Lu Xuan found his way to the Finance Department again.
Unlike the quiet of Director Chen Yubing's office at the Student Aid Management Center, the Finance Department's entrance already had a long queue.
Students held various forms in their hands, their expressions varied: some anxious, some hopeful, and some simply numb.
Lu Xuan stood at the end of the line, pondering that he had initially considered giving up on the scholarship matter. After all, with the daily allowance the system provided, he truly didn't care for such a small amount of money.
But then he remembered that this was a quota his mother had gone to great lengths to secure through connections. That heavy motherly love made him feel that this seal absolutely had to be affixed.
Not for the money, but to bring some peace and happiness to his mother's hardworking heart.
Waiting is always boring.
Lu Xuan pulled out his phone and habitually opened the "Exposure Scandal Little Angel" account.
As expected, Gao Yuanyuan's scandal had already surged to the top of the hot search list. Hashtags like #Yan University's Bizarre Girl's Kleptomania#, #Filthy Soul Beneath a Glamorous Exterior#, and #Who Gave Her the Courage to Steal# were more explosive than the last.
The comment section was even more enraged, with widespread condemnation and an endless stream of "moral judgments." Some netizens, claiming to be psychology enthusiasts, even began analyzing Gao Yuanyuan's childhood trauma.
Lu Xuan's lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. He casually liked a comment that read, "Suggest the school strictly investigate and remove such a black sheep from campus," then disinterestedly closed Douyin.
He couldn't be bothered to care about Gao Yuanyuan's fate.
The queue moved extremely slowly.
Lu Xuan patiently scanned the office, quickly locating his target: an independent office cubicle with a sign that read, "Director of Finance Department: Bai Yanxi."
Another beautiful Director.
Lu Xuan secretly mused, could it be that the leadership of Yanjing University was selected according to beauty pageant standards?
Director Bai appeared more capable and sharp than Chen Yubing. She wore a well-tailored professional suit, her hair meticulously coiled at the back of her head, and a pair of rimless glasses rested on her nose bridge. Her eyes behind the lenses held a hint of scrutiny.
Finally, it was his turn. Lu Xuan took a deep breath, a standard polite smile on his face, and walked to Bai Yanxi's desk.
"Hello, Director Bai," he said, gently placing the scholarship application form on the table.
"I'm Lu Xuan from the School of Economics. I just came from Director Chen's office at the Student Aid Management Center. She said this application form needs to be stamped by you first before she can proceed with the processing."
Bai Yanxi adjusted her glasses, picked up the application form, and quickly scanned it, her brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.
Her fair fingers gently tapped a certain spot on the form, then she pushed the form back to Lu Xuan.
"Student, are you mistaken?"
Her voice was clear and cold, carrying an undeniable certainty. "Our Finance Department's procedure has always been for the Student Aid Management Center to first review and stamp, and after confirmation, it's sent to us to complete the financial procedures. Director Chen, as the Director of the Aid Center, couldn't possibly be unaware of this procedure."
Lu Xuan's smile faltered slightly, but he patiently explained, "Director Bai, I truly just came from Director Chen's office. She personally told me that it needs your stamp first. Could there have been a recent adjustment to the procedure?"
Bai Yanxi seemed a bit impatient. She raised a hand to rub her brow, her tone growing a few shades heavier: "Alright, Student, I'm very busy here and don't have time to explain repeatedly. Procedure is procedure; there have been no adjustments. You go find Director Chen to get the stamp first, then come back to me. Don't hold up other Students; there's a queue behind you." As she spoke, her gaze had already moved past Lu Xuan to the Students waiting behind him.
Lu Xuan looked back at the long line behind him and the anxious or impatient glances, and a surge of nameless anger flared up inside him.
He gritted his back teeth, but ultimately swallowed the words, "Are you two colluding to play a trick on me?" He picked up the application, forcing a smile that was uglier than a cry: "Okay, Director Bai, I understand. I'll go back and confirm with Director Chen."
"Damn it, what kind of nonsense is this!"
As soon as he stepped out of the Finance Department, Lu Xuan couldn't help but curse under his breath.
What exactly were these two women up to?
He moved swiftly, taking a few steps at a time, and with a belly full of anger, he stormed back to the Director's office at the Student Aid Management Center.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
This time, the knocking was noticeably more urgent than before.
"Come in."
It was still that clear, pleasant female voice, which at this moment sounded particularly grating to Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan pushed open the door, trying his best to keep his tone calm: "Director Chen, I'm back again. Still Lu Xuan from just now."
Chen Yubing was holding a steaming cup of tea. Hearing him, she looked up, and upon seeing Lu Xuan's return, a flicker of almost imperceptible surprise crossed her beautiful phoenix eyes, which then quickly returned to their unperturbed state.
"It's like this, Director Chen,"
Lu Xuan placed the application form in front of her again, trying hard to control his emotions, "I just went to Director Bai's office at the Finance Department, and she insisted that this application form must be stamped by you first before she can stamp it. You see..."
Chen Yubing put down her teacup, her fingertips lightly tapping on the smooth desktop. Her gaze moved between Lu Xuan and the application form for a moment, a faint, unreadable smile playing on her lips.
"Lu Xuan, I've already made it very clear. Our Student Aid Management Center must strictly adhere to the school's rules and regulations."
"This stamp indeed needs to be affixed by the Finance Department first. Otherwise, I cannot stamp it here. This is a matter of principle and a matter of procedure."
A muscle twitched in Lu Xuan's face.
These two women were truly treating him like a monkey! One pushed to the other, playing hot potato quite smoothly!
He took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart, but his eyes gradually grew cold.
"Director Chen, Director Bai says you need to stamp it first, and you say Director Bai needs to stamp it first. So, can this stamp be affixed today, or not?"
"Or should I first go ask the President what the actual regulations are for scholarship applications at our Yanjing University?"
His words already carried a faint, almost imperceptible hint of threat.
Chen Yubing's smile remained unchanged, but a subtle hint of sharpness flashed deep in her eyes.
She picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and then slowly said, "Lu Xuan, threats don't solve problems. I still say the same thing: follow the procedure. If you feel there's a conflict in my explanation and Director Bai's, then perhaps you haven't clearly articulated the situation to Director Bai. You can go back and communicate with Director Bai again. I believe misunderstandings can always be resolved."
"Communicate?" Lu Xuan laughed in exasperation. This woman truly wouldn't shed a tear until she saw the coffin. He finally understood; these two women were probably bored to tears, just having fun at his expense!
"Good! What a 'follow the procedure'! What a 'communication'!" Lu Xuan abruptly picked up the application form from the table, the pretense of politeness on his face completely gone, replaced by a cold sneer.
"Since both Directors are so fond of 'communication,' then I'll gladly 'communicate' with you!"
He turned to leave, but at the doorway, he paused slightly, turned back, and grinned at Chen Yubing, a smile that made Chen Yubing's heart inexplicably skip a beat.
"Oh, and Director Chen," Lu Xuan's voice was light and airy, yet carried a hint of mischief.
"The view from your office is quite nice, but I wonder, besides drinking tea and looking at documents, do you have any... other hobbies?"
With that, he ignored Chen Yubing's instantly darkened expression and strode away.
"Very good, you refuse a toast and will drink a forfeit."
Lu Xuan walked out of the office, the cold curve of his lips growing wider.
He had originally intended to follow the normal procedure, but since they weren't giving him face, then he wouldn't be polite either!
He pulled out his phone and expertly opened the familiar APP interface.