Guan Hui’e truly couldn’t accept it!

How could Zhou Cheng resort to violence? She was devastated that her son had become someone with such a poor upbringing.

Old Master Zhou was right – she hadn’t fulfilled her responsibilities and wasn’t a good mother.

Feeling guilty about neglecting Zhou Cheng in his childhood, she had constantly spoiled him. That Zhou Cheng hadn’t become a crybaby or weakling was probably due to the Zhou family’s genetic inheritance and overall family atmosphere.

But she had prided herself on being an open-minded parent, never really interfering with Zhou Cheng’s friendships.

Now, Guan Hui’e felt she should exercise her maternal right to choose a suitable life partner for Zhou Cheng. Xia Xiaolan was excellent, but this girl simply wasn’t right for Zhou Cheng… her influence on him wasn’t positive.

At least the previous Zhou Cheng would never raise a hand against a woman.

Guan Hui’e didn’t want to hear excuses or reasons. Regardless of Zhou Cheng’s motives, violence was violence, and the negative impact was already done.

She couldn’t refute her father-in-law’s criticism. Perhaps it wasn’t too late to correct her mistakes.

“Father, I just don’t think they’re suitable!”

Zhou Guobin remained silent. He quite approved of this excellent future daughter-in-law.

Old Master Zhou also approved of Xia Xiaolan, believing she would certainly become an outstanding talent. But an excellent woman wasn’t necessarily an excellent wife. When Xia Xiaolan had visited, the old master had conversed with her carefully, noting her grand plans had little to do with Zhou Cheng.

Xia Xiaolan seemed to have a desire to conquer this world, this era of change.

Old Master Zhou didn’t know when she would slow down and be willing to marry Zhou Cheng. Waiting until college graduation was completely acceptable for the Zhou family, even though his son-in-law Gu Zhengqing had mentioned Huaqing’s Architecture Department had a five-year undergraduate program! In five years, Zhou Cheng would only be 26 – establish a career first, then family. Zhou Cheng would be more mature then, capable of fulfilling his responsibilities as husband and father. Even if Xia Xiaolan wanted to pursue graduate studies abroad, old Master Zhou had no objection.

He wasn’t like those old fogies who insisted on seeing great-grandchildren before closing their eyes, spending their days pestering about marriage and children!

Good parents raise good children. If neither party was ready for parenthood, having children early wouldn’t help – could a nanny raise them? Could a nanny help educate them?

But what about after graduate school?

Would Xia Xiaolan have more important career aspirations? Where would Zhou Cheng fit in?

Zhou Cheng’s work was quite special, unlike others who could follow their wives. Old Master Zhou feared Zhou Cheng might suddenly decide his work interfered with being with his wife and quit impulsively – he had originally trusted Zhou Cheng’s judgment, but this recent incident made him worried.

“They indeed might not be suitable. Talk with Xiaolan – Zhou Cheng’s personality has flaws, we can’t blame everything on the girl, but you need to understand if they have any plans.”

Guan Hui’e nodded heavily.

What plans? She dared not even imagine their future.

Guan Hui’e was so angry her head spun. She felt like she didn’t know her son anymore, let alone someone else’s daughter whom she couldn’t understand!

After seeing her family off on the train, Xia Xiaolan took the school bus back to Huaqing.

It was already evening when she returned to the dorm and finally met her other roommates. Opening the door to a lively room, everyone paused when she entered.

“Xiaolan’s back. Come, come, this is Xiaolan I was just talking about, she’s from Class 2,” Yang Yonghong greeted her first.

Another round of introductions followed. Xia Xiaolan was 19 this year, with Yang Yonghong being the oldest at 22 and Lu Yan the youngest at 17. Xia Xiaolan ranked sixth. Indeed, except for Yang Yonghong, all were new Architecture students.

All being young women around 20, there were no conflicts at the first meeting. Everyone wanted good dormitory relationships, conversations flowed in one direction, and they quickly bonded.

Number Five, Su Jing, pointed next door: “We and Room 305 are all Architecture students. This year’s Architecture Department only has 15 female undergraduate students. When Senior said we were the department’s fifteen golden flowers, I believed it. But when Xiaolan returned, I realized Senior was lying – there’s only one flower this year, and we’re just the green leaves accompanying the blossom!”

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t agree, “If you want to be green leaves, you should ask if others are willing… Roses are fragrant, lilies elegant, and peach and pear blossoms simple and lovely – which isn’t beautiful?”

Su Jing was stunned. Xia Xiaolan made sense – who could rank flowers? Calling others green leaves might offend sensitive roommates.

The others all giggled.

Roses, lilies, peach, and pear blossoms – they were all imagining which they might be.

Everyone approved of Xia Xiaolan’s perspective, finally believing Yang Yonghong’s assessment that she was easy to get along with.

Shortly after Xia Xiaolan’s return, their class advisor came for a room inspection. A current Huaqing doctoral student serving as Class 2’s advisor, seeing Teacher Dai’s thinning hair, Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help asking about his specialty.

“Physics Department. Is Student Xia interested in transferring?”

Xia Xiaolan shook her head vigorously, “No need, I think Architecture is great. Thank you for your concern, Teacher Dai.”

Teacher Dai smiled without speaking, “Hope this year’s female Architecture students can persist longer!”

Ah, these girls were too naive – did they think Architecture wouldn’t cause hair loss?

Any Huaqing male with thick hair after thirty either had genetic gifts or studied humanities. In science and engineering, at the doctoral level, baldness was normal! Not balding? Come, come, your research tasks aren’t heavy enough, let your advisor add more burden!

Teacher Dai came to deliver instructions: tomorrow evening’s opening ceremony would be held at the west sports field, mandatory for all new undergraduate and graduate students.

Teacher Dai specifically emphasized: “Attendance is required, absence will affect conduct scores.”

Xia Xiaolan felt strange – she hadn’t heard about “conduct scores” for years. Anqing County First High School had given her free rein; now she had to readjust to collective life.

Su Jing nudged Lu Yan beside her, “What does Teacher Dai mean? Isn’t Architecture just about drawing? I’ve loved painting since tenth grade, but my family wouldn’t let me study art, so I could only choose Architecture.”

Xia Xiaolan was shocked by this true academic elite.

Huaqing’s Architecture Department was someone’s second choice – their first dream was studying art!

Architecture certainly wasn’t just drawing. Xia Xiaolan knew a bit – if Su Jing chose this major just for the love of drawing, she might burst into tears later. Though maybe not – anyone who could enter Huaqing had strong learning abilities. Xia Xiaolan was a fake academic elite among real ones; she suspected she’d be the first to cry.