Chapter 39: Dangerous Game

"Chen Fan, congratulations. You have successfully passed the first round interview with the Disciplinary Committee. The second round is scheduled for tomorrow night at 9 p.m. Please arrive at Classroom 203 before 9:30. If you have any scheduling conflicts, notify us by text message. Please reply upon receipt."

"Ah, after interviewing with seven or eight departments, only one made it to the second round." Chen Fan lay in bed, dispiritedly turning off his phone screen.

"So, do you regret not doing anything on the Lucky Night?" The Elder Card interjected at an inopportune moment.

"Shut up. I don’t regret my decisions. Besides, I believe I made the right choice. But is my charm really that lacking? Don’t they have any sense when faced with a six-foot tall guy?"

The Elder Card replied truthfully, "Imposing image? Not quite. When I think about your wooden and dull demeanor, I feel like you’re hopeless."

Chen Fan retorted, "That’s called being honest and realistic. I’m not like those smooth talkers, for example, Wei Youlong—that guy who’s always spinning tales. Who knows how many girls he’ll lead astray?"

The Elder Card remained unimpressed. "Girls mostly fall for that stuff. Wei Youlong is just catering to their tastes. No one wants a philosopher for a boyfriend, right? I think you know that deep down."

"Tch, relationships like that are doomed not to last. I don’t care for them." Chen Fan scrolled through his messages again, only to realize they'd spelled his name wrong.

"Disciplinary Committee... could it be the same as the five-stripe monitors from high school who checked attendance?" Chen Fan pulled aside his bed curtain and called down to the three beneath him, "Which departments did you guys get through?"

"Heh, all the popular ones. A lot of scheduling conflicts, though. I’m still figuring out which invitations to politely decline—feels a bit embarrassing, honestly." Wei Youlong took off his headphones and rubbed his nose as he spoke.

"Look at him, then look at you," the Elder Card whispered from the side, sighing softly.

"Out. Get out, and make it quick," Chen Fan flicked the Elder Card with his index finger, sending it flying.

Lai Guangyi said, "Three or four, I guess. But I’m planning to join the Green Society."

Xu Changhui smiled, "I’m about the same as Guangyi, can’t decide between Green Society and Volunteering. I’ll see how the second round interviews go."

Chen Fan dropped the curtain and sighed alone inside. Everyone had gained something from these interviews, except himself—he felt pitiful, like a stray cat ignored at the roadside.

"Am I really that bad?" Chen Fan picked up the Elder Card again, his expression grave.

The Elder Card smiled, "Not at all. At least now you’re seeing yourself clearly. Besides, your life has its bright moments—like that night you saved the damsel."

"But I want to live under the spotlight, to be noticed by others, not just quietly drift through life, unknown and ordinary." Chen Fan gazed at the stack of magical cards beside his bed, thinking that if someone else possessed them, they’d probably yield different results.

But now, the cards were in his hands, and his life hadn’t changed much because of it.

The Elder Card comforted him, "They won’t go to waste. I trust his judgment, and you should trust yourself."

"You ought to make greater use of the cards’ abilities. That will help your fusion progress leap forward," the Elder Card added.

The words jolted him awake. Chen Fan hopped out of bed and tapped Xu Changhui's shoulder. "Changhui, how’s your hot-and-cold course selection going? How many more classes do you need to grab in the second and third rounds?"

Xu Changhui was startled by the sudden voice, quickly closing his browser and wiping his cold sweat. "Fan, you nearly scared me to death. My luck’s average—half and half. Not much pressure in the later rounds."

"Damn, I’ve been watching the streamer for half an hour, finally hit a trending moment. My tissues are all ready, and you’re blocking the way—my heart’s just melting."

"Ha! Well, let’s see if there are any courses we can take together. Skipping class is easier when you’re in the same dorm." Chen Fan shot him a mischievous look, then moved on to Lai Guangyi. "How’s your squad training going? My boxing practice has been tough."

Lai Guangyi was still battling in LoL, too busy to reply. After getting wiped out, he squeezed in a response, "Squad training’s okay, though the drill instructor is strict—lots of punishments. But I manage, my sneaky moves go undetected."

"Damn, that instructor’s a beast. The girls’ squad hardly ever gets sunburned, always whining. But us? Push-ups, frog jumps every day. Makes me want to switch to boxing."

Turns out, everyone’s suffering. Chen Fan suddenly felt much better; life was hard for all. He exchanged a few casual words to strengthen the dorm’s camaraderie.

As for Wei Youlong, Chen Fan didn’t want to deal with him. The ability tests could be done with anyone, so he just ignored him.

"Hey, I’ve just connected with another girl. Remember Pan Huiru?"

Before Chen Fan could return to his spot, Wei Youlong was already boasting, drawing everyone’s attention.

Lai Guangyi was first to react, "Pan Huiru? Of course, I remember—she made a strong impression at the freshman introduction. Gorgeous, perfect S-curve, looks very pure."

Xu Changhui poked his head out, slightly disappointed to have missed the most exciting part, "Top three in our class for looks. You managed to connect with her, Youlong, you’ve got skills! When are you going to teach me your tricks?"

Chen Fan remembered Pan Huiru as well—her pretty face was among the few standouts, and yet it was always this guy he disapproved of who succeeded.

"Youlong, you got over your last relationship quickly," Chen Fan said, reluctantly moving to Wei Youlong’s side and giving him a light nudge.

"Men shouldn’t dwell on such things. Enjoy life while you can. Honestly, girls usually fall for whoever chats with them. It’s not just Pan Huiru—I’m in touch with over a dozen girls in our class. One day, there’ll be a breakthrough." Wei Youlong snapped his fingers, humming a tune.

Chen Fan’s gaze at Wei Youlong hid a faint, barely perceptible hatred.

"If it weren’t for dumb luck, you wouldn’t have a chance. Too bad Xu Ying hasn’t fallen yet—such a beauty, I haven’t tried her. Chen Fan, just you wait, I’ll make you regret it."

Xu Changhui teased, "Youlong, managing all these lines at once—aren’t you afraid your romantic debts will catch up to you?"

Wei Youlong began sharing his secrets, "What’s there to fear? If things don’t work out in the class, there’s the rest of the college. Plenty of girls outside the campus, just need to use your brains—a ton of options."

"You three country bumpkins know nothing. Sharing a dorm with you is so boring. I’ll try to switch dorms soon—maybe live alone, or with someone more interesting."

Chen Fan turned away with a blank expression, sneering, "Plague, get out. The day you leave, I’ll burn incense and pray. You want something more interesting? I’ll show you."