Chapter 83: Chapter 81 College Life is About to Begin
"Shall we put our books down and check out the clubs?" Chang Xiaoxiang asked, his bag slung over his shoulder. "I found out there are so many student clubs at school!"
"Agreed," Chen Yang said.
"I agree too," Liu Zhengming chimed in.
"I already made plans with Brother Nan," Zhou Li said, looking a bit troubled.
"Oh!"
"Oh!"
"Oh!"
"..."
"Then you go with Brother Nan; we won’t be the third wheel," Chang Xiaoxiang said, his face full of envy. When will I finally get out of singledom? "Have you guys decided which club to join? I want to join one with lots of girls, to make it easier to find a girlfriend."
"I’m joining the basketball club, no matter what," Chen Yang stated.
"I’ll look around later," Liu Zhengming said.
"Look, that one has lots of girls," Zhou Li pointed out, having found the club of Chang Xiaoxiang’s dreams.
"Which one?" Chang Xiaoxiang eagerly craned his neck to see.
Under a red tent, six or seven girls were huddled together, all wearing tight-fitting activewear that highlighted their attractive curves. Beside them, a poster featured a girl with an excellent figure striking a peculiar pose.
"Yoga Club, recruiting new members..." Chang Xiaoxiang couldn’t help but read aloud.
He silently lowered his head. What could he do? He couldn’t compete with that.
Chen Yang, standing nearby, asked, "Zhou Li, which club do you want to join?"
"The Supernatural Society and the Bicycle Association."
"You like those, huh!"
"...I don’t know."
"You don’t know?"
"Just trying them out."
"You must like sports then, right?" Chen Yang grinned, showing a row of big white teeth. "Why don’t we join the basketball club together?"
"I don’t play basketball."
"Then what sports do you play?"
"..." Zhou Li thought for a moment. "Running and badminton."
"I love running too, absolutely love it! I’ve been too tired from military training these past few days. I was planning to go for a run at the soccer field these next few evenings."
"Sounds good."
"Want to join me?"
"I usually run on roads."
"I’m fine with anything."
"You won’t be able to keep up with me."
"..." Chen Yang’s face flushed red. "How would you know if we don’t try? I was the runner-up in long-distance running in high school!"
"...Suit yourself." Zhou Li felt he had tried his best to warn him.
After putting down his books, he waited at the dormitory entrance for a little while. Soon, Brother Nan and Baozi came downstairs, accompanied by two other roommates. Brother Nan had introduced them to Huai Xu during military training; Zhou Li remembered one was called Mianmian, and the other, Qianqian. Judging by their names, one might guess they were two cute girls with an endearing, down-to-earth side.
Brother Nan greeted him, "Let’s go!"
Zhou Li followed silently. He wished he had brought his roommates too; Chang Xiaoxiang was dying to find a girlfriend.
Luckily, Brother Nan knew his personality. When they started looking at the clubs, she found an opportunity to split off from the other two, taking Zhou Li and Baozi to look at each club one by one, examining them very carefully.
Zhou Li and Baozi quietly followed behind her.
Before long, Brother Nan had several flyers in her hand. Looking at them, she said, "This guitar club seems pretty good. Last night, on our way back after the class meeting, we ran into that group playing guitars by the roadside—they were from the guitar club. They seemed quite active."
Zhou Li nodded.
In his peripheral vision, he noticed a guy brushing past him. The guy was eating a Green Tongue popsicle as he walked, all while sneaking glances at him.
How odd, Zhou Li thought.
Brother Nan’s voice sounded in his ear, "What do you think about me joining the guitar club? Learning an instrument could refine my sensibilities."
"Not a great idea."
"Why not?"
"It doesn’t suit you."
"How does it not suit me?"
"You’re more suited to playing the pipa," Zhou Li said after a moment’s thought.
"Loquat... Pipa," Brother Nan blinked, a scene forming in her mind: herself in flowing robes, engrossed in playing the pipa, looking down at the strings, as beautiful as a fairy. Then the image shifted, transforming into a Dunhuang mural of a flying Apsara playing the pipa behind her back—only this one was wearing a top, and her arms were two meters long.
"A bronze pipa," Zhou Li added.
"Hmm?" Brother Nan was puzzled.
"Nothing."
BANG!
A fist landed on his shoulder.
Brother Nan glared at him, her eyes wide and indignant. "You say ’nothing,’ but you’re definitely messing with me!"
Zhou Li glanced at Baozi.
Baozi was diligently watching the path ahead.
Just then, the guy with the Green Tongue popsicle walked back. He was still holding the popsicle, swinging it around with a flourish. Zhou Li still found it a bit strange for a guy to act like that in public; doing it sneakily wouldn’t be so odd.
Brother Nan then said to Baozi, "I think you’re suited for the piano. Look, there’s a piano club here."
"I can play," came Baozi’s calm reply.
"What grade?"
"Level ten."
"Wow!"
"Level ten is just the entry-level," Baozi said coolly. "It’s very simple. If you want to learn, it won’t take you long."
"Suddenly, I feel like I can’t do anything," Brother Nan said.
"Me neither," Zhou Li said.
Baozi remained silent.
Soon, the three of them were standing in front of the Supernatural Society’s booth.
For a club like the Supernatural Society, female members were always incredibly welcome. The senior in charge of recruitment was extremely enthusiastic.
"Are you interested in joining the Supernatural Society? Do you like this kind of stuff?"
"Mhm." Brother Nan glanced at Zhou Li.
The senior had narrow eyes that disappeared when he smiled. "Our club is a lot of fun..." He launched into a whole spiel of self-promotion.
At the same time, another voice spoke up beside Zhou Li, "I also think this club sounds interesting."
Zhou Li turned his head. It was that guy again.
Only, his Green Tongue popsicle was almost gone; since it was mostly eaten down to the wooden stick, he couldn’t make it wobble anymore, but his own tongue was now stained green from it.
The senior nodded repeatedly. "Ah, you’ve got a good eye..."
As soon as he finished speaking, four registration forms were placed on the table. With a snap, a pen was laid down too.
"I’m not interested," Baozi stated.
"I’m not joining either," the guy said, and then he walked away.
Brother Nan shot Zhou Li a meaningful look, so Zhou Li silently picked up the pen and started filling out a form. Then Brother Nan filled hers out. After paying a twenty-yuan fee, they were officially members of the Supernatural Society.
「Next was the Bicycle Association.」
Baozi didn’t join this one either.
Zhou Li seriously suspected this female cousin of his was even more of a slacker than he was.
Brother Nan continued to lead them around.
She also wanted to join the Food Sharing Club, the Long-Distance Cycling Club, the eSports Association, the Martial Arts Club, the Volunteer Association, and the Cinema Club. She even wanted to join the English Mutual Aid Society.
She’s gone mad, Zhou Li thought. Especially the English Mutual Aid Society.
Zhou Li kindly reminded her that joining one or two clubs was enough; managing so many would be impossible.
Brother Nan’s rebuttal was forceful, "How will I know which one I like if I don’t join several? Besides, it’s not your money."
Zhou Li fell silent.
By noon, Brother Nan had spent seventy or eighty yuan.
Baozi had only joined one: the Volunteer Association.
Brother Nan sighed. "You two are really too unenthusiastic. I thought you’d join the badminton club and the photography association."
Zhou Li didn’t say anything. He had been Zhu Shuang’s unwilling sparring partner for over ten years, which was exhausting enough; he didn’t want to be a sparring partner for anyone else. Brother Nan was tolerable, but strangers were absolutely out of the question.At his skill level, Zhou Li felt, joining the badminton club would be purely for showing off; he couldn’t think of any other reason.
He glanced at Baozi again; she also remained silent.
At that moment, Brother Nan stretched languidly. "I’m a bit tired after walking around so much. That Dai Clan dish we had for lunch yesterday was pretty good. Let’s go eat that again today. My treat!"
Zhou Li nodded. Yesterday, it had been Huai Xu who ate it.
So, the three of them slowly walked out of the school gate again.
’Sapie’ is a Dai Clan dish, generally consisting of cold meat and vegetables mixed with special seasonings. It’s usually served with cooked, chilled rice noodles and various side dishes, all presented on a bamboo woven tray somewhat resembling a dustpan. To eat it, you wear gloves, pick up the food with your hands, dip it in the seasoning, and then eat it. It’s not recommended for people who don’t know each other well to eat this together.
「After eating, Zhou Li walked towards Tianruikang Garden.」
On the way, he went into that plant shop again and began to seriously look at the various flowers and plants. The owner also gave him introductions.
Huai Xu, unwilling to reveal his true identity, appeared again. He pointed at a pot of yellow flowers and said, "This one is pretty."
The owner smiled. "This is a miniature Yueli. It blooms just like this. The yellow is a bit more elegant than the red, and it won’t grow very large. This plant is already three or four years old, and it blooms every month."
Huai Xu said earnestly to Zhou Li, "We’ve run into each other several times today; it must be fate. I suggest you buy this one."
Zhou Li was momentarily speechless. So, he bought the pot of Yueli.
He also bought a small pot of Wen Zhu, planning to put it on his desk.
Huai Xu followed him out of the shop. Seeing Zhou Li turn to look at him, Huai Xu said, "What a coincidence, are you heading this way too?"
Zhou Li stared at him, speechless. After a moment, Zhou Li said, "The pots, bowls, and fruit platters I ordered online have arrived. You can help me carry them in a bit."
"Oh!" Huai Xu immediately became more subdued.
It was a bit sunny outside, so the two of them quickened their pace.
There were five packages. Fortunately, Huai Xu was there; otherwise, Zhou Li would have had to make two trips.
「Upon pushing the door open, they found the balcony window was ajar.」
A breeze billowed through the apartment, making the curtains flutter and allowing sunlight to spill into the living room. Tuanzi had placed her cat bed right in the center of the living room, in a spot bathed by sunlight, and was quietly sunbathing. She certainly knew how to enjoy herself.
After placing the packages on the table, Huai Xu eagerly took out a short knife and started unpacking, seeming quite enthusiastic about the task.
Zhou Li, meanwhile, placed the Yueli on the balcony and the Wen Zhu indoors. On his way back, he pulled the curtains fully to the side, then began to clear away the flower pastry wrappers and the can of beef that Tuanzi hadn’t finished from the coffee table.
Tuanzi opened her eyes and stared at him, asking in a cute voice, "Why did you pull them open? Isn’t it nice to let the breeze blow like that?"
"Hmm? You like it that way?"
"Mhm, it’s pretty."
So, Zhou Li pulled the curtains halfway closed again. The fabric billowed and rustled.
Tuanzi squinted her eyes in satisfaction. She rolled over to sunbathe her other side and asked, "Zhou Li, is university fun?"
"University hasn’t really started yet, but I think..." Zhou Li smiled. "It’s fun."
"Really?"
"Really."
Zhou Li felt that in university, everyone, including himself, was much more mature than in high school. This university and its people seemed to have a better understanding of giving others their space. This place was freer than high school. He liked this feeling.
Just then, Tuanzi rolled over again, sprawling on her cat bed and looking at him. "You guys are having fun, but Lord Dumpling is so bored! And Lord Dumpling didn’t even get to eat the boiled Chinese cabbage I wanted. All I can do is lie here and sunbathe."
"Poor thing," Zhou Li said, petting her.
"MEW~"
But there was still no boiled Chinese cabbage.
While the two of them were chatting, Huai Xu kept busy. He placed the fruit platters on the coffee table, put the pots, bowls, and chopsticks in the kitchen, and even stacked the cardboard boxes neatly in a corner.
Zhou Li had bought three fruit platters, all glass and very beautiful. Arranged on the coffee table, they finally made it look less empty.
He looked around. Something still feels missing, he thought.
So he said to Huai Xu, "Could you wash these? I’m going downstairs to buy some fruit. What do you want to eat?"
"Hami Melon."
"Anything else?"
"Grapes."
"Okay."
Zhou Li went out and downstairs.
When he returned, the fruit platters were already clean. He washed the fruits that needed washing and cut the ones that needed cutting. Adorned with glistening water droplets, they were arranged in the equally moist, translucent fruit platters. The coffee table, illuminated by the sunlight, exuded the lazy ambiance of a summer afternoon. It really looked quite picturesque.
Zhou Li smiled, took out his phone, and snapped a photo.
Capturing the beauty of everyday life.