I met my whole family through Baidu Tieba.

Why did he say "Anfang City is closing down, you can't join the local community anymore" first, instead of directly asking if you knew anyone there?

"This is throwing the worst possible outcome at you first. When you hear that, you're bound to get emotional and anxious, right? This turns you from a 'bystander' into a 'stakeholder.' If he came up to you asking for help, he would owe you a favor. But now he's blocking your way first, and you're actively trying to get in, so the situation is completely different. You're the one who wants to squeeze in, not the other way around."

Upon hearing this, Wang Pan finally understood the intricacies involved and couldn't help but exclaim, "Old Shen is really cunning!"

Wang's father yelled on the other end of the phone, "Don't fucking swear!"

"..."

Wang Pan thought to himself, "You old man, you swear too." But his father was usually easygoing, and when he got serious like this, he didn't dare to disobey, so he didn't talk back.

Mr. Wang continued, "Also, what does it mean to be bad? That's what you should be learning. If you're really naive and say whatever comes to mind, you'll be devoured by others in this society, leaving nothing but bones. You should learn this from your classmate."

Wang Pan was in a bind.

When he was in school in Anfang City, there was a "model child" in the neighborhood. His mother always compared him to that model child, telling him to learn from him.

However, back then, his father was always on his side and helped him reduce the pressure.

He thought that after leaving Anfang City and coming to Yangcheng, there would be no more "other people's children" like him. But to his surprise, Old Shen became that "other people's child," and this time, unusually, the father took the place of the mother.

"Old Shen tricked me."

Wang Pan couldn't help but sigh again.

On the other end of the phone, Mr. Wang said, "Trying to scam you? If he really wanted to scam you, he wouldn't have proactively asked if you knew anyone and made things clear. If he really wanted to scam you, he would have pretended to be confused and never asked if you knew anyone from beginning to end."

"Your roommate is cunning, but also sincere. You should learn from him. You should try to get along with him better. You won't suffer if you're friends with someone like that."

"..." Wang Pan couldn't understand how the words "scheming" and "sincere" could be used to describe one person at the same time.

Speaking of "making friends," Wang's father on the other end of the phone remembered something else. "By the way, you and this Shen Kang, don't you usually get along very well? That won't do. You should make fewer bad friends and more friends with people like this who are worth befriending."

Wang Pan felt wronged: "What do you mean, Dad? In the whole school, although he's not my best friend, he's definitely my second best friend."

Wang Pan wasn't lying: In the entire Yangke University, Wang Pan's best friend was Feng Moquan, with whom he hung out every day; second was Shen Kang; and third was Jin Chao.

As for why Jin Chao, who also hangs out with Wang Pan almost every day, ranked third, even lower than Shen Kang who often disappears, it's because Wang Pan felt that Jin Chao was usually a bit dull and boring, far less fun than Lao Shen.

"Second best relationship?"

Wang Pan's words startled Wang's father on the other end of the phone, who seemed somewhat surprised that his speculation had been overturned.

Was he wrong?

After thinking for a moment, and considering his son's personality, Mr. Wang had a vague idea. "So, do you usually act like you're very defiant towards him?"

"Of course I'm not convinced! What does he have that I can accept?" Wang Pan immediately said.

Mr. Wang on the other end of the phone nodded, thinking that this was the right approach.

There were some things that Wang's father didn't want to say to his son, but since they had already gotten this far and had been analyzing and breaking things down for a while, Wang's father had also become interested and couldn't stop talking.

"Do you know why he didn't wait until you got back to the dorm to tell you about it, but instead woke you up while you were sleeping in the classroom and immediately told you?"

Wang Pan subconsciously said, "He probably doesn't want to wait until tonight to say it."

Mr. Wang shook his head on the other end of the phone, "Think about it some more. He's already patiently kept you waiting for half a day, how could he not have the patience to wait until we get back to the dorm tonight?"

Wang Pan thought for a while, but couldn't figure it out, so he could only obediently say, "I don't know."

With a "I knew you wouldn't know" tone, Wang's father dissected the situation: "This is actually a tactic. When a person first wakes up, their guard is at its lowest, and their reactions are most genuine. When they talk to you at this time, you can best see whether you're the one behind the scenes who's making unreasonable demands of him in Anfang City."

Wang Pan subconsciously asked, "Why should I do it?"

Father Wang said, "That's why I just asked you if you had a bad relationship with him. But judging from your description, it's obviously because you said it yourself—you're not convinced by him. You want to make things difficult for him, to make him come to you for help and beg for forgiveness, and that will make you happy."

Wang Pan thought about it and realized, "Hey, it really does seem to make sense." He even felt like he might have a motive.

"That's why he didn't wait until nightfall, but went straight to the classroom to wake you up and question you. You weren't the one who did it, and he could tell from your reaction, which is why he mentioned helping you. If you really had done it, he wouldn't have mentioned helping you at all."

After the analysis, Wang's father was pleased, with a hint of boasting in his expression.

There's nothing I can do; it's an old problem. The son is like this, and so is the father. It's just that unlike the young Wang Pan, the father has tempered this trait considerably over the years. Now, facing his son, without needing to hide or be open, this problem has resurfaced.

However, after feeling satisfied, Wang's father regretted saying all that: he hadn't planned to mention this last matter at first because he was worried that it would leave his son with a grudge and prevent him from getting along well with Shen Kang.

Wang's father could understand Shen Kang and thought it was normal for Shen Kang to do what he did, but his son was still young and didn't understand things clearly.

But Wang Pan's words reassured him somewhat.

"Dad, you and Lao Shen are always so calculating and scheming. Aren't you tired of living like this?" Wang Pan sighed on the other end of the phone.

Father Wang laughed and said, "Tired? You haven't seen what real tiredness is. When you've tried your best and still can't make your life any better, that's when you're truly tired."

Upon hearing this, Wang Pan exclaimed, "Dad, it sounds like you've lived that kind of life before? But I've never seen it!" His family had always been well-off since he was born.

On the other end of the phone, Mr. Wang didn't say much, thinking to himself, "Of course, it's because that kind of life happened before you were even born. Life only got better after I married your mother, so you've never experienced that."

However, there was no need to say such things to his son, so he changed the subject: "Judging from your tone, it seems you're not bothered by Shen Kang's suspicion that you did it?"

Wang Pan said nonchalantly, "After hearing what you said, I even think it might be me. It's normal for Old Shen to have some doubts."

The father was pleased: "It's good that you think this way."

Wang Pan then asked, "And what about this matter?"

Mr. Wang said, "I'll go ask what's going on. It shouldn't be a big problem. After you mentioned it last time, I also looked into this Anjia Tongcheng Hui (Anjia City Community Center). It's really a good thing; it would be a shame if Anfang City didn't have it."...

Shen Kang and his classmates went back to their dorm after studying until evening, without continuing their studies—a balance between work and rest is essential for higher learning efficiency, isn't it?

It was during the time when the group of people in the dormitory were doing their own things that Wang Pan, who had disappeared again, reappeared at the dormitory door.

"Old Shen, come out here for a second."

As the end of the semester approached, Zhou Man said that the children should study hard, so the family game time every night was canceled. Shen Kang was sitting at his desk reading emails.

When Wang Pan called him, he didn't ask any questions, got up and went over.

There were still people from the next dormitory watching TV in the living room. Wang Pan led the way, and the two went downstairs to the small flower bed next to the entrance of the building. Wang Pan handed his phone to Shen Kang.

"I told my dad about your family's settlement, and he said he wants to talk to you about it."

Shen Kang was already mentally prepared and wasn't surprised. He took the phone and greeted the person on the other end: "Hello, Uncle..."

Wang Pan stood to the side, watching Lao Shen chat with his father.

The call ended a few minutes later.

Shen Kang handed the phone back to Wang Pan, "Your dad has something else to say to you."

Wang Pan answered the phone, and his father's voice came from the other end. He didn't say anything important, just told Wang Pan to wear more clothes because it was cold. He also talked a lot about getting along well with Shen Kang and learning from him.

"...I only heard your description before, but after chatting with him for a while, I found that your description is correct. He's someone you can be friends with, and you should learn more from him..."

Shen Kang didn't go up first, but waited on the side, looking around at the scenery.

After Wang Pan finished making the call, he said, "Let's go back to the dorm."

Shen Kang turned around and was about to leave when Wang Pan called him back.

"Old Shen."

Shen Kang turned back and looked at him.

Wang Pan hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Did you initially think that I was the one who did this?... " He then quoted his father's analysis of "Shen Kang suspecting him" as his own words.

Actually, Wang Pan wasn't as nonchalant about this matter as he had told his father. At the time, he was too preoccupied with marveling at his father and Lao Shen's cunning to think things through. Later, after calming down and reflecting on it carefully, Wang Pan realized that he actually felt quite wronged.

He had just heard his dad on the phone telling him to get along well with Shen Kang and be friends with him, so he couldn't hold back any longer and blurted it out.

"...Yes, I do sometimes dislike you, Lao Shen, but I would never do something like that."

Wang Pan felt wronged and indignant.

Then Shen Kang spoke directly and sincerely: "I'm sorry."

"...?"

Wang Pan was taken aback.

He hadn't expected Shen Kang to apologize so directly. He was momentarily speechless. Moreover, Old Shen seemed particularly sincere and genuine now, and Wang Pan seemed to understand his father's assessment of Old Shen: "Shrewd, but sincere in his dealings with others"...

"...Why are you taking this so seriously? It's weird." Wang Pan was a little embarrassed: they usually joked around and had never been this serious before, so it felt a bit strange.

Shen Kang was exasperated: "You're the one who's serious, and you're the one who's not used to it. Damn it, you're really picky."

Wang Pan felt relieved: "Yes, yes, that's the taste! That's it!" He then went forward and pushed Shen Kang upstairs, "Let's go, let's go."

The two of them then walked upstairs.

"Old Shen, I only realized how cunning you are after hearing what my dad said today. Don't you get tired of living like this?"

"This is nothing. When you've tried your best but it's all in vain, and you're just working hard without any hope, that's when you'll truly be exhausted."

Wang Pan couldn't help but tilt his head and look at Shen Kang: "Why are you saying the same thing as my dad?"

Shen Kang remained calm as he walked upstairs: "Then why don't you hurry up and call me 'Dad'?"

Wang Pan angrily retorted, "Get lost! ...Speaking of which, Old Shen, if something like this happens again, are you going to ask me directly, or do it like this time?"

Shen Kang replied without hesitation: "Just like this time."

"...Didn't you just apologize to me?!" Wang Pan broke down.

"That was just now. I'll apologize to you again next time," Shen Kang said with a grin.

Enraged, Wang Pan grabbed Shen Kang's arm and started hitting him. The two of them laughed and joked as they went upstairs.

After leaving the dormitory, Shen Kang sat down at his desk, slumped over like a paraplegic, and casually pulled out his phone—his Nokia—he had only exchanged phones with He Qiuzhu so that he could concentrate on his studies during the day without being disturbed by worldly affairs. After the daytime study period ended, they switched phones back together—and called Kang Zhengyang.

As soon as the call connected, Shen Kang said to Kang Zhengyang on the other end, "Take out a pen, I'll give you a phone number, write it down... Contact them tomorrow, just give your own name... It's not that we can act recklessly, it's just that we should all follow the rules. We can't be unreasonable and not give any... We're all friends, making friends is the most important thing..."

Kang Zhengyang listened and took notes on the other end of the phone. After Shen Kang finished explaining, he couldn't help but sigh, "President Shen, your connections always catch me off guard. You even have connections here."

Kang Zhengyang was indeed quite emotional. Especially in the past six months, with the continuous growth and expansion of Anjia Household Services, his position as general manager has become higher and higher, and he has become more and more confident, but he has never become arrogant. This is because he never knows where Shen Kang will be, or in what unexpected way, show him "why General Manager Shen is General Manager Shen".

With such a boss, Kang Zhengyang couldn't get too cocky.

"Isn't this just a coincidence? It just so happens that I have a friend whose family lives over there. If you had gone to another place, I really wouldn't have been able to help you," Shen Kang said honestly.

Kang Zhengyang, however, felt that President Shen was being modest again.

As soon as Shen Kang hung up the phone, Feng Moquan couldn't help but ask, "Old Shen, has that thing you mentioned this afternoon been resolved?"

Shen Kang grunted in agreement, "Wang Pan helped. I must say, he's really amazing. He got it done in less than an afternoon. I've really learned something new."

"Wow."

Feng Moquan and Jin Chao couldn't help but turn their gazes to Wang Pan, "Wang Pan is awesome."

Wang Pan had his back to him, focused on playing the game, and said in a calm tone, "It's nothing, what's the big deal?" But his mouth was practically stretched to the sky as he thought to himself, "Old Shen is really a good guy."