Qiao Jingjing's contract termination clearly wasn't something that could be negotiated in a single day.

After that day, Chen Cheng's life returned to a brief period of peace.

The contract negotiations were left to Robin to handle.

Every day, Qiao Jingjing did nothing but play video games.

She rarely went out; being at the center of the storm, paparazzi were staked out outside the neighborhood and even in the underground garage every day.

Chen Cheng rarely came over anymore.

Even when he did, he wouldn't take the elevator directly to Qiao Jingjing's floor; he would go up one floor and then take the stairs down.

On this day, Chen Cheng went to the university to give his second lecture.

In this class, he discussed topics such as national debt and debt-driven recessions.

Interestingly, more people showed up for this lecture than the previous one.

The classroom was absolutely packed.

Chen Cheng had clearly underestimated the power of a 500-yuan red envelope.

During the break, a teacher from the Academic Affairs Office came to talk to him.

Left with no choice, Chen Cheng had to lower the red envelope amount to 200. Furthermore, students from other majors could only audit the class once all the students from his own major were inside.

Jiang Nansun came as well.

Zhu Suosuo didn't come; she had gone to work.

Hearing that she had gone to work, the corner of Chen Cheng's mouth twitched.

The plot's inertia was starting to take effect.

Zhu Suosuo had gone to Company Name to return 'stolen goods,' where she was spotted by Yang Ke and recruited into the sales department.

She even specifically notified Chen Cheng. It was as if she were urging him, 'If you want to keep me, you'd better act fast. Otherwise, I'll be supporting myself.'

Chen Cheng only replied with two words: [Congratulations].

Zhu Suosuo was stunned, briefly wondering if her sore jaw and swollen throat from that day meant she had been used for free.

After distributing the red envelopes for this class and waiting for the students to leave the classroom, Jiang Nansun finally walked over.

She looked fixedly at Chen Cheng. "Do you have anything else to do later?"

Chen Cheng, who was packing his things, looked up at her. "Is something up?"

Today, Jiang Nansun wore a white shirt and a light gray woolen autumn/winter skirt.

It was her usual simple and elegant style.

It suited her temperament perfectly.

"Didn't you say I still owe you a favor? How about I treat you to lunch?"

Chen Cheng raised an eyebrow. "At the cafeteria?"

Jiang Nansun suddenly felt embarrassed and tilted her chin up. "What's wrong with the cafeteria? Our school's cafeteria food is very delicious."

"Then let's try it," Chen Cheng said, picking up his bag and walking out of the classroom. Jiang Nansun followed quickly, a slight smile on her face.

Before she could even feel happy, Chen Cheng added another sentence, "You're treating today, but this doesn't count as paying back the favor."

Jiang Nansun's mouth twitched, and she let out a huff. "Hmph, stingy guy."

Chen Cheng didn't care about her eye-roll at all. Walking out of the teaching building, he waved to Eleven, who was not far away.

Eleven ran over quickly, and Chen Cheng handed her his laptop bag and coat.

He had prepared a PPT for today's class, so he had brought his computer.

Without a word, Eleven took the items and was about to step back.

Chen Cheng looked at Jiang Nansun and said, "This is my Bodyguard, Eleven. You can just call her Eleven."

Ever since Eleven ran over, Jiang Nansun had been sizing her up for a while.

Hearing the introduction, Jiang Nansun's eyes widened even more. Such a beautiful young lady was his Bodyguard?

He then looked at Eleven. "Eleven, this is Jiang Nansun, a neighbor from Fuxing Road."

Eleven looked at Jiang Nansun and gave a faint, forced nod. "Hello."

Jiang Nansun's extended hand froze in mid-air.

"He... llo~"

After the greeting, Eleven silently retreated twenty paces away from the two of them.

Jiang Nansun was dumbfounded and looked at Chen Cheng. "Is she always like this?"

Chen Cheng raised an eyebrow and thought for a moment. "Maybe she just doesn't like you."

It wasn't the first or second day that Eleven had shown her temper; Chen Cheng had sensed it long ago.

However, he didn't bother with her.

Jiang Nansun's mouth twitched, and she snorted. "This young lady is loved by everyone who sees her, and flowers bloom in my presence."

"I think she just doesn't want to follow a difficult employer."

Chen Cheng ignored her. "Which way to the cafeteria?"

"Oh~" Only then did Jiang Nansun withdraw her gaze from Eleven and turn back to walk toward the cafeteria.

After not speaking for a while, Jiang Nansun suddenly felt a bit awkward and thought of a topic to start a conversation.

"That thing about adding money and topping up meal cards for students who 'spend more than 60 times a month in the cafeteria with a total amount of less than 800 yuan'—was that your doing?"

Chen Cheng looked at her in surprise. "How did you know?"

Jiang Nansun's eyes lit up; it really was him. This guy was actually quite warm-hearted.

She curled her lip. "You came to the school last week, and this week some students received it."

"My boyfriend said an alumnus donated it. I guessed it was you."

Zhang Anren?

Chen Cheng frowned. "Your boyfriend is quite well-informed."

"I remember making it very clear during the handover that it was to be anonymous."

Jiang Nansun's expression changed immediately, and she hurried to explain, "My boyfriend doesn't know who it is either. I didn't tell him."

If this guy thinks the anonymity has been compromised and stops donating, I'll be a huge sinner.

Chen Cheng nodded. "That's good. How was the reaction?"

Having donated the money, Chen Cheng still wanted to hear some feedback.

Jiang Nansun wore a smile and nodded quickly.

"The reaction was exceptionally good; the students who received it were very touched."

"Then the news spread online, and netizens were all joking, 'Help me up, I can still study.'"

The corner of Chen Cheng's mouth turned up; he felt satisfied.

Jiang Nansun's eyes darted around. "But some students also said it might be too much."

Hmm?

Chen Cheng gave a light laugh. "Is someone feeling bitter?"

Jiang Nansun nodded. "Yeah, some comments say that monthly living expenses don't even reach 2000 yuan."

"And then there are comments saying that if too much is given, it will make some people want to exploit loopholes."

"Like intentionally exploiting a bug with the cafeteria cards."

Chen Cheng sighed; such is human nature.

After a moment's thought, he explained patiently, "Although the rule shown for this matter is only one—spending in the cafeteria."

"In reality, there are many more conditions and restrictions behind the scenes."

"For this purpose, the school developed a big data system to analyze the actual spending power of students on campus."

"Those in the bottom thirty percent of academic rankings will automatically lose their eligibility for assistance."

"As for the two thousand yuan," Chen Cheng said with a smile, looking at Jiang Nansun, "do you think two thousand yuan is a lot in Shanghai?"

Jiang Nansun shook her head quickly. "It's not a lot."

As someone who spent nearly two thousand yuan just on a haircut, it was indeed hard for her to think that amount was a lot.

Jiang Nansun's eyes darted around as she added, "However, I've heard a classmate say before that 1000 yuan a month in the cafeteria is enough for a normal life."

Chen Cheng gave her an annoyed look. "Don't just stare at other people's rice bowls."

"Living isn't just about filling one's stomach."

"Why shouldn't students in difficult circumstances be allowed to have other expenses?"

"Like going to a movie with classmates or being in a relationship?"

"Or buying some books they like, study materials, clothes, or shoes."

"Jiang Nansun, people need self-respect to live. But realistically, most of the time, self-respect is provided by money."

"When roommates have gatherings, meals, or trips, why are some students unwilling to go? Is it because they don't want to?"

"It's because they are short on money."