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Cheng Lang turned a deaf ear to Lü's hints.

Lü was a little puzzled. "Judging by the way you conduct yourself, you don't seem like the type to pride yourself on purity and keep yourself chaste."

"You're right, Lü." Cheng Lang shamelessly admitted, "I'm just not up to it."

Lü chuckled and did not press Cheng Lang any further.

"Are you sure you won't consider coming to Qin Dynasty Records to handle publicity and promotion?" Perhaps having developed a slight aversion to the words "public relations," Lü changed her phrasing. "You're talented and capable. It would be a pity if you stayed at White Jade Capital, wasting your time over such small immediate gains."

Lü truly appreciated talent. Of course, she also liked Cheng Lang, which was why she said these things to him. "Come to Qin Dynasty Records. I'll personally mentor you and train you into one of our company's top agents. If you perform exceptionally well and eventually rise to the position of director of artist management, you'll even receive company dividends."

"I'm honored by your regard," Cheng Lang said with utmost sincerity. Then he changed the subject. "Lü, I study finance."

Lü raised a brow. "You don't want to enter the entertainment industry?"

Lü had been so enthusiastic that Cheng Lang could not reject her too harshly. He said tactfully, "I've only just started my freshman year. Every night, I have to work part-time at White Jade Capital. I also run a milk tea shop with my classmates. I simply don't have the energy to do anything else. Lü, your willingness to help me is because you think highly of me. But as far as I know, an agent has to promptly deal with all kinds of problems their artists encounter. When an artist goes on a concert tour, the agent has to follow them. When an artist travels elsewhere for shoots or filming, the agent has to follow them too. It often requires business trips, and there are especially many unexpected incidents. As a first-year student, I'm afraid I don't have that ability, nor do I have enough time."

Cheng Lang's words made sense. Lü smiled. "You're quite convincing when you speak seriously."

That sounded a little dangerous. Cheng Lang merely smiled and did not respond.

"Fine." Lü smiled. "I hadn't thought that through. But my invitation will always stand. If you have time during summer or winter break and want an internship, the doors of Qin Dynasty Records will always be open to you."

After a pause, Lü added, "You study finance. The entertainment and financial industries have always worked closely together. I'm sure you know that if you want to succeed in finance, you need strong connections. Qin Dynasty Records happens to be preparing to go public in the next couple of years. If you come intern at the company, I can mentor you personally and introduce you to some contacts."

It was truly difficult to refuse such generosity. But Cheng Lang knew even better that every gift fate bestowed had already been secretly marked with a price. He could not accept a beauty's favor, so he could only smile and say, "Thank you, Lü. I'll consider it."

The car slowly came to a stop at the school gate. Cheng Lang got out, leaving the two roasted sweet potatoes in the car. "Drive safely, Lü."

Lü watched Cheng Lang's retreating figure, then glanced at the roasted sweet potatoes on the passenger seat. Her red-polished fingers tapped idly against the steering wheel.

Nothing happened that night. When Cheng Lang woke the next morning, Shen Huaiyu had returned as well. He was sitting below, memorizing vocabulary. Three breakfasts were piled on the other three desks, and the air was filled with the scent of soy milk and tea eggs.

"Shen Huaiyu, when did you get back?" One roommate climbed groggily down from his bed. Before he had even opened his eyes, he could not resist gossiping, "You didn't come back last night. Where did you go?"

Shen Huaiyu shuddered at the question and instinctively looked at Cheng Lang.

Cheng Lang snapped, "Even food can't shut your mouth? Why are you so damn nosy?"

The roommate immediately backed down, though he was still somewhat unconvinced. "I was just asking. Besides, that video is all over the internet. Even if I don't ask, other people will be curious. I only thought to ask because I heard other people gossiping about it."

Shen Huaiyu's face was a little pale.

Cheng Lang said, "What's there to ask? It's all because that old bastard Shen Chengan refused to act like a decent human being. If he'd settled the money from the sale of Shen Huaiyu's family home sooner, none of this mess would have happened."

That was true. The two roommates nodded in agreement.

Cheng Lang continued, "So when it comes down to it, that old bastard Shen Chengan is the real culprit. Just how shameless can someone be? He's the president of the Calligraphy and Painting Association, and his home is filled with antique calligraphy and paintings. He could casually sell one piece for millions, couldn't he? Yet he insists on profiting off the dead. And even that wouldn't be enough—he had to dump the blame on Shen Huaiyu. He even had the nerve to accuse Shen Huaiyu of disgracing the family. I think he's the truly shameless one. Why did his family choose Chu Ci when they named him? They should've chosen Li Sao!"

"That really is pretty wild." The two roommates had been led astray by Cheng Lang and could not help following his lead. "They say a thug isn't scary—the scary kind is an educated thug. When you run into someone like that, you really have nowhere to air your grievances. Who would've thought that President Shen, who looks so respectable, only does things no decent human would do?"

"Exactly! Cheng Lang was the only reason Shen Huaiyu got that money back. Without Cheng Lang's help, President Shen might have swallowed it all. What good could someone who would even cheat people out of funeral expenses possibly do? Then he would've kept smearing Shen Huaiyu everywhere, so Shen Huaiyu couldn't expose the matter and damage his image."

"When he said those things in front of so many people at the calligraphy and painting exhibition, wasn't that exactly what he had in mind?" One roommate said fearfully. "Luckily, Cheng Lang exposed his true face. Otherwise..."

When the two roommates reached that point, the way they looked at Shen Huaiyu had changed.

"Surviving a great disaster brings future blessings. We believe things will only get better and better for you from now on." One roommate could not help comforting him.

Shen Huaiyu tugged at the corner of his mouth and weakly said, "Thank you."

Cheng Lang looked at Shen Huaiyu, then at the two roommates. "If anyone asks you about Shen Huaiyu again in the future—"

"We'll make sure to tell them all about President Shen's deeds!" The two roommates spoke indignantly. "We can't let that old bastard profit and still play the victim. He's the president of the Calligraphy and Painting Association, too! Does he even deserve it?"