Chapter: Chapter 296
Chen An ate breakfast and returned to the dormitory the same way.
When he pushed the door open, his three roommates had already gotten up and were preparing to leave.
Chen An greeted them politely.
“Good morning.”
Xie Wenqing and Sun Zhenjiang twitched the corners of their mouths, thinking, “You really slept through the night, didn’t you? You don’t know how we mocked you, and now you’re acting like nothing happened…”
However, as the saying goes, one shouldn’t hit a smiling person. They didn’t dare to mock him further, only gave a perfunctory “Mm” with a somewhat cold expression, and continued with what they were doing.
Only Shao Ren, who had always shown a willingness to get closer to Chen An, waved and smiled, “Good morning, Chen An.”
He folded his blanket and walked up to Chen An. “You know, when I was in high school, I was always the earliest riser in the dorm. I didn’t expect to meet my match today.”
Chen An replied casually, “I went to bed early, so of course, I woke up early.”
Shao Ren seemed to think of something, his expression awkward. He scratched his head.
“That’s indeed quite early.”
Chen An stopped talking and went to bed.
Seeing this, the three of them couldn’t help but look at each other.
After a while, when they had almost finished packing, they turned and walked towards the doorway.
Shao Ren thought for a moment and then called out to Chen An on the bed, “Chen An, have you eaten breakfast? We’re planning to eat breakfast first and then head straight to the plaza. Do you want to come?”
Chen An didn’t move, only replied lazily, “I’ve eaten. You guys go ahead.”
Shao Ren had no choice but to quicken his pace and catch up with the other two who had already left.
On the way, Xie Wenqing heard the movement and looked back to see Shao Ren coming alone. He glanced at Courtyard Four Branch and couldn’t help but say, “He just likes to put on an act. Why bother with him?”
Sun Zhenjiang quickly chimed in, “Yeah, Shao Ren, you’re too good-natured and spoil him too much.”
The three had already formed a small group, excluding someone, and intended to rope Shao Ren into their criticism.
But Shao Ren thought of Chen An’s lazy demeanor and couldn’t help but mutter softly, “Why do I feel like he really doesn’t care…”
“Look, he even greeted us this morning.”
Xie Wenqing’s expression changed upon hearing this. He stopped talking and just walked with his head down.
Sun Zhenjiang pouted. He looked at Xie Wenqing’s back, elbowed Shao Ren, and whispered in his ear, “Don’t say that again in the future. Aren’t you clearly calling Xie Wenqing a clown?”
He couldn’t help but complain, “If you offend him, who will protect us in the future?”
Shao Ren raised an eyebrow and thought, “Well, well, Sun Zhenjiang, you’re actually quite clear-headed!”
…
…
The three of them had breakfast in the cafeteria and then came to the plaza where they had received their numbers yesterday.
It was called a plaza, but it was actually a platform on the cliffside.
Through the familiarity gained overnight, the young men and women now appeared more active and lively.
Shao Ren stood in the crowd, looking left and right, but couldn’t see Chen An.
Sun Zhenjiang noticed his actions and, as usual, poked him with his elbow.
“Stop looking, he’s not here.”
Shao Ren was confused, “There are so many people, how can you be so sure he’s not here?”
Sun Zhenjiang snorted, “With his looks and demeanor, if he were here, would you still be searching for him?”
Shao Ren wanted to refute, but he felt that what he said had some truth to it.
Soon, Principal Yan came out.
He stood on a protruding boulder that served as a temporary lectern.
He didn’t have a microphone, but his voice was as loud as a bell, spreading throughout the entire plaza, clearly audible to every student.
He first gave some platitudes and empty speeches, and then finally got to the content that the students had been looking forward to.
“This semester, we have opened four major departments: Sword Cultivation, Formation Cultivation, Talisman Cultivation, and Spell Cultivation. Don’t ask why there’s Sword Cultivation but no Blade Cultivation; it’s because we haven’t found a suitable teacher yet…”
Principal Yan made a rare joke, which immediately caused a burst of laughter from the students.
He coughed lightly and resumed his serious tone. “I believe many of you already know that all our courses are elective. We will not interfere excessively with your classes…”
“I just want to emphasize one thing…”
“I’ll say it again…”
“…”
“Oh right, the daily course schedule and locations will be posted in the main group chat.”
As Principal Yan said this, he waved his hand behind him. Immediately, a person in black came out, holding a large QR code.
“Come on, everyone scan the code and join the group.”
…
…
With the principal’s dismissal, the meeting ended.
The three of them walked back to their dormitory, their expressions excited.
Most of the pedestrians on the road had similar expressions.
“Damn, we’re starting cultivation this afternoon. I’m getting a little excited just thinking about it.”
Shao Ren couldn’t help but clench his fist.
Sun Zhenjiang glanced at Xie Wenqing and said, as if unintentionally, “Hehe, when the time comes, let’s not forget each other. Whichever one of us passes the assessment and enters the Inner Sect first, remember to take care of your junior.”
Shao Ren understood and immediately flattered, “Of course, it has to be our big brother Xie.”
Xie Wenqing heard this, and seeing that they had finally mentioned him, he felt a surge of inner joy.
But he still pretended to be humble, “Not at all, not at all. You’re too kind.”
Shao Ren and Sun Zhenjiang exchanged a look and said nothing more.
The three returned to the dormitory. Shao Ren was the first to open the door and, as expected, saw a young man pretending to sleep on the bed.
Although he had guessed it in his heart, Shao Ren was still surprised. “Chen An, you really didn’t go to the meeting!”
“No, I didn’t.”
From the upper bunk, the young man’s calm voice came, slow and drawn out.
Shao Ren couldn’t help but complain, “Are you planning to just lie here all day?”
He then continued to admonish him earnestly, “We are the new era, new quality, new culture, three-new youths. How can we be so slack! Remember, in the future, it will be people like us, trained with the combination of science and cultivation, who will protect our country!”
He spoke with conviction.
Chen An then sat up and nodded as if enlightened.
“You’re right,” he agreed.
Seeing this, Shao Ren finally showed a satisfied expression.
He felt happy for having saved a lost young man.
At this age, when one should be striving, diligently cultivating, and studying, how could Shao Ren stand idly by and watch Chen An give up on himself?
Chen An got out of bed and walked out of the room.
In the dormitory, Shao Ren stared at his retreating figure and was momentarily stunned.
He turned to the other two. “What’s he doing? Where’s he going?”
Sun Zhenjiang rolled his eyes at him. “You’re asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?”
As for Xie Wenqing, he snorted contemptuously, “Most likely, he took your advice and is going to pretend to work hard.”
Chen An returned quickly, dispelling the three’s doubts.
Because he was carrying a bamboo chair.
The young man placed the bamboo chair in the courtyard, then lay down on it, and comfortably narrowed his eyes.
Chen An thought, Shao Ren was right. Lying in bed during the day always felt like something was missing.
(End of this chapter)
