After entering Manager Zhong's office, Liu Shang and he began discussing the technology of separate injection allocation at the surface for water-injection wells.
The more they talked, the more alarmed Manager Zhong became.
His team had been researching this technology for a long time, and its main framework had basically taken shape.
They were now only waiting to begin field testing.
Yet during their discussion, Liu Shang's understanding and knowledge of the technology were not inferior to Manager Zhong's in the slightest.
More importantly, some of the detailed issues Liu Shang raised were things Manager Zhong himself had never considered.
Those problems would only gradually surface during field testing before they could be resolved.
As a result, Manager Zhong felt as though he had found a kindred spirit through music, a true friend over wine—as if he had accidentally stumbled into a mountain of treasure.
So the two of them kept discussing countless matters and details. Even as others began getting off work one after another, neither of them showed the slightest intention of leaving.
Under everyone's astonished gazes, Manager Zhong looked at Liu Shang and smiled. "Liu Shang, don't worry. I'll have the company car take you straight back to school later."
"How about we keep researching a little longer? I'll treat you to a big meal—Western food or seafood, your choice. How does that sound?"
Liu Shang smiled wryly. "Manager Zhong, I'm only working part-time. It's only proper for me to put in extra hours when I have free time."
"But I really can't stay too late today. I made plans to meet my girlfriend at school."
"Huh? You already have a girlfriend in your freshman year?"
"Though now that I think about it, with your calmness and maturity compared to people your age, it would be strange if those young girls weren't captivated by you!"
"Speaking of that, I'd been thinking of introducing President Song's precious daughter to you."
"That little girl is excellent too, a truly rare kind of girl. I've always had a good eye for people!"
"All right, time is limited. Let's continue discussing the technical side for a while. Don't worry, I'll get you back before the time you'd normally take the bus to school. I won't delay your date!"
About an hour later, a Toyota 4700 Land Cruiser pulled over by the roadside near Oil University's side gate.
This spot was relatively close to the freshman residential area. Since the surrounding development lagged behind, it was very secluded and there were few people around.
Just as Liu Shang got out of the car, an imported Audi A6 stopped almost simultaneously not far away, and the figure of a beautiful girl stepped out.
After the two cars drove away in succession, Liu Shang and the girl noticed each other almost at the same time.
"Liu Shang?!"
"Ruolin?!"
After the two stood there in a daze for a moment, Jiang Ruolin was the first to react. "What are you standing around for? Hurry over and help me carry this stuff."
Only then did Liu Shang notice the Snoopy big backpack in front of Jiang Ruolin, stuffed so full that it bulged noticeably.
She also had a small, delicate backpack on her back.
Liu Shang walked over with a smile, picked up the large backpack, and slung it onto his own back.
"Good lord, what did you put in here? It's so heavy."
Jiang Ruolin smiled and linked her arm through his. "This bag has snacks I brought for your dorm."
"They're all things you boys like—sausages, canned food, dried fish, peanuts, and so on. You can carry them back to the dorm later."
"I was worrying about how I was going to carry it back, but then I happened to run into you."
"Oh, right. That car that brought you back just now was...?"
Liu Shang smiled. "I was bored over the weekend, so I went around a few local oil service companies to see whether I could find an internship."
"I happened to meet an executive who was heading this way, so he gave me a ride back."
"An internship?"
Jiang Ruolin blinked, her eyes flickering, but she said nothing more about it.
Instead, she looked at Liu Shang with a smile and asked in a coquettish tone, "Liu Shang, you're not upset that I went home for the weekend and didn't spend time with you, are you?"
Liu Shang laughed and shook his head. "Even though I think about you every moment of every day, we can't be tied together every single day, can we?"
"Besides, we'll have a long, long time together in the future, until the end of our lives. So it's good that you went home for the weekend to relax and spend time with your parents."
Jiang Ruolin smiled sweetly. "Hmph, you really know how to talk!"
Carrying bags large and small, the two walked arm in arm into the campus, chatting and laughing like a young married couple who had just returned from visiting family. They drew countless glances and silent exclamations.
When Liu Shang carried that adorable big backpack into the dorm, several students from other dorms had happened to come over to chat.
Cheng Meng had also just returned from home and had specifically brought back some fruit.
"Oh, Liu Shang's back!"
"Liu Shang's back? You were mysterious all weekend. No one could catch sight of you! What were you busy with?"
"Damn it, Fu Liang, do you even need to ask? He had his girlfriend with him over the weekend, so he obviously went on dates!"
"Hey, Liu Shang, that backpack you're carrying is pretty kawaii! What did you pack in there to make it so full?"
Liu Shang smiled, set the backpack on the table, and then, like Doraemon, began pulling out all kinds of delicious high-calorie, high-fat foods one after another.
Everyone's eyes went wide...
"Did you rob a supermarket or something?"
"My goodness, I clearly just finished dinner. Why am I already drooling?"
"Holy crap! If you added some beer, your dorm would practically be heaven!"
"Liu Shang, even if you've made it big, you don't have to be this extravagant, do you? This whole bag of food must cost a month's living expenses, right?"
Liu Shang smiled. "Jiang Ruolin specially brought all this for our dorm."
"Just leave it on the table. Everyone, help yourselves. Don't be polite."
Before he could finish, wolf howls erupted throughout the dorm, followed by endless laughing and teasing.
"Sigh, what else can I say? I'm jealous!"
"My god, the goddess brought all this delicious food! Liu Shang, you're trying to make us die of envy!"
"Forget it, forget it. I'm feeling so sour right now. I'm going back to my dorm!"
"Hey, all of a sudden, I don't feel hungry anymore. This pile of dog food has me choking..."
After that, the crowd dispersed amid laughter, leaving only the people from Liu Shang's dorm.
Society at the time was not as indulgent toward children, and everyone's family circumstances were about the same. Their monthly living expenses were not particularly high either.
So they did not feel right eating the rare treats from someone else's dorm. Having a small taste to show appreciation was enough.
At this point, only the four of them remained in the dorm. Liu Shang smiled. "Now it's fine, right? Don't be polite anymore. Help yourselves!"
Zheng Shiwei gave a thumbs-up, Cheng Meng showed his envy, and Fu Liang immediately said he would go downstairs to buy beer.
At that moment, Liu Shang changed into another set of clothes and prepared to head out.
"Huh? Where are you going?"
"Don't tell me you're going running again? Have you even eaten?"
Liu Shang smiled and shook his head. "You guys buy some beer and enjoy yourselves. I won't be joining you. I'm going out to eat."
Before you continue