Chi Nian and the three others walked together, each carrying their own thoughts, chatting here and there without much focus. Eventually, they reached a spot with hardly any shade. Every exhale in the scorching heat seemed capable of burning the air, and gradually, silence settled over them. For a moment, the only sound was the disordered shuffling of feet.
Liu Zong, who had always loved lively crowds, was completely unaccustomed to this quiet atmosphere. Coupled with the oppressive summer heat, her steps unintentionally quickened.
Finally, they reached the classroom. Liu Zong exhaled sharply, a sense of relief evident in her expression. The others followed suit, each showing signs of liberation.
By the time the four of Chi Nian’s dormmates arrived at their class, most of the students were already present.
Clinical Medicine Class 8 had the smallest enrollment of any major each year. This year, adhering to the principle of “better to have fewer than to compromise,” they hadn’t even filled fifty students. In fact, ever since the eight-year Clinical Medicine program was established at Capital Medical University, it was rare for the class to reach full capacity. So even though they were assigned the smallest classroom, the seats weren’t fully occupied. However, the choices for Chi Nian and her friends were still limited.
Only a few sparse seats at the front remained; the back rows were already packed.
Seeing this, Chi Nian silently sighed inwardly. As expected, no matter which world, which school, or which class, the habit of avoiding sitting under the teacher’s watchful eyes was universal.
She scanned the room and found a seat. With Liu Zong, she moved in that direction. As for the others, she neither could nor wanted to manage them.
For instance, Long Lili—well, she had lived a bit longer than Chi Nian and had long recognized Chi Nian’s subtle opinions about her, though the brief walk together just now made it even clearer. And Chen Qing, even after only a short interaction, Chi Nian roughly understood her nature: a fence-sitter who didn’t want to offend anyone. Chi Nian wasn’t particularly fond of such people, but neither did she intend to form a deep friendship with them.
Having confirmed her stance toward her roommates, Chi Nian drew a clear line. A person’s energy was limited; she still had a lifetime to dedicate to her medical career and couldn’t waste attention on people who clearly disliked her and might never like her.
Since the Goddess was walking in that direction, Liu Zong paid no mind to the others and followed closely. She was a devoted little fan!
Long Lili watched Chi Nian and Liu Zong lift their feet and move, scoffing, “Hah, who cares!”
She randomly chose a seat as well, ignoring Chen Qing at the back, and walked straight there. Chi Nian, a “vase” type, wasn’t to her liking, and Chen Qing, the middle-of-the-road fence-sitter, wasn’t appealing either.
Chen Qing watched her roommates, with whom she had exchanged a few words earlier, split off as soon as they reached the classroom. For a moment, she didn’t know where to go herself. Not wanting to sit alone, she thought for a moment and followed Long Lili.
Although Chi Nian’s group arrived late, for some reason, the counselor hadn’t come yet. The classroom was a little noisy, filled with whispers.
Liu Zong, who could never keep her mouth shut, began speaking as soon as they sat down. “Nian Nian, let’s stay away from that Long Lili from now on.”
“Huh?” Chi Nian looked at Liu Zong curiously.
“I can feel it—she doesn’t seem to like us. So why would we press ourselves on her cold butt with our warm faces?” Liu Zong rolled her eyes dramatically.
What Liu Zong didn’t say was that if liking and disliking could be measured in degrees, Long Lili’s dislike of Chi Nian would rank at a ten. Her attitude toward Chi Nian was like a high-and-mighty immortal looking down on a mortal.
Interacting with such a person would be exhausting! Liu Zong had no desire to cradle someone else’s stinky foot all day.
Moreover, this person could very well be an anti-fan of the Goddess!
When Chi Nian had been attacked by the entire internet, Liu Zong would spare time from her studies to fight hundreds of rounds against keyboard warriors. How could she not handle one Long Lili now?
Chi Nian studied Liu Zong closely. She had never expected that seemingly carefree Liu Zong could be so thoughtful. Truly a devoted little fan! Chi Nian felt a surge of pride. She began to understand why the Original Owner, despite being viciously attacked, still persisted in stepping into the entertainment industry. Some fans, indeed, could touch the heart in a way that felt direct and powerful.
Chi Nian decided that in the coming years, she would work diligently. She couldn’t rely on past experience to slack off. Learning had no end, and now she had a new goal: she would turn her little fan from a follower of the entertainment industry into a fan of the medical world!
“And that Chen Qing,” Liu Zong continued, “I can’t say why exactly, but she feels a bit… strange. I can’t describe it clearly, but talking to her is always exhausting.”
Coincidentally, Chi Nian felt the same. If she had to give Chen Qing a precise description, she would say she was like a low-budget version of Lin Xiao.
Thinking of Lin Xiao, Chi Nian shook her head to dismiss the wandering thoughts. She had already left the entertainment industry; the female lead now had nothing to do with her.
Seeing Chi Nian shake her head, Liu Zong thought she didn’t believe her and carefully explained again. “Nian Nian, trust me. Chen Qing is really weird. No matter what we say, she agrees, says okay, never expresses her own opinion. And I feel like she’s the type to hide behind others—sharing the good things, but never taking responsibility for the bad.”
Liu Zong spoke at length, slightly agitated, worried Chi Nian wouldn’t believe her.
Chi Nian grabbed Liu Zong’s arm and quickly responded, “Alright, alright, I feel the same way.”
“Really?” Liu Zong looked at Chi Nian suspiciously.
Could someone as wonderful as her Goddess possibly be saying that just to comfort her as a fan?
“Of course it’s true!” Chi Nian nodded solemnly, as if saying, “You have to believe me.”
Turning to look at Chi Nian up close, Liu Zong admired her magnified beauty. Staring at that ridiculously pretty face, she plunged into deep self-reflection.
She was wrong. How could she doubt the Goddess? With a face like that, every word the Goddess spoke had to be true!
Just as Liu Zong was about to express her feelings again as a devoted fan, she kept hearing the words “Chi Nian” whispered around her ears.