Chapter 680

Not long after, another class assistant, Zhong Leixiang, arrived at the playground.

As it neared eight a. m., Jian Chun also rushed over from the milk tea shop to take attendance for all four humanities classes.

In Humanities Class One, Liang Yuling had already finished counting; thirty-nine students were present, with only one still on the way.

Chi Lingfeng led the front row, while the rest of the students, regardless of gender, formed two lines; Li Luo and Liang Yuling stood beside the class assistant and counselor.

"We can begin entering at eight," Jian Chun said, checking the time. "Once the last person arrives, we'll line up at the playground exit to sign in, then proceed inside."

Just then, the final student hurried in and joined the line.

Li Luo nodded to Chi Lingfeng. "Let's go."

He then led Liang Yuling behind Chi Lingfeng toward the playground exit.

At the exit, Jian Chun signed in Humanities Class One with the teacher in charge.

Ahead, a sophomore volunteer led them into the gymnasium, and they soon took seats on the east side of the stands.

"Sit over there," Li Luo pointed to an empty seat on the other side of the class and told Liang Yuling. "When the opening ceremony starts and people start talking too loudly, remind me."

"Yes, class president," Liang Yuling nodded firmly and took her seat in the far corner of the class.

Li Luo pulled Xu Youyu to the highest seat in the northeast corner.

"You moved me so far away—I'm not Chanxi, and I'm not that jealous," Xu Youyu glanced at him and said coolly.

"Who was it just now saying they'd bite until they drew blood?" Li Luo teased.

"I was just giving you a warning," Xu Youyu snorted. "They say once a man gets a woman, he gradually loses interest. I think you're already showing that trend."

"How could that be?" Li Luo raised an eyebrow. "Do you have some misunderstanding about me?"

"Lately, you've just seemed uninterested."

"What do you mean 'lately'? Just these two days since school started?" Li Luo looked baffled. "Besides, don't you remember that morning we arrived, we were in the bathroom..."

"Shut up," Xu Youyu quickly covered his mouth, glancing nervously at his classmates nearby. "Keep your voice down."

"You're embarrassed now?" Li Luo chuckled, leaning close to Xu Youyu's ear and whispering. "You act like you're starving, but in bed, Youyu-jie, you're just a little chicken—you can't last five moves before begging for mercy."

"It's not as bad as you say," Xu Youyu retorted. "Dare to try again next time—I'll show you real skill."

"We'll talk after military training ends."

"Are you scared?"

"We can't do anything wild on campus."

"Go home," Xu Youyu whispered. "We don't have to stay in the dorm every night—occasionally going home for a night isn't a big deal."

"What if we get caught? Don't they check dorms during military training?"

"Check dorms? You think this is high school?" Xu Youyu rolled her eyes. "The school only officially forbids freshmen from living off-campus, but nobody actually checks."

"Just don't cause trouble off-campus."

"Besides, I'm your class assistant, above me is your aunt, and above her is my dad—what are you afraid of?"

Hearing this, Li Luo's interest stirred, and he whispered, "So earlier, I always wanted to... in the living room..."

Xu Youyu raised an eyebrow and softly laughed. "I was thinking the same thing—Chanxi and Zhusheng aren't around anyway."

The two whispered to each other—a class president and a class assistant—anyone watching would think they were discussing something serious, but in truth, it was all nonsense.

As time passed, by half past eight, the gymnasium was nearly full.

When the gym lights dimmed, Li Luo put away his phone and paused his WeChat chats with Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng.

On the central screen below the stage, the promotional MV for this year's Qianjiang University began playing.

After a few minutes, the lights brightened, and the Qianjiang University Symphony Orchestra appeared around the stage.

After a symphonic performance, the opening ceremony officially began.

The vice president, acting as host, took the stage to preside over the flag-raising ceremony.

Then came the entrance and speeches of the university leadership.

Li Luo sat listlessly in his seat, occasionally whispering with Xu Youyu to pass the time.

Only when Ying Chanxi took the stage as a student representative to speak did Li Luo sit up straight and pull out his phone to record.

He planned to upload it to the "Bihai Lanting Fan Club" WeChat group afterward.

He had many WeChat groups, but only three were pinned at the top.

One was the small group of the four of them, where they discussed family matters.

Another was the former seven-member study group, still containing Zhao Rongjun, Xu Yinghuan, and Qiao Xinyan.

The third was the "Bihai Lanting Fan Club" group, which included Li Luo and the other three children, plus six parents: Lin Xiuhong and others.

Usually, Li Luo and the others rarely spoke in it; Lin Xiuhong and Cui Suling did most of the talking.

Occasionally, Yuan Wanqing would chime in, but the three fathers hardly ever spoke.

After recording Ying Chanxi's speech, Li Luo uploaded the video to the group and @everyone to watch.

Lin Xiuhong immediately sent praise.

Yuan Wanqing also praised right away.

Cui Suling echoed her approval.

Yan Zhusheng popped up to cheer.

A few minutes later, Ying Chanxi sent a private message.

【Ying Chanxi】: Why did you secretly record me?

【Li Luo】: How's that secret? I recorded it openly.

【Ying Chanxi】: What's there to record? It's so embarrassing—just empty formalities.

【Li Luo】: It's part of college life. Years from now, looking back, it'll be meaningful.

The two of them chatted idly, now and then.

Li Luo also replied to Yan Zhusheng's private message while chatting with Xu Youyu.

"The department recruitment is this weekend evening," Xu Youyu said to him. "Why don't you come join our External Relations Society?"

"So you really want me in your department?" Li Luo smiled.

"What? You want to join some other department?"

"Not really," Li Luo said. He wasn't interested in the Student Union, but if he worked under Xu Youyu, it was different. "So, Senior Xu, will you give your junior a backdoor entry?"

"If you can't get in on your own, I'll look down on you," Xu Youyu snorted.

"What if I can't?" Li Luo whispered. "You'll remember to pull me out, right?"

"That depends on your sincerity," Xu Youyu replied with a sly grin. "If you don't satisfy Senior, it'll be troublesome."

"By the way, isn't there a Political Work Group during military training?" Li Luo suddenly remembered. "Didn't you join that last year? I heard you could skip some training."

"You can," Xu Youyu nodded. "But you're not afraid of military training—why join that?"

"It's better to save effort if you can," Li Luo whispered, following his philosophy of grabbing every advantage. "Senior Xu, can you hook me up with the Political Work Group?"

"That depends on your attitude and performance."

"We're going home tonight."

……

With three girls chatting simultaneously, the opening ceremony wasn't so dull.

At 10:30 a. m., all faculty and students stood and sang Qianjiang University's anthem, after which the president personally declared the 2017 Qianjiang University opening ceremony officially concluded.

Thunderous applause erupted.

Then, everyone exited in orderly sequence.

"Post a notice in the class group: meet at the same spot on the morning playground at 1:30 p. m.," Li Luo told Liang Yuling after leaving the venue. "We'll have physical exams and pick up military uniforms—remind everyone to bring their student IDs."

"Yes, Class President," Liang Yuling nodded vigorously, then immediately began typing in the group chat after the gathering disbanded.

"You're quite the hands-off boss," Xu Youyu chuckled, watching. "No wonder you picked her as vice-class-president."

"That's an unfair thing to say, Senior Xu. Liang Yuling is quite capable."

Xu Youyu rolled her eyes, then turned to his three roommates with a smile. "Lunch together?"

"Uh… I've got plans," Wen Zexuan said, having noticed Li Luo and Xu Youyu's closeness—he'd completely lost interest in Xu Youyu and now only wanted to win over that medical senior first.

Cheng Xin hesitated, then followed Bai Haoran to lunch, leaving the two alone.

But after the roommates left, Yan Zhusheng came over.

"Li Luo, want to have lunch together?" Yan Zhusheng asked, stepping up to him.

"Sure?" Li Luo looked at Xu Youyu.

Xu Youyu glanced at the three roommates trailing behind Yan Zhusheng, then smiled faintly, leaned close to Yan Zhusheng's ear, whispered two things, and waved goodbye. "I'll go first—you two eat."

Yan Zhusheng's eyes lit up. "Senior, you're the best."

"Still mad?"

"I wasn't mad," Yan Zhusheng said sternly, face composed.

"I know you too well," Xu Youyu laughed, pinching her cheek. "Go on, eat slowly."

Watching Xu Youyu's graceful departure, Yan Zhusheng felt a quiet warmth—her tentative Motorhome Alliance with Li Luo now felt firmly reinforced.

But Li Luo's phone buzzed.

He picked it up and saw a private message from Xu Youyu.

【Xu Youyu】: Go home tonight—don't tell either of them.

"What are you looking at?" Yan Zhusheng asked curiously.

Li Luo swiftly closed WeChat, put away his phone, and took Yan Zhusheng's hand. "Let's go—take your roommates to Tianjie."

"Okay!" Yan Zhusheng happily linked arms with him and turned to her roommates. "We're staying for the physical exam this afternoon—let's all eat together. My treat."

"Why isn't your boyfriend treating?" Su Wei teased.

"She's paying," Li Luo said, walking with Yan Zhusheng toward the west gate, grinning. "I'm spending. Come on, ladies."

"Let's go!" Cheng Jinyan cheered and hurried after them.

Su Wei and Shen Zhaoyin followed behind toward the west gate.

Li Luo took the four of them to a restaurant near Tianjie, booked a private room, and handed the menu to Cheng Jinyan. "Look through it—don't be shy."

"You check too," Cheng Jinyan placed the menu between them and began ordering with Yan Zhusheng.

Li Luo glanced at Su Wei and Shen Zhaoyin, then called the waiter for another menu and handed it to them.

His phone buzzed again—someone was calling.

Li Luo pulled out his phone, glanced at it, then didn't sit back down. "I'll take this call outside."

"Okay."

Outside the private room, Li Luo answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Where are you?" Ying Chanxi asked on the other end. "With Senior Xu?"

"No, she left."

"Oh?" Ying Chanxi paused, then hurriedly asked, "Want to have lunch together? I just finished."

As the student representative who spoke, Ying Chanxi had no further duties after her speech, but backstage, Student Union members and several professors kept her chatting.

Some asked about her plans to join the Student Union; others asked about her academic future.

After all, it was rare for a provincial top scorer to unexpectedly choose Qianjiang University—many were curious about her.

That's why she'd only just stepped out of the gymnasium now.

"Hmm… I'm having dinner outside with Zhusheng and her roommate." Li Luo coughed, then asked, "Do you want to join us?"

Upon hearing this, Ying Chanxi fell silent.

After a long while, she forced herself to say, "Then go ahead and eat. I'll go find Xinyan."

"Alright, then let's hang up?"

"When are you going to take my roommate out to dinner?" Ying Chanxi pouted. "Last year, when your senior dragged you to pretend to be her boyfriend, you already took her roommate out. Today it's Zhusheng's turn…"

"Cough…" Li Luo felt a bit embarrassed. "Military training starts tomorrow. How about we wait until it's over? I haven't even met your two roommates yet."

"You know that, huh?" Ying Chanxi huffed. "Fine, fine, I won't disturb you. Go keep Zhusheng company. We'll talk about dinner later."

"Mm."

After hanging up, Li Luo returned to the private room.

The four girls had already ordered. Li Luo glanced at the list and saw nothing missing, so he handed it to the server to place the order.

At that moment, Su Wei pulled out a small notebook and handed it to Li Luo with a grin. "Teacher Chongran, could you please sign your name for me?"

Shen Zhaoyin, watching this, stirred slightly, her eyes fixed as Li Luo picked up a pen and signed Su Wei's notebook.

She pressed her lips together but said nothing, maintaining her poker face and speaking hardly at all.

Yet after the dishes arrived, whenever Li Luo and Yan Zhusheng shared tender moments, Shen Zhaoyin stared silently, never blinking.

Every time Li Luo picked food for Yan Zhusheng, or Yan Zhusheng tried to feed him, Shen Zhaoyin quietly shifted her gaze toward them—as if this scene drew more attention than the food on the table.

But whenever Li Luo or Yan Zhusheng looked over, she immediately averted her eyes, preserving her cold, silent demeanor.

"Will you go back right after your physical exam this afternoon?" Li Luo asked.

"Mm." Yan Zhusheng nodded. "Why?"

"I'll drive you back. Don't bother with the campus bus."

"Okay!" Yan Zhusheng nodded happily, then leaned close to Li Luo's ear and whispered, "So… should I stay in the car then?"

Li Luo: "... I'm just giving you a ride. Don't overthink it."

A big battle awaited him that night; better not waste ammunition this afternoon.

(End of Chapter)