Qin Hao: "I'm going to Jianghai University."
Du Wanrou's pretty face was startled, her heartbeat accelerated slightly, and she asked curiously, "Why?"
Qin Hao: "Because of you."
Du Wanrou's cheeks flushed slightly, thankfully they were chatting online, so Qin Hao couldn't see the color of her face.
He thought for a moment and said, "Jinhua and Chen University are Xuan Country's top institutions, you shouldn't delay your future because of me.
In the future, when you have a career, you can find any kind of girl, even one better than me."
When Qin Hao saw what she said, he replied, "You make a lot of sense, but I don't know why I made this decision, maybe it's destiny."
Destiny?
Upon hearing his words, Du Wanrou's lips curved into a smile.
The things she had just said were both honest and a test to see if Qin Hao was truly sincere about her.
Of course, this couldn't completely prove anything, but it did prove a part.
Wan Rou asked curiously, "Do your parents agree?"
Qin Hao replied, "They respect my choice, and Jianghai University is also one of the top institutions. Although not as renowned as Jinhua and Chen University, it's still a very good school."
"Oh, what major are you planning to apply for?"
"Computer Science. You said it before, didn't you? If I get into Jianghai University, you'll give me a chance."
Du Wanrou: "I need to think about that."
Qin Hao made a face, "Ah? When will you have thought it over?"
Du Wanrou: "I don't know."
...
After chatting for a while, Du Wanrou said she needed to rest, and Qin Hao lay down on his bed to sleep as well.
The next morning, Qin Hao didn't go to the roast duck shop. He got up after half-past ten and headed to school.
It was already summer, but since Shuinan Province is at the southernmost end of Xuan Country, the climate isn't too hot, although it's still over twenty degrees.
The streets were filled with girls in miniskirts and ultra-short hot pants, their straight, slender legs attracting attention.
A few minutes later, Qin Hao arrived at the school gate and then continued walking a few dozen meters.
The group entered a large private room on the second floor of the restaurant, which featured two tables already filled with quite a few classmates.
Qin Hao said to Du Wanrou, "Can I sit with you?"
Du Wanrou looked at him, neither denying nor agreeing, which was taken as tacit consent.
The two of them found empty chairs and sat down. Lin Kang didn't come in but stood at the entrance of the private room instead.
Yuan Zhengxiang had wanted to sit next to Du Wanrou, but seeing Qin Hao seated with her, a flash of anger crossed his eyes.
On the other side of Du Wanrou were Chen Shu and her group. Chen Shuhui and the others instantly understood the implication when they saw Qin Hao and Du Wanrou sitting together.
Liu Xiu stood in the center and said to everyone, "Now that everyone is here, I'll go order the dishes. You all chat for a bit; the food will be served shortly."
Yuan Zhengxiang glanced at Qin Hao, then stood up and said, "Teacher, let me help you with the order. Today's meal is on me—I'm treating my classmates."
"Good, Xiang is so generous."
"Thanks, Xiang."
Everyone thanked him with smiling faces, and Yuan Zhengxiang waved his hand, "As long as you're happy, that's good. Today we should all just let loose, as we might not have the chance to gather like this again in the future."
"Yeah, let's have fun today!" a male student exclaimed excitedly.
Many girls in the class looked at Yuan Zhengxiang with admiration in their eyes; he hadn't often been this generous back at school.
The dishes arrived quickly, alongside lots of beer and soft drinks. Their class advisor, Liu Xiu, even started drinking beer.
She raised her glass and drank with everyone, then toasted Yuan Zhengxiang separately.
Most of the girls were drinking soft drinks, but many also tried the beer, considering it was likely their last gathering.
With Liu Xiu taking the lead, numerous boys and girls went over to toast Yuan Zhengxiang.
Qin Hao sat there eating his food and sipping his drink, occasionally exchanging a few words with Du Wanrou, not mingling with others.
After dealing with many people and nearly finishing a bottle of beer, Yuan Zhengxiang looked over at Qin Hao sitting comfortably next to Du Wanrou, feeling rather annoyed inside.
He walked over to Qin Hao with a glass of beer, "Qin Hao, you are the top scorer in the national unified examination. I'm proud that our school has produced such a talented person. Let me toast to you."
Qin Hao picked up his drink intending to drink, but Yuan Zhengxiang looked at him and said, "Are you looking down on me? I'm drinking beer and you're having a soft drink? Are you even a man?"
"Exactly, what's wrong with Qin Hao drinking some beer?"
"It seems like becoming top scorer has made Qin Hao look down on us!"
"Come on, Qin Hao, drink one for Xiang. It's not like it's hard liquor," a girl also chimed in.