Chapter 54: Freshman Registration

In August, Qi Tao was constantly showing off in the group chat, either talking about cars or watches.

He claimed that no knowledgeable car enthusiast would buy a BBA, as even dogs wouldn’t drive them.

He said his favorite watch brand was Longines, but unfortunately, it was too expensive, and his father wouldn’t buy one for him.

Occasionally, he would sneakily wear his father’s watch.

He once posted a photo of his wrist adorned with a Longines watch in the group, and Zhou Ziyang commented, “That watch must be worth sixty to seventy thousand, you’re really rich.”

“It’s just so-so. I only wear it secretly when my dad’s not around,” Qi Tao replied with a grin.

Most people in the freshmen group chat were quite busy; only one or two would occasionally pop up and chat briefly with the regular members.

Qi Tao was one of the regulars, practically online every day.

The user named “Binchotan,” whose avatar was a woman in a tank top, would only casually check in every three to five days, usually by sending voice messages. Her voice sounded genuine and unpretentious. She once asked Qi Tao, “You’re always active in the group, don’t you have anything else to do?”

“Uh, it’s summer break, what else is there? Sometimes I go shopping, but that doesn’t take much time,” Qi Tao answered.

At that moment, Zhou Ziyang said, “Really envy you, Qi.”

“People like us can’t do that, just have to work hard honestly,” he added.

“No, no, brother, don’t call me that. We’re all the same,” Qi Tao replied.

“I never thought being born in the capital was anything special.”

“In school, just be yourself.”

Perhaps because Zhou Ziyang often played the role of his foil in the chat, and sometimes others couldn’t keep up with Qi Tao’s remarks, Zhou Ziyang would often smooth over awkward moments. As a result, Qi Tao liked Zhou Ziyang very much and added him on QQ early on, even saying before school started that they should share a dorm.

Besides Zhou Ziyang, there was Zhang Dapeng, who often talked late at night.

From their chats, Qi Tao thought Zhang Dapeng was a down-to-earth working-class guy.

He admired Zhang Dapeng for earning his own tuition, something he couldn’t do himself.

Zhang Dapeng was indeed humble, saying, “Don’t mention it, brother. When we get to school, I’ll help you find a part-time job.”

“That’d be great! I want to try it,” Qi Tao responded.

In the freshmen group, people like Qi Tao and Zhang Dapeng were quite ordinary. The real oddballs were some sophomores and juniors who would come into the group to ‘pick on’ the newcomers.

At the end of August, two boys claiming to be from the sports department joined the group, asking if any freshmen were interested in joining.

Qi Tao, ever the show-off, responded, “Senior, take a look at how I train,” and posted pictures.

“Junior, with that training, if you don’t show a full shot, I’d mistake it for a slab of pork,” the seniors teased.

“Look at mine,” Qi Tao retorted, sending more photos.

Qi Tao had wanted to impress, but the sports seniors quickly put him down. They claimed to be recruiting but really just wanted to chat with female freshmen. Whenever girls spoke up, these ‘seniors’ would instantly flatter them. As for boys, they ignored them completely.

This left Qi Tao feeling quite frustrated, so he randomly threw a few sarcastic remarks their way.

That angered the seniors, who disdainfully said, “Your batch of freshmen is just like this,” before sulking out of the group.

The incident caused quite a stir. Zhou Ziyang, who was usually quiet, spoke up casually one day.

Though Zhou Ziyang rarely talked, he never swore but could shut people up with his words, which made the ‘show-off’ seniors remember him.

“@Qi Tao @Zhou Ziyang, just wait! Keep your heads down when school starts!” the senior warned.

After that, the senior quietly left the group.

Qi Tao was proud, feeling he had won the battle.

But Wang Na, who was also in the group, worried, “Do you think they’ll retaliate?”

“Ha, I’m not afraid of them,” Qi Tao scoffed.

Time flew by, and it was already September 10.

During this period, Zhou Guowei kept calling Zhou Ziyang to confirm the school start date and said he would drive him and Xia Wei there on opening day.

According to his mother’s wishes, she hoped Zhou Ziyang would go with Zhou Guowei.

His mother said, “He knows more people in Jinling. If you go with him, you can meet more people and have someone to look out for you there.”

Zhou Ziyang agreed verbally, but the next morning, before dawn, he revved up his newly bought BMW and sped off alone.

From Xuhuai to Jinling, it took only two and a half hours by fast driving.

Though over half a month had passed since the beginning of autumn, Jinling’s sun was still fierce.

The plane trees on the campus of Nan University were lush and green.

There was just one day left before school started, but the school gates were already crowded.

Zhou Ziyang got stuck at the school entrance for two hours in his BMW. Giving up on driving in, he went back to his newly bought apartment, took a shower, changed into clean clothes, slipped on flip-flops, grabbed a bottle of cold sports drink from the fridge, and leisurely strolled through the school grounds.

Summer had passed, but its scent lingered richly.

Every main avenue in Nan University was lined with tall plane trees.

Their dense canopy blocked most of the sunlight, leaving only scattered golden spots on the shaded asphalt.

The campus was bustling with people; fashionable and attractive girls wore pleated skirts or shorts under the shade of the plane trees, revealing pairs of long, slender, fair legs.

They were truly beautiful.

Following the signs, Zhou Ziyang found the registration spot for his class.

Building Planning 15-1.

At a small desk sat two women: a woman and a girl.

The woman was in her early thirties, dressed simply in a deep blue sleeveless V-neck top paired with white jeans. The fabric looked expensive, and a beautiful diamond necklace adorned her neck.

The girl looked about eighteen or nineteen, wearing a yellow T-shirt and dark blue denim shorts, also showing off a pair of fair, well-proportioned legs.

They were the counselor and class assistant for class 15-1.

“Hello, I’m here to register,” Zhou Ziyang said plainly as he approached the desk.

The two women glanced at him, noting he didn’t look like a typical freshman.

“Oh, what’s your name?” the counselor asked.

Zhou Ziyang gave his name. The class assistant searched the list for a while and said, “Found it.”

“Please sign in.”

“Okay.”

Zhou Ziyang casually placed his half-finished sports drink on the table and began filling out the forms.

The counselor and assistant carefully observed Zhou Ziyang’s demeanor; he really didn’t look like a freshman.

Most new students came with their families, carrying large bags and a variety of items.

Some parents shook the counselor’s hand, chatting for a while, hoping she would take good care of their child.

But Zhou Ziyang—short sleeves, shorts, flip-flops—didn’t look like he was there to register at all.

It wasn’t until Zhou Ziyang wrote his home address: “Nan University Heyuan,” that Counselor Chen Xiaoyi understood.

“Hey, aren’t you from the Xuhuai area? Why do you live at Nan University Heyuan?”

“I came here to study; my family bought it for me,” Zhou Ziyang replied.

“Oh, no wonder. You really don’t look like you’re here to register.” Chen Xiaoyi’s gaze softened.

While the assistant Shao Sisi helped Zhou Ziyang fill in the forms, Chen Xiaoyi chatted briefly with him.

She said that during the first semester, students were not allowed to live off-campus, and dorm checks were held at 9 PM.

Zhou Ziyang nodded in understanding.

“Are you the only one registering? Didn’t anyone come with you?” Chen asked.

Zhou Ziyang said he didn’t think it was necessary, since it was so close to home.

Chen smiled, finding that reasonable.

Soon, the assistant gave Zhou Ziyang a slip of paper, instructing him to collect bedding at the gym.

Zhou Ziyang’s dorm was assigned to A9-201.

He nodded and thanked the senior.

As he left, Chen Xiaoyi asked if he was interested in being class monitor.

Zhou Ziyang said he wasn’t very interested.

“Then let Qi Tao be class monitor. He’s perfect for it,” Zhou Ziyang thought for a moment and added.