Chapter 25: A University Life That’s Both Simple and Complex

After their card game, it was nearly six o'clock, with the first university class meeting scheduled for 6:30. Chen Yuchen and his roommates hurriedly packed up and headed back to the dormitory.

On the way, Zhang Yi added Chen Yuchen on QQ. He said casually, "Hey, Chen, Ziqi asked me for your QQ. I gave it to her."

Chen Yuchen chuckled, "You're pretty bold. Aren't you worried I might steal your girlfriend?"

Zhang Yi laughed heartily, clearly unbothered. "If you can pull that off, I'll tip my hat to you!"

Despite Chen Yuchen's confident demeanor, Zhang Yi didn't see him as a threat. In his eyes, as someone from Beijing, he carried a natural sense of superiority. He'd grown up with the belief that girls from the capital wouldn't be interested in boys from out of town—especially not someone like Zhang Ziqi, who came from a well-off family. To him, the idea of someone like Chen Yuchen competing for her affection was laughable.

"You really think that highly of yourself?" Chen Yuchen asked with amusement.

Zhang Yi shrugged, his tone smug. "You don't get it. Where I come from, our elders always say you should find someone local—especially for girls. Even if they end up with an ordinary civil servant from Beijing, that's better than some rich guy from out of town. No offense, but Chen, you've got no shot."

"Oh, so you're saying I'm beneath her?" Chen Yuchen smiled, unfazed. At thirty years old, his mindset was far beyond these petty debates about status.

Zhang Ben, on the other hand, didn't take kindly to Zhang Yi's attitude. "What's so special about being from Beijing? It's 2020, man. Who still cares about that?"

Zhang Yi merely laughed, unwilling to argue further. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes, offering them to the others. Chen Yuchen took one but didn't light it.

Back at the dorm, they still had a bit of time before the class meeting. Zhang Yi suggested they all shower. "Come on, let's clean up before the meeting. Gotta look fresh in front of the ladies."

"You already have a girlfriend. What do you care about other girls?" Zhang Ben said mockingly.

Zhang Yi laughed and replied, "Having a girlfriend doesn't mean you can't admire other beauties, right, Chen?"

Chen Yuchen, not particularly interested in their banter, nodded. "Sure, let's get cleaned up."

It was that calm late afternoon period, between five and six, when summer days in a university campus felt the most laid-back. On the soccer field, older students kicked a ball around, while small groups strolled along the track. Occasionally, couples walked by, hand in hand, lost in their own world.

The sun's golden rays spread across the field, tinting the clouds with a reddish hue and casting a warm glow on the passing girls' faces. The shower building, a small house by the soccer field, was packed with students. The fragrance of shampoo filled the air as students headed to and from their showers.

Dressed in loose t-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops, the three of them walked and chatted. Every time they passed a girl, Zhang Yi and Zhang Ben would lean in, whispering and exchanging playful remarks.

"I bet ten bucks that girl isn't wearing a bra," Zhang Ben murmured, trying to keep a straight face.

Zhang Yi snickered, "I'll give you a hundred if you go check."

They burst out laughing as they entered the shower house. Each grabbed a stall to wash up.

Zhang Ben chuckled as they showered, "That Wang Yishu is something else. Won't even shower with us. So shy, like we're going to check him out or something."

"He's actually a good-looking guy," Zhang Yi said while lathering up his hair. "Back in high school, girls would've gone crazy over him."

Zhang Ben snorted dismissively, "I could take on two of him with one hand." He reached for Zhang Yi's face wash.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing?" Zhang Yi noticed and grabbed his hand.

"Heh, I forgot my face wash. Lend me some," Zhang Ben said with a mischievous grin.

"Do you even know how expensive this is? It's from Innisfree!" Zhang Yi protested.

"High-end stuff, huh? That makes me want to try it even more," Zhang Ben said, clearly enjoying himself.

Zhang Yi sighed in exasperation and turned to Chen Yuchen. "What about you, Chen? Need any?"

"No, I've got my own," Chen Yuchen replied coolly.

Zhang Yi shook his head in mock disbelief. "See, Chen's got his act together, unlike someone who's always forgetting stuff."

Zhang Ben laughed sheepishly. "Next time I'll bring my own, I promise. By the way, can I borrow your shampoo and body wash too?"

Zhang Yi couldn't help but roll his eyes but relented, knowing it was all in good fun.

By the time they finished showering and got back to the dorm, it was almost time for the class meeting. The three of them felt refreshed and ready, knowing that despite the playful bickering, they were settling into their new life together. Even in these simple moments—joking in the shower, teasing each other—it was clear that this university experience would be anything but ordinary.