Chapter 36: Fool's Luck (Part One)

“Damn it, what a useless network.”
“Damn this wretched luck, just let me log into the course selection system.”
“This crappy system is even slower than the computer I bought twenty years ago.”
“I got in! Damn, it crashed again!”
“The school’s doing this on purpose, there’s definitely something shady going on!”
Curses bounced off the walls of the dormitory building in a cacophony of dialects from across the country. Some even ran out into the corridor with a loudspeaker to curse the school leaders, and Chen Fan saw one of them being dragged out under the blazing sun for a bit of ideological education by the security team.
“How’s it going for you guys?” Chen Fan hadn’t even had a chance to log in yet and was already probing for news.
“No luck. It’s either frozen or crashes back to desktop. I haven’t even seen what the interface looks like,” Xu Changhui said, flinging his mouse aside.
Lai Guangyi scratched his head. “This damned system is worse than those shady internet cafés from the countryside. The page loads to ninety-nine percent and then just stops.”
Wei Youlong’s expression was grim, the F5 key on his keyboard worn bare by cigarette burns. “I think the school’s just making our lives difficult.”
After listening to their complaints, Chen Fan didn’t hold out much hope. Still, he entered his account and password, tapped the enter key, and was in—smooth as silk.
“I got in,” Chen Fan said calmly, turning his head.
“Bro, what brand is your computer? Your internet’s so fast!” Lai Guangyi practically dove across the room, staring at Chen Fan’s screen in disbelief.
“Quick, get it done, and help us out too when you’re finished,” Xu Changhui said expectantly.
“Yeah, hurry up, or we’ll get kicked out again,” Wei Youlong said, tossing his half-smoked cigarette out the window and chewing his betel nut with big chomping bites.
“Alright,” Chen Fan replied simply.
The course selection system wasn’t complicated—just a matter of searching, confirming, and saving, much like browsing an ordinary website. Chen Fan cross-checked the teachers and courses he’d already picked and quickly filled out his entire schedule.
“Hmm…”
Chen Fan stopped, the rapid tapping of his mouse ceasing abruptly.
“What’s wrong? Did it freeze up?” Xu Changhui leaned in, still locked out of the system on his own computer.
Chen Fan pointed at the screen. “The courses I picked are all really popular. The system says my average chance of getting in is only twenty percent. That’s making me nervous—means I’ll have to scramble for the other eighty percent in the second and third rounds.”
“Well, in that case, why not swap half for some less popular courses? That should boost your chances. I went with a hot-and-cold mix myself,” Xu Changhui said, pulling out his own schedule for Chen Fan to use as a reference.

“Hey, I’m in too. The system’s finally behaving,” Wei Youlong announced jovially, spitting his betel nut out the window.
“Looks like it’s back for everyone. I’m in now,” Lai Guangyi said excitedly. After half an hour of frustration, he’d nearly started to doubt reality every time he hit refresh.
“Up to you, Chen Fan,” Xu Changhui said, returning to his seat and logging in again.
“This is so nerve-wracking… What should I do…”
Chen Fan stared at the screen. On one side were the popular courses he liked, the enrollment numbers climbing rapidly; on the other, the neglected obscure electives, with not even the minimum number of sign-ups required to open the class.
“Damn… It’s almost time for training.” Chen Fan checked the time—ten minutes left before he had to go. He glanced at his roommates, none of whom seemed concerned.
“Oh, right—they’re off this afternoon…” Chen Fan snatched up his military cap and buckled his belt as he dashed out.
“Sir, I’ve still got courses to choose this afternoon. I didn’t finish at lunch. Can I leave training a bit early?” someone called out.
“No. Dismissal at the usual time,” the instructor replied coldly.
“But the system only started working after one. I can’t finish in time…” The plea was weaker this time, but he hadn’t given up.
“Fine, fifteen minutes early. You’ll have twenty minutes to wrap it up once you run back. That should be more than enough if you’re prepared.”
“Oh…” The voice finally faded.
“All units, disperse and form up for military boxing.”
“Sir!”
The voices rang out in unison.
…
“I’m exhausted… When do the results come out?” Chen Fan, sun-baked and panting like a dog, staggered back to his dorm.
“Tonight. Twenty minutes left before the system closes. Need to change anything?” Xu Changhui stretched, a video of a sultry webcaster playing on his laptop.
“No, I’ll leave it. Whatever happens, happens. My head’s a mess right now.”
Dazed, Chen Fan dared not tinker with his schedule any further. He trusted his first instincts—just like in exams, it never paid to second-guess and change answers. He’d learned that lesson the hard way.
“There’s still the orientation meeting tonight. We’ll be stuck there all evening. I wonder if the main lecture hall has air conditioning,” Lai Guangyi said.
“Nope. I checked earlier—barely any ceiling fans either,” Xu Changhui replied with a helpless shrug.

“What a day. I choose death.” Chen Fan changed clothes, too tired to eat, and collapsed on his bed.
Beep—beep—beep.
“Who’s bothering me at naptime?” Chen Fan grabbed his phone. It was his buddy Li Peijun. Frowning, he read the message.
“Chen Fan, who’s this Xu Ying? Not bad, man—just started college and already landed someone.”
Chen Fan wondered how this guy knew about Xu Ying. He replied, “Classmate. How do you know her?”
“She publicly confessed to you on the campus forum and spilled the beans about you fighting off those gangsters last night. The post got deleted pretty quick, but I saw the whole thing—didn’t expect you to have such guts! The way you saved the damsel in distress, that’s legendary.”
“Did a lot of people see it?”
That was Chen Fan’s first reaction. A second later he came to his senses, slapped his thigh, and in an operatic tone said, “Single for twenty years, and today a girl confesses to me in public—life is truly a spectacle!”
“Who confessed to you, bro?” Xu Changhui’s ears were sharp; he was at Chen Fan’s side in an instant.
“This is great news! When are you treating us to a ‘single no more’ dinner?” Lai Guangyi chimed in.
Wei Youlong feigned indifference. “Who else could it be? That Xu Ying, of course. After what I did yesterday, Chen Fan’s image as a hero is set in stone. But don’t worry, I’d never steal a girl from a brother.”
“Nothing’s happened yet. I haven’t decided what to do. So don’t go spreading things around,” Chen Fan said, suddenly hesitant now that love had come knocking.
Beep—beep—beep.
“Not many, I think. When I saw it there were just a few views, and the post was gone in under a minute. But you’re focusing on the wrong thing—there’s the student council orientation tonight. Take the chance to make things official! Let me see what my future sister-in-law looks like.”
“Don’t worry. When I get married, you’ll be the first to get an invitation.”
Chen Fan put his phone away, a complex look on his face. “How long until the orientation starts?”
“An hour. There’s still time to buy flowers at the gate,” Xu Changhui said, raising a finger and flashing a wicked grin.