Chapter 46: First Day of Registration

"45th floor, this side is near Teaching Building One cafeteria."

"You seem to know this place well," Song Yao said in confusion; at every intersection, Xu Qingzhou appeared to know exactly which way to go.

"I checked the guide in advance," Xu Qingzhou offered a casual excuse.

Song Yao’s heart warmed; she assumed Xu Qingzhou must have looked it up, since she’d once told him she was on the 45th floor.

The female dormitory was unusually lively today—registration day, free to come and go.

Song Yao’s dorm was on the second floor; when they entered, two roommates were packing and laying out sheets. Everyone was friendly and began introducing themselves.

Xu Qingzhou listened beside them, silently helping Song Yao unpack her bags.

"You’re Xu Qingzhou?" The man, surprised by the name on the form, then smiled and said, "I’m your counselor, Zhu Sitong."

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Song Yao ran out, and at the door, Xu Qingzhou held a bag of snacks and fruit.

The guy sleeping across from him was Zhai Ziqiang, pitch-black, quiet by nature, from Zhengzhou, rural origin, parents both farmers.

"We’re just ordinary friends. Uh, everyone, have an apple."

In the Math Department, all first-years study together; specialization is chosen only after the second year’s final exams.

"Why are you here again?" she complained, though her eyes were already reddening.

"There’s another girl, touring the campus with her parents," Teng Xiaojuan glanced at Xu Qingzhou beside her. "Is this your boyfriend?"

"When did you arrive?"

!.

She urged, "Alright, hurry up and check in."

"Counselor Zhu, good day," Xu Qingzhou smiled.

The girl, clearly a student, handed him a list: "Find your name and sign."

Xu Qingzhou was the last to arrive; when he entered, the three were chatting and all turned to look at him.

Zhong Ruotong was also surprised, her gaze sweeping between Xu Qingzhou and Song Yao, then she sighed: "You two are impressive—came to school on your own."

"Looks like I’m the last one here," Xu Qingzhou greeted with a smile.

After checking in, Xu Qingzhou boarded the campus bus and rode to the 16th floor.

Xu Qingzhou retrieved his luggage and walked straight toward the Math Department’s reception desk. Beneath the tent stood a tall, thin man, beside him a short-haired girl.

"Alright, I’ll be going then," Xu Qingzhou nodded, greeted the other two, and left their dorm.

"Xu Qingzhou?" The girl sized him up, curious about this legendary figure—740 points wasn’t something just anyone could score.

Watching Xu Qingzhou chat happily with her roommates, Song Yao suddenly felt a pang of jealousy, as if her boyfriend were cheating—yet he’d come solely to drop her off.

He looked at the tall man and said, "Teacher, I’m here to check in."

Xu Qingzhou shook his head humbly: "We just didn’t have parents with time to bring us—we had no choice but to come on our own."

But Xu Qingzhou was even more eager to clarify: "You mustn’t misunderstand—I’m just a high school classmate of Song Yao’s, happened to drop her off."

The man in front with Advanced Math was Kong Xianbo, from Quyang, who liked to adjust his glasses when speaking, as if always trying to appear profound.

"No."

"Oh, okay."

Teng Xiaojuan didn’t press further; she could tell Song Yao valued Xu Qingzhou deeply, and this boy—well, he wasn’t her type.

"I’m really leaving now. Call me if anything comes up."

Song Yao’s face flushed, and she carried her things upstairs.

"Bro, we’ve been waiting for you."

"Miss, your boyfriend’s already far away—don’t just stand here. Hurry back to your dorm and tidy up; we’re doing a hygiene inspection tonight." Everyone in this dorm had scores above 700—they’d marvel, but not worship.

"Xiao Yao, he really isn’t your boyfriend?" Teng Xiaojuan turned to Song Yao.

Ding~ Song Yao had just laid out her bedding when her phone rang.

Xu Qingzhou said, "Next door, Math Department."

In any school, female dorms inevitably have tensions—making a good first impression never hurts.

"My parents left right after breakfast this morning."

"But coming alone already shows great strength."

"You’re the one who cried," Song Yao punched Xu Qingzhou lightly—heavy enough to look like a girlfriend playfully teasing her boyfriend.

Xu Zhengyang, 19, was the dorm leader; Zhai Ziqiang was three months younger, second in rank; Xu Qingzhou third; Kong Xianbo fourth.

Running for class officer was not in Xu Qingzhou’s plans.

Wow—all of them except him wore glasses.

Song Yao felt a twinge of bitterness.

"Handsome, which school are you from?" Teng Xiaojuan was the bold type.

Xu Qingzhou waved his hand. Song Yao stood at the dorm door, watching Xu Qingzhou walk farther away.

"Hello," Xu Qingzhou greeted. Already counselor Zhu’s right-hand man after just entering campus—his future looked bright.

"No," Song Yao whispered.

She collected her campus card, key, bedding at the dorm office, then went to her dorm—101.

"Mm, okay," Song Yao felt warm inside; she knew Xu Qingzhou wanted her to get along with her roommates. The earlier sense of loss faded a little—she wasn’t alone; Xu Qingzhou was still there.

Everyone introduced themselves. Xu Qingzhou now had a rough sense of his new roommates’ personalities. The man on his left was Xu Zhengyang, from Beijing, spoke with authentic Beijing accent, dressed in designer brands—clearly from a wealthy family.

"The great Song Yao, campus beauty, aren’t you about to cry?" Xu Qingzhou whistled.

"Xiao Yao, he really isn’t your boyfriend?"

The girl waved: "I’m Zhang Shuyi—we’ll be classmates from now on."

"You bought him stuff? I bet it won’t be long before he is."

After Xu Qingzhou left, Song Yao felt hollow. In this unfamiliar place, surrounded by strangers, a sudden wave of loneliness nearly brought her to tears.

Song Yao wanted to deny it—she and Xu Qingzhou had no relationship, and she didn’t plan to date before graduation.

The dorm supervisor nearby couldn’t watch anymore and reminded her.

A true son of humble origins—worthy of respect.

Dorm 206 grew lively again.

"I once wanted to apply to the Math Department," Teng Xiaojuan said enviously; the admission score there was much higher than here.

The girl with a straight fringe and crop top was Teng Xiaojuan, undeniably beautiful; the girl on the right with glasses was Zhong Ruotong, a bit dull.

Zhu Sitong said, "Join the major group. Tomorrow at 9 a.m., gather in Building 4, Room 4102."

"Take these. If you can’t finish them, share with your roommates," Xu Qingzhou handed the items to Song Yao.

Xu Qingzhou’s bed was number 4, separated from the sink and toilet by a single wall.

After organizing their belongings, the four cleaned the dorm together.

"Guys, let’s go eat together?" Xu Zhengyang invited.

"Sure."

(End of Chapter)