[Restart Volume] Chapter 230: An Unforgettable Night

"School assignments," Zhang Zhihao said. "As I told you in the carriage last night, besides credits and scholarship rewards, completing school assignments can also increase your priority hidden score."

"Is that so!" Mo Xing nodded. "Then I should do more assignments and become an A-rank student as soon as possible!"

"That's the spirit! Very ambitious!" Senior Cai Hong gave a thumbs-up in admiration.

"Keep it up, Junior Brother Mo Xing. The school updates the A-rank student list every month. As long as you can break into the top one hundred in your grade, you can become an A-rank student and enjoy special benefits," Senior Mian Hua added.

"A-rank students are one in a hundred. Out of ten thousand students in a grade, only one hundred are selected, and the list rotates monthly. So you must keep working hard; don't learn from some of the seniors who often skip class," Senior Cai Hong added.

"Ahem, that's uncalled for!" Senior Mian Hua retorted sharply. "As long as I don't skip class, I could be an A-rank student whenever I want."

"I look forward to seeing your name on the third-year A-rank list next month," Senior Cai Hong laughed.

"Oh? We shall see," Senior Mian Hua muttered.

Mo Xing watched the two bantering and thought they were a pair of real characters—so lively. Zhang Zhihao, however, sat quietly drinking tea with his usual indifferent expression; after all, he was used to such things.

"Mo Xing, remember to hand in the assignment confirmation form I gave you to the Dean's office," Zhang Zhihao said suddenly. "Otherwise, they won't be able to effectively record your hidden score."

"Got it, I'll go tomorrow," Mo Xing nodded. "It's still in my storage ring."

"This week is a bit special; you freshmen don't have fixed classes," Zhang Zhihao noted.

"Huh?" Mo Xing was confused again.

"This week, you freshmen can attend any instructor's public lecture. By this Friday, you must decide which instructors you want to study under for this semester," Zhang Zhihao explained. "Once a class is full, it will be finalized."

"A-rank students can choose their instructors early, while other students have to scramble for spots or wait to be chosen by instructors," Senior Cai Hong added.

"Doesn't that make me a bit unlucky?" Mo Xing was startled.

"Not at all. Look, you've made headlines so many times; you're a campus celebrity now. You're definitely one of the top targets for the instructors," Senior Mian Hua laughed.

"Uh, surely not?" Mo Xing scratched his head. "Let's talk about something else."

"By the way, this week is also club recruitment week. If there are any clubs or student departments you're interested in, you can apply," Senior Cai Hong paused. "I think they start setting up their booths in the plaza tomorrow."

"Junior Brother Mo Xing~" Senior Mian Hua leaned in suddenly. "Are you interested in singing or music? You could apply for the Singer Team."

"Uh..." Mo Xing didn't know how to answer.

"It's a good thing that scoundrel Li Qingchi was caught; I'm the one in charge of recruitment this year, haha," Senior Mian Hua said triumphantly. "Come find me at the booth tomorrow to apply for the Singer Team. I can give you a discount on the membership fee."

"There's a membership fee?" Mo Xing frowned. He didn't seem to have many gold coins left in his pocket.

No, wait—he didn't have any gold coins at all!

He had been in this other world for so long, and the only gold coins he had were those gifted by the village chief. Fortunately, the Saint Sky Royal Academy had a tuition waiver policy, and as a recommended student from Scarf Town, he enjoyed the benefit of a publicly funded education.

The food in this world was indeed delicious, but it was also quite expensive. He had only eaten a few meals, and his gold coins were already running low.

"Yeah, clubs have operating costs. Equipment and venues cost money, so we obviously have to charge membership fees," Senior Mian Hua shook his head. "Sigh, that's just how society is; everything costs money."

"You could also join a student department. Most expenses are reimbursed by the school. However, you have to pass several rounds of interviews. You're welcome to try," Zhang Zhihao smiled slightly. "The Student Council welcomes you."

"Huh?" Mo Xing was stunned.

Wasn't this too fast? He had just passed the freshman assessment and was already receiving an invitation from President Zhang?

Zhang Zhihao looked him straight in the eye with an indifferent yet serious expression, as if to say, "The offer is on the table; you must make your choice."

"Of course, the choice is yours. If you choose to join a club, you can cultivate your hobbies; if you choose to join a student department, you can hone your skills. Don't agonize over it; follow your heart," Zhang Zhihao smiled faintly.

"Exactly, follow your heart. If you have any free time, you can also come to my shop for a part-time job and earn some pocket money," Senior Cai Hong nodded.

"What kind of part-time job? A student should focus on their studies!" Senior Mian Hua scoffed. "Don't lead him astray."

"Who says part-time jobs distract from studies? Is there something wrong with earning money?" Senior Cai Hong retorted immediately. "Is it something to be proud of, leading the way in skipping classes?"

"Oh? Is the scholarship from school assignments not enough for you?" Senior Mian Hua sneered. "And that wasn't skipping class; that was a strategic relocation!"

"Haha, keep telling yourself that!" Senior Cai Hong glared at Mian Hua.

"S-seniors, please stop arguing. Let's talk this out." Mo Xing looked at the two arguing and was about to intervene when Zhang Zhihao grabbed his arm.

"What's wrong?" Mo Xing turned back, following Zhang Zhihao's gaze, and saw a small black shadow run in.

"Meow—"

As soon as the sound came out, Senior Mian Hua froze and turned around stiffly.

"A cat?!!!"

Senior Mian Hua's face went pale, and he fell to the floor along with his chair.

"Meow—"

The kitten ran toward Mian Hua.

"Get away, you devil!" Senior Mian Hua roared.

The kitten ignored him and pounced directly.

"Ah!"

"Senior Mian Hua, are you okay?" Seeing Senior Mian Hua roll his eyes and collapse on the floor, Mo Xing hurriedly shook him.

"Hahaha, he's fine," Senior Cai Hong said, picking up the kitten. "Be good, little kitty, don't bully the weird uncle."

"Meow—" The kitten responded obediently.

"It's getting late, I'm going to shower," Zhang Zhihao left his seat.

"It's only seven o'clock, showering so early?" Mo Xing turned back and asked.

"I have to read at eight," Zhang Zhihao waved his hand and turned toward the bedroom.

"Zhihao has always had this habit; he likes reading before bed," Senior Cai Hong said, placing the kitten back into its rosewood house.

"Ugh—" Senior Mian Hua slowly opened his eyes. "Where is this? Is this heaven? Am I still alive? Is that big cat demon still there?"

"This is the dormitory, senior, you're perfectly fine!" Mo Xing replied with a smile.

"Oh, that's good." Senior Mian Hua took a deep breath.

"Meow—" A cat's meow came from the balcony outside. Before Senior Mian Hua could exhale, he fainted again.

"Senior? Senior!" Mo Xing shook him.

Later, Mo Xing remembered that cool autumn night. He felt they hadn't done anything particularly meaningful. There was a sea of stars twinkling in the night sky, the great Zhang Zhihao was in the living room reading a book titled *The Biography of Ryan*, Senior Cai Hong was playing with the kitten on the lawn outside the balcony, and Senior Mian Hua was hiding behind a chair like a thief, secretly watching and asking Mo Xing to help him collect the towels and clothes he had hung on the balcony.

Such a night sounded somewhat ordinary.

But he always wished that such nights could last longer, occur more often, and never end...

...

"Save me..." someone called out in the darkness.

"Who is calling for help?"

"Save me..." that person called again.

"Who are you? Where are you?"

"Save me... I am right in front of you." The voice slowly faded.

"Wait!"

Mo Xing's vision brightened, and the entire space turned grayish-white. A person stood in front of him, back turned.

"You're late," the person said. It was the same voice calling for help.

"Who are you?" Mo Xing asked.

"You don't even recognize me?" the person asked back, their voice laced with mockery.

"I'm sorry, I really can't tell just from the voice. Can you turn around and let me see your face?" Mo Xing asked.

"No need," the person sneered.

"Why?" Mo Xing continued.

"Having those friends of yours is enough. From now on, we are enemies," the person said calmly.

"What do you mean? Who exactly are you?" Mo Xing ran toward the person.

"Mo Xing."

The person suddenly shouted his name. At the same time, Mo Xing saw his appearance—the familiar pair of eyes and the well-groomed hair. It was—

"Yi... Yizai!"

"We will meet again soon." Yizai smiled, and his body dissolved into black mist, disappearing into mid-air.

"Yizai!"

Mo Xing sat up abruptly, opening his eyes in the morning sunlight. He was breathing heavily, covered in cold sweat. Outside the window, a sparrow chirped.

"Had a nightmare?"

Mo Xing turned his head and found the great Zhang Zhihao was also awake on the adjacent bed.

"Yeah, you're up too,大神?" Mo Xing looked at the clock on the wall; it was five-thirty in the morning.

"Yes, thinking about something," Zhang Zhihao stared at the ceiling, his blanket pulled up to his shoulders, his hands resting honestly under the covers.

"Alright, I thought I might have woken you up by talking in my sleep," Mo Xing said quietly, not wanting to disturb the sleeping Senior Mian Hua and Senior Cai Hong.

"Not at all. What did you dream of? Would you like to share?" Zhang Zhihao asked.

"I dreamed of an old friend, and he told me that from now on, we would be enemies," Mo Xing paused. "A strange dream."

"I see," Zhang Zhihao responded indifferently.

"大神, do you think we will be friends or rivals in the future?"

"That's an interesting question," Zhang Zhihao smiled. "Someone like you—whether as a friend or a rival—I would find quite interesting."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Mo Xing was stunned, not quite understanding what the great one was getting at.

"There's still over an hour to sleep. Close your eyes and get some rest," Zhang Zhihao said, turning to his side.

"Alright." Mo Xing felt a bit sleepy too, so he closed his eyes.