Chapter 316: Campus Bonds and New Beginnings

Heqing shrank her neck in embarrassment:

“Alright, but what I said is true anyway. Lin Zheng Ran already called her his girlfriend, so that seals the deal.”

Han Wenwen recalled the scene earlier in the large classroom when Jiang Jingshi was teaching.

Her tall figure, nearly perfect build, with curves in all the right places, and a face that was absolutely stunning.

Plus, as a mature woman, she had a special allure compared to younger girls. High heels, half-rimmed glasses, and if you added black stockings…

Even if Brother Zheng Ran has seen a lot, he’d definitely be enchanted.

Hmph~ High heels with stockings? Wenwen can pull that off too.

Lin Zheng Ran picked up a bite of food and noticed the little fox staring at him with intense jealousy.

“Wenwen, what’s up? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Han Wenwen forced a smile and said:

“Oh, nothing. I just didn’t pay much attention before, but now thinking back, Instructor Jiang is really beautiful. It’s my first time seeing her, and Brother Zheng Ran’s taste is spot on.”

Lin Zheng Ran flicked her forehead, and the little fox yelped in pain.

Still, Lin Zheng Ran knew that these three little ones weren’t too familiar with Jiang Jingshi yet, so a bit of jealousy was normal.

In time, as they got to know her better, things would improve.

“Okay, let’s chat while we eat, or the food will get cold. Later, I’ll find a good time to introduce Jingshi to you all.”

The three agreed.

They tried the university cafeteria food to see how it compared. The university options were more varied than high school’s, with several cafeterias offering completely different dishes.

After finishing, the three girls agreed that it tasted better than in high school, though a bit pricey.

Heqing picked up some food with her chopsticks for her boyfriend:

“By the way, Lin Zheng Ran, I heard that in university, you can skip classes if you want. Is that true? Won’t the teachers get mad if you don’t show up?”

Lin Zheng Ran took a sip of water.

“Nope, that’s not quite right. Skip too many and they’ll get upset.”

Lily was puzzled: “Not true? But I saw videos online where people never go to class.”

“Sometimes they don’t take attendance, so no one notices if you’re absent. But university is more about self-discipline. The biggest difference from high school is that if you’re not interested, you can play on your phone in class and teachers might ignore it—or some might remind you.”

Heqing blinked in confusion: “I thought so. But Lin Zheng Ran, you really know everything. Is all this stuff in books?”

“Books have everything.”

The three girls froze, then chorused, “Oh.”

Han Wenwen held her chopsticks: “Even if books have everything, I still don’t like reading. Brother Zheng Ran can do the reading, and Wenwen will give him relaxing massages when he’s tired.”

Lily ate her food: “Ever since the college entrance exam, I’ve felt less eager for knowledge. Turns out, people don’t stay passionate about anything forever—except maybe their boyfriend.”

Lin Zheng Ran sighed: “How did it turn out like you all used to love studying?”

Heqing chuckled and scratched her face: “Same here, I feel my interest in studying has dropped lately.”

“As for you,” Lin Zheng Ran said while chewing his rice, “you’re just influenced by Wenwen and Lily.”

Lily and Han Wenwen looked guilty. Heqing had been the top performer among them, always in the top ten in junior high.

But after spending more time together, even the top twenty spot wasn’t guaranteed anymore—bad influences rub off.

Lin Zheng Ran sighed: “Still, compared to others, you three are doing great. Remember, Qingbei University is one of the best in the country, and many people dream of getting here.”

The three felt even more guilty, especially Han Wenwen, who knew she was a blank slate when it came to knowledge. Without Brother Zheng Ran’s help in high school, getting into Qingbei would have been a stretch—even community college might have been tough.

Thinking of that, the little fox gave Lin Zheng Ran more food, her eyes playful: “Thanks so much for saving Wenwen’s life, Brother Zheng Ran. I have nothing to offer but myself~ Maybe have a few little foxes together someday~”

Heqing and Lily blushed at her words.

Lily remarked: “Han Wenwen, you and Heqing are such close friends—total opposites.”

In a distant part of the cafeteria, Fang Meng and Jiang Qian were also eating.

The noise around made it impossible to hear what Lin Zheng Ran and his group were saying.

But their lively chat still softened Jiang Qian’s cool expression.

Fang Meng watched the group: “Those three girls and Lin Zheng Ran are as close as ever.”

Jiang Qian turned to her vegetables, picking one up with her chopsticks.

Childhood friends, huh? But why is Lin Zheng Ran with her sister, and these three girls still hanging out with him like nothing’s changed?

Did he not tell them? That seems unlikely. Even if he didn’t, these three are with him every day. They must know about the occasional messages and dates with her sister.

So, what’s the deal with these three girls?

The first few days of university were uneventful. Lin Zheng Ran mostly spent time helping the three little ones get familiar with the campus, trying out nearby food spots and malls.

Qingbei University was massive, and in those days, they explored until their heads spun with excitement.

It was a blast, and before they knew it, freshman military training began.

Military training is pretty much the same everywhere.

Standing at attention under the sun, it’s basically the school’s way to help people make friends.

Of course, that’s for others.

For Lin Zheng Ran, making friends barely happened.

The instructor blew the whistle at the front of the group: “Alright, take a twenty-minute break! Go to the restroom if you need, or grab a drink.”

Lin Zheng Ran sat in place.

Since military training was for all freshmen, there were people from other classes around, not just his own.

A group of boys from the next class over started chatting quietly after the break.

They noticed a guy from Class Three sitting alone, staring off into space, with all the other boys keeping their distance.

The group exchanged glances and approached: “Hey, buddy, why are you sitting here by yourself?”

Lin Zheng Ran looked up at the enthusiastic group.

“The instructor said to rest, so I’m just sitting here relaxing.”

They sat down beside him. One boy gazed ahead thoughtfully:

“I saw you brought some books during training. University life must feel strange, right? In a new environment, it’s easy to feel lost. Outgoing people make friends easily, but quiet ones like us might not.”

Lin Zheng Ran was taken aback, wondering what he meant.

Another boy chimed in: “Let’s be friends. We’re all freshmen, so we can help each other out in university.”

Lin Zheng Ran wasn’t sure what they were up to, but it felt warm.

Was it because no one was talking to him that they came over?

Though the reason no one talked to him was…

The boy smiled: “You probably don’t have a girlfriend, right? We’re all single, so…”

“Lin Zheng Ran, I got you a milk tea.”

With Heqing’s sudden appearance, the friendly guys fell silent.