Financial freedom starts with cracked apps.

Of course, being good-looking has both positive and negative effects.

The advantage is that you can enjoy various social benefits that come with good looks.

For example, strangers will be more friendly, and praise from admirers of the opposite sex will make you feel better.

However, the downside is that it can easily arouse jealousy from other women.

Therefore, Lin Shen was quite worried about Gu Wanqing, fearing that such a well-behaved and cute girl would be bullied at school, so he inquired about her with concern.

How was her life affected?

"It's just that too many freshmen are pursuing him."

Jiang Wan explained.

"On the seventh day of military training, she was privately named the most beautiful girl in the English department by a group of busybodies. After the military training, she was even named the most beautiful girl among the freshmen of the entire school in 2025."

"So this led to many boys pursuing Qingqing, openly and secretly trying to win her over. They would strike up conversations with her when she ate in the cafeteria or strolled around campus at night."

what?
Upon hearing Jiang Wan's words, Lin Shen was somewhat bewildered.

Gu Wanqing is indeed exquisite and beautiful, but she doesn't wear makeup or fashionable clothes during military training, so how come she is still so popular?

Moreover, Lin Shen really didn't expect that this girl could be named the freshman campus belle even in Shanghai International Studies University, where beauties abound!
You should know that even her older sister didn't have this many suitors when she was in the science and technology college.

However, it must be admitted that after five years, Gu Wanqing is indeed much prettier than her sister.

A sweet and innocent style is easy for boys to like, and it makes them feel an urge to protect her.

"As you know, Qingqing isn't good at dealing with these kinds of things."

Jiang Wan sighed softly.

"She's too well-behaved and doesn't know how to say no."

"Sometimes when people are nice to her, she feels bad and returns the favor, but people misunderstand and think that they like each other, so she pursues them even more attentively."

"Isn't this the kind of fantasy that single men often have about 'she likes me'?"

Lin Shen smiled, but did not mock his thoughts.

He had it back then, but as he grew older and gained more social experience, he gradually came to understand it better.

The definition of attraction between men and women is fundamentally different for girls and boys.

It's too difficult for immature people to discern.

"So, do you have any ideas on how to resolve this?"

Jiang Wan sought Lin Shen's opinion, and after some contemplation, he smiled helplessly.

"There's really no particularly good solution. If I really need to come up with an idea, I'll just find a boyfriend."

"After she got a boyfriend, most suitors were intimidated and stopped bothering Qingqing."

"That's easy to say."

Jiang Wan rolled her eyes at Lin Shen, speechless.

"If Qingqing could just find any boyfriend, would you be willing?"

"I strongly object!"

Lin Shen raised his hands and then sighed softly.

"So that's where the difficulty lies..."

"Actually, it's easy to solve."

Jiang Wan rested her chin on her right hand, smiling as she looked at Lin Shen.

"Why don't you just pretend to be Qingqing's boyfriend?"

???

I?
Lin Shen pointed to his nose, looking astonished. Only after Jiang Wan nodded did he say something strange.

"Isn't that a bit inappropriate? My identity at Shanghai International Studies University is that of your boyfriend, senior. What if people start saying I'm Qingqing's boyfriend too? Wouldn't that mess up our relationship?"

"Don't let things get chaotic."

Jiang Wan teased.

"Isn't it normal for you to have several girlfriends?"

"Cough cough!"

Lin Shen coughed awkwardly a few times, then quickly changed the subject.

"I don't care. I'm not a student at Shanghai International Studies University. My reputation is the same to me, whether it's good or bad."

"But Qingqing will be living on this campus for four years. If things aren't handled properly, who knows what rumors might spread."

"For example, if someone becomes another woman's mistress, and she's your rival, the beautiful counselor, then... I don't dare to think about the consequences."

"That's true, I didn't think it through."

Jiang Wan reconsidered what Lin Shen said and realized that it made sense.

However, after careful consideration, she finally came up with solution B.

"How about you pretend to be Qingqing's older brother? Then announce to the public: If you want to pursue my sister, you must get my consent and approval, and you must at least be better than me, what do you say?"

Jiang Wan's eyes lit up; she felt that her idea was absolutely brilliant!
"That way, if you become my boyfriend, there won't be any rumors about me dating a student on campus! It's a win-win situation!"

"That's a good idea."

Lin Shen rested his chin on his hand and nodded slightly, then pointed out a crucial issue.

"But how am I supposed to announce this to the public? I can't exactly go on stage during the evening's cultural performance and shout into the microphone, can I? I can't do something that reckless."

"Hmm...I don't know either."

Jiang Wan shook her head, but she had full confidence in Lin Shen.

"You must have a way to make yourself famous throughout the school, right?"

"That's asking too much of people."

Lin Shen smiled wryly, realizing that he couldn't think of a good way to spread the news that he was Gu Wanqing's brother throughout the school in a short time.

You can't exactly carry a megaphone and shout it everywhere, can you?

So Lin Shen had no choice but to skip the topic and, while enjoying his potato and beef brisket rice bowl, chatted with Jiang Wan about the evening's cultural performance.

-

6:30 p.m.

As the sun sets and night falls, so too does the darkness of night.

A cultural performance specially organized to welcome new students is being finalized in the school auditorium as scheduled.

At the entrance to the auditorium, there is an archway made of gilded balloons, each balloon bearing the Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) emblem in gold foil.

On both sides stand display boards more than two meters high, covered with photos of past campus events.

The registration area set up at the entrance was already crowded with student council members, who were giving gifts to every student and teacher who came to watch the performance.

At this moment, Jiang Wan and Lin Shen sneaked into the auditorium, hoping to blend in with the crowd. However, because she was too famous at the school, they were quickly stopped.

"Teacher Jiang!"

Upon seeing Jiang Wan, the student council president excitedly stood up and waved.

"Come here to collect your gift!"

"..."

Jiang Wan and Lin Shen exchanged glances. Seeing that they couldn't avoid it, they went to the registration desk and smiled.

Are you busy? Are you tired?

"Not tired."

The student council president was a bespectacled boy with a refined and scholarly appearance, exuding the air of a top student.

After handing the gift to Jiang Wan, he looked at Lin Shen with curiosity. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

So handsome!

The fact that Lin Shen's appearance is acceptable to boys is enough to show how advanced his character modeling is.

Seeing that he couldn't avoid it, he smiled slightly and then introduced himself.

"Hello, my name is Lin Shen, Gu Wanqing's brother, and also Jiang Wan's boyfriend."

what?
The student council president was stunned by Lin Shen's self-introduction of his two identities, and the other student council members around him were even more astonished, looking Lin Shen up and down.

Jiang's boyfriend?
When did she start dating?
And the other party was actually Gu Wanqing's brother?

He managed to get involved with two prominent figures from Shanghai International Studies University at the same time.
This is too much of a coincidence!
"Oh, it's Brother Lin Shen! Nice to meet you!"

The student council president was the first to react, warmly shaking hands with Lin Shen and introducing himself.

"Hello! My name is Zheng Cheng, and I am the president of the Student Union of Shanghai International Studies University. This is a gift for you, please take it."

what?
Me too?
Lin Shen looked bewildered, thinking to himself, "You let me in to watch the performance, and you even gave me a gift?"

This young man knows how to handle things!
"Thank you!" Lin Shen smiled as he accepted the gift.

"Then I'll go in first, you guys carry on."

"Okay, take care, Brother Lin Shen! Let's talk again after the performance!"

Zheng Cheng smiled and waved his hand, watching Jiang Wan lead Lin Shen into the auditorium.

Seeing this, other student council members discussed among themselves, expressing their bewilderment at their president's actions.

Because of limited seating, strangers are generally not allowed to enter the auditorium through the main entrance.

Even if Lin Shen is Jiang Wan's boyfriend, he probably can't violate the school's rules, right?

Moreover, Zheng Cheng has always been fair and honest in his dealings; how could he possibly give someone special treatment in such a matter?
Similarly, Lin Shen was also puzzled and asked Jiang Wan, who was standing to the side, with curiosity.

"Senior, was that guy always this friendly? He didn't even stop me, and it was only our first meeting. I felt like he was trying to get close to me..."

Why do you think that is?

Jiang Wan smiled and slowly revealed the answer only after seeing that Lin Shen couldn't wait to know.

"Because he likes Qingqing, you get it?"

"Oh~"

Lin Shen suddenly realized what was going on, and then couldn't help but burst out laughing.

No wonder Zheng Cheng seemed so enthusiastic towards me; he's treating me like his future brother-in-law!

It's such a pity.

Qingqing is mine.

……

After passing through the corridor, Lin Shen and Jiang Wan finally arrived at the performance venue.

The auditorium is very large and has two floors.

The off-white marble floor was so shiny it reflected the crystal string lights hanging from the towering ceiling.

The dappled light swayed with the students' footsteps, as if they were shattering starlight on the ground.

In the aisles between the seats, a vintage copper lamp stands every three meters, its warm yellow glow spreading across the carpet and intertwining with the dazzling lights coming from the stage to create a gentle barrier that is breathtaking.

It's a dreamlike scene.

Lin Shen couldn't help but admire it from the bottom of his heart, looking around and appreciating the unique scenery.

He had never participated in such a large-scale cultural performance since graduation, so it felt quite novel to suddenly be here again.

At this moment, Jiang Wan quietly tugged at Lin Shen's sleeve.

"I need to sit in the front row, that's where the teachers sit. I'll come find you after the performance, you can just find a seat anywhere."

Sit anywhere?
Seeing that Jiang Wan had left him after speaking, Lin Shen stood there somewhat bewildered.

He scratched his head and looked around.

With the performance about to begin, the auditorium was almost full, with only a few seats remaining.

Lin Shen observed for a while before finally choosing to sit next to a girl.

She wore a loose-fitting light gray long shirt with long sleeves; the black and white checkered cuffs almost covered half of her hand.

She paired it with a black mini skirt, revealing a pair of shapely and delicate legs. Judging by her height, she must be around 165cm, just a little shorter than the "green tea" girl.

However, the platform shoes and slouch socks elongated the overall leg lines, giving a retro yet playful look.

What's most distinctive is her light gray, wavy hair, which, when styled with gray hair clips, gives her a uniquely sweet and cool casual style.

At first glance, it stands out among the many ordinary people around it.

She's at least a pretty girl, the most beautiful girl in the department.

It's true that places like Shanghai International Studies University tend to produce beautiful women...

Lin Shen couldn't help but sigh, and walked over with a smile to ask.

"Hello, is this seat next to you taken?"

"what?"

The girl took off her headphones and looked up, intending to say something, but when she saw Lin Shen's handsome face, she was so stunned that she couldn't speak.

"If no one's here, I'll sit down."

Seeing that there were fewer and fewer seats available, Lin Shen sat down without waiting for the girl's consent, and made a comment as he did so.

"Sigh! It's so hard to find a seat. I didn't expect so many people to come to the show."

"Oh, yes."

The girl gave a perfunctory reply, her expression clearly showing some panic.

Immediately afterwards, her roommate nudged her shoulder with her elbow and whispered a question.

"Linlin, why did you let someone else sit next to you? Wasn't that seat reserved for Qingqing?"

"It doesn't matter."

Sun Jialin gave her roommate a cold, sidelong glance.

"She has to perform on stage, so it's impossible for her to sit here."

"alright."

The girl was clearly a little afraid of Sun Jialin. She shrank back and stopped mentioning the matter. Instead, she played on her phone and waited quietly for the performance to begin.

Seeing this, Sun Jialin withdrew her gaze and began to subconsciously steal glances at Lin Shen beside her.

His skin was very fair, even better than some girls', with no blemishes or spots visible.

His profile, in particular, with its well-defined jawline and prominent nose, makes his features more three-dimensional and textured.

In addition, his slightly parted, layered hair also matches his casual style of dress, making him look very clean and tidy.

For guys, this is a major plus that makes it very easy to win a girl's favor.

And most importantly, there's the watch on his left wrist.

Although Sun Jialin didn't recognize the model number, it didn't stop her from thinking that the watch was a luxury item.

Judging from the style alone, the price must be very high.

Of course, the possibility of it being a high-quality counterfeit cannot be ruled out.

Sun Jialin's eyes flickered slightly, and she couldn't help but stare at Lin Shen's face for a long time.

Until he interrupted me with a soft laugh.

"Is there something on my face?"

?

Sun Jialin was stunned for a moment, then immediately looked away, tucked her hair behind her ear to hide her embarrassment, and inwardly complained wildly.

So embarrassing!

He was caught staring at someone and got caught red-handed by the person in question!
"sorry."

"It's ok."

Lin Shen struck up a conversation with a smile.

"Hey, what department are you in?"

!! ?
Sun Jialin's heart raced, and she quickly answered.

"You're from the English department, what about you?"

"I am not a student."

Lin Shen made a shushing gesture and smiled mysteriously.

Please keep this a secret, thank you.

what?
Not a student?

"Are you a teacher?"

Sun Jialin looked on with curiosity.

Shouldn't teachers always sit in the front row?

"Actually, I wouldn't call myself a teacher."

Lin Shen suddenly changed the subject and asked.

"Do you know Gu Wanqing?"

Gu Wanqing!?

Upon hearing the name, Sun Jialin immediately sat up straight, looking extremely surprised.

"Yes, I know her! She's my roommate!" (End of Chapter)