The world of film and television starts from a young age.

Chapter 2226: Jiang Rui's Timely Appearance and Positive Action
Nie Xiguang turned around and saw that Zhou Chen was only a few meters away from her. She couldn't help but show a look of surprise and joy on her face, and her feet walked towards Zhou Chen uncontrollably.

"Zhou Chen, what are you doing here?"

"I heard from you before that your younger brother is taking the college entrance exam here. I happened to be nearby today and looked at some companies that I was interested in investing in. After that, I came over to take a look. You are so dazzling. Even in this vast crowd, I found you at a glance."

Sweet words come so suddenly and quickly, catching Nie Xiguang off guard. Fortunately, she was used to Zhou Chen being so unserious at times, so she just smiled.

"Have you settled your matter?"

"The deal fell through, so I went to take a look. It turned out to be a scam. If I had invested that money, it would have been a complete waste. I'm not that stupid."

Zhou Chen did visit two startups in the past two days, but unfortunately, although the information made them sound very impressive, he was greatly disappointed when he actually visited them in person. It's only because he's experienced that he was able to do so; otherwise, he would have been very frustrated.

Nie Xiguang comforted him, "It's okay. If you don't have the chance this time, maybe you'll have a better investment opportunity next time. You're so capable, I think you can definitely do it."

Zhou Chen smiled and said, "Are you trying to comfort me?"

"No, I don't think you need any comforting. I'm just stating a fact."

"Nie Xiguang, you're really getting better and better at talking now."

Zhou Chen chuckled, and Nie Xiguang smiled back. Having spent a lot of time with Zhou Chen, she had completely opened up and occasionally exchanged a few witty remarks with him.

The two of them chatted as if no one else was around, which made Zhuang Xu's eyes start to blaze with anger.

He stared at Zhou Chen with a very unfriendly gaze. He had finally found an opportunity to be alone with Nie Xiguang, but Nie Xiguang was unwilling to be alone with him and made excuses to avoid him. As a result, he hadn't spoken much to Nie Xiguang in the past two days, let alone taken things any further.

It hasn't been that long, yet Zhou Chen, like a persistent ghost, has managed to find this place again.

Unwilling to admit defeat, he took a step forward, walked over, and took the initiative to speak.

Hello, we meet again.

"I remember you, your name is Zhuang Xu, right? The talented student from the Business School of Jiangning University."

"Compared to Mr. Zhou, I am hardly a talented man."

In fact, Zhuang Xu didn't know Zhou Chen's background, but he had heard from Nie Xiguang's roommate that Zhou Chen drove a luxury car. In addition, Zhou Chen's temperament and demeanor were obviously not ordinary people. He might be considered outstanding among ordinary people, but he didn't think he was really that outstanding. There were too many people in the world who were more outstanding than him.

"You're too modest. I've heard that you were hired by Huaya Bank in Shanghai before you even graduated, and you got a job with a monthly salary of over 10,000 yuan. Just based on that, you've already surpassed more than 90% of fresh graduates."

This isn't entirely flattery. It's only 2012, and it's rare for fresh graduates to land jobs with monthly salaries exceeding 10,000 yuan in a metropolis like Shanghai before they've even graduated. Even students from the top universities in China don't easily achieve this, so Zhuang Xu's achievement is indeed superior to most people.

But Zhuang Xu didn't hear his praise in the same way.

He felt that Zhou Chen was evaluating him from a very high perspective. Although there was no contempt in his tone or expression, he felt that Zhou Chen's attitude was more painful than direct mockery and contempt.

"My little achievement is nothing compared to Mr. Zhou's."

"You're too kind. Just call me by my name."

At this moment, Nie Xiguang suddenly spoke up to explain to Zhou Chen: "Zhuang Xu's younger brother is also taking the college entrance examination this year. He and Jiang Rui are classmates and happen to be in the same examination room. Zhuang Xu is here to see his younger brother off to the college entrance examination."

Zhuang Xu glanced at Nie Xiguang silently. He could still tell from Nie Xiguang's obvious attempt to distance herself from the relationship. Nie Xiguang's explanation hurt him deeply and left him feeling even worse.

He always remembered the day Nie Xiguang confessed her feelings to him, and he always believed what Nie Xiguang said that day.

Nie Xiguang said that she would always like him until the day he liked her back.

It was because of this statement that he was able to act so recklessly and remain indifferent to Nie Xiguang for so long.

But now, he was both upset and disappointed. They had agreed on everything, but Nie Xiguang had changed his mind. Was it so easy to break a promise?

As they were talking, the bell rang, signaling the end of the exam, and everyone's attention was immediately drawn to it.

After a while, a large group of students came out of the school. The candidates had different expressions: some were happy, some were dejected, and some looked relieved.

"elder sister."

Jiang Rui quickly ran out of the crowd, rushed to Nie Xiguang, and gave him a hug.

"Sister, I'm free! I'm finally free!"

"Congratulations, congratulations! Don't squeeze so hard, you're choking me! Let go, let go!"

Jiang Rui finally snapped out of his excitement, released Nie Xiguang, and the next moment he saw Zhou Chen.

"Brother Zhou, Brother Zhou, what are you doing here? When did you arrive?"

"I just arrived. Your sister told me you were taking the college entrance exam here. I happened to have some business to attend to, so I came over as soon as I finished. Congratulations on finishing your college entrance exam! You're finally free!"

"Thank you, Brother Zhou."

Jiang Rui replied with a smile, but his gaze inadvertently swept over Zhuang Xu, and the smile on his face became a little stiff.

Although he had never been in a relationship, his male instincts told him that Zhou Chen and Zhuang Xu getting together was definitely not a good thing, and he was a little worried about his sister.

"Brother Zhou, you drove here, right?"

"Yes, I drove here, but it's quite congested here, so I didn't drive over here; the car is over there."

Zhou Chen pointed to where he had parked his car and then said, "To celebrate the end of your college entrance exam and your complete liberation, I'll treat you to a meal later. You have to do me this favor."

Jiang Rui didn't know how to answer. He had only met Zhou Chen once and they weren't familiar with each other. He could only look at Nie Xiguang and ask for her opinion.

Nie Xiguang noticed his younger brother's gaze and took the initiative to help him out of the predicament.

"How can I let you treat us? Jiang Rui is free now. Even if he's going to treat us, it should be me, his older sister, who treats us. Tonight it's my treat, Jiang Rui. So, what do you want to eat?"

Jiang Rui chuckled and said, "I'm not picky about food. As long as it's my dear sister treating, I'll eat whatever I want."

After he finished speaking, he looked at the Zhuang brothers beside him and asked them a question politely.

"Brother Zhuang, Zhuang Fei, why don't you come with us and celebrate together?"

Zhuang Xu was about to speak when Zhuang Fei interrupted, saying, "Not today. We're going to eat in Xinjiekou later."

Zhuang Xu looked puzzled: "Go eat near Xinjiekou?"

"Yes, Rongrong told us she'd celebrate with me tonight. Didn't she tell you? Mom's going too."

Upon hearing Ye Rong's name, Zhuang Xu's expression immediately changed. He didn't want to go at all, but he couldn't refuse at this moment.

Jiang Rui looked regretful: "That's really unfortunate."

Nie Xiguang felt a little uncomfortable when Zhuang Fei mentioned Ye Rong, and said, "Jiang Rui, Zhou Chen, let's go first."

Zhuang Xu reached out his hand, wanting to say something, but he didn't speak until Nie Xiguang and the other two left.

Nie Xiguang arrived at the parking area, instructed the driver who had driven there to go back first, and then took Jiang Rui to Zhou Chen's car.

Nie Xiguang chose a Western restaurant, which wasn't far away, and arrived quickly.

Jiang Rui was clearly very happy today; he ordered a lot of dishes and ate them very quickly.

While Nie Xiguang went to the restroom, Jiang Rui couldn't resist his gossipy nature and started asking Zhou Chen about the situation.

"Brother Zhou, I heard from my sister that she met you when she was interning, and you helped her a lot, right?"

Zhou Chen nodded and said, "I did meet her at the accounting firm where your sister interned. However, I didn't help her much, but I did trouble her a lot. When I was in Wuxi, your sister drove me around and acted as my tour guide, taking me to many tourist attractions. This time when I came to Nanjing, she also took me to many places."

"I see."

Hearing Zhou Chen say this, Jiang Rui became even more certain that Nie Xiguang's feelings for Zhou Chen were quite special, as he knew Nie Xiguang's habits well.

lazy!
The fact that Nie Xiguang could act as Zhou Chen's tour guide and take him to many places is enough to show that Nie Xiguang's attitude towards Zhou Chen is very special; it also shows that Zhou Chen is also very capable.

He knew that Nie Xiguang had fallen in love with Zhuang Xu at first sight and had even taken the initiative to pursue him. It was the first time he had ever seen Nie Xiguang care so much about a boy. He had even helped her come up with ideas, but more than a year had passed without any good results.

Could it be that Nie Xiguang realized that continuing to pursue Zhuang Xu would not yield good results, and Zhou Chen happened to appear at this time, so Nie Xiguang fell in love with someone else?

"Brother Zhou, may I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure, go ahead and ask."

"What's your relationship with my sister? Are you just good friends, or... you know what I mean?"

He had asked Nie Xiguang this question before, but Nie Xiguang wouldn't tell him. Today, he had the chance, so he couldn't resist his curiosity and asked Zhou Chen.

"clear."

Zhou Chen nodded again, and then gave his answer directly.

"My relationship with your sister is very simple. I'm pursuing her, and she's testing me to see when I can officially become her."

Jiang Rui immediately gave a thumbs up: "Brother Zhou, you have such great taste! Let me tell you, my sister is really outstanding. Although she's sometimes a bit slow, she's actually beautiful, smart, and has a really good personality. She can cook too, and..."

"What else? Jiang Rui, what are you saying? Are you talking badly about me?"

Nie Xiguang suddenly returned, interrupting Jiang Rui's narration, and glared at him warily.

Jiang Rui immediately retorted, "Sis, how could you slander me like that? How could I say anything bad about you? I was praising you. If you don't believe me, ask Brother Zhou. Didn't I say you're both beautiful and smart? Right, Brother Zhou?"

"Yes, Xiguang, your brother is indeed praising you, saying you're good and that you're the best sister in the world."

Jiang Rui immediately gave Zhou Chen a thumbs up.

Nie Xiguang was skeptical, but didn't ask any more questions. Instead, she said to Zhou Chen, "Thank you for coming today to celebrate Jiang Rui's college entrance exam."

Jiang Rui muttered to himself, "Brother Zhou wasn't targeting me."

"you shut up."

"Okay, I'll shut up."

Jiang Rui mimed zipping up his own mouth.

Zhou Chen said with a smile, "No need to thank me. I just happened to be going that way. I even got a free meal from you. By the way, Jiang Rui, now that you've finished your college entrance exam, when is your graduation defense?"

"Mid-June is just around the corner, and to be honest, I'm actually a little nervous."

"I think you don't need to be nervous. With your abilities, you will definitely pass the defense smoothly."

"Hopefully."

Nie Xiguang was confident in himself, but he was still somewhat apprehensive.

After dinner, Zhou Chen drove Nie Xiguang and the others home. They had already celebrated, but Jiang Rui was going home to celebrate with his parents.

Just before parting, Jiang Rui suddenly took out his phone.

"Brother Zhou, let's exchange contact information."

"Okay."

Zhou Chen naturally wouldn't refuse, and then gave Jiang Rui his phone number, which Jiang Rui dialed.

"Brother Zhou, this is my phone number. If you ever want to find out anything about my sister, just call me. I know her well..."

Before he could finish speaking, Nie Xiguang covered his mouth.

"Jiang Rui, I think you've gotten too bold, saying whatever comes to mind. Get the hell out of here and go home right now."

With a mix of scolding and dragging, Nie Xiguang took Jiang Rui away, not forgetting to wave goodbye to Zhou Chen as she left.

Zhou Chen watched the two siblings leave laughing and joking, and smiled gently. The relationship between these two cousins ​​was no less than that between biological siblings.

In the following days, Zhou Chen did not disturb Nie Xiguang, allowing Nie Xiguang to focus on her graduation defense.

It's not like it was just beginning now; he's already become involved in Nie Xiguang's life. Just like he told Guan Ming, some things can't be rushed, and you have to use the right methods to pursue a girl.

He was now certain that Nie Xiguang had developed feelings for him; otherwise, they wouldn't have spent so much time writing papers together in the library, nor would they have traveled to Jinling together. Now that they had feelings for each other, things would be much easier.

It's not necessary to be by Nie Xiguang's side all the time; just appearing at crucial moments might be more effective.

As for Zhuang Xu, Zhou Chen never considered him a rival. Even though Nie Xiguang knew him first, Zhuang Xu was destined not to be his opponent.

As for the male protagonist Lin Yusen, who has not yet appeared, Zhou Chen will not consider him a threat.

Before she knew it, it was mid-June, and Nie Xiguang was about to defend her graduation thesis. This time, with ample preparation, she passed her graduation thesis defense very smoothly.

After the defense, she immediately called Zhou Chen to tell him the good news and thanked him sincerely once again.

(End of this chapter)