Chapter 51: The Start of the School Year
As the new semester began, the Capital Spiritual Martial Arts University welcomed its students. Except for a handful recruited from other provinces, most of the freshmen came from the Capital Ordinary Martial Arts High School, so many were already familiar with each other.
On the first day of school, everyone was buzzing with excitement, eager to share the fresh news from their summer break.
“Hey, did you all see it? That terrifying phenomenon that night—the Void Tai Chi?”
“Of course! With such a commotion, how could anyone miss it?”
“It was horrifying, thunder and lightning everywhere. People in my neighborhood are saying it’s the descent of an evil god, and that something major will happen in the Nine Provinces!”
“Is that really true? Didn’t the authorities explain it was caused by a prodigy-level martial artist experiencing ancestral regression? But who exactly is this prodigy?”
“Are you really that gullible? Ancestral regression causing such a massive anomaly? You believe that?”
“The officials also claimed the Axe Gang was wiped out by a group of enthusiastic citizens recently. Do you believe that?”
“Sounds a bit far-fetched. Unless those ‘enthusiastic citizens’ show themselves and let us witness their strength.”
“Ha! I’ve got a rumor—the one who took down the Axe Gang is a student, maybe even someone here at our university.”
…
The freshmen classroom was especially lively. The boys, in particular, talked about their own ancestral regressions and ranked the girls’ appearances.
Lu Yu, the only son of the illustrious Lu family in the capital, had regressed to the martial champion of the National Martial Arts era, naturally making him the brightest star of their circle.
A crowd of boys and girls surrounded him, as if he were the sun orbited by planets.
“Lu, what do you think of this girl? How would you rate her?”
“Wow, she’s got curves! I like her—at least a ninety, right?”
“I prefer the previous one—her legs are long and straight. What do you think, Lu?”
The boys bantered, while Lu Yu in the center maintained a calm demeanor befitting a leader.
“Come on, you guys, the most beautiful hasn’t even arrived yet.”
As soon as Lu Yu spoke, anticipation lit up the faces of all the boys.
“Looks like Lu already has someone in mind for class beauty!”
“Class beauty? To catch Lu’s eye, she’d have to be the campus beauty at least!”
“Wow, is there someone even more stunning? I can’t wait!”
“So what if she’s gorgeous? If Lu likes her, none of us stand a chance.”
“Still, admiring her is enough to feel happy!”
Amidst the rowdy chatter—
“Whoa!” someone suddenly exclaimed.
Everyone turned to look at the doorway.
It was afternoon; the sunlight poured through the entrance, casting a dazzling, warm glow.
Standing within this dreamy light was a girl with waist-length hair, wearing a short-sleeved dress. Her features and figure seemed as if she had stepped out of a comic book.
The entire classroom fell silent!
Lu Yu, who had been sitting on his desk, saw everyone gaping in awe and felt a surge of pride.
He curled his lips into a smile and gave a confident shake of his trendy, tousled hair.
“Lin Chuchu, you’ve finally arrived.”
Lin Chuchu paused, and upon seeing Lu Yu, quickly shifted her gaze away.
Her shy and evasive expression only made the boys’ hearts ache even more.
“Oh my god! I think I’ve fallen in love.”
“Wow, Lu’s taste is impeccable! She’s incredible!”
“Lin Chuchu? Even her name is enchanting!”
“Looks like our dull study life will finally get interesting!”
Lu Yu looked proud and called out confidently, “Chuchu, come sit over here.”
He pointed to the seat beside him.
That seat originally belonged to a flamboyantly dressed classmate, Xiao Shanshan.
As soon as Lu Yu pointed her out, Xiao Shanshan’s expression soured. She crossed her arms stubbornly, refusing to move.
Why should she give up her seat just because Lin Chuchu arrived? Was her dignity worthless?
Seeing Xiao Shanshan unmoved, Lu Yu’s smile grew stiff.
One of the boys nudged Xiao Shanshan, “He’s calling you—move already!”
With a loud bang, Xiao Shanshan slammed her hand on the desk and stood up.
“Why should I give up my seat for her? Hmph! Isn’t she just a manipulative girl?”
A sharp slap rang out.
Xiao Shanshan, clutching her reddened cheek, stared at Lu Yu in disbelief, filled with grievance and resentment.
“Lu Yu! We’ve been classmates for three years, and you hit me over a girl like her?”
The boys nearby were stunned, then quickly adopted faces eager for drama.
“She’s got nothing to do with it. When I tell you to move, you move—got it?” Lu Yu’s gaze carried the authority of a king.
Xiao Shanshan bit her lip hard and finally stormed off, her eyes glowering hatefully at Lin Chuchu.
Lin Chuchu stood awkwardly in place, not moving.
She really didn’t want to go to Lu Yu’s side.
But if she didn’t, where else could she sit?
The whole classroom was either crowded around Lu Yu or unwilling to speak up.
Some of those enjoying the spectacle even started catcalling.
“Go on, Chuchu! It’s rare for Lu to appreciate someone so much!”
“Ooh, she’s shy! Lu’s charm has stunned her!”
“Lin Chuchu, if you don’t like Lu, what about me? There’s an empty seat next to me too!”
“Look, someone’s trying to intercept her halfway—this is getting interesting!”
“I’m just joking. Who would dare compete with Lu for a girl?”
“Hahaha… That was quick, bro! Are you even trying?”
With all this commotion, Lin Chuchu’s face was as red as a ripe tomato.
She stood there pitifully, at a loss.
In a corner of the classroom, Xiang Nan was napping alone at his desk.
He’d been up late drawing lottery prizes last night and hardly slept.
The noise in the classroom finally woke him up completely.
With a loud thud, Xiang Nan stood up irritably.
“Can’t you all be quiet for a moment? What’s all this racket about?”
Everyone gets cranky when they wake up—Xiang Nan even more so.
After a sleepless night and a poor streak at the lottery, he’d spent a hundred thousand merit points and only got a single Resurrection Herb. The thought of it made his blood boil!
His outburst drew everyone’s attention.
“Wow! That guy is handsome! Is he a classmate?”
“With looks like that, sorry Lu—I’m switching sides!”
“I really want to get to know him; even angry, he’s stunning!”
“Oh my heart can’t take it! Why didn’t I notice him sooner? Must’ve been blind!”
Several girls in the class had stars in their eyes.
There was no helping it—he was already good-looking, and after spending the summer taking Rebirth Pills, he was bound to dazzle the crowd.
The girls’ whispered conversations reached Lu Yu’s ears.
As someone used to being the center of attention, the scion of a powerful family, how could he let anyone steal his thunder?
But in front of his beloved Lin Chuchu, Lu Yu forced himself to keep his composure.
“Chuchu, don’t mind him. Come sit over here.”