Chapter 549 The Law of the Jungle

Chapter 549: The Law of the Jungle

Golden sunlight streamed through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the ground. A gentle breeze rustled the trees, and the whole campus buzzed with youthful energy.

Su An had just stepped out of the classroom when she spotted Counselor Sun standing not far away.

Many greeted him, "Hello, Counselor Sun."

Counselor Sun gave a genial smile, "Hello, hello."

His gaze swept through the crowd before lighting up as he called out to Chen Hongyan, who was hurrying away, "Hey, Chen Hongyan!"

Chen Hongyan walked over with a smile, "Counselor."

Counselor Sun grinned, "We’ve got happy news—tomorrow evening, we’re throwing a dinner at Red Banner Restaurant..."

Chen Hongyan immediately understood, "Oh, congratulations! Counselor Sun, one happy occasion after another!"

Su An was about to take a detour when Counselor Sun saw her and called out, "Su An!"

Su An pretended not to hear and quickened her pace, but Counselor Sun moved like lightning, hopping right in front of her. "Su An, what’s on your mind? Didn’t you hear me calling you?"

Su An forced a smile, "Hello, Counselor Sun. I was just thinking about the lecture."

Counselor Sun beamed, "Such a diligent student! By the way, tomorrow evening, my grandson’s first birthday—I’m hosting a banquet at Red Banner Restaurant, inviting a few of my pet students to celebrate. Will you come?"

Su An’s pasted-on smile was crumbling, but inside, she was seething. *Like I can say no?*

*Does your family have no one else? No relatives or friends? Your grandson’s full moon, your daughter’s wedding, and now his first birthday—all excuses to invite ‘pet students’? Who doesn’t see what you’re after?*

*His money-grubbing is practically violent. Why not invite Zhang Chunling and Liu Jinmei, the two struggling students, to ‘celebrate’? Revolting. And you call yourself a counselor—can’t take a hint to save his life.*

Before Su An could respond, Counselor Sun had already moved on to another well-off male student, tossing over his shoulder, "Su An, don’t forget to come!"

Su An’s fake smile was on the verge of cracking when Zhou Yuanning emerged, her expression dark. Spotting Su An, she hesitated before approaching.

Now that Su An had moved out, Zhou Yuanning no longer feared her as much. Fuming, she felt a weird solidarity with Su An, knowing they were in the same boat.

"Su An, did the counselor invite you too?"

"Ugh, it’s so annoying. If he ‘favors’ us, why keep shaking us down? Even if we’re better off, we can’t bankroll his whole family. First semester, one banquet. Second semester, two. Last semester, two again. And now, barely into this semester, here we go again."

"Give too little, it’s embarrassing. Give too much, it hurts. Skip it, and risk offending him..."

Su An’s face was cold. "The man’s got no shame. Any minor occasion—hell, if his dog sneezed, he’d probably throw a banquet."

"Didn’t you see his attitude? If you refuse, he’d probably resurrect your great-grandma and drag them there."

"Last time I made an excuse not to go, he spent the whole semester giving me the side-eye."

"What’s there to fear? If he dares to ask, why not go? Just ask me how much to give."

Zhou Yuanning’s eyes lit up with mischief at Su An’s scowl. "You’ve got a plan, don’t you? What are you thinking? I’ll follow your lead."

Su An scoffed, "What plan? Teach him the law of the jungle. Walk into that room, ignore every seat, and park myself in his lap. Raise a toast—‘Counselor, this one’s for you’—then pour it on his shoes. When the food arrives, hog all the good dishes..."

The next evening, Su An turned the entire banquet of sixteen or seventeen people into a room of temporarily speechless guests with a single meal—and got herself blacklisted from Counselor Sun’s guest list.

When Su An arrived, almost everyone was already there.

She had deliberately come late—after all, big shots always arrive last.

Zhou Yuanning beamed when she saw Su An walk in, and she instinctively stood up.

"Su An, over here!"

Counselor Sun’s eyes briefly darkened, but he still greeted her warmly. "Ah, Su An, you're here! Come, come, have a seat. We were just waiting for you. You must’ve had a long way coming from your new place, huh?"

"Quite far, indeed."

With a smile, Su An handed over a red envelope. "Just a little something for little Sun Yang’s first birthday. Wishing him a bright future."

Counselor Sun’s wife wasted no time snatching the envelope and gestured for Su An to sit. These students were all from well-to-do families, and their gifts were always generous—her grin was real.

After tucking the envelope into her bag, she boasted to a relative sitting nearby, "All of my husband’s students are so considerate."

Counselor Sun continued making small talk with everyone. "Su An, you look like you’ve slimmed down recently."

Su An replied in a joking tone, "Counselor, that’s what starvation does to you."

"Hahaha, always the comedian! I heard from your classmates that you own a gold-plated Hero fountain pen, and even a Montblanc, right?

Those aren’t for just anybody. I’ve been wanting a Montblanc for ages but could never bring myself to splurge on one. You should lend it to me sometime so I can take a look.

Hahaha, by the way, when I spoke to your mother last time, was that a personal line at your place?"

Su An forced a smile. "Oh no, that was our neighbor’s. Honestly, I had to pinch pennies just to afford that pen—that’s why I’ve lost weight. Tonight, I plan to eat my fill and bask in all the never-ending luck in Counselor Sun’s household."

Zhou Yuanning watched Su An intently. Didn’t she say she’d sit right on Counselor Sun’s lap the moment she walked in?

Wasn’t she supposed to toast him and then pour the drink on the floor?

She had been ready to follow Su An’s crazy lead, just to avoid future invitations to Counselor Sun’s endless celebrations.