Today, Chapter One. Your urgent support with recommendation tickets is requested! ……………… The university’s fifth dining hall was already filling up. University cafeterias were truly a sight completely different from anywhere else. Zhang Yang couldn’t recall the last time he had eaten in the communal dining hall; ever since he was rehired by the school as a professor, he had always maintained his own private office.

Alternatively, someone would have his meals delivered directly to him.

After meeting up with Gu Cheng, Zhang Yang and the others made their way to the cafeteria. Before long, Mi Xue and Nannan arrived as well. The six of them gathered once more, rehashing the events of the morning. “Zhang Yang, to reward you for thoroughly cornering Zhou Yichen today, I’m treating everyone today! Tell me whatever you want to eat!” Xiao Dai announced happily. Among the three girls, Xiao Dai came from the wealthiest background and often took the initiative to pay.

Of course, it was usually the guys like Zhang Yang who treated them most often, but for simple meals in places like the cafeteria, none of them would ever argue with the girls about who was treating. Zhang Yang grinned broadly and immediately said, “Really? That’s great! Get me two servings of braised pork!”

The cafeteria’s braised pork was honestly nothing to write home about, but in this year of 1998, fatty pork was indeed inexpensive. A decent portion of braised pork cost only four yuan and contained plenty of meat chunks. Xiao Dai promptly went to get the food, with Hu Xin accompanying her. Gu Cheng and Zhang Yang went to purchase a few other items.

The only ones left sitting at the table were Mi Xue and Nannan. In just that short while, several lecherous figures with glowing eyes approached, asking if they could sit next to the two beauties. Every single one of them was bluntly refused by Mi Xue.

The fact that the seats around Mi Xue were occupied didn't deter the onlookers. Before long, every table surrounding Mi Xue was full, almost exclusively with young men. Many of them couldn't help but steal glances in Mi Xue’s direction while they ate. Beauties, indeed, possessed immense attraction wherever they went.

Mi Xue was long accustomed to such scenes. What preoccupied her most was Zhang Yang, and she kept her attention fixed on him as he bought drinks nearby. In less than ten minutes, Zhang Yang, Xiao Dai, and the others returned. Two fragrant servings of braised pork, along with several other dishes, were set down on the table. To Mi Xue’s exasperation, Zhang Yang’s interest in the braised pork clearly outweighed his interest in her. As soon as the food arrived, he started wrestling with Hu Xin for the largest chunks of meat, and the group descended into playful chaos.

Braised pork was not something the original Zhang Yang had enjoyed in his previous life; he rarely ate the dish. However, within his memories, he discovered that the previous ‘Zhang Yang’ had been extremely fond of it. The moment Xiao Dai offered to treat, he instinctively named that dish. After taking a few bites, he confirmed that the taste was quite good—at least different from what he remembered from his past life. The habits of the former ‘Zhang Yang’ still held a considerable influence over him.

After lunch, Mi Xue and the others suggested a stroll through Songshi Tower Park behind the school. Songshi Tower was a famous tourist attraction in Changjing. In fact, Songshi Tower had once belonged to Changjing University before it was separated and converted into a park. Everyone agreed, and since the time was still early, Zhang Yang tagged along. Songshi Park also featured a sizable Pine Stone Lake, which existed in his original memories. The former ‘Zhang Yang’ often liked to sit alone by the lake under the trees, reading a book. The current him also found that kind of environment incredibly appealing.

“Zhang Yang!” As the group walked behind the school, a familiar voice called out to Zhang Yang. “Xiao Bin, where are you headed?” Zhang Yang turned around to see a slightly chubby young man walking toward him, holding some documents. Hu Xin and the others smiled and greeted the little guy as well. When questioned by Zhang Yang, the little fatty’s face immediately fell, and he spoke with indignation, “The Student Union is having a meeting today. Chairman Zhou asked me to prepare some materials, but the notice was so sudden; I haven’t finished getting everything ready yet!”

Zhang Yang asked, “What materials do you need to prepare, and when were you notified?” “This morning. That scoundrel Er Gouzi came and told me. They want activity reports for all student clubs from the recent period. There are so many clubs; if I have to run around gathering everything myself in this short amount of time, it’s just bullying!”

The little fatty, Xiao Bin, shook his head. Zhang Yang casually took a document from his hand and opened it for a look. After reading for a while, he handed the material back to Xiao Bin. This Xiao Bin was the person who, along with Hu Xin and the others, had visited Zhang Yang at the hospital previously. He was also Zhang Yang’s only supporter in the Student Union, and someone whom Zhou Yichen and his lackeys actively disliked.

Zhang Yang looked up and smiled faintly, “It’s fine, there’s no need to collect these materials anymore!” “Not collecting them—doesn’t that give them an excuse?” Xiao Bin was momentarily stunned before replying quickly. His influence within the Student Union wasn't as deep as Zhang Yang’s. His main current responsibility involved collecting documents, and if he failed this task now, Zhou Yichen would likely strip him of this authority immediately.

It might even be used as a pretext to force him out of the Student Union altogether. Xiao Bin disliked Zhou Yichen, but he was reluctant to leave the Student Union; having experience there would boost his resume when he graduated and looked for a job. Xiao Bin was just a kid from an ordinary family.

Zhang Yang smiled and shook his head, “The meeting starts at one-thirty. There’s still an hour left, and it’s lunchtime. Can you really get all these materials prepared in time?” “No!” Xiao Bin’s face once again showed a trace of helplessness. Time was too tight. He had requested leave this morning, and he had only managed to gather half the documents; the lunch break certainly wouldn't be enough.

“Since you can’t get them all ready anyway, why waste effort on this useless task? Besides, they are clearly trying to set you up. Even if you gathered everything perfectly, they would find a reason to target you. There are too many clubs in the school, and several of them have close ties to their faction!” Zhang Yang remarked with a light chuckle. This time, he wasn't wrong; Zhou Yichen assigning this job to Xiao Bin was explicitly intended to cause trouble for him.

The presidents of the School Calligraphy and Painting Club and the Boxing Club both had good connections with Zhou Yichen. He had already instructed them to deliberately make things difficult for Xiao Bin, furnishing him with incorrect documents so that Zhou Yichen could seize an opportunity to stir up trouble. Xiao Bin still hesitated, saying slowly, “What you’re saying is right, but…” “No buts. Come walk with us. We’ll go to the meeting together later. With me around, you’ll be fine!” Zhang Yang cut him off directly, a vast wave of confidence radiating from his expression as he spoke.

He was no longer the former ‘Zhang Yang.’ The extra decade of experience from his previous life was not negligible; dealing with a few people from the Student Union was a trivial matter to him. If these people were foolish enough not to recognize reality, Zhang Yang wouldn't mind making them suffer a massive setback, much like what he had planned for Zhou Yichen. “Fine, I’ll listen to you. I won’t go collect them anymore!” Xiao Bin was infected by Zhang Yang’s self-assurance and involuntarily nodded. Since he couldn't gather everything in time anyway, he might as well follow Zhang Yang’s advice and stop trying. As for the upcoming meeting, he wasn't afraid with Zhang Yang present. For some inexplicable reason, his confidence in Zhang Yang at that moment was unprecedented, believing that Zhang Yang could solve any problem.

………… Thanks again to Yan Hui Man and Wujian Kezhan for the re-donations! C