Chapter Sixty-Three: I Have No Declaration, Only a Warning!

Chapter Sixty-Three: I Have No Declaration, Only a Warning!

Tang Zhong fell silent.

In the past, men and women knew little of romance, yet they could accompany each other to old age.

Now, people declare "I love you" at first meeting, but break up as easily as mowing grass.

"If you fall in love, isn't it still worth waiting?" Tang Zhong said with a smile. He extinguished his cigarette halfway and pressed the butt into the soil of the flowerbed behind him.

"Yes. So, the premise is to first kick the ball into your own goal." Gao Shan laughed, but was choked by the smoke and coughed violently.

Hearing him compare women to football, Tang Zhong was already rather annoyed. Realizing he was the ball Gao Shan aimed to score, Tang Zhong became even more vexed.

"Feelings can't be forced. Perhaps you two just aren't suited?" Tang Zhong said with a smile. "Or maybe you haven't found the right approach?"

"There are no incompatible couples. As long as they tolerate each other, they can always be together. You say I haven't found the right method, that I must admit—since I know she sings well, I always try to conquer her with music, hoping to express my love through song. Clearly, that doesn't work."

"Maybe—" Tang Zhong hesitated, then said, "People who love singing often cherish peace and quiet, yearning for a gentle, unremarkable love."

Gao Shan waved his hand dismissively. "Impossible. I can feel the deep emotion in her singing. Her life is meant for the stage. How could such a woman accept mediocrity?"

Tang Zhong could only look at him speechlessly, thinking, Brother, I've already reminded you. If you can't grasp it, that's no concern of mine.

Yet, remembering Tang Xin was still in England under closed treatment, Tang Zhong felt a dull ache in his heart.

Isn't talking about these things now utterly meaningless?

Gao Shan pulled out his cigarette pack again, extracting the last two cigarettes. "The last two. Let's each have one."

"I don't smoke anymore," Tang Zhong waved.

"Fine. I won't force you. Smoking is a bad habit." Gao Shan lit one for himself. "Are you a student?"

"Yes," Tang Zhong nodded.

"Oh? Where do you study?"

"Nanjing University."

"Nanjing University?" Gao Shan's face brightened. "Which department?"

"I'm in Applied Psychology," Tang Zhong replied.

"Hey," Gao Shan clapped Tang Zhong's shoulder. "Brother, we're alumni. I'm in International Trade, senior year. My name's Gao Shan—you ask around the Trade department, everyone knows me. If you run into trouble, come to me. By the way, what should I call you?"

"I'm Tang Zhong," Tang Zhong said with a smile, thinking that this guy was actually quite interesting. Foolish, but endearing.

"Tang Zhong?" Gao Shan's expression became strange. "You're the one who threw Qiao Lei and Li Dapeng into the lotus pond?"

Tang Zhong laughed awkwardly. "Yes, that's me."

"Heh, in that case, I doubt there's anything at Nanjing University you can't handle—" Gao Shan smiled meaningfully. "Those guys deserved it. Always fighting and causing trouble instead of studying. Someone dealing with them is doing everyone a favor—oh, but you should be careful. Qiao Lei isn't taking it lying down and has threatened revenge."

"I know he'll retaliate," Tang Zhong nodded. "When a child gets bullied, he always gathers more children to revenge."

"Hey, you're young, but you sound like an old man," Gao Shan remarked.

"I've experienced too much."

"What have you been through?" Gao Shan asked.

"Why don't you tell me about you and her first? Maybe I can offer advice."

"Ha. It's no use. She's a star now; even seeing her is hard. And I'm leaving this city soon," Gao Shan said.

"Leaving? Where to?"

"To Beijing," Gao Shan smiled. "A music company took an interest in me. They're signing me, promising to make me famous."

"You're dropping out? What about your diploma?" Tang Zhong asked with concern.

"What good is studying? Even with a diploma, nothing changes after graduation. If I become a singer and achieve something, I'll be closer to her," Gao Shan said, full of hope.

Tang Zhong was genuinely moved. If he were a woman, he'd accept Gao Shan.

But feelings are mysterious—what seems right to you may not appeal to Tang Xin. Better let her make her own choice when she returns.

Tang Zhong stood, dusted off his pants, and said, "I'm heading back to campus. Want to come?"

Gao Shan waved him off. "No, I'll wait a bit longer. Maybe the Butterfly Group has an event today—if they show up, I'll try to intercept their car."

Tang Zhong wanted to tell him that the Butterfly Group had no event today. Tang Xin—Tang Xin was returning to campus.

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After military training ended, class assignments began.

This year, the School of Psychology had 120 freshmen, divided into three classes, forty students each. Tang Zhong, Hua Ming, Li Yu, and Liang Tao all studied Applied Psychology, but Tang Zhong and Hua Ming were assigned to the same class, while Li Yu and Liang Tao went to the second. The third class specialized in Basic Psychology, also forty students.

Many familiar faces among the classmates; they'd met during military training, which made Tang Zhong feel at ease.

But what made Tang Zhong nearly spit blood was that his nemesis, Jiao Nanxin, was also in his class.

She wore white casual trousers and heels, a black tailored knee-length coat over an open-collared shirt. Tall, long-legged, and strikingly beautiful, with a unique sun-kissed complexion that drew all eyes.

She entered the classroom with several girls, laughing and chatting. Both boys and girls focused their gaze on her; she truly stood out.

Jiao Nanxin glanced around the classroom and said to her companions, "Let's sit by the window."

She took the lead and sat in the seat directly in front of Tang Zhong.

Such a competitive woman—even her seat had to be ahead of Tang Zhong.

With Jiao Nanxin settling there, her friends naturally followed. This delighted Hua Ming, who nudged Tang Zhong's arm, waggling his brows, "See? All the beauties are here for me. You and I together are scoring big—"

Tang Zhong couldn't even be bothered to respond.

"I'll pick one, the rest are yours," Hua Ming laughed, then went to chat up Jiao Nanxin.

Tang Zhong looked at the other girls and realized something: intelligence may differ among men, but their taste is remarkably similar.

What surprised Tang Zhong even more was that Lu Yifei was also assigned to their class.

He entered with several boys, took in the classroom, then sat behind Tang Zhong and greeted him, smiling, "Didn't expect we'd be in the same class again. Fate, huh?"

"Yeah," Tang Zhong replied half-heartedly.

"I owe you an apology," Lu Yifei said. "You were right to call for dismissal. I wasn't targeting you—I just worried the instructor might punish us for slacking."

"No need to apologize," Tang Zhong smiled. "Everyone has their own views and choices. I called dismissal because I was tired. You persisted for your own reasons. It's nothing to do with me."

"Ha, Tang Zhong, you're an interesting guy," Lu Yifei laughed. "By the way, I heard from Professor Li that we'll soon elect class officers. With your popularity, aren't you interested?"

Tang Zhong glanced at him. "I probably won't go up."

"True," Lu Yifei said. "You were taken as Dean Jiao's student. You need to follow department courses and study psychology under her—you'll be busy."

Tang Zhong smiled and said nothing.

Li Qiang entered, beaming. "Classmates, after a month together, we're no longer strangers. Today, two things: First, textbooks will be distributed—classes officially start tomorrow. Second—class officer elections."

"This is a tradition at Nanjing University. Every class president and officer is chosen by open competition. No salary, no perks—just an opportunity to hone your skills, which is invaluable for your future careers. My advice: everyone should volunteer, win or lose, give yourself a chance."

As the atmosphere grew lively, Li Qiang smiled. "Those interested, write your name on the blackboard, then come up and present your campaign speech. Time is precious; let's start now. Who wants to be the first to try?"

A boy with a face full of acne was first on stage. Though his speech was halting, he earned enthusiastic applause.

With a first volunteer, others followed suit.

Hua Ming ran on stage to campaign for sports committee, claiming his size and toughness made him ideal for heavy work. Lu Yifei ran for class president, citing his experience as temporary leader and his desire to serve classmates—politicians always pitch voters this way.

After a glasses-wearing girl finished her speech, no one else went up.

"Anyone else want to try?" Li Qiang asked.

No response.

"Have the rest of you given up?" Li Qiang smiled, scanning the room. "Tang Zhong, won't you try?"

Tang Zhong was about to answer when Lu Yifei behind him laughed, "Professor Li, I already asked Tang Zhong—he said he's not interested."

Tang Zhong's smile froze for an instant, then became even broader.

"Since Professor Li has named me, I'll give it a try," Tang Zhong pushed his chair back and stood.

He walked to the podium, took the white chalk, and wrote a large "Tang" followed by a large "Zhong" on the blackboard.

Each stroke was bold and powerful.

Just this beautiful handwriting alone set him apart.

Then, he placed both hands on the lectern, smiled at the classmates below, and said, "I have no declaration, only a warning."