Volume One, Chapter Thirty-Three: The Welcome Gala

After accompanying Xiao Jin on a shopping trip, Chi Yueyao returned to Yan Jing University carrying her newly purchased cosmetics. Instead of heading straight to her own dormitory, she sought out Chi Qianyu.

Both were students in the Art Department at Yan Jing University—Chi Yueyao was a junior, Chi Qianyu a sophomore. Their dormitories were close to one another, and when Chi Yueyao arrived, she found Chi Qianyu alone in her room.

“Qianyu, I bought you some cosmetics. Take a look and see if they suit you?”

Chi Qianyu responded absently, her hands still. She seemed gloomy and out of sorts.

Chi Yueyao gently asked, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell or just unhappy?”

With nobody else in the dormitory, Chi Qianyu spoke frankly, “Mom made me withdraw from the performance at the Freshmen Welcome Gala.”

It was a tradition at Yan Jing University: during the first week of the new semester, a Freshmen Welcome Gala was held, providing upperclassmen in the Art Department a chance to showcase their talents. Chi Qianyu had originally planned to participate—not only to shine before the new students, but also to record her performance for online promotion.

But because of Li Luoqi, Yang Jing had instructed her to withdraw, advising her to avoid the spotlight for now and keep a low profile.

Chi Qianyu knew it was the right thing to do, but she couldn’t help feeling resentful.

“I prepared for this all summer, and now, at the last minute, I can’t even get on stage,” she said angrily.

Chi Yueyao comforted her, “If you can’t take part this time, there’s always next year. Don’t be too upset. Besides, the Freshmen Welcome Gala is nothing compared to bigger stages. Missing it isn’t the end of the world.”

Chi Qianyu thought it over and agreed. Compared to the grand stages of the entertainment industry, a university gala hardly mattered. Her mood improved slightly.

Seeing her coaxing had worked, Chi Yueyao asked, “If you’re not participating, doesn’t that leave a spot open for someone else? Has the student council found a replacement yet?”

“Who knows,” Chi Qianyu replied, utterly indifferent.

Chi Yueyao seemed a bit concerned. “It’s hard to find someone at such short notice. If the new act performs poorly and makes a mistake on stage, it’ll be embarrassing.”

Chi Qianyu was about to say, “Not my problem,” when Chi Yueyao continued, “Forget it, no use worrying about it. By the way, Qianyu, did you know that Chi Xingwan is coming to study at Yan Jing University?”

“What?” Chi Qianyu’s reaction was intense. “How did she get into Yan Jing University?”

Yan Jing University was a prestigious institution, renowned nationwide and respected internationally. Chi Qianyu had worked hard to get in—competing in numerous contests since childhood, stacking up awards, earning certifications, and just barely reaching the admission threshold for the Art Department thanks to extra points.

The difficulty was obvious, and now Chi Xingwan was transferring in directly.

“Did the Xiao family help her?” Chi Qianyu guessed immediately.

Chi Yueyao shook her head lightly. “Apparently not. She’s enrolled in the Taoist Studies Department.”

Chi Qianyu felt disappointed. If Chi Xingwan had entered through connections with the Xiao family, she would have ways to ruin Chi Xingwan’s reputation, making her a pariah on campus.

But the Taoist Studies Department was an enigma—no one knew its admission criteria.

Chi Qianyu had nowhere to vent her frustration.

Chi Yueyao’s eyes glimmered as she stood up to leave. “I still have a performance at the Freshmen Welcome Gala. I need to practice. If I mess up on stage, I’ll be mortified.”

An idea sparked in Chi Qianyu’s mind. She saw Chi Yueyao off and immediately called the student council member responsible for organizing the gala.

“Senior, I’m really sorry to withdraw from the gala at the last minute. I feel so bad about it. So, I’d like to recommend someone to take my place… She’s my cousin, and of course she agrees. No need to confirm with her directly—you know what I mean, right?”

After hanging up, Chi Qianyu finally felt better.

…

That evening, the last of Chi Xingwan’s roommates, Yu Dongli, finally arrived, dragging her suitcase. She wasn’t surprised to see Chi Xingwan, having known in advance there would be a transfer student joining them this semester.

Compared to Xu Mingyue and Wen Jing, Yu Dongli was much colder, especially when she saw Daidai. She visibly frowned.

Still, she didn’t say anything about making Daidai leave, so Chi Xingwan took it as tacit approval.

While Yu Dongli was showering, Xu Mingyue and Wen Jing approached Chi Xingwan.

Xu Mingyue explained, “She just has a prickly temperament—it’s not directed at you. She’s never been friendly with us, either. Don’t take it personally.”

Chi Xingwan smiled, “It’s fine. I don’t mind.”

She never expected everyone to be kind to her; as long as there was no malice, she didn’t care.

Early the next morning, Chu Fangfei came to find Chi Xingwan to attend class together.

The Taoist Studies Department was different from other departments. Officially, there were grades, but in practice, classes were divided by ability, not year. There were various electives to choose from.

Chi Xingwan hadn’t come to university to acquire knowledge, so she simply followed Chu Fangfei’s lead. Chu Fangfei, raised in the mystical arts from a young age, no longer needed basic courses. Among the electives, he chose Astronomy and Pharmacology.

Astronomy, as the name implied, was the study of celestial phenomena to predict future fortune and misfortune, while Pharmacology was also known as Alchemy.

Chi Xingwan, a renowned master, was already famous in the mystical circles. Her arrival immediately attracted much attention.

During the first class, the Pharmacology teacher respectfully approached and invited Chi Xingwan to the podium.

“Everyone, this is Consultant Chi Xingwan from the Spiritualist Association. She’s the recently recognized super-grade spiritualist. Please welcome Consultant Chi with applause!”

Clap, clap, clap…

Chi Xingwan stood impassively at the podium, listening to the continuous applause from the students below.

“Though I am the teacher, I wouldn’t dare to show off in front of Consultant Chi. Once more, let’s welcome her to teach us!”

Clap, clap, clap…

Chi Xingwan: “…”

Well, she thought, she might as well teach. Back at Tianxuan Sect, as the senior disciple, she often lectured the younger students.

She quickly adapted to her new role, sitting at the edge of the podium and speaking eloquently. She needed no slides—her mind held knowledge of the mystical arts far beyond this era. Even a small portion would keep everyone busy for ages.

Not only the students, but even the teachers listened intently, frantically taking notes.

The same thing happened in Astronomy class—Chi Xingwan was again invited to the podium and lectured for the entire session.

When class finally ended, teachers and students alike looked at her as fans gazing at their idol, their eyes shining with admiration.

Chu Fangfei tilted her head proudly, as if to say, “See? I have good taste—I got ahead of all of you and became the little sister to the big boss.”

Heh heh heh.

She personally escorted Chi Xingwan back to her dormitory.

The room was empty; Daidai had flown off somewhere to play, leaving Chi Xingwan alone, lost in thought.

The phone rang. She glanced at the screen—it was an unfamiliar number.

“Hello, yes… I am Chi Xingwan… The Freshmen Welcome Gala? What is that?”