Chapter 239

Downstairs at the Overseas Chinese Apartment building, Wei Ming had a bulging snakeskin bag tied to the back of his motorcycle, which was spotted by Ms. Xiao Xiao Shufang, wife of Wu Zuoren, as she was heading downstairs to buy groceries.

"Little Wei, what's this?"

"Auntie Xiao, my younger sister is starting school, so I'm taking her to register."

"Which department at Peking University?" As close neighbors, the couple had long known that Wei Ming's younger sister was a genius.

"The Department of Mathematics at Peking University," Wei Ming replied with a smile, receiving the expected praise and affirmation from Xiao Xiao Shufang.

"Those who study mathematics are geniuses among geniuses. I really couldn't tell; such a small girl, she's probably smarter than all of us on this floor combined."

"Auntie Xiao, if you keep saying that, she'll probably get a big head," Wei Ming laughed.

Upstairs, Xu Shufin was still urging Xiao Hong to hurry up; she still had some things to pack. Xu Yunyun was also there, having specifically taken a half-day off to accompany Xiao Hong to school.

Since she had no hope of attending university in this lifetime, she would just experience what it felt like to enroll through her cousin.

Because the four of them only had one motorcycle and two bicycles, and Xu Shufin didn't know how to ride a bicycle, she rode on her son's motorcycle.

The mother and son left first, while Xiao Hong and Xu Yunyun rode slowly behind. It wasn't far anyway; they would definitely arrive in over half an hour.

Bicycles were still the most common sight on the road. Wei Ming asked his mother, "Mom, how about I buy you a bicycle too?"

Xu Shufin was naturally very envious of people who rode bicycles; in the countryside, owning a bicycle was something to be very proud of, but she also felt bad about the money.

"Let's not. I don't know how to ride one anyway."

"How can you learn if you don't buy one? It's settled then. That way, it'll be more convenient for you to go to the courtyard to grow vegetables in the future."

His mother didn't refuse anymore, a smile on her face: "Then let's buy a second-hand one. When your dad comes over, he can ride it too."

This time, Wei Ming took the West Gate, just like the first time he came last year. In the blink of an eye, it had already been one year since his rebirth—truly a joyous and celebratory day.

Upon arriving, he greeted his colleagues at the West Gate guard post and parked the bike, waiting for Xiao Hong and the others.

During the wait, new students walked in one after another, but not many; they were mostly local students accompanied by their parents.

Today was the first day of enrollment, and most of the students from out of town were still on their way.

Some senior students had arrived quite early, such as Liu Liu Zhenyun, who had returned to school two days ago with his classmate Guo Guo Jianmei.

Wei Ming and his mother met the two of them returning from outside at the West Gate. At this time and place last year, it was also the two of them, except Wei Ming's father had become his mother, and the mode of transport had changed.

Wei Ming was riding a motorcycle, while Liu Liu Zhenyun was on a bicycle.

"Not bad, Bai Bai Lao Liu, you finally decided to buy a bicycle," Wei Ming teased Liu Liu Zhenyun.

Liu Liu Zhenyun was heartbroken: "Who told you not to sell your bike to me? I had to buy someone else's, and it cost me 80 yuan."

He had just bought it after returning to school and was test-riding it with his girlfriend.

"I heard you published a novel; you shouldn't be short on that bit of money," Wei Ming laughed.

After holding it in for an entire summer vacation, Liu Liu Zhenyun, who had been focusing on critical essays, finally published his first novel that earned him royalties. It was a rural-themed story in their local municipal newspaper, over ten thousand words, and he had earned exactly 80 yuan in royalties.

"How did you know? Did the *People's Daily* mention it too?"

This guy was still as interesting as ever. Wei Ming said, "I saw it on the *Xinwen Lianbo*."

In fact, Wei Ming had run into Liang Zuo on the street one day while he was out with his younger brother and sister, and that's how he heard it.

Because both of them were Wei Ming's friends, Liu Liu Zhenyun's relationship with his senior Liang Zuo had grown increasingly close. After his successful publication, he wrote to show off and even mailed the newspaper that carried his work.

Liang Zuo replied: "I copied your article, told my mom I wrote it, and let her read it. She told me to practice more."

After hearing Wei Ming finish, Liu Liu Zhenyun said unconvinced, "I have a copy of the newspaper. Let me see it. I don't think it's that bad. Teacher Chen must have thought her own son wrote it, so she wasn't being objective."

Wei Ming: "No rush, we'll look later. I'm still waiting for my sister."

Guo Guo Jianmei said with pleasant surprise, "Xiao Hong really got in?!"

Wei Ming and his mother both smiled and nodded.

"Which department?"

"Mathematics."

"She got into the Math Department? Her score wasn't low, right?" Liu Liu Zhenyun asked.

Wei Ming: "It was average, just the top science student in Hebei."

"Whoa!" Liu Liu Zhenyun was surprised, "Our sister is so amazing!"

As they spoke, Wei Hong and the others arrived. The top arts student from Henan immediately shook hands with the top science student from Hebei, welcoming her into the Peking University family.

Because school hadn't officially started yet, Liu Liu Zhenyun was quite free, so he and Guo Guo Jianmei accompanied Xiao Hong to handle the enrollment procedures. After all, they had more experience, which made their group look exceptionally large, and Xiao Hong entered the school empty-handed.

Looking at the new class of juniors, Liu Liu Zhenyun was filled with emotion. The three classes of '77, '78, and '79 had basically exhausted the pool of older students accumulated over ten years, and those who couldn't get in had mostly given up. Therefore, most of this year's students were fresh graduates, plus students like Xiao Hong who had skipped grades, so the new students looked very young overall, making them feel old.

The group arrived at the large dining hall and found the table where the Math Department was handling enrollment. There were young teachers as well as junior and senior students helping out voluntarily.

Liu Liu Zhenyun deliberately avoided the Chinese Department, as those helping there were his own classmates, and he was afraid of being drafted.

Zhang Zhang Yitang from the '77 Math Department had returned to school a bit early and was drafted by the counselor to be responsible for registering new students. He was from the '77 class, and although he was a junior, he felt it would have been better to leave such trivial matters to the '78 class brats.

The new student in front of him was followed by five or six people, and at a glance, they were clearly people with significant backgrounds.

As it turned out, when he looked at the native address she filled in, it was actually a small village in Hebei. Then he looked at her age.

"Born in '66, you're only 14?" Zhang Zhang Yitang was somewhat surprised.

Wei Hong: "Yes."

"There was just a 15-year-old, and we thought that was the youngest new student. It seems you're the youngest."

Just as he was speaking, a senior sister next to him looked at the little dark-skinned fatty in front of her and said in surprise, "Tang Puqi, you're our top science student from Hunan, right!"

The little dark-skinned fatty scratched his head embarrassedly and said woodenly, "I am indeed the top in the province."

Wei Hong stuck out her tongue; there were so many top students.

Wei Ming said, "Since you've chosen the Math Department, you must be mentally prepared that your classmates are all geniuses no weaker than you."

Next was the dormitory assignment. Guo Guo Jianmei said happily, "Building 33, great, we're in the same building!"

Wei Ming said bluntly, "If you have any urgent matters in the future, you can find your Sister Meizi. The girls in the Law Department are all very strong, especially with their tongues."

Wei Hong nodded seriously: "Mm."

Liu Liu Zhenyun also nodded; their tongues were indeed sharp.

Before going to the dormitory building, they still had to go to the library to buy meal tickets, which was Wei Ming's current workplace. After finishing Xiao Hong's enrollment, he had to go to work.

The subsidies for rural students hadn't been issued yet, but fortunately, Wei Ming wasn't short on money, so he exchanged meal tickets for Xiao Hong directly. She couldn't buy more even if she wanted to; it was a fixed quota every month.

Guo Guo Jianmei said, "There are four types of meal tickets. Use vegetable tickets for vegetables and non-staple foods. The staples are noodle tickets, rice tickets, and coarse grain tickets, used to buy noodles, rice, and coarse grains respectively. You're in the Math Department, so it seems you can only eat at the First Student Canteen."

Sure enough, when exchanging meal tickets, they asked for her department, and she was given tickets for the First Student Canteen directly.

However, students had been making suggestions, hoping that meal tickets for the several canteens could be interchangeable. This unfriendly rule was expected to be abolished this year.

Walking out of the library, Wei Hong asked, "Then how much money can I receive every month?"

Liu Liu Zhenyun said, "Students with rural household registration like us can receive the maximum subsidy of 22.5 yuan. If you spend sparingly, it's definitely enough, but you certainly don't need to spend sparingly."

"So much money without even working, university is too blissful!" Although Xiao Hong had heard her big brother talk about it, she still felt blissful thinking the subsidy was about to be in her hands.

"That's not even the most blissful part," Liu Liu Zhenyun said, "Sister Zhang from our class had a job before, and she had five years of seniority, so the state pays her a salary for attending university, 30 yuan a month."

"Wow!"

As they spoke, they arrived at the dormitory area, which was closer to the South Gate. Now, Wei Ming and the others' original dormitory had been occupied by newcomers, leaving only Brother Feng as the old-timer. His family couldn't fit so many people, so he had to stay in the dormitory.

However, it was confirmed that he had a new house being built, and it was already finished. He would be able to move in once the baby was born.

Passing by his own dormitory, Liu Liu Zhenyun introduced it to Xiao Hong.

"If you can't find Sister Meizi, it's also very convenient to find me here. The boys in our Chinese Department are all acquaintances of Wei Ming."

Guo Guo Jianmei laughed, "The girls in the Chinese Department in Building 31 are even more familiar with your brother. I heard they've basically all treated him to meals."

Wei Hong and Xu Yunyun covered their mouths and laughed, while Xu Shufin looked worried. So, the matter with Gong Xue and Zhu Lin had long been foreshadowed. Everything about their Ming was good, but his only flaw was being too excellent and too attractive to others.

Just then, a confused boy with glasses happened to bump into the talkative Liu Liu Zhenyun, and then asked embarrassedly, "Senior, may I ask where Building 32 is?"

He had a slight southern accent, was carrying two bags, and from his attire, he was clearly a rural kid. Wei Ming recognized him at a glance.

Yo, isn't this classmate Yu Yu Minhong.

As soon as Liu Liu Zhenyun heard it was the same building as his, he hurriedly asked, "Are you a freshman in the Chinese Department?"

He looked a bit old; he thought all the '80 freshmen were tender. Turns out there were some old hands too.

Although he looked a bit old and had already taken the exam three times, little Yu was actually only 18.

"No, no, no, I'm in the Western Languages Department." Yu Yu Minhong pushed his glasses up.

Last year, the Foreign Languages Department was split into the Western Languages Department, Eastern Languages Department, and Russian Languages Department.

The Eastern Languages Department covered Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Thai, and other oriental languages, while the Western Languages Department covered English, French, German, Spanish, etc.

Seeing he wasn't a direct junior, Liu Liu Zhenyun pointed casually: "Building 32 is right in front of you. Go in."

"Thank you, Senior."

Nowadays, there weren't so many taboos about male and female dormitories, especially on enrollment day. Wei Ming and Liu Liu Zhenyun sent Wei Hong directly to her dormitory on the third floor. It was a six-person room, and Wei Hong was the first to arrive.

Her first feeling was disappointment; it was much smaller than her brother's house, and the restroom was far away.

However, Liu Liu Zhenyun congratulated her: "It's better than our eight-person room, and Xiao Hong, you can pick your bed first. Take your brother's advice: never pick the one next to the door."

Guo Guo Jianmei had been to their dormitory and knew that Liu Liu Zhenyun was the one by the door. Turning the lights on and off was his job, and whenever someone went to the restroom at night, he was the first to be disturbed.

Wei Ming: "By the window is indeed better. It just depends on whether you like the lower bunk or the upper bunk."

The lower bunk is convenient for sleeping, while the upper bunk offers better privacy.

Wei Hong tried it out. She was light and agile, moving up and down like a nimble monkey: "Then I'll pick the upper bunk."

Then everyone helped her spread the mattress. Her mother could have handled such a small task alone, so the others just watched.

Just as they were watching, another new classmate arrived. A beautiful girl in a white dress walked in accompanied by her parents. The parents' temperament clearly showed they had stable jobs, and good ones at that.

"Yo, two classmates have already arrived. We're the third," the girl's father laughed.

He also mistook Xu Yunyun for a freshman. Xu Yunyun hurriedly waved her hand: "We're here to send my sister."

Additionally, Xu Yunyun noticed that the girl was wearing clothing produced by their New World, but she hadn't seen them before; it must have been bought while she was on leave.

The girl's mother looked at the bustling crowd and asked, "Are you all family members?"

Liu Liu Zhenyun leaned against Guo Guo Jianmei: "They are family members; we are friends, and also seniors."

Wei Hong introduced herself from the upper bunk: "My name is Wei Hong. What's your name, classmate?"

"Ning Xin." The girl's attitude was colder than her parents'. Wei Ming just took it as the natural cold aura of a top student.

The girl's father asked her: "Xin Xin, which bunk do you want to pick?"

Then Ning Xin pointed at Wei Hong's position. That position was her dream bunk—she could catch the breeze, look at the sky, and wouldn't be disturbed. She hoped Wei Hong would voluntarily give it up to her.

Wei Hong laughed triumphantly: "Luckily I came early, otherwise it would have been taken by you."

Seeing that Wei Hong didn't understand her meaning, Ning Xin looked at her parents. Her mother said, "Then let's pick this upper bunk, head-to-head with classmate Wei."

She knew her daughter was a bit of a germaphobe and didn't like others touching her bed, so the lower bunk was definitely out of the question.

Ning Xin reluctantly chose the middle upper bunk. She didn't want to be head-to-head with others, but if she faced her feet toward Wei Hong's head, then the classmate in the third upper bunk might face her feet toward her head. The risk was too great; she had to choose the lesser of two evils.

In his conversation with the girl's parents, Wei Ming also learned that they were from Yanjing, the girl was 16, an only child, and a bit pampered.

"Where are you all from?" Ning Xin's father asked. He also wanted to have a clear idea about his daughter's roommates.

Wei Ming: "Our family is from a village under Hengzhou, Hebei. I currently work at Peking University."

"You're a teacher at Peking University?" Both of them were a bit incredulous, and even Ning Xin looked over.

Although Wei Ming was only 19, his temperament was calm and sophisticated. Compared to Liu Liu Zhenyun next to him, besides this handsome and tender face, one could clearly feel that Liu Liu Zhenyun was still a student, while Wei Ming was already a man of the world.

At this time, a straight man was needed. Liu Liu Zhenyun entered: "Calling him Wei Laoshi is also correct. He works in our school's library."

I stand guard at the gate and you don't call me Wei Laoshi; I don't hold it against you. Now that I've entered the library, you still don't call me Wei Laoshi; that's unreasonable.

"Surname Wei?" Ning Xin's father seemed to think of something, "Could you be the famous writer Wei Laoshi Ming?"

Liu Liu Zhenyun laughed: Saved himself a lot of spit.

Seeing the other party reach out to him for the second time, Wei Ming shook hands: "Famous is not quite right; I am Wei Ming."

Ning Xin's father and mother reacted enthusiastically, with a fanboy and fangirl mentality. They had not only read Wei Ming's novels, were well-versed in Wei Ming's poems, but had also heard the songs Wei Ming wrote.

However, Ning Xin in the upper bunk still had a calm expression, unmoved, as if she had heard of "Wei Ming" for the first time. This made Wei Hong a little depressed: This classmate of yours doesn't provide emotional value.

Next, another classmate came in, accompanied by her father. The girl's name was Qiao Cui, 17, also from Yanjing.

Ning Xin's father enthusiastically introduced Wei Ming to Qiao Cui's father. He was happy from the bottom of his heart that his daughter had a roommate with a big writer as a brother.

As a result, this time the father was confused, while the daughter was jumping up and down.

"Wei Ming! You're actually Wei Ming! My classmate's brother is actually Wei Ming! Is he your biological brother?"

Wei Hong was happy, standing beside Wei Ming to let classmate Qiao Cui see: "Look, how much do we look alike."

Qiao Cui nodded, then rummaged through her bag and took out a copy of *Animal Fierce*, handing it over with both hands to ask Wei Ming for an autograph.

Ning Xin's father hurriedly took the fountain pen off his clothes: "Use mine. We have this book at home too. Later, let Xin Xin bring it over for Wei Laoshi to sign."

Ning Xin turned a deaf ear, still staring blankly at her dream bunk.

"Didn't you bring your seal? The one that says 'Gouzi Wei Ming'?" Qiao Cui asked again. She actually knew even that.

Wei Ming laughed: "Didn't bring it, I'll make up for it next time."

"Great, great. Wei Laoshi, you must come to our dormitory often to guide us. Although we are in the Math Department, our Chinese grades are not bad either, and we are all eager for the nourishment of literature," classmate Qiao Cui grinned and laughed.

Three students had arrived, and the dormitory was a bit crowded, so Guo Guo Jianmei pulled Liu Liu Zhenyun and prepared to say goodbye.

Wei Ming hurriedly said: "Bai Bai Lao Liu, you guys go to the usual place to save a seat first. We'll be there in a moment. It's been so long, let's have a meal together at noon."

Liu Liu Zhenyun's eyes lit up. He had spent 80 yuan to buy a luxury car and had already prepared to live frugally this semester. He didn't expect to have a big meal as soon as he returned to school.

Once the couple left, the dormitory became much more spacious. Qiao Cui's wooden father was likely a worker and had to go to work in the afternoon, so he had to leave too.

Qiao Cui had only occupied Wei Hong's lower bunk and didn't have time to tidy up before going downstairs to send her father off.

Ning Xin was still missing some daily necessities, so she also went downstairs with her parents to buy things.

Wei Hong: "Then let's go too, lock the door."

Wei Ming checked the time; it was almost time to get off work, so he let Xiao Hong and the others go order dishes first, while he ran to the office to call Uncle Ping'an and Brother Feng.

Today was the enrollment of new students and the return of senior students; there were definitely a lot of people. Letting Liu Liu Zhenyun save a seat in advance was the right move. When Wei Ming and the others went in, there were no empty tables, and there were still many people queuing outside.

Liu Liu Zhenyun relied on Wei Ming's influence in the Changzheng Canteen to at least secure a table without having to share it. Dishes were already being served, but none of them had picked up their chopsticks.

Wei Ming ordered a bottle of ice-cold Arctic Ocean for everyone, and they started eating.

Uncle Ping'an first raised his bottle to apologize: "Sister-in-law, I'm really sorry. There was a meeting this morning, and I couldn't accompany Xiao Hong to enroll."

Xu Shufin waved her hand: "It's just enrollment. With Little Ming and Little Liu and the others helping, everything went very smoothly."

Wei Ping'an sighed: "Seeing Xiao Hong get into Peking University, and with such good grades, I'm truly happy. It's just a pity Brother Wei Jiefang couldn't see this scene."

Wei Ming: "Uncle, look at what you're saying, as if my dad is gone."

Wei Ping'an realized: "I didn't mean that, but he must be very regretful to miss this day. This day is the glory of the student, and also of the parents."

He thought of when he enrolled. Because of difficult conditions, his mother couldn't come, only Brother Wei Jiefang accompanied him, and Brother Wei Jiefang had no money either; he had even sneaked in by avoiding the ticket.

Afterward, Wei Ping'an explained to Wei Ming what kind of meeting was held today.

"Yesterday, Teacher Wang Wang Xuan's research group successfully printed a sample book of *Sword of Wu Hao* using the laser phototypesetting system. The school plans to establish a company specifically to promote this system, and it will be under our Production Management Office." The meeting today was to discuss this.

Wei Ming's heart stirred. He knew that the Founder Group was about to be born ahead of schedule, and there was also his "brainwashing" effect on Uncle Ping'an in this.

This was a joyous event, and Wei Ming clinked glasses with him.

After the meal, Xu Shufin and Xu Xu Yunyun were about to leave, and Wei Ming also had to go to work. Xiao Hong would begin her brand-new dormitory life at Peking University. Thinking about it, she was a little excited.

However, when she returned to the dormitory, she saw Ning Xin lying on the table crying, with Qiao Cui coaxing her.

"What's wrong? Missing your mom and dad?"

Qiao Cui explained: "Just now her parents left, she came back alone, found the door locked, and then she cried."

Wei Hong: "Ah? Don't you have a key?"

Ning Xin whimpered: "I, I left it in the dormitory. I, I waited for half an hour and there was no one."

Qiao Cui: "Luckily I brought my key."

Wei Hong hurriedly apologized to Ning Xin. Ning Xin, who had buried her face, immediately raised her head: "Then if you swap bunks with me, I'll forgive you."

Wei Hong laughed: "No swap."

Her apology was only out of sympathy; she didn't feel she should be responsible for Ning Xin's crying. Why should she swap?

Now Ning Xin cried even harder. Wei Hong pulled Qiao Cui and said: "Cui Cui, you're not familiar with Peking University yet, let's go for a stroll."

Qiao Cui looked at Ning Xin, who was wailing without tears, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded: "Great."

Seeing that both of them didn't care about her, Ning Xin lost her voice while crying. When the two of them went out, Ning Xin thought about it and followed.

Wei Hong began to introduce them to where everything was. She was already very familiar with Yanyuan; after all, she had been there several times, and even the person in charge of the small shop recognized her.

"Oh, Wei Ming's sister, right."

"Yes, three green bean popsicles, thank you, Auntie." Wei Hong was still generous; Ning Xin, the crybaby, also had a share.

Walking and walking, they arrived at Yannanyuan. Both girls were a bit scared because Wei Hong said this was where the principal and big professors lived. Would it be a bit presumptuous for them to go in?

"I miss Hu Meier from Old Feng's house, let's go take a look."

"Who is Old Feng?"

"Oh, it's the philosopher Feng Feng Youlan. My brother has his eye on the child of Hu Meier from his house~"

(Yesterday's minimum guarantee)

(End of chapter)