132: greedy

Shen Qian pondered for a moment, then tapped on his phone.

Soon, someone sent him a message.

"Why did you transfer me 10,000 yuan?"

"I said I wouldn't let you help for free. You've put in a lot of effort these past few days."

"You're quite generous, giving 10,000 yuan just like that. I only helped you contact the seller. Aren't you worried I might take a cut?"

"If you can take a cut, that's your own skill. But this 10,000 yuan is my gratitude—they're unrelated."

[You have successfully gained the favor of a 7/10 girl. Your behavior meets the scumbag standard. Reward being issued...]

Shen Qian didn't lack the reward of tens of thousands of yuan now. Compared to that money, the system's notification felt more like an accurate grasp of the other person's psychology.

Tao Yan's side was already showing initial results. Now, it depended on whether this senior would take action.

Or perhaps, she was waiting for him and Feng Qinmian to reach some outcome before making her move.

"Junior, if you have time, let's have a meal together."

"Oh? Why?"

"You helped me earn such a large sum. Shouldn't I properly thank you?"

"No need to be so polite."

"Cut the nonsense. Give me a time when you're free, and I'll book a restaurant."

Shen Qian thought for a moment and sent over a time.

On the other end of the phone, Guo Shuangcai looked at the time: three days later, at noon.

What kind of boy invites a girl for lunch? This clearly showed he didn't want too much contact with her.

"Spending tens of thousands on travel to take photos for his Girlfriend, then spending 2 million to give Tao Yan a beautiful memory, thinking Feng Qinmian is a good girl, yet still entangled with Xie Wan... but when it comes to me, he doesn't want any connection?"

Guo Shuangcai raised her eyebrows slightly. Though she didn't know if he did it on purpose or by accident, there was no doubt he had provoked her.

"Have I not shown my charm for too long? Or is it because Xie Wan and the others have been around him too much, making him think I'm nothing special?"

Guo Shuangcai smiled. In terms of looks alone, Xie Wan was indeed outstanding, but she wasn't lacking either. And compared to Xie Wan, what she won with wasn't looks but emotional intelligence—something even Feng Qinmian couldn't match.

"Just wait. I'll make you know what it means to fall for someone bit by bit."

Shen Qian put away his phone, listening to the system notification. It seemed she had some thoughts about the time. Good—that was exactly what he wanted. For a smart woman like her, ordinary methods might not work. More importantly, he needed to understand what she desired most. If he didn't know, he'd create it himself.

After class, Liu Qingyun found him.

"What's up, Counselor? Something happened again?"

"Yes, the dean wants to see you."

"The dean?"

Shen Qian thought for a moment and immediately understood something. The president might not have revealed his donation of 10 million to the school, but the dean of the School of Arts probably received news about his 2 million donation.

"You scared me. I thought something happened with your sister again."

"No, she's been quite happy these past few days." As an older brother, Liu Qingyun should have been happy that his sister was happy, but somehow, he just couldn't feel that way. Growth often comes with growing pains—not just for the person involved but also for those around them. Liu Qingyun was in that situation now.

"Did you do something wrong? Otherwise, why would the dean want to see you?"

"Don't worry. Did you forget? I have connections. And I don't think I've done anything major—except sometimes staying out overnight, and I rarely skip class. Nothing to worry about."

"Is it really okay for you to talk about skipping class and staying out overnight in front of your Counselor?"

Shen Qian chuckled.

"Counselor, your sister is in my hands."

"You brat!"

"I haven't spent that 1,000 yuan yet. Do you want me to spend it?"

"Alright, alright, hurry up. If you run into any big problems, remember to discuss them with me."

"This kind of problem is something a small Counselor like you can't protect me from."

Shen Qian thought to himself as he headed toward the dean's office.

"Student Shen Qian! It's been a long time since I saw you after the Freshman Welcome Gala!"

The dean was very enthusiastic, his old face smiling like a flower.

"Dean, what are you saying? You're the great dean, and I'm just a small student. I'm already happy you remember me. I never expected you to still recall me."

Shen Qian's humble attitude made Dean Du feel much better. With the other party being humble, things would be easier to discuss.

"Ah, Student Shen, you've become famous now. The dean of the School of Arts told me you donated 1.5 million to them, with just a piano costing 1.2 million."

"Damn, how greedy! I donated 2 million, and this old guy took 500,000 for himself." Shen Qian cursed the dean of the School of Arts for his greed in his heart, then looked at the little old man in front of him.

"It's what I should do. After all, they let me use the piano room to rehearse during the Freshman Welcome Gala. I owe them a favor."

The meaning was clear: I owed them a favor, so I donated. But I don't owe you a favor. What reason will you use to make me pay?

"Good, very good, Student Shen. The school needs students like you—responsible and accountable. Very good!"

"I called you here today because Professor Zhao from your major needs to select a student to join him in researching topics and working on projects. Are you interested in this?"

"This... Dean, isn't this too soon? I'm only in my first year, and I haven't attended many of Professor Zhao's classes yet. Wouldn't it be too early to join him in research topics?"

"Not early at all, not early at all. Getting familiar with Professor Zhao early will help with graduate school recommendations later."

Shen Qian finally understood: this little old man in front of him was offering him a graduate school recommendation spot.

"Graduate school recommendations? Sorry, Dean, I don't have that in mind right now. Thank you for your kindness."

As soon as he said this, the little old man's smile finally faded. In university, the most valuable things were graduate school recommendations and job opportunities.

But for most people, these were precious. For Shen Qian, they seemed somewhat optional.

Not to mention he was only in his first year—it was indeed too early to talk about these things.

"Right, right, it is indeed too early. I didn't think it through properly. Sorry, Student Shen."

"It's fine, Dean. I'm already happy you thought of me for such a good opportunity. In the future, if the college needs any help, just say the word, Dean. I'll contribute money or effort as needed."

As long as the other party wasn't a fool, they should understand: no money for now, talk later.

"It's good that you have that intention." The little old man seemed to realize he had been too deliberate today. After chatting a bit more, he sent Shen Qian out.

"These old guys are really insatiably greedy!" Shen Qian muttered as his phone rang.

On the other end of the call, a girl was crying. From the voice, Shen Qian recognized it as Feng Qinmian.

"Junior Shen, can you come help me? Please!"

"Of course, Senior. Don't panic. What happened?"