Huh?
Lin Shen was a bit stunned by Jiang Wan's words.
'You're telling me that on this huge campus, I run into a senior I haven't seen in three years, and she's even in charge of the English program Gu Wanqing got into?'
The series of coincidences fell into place so perfectly that Lin Shen started to wonder if it had all been orchestrated.
"Really?"
Gu Wanqing's beautiful, lively eyes widened. She looked Jiang Wan over curiously before offering a polite greeting.
"Hello, Counselor!"
'This girl's quick on the uptake!'
Lin Shen thought to himself. Gu Wanqing's well-behaved attitude made Jiang Wan burst with joy.
"Hello. Since you're here to tour the campus, let me be your guide."
"Would that be convenient?"
Lin Shen considered it for a moment.
"It's Monday. Shouldn't you be busy with work?"
"A counselor's work only gets busy after the semester starts," Jiang Wan explained.
"You could say we're a type of teacher, and right now, it's summer break, so there isn't much to do."
"That's good, then."
With a counselor from the university itself showing them around Shanghai International Studies University, Lin Shen wouldn't have to wander about like a headless chicken.
And so, with Jiang Wan leading the way, the trio set off from the West Gate, beginning their campus tour from west to east.
The gymnasium, the student and faculty activity center, the main lawn.
Every campus has its own unique scenery, and Shanghai International Studies University's was a European style that felt connected to the wider world.
Gu Wanqing found this quite amazing.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the path. Strolling through it felt like a deep cleansing of the soul, leaving one feeling purer and more tranquil.
For Lin Shen, who had never been a fan of fast-paced living, this couldn't be more perfect.
"Just maintaining this lawn costs a fortune every year," Jiang Wan said as they walked across it on a stone path.
"I remember a film crew once borrowed the lawn to shoot a campus idol drama. They even invited me to make a cameo."
"That just proves you're charming, Jiang Wan."
Lin Shen's casual compliment made Jiang Wan cover her mouth to hide a giggle.
"Lin Shen, I remember you being a pretty honest and dull guy three years ago. How did you get so smooth with your words?"
"People change," Lin Shen said with a sigh, his hands behind his head.
"After you enter the workforce, you learn how to talk even if you don't know how."
"That's why I chose to work at a university."
Jiang Wan deeply empathized with this.
"It hasn't always been smooth sailing, but at least there isn't as much scheming and backstabbing among colleagues."
"Everything's just laid out on the table, right?"
Lin Shen and Jiang Wan met each other's eyes and shared a knowing smile. The familiar, intimate way they talked made Gu Wanqing, who was standing beside them, look a little downcast.
It wasn't because she felt left out, but for a much stranger reason.
So strange, in fact, that Gu Wanqing was too embarrassed to even mention it.
"So, Jiang Wan, was the photoshoot you did at Sheshan a hobby?"
"Part-time job."
Jiang Wan blinked, a hint of playfulness and vivacity lightening her usually mature and steady demeanor.
"I have over a million followers on Douyin, you know."
Huh?
Seeing the surprised expressions on both Lin Shen and Gu Wanqing's faces, Jiang Wan smiled smugly and opened her phone to show them her Douyin creator page.
[Shui Yanwei]
[7.688 million Likes; 87 Following; 1.06 million Followers]
[Just a humble university counselor. Thanks for all the love and follows!]
[Available for guofeng/anime events, product seeding/scenic spot collaborations, etc. Contact me via Xintu.]
"That's amazing!"
Lin Shen had never expected Jiang Wan to have this other side to her.
'Although, looking at her figure, it would be a crime against nature if she weren't popular.'
Whether it was guofeng or anime cosplay, she was exceptionally dedicated in her videos, achieving what could be called a perfect recreation.
"Just got lucky,"
Jiang Wan said modestly.
"It just so happens that I also really like guofeng culture. If I can make money from it, even better."
"You're really something else, Jiang Wan."
Lin Shen suddenly noticed her screen name.
"Does 'Shui Yanwei' have any special meaning?"
"Moonlight cold, on flowers the dew is heavy; river at dusk, the water mist is faint."
Gu Wanqing, who was beside them, suddenly spoke up.
"That's a line from the poem 'Jiangxing' by the Tang dynasty poet Jiang Wei. Jiang Wan must be using a homophone, right?"
"You actually know this poem."
Jiang Wan looked at Gu Wanqing in surprise.
After all, Jiang Wei wasn't a particularly famous poet; very few people knew of him.
But here was one standing right in front of her.
"I memorized it in high school."
Gu Wanqing stuck out her tongue playfully. Her cute expression made Jiang Wan unable to resist patting her on the head, her eyes filled with admiration and fondness.
"We should chat about it sometime when we're free."
"Okay!"
At Jiang Wan's initiative, Gu Wanqing added her as a friend on WeChat, and their relationship gradually warmed from unfamiliarity to familiarity.
Lin Shen was happy to see such a harmonious scene.
They finished their morning tour at the lawn, and at Jiang Wan's invitation, the three of them went to the cafeteria to try the lunch at Shanghai International Studies University.
It wasn't gourmet, but at least it was affordable and good value.
Sitting in a corner of the cafeteria, Lin Shen felt like he was instantly transported back to his university days as he and Jiang Wan started reminiscing about the past.
"You were a pretty average guy back then. I never thought you'd become so handsome."
Jiang Wan sized Lin Shen up, then said half-jokingly.
"What's this? Planning to debut as a male celebrity?"
"Jiang Wan, don't tease me."
Lin Shen gave an embarrassed, wry smile. His consistently polite and formal address prompted a teasing reminder from Jiang Wan.
"Still calling me 'senior'? That's so distant. It makes me sad."
"Sorry! I'll just call you Jiang Wan from now on, then."
"That's more like it,"
Jiang Wan said with a broad smile, resting her cheek on her right hand.
"Then should I call you... little brother Lin Shen~?"
HISS!
Jiang Wan's gentle, mellow tone made Lin Shen involuntarily suck in a sharp breath, and his heart felt inexplicably tingly.
Her smile was especially infectious, and combined with that magnificent bosom pressing forward, it was hard for anyone not to fall for her!
"Just kidding."
Seeing Lin Shen was a bit flustered, Jiang Wan laughed and changed the subject.
After lunch, the three of them continued their campus tour in the afternoon.
This time, they mainly visited the library and information center, the student and faculty activity center, and the academic buildings.
Gu Wanqing was full of curiosity about everything, asking Jiang Wan all sorts of questions and also seeking her advice on how she should study over the summer.
The answer she received, however, was a bit unexpected.
Have fun!
"Wanqing, your only mission right now is to have fun. Go enjoy life, go broaden your horizons."
"Okay!"
Jiang Wan's advice left Gu Wanqing pensive. She nodded as if she understood, yet didn't fully grasp it.
Meanwhile, Lin Shen, who was standing to the side, took out his phone and opened the GoGo Maps app, which showed a completed mission.
[Level-Up Mission: Randomly Check In at a University Campus (Completed).]
[Reward: GoGo Maps Lv. 4 → Lv. 5]
[Industrial Fund accumulated per Red Point passed increased from 25,000 → 30,000. Current accumulation: 350,000]
[Reward Item: Random Scratch-Off Ticket x1]
[Level-Up Mission: Check In at Modu's Famous Amusement Park—Disneyland]
'Scratch!'
Lin Shen's thumb swiped quickly across his phone screen. This was the moment he looked forward to most each day.
He had a hunch that he would win a big prize this time, here on campus!
[Congratulations! You've scratched a rare reward: "A House of Gold in Books" (20g Gold Bar) x1]
[You can choose to save it and exchange it at any gold shop, or have the system convert it directly into cash based on today's gold price.]