Study System: I'm a 38-Year-Old Student

Friday.

11:58 a.m.

The Red Rose Tavern is open for business!

Since this place was already a bar before, the renovation was a lot less work than expected.

And actually, there were only two main things to remodel.

First, the stage was expanded and the sound system was upgraded.

Second, they replaced the signboard and redid the exterior decoration over the entrance. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

The new style of the place looks more artistic, with less of that old tacky vibe.

The bar’s reopening included a small ribbon-cutting ceremony.

As the boss, Shen Qiushan stood in the center position, flanked on both sides by the bar’s real managers, Lin Xiamo and Hu Tingting who had just resigned to join them.

For a bar opening, the most important thing, of course, is popularity.

Shen Qiushan deliberately picked lunchtime for the grand opening and, as the class monitor, dragged the whole first class of Electrical Engineering over to boost the crowd numbers.

Even their counselor, Liu Guangming, and assistant counselor, Liu Qingwu, came to show support.

After all, Shen Qiushan isn’t your average student.

He’s studying at Sanjiang University, but his influence is arguably even greater than the university president!

Liu Guangming is just a junior counselor, so of course he really wants to be on good terms with Shen Qiushan.

You never know when you’ll need a favor from someone like that.

And as for Liu Qingwu, she hardly needs to be mentioned; she’s always had her own "ulterior motives." Even though at this point she’s almost certain Shen Qiushan should be with Lin Xiamo now!

But she still refuses to give up.

As the saying goes, there’s no wall you can’t dig through, only mistresses who don’t try hard enough!

Besides, Liu Qingwu never really expected she could win Shen Qiushan, the famous writer, for herself. She’s fine with it even without any official status.

Because of that, for the Red Rose Bar’s opening, this assistant counselor was extra enthusiastic, helping out all over the place. If you didn’t know better, you’d think she was the bar owner’s wife!

Besides the students from the first class of Electrical Engineering, Shen Yixiao’s roommates, Shen Yanran’s roommates, Lin Jiayu, Fang Xiaoya, and others of course were all present too.

Also, the Literature Club, Go Club, and Pop Music Club practically showed up in full force to support them.

The result? The bar was packed to the brim. Lots of students didn’t even have seats but no one wanted to leave, so everyone found their own spots—even the windowsills were lined with people sitting.

After the opening ceremony,

The Red Rose Tavern officially started business.

Normally, the bar doesn’t have performances at lunchtime, but since today was the grand opening, there was live music all day.

Shen Qiushan made the most of everything—during the day, all the performers were from the school’s Pop Music Club.

Of course, Shen Qiushan would pay them for their performances, it’s just that as students, their fees are a little lower than those of outside professional musicians.

Behind the bar, Xu Pipa, who had already been "drafted" by Shen Qiushan, was so busy she barely had time to breathe.

Since she’d heard ahead of time that Shen Qiushan was going to open a bar, she’d even taught herself how to mix drinks.

The scary thing about a top student is just how strong their learning skills are—in not even half a month, Xu Pipa’s bartending was already about as good as a rookie who’d worked for a year.

"Pipa, when did you learn to mix drinks?"

"That’s so cool!"

Because it was so busy for the opening, Lin Jiayu, who’d also been drafted into helping, was working behind the bar. When she saw that Xu Pipa could even make cocktails now, she was totally shocked.

"I learned by watching videos. I’m still not great at it."

Xu Pipa answered without even pausing her hands.

"Awesome!"

Lin Jiayu gave her a thumbs up, then nudged Shen Yanran, who’d also been drafted into helping out: "Yanran, look at Pipa. She’s already learned how to mix drinks."

"This is your family’s business, can’t you put a little heart into it too?"

"I’ll pass, thanks!"

"I’m all thumbs!"

Shen Yanran shrugged. After her class, she’d come to the bar and tried to learn from Xu Pipa, but all she did was break a glass.

On the other side,

Shen Qiushan was busy greeting classmates and club members.

Opening a tavern isn’t exactly new to him—he’d already run a noodle shop before, after all.

It’s all part of the food and drink business; there are some similarities.

But opening the tavern this time is a completely different situation and goal compared to that noodle shop back then.

He opened the noodle shop just to make a living—making money was the only goal!

But now opening the tavern, Shen Qiushan doesn’t care about profit or loss at all. It’s all about having fun and giving Lin Xiamo a place where she can sing to her heart’s content.

So, his mood is really relaxed now. After all, he’s basically achieved financial freedom.

Plus, this little tavern is like his "home base" at Sanjiang University.

"Xiaoshen, congratulations!"

"Opening a place like this, you didn’t even say a word to us!"

Just as Shen Qiushan was busy, Sanjiang University’s Vice Principal Liu Hongyu walked in with a big smile.

Behind him were two young teachers from the school. One was carrying a Jadeite Cabbage figurine.

The other was carrying a plaque inscribed with four big characters: "Great Fortune and Prosperity!"

"It’s just a small thing. I can’t believe it brought out Principal Liu."

Shen Qiushan always got along well with Liu Hongyu. Since entering Sanjiang University, the Vice Principal in charge of admissions had delivered on all his promises to Shen Qiushan.

And in all other matters, he’d always helped pave the way for Shen Qiushan too.

"When it’s about you, there’s no such thing as a small thing!"

"The figurine is from me, and the calligraphy is from Principal Zhu, who asked me to bring it!"

Liu Hongyu pointed at the two gifts and grinned.