Chapter 232
On the day of school registration, the entrance of Jing University was already a sea of people. Red welcome banners stretched out in the wind, with the large words "Welcome New Students" catching the eye.
The ringing of bicycle bells and the chatter of students intertwined, merging into an exceptionally bustling scene.
Pei Zhengnian drove a military jeep and slowly pulled to a stop not far from the university gates.
As soon as the car stopped, he got out first, walked around to the passenger side, and carefully opened the door.
Shen Nanchu sat in the passenger seat. She placed her hand on Pei Zhengnian's hand and gracefully stepped out of the car.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves and spilled onto her, casting a golden halo over her slightly wavy long hair.
She wore a camel-colored trench coat over a pristine white shirt and blue jeans. The black boots on her feet were polished to a shine, making her stand out remarkably in the crowd.
Such a fashionable and exquisite outfit, among a crowd mostly dressed in gray, blue, and black, was like a blooming flower that instantly attracted the gaze of everyone around.
Pei Yunzhou also got out from the back seat. Wearing a simple black cardigan and military-green pants, he stood tall and straight, his face brimming with the youthful vigor and vitality typical of young men.
Seeing this scene, the people around stopped in their tracks, curiously sizing up the trio.
Especially Pei Zhengnian and Shen Nanchu. Both were wearing camel-colored trench coats paired with white shirts, clearly sporting a matching couple's look.
Pei Zhengnian was tall and upright with handsome features, exuding the resolute and steady aura unique to a military man. Shen Nanchu, on the other hand, had a beautiful face and an outstanding temperament. Standing together, they looked like a match made in heaven, causing many people to stop, watch, and whisper among themselves.
"Look at those two, their clothes are so similar. They must be a couple, they match so perfectly."
A girl with braided pigtails wearing a blue denim jacket tugged at her companion's sleeve and whispered, her eyes full of envy.
The girl beside her, wearing a gray top, followed her gaze. Seeing how meticulously Pei Zhengnian cared for Shen Nanchu, she curled her lips, her tone carrying a hint of imperceptible sourness.
"What's so great about that? They just dress a bit nicer, who knows, maybe her grades are terrible."
Shen Nanchu took in all these whispers but didn't care at all. Instead, a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
She could clearly hear the continuous chimes echoing in her mind:
[Disgust Points +1]
[Disgust Points +2]
[Disgust Points +3]
...
To her, this sound was far more pleasant than the praises of the crowd.
It had been a long time since she heard such a "beautiful" sound.
Shen Nanchu thought to herself, if she didn't draw a little more hatred, wouldn't she be wasting such a perfect scene?
The three of them followed the crowd into the campus. Jing University's campus was exceptionally large. The roads were lined with tall trees with lush foliage, forming natural tree-lined avenues.
However, it was currently morning. Sunlight pierced through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground, and some glaring rays shone directly onto people's faces.
Shen Nanchu narrowed her eyes slightly and shielded her forehead with her hand.
"The sun is a bit glaring!"
Many students around heard her words and looked up at the sky.
The sky was a clear azure, cloudless. Although the sun was bright, it wasn't to the point of being glaring, especially under the tree-lined avenue where most of the sunlight was blocked by leaves.
Everyone was a bit puzzled. How was this sun glaring?
But before they could figure it out, Pei Zhengnian had already stepped quickly in front of Shen Nanchu. Turning slightly, he used his tall frame to block any sunlight that might hit her face.
He looked back at Shen Nanchu with gentle eyes.
"It's fine, I'll walk in front of you and block the sun for you. It won't be glaring anymore."
Pei Zhengnian was 1.85 meters tall. Standing in front of Shen Nanchu, he was like a solid wall, firmly keeping the sunlight out.
Seeing this, the expressions of the female students around them instantly became complicated.
The envy in the eyes of the girl with braided pigtails grew even stronger. She couldn't help but look at the boy beside her.
The boy was carrying two heavy luggage bags, his forehead covered in sweat.
Hearing Shen Nanchu's words and seeing Pei Zhengnian's actions, the boy merely frowned and said impatiently,
"Why are you so delicate? Complaining about the sun just walking down the road."
Hearing the boy's words, the girl immediately felt aggrieved. Looking again at Pei Zhengnian's consideration for Shen Nanchu, the contrast made her feel even more disappointed.
She bit her lip and said no more, but the look she gave Shen Nanchu now held a few traces of jealousy.
There were quite a few people who felt the same way she did.
[Disgust Points +1]
[Disgust Points +2]
[Disgust Points +3]
...
As the voices continued to chime in her mind, Shen Nanchu's mood grew increasingly joyful.
She deliberately slowed her pace. Sweeping her gaze over her surroundings and seeing the envious or jealous looks from those girls, the smile on her lips deepened.
After walking a bit longer, they arrived at a spacious square. This was the central registration point for freshmen. The registration booths for various departments were set up here, with tables full of registration forms and department brochures.
There were even more people in the square now, standing shoulder to shoulder. The air was filled with a bustling and somewhat crowded atmosphere.
Shen Nanchu stopped walking. She lightly pursed her lips and spoke in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for the people around to hear,
"I'm a bit thirsty."
The observing students immediately lost their composure upon hearing this.
Many of them were carrying heavy luggage and wearing backpacks stuffed with books and daily necessities. Having walked such a long distance, they were already tired and thirsty. But everyone was gritting their teeth and persevering; no one was like Shen Nanchu, just blurting it out.
"We're carrying so many things and you don't see us saying we're thirsty. Why is she so special?"
A girl in a pink top with a bob haircut leaned into her companion's ear and complained softly, her eyes full of dissatisfaction.
Her companion in a yellow top nodded and chimed in, "Exactly. She's definitely spoiled rotten and can't endure the slightest bit of hardship."
Pei Zhengnian, however, paid no mind to the gazes and murmurs of the crowd. He immediately turned to Pei Yunzhou and said,
"Fourth Brother, go to the commissary over there and buy a few bottles of soda. Your sister-in-law loves it."
Pei Yunzhou responded with a crisp "Alright!" and quickly squeezed through the crowd, running toward the commissary.
The female students around felt a surge of anger and frustration upon seeing this.
Several girls who also had boys accompanying them began signaling with their eyes, hoping their boys would take the initiative to go buy water just like Pei Zhengnian did.
But those boys either failed to understand the girls' signals or simply felt it was unnecessary, merely saying,
"Just bear with it. We'll talk about it after we finish registering. There are too many people here, and it's not convenient to go out."
Hearing these words, the girls felt even more aggrieved and indignant. They could not help but shoot several glares at the men beside them. When they turned their gazes back to Shen Nanchu, the jealousy in their eyes grew even more intense.
[Hatred +1]
[Hatred +2]
[Hatred +3]
...