54. Female Classmate

Two sedans were parked at the entrance of the activity center. Aunt Feng, who was responsible for Chen Ruomin’s daily affairs, took the luggage and got into the rear car, while Assistant Pan led Chen Ruomin and Chen Liwan into the front one. Both vehicles drove out along the main road toward the southern campus of Nanda.

“Your luggage will be delivered by Aunt Feng. Come with me to Golden Mango for dinner,” Chen Liwan said.

Golden Mango was a private club in South City, well-known among the wealthy. Many business owners liked to conduct negotiations there.

Chen Ruomin glanced up at Chen Liwan, “Another business dinner?”

Chen Liwan nodded. “Zhang Dong from Yibo and Li Yanbin from Guangxun are long-term partners. You’ll join me tonight. In a few months, after you graduate, pick one of their companies for a two-month internship. It’s good for you to understand how grassroots employees work.”

Chen Ruomin paused. “Why can’t I intern at Shuangxing?”

Chen Liwan sighed helplessly. “Everyone at Shuangxing knows you. Who would dare assign you real work?”

“I could go to Zhongyu then.”

While speaking, she was busy sending a message to Bai Jin Yan.

“Zhongyu is a tech company. Their operations are completely different from ours. Why would you go there?” Chen Liwan thought privately that, even if Zhongyu suited her, he would never let Chen Ruomin intern at the Bai family’s company. The two of them already spent too much time together; sending her to Bai’s home turf would be madness.

Chen Ruomin nodded reluctantly, accepting the arrangement. Seeing this, Chen Liwan pressed his advantage.

“You got into Nanda. As your father, I should reward you. Anything you want, I’ll buy it!”

Chen Ruomin stared at her phone, which remained silent, frowning. Normally, Chen Liwan’s offer would spark her interest, but her mind was consumed by “Why hasn’t Bai Jin Yan replied?” She had no mood for rewards.

“I don’t need anything.”

It was true. The credit card Chen Liwan gave her had no real limit. She could buy whatever she wanted, so her material needs rarely extended beyond necessities—though to others, her casual actions seemed like flaunting wealth.

“How about a yacht?” Chen Liwan suggested enthusiastically.

“Didn't you buy one last year?”

Chen Liwan shook his head. “That one’s no good. Took it out for a short trip and got caught in a tsunami. Too unlucky. We need a new one.”

Chen Ruomin was speechless. “Forget it. I don’t plan on going out to sea anytime soon.”

Seeing his daughter uninterested, Chen Liwan thoughtfully stroked his chin.

“If you don’t like yachts, how about a car? You could get your license this summer, and drive yourself around in college.”

Chen Ruomin was even less impressed. “With so many cars at home, why bother? I can take any one from the garage.”

So that suggestion was out as well...

Chen Liwan looked out the window. The tall buildings rose in tight clusters, enclosing the city and the Nanda campus from which they had just departed.

“How about buying a house?”

“We already have plenty of houses…”

“It’s not the same.” Chen Liwan raised a finger and shook it, a smile spreading across his face. “This time, I’ll buy you a place right next to Nanda. You’ll never get used to the dorms, and commuting is a hassle. You can live in your own place, close and comfortable, and it’ll be easy for us to visit.”

This time, Chen Ruomin considered it seriously, finally shifting her gaze from the phone and nodding lightly. “That works.”

Chen Liwan’s spirits soared, and he launched into a barrage of questions about the house.

“How big do you want it? East gate, south gate, or north gate? Maybe I should buy you one in every direction for convenience... Xiao Pan!”

He called to Assistant Pan in the front seat. “Check the upscale neighborhoods near Nanda. Prepare an electronic report and email it to me by tomorrow afternoon. Price is no object—get the best.”

...

After dining with the legendary Directors Zhang and Li, Assistant Pan stayed at Golden Mango, acting as half business partner and half secretary, while Chen Ruomin was driven back to Waterside Villa by the chauffeur.

Out of Chen Liwan’s sight, Chen Ruomin wasted not a moment before dialing Bai Jin Yan.

The default ringtone sounded for a while before the call was answered, and Bai Jin Yan’s gentle voice came through.

“What’s wrong?”

All the words she wanted to say vanished into silence the moment she heard his voice. After half a year of constant companionship and this brief separation, Chen Ruomin realized she was falling deeper for the boy.

“Why didn’t you reply to my message?”

There was a pause on the other end. Chen Ruomin listened intently, hearing what sounded like a door closing, and the background grew quieter.

“I was taking an exam. It wasn’t convenient.”

“Exam? Isn’t the school on break?” Chen Ruomin asked, puzzled.

With Spring Festival coming, First High School’s winter break started early. According to the information she had before leaving, even the seniors should have started their holiday yesterday.

Bai Jin Yan sighed. “It’s a family exam. Every time school lets out, we have to take one.”

Chen Ruomin was speechless. “Your family really got their money’s worth raising two teachers.”

“Mm, where are you?”

“On my way home.”

Chen Ruomin glanced out the window. The street was dusted with a fine, gentle snow, each flake landing only to melt quickly.

“Can I come see you?”

“Now?”

Bai Jin Yan sounded surprised. He glanced at a message he’d received yesterday, hesitating.

“Is it inconvenient?” Chen Ruomin asked, sensitive to his tone.

“Not exactly…” Bai Jin Yan mused. “A friend’s birthday party tonight. I already promised to go… Maybe I can come see you tomorrow?”

Chen Ruomin caught the crucial detail instantly.

“Which friend? Male or female? Do I know them?”

“Uh... female... no, I mean, a female classmate. She was my desk mate before the class split. You probably don’t know her.”

So it was a girl…

Chen Ruomin narrowed her eyes, leaned back in her seat, crossed her legs, and said nothing, holding her phone.

“…Ruomin?” Bai Jin Yan ventured.

After a long silence, Chen Ruomin finally spoke, her tone odd.

“Invited to her birthday two years after the class split—sounds like you’re pretty close.”

Bai Jin Yan: ≡￣﹏￣≡

So how was he supposed to answer this deadly question?

“Would you like to come too?”

“Send me the address.”

With that, Chen Ruomin hung up, leaving Bai Jin Yan on the other end feeling small, helpless, and bewildered.

So, she was still angry?