Oh no! I've only been a freshman and I've already been targeted by a mean upperclassman.

Sometimes, your biological clock is more accurate than the dorm supervisor's temper.

It was 5:30 a.m., just as dawn was breaking.

The complex smell in room 302, a mixture of garlic, cheese, and lingering athlete's foot, fermented overnight, reaching a concentration approaching that of a biological weapon.

Li Chen opened his eyes, stared at the upper bunk for two seconds, and then immediately sat up.

Because someone is waiting downstairs.

That feeling was wonderful.

It wasn't the pain of being forced to work; rather, it felt like the anxiety of a child going on a school field trip the next day, with a rabbit hopping around in their heart that kept them awake.

I quietly got out of bed, washed up, and changed my clothes.

As I passed by Wang Qiang's bedside, the fat man was happily munching on a corner of the blanket, muttering, "Lobster...don't run away..." His drool soaked a large patch of the pillowcase.

Li Chen shook his head in disgust and casually tucked Wang Qiang's leg, which was about to fall off the bed, back into the blankets.

Stepping out of the dormitory building, a gust of cold wind instantly cleared my head.

There was no one on the playground except for a few elderly professors who had gotten up early to practice their singing.

Just as Li Chen had pressed his legs down a couple of times, that familiar figure appeared.

Yan Xi wore a dark gray tracksuit today, with her hair tied in a high ponytail, revealing her smooth and full forehead.

She's not wearing makeup, just her natural face, yet she's a million times more attractive than those internet celebrities who wear tons of foundation.

"morning."

She ran over, her breathing steady, clearly having warmed up.

"morning."

Li Chen followed her, consciously running to the outside to block the wind.

The two ran side by side, their paces remarkably synchronized.

They didn't say much, only the soft rustling of their footsteps on the rubber track.

When I got to the third lap, the sun came out.

The morning light stretched their shadows long, occasionally overlapping as if they were entangled.

Li Chen turned his head and glanced at Yan Xi.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on the tip of her nose, her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her usual aloofness had dissipated considerably, replaced by a more vibrant and human touch.

"Watch where you're going."

Yan Xi stared straight ahead, her voice slightly breathless, but still domineering, "Then it'll cost money."

Li Chen deliberately asked, "Is there a discount for buying an annual membership?"

"It depends on their performance."

This run covered five kilometers.

When he stopped, Li Chen felt refreshed and his muscles and bones felt loosened.

In contrast, Yan Xi, though still panting, stood ramrod straight, showing no signs of distress.

That stamina is truly exceptional.

Breakfast was still at the second canteen.

There weren't many people around, so the two found a seat by the window.

As usual, Yan Xi swiped Li Chen's card and ordered a bunch of meat buns and tea eggs for him, while she only ordered a bowl of millet porridge and a steamed bun for herself.

Eat more.

Yan Xi placed the peeled tea egg on his plate. "Didn't you say your back hurt last night?"

Li Chen almost spat out his mouthful of soy milk.

"Senior, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want."

Li Chen quickly swallowed his soy milk and lowered his voice, "My wrists hurt from carrying lobsters, my back is fine!"

Yan Xi raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping over his waist and abdomen. A smile played on her lips, but she didn't reply. However, her expression clearly said: I don't believe it.

Li Chen angrily took a bite of the steamed bun.

Looking out the window at the students rushing to class at 8 a.m., Li Chen suddenly felt a pang of emotion.

When he was filling out his college application, his father forced him to apply to universities in Beijing with a stick, saying that it was the capital city, had good feng shui, and would lead to a bright future.

He absolutely refused to do it and insisted on coming to Linjiang.

The reason is that Linjiang has a good climate, many beautiful women, and a slow pace of life.

His father was so angry that he almost disowned him.

Looking back now, I'm glad I was too stubborn to listen to advice.

If I actually went to Beijing, I'd probably be wrapped in a down jacket, eating a jianbing (Chinese crepe) in the smog right now. How could I possibly find a girlfriend like Senior Yan Xi?

This is fate.

"What are you spacing out for?"

Yan Xi tapped the table. "Eat quickly, I need to go to the activity center after I finish eating."

"So early?"

"About the welcome party."

After finishing the last mouthful of porridge, Yan Xi wiped her mouth with a tissue. "There are problems with the costumes for several programs, I also have to keep an eye on the sponsors, and there's the venue setup... a whole mess."

When work was mentioned, she frowned slightly, and that decisive and efficient aura returned.

"Okay, then you get back to work."

Li Chen stuffed the rest of the buns into his mouth in a few bites. "I have a full day of classes today, so I don't have time."

After finishing their meal, the two parted ways at the crossroads.

Yan Xi walked away gracefully, waving at him without turning her head, her back view as sharp as a female CEO going to negotiate.

Li Chen stood there for a while, watching until the figure disappeared around the corner, before turning around and walking back to his dormitory.

Back in 302, those three guys were still asleep.

"Get up! There's a fire!"

Li Chen kicked Wang Qiang in the butt.

"Huh? Where is it? Where's the fire?!"

Wang Qiang, on his deathbed, suddenly sat up and, still dazed, tried to run to the balcony.

Just kidding.

Li Chen threw the book on the table. "Get up quickly. The first class is Lao Liu's 'Computer Basics,' and attendance will be taken."

Upon hearing the name "Old Liu," groans and wails erupted throughout the dormitory.

He was the leader of the "Four Great Constables" of the Computer Science Department, consistently ranking first in the department in terms of failure rate, and showing no respect to anyone.

Half an hour later, the four of them rushed into the lecture hall as the bell rang.

The classroom was already full of people.

As soon as Li Chen entered the room, the previously noisy classroom fell silent for a moment.

Dozens of eyes swept over at once.

Most of them are girls.

Li Chen was very familiar with that look in his eyes; it was a mixture of amazement, curiosity, and a hint of eagerness.

After all, the title of "the new generation's most beautiful face" wasn't given lightly.

Even if he's wearing the simplest white T-shirt and jeans, he stands out from the crowd.

"Tsk tsk tsk."

Wang Qiang walked beside him, clicking his tongue sourly, "Old Li, can you tone it down a bit?"

"Your light is too dazzling, making us look dull, like green leaves in a painting."

Be more confident.

Chen Mo adjusted his glasses. "That's us."

Zhao Zixuan didn't care at all, and even flaunted his bangs: "It's okay, I don't mind. After all, I'm a strong contender for the title of most handsome guy in the department."

The three of them found a seat in the back row by the window.

As soon as I sat down, several girls in the front row kept turning around.

Another one, who was quite daring, pretended to take a selfie with his phone, but kept tilting the camera towards Li Chen.

Li Chen ignored him.

He took out a book, opened it, and even pulled out a pen.

This action completely stunned Wang Qiang, who was standing next to him.

"No, Lao Li, are you serious?"

Wang Qiang's beady eyes widened. "This is university! You're not sleeping or playing games, and you actually want to attend classes?"

"no way."

Li Chen twirled the pen in his hand, his tone both helpless and smug, "My family has strict discipline."

"Senior Yan Xi?"

"Um."

Li Chen sighed, "He's a genius, the kind who wins national scholarships."

"If I fail my course, how will I ever be able to hold my head high in front of her at home... cough?"

If he becomes an ignorant and incompetent fool, not only will Yan Xi look down on him, but he won't even pass Yan Zhen's test.

Although the old man looked like a rough fellow, he had a very sharp eye.

Wang Qiang rolled his eyes and clutched his chest: "Chen Mo, give me CPR, I'm overwhelmed by the stench of this romance."

The school bell rang.

Old Liu, sporting a receding hairline, walked onto the podium and began his lecture, which sounded like chanting scriptures.

Li Chen actually listened to that.

What I used to find tedious code and logic diagrams don't seem so bad now.

After all, brute strength alone is not enough to help Yan Xi in the future.

This woman will definitely take over the family business in the future, or she will start her own big business.

As the "man behind the scenes," you have to have some impressive skills.