y changed as Bill Gates hadn't surpassed Sam Walton in wealth."Of course we've expanded; the principal is pushing for reforms. Previously, there would only be four or five hundred students per semeste...VOLUME 3 Chapter 105: So Close Yet So Far Away

The beauty of the school, Gu Qingmo, was the hostess for this Christmas party. Besides her, there was also publicity commissioner Zhang Yaqi who was eloquent in speech and known for his charming ways. Subsequently, Su Yiyi gave a speech to welcome the leadership from both departments. The identities of these leaders were rather awkward within their respective departments; they would get recognition at major events but seldom have a chance to participate in smaller activities. However, since Su Yiyi had specially invited them over this time for the Christmas party and given the attention that Class Four was receiving from the school administration, it made both leaders feel honored as if they were younger than their actual ages.

The class had prepared some programs for the event with continuous laughter and fun. There were even four or five lively male students wearing halter tops and wigs who performed a dance on stage that caused all the female students to scream in excitement. Su Chen thought it was quite talented.

Su Chen gave Wu Fu's Christmas gift as a carefully chosen piece of jade jewelry from a jade shop, specifically a charm bracelet made with images of the 12 zodiac signs carved out of Hetian jade.

Pei Fengshan had a jade and antique shop in Shanghai, similar to his other investments, there were often hidden connections to these shops. He happened to send Su Chen a text message, so Su Chen asked him for recommendations on gift-worthy jade pieces. Pei Fengshan showed him several treasures from which he chose the 12 zodiac charm bracelet. Today, Su Chen put it in his pocket and when they sat down, handed it over to Wu Fu.

Wu Fu immediately knew that this bracelet was not cheap but she shook her head to refuse. However, Su Chen took her hand without saying anything and put the bracelet on her delicate wrist. As they were sitting at the center of the venue with activities ongoing on stage, their intimate interaction still drew many curious glances.

Wu Fu felt irritated by Su Chen's domineering nature but was unable to pull her hands away and could only let him put the jade bracelet on her right wrist. With everyone’s gazes upon them, she blushed deeply, yet her inner strength allowed her to gently raise her long arm towards Su Chen as a sign of protest, saying: "The jade is too white, it will make my hand look dark."

Su Chen grinned and said: "Where's the whiteness Compared to your hands, isn't this just right But overly pale isn’t good either. I like you with a tan, like chocolate, it makes me want to bite you."

Wu Fu sometimes really wanted to pounce on Su Chen and bite him; his words always made her itch to lay a hand on him.

Following that, Wu Fu sensed something strange about Su Chen. Tracing his gaze, she saw him staring at the expanse of pale skin exposed by the front part of her neckline, almost as if he could see through her undershirt and bra into the contours of her chest beneath her little dress.

Feeling extremely embarrassed and even somewhat comically conflicted, Wu Fu clenched her fists, bit down on her lips in preparation to reprimand him, only to notice Su Chen turning his head away as if watching the activities on stage while throwing out a comment that made her just-recovered calm instantly flare up: "Oh, seems like it's growing bigger."

Wu Fu pinched Su Chen’s waist and glared at him with her obsidian eyes: "Pervert."

The light in Tang Wu's eyes flickered, and Su Can couldn't help but marvel at her astonishing transformation. Since entering university, this girl had become even more mature, radiating greater charm. She was beginning to show signs of being a beauty who could bring about the downfall of a nation.

However, instead of being on the other side of the river as they say in poetry, she was firmly within his grasp. To prevent her from causing chaos in the country and among the people, he had no choice but to sacrifice himself for righteousness by indulging together with her.

Lin Luoran's party was held on the top floor of this hotel, gathering students from two prestigious universities who were not without social status. As they say, "To mix in certain circles." One’s environment and the people one interacts with determine their social activities and the scope of their influence. Families with a certain level of social standing might still send their children to ordinary primary and secondary schools, subjecting them to pressure like other students during the college entrance examination period. However, once they reach an important stage in life such as university, they would hope that what their children learn can serve to inherit family businesses or broaden their horizons abroad by absorbing new ideas. Alternatively, they might want their children to meet people who could help them later in life.

Thus, this is when a clear dividing line begins to appear. Truly ambitious individuals, whether they are spoiled rich kids, wealthy young women, or struggling men hoping to rise to prominence (often called "phoenixes"), will start planning for their future careers. Those who merely squander their youth and remain unaware of the world generally wouldn't join elite clubs like ESSEC at Shanghai Foreign Studies University or BiBi at Nanjing University.

So, based on this, Su Can could roughly deduce that the members of ESSEC and BiBi were likely from a similar social stratum as Lin Luoran, Wang Weiwei, and Lin Zouwu. As the top freshman at Nanjing University, he only heard about these somewhat secretive and prestigious clubs from Zhang Xiaoqiao, who was well-informed about the inner workings of the university.

This piqued Su Can's curiosity, not just because of their discreet nature but also due to some members being influential business elites in academia who significantly impacted Chinese commerce.

These commercial elites would annually connect through this club as a hub, providing funding and organizing alumni resource exchanges for entrepreneurial investments. They supported and helped all "brotherhood" members regardless of age.

As the party venue was nearing its peak, Su Can thought it was time to head up to the top floor; he planned to go with Tang Wu.

Tang Wu shook her head, meaning she wouldn't be going. Ruan Sige and Tong Tong were there, so if Tang Wu left, Ruan Sige and Tong Tong would have no one to keep them company while getting their nails done. Afterward, they could meet Lin Luoran, leaving Su Can to go by himself.

The top floor of Holiday Hotel's nineteenth level featured an International Principals Club that gathered future entrepreneurs from Nanjing University and members of the ESSEC club at Shanghai Foreign Studies University—these were young men and women with considerable resources and capabilities.

This gathering was unlike Christmas parties held by other schools or even downstairs in Su Can’s class. The buffet provided here was extremely lavish, making social interactions feel like cocktail events. Some members dressed up as Santa Claus, handing out candy between male and female attendees, creating a joyful festive atmosphere.

The host on the platform was sharp-tongued and witty, teasing and joking in a near-professional tone as they organized the event. When Su Cen entered, he only felt that the grandeur of this ballroom far surpassed his own conference halls.

The golden doorways on both sides, the lofty ceiling lights, the casually placed sofas, and the men and women sitting in the bar area, not to mention the terrace where many beautiful girls were flashing their figures around.

Su Cen was asked to show his identification card when he entered. Lin Luoran, who was discussing something with a few male and female students, saw Su Cen approaching and waved to the security guard at the entrance; Su Cen was invited in. He explained that Tang Wu accompanied her classmates.

A passing Santa Claus asked Su Cen for an embrace; as soon as he hugged him, there was a "click" sound from a professional camera nearby. A smiling girl took the photo and said to Su Cen with a smile, "You're Su Cen, right Lin Muran often talks about you."

Su Cen shook hands with the girl; however, this girl was mischievous and winked at him along with Lin Geren. It amused Lin Geren, who waved his hand to her, saying, "You go ahead, that guy from the Li surname is interested in you; deal with him quickly."

The girl stuck out her tongue and said, "He told me right away how many cars he has and about his family background. He even plans on sending himself to Harvard! I think he should be grateful if he gets into Boston University. Such people irritate me; I'm trying to avoid them. Oh no, he spotted me, I need to get out of here."

After the girl left, Su Cen and Lin Luoran felt a bit awkward. Su Cen said, "Your classmate Really interesting."

"Yes, she's our club's vice-minister for external relations, one of the organizers of this gathering, who also deals with your school's student organizations. However, those people from your club are quite persistent," Lin Geren smiled slightly and looked at a tall, skinny male student rushing over to that girl. Su Cen laughed, "It has nothing to do with me."

Someone patted him on the shoulder; turning around, he saw two boys, one fat and one thin. One of them happily greeted Su Cen, saying, "Mate, I know you! You were the first debater at Nan University's debate last time."

Lin Geren chuckled softly beside an astonished Su Cen, her smiling glance captivating many male gazes; Su Cen thought to himself that this little girl was quite adept at playing the part of a lady. Though she looked pretty and cute now, no one knew what she looked like when she discarded her ladylike pretense and wandered around in pajamas at home.

Su Cen quickly responded enthusiastically to these two students from Fudan University.

One of them shook hands with Su Cen and smiled at Lin Geren, saying, "I didn't go last time, but after returning from Nan University, Dong Xiaojia was so upset because of him. I see; it's all because of you. Then he turned to Su Cen and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Then there was a stepping stone. As more people started to get acquainted with Su Cen, Ling Ge Ran accompanied him and introduced everyone one by one. Su Cen thought this was the superior aspect of these high-end clubs. No matter what they truly felt in their hearts, every person would display friendliness towards you and easily build rapport with you through various means. This wasn't just a strong social capability; it was also one factor that allowed them to manipulate situations when they stepped out of their ivory towers into the outside world.

With Ling Luo Ran accompanying him, under the premise of flipping Dong Xia Jia's temper, Su Cen became somewhat popular. Many people came over through Ling Luo Ran and clinked glasses with him.

Ling Ge Ran smiled beside him, introducing Su Cen to everyone and opening doors for him. She would occasionally smile lightly or show off her pearly whites, which left the boys who came up to chat feeling flustered.

While Ling Luo Ran ignored them all, she was happy that Su Cen began to integrate into this environment.

Walking over to the terrace, where they were alone, they leaned against the glass railing.

"Why are you staring at me" Su Cen asked with a laugh, feeling rather uncomfortable as Ling Ge Ran stared at his profile.

"Guess."

Su Cen shamelessly said, "Am I very handsome Or stylish"

Ling Luo Ran rolled her eyes at him and muttered, "You think I'm that infatuated with you It's just that you seem both close to me and distant."

The two of them cast shadows on the terrace under the glow of lights. Facing the vast night scenery, Nanda University's patchwork campus, the city's twinkling lights in the distance, and the wind that made Ling Luo Ran's dark hair flutter.

Today's update is here

Thanks to book friends "Wind Feather Hot", "Screen Muffled Listen Rain", "Still One Foot Cold" for your votes.weak.It refuted the previous rumors that Nan University only cultivated "second-tier individuals."No one knew what Su Can gained from this relatively quiet period. He felt that he was quietly extendin...