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Wang Xuan nodded with a smile, “In the future, as the eldest in your family, you need to set a good example. In Grandpa Chen’s family, the lack of harmony among the siblings and disrespect towards the elderly led to so many troubles. If Grandpa Chen didn’t interact with them, it might have been better. But considering how many years he has left, being able to see his descendants around him, I can understand why he did what he did today.”
The two of them reflected on their conversation as they made their way back.
After leaving Mingyuan’s school, Wang Qian didn’t rush home. She strolled through the streets, admiring the scenery. While she had visited this place in a past life, the sights now were vastly different. The rejuvenating atmosphere of the Capital exuded not only its ancient charm but also a revitalizing energy that uplifted spirits. People wore happy smiles, reflecting genuine joy from within.
The pervasive spirit of positivity and progress was evident in everyone around her, subtly influencing Wang Qian. She found herself standing taller and feeling more uplifted.
Having enjoyed her walk, she returned to the dormitory. Although she missed lunch, she wasn’t particularly hungry. She had bought a baked pancake on the way, so all she needed now was some water to drink.
Yesterday, the two missing dorm mates had now arrived to register. The parents of these two girls were in the dormitory helping them set up their beds. Unlike the other students in the dorm, both sets of parents had come together. Judging from their attire, Wang Qian suspected they might be officials or hold some significant positions.
“Hey, Wang Qian, you’re back. All our dorm mates have arrived this time. Let me introduce you. This is Wei Yuanfang, and this is Dong Xuan,” the dorm’s eldest sister, Zhu Shan, introduced the two to Wang Qian.
The two girls, Wei Yuanfang and Dong Xuan, had decent appearances. While their personalities were unknown, being polite and friendly in unfamiliar settings was always a good strategy. Upon realizing that the seemingly high school-aged student in front of them was their classmate, the surprise in their eyes was evident. However, upon Wang Qian’s greetings, they politely responded.
Upon learning that the young girl before them was the youngest student admitted this year, the parents couldn’t help but observe her closely. They marveled at her achievement at such a young age, contemplating the professions of her parents. They planned to advise their daughters to get along well with this intelligent young girl, foreseeing a bright future for her.
Wang Qian never imagined that her young age would make such an impression on others.
With all the dorm mates now present, in this era, the idea of a dormitory group going out for a meal didn’t exist. They would simply gather around a table in the cafeteria at dinner time to eat together.
When dorm mates gather together, their lifestyle and preferences become apparent. The two newcomers seemed unimpressed with the food, tolerating it rather than enjoying it. On the other hand, Wang Qian and her friends were not particular about their meals as long as they filled their stomachs. While the Wang family was well off, Wang Qian, having experienced two lifetimes, understood and accepted the standards of this era.
After dinner, the class monitor informed them of a class meeting. In this era, class monitors weren’t elected democratically as in later times. Instead, teachers assigned positions based on students’ backgrounds. The main duty was to relay messages and serve the classmates, and other class committee roles were also designated by teachers.
The agenda for today’s meeting was to help everyone get to know each other and to announce the distribution of textbooks the following day since classes would commence soon.
Looking around, Wang Qian noticed their class had around thirty students, with very few males, giving a sense of rarity among the girls, making her stand out even more.
As everyone introduced themselves, all eyes were on Wang Qian when it was her turn due to her young age, making her the center of attention.
Even as she sat down, she still felt intense gazes fixed on her, making her feel uncomfortable, as if she were some sort of anomaly under their scrutiny.
Finally, as the meeting concluded, Wang Qian took a deep breath. The intense stares in the room made her feel uneasy, as if she were being scrutinized like a strange creature.
With her roommate Li Tiange pulling her aside, Wang Qian sighed, “Tiange, let’s get out of here quickly. I can’t handle this anymore.”
“You caused quite a stir just now. We were all bombarded with questions about you. Little sister, you’ve become quite the celebrity now.”
Wang Qian could only shake her head helplessly. “Tiange, I can’t help it. Who would have thought it would turn out like this? In the future, you and the other sisters need to protect me well, or I’ll be hounded by everyone. They could probably dig up information on my ancestors from eight generations back. Oh…”
In an era with limited entertainment, gossip was popular, and unfortunately, Wang Qian had become the subject of gossip.
Thankfully, she had a strong heart, or she might have been frightened by the attention. She had underestimated their enthusiasm for gossip.
She realized she would have to adapt slowly in the future.
After receiving their textbooks, Wang Qian and her classmates began their classes in earnest. She noticed a significant trait among her classmates—they were almost obsessed with studying, burning the midnight oil every day, fearing missing out on any knowledge.
Considering the recent resumption of the college entrance examination, they were racing against time to absorb knowledge. The future of the country’s development would rest on their generation’s shoulders. Wang Qian suddenly felt the weight of responsibility on her shoulders.
Every morning, students would gather in the school’s garden or near a small grove to memorize vocabulary. Even her roommates, including the seemingly delicate Wei Yuanfang and Dong Min, joined in the studying sessions.
After spending a few days together in the dormitory, Wang Qian had gained some insight into the personalities of her roommates. Zhu Shan and Hu Lianduo, having grown up in the city, naturally carried a sense of urban superiority in their demeanor. It wasn’t that they were bad people, but rather a mindset developed over time. Li Tiange was straightforward and open-hearted, lacking in subtlety, but one wouldn’t want to cross her, given her powerful voice. Tian Chang, Wang Yue, and her were quite similar—quiet and introverted. The two newcomers, on the other hand, seemed to exude a sense of superiority, even in their speech, adopting a haughty tone. However, they showed a keen interest in the class’s social dynamics, actively participating in class affairs. It was unclear whether they acted on their own or were guided by their families.
On the weekend, as Wang Qian packed to go home, her roommates from distant places assumed she was going to visit relatives and jokingly asked her to bring back some treats.
As she reached the ground floor, she spotted Zuo He standing there in military attire, smiling at her. Some girls leaned out of the window upstairs, clearly admiring the handsome man below.
“Zuo He, why are you here? You didn’t even let me know you were coming. I would have come down sooner. Where are my brothers? Why haven’t I seen them?” Wang Qian inquired, scanning the surroundings for the others.
Zuo He took her backpack, affectionately tousling her hair, and replied, “Qianqian, don’t worry. Your brothers have already gone back. They went out to buy food today, all ready to cook for you at home. I came to pick you up.”
“Let’s head back quickly. Otherwise, I’m not sure if those girls upstairs will even make it to their pillows tonight.”
Zuo He had noticed the admiring gazes from the onlookers but stayed put, waiting for the young girl.
Scanning the people upstairs, those who made eye contact with him felt a chill run down their spines and quickly withdrew their heads. His gaze seemed as sharp as a knife, making the spectators shiver involuntarily.
“Oh my, that guy’s gaze is so scary. I won’t dare to look at him next time, or I’ll have nightmares tonight,” exclaimed a girl from upstairs, patting her chest. Others shared similar sentiments, though they kept it to themselves.
Seeing the spectators retracting their heads, Wang Qian couldn’t help but smile. Zuo He remained indifferent towards those he didn’t like, never willing to engage further.
Observing the admirers discreetly peeking from the windows, Wang Qian chuckled inwardly. “Zuo He, let’s go. Let’s not bother with them.”
Taking Zuo He’s arm, they left together. Zuo He felt especially happy at that moment. Today, the young girl reached out to him voluntarily, bringing immense joy. Having her in front of him was far better than being consumed by longing. If not for his brother bringing back a photo, he wouldn’t have known how much longer he could endure without seeing her.
“Wang Qian, did any of your classmates bully you?”
Although the young girl was quite capable, being in the heart of the capital city and being young, Zuo He genuinely feared Wang Qian might face difficulties.
“Hehe, Zuo He, I am the country’s precious flower after all. Who would dare bully a child like me? Besides, am I someone easy to mess with? I might not resort to physicality, but if they make me cry, they won’t know what hit them. After all, I am the youngest student in the school and deserve some care,” Wang Qian chuckled confidently.
Observing the charming and lively demeanor of the young girl, Zuo He’s heart melted. He couldn’t help but appreciate how great their little girl was. Despite her mature demeanor outside, she didn’t hesitate to show her true emotions in front of her family.