A Scoundrel's Tactics

Chen Fan and Tian Yuan had only met once.

He didn't quite understand why the guy had come looking for him.

Tian Yuan smiled as he began, "There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"First, I wanted to ask whether you're interested in joining the student council."

"The student council?"

Chen Fan was puzzled. Had this guy come all the way over at night just to invite him to join the student council?

They weren't nearly close enough for that, were they?

"You've only just started college, so you might not know this yet."

"There are plenty of benefits to joining the student council in college."

"Once you join, not only can you inspect dorm rooms and score other students, you'll also get priority consideration for end-of-term student honors, scholarships, and Communist Party membership."

"When you graduate, you can also get priority recommendations for the best jobs..."

Tian Yuan watched Chen Fan with a smile, making sure he understood what he was saying.

Then he changed tack.

"If you're interested and really want to join the student council, I can help."

"Because I'm currently its vice president."

Tian Yuan was confident. He believed that anyone who wasn't an idiot would find the offer of joining the student council irresistible.

Chen Fan looked at Tian Yuan and asked,

"Why are you being so nice to me?"

"I'm guessing there are strings attached?"

"See? Talking to smart people saves so much effort."

Tian Yuan chuckled.

"In that case, I won't beat around the bush. I'll get straight to the point."

"I like Su Ruochu, and I want you to step aside."

When Chen Fan was about to speak, Tian Yuan raised a hand.

"Don't rush. Hear me out first."

"Ruochu and I grew up together. You could call us childhood sweethearts."

"Our parents know each other, and both families approve of the other's child."

"Besides, my family is well-off. We're a good match for Ruochu's family."

"Those are facts. You can't compete with me on any of them."

"I know you like Su Ruochu, but you two simply aren't right for each other."

"If you leave Ruochu willingly, I can promise you a place on the student council. And I guarantee you'll enjoy a whole range of benefits, including priority for student honors and scholarships."

"Of course, there's something else. Once you join the student council, you'll have access to more clubs and more beautiful girls. Whenever you want, you can find an even prettier girlfriend..."

Chen Fan watched Tian Yuan reel off his pitch.

He wasn't particularly surprised.

He had already noticed the guy's interest in Su Ruochu when they last met.

He just hadn't expected Tian Yuan to grow so impatient after only a few days.

Or to approach him directly and ask him to step aside.

Chen Fan smiled.

He couldn't tell whether the guy was naive or simply too full of himself.

"Sorry. I'm not interested in joining the student council."

"And I'm not leaving Su Ruochu."

The smile on Tian Yuan's face stiffened slightly.

"You won't give it some serious thought?"

"There's nothing to think about."

"If that's all, I'm heading back to my room."

"Stop!"

Tian Yuan's voice suddenly turned cold, and his gaze grew decidedly less friendly.

"Are you sure you've thought this through?"

"I suggest you think carefully. The student council has a lot of power."

Chen Fan smiled.

"Are you threatening me?"

Tian Yuan shook his head.

"I never said that. As a freshman, you'd be better off keeping a low profile."

"You worked so hard to get into this university. If some little mistake lands you a major disciplinary mark or puts you on probation, your whole life could be ruined..."

Chen Fan shook his head.

"A pretty decent threat."

"But... you picked the wrong person."

Without another word, he turned and walked into the dorm building.

Truthfully, Chen Fan had come to college for two reasons: to give his parents something to be proud of, and to spend another four years with Su Ruochu.

As for that supposedly important college diploma, Chen Fan had never really cared about it.

To him, Tian Yuan's threats were downright laughable.

When he returned to his room, his five roommates were still out.

After washing up, Chen Fan lay on his bed and continued thinking about how to make the best use of his fifty thousand yuan.

He could actually just buy a computer.

But buying one right after starting college seemed a little too conspicuous.

Besides, he didn't want to work on his business plans in the dorm room.

If he really bought a computer, he would probably have to rent a place off campus too.

As these scattered thoughts ran through his head, the door swung open, and Wu Di and the others burst in noisily.

"Fourth, why are you here instead of watching the show?"

"Not feeling well?"

Wu Di asked with concern. Chen Fan shook his head and explained with a smile.

"I had something to take care of, so I went out for a bit."

Wu Di immediately gave him a knowing smile.

"Oh... got it, got it..."

"You went out for some alone time with your girl."

Looking at his sleazy grin, Chen Fan really wanted to retort, You don't get a damn thing.

Just then, Luo Wenjie stepped onto the lower bunk and stood up.

"Hey, Fourth, you really missed out by skipping tonight's show."

"I'm telling you, there were some seriously hot performances tonight."

"Man, those dance students from the arts department... damn. Those miniskirts, those stockings, the way they moved... one word: hot!"

Sun Hao, the third oldest, shouted, "First, you've got to rein Second in! He hogged the binoculars and wouldn't let anyone else look..."

Luo Wenjie defended himself shamelessly.

"I was doing you guys a favor. If you'd seen too much, would you have been able to sleep tonight?"

Then he changed the subject. "But, brothers, after a whole evening of research, I discovered that seven of those eight beautiful dancers were wearing safety shorts. Only one wasn't... she had on little white panties."

"Slurp! It feels so good to be trusted!"

"Fuck! He's too sleazy. I can't take him anymore. Everybody, kill him!"

"Agreed..."

The guys crowded around and pinned Luo Wenjie to the bed.

"Yamete..."

Luo Wenjie's shrieks echoed down the hallway.

Watching them, Chen Fan finally relaxed after an entire evening of anxiety.

It was great having these guys as friends.

Bang!

While they were still messing around, someone kicked the dorm room door open.

Several male students strode in. Some carried notebooks, looking very officious.

"What time is it? And you're still making a racket?"

"Don't you know the lights-out bugle is about to sound?"

Wu Di and the others quickly got off the bed, looking at the strangers in confusion.

"They're from the student council."

Wu Di quietly warned them.

Hearing that, Luo Wenjie, who had been lying on the bed taking a beating, hurriedly stood up while pulling up his pants.

The student council members frowned as soon as they entered.

"What's that smell? It stinks."

"Look how filthy this room is. It's a kennel. Didn't you learn how to keep your quarters tidy during military training?"

"You think you can do whatever you like just because military training ended today?"

One upperclassman from the student council pointed at them with an air of authority and immediately launched into a scolding.

He looked up and spotted Chen Fan lying on the upper bunk.

His brow suddenly furrowed, and he pointed at him.

"Who said you could stay up there?"

"Get down here."