Chapter 90: University

Chapter 90: University

University Recruitment Day.

"Ah..." Liu Hai stood beside Jiang Xun, gazing up in wonder at the massive signboard of Ocean University. "So this is a school!"

"Hah, this is also my alma mater," Xiao Jin said proudly, blinking. "If you need a tour guide, I’m your girl!"

She pulled out a prepared map. "This is our university auditorium—the recruitment talk will be held here later. And this is our library, which is really famous! Its database is considered the most specialized in the world. If a student’s thesis gets included, they even get a special bonus!"

"Hah, I received it when I graduated with my bachelor’s degree."

Xiao Jin lifted her chin proudly.

"Xiao Jin’s amazing!" Liu Hai’s eyes sparkled as he egged her on. "But what’s a thesis?"

"Uh." Xiao Jin scratched her chin. "It’s complicated to explain quickly, but just knowing 'Xiao Jin is amazing' is enough!"

"Okay!" Liu Hai responded enthusiastically.

Xiao Jin went on excitedly about her school. "Over here is the Biology Department—where I studied. This area is the student dorms. They won’t let you in, so no need to go that way."

"Ah, this is our school’s statue—a giant seashell. During graduation, everyone takes turns standing inside to pose like The Birth of Venus. But usually, resident cat seniors sleep there. You can pet them—they're all super friendly!"

"It’s the perfect spot for tourist photos."

"But I bet Liu Hai would be most interested in this."

She pointed cheerfully to a street next to the campus. "Ta-da! The must-have food street near every university!"

"I recommend Sister Wang’s Spicy Hot Pot and... Oh, Liu Hai can’t handle spice yet, so let’s go with this place! Their frosted bubble drinks are super tasty and cheap! The cheese-baked rice is great too. There’s even a legend that eating it before exams helps you score higher—because 'cheese' sounds like 'knowledge' in Chinese!"

"Wow..." Liu Hai’s eyes lit up with interest. "Frosted bubble drinks! Spicy hot pot... I-I'll power through!"

"Hahaha!" Xiao Jin laughed. "Also, our third cafeteria is the best, though a bit pricier. Back in my student days, I’d only treat myself occasionally."

"But with what we're making now, we can go all out! Plus, the school gave us meal vouchers, and the company reimburses food expenses... Listen up, Liu Hai—this is a company-funded meal. Don’t hold back!"

Liu Hai nodded solemnly. "Got it! I’ll eat my fill!"

"Haha!" Just as Xiao Jin was about to continue, someone called out from behind.

"Vivian Jin?"

Xiao Jin paused, then turned around with an unusually serious expression.

"Ah, it really is Senior Vivian!" A few girls hurried over, their eyes quickly scanning Liu Hai and Jiang Xun before whispering excitedly, "I heard The Siren Lab was coming to recruit, so I guessed you might be back!"

Lowering her voice but still unable to hide her excitement, she added, "Are these the legendary Dr. Jiang Xun and the merman Liu Hai?"

"Yes." Xiao Jin smiled more maturely than usual. "Dr. Jiang, these are my juniors from the same major. We might see them at the presentation later."

"And this is my colleague, Dr. An Feiyu (A Yu)."

A Yu nodded casually.

The juniors greeted them politely before murmuring, "We’ll attend the presentation, but our grades aren’t as good as Senior Vivian’s..."

"After all, Senior Vivian is a rare genius! We’re nowhere close..."

"Do we even have a chance?"

"Ah, we don’t just focus on GPAs," Vivian said with a smile. "We also value hands-on lab skills, research attitude, and such. If you want to try, highlight your strengths and give it your best shot."

"Of course, I won’t go easy on you."

"Got it!" The girls perked up. "I’ll tweak my resume again! Oh, right, Senior Vivian, Professor Hathaway is on campus this afternoon. Do you want to visit her? She often uses you as an example when discussing lab data for us."

"Ah, Professor Hathaway is here?" Xiao Jin’s eyes brightened, but she hesitated. "I'll check later. You go ahead."

After saying goodbye to the juniors, Jiang Xun spoke up. "Our part of the presentation doesn’t start until 3 PM. You’re free until then."

"You can definitely go visit her."

"Ah..." Xiao Jin scratched her head. "I know, but I was planning to take Liu Hai to try all the good food!"

"Hmm, how about this? I’ll send you a list of best places to eat, and you guys can take Liu Hai together!"

"Boss, you handle Liu Hai," A Yu suddenly said. "I’ll head to the presentation venue first to check the equipment and materials. There might be a rehearsal."

"Eh—" Liu Hai looked at A Yu pleadingly. "Not even eating together?"

A Yu wavered for a moment before taking a deep breath and putting on a smile. "No."

"There’ll be plenty of chances to eat together later."

For now, he’d leave this rare one-on-one time opportunity to the boss.

Xiao Jin seemed to get the hint. She nudged A Yu and whispered, "Good eye, A Yu!"

"Not bad," A Yu smirked, teasing her back. "You looked like such a respectable senior in front of your juniors."

"I-It’s not that different from usual, right?" Xiao Jin muttered. "I’m actually reliable in the lab too!"

"Really?" A Yu raised an eyebrow. "If they actually join us at the lab and see your usual antics, wouldn’t they be shocked?"

Xiao Jin: "...Don’t say such scary things!"

A Yu couldn’t help but laugh.

"Well, it’s fine," Xiao Jin said, putting her hands on her hips. "At first, I forced myself to be more extroverted, but now I’m happy with who I am. Meeting old acquaintances is a bit embarrassing, but... I kind of want them to see how I’ve changed."

She turned back proudly. "I’m going to shock my professor now. Wait for my good news!"

With that, she took off running.

A Yu shook his head and headed toward the auditorium.

...

"Ah, there really are cats!" Liu Hai looked curiously at the seashell statue Xiao Jin had mentioned, where several plump cats were sprawled out, totally relaxed.

"Seems the students here treat them well," Jiang Xun chuckled. "Wow, they're so fat they probably can’t even lick their own bellies."

"Mm!" Liu Hai seemed to take it personally. He glanced guiltily at Jiang Xun. "W-what's wrong with that? Isn't chubby cute?"

"I don’t recommend animals being that overweight," Jiang Xun said, giving Liu Hai a meaningful look. "But some animals are exceptions."

Liu Hai pricked up his ears. "What kind of animals?"

"Those that need to maintain a thick layer of fat due to their special environments," Jiang Xun said with a smile in his eyes. "Like penguins, walruses, fur seals..."

Liu Hai got impatient. "And?"

"And?" Jiang Xun pretended to think before suddenly clapping his hands. As Liu Hai waited eagerly, he said, "Sea lions."

Liu Hai: "..."

Jiang Xun coughed lightly. "And, of course, seals."

Liu Hai finally relaxed.

"Want to look around some more?" Jiang Xun asked for Liu Hai's opinion. "Take some sightseeing photos."

"Or... should we go straight to where we're headed and eat all kinds of delicious food?"

"W-we're here on actual business, not just for food!" Liu Hai said earnestly. "Don't make me sound like a total foodie!"

"Oh." Jiang Xun put on a thoughtful expression. "Then what else do we have to do now?"

Liu Hai’s eyes wandered before suggesting, "...Grab drinks first?"

Jiang Xun gave a quiet laugh. "Alright."

"Near the school, there should be plenty of milk tea shops and cafés, mostly affordable and budget-friendly."

"Ah, Xiao Jin’s recommendation list just sent over, but she said there are quite a few newly opened places nearby that she hasn’t tried yet."

"Want to help update her map by trying them all out?"

"That way, we can take her to try new places later too."

"Great!" Liu Hai bounced ahead before turning back to wait for him. "Hurry up, Jiang Xun, hurry! I looked it up—they say the school area gets crazy at mealtimes!"

Jiang Xun laughed. "Did you just look up the school’s food?"

"Of course not!" Liu Hai said seriously. "I looked into all kinds of genres! Campus romance, campus mystery, school violence..."

"Now, I’m pretty much an expert on school life."

Jiang Xun: "...I’m afraid that’s far from the truth."

He glanced at the map in his hand. "That street seems to start here. First shop is... stir-fried yogurt?"

"Liu Hai, you okay with sour flavors?"

"It’s not that sour!" The shopkeeper greeted them warmly. "Want to try some, you guys? If you don’t like sour, we’ve got sweet flavors too!"

Liu Hai looked over with interest. "Not too sour? Which one’s sweeter?"

After the shopkeeper’s enthusiastic recommendation, Jiang Xun bought him a serving of stir-fried yogurt and looked toward another shop. "That milk tea place seems to have a line. Should I go scan the code to order while you wait here?"

"Got it!" Liu Hai nodded solemnly. "I understand, split up!"

Jiang Xun couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head.

The moment he left, Liu Hai felt someone watching him.