Chapter 2
Zuo Hanyan's act of recruiting his two roommates to assist with the student council work was praised and commended by the student council president, Shu Yihan.
Several days later, the work of welcoming the new first-year students was finally over.
As usual, the group who had been helping the student council returned to their dorm after dinner. Some rested, some played on their computers, and some lay in their hammocks playing on their phones.
Zuo Hanyan was at his desk, habitually scrolling through WeChat on his phone.
In the afternoon, Shu Yihan had posted a Moments update with nine photos. Eight were of the venue and the student reception work, clearly and concisely showcasing the student council's efforts. The photo in the center of the nine-square grid was a selfie of Shu Yihan, Chen Dulin, and a few other student council officers. The two beauties in the photo were truly eye-catching. Shu Yihan's smile was beautiful and confident, while her best friend Chen Dulin, pressed against her right side, made a peace sign. If not for the other photos, one might have thought it was a social gathering for some internet celebrities.
The text accompanying the post briefly explained the student council's work over the past few days, followed by a concluding summary. As the newly appointed student council president, her first major task had been successfully completed. She thanked all the student council officers for their hard work and wished the new first-year students a happy and fulfilling university life at S University, encouraging everyone to work hard together.
The short paragraph was full of positive energy. It included a concise and capable work summary, didn't forget to express camaraderie among students, and also demonstrated the charisma and image befitting a student council president.
All the people Zuo Hanyan knew had already liked the post, including his parents, Aunt Feng, Uncle Shu, and Chen Dulin. To his surprise, even his own counselor, Advisor Li, had liked and commented.
Zuo Hanyan had no idea when Advisor Li had added Shu Yihan on WeChat. Now, there was one more "third wheel" when they showed off their relationship on Moments.
His mother, Gu Airu, a literature professor at S University and Shu Yihan's course instructor and, her future mother-in-law showed her praise and affection for Shu Yihan without reservation.
Zuo Hanyan casually liked the post and replied underneath, "Chairman Shu, you've worked hard!"
Probably seeing the red notification from Moments, his mother sent him a WeChat message a moment later.
Mom: "I saw Yihan's Moments post. You were helping out these past few days too, right?"
Zuo Hanyan: "Yep, Mom."
Mom: "Very good! Right at the start of the semester, the student council has a lot of work. It's only right that you help Yihan share the burden where you can."
Zuo Hanyan: "I get it. How could I not go when she asked for my help?"
Mom: "Even if she didn't say anything, you should have gone anyway."
Zuo Hanyan: (Sent a sticker of a person frozen in surprise while holding a rice bowl)
Mom: "Yihan is such a wonderful girl. You need to cherish her. Listen to your mother and be more considerate of her!"
Zuo Hanyan: "Alright! Mom, why are you always telling me this? When have I not cherished her?!"
Mom: "Good. Even though you're engaged, you need to nurture your relationship. I'm just reminding you that many relationship problems stem from the slow accumulation of small, minor issues."
Mom: "For now, I'm not worried about your studies. Of course, I'm more concerned about your relationship."
Zuo Hanyan: (Sent a sticker of a cat high-fiving)
"She's excellent in both character and studies, so beautiful, from a good family, and so sensible..."
"If you could marry her, it would be a blessing earned over eight lifetimes..."
Zuo Hanyan had heard his mother say things like this many, many times.
In truth, Zuo Hanyan understood his mother's intentions.
The Shu family was wealthy, with a sizable family business and connections in government as well.
Shu Yihan's father, Shu Bicheng, was a diplomat who spent most of his time abroad. However, his post had changed a few years ago, and his work was now primarily based in the country, with only occasional short-term trips overseas. Compared to before, he was able to spend much more time with his family.
Shu Yihan's mother, Feng Qianhua, was an executive in the family business, mainly managing its women's brands. The Feng family had its own business, and her marriage to Shu Bicheng naturally involved elements of a political alliance.
Zuo Hanyan and Shu Yihan had been classmates since high school. Both were top students, with the title of "first in the class" alternating between them. Moreover, he was handsome, and she was beautiful. In everyone's eyes, they were the perfect golden couple; it would have been strange if they didn't get together!
After the college entrance exams, Zuo Hanyan and Shu Yihan both chose the prestigious S University. During the summer vacation after their senior year, Shu Yihan decided to introduce Zuo Hanyan to her parents. At the formal meeting, Zuo Hanyan was understandably a little nervous, but thankfully, Shu Bicheng was quite approachable, which put him at ease. As for Yihan's mother, Feng Qianhua, who had a relationship with her daughter like that of best friends, she had already heard about Zuo Hanyan from her daughter and was quite approving of him.
During their conversation, Shu Bicheng discovered that Zuo Hanyan's mother was his high school classmate. Overjoyed by the coincidence, Shu Bicheng invited Zuo Hanyan's mother, Gu Airu, to dinner. The two families hit it off immediately. Since the young couple was in love and both sets of parents were pleased, Shu Bicheng verbally arranged the engagement for Zuo Hanyan and Shu Yihan right there at the dinner table.
Although, in terms of family background, Shu Yihan was someone most people could only dream of being with.
Zuo Hanyan thought to himself, regardless of her family background, Yihan was someone he was destined to cherish for a lifetime. Where else could he find a woman so beautiful, so outstanding, and so in love with him? She was simply a fairy bestowed upon him by the heavens.
A while later, his mother sent another WeChat message.
Mom: "Soon, at the opening ceremony, Uncle Shu will be coming to the school to give a speech. You'll come to dinner with us that evening, remember."
Zuo Hanyan: "Uncle Shu is giving a speech at the school?"
Zuo Hanyan: "I only remember that you and Uncle Shu were high school classmates. I never heard he graduated from S University too."
Mom: "He didn't graduate from S University."
Mom: "Your Uncle Shu has some connections with the school's leadership, so the principal will be joining us for dinner as well. Be on your best behavior."
Zuo Hanyan thought for a moment and understood. Yihan studied at S University, Aunt Feng's business had also extended to the university, and his mother was a professor there. In this situation, it was naturally very beneficial for Uncle Shu to leverage his political influence.
Zuo Hanyan: "Alright, I got it!"
Zuo Hanyan clicked on his mother's WeChat profile picture. The photo was taken by Yihan for his mother this summer vacation; it was very beautiful. His mother couldn't refuse her future daughter-in-law's request and had changed her profile picture to this lovely photo of herself.
His mother's WeChat signature had been the same for as long as he could remember. It never changed. It read: "Managing a home with love and care, supporting a husband and raising children with contentment; cultivating diligently, the peach and plum trees flourish."
This signature was written by his mother herself. It contained her name, [Gu Airu], and its meaning perfectly reflected her responsibilities and aspirations as a wife, mother, and teacher. Yihan had said that his mother's demeanor was that of a virtuous wife and loving mother, and Zuo Hanyan couldn't agree more.
In Zuo Hanyan's heart, his mother, Gu Airu, had always been a perfect role model – kind, virtuous, gentle, and beautiful. At home, she was considerate, attentive, and caring to her family. Outside, she was poised and graceful. At school, she was patient, kind, and responsible to her students. As a professor in the Lit. Department, she always maintained a calm and gentle disposition. In Zuo Hanyan's memory, he could only recall a few rare instances when his mother lost her temper, and that was when he was too mischievous as a child.
Zuo Hanyan glanced at his mother's Moments; she hadn't posted anything new in recent days.
In his free time, Zuo Hanyan threw himself back into the lab. Recently, he had seen many drone aerial videos online. Amazed by them, he developed an interest in drones and, with his research-oriented spirit, began to develop his own bionic drone.
After the semester started, the first-year students went straight into their military training. Seeing the energetic groups of new students forming squares and training under the scorching sun, Zuo Hanyan couldn't help but recall his own excitement when he first arrived at the university. Time really flew. Now, he was already an upperclassman.
Because of the military training, it seemed the student council would be busy again for a while, but Zuo Hanyan couldn't be of much help.
After some time had passed in military training, the opening ceremony arrived.
The opening ceremony was for the new first-year students, as the auditorium couldn't accommodate students from all four grades of the university.
It was a Friday, and there were no classes that evening. Zuo Hanyan planned to go and soak in the atmosphere. Yihan would be playing the piano at this ceremony. As for Uncle Shu's speech, there wasn't much to look forward to; speeches were always full of boring clichés that nobody enjoyed.
Since he had to go to the dinner afterward anyway, he might as well watch the ceremony in person.
Zuo Hanyan found Chen Dulin and snuck into the student council section of the audience with her.
The hosts, a man and a woman, were likely students from the broadcasting department.
After the opening remarks, the performances began. There was a martial arts demonstration, a crosstalk performance, and two dance pieces, probably performed by students from the dance department.
Then came the performance Zuo Hanyan had been waiting for. A few boys carried a piano onto the stage, and then the hosts announced the next act.
Male Host: "The next performance is a piano solo. The piece is called 'Memory,' the theme song from the globally famous musical 'Cats.'"
Female Host: "And the performer, our student council president, Shu Yihan, is a true multi-talented young woman."
Male Host: "That's right, you could say she has both talent and beauty. Without further ado, let's give a big round of applause for Shu Yihan!"
At this, the audience erupted in applause, especially from the section where Zuo Hanyan was sitting, which was full of student council members!
"Yihan's on stage," Chen Dulin said, her eyes fixed on the stage.
Shu Yihan walked onto the stage, gave a simple bow, and sat down on the piano bench.
"Senior Yihan!!" a male voice shouted from somewhere in the audience.
Once one person started, a few others from different spots joined in, theatrically shouting, "Senior Yihan!" He could even vaguely hear an "I love you?"
Chen Dulin and the girl next to her found it amusing.
Yihan was only a sophomore, so those calling her "senior" must have been first-year students. He hadn't expected that even before military training was over, Yihan had already gained such popularity among the energetic new students.
The piano music began, and the audience quieted down respectfully. It was a gentle and beautiful piece, and Shu Yihan had an excellent grasp of its dynamics and tempo. She had, after all, been practicing piano since she was a child.
When Shu Yihan finished her performance, the audience burst into enthusiastic applause. The new students' praise and cheers for their senior were endless.
*****
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