Chapter 140: Those Inside and Outside the Door

reet. Facing me is a new supermarket, to the left is an enormous seafood restaurant, and there's a bakery nearby. Bored too; by the way, do you want some cake" Su Cun could sense something deeper behi...Chapter 140: Those Inside and Outside the Door

Hearing Lin Luoran's tone over the phone that day, she seemed to be leaving soon after finishing her paperwork in Beijing. Her words were decisive yet left no room for doubt.

This made Su Cen wonder if he would even answer his phone when it rang again, as Luoran might already be waiting at an airport lounge abroad, giving him what could be considered a farewell call. This always reminded Su Cen of the first time he met Lin Luoran, noticing her distant gaze and the fog in her eyes.

Later on, while watching Zhao Zhongxiang's famous standard Mandarin narration of "Animal World," Su Cen thought that Lin Luoran gave him a sense akin to migratory birds traveling between continents. They could come and go with the seasons but never settle down.

Su Cen couldn't help but reflect on his reborn life, categorizing people into different groups. Some might play around without restraint, drink together, chat late at night, and exchange ideas, yet when it comes to a certain point, they would inevitably become fleeting acquaintances, each pursuing their own lives far apart. Most people fall into this category, including the classmates Su Cen had in junior high and senior high school. However, there were always some individuals who remained closely connected despite any distance between them, like the Facebook team led by Zack that Su Cen was now part of in America.

Su Cen wasn't sure if Lin Luoran belonged to this latter group; even he found it hard to see through her. So when she said she would leave, he truly believed she might be leaving for good.

Seeing her standing before him now made Su Cen a bit dazed. When you encounter someone who shouldn't logically appear in your life at that moment, such reactions are inevitable.

Lin Luoran gently patted his face with her icy hand and said with a smile, "We haven't seen each other for long. Why do I make you drool like this Hold it back; people nearby might think you're greeting your girlfriend."

Su Cen quickly regained his composure and asked with a raised brow, "You aren't leaving then Or are you playing around in Beijing..." He paused for a moment, imitating her tone, "... do you want to die"

If Lin Luoran were really handling paperwork in Beijing, it would be impossible for her to return so quickly based on the working days required.

Su Cen couldn't help but think of how Wang Weiwei and Lin Luoran's group might take advantage of him while he was away in Beijing.

Caught off guard by Su Cen's imitation of her assertive tone, Lin Luoran wanted to be angry but realized she had been at fault first. She frowned and said, "Our school does have spots for overseas study and exchange programs; I considered it too, but it seems quite troublesome. Plus, you guys might miss me when I'm gone. There's no way around my charm; to avoid upsetting everyone, I decided not to go."

The girl standing before him in her cropped jeans and sky-blue tank top looked lively and clear-eyed, giving no indication of having just returned from Beijing exhausted. She exuded energy and clarity.

"That does sound like you." Su Cen had felt the urge to smoke when talking with Wang Xiaoyi earlier; now he felt even more compelled to do so, to ease the tension in his chest that hadn't found a way out yet.

Lin Luoran tilted her head, "Looking at you, I bet you're secretly happy. Wang Weiwei said that when I came back and told you the news, you would definitely keep a poker face on the surface but be overjoyed inside."

Seeing Lin Luoran's pair of deep eyes which seemed to see through everything, Su Can was irritated and could not respond.

Lin Luoran continued, "You're quite troublesome indeed. I had already predicted that something like this would happen with Song Zhen. She’s definitely not as simple as she appears. Now you've dragged yourself into the mess, haven't you The moment you returned and heard from your Shanghai friends, you rushed over immediately. Could it be that you will really get expelled this time"

Su Can thought to himself that he couldn’t avoid being found out by Lin Luoran eventually. He smiled and said, "Unfortunately, I had just talked to the Nan University administration before you came." Then, Su Can relayed Wang Xiaoyi's official stance on behalf of the school.

After listening to Su Can recounting Wang Xiaoyi’s words, Lin Luoran raised her eyebrows gently like distant mountains. "Your President Wang from Nan University is quite interesting. I’ve met him at my father’s event before; however, I didn’t think that this old man was so impressive."

Su Can got up and patted his bottom as he said with a relaxed expression, "To be honest, I had been considering it. The next period will be quite busy for me. There are some things to do, including developing my career and planning my future. Even if I don’t get expelled, I won't have the luxury of time at Nan University like now. My time there is limited. If I run out of time, I might even take a break from school."

"Oh, just like all those people who made names for themselves during their university days," Lin Luoran smiled and said, "But don’t worry; as long as you’re successful, Nan University definitely wouldn’t deny your graduation certificate or your status as a student. At that time, they will proactively intercede on behalf of the professors responsible for evaluating your credits without needing to be asked by you. It’s not an uncommon occurrence. Otherwise, are you planning to ask us all for support and encouragement Alright then, I approve wholeheartedly."

Su Can found himself in a state of mixed emotions from Lin Luoran's clever remark, "I approve," while also feeling warm at her unconditional trust. He thought that loneliness was like snow; now, he felt as if it were high spring snow.

"It’s good to know there isn't anything serious after all. Thankfully, I didn’t see you in a state of depression. Since you haven’t disappointed me much, this weekend I’ll invite you over for dinner at my place. Rarely do I cook personally," said Lin Luoran.

Su Can nodded and then looked up fully digesting what Lin Luoran had just said. He asked with astonishment he hadn't shown her in two years of their acquaintance, "Your home"

Lin Luoran explained that it was a house bought by her mother three years ago in Shanghai as part of asset acquisition. Her mother had been calling to urge her to go and clean up the place. However, she didn’t often visit since she usually spent time at school. Su Can nodded again, thinking that despite knowing Lin Luoran well from their shared growth experience, he truly did not know much about her.

At last, Su Can said he was going to call everyone and book a meal for them in the South District area, but Lin Luoran had to rush back to school. So, Su Can dropped her off at Nan University before returning himself.

The internal message regarding how Nan University would handle the chaos during the return-to-school festival had spread quickly; they demanded an apology from the Xie Sidian backed by Hong Group who organized the attack on Song Zhen and reserved their rights to pursue legal action against those involved in blocking and disrupting the speech.

More people noticed that Su Can, originally at the center of a storm of public opinion, had no further response. This led to some previously influential forces going silent collectively.

Dean Wang Xiayi's conversation with Su Can on that day was also dug up by some well-wishers, causing quite a stir within the Nan University faculty and departments.

Some people thought it fortunate to have such a dean. Others commented that Su Can is one of the luckiest students at Nan University in recent years. Ordinary outstanding individuals would only receive public recognition from Dean Wang Xiayi when they win awards, but being personally instructed by Dean Wang Xiayi on Baoyuan Road was quite uncommon. Yet, it happened to this second-year student.

The place buzzed with various discussions for a while.

Room 602 of Building 602 had opened three cases of Tsingtao beer and five packs of Sinopec cigarettes that night. Alongside several first-rate brother dormitories under Wang Dongjian, the group of old and young men drank until very late. When Xiao XU and a few shirtless guys were carrying bottles of alcohol from the downstairs store, their energetic efforts drew everyone's attention. A senior student in his third year observed the scene, gave cigarettes to those around him while saying, "This must be Su Can’s group from Room 602..."

Lǐ Hán held a bottle of beer and clinked it with others everywhere, ending up drunk. He patted Su Can on the shoulder with his broad fingers covered in calluses after years of basketball playing and said in an ordinary Shaanxi accent, "I almost thought you would be expelled; now that you're not leaving, that's good." The pat was slightly forceful as if he were treating a basketball he had carried since high school and didn't want to discard.

When Su Can opened the balcony door late at night, Zhang Xiaqiao came out with a bottle of alcohol and stood beside him. They drank while enjoying the breeze together for a moment; then, as if sensing something, Zhang Xiaqiao asked, "Even if Nan University doesn't expel you by name, won’t you be staying off campus after this"

Zhang Xiaqiao knew that despite everyone hoping their roommates would stay and continue the lazy and aimless days like in the past, life didn't seem to allow it.

Having someone with holdings such as Pineapple Media, Upper Deck Music, and Faceplate social network hanging around the campus all day long playing Starcraft or Warcraft III at night, rushing to attend lectures during the day, cramming for finals to pass every subject—this seemed overly demanding.

The world outside and inside the ivory tower were completely different. Inside this university, time seemed frozen; memorable beauties, trees shading paths under their branches since ancient times, main roads walked endlessly, endless papers and projects—the only thing that might move hearts was GPAs fluctuating up and down.

But outside the ivory tower lay harsh competition in real life. That era's trend was the direction of Su Can’s industrial chain development. Ultimately, he belonged to that world; all those who were busy taking exams or dating at this campus would belong there too—there was their future.

"It may be busier but I'll travel around a lot. Still, my goal remains enjoying life. I don't want to work myself into exhaustion," Su Can joked.

Zhang Xiaqiao nodded and puffed on a Sinopec cigarette vigorously, then said after exhaling smoke, "Brothers are all looking at you; many people in this university are watching your every move too. No more empty talk; just one thing: try to be China's richest man someday. With Táng Xiǎowǔ’s beauty and talent, it wouldn’t hurt her being by your side. As for us guys, we don't have big dreams. Just come back often when you can; after all, you're still a Nan University student, and this is your turf. Room 602… will always save one bed for you."

Su Can was speechless. Behind him, the sounds of bottles clinking in the well-lit dormitory echoed like a common sight in any university.

November passed by this way, and December arrived. Lín Luòrán treated Su Can to dinner; originally, he wanted Táng Wǔ to join them as well, but at that time her parents were visiting Shanghai, so Táng Wǔ returned to the Peninsula Bay Snow Sea Residence instead.

Lǐ Péngyǔ came to pick up Sū Càn this Sunday, the weekend day. Lǐ Péngyǔ drove Sū Càn to the entrance of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU). Lín Luòrán was already standing at the gate with a big plastic bag in her hand. Beside her stood a plain-dressed girl who seemed to be her friend from university, and she should have been invited together.

The car stopped right in front of Lín Luòràn. She thrust the items into Sū Càn’s hands upon his arrival, then looked inside the car and asked, "Táng Wǔ didn’t come"

Sū Càn told her about Táng Wǔ's parents coming to Shanghai. Sū Càn also took the bag from Lín Luòràn and her classmate room-mate n Wǎn and put it in the boot of the car. n Wǎn was not a stranger to Sū Càn; she smiled throughout, occasionally glancing at Lín Luòràn, which made the latter give her several unsatisfied looks.

Previously, there had been rumors about Sū Càn’s identity as an entrepreneur outside of university. Now that they saw his luxury car matching his status, n Wǎn immediately felt that those who were pursuing Lín Luòràn in the Spanish department at SISU or similar were nothing more than clouds passing by.

Indeed, Lín Luòràn's family property was located in a real estate project of Shanghai No.1 City Mansion which had been very prominent in 1999. It was right next to Metro Line 1 and its exterior was an English-style apartment building typical of CBD areas. It wasn’t difficult to find the place; an Anglo-Saxon butler at the entrance led them inside, and they went up by elevator to Room 3 on Floor 21 where Lín Luòràn unlocked the door with her key and opened it to a three-bedroom apartment around eighty square meters.

The house felt different from Táng Wǔ’s in Xue Hai Yi Ju which was about three hundred square meters. Although this place was smaller, it was very compact and unique, exuding an air of refinement that didn’t quite match Lín Luòràn's fiery personality. However, many things had opposite sides; for example, Sū Càn had once seen her reading quietly with a lowered gaze, which seemed to calm the person down.

After giving everyone a brief tour, the two girls went to the kitchen and started cooking themselves. As Lín Luòràn put it, they had hit the jackpot.

Lǐ Péngyǔ looked content and said, "Rarely do I get to eat what Luorán makes; if others knew about this, they would definitely envy us."

Different from Lǐ Péngyǔ's enjoyment, Sū Càn recalled his high school days in Xiàhǎi when he used to visit Wáng Weiwei’s house at the municipal party committee compound. Back then, he often ate noodles made by Lín Luòràn after having a sumptuous dinner; those noodles were as delicious as what his mother Chè would make and were perfect for settling down one's stomach after eating rich food.

A while later, the phone in the kitchen rang. Picking it up, Lín Luòràn said to the caller, "You're here Come on up then; do you know which room"

Lǐ Péngyǔ turned his head towards Sū Càn with a puzzled look while watching TV in the living room and asked, "There are more people coming besides us"

Sū Càn was still wondering who could be joining them when the doorbell rang. Opening the door, he was surprised.

The one standing outside was Wèi Yuánhú, whom they had seen at Sòng Zhēn's dinner party before. He worked in the Rural Policy Section of the Office of the State Council; his identity and background were a mystery.

Seeing Su Can open the door, Wèi Yuánhú’s thick eyebrows rose involuntarily.s family—frankly speaking, brother here didn't think you had the means, but this time you've truly surprised me."Li Lan took a deep drag on his cigarette and nodded,撚著過濾嘴翻譯為“pinching the filter”可能不夠自然...