Although Yuzhou University’s Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) program is considered one of the top in the country, the field itself has been in decline. Moreover, studying TCM requires a strong foundation in classical Chinese, which further narrows the pool of interested students. As a result, the current enrollment for the three major TCM disciplines totals only about 120 students. Qin Chaoyu’s dormitory mates, all in the same TCM program, were assigned to a single class. After military training, their first lecture was on history.
After class, Qian Fangyuan suggested they go out for a meal—her treat. Since they only had one class in the afternoon, she wanted to thank Qin Chaoyu for the sunscreen and Miao Zhaodi for all the help during military training. Without them, she wouldn’t have survived the grueling two weeks.
Miao Zhaodi hesitated, feeling her actions—like fetching hot water or folding blankets—were too trivial to warrant such gratitude. She was acutely aware of Yuzhou’s high living costs. In just over half a month, she’d already spent half of the 700 yuan her parents had painstakingly saved for her. It pained her deeply; her family had sold their most valuable cow and borrowed heavily to afford her education. The 700 yuan represented a quarter of their annual income. Hearing that part-time jobs were available in college, she resolved to find work and support herself.
Noticing Miao Zhaodi’s reluctance, Qian Fangyuan cut in, “No refusing! What might seem like small favors to you were lifesavers for me. Without Zhaodi’s help, I’d have been sleeping without a blanket for two weeks because I couldn’t fold that damn square-shaped thing!”
She even pretended to wipe away nonexistent tears, her exaggerated performance almost comically bad.
This time, Qin Chaoyu didn’t ignore Qian Fangyuan’s theatrics. Instead, she chimed in, “Zhaodi, don’t worry about saving money for this rich girl. If she doesn’t treat us, she’ll feel guilty and never dare to ask for help again!”
Qin Chaoyu understood Qian Fangyuan’s kindness. Both she and Qian had learned early on about Miao Zhaodi’s financial struggles. While many in similar situations might grow insecure or overly sensitive, Miao Zhaodi remained humble yet unashamed—a rare and admirable trait.
The more time they spent together, the more Qin Chaoyu and Qian Fangyuan wanted to help. During military training, they’d noticed Miao Zhaodi eating only cheap, unnutritious meals, avoiding meat entirely. Worried about her health, they decided to treat her to a proper meal—while carefully preserving her dignity. This was just the first step; they’d find other ways to support her later.
Qian Fangyuan pouted dramatically, “Exactly! I’m the type who repays every kindness. Zhaodi, how could you bear to leave me guilt-ridden?”
Under Qian Fangyuan’s wide-eyed, pleading gaze—impossible for anyone to resist—Miao Zhaodi finally relented after a long pause.
With a cheer, Qian Fangyuan declared, “I’ll pick the place! As a local, I know all the best spots. You’ll love it!”
She eagerly scrolled through her phone, browsing her list of favorite restaurants.
Ultimately, she settled on seafood—a personal obsession. During military training, the thought of post-training seafood feasts had kept her going. Just recalling those days brought tears to her eyes (figuratively).
Yuzhou, surrounded by rivers, had no shortage of fresh aquatic delicacies. This season was peak time for seafood; soon, the quality would decline.
Qin Chaoyu and Miao Zhaodi had no objections, so they agreed to head straight after their afternoon class.
That afternoon’s lecture was on TCM fundamentals. The elderly professor’s slow, soft-spoken historical overview proved soporific for some—Qian Fangyuan, for instance, who only woke up when class ended.
As they packed up to leave, Bai Pengpeng suddenly approached.
Bai Pengpeng was Qin Chaoyu’s last roommate—the one who’d arrived on move-in day with bodyguards and a maid in tow.
Stopping in front of Qin Chaoyu, Bai Pengpeng tossed her an exquisitely wrapped box. “Here. Throw it away if you don’t like it.” Without waiting for a response, she turned and left.
Qian Fangyuan blinked in confusion. “What was that about? Too much money to burn?”
Qin Chaoyu chuckled. “Probably a thank-you gift for helping her during military training.”
At this, Qian Fangyuan smirked. Despite her own poor stamina, she’d at least never fainted—unlike Bai Pengpeng, who collapsed on the first day. Qin Chaoyu had revived her with water. Why someone like her even bothered with military training was a mystery; with her family’s influence, a doctor’s note would’ve been effortless. But then, the logic of the wealthy was unfathomable.
After pondering the enigma of rich people’s minds (and failing), Qian Fangyuan clapped her hands cheerfully. “Alright, let’s go! Seafood time!”
—
**The Bai Residence**
That evening, Bai Pengpeng returned home. Parking her car in the estate’s courtyard, she entered the Bai family mansion—a place many dreamed of stepping into.
Inside, she found her older brother seated in the grand hall, reading a newspaper. His posture suggested he’d been… waiting for her?
Bai Pengpeng never denied her brother’s allure. As the head of the Bai family, his status alone drew countless women. Add to that his striking features—obsidian eyes sharp with authority, set in a face carved with aristocratic precision—and he exuded an aura of controlled danger. Even at rest, he reminded one of a predator poised to strike. Handsome, wealthy, and young, he attracted reckless admirers. Yet by age twenty, he’d crushed all opposition, stabilizing the Bai family after their parents’ fatal plane crash. His ruthlessness was legendary. Even as his sister, Bai Pengpeng felt a flicker of fear.
Suppressing her unease, she approached nervously. “Brother, were you waiting for me?”
Bai Jixi set down the newspaper. If not for her, he wouldn’t have wasted time on such trivial reading.
Under his piercing gaze, Bai Pengpeng fidgeted, unsure where to place her hands.
“Did… did I do something wrong?”
Bai Jixi massaged his temples briefly before issuing an unyielding decree: “Now that you’ve moved into the dorm, you’ll stay on campus starting tomorrow.”
Bai Pengpeng opened her mouth to protest but swallowed her words. She knew better. His orders were absolute.
Yet recalling the camaraderie she’d witnessed earlier—Qin Chaoyu, Qian Fangyuan, and Miao Zhaodi laughing together—she realized dorm life might not be so bad. Perhaps she, too, could find friends who liked her for herself.
Nodding obediently, she replied, “Yes, Brother.”
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