After eating their fill, they took coach Steven's ride into town.
There were two idle cars in the horse farm, one was a pickup that was usually used to transport things.
The other one was a Toyota SUV that could be used to get around. Steven lived at the horse farm so this car had been driven by him recently. Since he happened to be going into town, he gave Xiao Qi and Jiajia a ride because it was on the way. He directly dropped off Xiao Qi at Qingmeng University.
Sure enough it was a prestigious institution. Enhua University was deserted and bleak during the National Day holidays, if not for the many banners you wouldn’t even be able to tell it was during National Day. Qingmeng University was different, the school gate was even more exaggerated than an attraction entrance, with people lining up all the way.
Many people wanted to visit the school.
Qingmeng University allowed public access, but you needed to show your ID.
There were too many people, the line felt like it would take 1-2 hours.
Xiao Qi called Brother Lin Min.
“Where are you guys?”
Xiao Qi looked left and right, and described an obvious location, “You guys are at the McDonald's entrance diagonally across from your school's main gate.”
“Then you guys wait for me there, I’ll come out to get you.”
Xiao Qi bought ice cream cones for herself and Jiajia while they waited. They hadn’t finished eating the cones when Brother Lin Min appeared.
Brother Lin Min rode over on a blue bicycle. He was wearing a white t-shirt and sweatpants. His skin was a bit tanned and he had a big smile on his face, looking brighter than before.
When Lin Min saw Xiao Qi, she was also wearing a white t-shirt with jeans. She seemed to have gotten taller again, tall and slender. Her hairstyle was still the same but she seemed more confident than before.
He actually saw her often now because he specifically followed Enhua's TikTok account. Just a few days ago he saw her presentation. That girl next door who used to always have her head down diligently studying, was now on stage speaking confidently with a big smile, great aura, and fluent English. It was like watching a blossoming flower slowly bloom.
Seeing her in person with her student Jiajia, both seriously licking ice cream cones, Lin Min’s heart raced wildly. There was excitement from seeing a familiar face in a strange land, and leaping joy from seeing the little girl buried in his heart again.
She was still her.
After parking his bike, he walked over.
“Xiao Qi, Jiajia.” Lin Min called out.
Xiao Qi also smiled, “Brother Lin Min.”
Jiajia echoed, “Brother Lin Min.”
“Come on, I’ll take you guys in through the side entrance so you don’t have to line up.”
Lin Min deftly led them around to a lively little street. All kinds of little shops lined the way, very prosperous. The customers were all young people, probably Qingmeng students.
There were many snacks along the way that Jiajia couldn’t resist even though she had just eaten.
She hadn’t eaten properly at the meal, just looking at photos she took and showing them to coach Steven.
In high school, Lin Min would never buy food for girls.
But now he kept buying things all along the way, octopus balls, milk tea, fried chicken...
He boldly handed the milk teas to Xiao Qi and Jiajia.
University really changes people. He still remembered the first time he handed milk tea to Brother Lin Min, and the grave expression on his face.
He thought back to that dark basement corridor under the Lvshan City hospital where they lived together for so many years.
Now it seemed like they had crawled up to the surface together, with sunshine and storms, in a completely different world.
“What has Brother Lin Min been up to recently?” Xiao Qi curiously asked.
In the later part of summer vacation, Brother Lin Min had been mysterious about things. Xiao Qi rarely asked since she knew he had dark tendencies, afraid that asking would lead to strange answers.
But now seeing Brother Lin Min much more confident, she wondered how dark he still was...
“Aside from studying, I opened a used book stall, and also run a delivery collection point on the side.”
Lin Min had just started these recently after finding students had a lot of deliveries to send and receive, but delivery people weren't allowed in the dorm areas and the dorm admin didn't like dealing with it either. So deliveries often piled up at the entrance to the dorm areas. Although theft rarely happened at the school, there were still some occasional losses or mixups.
He took the initiative to provide this service, setting up a collection point for deliveries.
Students just needed to go to him to retrieve their various deliveries.
The school also had delivery lockers, but Qingmeng University was so big, sometimes the lockers were farther than the dorm buildings, plus some things were too big to fit in the lockers and got left outside.
He also hired a student worker who could deliver packages to dorm rooms and pick up packages from students wanting to send deliveries.
The used book stall was no longer at the roadside, he rented a little storefront like a newspaper stand, selling used books and providing delivery services.
Finances were a little tight since there was quite some upfront investment, but overall it was going very well.
Although they were small matters, Lin Min noticed there was still a lot of profit potential after paying attention.
And as a student he had innate advantages in understanding school affairs.
He conscientiously took Xiao Qi and Jiajia around the entire school.
Qingmeng University really was beautiful.
Ancient trees gave it a sense of charm. The jade-green serene lakes were as distant as the horizon. The whole school had a very strong cultural vibe.
Like Enhua which became empty on holiday, Qingmeng University still had students studying under trees and by the lake even during vacation.
Walking by the library, peering inside, it was densely packed as if it were a classroom during lectures, nearly every seat filled.
There were also many people exercising on the track field, running, playing ball, soccer.
Overall it gave off a feeling of great vitality.
Xiao Qi usually felt she worked very hard, but seeing Qingmeng students, she realized her efforts were just basic at this school where all the students were like this. She suddenly felt somewhat complacent, still too arrogant, and that she should calm down and focus on studying.
Jiajia was amazed everywhere they went.
She couldn't believe Qingmeng University had a beach, with the back gate opening right to the ocean. It was so beautiful.
The seaside beach lined with coconut trees was completely different from Enhua which also had a bay but couldn't compare with the scenery and long boardwalk here, as well as the vast ocean.
That night they ate a hearty seafood dinner together at a small shop by the beach, with shellfish, fish, shrimp and more, stir fried spicy, very affordable pricing aimed at students since it was near the back school gate.
Jiajia had her camera around her neck the whole day. She took photos of anything fun or interesting, focusing mainly on Teacher Xiao Qi. Now that Brother Lin Min had joined them, she got shots of him too.
Initially when selecting a tutor, Jiajia had actually liked this boy quite a bit, mainly because he was handsome. She didn't expect her mom to choose Teacher Xiao Qi. She was a bit resistant at first, but a young girl wouldn't tell her mom she wanted that boy. If she did say that, her mom definitely wouldn't let that boy tutor her, and she'd certainly get a scolding and all kinds of counseling.
Lin Min was very happy today. Since starting university, besides studying, his mind had been occupied with making money.
He rarely relaxed like this. Although he had been all over Qingmeng before, his mind was filled with thoughts about earning money rather than appreciating the scenery. Today was the first time he earnestly toured his own campus as if sightseeing.
It was also one of the only times he didn't overthink, simply walking around and eating.
He knew Xiao Qi had a big appetite and ordered a lot of food. Seeing her eat everything up and their group finishing almost all the dishes, he felt very delighted.
He wanted to treat Xiao Qi to a meal and had looked forward to this day for a long time.
In his imagination it would be a high rise restaurant with ocean views and floor to ceiling windows.
Now there was an ocean view, albeit from a small shop, looking out directly at the sea. Everything else was missing - no high rise, no windows, no music, no elegant lighting. But they still ate very happily.
Lin Min was extremely happy, feeling today was the most relaxed and joyful day since coming to Qingmeng.
Xiao Qi was savoring some small conch, very tiny but very flavorful. She carefully sucked them out.
Out of the blue, a mechanical sound rang out in Xiao Qi's mind: "The host has a positive and optimistic attitude, which has brought positive energy to the moderately corrupted teenage boy next to her and reduced his level of corruption. The host is rewarded with the most suitable pair of running shoes."
Xiao Qi almost choked on the snail she was sucking...
What the hell are the most suitable running shoes?
And will Brother Lin Min be moderately corrupted forever? Where exactly is the reduction happening each time?
Xiao Qi curiously asked in her mind.
The mechanical sound rang out mechanically: "Moderate corruption is irreversible in psychiatric medicine. Only mild corruption has the possibility of being cured. The host has already achieved a breakthrough in medical history. Please continue your hard work, host."
After eating their fill, they took coach Steven's ride into town.
There were two idle cars in the horse farm, one was a pickup that was usually used to transport things.
The other one was a Toyota SUV that could be used to get around. Steven lived at the horse farm so this car had been driven by him recently. Since he happened to be going into town, he gave Xiao Qi and Jiajia a ride because it was on the way. He directly dropped off Xiao Qi at Qingmeng University.
Sure enough it was a prestigious institution. Enhua University was deserted and bleak during the National Day holidays, if not for the many banners you wouldn’t even be able to tell it was during National Day. Qingmeng University was different, the school gate was even more exaggerated than an attraction entrance, with people lining up all the way.
Many people wanted to visit the school.
Qingmeng University allowed public access, but you needed to show your ID.
There were too many people, the line felt like it would take 1-2 hours.
Xiao Qi called Brother Lin Min.
“Where are you guys?”
Xiao Qi looked left and right, and described an obvious location, “You guys are at the McDonald's entrance diagonally across from your school's main gate.”
“Then you guys wait for me there, I’ll come out to get you.”
Xiao Qi bought ice cream cones for herself and Jiajia while they waited. They hadn’t finished eating the cones when Brother Lin Min appeared.
Brother Lin Min rode over on a blue bicycle. He was wearing a white t-shirt and sweatpants. His skin was a bit tanned and he had a big smile on his face, looking brighter than before.
When Lin Min saw Xiao Qi, she was also wearing a white t-shirt with jeans. She seemed to have gotten taller again, tall and slender. Her hairstyle was still the same but she seemed more confident than before.
He actually saw her often now because he specifically followed Enhua's TikTok account. Just a few days ago he saw her presentation. That girl next door who used to always have her head down diligently studying, was now on stage speaking confidently with a big smile, great aura, and fluent English. It was like watching a blossoming flower slowly bloom.
Seeing her in person with her student Jiajia, both seriously licking ice cream cones, Lin Min’s heart raced wildly. There was excitement from seeing a familiar face in a strange land, and leaping joy from seeing the little girl buried in his heart again.
She was still her.
After parking his bike, he walked over.
“Xiao Qi, Jiajia.” Lin Min called out.
Xiao Qi also smiled, “Brother Lin Min.”
Jiajia echoed, “Brother Lin Min.”
“Come on, I’ll take you guys in through the side entrance so you don’t have to line up.”
Lin Min deftly led them around to a lively little street. All kinds of little shops lined the way, very prosperous. The customers were all young people, probably Qingmeng students.
There were many snacks along the way that Jiajia couldn’t resist even though she had just eaten.
She hadn’t eaten properly at the meal, just looking at photos she took and showing them to coach Steven.
In high school, Lin Min would never buy food for girls.
But now he kept buying things all along the way, octopus balls, milk tea, fried chicken...
He boldly handed the milk teas to Xiao Qi and Jiajia.
University really changes people. He still remembered the first time he handed milk tea to Brother Lin Min, and the grave expression on his face.
He thought back to that dark basement corridor under the Lvshan City hospital where they lived together for so many years.
Now it seemed like they had crawled up to the surface together, with sunshine and storms, in a completely different world.
“What has Brother Lin Min been up to recently?” Xiao Qi curiously asked.
In the later part of summer vacation, Brother Lin Min had been mysterious about things. Xiao Qi rarely asked since she knew he had dark tendencies, afraid that asking would lead to strange answers.
But now seeing Brother Lin Min much more confident, she wondered how dark he still was...
“Aside from studying, I opened a used book stall, and also run a delivery collection point on the side.”
Lin Min had just started these recently after finding students had a lot of deliveries to send and receive, but delivery people weren't allowed in the dorm areas and the dorm admin didn't like dealing with it either. So deliveries often piled up at the entrance to the dorm areas. Although theft rarely happened at the school, there were still some occasional losses or mixups.
He took the initiative to provide this service, setting up a collection point for deliveries.
Students just needed to go to him to retrieve their various deliveries.
The school also had delivery lockers, but Qingmeng University was so big, sometimes the lockers were farther than the dorm buildings, plus some things were too big to fit in the lockers and got left outside.
He also hired a student worker who could deliver packages to dorm rooms and pick up packages from students wanting to send deliveries.
The used book stall was no longer at the roadside, he rented a little storefront like a newspaper stand, selling used books and providing delivery services.
Finances were a little tight since there was quite some upfront investment, but overall it was going very well.
Although they were small matters, Lin Min noticed there was still a lot of profit potential after paying attention.
And as a student he had innate advantages in understanding school affairs.
He conscientiously took Xiao Qi and Jiajia around the entire school.
Qingmeng University really was beautiful.
Ancient trees gave it a sense of charm. The jade-green serene lakes were as distant as the horizon. The whole school had a very strong cultural vibe.
Like Enhua which became empty on holiday, Qingmeng University still had students studying under trees and by the lake even during vacation.
Walking by the library, peering inside, it was densely packed as if it were a classroom during lectures, nearly every seat filled.
There were also many people exercising on the track field, running, playing ball, soccer.
Overall it gave off a feeling of great vitality.
Xiao Qi usually felt she worked very hard, but seeing Qingmeng students, she realized her efforts were just basic at this school where all the students were like this. She suddenly felt somewhat complacent, still too arrogant, and that she should calm down and focus on studying.
Jiajia was amazed everywhere they went.
She couldn't believe Qingmeng University had a beach, with the back gate opening right to the ocean. It was so beautiful.
The seaside beach lined with coconut trees was completely different from Enhua which also had a bay but couldn't compare with the scenery and long boardwalk here, as well as the vast ocean.
That night they ate a hearty seafood dinner together at a small shop by the beach, with shellfish, fish, shrimp and more, stir fried spicy, very affordable pricing aimed at students since it was near the back school gate.
Jiajia had her camera around her neck the whole day. She took photos of anything fun or interesting, focusing mainly on Teacher Xiao Qi. Now that Brother Lin Min had joined them, she got shots of him too.
Initially when selecting a tutor, Jiajia had actually liked this boy quite a bit, mainly because he was handsome. She didn't expect her mom to choose Teacher Xiao Qi. She was a bit resistant at first, but a young girl wouldn't tell her mom she wanted that boy. If she did say that, her mom definitely wouldn't let that boy tutor her, and she'd certainly get a scolding and all kinds of counseling.
Lin Min was very happy today. Since starting university, besides studying, his mind had been occupied with making money.
He rarely relaxed like this. Although he had been all over Qingmeng before, his mind was filled with thoughts about earning money rather than appreciating the scenery. Today was the first time he earnestly toured his own campus as if sightseeing.
It was also one of the only times he didn't overthink, simply walking around and eating.
He knew Xiao Qi had a big appetite and ordered a lot of food. Seeing her eat everything up and their group finishing almost all the dishes, he felt very delighted.
He wanted to treat Xiao Qi to a meal and had looked forward to this day for a long time.
In his imagination it would be a high rise restaurant with ocean views and floor to ceiling windows.
Now there was an ocean view, albeit from a small shop, looking out directly at the sea. Everything else was missing - no high rise, no windows, no music, no elegant lighting. But they still ate very happily.
Lin Min was extremely happy, feeling today was the most relaxed and joyful day since coming to Qingmeng.
Xiao Qi was savoring some small conch, very tiny but very flavorful. She carefully sucked them out.
Out of the blue, a mechanical sound rang out in Xiao Qi's mind: "The host has a positive and optimistic attitude, which has brought positive energy to the moderately corrupted teenage boy next to her and reduced his level of corruption. The host is rewarded with the most suitable pair of running shoes."
Xiao Qi almost choked on the snail she was sucking...
What the hell are the most suitable running shoes?
And will Brother Lin Min be moderately corrupted forever? Where exactly is the reduction happening each time?
Xiao Qi curiously asked in her mind.
The mechanical sound rang out mechanically: "Moderate corruption is irreversible in psychiatric medicine. Only mild corruption has the possibility of being cured. The host has already achieved a breakthrough in medical history. Please continue your hard work, host."
