Chapter 9: Bah! Shameless

Vivian was once again amused by Lin Ran. She had been feeling quite frustrated lately, what with leaving the Civil Affairs Bureau and failing to find a job, but after formally meeting Lin Ran today, she had been laughing thanks to his humor so many times that she forgot all her troubles.

Vivian rather enjoyed hanging out with Lin Ran—the atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable, and they seemed to get along effortlessly.

Across the table, Jiang Shuyao was absorbed in dipping hotpot ingredients, when Lu Man snatched her chopsticks away.

“All you do is eat,” Lu Man complained.

“Give me my chopsticks back. I haven't had a feast in ages,” Jiang Shuyao retorted.

“How pitiful.”

“You think everyone has a boyfriend to spoil them like you?”

Lu Man glanced at her and said, “Let me ask you something: what’s the deal between Lin Ran and Vivian? The more I look, the less I understand.”

“You’re overthinking it. They’ve only known each other for two days. She helped him out this morning, so he treated her to lunch. Then your call came, and we all ended up here together. They’re really not a couple.”

“Oh, is that so? Didn’t you notice Lin Ran is flirting with Vivian?”

“He’s not flirting with me, so why should I care? Now, give me my chopsticks.”

“Shuyao, why not try to tease Vivian a little?”

“I wouldn’t dare. That woman’s menstrual cycle is irregular, and she hasn’t found a job. Her temper’s explosive these days—I’m not brave enough to mess with her.”

“Coward,” Lu Man scoffed, handing back the chopsticks.

Being Vivian’s closest friend, Lu Man hoped she’d find happiness. Lin Ran certainly had a knack for charming girls—he was making Vivian laugh openly across the table.

Lu Man figured she should act as a gatekeeper before her friend fell head over heels.

If he was a jerk, they’d run. If he was a good man, she should treasure him.

Ahem—

Lu Man cleared her throat and smiled, “Lin Ran, here’s a toast to you.”

Lin Ran quickly lifted his glass. “As the new friend, I should be the one to toast you. Congratulations on passing your internship, and I wish you and Brother Zeng happiness every day.”

Lu Man grinned, “Smooth talker. By the way, Lin Ran, have you found a job yet?”

“I just graduated, same as you. I’m taking my time with job hunting.”

At the moment, Lin Ran wasn’t very interested in finding a job—maximizing his system was his real priority.

Lu Man looked to Vivian. “What are your plans next?”

“You’re bringing up another depressing subject… I’ll keep looking for work. What else can I do?”

Vivian felt the most pressure of them all.

She’d always been a top student, placing among the top three in every competition. She assumed she’d soar through life once she entered the working world. But job hunting had hit her with rejection after rejection, shattering her lifelong sense of superiority.

Lin Ran felt a pang of sympathy. If he could, he’d help her through this difficult time—he’d even support her!

Vivian straightened up, determined. “It’s just a job hunt. Heaven never shuts off all paths; I’ll find something sooner or later. I just need to charge ahead!”

Lu Man gave her a thumbs up. “That’s the Vivian we all know.”

Lu Man mused to herself… Lin Ran hasn’t found a job, and neither has Vivian. Two people with nothing to do are the most likely to get together.

Lin Ran had just graduated. He was smooth-talking and obviously good at charming girls. He probably didn’t attend a top school, which is why he had so much free time to practice flirting, right?

So Lu Man pressed on, “Lin Ran, which university did you graduate from?”

Lin Ran was calmly eating hotpot. “Zhejiang University.”

Lu Man nearly spat out her drink, wiped her mouth, and her eyes lit up.

“Zhejiang University?”

Everyone thought they had misheard. Who would have guessed he was from Zhejiang University?

“Hiss—hiss—ouch, ouch!” Lu Man’s thigh suddenly hurt—it was Jiang Shuyao, unable to contain her excitement, pinching her.

She and Vivian knew Lin Ran had just graduated, but they didn’t know he was from Zhejiang University. They assumed, given his laid-back attitude, he hadn’t graduated from anywhere serious.

But he was from one of the top three universities in the country.

My goodness, a real academic star.

They all studied music—their academics were average. So having someone from Zhejiang University suddenly join them was rather shocking.

Lin Ran looked bewildered. “Why are you all staring at me?”

Vivian put down her chopsticks, took an empty glass, poured herself some beer, and turned to face Lin Ran seriously.

“You’ve surprised me. I didn’t expect you to be such an academic star. Cheers.”

“You’re also a talent at Sichuan Conservatory.”

“Thank you~”

Vivian downed her drink, bold and forthright.

Lu Man nodded approvingly—Lin Ran not only had a stellar academic background, he knew how to speak. He could be cheeky when needed, and serious when the moment called for it. He had mastered the rhythm of interacting with girls.

Whether he could win Vivian’s heart was uncertain, but Lu Man knew the little ornament by her side was quite excited.

Lu Man continued, “Lin Ran, you’re pretty handsome. How many girlfriends did you have at Zhejiang University?”

On the subway, Lin Ran had slyly asked Vivian if she had a boyfriend, and she had returned the question. Lin Ran had dodged giving a real answer then.

Now, though, Lu Man was asking as Vivian’s close friend, investigating his past.

If he gained her friends’ approval, they’d try to match them up.

This was a dangerous question—it required careful answering.

Answer well, and things advanced.

Answer poorly, and he’d be banished.

The focus wasn’t on how many girlfriends Lin Ran had had. No one would believe he had none. What mattered was a view on love that would satisfy her friends and leave Vivian with a good impression.

Since realizing Vivian wasn’t his ex-wife, Lin Ran was quite taken with this beauty.

He accepted the challenge.

Lin Ran set down his chopsticks and answered sincerely.

“In college, every guy had his crush. Unfortunately, I wasn’t as lucky as Brother Zeng, who met a girl he could date from school into adulthood.”

“Beautiful answer! Lin Ran, let me toast you. I’ll drink first!”

Lu Man raised her glass.

The more she looked at Lin Ran, the more she liked him. If she didn’t try to match them, she’d feel guilty after hearing what he just said.

Jiang Shuyao scratched her head. “Wait, I didn’t get it. What does that mean?”

Susu explained, “How dense can you be? That was a brilliant answer—flawless, hitting two birds with one stone.”

“Explain specifically.”

Curious Jiang Shuyao demanded clarification.

Susu said, “First, he admitted that he liked someone in college. Second, he took Zeng Wei and Lu Man as an example, praised their relationship, and used their love to show he’s just as devoted—he wants a relationship that lasts.”

A view on love compatible with their circle wins half the battle!

“Oh, I see!”

Jiang Shuyao was deeply impressed.

As Lu Man’s classmates, they naturally envied the kind of relationship Zeng Wei and Lu Man had, one that could carry beyond campus.

Lin Ran’s words hit the mark.

The girls’ affection for him soared.

This tactic could be called “surrounding the circle and attacking the point!”

Lin Ran had become the center of attention among the girls present.

Zeng Wei’s two friends were completely ignored.

Lu Man asked, “What about now?”

“Now that I’ve graduated and returned to Shudu, it’s time to find a girlfriend. I haven’t dated before, so I’d like to.”

“You weren’t interested in college, but now you want to? Has your perspective changed?”

Lin Ran smiled. “I’d rather not answer that.”

The less he said, the more curious Lu Man became.

“Half an answer is boring. Come on, spill it, and no lying.”

A dozen curious eyes turned to him.

“You really want to know?”

“We all want to know.”

Lin Ran smiled. “I want to find a girlfriend and lose my virginity.”

Pff—

Vivian spat out her juice and coughed, choking.

Jiang Shuyao’s mouth dropped open.

Was that something she should have heard?

Lu Man gave Vivian a meaningful look—Lin Ran was just like her, both virgins.

Vivian shot her a glare in return.

“Hehehe~” Lu Man mischievously pointed at Lin Ran. “You’re really bold.”

Lin Ran spread his hands. “You insisted on the truth—so here it is.”

He was honest to a fault.

Lu Man had figured it out—every answer from Lin Ran was directed at Vivian.

Damn!

Zeng Wei’s two friends threw him a look of disdain—shameless!