Chapter 22: Pretending to be Cool
After leaving Qingbei, Jiang Zhou arrived at Shangjing University.
He stopped the car in front of the dorm and carried his luggage inside.
Thanks to memories from his previous life, he didn’t need directions at all. He moved with the ease of someone returning home.
He walked up to Room 208 on the second floor.
Pushing open the door, he glanced around the room.
Same familiar four-person dorm. Same familiar roommates.
There was Xu Haodong, whose daily crafts left him pale and skinny.
Gao Wenkai, who had some money at home but insisted on being a simp.
And the most ridiculous one, Zhang Guangfa, who had an online relationship for three weeks only to find out the girl was actually a guy.
At the sound of the door opening, the three who had already arrived stood up.
“New guy? Hi, I’m Xu Haodong, from Linjiang.”
“Gao Wenkai, from Xianlong.”
“I’m Zhang Guangfa, from Honghe. My name’s a bit rustic, hehe.”
Jiang Zhou smiled and nodded. “I’m Jiang Zhou, also from Linjiang, same as Haodong. Good to meet you all.”
Hearing that, the trio immediately relaxed.
At first, they thought Jiang Zhou’s tall, strong build might make him hard to get along with. But after the introductions, he seemed pretty chill.
After all, they’d be living together for four years. A domineering roommate would’ve been a pain.
“Jiang Zhou, which high school in Linjiang did you go to?”
He set down his luggage. “Chengnan High, on Yong’an Road.”
Xu Haodong blinked. “Oh, I know that one! Isn’t there a really famous girl from your school? Her name’s Chu Yuwei.”
“Really? I’ve never heard of her.”
“No way! You don’t know the school beauty?”
“Maybe I was too focused on studying. I only learned how to make crafts yesterday,” Jiang Zhou replied smoothly, lying without even flinching.
But he was a little surprised.
So that girl Chu Yuwei was really that well-known? In a city full of high schools, and even random students had heard of her?
Turns out, even if he was a simp back then, at least he had good taste.
Snapping back to reality, Jiang Zhou asked, “So this is everyone’s first time at college. Any plans for university life?”
Xu Haodong coughed. “Of course. Study hard and become a useful person to society.”
“I’m planning to join the student council, improve myself, and set an example for the freshmen.”
“I’ll probably take a part-time job, become independent early, and stop asking my family for living expenses.”
Bullshit! Jiang Zhou sneered in his heart.
These three clowns are full of crap.
Study hard? Improve themselves? Work-study?
If he hadn’t come back from a past life, he might’ve been fooled.
But he knew the truth.
Xu Haodong spent his days either crafting or sleeping.
Gao Wenkai was a professional simp — fetching water, buying food, saving seats, you name it.
Zhang Guangfa? Obsessed with online dating and utterly useless.
Together, they were the poster boys for “wasting time.”
“Old Jiang, enough about us. What’s your plan for college?”
Jiang Zhou grinned. “Get eleven girlfriends and train them into a women’s soccer team!”
“Damn, you talk big!”
“A plan should be bold. The bolder the dream, the greater the reward.”
Xu Haodong looked at him with contempt. “You didn’t even know the school beauty and you’re dreaming of being a playboy?”
Gao Wenkai nodded. “Yeah, Jiang, that won’t cut it. In a few days, I’ll give you a crash course.”
“Cut the crap,” Jiang Zhou said. “You three virgins are gonna teach me?”
The trio looked shocked. “Whoa— How did you know?!”
Jiang Zhou lit a cigarette. “Because your innocent little faces scream desperate.”
“You’re the desperate one!”
“We’re all handsome as hell, you’re just jealous!”
After unpacking and tidying up the dorm, Jiang Zhou stretched lazily and got ready to head out.
They’d just received a notice. There would be a class orientation at 3 p.m. for self-introductions, a chance for the new students to get to know each other before military training.
Until then, their time was free.
“Bros, want to go check out some pretty girls?”
The other three didn’t budge.
“What’s the rush? There’ll be plenty of chances.”
“Yeah, it’s not like looking means they’re yours.”
“I’m chatting in the freshman QQ group. You go ahead.”
Hearing that, Jiang Zhou finally understood why these three never got anywhere.
They didn’t even have the drive to go girl-watching, what else could they possibly achieve?
Jiang Zhou lit another cigarette and stepped out for a stroll.
He had spent four years here in his past life.
He knew the campus like the back of his hand.
There was a lake ahead, and a pagoda beside it.
He could draw a complete map of Shangjing University with his eyes closed.
So he wasn’t sightseeing, he was just enjoying the crowd.
“Jiahe Supermarket, 20% off daily goods! Spend 30 yuan and get a free hanger!”
“IELTS and TOEFL prep classes. Sign up now and get your textbooks free!”
“Feilong Internet Café: Recharge 50, get 50 free! Play World of Warcraft, lightning fast!”
“Yongshun Fried Chicken hiring delivery staff. Salary 1,000/month. Don’t miss out!”
Jiang Zhou glanced around, then started appreciating the scenery, specifically, the female students.
Girls walked past, each more charming than the last. There was every type imaginable.
Lolis, cool beauties, pure types, seductive styles.
More variety than those hotel flyers.
Jiang Zhou’s eyes casually scanned the curves and lines, feeling very pleased.
College girls really were a feast for the eyes!
Whoever still simped over Chu Yuwei was a damn fool.
As he thought about this, a business idea suddenly popped into his mind.
A “7-Days Comfort” boutique, delivery and installation included?
Nah. He’d probably get expelled.
Some hobbies just shouldn’t mix with business.
Just then, he noticed some parents looking at him with furrowed brows and displeased expressions.
After all, this was a top university.
What was this guy doing? Smoking on campus and ogling their daughters?
Disgraceful. How did someone even get accepted?
Jiang Zhou didn’t care. He kept enjoying the view.
Until suddenly, he saw a familiar figure in the distance.
Across the street, a girl stopped in her tracks.