Chapter 689 - 305: Jian Shiwai’s Promotion, Conflicted Ou Jingya

With that, he shot Dong Hongping a glance.

Dong Hongping carried a small, exquisite case to Xu Yun and presented it to him. "President Xu," she said, "this gift might not be expensive, but it’s quite fine and has collectible value. I hope you like it."

"Thank you for your kind intentions. I’ll gladly accept." Xu Yun didn’t take it himself; instead, Jian Shiwai stepped forward, accepted it on his behalf, and set it aside.

"Alright, I won’t disturb your game any longer, President Xu."

Dai Xing stood up and said, "President Xu, I just got back from a meeting. I have a few things to attend to, so I’ll be heading out."

"Alright. Take care."

Seeing Jian Shiwai preparing to leave with them as well, Dai Xing turned back and said, "Jian Xing, you don’t need to return to the bank today. Stay and play a round with President Xu. You can discuss future business matters and how to better serve him."

"Yes, President Dai."

After Dai Xing and Dong Hongping left, Jian Shiwai immediately sidled up to Xu Yun and said with a smile, "Thank you, my dear."

"Congratulations on another promotion."

Xu Yun teased, "After the New Year, you’ll be a full-fledged bank president, won’t you?"

"It’s all thanks to you."

Jian Shiwai said gratefully, "Without you, I might not have had the chance to become a bank president for another ten years, if ever."

In other words, a single sentence from Xu Yun had saved her at least ten years of striving.

So sometimes, for a person to get ahead, first, you have to be capable yourself. Second, your patron has to believe you’re capable. And finally, the patron who believes in you has to be capable themselves.

Xu Yun was, without a doubt, that patron in her life.

’Ever since I met him, both my life and career have been improving day by day. My entire path has changed, leading me to a whole new way of life.’

Xu Yun said, "To celebrate your promotion, how about treating me to dinner tonight?"

"Of course."

Jian Shiwai smiled. "What would you like to eat? I’ll treat you, no matter how expensive."

"You decide. I’m not picky."

"In that case, why don’t we go eat at the cafeteria of your alma mater?"

Jian Shiwai said, "A professor from your university contacted me yesterday about setting up the account for the scholarship program. I’ve already handled it.

"I also want to see your university and get a feel for the kind of place you spent your college years."

"Fine by me."

Xu Yun nodded. "I haven’t eaten the food from the school cafeteria in ages, either. I’m actually feeling a bit nostalgic."

So, the two of them drove to Jiang University.

To keep a low profile this time, Xu Yun didn’t drive his supercar, riding instead in Jian Shiwai’s Volkswagen CC.

Xu Yun asked her why she bought this car.

She said it was stylish and affordable.

When they got to the university gate, since Ou Jingya wasn’t with them, Xu Yun had to name-drop his professor, Wu Jinyan. He explained that he was an alumnus who wanted to visit his alma mater and his old teachers.

In the end, he had Jian Shiwai pull a carton of premium cigarettes from the car to give to the guard, which finally got them in.

As a bank’s vice president, Jian Shiwai always kept her car stocked with fine cigarettes, tea, and liquor, ready as small gifts for clients.

She hadn’t expected them to come in handy today.

After parking in the lot outside the cafeteria, they walked toward the building together.

As they walked along a path, Jian Shiwai asked, "Are these cherry blossom trees on both sides?"

"Yeah, they are."

Xu Yun said, "At Jiang University, the cherry blossoms bloom not long after spring begins. They’re beautiful, and the university even opens its gates to the public for viewing."

"I know. I’ve just never had the chance to come see them."

"Don’t worry, there’s plenty of time."

Xu Yun smiled. "We can make plans to come see them together next year."

"Alright."

Jian Shiwai was both surprised and flattered by Xu Yun’s casual promise.

’In this moment, it feels like Xu Yun is my boyfriend.’

About fifteen minutes later, they finally reached the cafeteria.

It was still about fifteen minutes before the dinner rush, so the main wave of students hadn’t arrived yet. The cafeteria was mostly empty.

To avoid being disturbed, they followed Xu Yun’s suggestion and went directly to the third floor, where the food was a bit more expensive.

It was also a popular spot for many of the professors.

But they ran into a problem.

The school cafeteria only accepted meal cards, and since they didn’t have any, they had to borrow one.

Jian Shiwai found a male student and asked with a smile, "Excuse me, I forgot my meal card. Could I possibly borrow yours? I can transfer the money to you on WeChat."

"Yeah, of course!"

The student, who seemed a bit socially anxious, blushed as he looked at the beautiful and elegant Jian Shiwai. He quickly fumbled for his student ID card.

He was afraid any hesitation would make it seem like he was unwilling.

"Thank you."

Jian Shiwai ordered their food, paid with the card, then returned it to the student, transferring the money to him at the same time.

Only then did she return to her seat across from Xu Yun.

Xu Yun teased, "That student’s eyes were practically popping out of his head when he saw you."

"Haha, I didn’t realize I could still be so popular on a campus."

"Are you saying you were popular back when you were in school?"

"Of course."

Jian Shiwai said smugly, "Our school forum had a ’Most Popular Goddesses’ list, and I was on it. My popularity wasn’t low, either."

"What a coincidence."

Xu Yun bullshitted, "Our school had a ’Most Popular Gods’ list too. I topped that list for all four years. The number of girls who liked me was countless."

"Haha, I totally believe you..."

Of course, Jian Shiwai could tell he was joking. But with Xu Yun’s looks, not to mention his financial resources, she was certain that even if he hadn’t topped any lists, plenty of girls would have had secret crushes on him.

As the two were laughing and chatting, a woman nearby watched Xu Yun carefully for a moment. Once she was sure it was him, she quickly sent a message to Ou Jingya.

"Jingya, I think I just saw your boyfriend in the cafeteria. He’s eating with another woman. You want to come take a look?"

「In a faculty office at Jiangcheng University.」

Ou Jingya was staring out the window, feeling slightly troubled.

The reason was that the last time Xu Yun had dropped her off at the university in his supercar worth tens of millions, far too many people had seen them.

Thanks to the gossip spread by a big-mouthed colleague in her office, everyone was now saying she was dating a rich heir.

Rumors were even flying that this rich heir, in his pursuit of her, had specifically established a scholarship program at the university for underprivileged students.

Ou Jingya had tried to explain at first, but soon the university’s online forum was buzzing with activity again.

Photos of her and Xu Yun eating at a barbecue restaurant near campus were posted, and some of the students who had been there even chimed in with on-site details.

Their descriptions were vivid and convincing.

This made it impossible for Ou Jingya to argue her case. Eventually, she just gave up on explaining.

’In time, everyone would naturally forget about it.’

’Or maybe, deep down, she hoped it was all true.’

When it came to Xu Yun—her mother’s student, her own senior from school—Ou Jingya’s feelings had begun to change in a subtle way.

She had become aware of this peculiar psychological change herself. There was a name for it: a crush.

’But as a university professor and a role model for my students, I know he’s a man with a girlfriend. I shouldn’t be having these inappropriate thoughts.’

’But now, whenever I have a free moment, his face just pops into my head.’

’Every day, I can barely control the urge to find an excuse to see him.’

’Even if it’s just to exchange a few simple words.’

Just as Ou Jingya snapped out of her daze and was about to grab her phone to head to the cafeteria for dinner before going home, she suddenly received a WeChat message from her friend.

She opened it and froze.

’Xu Yun is in the school cafeteria right now?’

’And he’s eating with a woman?’

’Could that be his girlfriend?’

Ou Jingya stood up. Staring at the message on her phone, she hesitated about whether or not she should go.

’If I go and we run into each other, what would I even say?’

But after a moment of hesitation, she decided to go anyway.

’No matter what, I have to go see for myself.’

’If that woman really is his girlfriend, what is she like?’