Perhaps hard work doesn't always yield the desired results, but without effort, there are definitely no results.
So she worked even harder than before. Before, she spent eight hours a day in the library; now, she wished she could be glued to her chair for twenty-four hours.
Her phone on the desk vibrated.
An unknown number.
"Hello, is this Zeng Keqin?"
A gentle yet capable female voice came through the line, somewhat familiar, but she couldn't place it at the moment.
"Hello, this is she."
"I'm Zhao Manrong. We met during your interview at Bai Run'er."
Zeng Keqin paused, stood up, and walked out of the library. "Hello, Lawyer Zhao."
"I won't beat around the bush. I know about your assessment results. I'm calling to tell you something. I've been observing you interns' performance lately. Your abilities stand out, especially in legal research and document writing. I personally appreciate you."
Zeng Keqin gripped her phone tightly, listening quietly.
"I have a senior, surnamed Shen, who runs his own law firm. It's not big, but he's very capable. He's handled many influential cases in his early years, and you can learn a lot from him. He happens to need an intern. If you're interested, I can recommend you."
Zeng Keqin's heart raced.
"Lawyer Zhao, I..."
"You don't have to answer right away. Think it over. I'll send you his WeChat. If you're interested, add him; if not, it's fine. Also, big firms aren't always the best path. Sometimes small firms let you learn more."
"Thank you, Lawyer Zhao. I'll give it serious thought."
Not long after the call ended, Zhao Manrong sent a WeChat contact card.
Zeng Keqin clicked on the card, her fingertip hovering over the "Add" button, hesitating to tap.
A trace of panic coiled in her heart.
What if she failed the interview? What if she let Lawyer Zhao down?
She feared she wasn't good enough yet. She wanted to become better, more confident, before reaching out to take this opportunity.
Back in the dorm, Wang Chunyue pounced on her. "Qinqin, you're finally back! We've been messaging in the group—why didn't you reply?"
Zeng Keqin opened the group chat and saw they had been discussing where to go for the weekend, even tagging her.
"We decided to go camping! Two days and one night!"
Just as Zeng Keqin was about to refuse, Liu Ying leaned in and whispered, "Sunday is Yueyue's birthday. We're planning a surprise. You can't say no."
The words died in her throat. Seeing Wang Chunyue's excitement, she nodded. "Alright, I'll follow your arrangements."
Wang Chunyue clapped happily. "I'll take care of the snacks. Plenty of them!"
Zeng Keqin: "Then I'll help you prepare."
Early Saturday morning, just after dawn, Wang Chunyue packed five or six bags, almost moving the entire dorm out.
Fang Yu pointed at the luggage. "This much? Can we even carry it?"
"I called for help. Leave it to me."
Sure enough, at the school gate, the conspicuous red hair appeared.
Jiang Shiyu leaned against his car, with Fatty beside him.
Not far away, Liao Junyu drove a Jeep, with Qian Bo next to him.
No wonder Wu Mengting insisted on coming along—it was because of them.
The campsite was at Qingshan Wetland on the western outskirts. Green hills, clear water, white reeds, red leaves, and yellow flowers.
"Oh my god, it's been so long since I've been this close to nature!"
"Yeah, the scenery's beautiful. Perfect for photos."
The girls got out of the car and started taking pictures.
Zeng Keqin didn't join them. Instead, she went to the trunk. Just as she lifted a case of water, Liao Junyu walked over. "Go have fun with them. Leave the heavy lifting to us guys."
She shook her head. "I don't like taking pictures."
Liao Junyu: "Then go watch the luggage? I'll handle this."
Jiang Shiyu parked the car and came over, just in time to see Liao Junyu standing close to Zeng Keqin.
He strode over, grabbed the case of water with both hands, and carried it right between them.
Liao Junyu's expression soured. As if remembering something, he hastily said, "I'm going to help Fatty set up the tent."
Zeng Keqin continued moving things. Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
It was her cousin, Zeng Rou.
"Xiaoqin, did the assessment results come out?"
"I didn't pass."
Zeng Keqin pressed her lips together, surprised at how calm she felt.