I Can Replicate Martial Arts-Chapter 56 - 42: First Entry into the Martial Dao Training Team
"Getting dinner? Looks like you don’t have a girlfriend!"
Youyou’s long lashes fluttered over her eyes as she spoke with a half-smile.
"Come on, I’m just a freshman!"
"How about I be your girlfriend?"
"I don’t do ’fake’."
"Real is fine too!"
"I’m not into older women."
A murderous glint flashed in Youyou’s eyes. She couldn’t suppress the urge to stab him.
But a moment later, a seductive expression appeared on her face. With a look that was part pouting, part smiling, she sidled up to Zhao Rui and whispered in his ear, "Not even if they’re... big?"
COUGH, COUGH!
Zhao Rui couldn’t help but lower his gaze, his eyes drawn to her chest as if by some unseen force.
Unfortunately, before he could see whether "they" were big or not, two slender, jade-like fingers shot straight for his eyes with clear and unhesitating speed.
’Vicious woman!’
Unhurried, Zhao Rui raised an elbow to block, dodging the tips of her fingers.
The woman rolled her eyes at him and scoffed, "You don’t want me as your girlfriend, but you’re a real pro when it comes to sneaking a peek."
"I was just appreciating. Don’t use an ugly word like ’sneaking a peek’!"
Zhao Rui said, unfazed, already making his way toward the cafeteria entrance.
Youyou huffed twice, then quickened her pace to catch up with him.
The two of them arrived at Cafeteria Number Three of Dongqi University, a place known mostly for its snacks, priding itself on variety and selection.
"What do you want to eat? Order whatever you like!"
"Ooh, so you’re treating..."
"But nothing over ten yuan! I’m broke!"
Youyou ground her teeth, wishing she could take a couple of bites out of this "little brother" who didn’t have a single chivalrous bone in his body.
"I’ll pay!"
Youyou said through gritted teeth. She had wanted to try the food here anyway, so there was no way she was only going to eat something that cost ten yuan.
"Hehe, we can still say it was my treat, right!"
"You are truly shameless!"
After bickering for a while, they got up at the prompting of their rumbling stomachs, bought a pile of the cafeteria’s specialty snacks, and started eating.
As they were eating, Youyou’s phone rang. She glanced at it, declined the call, then stood up and said to Zhao Rui, "I’m leaving! You finish up!"
With that, she simply got up and walked out.
Zhao Rui was taken aback. Just as he was about to speak, he saw her pause. She turned at the waist, her skirt swirling to create a half-ripple in the twilight.
"Text me if you miss me!"
The woman glanced back with a light laugh and then drifted away, just as she had arrived—her origins and destination a mystery.
Zhao Rui chuckled silently, then lowered his head and continued eating the leftovers on the table.
She wasn’t the only one who came and went in a hurry. In this bustling mortal world, wasn’t everyone just passing through?
After filling his stomach, Zhao Rui left the cafeteria and headed back to his dorm under the hazy moonlight.
The hot weather, the damp, non-absorbent military training uniforms, the tedious drills, the exhausted bodies—all of it came together in early September to form the most "beautiful" scenery of university life. Thankfully, it was only two weeks. They just had to bear with it, and it would be over. As for the military training performance review, it was more or less the same as in his previous life, so there was nothing worth dwelling on.
With the end of military training, the freshmen officially began their new university lives.
On the morning of the second official day of classes, Zhao Rui took advantage of a break to find his advisor, Liu Jie, who was still in her office writing up some documents.
"Teacher Liu, I’m here!"
Knocking on the door, Zhao Rui walked into the office with a smile.
After spending two weeks together during military training, Liu Jie was already familiar with Zhao Rui.
"Mm, just a moment. I’ll take you as soon as I finish this."
Liu Jie nodded and continued writing. About ten minutes later, she finally tidied up her desk, stood up, and grabbed a pre-printed form from beside her desk.
"Let’s go!"
With that, Liu Jie led the way out of the office.
About ten minutes later, Liu Jie led Zhao Rui to the school’s academic affairs office and knocked before entering.
"Director Peng, you’re busy, I see!"
Liu Jie greeted him with a light laugh.
"Ah, Xiaoliu, what can I do for you?"
Director Peng was a heavyset man with a round face and small, squinted eyes, giving him a plump and prosperous appearance.
"I mentioned this to you before. I have a student in my class who wants to join the Martial Arts Team..."
"Oh, that. Principal Hao mentioned it to me. But as you know, the university has its rules. Students who aren’t from the Martial Arts Academy cannot be listed as official members..."
"We’re aware of that..."
"Mm, good. As long as you know. To be honest, we’re already making an exception for you..."
"Thank you for the trouble, Director Peng!"
Seeing Liu Jie’s pleasant attitude, Director Peng glanced at Zhao Rui standing behind her and gave a slight nod of his large head. He took the application form from her.
Then, he placed the form under a machine. A moment later, a large, red seal was stamped onto it.
"Cultivate well. Your teacher ran around quite a bit for you on this matter!"
Director Peng handed the stamped form back to Liu Jie and looked at Zhao Rui, speaking quite earnestly.
"Thank you, Teacher Liu, and thank you, Director Peng. I will definitely cultivate well!"
Zhao Rui hurriedly expressed his thanks.
"Well, we won’t disturb your work any longer, Director Peng!"
A simple, elegant smile appeared on Liu Jie’s petite face, like a lotus blossom just beginning to open in a pond.
With that, the two turned and left Director Peng’s office.
"Thank you, Teacher Liu!"
Once they were outside, Zhao Rui sincerely thanked Liu Jie, who was beside him.
"You’re my student, after all. And we have a deal—you’re going to be the class president, right!"
Hearing this, Liu Jie broke into a brilliant, cunning smile.
"Alright, alright. But if I can’t manage the class well, you can’t blame me!"
"Trying to shirk your duties before you even start? Who else would I blame! But let’s not talk about that now. Take this form and go report to the Martial Arts Team. Perform well, and don’t embarrass me!"
