When Will My Childhood Sweetheart Marry Me?-Chapter 177: Getting Capable

The operation of the base began, and the position of the manager instantly became a hot potato.

First, it landed on the head of a third-year senior, who excused himself by saying he was already burdened with the role of vice president of the student council and feared he couldn’t handle both responsibilities due to limited energy.

Searching further among the sophomores, someone directly tossed the responsibility to number 52.

Compared to the name Pei Yan, perhaps number 52 was more deeply etched in their minds, especially since, on the day of defeat, hundreds of eyes were glued to the screen, seeing nothing but the prominently large machine number.

The responsibility of the base manager was significant; choosing someone steady and experienced was the safest.

In this regard, Pei Yan was certainly not the candidate.

But times had changed; Rong University had peacefully navigated through more than a decade in the field of computer science. If they continued playing it safe without causing a ripple, they couldn’t guarantee retaining their position in the industry.

The department head and Old Man Jiang thought alike, and so they adamantly fixated their sights on the new generation’s Pei Yan.

The kid’s thinking was unique, and his personality distinctively vivid; it wasn’t hard to see from his program code that his logical rhythm was streets ahead of the rest.

Old Man Jiang was named the mentor of the base, and since number 52 was his student, the department head naturally preferred him to step forward.

However, the old man, despite all his calculations, didn’t expect to be bluntly rejected by the kid halfway through the conversation, not leaving any face for him.

Just as his anger was rising, Pei Yan pulled out a laptop, opened the compiler, and without saying a word, showed him several lines of program breakpoints errors right in front of him. Those red exclamation marks acted like a fire extinguisher, instantly lowering his soaring blood pressure.

Having focused on academia for most of his life, complicated and intricate problems were the old professor’s spiritual sustenance; he had no time to fuss over other matters.

Afterward, Old Man Jiang pondered a bit and barely came to his senses, realizing he had actually fallen into the young rascal’s trap.

But with such a large base lacking a manager, letting it drag on wasn’t a solution; he had to think of something.

That day, after class, Old Man Jiang called Pei Yan in before leaving. His usually smiling face was replaced by utter seriousness.

After he left, He Shumiao quietly tugged at Jiang Shuyao’s sleeve and whispered, "Yesterday I went to the counselor’s office, jeez, the department head had shown up, along with the old man. Three people took turns lecturing him. Guess how your boyfriend reacted at the end."

Before the class representative could respond, her expression started contorting.

This made her tense up, "What did he say?"

Pfft.

He Shumiao couldn’t hold back her laughter and burst out.

The situation at that time was simply... indescribable. The department head was dumbfounded, almost rolling his eyes and passing out.

"Pei Yan said," He Shumiao cleared her throat.

"I plan to register an IT company in Technology Park next year, with initial funding of ten million. Are any of you interested in investing early?"

"..."

Jiang Shuyao furrowed her brows, her mind short-circuited, and she didn’t catch on for a moment.

He Shumiao pointed at her and laughed, "See, see, that expression is spot on."

The classroom was particularly quiet, except for the class leader, who laughingly lost all composure in her seat.

Pei Yan’s statement sounded arrogant; those who really knew him understood it was just another way of saying no.

With such disregard, it seemed the department was probably ready to give up on him.

Just now, with Old Man Jiang’s severe expression, looking different from before, Jiang Shuyao felt restless and turned to ask He Shumiao, "When are you going to submit the paperwork?"

"After dinner."

"I’ll deliver it for you, let’s go now."

He Shumiao was a smart person, and without a word, he pulled out a thick bundle of kraft paper files from the drawer. "It’s hard work, thank you."

It was a ten-minute walk from the administrative building to the teaching building.

Jiang Shuyao trudged forward, initially able to see the figures of an old and a young person in front of her. After passing the stone pavilion, her targets disappeared, and her hands embracing the documents nearly went numb.

Compared to the class monitor, she deeply experienced how much goodwill was behind everyone electing her as the study committee member.

Twenty minutes later, Jiang Shuyao crawled up the last step at a snail’s pace, about to catch her breath, when suddenly the weight pressed against her arm vanished.

She looked up and met his clear, piercing eyes directly.

"Do study committee members need to do this?" Pei Yan asked, his face displeased.

The thick documents felt featherlight in his hands.

Jiang Shuyao’s chest rose slightly. "He Shumiao had something to do, so I helped her deliver these." Then she pointed in the direction of the office, "Old Man Jiang is looking for you, is it still about the base?"

"Yes."

Pei Yan carried the documents in one hand and led her back with the other.

"Wait," Jiang Shuyao stopped and didn’t move.

She adjusted her mood and earnestly asked him, "Are you genuinely not interested, or do you have other concerns?"

Only the two of them stood silently at the stairwell entrance.

Pei Yan leaned against the wall, his eyes faintly distant, remaining silent for a long time.

She watched him, able to read his thoughts to some extent.

Last year, amid severe pandemic conditions, Zhizhen swam upstream. In that harsh environment, they initiated a long-planned nationwide AI real estate project, planning to implement an internal AI management model in all villas under their name within three years. This move, without a doubt, was like dropping a bomb in the entire real estate industry.

For three consecutive months, print media reported, and financial channels argued fiercely; industry experts offered mixed opinions on Zhizhen’s risky move.

However, amid rampant external speculation, Zhizhen quickly made its next move. Chairman Pei personally invited Rong University’s Computing Association Research Institute. In just half a month, both parties reached a strategic cooperation on core technology in early September.

September.

At any other time, Pei Yan might not have been so sensitive.

Whether by coincidence or design, Zhizhen’s collaboration with Rong University inevitably had a psychological impact on Pei Yan.

That was why he was so steadfast about the base matter.

Jiang Shuyao understood his temper; once he latched onto a fixed notion, not even nine oxen could pull him back.

Old Man Jiang’s forceful approach was likely unsuccessful.

But if it truly harmed none of his interests to give up on something unclear, it would be a pity.

Thinking of something, Jiang Shuyao barely perceptibly tugged at the corner of her lips, deciding not to argue further with someone. She simply took the documents from his hand. "Never mind, whatever decision you make, I’ll support you. You go ahead. I’ve made plans to dine out with my roommates. It’s rare for all of us in the dorm to have a meal together, so I can’t be absent."

The girl’s face changed as quickly as the weather in Rong City.

Under Pei Yan’s icy gaze, Jiang Shuyao turned emotionless and walked back to the office, abruptly ending the conversation.

He stood there, watching the girl’s retreating figure for a while, then suddenly chuckled, "Growing up, aren’t we?"

Jiang Shuyao considered herself calm.

Out of courtesy, she knocked on the door before entering, then walked up to the counselor’s desk to lay down the documents and looked around, but found no one.

Neither Teacher Qin nor Old Man Jiang was there?

Impossible.