A Picture Perfect

In a high-end, elegantly decorated restaurant near Oil University, where the steep prices deterred most students, Liu Shang and Jiang Ruolin sat facing each other at a delicate small table.

Earlier, when Liu Shang had insisted on paying, Jiang Ruolin had suggested going to the cheapest, most affordable, and liveliest hot pot place.

But today, it was Jiang Ruolin's turn to treat, and she had unhesitatingly brought Liu Shang here.

Through their usual conversations and observations, the exceptionally intelligent Jiang Ruolin had noticed something that struck her as both intriguing and contradictory.

It was the fact that Liu Shang, whose family background was ordinary and who was at an age where he should naturally crave meat, actually preferred healthy, lighter foods.

And just like when he had treated her at the Annie Western Restaurant before, Liu Shang always possessed a certain innate temperament that perfectly suited such elegant environments and occasions.

This was something that couldn't be faked; it emanated from the depths of his being.

Little did she know that in another world, Liu Shang, as the assistant to a top global petrochemical expert, had attended countless world-class banquets and venues.

He had also encountered numerous international celebrities and socialites, so these high-class events didn't seem particularly special to him.

As Jiang Ruolin pondered Liu Shang's distinctiveness in her mind, Liu Shang, on his end, was quietly observing Jiang Ruolin.

She was wearing a sky-blue, high-necked, thin cashmere sweater that accentuated her neck, as beautiful as a swan's.

Her lower body was adorned with pleated, tailored trousers, and she wore stylish little leather shoes.

On her left wrist, she wore a slim, fashionable watch. In the lamplight, it blended with Jiang Ruolin's fair skin, emitting an alluring glow.

At this moment, she wore only light makeup, her lips coated with a subtle layer of lip gloss, and her naturally long eyelashes fluttered as her eyes remained serene and bright.

Unable to resist, Liu Shang reached out and gently took Jiang Ruolin's fair hand, which rested by the side of the dining table, into his own.

Then, looking into Jiang Ruolin's eyes, he said softly but with utmost sincerity, "Every place with you in it is like a beautiful painting."

"And I am deeply immersed in these beautiful paintings, unable to extricate myself."

"Ruolin, you are so beautiful."

Receiving such direct and unreserved praise from her boyfriend, Jiang Ruolin couldn't help but blush. A surge of happiness filled her, and she cast a gentle glance at him.

"No matter how beautiful I am, aren't I still in your grasp right now?"

"If you like it, you can keep looking at me like this for a very long time."

Liu Shang smiled, not uttering any grand promises of forever, but still reluctant to let go of Jiang Ruolin's hand.

Witnessing the intimate atmosphere between them, even the approaching waiter paused in the distance, as if unwilling to disturb this incredibly sweet young couple.

Perhaps neither Liu Shang nor Jiang Ruolin noticed, but at a less conspicuous, quieter end of the restaurant, another table of guests was watching them.

It was Tan Feng, Zhou Liang, and two or three others.

When Jiang Ruolin and Liu Shang walked into the restaurant side-by-side and chose a window seat, they had already caught their attention.

Later, when Liu Shang gently took Jiang Ruolin's hand, and they spoke softly and sweetly to each other, the expressions of the group turned extremely grim.

Especially Tan Feng, whose sullen face seemed on the verge of shedding water at that very moment.

Although he had already learned that Jiang Ruolin had a boyfriend, seeing it all with his own eyes brought a surge of anger and inexplicable emotions that almost pushed him over the edge.

"Suddenly, I've lost my appetite. You guys eat; I'm leaving!"

After hastily uttering these words, Tan Feng stood up and left through a side door at the other end.

Seeing his reaction, Zhou Liang and the others also shook their heads and followed him out, leaving one of their group to settle the bill.

The commotion on their end did catch the attention of the highly perceptive Jiang Ruolin, who glanced over subconsciously. However, she was a beat too late and didn't see any familiar figures.

The brief and happy weekend passed, leading into another painful Monday morning.

While Zheng Shiwei, Fu Liang, and Cheng Meng were sighing dejectedly in the dormitory, Liu Shang was already refreshed and packed, ready to leave.

"Liu Shang, leaving so early? Going to have breakfast with your girlfriend?"

Liu Shang shook his head, "I have some things to take care of today, so I won't be having breakfast or going to class with you guys."

"If they call roll, could you cover for me?"

"Huh? Second Brother! You're skipping class again?!"

"You were already called out twice last week. If you miss again, you'll really fail the course!"

Failing a course was an incredibly serious topic for any university student.

It would cause a lot of trouble, not only requiring them to deal with make-up exams but also resulting in an unsightly transcript upon graduation, directly affecting their prospects of finding employment.

However, for Liu Shang at this moment, failing, academic performance, or even graduation in his senior year had become less important.

He was now following his own plans, taking firm, steady steps towards a magnificent and promising future.

"If I fail, I fail. Besides, it's not like I'll definitely fail."

With that, Liu Shang left the dormitory without hesitation, leaving the other three staring in stunned silence.

Liu Shang had set out a bit late today. Normally, he should have arrived at the company by nine o'clock.

However, he missed a bus on the way, causing him to arrive an hour later than expected.

While he was on his way to the company, a sense of irritation permeated Manager Zhong's office.

According to the original plan, this Monday, Manager Zhong's technical team was supposed to give final confirmation to the surface sub-distribution process and related tools.

So, as usual, seven or eight people gathered around and continuously discussed, voicing their thoughts and opinions.

For Manager Zhong, who had been sitting in his large office chair the entire time, compared to Liu Shang, what these guys were saying was simply a waste of his time.

They weren't even on the same level.

So, after forcibly enduring for nearly an hour, Manager Zhong couldn't take it anymore. He slammed the table, "Ah, that, uh, you guys can dismiss for now. We'll discuss this again tomorrow or the day after!"

Seeing that Manager Zhong seemed to be in a bad mood, everyone wisely dispersed.

Afterward, Manager Zhong, still feeling upset, didn't have the mood to do any other work and went to Xu Tiande's place to smoke.

"Hey, Old Zhong, you seem a bit off today!"

"Your technology is almost complete, you should be happy!"

Manager Zhong waved his hand, "Don't even mention it. It's precisely because this technology is nearing completion that I'm even more anxious."

"This group of guys, compared to Liu Shang, are practically freeloaders! The ideas and suggestions they've put forward are so simplistic and immature."

"After communicating and discussing with young Liu Shang these past two days, I feel like this technology could even skip the experimental phase and be completed in one go."

"But today is a damn Monday, and Liu Shang still has to go to class!"

"To be honest, Old Xu, I'm so desperate right now that I want to run to Oil University and drag the kid out."

Just then, before Manager Zhong could finish speaking, Liu Shang's figure abruptly appeared at the office doorway.