Chapter 5: Following the Senior Sister

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Seeing the glasses-wearing young man’s air of entitlement, Wang Can couldn’t help but touch his own cheek. Could it be that I look so easy to handle? In those novels, isn’t it said that male protagonists who are reborn always exude a certain mature aura perceptible to outsiders? Hmm, it must be the hair. Once I get to school, I’ll just cut a “general” hairstyle; I’ll definitely look much more mature then. Just as Wang Can was about to respond, his eyes casually swept across the twins sitting opposite. Their lips moved silently, clearly mouthing, “Don’t switch.” Wang Can smiled faintly; he had been about to refuse anyway. “Sorry, my back’s bad; I can’t move.” The glasses guy froze for a moment, apparently not expecting to be rejected. Wang Can looked distinctly young, obviously a freshman reporting to school; he had never failed to persuade freshmen to swap seats before. The glasses guy glanced left and right, confirming no adults were watching, then, feeling embarrassed in front of the girls, he said irritably, “Don’t you understand? We’re together.” “Don’t give me that crap. You being together means nothing to me.” Wang Can was getting annoyed; he was offering a way out, yet the guy didn’t appreciate it. The glasses guy’s face flushed red; he realized this time he’d hit a brick wall. Still, he couldn’t bring himself to walk away directly and mustered the last bit of pride to glare fiercely: “Which school do you go to?” “Why? Planning to mess with me?” Wang Can chuckled and pointed at his face. “Don’t hesitate, hit me now—I could use the money.” The glasses guy was stuck, unable to make a move. Acting violently was out of the question; three years of university life had taught him fists solved nothing but emptied wallets. Besides, Wang Can was taller, stronger, and far bolder in his demeanor. In the end, he just snorted coldly through his nose. “Not wasting my time with you.” Saying that, he turned around, pushed up his slipping glasses, forced a smile, and looked at the twins. “Wait for me in Shenhai. My uncle’s driving to pick me up, so I can give you two a ride.” The twins neither agreed nor refused, merely nodding vaguely. “Thanks, handsome.” After the glasses guy left, the long-haired twin girl took the initiative to speak to Wang Can, her eyes tinged with apology. Wang Can waved it off. “I wasn’t planning to switch anyway; it’s not really your problem.” He didn’t dare push the topic further, fearing he might also be coaxed into a “placenta” role like Qiao Huayang... Although Wang Can answered lightly, the twins still seemed somewhat remorseful. The earlier conflict was at least half their fault. But since Wang Can had already said it was fine, it would be awkward if they kept dwelling on it. So, they changed the subject.

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“By the way, handsome, are you a freshman? Which school?” “Don’t call me handsome. Just Wang Can is fine. I’m a freshman at Shenhai University,” Wang Can replied. The 25-hour journey had been unbearably long; his phone couldn’t run decent games, so chatting with two pretty girls was a nice pastime. When the words “Shenhai University” reached the sisters’ ears, their eyes widened almost simultaneously, and they let out a surprised breath, “Wow—” “...” Wang Can felt a bit uneasy. Was this about to start again? “Really?” the short-haired girl exclaimed. “Then you’re at the same school as us!” “What a coincidence?” Wang Can blinked. “Yeah, we’re from the Dance Department at Shenhai University.” Being from the same hometown and school, the short-haired girl, clearly more enthusiastic than before, introduced herself, “I’m Qi Xia, and this is my sister, Qi Dong.” “I’m in Economics and Management,” Wang Can smiled. “Are you freshmen too?” Qi Xia shook her head, “No, we’re sophomores.” “Oh, so you’re my seniors. I look forward to your guidance.” It wasn’t a surprise to Wang Can; few parents would comfortably let their daughters report to school alone. “Don’t worry, junior. Once you get to Shenhai, just follow your seniors. We’ll make sure you get to school safely,” Qi Xia said confidently, patting her chest like a proper senior. Wang Can replied with a questioning “Hmm?” “Aren’t you supposed to go with that guy with glasses?” Since these twins were at the same school, the glasses guy likely was too. But Wang Can didn’t care; if a mature man in his thirties couldn’t handle a student, he might as well give up on life. “Who wants to go with him? He’s just a pain in the neck...” Qi Xia’s words were cut off as Qi Dong quickly covered her mouth. “Don’t say that. Zhao Peng is still on the train.” “Uh... okay.” Qi Xia muttered reluctantly, her voice muffled under her sister’s hand. Qi Dong smiled at Wang Can. “Don’t worry, we won’t call him. We’ll sneak away.” Wang Can was indifferent; having someone guide him was certainly welcome. After settling this, the conversation became lighter. Wang Can shared jokes that didn’t exist in 2012, making the sisters giggle constantly; the compartment was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

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Qiao Huayang, comfortably fiddling with his new phone on the upper bunk, was drawn by the laughter. Curious, he leaned down to watch his close friend chatting and laughing with the twins. Actually, when Wang Can confronted the glasses guy earlier, Qiao Huayang was somewhat surprised. The original Wang Can, while not shy, never had that... streetwise vibe. Nor would he now be flirting and joking with such beautiful girls. Could working over a holiday really change someone so much? Qiao Huayang felt left behind. We agreed to struggle together, but you secretly went to extra tutoring. ... The afternoon passed quickly in idle chatter. Zhao Peng came over a few more times, shamelessly, but without a place to sit, he didn’t stay long. For dinner, Wang Can and Qiao Huayang had a bucket of deluxe instant noodles, supplemented with snacks from Qi Dong and Qi Xia, just to get by. But after lights out, Qiao Huayang, still too excited to sleep, insisted on dragging Wang Can to the dining car for a midnight snack. Wang Can had initially refused, but since Qiao Huayang insisted on treating, he reluctantly accepted the free meal. Although now a billionaire heir worth half a billion yuan, Wang Can still believed freeloading was a noble trait. And nobility needs no explanation. Qi Xia in the middle bunk heard the noise, poked her head out, and whispered, “Where are you going?” “For a midnight snack. You coming?” Wang Can lowered his voice, as if making a secret deal. “Huh?” Qi Xia glanced at her sister on the lower bunk, illuminated faintly by moonlight. After confirming Qi Dong was fast asleep, she carefully grabbed the ladder and climbed down like a stealthy night cat. “Let’s go.” Qi Xia found her shoes, waved her hand, and the three sneaked out of the sleeping car. Stepping into the clean, brightly lit dining car, Qiao Huayang suddenly felt a wave of relief, sensing something called “freedom” for the first time. He couldn’t quite describe the feeling, but it was like being able to eat a midnight snack whenever he wanted, without worry. In Wang Can’s words, from the moment you board the train, you gain the right to make your own choices. And this, was the very first taste of freedom a university student could possess.