Super God-Level Top Student

While Qiao Ze was taking Su Mucheng for noodles, no more than fifty meters away on the late-night food street, Yu Chenggong was loudly calling for more drinks.

"Waiter, another Hans please."

"Coming right up!"

Sitting opposite Yu Chenggong, Luo Shanyi's face twisted in distaste as he said meekly, "Alright, Yu, do you think I can still keep up? I really can't drink anymore today! If I do, there's going to be trouble!"

"How can that be? Luo, we've been friends for ten years now, don't you know me? When I dragged you here, I said we're not leaving this drinking table unless you give me a reason why you can't sign. If you want to leave, go ahead, but you have to drink me under the table first, then I won't be able to stop you."

Yu Chenggong said with a rascally laugh, nothing like the serious admission officer he usually was at Xingcheng.

"Yu, do you really have to be so impatient?" Luo Shanyi shook his head.

"Why wouldn't I be? It's nearly June, the college entrance exams are coming, and there are a pile of things waiting for me back in Xingcheng. I need to get stuff done here quickly and get back to recruiting! Otherwise, if I don't meet my recruitment target this year, our director Zhuo will dock my bonus—will you make up for it?"

Yu Chenggong pulled out two bottles of beer that the night snack vendor had brought over, pried them open, and placed one in front of each of them: "Come on, let's have one more before we talk."

"Cough cough… wait, hey, Yu, if you're busy, just go back to Xingcheng! Once we've passed the research over here, we'll naturally stamp it for you," Luo Shanyi said with a forced smile, taking a sip of beer.

Although he did indeed enjoy a little drink usually, they had been drinking since seven o'clock in the evening, and the two of them had already gone through three crates. He was genuinely struggling to keep up.

"Heh heh…"

Yu Chenggong glanced at the sectional chief opposite him, and with a sly grin prompted by the alcohol, he said, "Back to Xingcheng? I'm watching you guys stall with the seal here. Once I'm back in Xingcheng, who knows how much longer you'll drag it out! I just don't understand, which part of the documents I prepared isn't sufficient?"

"I've finally recruited a great talent, and the School of Mathematics has approved, they've provided all the necessary paperwork and our director has signed off. Now, what are you getting at, holding back on the promised subsidy for him? It's not like it's coming out of your pocket, is it?"

"In my life, Yu Chenggong, I've always stood by my word—every spit, every nail. Luo, if you play games like this, you're smashing my rice bowl, and I'll make sure to hold you accountable! If you're facing a difficulty, just tell me straight, and I'll talk to whoever I need to!"

With the conversation reaching this point, Luo Shanyi simply put the beer on the table, sighed and said, "Fine, you want a reason, right? Who asked you to insist on three hundred thousand? You know as well as I do that anything below a hundred thousand passes through easily in the department. But for the full amount of three hundred thousand, we have to report it to the school.

Hasn't your director Zhuo offended someone—you know who that is, don't you? Someone specifically called to say we need to consider it carefully, check the details, and avoid any news that could affect the reputation of the school. What am I supposed to do?"

"Heh… Did Zhang Xiaoquan personally call you?" Yu Chenggong snorted coldly.

"Otherwise? As the vice principal in charge of finance, should I take his words as a breeze past my ears?" Luo Shanyi spread his hands.

"Damn, how is he still not transferred out?" Yu Chenggong complained, then considered for a moment before saying, "Alright, Luo, tomorrow, I'll have the director talk to your general affairs director. If they're willing to help coordinate, could you do me a favor on your end?"

"Really, you care so much about this kid?" Luo Shanyi asked, intrigued.

"What do you know? I'm telling you, that kid has an unlimited future ahead. I want to build a good relationship early! How long have I been at the admissions office, Yu Chenggong? My days are even more leisurely than those of the gods, all thanks to these eyes of mine. Yet this time, I came close to missing a good bet.

Luo, sometimes you have to think a bit more outside the box.

Everyone knows that back in the day, Vincent Zhang from the League Committee once stormed into our director's office and slammed the desk. So what if we offended him? Isn't our director doing just fine? He probably has an even more secure position than Vincent. Who knows when the latter will have to step down?

We in the admissions office can withstand scrutiny, but I can't say the same for Zhang Xiaoquan."

Yu Chenggong said meaningfully.

"Alright, alright, you've drunk too much today—I'm going to pretend I didn't hear a thing! So let's not drink anymore. If the general affairs really approve your proposal, I'll sign immediately, not a minute of delay. Fair?"

"Haha, that's all I needed to hear from you. But we've already opened the last bottle—how can we send it back? Let's finish it and head home!"

...

After finishing their drinks and settling the bill, Yu Chenggong immediately called Zhuo Wenyu.

"Zhang Xiaoquan blocked the poverty assistance contract Qiao Ze signed?"

"Yeah, I just prised it out of Luo's mouth. When you said I could make the demands, I never thought it would be retracted. Maybe you could give Director Chen a call, see if there's a way to coordinate through the general affairs?"

"This isn't urgent, but are you sure it was Zhang Xiaoquan's idea?"

"Yeah, Luo said it himself, the call came directly from Zhang Xiaoquan."

"I see… Alright then, don't worry about it, you head back to Xingcheng tomorrow and keep an eye on things there."

"But what about the contract? I promised Qiao Ze that he would definitely receive the assistance money before transferring his files."

"Relax, it's not a big deal! I have a way to get the money, I won't make it difficult for you! You have no idea how much the School of Mathematics treasures that kid. If Zhang wants to trouble me, I have to give him some headaches in return! Before you leave tomorrow, send me the card number. Also, when you get back to Xingcheng, don't rush to transfer Qiao Ze's file.

Hold it back for a while, there's no hurry."

"Okay, just make sure to figure out how to transfer that money earlier."

"Don't worry, when have I ever put you guys in a difficult position from this post? Give me one week."

"Alright!"

...

In the back street near the student dormitory area, inside Zhang's noodle shop.

A young man and a woman were sitting at the table, happily eating braised noodles.

Indeed, it wasn't expensive, a well-balanced bowl of meat and vegetable braised noodles for only eight yuan.

The golden, slippery noodles looked appetizing, and with the addition of what was said to be the owner's special sauce and a spoonful of bright red chili oil, it was quite stimulating to the appetite.

Unfortunately, Su Mucheng didn't eat spicy food, so Qiao Ze directly scooped two spoonfuls for himself.

"Wow, you really can handle spicy food! I'm so envious!" Su Mucheng exclaimed with eyes that held two twinkling stars.

"My mom likes spicy food." Qiao Ze explained.

"Wow, then your mom is also amazing!" Su Mucheng continued with her compliments.

The restaurant owner, taking a break inside the shop, watched the pure and clear undertones of affection brewing amidst the enticing aroma of noodles at the next table, listened to the girl's off-key praises, and envied Qiao Ze with a glance.

It's great to be a student!

The world of adults is just too complicated!