Chapter 704

A typical university class consists of two consecutive sessions, each forty-five minutes long, totaling an hour and a half.

Some teachers will teach both sessions back-to-back without taking the ten-minute break.

But Xu Rongsheng is older and doesn't care much about teaching speed, so when he heard the bell, he announced a short break and took a sip of tea from his cup.

The students also relaxed, and many got up to go to the restroom.

Under Xu Rongsheng's glance, Li Luo stood up and followed him out of the classroom, all the way to a corner of the hallway, where Xu Rongsheng finally stopped.

"How did it feel?" Xu Rongsheng asked Li Luo with a smile.

"Uncle Xu, you didn't come just to watch me embarrass myself, did you?" Li Luo said helplessly. "Are you really going to make me get up and talk about the content next time?"

"How is that embarrassing?" Xu Rongsheng chuckled. "What I said in class was mostly the truth."

"Online novel as a genre literature born in the new internet era has achieved enormous literary influence domestically—it certainly has value worth studying."

"For example, recently I've come to understand a few things, some of which came from reading your books."

"I find it quite interesting."

"Oh?" Li Luo raised an eyebrow, surprised that Xu Rongsheng was serious, not just playing around. "What new insights do you have, Uncle Xu?"

"Take your new book, Night Watch of Great Qian," Xu Rongsheng chuckled. "Over the past few years, I've specifically studied online novels from ten years ago, especially those early genres, and discovered something quite interesting."

"What?"

"In early online novels, the protagonist often emphasized personal power," Xu Rongsheng said. "Of course, this still holds true today, but the form has changed."

"The most typical example is the protagonist's affiliation."

"Whenever official or national institutions are involved, the earlier the protagonist, the more likely they are to oppose the authorities."

"Both authors and readers considered this correct."

"But in your generation, it's now acceptable for the protagonist to join official departments or maintain friendly relations with them."

"For instance, your protagonist even joined the Night Watch of Great Qian, directly under the Emperor."

"According to past reader logic, that meant you were serving the Emperor like a dog—but today's readers think it's better to stand under a big tree for shade; having a powerful department as your superior isn't bad."

"What do you think is the reason?"

"Uh…" Li Luo had never thought that deeply. "Maybe readers are tired of the old tropes, so my choice of joining the authorities has become popular?"

"Possibly," Xu Rongsheng smiled. "But I think it's also tied to our country growing stronger—or rather, it reflects the rising trust of the new generation of readers in the nation."

"But there's another side to it."

"Earlier online novels emphasized human will triumphing over heaven, or don't look down on the poor youth, or the east and west of the river change in thirty years."

"Now, online novels are slowly shifting toward another direction."

"Personal effort alone seems insufficient—you need to cling to strong legs, have seniors protect you, and have powerful factions backing you to stand out."

"Some even use 'lying flat' and 'lazy fish' as selling points, no longer portraying protagonists who are proactive and strive to be first."

"Why do you think that is?"

Li Luo fell silent for a moment, feeling that Xu Rongsheng's words made sense.

In his past life, he simply thought it was a shift in genre trends, but if viewed as part of broader societal development, it carried deeper meaning.

"Because early on, China's economy grew rapidly with endless business opportunities, but now, as development continues, monopolies by large domestic companies have become increasingly common, and ordinary people's pathways upward are narrowing," Xu Rongsheng said simply. "The evolution of protagonists' personalities and genre shifts in online novels mirrors the trajectory of the times."

Li Luo was deeply moved; he hadn't expected Xu Rongsheng's claim to study online novels was anything but lip service—he was genuinely observing and analyzing.

"So why are you teaching this course…"

"That's only part of the reason," Xu Rongsheng chuckled. "Contemporary literature can't keep studying the same old, over-researched topics year after year."

"Sometimes you have to look ahead."

"I also want to interact more with young people, talk to the young audience who read online novels—maybe I'll get some inspiration."

"In a few years, I might even write a book documenting the development of online novels."

Li Luo hadn't expected Xu Rongsheng had such interest—he couldn't help but feel a deep respect.

"Uncle Xu, if you need anything in this area, feel free to ask me anytime."

"Do you think I'd tell you all this for nothing?" Xu Rongsheng glanced at him. "You know many authors—when I study a book, help me contact the author for a quick chat."

"No problem," Li Luo gave an OK gesture, promising to fulfill his father-in-law's research needs.

After their exchange, Li Luo excused himself first to use the restroom. When he returned to the classroom, Wen Zexuan asked: "Why did Professor Xu call you?"

"He gave me some reminders about being class rep," Li Luo replied offhandedly, then suddenly remembered something and turned to Wen Zexuan. "By the way, you work out regularly, right?"

"Yeah," Wen Zexuan nodded. "What of it? After weeks of military training, now that classes have started, I definitely need to keep exercising."

"Then if you go to the gym, take me with you," Li Luo said.

"Oh? You're going to pick up girls too?"

"I'm working out seriously," Li Luo rolled his eyes. "I've got a girlfriend—I'm not like you."

"I've got a girlfriend too," Wen Zexuan chuckled. "But that doesn't stop me from meeting other girls."

"You're such a scumbag," Cheng Xin shook his head beside him.

"Want to come along?" Wen Zexuan slung an arm around Cheng Xin's neck, coaxing him. "At the gym, girls who go there usually aren't bad-looking—just for the view alone, it's great."

Cheng Xin was slightly swayed by this, his expression turning uncertain: "Is the gym expensive?"

"What are you thinking?" Wen Zexuan rolled his eyes. "Like we're all as rich as Li Luo? If we go, we'll go to the campus gym."

"Huh? The school has one?"

"Yeah, and more than one," Wen Zexuan said. "There's a small gym in each of the east and west teaching buildings, a dedicated fitness center to the north, and one in the Zhu Academy dormitory—but we can't use that one."

"Free?" Cheng Xin asked curiously.

"Of course not," Wen Zexuan shook his head. "I looked into it—only the one in the Zhu Academy dormitory is free for Zhu Academy students."

"The two smaller ones in the teaching buildings cost four yuan per session; the fitness center is larger and costs five yuan per session, and you can get a membership for better rates. My advice is the fitness center—the teaching building gyms are too small to work out properly."

"You just hate it when there aren't enough people," Cheng Xin smirked.

"It's just that you think there aren't enough girls." Wen Zexuan chuckled. "If you find the right target, you can invite her to the gym near the classroom building—fewer people, easier to build feelings."

"I just want to work out, not pick up girls." Li Luo said, unimpressed. "Does our campus fitness center offer personal trainers?"

"I don't know about that." Wen Zexuan shook his head, then added, "Why bother finding a personal trainer? Just get me. I used to hang out every day at my relative's gym—I know every move."

"Really? Don't mess me up."

"You're underestimating me? Wait till I show you my muscles back in the dorm."

"No need for that."

After some casual chat, Li Luo made plans with Wen Zexuan and Cheng Xin to check out the fitness center tomorrow afternoon when they had no class.

If it was decent, Li Luo planned to set up his own workout routine and put physical fitness on his agenda.

…

After finishing two morning classes and having lunch with his roommate, he attended another afternoon class.

Then, the rest of Monday had no more classes.

Bai Haoran went to the library, Cheng Xin was called by his department senior to help with tasks, and Wen Zexuan had a date with his girlfriend and left immediately.

With nothing to do for a moment, Li Luo pulled out his phone and checked WeChat messages from Ying Chanxi and the other two, wondering who to approach.

He opened their class schedules inside his Memory Palace.

Yan Zhusheng had class in the afternoon, and the Music College was too far away—he wouldn't disturb her.

Ying Chanxi had no class, but the Secretariat seemed busy; during her morning run, she'd said she'd be helping Senior Meng this afternoon.

So after thinking it over, Li Luo sent a WeChat message to Xu Youyu.

【Li Luo】: This morning your dad bullied me. How are you going to compensate me?

【Xu Youyu】:?

【Li Luo】: Just a question mark? Don't you love me anymore?

【Xu Youyu】: I'm in class, okay?

Li Luo knew she was in class—just a watered-down course like "Current Situation and Policy."

【Li Luo】: My broken heart needs your comfort.

【Xu Youyu】: I don't comfort broken hearts—I only comfort airplanes in the sky.

【Li Luo】: Why do you always think about things like that? Are you just after my body?

【Xu Youyu】: So how exactly did my dad bully you? Tell me.

【Li Luo】: Hmph, woman, always changing the subject.

【Xu Youyu】: I've slipped out of class. Where are you? I'll come loosen your muscles.

【Li Luo】: Let's just focus on class. Skipping is too embarrassing to talk about.

【Xu Youyu】: Stop dawdling. Where are you? Going home?

【Li Luo】: In Building Dongyi.

【Xu Youyu】: I'm on my way. Think about how you're going to talk.

A few minutes after reading this message, Li Luo saw Xu Youyu walk through the main entrance of the classroom building and immediately spot him sitting on a bench in the lobby.

"What are you doing here?" Xu Youyu walked up, looking puzzled. "Just sitting around sending me harassing messages?"

"I just missed you."

"Hmph." Xu Youyu leaned close to Li Luo's ear. "Then get up. Come home with me—I'll show you exactly how I'm after your body."

"Nah, forget it." Li Luo coughed, stood up, and took her hand. "Since I've got nothing else to do, let's go fulfill the External Relations Department's KPI."

"Just say you want to take me shopping on a date." Xu Youyu rolled her eyes, let go of his hand, then reached out and wrapped her arm around his. "Fine, let's go. And tell me how your dad bullied you."

"It wasn't bullying." Li Luo led her out of the classroom building, his tone finally turning serious. "He just forced me to be a class rep and said that when we study online novel content later, I'll have to give a presentation."

"Hahaha~" Hearing this predictable news, Xu Youyu burst into laughter. "Then you'd better work hard—you can't let my dad's expectations down."

"That's exactly what I thought." Li Luo nodded seriously. "So starting today, I'm going to thoroughly read the high-quality online novels Literary Era and Gu Dao Changqing, and then give a dedicated presentation to my classmates."

Hearing this, Xu Youyu narrowed her eyes, her gaze turning dangerously sharp: "If you dare do that, you'll wake up dead in bed tomorrow."

"... Why dead in bed?"

"I'm feeling merciful—I'll let you have one last good time before you die."

Li Luo: "..."

The two walked out together through the west gate toward the opposite street's Shidai Tianjie, exchanging bawdy banter back and forth, fiercely clashing.

No wonder they were both masters of driving in online novels.

Plus, they both knew each other's true nature, so they spoke without any restraint.

Xu Youyu had no concept of modesty—often her pace was even faster than Li Luo's.

Arriving at Shidai Tianjie, they strolled and chatted, occasionally approaching staff and managers to ask if they'd be interested in university sponsorships.

They wandered like this until evening, eating dinner on the fourth floor. When they heard Li Luo planned to go to the gym, Xu Youyu suddenly got interested: "Can I come too?"

"Why are you coming?" Li Luo looked surprised. "To play the lazy fish?"

"Who are you looking down on?" Xu Youyu glared at him. "Can't I decide to get serious?"

"Don't scare me." Li Luo worried. "If you start working out, what'll I do later?"

"What nonsense." Xu Youyu rolled her eyes. "I've already planned to start working out seriously this semester."

"Speak plainly."

"Ugh…" Xu Youyu's face fell, her expression pitiful. "I just found out—our school's Sunshine Jogging app now requires facial recognition during every run!"

(End of Chapter)