The bell signaling the end of class rang again. By then, Qin Tian had already self-studied the entire English textbook for the semester.
His learning efficiency was astonishingly fast.
Xia Nuannuan, who had been stealing glances at him periodically, was filled with admiration and reverence.
She realized she had been overthinking things; she was still the academic slacker, while someone like Qin Tian was a true scholar!
The next class was Principles of Economics, and the lecture hall was in a different building.
After Professor Gavin announced the end of the class, everyone packed up their belongings and left the classroom.
"Nuannuan, this is for you. You can give me your textbook."
Qin Tian handed over his English textbook, saying with a smile.
"What's up?"
Xia Nuannuan exchanged textbooks with him, her expression full of curiosity as she asked.
"I've already finished this one. I've marked down some of the key knowledge points, so it will be easier for you to use."
Qin Tian explained.
"Oh, right. Thanks."
Xia Nuannuan suddenly understood, a sweet smile blooming on her pretty face.
Qin Tian's expression turned serious. "Between us, no 'thank yous' allowed."
"Hehe... Okay!"
Xia Nuannuan happily nodded her head.
"Nuannuan, what are you two talking about?"
Shen Siqi quickly caught up, linking her arm through Xia Nuannuan's.
"Tian... Brother exchanged his textbook with me. He's already self-studied it and it has a lot of notes and marked knowledge points."
Xia Nuannuan quickly corrected her address, replying with a proud smile.
"He's... already finished?"
Shen Siqi's expression was one of pure astonishment, her eyes widening slightly as she looked at Qin Tian.
Qin Tian smiled and nodded. "The textbooks this semester are relatively simple."
"Simple or not, it's not like this! Just two classes, and you've already cleared it. Should I say you live up to your name as the top scorer with a perfect score in the Gaokao?"
Shen Siqi complained, looking utterly speechless.
Chen Zhuang, Zhuang Zhe, and Lu Lei, who had caught up from behind, were also shocked upon hearing their conversation.
"Brother Tian, your name is truly fitting, 'Tiancai' (genius)!"
Chen Zhuang exclaimed with envy.
"Stop flattering me."
Qin Tian turned and glared at him, then asked, "How did you all feel about today's English class?"
"It was pretty good. I understood it. But why do I feel like everyone else found it difficult? That's illogical; my English shouldn't be considered that good!"
Chen Zhuang said, looking perplexed.
"Yeah, I felt that way too!"
Zhuang Zhe chimed in.
"I had a very strange feeling, as if my thinking became more agile, and my learning efficiency improved quite a bit."
Lu Lei also spoke up.
"Me too, me too! I heard everyone complaining, and it felt like I got a lot smarter!"
Shen Siqi turned to look at the others, saying cheerfully.
Xia Nuannuan blinked, her expression one of slight surprise. "So everyone felt the same way? I thought it was just me."
They looked at each other, all with expressions of disbelief.
It was like having a good dream while sleeping, then looking in the mirror upon waking and feeling you'd become more beautiful, only to discover everyone else had the same dream. It felt quite peculiar.
Qin Tian, the only one who knew the reason, maintained his composure, his merits hidden.
...
...
The subsequent major courses were even more lively, as all four classes of the major attended together.
This time, Qin Tian didn't bury his head in the books. Instead, he listened attentively, just like Xia Nuannuan.
English was an old acquaintance; he had studied it once in his previous life, so he could naturally self-study and master it.
However, Principles of Economics was a course he had never taken before. Relying solely on the textbook for self-study might mean some knowledge points wouldn't be thoroughly understood.
The teacher for this professional course was a well-respected old professor at Jiang University, with rich teaching experience and a style that wasn't rigid. He even peppered his lectures with small humorous anecdotes.
Everyone listened to the class in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, unconsciously falling into his teaching rhythm. With a strong sense of curiosity and thirst for knowledge, they pondered and absorbed this novel subject.
After the lecture, everyone felt they had learned a lot, but also that many brain cells had been exhausted, and they urgently needed energy replenishment.
After leaving the classroom, the students headed straight for the nearby cafeteria.
Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan followed the crowd to the cafeteria. After queuing to order, they looked around and saw that there seemed to be no empty tables.
"So many people, there are no seats. What do we do?"
Xia Nuannuan asked Qin Tian, holding a large bowl of beef noodles.
"It's like this right after class. Don't worry, let's see if we can find someone to share a table with."
Qin Tian scanned the surroundings.
The cafeteria tables were all for four people. Most tables weren't full, and there was a high turnover. It was possible someone would finish eating and leave.
"Hi, handsome guys and beautiful ladies, there are seats over here!"
A voice called out.
The two looked towards the sound and saw, not far away, the senior student who had greeted them during registration, smiling and waving at them.
Sitting opposite her was a long-haired girl, who appeared to be her friend.
Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan exchanged surprised glances and hurried over with smiles.
"Senior sister, what a coincidence!"
Xia Nuannuan said sweetly as they approached.
"Yes, the school is so big, and our departments are different. It's really not easy to run into each other here,"
Xiao Yue nodded with a smile and gestured towards the person opposite her. "This is my roommate, and also my good friend, Ning Ruo."
"Hello, senior sister!"
Xia Nuannuan busied herself with greeting her proactively.
"Hello to both of you. Please sit down first. Or should I switch seats? You two can sit together?"
Ning Ruo made a move as if to get up.
"No, don't bother. We'll just sit like this!"
Xia Nuannuan quickly declined.
"Yes, senior sister, no need to trouble yourself."
Qin Tian also smiled.
"Alright then!"
Seeing this, Ning Ruo didn't insist.
Thus, Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan sat down facing each other next to them.
Taking advantage of this moment, Xiao Yue introduced them to her friend.
"These are the junior brother and junior sister I told you about, whom I helped during registration. They were deskmates in high school."
"Oh, I remember. You've mentioned them several times."
Ning Ruo nodded, suddenly recalling.
Xia Nuannuan was in the process of placing some beef from her bowl for Qin Tian when she heard this. She looked at Ning Ruo beside her in surprise.
"Senior sister Xiao Yue often talks about us?"
Ning Ruo took a bite of her dish and nodded with a smile. "Yes. We're both still single. She really envies your couple. When she talks, she often brings you up, saying things like she didn't meet a boyfriend like this in high school, and why hasn't one appeared in college yet!"
"Oh, Ruo Ruo, what are you doing? Don't spill the beans!"
Xiao Yue complained playfully.
Xia Nuannuan couldn't help but be amused, smiling as she said, "Senior sisters, you are both so beautiful, surely many people like you!"
"That depends on how we feel. We can't just agree to whoever chases us, right?"
Xiao Yue said seriously.
"That's true!"
Xia Nuannuan nodded in agreement.
Three girls make a lively scene, and they chatted very happily.
Qin Tian, meanwhile, ate his meal heartily, playing the role of a quiet, handsome listener.