Chapter 64: The Apple-Cheeked Beauty

A sleepless night.

The next day, Ling Chen stretched lazily as he woke up in the hotel to find it was already past nine in the morning. No need to work; he could finally sleep in.

"You finally got up, you rascal."

Tang Yuan, entering from outside, placed the freshly bought breakfast on the bed and asked, "Any plans for today?"

"First, I need to rent a place."

Ling Chen casually grabbed a bun and stuffed it into his mouth without bothering to brush his teeth. With not much money on him, staying in hotels wasn’t sustainable. First things first, secure a place to live, then find a job.

After swallowing the bun, Ling Chen suddenly recalled something.

"Right, Old Tang, what’s the date today?"

"September 3rd."

Indeed, today’s the day!

Without another word, Ling Chen bounced out of bed, hurriedly got dressed, and dashed to the bathroom. Shortly after, he was all set, striking what he thought was a dashing pose at the door, grinning, "How’s that, pretty handsome, eh?"

Without mincing words, Tang Yuan shot him down, "Handsome, my ass. Spill it, you’re dressed all flashy. Meeting a girlfriend, are you?"

"I wish I had a girlfriend. Why don’t you introduce me to one?"

"I haven’t even found one for myself yet, let alone introduce you. Bugger off, as far as you can."

"Fine, I’ll bugger off then. You can stay here and wallow in your loneliness," said Ling Chen, waving his hand as he left the hotel.

Today, September 3rd, was the opening day for the new semester at East Sea University. Tang Shiyun was a new student there; she would definitely go to register. Since he couldn’t reach her by phone, he could only try to find her at the university. It had been a while since he last saw her, and he rather missed the girl.

Taking the bus to the gates of East Sea University, Ling Chen straightened his clothes, his angular face beaming with a radiant smile as he strode onto the campus.

As soon as he entered the university, his eyes were too busy to take it all in. Indeed, college life is the best, brimming with youthful and beautiful women everywhere.

Though it was autumn, the heat hadn’t subsided. Some of the more liberal female students, in short skirts and strappy tops, displayed their long, beautiful legs and bare backs, providing a feast for Ling Chen’s eyes.

His greatest regret in life was never attending school. When he was younger, his dad homeschooled him. By the age of fifteen, when others were still in middle school, he had already finished the university curriculum.

Admiring the beauties along the way, Ling Chen wandered around the campus until he finally located the new student registration area.

A few students, probably members of the student union, managed the registration. Ling Chen took a glance, approached a girl with a ponytail bowed over her work, and asked, "Excuse me, I’m looking to find out if Tang Shiyun has checked in?"

Hearing a voice, the girl looked up and met Ling Chen’s gaze.

Their eyes met, and a spark lit up in front of Ling Chen. This girl, in her early twenties, had an apple-shaped face, delicate brows, and big eyes. She wore a short-sleeve blouse, the fabric stretched over her ample bosom as if the buttons could burst at any moment. Unfortunately, the table concealed her lower half, so he couldn’t see clearly. Even so, her appearance and figure easily matched the description of "youthful beauty."

Tsk, tsk, well-deserved reputation as a cradle of beauties, this university.

"Are you a new student here?" the girl asked, her voice clear and pleasant.

"No, I’m a friend of Tang Shiyun. I couldn’t reach her, so I wanted to know if she has come to the campus."

"Do you know what major she’s in?"

"This..." Ling Chen scratched his head; he really didn’t know what major Tang Shiyun had chosen.

Seeing that he couldn’t continue the conversation, the girl looked at him suspiciously: "Are you really her friend? If you were friends, how come you don’t even know her major?"

Just as Ling Chen was about to explain, a male student sitting nearby scrutinized him and warned: "Leng Feifei, be careful. Maybe he got dumped by his girlfriend, found no one else willing to pay attention to him, and that’s why he came to the school. This kind of thing has happened quite often. There are too many jerks nowadays; better safe than sorry."

The girl named Leng Feifei nodded convincingly and closed the roster, warning Ling Chen warily: "I can’t just give out students’ information here. You should try another method."

"Come on, pretty lady, help me out."

Leng Feifei turned her head away, with a look that indicated no room for negotiation.

Ling Chen, having no other choice, left the registration area and found a random place to sit down. It was just ten o’clock, still early; maybe Tang Shiyun hadn’t arrived at the school yet. He decided to wait and see.

"Brother Chen?"

An astonished voice came from behind him at that moment.

Ling Chen turned around, only to see Nanrong Hao briskly walking towards him with a delighted expression: "Brother Chen, it is really you."

"What are you doing here, lad?"

Nanrong Hao pointed to the bag over his shoulder, "Brother Chen, did you forget? Both my cousin and I go to the university. I’m in my junior year, and she’s a senior."

Prompted by his reminder, Ling Chen suddenly remembered that Nanrong Hao indeed had mentioned this to him.

"Brother Chen, why aren’t you at the company? What brings you to campus?"

Ling Chen simply shrugged. Nanrong Wanqing probably hadn’t told him about his resignation yet. Since she hadn’t mentioned it, there was no need for him to blab about it.

"Don’t ask so many questions. Right, you’re a student here. Can you help me check at the registration if there’s a girl who came to enroll named Tang Shiyun?"

"Sure thing." Nanrong Hao readily agreed and scurried over there.

In less than two minutes, Nanrong Hao came back dejectedly, saying disheartenedly, "Brother Chen, I’m afraid I can’t do this task."

"What happened?"

"Leng Feifei is over there; she’s my classmate, and she’s always had it in for me. I don’t even need to say anything, I know she won’t help me out."

"You..." Ling Chen glared at him disapprovingly and said irritably: "You really disappoint me, lad. Can’t even handle a woman; what a waste of all I’ve taught you."

"Brother Chen, since you’re so amazing, why don’t you give it a try? Also, teach that girl a lesson for me."

Hearing this, Ling Chen frowned and criticised seriously: "No wonder those girls don’t like you; first off, your way of thinking is all wrong. Are women supposed to be scolded?"

"Brother Chen, then what should I do?" Nanrong Hao asked, keen to learn.

"Remember this, women should be conquered, not scolded."

"Brother Chen, I get what you’re saying, but talk is cheap compared to action. Why don’t you meet Leng Feifei and show me how it’s done, so I can learn properly from you?"

"I... ahem, uh, where is the restroom? I’ll go take a break first; we can discuss this matter later."

He had just been snubbed by that Leng Feifei. Going back now would just make a fool of himself in front of Nanrong Hao, and he absolutely couldn’t do anything to damage his grand image.

After dawdling in the restroom for about ten minutes, Ling Chen washed his hands and walked along the cobblestone path through the quiet grove on the campus, preparing to meet up with Nanrong Hao. But at this moment, a series of alluring gasps reached his ears from the other side of the grove.