“Not at all. Here, look for yourself if you don’t believe me. No one’s sitting across from me; I’m all alone. In fact, I came too early; I’m the only customer in the entire shop.”
Jiang Yingxue, on the other end of the phone, switched to the rear camera. The screen showed an empty space. Ye Zhou exhaled a long sigh of relief.
“Whew! That’s good.”
“Why? Are you jealous?” Jiang Yingxue chuckled, covering her mouth.
“Huh? Why would I be jealous?” Ye Zhou scratched his head, looking dazed. ‘Where is she even going with this?’
“If you aren’t jealous, why ask if anyone is sitting across from me?” Jiang Yingxue countered.
“Didn’t I say? I want to save some face too, President Jiang,” Ye Zhou whispered.
“Personally, I think it’s fine. Or do you find it embarrassing for the two of us to show off our affection in public?” Jiang Yingxue spoke as if it were common sense.
Ye Zhou couldn’t help but palm his forehead and quickly changed the subject.
“So, what kind of weird habit is it to go out for coffee alone so early in the morning? This is the first time I’ve ever seen such a thing.”
“What coffee? If others can have afternoon tea, why can’t I have morning tea?” Jiang Yingxue pursed her lips and rolled her eyes.
“What? You’re drinking tea right now!” Ye Zhou’s pupils constricted slightly.
“Yeah, don’t be so dramatic. Is a Matcha Latte not considered tea?” Jiang Yingxue found his reaction baffling.
“Oh. To be honest, I’ve never actually had that kind of coffee before.” Ye Zhou was completely speechless.
“Then I’ll send you the address. Come over here right now. Not only will I treat you to a Matcha Latte, but I’ll also let you eat some tofu — the white and tender kind.”
Jiang Yingxue suddenly slapped her forehead. “Ah, sorry, I almost forgot I have an appointment. I’ll have to treat you to the drinks and the food some other day.”
“With whom? Didn’t you say you were alone?” Ye Zhou asked curiously.
“Just because I’m alone now doesn’t mean I didn’t make an appointment. Anyway, they’re from the club, so you’ve definitely seen them.”
Jiang Yingxue explained truthfully, “Actually, wait. You and Su Zhihan haven’t met since joining the club, right? After all, she’s a teacher, so she’s different from us students. Even though she’s at school every day, she won’t come to the club unless there’s official business.”
Ye Zhou paused. “Uh, you mean the advisor for the Drama and Film Club? If so, then I really haven’t met her.”
Whether it was academic, scientific, or artistic…
The vast majority of university clubs were equipped with advisors. Most were faculty members, counselors, or administrative staff who were primarily responsible for controlling the club’s direction, providing professional advice, and connecting them with campus resources. For professional clubs, sometimes the advisor would even participate in daily activity guidance.
“Okay, I’ll stop here. It looks like the professor is arriving.”
“I sent the address a while ago. Remember to Shansong it over.”
“Yeah, the Shansong driver is already on the way; he’ll be there in a few minutes. Wait, I’ve been wanting to say this — is your hair getting long?”
“I was planning to go get it cut today.”
“You’re not allowed to go out and get it cut. Wait until you come to the club tomorrow, and I’ll cut it for you myself.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Nonsense. If you mess up your hair at a barber shop, how am I supposed to style it for you the next time it’s your turn to perform in a play? Be good.”
“You’re starting to nag like my parents.”
“Then I won’t nag. Anyway, if you mess it up, you can figure out how to fix it yourself.”
“President Jiang, I’ll let you nag me, okay? Your nagging is great; it’s absolutely fantastic!”
“That’s more like it~”
“…”
Finally, Ye Zhou thanked Jiang Yingxue sincerely and hung up the phone.
He rubbed his aching temples with both hands. This seemed to be the first time he had ever video-called Jiang Yingxue, and they had talked for quite a long time.
At least ten minutes —
At the same time, three knocks sounded at the door.
Ye Zhou took a few steps to open it.
Outside stood a middle-aged man wearing a yellow helmet, smiling.
“Hello, are you Mr. Ye Zhou? This is the item Miss Jiang Yingxue asked me to deliver via Shansong.”
“Oh, yes, that’s me. Thank you, Uncle.”
Ye Zhou accepted it with both hands without hesitation. It was a square cardboard box. He grabbed a pair of scissors and unpacked it on the spot.
Whoa! There were actually six whole cartons of minty Esse Change Pop-Beads! President Jiang might be slow to act, but when she did, she was certainly generous!
Hmm? There seemed to be a white card at the very top.
Ye Zhou bent down with a puzzled look and picked it up. Turning it over, he saw a few lines of text. The handwriting was clearly President Jiang’s.
‘Ye Zhou, if you give these to others, just use your own judgment.
However, if you’re giving them to Lin Shulan, it’s best not to give her too many at once.
Her addiction is quite heavy. Since we’re all in the same club, we should look out for one another.’
Seeing this, Ye Zhou couldn’t help but shake his head and smile. President Jiang was cold on the outside but warm on the inside — no, it should be said that she was warm on the outside and even warmer on the inside now.
“Mr. Ye, please sign your name here to confirm receipt.” The Shansong driver brought over a tablet and a stylus.
“Sure, no problem.”
Ye Zhou took it, signed his name briskly as instructed, and then fumbled around his person to give the driver a small tip.
Then, he hitched a ride with the Shansong driver all the way to Jianghai University.
Wait, some might ask: If you’re paying for the ride, just pay for the ride. Why act all fancy by participating in tipping culture?
Well, Ye Zhou’s response would be: You only dare to type on your keyboard online. If you were in this situation in real life, wouldn’t you act the part? You’d probably be even flashier than me!
***
Jianghai University, Art Building:
Ye Zhou took the elevator and soon reached the floor where the Drama and Film Club’s Rehearsal Room was located.
Ding-dong—
Unexpectedly, just as he stepped out of the elevator, he turned to see Lin Shulan at the end of the corridor. Her two long legs were crossed as she leaned over the windowsill, looking out at something.
To be fair, Senior Shulan really did like wearing yoga outfits.
While thinking, Ye Zhou reached Lin Shulan’s side and lightly tapped her on the shoulder.
Lin Shulan didn’t even turn her head. She waved him off, her voice thick with annoyance. “Who is it? Can’t you see I’m busy being frustrated?”
“Uh, Senior Shulan, it’s me, Ye Zhou.”
Ye Zhou scratched his head and gave an awkward smile.
Lin Shulan’s body stiffened, and she slowly turned around. Her almond eyes, slightly upturned at the corners, couldn’t hide a trace of apology. “Little Brother? I’m sorry, I didn’t know it was you.”
“Ah, haha… It’s fine, it’s fine. What’s wrong, Senior? Are you feeling unwell? Where’s Su Zhihan? Isn’t she rehearsing?”
“Thank you for your concern. I am feeling a bit under the weather, but it’s nothing serious.”
Lin Shulan’s eyelids drooped halfway, hiding the irritation in her eyes. “Her? She suddenly had something come up. She said she’d make up for today’s lost rehearsal time tomorrow.”
“I see.”
Ye Zhou nodded. He extended his right hand, which had been hidden behind his back, and held it in a fist before Lin Shulan. “Senior, please blow on this. I have a surprise for you. Distant water can quench a nearby thirst, after all.”