Guan Wei was also taken aback. Given her close relationship with Chen Junya, she spoke without restraint and blurted out, “Junya, you can’t be serious, can you? Your father-in-law had coronary heart disease!”
Chen Junya shot her a glare and retorted irritably, “Why would I joke about something like this? Besides, whether he’s cured or not, you’ll know for sure once you see him!”
Her words silenced the room, and everyone understood the implication.
Indeed, Chen Junya wouldn’t joke about such a matter—which meant her father-in-law had truly been cured!
A doctor capable of curing coronary heart disease—just how extraordinary must their medical skills be? If they could win such a person over, it would be like securing a life insurance policy!
The thought was undeniably tempting.
As the gathering officially began, the crowd fell silent, pretending the matter held little significance to them. But deep down, they all knew better.
Chen Junya didn’t press the issue further, casually moving on as if it were nothing.
In truth, she was well aware of the impact she had created. In high society, people were masters of pretense—the more they coveted something, the more they feigned indifference. Revealing her father-in-law’s recovery had been deliberate. Otherwise, she could have easily brushed off Guan Wei’s question with a vague response. She believed that Qin Chaoyu’s abilities would eventually become widely known, so she might as well give her a helping hand. That way, Qin Chaoyu would remember this favor.
It had to be said—Chen Junya truly lived up to her reputation as the matriarch of a prominent family.
~
A new day, a new beginning. After a month, Qin Chaoyu finally welcomed the start of her university life.
To ensure a smooth registration process, she woke up early, packed her belongings, and carried Tuantuan with her as she prepared to head to campus.
When she arrived, the crowd was still sparse. Qin Chaoyu parked her bicycle and prepared to push it inside. She hadn’t brought much—just clothes, since she planned to buy most necessities on-site. After receiving the Gu family’s payment, money was no longer an issue.
The sum from the Gu family had initially startled her—she hadn’t expected them to offer so much. But in the end, she accepted it without guilt. After all, she had cured an incurable disease!
“Hello, fellow student! Are you a new freshman?” A clear, pleasant voice rang out just as Qin Chaoyu was about to enter the campus. “I’m a senior here to welcome newcomers. Would you allow me the honor of assisting you?”
Qin Chaoyu turned to look at the speaker. He appeared to be around twenty-three or twenty-four, with gold-rimmed glasses and a handsome, refined demeanor. His every movement exuded the grace of someone raised in a well-educated family. It was hard not to feel a favorable impression of him.
After a brief pause, Qin Chaoyu agreed.
She had deliberately avoided visiting the campus beforehand to preserve her excitement for university life, so she was unfamiliar with the layout. Given the scorching weather, it was best to get registration over with quickly.
“Then I’ll trouble you, Senior.”
The young man, delighted by her acceptance, introduced himself warmly. “I’m Yu Xingzhuo, majoring in computer science. Could you tell me your major, Junior? That way, I’ll know which registration booth to take you to.”
Qin Chaoyu wasn’t entirely comfortable with such enthusiasm. In her past life, she had rarely left the Qin family estate, and the aristocratic young men she encountered were never so openly expressive—they always maintained a poised, courteous demeanor. In this life, most of the men she had met were either around her master’s age or middle-aged. Yu Xingzhuo was undoubtedly the first man she had encountered who was so… eager.
She wasn’t sure if “eager” was the right word, but her intuition told her it fit.
Pressing her lips into a faint smile, she replied, “I’m studying traditional Chinese medicine.”
Yu Xingzhuo looked slightly disappointed but not overly so. Though they weren’t in the same college, there was no rule that one could only pursue romance within their own faculty. He simply regretted not having more time to chat with her. “Alright, then I’ll take you to the TCM college’s registration area. This way, please.”
Noticing the red squirrel perched on Qin Chaoyu’s shoulder and the bicycle she was pushing, he offered, “Let me help you with the bike—it’ll be easier for you.” Worried she might refuse, he added playfully, “Give this senior a chance to show his gentlemanly side. How could I let such a beautiful junior push a bike while I walk empty-handed?”
Qin Chaoyu nodded softly. “Thank you.”
As she walked away with Yu Xingzhuo, a crowd of senior boys at the gate groaned in frustration.
The moment Qin Chaoyu had arrived at the university entrance, her striking appearance had drawn many eyes. Her fair, dewy skin, delicate willow-leaf brows, and starry eyes were mesmerizing. Her features were indescribably exquisite, and her high ponytail added a touch of charm. Dressed in a long pinafore dress, she looked like the quintessential male lead’s first love from a movie—pure and enchanting. Even in the entertainment industry, her beauty would rank among the finest.
But because of their hesitation, the opportunity to meet this stunning junior had slipped away.
It wasn’t that they had any ill intentions—it was simply human nature to be drawn to beauty.
When Qin Chaoyu reached her dorm, one roommate had already arrived—a girl who seemed to be from the countryside. Her clothes were somewhat worn but impeccably clean. She was petite, with pleasant features, though her skin was slightly tanned. The moment she saw Qin Chaoyu, she scrambled to her feet.
After firmly declining the senior’s persistent offers to help (ignoring his somewhat pitiful expression), Qin Chaoyu entered with her newly acquired bedsheets and quilt covers.
“H-Hello!” The country girl stammered nervously, clutching her pants tightly. “My name is Miao Zhaodi. I’m studying TCM… It’s nice to meet you.”
The last three words were uttered so softly they were almost inaudible, as if she feared rejection.
Miao Zhaodi had never seen someone so beautiful before—she doubted even a celestial maiden could compare. She desperately wanted to befriend this classmate but worried her plain appearance might deter her.
After placing her belongings by her assigned bed, Qin Chaoyu turned and smiled warmly. “Hello, I’m Qin Chaoyu, also studying TCM. We might even be in the same class—it’s nice to meet you too.”
Seeing Qin Chaoyu’s kindness, Miao Zhaodi exhaled in relief. She had been terrified this stunning classmate would look down on her.
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