Chapter 22

In his previous life, Gu Chen had started his own company. To cater to the market, he had indeed seriously studied the preferences of consumers at different spending levels. He had taught himself Python back then to collect and organize customers' spending preferences, hoping to use big data analysis to target the market more effectively. Unfortunately, no matter how good his products were, he had ultimately lacked a bit of confidence and luck. In the end, the bank called in his loans after his cash flow broke, leaving his company bankrupt and his family destroyed.

Gu Chen admitted that he had been a failed entrepreneur. But aside from the utterly disastrous ending, the things he had learned during his startup years were still quite useful—at the very least, they could help him earn credits.

The girl gave an "Oh." After a brief pause, she said, "My name is Shang Rui."

Gu Chen nodded and submitted his elective course form. Shang Rui stood beside him for a while longer. When Gu Chen finally noticed, he asked in confusion, "Is there anything else?"

Shang Rui pointed at his form. "You didn't choose a single English class?"

"I'm not interested in English," Gu Chen said.

Shang Rui: "..."

Shang Rui said, "Hearing you say that, I'm pretty interested in Python too. But I studied liberal arts in high school, and I'm really not good at science-related subjects. Can I have your contact information? When we take electives together in the future, can I ask you if there's something I don't understand?"

Gu Chen frowned.

Shang Rui looked at him in surprise. "We're classmates. You can't be that cold, can you?"

"I don't have time." Gu Chen was busy studying economic regulations so he would not make mistakes again when chatting with clients in the future. He also had to work part-time and follow the plot. He truly had neither the time nor energy to tutor someone else.

"So cold!" Shang Rui puffed out her cheeks and acted cute. "You don't care about the slightest bit of classmate friendship?"

"I really don't have time." Gu Chen refused. "Ask someone else."

After being rejected again and again, Shang Rui felt she had truly done everything she could. She awkwardly returned to her seat. The girls in the rows before and behind her immediately gathered around, giggling as they asked, "So? How did it go?"

"Not well!" Shang Rui shook her head. "He was cold and distant. He doesn't like talking to people."

"I knew it." Another girl sneered. "You can tell at a glance that someone like him is arrogant. A guy who can hook up with a rich older woman and ride in luxury cars after only two days of part-time work—how could he possibly pay attention to ordinary girls like us? Give up, Shang Rui!"

She rubbed her fingers at several other girls. "A bet's a bet! I told you he wouldn't pay any attention to Shang Rui."

Shang Rui had refused to believe it and insisted on betting with them. Hadn't she lost?

"Not necessarily." Thinking of Gu Chen's response just now, Shang Rui added, "Gu Chen didn't add me on WeChat, but when I asked how to choose electives, he answered very patiently. I think his advice was pretty reliable. Do you want to give it a try?"

Without waiting for anyone else to speak, Shang Rui repeated Gu Chen's advice.

"You can do that?" Several girls widened their eyes, as though a door to a new world had opened before them. They had been worrying over elective courses. There were too many options, and they knew too little about the courses. They were afraid of choosing ones they would not like, but also afraid of picking courses that were too difficult and being unable to earn enough credits by the end of the semester.

Gu Chen's advice really was good. They could select the electives they were interested in and sit in on a few classes first, then choose the ones that suited them and drop the rest.

"How is he so smart? No wonder he made over a hundred thousand on his first day doing part-time work. His brain works way too fast."

"What a pity his character isn't that great. It's only been a few days since school started, and that little mess has already become known to everyone. Even the people in his dorm don't like him."

"I think those roommates of his are the ones with questionable character," Shang Rui could not help saying. "We've been in military training for half a month. You all know what Gu Chen is like. He usually doesn't even say a word or interact with anyone. Who could he have offended? Why has only his bad reputation spread throughout the whole school? And why did it all come from his dorm?"

The girls exchanged looks.

The instructor entered, so Shang Rui said no more. When the morning classes ended, Shang Rui hugged her books and walked over to Gu Chen. "Thank you for your advice just now. I've finished choosing my electives. Let me treat you to lunch as thanks?"

"No need." Gu Chen slung his backpack over one shoulder. "It was nothing."

"But it solved a huge problem for me!" Shang Rui said with a bright smile. "I think your little favor deserves a meal in thanks."

"I feel uncomfortable eating with people I'm not familiar with," Gu Chen said frankly.

The smile on Shang Rui's face froze.

"Sorry." Gu Chen nodded at Shang Rui and left without another word.

Shang Rui's roommates crowded over with grins. "This Gu Chen is way too aloof, isn't he?"

"Exactly! Our Shang Rui is pretty and has a great figure. Is he blind? Can't he see any of that?"

"You don't actually want to chase him, do you?"

"I think it'll be difficult. He's clearly the type who won't be swayed by anything."

Listening to the girls chatter on, Gu Xiu could not help speaking up. "Don't waste your time. My brother won't like you."

The laughter in the classroom came to an abrupt stop. Everyone turned to look at Gu Xiu.

Shang Rui frowned hard. "What did you say?"

Gu Xiu looked directly into Shang Rui's eyes and patiently repeated, "I said my brother will never like you. Don't waste your time."

Shang Rui took a deep breath. "Gu Xiu, are you sick?"

Chapter 22

Gu Chen arrived at the cafeteria, and they happened to have garlic vermicelli shrimp casserole and sweet-and-sour pork ribs, both of which he liked. He also ordered fried stuffed eggplant and hot-and-sour shredded potatoes, then got a bowl of the free seaweed egg soup. He had just carried his tray to a corner and sat down when someone behind him sneered, "Four dishes and a soup, meat and vegetables—you really know how to take care of your health!"

Gu Chen sighed and turned to look at Huo Mingzhang, who had started acting up again for some reason. "Aren't we playing basketball tonight?"

"What, did you reserve this cafeteria? Is no one else allowed to come except you?" Huo Mingzhang came out swinging, his words full of gunpowder.