Chapter 39: Why Is She Giving Me Rice?

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Why Is She Giving Me Rice?

"For me? There’s no need for all this. It wouldn’t be right for me to take your things."

Looking at the rice in Chen Yuan’s hands, Wang Shoucheng refused quite formally.

They hadn’t planned to meet here. He had only come over at this time because something came up unexpectedly. ’How could he possibly be waiting for me?’

It had to be said, Lao Wang was very meticulous, afraid of causing any awkward situations.

"I really did prepare it for you. I even have the chat history to prove it."

Chen Yuan found the chat history with his mom and showed it to Wang Shoucheng.

"I won’t look."

Though he said he wouldn’t look, his body was quite honest. He glanced at the contents and confirmed that it was indeed prepared for him.

Now it wouldn’t be awkward.

"Studying hard is more important than anything. You don’t need to do all this."

"I’ve already brought it all the way here. We’re not allowed to use rice cookers in the dorm, so I have nowhere to put it."

Hearing Chen Yuan say this, he glanced again at the rice in his hands.

"Put it in my car, then."

"Alright."

Wang Shoucheng’s gaze fell upon Song Jianye, sizing her up for a moment.

"Come over to my place tomorrow night. Let’s have a meal together."

"Wouldn’t it be a bit inappropriate for us to go?" Chen Yuan hadn’t expected Wang Shoucheng to extend such an invitation.

"You’re in university now. You need to get rid of that high school mentality. It’s just a simple meal," Wang Shoucheng said.

"Understood, Teacher Wang."

"I have something else to attend to, so I’ll be going. Wait for my call tomorrow. You two can come together, no need to be secretive about it."

"Understood."

Wang Shoucheng got in his car and rolled down the driver’s side window.

"You can register for the CET-4 in the second semester of your freshman year. When you have free time, memorize more vocabulary in your dorm. That’s one of the criteria for the Party membership assessment."

"Understood."

As Wang Shoucheng drove away, Song Jianye walked over, standing on her tiptoes to watch as Lao Wang’s car disappeared.

"It seems like he misunderstood our relationship. But he’s pretty nice, inviting us to eat together."

"Isn’t this ruining my reputation? I have no plans for that kind of thing during university. It’s shaking my resolve to get into grad school."

"Hehe..."

Chen Yuan: ???

’Who did she pick up this annoying habit from?’

"Now there are only two portions left. I already called them in advance. Let’s give the portion meant for Uncle Zhang to my academic advisor."

"I guess that’s the only option for now. I’ll bring some for Uncle Zhang another time."

Chen Yuan didn’t feel bad about giving two portions of rice to Lao Wang, because they were meant for him in the first place.

Before long, Song Jianye’s academic advisor arrived.

His name was Wu Shangjun. He wore metal-rimmed glasses and a white shirt, looking refined and gentlemanly. He was actually rather handsome, but he gave off a bit of a "villain in a suit" vibe.

’He’s got something to him.’

"Teacher Wu."

Song Jianye went over to greet him.

Seeing the items in Chen Yuan’s hands, Wu Shangjun knew they were for him.

He just hadn’t expected a boy to be the one delivering them.

In a university, although the various colleges are part of the same institution, they have very little interaction. Never mind Chen Yuan; even if Lao Wang were standing here, Wu Shangjun probably wouldn’t know who he was.

"Just this once. Don’t let it happen again."

He still had to go through the motions and say what needed to be said.

"It’s just a small token of our appreciation," Chen Yuan said with a smile.

Wu Shangjun opened his trunk, and Chen Yuan placed the rice inside. Then, Wu Shangjun said:

"Regarding the student financial aid, you’ve all received the notice, right?"

"We received it," Song Jianye said.

It wasn’t just Song Jianye; Chen Yuan had received it too. Students in need could write an application to apply.

Normally, no one would want to take advantage of this, and they would leave it for those who truly needed it.

"Write your application well. Explain your family’s situation, but don’t exaggerate. Just be truthful."

Chen Yuan was a little confused.

Song Jianye.

Minimum monthly spending of 10,000!

Asking her to apply for financial aid?

’Each of these phrases is normal, but how did they become so surreal when put together?’

"Understood."

It only dawned on Song Jianye a moment later, but she agreed just like that.

"Your family is from out of town, and your parents aren’t here with you. If you run into any difficulties with your studies or daily life, just let me know. I’ll do my best to help you resolve them."

With Wu Shangjun saying something like this, his goal could be considered achieved.

"I understand. Thank you, Teacher Wu."

"Mm, go on and get back to your business."

Chen Yuan and Song Jianye left. It was almost time, so they had to go take their Theory Test.

The two of them exited through the east gate. Uncle Zhang’s Maybach was parked right at the entrance. Seeing Song Jianye come out, he got out, opened the car door, welcomed Chen Yuan and Song Jianye inside, and then drove away.

"A Maybach?"

Wu Shangjun stood rooted to the spot, then glanced back at his own car.

’She probably doesn’t need to apply for financial aid, does she?’

’Then why give me rice?’

...

The driving school wasn’t far from the university; they arrived in just a few minutes.

"Miss, you and Xiaoyuan shouldn’t be nervous. Just stay calm. It’s only a formality. A driver’s license isn’t a particularly important document for you."

Even the way a wealthy family offered encouragement reeked of money.

"I know, Uncle Zhang."

"The Theory Test is nothing. It took me three tries to pass it back in the day. You two will definitely do better than me."

"Mhm."

The two arrived at the driving school, waited in line outside for a bit, and went in together for the test about ten minutes later.

The test was 45 minutes long, but they both came out after about half an hour.

Song Jianye scored 98, and Chen Yuan scored 92. Both of them passed smoothly.

Now, whenever they had time, they could go practice driving.

Chen Yuan checked the time. His early childhood education session with Jiang Wanyi was scheduled for three o’clock. It wasn’t even two yet, so he had plenty of time.

"Do we still need to come here to practice driving? Let’s just have Uncle Zhang teach us. We can practice whenever we want, which is more convenient."

"You mean, practice in your family’s Maybach?"

"Why not? It’s a car, isn’t it? Once we know how to drive, we can just come straight here for the test."

"The Maybach is an automatic, but the test cars are manual. I don’t think you can practice for one with the other."

Chen Yuan didn’t know much about getting a driver’s license. He had just heard Comrade Chen mention occasionally that the test cars are all manual, so you can’t just practice with any other car.

"Then let’s just buy a manual car."

Chen Yuan scratched his head.

With Song Jianye’s life experience and knowledge base, she was perfectly suited to be a Wallfacer.

’Anyway, I can’t break through the barrier between social classes. Let the Trisolarans give it a try.’

"Let’s just forget it. We should just practice here honestly."

"Okay..."

The two walked out of the driving school, where Uncle Zhang was waiting in the car.

Only when he saw Song Jianye come out did he put down his phone and get out of the car.

"Miss, how did your test go?"

"I got a 98, six points higher than him," Song Jianye said, a little smug.

"You should be able to schedule the Subject Two test now. Just learn well from the instructor, and there shouldn’t be any problems."

"Yes, we’ve already scheduled it. We’re coming to practice next Wednesday."

"Then let’s head back for now."

"I still have something to do. You go back with Uncle Zhang first."

"Let Uncle Zhang give you a ride."

"No need, I can go by myself."

"Okay..."

Song Jianye got into the Maybach. Chen Yuan said his goodbyes and left in a taxi he’d hailed.

’I wonder what the early childhood education class will be like. Tongzi hasn’t rewarded me with any skills in that area yet. I guess I can learn a little in advance.’