100: Giving you a chance to test me

The next day, while Qin Lan was still sleeping in her room, Shen Qian returned to school. He went to find Liu Qingyun first. Except for student holidays, Counselors usually stay at school on Saturdays and Sundays to prevent any sudden emergencies.

"What's wrong? You actually came to find me on your own initiative."

Liu Qingyun had a decent attitude toward this remarkably capable student. Although he disliked trouble, he did owe Shen Qian a favor. Moreover, in two days, he would have to take this kid home to straighten out his sister, that little crooked seedling.

"Counselor, if I remember correctly, you did your undergraduate and graduate studies at our school and then stayed on to work here, right?"

"You want to take this path too? To be honest, being a Counselor isn't that easy. The competition is fierce, and the pay isn't great. But if you want to go down this road, I can give you some guidance."

"No, no, no. What I mean is, you've been at our school for so long, you must have seen some things, or you must know some of the unspoken rules."

Liu Qingyun's brow twitched slightly.

"Just say it. What do you want to do?"

"As far as I know, in the School of Arts, especially for those studying music and dance, the school arranges some performances every year. The qualifications for those performances are controlled by certain teachers."

"Why are you suddenly concerned about the School of Arts? You're right. The school does have some collaborations with the outside world every year, and the performance list is generally controlled by the teachers in charge of the shows."

"After all, in the School of Arts, things like dance and music are hard to judge unless you're an expert. As long as the basic skills are solid, it doesn't really matter who goes up. Why, do you want to push someone into the spotlight?"

"Why, do you want to push someone to the front?"

"I have that thought, I just don't know how I should go about it."

"Doesn't your family have connections? For a small matter like this, wouldn't a single phone call do?"

"Counselor, how can connections be used recklessly? The hardest thing to pay back is a debt of gratitude."

Liu Qingyun nodded. What Shen Qian said was true. No matter how many connections one had, if they were used haphazardly, they would eventually be exhausted one day.

"This kid is extraordinary. He knows how to handle things, has a background, and doesn't seem to lack money. Whether he goes into business or politics in the future, he'll definitely soar."

Thinking of this, Liu Qingyun pondered for a moment, took out a piece of paper, and wrote down a few names.

"These are the teachers I know who are responsible for school performances. Personally, I suggest finding a breakthrough through them, but you can't just let them be the only ones who benefit."

"Counselor, you mean I have to let the school know?"

Liu Qingyun's eyes lit up again. This student was too smart; he understood everything with just a hint.

"Yes. It's best if you donate something to the school in your own name. Of course, donating money is the most direct way, but it has its drawbacks—if you just donate money, the school won't know what you want."

"If you want to push a dancer to the front, you donate a fund for the renovation of the dance studio. Then the school will know you want a spot for someone to dance on stage, and so on."

These were the unspoken rules of society, and they had already begun in school. Everyone in the world comes for profit, and everyone in the world hustles for profit. With Liu Qingyun's guidance, Shen Qian immediately understood.

He looked at the list Liu Qingyun had written. He was familiar with the name next to the piano performance: Song Shulu.

"If it weren't for an acquaintance, I wouldn't know how to open up the connection. Isn't this like someone bringing a pillow just as I'm getting sleepy?"

Shen Qian said his thanks and left. Watching Shen Qian leave, Liu Qingyun sighed slightly. He knew Shen Qian had a partner, so wanting to open up connections in the School of Arts definitely wasn't because of Tan Xinxin. But he was just a lowly Counselor whose permanent position depended on the other's connections; what right did he have to criticize his morals or conduct?

Besides, with Shen Qian's methods, nothing messy would happen. Each generation of students was more formidable than the last. He felt it was better for him to just slack off peacefully. As for the rest, let them toss and turn however they liked.

"Teacher Song."

Just after leaving the Counselor's office, Shen Qian dialed Song Shulu's number.

"Shen Qian? Is something the matter? Why are you calling me all of a sudden?"

"Oh, Teacher Song, look at what you're saying. Didn't you say before that we should communicate more? I owe it to you that I was able to get on the Freshman Welcome Gala stage. I haven't had the chance to thank you properly yet, so I was thinking of inviting you to dinner."

"Alright, when?"

"When do you have time?"

"Anytime today."

"Then let's do lunch. I'll book a restaurant. Give me your location and I'll come pick you up."

After setting a time with Song Shulu, Shen Qian immediately rushed to the travel agency on Entrepreneurship Street. According to Qin Lan's investigation, Guo Shuangcai was usually here on Saturdays and Sundays.

Pushing open the door of the travel agency, sure enough, Guo Shuangcai was sitting there wearing a pair of semi-rimless glasses. Her hair was tied up, and she was wearing a white shirt. She didn't look like a student at all, but more like an elegant urban professional.

"Junior, why are you here? Not accompanying your little Girlfriend?"

Guo Shuangcai didn't get up when she saw Shen Qian. Instead, she took off her glasses and leaned back slightly. As her body moved back, the boss chair rolled backward, revealing her long legs in black silk stockings.

Shen Qian wasn't sure if she did it on purpose or by accident, but his gaze didn't linger on those legs. Instead, he looked at Guo Shuangcai.

"I came to ask for a favor, Senior. If I remember correctly, you mentioned you know people who sell musical instruments, right?"

During the trip, Guo Shuangcai had mentioned Shen Qian's participation in the freshman performance and said she knew some instrument sellers. If he wanted a suitable instrument, she could help.

"You want to buy an instrument?" Guo Shuangcai looked at Shen Qian suspiciously. She had only said that in passing back then. For a rich young master like him, why would he need to find her to buy an instrument?

"That's right, I do need to buy an instrument. But I haven't decided exactly what to buy yet. I came to make an appointment with you first, in case you get too busy later and don't have time."

"Since it's a request from my junior, then of course I'll agree. You have my contact information. Once you've decided what to buy, just tell me and I'll arrange it for you."

"Thank you, Senior."

Without staying too long, Shen Qian left immediately after finishing his business.

"Does he want to use this method to hit on me? He finally couldn't help himself."

Guo Shuangcai stood up and walked to the door, watching Shen Qian's retreating back. This man's patience was even greater than she had imagined, but it didn't matter. As long as he approached her, she was confident she could win him over.

"Don't you want to buy an instrument? Perfect, let me test your level."

Entering another alleyway, Shen Qian looked back.

"Senior, it makes things difficult for me when you never come to find me. Musical instruments can be very cheap or very expensive."

"I've given you such a good opportunity. I believe you won't pass up this chance to test my strength."

"The next step is to let Tao Yan feel the sinister nature of society."