Day one of military training: Although there was a slight conflict with the instructor, we're all men, so our way of getting along is simple. A cigarette, a few words, and an occasional dirty joke quickly brought us closer.
So, during the days of military training, the more active boys in the class got familiar with the instructor, including Liu Cheng, who initially resisted authority.
Today was the last day of military training. After several rounds of goose-stepping, the team took a break, and the instructor and several students went to the smoking area for a cigarette.
The instructor, with the tone of a seasoned veteran, sighed:
"I've led military training for many freshmen, and honestly, the quality of the girls at Shanghai Finance University is the highest I've ever seen. You boys are in for a treat later on."
One boy nodded in strong agreement.
"Indeed. The Cai Da School Beauty at my high school would, at most, be considered a class beauty here at the University of Finance and Economics, not even a department beauty."
Liu Cheng began to fantasize.
"I don't ask for anything else, I just hope to successfully pursue one of Ye Xuan, Bai Linling, or Wu Tong before graduation. Failing that, Tian Yuan or Zhang Miao would also be fine."
The instructor glanced at him and mercilessly retorted:
"On the first day of military training, you created gender antagonism. The girls in your class probably have an extremely poor impression of you, so you'd better find a way to pursue girls from other classes."
Liu Cheng was initially a bit unconvinced, but upon reflection, it seemed to be true. He immediately pulled a long face.
It was all his fault for not controlling his temper back then.
Zheng Huasong flicked the ash from his cigarette and offered his opinion.
"The girls in our class are pretty, but I feel they're still a bit lacking compared to Senior Chen Tian, who brought us coffee that day."
"That's true. After all, she's the Cai Da School Beauty. To stand out among so many beauties, her looks are naturally quite striking."
"Don't even think about Senior Chen Tian. She's already a junior and runs her own coffee shop. She probably wouldn't be interested in us little kids."
The instructor, puffing on his cigarette, showed an expression of having seen through everything.
"Actually, there's a girl in your class who is also a school beauty-level stunner. Her looks are no worse than Chen Tian's. If she put on some good makeup, she might even be a few shades prettier than her."
"Who is it?!"
Many boys simultaneously turned their heads. There was such a person in their class? Yet, they had stood at attention together for over ten days and hadn't noticed. Was it possible?
The instructor said nothing, only smiled knowingly.
They could only start guessing wildly.
"Ye Xuan? Bai Linling? I feel they're still a bit off compared to a school beauty."
"There are only a few girls in our class, and we've basically seen them all. Who could be prettier than Chen Tian? No one, right?"
No, there was one whose full face they hadn't seen.
They all thought of the same person.
"Yang Jiajia's strategist?!"
The instructor neither confirmed nor denied it. He stomped out his cigarette and waved his hand.
"Continue training. Don't mess up the drill performance later. Whoever causes a problem won't be allowed to attend the talent show tonight and will have to stand at attention for me."
...At 5 PM, the University of Finance and Economics began its drill performance.
Because the sports field was requisitioned, the guys from 215 had returned to their Dorm 404 early to prepare for gaming.
As soon as they returned, they saw Yu Huai meticulously styling his shoulder-length hair in front of the mirror.
He was wearing a white shirt today, which, paired with his handsome face, would likely make many girls exclaim, "I'm available!"
"Huai'er, what's going on with you? Spring isn't over yet, but your rut hasn't ended?"
"Look at you, all flirty. Have you hooked up with another pretty junior?"
Yu Huai glanced at his silly dog roommates and said indifferently:
"Later, after military training ends, the freshmen are holding a party on the sports field. Many junior sisters will be performing."
"Holy crap, I almost forgot about that part!"
"Chen Tian will be there, right? I remember she dances every year."
"That's for sure. She'll be there to promote her coffee shop. She might even put up a couple of banners."
"Brother Hao, lend me your hairspray."
Amidst the commotion of the Dorm 404, Yu Huai had already tidied his clothes and hair. After checking his reflection and finding it perfect, he pushed open the door and left.
He had only walked a few steps when a tall, roguishly handsome boy chased after him, wrapping an arm around his neck.
"What are you doing?"
Yu Huai looked at him, puzzled.
Xu Jiahao smiled and patted his chest.
"You're definitely going to see that junior from Dorm 404, the one who only exists in dialogue. I have to follow you to see what kind of beauty can make our Literature Department President so infatuated."
"Oh, right, he's about to be Vice President."
Yu Huai said helplessly:
"I'm just going to the cafeteria to eat."
"I get it, I get it. I'm going to eat too. Let's go together."
Yu Huai frowned and removed his arm.
"Didn't you say you were going to pursue Tian Yuan that day? If you're going to pursue her, do it properly. Don't pull that old trick of juggling two women."
Xu Jiahao didn't care at all.
"I said I was going to pursue her, but I didn't say I was pursuing her right now. And what do you mean by juggling two women? I call that having two options. Besides, even if I was juggling two women, why are you scared? Scared that I'll leave a bad impression on your goddess?"
"Speak properly."
Xu Jiahao waved his hand, looking indifferent.
"I'm just curious what kind of celestial beauty this junior is that has you so utterly captivated. Relax, I wouldn't do something like steal a roommate's woman."
"Besides, our tastes are different. What you like, I might not."
Yu Huai said no more, but his frown deepened.
"By the way, with the freshmen's military training being so long, why didn't you go send the junior sister some cold drinks to deepen your relationship?"
"She's not interested in me. Constantly trying to get close would only leave a bad impression."
"I didn't realize that. You're quite the warm guy. But I have to warn you, it's already 2025. The status of a 'warm guy' is pretty much the same as a 'simp.' We've been roommates for several years, brother, I can't just watch you go astray."
"Just shut up."
...The drill performance consisted of goose-stepping and forming squares, essentially the same every year.
Industrial Management Class A's training was average, and there was no situation where they overwhelmingly impressed the dean and received special attention, so there's no need to elaborate on the process.
After the performance ended, Yao An and the other four girls went to the cafeteria for a meal, then sat on the sports field lawn, waiting for the evening party to begin.
Wu Tong and Ye Xuan, who also returned from eating, arrived a little later.
Seeing her four roommates, Wu Tong was very happy. After greeting them, she skipped over.
Ye Xuan glanced at them, but instead of joining them, she went to find other familiar girls and sat with them.
"She's the only one in our Dorm 404 who doesn't fit in."
Yang Jiajia complained with some dissatisfaction.
"I feel like she looks down on us. We all have a living allowance of 3000 yuan, so I don't know who gave her that confidence."
Tian Yuan also chimed in in agreement.
"Looking down on us might be too strong. She just genuinely doesn't have a compatible personality with us."
Because they were both from Shanghai, Wu Tong had recently been eating with Ye Xuan, so she knew a bit about her thoughts.
They weren't really best friends, or even very close friends; at most, they could be called meal buddies.
Wu Tong actually wanted to hang out with Yao An too, as she had a good personality and was pretty.
But Yao An was surrounded by many people. Squeezing in, while no one would say anything, would inevitably make it feel crowded.
For any kind of relationship, four or five people were a bit too many; two was just right.
Wu Tong was always a person with strong boundaries.
"Did you see the post on the forum? A statistics senior compiled a list of University of Finance and Economics goddesses, and several freshmen made the list!"
Hearing Tian Yuan's words, the other four immediately pulled out their phones to check.
The post was very popular, containing many selfies or artistic photos of people.
The list had fifty people, unranked.
Several freshmen made the list, including Bai Linling and Wu Tong from Industrial Management Class A, though the latter only had her major and name, no photo.
Two people were named the most beautiful goddesses: Chen Tian and Lin Miao.
Just looking at the photos, they were indeed very beautiful.
"I knew it! A statistics senior wanted to add me as a friend before, and I thought he was trying to flirt, so I rejected him directly. Turns out he wanted photos!"
Wu Tong suddenly understood.
Yang Jiajia suddenly felt a bit indignant.
"This 'list' sounds so disrespectful! Who gave them the right to rank girls into different tiers? This is simply objectifying women, truly disgusting and off-putting!"
Yao An couldn't help but glance at her.
Would Yang Jiajia eventually become a 'fist fighter' (feminist extremist)? It seemed like there was a strong trend in that direction now.
"Sister An'an didn't even make the list."
Han Wenjing whispered.
They all scrolled through the post again and found that it was indeed true.
"Yeah, why didn't An'an make the list? I've seen Chen Tian, and she's pretty, but she's nowhere near as stunning as An'an was the first time I saw her."
"She wears a hat all the time; it would be a miracle if she made the list."
Wu Tong pointed out the problem incisively.
Tian Yuan was somewhat dissatisfied; she was a staunch supporter of An'an.
"How can so many people below say they 'approve' of this kind of unofficial list? Do they have no brains and no eyes?"
"No, the more I think about it, the angrier I get. Watch me roast them!"
Her fingers flew across the screen, typing rapidly.
"Damn it, these two ugly ducks can be named the most beautiful goddesses? Where did you put Yao An from Industrial Management Class A?!"
"This is some unofficial list compiled by some blind idiot. If you're going to make a list, at least be fair and just. If you don't even know how many hidden beauties there are on campus, then who exactly are you rating, your great-grandpa?!"
"If statistics has made you this way, you'd best drop out now to avoid missing your chance to work in a factory."
"Also, I suggest that those below who 'approve' go get their brains checked first. You probably got your fetal protection shots in your brains when you were born, otherwise, how could you all be so 'wise'?"
"I don't know how you bunch of Down's Syndrome kids got into the University of Finance and Economics. Being in the same school as you, I feel my IQ dropping. I really appreciate it!"
Tian Yuan clicked send, then let out a long breath, feeling refreshed. She felt like tonight's moon was even rounder.
Turning around, she saw her four roommates with their mouths slightly agape, looking at her with blank expressions.
Their eyes seemed to say: "I didn't realize you were this kind of Tian Yuan."
Having accidentally exposed her true nature, Tian Yuan suddenly felt a little embarrassed.
"I... I mean, would you believe me if I said I have dissociative identity disorder? That was actually my second personality typing just now."
While the girls were chattering about the unfairness of the list, the boys from Class A nearby were huddled together, whispering and plotting something.
As they spoke, their eyes would unconsciously drift towards Yao An's direction.
Even without seeing her entire face, from the upturned nose and clear, pink lips visible beneath the brim of her hat, it was clear she was undoubtedly a beauty.