Zhang Tianxing followed Director He to Zhonghai University and met Professor Wen Youliang, an expert in zoology.
"It is our honor to have student Zhang come to Zhonghai University. However, I have one question: why did you choose to major in Marine Biology? Wouldn't that be better for cultivating crayfish?"
"It's all destiny. I'll find a way to take cross-disciplinary electives. Is it difficult to change majors here?"
"Yes, the requirement is to be in the top twenty percent of academic performance, with no failed courses. After submitting an application and getting approved, you can then proceed."
After hearing Professor Wen's words, Zhang Tianxing felt the world's malice. With this in mind, he estimated he had no chance.
Unless he gave up economics and devoted himself entirely to his studies, it would be difficult to achieve good grades.
Exams were too difficult for Zhang Tianxing now; he could cook a few dishes faster.
Professor Wen spoke with feeling about crayfish, "Student Zhang, you did very well this time. You're much better than us old fellows. As far as I know, in some places, crayfish have already become a plague."
He shook his head as he spoke, "The unchecked proliferation of crayfish has severely impacted grain yields, and they are on the verge of being labeled as pests of the new era. Fortunately, it was you who brought crayfish to the dining table; your contribution is invaluable."
Hearing Professor Wen's words, Zhang Tianxing felt ashamed. He was praised like a blooming flower, but this was only the beginning.
"Professor, you flatter me. The industrialization of crayfish is just beginning. No one can say for sure how far it will go," Zhang Tianxing dared not be arrogant. Professor Wen before him was a nationally renowned expert in zoology.
If it weren't for Professor Wen's intervention last time, crayfish wouldn't have emerged from the mire so quickly.
Therefore, Professor Wen could be considered a benefactor to the crayfish industry, and Zhang Tianxing was sincerely grateful.
"By the way, student Zhang, would you be interested in pursuing your master's degree with me after your undergraduate graduation? I can give you special consideration."
Hearing this, Zhang Tianxing smiled. The future was too distant, and things changed too quickly. No one could predict tomorrow.
No future was certain.
"However, Zhonghai University is an engineering institution, so there are fewer beautiful girls here."
Zhang Tianxing shook his head at Professor Wen's teasing. He wasn't looking for a woman now because countless experiences had told Zhang Tianxing:
Don't give up the entire forest for one tree. He was still young, and the road ahead was long; there was no need to rush this.
The signboard for the barbecue stall in front of Jianghai University had been hung: Zhang Ji Barbecue Crayfish Shop.
As soon as the sign was up, it attracted countless people's attention.
"Zhang Ji Barbecue Crayfish Shop, is this the one from Yangcheng? The name is exactly the same."
"I think you're overthinking it. We haven't heard that Zhang Ji Barbecue Crayfish is franchising. This is definitely a knock-off, with nothing inside."
"Exactly. Although the boss is an incoming university student, and seems to be from our school, will the boss still attend classes? If it were me, I'd just lie at home and win."
"I wonder how the cooking is here. Maybe we can set up a stall tonight?"
"Okay, let's come here tonight to try it out and see who opened the shop here. Not just anyone can use this logo."
It could be said that the location in front of Zhonghai University, although not a bustling downtown area, was very satisfactory to Zhang Tianxing.
Especially since the two storefronts were quite large. Zhang Tianxing planned to use one for the crayfish barbecue shop and the other for an internet café.
However, he was short on cash for now, so he would open the crayfish barbecue shop first. Once it opened, it would be considered complete.
He had many ideas for making money now, but he couldn't rush. He had to take it one step at a time.
University had to be attended, and money had to be earned; neither could be neglected. Both tasks had to be completed perfectly.
However, Yang Wei and Bai Zhi were quite good. They were more than capable as barbecue shop servers.
But Zhang Tianxing also had another idea: to recruit an apprentice. Otherwise, he and Zhu Dayong, along with their studies,
could not work here indefinitely. University students should prioritize their studies.
No matter how dissatisfied they were with their majors, they had to finish their studies.
If they were dissatisfied with their majors, they could apply to change them, as clearly stipulated by the school.
"Since you're here, embrace it. Let's wait until registration."
Zhang Tianxing smiled; he was worrying unnecessarily.
However, the current matters were urgent and needed to be resolved.
Alright, he and Zhu Dayong would handle the evenings, and the daytime would be left to Bai Zhi and Yang Wei.
"Can those two handle the money? Will they embezzle our funds?" Zhu Dayong was a little worried. He didn't trust those two. Letting them manage the money would be like a dog eating a steamed bun – gone and never to return.
"If you don't trust them, don't use them; if you use them, don't doubt them. I believe they are not short-sighted."
Zhu Dayong didn't say anything else. Bai Zhi smiled and said, "Don't worry about that. We can't afford to offend the president of the Crayfish Association. Let's learn the business skills from him properly."
Yang Wei echoed with a nod, looking as if he would follow Zhang Tianxing's lead in all things.
"Okay, it's settled then. I've already contacted the crayfish suppliers; they'll deliver here every two to three days. Make sure to store them properly."
Everything was ready, only the east wind was missing. The stage was set; it remained to be seen how the play would unfold.
As for opening the internet café, Zhang Tianxing was still considering it. Computers were too expensive now, and their upgrade cycles were very fast.
Although the investment for an internet café could be recouped in half a year, Zhang Tianxing hadn't decided whether to do it or not.
This matter was simple: Zhang Tianxing was not optimistic about its future. The internet café would likely only last for about ten years. During that time, computer upgrades would be too rapid; if they weren't upgraded, they wouldn't be able to keep up with the games on the market.
It wasn't a one-time, passive income job. Living a comfortable life of collecting rent was the best.
A week passed in the blink of an eye. The crayfish barbecue shop had only been open for two days when the day of their enrollment arrived.
Zhang Tianxing and Zhu Dayong were about to embark on their university lives.
As they walked along the grand avenue of the campus, Zhu Dayong looked around for a long time and sighed, "I've been looking for a while, and I haven't seen many senior sisters, only senior brothers. I'm quite disappointed."
"That's natural. As an engineering institution, we have a long-standing imbalance of male to female students, and what's most unfortunate is the scarcity of high-quality beauties."
Zhu Dayong wailed, bidding farewell to his university life. Before it even began, he could already see the future four years from now.
It seemed that dating in university was out of the question. He should focus on thinking about how to make Zhang Tianxing's shop successful.
He was now considered a veteran. In the next step, he needed to demonstrate his capabilities.