200: Unknowingly rising to prominence

"Tsk, Third Brother, it's really a pity you didn't join the Student Union. I feel like if you had, the position of President would definitely be yours!"

Shen Qian gave a chuckle. Student Union President—at the end of the day, they were still just a student. His current network consisted of either University Presidents or bureau directors, and he himself wasn't in a low position. Would that Student Union President dare to casually walk into the University President's office on a daily basis?

Not long after returning to school, Liu Qingyun came knocking on his door.

"What's up, Brother-in-law? Is something going on with your sister again?"

"Nothing. And stop calling me that! I haven't agreed to this thing between you and my sister yet!"

Shen Qian looked at him with disdain.

"Geez... Burning bridges after crossing them, are we?"

"Damn, I'm burning bridges? You're the one eating and taking everything you can get, and you have the nerve to say I'm burning bridges?"

Ultimately, this Liu Qingyun had never experienced the harsh beatings of society. He had stayed at the school after graduation. Anyone who had experienced society and knew how cruel the outside world could be would never say such things.

In fact, this was a very interesting point: often, the career guidance teachers in schools might have never held a real job themselves, yet they were expected to provide career guidance to students.

"Alright, alright, enough nonsense. I actually do have something to talk to you about."

"Did that kid Sun Haoyu snitch on me again?"

"It has nothing to do with him. It's the college. Our college usually has collaborations with some major factories and well-known enterprises after the Lunar New Year."

The college will select a few people to go to these major factories for internships."

Shen Qian pointed at himself, looking bewildered.

"Me?"

"You're usually a pretty smart kid, how could you ask such a stupid question?"

You're only in your first year, how could it be for you to go on an internship!"

Shen Qian smiled bitterly to himself. Since the last incident, the Dean had quieted down a lot. Of course, it was also possible that the University President had passed some word down from above. If that were the case, it wouldn't be surprising for the Dean to do anything to try and get on his good side.

"What you need to do is liaison work—representing the school to interface with those enterprises, understanding what kind of talents they need, and then contacting the Deans of various colleges or the students."

"That sounds a bit redundant. If students and enterprises need to connect, they can just do it themselves. Why is there a need for an extra person in the middle?"

"It's not redundant, not at all. This person in the middle is actually a 'reserve force'."

Shen Qian quickly understood what the other meant. The hope was that first or second year students, by facilitating communication between the two parties, could become familiar faces or build more connections. That way, by the time they graduated, the seniors they had served would help them, and the veterans at the companies they had communicated with would be considered acquaintances. It was a single task that benefited both sides.

"Such a good opportunity... Counselor, did you snatch this for me?"

"I know you might have money, but no matter how much you have, it belongs to your family. Having a good job is what truly belongs to you."

And it wasn't exactly 'snatching' it. The opportunity was right there; I just submitted your form a bit faster than the others.

But don't think that just because the form is in, everything is settled. You have plenty of competitors. They only need 7 people in total for this, and with so many second and third year students, you might not necessarily be chosen."

"Thanks, Brother-in-law, but I think it's better to leave this opportunity to the second and third year seniors."

"You really are indifferent to fame and fortune, aren't you? But it's too late; I've already submitted your form. Do you think it's that easy to get picked? With so many people, the Dean might just pass over you."

Shen Qian thought to himself,

"Not only will they likely not pass over me, they'll probably give me the green light all the way and send the list straight to the University President's desk."

"Fine. If I get picked, I'll go to your house for dinner."

Liu Qingyun smiled, but then his smile froze on his face.

"You brat! Shouldn't it be you treating me to dinner if you get picked?"

"It's all the same, all the same."

Shen Qian didn't mention the things going on behind the scenes. He had connections, and since Liu Qingyun was on good terms with him, the Dean and the University President would take note. It was as if this Counselor, who loved to slack off, had unknowingly gained a massive backer. His early conversion to a permanent position last time was proof enough.

Liu Qingyun was Shen Qian's man.

As long as that label was stuck on him, no matter how much this Counselor wanted to slack off or how much he feared trouble, he would—just like his name implied—rise rapidly without even realizing it.

This was the most terrifying and yet most charming aspect of power. Sometimes, once you possessed power, you might not need to do anything at all; not just you, but even those around you would enjoy the conveniences that power brought.

As for the matter after the New Year, he'd see how it went. He was free anyway, and building some connections seemed like a good idea. After all, one couldn't just use high-level connections whenever they wanted; having some connections at the middle or lower-middle levels was sometimes enough to obtain basic conveniences.

"Others try every means to socialize upwards, but here I am, actually having to socialize downwards."

"Um, there's something I need to remind you about." After finishing that topic, Liu Qingyun hesitated for a good while.

"About Shu Xin?"

"Yeah."

"Go ahead, but I can't describe certain details to you."

"Screw you! Are you trying to get me to hack you to death?!"

"Alright, alright, speak. What do you want to ask?"

"It's not really asking, it's a hope. You know, she's young and her mind is simple..."

When Liu Qingyun said this, Shen Qian couldn't help but think of the girl in the car that day who had nearly broken the Liu family's backbone, and the state she was in.

As expected, in the eyes of brothers and parents, a sister is always a simple and cute little girl no matter what she becomes—even if they know this little girl has already had 'interactions' with a big scumbag like him.

"If you have something to say, just say it. Just tell me what you want me to do. If you don't say it now, I'm leaving."

"Can you not let her take... that kind of medicine? She's still young, and I know that medicine is quite harmful to the body."

You're both young people, and things can get heated sometimes, but I still hope you can always have 'that' ready.

If you don't want to spend the money, I can buy them for you."

"Man, you really are worried sick about her. Don't worry, I'll wear protection. You're afraid her body will be harmed, and I'm afraid she'll cling to me."

"That's good! That's good!"

Shen Qian looked at the slightly aggrieved Brother-in-law in front of him and smiled.

"Give me 800 yuan. I have a feeling your sister will look for me on New Year's Day. I have to get a decent room at least."

"Alipay has received 1,000 yuan."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Counselor, if things aren't working out, why don't you find a girlfriend? Once you have one, you won't be so worried."

"Even if I find a girlfriend, she's still my sister."

"At least it would distract you a bit, so you don't get extorted for 800 yuan every time you come to see me."

"Just make sure you remember to wear it!"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm going."