Teaming Up

With one month left until the end of the semester, Professor Xiang assigned a group project.

They were to spend a month writing a business plan, which could also be presented as a business model canvas. As long as they clarified the core logic and the project could actually be put into practice, they would pass with a high score.

Xiang looked around the classroom and said gravely, "There are 31 students in our class. Form groups of two to six and choose your own projects. I won't give you any advice. Submit your group members' names to the class academic representative. Please take this assignment seriously, as it will count as your final grade for this course. Class dismissed."

As soon as Xiang left, the classroom came alive with a chorus of groans.

"Why is it different this year? An upperclassman told me they used to assign it in the first class. I thought we wouldn't have to write a business plan. How is one month enough?"

"Xiang didn't teach the last class. He only transferred here from Lierton recently. Are all the professors over there this strict?"

"Either way, we can forget about muddling through this course. Enough about that. Let's form a group. Who else wants in?"

The class shifted from complaining to forming groups.

Jimo put his books away. This assignment required at least two people, so he turned to look at Zhuang Zhe.

Zhuang Zhe was warmhearted and much more popular in class than he was. Someone had already come to ask him to join a group.

"Zhuang Zhe, join us. We've got room for one more."

Zhuang Zhe glanced over and saw that the academic representative, one of the top students in class, was also in the group. With so many people, he could slack off, lend a hand here and there, and finish the assignment with ease.

Relieved, he was about to agree when he suddenly remembered Jimo sitting alone beside him and swallowed his answer.

Jimo had never been one to wait for others to pity him. He stood up and looked at Zhuang Zhe with a serious expression. "Come with me, and I'll get you a high score."

"..."

Several students nearby, including the academic representative, heard Jimo and wore complicated expressions.

Jimo was far too arrogant.

He was downright conceited. Had he forgotten that the professor had docked him half his participation points not long ago?

Zhuang Zhe's expression froze too. Jimo had been going to the library every day lately, but what could change in such a short time?

They lived under the same roof. How could he not know what Jimo was capable of?

Zhuang Zhe tugged at Jimo, then turned to the academic representative's group. "Jiang Yu, you guys go on ahead. I'll talk it over with Jimo."

Jiang Yu frowned. After hearing what Jimo had said, he didn't leave. Instead, he raised his chin. "A high score? How high is high? The top group in class?"

Everyone in their group was a top student. What did Jimo mean by that? Was he trying to compete with them for first place?

More and more people around them were looking over.

Jimo didn't respond. He had no intention of arguing with Jiang Yu; he only wanted to complete the assignment without trouble.

He said to Zhuang Zhe, "I hope you'll consider it."

Jiang Yu grew even angrier at being ignored. "Zhuang Zhe, if you join our group, I guarantee you'll get first place."

"Well..."

Zhuang Zhe was caught in a dilemma. He had never been this popular before, and of course he knew why Jiang Yu had suddenly become so insistent on having him.

Jiang Yu got good grades and was proud. He had chosen this major in a fit of anger after a quarrel with his parents. How could someone like him tolerate being provoked?

He looked back at the silent Jimo and gritted his teeth. "Forget it. The five of you can form a group on your own. I'd only hold you back if I joined, and besides, Jimo can't do it alone."

Now that Zhuang Zhe had put it that way, the group couldn't very well say anything else.

As they left, their remarks drifted back.

"Oh, he latched onto Young Master Yi, didn't he? Suddenly he's full of confidence. Even the guy at the bottom of the class dares to compete for first place now."

"Yeah. We don't have a backer, so we wouldn't dare get on his bad side..."

Zhuang Zhe looked worriedly at Jimo. Everyone had heard about what happened at the riding grounds, and there had been plenty of gossip behind his back over the past few days, but this was the first time anyone had mocked him to his face.

Jimo's expression never changed from beginning to end. The gossip had no effect on him.

He turned to Zhuang Zhe. "Thanks. Let's go back and divide up the work. I've already decided on the project."

If he wanted to transfer to another department, he had to get a high score in this course.

They had one month to write a business plan and also had to find investors. With so few people, they were at something of a disadvantage.

Jimo spent two days working out the logic and dividing the project into several sections.

He wasn't counting on Zhuang Zhe to be much help. After some thought, Jimo assigned him the market research.

Zhuang Zhe was at a loss. "Where do I start the research?"

"Questionnaires, papers online, industry reports—you can work on all of them at once. Oh, right, remember to write a market report."

Jimo didn't even look up. His fingers clattered over the keyboard, his expression deeply focused.

Only then did Zhuang Zhe believe that Jimo was truly taking this seriously. He rubbed his nose and hurriedly closed his game.

Jimo got stuck halfway through his work. He needed to look up some information.

He checked the time. It was still early, and he could pick up two dinners on his way back. He grabbed his phone and said to Zhuang Zhe, "I'm going to the library."

"All right." Zhuang Zhe bit on his pen, looking miserable.

Preoccupied with the research, Jimo hurried along without paying attention to what was ahead. When someone stopped him, there was still a hint of confusion in his eyes.

Chen Ziwu stood in front of him, his face dark. "Jimo, fight me again."

Last time, he had lost without understanding how. Even after spending several days in the hospital, he still couldn't figure out what had happened. He had practiced jujitsu since childhood and had won the regional championship several times.

How could this guy possibly have beaten him? Jimo must have been too lucky.

Jimo had no time to indulge him. The pressure of time made it difficult for him to remain friendly.

His face cold, he said, "I'm busy."

"No, you have to fight me!"

"Move!"

Now that Chen Ziwu had finally caught him, there was no way he would let him go so easily.

Seeing Jimo start to walk away, Chen Ziwu narrowed his eyes and swung at his back.

Jimo turned around swiftly and dodged the attack.

Chen Ziwu's punch missed. His gaze sharpened, and he charged again.

Jimo frowned. It looked like this guy wouldn't give up unless he knocked him down today.

Jimo stepped aside, grabbed Chen Ziwu around the waist, and sent him crashing down with a solid shoulder throw.

Chen Ziwu was dazed the instant his head hit the grass. Only then did he feel pain spread through his whole body.

The sunlight was dazzling, and sweat dripped from his forehead into his eyes. When Chen Ziwu finally managed to focus his vision, he saw the man looking down at him.

A moment later, Jimo crouched down, a cold gleam in his eyes. He raised a hand and patted Chen Ziwu's cheek twice. "You'd better stay away from me."

Even after Jimo left, Chen Ziwu continued to stare blankly.

The left side of his face, where Jimo had patted it, tingled. He couldn't describe the sensation. It was as if that slap had made his whole body go weak.

Chen Ziwu touched his cheek.

Strange. The man hadn't even used any force.

Momo finally revealed a little of his true personality. Chen Ziwu, you really are something!