Chapter 43

I know she’s doing it on purpose.

But still, I want to indulge her.

—Zhang Lurang

Based on last year’s admission cutoffs, both of their scores and rankings made getting into Z University a safe bet.

After discussing it with her parents, Su Zai Zai finally decided to apply for the Journalism and Communication program at Z University.

Once the decision was made, her previous indecision vanished instantly.

She walked into the study and turned on the computer.

While waiting for it to boot up, Su Zai Zai called Zhang Lurang.

She placed the phone to her ear while her other hand navigated to the college application website, entering her exam registration number and password.

Zhang Lurang answered quickly.

Su Zai Zai picked up the college application guidebook beside her and flipped to the page for Z University.

“Lurang, what major are you choosing?”

Zhang Lurang hesitated for a moment before quickly replying, “Computer Science.”

“Oh—” Su Zai Zai was focused on the book and responded absentmindedly.

Her fingers traced the page, searching for the Journalism and Communication program code.

Once she found it, she muttered the numbers under her breath.

Then she realized something and asked again, “Wait, what did you just say your major was?”

Zhang Lurang, patient as ever, repeated, “Computer Science.”

“Computer Science, huh?” Su Zai Zai thought for a moment. “That major has the third-highest baldness rate.”

“……”

“It’s not me saying it! I saw it on Weibo.”

Zhang Lurang decided not to comment.

As he walked to his desk and powered on his laptop, he asked, “What are you majoring in?”

Su Zai Zai grinned. “Journalism and Communication.”

Zhang Lurang logged into the application system, entering his exam registration number and password.

As he typed the password, he suddenly paused.

For some reason, he realized he hadn’t changed it—it was still the last six digits of his ID number by default.

Before he could think further, he heard Su Zai Zai reassure him, “Don’t worry, you won’t go bald.”

A vein throbbed at his temple. “…Mm.”

Su Zai Zai continued flipping through the guidebook. “Hmm, what should I choose for my second-choice major? There are so many slots to fill.”

Zhang Lurang glanced at her lazily while inputting Z University’s code for his first-choice application. “Just pick whatever you like.”

“What about you?”

“I didn’t fill one.”

“You only picked one major? And only one university?”

“Yeah.”

Su Zai Zai felt a little indignant. “Aren’t you worried you won’t get in?”

Zhang Lurang hesitated. “Should I be?”

“Of course! I had to fill every slot and even check the ‘accept reassignment’ box!”

“……”

Su Zai Zai sighed dramatically, her voice tinged with sorrow.

“I don’t feel like you actually want to go to the same university as me.”

And so—

Even though Zhang Lurang could have easily been admitted to Z University’s most competitive programs, he silently pulled out the college application guidebook he had brought from B Province.

And earnestly filled in every available slot.

—

The next day, Zhang Lurang returned to B Province.

After submitting his college applications, he needed to go back to school to confirm them and sign off.

Originally, he wanted a classmate to sign for him.

But Lin Mao insisted that he go back in person.

His exact words were: “You’ll never have another chance to visit your high school as a student. Don’t waste this opportunity.”

…Though technically, he wasn’t a student anymore.

Lin Mao was unusually diligent about this, even going so far as to book his flight and drive him to the airport.

Like a duck being pushed onto a perch, Zhang Lurang was forced to return to B Province.

Before entering his house, he stood at the door for a moment.

Then he suddenly stepped back, opened the outer pocket of his backpack, and took out his ID card.

After hesitating for a moment, he slid it into his pocket.

It was Sunday. Both his father and mother were home.

Zhang Luli was still at school and hadn’t returned.

Zhang Lurang entered, greeted them briefly, and quietly headed upstairs.

But before he could take a few steps, his father, who was sitting on the sofa, called out.

“Lurang.”

His voice was deep and steady, carrying an innate authority.

It had a commanding tone, as always.

Zhang Lurang stopped in his tracks and turned back, his expression neutral.

The next second, his father’s voice softened. “Get some good rest.”

His mother walked out of the kitchen, holding a plate of fruit. She handed it to him.

Zhang Lurang didn’t take it.

His mother seemed to be in a good mood, smiling gently. “Your ranking in the province is even higher than Luli’s was. Your uncle’s family keeps praising you. You’ll definitely get into B University now.”

Zhang Lurang frowned slightly.

He wanted to tell them he hadn’t applied to B University.

But in the end, he said nothing.

His father casually poured himself a cup of tea and asked, “What major did you apply for?”

Suppressing his impatience, Zhang Lurang answered, “Computer Science.”

“B University’s Finance program is excellent. It’ll help you manage the family business in the future.”

“Mm.” Zhang Lurang nodded perfunctorily. “If there’s nothing else, I’m heading upstairs.”

His mother once again extended the fruit plate. “Eat some. I spent a long time cutting these.”

Zhang Lurang suddenly chuckled softly.

He left behind just two words before heading upstairs.

“Not hungry.”

—

After showering, Zhang Lurang returned to his room.

He was about to get into bed when he suddenly remembered what his father had said.

Frowning, he turned to his desk, powered on his computer, and tried logging into the college application website.

But he couldn’t connect to the home WiFi.

Even using his phone’s browser, he couldn’t access the site.

Frustrated, he ruffled his hair.

He considered asking Su Zai Zai to check for him, but if his application had been altered, she might misunderstand.

After thinking it over, he decided to call Zhang Luli instead.

The call connected quickly, and Zhang Luli sounded a bit surprised.

“Oh, hey, bro? Why are you calling me?”

Zhang Lurang didn’t say much and got straight to the point: “Help me check my college application status. My exam admission number is…”

Although he didn’t understand why his brother suddenly asked this, Zhang Luli still obediently did as told.

Half a minute later, Zhang Luli’s bright voice came through the phone.

“Bro, you’re going to Z University? I heard there are tons of beauties there. My school is full of nothing but dudes.”

Zhang Lurang’s initial nervousness was instantly eased by his words.

He suddenly found it a bit funny but didn’t forget his main concern.

“…Did I only apply to Z University?”

Confirming that his application hadn’t been altered, Zhang Lurang finally let out a breath of relief.

After chatting with Zhang Luli for a bit, he hung up and set his phone aside.

Before falling asleep, he couldn’t help but wonder if he had been overthinking things.

—

The next day.

By the time Zhang Lurang woke up, his parents had already left for work.

He packed his things, planning to head to school to sign off on his application and then go straight to the airport.

Upon arriving at B High School.

Zhang Lurang went up to the third floor and entered the homeroom teacher’s office.

The teacher greeted him and pulled his application form from a stack of A4 papers.

“Check it over. If there are any mistakes, you can still go to the academic office to make changes.”

Zhang Lurang nodded. Just as he was about to review it, his phone suddenly rang.

He glanced down at the screen, took the form, and stepped outside to answer.

It was a call from Su Zai Zai.

Her voice was always full of energy.

Every word carried a kind of cheerful lightness that could lift anyone’s mood.

“Lurang, I dreamed last night… that you went bald.”

Zhang Lurang’s good mood vanished instantly.

“—Oh.”

Sensing his displeasure, Su Zai Zai immediately tried to flatter him. “But you were still really handsome, hehe.”

Zhang Lurang had zero interest in entertaining her nonsense.

Su Zai Zai switched topics. “I’m going to confirm my application tomorrow. Want to come with me?”

Zhang Lurang lowered his gaze, subconsciously glancing at the paper in his hand. “No.”

Not getting the answer she wanted, Su Zai Zai shamelessly resorted to deception.

“Oh, Wang Nan is going too. He doesn’t even know I have a boyfriend.”

“……”

“Actually, I’ve told you before—I’m pretty famous at Z High. You know, because I’m too pretty.”

“……”

“Don’t you want to assert your ownership over me?”

Zhang Lurang was just about to agree when Su Zai Zai suddenly said in a pitiful tone, “Sigh, you don’t know… Ever since you left for B City, your old deskmate kept coming to find me, saying we’d definitely break up.”

He paused for a moment, then immediately said, “I’ll be back this afternoon.”

“So, are you coming?”

“Mm.”

After hanging up, Zhang Lurang pressed his lips together, his gaze fixed on the application form in his hand.

His jaw tightened, as if he was about to explode with anger.

His eyes turned cold.

And then—

The corners of his lips curled into a smile, devoid of any warmth.

On the paper in front of him—

Under “First Choice,” the entry read:

B University, Finance.