Chickens and dogs fly in chaos and rebirth

Chapter 122

Li Changsheng, who gave roses

As the crowd surged forward, Fan Chen hesitated slightly, but being used to grand occasions and surrounded by classmates, he smiled calmly and slowly entered the venue amidst the throng—walking the red carpet was probably just as glamorous.

When Moses parted the sea, the waters receded wherever he went, thanks to the boundless power of God.

When Sun Wukong entered the water, the water-repelling pearl possessed boundless magical power, demonstrating the might of this magical treasure.

Fan Chen walked slowly towards the crowd, and those who came towards him involuntarily stepped aside, almost looking up at him, yet also avoiding him. This was the epitome of a ruler's dominance.

"It's the celebrity effect," Shang Lin thought with a mocking laugh. "No one is much worse than anyone else, but the inexplicable dwarf is simply because he's a celebrity with a powerful aura."

I sipped my tea and quietly observed from behind the pillar. Up close, Fan Chen was even more striking than in the poster.

With striking, bright eyes and perfectly proportioned features, he possessed eyes that slanted slightly upwards towards his temples. People often associate such eyes with fickle, untrustworthy individuals. However, his slightly melancholic gaze completely masked this. Though he smiled, there was a faint detachment, his gaze shifting with a hint of bewilderment. He had the kind of face that evoked pity even when he was lost in thought.

Not all students are infatuated and can act foolishly without considering the consequences. While Shanglin didn't go to greet the Emperor's arrival, many other students remained reserved, observing silently.

Someone said: "Tch, they look down on people who fawn over others like stars. It's not like they haven't seen celebrities or handsome men before. Is it really that big of a deal? They're all the same kind of people, but they can't stand this kind of despicable behavior!"

Shang Lin was puzzled. Her voice was so sweet and delicate, how could her words be so sharp and sarcastic?

Standing behind a pillar, in a place where the light doesn't reach, most people wouldn't notice it.

Thinking to myself, I should go outside to avoid being misunderstood as eavesdropping.

However, the other party still had unfinished opinions, and exclaimed in surprise, "Hey, isn't that person from 429?"

His companion chimed in, "Really? You saw Fu Lele—, really getting together with Zhou Ji?" His tone was full of disbelief.

"Look how arrogant he is now that he's gotten his way! Is it really necessary? Everyone knows that Zhou Ji initially wanted to pursue Qiu Shanglin, but changed his mind when he couldn't. He's eating other people's leftovers, and he's not even disgusted! He even calls Qiu Shanglin 'sister,' how hypocritical!" The more he said, the more outrageous and vicious he became.

Shanglin was angry, but then she thought, "Gossip is inevitable no matter where you go, so why bother?" She wanted to hear what other hurtful things the other party could say.

He mischievously thought, "I'll walk out and stand in front of them in a bit, and see if they feel awkward!"

"Hehe, Qiu Shanglin and Li Changsheng are on good terms. Zhou Ji is not necessarily better than Li Changsheng."

"Yes, Li Changsheng is a complete idiot." The sharp-tongued student continued to express his opinion: "Qiu Shanglin picks you up and drops you off in his car every day, but disappears on weekends. Many people in the department are secretly saying that he's hanging out in five-star hotels and being kept by rich men!"

Shang Lin was dumbfounded. A sugar daddy?

"That can't be right." Hesitatingly, "Isn't she with Li Changsheng?"

"Tch, Qiu Shanglin is cunning enough to be cheating on someone else!"

That guy said, "It's jealousy, isn't it... It's a pity that Li Changsheng is such a smart guy, but he's just so dense. There's such a beautiful woman right in front of him, how come he can't see her!"

The other feigned embarrassment and annoyance: "Don't be ridiculous!"

She asked in surprise, "I clearly saw Qiu Shanglin, why didn't he come?"

The one who taunted, "So what if he comes? You think you can invite him to dance?"

The two of them giggled and discussed going to get something to eat, then walked a few steps. In the bright light, Shanglin could see their faces clearly.

One of them was the most beautiful girl in the English department. Fu Lele pointed her out to her while they were eating in the cafeteria and subtly hinted that she liked Li Changsheng—what was his name again…

Hearing them mention Changsheng, Shanglin was reminded of what she had witnessed that afternoon, and a heavy feeling settled in her chest, making her feel very uncomfortable. She wanted to find the leaders to go back first, but the crowd was chaotic, and she couldn't find the doors. Just as she was about to push through the crowd to the entrance, the lights suddenly dimmed, and music began—the dance was starting.

At first, everyone hesitated and no one took the lead into the dance floor. It was Zhou Ji who took Fu Lele's hand and started dancing first amidst whistles and cheers. Only then did two or three people, shy but mustering their courage, pair up and enter the dance floor.

The hall was enclosed and filled with a mix of people, their body odors and the smells of fruit and drinks filling the air. Shang Lin felt increasingly heavy-hearted. Looking around, he noticed a side door leading to the outside and quietly slipped out.

There was a small path outside that led to a grove of trees. Turning left from the grove would lead to the dormitory, but the location was remote and it was late. I was afraid to walk alone and hesitated.

Just as he hesitated, the side door behind him creaked slightly, and someone slipped out. Although there were streetlights outside, they were dim, unlike the light inside the hall. The person's vision didn't shift from bright to dim, and since Shang Lin was standing next to the holly tree, its shadow obscuring him, the person hadn't expected anyone to be outside. He took a deep breath, patted his chest, and secretly rejoiced, muttering to himself, "I almost got trampled to death, luckily I escaped quickly."

Upon hearing this, Shanglin chuckled.

The man asked suspiciously and warily, "Who is it?"

He took a step, revealing his figure, and smiled slightly: "Don't be afraid, I won't step on you."

If others had overheard their conversation, they would have been completely baffled, as neither of them spoke Chinese; they were answering each other in French.

Although the other party spoke fluent French, Shang Lin was fortunate to have studied hard since childhood and had also studied French on his own in addition to English. Although his accent was a bit strange, he had no problem with basic daily conversations.

The person who arrived was none other than Fan Chen, the most popular celebrity surrounded by admirers.

He asked in surprise, "You can speak French?"

Shang Lin smiled: "Yes."

“Your performance was not like that.” Fan Chen suddenly attacked, rattling off a long string of French at an extremely fast pace. Shang Lin was dumbfounded and shook his head vigorously.

"I don't understand, I don't understand."

He smiled knowingly, offered no explanation, and switched back to Chinese:

"I know you speak fluent English, but I've never heard of you speaking French."

Shanglin Nahan: "You know me?"

Fan Chen chuckled: "Please, we're classmates—classmates, you don't not know each other, do you?" He widened his eyes in feigned surprise.

Shang Lin smiled sheepishly, "No, no, although we're classmates, we only come and go in a short time..."

"I've heard so much about you, your name is legendary." Fan Chen raised an eyebrow. "I'd heard of your name even before university!"

Shang Lin was completely bewildered and couldn't understand how he, who had no connection with the entertainment industry, had become known to a big star.

Seeing that Fan Chen couldn't understand, he smiled and reminded her, "The whole mountain is full of good friends."

Shanglin suddenly realized.

Manshan is a Chinese name, referring to the son of an overseas Chinese client in the United States who was trying to woo Shanglin.

Fan Chen asked, "Are we still going in?"

She shook her head: "I want to go back to the dorm."

Fan Chen glanced at the dimly lit alley and, displaying his gentlemanly manners, said, "I'll see you off; it's time to go."

The two walked and talked about the journey.

It turns out that Fan Chen is not the descendant of a wealthy overseas Chinese businessman in the United States as rumored. His parents were teachers in coastal areas who later went abroad at their own expense, first to the United States and then to France. They worked hard abroad, saved up some money, and returned to China to start a business. After making money in China, they bought a small farm in the French countryside.

He and Manshan met through an exchange program between their two schools and became friends. Manshan was initially excited about Qiu Shanglin and enthusiastically told Fan Chen he would win her over. After repeated setbacks, he became dejected and went to get drunk with Fan Chen several times. Fan Chen, who had known Manshan for years, was particularly impressed by Manshan's childlike devotion.

Neither of them were naturally outgoing. Fan Chen, constrained by his status, had to be even more cautious in his actions. Therefore, although they were in the same class and he was very curious about Shang Lin, he never took the initiative to approach him.

Because of a shared connection, the two hit it off immediately. When they talked about their professional fields, they appreciated each other even more. When they visited French wineries and estates, Shanglin looked longing for them. Fan Chen invited him to visit his family's small farm sometime, and Shanglin readily agreed.

Before I knew it, I had emerged from the grove and the dormitory was right in front of me.

Fortunately, all the departments had activities today, and it was still early with no one around. Otherwise, if someone had seen them chatting happily, who knows what rumors would have spread tomorrow.

Shang Lin stopped and said thank you, "We've arrived, thank you."

Fan Chen looked up at the old dormitory building and said humorously, "With a net worth of over ten million, you're just going to settle for living in a dormitory?"

Shang Lin laughed: "Hard work and perseverance have always been the fine traditions of the people of the Party and the country."

Fan Chen respectfully said, "My apologies, I didn't know you were a leader!" Just as he was smiling, Fan Chen exclaimed, "Who's waiting?"

Shang Lin turned his head following his gaze. Under the streetlight stood a tall figure, staring straight at them with a hint of anger in his eyes.

The figure was very familiar; it was Li Changsheng.

Changsheng strode over, his steps stiff, and he had been standing under the streetlights for who knows how long. He put his arm around Shanglin, whose face was blue from the cold, and squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth: "Come back."

Then, with a hint of hostility, he asked, "Who is it?"

Fan Chen recognized Li Changsheng. As his friend's rival in love, he saw that Li Changsheng had clearly misunderstood and deliberately didn't explain. Instead, he spoke quite intimately to Shang Lin: "Go first, we'll meet again tomorrow."

He turned and left, ignoring Changsheng.

Changsheng placed his hand on Shanglin's shoulder, his fingertips touching Shanglin's chin. He felt that Shanglin's hand was icy cold. Shanglin grabbed it and asked, "How long are you standing here? It's so cold!" He breathed on Shanglin's hand to warm him up with heartache.

Changsheng's expression improved slightly, but he was still unhappy. He questioned, "Who is he? Why did you want to see him?"

Asking only fueled Shanglin's anger. She flung his hand away and walked off irritably, saying, "If it's my choice, that's none of your business!"

Changsheng gripped his shoulder, refusing to let go, and questioned, "We're friends, how can you not interfere?"

Shang Lin sneered: "There are no friends who can have their cake and eat it too."

Chang was furious: "Nonsense! There are no two boats!" In his anxiety, he even stammered.

Shanglin chuckled inwardly at his flustered state, but maintained a stern expression: "Don't try to fool me, I can hear and see it!"

"Seeing is not necessarily believing, and hearing is not necessarily true either. Qiu Shanglin, you must clear your name!" Changsheng was as clever as a ghost. He could see the change in Shanglin's attitude. He breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, he still insisted on clearing his name.

Shanglin was both amused and exasperated: "Hey, are you even being reasonable? Who eavesdrops on other people's conversations and then stands them up, making my son wait for his friend tonight?"

Shanglin retorted angrily, "Then we won't be friends!"

Chang Sheng chuckled, "Too late." He hugged Shang Lin, pressing his cheek against hers, making Shang Lin grit her teeth from the cold.

"You go out to eat, then run off to a dance party to have fun and attract attention, leaving me waiting downstairs all night. How are you going to compensate me?!"

To play dumb: "I'll treat you to dinner tomorrow."

Chang Sheng scoffed: "Are you a reincarnated starving ghost hoping to survive on a single meal?"

"what to do?"

Changsheng released his grip, pulled him up, and smiled slightly: "Come with me!"

He pulled Shanglin along the path and ran, ignoring all of Shanglin's questions.

Dragged to the basketball court, Shang Lin looked at the empty space and wondered, "It's so cold, why did you drag me here?" Even if you're going to do something bad, you should go to a secluded place, right? This place is open and boundless, and right across from it are the dormitories. Who knows which dormitory window has a telescope set up?

Changsheng's face was flushed, whether from running or from embarrassment, it was hard to tell. He also avoided eye contact. Shanglin was even more puzzled. That didn't make sense. He was always shameless and never knew how to blush. Why was he acting shy now?

Changsheng grasped Shanglin's shoulder and manipulated it, turning him to face the dormitory. Shanglin chuckled, "But we don't have clairvoyance."