Hidden Killing Intent

As the engineering department members looked gloomy, muttering complaints amongst themselves, Ma Yuan, observing from the sidelines, felt a secret joy.

Fortunately, he was following Professor Xu's geology and chemistry track. He believed that with Professor Xu's style, he would never do anything as outrageous as what Manager Zhong had done.

At the same time, Ma Yuan silently mocked himself: Weren't you guys laughing at my misfortune just a while ago? I guess it's your turn to face trouble now, isn't it?

Serves you right!

After lunch, Manager Zhong called Liu Shang to his office for tea and a chat.

"I say, young Liu, you've received such a large share of the profits, and you're facing so much coldness and criticism from everyone, yet you seem so calm, like nothing's happened?"

Liu Shang smiled, "In time, they'll get used to it."

His words drew a laugh from Manager Zhong, "You truly are audacious, kid!"

"Even more audacious than I was at your age!"

"However, as long as you have the skills, I believe there will be no shortage of challenging tasks for you in this company, under me and Professor Xu."

"You're different from other kids, you're steady and mature, so I won't lecture you any further."

Liu Shang nodded gratefully at Manager Zhong. After a brief chat, he made an excuse about having to return to school for classes and left ahead of time.

On the bus back to school, Liu Shang got off midway and went straight to a Giant specialty store.

Without even blinking, he selected a Giant mountain bike, the kind with a rear rack, priced at 2980.

Fengcheng Oil University's campus was quite large, making the walk from the dorms to several lecture halls a considerable distance.

Therefore, most students owned a bicycle, which was much more convenient than taking the school's open-top shuttle.

However, given the students' pocket money at the time, very few could afford a Giant bicycle, especially the latest model with an aluminum alloy frame like the one Liu Shang bought.

Most people would have prioritized a more stylish and flashy road bike with drop handlebars, but Liu Shang was different. He directly chose this sturdier, more understated mountain bike.

More importantly, this bicycle came with a rear rack, naturally intended for his girlfriend, Jiang Ruolin.

He imagined Jiang Ruolin sitting on the back, her arms around his waist, as he rode her along the sun-dappled campus paths – a rather pleasant thought.

During the first major class period that afternoon, Jiang Ruolin had a class. As agreed, when the class ended, Liu Shang went to wait at a less crowded side entrance of the lecture hall.

When Jiang Ruolin arrived with a smile, she saw Liu Shang and the beautiful white Giant bicycle parked beside him, and she was visibly taken aback.

"Where did that bike come from?"

"It's pretty cool, and it suits you."

Liu Shang smiled, took Jiang Ruolin's small bag, and hung it on the handlebars. "Let's go, invite the beautiful lady to take a ride and enjoy the campus scenery along the way."

Jiang Ruolin blushed immediately, then cautiously, and a little fearfully, sat on the back seat of the bicycle.

It was the first time she had ever ridden on a boy's bicycle.

However, to her surprise, Liu Shang rode very steadily and at a slow pace. The two of them rode like that, leisurely along the campus's outer ring road where there were few pedestrians.

Jiang Ruolin gradually relaxed. Her hands, which had been tightly gripping Liu Shang's clothes, now held on with just two slender fingers.

As for Liu Shang's anticipated scenario of Jiang Ruolin wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her flowing hair on his back, it didn't happen.

After all, it was daytime on campus, with many people around, and Jiang Ruolin dared not act that way.

As they chatted, Jiang Ruolin learned that this brand-new white Giant bicycle was bought by Liu Shang himself, and it cost nearly three thousand yuan.

Jiang Ruolin couldn't help but worry, tactfully asking if Liu Shang would go hungry in the coming days and if she should accompany him for meals.

To this, Liu Shang shook his head with a wry smile and told Jiang Ruolin that they could eat at Annie's Western Restaurant every day from now on.

Upon reaching the dormitory area, Liu Shang went to his dorm to park the bicycle, while Jiang Ruolin returned to her dorm to drop off her bag and change clothes. Afterward, they would head to the evening gathering together.

When Liu Shang pushed the bike to the front of his dorm building, he happened to run into several of his roommates returning.

Almost instantly, they noticed Liu Shang's Giant bicycle and praised its beauty.

Even Cheng Meng, whose family was quite well-off, had bought one recently, but its model and price were still a notch below Liu Shang's.

"3000 yuan for a bicycle?! That's really awesome!"

This was their collective final evaluation and exclamation.

At the same time, Liu Shang also received feedback from them that because he had skipped class for four consecutive days this week, the teachers were very dissatisfied.

Liu Shang was therefore facing a very serious crisis of failing his final exams.

Regarding this, Liu Shang calmly nodded and showed no further reaction, completely unconcerned.

Meanwhile, at the Kaiyue Grand Hotel outside the campus, Zhou Liang and many of the group administrators had already begun the meticulous arrangements and banquet decorations.

It had to be said that, overall, the atmosphere of the gathering was quite good, if one didn't count the 'hidden dangers' from Tan Feng and his group.

After helping to set up the venue, Song Jia waved goodbye, causing Tan Feng, Zhou Liang, and the others to look confused and try to stop her.

However, at this moment, having learned that Liu Shang had received a 30,000 yuan bonus and feeling guilty, Song Jia insisted on leaving, citing a family emergency.

An hour later, when Liu Shang and Jiang Ruolin arrived at the hotel for the gathering, more than half the guests had already arrived. Zhou Liang and Tan Feng were gathered at the entrance, waiting for the main guests to appear.

Upon seeing Liu Shang and Jiang Ruolin, who were holding hands, a surge of anger rushed to Tan Feng's head. However, Zhou Liang patted his shoulder forcefully, signaling him to calm down.

"Heh heh, our beautiful Miss Jiang, you've finally arrived. Everyone has been waiting for you."

As Liu Shang and Jiang Ruolin approached, Zhou Liang was the first to greet them.

He then proactively extended his hand to Liu Shang, saying, "You must be Liu Shang. I'm Zhou Liang; we've spoken before."

"Let's go, please come inside."

Liu Shang smiled and shook his hand, then took the lead into the hotel without showing any particular emotion.

At the very moment Liu Shang left, Jiang Ruolin, who had been smiling serenely, turned cold. She gave Tan Feng a serious look.

"Tan Feng, if you guys deliberately make things difficult for Liu Shang tonight, I'm not done with you!"

Tan Feng, whose heart was already tied in knots, spread his hands. "Ruolin, we were classmates in junior high and then high school. Do you really think I, Tan Feng, am such a despicable and vile person in your eyes?"

"Besides, the true gap between men, in all aspects from family background and everything else, will naturally reveal itself without any need for deliberate obstruction. No matter what, this person is not worthy of you."

Hearing his words, Jiang Ruolin's worry intensified. She also emphasized, very seriously and sternly, "You don't need to manage my affairs!"