9: Chapter 9 Freshman Reporting

In September, the sky over Yancheng was blue.

At the entrance of Civil Engineering University, red welcome banners swayed gently in the breeze, with the large characters "Welcome New Students" standing out prominently.

Xu Weidong stood in the crowd, dragging his suitcase, and looked up at the vigorous and powerful inscription of the school name on the gate.

"Classmate, are you a new student? Which school are you from?"

A clear, bright female voice interrupted his thoughts. Xu Weidong turned his head and saw a girl wearing a white dress with a high ponytail, looking at him with a smile.

Her skin was very fair, almost translucent in the sunlight, and her eyes curved into beautiful crescent shapes, exuding an air of youthful vitality.

"The School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering."

Xu Weidong replied, trying his best to keep his voice calm.

"What a coincidence, I'm from the School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering too!"

The girl smiled even more brightly and began to introduce herself: "My name is Bai Bing, I'm a sophomore, and I'm in charge of welcoming new students today. Come, I'll take you to register."

She naturally took a backpack from Xu Weidong's hand, her movements so fluid that it was hard to refuse.

Xu Weidong was stunned for a moment, then had to thank her and follow along.

"What should I call you, Junior?"

"Xu Weidong."

"Comrade Weidong... that's a good name."

Bai Bing tilted her head to look at him and asked: "Where are you from?"

"Hanzhou."

"A Southerner, no wonder your skin is so good."

Bai Bing always spoke with a smile, making people feel very comfortable.

"Our school has over three hundred new students this year; you're considered one of the early arrivals."

"By the way, are you the top scholar from Hanzhong Province?"

Xu Weidong quickly waved his hands and said: "No, no, I just got in through the regular entrance examination."

Bai Bing blinked, didn't press further, and instead started introducing the school.

"Our School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering is one of the school's established, major departments, with strong faculty and good employment prospects."

"However, the academic pressure is quite high, so you'd better be mentally prepared."

The two walked through the bustling registration area. After Xu Weidong finished the procedures, he received his campus card and dormitory key.

Bai Bing waited patiently by his side, greeting other passing volunteers from time to time; it was clear she was very popular in the school.

"Let's go, I'll take you to the Zijing Apartments."

Bai Bing helped Xu Weidong carry another bag and said: "Most of the boys in your year live there. The conditions are quite good—four-person rooms with air conditioning."

On the way to the dormitory, Bai Bing didn't stop chatting.

She introduced the school's various activities, student clubs, and several famous professors.

Xu Weidong listened quietly, occasionally asking one or two questions.

"By the way, Junior, are you interested in joining the Student Union? Our Arts and Culture Department is currently recruiting."

As she spoke, she looked at Xu Weidong with sparkling eyes.

Xu Weidong paused for a moment and then asked: "The Student Union... what do they need to do?"

"Oh, there's a lot!"

Bai Bing perked up and said: "The Arts and Culture Department is mainly responsible for the school's artistic activities, such as the welcome party, the New Year's gala, singing competitions, and so on."

"It can both exercise your organizational skills and help you meet many friends."

As she spoke, she observed Xu Weidong's reaction. This new student gave her a different feeling.

Most freshmen, when they first arrive at school, are either too reserved to speak or excitedly chattering away.

But Xu Weidong was neither; he looked very calm, listened intently to others while looking them in the eye, and responded appropriately.

"Besides the Student Union, our school also has a Literature Club, and I am the vice president."

Bai Bing continued: "If you are interested in writing, you are also welcome to join. Our club regularly holds writing salons and publishes a school magazine."

Xu Weidong felt a stir in his heart; the Literature Club was indeed a place to practice writing.

His father, Xu Tianhua, had told him since he was a child that writing skills are useful in any field, especially for a family like theirs.

"I will consider it."

Bai Bing smiled; she knew this answer usually meant interest.

As they talked, they had arrived at the Zijing Apartments. There was a row of redbud trees planted in front of the building; although it wasn't the flowering season yet, the branches and leaves were lush, looking very refreshing.

"I'll leave you here. The dormitory is on the fifth floor, and the room number is on the key."

"Oh, by the way..."

She took out a sticky note and quickly wrote down a string of numbers.

"This is my phone number. If you need anything, you can find me."

"The recruitment notices for the Arts and Culture Department and the Literature Club will be posted in a few days, remember to keep an eye out."

"Thank you, Senior."

Xu Weidong took the note and thanked her politely.

Bai Bing waved her hand and turned to leave.

Her white dress was particularly eye-catching in the crowd, and her high ponytail swayed gently with her steps.

This Senior Bai Bing was enthusiastic, generous, and active; she must be a very popular figure in the school.

Xu Weidong shook his head and walked into the dormitory building with his luggage.

The fifth floor was neither high nor low. When he found room 516, the door was ajar, and voices could be heard from inside.

Pushing the door open, three boys turned their heads at the same time.

"Yo, the last brother has arrived!"

A tall boy wearing a basketball jersey stood up first.

His skin was dark, and when he smiled, he revealed a mouthful of white teeth; his Northeast accent was very obvious.

"My name is Yang Liqun, from Shengjing, Fengtian. I'm sleeping in the bed by the window."

"Xu Weidong, from Hanzhou."

Xu Weidong introduced himself simply, his gaze sweeping over the other two.

A boy wearing glasses, who looked gentle and refined, pushed up his glasses.

"Zhang Xun, a local from Yancheng."

The last boy was not tall but looked very sturdy, holding a book in his hand.

"Sun Ming, from Tianzhou, Xishan."

The four of them got to know each other and began to tidy up their respective beds and desks.

Yang Liqun was the fastest; in a few moments, he had his things packed away, then sat down on a chair and crossed his legs.

"Brothers, now that we know each other, let's look out for one another over the next four years!"

Xu Weidong smiled and continued organizing his books.

He didn't bring many books; besides a few related to his major, there were only "Zizhi Tongjian" and "Selected Works of Mao Zedong".

These were specifically brought at Xu Tianhua's request, who said he could flip through them when he had free time.

"Whoa, Comrade Weidong, you read these too?"

Yang Liqun leaned over and picked up "Zizhi Tongjian" to flip through it.

"Can you actually get into this stuff? Classical Chinese was the biggest headache for me in high school."

"I'm just reading it casually."

Zhang Xun also took a look and didn't speak, but there was a bit more curiosity in his eyes.

He was a local from Yancheng, and his father worked in the district government. Influenced by this from a young age, he knew which books were not something an ordinary freshman would read.

Sun Ming was more interested in the few math reference books Xu Weidong brought and asked: "These books are quite hard to buy; do bookstores in Hanzhou have them in stock?"

"I had someone buy them for me."

During this simple conversation, the four of them had already formed a preliminary judgment of each other in their minds.

Yang Liqun had an outgoing personality, and his family background was likely good.

Zhang Xun didn't talk much but had strong observation skills.

Sun Ming was hardworking and studious, with a scholarly air.

As for Xu Weidong... he was still hard to read for the time being.

The first "pillow talk" meeting in the boys' dormitory began naturally after they finished organizing their personal affairs.

The topics ranged from local specialties to college entrance exam scores, and from future career prospects to university life planning.

When Yang Liqun heard that Xu Weidong had barely scraped into the university, he exaggeratedly patted him on the shoulder.

"Not bad, brother! Our dormitory is full of hidden talents!"

"Just good luck."

The topic unknowingly turned to girls. Yang Liqun had arrived at school early and had already done some "reconnaissance."

"Let me tell you, the quality of girls in our school this year is quite good; a few of them are quite pretty."

"But compared to the seniors, they are still a bit lacking."

"Seniors?"

"Yeah, when I went to register today, I saw several sophomore seniors; now that's what you call a feast for the eyes."

Yang Liqun said with great excitement: "Especially that vice minister of the Student Union's Arts and Culture Department, what's her name... Bai Bing! Right, Bai Bing!"

Xu Weidong was drinking water and almost choked when he heard the name.

"Senior Bai is truly fair-skinned, beautiful, and has long legs. She speaks gently, and her smile is sweet enough to kill."

Yang Liqun didn't notice Xu Weidong's reaction at all and continued to ramble on.

"I've asked around; she is the vice minister of the School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering's Arts and Culture Department and also the vice president of the Literature Club. She's talented, capable, and possesses both beauty and brains!"

Zhang Xun rarely chimed in: "I think I saw her too, the one wearing a white dress?"

"Yes, yes, yes! That's her!"

Yang Liqun slapped his thigh and said: "Let me rank them for you. Senior Bai Bing is currently in first place, second is the minister of the Arts and Culture Department, Du Xuanxuan—her figure is amazing, but I heard her personality is quite fierce, not as gentle as Senior Bai. Third..."

Xu Weidong listened, and in his mind, Bai Bing's crescent-shaped eyes appeared.

Indeed, this senior's physical appearance was outstanding, but he was more concerned with the organizational and interpersonal skills she had displayed.

Being able to serve as both a Student Union cadre and a club leader in university is definitely not something one can do just by relying on looks.

"Comrade Weidong, what do you think?"

"What?"

"Senior Bai Bing! Don't you think she's very beautiful?"

Xu Weidong thought for a moment and gave a very official answer: "The senior is indeed very excellent, and her work in welcoming new students was done very well."

This answer stunned the other three for a moment, and then Yang Liqun laughed loudly: "Comrade Weidong, oh Comrade Weidong, why do you talk like a leader! In college, you need to relax; when you should appreciate beauty, you should appreciate it!"

Xu Weidong smiled and didn't respond.

Zhang Xun suddenly said: "By the way, I heard that the competition for Student Union recruitment is quite fierce, especially for popular departments like the Arts and Culture Department."

Yang Liqun said dismissively: "What's there to be afraid of? Let's just give it a try."

"Comrade Weidong, didn't Senior Bai personally take you to the dormitory? You should get close to her; maybe you can pull some strings."

"It's normal for welcome volunteers to take new students."

"Besides, I haven't decided whether to sign up or not."

"Why not sign up?"

Yang Liqun said, puzzled: "Joining the Student Union is helpful for finding a job later, and you can get extra credits; it's a great thing."

Xu Weidong didn't explain. He did intend to sign up, but not for the credits—only to make his resume look better.

Given their family's situation, the future only allows for advancement, not retreat!

Sun Ming spoke up at this moment: "I want to sign up for the Academic Department. I heard you can get in touch with a lot of academic resources in advance."

"I'm going to sign up for the External Relations Department."

Yang Liqun continued: "It not only exercises your communication skills but also lets you meet people from other schools."

Zhang Xun pushed his glasses and said: "I might sign up for the Office. I heard you can get in touch with the administrative work of the school."

After the three finished speaking, they all looked at Xu Weidong.

"I'm considering becoming a leader directly."

"A leader?"

Yang Liqun's eyes lit up and he said: "Is it because of Senior Bai?"

"You, Xu Weidong, actually want to use under-the-table methods with a senior on the first day of college?"

The dormitory was suddenly filled with happy laughter, and everyone was amused by Yang Liqun.

Xu Weidong thought of the phone number Bai Bing left behind; that sticky note was now pressed under his pillow.

Should he take the initiative to contact her and ask about the specific details of the recruitment?

Just as he was thinking, his phone vibrated.

It was a text message from an unknown number.

"Junior, are you settled in? If you need any help, just let me know anytime."

Xu Weidong stared at the screen for a few seconds and replied: "Everything is settled, thank you for your concern, Senior."

Almost immediately, the reply came: "That's good. By the way, the Arts and Culture Department has a recruitment presentation on Wednesday evening in room 302 of the school building. If you are interested, you can come and listen."

Xu Weidong thought for a moment and replied with two words: "Okay."

Putting down his phone, he heard Yang Liqun on the opposite bed talking on the phone with his family, his Northeast accent very thick.

"Mom, don't worry, the dormitory is quite good, and my roommates are all quite good... By the way, there's a senior in our school who is especially beautiful..."

Xu Weidong smiled silently and turned over.

At this moment, his phone vibrated again. He thought it was Bai Bing sending something else, but when he picked it up to look, it was a text message from Wei Yingying.

"Are you settled in? Everything is good on my end. Renmin University of China is very beautiful."

Xu Weidong stared at this simple text message, his fingers hovering over the keys for a long time.

Finally, he replied: "I'm settled in too. The Civil Engineering University is very large, and the seniors are very enthusiastic. Keep it up."

After clicking send, he put his phone aside and closed his eyes.

On the other side, Wei Yingying's little face was flushed. Today's handsome senior not only spoke with humor and wit but also blocked a classmate who hadn't braked their bicycle, getting injured in the process.

This is what university is... I wonder if Xu Weidong has also met a beautiful senior...