In the corner of the cafeteria, Zeng Liang’s gaze was fixed on his phone, sighing heavily from time to time.
"Less than eight hours left. Over the past few days, I’ve mobilized practically everyone I could, but we’re still short by a bit."
Across from him, Xu Jian put down his chopsticks and said helplessly, "Then all we can do is do our best and leave the rest to fate."
He glanced around before asking, "Where’s Mr. Jiang?"
"He has an equestrian class this afternoon. Probably holed up somewhere taking a nap again."
Xu Jian glanced at the anxious expression on Zeng Liang’s face and thought to himself: this is what they mean by the eunuch fretting more than the emperor, isn’t it?
At that moment, Zeng Liang’s eyes suddenly lit up. "Someone took the job!"
He quickly covered his mouth after speaking, nervously scanning his surroundings. Once he was sure no one had noticed, he eagerly shared the good news with Xu Jian.
After Rain’s refusal, Zeng Liang had given up hope on the black market.
But with the voting deadline looming closer and closer, Zeng Liang decided this morning to post a bounty on the black market forum.
Just now, someone finally accepted the job.
Even Rain, who ranked third on the black market, didn’t take this job. Zeng Liang knew he shouldn’t have any expectations for these wandering hackers, but he had no other choice—he might as well try saving a dying horse as though it were still alive.
The user’s avatar was completely black, and their name was simply Ann, with no other introduction or information.
He entered private chat and began negotiating the price.
After the other party gave their quote, Zeng Liang’s hand trembled a bit.
Xu Jian looked at him curiously. "What’s wrong?"
Zeng Liang gave a bitter laugh. "This is way too cheap. One job for ten thousand yuan. I suspect this might be a scam."
Shen You’an closed her phone. Gao Yuyue caught sight of the smile at the corner of her lips and squinted. "What trouble are you up to now?"
Shen You’an pulled her into the convenience store near the cafeteria entrance.
"You treated me to a lollipop earlier, so in return, today’s on me."
"You’re feeling generous now?" Gao Yuyue eyed her suspiciously.
Shen You’an was known for being stingy—extremely stingy.
"I made an unexpected windfall. I’m in a good mood, so today I’m treating. Grab whatever you want, eat whatever you want."
Shen You’an’s tone carried a bold air of magnanimity. Thɪs chapter is updated by Novᴇl_Fire(.)net
Gao Yuyue didn’t hold back either. She collected a large bag of snacks, grabbed a vanilla ice cream from the freezer, and gave Shen You’an a look, signaling her to go pay.
Shen You’an glanced outside. "In this freezing weather, you’re eating ice cream. Aren’t you afraid of getting an upset stomach?"
Gao Yuyue raised an eyebrow smugly. "My stomach’s fine. Unlike you—always weak and sickly, can’t eat this, can’t touch that. Think of all the fun you’re missing out on."
Shen You’an really did look frail, bundled up like a dumpling during winter, with a pale complexion that seemed almost sickly.
Shen You’an chuckled softly. "It’ll all be over soon."
Over soon? Over what?
Before Gao Yuyue could ask, Shen You’an had already walked to the cashier to pay.
As they left the store, Gao Yuyue licked her ice cream and studied Shen You’an’s complexion carefully. "It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have enrolled you in the equestrian class without asking you first. If you don’t want to go, I can help you take leave."
Shen You’an shook her head. "I was going to enroll myself anyway. After all, the practical component of the equestrian class is directly linked to earning credits."
Gao Yuyue raised an eyebrow. "Don’t worry. With your grades, the highest amount of merit-based scholarship at the end of this term is practically yours."
The two returned to the classroom to rest for a while. The sports committee member, Zhang Zirui, announced the list of students who had signed up for the equestrian class. Class A had thirteen participants. Since it was an elective course, some students chose not to enroll due to health or other reasons and stayed in the classroom for self-study instead.
Later, the students from Class A, along with others who enrolled from other classes, boarded the school shuttle bus heading for the west suburbs’ equestrian center.
Shen You’an and Gao Yuyue found window seats and sat down. Gu Bichen and Liu Runxi took the seats directly behind them.
Just then, Jiang Shengyao ran excitedly onto the bus. His gaze immediately locked onto Shen You’an’s spot, and he quickly walked over.
Shen You’an’s left and rear seats were all taken, leaving only the front seat as open.
"Shen, Mr. Gao, what a coincidence," Jiang Shengyao greeted them with a big grin, showing off his gleaming teeth.
Shen You’an looked up, nodded slightly, and responded with a distant greeting.
Gao Yuyue snorted coldly. "Not a coincidence."
At the last possible moment, Leng Yunyang stepped onto the bus before the doors closed.
His gaze swept across the seats until he spotted the sole vacant seat beside Jiang Shengyao, and he headed over.
Jiang Shengyao sighed quietly—didn’t Zeng Liang say Leng Yunyang hadn’t signed up for this equestrian class?
Leng Yunyang flashed a dazzling, almost flirtatious smile and slid into the empty seat next to Jiang Shengyao.
Jiang Shengyao awkwardly turned his head to look out the window.
He thought to himself: Aren’t we rivals right now? Sitting together feels pretty uncomfortable.
Should I say something to ease the tension?
Forget it—whenever they talked, it felt like arguing even over half a sentence.
Shen You’an took out her headphones and put them on. Gao Yuyue said, "I want to listen too."