At 2:00 PM, Lu Huai'an, Hu Yishu, and Jiang Chuan arrived at Room 302 of the Main Teaching Building right on time.
The classroom was already packed. Since this was their first class meeting with their counselor, they naturally wanted to show some respect—after all, securing leave over the next four years would depend entirely on her.
Lu Huai'an and the others found some seats near the back. As soon as they sat down, Hu Yishu couldn't help craning his neck to look around. "Hey, what do you guys think our counselor will be like? She wouldn't happen to be a ruthless dean, would she?"
"What are you imagining? Hopefully a gentle, gorgeous beauty!" Jiang Chuan rubbed his hands together, his eyes shining. "I've read plenty of web novels where the gorgeous counselor falls in love with the male lead. Who knows, we might just get lucky!"
Lu Huai'an shook his head helplessly. "What kind of daydream is that? Can't you have a bit of ambition?"
"Food and sex are human nature! A graceful and modest maiden is a good match for a gentleman! Do you guys even know what you're talking about?" Jiang Chuan defended himself eloquently, even throwing in a classical quote.
Just as he was speaking, a figure appeared at the classroom door. The newcomer wore a well-tailored professional suit, gold-rimmed glasses perched on the bridge of her nose, and her hair was pulled back neatly into a bun. She looked to be in her early thirties, combining efficiency with a touch of sternness.
"It's over, she's no beauty." Jiang Chuan instantly deflated like a punctured ball, slumping limply in his chair.
"Still want to talk to her, Chuan?" Hu Yishu asked timidly.
"Go on, get lost. She's old enough to be my young stepmom..."
"Hello everyone, I am your counselor for the next four years. My surname is Li, Li Cuihua. You can call me Teacher Li, or Sister Cuihua if you prefer." Standing at the podium, Teacher Li spoke in a loud, resonant voice full of vitality.
The surrounding students were amused by this sudden "Sister Cuihua," and a low ripple of laughter spread through the classroom.
Teacher Li seemed quite satisfied with the effect her name had produced, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly. "I know everyone has just entered university and is full of curiosity and anticipation for everything. I also hope that over the next four years, you will all acquire genuine skills rather than wasting your time, so that you can become useful talents for society in the future."
Next, Teacher Li explained the school's rules and regulations, course schedules, and various precautions in detail.
"Oh, right," Teacher Li abruptly changed the subject, a meaningful smile appearing on her face. "I have some good news for you all. Starting tomorrow, the school will organize a one-week military training session. As for the specific details, I'll set up a class group chat and post them there shortly. Everyone should get yourselves prepared."
"What? Military training?!"
The classroom instantly exploded, with groans rising one after another. No one wanted to stand exposed to the blazing sun this September and get baked into a piece of charcoal.
Watching the students' reactions below, Li Cuihua's smile grew even wider.
"During the military training, we will need an acting class monitor to assist me with various tasks. If any of you wish to challenge and temper yourselves, you are welcome to come to my office and sign up. Alright, time is precious, you're free to go." With that, Li Cuihua tapped her high heels and walked out of the classroom.
"We're doomed, we're doomed. A whole week of military training—there goes my fair, tender skin..." Jiang Chuan wailed with exaggerated despair, sprawled facedown across his desk looking completely lifeless.
"Fair and tender, my foot! You already look like a lump of coal. After another week in the sun, you'll evolve straight into a charcoal goblin." Hu Yishu struck back mercilessly.
"You're no better off! By then, the two of us will just be the Charcoal Brothers!" Jiang Chuan retorted.
Lu Huai'an looked at the bickering pair in speechlessness and ignored them. He took out his phone and sent a message to Su Nianchu: "Sister Nianchu, the class meeting is over. Would you like to get dinner together tonight?"
"Sorry, Huai'an, I have some things to do tonight and probably won't have time to eat together. I'll treat you next time instead."
Lu Huai'an sighed as he looked at the message Su Nianchu sent back. Meanwhile, Jiang Chuan and Hu Yishu sidled over at some point.
"I can tell from your expression that you struck out. Rejected by the goddess, huh?"
"Who says so? She's just busy, alright?" Lu Huai'an insisted stubbornly.
"That's clearly just an excuse. No chance."
"Shut your mouths..."
The three of them packed up their things and headed straight for Siyuan Cafeteria.
Jiangcheng University had three cafeterias. Haidu Cafeteria was the closest to the teaching buildings, but they insisted on coming to Siyuan, naturally because it was closer to the girls' dormitories and had more beauties.
In Jiang Chuan's words, this was called strategic dining—good for the eyes.
"Military training starts tomorrow, what are we going to do..." Jiang Chuan was still sighing over the military training, his handsome face crumpled into a bitter melon.
"What's there to be afraid of with military training? It's a great chance to work out." As Hu Yishu spoke, he even flexed his bulging biceps, leaving Lu Huai'an and Jiang Chuan utterly speechless.
"Give it a rest, those muscles of yours are only good for bluffing." Jiang Chuan rolled his eyes.
In terms of looks, among the three of them, although Lu Huai'an was a bit shy, his appearance was definitely not bad; yet compared to Jiang Chuan, he still seemed a bit inferior.
As for Jiang Chuan, that guy's mouth might run a bit too much, but he couldn't help being handsome with distinct facial features and sharp contours. As soon as the three stepped into the cafeteria, Jiang Chuan's face drew a flurry of glances from the girls.
While they were standing in line to get food, a girl walked over with a blushing face. Holding her phone, she asked somewhat hesitantly, "Hey there, can I add your WeChat?"
"Of course, I'll scan you." The corners of Jiang Chuan's mouth hooked up into a smile at the girl. He took out his phone and efficiently added her as a contact.
"Th-thank you..." The girl kept her head down and hurried away.
Hu Yishu scratched his head in bewilderment. "How come nobody ever asks for my WeChat? Could it be that my muscles still aren't obvious enough?"
"It's just that they lack taste and don't know quality when they see it!" Jiang Chuan chuckled, patting Hu Yishu on the shoulder with an expression that said, "Brother, I understand you."
Hearing this, Hu Yishu actually nodded in earnest agreement.
Right at that moment, Lu Huai'an's phone buzzed twice. Lowering his head, he saw a WeChat notification pop up on the screen: Lin Jiayu transferred 1000 yuan to you.
Lin Jiayu: Huai'an, this is the medical bill you covered for me yesterday. Don't forget to accept it.
"Hey, Huai'an." Jiang Chuan suddenly nudged him with his elbow.
"What?" Lu Huai'an looked up, somewhat distracted.
"Look over there. Is that Su Nianchu?" Jiang Chuan jerked his chin toward a corner of the cafeteria.
Lu Huai'an followed his gaze and spotted Su Nianchu instantly. She was sitting face-to-face with a male student, chatting and laughing. Su Nianchu kept covering her mouth with a giggle, and they looked to be getting along quite well.
Lu Huai'an's expression froze instantly, his lips pressed tightly into a straight line. His chest felt clogged up by something, heavy and suffocating.
Didn't she say she had things to do tonight? Was this her idea of "things to do"? A wave of restlessness washed over Lu Huai'an, and an inexplicable jealousy welled up in his heart.
Noticing that Lu Huai'an's mood was off, Jiang Chuan quickly explained, "Huai'an, don't misunderstand. What if Su Nianchu and that senior really do have something important to discuss... Hey? Where are you going? Aren't you eating?"
"I suddenly remembered I have something to do, so I'm heading back to the apartment first." Without looking back, Lu Huai'an walked out of the cafeteria, leaving Jiang Chuan and Hu Yishu staring at each other in blank dismay.
"What... what's wrong with old Lu?" Hu Yishu scratched his head, completely baffled.
"What else could be wrong? He's jealous, that's what!" Jiang Chuan rolled his eyes with a look of "you don't even understand this." "Su Nianchu is all smiles and laughs with another guy, of course he feels uncomfortable about it."
"Ah? Just because of that? Surely not..." Hu Yishu still didn't quite get it.
"Why wouldn't it be? You've never been in a relationship, you don't understand!" Jiang Chuan patted Hu Yishu on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Romance, you see, is just like a tornado—it comes fast and goes fast. Once you experience it yourself, you'll understand."
"Oh..." Hu Yishu nodded in half-understanding agreement.