Chapter 21: The First Night

The pitch-black dormitory was silent; a beam of moonlight shone through the window onto the floor, coating it in a pale color.

Excluding Zheng Chuan, who hadn't checked in yet, not one of the five people in the dormitory was asleep; their phone screens emitted a soft glow, illuminating their expressions clearly.

Lin Yang took off his glasses, gave himself an eye-care routine, and asked, "Old Shen, do you think I have a chance with Wu Yue'er?"

"Who isn't a single dog here? Asking me is useless," Shen Yan said, feeling speechless.

"Old Tang plays the guitar so well and is a heavy smoker; he definitely didn't lack for girls before. Ask him."

Tang Song had specifically carried a guitar all the way from his hometown and had just shown off his skills in the dorm; it was hard to say what his actual level was, but the melody sounded smooth and pleasant.

He could be considered a musical talent.

"That's true, Old Tang looks like a seasoned veteran. Tell me, do I have a chance with Wu Yue'er?" Lin Yang asked, feeling uneasy.

"Damn! Old Shen, stop ruining my reputation, will you? I'm not much better than you guys; I only dated one person, and we broke up right after high school graduation." Tang Song denied it flatly, perhaps feeling a bit sad as he recalled those beautiful memories of the past.

"That's not bad either, unlike us greenhorns who don't know anything," Shen Yan chuckled.

And just like that, he'd baited it out.

The others also started heckling, telling Tang Song to confess honestly—leniency for those who confess, severity for those who resist.

Actually, there wasn't much to say; two high-achieving high school students discussing their studies, plus the fact that Tang Song could play the guitar—one thing led to another, and the buds of love took root.

But graduation season is breakup season, and this long-distance relationship ultimately couldn't last.

"Lao Lin, let me be honest, don't get mad. That Wu Yue'er is too good-looking, and her personality... well... how should I put it? It's a bit fiery. An average person can't handle a girl like that."

Great minds think alike.

Shen Yan chimed in, "I think so too. Lao Lin, you should really consider this carefully."

"I still want to give it a try."

Hearing that both of them were so pessimistic about him actually stirred up Lin Yang's competitive spirit; if an average person couldn't handle her, was he an average person?

Wu Yue'er was from Liaoning, and he was from the bustling Shanghai; the inherent advantage was right there. Once they actually became a couple, he would show these people.

At this moment, Zhu Baoping also added, "Didn't Wu Yue'er say she wouldn't even consider anyone under two meters tall? Lao Lin, don't be so stubborn. Wear clothes that fit your build; the gap between you two is too big."

"Look who's talking. Look at Xiao Chuchu—do you think you two are a match?" Lin Yang curled his lip, his tone unconsciously carrying a hint of sarcasm.

Zhu Baoping was only 163cm tall, which was truly nothing to brag about among men, and he was also dark-skinned with average looks. Lin Yang didn't even know where he got the courage to pursue Xiao Chuchu.

"One must know that a youth has lofty aspirations, and once promised to be among the best in the world."

"I don't think I'm lacking anywhere. One's background doesn't determine one's worth. I believe that through hard work, I can definitely live the life I want." Sensing Lin Yang's disdain, the highly sensitive Zhu Baoping immediately got agitated.

It was just that there was no real conviction in his words.

"Alright, alright, if you like her, go pursue her. How will you know if you can do it if you don't try? Let's change the subject. Old Tang, where did you learn to play the guitar? Teach me when you have time."

Fearing that the two would start a fight, Shen Yan immediately changed the topic.

Tang Song understood, agreed readily, and then started chatting about other things, describing the local customs of his hometown and interesting things he had encountered in life.

Zhu Baoping and Lin Yang didn't want to make things too awkward, so they joined in the conversation half-heartedly.

Invisibly, the conflict dissipated.

Tang Song even sent a message to Shen Yan, saying there were two immature kids in the dorm who were really a handful. Shen Yan replied that with an older brother like him around, nothing major would happen.

Haha!

The girls' dormitory.

Excluding the two empty beds, the four girls weren't asleep either, chatting away.

At this moment, Xiao Chuchu asked out of the blue, "Youwei, that Shen Yan is your neighbor. His phone is so expensive, and he even had money to buy a small electric scooter. His family background must be quite good, right?"

Although she didn't understand why the other girl suddenly asked about Shen Yan, Yu Youwei still answered truthfully, "You mean Shen Yan? His family is just an ordinary household. That money was all earned by him during summer vacation."

"Is that so!" Xiao Chuchu's interest immediately waned.

"Shen Yan? Is that a nickname? Who gave him such a strange nickname?" Wu Yue'er chimed in.

Yu Youwei explained, "It's mainly because Shen Yan used to be quite introverted and was always silent, so a classmate gave him that nickname."

Uh... Shen Yan is introverted? Couldn't tell at all.

Recalling the origin of her own screen name, Wu Yue'er shook her head; it was hard to associate the word "introverted" with Shen Yan.

Luo Qiqi complained, "I think that guy should just talk less; otherwise, he'll drive people to death. Yue'er, you don't know..."

Luo Qiqi repeated what Shen Yan had said to retort her earlier.

"Cackle!"

Wu Yue'er was amused, "I don't think Shen Yan was wrong. Doing manual labor is exhausting and thankless; if it were me, I wouldn't do it either."

As for all that talk about contributing to the collective, tell that to the ghosts.

This was a utilitarian society, and she greatly admired Shen Yan's straightforward personality.

Alright! Everyone has different outlooks on life, so Luo Qiqi didn't say anything more.

A good night's sleep!

The next day at dawn, the little birds outside the window flew onto the branches early, singing happily. The grass was covered in crystal-clear dew, looking like tiny, fine Diamonds swaying in the wind.

"Croak! Croak! Croak!"

Amidst the undulating sound of frogs, Shen Yan opened his eyes impatiently. Looking around, he suddenly realized that he had left home and was now in the dormitory.

Anyone who didn't know better would think they had arrived at a toad's nest.

They were all snoring loudly, especially Zhu Baoping in the neighboring bed, whose sound was like thunder after rain, rumbling away. Lin Yang was no less impressive, providing backup from the lower bunk; the two, one big and one small, were like a duet, continuous and unending.

Damn it, did it have to be this exaggerated?

Shen Yan rubbed his somewhat messy hair, feeling depressed to the extreme.

There is no harm without comparison. At this moment, Shen Yan missed his life at home immensely, thinking that once he made money from the stocks this time, he would quickly buy an apartment near the school and move out.

He still preferred being alone.

After tossing and turning in bed for a while, the restless mood made it truly hard to fall asleep. With no other choice, Shen Yan took out his phone and started reading a novel.

In truth, given the memories currently in Shen Yan's mind, there were many choices for making money, such as plagiarizing novels, songs, or film and television scripts; the reason he did not do so was simply one word: "lazy."

Since he could clearly earn money while lying down, why would he want to be so tired?