Chu Yang smiled. "Lin and I went to the same high school. It was actually because of her that I chose the Economics and Management Department at Peking University."
Li Qian looked somewhat surprised, then quickly gave Chu Yang an understanding look. "So you came here because of her! These youngsters nowadays are something else. But since you're from the same high school, you must have heard about some of Senior Sister Lin's legendary exploits, right?"
Exploits?
Chu Yang was momentarily stunned.
Back in high school, Lin Qingxue had always been a model student.
Aside from titles like campus belle and top student, he honestly couldn't think of any other notable exploits she was supposed to have.
Did getting second place in the grade every single time count?
First place in the grade was always him!
At that moment, the phone in Chu Yang's pocket suddenly rang.
"Excuse me, I need to take this." Offering an apologetic smile to Li Qian, Chu Yang picked up his phone and answered. "Professor Lu, this is Chu Yang."
This Professor Lu was a professor at Peking University.
Though still quite young, he had already become one of the nation's leading authorities in microelectronics and solid-state electronics.
Currently, he served as the executive dean of the School of Electronics and Information Engineering at Peking University, with direct responsibility for scientific research.
Over the past three years at the research base, Chu Yang had used his professional expertise to win over a whole group of domestic authorities and specialists across numerous fields. This experience had also helped him build up quite a network of connections!
A hearty middle-aged man's voice came through the phone. "Chief Engineer Chu, I am truly sorry! According to the original plan, I was supposed to be at the school gate to welcome you. But a problem came up with a project higher up, and they asked me to help out, so I'm not in Beijing right now. I'm really sorry!"
Chu Yang shook his head with a smile. "Higher-level projects come first, I'm fine. I'm already getting my admission procedures sorted out."
Professor Lu continued, "You haven't been on campus for three years. How does it feel? Are you getting used to it?"
"It's pretty good." Chu Yang nodded, looking up at Li Qian, who was leading the way ahead. "The senior students here are all very enthusiastic."
Professor Lu nodded repeatedly. "That's good. I was worried you wouldn't get used to being back on campus."
"I'm also pretty close with Dean Zhang from your Economics and Management Department. Should I give him a heads-up and have him arrange a faculty apartment for you to live in?"
"That would make it much more convenient for you to carry out your other research projects. What do you think?"
Chu Yang immediately shook his head with a smile. "No need. I came to school to study, so there's no need for any special treatment. Just treat me like any normal student."
"Alright then." Professor Lu understood Chu Yang's personality, but still said with a hint of regret, "I still don't get it, though. With your level of research, you're fully qualified to advise Ph.D. candidates. Why on earth did you suddenly decide to go back to undergraduate studies?"
"Chief Engineer Chu, I'll say it again:"
"Whenever you change your mind, I can submit a report right away to have you appointed as a full professor at Peking University."
"If you want to teach classes, we can even set up a dedicated specialty just for you!"
"I guarantee you, the perks we offer will definitely be better than what they have across the street at Huaqing University!"
Back at the research base, Chu Yang had been the apple of every dean's eye.
At the time, however, Chu Yang was completely focused on achieving a breakthrough with the photolithography machine, so those deans hadn't bothered him about it.
Now that the research was finished, Chu Yang's achievements easily merited a position as an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Such a young academician was the kind of talent everyone would fight over no matter where he went.
Since Chu Yang had chosen Peking University, they naturally weren't going to let him slip away!
Chu Yang smiled and replied, "Let's talk about that later. You have to at least let me get some proper rest first. Alright, I'm about to check in, and you're busy too, so I won't take up any more of your time."
"Alright, alright." Professor Lu nodded repeatedly. "Go ahead and check in then. Even though I'm not on campus right now, if you run into any issues with daily life, just call me directly."
"Got it. Once you're back in Beijing, I'll definitely come by for a visit." Chu Yang smiled and nodded slightly before hanging up the phone.
By this time, they had reached the freshman check-in area.
Li Qian looked around and saw that Lin Qingxue, who had been sitting at the reception desk, had suddenly disappeared. She quickly walked over to a few other people and asked, "Where's Qingxue? I brought a junior from her hometown over here."
Someone replied, "The campus belle said it's too hot and standing here all day is exhausting, so she went to buy milk tea for us. She's out getting the milk tea right now."
Li Qian looked a bit disappointed, turned back to Chu Yang, and said, "Sorry about that, Junior. Your Senior Sister Lin had something come up temporarily, so you won't be able to see her right now."
Chu Yang smiled lightly and nodded. "It's fine, there's plenty of time ahead. We'll cross paths eventually."
Li Qian asked, "Which class are you in?"
Chu Yang answered truthfully, "Economics and Management, Class One of the freshman year."
Li Qian immediately smiled. "Then it's all good. Qingxue and I are both assistant counselors for Class One of Economics and Management. You'll see each other again tomorrow during the freshman orientation."
She led Chu Yang up to the reception table. "Go ahead and check in."
Chu Yang nodded slightly.
He walked up to the small table where the Economics and Management Department was handling registration.
After the staff verified the information on his admission notice and he signed his name next to his own on the freshman roster, he was handed his dorm key and student ID card.
At that moment, not far away in the crowd, Lin Qingxue was walking slowly toward the Economics and Management freshman reception desk, accompanied by two male students and holding several cups of milk tea.
A senior student walked up to Chu Yang. "Junior, you've got your things. Let me take you to your dorm first. Once you drop off your luggage in the room, you can go to the dorm management office entrance to pick up your quilt, mattress, and other daily necessities."
Chu Yang nodded slightly.
Following the sophomore senior, he headed off in the direction of the Economics and Management male dormitories.
Not long after Chu Yang left, Lin Qingxue arrived back at the freshman registration spot for the Economics and Management Department.
Li Qian rushed right up to Lin Qingxue. "Qingxue, your timing couldn't have been worse. Let me tell you, our department got an outrageously handsome and charismatic young guy this year."
"And he even said he went to the same high school as you. I'm telling you, our little junior must have come here just for you!"
Lin Qingxue smiled helplessly. "Stop right there. I have zero interest in romance right now."
Li Qian said, "I didn't say you had to date him. But he's a junior from your hometown and our department, so the least you can do is look out for him a bit. Anyway, he's in Class One, so you'll see him tomorrow at the freshman orientation meeting anyway."
Then, Li Qian asked, "His name is Chu Yang. What do you think? Do you remember a junior by that name?"
Boom!
As soon as Li Qian said those words, Lin Qingxue's heart skipped half a beat, and even her voice began to tremble slightly as she asked, "What... did you say his name was?"