxiao.
Su Nan was already waiting downstairs with a black bag in hand.
Jiang Zhou tried to peek inside, but she blushed and smacked him.
“Bastard, peeking into a girl’s private stuff!”
“Fine, I won’t look. What’s the big deal. It’s just panties or something. Did you bring your Lolita outfit?”
“I didn’t! Don’t even think I’ll be dancing for you at the hotel. Keep dreaming!”
Disappointed, Jiang Zhou sighed and then drove over to the dorm of the business school.
Mu Xiaoxiao’s luggage was already downstairs, but she was nowhere in sight.
After a while, she finally came running down, holding a durian. “I brought fruit. We can eat it on the way.”
Jiang Zhou glanced at his compact car. “If you dare eat that in my car, I’ll toss you in the trunk.”
“Come on! It’s really tasty.”
“I was thinking of promoting you to team leader, but never mind.”
Mu Xiaoxiao’s eyes widened. “Why not?!”
“Because I don’t like girls who eat poop.”
With that sarcastic jab, Jiang Zhou set off for the gate of Qingbei University.
Chu Yuwei was already there waiting by the road.
Today she wore a white dress and a wide-brimmed sunhat.
Her graceful figure and pure, beautiful face drew stares from every passerby.
“Did you bring your ID?”
“Of course. We’re staying at a hotel, so it’s a must.”
Jiang Zhou turned to Mu Xiaoxiao and Su Nan. “You two brought yours, right?”
The two girls replied in unison, “You’ve reminded us like 800 times. Of course we did.”
“Good. I didn’t bring mine. So tonight, you’ll need to decide who I sleep with.”
“Get lost, scumbag! Keep dreaming!”
The two girls in the backseat blushed and started tossing pillows at him.
Chu Yuwei, on the other hand, had a sparkle in her eyes, like she’d just had an idea.
On the road, they reintroduced themselves.
Su Nan and Chu Yuwei had met before at the Grey Whale Western Restaurant.
Mu Xiaoxiao introduced herself as part of the marketing team.
She joked that this trip was a stepping stone to her promotion as team leader.
Chu Yuwei asked why.
Mu Xiaoxiao said, “That’s just how it goes in TV dramas.”
Jiang Zhou rolled his eyes. So many delusional girls these days.
By the time they arrived at Polytechnic University, it was already afternoon.
After all, they had crossed the city from North Town to South Town.
Traffic was horrible, especially around the central district.
They were stuck for three hours, and even got overtaken by an old lady hobbling along with a cane.
By the time they reached the campus gates, the sun was nearly setting.
Guo Wei had already received the call and was waiting for them out front.
Under his lead, the group headed to the university’s food street.
The street was narrow but packed with food stalls.
Maybe because it had just rained, there were black puddles everywhere.
Contrasting with the mess below, red lanterns were strung above, adding a festive flair.
Countless students crammed into the alleys. If they saw a place they liked, they’d squeeze out of the crowd and duck in.
Stinky tofu, fried chicken cutlets, grilled noodles, egg pancakes…
All kinds of smells mixed together into one indescribable stench.
The place was filthy, packed, yet bustling.
And the students? They still lined up to eat.
Clearly, college students had strong stomachs or low standards.
Jiang Zhou bought a scallion pancake and a grilled cold noodle to try.
The taste was average, but the serving speed was fast, perfect for delivery services.
Bad environment? Doesn’t matter. Customers ordering online didn’t see it.
Out of sight, out of mind.
This time, Jiang Zhou wasn’t just here to promote Ganfanren on campus.
More importantly, he wanted to sign up food vendors to expand his delivery network.
After all, it wasn’t realistic to deliver from Shangjing to here.
Even by car it took a whole day.
With an electric scooter? The food would go bad on the way.
“Su Nan, what do you think of this street?”
Su Nan held her noodles. “Lots of vendors, wide variety. Signing them could give us massive coverage.”
Jiang Zhou nodded. “This street’s in the south. Ours is in the north. Connect the dots and we’ve got half of the city covered. Anyone along the line can use Ganfanren.”
“A whole line? Boss, you’re expanding beyond campus?”
“Exactly. Next stage, the marketing team will go on a signing spree. Get these vendors on board and link everything up.”
Mu Xiaoxiao’s jaw dropped. “From North Town to South Town? But the marketing team is just me and Jingyue!”
Jiang Zhou looked at her. “So hire more. Colleges are full of people with two legs.”
“Then can I be the marketing team leader? Boss, you’re the best!”
“As for that, come to my room tonight for a deep discussion. I’ll assess your skills.”
The moment he said it, Chu Yuwei and Su Nan both shot him a glare.
They felt like Jiang Zhou’s phrasing was always… suggestive.
Deep discussion?
Yeah, right. Who knew what “deep” really meant coming from his mouth?
Meanwhile, Guo Wei was enviously watching from behind.
Damn, Brother Jiang’s the real player.
Walking down the street with three girls, and still bold enough to flirt openly?
If this were ancient times, this guy would’ve been tossed in a pig cage.
But when Guo Wei saw the cold gleam in Chu Yuwei’s eyes, his envy vanished instantly.
It wasn’t about how many girlfriends you had.
It was about staying alive.
He swallowed nervously and followed the group.
“Jiang Zhou! Jiang Zhou! Look, this one’s so pretty!” A few minutes later, Chu Yuwei stopped at a small jewelry stall.
She stared at a pair of star-shaped earrings, her eyes sparkling with delight.
“Auntie, how much for these?”
“Fifty a pair. Real silver. Take your pick, sweetheart.”
Chu Yuwei turned to Jiang Zhou. “You think they’d look good on me?”
Jiang Zhou was about to go over when Guo Wei grabbed his arm. “What?”
Guo Wei lowered his voice. “Fake. Don’t fall for it. My dormmate bought a pair. It’s definitely not silver.”
Jiang Zhou thought for a second. “Not silver? Then iron?”
“Nope. Tried with a magnet, it didn’t stick. But still not silver.”
“Got it.” Jiang Zhou walked up, picked up the earrings and held them next to Chu Yuwei’s face.
In the light, her features glowed with soft elegance.
With the earrings, she really gave off a kind of ethereal charm.
“Hmm, good taste. They suit you.”
Chu Yuwei blushed. “Told you they looked nice.”
Jiang Zhou smiled. “Wanna get this pair?”
“You… you’re buying it for me?”
“Just a classmate gift. Don’t read too much into it.”
“Hmph. Well, I’m still happy.”
Jiang Zhou patted her head and handed fifty yuan to the vendor.
Chu Yuwei stood there stunned, her eyes soft and full of emotion.
This was the first time Jiang Zhou had ever given her a gift.
Even when she confessed before graduation, he hadn’t prepared anything.
“Do you want anything else?”
“No… that’s enough.”
“Alright, let’s move. You’re blocking the road. It’s way too narrow here.”
Clutching the earrings, Chu Yuwei ran ahead, face full of joy.
Guo Wei couldn’t help asking, “Didn’t I say they were fake? Why’d you still buy them?”
Jiang Zhou pointed at the smiling Chu Yuwei. “You think fifty yuan can easily buy a girl’s good mood?”
“Well…”
“As long as it’s not iron, she won’t know. But that happiness? That’ll last a while.”
Guo Wei thought for a moment. “Still feels like a rip-off.”
Jiang Zhou looked at him. “Making a girl happy, isn’t that worth it?”
“…Is it?”
“Figure it out yourself.” Jiang Zhou patted Guo Wei on the shoulder and quickly caught up with Chu Yuwei.
“Making a girl happy is worth it…” Guo Wei fell into deep thought.
Is this the difference between me and Jiang Zhou?
Soon after, they finished walking the entire food street.
And after walking so much, everyone was hungry.
After all, they’d been stuck in traffic all day and only had some bread to eat.
Plus, the food on that street wasn’t even good.
So it was natural to feel starved.
“Guo Wei, should we go to Sha County or the seafood restaurant?”
Guo Wei touched his wallet and said, “Let’s go to the seafood restaurant. You don’t visit often, after all.”
Jiang Zhou nodded with satisfaction. “That’s why I like you, A’Wei, you’re thoughtful.”
“Of course! But… can I invite my senior to join us?”
“Damn! So you’re trying to impress a girl by pretending to be rich?”
With a big grin on his face, Guo Wei walked a bit away and made a phone call to his senior.
Meanwhile, Jiang Zhou and the others went into the restaurant, booked a private room, ordered food, and started waiting.
But the restaurant was so busy, and they had come pretty late.
So they waited and waited, but still no food came.
Su Nan pulled out some biscuits from her bag to hold off her hunger.
But as she rummaged, a pair of cat ears peeked out from her bag.
Mu Xiaoxiao’s eyes immediately turned strange.
“Classmate Su,” she said.
“Hmm? What is it?”
Mu Xiaoxiao pressed her lips together. “You’re going to have a deep discussion with the boss tonight?”
Su Nan quickly realized the cat ears were showing. “No, don’t talk nonsense! That’s just a hair clip!”
“Come on, I’m your senior. You think I don’t know what that is?”
“You know crap! There’s nothing going on between me and that bastard!”
Mu Xiaoxiao gave a look of disbelief. “No wonder the boss likes you so much. I get it now.”
Su Nan’s eyes widened. “When did he ever say he liked me? He just exploits me every day!”
“Aha! You’re finally telling the truth!”
“I meant work-related exploitation. Stop imagining things!”
Hearing the commotion, Jiang Zhou came over. “Imagine what? I’d like to know too.”
Mu Xiaoxiao pointed to her bag. “There’s a cute outfit and cat ears in there.”
“For real?”
“For real! I just saw it!”
Jiang Zhou looked at the blushing Su Nan. “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t dance for me?”
Su Nan coughed. “I brought the wrong clothes, okay? It was a mistake!”
“Little girl, your mouth says no, but your actions say otherwise.”
“I told you, I brought it by mistake! No matter how much you ask, it’s still a mistake!”
Mu Xiaoxiao frowned. “Dancing? Those clothes are for dancing?”
Jiang Zhou looked at her. “Yeah. What else would they be for?”
“Oh… then I misunderstood. Sorry, hehe.”
Su Nan glared daggers at Mu Xiaoxiao, like she wanted to rip her apart.
Meanwhile, Jiang Zhou had a look of manly insight, as if imagining something beautiful.
At the same time, Chu Yuwei came over, curious.
She noticed the three of them laughing.
“What’s so funny? Tell me too!”
“Nothing, just adult stuff. Kids like you shouldn’t ask.” Jiang Zhou gently pushed her head away and blocked Su Nan’s bag from view.
This kind of thing could easily cause misunderstandings.
Mu Xiaoxiao’s reaction was a perfect example.
No one would believe that outfit was just for dancing.
If someone else saw it, they’d probably assume he had a weird fetish.
If Chu Yuwei had actually seen it, no doubt she’d be jealous.
That’s just how she was. Her jealousy wasn’t going away anytime soon.
Jiang Zhou always believed her current obedient attitude was fake.
The moment she felt like she had officially become his girlfriend, her tsundere nature would immediately reawaken.
So Jiang Zhou wasn’t stupid.
He chose to treat her with cold indifference… for now.
“Where the hell is Guo Wei? I’m starving here.”
After a while, Chu Yuwei’s stomach began to growl.
Everyone else was just as hungry, stomachs practically sticking to their backs.
At this point, all the dishes they ordered had arrived, they were just waiting on Guo Wei and his senior.
If it were just Guo Wei, Jiang Zhou wouldn’t have waited at all.
But since the girl Guo Wei liked was coming too, they had to hold off.
Another ten-plus minutes passed, and Guo Wei finally came running in.
He borrowed a mirror and comb from Mu Xiaoxiao and fixed his hair.
Then he asked Jiang Zhou for a cigarette and tucked it behind his ear.
“You going for the domineering CEO look?”
Guo Wei looked nervous. “What do you think? Do I look the part?”
Jiang Zhou shook his head. “You look more like a newly rich coal miner. Tacky and old-fashioned. All money, no style.”
“Where exactly am I lacking?”
“You’re broke, bro.”
Guo Wei immediately deflated. “My senior’s almost here. What do I do?”
Jiang Zhou pulled the cigarette from behind his ear. “When you like someone, it shouldn’t matter what state you’re in. Faking it is exhausting. Just be yourself.”
“Really?”
The three girls nodded in agreement.
Pretending only works if you’re good at it.
But Guo Wei? He couldn’t pull it off.
Being genuine was his best bet.
Knock knock knock!
At that moment, someone knocked on the door of the private room.
Guo Wei jumped up, face turning red.
Even Jiang Zhou was surprised.
This guy talks big, but gets so shy now?
Then, the door opened.
Everyone turned to look.
A delicate-looking girl stood at the entrance.
She wore a blouse styled like a dress shirt.
Her height was average, about the same as Guo Wei.
“Senior, you’re here! Please, have a seat!” Guo Wei stood up immediately and courteously pulled out a chair for her.
He even wiped the seat clean with a flick of his sleeve.
At this moment, he didn’t look like a host treating guests.
He looked more like an overworked waiter trying to earn a tip.