Hearing this, Zhou Sheng Chen's expression suddenly turned gloomy: "They died in a car accident a few years ago."
Duan Jia Xu: "You... condolences!"
Zhou Sheng Chen said: "I went back to my hometown a couple of years ago to hold a funeral for my parents and found that your family had moved away. What happened?"
Duan Jia Xu's face was filled with sorrow: "My dad hit and ran a few years ago. He was afraid of going to jail, so he jumped off a building and committed suicide. To compensate the family of the person he hit, my mom sold the house."
"You... condolences!" Zhou Sheng Chen patted Duan Jia Xu on the shoulder, comforting him.
Years later, Duan Jia Xu had unfortunately gone down the same path.
Thinking of Duan Jia Xu's hardship in the original novel, where he had to work everywhere to pay back his debts, Zhou Sheng Chen said: "If you have any difficulties, you must tell me, my family still has a little money."
Duan Jia Xu nodded slightly, then talked about his experiences over the years with Zhou Sheng Chen until the train arrived at the station.
————
Southern Media University.
The vibrant yellow ginkgo leaves on the campus gently swayed in the breeze, making a rustling sound.
Under the scorching sun, the campus was bustling with activity and excitement. After all, the registration of new students is always the busiest time in a university.
The retractable gate at the school gate was fully open, retracted into the granite-decorated wall. A huge banner reading "Welcome New Students" was particularly vibrant under the sunlight.
In the square inside the gate, a large oval-shaped lawn was neatly trimmed along the central axis, dividing the square into two wide passageways leading to the towering main teaching building opposite the gate.
On both sides of the passageways, countless long tables had been lined up neatly, and colorful tents and banners decorated the once-empty square with vibrant colors.
Each tent had the name of the department hanging under the umbrella canopy, swaying gently in the breeze. There were already a lot of people under the tents. The upperclassmen welcoming the new students had already arrived.
————
"Student, you've arrived."
A taxi came to a steady stop in front of the Southern Media University.
Zhou Sheng Chen, sitting in the back seat, handed the driver 150 yuan and said: "Master, no need for change."
Then he and Duan Jia Xu got out of the car.
He took his luggage from the trunk of the car and politely said goodbye to the driver before carrying his bag and pushing his suitcase towards the campus.
At the entrance of Southern Media University, there were many people coming and going, mostly parents of freshmen sending their children to university. It was rare to see someone like Zhou Sheng Chen who came alone.
After all, most students were leaving their home for the first time, and it was understandable that their parents would be worried and follow them.
Southern Media, as a top art school in the country, was indeed impressive. Even before entering, Zhou Sheng Chen saw handsome boys and beautiful girls everywhere on campus. The boys were handsome, and the girls were pretty.
Plus, it was hot, so the girls were all dressed very cool, each one stunningly attractive, which was a feast for Zhou Sheng Chen's eyes.
"That's the school I'm in, I'm leaving now." Duan Jia Xu suddenly pointed to a school next to Southern Media University and said.
Zhou Sheng Chen said: "Okay! Keep in touch!"
"Alright!"
Duan Jia Xu smiled and walked away with his suitcase, while Zhou Sheng Chen entered the campus and continued to look around.
As for registration and other things, he wasn't in a hurry.
Just as Zhou Sheng Chen's eyes were wandering around, a beautiful girl, who could score 85 points on a scale of 100, suddenly appeared in front of him and asked in a crisp voice:
"Are you a new student here for registration?"
This girl was about 1.65 meters tall with her hair tied in a ponytail. She was wearing a loose black T-shirt, with the bottom hem completely covering her shorts.
It looked like she wasn't wearing anything at all, her long legs exposed outside, very alluring.
Her hair was tied in a ponytail, her face was round and plump, full of collagen, making people want to pinch it.
Her large eyes were bright and lively, and she looked very cute when she smiled.
Zhou Sheng Chen immediately recognized her as Gu Yi Xin, the money-grubbing maniac from the "Small Broken Window" world.
He was a little bit uncomfortable with her various money-grabbing behaviors.
But it was a willing transaction, so he couldn't blame her.
If she really didn't want to pay, could Gu Yi Xin force her?
For ordinary people, unnecessary services are not worth it.
But for Zhou Sheng Chen, it was nothing. After all, he had too much money.
He couldn't spend it all, he just couldn't. That was Zhou Sheng Chen's current mindset.
Besides, Zhou Sheng Chen thought it was quite interesting to have a girl helping him with his luggage, so he nodded immediately.
Seeing Zhou Sheng Chen nod, Gu Yi Xin immediately beamed with joy and said: "I can help you register, then take you to the men's dormitory, and then help you buy bedding."
"How much?" Zhou Sheng Chen asked directly.
Although he had a lot of money, he didn't want to be cheated.
He could accept 200 or 300 yuan, but if it was more, Zhou Sheng Chen would have to be crazy to agree.
Gu Yi Xin took Zhou Sheng Chen's suitcase and replied: "200 yuan. Of course, if you need me to help you buy bedding, that would be extra."
Zhou Sheng Chen nodded: "The price is reasonable."
"By the way, what's your name, and what department are you in?" Gu Yi Xin walked towards the registration area for new students, chatting as they walked.
"My name is Zhou Sheng Chen, I'm in the Television Photography department. What about you?"
Zhou Sheng Chen and Gu Yi Xin walked side by side, very close to each other. A unique scent of a girl kept wafting into his nose, making him restless.
Hearing that Zhou Sheng Chen was in the Photography department, Gu Yi Xin was taken aback for a moment, then she smiled, "What a coincidence! I'm in the Photography department too."
Then she said with a bit of pain: "Since we're in the same department, I'll give you a 50% discount, 100 yuan."
Zhou Sheng Chen was a little surprised to hear this.
He knew Gu Yi Xin was a complete money-grubber. To make money, she could come up with all kinds of strange and unbelievable excuses.
But now, she actually offered him a discount because they were in the same department, which was really rare!
"You don't have to give me a discount." Zhou Sheng Chen took out 200 yuan from his pocket but didn't hand it to her immediately, "But it's okay to give me your phone number, right?"
"Of course, no problem." Gu Yi Xin didn't hesitate to give him a number.
Zhou Sheng Chen saved the number in his phone.
"I've already given you my number, now pay up." Gu Yi Xin extended her hand towards Zhou Sheng Chen.
"Here!"
Zhou Sheng Chen readily slapped the 200 yuan into her hand.
Gu Yi Xin took the money and suddenly winked at Zhou Sheng Chen, saying: "Are you interested in learning more about me? Like my blood type, zodiac sign, hobbies, measurements... It's not much, just 100 yuan per piece of information!"
"Don't you think I have some ulterior motive towards you?" Zhou Sheng Chen rolled his eyes and said helplessly, "I just think you're so efficient, I'll come to you for things in the future."
Gu Yi Xin smiled awkwardly.
Then, Zhou Sheng Chen watched Gu Yi Xin register him, take him to pay the tuition fees, and then helped him carry his suitcase towards the elevator.