Chapter 48
Two days later, Xiang Wan and her trio had just finished their finance course and hadn't even left the lecture hall when Shi Sheng, who was in the front row, walked towards them.
"Your Highness, the school leaders seem to have something to discuss with you and are waiting for you in the conference room."
Xiang Wan: "..."
Since the school anniversary celebration, the students' attitude towards the trio has visibly become much more enthusiastic. Although they were friendly before, there was always a sense of distance between them.
Everyone initially thought they were aristocratic young masters and ladies, unapproachable. But after the cross-dressing stage play, perhaps seeing their down-to-earth side, the students became much more relaxed towards them.
The most obvious change is that they each have their own unique nicknames.
Xiang Wan is the prince, Shen Feiyang is her stepsister, and Jiang Zhuochun is a minister.
Although the three of them didn't particularly reject the honor, they still couldn't help but scratch their toes every time they heard it.
Just like now, when Xiang Wan heard Shi Sheng call her "Prince," she couldn't help but rub her forehead and ask, "Did he say something?"
Shi Sheng thought for a moment, but wasn't quite sure: "It seems to be about sponsoring the new campus library."
Xiang Wan nodded and said to Shen Feiyang and Jiang Zhuochun, "Then you two go eat first."
"OK."
Do you need me to pack it up for you?
"Bring me a box of cream puffs."
"good."
The meeting room Shi Sheng mentioned was in the administration building, not the teaching building. Xiang Wan arrived at the meeting room ten minutes later.
She knocked on the door and heard a strong voice inside inviting her in. Xiang Wan pushed the door open and immediately saw Jiang Juncang sitting on the sofa opposite her.
He happened to be looking at her too, but his gaze was calm, as if he wasn't surprised at all that she was there.
Xiang Wan guessed what was going on and first greeted the principal in the main seat.
The principal looked at her with the appreciation of an elder looking at a younger person: "Xiao Xiang, your stage play the other day was quite good."
He gestured for her to sit down first: "This is General Manager Jiang from Shida Group. I heard you two know each other privately."
Xiang Wan did not deny it upon hearing this: "We had interacted before because of investment matters."
"Yes, that's perfect." The principal smiled kindly. "President Jiang is going to sponsor the library at the new campus, and construction is expected to begin after the new year."
"I remember you visited the new campus when you filmed the promotional video last time, Xiao Xiang. If you have some free time, you could be Mr. Jiang's guide and introduce our school to him."
He took a sip of tea and looked at her questioningly.
Xiang Wan did not refuse upon hearing this: "I don't have class this afternoon, so I have some free time."
Upon hearing this, the principal beamed and said, "Alright then."
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Xiang Wan," Jiang Juncang said politely.
"That's not true."
The principal is going to a meeting at the Education Bureau today, so it's just the two of them.
The driver took the two to the Linbei campus. As soon as they landed, people from that campus came to greet them. A junior from the photography department who was with them took some photos, saying they would be used for school promotional materials.
The group strolled slowly along the artificial lake and also visited the site of the proposed library and the school history museum on this campus.
By the time they finished touring the new campus, it was already dark. The group went to a nearby restaurant together, where they ate and discussed the sponsored project.
Because Jiang Juncang was the sponsor, Xiang Wan ate quietly, only occasionally chiming in when they mentioned her.
Several leaders who were with me also met Xiang Wan at the school's anniversary gala a couple of days ago, and they were full of praise for her.
Although she was a student, she was also the president of Xiang's Group, so the leaders addressed her as President Xiang.
The president of Beiyi University calls her Xiao Xiang, not only because of his high position, but also because President Yuan knows the Xiang family and is considered a half-elder of Xiang Wan.
Although the school is an ivory tower, those who make it to the leadership level are all shrewd and intelligent people, so naturally they wouldn't call her Xiao Xiang like the principal would.
They kept offering their opinions on the library's design, while Xiang Wan leisurely sampled every dish.
During the conversation, they also mentioned Xiang Guan's cousin, who donated hundreds of lecture halls as a distinguished alumna.
The group chatted happily for several hours, drinking tea instead of alcohol.
When the meal ended, Xiang Wan got up and went out with them. Jiang Juncang had already paid the bill halfway through the meal.
Xiang Wan wasn't the organizer, so she naturally wouldn't try to steal the spotlight. Therefore, she simply watched quietly as the others complimented each other.
"Mr. Jiang, you're too kind. You've already paid for the meal."
"It's not much money, and I go to this store often, so there are discounts."
…
Jiang Juncang barely ate anything at the dinner table, and the claim that his usual restaurant offered discounts was just an excuse; everyone here knew the truth.
Although the leaders were not drunk, Jiang Juncang still escorted them to their respective cars.
Xiang Wan forgot her coat, so she went back to get it. When she came out of the restaurant, she saw Jiang Juncang waiting for her.
"Xiang Wan, I'll take you back to school."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Jiang."
When Jiang Juncang saw her address him as President Jiang, a hint of helplessness appeared between his brows: "Xiang Wan, I'm only 5 years older than you, just call me by my full name."
Xiang Wan raised an eyebrow and did not refuse again: "Jiang Juncang."
The two walked together to the parking lot, where Jiang Juncang drove the car out of its parking space and stopped in front of Xiang Wan.
Xiang Wan looked at the passenger seat facing her and understood his meaning, so she sat down in the passenger seat.
He drove off as soon as she fastened her seatbelt. The two of them were silent and a little awkward in the car. Jiang Juncang seemed to realize something and turned on the car stereo.
As they approached an intersection, the light turned red. He calmly stopped the car, turned to look at her, and asked, "Why don't you ask why the principal asked you to be my guide?"
He paused for a moment: "I thought you would ask me that question."
Xiang Wan also turned her face towards him: "I know."
"Know what?" This was an answer he hadn't expected.
"Your feelings," she said softly.
Just as the music reached its climax, the two people in the car stared at each other for a long time during the brief interval between the red and green lights.
Like two equally matched opponents, neither wanted to be the first to look away.
Only when the traffic light turned green and the people in the car behind honked impatiently did Jiang Juncang calmly look away.
His face remained calm, but his heart was in turmoil, even somewhat disheveled. He had limited contact with Xiang Wan and was unaware of her direct personality when it came to relationships.
Did he know that his younger brother, Jiang Zhuochun, had confessed his feelings to Xiang Wan in junior high school, and was rejected by her just as bluntly? If so, then the two brothers are truly in the same boat.
She didn't say it outright, leaving each other with some dignity, but Jiang Juncang was still unwilling to give up.
He could sense that he and Xiang Wan were the same kind of people; they were so similar that it would be a shame for their relationship to stop there.
Jiang Juncang disliked multitasking, so he focused on driving and planned to talk about it once they reached their destination.
The distance between the two campuses is not short, but because there are not many cars on the road, it only takes half an hour to reach the old campus.
Jiang Juncang parked the car on the roadside next to the school gate, and got out of the driver's seat as Xiang Wan got out of the car.
Under the sycamore tree, Jiang Juncang called out to Xiang Wan, who was about to leave: "Xiang Wan, you can consider me a suitable..."
The term "boyfriend candidate" sounded somewhat jarring, so he paused before finally saying, "Consider him as a potential marriage partner."
"..."
As soon as he said it, Jiang Juncang realized it was inappropriate, but he simply went with the flow and said nothing more.
Xiang Wan looked at him from across the table, her expression still calm: "Jiang Juncang, it's better for us to remain business partners for the long term."
Jiang Juncang didn't speak again, knowing this was her polite refusal. He chuckled at his own earlier nervousness: "Then shall we meet again..."
Before he could finish speaking, Xiang Wan interrupted him, saying, "We can still be friends."
Jiang Juncang's brows relaxed: "Okay."
Just as Xiang Wan was about to say goodbye to him, her gaze shifted and she saw Chen Yan kicking pebbles and waiting for her not far away.
She raised an eyebrow, momentarily forgetting Jiang Juncang beside her, and said to him, "Chen Yan?"
Hearing the sound, the other person looked up and looked in her direction. When he saw Xiang Wan, his eyes lit up, and he quickly jogged towards her.
Driven by a certain territorial instinct, Jiang Juncang did not leave, but waited for Xiang Wan to introduce the two of them: "And who is this?"
Chen Yan also stood in front of her and looked at her calmly.
The two men exchanged a glance, then looked away at Xiang Wan, waiting for her to introduce them.
“This is Chen Yan, my…” She paused for a rare moment, as if hesitating, “…my friend.”
Then she pointed to Jiang Juncang with her hand: "Chen Yan, this is Mr. Jiang Juncang, the general manager of Shida Group."
After introducing themselves, the two reacted slightly differently. Chen Yan seemed a little dazed, while Jiang Juncang's smile was somewhat forced.
In social etiquette, it is generally customary to introduce the companion with whom you have a closer relationship first.
Xiang Wan couldn't possibly be unaware of this; she had introduced Chen Yan first, and even paused while describing their relationship.
Finally, a vague relationship was given—friends.
Jiang Juncang remembered this person; the one who dressed up as Cinderella at the school anniversary gala, and also the one his younger brother Jiang Zhuochun called his rival in love, Chen Yan.
Although somewhat disappointed, the two maintained their composure. He got into the car, greeted them, and drove off.
After Jiang Juncang left, Xiang Wan looked at Chen Yan and asked, "What are you doing here so late?"
Chen Yan answered almost without hesitation: "I'll come pick you up."
Xiang Wan chuckled, her brows and eyes relaxed: "Then why didn't you just send me a text message?"
"I'm afraid it will affect your work."
She looked at Chen Yan and subconsciously wanted to pat his head, and in fact she did.
Xiang Wan tiptoed and patted his head: "Good boy."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yan's ears suddenly turned slightly red. He bent down so that she could touch his head more easily.
The two walked to Xiang Wan's apartment, and he only left reluctantly after watching her apartment lights come on...
*
When Chen Yan returned to his dormitory, he took out his key to open the door. Even after sitting down on the stool, he still felt like he was dreaming.
Ni Zhen was playing a game and didn't even notice anyone coming back until he finished the game and saw Chen Yan, which startled him.
"When did you get back? Didn't you go to pick up Xiang Wan?"
Ni Zhen was Chen Yan's high school roommate. She was originally a troublemaker in the class, but because of Chen Yan, who was a transfer student, she was inexplicably influenced to work hard and was admitted to Beiyi University from the bottom of the class.
This is considered a good story in Southeast Asia. Although it is now at the bottom of the financial rankings, being at the bottom of the rankings at Beiyi University is still something to be proud of.
Although Chen Yan had a crush on his sister since high school, Ni Zhen and the others knew it all too well, even though he had never admitted it.
Although he had met Xiang Wan, he never knew that his sister was the eldest daughter of the Xiang Group until he went to university and heard about Xiang Wan's legend.
"Boss, have you done the homework for Abbess Miejue?" Ni Zhen asked ingratiatingly. Chen Yan handed him the homework, which he then took and placed on the table to start copying.
Halfway through copying, he suddenly turned to Chen Yan and asked curiously, "By the way, weren't you going to pick up Xiang Wan?"
He thought Chen Yan would deny it as usual, but this time Chen Yan walked over, her voice filled with barely suppressed emotion: "Ni Zhen, do you know how she introduced me to others just now?"
Hearing this, Ni Zhen was genuinely curious: "So how did she introduce you?"
"She said I was her friend." Chen Yan emphasized the word "friend" at the end.
“…Huh?” Ni Zhen didn’t quite understand what he meant, her eyes blank. “And then?”
Chen Yan completely ignored him, muttering to herself, "This is the first time she's introduced me as her friend."
“…” Ni Zhen, “Excuse me”
The two were talking to themselves, and Zhao Luyu, who was on the opposite bed, was also woken up by their noise. He pulled back the curtain, looked at the two of them, and yawned: "What are you talking about?"
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