Yan Zhikai finally couldn’t take it anymore. He stepped between them, hands resting on each shoulder, and flashed an overly sweet smile. “What’re you two chatting about? C’mon, let me peek too.”
The chubby guy known as Lao Mei turned around with a chuckle, face lit with earnest excitement to share his find. “It’s the Goddess Ranking from the confession wall—posted just a few days ago. This year’s freshmen? Seriously stunning…”
*Clatter!* His phone hit the floor. “Whoa—holy crap!!”
The skinny guy swiveled his chair too, freezing the moment he saw Shu Yuxin.
Shu Yuxin forced a tight smile. “Hello.”
“Pretty, huh? Gorgeous? Speechless?” Yan Zhikai stepped back beside the girls and gestured proudly. “Meet our prospective members: Shu Yuxin and Peng Xiaoxiao.”
Lao Mei’s expression flickered. In a flash, he dropped to one knee before Shu Yuxin. “Sis, I’m sorry! Totally my bad!”
Startled, Shu Yuxin instinctively stepped back half a pace. Truth was, it didn’t bother her—but she hadn’t expected *this* reaction.
Yan Zhikai’s gaze darted between them. “Guy’s got a loose mouth, spouts nonsense all day. But he’s decent. You know the saying—‘a man’s knees are worth their weight in gold’? He just handed you half his fortune. Let it go, yeah?”
“I’m not upset…” Shu Yuxin waved weakly, forcing another smile.
With the olive branch offered, Lao Mei scrambled up using the gaming chair, grinning apologetically. “Thanks, sis. New members? Transferred from Nanhu College? Want me to grab you some water?”
“No, no! Thank you!” Shu Yuxin replied, flustered.
Her recent transformation was already reshaping her social world. The old Shu Yuxin had been utterly ordinary—looks, personality, the type who vanished in a crowd. She’d always slipped quietly into new circles, time to observe, adapt. Now? Even ignoring personality, her appearance alone made invisibility impossible. Stepping into a new group and instantly becoming the center of attention—without knowing a soul—left her deeply uneasy.
Sensing her discomfort, Yan Zhikai scratched his head and smoothly pivoted. “Right—they haven’t even decided to join yet. Just touring the activity room. You two, get back to your stuff.”
Lao Mei nodded, scooped up his phone, and headed off with the skinny guy.
Noticing Peng Xiaoxiao and Shu Yuxin glancing curiously after them, Yan Zhikai explained, “That’s the lounge. Vending machine inside. If you’re not gaming but find it noisy here, go relax there.”
“A lounge too? Wait… how big *is* this activity room?” Peng Xiaoxiao blinked in surprise.
“Compared to other Minghai University clubs? Ours is actually small,” Yan Zhikai said, then threw his hands up with a grin. “But next to *our school’s* activity building? This place is countless times bigger. What can I say? Minghai’s got cash—and money lets you do whatever you want.”
Shu Yuxin finally let out a soft laugh. This big guy’s delivery was just inherently hilarious.
Still puzzled why she laughed, Yan Zhikai figured a girl’s smile was a good sign. He set the mineral water bottle on a nearby desk. “Alright, let me show you the—"
The door swung open again. Two guys strode in—both over 180cm. Shu Yuxin instinctively tilted her head up.
One was Jiang Zixuan. The other matched his height but was leaner, less striking. Beads of sweat still glistened on their faces. The front guy grinned at Yan Zhikai. “Goofy Kai—so *these* are the new members you ‘snatched’?”
“Huh? Did I tell you I brought anyone?” Yan Zhikai blinked.
“You didn’t. *He* did.” He jerked a thumb at Jiang Zixuan behind him. “Said you ‘snatched’ a Nanhu College freshman…” His eyes landed on the girls. “Whoa—*two*?”
“Stop spouting nonsense! ‘Snatched’? I’m *showing* them around!” Yan Zhikai’s eyes narrowed slightly at Jiang Zixuan. “And who’s *this*?”
Peng Xiaoxiao stared at Jiang Zixuan two seconds, turned to Shu Yuxin—about to speak—but Shu Yuxin cut in: “He’s my friend. I asked him to come check it out.”
Jiang Zixuan waved warmly at Yan Zhikai. “Hi, I’m Jiang Zixuan.”
“He’s Minghai University’s ‘Military Uniform God’—got fangirls swarming him,” the guy joked, then turned to the girls. “I’m Zhang Houlin, president of Minghai’s E-sports Club.”
Before they could reply, Yan Zhikai puffed his chest. “‘Military Uniform God’? Pfft. If I’d slimmed down back then, *I’d* have been the Military Uniform God with legions of fangirls.”
“First, actually *lose* weight—I didn’t see you at the gym last night.”
“I’ve got *three* makeup exams, man! You taking them for me?” Yan Zhikai leaned sideways with a thug-like smirk.
Jiang Zixuan sidled up to the girls, voice low and amused. “Think we’ve been ignored?”
“That’s just best-buddy energy,” Peng Xiaoxiao whispered, eyes sparkling. “Just wondering… who’s top, who’s bottom?”
Jiang Zixuan shot Shu Yuxin a sidelong glance. “You thinking of joining?”
“Considering it. Seems fun,” Shu Yuxin nodded.
As their exchange ended, Yan Zhikai snatched the mineral water, took a swig, wiped his mouth. “Done talking. Gotta tour them around.”
He turned without waiting for Zhang Houlin’s reply. “C’mon—I’ll show you something cool.”
Zhang Houlin chuckled helplessly and waved. “Look around freely. Welcome to join our E-sports Club anytime.”
