H City was most famous for its tourism industry and high-tech sector.
When it came to tourism, no one could overlook the Mirror Lake Scenic Area.
The name Mirror Lake might puzzle some people at first, but mention the legendary romance of the white snake spirit at Thunderclap Tower, and everyone would understand right away.
As for the high-tech industry, the biggest name was that fellow who famously didn’t care much for money—those in the know get it.
They had arrived in H City late the previous night, so the two of them found a nearby hotel and booked separate rooms.
Early the next morning, they decided to take a cab straight to the university.
H University was the city’s most prestigious school. Even though its new campus in Xiaoshan had only opened in the last couple of years, the driver knew exactly where it was the moment they mentioned it.
“Are you both headed to H University?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Mo Xiangwen replied.
“Both of you students there?” The driver glanced back, sounding a bit surprised.
“Something wrong?”
“No, it’s just… in all my years driving, this is the first time I’ve seen a couple both get into H University.”
The driver shook his head with a sigh. “A top school like that—getting in is no small feat. The two of you making it together must’ve taken real effort.”
“Guess puppy love doesn’t always hurt your studies—it depends on the people.”
Mo Xiangwen shook his head. “We’re not a couple, just friends. But puppy love definitely messes with schoolwork, so please make sure your kids don’t start dating too early.”
The driver snuck another peek at the pair squeezed together in the back seat through the rearview mirror, clearly not buying it. “I get it, guy friends and gal friends, right? Buckle up, folks.”
Mo Xiangwen glanced at Yan Nuoya beside him. Seeing no reaction from her, he decided it wasn’t worth explaining further.
The car sped along, crossing the famous Qianjiang Grand Bridge. As the familiar river view came into sight, a wave of emotion washed over him.
He had been here before for work, but back then it had just been a quick pass-through—no time to take in the scenery.
Now, arriving as a student, his mood felt far more relaxed.
After the bridge came the High-Tech Zone.
Not only was the headquarters of some major corporation there, but so was the company that specialized in churning out trash systems for transmigrators.
But that wasn’t their destination. They crossed the High-Tech Zone and entered Xiaoshan District.
Xiaoshan was one of H City’s most remote districts. Putting the new university campus there caused all sorts of headaches for students, but cheap land prices and some mysterious unavoidable force had sealed the deal.
To make up for it, though, the campus’s commercial street was the most well-developed among all the university branches—plenty to keep students fed and entertained.
They reached the university gates, flashed their admission notices to the security guard, and hopped on one of the campus shuttle buses.
“Freshmen?”
“Yep.”
After a short wait, more people trickled on board. The driver asked them the same question.
By the end of it, pretty much everyone on the bus was a freshman.
Once it was full enough, the driver set off toward the heart of the campus.
They pulled up at what the students called Little Square. No sooner had they stepped off than they saw tents from every college pitched in a ring around the open space.
Mo Xiangwen craned his neck, scanning for a good minute to make sure no one on the square was holding a sign plotting his demise. Only then did he start hunting for the Information Technology College tent.
Little Square was packed. Besides the freshmen, plenty of seniors were volunteering—senior brothers and sisters handling registrations and giving directions.
While he was still squinting around, sharp-eyed Yan Nuoya spotted it first.
“Over there.” She tugged his sleeve and pointed. With her tip, Mo Xiangwen quickly zeroed in on the Information Technology College tent.
The college wasn’t exactly obscure, and being right next to the ultra-popular Literature College meant the crowd here was massive.
Put the two tents side by side, and the gender imbalance was stark.
One side was almost all guys; the other skewed heavily female.
So when he and Yan Nuoya joined the line together, they drew more than a few astonished stares from the guys around them.
A girl like Yan Nuoya—top-tier looks, killer figure—would turn heads in any college.
In a place like Information Technology, where they were scraping by for senior sisters to even staff the registration desk, she stood out like a sore thumb.
Whenever eyes drifted her way, though, Yan Nuoya edged closer to him. By the end, she was clutching his arm, playing up the cozy couple vibe.
Mo Xiangwen didn’t mind. He wasn’t looking to date anyway.
She’d gone from a chance encounter to half-friend status, so serving as her shield was no big deal.
The onlookers grumbled inwardly, figuring she was just here to support her boyfriend with enrollment. They gave up, withdrawing their gazes—but not without shooting him a few jealous glares.
“Hand over your admission notice,” said the senior brother at the tent, his face impassive.
Mo Xiangwen already had his ready. He pulled out the documents and passed them over.
The senior brother glanced at the notice, then at him.
“Computer Science major. Yan Nuoya—you’re Yan Nuoya? That’s… a pretty unique name.”
Yan Nuoya? Why hers? In a flash, Mo Xiangwen remembered comparing his admission notice with hers back then. The envelopes were nearly identical, so mixing them up when he handed hers back made perfect sense.
“No, Yan Nuoya is her.” He stepped aside, pulling her forward. “This notice is hers.”
The words hung in the air, stunning everyone—including the senior brother doing registration.
A girl joining Information Technology College? Computer Science, no less?
They gawked at the beauty he’d dragged up front. Damn, a campus queen type? For real?
Yan Nuoya frowned slightly and set down the other admission notice.
“Sorry about that,” she said calmly. “That’s mine. He grabbed the wrong one.”
Damn it all.
In that instant, Mo Xiangwen could practically hear the collective heartbreak around him. Jealous stares bored into his back.
“You two might be close, but everyone’s gotta handle their own paperwork.”
After what felt like an eternity—and what had to be a ten-thousand-point critical hit to the guy’s heart—the senior brother let out a heavy sigh and processed both of them.
Registration done, Yan Nuoya eagerly dragged him out of the crowd.
As they turned to go, he caught sight of a wooden sign casually propped under the neighboring Literature College tent. A chill ran down his spine.
No, it couldn’t be, right? Info boards at freshman registration spots were normal. It didn’t have to be that rascal Xiao Huo out to get him.
Once they were clear of the throng, he hesitated, then fired off a message in the group chat.
Human-Dragon Unity: I’ve arrived. Where is everyone?
