Chapter 51: Chapter 46: Coincident Encounter Chapter 51: Chapter 46: Coincident Encounter The next day, Jiang Ning dressed up a bit and stepped out the door with a light heart.
The information provided by the System indicated that Lou Yuquan was a graduate student at Pinghu University, so Jiang Ning planned to take a stroll through Pinghu University.
Jiang Ning’s alma mater was University A, and Pinghu University was just two streets away from University A, so she generally knew where Pinghu University was.
Having a car made getting around much more convenient for Jiang Ning. She floored the accelerator and arrived at Pinghu University in no time.
Like University A, Pinghu University was open to the public, allowing not only students to freely come and go but also visitors from the community to explore the campus.
Jiang Ning parked her car outside and did a quick registration of her personal information at the security office before entering.
Pinghu University was a 211 Project university, with a good reputation and a slightly smaller campus compared to University A.
Jiang Ning maintained her usual sporty style, her loose grey cargo pants making her legs look slender and straight. She wore a cap on her head, a crossbody bag on her shoulder, and with her bare face, she looked every bit the vibrant and pretty college student.
The location given to Jiang Ning by the System was Lou Yuquan’s residence — the graduate student dormitories at Pinghu University.
Of course, Jiang Ning couldn’t just walk straight to the dormitory to grab someone. She carried her bag like a visitor coming to view the campus and leisurely toured the university.
“Jiang Ning?”
A hesitant, deep masculine voice sounded from behind her.
Jiang Ning turned around and immediately spotted Qi Chen not far behind her.
Qi Chen was dressed in black formal attire, standing tall and exuding a distinguished air. Beside him stood several men with beer bellies and receding hairlines, appearing to be high-status individuals in their suits.
Upon seeing Jiang Ning turn around, Qi Chen said something to the people with him, then stepped toward her.
Judging by Qi Chen’s attire, it was clear he was out on official business. Jiang Ning had not expected him to actually come over after greeting her.
Although she had met Qi Xingzhou’s elder brother once before and had dined with him, the two had barely spoken from beginning to end.
Jiang Ning was somewhat unsure how to address him and hesitated for a moment before Qi Chen approached with long strides.
Qi Chen looked natural, his normally austere face softening slightly, “I didn’t expect it to be you. Are you here to hang out with friends?”
“No, just wandering around,” Jiang Ning shook her head, sidestepping the need to address him directly, “What a coincidence.”
Qi Chen initiated a conversation, “I came to Pinghu University today to invest in the university’s computer and mechanical and electrical equipment. I just toured around with a few university leaders, and I think I’ve seen enough. Where do you plan to go next? If you don’t have friends with you, do you mind if a couple more join you?”
“A couple more?” Jiang Ning turned her head, the image of Qi Xingzhou’s handsome face flashing through her mind as she instinctively looked past Qi Chen.
Noticing Jiang Ning’s gaze, Qi Chen seemed to give a slight smile and spoke up, “Xingzhou also came but he didn’t want to get out of the car, so I’ve left him in the care of the security guards.”
Since that day Jiang Ning had visited the Qi Family Villa, Qi Xingzhou had stopped staking out the hotel elevators.
Before the Qi family members could take a breather, however, they noticed that once Qi Xingzhou stayed indoors, he reverted to his previous self, showing no interest in the outside world whatsoever, even when Qi Chen invited him out several times and he simply covered his ears, pretending not to hear.
The reason Qi Xingzhou agreed to go out today was because Qi Chen had coaxed him, exploiting Qi Xingzhou’s interest in computers and mathematics, which happened to be Pinghu University’s most famous disciplines.
Previously, Qi Chen had purchased several of Pinghu University’s prototypes to take home for Qi Xingzhou to play with. On the spot, Qi Xingzhou dismantled them and, a few days later, he crafted a new robot.
Qi Chen saw a business opportunity in this and founded a subsidiary company in collaboration with Pinghu University, releasing the new smart robot that Qi Xingzhou had created, which brought in considerable profits.
This time, Qi Chen’s visit to Pinghu University was not only for investment but also to discuss future cooperation with the university.
The reason he brought Qi Xingzhou to Pinghu University was that Qi Chen wanted to show him the university’s research labs, possibly to help Qi Xingzhou make new friends in the field of interest, but clearly, Qi Xingzhou was not keen on the idea.
From the moment he left the house and got into the car, Qi Xingzhou was biting his lip, his body tensed up as if every strand of hair on his head was signaling his aversion to going out.
Getting him to leave the house was already pushing the limit; getting out of the car was an even more unlikely prospect.
Qi Chen hadn’t expected to bump into Jiang Ning at Pinghu University today, and he thought that if Qi Xingzhou saw Jiang Ning, he would surely be delighted, and it might even reduce his resistance to going out.
Qi Chen looked at Jiang Ning, his expression sincere and expectant, waiting for her answer.
“Sure,” Jiang Ning nodded, “It just so happens that I’m alone, and it wouldn’t be too boring with some company.”
Hearing Jiang Ning’s agreement, Qi Chen immediately turned and walked toward the parking lot, “Let me take you to find Xingzhou.”
Jiang Ning followed behind Qi Chen, casually asking, “He stopped going to the hotel, didn’t he?”
“He stopped, thank you for your patient persuasion with Xingzhou,” Qi Chen politely replied, “What would you like for lunch? I’ll treat you later.”