After he finished speaking, Wang Jian eagerly followed the crowd, peach-flavored sparkling water in hand, and started walking toward Shen Mengjia.
Wang Jian confidently handed her the water, said a few words, and even pointed back toward his own formation.
Moments later he returned, looking immensely pleased with himself.
"I think it went great. I told her I'm in the square next door, and she asked me several questions—kept glancing over here, too."
Lu Chuan asked curiously, "What did she ask you?"
"She asked if I knew Jiang Cheng from our class."
Seeing Wang Jian's smug face, Lu Chuan and Wu Kun said in bewilderment, "So why are you grinning? She was asking about Cheng, not you!"
"I know. I just happen to share a dorm with Jiang Cheng—what a coincidence, right?"
Wang Jian looked completely unfazed.
"Uh… I don't get it. Doesn't that prove she's into Cheng?"
Jiang Cheng stared at Wang Jian, equally puzzled.
"So what if she is? Cheng's not interested. One day she'll see I'm not bad either. I'm fine being Plan B; if she can't get him, she'll settle for me." Wang Jian sounded supremely confident.
Just then Wang Jiaxue hurried over, clutching several bottles of water.
Spotting Shen Mengjia, Wang Jian sprang to his feet, the picture of a devoted spare tire.
"Mengjia, what brings you here?"
Shen Mengjia frowned slightly at the overly familiar address.
Her gaze flicked toward Jiang Cheng; seeing him head-down on his phone, disappointment flashed in her eyes.
But she quickly offered a charming smile. "I've got too many drinks—gifts I can't finish. Are these the roommates you mentioned? Let me share a few."
She handed the bottles to Wu Kun and Lu Chuan.
When Jiang Cheng stayed silent, Shen Mengjia stepped closer and said, "Classmate, this is for you."
Lu Chuan and Wu Kun, eyes sparkling with gossip, watched the triangle unfold.
Jiang Cheng lifted his own mineral water for a sip. "No need, thanks. I've got mine—give it to someone else."
Unfazed, Shen Mengjia flashed her most alluring smile. "All right. I'm Shen Mengjia, Finance Class 127. Nice to meet you all. We'll be regrouping soon, so I'll head back."
She wasn't annoyed by the refusal; delivering the water had merely been her excuse to greet Jiang Cheng.
Whether he accepted or declined, her mission was accomplished.
Today's makeup had been meticulously planned.
She was confident that one look at her would strike Jiang Cheng with a critical hit of beauty.
Announcing her class and name would make it even easier for him to find her later.
After she left, Lu Chuan patted Wang Jian's shoulder. "Looks like Cheng's not interested, but she's clearly here for him."
Wu Kun added sympathetically, "Brother Wang, there are plenty of fish—may the next one be yours."
Yet the man in question stayed remarkably calm.
"You two, big deal. She hands out her water, I hand out mine—no conflict."
"Damn, Old Wang—you're a full-on simp!" Lu Chuan groaned.
"You don't get it. I love chasing Girls who don't like me. Where's the fun if they all do?"
Didn't you see her give my drink to Cheng?"
"So what? It's just water. I'll buy her two more—one for her, one for Cheng. Problem solved."
He turned to Jiang Cheng. "Cheng, if you ever fancy her, tell me. I'll back off instantly—no woman comes between bros."
Impressed by his resolve, Jiang Cheng gave him a big thumbs-up.
"simp away, bro. I've got plenty of girls—won't fight you for this one."
"Thanks, Cheng! I love the chase!" Wang Jian laughed heartily.
Such advanced simping reminded Jiang Cheng of Wang Congcong's simp quotes.
"Babe, I'm off for an IV—an infusion of missing-you nights."
"Ain't I your destiny, huh?"
"Let me take care of you, silly."
…
Counting the days, Wang Congcong's simp fiasco would start soon.
With that thought, Jiang Cheng opened the wechat group to skim last night's messages.
He found Wang Zheng wailing in the small hours.
Wang Zheng: "Holy crap, you called it—no arranging needed; that Girl served me eight positions on a platter…"
Wang Zheng: "Not super wide, but maybe I've watched too many clips."
Qin Fen: "Old Wang, stop struggling."
… After scrolling through dozens of messages, Jiang Cheng @-ed Wang Zheng.
Jiang Cheng: "@Wang Zheng, don't forget the water delivery."
Wang Zheng replied almost instantly.
Wang Zheng: "No prob. Been up since dawn, mood ruined."
Ten minutes flew by; the young instructor blew his whistle for assembly.
He produced a roll sheet and began calling names.
When Jiang Cheng's name came up, the instructor glanced over and gave a small nod.
After the roll call, instead of starting Military Calisthenics, he ordered everyone to rest and pointed at Jiang Cheng.
"Last row, first male—step forward."
Jiang Cheng, puzzled, stepped out of formation.
Their instructor was a retired Special Forces soldier temporarily assigned to run the Military Training.
On day one he'd demonstrated several sets of Combat Boxing—his skills were formidable.
"Something needs handling in the Lounge; come help. Everyone else, ten-minute break."
With a stern face he led Jiang Cheng away.
Inside the Lounge Jiang Cheng asked, "Sir, what do you need help with?"
Now alone, the young instructor looked flustered; he poured water into a disposable Plastic Cup and stammered, "Have a seat. I… I'll boil some water. Stay here, mind the kettle, play on your phone if you like—AC's on. I'll drill them and be right back."
He gave Jiang Cheng a sheepish grin and hurried out.
Jiang Cheng sat bewildered, enjoying the Lounge's air-conditioning.