Chapter 52: Another Bonus

The next morning, the blueprints were handed over to Yan Rushan, who had arrived early.

“Brother Yan, could you please deliver these to Old Master Yan? They’re urgent,” she said directly.

Yan Rushan glanced quickly at the blueprints before folding them and tucking them safely into his coat. “These are valuable. I’ll head home first. You should go straight to the university. Once I’ve spoken to Grandfather… if possible, I’ll come to the school. Luckily, today is just registration.”

It wasn't strictly necessary to register in person.

“All right, sorry to trouble you, and thank you. I need to help Professor Ding oversee the registration,” she replied.

“No need to thank me,” Yan Rushan said, raising a hand and gently ruffling her dark hair.

By reflex, Zhong Yuxiu almost brushed his hand away, but held back. Seeing this, Yan Rushan let his hand rest lightly on her head, a soft smile in his eyes. “Yuxiu, I’m sorry I can’t go to the university with you today.”

“It’s fine. You’re busy with my affairs anyway—how could I blame you?”

“Whether or not I can make it to the university today, I’ll come to your house for dinner tonight. All right?” Having taken the first step, the second would come more easily.

Zhong Yuxiu nodded, a smile playing on her lips. “All right, I’ll have someone wait for you. By the way, what’s the word from above about Li Yun?”

“They’ll be sending someone. You don’t need to worry. I’ll let you know once there’s an outcome.” Yan Rushan pulled an envelope from his pocket. “Almost forgot—here’s your reward. The results for your little electric vehicle are in, and production is underway.”

“There’s even a bonus!” She took the envelope, tore it open, and pulled out a bank certificate. The amount matched the last one. “Another five thousand.”

Yan Rushan smiled. “Congratulations, you’re worth over ten thousand now. I’m not as wealthy as you.”

“Don’t lie. When you were a young intellectual in the countryside, you worked the black market and must have saved plenty. Now you have even more connections in the capital—how could you not thrive in the black market? I know you too well.” He wasn’t even trying to sound convincing.

Exposed, Yan Rushan felt both amused and pleased; it meant this girl truly cared enough to understand him.

“All I have is yours.”

From his eyes, Zhong Yuxiu could see he meant it sincerely. She didn’t know how to respond, so she changed the subject. “See you tonight.”

Yan Rushan couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment, but knowing her reserved approach to feelings, he accepted it.

“All right, see you tonight. You’d better get to class.”

The two went their separate ways: Yan Rushan returned home to contact Old Master Yan, while Zhong Yuxiu left the compound and headed for Huada.

Huada’s long history was matched by its magnificent gates—arguably the grandest among all the universities. There wasn’t just one entrance; there were several, facing east, west, south, north, as well as smaller ones like the northwest gate. Each was imposing in its own right. She entered through the south gate, the one used by students for registration.

At this hour, crowds thronged outside the south gate, people coming and going in a constant stream. Zhong Yuxiu passed through, with Tian Shangguo following discreetly—there were too many people registering today to be careless; these were unusual times, and required extra caution.

The two entered the office, one after the other. As always, Professor Ding had arrived early.

“Good morning, Professor Ding! You’re here bright and early.”

“Morning,” he replied, glancing up with a smile. “You’re not late either. Three of our class officers are here—they’re organizing the registration.”

Zhong Yuxiu nodded. “I’ll go help them.”

“Go ahead.”

After checking in at the office, Zhong Yuxiu went downstairs to find the spot for Physics Class One. She found rows of registration tables set up on the ground floor of Siyuan Hall. With a sharp eye, she quickly located the Physics Class One table and approached.

“Class Leader Luo, former Deputy Monitor Yuan, Committee Member Xi—you’re all here early!”

There were three people present. Class Leader Luo was about 1.8 meters tall, with an air of scholarly elegance, a married man in his early thirties. Former Deputy Monitor Yuan was shorter and rounder, with a jolly face regarded as especially auspicious in those times. Committee Member Xi, the class’s academic officer, had a baby face and a sunny, cheerful demeanor.

“Long time no see, Zhong,” Class Leader Luo greeted, his manner gentle as water.

“Zhong, you’re early too,” Deputy Monitor Yuan laughed heartily.

“Hello, Zhong!” Committee Member Xi grinned, his smile immediately lifting everyone’s spirits. “You took leave before last semester’s finals—was something wrong? If you ever need anything, you have to let us know. We’ll help if we can.”

She replied warmly, “Thank you for your concern, Committee Member Xi. It was a personal matter, but it’s all resolved now. Do you need any help from me?”

“As a matter of fact, we do.” Deputy Monitor Yuan clapped his hands and took a small booklet from Luo. “Your handwriting is beautiful—help us record the registration details?”

“Of course, leave it to me,” Zhong Yuxiu agreed readily.

“Here, take this seat,” Class Leader Luo said, making room for her at the center. It was the best spot for recording the class roster, which would also be used for issuing student slips and meal tickets. “We’ll be here all day—thanks for your help.”

“It’s only right,” she replied. She’d planned to help from the start, after all.

Class Leader Luo smiled and fetched another stool, sitting beside Deputy Monitor Yuan, and the group waited for students to arrive.

After half an hour, classmates began to trickle in to register. Zhong Yuxiu recorded the roster, Deputy Monitor Yuan filled out slips, and Committee Member Xi handled the meal tickets. The so-called meal ticket was really just a slip indicating the student had registered and could collect their monthly meal coupons from the finance office.

The meal ticket ration was barely enough to keep a student full, never enough for luxury. Anyone wanting more or better food had to buy extra tickets with their own money.

By noon, sunlight broke through the clouds, lending a touch of warmth to the cold winter day.

“Time for lunch. Who wants to come with me to the cafeteria?” Committee Member Xi asked.

Zhong Yuxiu smiled. “My food rations aren’t under the school, so I don’t have meal tickets. Can I buy a share from you?”

“Of course! I have extra,” said Class Leader Luo, handing her two meal tickets. “Just give me two yuan.”

“Thank you,” Zhong Yuxiu said, accepting the tickets and handing over the money. “Committee Member Xi, I’ll go with you to the cafeteria.”

“You should stay—who’ll keep the register if you leave?” Deputy Monitor Yuan stood up. “I’ll go. We’ll eat in the cafeteria, then bring your food back. How’s that?”

“I’m fine with that,” Class Leader Luo replied first.

Seeing this, Zhong Yuxiu had no choice but to give up her plan. She handed them both tickets. “Please get me a bit more food, then. Thank you so much.”

“One meal’s portion is already quite a lot,” Deputy Monitor Yuan said, a little bewildered as he took the tickets. Could a girl finish two? One meal ticket was meant for an adult.

“I eat a lot.”

Zhong Yuxiu was perfectly at ease, while Deputy Monitor Yuan and Committee Member Xi exchanged glances. To avoid any awkwardness, they quickly left for the cafeteria.