"Phoenix Mountain? Jingjing, is she from Phoenix Mountain?"
Liu Yan, who had just finished arranging her tools, happened to walk by and exclaimed when she saw the form in her hand.
Wang Jianlin heard her voice and furrowed his brow.
"Shh, Yanyan, keep it down."
Zheng Jingjing noticed this and repeatedly signaled to Liu Yan to keep quiet, but she acted as if she hadn't seen it and continued:
"No, Jingjing, is it that Phoenix Mountain that's one of the ten poorest counties in the country?"
"Yes, Chi Youyou is amazing; she got into our school all on her own. She must be the first from all of Phoenix Mountain."
"But I've heard they even have wild people over there! And they don't like to bathe; they can go ten or fifteen days without a shower. Gosh, that's so dirty!"
"Yanyan, don't say that. I've seen Chi Youyou, and she doesn't look like what you're describing."
"You only saw her for a moment, how would you know! I'll just keep my distance from her, just in case she has some germs!"
"What are you talking about, seniors? We have someone from Phoenix Mountain in our major?"
The group that had been discussing live streaming was drawn in by this new topic.
It was so boring at the moment that once they started talking, they couldn't stop.
"Really? Isn't that place supposed to be uninhabitable."
"I know, I know! I saw some info when I registered. It seems to be a girl!"
"Oh no, our major hardly has any beauties, and now we have a rough, skinny country girl joining us."
"Look, there's a beauty coming!"
A sudden exclamation interrupted their chatter.
Chi Youyou dashed over to the experimental field and stopped abruptly, looking somewhat embarrassed, and said:
"I'm really sorry, I got the time wrong and kept everyone waiting."
She was wearing clothes her mom had made: a top styled like a modified short cheongsam, paired with wide-leg pants. Her hair was tied in a small bun, now slightly messy with loose strands falling on her swan-like neck.
But that didn't affect her looks at all.
She was slightly out of breath from running, her pale cheeks tinted with a blush, and her large, shining eyes, resembling stars, added to her slightly nervous stance in front of the crowd.
Five seconds.
A full five seconds passed in utter silence in the experimental field, where you could hear a pin drop.
"Are you Chi Youyou?"
Someone with enough courage snapped out of it and asked.
"Yes, hello everyone, I'm Chi Youyou, a freshman in Agricultural College from Phoenix Mountain."
Though she didn't understand why they were looking at her like that, she introduced herself graciously.
o(ﾟДﾟ)っ!
From Phoenix Mountain!
Those five words sent the scene into chaos.
"No way! Are you kidding? This is the girl from Phoenix Mountain?"
"How's that possible? She's so beautiful!"
"Are you sure she's from Phoenix Mountain and not a sound-alike?"
...
"Is this the Agricultural College's freshman welcome event?"
Chi Youyou looked puzzled at the crowd. Did she end up in the wrong place?
"Yes, yes, hello Chi, I'm advisor Wang Jianlin."
He wanted to tell them not to judge by appearance during their discussion, but now that he saw her in person, even he was a bit startled.
Is she truly the country girl from that remote place in Phoenix Mountain?
And not a debutante from a wealthy family?
"Sorry, Mr. Wang, for keeping everyone waiting because of me."
"It's okay, it's your first time, and you live far..."
Chi Youyou's voice was very gentle, even a bit apologetic, making it hard for anyone to criticize her harshly.
Even Wang Jianlin, who was usually very stern, softened his tone.
Everyone has special circumstances!
"Senior, it's getting late; should we start this welcome event?"
Zheng Jingjing, holding back her frustration, reminded him.
Damn!
She's a sophomore this year, assisting Wang Jianlin with his duties, including distributing notices.
She had intentionally given him the wrong time, hoping to give her a hard time and have Wang Jianlin reprimand her.
But who would have thought that even Wang Jianlin, known for being strict and by-the-book, would also be captivated by her beauty!
She's such a fox spirit!
"Ahem, but don't let this happen again!"
He quickly put on a serious face, realizing there were many people watching.
"Senior, why not have Chi Youyou be the freshman representative this time?"
Zheng Jingjing thought of a scheme and nonchalantly suggested it.
Wang Jianlin hesitated, "It might not be appropriate, usually we have a guy..."
"Senior, we shouldn't favor boys over girls, Chi, would you like to be the freshman representative? We planned to spend 15 minutes letting everyone vote, but since time is short..."
As she spoke, she glanced at her watch and then looked at Chi Youyou, as if holding back more words.
"Mr. Wang, senior, I can do it."
Although Chi Youyou wasn't sure what she had to do, she felt a bit guilty for being late and keeping everyone waiting, so she thought she should do something to make up for it.
Wang Jianlin was still uncertain, but hearing Chi Youyou step forward, he reluctantly agreed.
"Senior, it's just a simple gesture, and you see, everyone really likes Chi Youyou. In the worst case, we can all help."
"In that case, let's get started then."
Wang Jianlin thought for a moment and agreed; indeed, there's equality between men and women, though he still couldn't help but worry if she, looking so delicate, could handle a hoe?
"Everyone, quiet down, and again, welcome to our big family in the Agricultural College."
Zheng Jingjing, given the approval, looked delighted, and even her voice was noticeably more cheerful.
Imperial City University is large, and each college has its own building. Because the Agricultural College is quite unique, so the entire college is built on a hill, with the college's back facing the hill behind Imperial City University.
The experimental field, breeding grounds, and so on, are all located here.
"As members of the Agricultural College, our welcome event has to be unique, commonly known as the Pioneer Ceremony! Do you see that small patch of wild land beside us? We will have our new student representative, Chi Youyou, help us complete this Pioneer Ceremony."
"Pioneer?"
"Is it what I think it is? Taking a hoe and pioneering the land? Chi Youyou's arms are no thicker than the hoe's handle!"
"Can she swing a hoe?"
...
As soon as Zheng Jingjing finished speaking, many people exclaimed.
"Chi, are you sure you can do this? If you can't, it's okay to say so. Don't force yourself—it's a small ceremony, but you do have to wield a hoe and turn the soil."
She asked with concern.
In her heart, she sneered.
Isn't this just because you rely on your pretty face? I'll just not give you what you want!
Let's see how pretty you'll look swinging that hoe!