Under the gaze of many female students, Qian Wei ate breakfast with Lu Xun and then hurried to Criminal Law class with Liu Shi Yun. Criminal Law was one of the fourteen core courses in the law school curriculum, and also a key subject for the judicial exam. Naturally, the main reason why Qian Wei had to attend was because the Criminal Law professor gave pop quizzes every class on the previous lecture content. The scores from these quizzes would count towards the overall grade, so if Qian Wei didn't do well on them, even acing the final might not be enough to pass the class.
Qian Wei had a special talent - she would fall asleep during lectures, then magically wake up alert when class ended. As soon as Criminal Law let out, she hurriedly gathered her things without waiting for Liu Shi Yun, and rushed to catch up with Li Chong Wen first. From the corner of her eye, she saw Lu Xun sitting by the window, with Mo Zi Xin walking over to speak with him.
"Li Chong Wen, here are the notes you let me borrow for Civil Law last time." Since Criminal Law ended around lunch time, Qian Wei finally caught up to Li Chong Wen. "To show my thanks, let me treat you to lunch!"
Li Chong Wen was as gentle and refined as ever. He gave a faint smile and said, "No need, we're fellow students, it was just some notes, nothing major that warrants treating me to a meal."
Qian Wei knew he likely wasn't planning to eat lunch, but even so, Li Chong Wen never looked shabby or desperate. He was always composed, gentle, refined - just like those well-educated patriotic youths from the Republican era. He kept his pain and worries to himself, never blaming the outside world or railing against fate. Even in adversity he never admitted defeat, still living each day filled with hope, taking one step at a time towards his goals, slowly but surely.
"Mainly because there were some case examples the professor went over today in Criminal Law that I didn't really understand. I wanted to ask you about them again over lunch, so I can hopefully do a little better on the next pop quiz." Qian Wei racked her brains for more convincing words so Li Chong Wen would agree to eat with her. But before she could come up with anything, Liu Shi Yun's voice broke her train of thought as she caught up to them after gathering her books.
"Qian Wei, do you have a fever? Is your brain okay?" She looked suspiciously at Qian Wei and felt her forehead. "Why are you suddenly so motivated to study Criminal Law properly? Weren't you the one who said, nowadays in this society, for big cases look at politics, medium cases look at influence, small cases look at connections - most of the time the law isn't what's looked at. So we don't need to study hard!"
Qian Wei wept inwardly - hadn't she used all kinds of high-sounding reasons in the past to avoid studying? Liu Shi Yun, oh Liu Shi Yun, don't you know how difficult it was for me to come up with excuses to treat Li Chong Wen to lunch? Can't you not ruin this for me?
Qian Wei coughed. "What do you mean not look at the law? We'll look at the law during final exams." She argued righteously, "And we definitely need to study Criminal Law properly."
Liu Shi Yun was baffled. "Why?"
"Because when you grow up you'll understand - the ways to make big money are all written in the Criminal Law textbook."
At this, Li Chong Wen finally couldn't help laughing out loud. "Alright then, let's eat lunch together and discuss future methods for making big money - how about we properly plan out whether to rob a bank or commit homicide and theft?"
The three went to the cafeteria, and this time they really did discuss Criminal Law issues while eating. Though Qian Wei didn't actually have any trouble understanding those case examples, in order to naturally find an excuse to treat Li Chong Wen to lunch, she steeled herself to listen attentively to the dry legal analysis.
"I see, so that's how it is!" After Li Chong Wen finished explaining, Qian Wei pretended to have a sudden realization. "Now it makes complete sense after you explain it!"
Li Chong Wen smiled. "Any other questions?"
"Nope, none! You explained it so clearly, I completely understand now. But since there's a pop quiz every Criminal Law lecture, can I keep asking you for help? We could form a study group. To repay you, I'll buy you breakfast for a month." Qian Wei's plan was well thought out - she had to get up early to buy Lu Xun breakfast anyway, she might as well buy some for Li Chong Wen too. Li Chong Wen was a good person, he shouldn't have contracted stomach cancer so young. And as a future judge, getting on good terms with him now would be helpful for her future connections.
"You can't say no." Before Li Chong Wen could politely decline, Qian Wei added, "I'm the type who would rather skip breakfast and sleep in. I've decided to get up early and do morning readings this semester, but I know I won't last by myself. So give me a chance - let me buy you breakfast, just pretend it's a way to supervise me getting up on time. It's a win-win."
In the end Li Chong Wen couldn't refuse Qian Wei's persistence, and reluctantly agreed.
"Oh right, I went to the supermarket yesterday and pineapples were buy one get one free. I got too many just for myself, so here's a box for you too." After just giving Lu Xun pineapples earlier, the words slipped smoothly out of Qian Wei's mouth as she laid it on thick. "From sprouting, to growing, to glorious full bloom and bearing fruit, the pineapple focuses heart and soul without distraction, the traveler without borders - even confined to a tiny plot of land, it deeply penetrates the essence, upholding a quest for perfection. So the pineapple symbolizes flawless perfection - just like you! Out of all fruits, I feel only the pineapple is worthy of you! When I saw this box of pineapples, I immediately thought of you. You must give me this face and eat them all."
Unlike Lu Xun, who would remain expressionless with an unmoved heart no matter the flattery, Li Chong Wen was much more bashful. Hearing Qian Wei's words, his fair cheeks flushed slightly, and he didn't dare meet her gaze, looking away awkwardly. But Qian Wei achieved her aim, as he did accept the box of pineapples in the end.
After Li Chong Wen left, Liu Shi Yun finally recovered from her initial shock, giving Qian Wei a meaningful look and thumbs up.
"Wow, you're too slick." Liu Shi Yun slapped her thigh, her tone full of chagrin. "Why didn't I think of that! If I had even half your wit, would I still be single now?"
Qian Wei: ???
"My biggest mistake was only having one target at a time, you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket! I should have chased that handsome architecture major and that computer science genius at the same time! Just using the same methods on both, multi-tasking - that's efficient and saves time and effort. Like what you did, buying two breakfasts together, giving two pineapples together. Even the flattering words just need to memorize one script to use on either! Like what you said about the pineapple representing perfection or whatever, that could be applied to any guy you wanted to pursue." Liu Shi Yun patted Qian Wei's shoulder. "Qian Wei, you're a real talent! You're really bold too, even daring to pursue Lu Xun and Li Chong Wen together, and they're both from our law school! Aren't you afraid of word getting out?"
"When did I ever want to pursue those two???" Qian Wei coughed. "I'm just trying to build good relationships with them. Haven't you heard the saying, the golden carp is no mere pond creature, when the winds and clouds change it becomes a dragon? Look at Lu Xun and Li Chong Wen, you can tell they're bound to become elites in the legal circle. I want to be a lawyer in the future, so building connections now with future bigshots in my field will be useful! It's a kind of investment! Think small to gain big! They say, acquaintances at the lowest rungs exchange the deepest affections - by the time someone has risen to great heights, they may not even glance your way, and that could be a death sentence!"
Unfortunately, no matter how Qian Wei explained, Liu Shi Yun just kept giving her that "I understand you, no need to explain" look. She watched Qian Wei worriedly all afternoon.
"What if you do end up pursuing both Lu Xun and Li Chong Wen successfully? What will you do then? Who will you reject? Just thinking about it gives me a headache, so hard to choose." She continued thinking out loud, then immediately contradicted herself. "But that probably won't happen, they're not blind after all."
Liu Shi Yun stroked her chin, still not forgetting to twist the knife. "At least Lu Xun definitely wouldn't. Li Chong Wen seems gentler, so you might successfully pull off a peaceful revolution with him. But Lu Xun is impossible - he's so cold and aloof, a true snow lotus on the mountains, acting like he usually looks down his nose at everyone. Don't worry, you won't face any difficult choices..."
Hearing this, although she didn't actually harbor any improper thoughts, Qian Wei still felt indignant at the implication she had no chance with Lu Xun. "Why is it so definite Lu Xun would never look my way? I have a lot of good qualities too, I'm smart, quick-witted, lively and cute!"
Liu Shi Yun curled her lip and rolled her eyes towards the heavens. "Fine, smart, quick-witted, lively and cute you - if you can get Lu Xun, I'll call you daddy."
"Hmph." Qian Wei stubbornly persevered, refusing to back down. "I don't need to prove my intelligence and wit through something like this. I should apply my talents towards advancing China's legal system! As a person, how can you limit yourself to petty romantic love - you should embrace love for your country!"
In response, she got an extremely forceful "Pah!" from Liu Shi Yun.
