Chapter 24 (1/2)

Chapter 24

“This is your access card to everything on the campus. The items for the military training can be collected at the Friendship Hall. Your dorm is 403… Ah, do you know the Friendship Hall?” Mo Shanshan, in charge of receiving the new students, had a bit of trouble controlling her words. She stared at the boy, who had his head lowered and filling up the form, unable to drag her eyes away. “Would you like me to take you there?”

Ji Qinyang looked up. His features were handsome and delicate, and his silver ear stud glittered brightly in the sun.

“No need, xuejie1,” The boy smiled. “I know the way.”

Mo Shanshan’s mouth fell open. She had been stunned by his smile, and her brain was completely blank for a second.

Ji Qinyang completed the form, then went alone to the Friendship Hall after collecting the key to his dorm.

Along the way, recruiting leaflets for various clubs were constantly shoved into his hands.

After collecting the requisites, Ji Qinyang went to the dorm. As he was early, he was the only one there. Once he was nearly done packing everything away, someone entered.

“Oh, there’s someone here already.” The person had a strong Beijing accent, and he did not have a shirt on. With bare arms, he greeted cheerily, “Hi, my last name is Guo, the same Guo as Consort Yi of the Gorolo clan. I’m Guo Lin’an.”

Ji Qinyang laughed, reaching out and shaking his hand. “I’m Ji Qinyang, the same Ji as Ji Xianlin.”

Guo Lin’an hurriedly said, “Nice, we’re both descendants of famous people. What a destiny.”

With familiarity, he chose the bunk above Ji Qinyang, opening his bags and digging out a clean T-shirt to wear as he chattered non-stop. “Hey, handsome. Where are you from?”

“Jiangsu’s Suzhou.” Ji Qinyang confirmed that his things had been tidied up before locking the cabinet.

Guo Lin’an jumped down from his bunk, speaking enthusiastically. “Suzhou? That’s a good place. A good environment nurtures talented people, a place propitious for giving birth to great men. It’s full of beautiful women there, right?”

Ji Qinyang raised a brow. “There’s no lack of them in Beijing too.”

Guo Lin’an gave a thumbs up. “This bro is too good with his words!”

Ji Qinyang laughed and replied, “You’re quite chatty yourself.”

Guo Lin’an asked him, “Shall we eat together later?”

“Not today,” Ji Qinyang picked up his wallet and phone. “I’ve an appointment with someone.”

Walking out of the school, Ji Qinyang found the South Fuxing Station. As he texted, he waited for the special line 4. Getting onto the bus, after 13 stops, then walking for 270 metres did he finally find Renmin University.

Today was also the day when the freshmen would report. He walked into the school, and was once again given a pile of recruiting leaflets.

“Where are you?” Holding his phone, Ji Qinyang looked around. His height and face were too striking, and people near and far all looked at him.

“Mingde Square.” Xie Meng’s side was a little noisy. It seemed like someone was introducing something next to him, and he said, “Hold on.”

Ji Qinyang listened as Xie Meng refused politely. “I don’t know how to dance… I’m not good at singing too… I’m sorry…”

“Brisk business?” Ji Qinyang laughed and teased him. “Just stay where you are, I’ll come look for you.”

Xie Meng laughed too, “As though it’s not the same for you… Wait, I see you.”

Ji Qinyang turned back to see Xie Meng walking towards him.

The boy seemed to have just perspired, and part of his fringe clung to his forehead. When Xie Meng neared him, Ji Qinyang could not help but reach out and tugged his hair.

“…” Xie Meng simply brushed his hair backwards, muttering, “It’s grown out… Time to cut my hair.”

“Now?”

Xie Meng thought about it, “Sure.”

Ji Qinyang smiled, and hugged his shoulders without a care.

As they studied the subway in Beijing while chatting, Ji Qinyang asked after Xie Meng’s dorm.

“I was alone when I left,” Xie Meng looked carefully at the lines on the map. “I was early, so I didn’t see anyone from my dorm.”

He looked at Ji Qinyang. “You?”

“I met a local. He’s quite chatty, and seems pretty interesting.”

“People in Beijing seems to be quite talkative.”

“Mn. Southerners are too reserved.” Ji Qinyang found the nearby barber shop he looked up on his phone, then took Xie Meng’s ID card to buy the subway tickets. “This is good. You can just say what you’re thinking about, there’s no need to keep it within you.”

Xie Meng acknowledged it with no rebuttal. They both got onto the subway. As there were many people in the carriage, the two openly stood very close to each other. Leaning against the wall, Ji Qinyang was almost embracing Xie Meng.

When they were about to reach the barber shop, they received a call from Zhang Ganggang.

“This is my new number!” Zhang Ganggang’s voice sounded very energetic on the phone. “Hurry up! Save it!”

“Alright, alright.” Xie Meng promised to save his number, then asked Ji Qinyang, “Have your school given them to you?”

“Yes, but I haven’t swapped to it. I’ll tell you later.”

Zhang Ganggang was surprised. “Top beauty is next to you? Why didn’t you call me out to play too?”

“… I’m just going to cut my hair.”

“You still have to call me!” Zhang Ganggang was angry. “My school is so far away… wuwuwuwuwu… But there are many pretty girls from the International Studies University next door…”

Xie Meng, “…”

After sending their coordinates to Zhang Ganggang, Xie Meng asked the barber to trim his fringe. Ji Qinyang sat by the side, seemingly considering to do something about his hair as well.

“I think I’ll dye my hair.” Pointing at his head, he asked Xie Meng, “What colour do you like?”

Xie Meng considered it, then answered with some trouble. “It feels like everything suits you…”

With a good mood, Ji Qinyang smiled, “But you still need to choose one.”

The barber standing behind them was amused as well, and he suggested, “What about an ash tone? Your skin is fair, and your hair is naturally loose and light. This colour will definitely look very nice.”

Ji Qinyang did not speak. He seemed to have decided to let Xie Meng make the choice. The latter was not sure. He looked at many photos, then after comparing them for some time, he finally decided. “Let’s go with this then… What about your hairstyle?”

The barber looked in the mirror. “Any hairstyle will do, the structure of your friend’s face is really too perfect.”

Xie Meng finally picked a style that will reveal his forehead for Ji Qinyang. His fringe was swept towards the back, a little ruffled and tasteful looking. When everything was done, even the stylist could not help but bring the camera over, taking a photo with Ji Qinyang.

“Will I get any advertising fees?” Ji Qinyang joked. He patted away the stray hair on his clothes, tilting his head as he looked at Xie Meng. “Does it look good?”

Xie Meng sighed, “It looks too good. I’m a little regretful choosing this style for you.”

Ji Qinyang cocked a brow. When no one was paying attention to them, he leaned into Xie Meng’s ears and whispered, “Then hide me away. I’m more than willing to have that happen.”

Xie Meng let out a laugh, helplessly ruffling the boy’s styled hair.

Zhang Ganggang lost his wits when he saw Ji Qinyang. Mulling over it for a long while, he finally said something profound. “As expected, the hairstyle is not what’s important. Being good looking is still king.”

“King your ass.” Ji Qinyang flicked his forehead unceremoniously.

After eating, the three of them headed to the supermarket. Xie Meng bought some necessities, and when making the payment, he saw Ji Qinyang selecting some lip balm at the counter.

“Why are you looking at that?” He leaned over and discovered that the boy had also purchased hand cream and moisturizer.

“I got them for you. You’ve only just arrived, so you’re probably not used to needing them.”

Xie Meng stared at the lip balm. “I need to apply this too?”

“Yup.” Ji Qinyang paid, removing the packaging and unscrewing the cap. “Open your mouth, ahh—”

Xie Meng, “…”

Ji Qinyang applied it for him, then wiped the excess from the corner of his lips with the tip of his finger as he indicated Xie Meng to close his mouth.

“…” Xie Meng, “It feels weird.”

Ji Qinyang laughed, “It’ll be fine once you get used to it.”

He helped Xie Meng put the lip balm and hand cream away, and when he was done, he found that Xie Meng was still looking at him.

“Why aren’t you applying any?” Xie Meng asked.