Chapter 9: The Freshman Meet-and-Greet

Computer Science Class One met in a large classroom in the third teaching building. It held seventy or eighty people and was already nearly full. The four roommates entered through the back door and found seats in the last row.

Li Hang counted roughly sixty-five classmates, only eighteen or nineteen of them women. The rumors about computer science were true. He leaned back; his chair gave a faint groan but held. Magic City University’s furniture really was sturdy.

Their homeroom teacher was a bespectacled man in his forties, wearing a shirt and looking as though he’d spent half his life in academia. He briefly introduced the university and department, taking less than ten minutes, then gestured to the class. “Get to know one another. Starting here, introduce yourselves in order.”

One by one, students stood to give their names, hometowns, and interests. Some stammered nervously; others spoke confidently and made the class laugh.

Shi Xiao pushed up his glasses and smiled. “I’m Shi Xiao, from Jiangsu. I like games and novels. My goal is not to fail any classes, and hopefully find a girlfriend. Also, everyone in Room 304 is a good person, so come to us if you need anything.”

The class laughed, and the mood loosened.

Xu Haodong stood straight, his expression calm. “Xu Haodong, from the capital. I like programming and hope to learn something worthwhile over the next four years.” Brief and direct, he sat down. Several girls whispered about his looks.

Then it was Li Hang’s turn. He braced himself on the desk and slowly rose, the chair groaning again. Every eye turned toward him, and the room fell quiet.

He made his way from the back row to the front, trying to keep his steps steady. Even so, his weight made the floor thud beneath him.

“Whoa, he’s huge…”

“Must be over 300 jin.”

“He could give Liangzi a run for his money.”

“Keep your voice down. He’ll hear you.”

[Shock Points +3]
[Shock Points +2]
[Shock Points +2]
[Shock Points +3]

Li Hang heard, but his expression didn’t change. At the front, he turned to face the sixty-odd students and took a deep breath.

As he turned, a ponytailed girl near the front on the left nudged the girl beside her. “Yingxue, that’s the fat guy who confessed to you on registration day, isn’t it?”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried through the silent room. Nearby classmates heard; some looked as though they understood, while others grew more disdainful.

Jiang Yingxue sat with her back straight, her profile as finely drawn as a picture. Her features were delicate without being sharp, her skin pale, and her clear eyes naturally cool. She turned slightly. “Wanxing, stop.” Her voice was soft, but her distaste showed.

Zhou Wanxing stuck out her tongue and fell quiet. She and Jiang Yingxue had been close friends since high school and had entered Magic City University together. She’d spoken out for her friend: the fat guy had been presumptuous to confess as soon as school began.

At the front, Li Hang saw both girls and the reactions around them. Once again he cursed the original owner. He had to clean up every mess the guy had left behind.

He looked away, cleared his throat, and began. “Hello, everyone. I’m Li Hang, from Henan Province. I used to… enjoy eating, so I never managed my weight. But I started losing weight yesterday. I like singing, and if I get the chance, I’d be happy to sing for you.”

He paused, then added, “When school started, I may have done some inappropriate things. If I caused anyone trouble, I’m sorry.”

The room stayed silent for two seconds. Then someone began clapping. The applause was scattered, but the tension eased. The shock and disdain in his classmates’ eyes gave way to a sense that perhaps he wasn’t so bad. He’d admitted what happened and apologized openly; continuing to hold it against him would look petty.

Back at his seat, Shi Xiao patted his shoulder and whispered, “That took guts.” Qiao Chuan said nothing, but his expression softened. Xu Haodong nodded slightly.

The introductions continued. When Qiao’s turn came, he stood and said only, “Qiao Chuan. I’m from Magic City.” Then he sat down, as concise as his personality suggested.

By the time everyone finished, nearly two hours had passed. Finally, their instructor arrived. Instructor Wu was an active-duty serviceman in his twenties, neat in uniform, fit, and handsome. The atmosphere changed the moment he stood at the front.

“Hello, students. My surname is Wu, and I’ll be your military-training instructor for the next two weeks. I’ll be frank: my training is strict, and I expect your cooperation. Meet at the field at seven tomorrow morning. If you’re late, prepare to do push-ups.”

The room was silent. After Wu left, Counselor Meng came in with a few instructions, told them to contact her if needed, and dismissed them. It was exactly 9:20.

On the way back, Shi Xiao walked ahead, then turned and lowered his voice. “Guys, do you know who got the highest entrance-exam score in our class?”

“Who?” Li Hang asked.

“Wang Lü, the guy in glasses with the crew cut in the front row. Six hundred and sixty-seven.”

Qiao Chuan looked surprised for once. “Six hundred and sixty-seven? And he came to Magic City University? Couldn’t he get into Shanghai Jiao Tong or Fudan?”

Shi Xiao shrugged. “No idea. Maybe there’s a particular computer-science specialty here that’s especially strong.”

They continued chatting until they reached the dormitory building.