September 1st marked the beginning of classes at Longteng University. I was fully prepared for this day with grand ambitions already in place. Now an international billionaire, my $4 trillion had transformed into real estate, energy assets, companies and commodities. By previous USD valuations, these holdings exceeded $10 trillion in total value. I'd also secretly acquired shares of Pan-American Media - a scheme that required careful execution as it wasn't merely hostile takeovers but one requiring clearance from the M government.
Xiao Chuchu and Fang Yanmeng were practically giddy these days. Their respective fathers had become overnight millionaires through this financial war. Though most assets needed time to transfer, they weren't worried about those yet - what truly concerned them was which daughter would ultimately secure the golden wedding band.
The upperfloor girls hadn't shown much interest in competing, making the lowerfloor quartet of Fang Yanmeng, Xiao Chuchu, Zhang Xiaoya and Cheng Suxu the real contenders. Cheng had already moved into our dormitory complex, and Yiaorou had also relocated to share with her. But with my recent battles against M country financial forces consuming so much time, I hadn't even managed to organize any of the usual breast exhibitions.
Zhang Xiaoya still tried to pressure me through her school uniform every day, while Cheng Suxu - being new and unfamiliar with the territory - hadn't made many moves yet. Xiao Chuchu and Fang Yanmeng however were busy fighting each other under parental encouragement, one whispering this in my left ear, the other insisting something else in my right. Sometimes they annoyed me so much I'd first put Xiao Chuchu into a daze before dealing with Fang's demands to have things in her mouth for quiet.
Originally Fang Yanmeng was supposed to accompany me today, but business emergencies had sent her overseas instead. The others who wanted to see me off were politely declined - after all, this wasn't just any ordinary student enrolling at my own university grounds. What would parents need doing here?
After breakfast with the special dumplings my mother made for me, I grabbed my small bag and hailed a taxi directly to Longteng University. Through these financial battles I'd become determined to study finance, economics and management.
The more deeply I engaged in these matters, the clearer it became how thin my foundational knowledge was. Without the extraordinary resources at my disposal and skilled assistants like Fang Yanmeng, Xiao Chuchu, Cheng Suxu and Xu Jing who understood these financial concepts well, this battle could have ended quite differently for me.
The registration office had been moved to Longteng University's grand auditorium due to overcast skies and drizzle. Following the signage there, I found it already packed beyond capacity with students.
This being the first day of enrollment, many out-of-town students had arrived early today. As someone who hadn't attended university before, I now just had to join this chaotic sea of people.
A girl emerged from inside pushing papers in one hand while shouting through the crowd: "Make way! Make way! Don't try anything or I'll kick your butts!"
I managed to squeeze near the registration area when suddenly she stumbled backward and crashed into me. Having heard her warning, I instinctively pushed her away - better not let anyone misunderstand my character on day one. Despite being older than most students by several years (though showing none of it outwardly), personal integrity was important.
"Hey!" the girl snapped, "What was that for?"
Looking at her now, surprise struck me as I recognized Su Xue from the Hualong fast food restaurant - specifically the one Pbao'er had nearly died protecting. But she probably forgot about me already.
"I pushed you because," I said firmly, "your position suggested inappropriate intentions. I needed to prevent any misunderstandings."
Su Xue's pink blouse clung to her round figure in a way that was both cute and tantalizing. "Your thoughts are what need changing," she retorted, "if you don't desire me then my presence means nothing. You're just a weak man easily offended by feminine charm."
"Exactly," I agreed, "lack of refined thinking is precisely why I pushed away early to avoid getting kicked again."
Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Well now you've met Su Xue who can guide you through the registration process. You see, Longteng's enrollment procedures are so complex they've applied for a World Guinness record! Without me helping, finishing today would be lucky - needing two days is entirely normal."
Looking at the packed registration tables where people kept being misdirected and forced to repeat the whole process in different sections...
"Alright," I relented, "I'll lead you out. Let's make this efficient then."
With my strength clearing students aside was simple. Holding my sleeve she soon reached the auditorium doors before wiping sweat from her face. "What's your name?" she asked, "You've got quite a strong build."
"Zhao Qian," I replied, "now go ahead and handle registration while I wait here for instructions."
Su Xue laughed, "Sure thing Zhao Qian - what an odd name!" Then she disappeared.
I waited outside in the cool rain. The auditorium's heat contrasted sharply with the cold air from outside through the open doors. Exactly five minutes later Su returned.
"Ready to go Zhao Qian?"
"Zhao Qian," I corrected, "the Zhao from Zhao Qian Sun Li and the Qian likewise."
She giggled, her chest shaking slightly, "Well close enough. I'll keep calling you Find-Money then! I'm Su Xue, second-year Tourism Management major. You should call me 'senior' though."
"Senior," I nodded, "let's finish this quickly so I can tour the campus properly."
"No problem," she said with a smile as we moved through the crowd together.
With my guidance and her direction-finding, progress was surprisingly fast - until I questioned how many steps existed in this process. Fortunately Su knew everyone here and even filled out paperwork for me after seeing my admission notice. Definitely an enthusiastic girl worth thanking properly.
After finishing registration we collapsed into a dusty corner chair. Both were drenched in sweat. While Su smelled pleasant, I was definitely suffering from body odor.
"This was exhausting Senior," I said, "how can I possibly thank you enough?"
She leaned back lazily. "Buy me lunch then. You sure don't look broke."
"Of course not," I replied immediately, "if push comes to shove sell this shirt and still have money for a feast! Where should we go?"
Her eyes brightened instantly. "Great! We can invite my two roommates too - they're beautiful girls. After lunch in the afternoon I'll let them show you around campus while I rest!"
With $280,000 on my new card from that first month's salary? No problem at all for as many beauties she could summon.
"Perfect," Su said excitedly before grabbing my phone, "let me call Jingjing to tell Xucheng not to eat yet. We're going out now! I'll be back shortly."
Handing it back she asked suddenly, "Where did you get this RING Global phone? Only internal staff can access these models!"
"Some friend gave it to me," I replied simply before asking where we were dining.
"There's a Heart Restaurant in the eastern market outside campus. Go ahead and book upstairs at two or three floor first. We'll call when ready."
She then hurried away. Glancing at my watch (nearly 12pm), I asked, "Why wait an hour? Can't it be ten minutes? I'm starving!"
"Impossible," she called back over her shoulder, "I need to shower and reapply makeup! So do they!"