52: New teaching assistant

The movie reached its climax at the perfect moment; intense gunfights and hardcore combat scenes played out in turn, their tight pacing keeping the audience firmly pinned to their seats.

On the big screen, bullets flew everywhere, and the glare of explosions illuminated the entire theater. Under the intense barrage of fire, innocent civilians fell in droves. The scenes were tragic and realistic, delivering a powerful visual impact.

Chen Li was completely immersed in this sensory and visual stimulation. When the protagonist pulled off a desperate counter-kill, he couldn't help but shiver...

By the time the end credits finally rolled, it was already one in the morning.

The lights came up, and the audience, still wanting more, left the theater one after another.

Neither of them spoke. They went straight to the underground parking lot, got into the car, and headed straight for the Hotel with a tacit understanding.

After arriving at the Hotel, Chen Li quickly checked in at the front desk.

The elevator rose smoothly. With a 'ding', it reached the designated floor.

They found the room, swiped the card, and opened the door—as the door clicked shut behind them, cutting off everything from the outside world, the two stood in the entryway, locking eyes. In that moment, all words seemed superfluous... (500,000 words omitted here)

...

At noon the next day, Chen Li slowly woke up. His consciousness gradually cleared, and fragments of last night's madness flashed through his mind one by one.

He turned his head and saw Qin Xiaomeng still sleeping beside him, her long hair spread across the snow-white pillow, her sleeping face serene yet carrying a hint of allure.

As he was quietly observing her, Qin Xiaomeng's eyelashes fluttered gently, and she woke up as well.

Locking eyes, she didn't shyly dodge or lower her head like a typical girl. Instead, she blinked, met his gaze openly, and a lazy smile even bloomed at the corners of her mouth.

That was Qin Xiaomeng; she never feigned coyness.

In her view, there was no need for concealment; it was better to show herself openly.

She stretched her body slightly, and the silk sheet slid off her shoulders, revealing graceful curves.

"Chen Li," her voice still carried the huskiness of just waking up, but her eyes were exceptionally clear, "Can you keep me?"

The question was asked straightforwardly, without any embellishment.

Hearing this, Chen Li didn't show a surprised expression. He answered almost without hesitation: "Yes."

The straightforward dialogue between the two needed no beating around the bush, and they quickly reached an agreement—fifty thousand.

This Figure made Qin Xiaomeng overjoyed; she hadn't expected Chen Li to agree so readily.

For Chen Li, being able to have someone as top-tier as Qin Xiaomeng for fifty thousand a month was practically a steal.

Just that 'surprise' in the movie theater last night was worth it, not to mention the ultimate experience later at the Hotel.

To him, this money was merely a drop in the bucket, yet it could buy such high-quality companionship. This deal was truly too worthwhile.

"Then it's settled."

Qin Xiaomeng reached out her fair arm, gently wrapped it around his neck, and kissed his face.

"Chen Li, do you want to reminisce a little more..."

Qin Xiaomeng's voice was as soft as a mosquito's hum, and this time she shyly lowered her head.

What more was there to say—another 100,000 words omitted.

...

Chen Li, who hadn't returned to the Dormitory for several days, pushed open the familiar door, and a familiar scent greeted him.

His three roommates were focused intently on their computer screens, the clatter of keyboards and mice sounding incessantly, and the room was filled with a faint smell of smoke and the scent of youth.

"Zihong, push the tower quickly." "The bottom lane needs support, come fast!" "Yixi, control him, initiate the team fight..."

Amidst the rising and falling shouts, Zhang Yixi was the first to notice Chen Li standing at the door. Without turning his head, he shouted: "A Li is back? Where have you been these past few days, kid? We couldn't even see a shadow of you!"

"Come join us for a game." Guo Zihong also turned to greet him, his hands continuing their operations without pause.

"Alright, I'll wait until you finish this round."

Chen Li smiled as he placed his backpack on his chair, looking at the familiar and heartwarming scene before him.

In the smoke-filled Dormitory, his three roommates were shouting over the outcome of the game; this was what college life was supposed to look like.

Chen Li suddenly realized that no matter how good the Villa was, it couldn't replace this kind of pure Campus life.

Those luxurious lifestyles could be enjoyed at any time in the future, but these days of four people squeezed into one Dormitory, messing around, would never return after graduation.

He tidied up the bed he hadn't slept in for days, and just as he finished spreading the bedding, the game over there ended.

"A Li, get on your account." "Coming, coming..."

The four of them soon immersed themselves in the world of the game.

For college students, playing games together and going to the Cafeteria to eat in groups were the most indispensable parts of daily life.

Being able to get enough people for a game, being able to eat from the same pot—those days of playing games together and sharing tables at the Cafeteria were the most exciting memories of youth.

...

In the evening, the four of them stood in line at the Cafeteria with their meal boxes, still heatedly discussing the pros and cons of that last team fight.

"A Li, your skill level has dropped significantly lately. You need to come back to the Dormitory to practice more." Zhang Yixi said while shoveling food from his meal box.

"Exactly, don't spend all day soaking in a bed of gentleness." Guo Zihong chimed in, egging him on.

"Can you blame me for that? In that last wave, it was clearly you, Zihong, who didn't come to support..." Chen Li retorted with a smile.

The group bantered back and forth, and the dining table was filled with laughter.

This rapport of like-mindedness made the atmosphere at their side of the Cafeteria exceptionally harmonious.

"Hey, have you heard? Our department has a new teaching assistant." Zhang Yixi suddenly lowered his voice mysteriously.

"New teaching assistant? Male or female?" Guo Zihong immediately became interested.

"Of course it's a woman. If it were a man, what would there be to talk about? I heard she's also a beauty." Zhang Yixi said excitedly.

"Have you seen her?" Wu Qiang, who hadn't said much, couldn't help but ask.

"I haven't seen her yet, but others have. They say she came to our school right after graduation."

"You are really well-informed." "Is your information reliable?" Guo Zihong expressed skepticism.

"Classes start tomorrow on Monday, we'll know then."

Weekend time always passes particularly quickly. With a reluctance to leave the weekend behind, a new week began.

Chen Li and the others walked into the classroom with the flow of people, uncharacteristically not heading to their usual seats in the back row.

The four exchanged glances and, with a tacit understanding, sat down in the third row by the aisle—this distance was neither too conspicuous nor too far to see the newcomer's face clearly.

"This is a first for us." Zhang Yixi lowered his voice, unable to resist teasing.

"Isn't it? I can't even remember the last time we sat this far forward." Guo Zihong said, adjusting his seating posture unnaturally; clearly, he was not yet accustomed to this unfamiliar area.

The classroom gradually filled with students, and the noisy chatter echoed in the air.

The class bell rang, and students took their seats one after another. Just as the classroom was gradually quieting down, a beautiful Figure appeared at the door.

At this moment, the light at the classroom entrance dimmed slightly, and an elegant Figure stepped inside.

The newcomer was a young woman with a head of jet-black hair hanging over her shoulders, as smooth as a black waterfall.

Her face was dignified and beautiful, her eyes like autumn water, and every gesture exuded an unmistakable air of elegance.

Most eye-catching was her exquisite Figure—the perfectly fitted professional attire outlined her slender waist, while her ample bust stretched the shirt into a graceful curve, adding a touch of feminine charm to her intellectual demeanor.

Chen Li stared dumbfounded at the Figure on the podium, muttering to himself: "It's her..."