Chapter Seventeen: With Boundless Spirit, Seek Truth and Embrace Innovation!

Chapter Seventeen: Righteous Spirit, Pursuing Truth and Innovation!

When Liang Tao returned, Tang Zhong was hunched over the desk, eating fried noodle cake.

The noodle cake was brought back from the university's third cafeteria, costing three yuan and fifty cents. Add a five-yuan chicken drumstick, and the meal amounted to eight yuan and fifty cents. This lifestyle was indeed a bit extravagant.

He had thought Liang Tao, after suffering such an indignity, would surely try to transfer out of Dorm 307. Unexpectedly, not only did he stay, but he seemed intent on settling down for the long haul.

Liang Tao ignored Tang Zhong's gaze and walked straight over to Li Yu, who was also hunched over the desk eating his fried noodle cake. Snatching away his porcelain mug, he said, "Brother, don't eat this. Today is our first day meeting each other, and we'll be fighting together for years to come—let's go, Yuèhuá Hotel at the entrance, my treat. Let's consider it a celebration of our first meeting."

Li Yu didn't have the courage to offend Liang Tao like Tang Zhong did. He placed his chopsticks on the table and stammered, "No, thanks. I'm full."

"Full after eating so little? How can a man eat so little?" Liang Tao glanced at the half-full bowl of noodle soup. "Besides, even if you're full, you can still come for a drink and a chat. Today’s just for registration. Tomorrow classes start, right?"

"I—I still won't go." Li Yu's timid response made it sound as if Liang Tao were inviting him to some dangerous lair.

"You—" Liang Tao was furious. Since when had Young Master Liang ever had to lower himself to invite a country bumpkin to dinner? But, recalling the plan he had discussed with Secretary Zhao, he forced down his anger and managed a smile. "Fine. We’ll arrange it for next time."

Just then, Hua Wuqie walked in, holding a rabbit cage in one hand and a large bag of daily necessities in the other.

Liang Tao hurried over to help with the bag of supplies, saying with a grin, "Been out shopping, brother? I was just looking for you."

"Looking for me? For what?" Hua Wuqie set the rabbit cage on his desk, played with the rabbit a moment, then turned to take the bag back from Liang Tao.

"Isn't today the first day we're all meeting? I thought I'd treat everyone to a meal," Liang Tao replied cheerfully. "Li Yu says he's full, so how about you and me go for some drinks? Judging from your build, I bet you can hold your liquor. What do you say? Care for a contest?"

"All right," Hua Wuqie considered, then nodded. "Give me a moment."

He walked over to Tang Zhong, handed him the bag, and said, "One for each. Take what’s good, leave me the rest."

Liang Tao's face turned green.

He’d intended to take the rabbit cage from the big guy, but thought that would seem insincere, so he’d carried the bag instead. Little did he know it contained Tang Zhong’s things—poor palms, red from the weight.

"How much was it? I’ll pay you," Tang Zhong put down his chopsticks, reaching for his wallet.

"Settle it later. I’m off for drinks with LV—with this brother here," Hua Wuqie replied with a broad smile.

Seeing that Hua Wuqie was still willing to accept his invitation, Liang Tao’s expression eased. As long as he came along, with good food and drinks, there would be no trouble winning him over.

"All right," Tang Zhong slipped his wallet back into his pocket.

When Hua Wuqie and Liang Tao left, Tang Zhong finished his noodle soup in one gulp, then stood to wash his bowl in the bathroom.

Li Yu watched Tang Zhong’s back thoughtfully.

After washing up, Tang Zhong opened his canvas bag and pulled out an Apple phone.

He switched it on. There was just one message: How are you doing at school?

The sender was Bai Su. Only she would care enough to ask.

He set the phone on his bedside and took out a 15-inch high-end MacBook Pro, also from his canvas bag.

Both the phone and the laptop had been purchased with Bai Su’s help. Knowing Tang Zhong could drive, she’d originally wanted to help him pick out a car too, thinking it would be convenient to summon him, but Tang Zhong refused—he’d promised to keep a low profile. How could he stay low-key arriving at school in a car?

He didn’t refuse the phone and laptop, though. Many students used those, so he wouldn’t stand out.

The technician had loaded a number of games onto his laptop. He idly opened DOTA, played two rounds, and lost both.

"Can I—can I try a round?" Li Yu was peering down from the edge of the upper bunk, his eyes shining as he stared at the computer.

"Go ahead," Tang Zhong got up. "You play. I’ll lie down and rest for a bit."

Li Yu scrambled off his bed, almost pouncing onto the computer.

"So he’s a gaming fan," Tang Zhong thought to himself.

---

When Tang Zhong woke up, Liang Tao and Hua Ming had returned. Hua Wuqie’s large frame meant his snoring was equally loud.

The snoring was laced with the heavy scent of alcohol; evidently, the two had enjoyed their midday drinks.

Li Yu was still battling in front of the computer, wearing headphones—probably worried the noise would disturb Tang Zhong.

Tang Zhong walked over and saw that Li Yu was a gaming genius. The game in which he’d been repeatedly defeated, Li Yu was winning with overwhelming force, his opponents crushed with no chance to fight back.

Sensing someone behind him, Li Yu turned, saw Tang Zhong, hurriedly took off his headphones, and blushed. "Sorry, I—I lost track of time. I’ll shut it down now."

"It’s fine. Keep playing," Tang Zhong patted his shoulder with a smile.

Li Yu glanced at the time. "No, that’s enough."

The dormitory door was pushed open, and a young man in a white shirt walked in. He looked at Tang Zhong and Li Yu and asked, "You’re both new psychology students, right?"

"Yes," Tang Zhong nodded.

"I’m your counselor, Li Qiang," the man said with a smile. "Is everyone from your dorm here?"

He glanced at the roster in his hand. "Tang Zhong, Hua Ming, Li Yu, Liang Shan—yes, all present. Oh, two of you are still sleeping? Judging by the smell, you had quite a bit to drink at lunch, didn’t you?"

Tang Zhong chuckled. "Mr. Li, please have a seat."

"No need," Li Qiang waved a hand. "I’m here to let you know there’s a meeting at three o’clock this afternoon in Lecture Hall 601, Building Two. Still an hour to go—make sure to drag those two drunks along as well."

"Of course. I’ll let them know," Tang Zhong replied.

Li Qiang looked at Tang Zhong, nodded, and said, "Good. Get ready then, I’ll inform the others."

At 2:50, when Tang Zhong and Li Yu arrived in the classroom, they found many seats already taken.

This was a general assembly for the new psychology students—not yet divided by class.

High school and university are different. In high school, students preferred sitting up front for a better view of the blackboard and to hear the teacher clearly. At university, students preferred the back rows, where they could nap, read novels, or flirt with girlfriends. Early arrivals claimed the back seats; those who came later had no choice but to sit up front.

By the time Tang Zhong and Li Yu got there, the back rows of the lecture hall were full, so they settled in a front corner.

Glancing around, they noticed only about twenty girls among more than a hundred students—a striking ratio of five to one.

With so many wolves and so little meat, fierce competition was inevitable.

After a few minutes, Hua Ming and Liang Tao arrived as well. Both had showered and looked refreshed.

Hua Ming went straight to the row behind Tang Zhong. Though Liang Tao was reluctant, he didn’t want to isolate himself and sat down next to Hua Ming.

Once Liang Tao sat down, Tang Zhong noticed the girls in the class began stealing glances their way.

He had to admit that, with his own unassuming appearance, Liang Tao was the most attractive man in the psychology department—a handsome short guy.

Liang Tao realized this too and unconsciously straightened his back, the sting of his earlier humiliation somewhat soothed.

At three o’clock, a short old man strode into the classroom and took the podium.

He was very short but walked with astonishing speed. He was already at the lectern before the teachers following him even entered the door.

With sharp eyes, he quickly scanned the room and said in a deep voice, "I am Jiao Yuheng, dean of the School of Psychology. Welcome to the Department of Psychology and the ever-changing world of the mind."

"I do not doubt your interest in psychology; otherwise, you wouldn’t have chosen such an obscure major. But before you become my official students, I have a question for you—who knows the university’s motto?"

The university motto?

The students were stumped.

It was only the first day; they were full of excitement and curiosity—who had bothered to notice something like that?

There was a murmur of whispers, but no one answered.

"Is there really no one who knows?" Jiao Yuheng’s gaze swept the room again.

Still, silence.

"Not a single one? If so, I must say I’m disappointed in this year’s new students. Last year, two freshmen answered my question."

"Righteous spirit, pursuing truth and innovation," someone replied.

Jiao Yuheng’s gaze shifted to the corner of the room. "What’s your name?"

"Tang Zhong."