It wasn't that Qin Tian was stingy, but rather that he couldn't satisfy every request unconditionally; that would only lead to trouble for himself.
He understood the principle of "a handful of rice earns gratitude, a bushel earns enmity."
Seeing that Qin Tian wouldn't agree no matter what, and that it was impossible to have both, the male students from the dormitories gathered and voted. The majority still favored the social gathering.
After all, they were all young lads full of vigor. More than their appetites, most hoped to find a partner as soon as possible.
Besides, a seafood buffet could be experienced after saving up for ten days to half a month of instant noodles and steamed buns.
Perhaps they would hit it off with a girl at the social gathering, and then save up money to go eat this seafood buffet together, sweethearts as they were. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
Thinking this way, everyone felt better and looked forward to the evening's social gathering even more.
Qin Tian had sent a message to Su Yan a few days prior about the social gathering.
After Su Yan consulted with the girls in her class, she gave him a positive reply and told him that the girls in her class were also looking forward to this social gathering.
After breakfast, Qin Tian called the male students from his class together again to discuss the arrangements for the afternoon social gathering.
His classmates were all expected to attend, naturally.
Coupled with the girls from English Department Class Two, there would be about thirty people in total.
With a larger number, arrangements were indeed a bit tricky, requiring everyone's input.
"Oh, right, we also need to consider the budget. Let's all show our gentlemanly spirit and help share the cost for the girls. Regardless of what the girls say, we should take the initiative."
Qin Tian was messaging Xia Nuannuan on his phone when he suddenly added.
The surrounding male students nodded in agreement, feeling that what he said made a lot of sense.
"Brother Tian, how about I cover the cost?"
Cao Mingliang offered.
Everyone's eyes lit up, and a torrent of flattery ensued.
"Brother Liang, you're so righteous!"
"It has to be Brother Liang; Brother Liang is generous!"
"Brother Liang, no wonder you look even handsomer today!"
"Brother Liang, please don't insist!"
...
"What are you trying to do?"
Qin Tian looked up at him and said in annoyance, "Everyone is a main character today. What? Do you want to hog all the spotlight? You already have a girlfriend, Lu Yanran. What would she think if she knew?"
"This..."
Cao Mingliang blinked and chuckled, "I didn't think it through. Let's skip it this time!"
"Brother Tian is right. Are you guys stupid? Letting Cao Ze, who already has a girlfriend, steal the show? Since you're aiming to find a partner, are you really short on this little bit of money? And you're all showering that Cao Ze with praise. You're something else."
Chen Zhuang crossed his arms and looked around with disdain.
"Scram! We just didn't think of it."
"Exactly, why are you blabbering?"
"Damn it, don't think we're afraid just because you're big. What's with that look?"
"Chen Zhuang, isn't Shen Siqi your target? Are you even going to this social gathering? I think you're the one who's being foolish."
...
As soon as these words were spoken, a group of male students looked at Chen Zhuang with amusement.
"Brother Tian and Cao Ze, who already have girlfriends, are both going. I'm still single, so why can't I go? Can't I just go and freeload off the food and drinks?"
Chen Zhuang exclaimed righteously.
"Brother Zhuang, you're being foolish. It's precisely because you're not attached yet that you can't go!"
Zeng Xin said seriously.
Chen Zhuang was taken aback.
"Indeed, Brother Zhuang, if Shen Siqi finds out you went, wouldn't that be the end of it?"
"Brother Zhuang, I agree, you really shouldn't go. We brothers can work a bit harder and share one more girl without a problem."
"That makes sense, hahaha..."
A group of male students laughed foolishly.
With one less competitor, there was one more chance.
Even if Chen Zhuang didn't seem to have much competitive advantage, who knew if someone might like his type!
Chen Zhuang's face darkened. Just as he was about to say something, he was interrupted by a guy from the next dormitory.
"Why do you all think Shen Siqi and Chen Zhuang have a chance?"
The scene suddenly fell silent.
Everyone looked at the guy with pity, like he was a warrior about to face death.
The guy realized his mistake and was about to say something to save himself when Chen Zhuang's large hand firmly gripped his neck.
"What did you say? I didn't hear you clearly."
Chen Zhuang's face showed a ferocious grin like a predatory beast.
"Brother Zhuang, I, I mean, you two don't just have a chance, you're practically a match made in heaven, so compatible!"
The guy shrank his neck like a quail, smiling sheepishly and choosing to yield.
"Yuck..."
Everyone around made disgusted "boo" sounds and started to tease.
"Brother Zhuang, he's clearly lying."
"Teach him a lesson!"
"Buddy, come on, let's go to the restroom together!"
Chen Zhuang, still choking the guy's neck, made a move to drag him towards the restroom.
"No... Help! Brother Tian!"
The guy raised his right hand towards Qin Tian, calling out pitifully for help.
"Alright, stop messing around. Do you still want to go to the social gathering? Hurry up and come up with a plan."
Qin Tian said with a smile.
Chen Zhuang then released his grip on the guy's neck and said sternly, "Think about the consequences before you speak next time!"
"Brother Zhuang is right!"
The guy rubbed his slightly sore neck and nodded with a lingering fear.
What kind of people are these, wanting to drag someone to the restroom at the slightest disagreement?
Can't afford to offend, truly can't afford to offend!!
After a round of joking and roughhousing, everyone began to seriously discuss the social gathering.
Someone suggested going singing after dinner, but Cao Mingliang immediately vetoed it, thinking it was too cliché.
Moreover, with so many people singing, each person singing one song would take ages. If they split into several private rooms, it would lose its charm.
Others agreed with deep conviction.
Subsequently, more suggestions were made, but few people agreed.
A consensus could never be reached.
"I do have an idea!"
Qin Tian suddenly spoke.
Everyone's gaze immediately focused on him.
"Let's not go to a hotel restaurant for dinner. The weather is so nice today. Everyone go to the supermarket, buy some ingredients and barbecue materials, then borrow a couple of barbecue grills somewhere, and have an outdoor barbecue. This way, there will be more opportunities for interaction, and the cost won't be too high!"
Qin Tian explained his plan.
After hearing it, everyone's faces showed excitement.
"Great idea! How did we not think of that!"
"Right, they're going for a seafood feast, and we're taking the girls for an outdoor barbecue. That's not bad either!"
"I agree, I agree, it has to be Brother Tian; this idea is great!"
"Outdoor barbecue, let's go!"
"Barbecue is great! I love barbecue. That's wonderful. Watch me show off my skills later; I specifically learned from a barbecue master back home for a few days."
Chen Zhuang said with a smile.
"Since everyone has decided, then it's settled. I'll figure out the barbecue grills. You guys divide the other tasks and get them done as soon as possible so we can leave early!"
Qin Tian arranged with a smile.
"No problem!"
"Let's go, who's coming with me to the supermarket to buy ingredients!"
"I'll go with you. Let's also buy more snacks and drinks!"
...