During the three years of high school, especially the hellish senior year, everyone was like a tightly compressed spring, suppressing all the restlessness and desires of youth.
Those fantasies about encounters, about excitement, about the freedom of university life had long been accumulating in their hearts for a very long time.
Ethan's words instantly ignited that long-accumulated "dry kindling," making the blood of these young and hot-blooded guys boil, adrenaline surging, their faces full of excitement, anticipation, and uncontrollable restlessness!
Ethan knew this group of "hungry wolves" who had just broken free from the shackles of the SATs. For these hormone-fueled boys, "Call all the girls from class" was practically a nuclear-level mobilization slogan!
If you wanted to quickly "find a partner" in college, classmates were definitely the advantage of "being close to the water and getting the moon first." Although he knew that if things actually worked out and they broke up, sharing the same classes would inevitably be awkward (but if you had thick skin, it was the other person who got embarrassed), that didn't dampen their blazing enthusiasm at all in that moment.
Ryan's reaction was the most exaggerated. He hugged the cigarette pack tightly, his mouth stretching to his ears, grinning like a kid weighing over two hundred pounds, so excited he stammered incoherently, leaning close to Ethan to repeatedly confirm: "Ethan... Ethan! You're my real brother! Really? Can you really... get all the girls to come? Are you sure? Really?"
His eyes were filled with boundless admiration for organizational capabilities and boundless longing for a bright future.
Ethan was amused by his exaggerated reaction and rolled his eyes at him in annoyance, his tone unquestionably certain: "Ryan, are you questioning me? Swallow that doubt! Make the word 'yes' louder! If I say yes, then it's definitely yes!"
Hearing Ethan's unquestionable tone, Ryan rubbed his hands together, his smile growing even more sheepish, with a hint of flattery: "Oh man, bro! You've misunderstood! How could I dare doubt you! You're the perfect SAT scorer, shining bright! I mean... that... as long as you can really get all the girls to come, we guys should split the bill! How could you possibly pay alone, right brothers?"
As he spoke, he nudged Jake with his elbow.
Jake immediately understood and chuckled in agreement: "Yeah, yeah, Ethan! This BBQ is like us guys collectively inviting the girls! You played the biggest role in making the connection, so we have to repay this favor!"
He deliberately emphasized the word 'favor,' his eyes showing a subtle shrewdness that was barely noticeable.
Ethan knew exactly what was going on. He knew well that Jake actually didn't want to owe him a favor, not just avoid making him spend money. He'd read some information from the advisor Mr. Hayes and knew Jake came from a well-off family, and among the boys' dorms, he probably had the sharpest mind.
Because of his privileged family background, he was more knowledgeable than most. He knew that owing someone a favor was often harder to deal with than owing money. So it wasn't that he didn't want Ethan to spend money, but rather that he didn't want to owe a favor.
Ethan waved his hand indifferently, his tone relaxed: "It doesn't matter, as long as everyone's happy."
"Alright!" Ryan and Jake acted like they'd received marching orders, hugging the cigarettes and excitedly rushing out of Room 208.
The hallway immediately echoed with their loud announcements: "Brothers! Take a shower! Change clothes! Major operation tonight! Ethan's got all the girls in class coming! Smoky's BBQ! Let's go!"
The three people left in the dorm each had different expressions. Ethan walked to the window, took out his phone, and dialed Summer's number.
The call connected quickly, and Summer's clear and capable voice came through: "Hello, who is this?"
"Summer, this is Ethan." Ethan's voice instantly shifted to a slightly official, businesslike tone. "I'm passing on a temporary notice from Mr. Hayes."
"Notice?" Summer's voice was clearly surprised.
"Yeah," Ethan said firmly. "Mr. Hayes instructed that in about an hour, around 6:30 PM, at 'Smoky's BBQ' on the East Side food strip near campus, we're organizing an impromptu mixer for all the guys and girls. The aim is to promote familiarity and communication among new classmates, strengthening class cohesion. Please take the lead in organizing the girls and make sure everyone's notified."
"Huh?! So sudden?" Summer was clearly stunned by this 'official notice' and hesitated. "But several girls have already gone out to eat or shop. They're not in the dorm right now."
"It's okay, those in the dorm must come! Those who have already gone out should be contacted as much as possible. This is the advisor's request for a group activity, so try to get them to come quickly. I'll handle the guys' side. Summer, can you complete this mission for organizing the girls?" He deliberately used the word 'mission.'
"No problem." Summer readily agreed.
She originally wanted to be a leader. Opportunities to showcase organizational coordination skills, earn points in front of the advisor, and participate legitimately in group socializing were exactly what a goal-oriented girl like Summer dreamed of!
After hanging up, Ethan turned around and met three pairs of eyes in the dorm, each filled with complex emotions.
Marcus's expression was the most brilliant, mixing shock, admiration, and a teasing "You're really something." He was the first to lose control, giving a thumbs up and lowering his voice to exclaim: "Damn! Son! Awesome! Fake official announcement, playing both sides! That's just too smooth!"
Ethan kicked his chair irritably: "Get lost! This is called strategy! You understand?"
He glanced at Derek, who was also visibly surprised, a mischievous smile playing at the corner of his mouth: "Besides, do you think that now that the girls are mobilizing, anyone on the guys' side would still dare to report to Mr. Hayes that this is a 'fake notice'? Believe me, if Ryan and the others found out, they could tear the informant apart alive. That would be the eternal criminal who ruined the 'beautiful new college life' of all the guys!"
At this moment, Kevin had already gone out to the balcony to work on his hair, looking very flashy.
Kevin touched his newly gelled hair standing on end, nodding in agreement: "If anyone dares to snitch, I'll be the first to refuse!" Although he might not be that interested in the 'mixer' itself, no one would refuse the chance to have a meal with the girls.
But even so, Ethan wasn't going to do something so reckless. After saying that, he dialed the advisor's number.
The call connected quickly, and he said with a big smile, "Mr. Hayes, this is Ethan. Here's the thing: I just chatted with a few classmates from the dorm and a few guys from the neighboring dorm. Everyone generally said that since school just started, classmates are still unfamiliar with each other, especially since there's very little interaction between guys and girls. They all really hoped to get to know the female classmates as soon as possible and deepen their understanding—after all, we're going to spend four years together in college!"
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