Chapter 64: The Start of School

Lin Yi quickly composed himself and said in a hurry, "I'm a bit thirsty. Let me go grab a drink first."

Picking up a beverage at random, Lin Yi returned to his seat.

"Let me think about this and give you an answer tomorrow," Lin Yi said after a brief moment of thought, replying swiftly.

"Alright!"

With the break over, their conversation came to a temporary end.

In the matches that followed, Haisheng and his team washed away their previous shame, securing two consecutive victories.

The Honor of Kings tournament came to an end.

Unless something unexpected happened, they would likely trend on social media tomorrow because of this league.

After all, the financial backer Xiao Ma's main purpose in hosting this competition was to promote his game.

Turning off his live streaming equipment, Lin Yi stepped out of the room and walked next door.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Well, well, what brings you here?" Zhao Xin asked with a curious expression.

"Let's talk."

"Sure, come on in."

The living room was spacious and bright, featuring luxurious and imposing genuine leather sofas.

Lin Yi walked straight over and sat down on the sofa.

"Go ahead."

"Eddie Peng sent me a direct message tonight, inviting me to make a cameo appearance in *Unbeatable*. I'm planning to go, but the university expects you to properly attend the orientation and settle in."

"Don't worry, leave that to me. Did you have fun tonight?" Zhao Xin sat down on the opposite side and asked with a smile.

She was well aware that Lin Yi was participating in the tripartite tournament hosted by Douyu, Honor of Kings, and Qidian tonight.

"It was alright."

"By the way, let me share a piece of bad news with you," Zhao Xin said, a fox-like smile playing on her lips. "That enemy of yours is also participating in *The Voice of China*."

"Gu Jing?"

Recalling the man who had driven him to a dead end, Lin Yi's eyes flashed with a blazing fury.

How could he possibly forget this bastard?!

"Mm. If I'm not mistaken, he's planning to use this opportunity to officially debut in the entertainment industry."

Lin Yi lowered his head in deep thought, his fists tightly clenched.

When all the cards are laid on the table and you realize you are still no match for your opponent, the only choice left is to endure.

However, if an opportunity arose to turn his adversary's winning hand into a bad one, Lin Yi would certainly seize it.

"Alright, I understand."

"Lin Yi, I know you have a deep aversion to the entertainment circle, but I still want to say a few words. No matter which industry or field you are in, grime and filth will always exist. The entertainment industry is simply magnified under the media's magnifying glass."

"It's a very simple principle: if you don't want others to bully you, you must become strong—so strong that no one dares to bully you," Zhao Xin said earnestly, taking a sip of water.

Dislike cannot be masked.

"I know. That's why I agreed to participate in *The Voice of China* and cameo in *Unbeatable*."

They were both adults; they should know what to do and what not to do. If one wanted to avoid being bullied, personal strength had to be cultivated. Therefore, Lin Yi was also working hard to study and improve himself.

"That's good. I thought you were still harboring resentment and couldn't let it go."

"I'm not that foolish."

One must learn to adapt to changing circumstances.

"Anyway, I'm a bit tired."

Bidding farewell to Zhao Xin, Lin Yi returned to his own room and wearily lay down on the bed.

Over the next few days, Lin Yi dedicated his time to studying theoretical knowledge under the guidance of the high-priced tutors hired by Zhao Xin.

Yet, knowledge gained from books is always superficial; one must experience it firsthand to truly understand it.

Whatever was learned had to be verified through practice.

This was precisely why he wanted to cameo in *Unbeatable*.

The banquet celebrating his admission to university was held as scheduled. Not a single relative from his mother's side showed up, which truly chilled his heart.

After all these years, the lingering resentment was still there.

Shortly after the celebration banquet concluded, the start of the new semester arrived.

Lin Yi needed to report to his university first before heading to Hong Kong.

Xiangtan University.

A cool breeze swept by, falling leaves fluttered in the air, and a sea of people filled the campus.

Green, naive freshmen arrived at Xiangtan University carrying expectations, nervousness, and anxiety.

Gazing at the university's entrance sign and the dense crowd, Lin Yi smiled faintly, then followed the stream of people into the campus. He wondered how many freshmen would lose themselves in university life.

Chinese Language and Literature.

Spotting the sign, Lin Yi walked over briskly.

Deng Xiaoli sat under a canopy, cooling herself with a small handheld fan. Seeing a refined young man with delicate facial features and a faint smile walking toward them, she swallowed hard and thought to herself, "So handsome! How can there be such a handsome junior?!"

"Oh no! My heart is fluttering, what should I do?"

"Ah, ah, ah! No, I must keep my composure and not let him notice."

"This time I must seize the opportunity and have a sweet romance in college."

Deng Xiaoli secretly clenched the hem of her clothes, stood up with a radiant smile, and asked, "Junior, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Um, could you tell me where the School of Chinese Language and Literature is?"

"Sure, I'll take you there," Deng Xiaoli said with a sweet smile.

"Great, thank you so much."

"Don't mention it. By the way, where is your luggage? You couldn't possibly have only brought a backpack, right?" Deng Xiaoli asked curiously.

"I plan to live off-campus."

The new apartment Zhao Xin bought for him was very close by.

Furthermore, he might not spend much time staying on campus in the future, so he had no intention of living in the dorms.

"I see."

Deng Xiaoli and Lin Yi walked side by side.

The leaves on the trees lining the campus path drifted down slowly, their shadows merging and separating.

Deng Xiaoli secretly glanced back at the shadows behind them, a joyful smile blooming on her face. "Junior, what's your name?"

"Lin Yi."

Lin Yi?

The name sounded somewhat familiar.

She suddenly remembered that the Xiangtan University QQ groups, Weibo, and campus forums were all buzzing with discussions about this person—this year's top liberal arts/science scorer in Hunan Province who had chosen to apply to their university!

"You're Lin Yi, this year's top scorer in the college entrance examination?!" Deng Xiaoli stopped in her tracks, looking at him in disbelief. No wonder she had found his face somewhat familiar just now.

"If I'm not mistaken, that should be me," Lin Yi replied with a touch of humor.

Hearing his confirmation, Deng Xiaoli's heart gradually shattered into pieces, as if something precious was slipping away from her.

"Are you alright?" Lin Yi noticed the change in Deng Xiaoli's complexion and asked with concern.

"I'm fine," Deng Xiaoli waved her hand and said.

After guiding Lin Yi to the School of Chinese Language and Literature, she hurried away.

"Babe, my first love is broken," Deng Xiaoli leaned against a girl with a radiant face, looking pitiful.

"No, that's not even a heartbreak! It was just my own wishful thinking, wuu wuu wuu..."

Looking at the large banners hung across the faculty building, Lin Yi could only helplessly massage his temples. Several massive banners had already been strung up at the main school gate, enthusiastically welcoming top gaokao scorer Lin Yi to our university!

And now there were another two or three banners right here, enthusiastically welcoming the top scorer to our department!

Did they really have to make such a grand fuss? As if afraid someone wouldn't know he applied to this school.

Being speechless for a moment, Lin Yi shouldered his backpack and stepped into the department building.

Chen Yang let out a bored yawn. What a dull and tedious job; if it weren't for fulfilling his required practical volunteer hours, he would never have come here to volunteer.

He picked up his phone and quietly checked the time: eleven o'clock. There was still half a half-hour before he could "get off work," meaning he had to continue slacking off.

His gaze drifted aimlessly around his surroundings. Suddenly, his pupils dilated, and he cried out in sheer astonishment, "Holy crap, Lin Yi! He actually came to our department!"