Friday, July 14, 2023 | Sunny | 27-39°C
10:00 AM
The final exam had just concluded.
Qian Lele swiftly packed up her stationery and docunts, leaving her desk clean and tidy. Slinging her black backpack over her shoulders, she walked out of the classroom.
Around her, classmates moved with light steps, gathering in small groups of three or five to discuss their sumr plans. A 50-day vacation lay ahead, and everyone's faces bead with excitent and joy.
“Lele! Lele!” soone called out from behind.
A few female classmates quickly approached her.
Qian Lele greeted them with a smile. “Wenjia, Xueqi…”
They were from the dorms 205 and 206.
Since her freshman year, Qian Lele’s ti had been split between studying and part-ti jobs. Her main interactions were with the other five girls in dorm 213.
Being in the computer science program, the number of female students was limited—just 15 in total.
She wasn’t particularly close to the others, but their relationship was fine—ordinary classmates at best.
Shi Xueqi grabbed her arm and asked with concern, “Lele, is it true that you’ll be working full-ti at Shimr Coffee this sumr?”
“Mm, yes,” Qian Lele nodded, her expression slightly stiff under their sudden enthusiasm.
Another girl, her face dotted with freckles, chid in, “How much is your salary? And how long are your shifts?”
The others turned their curious gazes toward her.
Qian Lele pressed her lips together and replied softly, “There’s a morning and evening shift. Typically, I work nine hours a day with breaks in between. The salary is… the standard for full-ti staff.”
“And what’s the exact amount?”
“4,500 yuan,” she finally admitted after a brief silence.
In truth, as a temp worker, she shouldn’t have been earning so much. However, her boss, Xie Shuyu, had been kind enough to pay her the sa as regular staff.
Upon hearing her answer, the girls’ eyes lit up.
“Wow! That much?”
“I’ve been to Shimr Coffee before; it’s in Morning Star Tower, right? The ambiance is fantastic, and there are tons of professionals working there.”
“It’s a popular chain café. I see short videos about it all the ti online.”
“I think it’s even better than Starbucks!”
…
“By the way, Lele, do you get free als during your shift?”
“And can you take ho any leftover items at the end of the day?”
“Yes, that’s correct…” Qian Lele began to explain but was cut off by their excited chatter.
“That’s aweso! I didn’t believe it when Duan Fang told us about it before.”
“She ntioned the café is hiring part-tirs. Since you’re on good terms with the boss and even manage the website, could you recomnd us?”
“We’ve all worked part-ti at restaurants before, so we’ve got experience.”
“We’re not picky about the location. Other branches work too!”
Hearing Duan Fang’s na and the others’ requests, Qian Lele’s full lips twitched. She quickly pieced together the situation.
The café was indeed hiring part-tirs, but the requirents were strict.
More importantly, she only earned her 4,500-yuan salary due to her IT skills and assistance from Teacher Jiang.
Comparisons are always troubleso.
Even if they got hired, differences in pay could create resentnt and lead to conflicts, much like what had happened with Duan Fang before.
Although she understood this, her sensitive and honest nature made it difficult for her to refuse directly.
After a mont of thought, she said softly, “Let check with my manager first. After all, I’m just a temp worker.”
“Mm, thanks, Lele!”
“We believe in you, Lele! Duan Fang said you’re doing great at Shimr Coffee.”
“I never imagined you’d be this capable, Lele!”
Despite their praises, Qian Lele couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
Life always seed to present its fair share of bumps and hurdles.
Girls’ Dormitory, Room 213.
A few changes of clothes, basic toiletries, and a bag of books.
With these and a suitcase, Qian Lele was all packed. Google seaʀᴄh NoveI-Fire.ɴet
In addition, she carried a canvas tote bag filled with items she used for street vending.
On evenings without classes or part-ti work, she would set up a stall on the pedestrian street outside campus, selling bracelets and beaded accessories.
She sourced them from online bulk purchases—100 pieces for just 150 yuan, averaging 1.5 yuan per item, which she sold at 5 yuan each.
The earnings weren’t consistent, but they helped her make so extra money.
“Creak—” The dorm door opened.
Five of her roommates entered, chatting away.
Qian Lele quickly moved her suitcase aside.
“In this sumr heat, how can you bear not turning on the air conditioning, Lele?!” One roommate glanced at her and grabbed the remote from the desk, switching it on.
The others laughed.
“Lele’s just used to being frugal.”
“Only you and Fangfang will be staying here over the sumr, right? You two will have to split the electricity bill.”
Duan Fang gave her a sidelong glance, then raised her eyebrows. “Lele, are you moving out? What’s the deal? Don’t want to room with anymore? We’re both from the sa county, and now that you’re a baking master at the café, you’re too good to talk to ?”
Like Lele, Duan Fang ca from a modest background and had to stay in Yan City to work over the sumr.
After being dismissed from the café, Duan Fang had just found a part-ti sumr job last week.
She would be working as a server at a party venue, earning 1,000 yuan less than Qian Lele, with als included but no accommodation.
Inevitably, she would have to stay on campus.
Qian Lele took a deep breath and calmly replied, “Since I’ll be working full-ti and handling the backend maintenance, Teacher Jiang arranged for to stay in the faculty apartnt. It’s more convenient for work.”
“Oh~~” Duan Fang curled her lips, jealousy flashing in her eyes. “Lele’s different now, huh? Moving out to a big apartnt off-campus. But honestly, your secondhand computer is way too outdated. If you’re managing a mini-program’s backend, you’d better upgrade. Once you move out, no one’s going to lend you a computer.”
Qian Lele pressed her lips together but didn’t respond.
She slung her backpack over her shoulder, picked up her luggage, and said, “I’ll be heading out. Bye-bye.”
Her roommates waved lazily, already discussing where to eat lunch and go shopping that afternoon.
No one invited Qian Lele.
On one hand, she was always too busy to join such group activities.
On the other, there was a faint sense of jealousy toward her among them.
Though she was poor, rarely dressed up, and owned only a few clothes, she was undeniably beautiful. Her figure was naturally striking, and she had a radiant charm.
Many male students admired her, including so of the more prominent guys in their departnt.
Teachers’ Apartnts at the Normal University
Located just outside the university’s south gate, the faculty apartnt complex was a gated community adjacent to the campus.
By noon, the streets were steaming with heat, and the air seed to ripple in waves.
Standing under the shade of a tree outside the complex, beads of sweat trickled down Qian Lele’s forehead and nose.
The agreed ti with Teacher Jiang was 11:30 AM—ten minutes to go.
Pulling a tissue from her pocket, she wiped her sweat and looked at the apartnt complex before her.
The buildings were elegant and well-maintained, with lush greenery and vibrant flowers.
Having never lived in such a high-end place, Qian Lele felt a mix of nervousness and excitent.
A full-figured woman erged from the gate.
Seeing Lele, she waved and said, “Lele, why didn’t you call when you arrived? Good thing I ca out early.”
“Good afternoon, Teacher Jiang. Sorry to trouble you,” Lele replied quickly, turning toward her.
“No need to be so formal.” Jiang Yourong took her suitcase and patted Lele on the head with a hint of affection.
Lele was strikingly beautiful, with a height of nearly 170 cm, an oval face, almond-shaped eyes, full lips, and a delicate nose.
If it weren’t for her family circumstances, her college life would likely have been much more vibrant.
“Click—” The anti-theft door unlocked.
Jiang Yourong led Lele into the apartnt. “You’ve been here before, so I won’t give you the full tour. The place is fully furnished, and you can cook for yourself. The secondary bedroom is yours, and I’ve already tidied it up.”
“Thank you, Teacher Jiang!” Lele set down her tote bag, bowing deeply with sincere gratitude.
Jiang Yourong quickly helped her up, her tone gentle. “Lele, don’t feel burdened. I don’t usually stay here much, and with the sumr break, I’m planning to travel. I’m leaving this place in your care—you can think of it as helping look after it.”
“Okay, Teacher Jiang, I’ll take good care of it.”
“All right, go ahead and settle in. It’s so hot today; I’ll order us so takeout, and we’ll have lunch together.”
The secondary bedroom was about 13 square ters, decorated in a cozy, modern style.
It featured beige bedding, gleaming tiles, a wooden wardrobe, a spacious window, and a full desk and chair set.
At the bedside, there was even a cute husky plush pillow.
It was the nicest room she had ever stayed in.
Standing in the center of the room, Lele zoned out for a while before she quietly began unpacking.
Books were stacked neatly on the small shelf at the corner of the desk.
Clothes were folded and placed in the wardrobe.
Her toiletries fit into a small washbasin.
She carefully pulled her laptop from her backpack and placed it on the desk.
Touching the cleaned-up device, her expression turned thoughtful.
As a computer science student, especially one managing the backend of Shimr Coffee’s mini-program, she realized it was ti to upgrade her equipnt.
The laptop she currently used was a secondhand purchase from her freshman sumr job, handed down by a graduating senior. Its specs were outdated, and it often lagged and overheated.
The battery lasted barely an hour.
The last ti it malfunctioned, she had to borrow Duan Fang’s laptop, which led to a mishap where Duan Fang deleted so backend data.
Sitting on the soft bed, Lele pulled out her phone and started calculating her inco and expenses.
If she worked full-ti at Shimr Coffee for two months, she could earn 9,000 yuan.
Adding inco from her street vending, she might make another 3,000 yuan.
Her tuition was covered by a student loan, and her living expenses and miscellaneous costs were about 400 yuan a month. She also sent a portion of her earnings to her family each month.
After running the numbers, she set aside a budget of 1,900 yuan for a secondhand laptop.
At this price range, she’d have plenty of options in the university’s secondhand trading group.
Her old laptop could then be sent ho to share Wi-Fi with her second uncle, giving her parents a way to use it.
Thinking of this, Lele’s face lit up with a satisfied smile.
She opened WeChat, recorded a video of the bright and cozy room, and sent it to her mother.
The ssage read: “Mom, I’ll be staying at Teacher Jiang’s place during the sumr. It’s very safe, so don’t worry about .”
Next, she sent a voice ssage about her recent part-ti job experiences, her tone cheerful and optimistic as she shared little anecdotes from the café and her boss’s kindness.
Life in Yan City was going well for her.
6:30 PM
A black BMW 7 Series pulled up outside the faculty apartnts.
Jiang Yourong folded her hand fan and climbed into the back seat, closing the door behind her.
“Phew, it’s scorching out here!” she said, shrugging off her sun-protective jacket to reveal a white undershirt beneath.
Her mature and curvy figure was instantly noticeable.
Her waist wasn’t particularly slender, and her waist-to-hip ratio wasn’t exceptional. There was even a slight bulge around her stomach.
Her legs, full and shapely, added to her allure.
As the cool breeze from the air conditioning brushed over her fair skin, her pores tightened. Jiang Yourong let out a shiver of relief and finally felt more at ease. Turning to the person beside her, she teased, “Dressed this formally—if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were heading to a board eting.”
“Heh, I think it’s pretty comfortable,” Xie Shuyu replied, her long, slender legs crossed slightly.
The loose black trousers accentuated her perfectly proportioned waist and hips.
Looking at her tall and elegant friend, Jiang Yourong’s face filled with envy. “I don’t even eat that much, but I just can’t lose weight. Honestly, I wish I could transfer so of this fat to you.”
As the car started, the driver, Xiaomin, focused on the road.
Xie Shuyu pinched Jiang Yourong’s soft waist and laughed, “Just cut down on sweets and work out every day—you’ll see results.”
“Go away!” Jiang Yourong playfully swatted her hand.
Xie Shuyu chuckled and straightened up. “By the way, please don’t tease about Yu Sicheng later.”
“Don’t worry.” Jiang Yourong crossed her legs, then leaned closer and whispered, “Shuyu, I’m curious. Has a cool and domineering woman like you ever had feelings for any guy?”
Hearing the question, Xie Shuyu froze briefly but quickly regained her composure. “Cool and domineering? I just don’t want to waste ti on relationships. Work keeps too busy to bother.”
She turned slightly, her gaze shifting to the window.
Amid the bustling streetscape, a tall figure seed to flash by.
Since the private gathering had ended, due diligence and endless negotiations had occupied all her energy, almost making her forget the faint stirrings she’d felt before.
When she first t Tang Song, he was quiet, reserved, and introspective, avoiding social situations.
During their conversations, he appeared timid, his gaze darting nervously.
Her initial impression was that of a socially awkward tech enthusiast.
But with each subsequent eting, she noticed his transformation.
At the investnt roadshow, in particular, his solitary, confident presence had left a profound impact on her.
It was his growth, energy, and boundless potential that she admired and wanted to nurture.
Of course, his striking looks were a bonus.
As for the physiological reactions she felt? That was probably just her biological clock ticking.
Shaking off her thoughts, Xie Shuyu refused to let her mind wander further.
Beside her, Jiang Yourong’s eyes glimred with curiosity but chose not to probe further.
The car stopped in a bustling comrcial district in the city center.
The two won stepped out and approached an upscale lounge bar.
Its sleek, modern sign exuded a distinct charm in the fading evening light.
Inside, soothing jazz music filled the air, while soft lighting draped every corner like a gentle veil.
They found their reserved private booth and settled in, ordering light snacks and two cocktails.
Sitting side by side on a plush sofa, they enjoyed the live music performance and spoke in hushed tones.
Two stunning, fair-skinned, and mature beauties with distinctly different styles naturally attracted all the male attention in the bar.
Occasionally, soone would muster the courage to approach them, only to be politely rebuffed.
By 7 PM, Xie Shuyu’s phone buzzed.
She glanced at the screen and said, “Yu Sicheng will be here soon.”
Jiang Yourong nodded, gently set down her glass, straightened her posture, and assud an elegant, refined deanor.
A couple of minutes later, a server led a man to their table.
He appeared to be in his 30s, dressed in a tailored light-blue linen shirt paired with dark gray casual trousers.
With his handso features, vibrant energy, and confident aura, he radiated mature male charisma.
“Sicheng.”
“Sicheng, long ti no see.”
“Shuyu, Yourong, it’s been a while!” Yu Sicheng greeted them with a warm smile, his gaze landing on Xie Shuyu as she stood.
She wore a crisp white silk shirt and black trousers, her tall, slender fra akin to a model’s.
In the dimly lit lounge, her bright and refined features stood out effortlessly.
Her elegant and stylish aura drew attention from anyone nearby.
After exchanging pleasantries, Xie Shuyu gestured toward the seat opposite her. “Let’s sit and chat.”
“Sure.”
They settled into the booth again and ordered sparkling wine and brandy.
Being old friends, they quickly caught up on their recent lives, and the atmosphere grew familiar and relaxed.
Noticing a hint of weariness in Xie Shuyu’s eyes, Yu Sicheng asked, “I heard there’s been trouble with Shimr Coffee’s funding. What happened?”
After a brief silence, Xie Shuyu decided to explain honestly.
She shared her journey since graduating from Jinling University, where she had joined Jayi Foods Group. After a year, she was transferred to its subsidiary, Jayi Coffee, where she t her fellow alumnus, Yu Sicheng.
Jayi Coffee, a leading dostic coffee supplier, specialized in coffee product research, developnt, production, and related business operations.
Her years at Jayi helped her accumulate a wealth of knowledge and connections, which later inspired her to return to Yan City to start her own café business.
Her understanding of the market, coupled with strong distribution channels, gave her a unique edge.
Her coffee beans, dairy products, syrups, and flavorings were sourced at competitive prices without compromising quality.
Moreover, her collaboration with Jayi to develop specialty coffee flavors beca her competitive advantage, solidifying her vision for a premium business café.
These connections continued to expand, fueling her growth.
For instance, Yu Sicheng had beco the Vice President of Sales at Jayi Coffee.
Over the years, Xie Shuyu’s collaboration with him had been smooth, making him one of her most important suppliers.
Since any finalized funding would significantly alter future procurent contracts, she saw no reason to hide Shimr Coffee’s current situation.
As she explained, Yu Sicheng’s gaze flickered. His fingers traced the rim of his glass, clearly deep in thought.
Yanjing Tiancheng, Luxury Apartnt
After a quick shower to wash away the fatigue, Tang Song stood by the floor-to-ceiling window with a cold beer in hand, taking in the city’s dazzling nightscape.
Over the past two days, he had worked overti to finish all his tasks.
Songi Fashion was progressing steadily, he had secured internal docunts from Lanfeng International, and the investnt funds for Fanfu Suzi had been transferred.
With everything on track, he felt ready to equip the Scholar Badge (Aura) and enter the "Scholar" instance.
This rare opportunity could help him shore up his weaknesses and accelerate his growth.
Taking a deep breath, Tang Song tossed the empty beer can into the trash and opened his system interface to access the inventory.
His gaze settled on the shimring [Badge - Scholar (Aura)].
Without hesitation, he equipped it.
Ding! [Badge - Scholar (Aura)] has been equipped.
The system interface switched to the main screen.
A shimring rainbow glow appeared on the chest of his 3D avatar, intricately shaped into a pattern resembling a thick book.
Ding! You have acquired the passive skill [Special Vision].
[Passive Skill - Special Vision]: When wearing [Tang Song's Glasses], your visual capabilities are enhanced, enabling you to activate Special Vision to assist with learning.
Ding! You have triggered the quest [Jiang Yourong's Help].
[Quest Objective]: To better experience campus life and maintain the Scholar persona, you need external assistance. Go to RIDO Lounge Bar in Chang’an District to find Associate Professor Jiang Yourong, who is conversing with Xie Shuyu, and gain her help to move into the Normal University faculty apartnts.
[Quest Reward]: Unlock a storyline instance.
Tang Song quickly grasped the situation.
To integrate into the university environnt and embody the “Scholar” role, assistance from soone on campus was necessary.
Jiang Yourong was evidently this "key ally," and she appeared to be a friend of Xie Shuyu.
It had been a while since he’d last seen the busy CEO, and the thought excited him.
With a glimr of anticipation in his eyes, Tang Song walked to his study and retrieved an elegant glasses case from the drawer.
He gently put on [Tang Song's Glasses], and as the lenses aligned with his eyes, the world around him transford into a kaleidoscope of color.
It was as if he were wearing AR glasses; the real world was overlaid with a dazzling, fantastical digital layer.
Glancing around the study, information cards materialized in his view. Focusing on any of them instantly revealed detailed descriptions in his mind.
[Desk]: Made of North Arican black walnut. Dinsions: 200cm x 100cm x 75cm…
[Book]: "The Moon and Sixpence." Pages: 275. Author: … Synopsis: …
[ARMANI/CASA Lamp]: Model: … Price: 32,000 yuan. Origin story: Introduced in 1982…
He stepped to the floor-to-ceiling window on the balcony.
What greeted him was a cityscape unlike any he had seen before.
Virtual waterfalls cascaded between skyscrapers, forming brilliant veils of light that intertwined with the real-world night view.
Buildings turned into dynamic digital canvases, with stunning 3D effects displayed on rooftops and façades.
From the architecture’s introductions to historical anecdotes and cultural insights, every detail brimd with the beauty of futuristic technology.
Tang Song tilted his head upward.
The night sky was overlaid with a faint red glow, where lines of text appeared:
[July 14, 2023, Sunny, Current Temperature: 32°C, Northwest Wind 3-4 mph, Humidity: 36%... Wind strength will increase to 4-6 mph by 11 PM…]
Simultaneously, a glowing trail extended from beneath his feet toward the southeast.
At the end of the trail, a blue-and-white location marker hovered in the sky, bouncing gently.
Focusing his gaze on it, a half-body profile of a woman appeared, dressed in a white undershirt. Her soft features, fair skin, and elegant deanor stood out.
[Location of Jiang Yourong]
Tang Song’s jaw dropped as he took in the scene before him.
It was as if he had donned the most advanced XR smart glasses, equipped with unparalleled computational power.
The seamlessly integrated 3D imagery blended perfectly with the real world, exuding a taverse-like aesthetic.
Coupled with the badge’s Learning Aura, he truly felt worthy of the title Scholar.
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