When Ye Qiu, Yang Le, and Li Dazhuang found Room 601 in Building Two, they saw a scattered group of about a dozen people already seated. The classroom wasn't large, but with such few people, especially on the first day, everyone sat quite spread out. Their other roommate, Wu Zhengjing, was already there, sitting alone in the back corner, staring out the window in a pensive pose.
Ye Qiu didn't feel the need to accommodate Wu Zhengjing's aloofness or rudeness, so he had no intention of engaging in a heart-to-heart conversation. Helping a roommate overcome their emotional barriers wasn't something he felt obliged to do. That kind of idealistic behavior was for fictional characters, not for him.
The old man often said, "Life is short, like the spring of a plant. The most important thing is not to wrong oneself." Ye Qiu believed that if he couldn't wrong himself, he certainly shouldn't do so for others. It might sound selfish, but the old man insisted that Ye Qiu not become too broad-minded.
Li Dazhuang, noting Wu Zhengjing's position, made a dismissive gesture. He was close to Yang Le, so he disapproved of Wu Zhengjing's behavior. Yang Le, more easygoing, patted Li Dazhuang on the shoulder to show he didn't mind.
"1, 2, 3, ... 18, 19... How can this be?" Li Dazhuang exclaimed in distress.
"What's wrong?" Yang Le asked, puzzled.
"Our class only has twenty people?"
"Yes."
Li Dazhuang groaned in despair, "It's over. I planned to escape poverty and lose my virginity in college. But now, it's all over—"
"What are you talking about? Poverty? Why is it all over?" Yang Le was confused by Li Dazhuang's sudden outburst.
"Damn it, don't you get it? Our class only has twenty people. Now, there are nineteen here. Look, not a single girl—how could this happen? If I'd known, I'd never have chosen archaeology. I'd have gone for literature—plenty of girls, and my essays were always read out as examples by the teacher. Now, it's hopeless. Four years of college and I'll still be a virgin. How can I face my hometown folks?"
Ye Qiu, amused by Li Dazhuang's dramatics, said with a smile, "There's still one more person who hasn't arrived. Maybe she's a beauty."
"Big brother, don't comfort me. It's just hurting me more. The greater the hope, the greater the—" Li Dazhuang suddenly fell silent, his eyes burning as he stared at the classroom door, a look of infatuation on his face.
Not only Li Dazhuang, but all the other guys in the classroom were also staring at the door. Even Wu Zhengjing, lost in thought, turned his head in surprise.
The most surprised was Ye Qiu. He hadn't expected to see Lan Kexin here.
Lan Kexin was dressed in a white open-front coat over a sky-blue long-sleeved T-shirt, a short skirt with Tibetan-style lace trim, and white cloth shoes, revealing smooth, fair calves. Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders, and perhaps from rushing, her cheeks were slightly flushed.
She hadn't expected to be the only girl in the classroom, and upon entering, felt all eyes on her. Uncertain whether to stay or leave, she stood in the doorway, giving everyone more time to admire her.
"Ye Qiu, big brother, I'm amazed. Are you a prophet? The twentieth person is not only a girl but a stunning beauty. I've decided—she's my target. I need to make a move now, strike first!" Li Dazhuang said, as if on a high, with his eyes glowing with excitement.
Lost in his fantasies, Li Dazhuang was completely captivated by Lan Kexin. The other guys, realizing the same, started whistling or introducing themselves to her, inviting her to sit next to them.
Fearing others would get to her first, Li Dazhuang shouted, "Here!"
Though his height didn't match his loud voice, his shout was powerful enough to capture everyone's attention, including Lan Kexin's. She was about to find a seat at the back when his loud call startled her. Seeing the source, her eyes brightened, and her timid demeanor vanished, replaced by a shy smile. Under everyone's astonished gaze, she walked toward Li Dazhuang.
Li Dazhuang's loud shout, though impulsive, had caught her attention. As she walked over, his face turned crimson, his heart pounding wildly.
"Ye Qiu, Yang Le, did you see that? She heard my call. She's coming over. Cupid finally shot me an arrow!" Li Dazhuang babbled incoherently.
The other guys, seeing Lan Kexin really heading toward the short guy, were regretful. If only they had known, they wouldn't have played the gentleman—they would have shouted too.
Lan Kexin stopped beside Li Dazhuang, smiling at him.
Li Dazhuang nudged Yang Le, "Quick, make room."
Yang Le, impressed by Li Dazhuang's boldness, stood up, ready to offer her the seat next to him. But before he could, Lan Kexin spoke.
"Didn't expect to see you here," she said, looking at Ye Qiu.
"I'm surprised too," Ye Qiu replied with a wry smile. He had heard on the train that Lan Kexin was a student at Tsinghua University and had thought they might run into each other on campus, but not here and now. Why would a woman study archaeology?
Li Dazhuang looked at Lan Kexin, then at Ye Qiu, and slumped onto the table. He was too late.
To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8