The three of them spent the rest of the morning exploring the lab, with Lin Yun demonstrating various machines and tools.
By the time they finished, Fan Xian and Li Shun were buzzing with excitement. "This is amazing, Brother Lin," Fan Xian said, his voice filled with admiration. "I had no idea you were working on all this stuff. It's like you're living in the future."
Li Shun nodded in agreement. "It's inspiring. I've never seen anything like this before."
Lin Yun smiled, feeling a sense of pride. "I'm glad you like it. There's still a lot of work to do, but I'm excited about where it's all headed."
A while later, the trio left the lab and headed to their first class of the semester.
***
The classroom was a large lecture hall, with rows of seats arranged in a semicircle around a central podium. It was already filling up with students, their chatter creating a low hum of excitement and nervous energy. Lin Yun, Fan Xian, and Li Shun found seats near the middle, giving them a good view of the front.
Fan Xian glanced around, his eyes scanning the room. "Wow, there are a lot of people here. I didn't expect the class to be this big."
Li Shun, sitting beside him, looked a bit overwhelmed. "There must be over two hundred people. I've never been in a class this big before."
Lin Yun, who was used to large crowds from his past life, felt a sense of calm. "It's a freshman class, so it's bound to be big. Don't worry, you'll get used to it."
As they settled in, Fan Xian's attention was drawn to a woman sitting a few rows ahead of them. She had long, flowing hair that cascaded down her back, fair skin that seemed to glow under the fluorescent lights, and an air of elegance that set her apart from everyone else in the room.
"Whoa," Fan Xian whispered, nudging Lin Yun. "Do you see her? She's stunning."
Lin Yun followed Fan Xian's gaze and saw the woman he was referring to. She was indeed beautiful, with delicate features and a serene expression. But Lin Yun's attention was more focused on the way she carried herself—confident, composed, and slightly aloof.
"Her name's Lan Qingxue," Fan Xian continued, his voice low. "I overheard some guys talking about her earlier. Apparently, she's the most beautiful girl in our year."
Li Shun, who had been quietly listening, glanced at Lan Qingxue and then quickly looked away, his cheeks turning pink. "She's… very pretty."
Lin Yun chuckled. "She is. But let's focus on the class, okay? We're here to learn, not to stare."
Fan Xian grinned. "Speak for yourself. I'm here to do both."
Before Lin Yun could respond, the door at the front of the room opened, and a middle-aged man walked in. He had a kind face, with warm eyes and a gentle smile, and he carried himself with an air of quiet authority. He stepped up to the podium and adjusted the microphone, his movements calm and deliberate.
"Good morning, everyone," he said, his voice warm and welcoming. "My name is Qin Wei, and I'll be your homeroom teacher for this semester. Welcome to your first class at West Lake Institute of Technology."
The room fell silent as Qin Wei began to speak, his words filled with encouragement and wisdom. "I know this is a big moment for all of you. Starting college is a new chapter in your lives, and it's natural to feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. But I want you to know that you're not alone. We're all here to support you and help you succeed."
He paused, his eyes scanning the room. "How many of you are feeling a bit overwhelmed right now?"
A few hands went up, including Li Shun's. Qin Wei nodded, his expression understanding. "That's completely normal. College is a big adjustment, but it's also an incredible opportunity. You're here to learn, to grow, and to discover your passions. And remember, it's okay to ask for help. Whether it's from me, your classmates, or the resources available on campus, there's always someone willing to lend a hand."
Lin Yun listened intently, appreciating Qin Wei's words. He had heard similar speeches in his past life, but this time, they felt more meaningful. Maybe it was because he was truly present, not just going through the motions.
Qin Wei continued, talking about the importance of time management, staying organized, and taking care of oneself. He also went over the class schedule, the grading system, and the expectations for the semester. His tone was friendly but firm, and it was clear that he genuinely cared about his students.
As the class went on, Fan Xian's attention kept drifting back to Lan Qingxue. "She's even more beautiful up close," he whispered to Lin Yun. "I wonder if she's single."
Lin Yun rolled his eyes. "Focus. We're here to learn, remember?"
Fan Xian grinned. "I can multitask."
Li Shun, who had been quietly taking notes, glanced at Fan Xian and then at Lan Qingxue. "She seems… very serious. I don't think she'd be interested in distractions."
Fan Xian shrugged. "You never know until you try."
Lin Yun shook his head, amused by Fan Xian's persistence. "Just don't get us in trouble, okay?"
As the class progressed, Qin Wei paused and looked around the room with a warm smile. "Now, before we wrap up today, there's one more thing we need to address. We need to select two class representatives—preferably one male and one female. These representatives will act as the bridge between the class and the faculty, helping to organize events, communicate important information, and ensure everyone's voices are heard. Does anyone have any suggestions?"
The room buzzed with murmurs as students began whispering to one another. Fan Xian immediately turned to Lin Yun, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "Brother Lin, you should do it. You're perfect for the role."
Lin Yun shook his head without hesitation. "No thanks. I've got enough on my plate already."
Fan Xian frowned, clearly disappointed. "Come on, you're the top scorer. Everyone respects you. You'd be great at it."
Lin Yun chuckled softly. "I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I'm not interested. Besides, I'd rather focus on my projects."
Fan Xian sighed but didn't push further. "Alright, but you're missing out."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, a group of students was already whispering about potential candidates. One name kept coming up—Lan Qingxue. Her beauty and poise had already made her a standout figure in the class, and it wasn't long before someone called out, "Lan Qingxue should be the female representative!"