Fu Ran chuckled, "What a coincidence? What's up?"
"Mmm..."
Wen Tingxue bit her lip.
The situation with Xing Ear wasn't complicated, but she really didn't know how to say it, so she directly asked, "Can we add each other on WeChat first?"
She didn't have his contact information.
Fu Ran immediately took out his phone, "I'll add you."
The familiar phrase, Wen Tingxue instinctively thought of Fu Yushen, paused for a second, and lowered her eyes, "May I be so bold as to ask, is Professor Fu your...?"
Following the sound of successful scanning, Fu Ran frowned with some resistance, "... my uncle."
As expected.
Wen Tingxue's heart sank, and an unknown emotion spread.
"What's wrong?"
Fu Ran's eyes narrowed as he watched her rub her fingers, then slowly shifted his gaze to her face.
He seemed to be judging something.
"It's nothing," Wen Tingxue quickly shook her head.
After accepting the friend request, she sent Xing Ear's information to everyone.
"I want to design a new outer packaging for this milk tea shop, but I haven't done this before. Do any of you have experience? Or, do you have any suggestions?"
Fu Ran read it at a glance and frowned, "This is a milk tea shop? The name is quite interesting, but the packaging is really ugly."
He tutted with disdain.
Compared to the packaging, Lu Youran was more concerned about the taste, "Is it good? The description says it's made with real ingredients. Xue Bao, have you tried it?"
"It's good," Wen Tingxue genuinely recommended, "The ingredients are solid, and the price is fair. You should try it."
Hearing the words "fair price," Lu Youran's interest was immediately piqued, "I'll order one after the meeting! They should have delivery, right?"
"Yes."
"Okay, I'll take a look first." The young girl opened the delivery app.
Fu Ran paused for a few seconds and asked Wen Tingxue, "Is the boss your friend?"
Wen Tingxue nodded, "Yes."
Although they hadn't met, from their conversations over the past few days, she could tell he was a good person.
"Since he's a friend, let's support him," Fu Ran said to Lu Youran, "We have a meeting anyway, let's order one for everyone, my treat."
"Alright!" Not having to spend her own money, the young girl happily revealed two dimples.
Fu Ran curved his lips, Song You glanced at him teasingly, and then said to Wen Tingxue, "I've been involved in similar projects. Can you tell me about your design ideas?"
Wen Tingxue's eyes lit up, "Of course."
She took paper and a pen and went to his side, concisely introducing her ideas and the obstacles she faced.
Song You listened attentively, and the methods and ideas he provided were very useful. Wen Tingxue quickly gained a clearer direction.
"Okay, I'll go back and think about it again." The young girl walked back to her seat, holding the paper filled with drawings.
Song You, worried she might not be able to handle it, offered his help.
He was more proficient with drawing software than she was, and Wen Tingxue had no reason to refuse.
This was considered their first collaboration.
-
[I saw that the Academy of Fine Arts ordered a lot of milk tea. Did you help promote it?]
Ding Xi suddenly sent a message. Wen Tingxue smiled and replied: [The student union president ordered it. He said it tastes good and that it will be your family's afternoon tea from now on.]
Ding Xi: [Thank you, please thank him for me.]
He was probably genuinely happy, as he sent two bowing emojis.
Wen Tingxue looked up at Fu Ran. Stripped of his Fu family heir persona, he was still excellent, calm, and charming.
Although he was the president, he was the earliest to arrive.
When everyone else arrived, he didn't put on any airs and focused on his work.
If people greeted him, he would respond politely, without the arrogance and haughtiness from their first meeting.
It was as if this version of him was the truest.
After another five or six minutes of work, Fu Ran spoke, "I attended the regular meeting of the Academy Student Union a few days ago. I've compiled the issues reflected by each department. I hope everyone can provide solutions as soon as possible."
His gaze remained fixed on the computer screen, truly multitasking.
After he spoke, a file appeared in the group chat.
Song You finished reading it quickly and handled the various tricky issues in an orderly manner.
Other departments were also highly efficient. Even Lu Youran, who had only recently joined the student union, exuded competence, a stark contrast to her usual casual and carefree demeanor.
"Mm."
After everyone had discussed, Fu Ran added a few more points before getting to the main topic, "The Ten Best Singers competition will be held in a few days. When can I have the proposal?"
"It can be done by tomorrow," the head of the Literary and Arts Department immediately replied.
Fu Ran, without stopping his hands or looking up, responded, "Okay, does anyone else have any questions?"
"Yes," said the head of the Literary and Arts Department, "Tang Mobai is very popular among the freshmen. Many people hope he will participate. The key is, I've heard him sing, and he's really good, but he has no intention of participating. So, I was wondering if..."
The head of the Literary and Arts Department hesitated and bit his lip. Fu Ran looked up, "Go on."
"So, I was wondering if we could find someone to persuade him."
Fu Ran looked at him, "Do you already have someone in mind?"
"Yes," the head of the Literary and Arts Department nodded, "I think Lu Youran is a good candidate. She's lively and can chat with anyone."
Lu Youran: "?"
Fu Ran's eyes turned cold, and the head of the Literary and Arts Department immediately shut his mouth.
Song You seemed to realize something and nodded, "Sure."
*Clap—*
Fu Ran closed his laptop.
The sound was loud.
Lu Youran suddenly understood, "Jiao Yu..."
Before she could finish, someone suddenly ran out from a side path ahead.
Wen Tingxue focused her gaze, "Tongtong?"
"Damn, she doesn't have an umbrella," Lu Youran quickly took out her umbrella from her bag, "I'll go give it to her."
"Wait." Wen Tingxue grabbed her.
Lu Youran wondered, "What's wrong?"
"Look." Wen Tingxue subtly gestured forward.
Lu Youran followed her gaze and saw Tang Mobai and another male student carrying a large drawing board running to Jiao Yutong. The three of them hid under the drawing board and slowly walked towards the girls' dormitory.
"Tang Mobai definitely likes Tongtong. I'll bet a carload of spicy chips!" Lu Youran, looking like she was enjoying some gossip, put her umbrella back.
Dormitory.
Jiao Yutong had just taken off her wet clothes when Wen Tingxue and Lu Youran returned.
"You guys..."
"Tongtong, save me!"
As soon as Jiao Yutong opened her mouth, Lu Youran pounced and hugged her, looking like she was in urgent need of help.
"..." Jiao Yutong uncomfortably pulled away Lu Youran's arms around her waist, "What's wrong?"
She asked, her voice a little dry.
Wen Tingxue noticed her movement and blinked curiously.
Lu Youran casually said, "Tang Mobai doesn't want to participate in the Ten Best Singers competition. Can you go and persuade him?"
Jiao Yutong: "?"
"What does this have to do with you?" Jiao Yutong was confused.
Lu Youran cursed, "It's all Fu Ran's fault! That scoundrel! He actually assigned the task of persuading Tang Mobai to me! Tongtong~"
She hugged Jiao Yutong's arm and pleaded, "You have such a good relationship with Tang Mobai, he'll definitely listen to you, right?"
"..." Jiao Yutong's expression stiffened slightly as she dodged her touch, "This, he and I..."
Lu Youran quickly said, "Don't say you're not close. We all saw him send you back to the dorm. Besides, everyone in the art department knows that you are Tang Mobai's only acknowledged rumored girlfriend!"
"..."
Unable to resist Lu Youran's nagging, Jiao Yutong reluctantly grabbed an umbrella and went to Tang Mobai's dormitory building.
Boys' dorm.
"Brother Tang, there's a beauty looking for you downstairs," a classmate called from the doorway.
Tang Mobai came out after showering and sat down at his desk impatiently, "Get lost."
He picked up his phone from the table and opened Jiao Yutong's WeChat, about to type when the classmate jokingly said, "It's Jiao Yutong."
"Why didn't you say so earlier!" Tang Mobai immediately grabbed his jacket and went downstairs.
The classmate chuckled and teased, "You didn't ask."
Tang Mobai cursed him from afar.
Downstairs.
"Here's cold medicine. Remember to take it."
Jiao Yutong handed him the medicine from her pocket, while also holding the umbrella higher, trying to shield him as well.
"Thank you."
Tang Mobai smiled and accepted it, then reached out, "Let me hold it."
As he spoke, his palm brushed against her hand. Jiao Yutong reflexively pulled her hand back.
"Sorry." Tang Mobai stared at her expression, worried, "Are you okay?"
Jiao Yutong shook her head slowly, "I'm fine."
"Really okay?" He was still uneasy, his dark eyes fixed on her.
Jiao Yutong remembered Lu Youran's nonsensical words, her earlobes slightly red, and she avoided his gaze.
"It's really fine, but I need to talk to you about something." She changed the subject.
Tang Mobai paused for a few seconds and asked, "What is it?"
"Ten Best Singers," she looked up, "The student union wants you to participate."
"And you?"
"What?"
"Do you want me to participate?" Tang Mobai stared into her eyes. Jiao Yutong wanted to dodge, but he smiled, "Is it that difficult to answer?"
"..." Jiao Yutong had no choice but to respond directly, "Yes."
From elementary school to middle school, and then to high school, in all the choral performances, he was the lead singer.
His voice was universally praised.
Tang Mobai raised his eyebrows with satisfaction, "Then I'll participate."
Mission accomplished, Jiao Yutong breathed a sigh of relief, "Then I'll be going back."
"Wait."
"What is it?" Fearing he might change his mind, the young girl quickly looked up.
Tang Mobai smiled helplessly, "I have a condition."
Jiao Yutong: "?"
Jiao Yutong: "Tell Youran."
"It has nothing to do with her," Tang Mobai took her phone away, and under her bewildered gaze, he said directly, "It has to do with you."
Jiao Yutong was silent.
"If you don't agree, I won't participate," Tang Mobai resigned himself to fate.
Jiao Yutong gritted her teeth, "Okay, tell me."
Tang Mobai's lips immediately curved, "It's very simple, only three points."
He even made an 'OK' gesture. Jiao Yutong nodded, "Go ahead."
Tang Mobai held up his index finger, "First, during the competition, you must be present."
Jiao Yutong nodded.
Tang Mobai then held up his middle finger, "Second, you decide what song to sing, except for the last one."
Jiao Yutong: "?"
"Because I'm lazy," Tang Mobai shrugged.
"Okay." Jiao Yutong continued to compromise.
"Third..." he deliberately drew out the tone, and Jiao Yutong's heart tightened.
To her surprise, he said, "I haven't thought of the last one yet. I'll tell you when I do."
"..." Jiao Yutong was speechless, "Okay, then I'm leaving."
Tang Mobai handed her phone back and said with a smile, "See you later."
Only after the girl completely disappeared into the rain did Tang Mobai reluctantly return to his dorm.
As she put away her umbrella, Jiao Yutong belatedly realized that he didn't seem surprised at all that she would go to him about the Ten Best Singers competition?
Hmm... I've been experiencing writer's block recently and will adjust as soon as possible.