RNP Chapter 2 An Encounter at the Library
Chapter 2 An Encounter at the Library
After leaving the job fair, Yu Chen went directly to an internet cafe off campus.
The air was filled with the smell of smoke and instant noodle soup. He found a machine in the corner and sat down.
He spent those 200 system achievement points very carefully.
I redeemed 80 points for a fragment of the "2011-2012 Micro-needs Analysis Report of Students Around Jiangning University".
The influx of information is not a macro trend, but rather a very specific pain point:
The hassle of dealing with old textbooks for graduates, the difficulty in verifying the authenticity of scattered part-time job information, the chaotic short-term rental information, and the difficulty in finding specific, obscure reference books...
He redeemed the remaining 120 points for [Basic Data Processing Logic Optimization (Mindset Enhancement, lasting 48 hours)].
It didn't directly impart programming skills, but rather significantly improved his efficiency in understanding information relationships and designing simple processing flows.
This is more useful to him than any specific skill, given his current scarcity of resources.
His goal was clear: to solve the smallest but most widespread information asymmetry.
A few days later, a very simple but clearly categorized static webpage called "Jiangda Encyclopedia" quietly appeared in the corner of some campus forums.
The page uses a blue and white color scheme, which is aesthetically unappealing, but it conveys the information directly:
Textbook for sale (including version, condition, and seller's address)
Reliable part-time jobs (contact information has been briefly verified)
Summer short-term rentals (with approximate locations and price ranges).
At the bottom, there is a line of small print: "The above information is compiled from publicly available sources and is for reference only. For offline assistance in verification or errand services, please contact 'Flash Delivery'."
Yu Chen's Nokia phone started receiving some sporadic errand-running orders.
In addition to the traditional delivery and pickup procedures, some new requirements have been added:
"Could you go to Building 3 and check if that copy of 'Econometrics' is an authentic copy, and which edition it is?"
Can I book a printing service at the newly opened print shop near the North Gate for midnight sessions? How much does it cost?
He charges low fees, works efficiently, and provides clear labeling.
Gradually, word of mouth spread quietly among some students: "If you need to run errands, go to 'Lightning'" and "If you want to find obscure books or part-time jobs, check out the 'Baishitong' page first."
Although its size is as small as a trickle, the closed loop has begun to turn.
---
A few days later, one afternoon, in the economics reading area of Jiangning University Library.
Nie Xiguang frowned slightly as he looked at the laptop screen.
She needed to cite a document about the controversy surrounding the application of "Interpretation No. 3 of Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises" in real estate companies. She vaguely remembered reading it in a recent issue of "Accounting Monthly," but couldn't recall the specific issue number and page number.
The library's back issue index system updates slowly, and manually browsing is too inefficient.
Just as she was getting up, somewhat annoyed, to search through the bound volumes of past issues, someone quietly pulled out a chair and sat down in the empty seat next to her.
The person who came didn't seem to notice her, and placed the backpack on the ground very quietly.
Nie Xiguang subconsciously glanced up and saw the profile of a boy wearing a clean light gray short-sleeved shirt.
He was holding two books he had just taken from the bookshelf—"Financial Statement Analysis and Securities Valuation" and "SQL in a Nutshell".
It's that guy from the job fair.
Nie Xiguang's heartbeat quickened almost imperceptibly.
Yu Chen opened the programming book and read it quickly, his fingers occasionally tapping unconsciously on the table, his eyes focused.
After a while, he opened a very old-looking laptop and seemed to be looking up something in a local database; some tables and lines of code flashed quickly across the screen.
His entire demeanor was immersive and efficient, blending seamlessly with the quiet and focused atmosphere of the library, yet he stood out somewhat because of the computer and the content of the book.
Nie Xiguang withdrew his gaze, not wanting to disturb the other party.
She tried searching again using a combination of several keywords, but still to no avail.
A slight sense of frustration made her sigh softly.
The sigh was very soft, but in the quiet environment, those nearby seemed to notice it.
Yu Chen looked up from in front of the screen, as if only then noticing that there was someone sitting next to him.
Upon seeing that it was Nie Xiguang, a hint of appropriate surprise flashed across his eyes, followed by a gentle smile that conveyed no intention of disturbing him. He nodded slightly in greeting and prepared to continue his work.
For some reason, Nie Xiguang found a bit of courage in that smile, which was purely out of politeness.
Perhaps it was the impression left by his precise help last time, or perhaps it was the calm professionalism he displayed at this moment that inspired trust.
"Excuse me," she lowered her voice, her tone slightly embarrassed and tentative, "Excuse me for interrupting. Do you know which issue of this year's *Accounting Monthly* has an article specifically discussing the application of *Interpretation No. 3 of Accounting Standards* in revenue recognition for real estate companies? I can't find the specific source right now."
After asking, she regretted it a little.
This question is too specific; the other party may not be interested in such a detailed area.
Upon hearing this, Yu Chen stopped what he was doing.
He thought for a moment, then instead of answering immediately, he quickly made a few more moves on the computer, which took only about ten seconds.
"It should be the third article in the special feature section of this April's issue."
He turned his head, lowered his voice to make sure only the two of them could hear, and said, "The title is 'New Difficulties in Revenue Recognition for Real Estate Companies from the Perspective of Risk and Reward Transfer—An Extension Based on Case No. 3,' and the author is Liu Jianping."
"In that special issue, there was also a discussion on the classification of financial instruments. If your research area is related, you can refer to it, but it is more controversial."
His speech was steady, his information precise, and he even provided further clues.
Nie Xiguang slightly widened her eyes.
It wasn't because he once again gave accurate information; that could perhaps be explained by his good memory.
Rather, it was his ability to instantly search, quickly locate, and extract relevant information, along with his concise yet valuable final suggestion, that revealed an efficient way of processing professional information—a habit unlike that of ordinary students when researching.
"Are you... using a database you created yourself to search?"
Nie Xiguang couldn't help but look at his old computer screen, on which command lines and spreadsheets were vaguely visible.
"I guess so," Yu Chen answered frankly, with a touch of practical casualness. "While running errands and waiting for work, I also created a local index of the abstracts and catalogs of publicly available journals that I could find, and added some tags that I thought were useful. It makes searching faster."
He pointed to the book "SQL in a Detail," and said, "I'm just starting out, so my work is still very rough."
He spoke casually, but Nie Xiguang immediately understood the value behind it.
The ability to structure and search scattered information is itself a skill that transcends simple memorization and manual labor.
She recalled his analysis of Shengyuan Company at the job fair, which was also based on this kind of judgment after information integration.
"That's a brilliant idea," Nie Xiguang said sincerely, his eyes filled with admiration. "It's much more efficient than simply reading papers."
"It's just a clumsy method to save time," Yu Chen smiled, his attitude remaining normal.
He glanced at his phone and said, "Senior, you can continue with your work. I have an appointment for an errand that's almost up, so I have to go now."
He quickly packed his bag and computer, nodded goodbye to Nie Xiguang, and left the reading room, his figure soon disappearing among the bookshelves.
The whole process was smooth and efficient, with a clean and decisive departure, without any unnecessary small talk or lingering glances.
Nie Xiguang sat there, looking at the journal information he had written down in his notebook, and then at the empty seat next to him.
The image of that boy seemed to become clearer in her mind: low-key, pragmatic, possessing a sharp mind that could transform knowledge and tools into practical efficiency, and being completely at ease about it.
He and his classmates, who were either focused on academic theory, troubled by emotional entanglements, or busy with job hunting, seemed to be on a rather different path.
The path itself carries a quiet and unique sense of power.
Unbeknownst to her, as Yu Chen strode out of the library, a system notification sounded in her mind:
"Second contact complete."
Scene: Library.
"Behavioral pattern: Focusing on 'information processing efficiency' to demonstrate differentiated capabilities, providing high-value assistance, without social extension, and naturally withdrawing."
"A deeper impression of Nie Xiguang: an efficient problem solver and a go-between with a unique skill set."
"Curiosity and appreciation have significantly increased."
"The Jiangda Baishitong website has seen a slight increase in penetration among its target audience because it addresses small, practical needs."
Achievement Points Gained: 180 points.
Yu Chen walked along the tree-lined path in the early summer evening, feeling quite pleased.
In their second meeting, he chose to showcase the "process" rather than just the "result".
Let her see how he uses tools and thinking patterns to quickly solve problems.
This leaves a deeper impression than simply stating the answer, and it also sets him apart from the "insecure poor boy" Zhuang Xu.
He knew that the interpersonal relationships in Nie Xiguang's dormitory were delicate, with Ye Rong's hostility, Si Liang's complexity, Yin Jie's straightforwardness, and Xiao Feng's silence forming a small world.
He neither needs nor is able to intervene at this time.
What he needs to do is to continue to move forward steadily on the path he has chosen, let the reputation of "Jiangda Baishitong" and "Lightning Delivery" take root, and, like this time, naturally and powerfully provide "value" that those around her cannot provide when Nie Xiguang needs it.
This value will be the cornerstone of all future possibilities.
He raised his head and looked at the darkening sky.
Zhuang Xu may be striving to enter the prestigious banking system, a path widely accepted by society.
Yu Chen is trying to use "information efficiency" and "service thinking," which are not yet fully valued in this era, to forge his own more forward-looking path.
Two paths, two lives.
He was curious to see how Nie Xiguang would view the scenery of these two roads as he gradually came to understand them.