“Senior Ouyang is really perfect!”
“He’s good-looking, and he also gets excellent results in studying. In addition, he was of outstanding family background.”
“It’s said that his family has great influence in Britain. So does in City A.”
“Yes! Even when it comes to Ling Tianyi, the president of Huasheng Group, he will have to show respect for Senior Ouyang’s family.”
Surrounded by a crowd of girls who were easily infatuated with Senior Ouyang and were jabbering on about him, Xia Xiaoluo did not even hear any word that Senior Ouyang said. But just having a distant glimpse of Ouyang Ziqian’s performance on stage, Xia Xiaoluo could not help being infatuated with him.
Xia Xiaoluo sighed to herself that this Senior Ouyang was really handsome. Though it was too noisy around her to hear him, it was a great pleasure simply to look at him.
All of sudden, Xia Xiaoluo’s smartphone vibrating, there came a text message.
“Babe, I warn you. Do not look at other handsome young men in college. Now you are already my woman. If you are not loyal to me, you’ll die.”
The message was sent by Ling Tianyi, who was namelessly nervous in the morning and was afraid that his little wife would exchange amorous glances with other young men. So, he sent a warning message directly to her.
Seeing the message, Xia Xiaoluo was shocked and immediately looked around, saying to herself, “Does this guy know everything? No sooner had I felt that Senior Ouyang was so outstanding and perfect than his text message came.”
Stealing a glance at the handsome young man again, who was a real feast for the eyes, Xia Xiaoluo lowered her head and replied to Ling Tianyi’s text message, writing, “How dare I!”
In the remaining time, Xia Xiaoluo did not dare to raise her head to look at Ouyang Ziqian, even though she knew that Ling Tianyi was not around her now. But that text message had great influence in reminding her of what she had suffered if she was not obedient. She did not dare to violate his orders.
The opening ceremony did not end until 11:30 a.m. Although there were no lectures in the afternoon, each class should have a class meeting, especially for freshmen. They were totally unfamiliar with each other and had no idea of the regulations of the college. For them, a class meeting was more important.
Xia Xiaoluo made a phone call to Dou Ya, making an appointment with her to have lunch together. Dou Ya approved, for she had intended to meet Xia Xiaoluo and share her feelings as a freshman.
Xia Xiaoluo and Dou Ya met with each other at the gate of College of Foreign Languages and then they went to have hot and spicy rice noodles. Almost all the students from Dwichen’s College went to the luxury restaurants on the north street. By contrast, only students from the College of Foreign Languages went to the south street for cheap, common meals.
Dou Ya was wearing a pale blue skirt embroidering several faint patterns in silver. In early autumn, she looked quite refreshing. While they were waiting for the rice noodles, Xia Xiaoluo began to poke at Dou Ya, saying, “Haha, you devil Bean Sprouts! Look at you! You want to attract all the attention of the male students in your college at the beginning, don’t you? To tell me the truth, have you already fallen in love with some senior schoolmate?”
“Hum, do you think I am mad? For those pretty average men, I’ve taken a fancy to none of them. I’m just thinking of the military training starting tomorrow. That must be very boring and will last for two weeks, during which we have to wear the army green all day. So, that’s why I dressed up like this today, just for myself to be happier and not for any other reasons. How’s it? How about my skirt? It was bought with the money I earned from the hotel in the summer vacation.” Dou Ya poured scorn on the military training in words, but she still looked forward to it in her heart.
“The military training? Why isn’t there any training in our college? According to the opening ceremony, it is said that this afternoon every class should have a class meeting, in which books and the timetable will be distributed to us. As from tomorrow, classes will begin.” Xia Xiaoluo felt a little dejected. According to her fondness for having a good time, it would be the most welcome opportunity for her to have no lectures at all for two weeks. Even if she had to practice marching on the ground, and even if she were tanned under the hot sun, she would not care.
The waiter brought two bowls of hot and spicy rice noodles over to them. Having a bite of rice noodles, Dou Ya said slowly, “You’re in the college for the nobility, whose students are commonly descendants of aristocracy. Who can endure this kind of hardships? The purpose of your college is to teach you to enjoy great luxury. Only ordinary colleges like ours have such hardships like the military training.”
“That’s also true. But I am totally different from those descendants of aristocracy! I guess that it will be difficult for me to make friends at such a college for the nobility. So, I will go to visit you as long as I am free in the future. You should take care of me!” Xia Xiaoluo said as she was having her rice noodles. Meanwhile, she felt so lucky that Dou Ya’s college located next to hers. Or, she must feel extremely lonely.
“Yes, I have your back! But this is your treat.” Dou Ya said so half-jokingly.
Xia Xiaoluo agreed straightforward and forthright without knitting her brows, saying, “No problem. This is my treat. Afterwards, I will treat you to a milk custard. How’s it?”
“Xiaoluo, you’ve made a fortune?” Dou Ya’s eyes popped. At the sight of Dou Ya’s look, Xia Xiaoluo chuckled, “Almost! From now on, I will be able to treat you frequently. You will laugh up your sleeve, won’t you?”
Ling Tianyi gave her a debit card with more than 10 million CNY in it. Despite her habit of thrift, Xia Xiaoluo now became more generous than before, for she did not have to calculate her money carefully. As her best friend, Dou Ya often treated her when she had been driven away from her home and had lived from hand to mouth. Now she had more money and then she would naturally pay for Dou Ya, her close friend.
“It seems that your father has changed his mind. So happy for you! Who can imagine you, a young lady from a wealthy family, should live such a poor life! Even poorer than me, the urban poor! It’s really heart-rending.” Believing in what she had said before, Dou Ya thought what Xia Xiaoluo owned now was given by Xia Youfeng, who finally stirred his conscience.
Xia Xiaoluo was in a numbed daze, thinking to herself, “Please forgive me for lying to you, Dou Ya, and I will definitely tell you anything afterwards”.
“Oh, Xiaoluo, there are various clubs in our college recruiting new blood. I’d like to join the Student Union as well as the tennis club. In addition, I’d like also to join the speech exchange association. But, at the same time, I have to work my way through my education. So, I don’t have enough time and should only choose one to join. Would you help me with it? Which one should I join?” Dou Ya was soliciting Xia Xiaoluo’s opinions. At the beginning of a semester when freshmen were enrolled, the curtain of recruiting new blood fiercely ascended for various clubs in College of Foreign Languages.
“Of course, it is the Student Union.” Xia Xiaoluo said without any hesitation.
“Why?” Dou Ya was confused. According to Xia Xiaoluo’s fondness of having a good time, she should have advised her to join the tennis club.
“Haven’t you forgotten? When we were applying for the positions in Hously Hotel, that woman in charge of professional training once said that she had been in the Student Union for four years during her college, and that finally she was selected as the vice chairwoman. She said this post was very helpful for her when she was hunting for jobs after graduation. You go to college in order to find a good job. So, of course, you should join the Student Union,” said Xia Xiaoluo. Dou Ya then also thought of it and she nodded quickly.
“Yes! I must find a very good job after graduation so that I can earn my own crusts. Then I cannot make a decision just as I wish. I have to make a plan for my future after graduation. All right, I am determined to apply for the Student Union,” said Dou Ya, clenching her fists and adopting a “yes” pose.
“Then, how about you? Xiaoluo, now you are taken good care of by your father, so you have enough to eat and wear. Which club do you want to join?” asked Dou Ya.
“Me? I don’t know, either. I just take one step and look around before taking another!” Xia Xiaoluo actually hoped to take part in an interesting club. But at the thought of mixing with those arrogant dandies, she would rather join none of them. In her heart, she had made the psychological preparation to be an unsociable, chivalrous girl in Dwichen’s College.
Xia Xiaoluo and Dou Ya had spent much time together. After that, they returned to their own colleges separately. Xia Xiaoluo felt regret for not having much time for study. Why had she not got better results in the study? If so, then she would be able to be admitted to a common university. In this way, she would enjoy college life together with Dou Ya.
According to the table that she got the day before when she registered, Xia Xiaoluo went to Room 602, Building No.1. She reached there at 1:55 p.m., only five minutes before 2 o’clock p.m. when the class meeting was supposed to begin. At this time, the classroom was almost full, but nearly all the students took their seats in the back rows. Thus, Xia Xiaoluo did not have any other choices but to sit down in the first row by the door.
Within a few minutes, a young lady exhibiting good and fresh qualities walked into the classroom. She stood on the platform wearing a smile.
The young lady, named Xue Jingxi, was just 21 years old this year and graduated from Stanford University with the BA. This year, Xue Jingxi applied for a position in Dwichen’s College and therefore she was now a teacher in charge of the class which Xia Xiaoluo belonged to.
Although she graduated from a very famous university aboard, Xue Jingxi just got a BA and she was not from a rich or powerful family. So, the college did not arrange her to teach any specialized course but made her a full-time teacher in charge of a class, having good control over those unreasonable dandies. However, Xue Jingxi had her own ideal. So, she tried to submit an application to the college and finally established a selective course called Appreciation of Film Literature.
“Everybody, be quiet, please!” Xue Jingxi clapped. Then the classroom came to be in silence.
Although Xue Jingxi was a fledging teacher, she did not feel timid but showed great confidence before these dandies.
“Bang!” The door was originally on the latch. But someone gave a push to it with all his might, thus causing the door to strike on the wall and producing a tremendous noise.
“Is it Class One?” asked Fang Ruichen, taking a basketball in one of his arms and leaning against the door. His face was streaming with sweat.
“Yes. But, young man, you are ten minutes late today. Please be on time next time. You may come in.” Xue Jingxi did not make things more difficult for the student who was late. But Fang Ruichen might not mind about it, walking into the classroom with a strut.
Since there were no seats in the back rows, Fang Ruichen could only casually take the seat next to Xia Xiaoluo.
Xia Xiaoluo frowned; this guy was the evil young man she came across in the auditorium. At that time, when she was trampled by Xia Jingru and sat down on the floor, she was kicked by this guy without reason. Her left shoulder that was kicked by him was still slightly hurting.
Xia Xiaoluo threw a glance at Fang Ruichen with anger, but Fang Ruichen just ignored her. Seated and leaning against the chair, Fang Ruichen focused on playing with the basketball in his hands.