“Who wants to go first?” the Academic Affairs Office staff member asked.
Everyone looked at each other, no one spoke.
They wanted to answer, but they couldn’t even understand the questions. Time to slip away…
Huo Fanjin’s eyes turned. “I’ll go.”
From within the crowd, Cen Qiaoqiao waved the bath flower puff in her hand and shouted wildly,
“Jinjin, fly bravely! Little Sister Qiao’s always got your back!”
She really did bring it.
Only one though, tied around her wrist. At first glance, it looked like a ribbon accessory, so it wasn’t too ridiculous.
Huo Fanjin’s mouth twitched violently; she wished she could turn back time and shut her up.
“Which question will you pick, student?”
“Number three.”
It was a physics question. Not too hard, but several key concepts weren’t defined in the text. In other words, you’d need a solid foundation of knowledge to solve it.
Huo Fanjin hadn’t brought any scratch paper, so she asked around. Someone stepped up and offered hers.
“Thanks.”
Fu Chengjia said, “You’re welcome.”
“Uh… since I borrowed your paper, you wouldn’t mind if I borrowed your pen too, right?”
“…I don’t mind.”
“Thanks! I’ll return it after I’m done!”
In eight minutes, Huo Fanjin solved the problem on the spot and handed it in.
The staff member checked her work. “Correct answer. Congratulations!”
Huo Fanjin accepted the prize, then handed both the scratch paper and the pen back to Fu Chengjia. “Thanks.”
“Your things—”
“Keep them.”
Fu Chengjia shook his head and gave them back. “No need. I want to win one myself.”
Huo Fanjin raised a brow, half suspicious he was bluffing.
Fu Chengjia said nothing more.
“Fine, whatever.” She turned around and handed the prize to Cen Qiaoqiao. “For you, cheerleader.”
“Hehe…” Cen Qiaoqiao happily accepted it without hesitation. “Free stuff tastes the best.”
“…”
“Who’s next?” asked the staff member.
Huo Fanjin immediately raised her friend’s hand. “My Sister Yue!”
In an instant, all eyes turned toward them.
“Who? Sister Yue? Jiang Fuyue?”
“Holy cr*p—that’s her?!”
“She’s even prettier in person than in photos.”
“And that figure, those legs, insane!”
“…”
Cen Qiaoqiao: “I think you did that on purpose.”
Huo Fanjin tilted her chin up. “And what if I did?”
“Sister Yue, look at her—” the princess stomped her foot.
“Which question would you like, student?”
Huo Fanjin answered for her: “Anything. She can solve any of them!”
The staff member casually pointed. “Then let’s do the last one.”
One dared to say it; the other dared to believe it.
Jiang Fuyue: “…”
The crowd could practically smell the humblebrag.
Jiang Fuyue glanced at the question, then, without writing a single word, gave the answer aloud.
The staff member was stunned.
The audience was too.
“I suspect she already saw the answer sheet.”
“Pens and scratch paper aren’t that expensive, you don’t have to save that much money…”
“I feel the gap between worlds right now.”
“…”
Only Huo Fanjin remained completely calm, looking faintly smug just enough to make others want to hit her.
“They haven’t even said if it’s right yet! What if she’s wrong—”
Before she could finish, the staff member smiled. “Correct answer.”
The crowd fell silent.
Then an eruption of thunderous applause.
That’s your Sister Yue for you.
After the two high-profile performances, Fu Chengjia stepped forward quietly and modestly. “I’ll take this one.”
It was that same question— ‘A strict method for solving combinatorial optimization problems and zero-point entropy based on tensor networks.’
Huo Fanjin raised an eyebrow, eyeing him with interest.
Fu Chengjia said calmly, “This replaces the addition-multiplication operation in tensor network contraction with the ‘tropical’ algebra defined on the max-plus semiring. By contracting the tropical tensor network, one can compute the ground-state energy and entropy of a spin glass model…”
“Correct answer,” the staff member announced.
After seeing three people solve their problems so easily, others got eager.
“Next?”
“Me!”
“Me too!”
“You two can go together.”
A few more stepped up, but none answered correctly.
“Wasn’t that supposed to be easy?”
“Well, depends who you’re asking. For those three, maybe. For everyone else? Nope.”
Some refused to give up, tried again and again and failed again and again.
“So far, three correct answers,” said the staff. “Seven questions left. Anyone else want to try?”
The crowd exchanged wary looks.
Then suddenly—
“Can non-Ming University students participate?” someone asked.
The staff turned toward the voice. “You’re not from Ming University?”
“Yep. I’m from next door.”
Liu Yufei had actually come that day just to mooch off Ming University’s cafeteria. He’d brought a few foodie friends and sprinted all the way over.
They were from different departments and schools, but had become friends through their shared passion for “meal-hopping.”
Originally, the plan was simple: buy food, eat food, leave. But passing by a certain area, they saw a huge crowd gathered and curiosity won.
Wait, Ming University is doing a quiz contest?
Since when did this “chicken college” get so motivated?
Before he could figure it out, his eyes fell on the prize list—
Unlimited meals for a day!
Night snacks at 70% off!
5000 worth of bakery vouchers!
For a foodie like him, that was irresistible.
And the questions? From multiple fields, difficult but not impossible.
He could solve the two chemistry ones, at least.
As he hesitated, three people had already succeeded, all Ming students.
“Ming students can do these? No way,” one of his friends joked.
“Even among dwarfs, there’s always one taller guy.”
“True that. So, Brother Yu, you in?”
“Time to give these pampered Ming slackers a lesson?”
In truth, Liu Yufei could tell those three weren’t simple. Especially the girl who didn’t even use paper, he wasn’t sure he could do that himself.
“Anyone else?” the staff asked again.
Liu Yufei raised his voice. “Can non-Ming students join?”
The staff froze for two seconds.
He pointed to the official printed notice: “‘Subjects vary; difficulty differs; no restrictions on participants.’ So that ‘no restriction’ includes schools too, right?”
People around them started muttering.
“Q University? He must’ve come for free food again.”
“And now he wants to mooch the prizes?”
“Shouldn’t it be for Ming students only? Otherwise, QU will sweep all ten in minutes.”
“C’mon, can we have some confidence? QU’s not that amazing.”
“You’ve got to admit the difference between scholars and slackers, just like the gap between Ming and QU, several tiers of universities in between.”
“…”
After a short discussion, the staff said, “No restrictions. Anyone can answer, same prizes.”
Liu Yufei’s eyes lit up. “I’ll take question seven!”
No scratch paper again, he did the math in his head.
“Correct!”
Prize in hand, he ran straight to the cafeteria.
He used his unlimited meal card for a feast, then went to the bakery with friends only to learn they needed a reservation.
He burped, the air filling with wasabi smell. (They’d had limited-edition lobster at lunch.)
“Booked it! So… tomorrow then?”
His friends nodded wildly, they’d been dying to try Ming’s exclusive bakery for ages. Normally, it was members-only and the membership fee was steep.
Now that they finally had the chance, of course they wouldn’t miss it.
The next morning, they showed up early to “collect” their order.
They blew through the ¥5000 voucher in one go. The haul wasn’t large, but every bite was exquisite.
The cloud cake was soft and airy, the Danish skewers perfectly savory, and even the humble egg tarts were huge: fat, golden, layered like tiny suns.
“Holy cr*p—this is insane!”
“I could die right here and be happy.”
“Wait, I’m taking a pic for the group chat!”
The group was a “Ming Cafeteria Free Meal” chat, full of over a hundred QU students who shared food hacks and limited specials from Ming.
Their slogan: Pluck Ming Bald!
【What the h*ll? You’re bragging over an egg tart?】
【Wait, is that from Ming’s bakery?】
Silence for two seconds.
【Holy cr*p!】
【It is! There’s the logo inside!】
【You got a membership? Rich guy, lend me your card?】
【Don’t need the card, just sell me a bun!】
【Bro, spare me a bite?】
The guy chewed happily as he typed—
【Didn’t buy it. Mooched it.】
The group exploded.
【TELL US HOW】
【TAKE US WITH YOU】
The flood of flattery made him dizzy, so he spilled everything about the “quiz-for-prizes” event.
The next day, when Liu Yufei went to claim more vouchers, he saw a ton of familiar faces.
One, two, three… all QU students.
And not just any—top students, academic stars.
“D*mn—who leaked it?!”
That day, seven of ten questions were taken by QU students.
One went to a Marine University student, one was left unanswered for being too hard, and only the last was won by a Ming student.
Liu Yufei barely got his one right, almost messed it up before a last-second flash of insight saved him.
By day four, even more QU students showed up. Practically all geniuses.
Different majors, different years, it looked like an academic conference.
Within thirty minutes, all questions were gone, most to QU.
“Ming’s administration is so nice~”
“So considerate!”
“They know we can’t afford their cafeteria, so they’re helping us out!”
“People call Ming a ‘chicken university,’ but this chicken’s pretty d*mn sweet!”
“I heard the new Ming president graduated from Q University, maybe that’s why?”
“Let’s go! Lunch buffet at Ming today!”
As they rejoiced, Ming students… were fuming.
“So what now, we’re feeding QU for free?”
“They use their IQ and grades to fleece us slackers, can they not?”
“At least before they were discreet about eating here. Now they’re raiding the cafeteria like it’s theirs.”
“What can we do? They won fair and square.”
“If only Ming had more geniuses like that…”
“Geniuses don’t come from nowhere. Gotta start by actually studying.”
“Without good teachers, where would the good students come from? Wait till our faculty catches up to QU’s, then we can compare.”
“Yeah right. As if having a QU professor would magically make you a genius. We lack more than just teachers, okay?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing much, just that a thousand-mile horse is born one. Not made by its trainer.”
“You calling me dumb?!”
“Oh, so you understood that? Guess you’re self-aware.”
“You—! Say that again, I’ll punch you—”
“Gladly. You’re talentless trash—”
BANG!
Screams erupted.
“They’re fighting!”
“Go get the director!”
…
Twenty minutes later, both students were standing in the principal’s office.
Bruised faces, swollen cheeks, heads bowed, silent.
Xiao Shan listened calmly to the report.
After a pause, he didn’t scold them, didn’t even reprimand.
He just stared for a moment, then said, “You may go.”
No criticism.
No punishment.
No lecture.
That’s it?
“I’m afraid we might have come to a fake principal’s office?”
Both were confused, yet extremely relieved.
“I don’t care to argue with you. Anyway, Professors from Q University will never teach at Ming University. The assumption doesn’t hold, and discussing any outcome is meaningless.”
“Hmph!”
Little did they know, in this world, nothing is absolutely impossible…
That afternoon, Xiao Shan went to Q University and met with Principal Zhou Zhengqi.
“…Come to teach at Ming University?! Hah…” Principal Zhou couldn’t help but laugh after hearing him, looking at the young man with a serious expression, wondering how he could even voice such a request.
“Yes. The two schools are close, so resource sharing is reasonable.”
“Principal Xiao, you said ‘sharing.’ What could Q University possibly share with Ming University?
Academics? Not good. Reputation? Not impressive. Heritage? Shallow. Faculty? Thin. He must be out of his mind to agree to this kind of cooperation.”
Put politely, it’s called “helping.”
Put bluntly, it’s poverty alleviation!
It’s like marriage, strong-strong alliances are equal, but if the man is strong and the woman weak, it’s “climbing the social ladder” or “marrying rich.”
Zhou Zhengqi didn’t care about others, but he wasn’t willing to be the fool here.
Yet Xiao Shan seemed completely unaware. He had spoken plainly, but the other person seemed not to understand at all—
“Principal Zhou, surely you know the situation at Ming University. Other aspects are negotiable, but faculty cannot be built overnight. That’s why we need Q University’s support.”
“Yes,” Zhou Zhengqi sighed slowly, avoiding a direct answer. “Faculty growth is a natural process of a school, accumulated over time. It cannot be rushed, and taking shortcuts to gain results is even worse.”
Xiao Shan smiled faintly. He wasn’t stupid; he understood perfectly what Zhou meant, but kept his expression calm: “Rushing is wrong, yes, but sitting and waiting for death is no solution either.”
Zhou Zhengqi said, “Meals are eaten one bite at a time; roads are walked step by step.”
Xiao Shan nodded: “That’s the point.”
Zhou Zhengqi sipped his tea, put down the cup, and clicked the teapot lid, signaling the meeting was over.
Xiao Shan, thick-skinned, pretended not to understand: “I understand cooperation must be mutually beneficial. Q University is already a top-tier school in China. You have all the best resources; there’s no need to lower yourself to involve Ming University.”
Zhou Zhengqi didn’t expect Xiao Shan to put it so clearly. Previously, he thought the young man lacked awareness; now he seemed overly transparent.
No principal at any university would say this openly—
It would be a matter of face.
Yet Xiao Shan seemed unconcerned about face, his eyes clear and expression gentle, revealing his sincerity at a glance.
Zhou Zhengqi suddenly felt awkward. “Principal Xiao, that’s not what I mean. Schools may have rankings, but education isn’t about hierarchy. Ming University was quite good back in the day; only later, due to some mishaps…”
Xiao Shan sighed: “The past can’t be changed. But now, as principal of Ming University, I must do my best. That’s why I came today.”
For a moment, Zhou Zhengqi was moved.
But that was all.
Q University sharing faculty with Ming University?
It sounded impossible.
Seeing that “appealing to emotion” had done enough, Xiao Shan’s eyes flickered, preparing to “appeal with facts”:
“Although Ming University’s educational resources can’t match Q University, in some areas we can still help.”
“Oh?” Zhou raised an eyebrow, curious but skeptical.
What help could Q University possibly get?
Xiao Shan smiled gently: “From what I know, Q University students love our cafeteria, basketball courts, swimming pools, gyms, and cinema…”
Zhou Zhengqi knew students liked Ming University’s cafeteria.
But…
“Basketball courts? Swimming pools?”
“Yes. Ming University has three pools, all open in summer with free showers. Basketball courts? Even more: indoors, outdoors, seven or eight in total, all free for students.”
Most Ming students were wealthy, not lacking anything. A pool? Some even have private ski resorts or amusement parks, they didn’t care about school facilities.
But for Q University students, this was heavenly treatment.
Pools were large and clean, with free showers, shampoo, body wash, disposable towels all provided. They could take them freely; as long as they weren’t caught, no shame.
Basketball courts: outdoors are obvious; indoor ones have branded nets, mostly new basketballs, air conditioning in summer, heating in winter, private changing rooms, free water, occasional sports drinks.
Gyms and cinemas?
Unexpected, right?
Ming University has these, bigger and more luxurious than outside.
Gyms have diverse equipment, regularly updated, cleaned daily with no odor.
Cinemas have giant screens, hundreds of seats, and massage chairs.
Ming students didn’t care much, so Q University students practically took over.
The school knew but didn’t care.
Ming University lacks everything except money.
Zhou Zhengqi didn’t expect these kids not only to freeload in the cafeteria but take everything else too.
His face burned with embarrassment.
Yet he didn’t forget why Xiao Shan came. Squinting slightly, he said: “So, Principal Xiao, are you here to settle accounts?”
Xiao Shan waved off the notion: “Not at all. Ming University has always been open, welcoming students from other schools. We wouldn’t be petty about this.”
Zhou relaxed slightly.
Next, Xiao Shan shifted tone, sighing heavily: “But recently, because of the quiz competition… it’s been… unpleasant.”
“Quiz?”
Xiao Shan explained everything from start to finish, neutrally: “…Which also shows Q University students’ excellence. Our students weren’t up to par; there’s nothing to complain about.”
Zhou Zhengqi’s face, already hot, burned even more.
These kids not only freeload in the cafeteria, now they were using their smarts in quizzes to get freebies, dishes and vouchers!
Shameless! Totally shameless!
Xiao Shan: “It’s fine. The rules never limited participation to our students, so Q University’s enthusiasm is a good thing. Besides…” He paused briefly, slightly embarrassed, “…our students wouldn’t have been able to answer those questions anyway.”
Though he said this, Zhou Zhengqi just smiled awkwardly, not fully believing him.
Xiao Shan: “These are minor issues, not worth making a fuss, but our students are hopeless…”
Before Zhou Zhengqi could respond, Xiao Shan recounted the fight between two students: “…One blamed the teacher, the other blamed themselves… they argued, couldn’t be persuaded, fought, and were sent to my office for resolution…”
Xiao Shan sighed: “What could I do? There’s no exact answer. Can I say one student is inadequate or Ming’s teachers are inferior to Q University’s?”
Zhou Zhengqi frowned, empathizing with his predicament.
“One student, frustrated, said if given Q University-level education, he wouldn’t be worse than their students.”
“That statement shocked me. As Ming University’s principal, even knowing the odds were slim, I couldn’t ignore it. That’s why I shamelessly came here.”
Zhou Zhengqi furrowed, troubled, with a hint of guilt. His students not only freeloaded but caused internal conflict, he felt bad.
Xiao Shan noticed the flicker of emotion and continued: “Ming and Q have been close neighbors, at peace. But after this… feelings may be hurt.”
Zhou was at a loss.
He already felt guilty; these kids freeloaded and took a lot.
Xiao Shan’s sincere words made him ashamed of underestimating Ming University.
So, refusal was impossible.
Xiao Shan saw his expression, knowing he had succeeded mostly.
Now he only needed to appear humble, and Zhou Zhengqi couldn’t resist.
Sure enough—
After Xiao Shan sighed for the nth time, Zhou Zhengqi relented.
“Actually, sharing resources isn’t bad. I personally want to help, but you know universities aren’t like high schools; the environment is open, principals aren’t absolute, many things are beyond control.”
Especially a top school like Q University, where professors are prominent figures. Even scheduling classes for their own students depends on mood and availability. Supporting Ming University wasn’t easy.
“It’s not that I don’t want to, I just can’t.”
Xiao Shan nodded in understanding: “I won’t trouble you. I’ll talk to the professors; all we need is your approval.”
Zhou Zhengqi exhaled and agreed immediately: “No problem!”
But inwardly thought: How easy could this be?
Those old-timers wouldn’t do him any favors, why help a small university principal?
Difficult!
Seeing Xiao Shan’s demeanor, Zhou Zhengqi knew he wouldn’t give up easily. Let him try and be rejected, then he’d understand it’s not that simple.
With Zhou Zhengqi’s tentative approval, Xiao Shan left happily.
As soon as he exited Q University, he excitedly called Jiang Fuyue:
“Done!”
The voice on the other end, calm: “Signed the agreement?”
Xiao Shan paused: “…Is that necessary?”
“Of course. Verbal promises aren’t as binding as written ones; they can back out anytime.”
“I didn’t think of that.”
Since getting Zhou Zhengqi’s nod was already difficult, he didn’t want to seem impatient.
Jiang Fuyue: “You planned well. Now that he agreed, he likely won’t renege soon. You can have him sign a supplemental agreement, informal is fine, but make it written.”
“Got it.”
“As for the quiz competition, increase the prizes and open all Ming University facilities to Q students. Act quickly and show our sincerity.”
If they eat, let them eat more; if they take, let them take more. The more they take, the easier it is to negotiate.
Jiang Fuyue: Like an artillery, one sugar-coated shell at a time: I won’t blow you up, I’ll sweeten you to death!
Xiao Shan acted immediately, going to Zhou Zhengqi the next day to finalize the agreement.
Looking embarrassed: “Sorry for the trouble. The board… sometimes I feel public universities are better; decision-makers understand education, unlike businessmen, profit comes first.”
Zhou Zhengqi understood; the agreement was merely a promise, not a formal contract. He waved and signed.
Xiao Shan carefully pocketed the paper, shaking Zhou Zhengqi’s hand, his tremble betraying his excitement: “You are a good man.”
Later, Zhou Zhengqi realized, being a good man is the hardest role!
By then, it was too late…
Q University’s treasured professors became Ming University’s shared resources.
After sending Xiao Shan off, it was lunch. Zhou Zhengqi went to the cafeteria.
In line, some undergraduates loudly said: “Whoa! They all went to Ming University? Why not us?”
“Apparently played basketball there, didn’t bother coming back.”
“Let’s go now?”
“No… Ming’s cafeteria is packed, long lines, and good dishes gone by then.”
“So popular?”
“You didn’t see hundreds rushing there after last class this morning, spectacular!”
“Our cafeteria isn’t bad…”
Zhou Zhengqi secretly nodded. He had eaten at Ming once as a guest, tasty, yes, but hundreds rushing?
One student added: “Not bad, but not good! Uncle cooks mix water and oil; aunties shake when serving; ingredients not fresh; rotten leaves thrown in, feeding pigs?”
“…Not that bad…”
“Bull! Same dishes repeatedly. Graduate seniors freeload at Ming; they time projects to eat freely, avoid lines, pick best dishes.”
“Wow! So jealous! I want to eat there every day!”
“Careful… I gained twenty pounds last year at Ming. Enjoy yourself while you’re staying slim and happy.”
“Swim tonight at Ming? Free cola too.”
“Sure! Which pool?”
“1 or 2.”
“2 then, big enough…”
Zhou Zhengqi’s face darkened.
At the counter, the server called twice, he snapped out of it and ordered: “Tomato scrambled eggs, fish-flavored eggplant…”
He noticed the server’s shaky hands.
“Next!”
Zhou Zhengqi took his tray, found a spot, ready to eat. Nearby students complained loudly again.
Previously he ignored details; now he realized the chaos.
Zhou Zhengqi put down chopsticks, appetite gone.
Nearby, girls chatted:
“Ming’s pepper chicken thigh!”
“Want Ming’s signature coconut drink!”
“Afternoon class…”
“Skip last class?”
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
Zhou Zhengqi sat stiffly, jaws tense.
These kids skip class for food?!
Annoyed and heavy-hearted.
“Old Zhou—”
Someone sat across him.
“Hey, Old Xu, eating here?”
“No, just came by. How’s your appetite? Left so much?”
Zhou Zhengqi waved off, picking up chopsticks again: “Students angered me.”
“For what?”
“Never mind.”
Professor Xu nodded, eyed his tray, frowned: “Lunch is just this?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Old Zhou, you’re a principal; shouldn’t you eat better? Look at these fatty dishes, drowning in oil.”
“…”
“Try mine.” He opened a container, aroma filled the air.
Zhou Zhengqi’s mouth watered.
Golden, shiny, oily—barbecue!
“Eat.” Professor Xu pushed it forward.
Zhou Zhengqi tried a skewer, delicious.
“Good?”
“Yes!” He finished quickly, and grabbed another.
Professor Xu smiled: “Eat, I’ll buy more later.”
“Thanks!” Zhou Zhengqi didn’t refuse.
A large box was soon gone, satisfied.
“Didn’t you eat already?”
“Home likes it; had to bring it, rushed from lab.”
“Oh, trouble with sister-in-law? Then I’m the sinner.”
“No, close by, bought earlier.”
Zhou Zhengqi cleaned his mouth, asked casually: “Where?”
“Ming University, 3rd cafeteria, 2nd floor, first shop. Horse-hoof cake there too, men for strength, women for beauty.”
“Ming University?! You bought at Ming?!” Zhou Zhengqi was shocked.
“Yes, our cafeteria isn’t this good. You don’t eat there?”
“You go often?”
“No… why are you so surprised? Everyone does.” Professor Xu smiled.
Pausing, he asked: “Old Zhou, never eaten at Ming cafeteria?”
Zhou: “…Once, not much.”
Only one meal. This was the second.
“There’s some new dishes too! Next time, lets gather friends, get a table, have a little drink! Leisurely and delightful.”
Zhou Zhengqi: “…”
So, it’s not just students who complain, professors do too?!
A whole group!
Zhou Zhengqi never felt so defeated, another school’s cafeteria was that good?
He smiled tightly, still tasting cumin from barbecue: fragrant, not spicy, salty-sweet, satisfying.
Fragrant, indeed.
