Chapter 6: Sigh! Course Selection & Capitalism

The moment Zephi finished speaking, Li Siheng emerged from the crowd as though the sea were parting before him.

The first thing people noticed was the expensive custom-tailored formalwear on his body, his broad shoulders and long legs. The second was his pure black hair. Only after that did they notice his face.

Li Siheng suited his name well. His skin was pale as jade, and though his features closely resembled Zephi’s beautiful face, his aura was far more restrained, gentle, and classically elegant. The curve at the corners of his eyes was long and refined, and his gray eyes resembled moonstones, smooth and luminous.

He slowly walked to Zephi’s side, nodded to Lin Zhiyan and Aiwen, then lowered his eyes again.

Lin Zhiyan found it strange. The two of them looked alike, both breathtakingly handsome, yet when the darker-haired Li Siheng stood beside Zephi, people’s attention still naturally gravitated toward Zephi’s flawless aristocratic presence first.

Wait.

Judging from their surnames and hair colors, didn’t they seem like they weren’t even from the same family?

Only then did she belatedly realize that.

“Siheng, greet them properly.” Zephi smiled, his eyes curving beneath his hair. “Don’t be so rude.”

Li Siheng’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. He raised that beautiful face so similar to his brother’s and slowly smiled at her. Only then did he extend his hand, his voice light.

“Hello, Student Lin.”

He wore black silk gloves that wrapped from his long fingers all the way to his wrists.

“Uh, hello.”

Lin Zhiyan reached out as well.

But their handshake lasted only until fingertips touched fingertips before Li Siheng withdrew his hand again, leaving behind only the slick sensation of silk gloves brushing past her skin. From an outsider’s perspective, his attitude undoubtedly seemed rather perfunctory and lazy.

Zephi smiled as though he hadn’t noticed at all and said, “Do you two have time? The banquet’s getting a bit boring anyway. We could eat something together and chat. It’d also be a good opportunity to discuss your major.”

The instant he finished speaking, Aiwen sprang up from her seat as though electrified.

“Ah! Senior Zephi, sorry, the dorm supervisor said we have a meeting tonight. I should probably go!”

Aiwen abandoned her teammate at lightning speed. Lin Zhiyan wasn’t much slower. She immediately grabbed Aiwen’s wrist, making them look like inseparable sisters, and said, “Maybe we can arrange another time to chat. We’ll head out first.”

“I see.” Even the curve of Zephi’s lips didn’t change. Then he suddenly asked, “But Student Lin, you didn’t apply for dorm housing, did you?”

Lin Zhiyan: “……”

How did he even know that?

What exactly did he want?

After a few seconds, she said, “But I need to take the skyrail home. If it gets any later, there won’t be any trains left.”

“That’s alright. My driver can take you home.” Zephi gestured lightly, and a server brought over two glasses of alcohol. “Then Aiwen, you should leave first. Don’t be late. Student Lin, come try some of the Central District’s specialty berry beer.”

Great. So the guy really did have beer prepared.

Lin Zhiyan took the beer, staring blankly at Aiwen fleeing into the distance. She knew there was no escaping now. Zephi sat across from her, glanced at Li Siheng, and Li Siheng sat down as well.

Taking a sip of beer, Zephi said, “You’re impressive. Achieving such grades in a place with such scarce educational resources. By the way, I also read your entrance exam paper. Your writing was beautiful.”

Besides the standard subjects, the entrance exams also included specialized papers.

Lin Zhiyan wasn’t used to his sudden praise and could only smile awkwardly.

“The freshman handbook may be comprehensive, but it’s not all-encompassing,” Zephi said suddenly, lips curved upward. He looked at her, his pale lashes lowering over eyes as gentle as rippling water. “The school offers a great many specialized courses. Every class has different grading systems, and each professor teaches in their own style.”

Lin Zhiyan realized he was finally getting to the point.

Sure enough, a few seconds later, Zephi continued, “Siheng has already undergone a year of preparatory coursework before enrolling. If there’s anything you don’t understand about the school, classes, or exams, you can ask him. He’ll explain everything to you. And naturally, if you encounter any issues in daily life, you can seek him out as well. I believe the two of you will become very good friends.”

Now she understood.

They wanted her to help carry him academically.

Strange. Even though they were the ones asking her for help, Zephi somehow phrased it as though she were the one receiving a favor.

“We’re all equals,” Lin Zhiyan said after a pause, smiling. “If he ever needs help from me, I’ll definitely do my best. But as you know, aside from being decent at studying, I don’t really have any special talents. Besides, he ranked second. The gap between us isn’t even that large. I don’t think I’d be able to help him much anyway.”

She genuinely meant it. Campus life was basically just classes, group assignments, exams, extracurricular projects, and activities. People like them could easily solve those things by finding anyone. What use did they have for her specifically?

Zephi drank another sip of beer. The alcohol dampened his lips, a faint flush coloring his face. He raised a brow carelessly and laughed as though hearing a joke.

“I already said,” he repeated, “if there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask Siheng.”

Lin Zhiyan: “…?”

What exactly was he talking about?

She was about to ask when the quiet, docile Li Siheng finally spoke. His tone remained calm and soft.

“The Human Civilization Continuation major is highly favored by many public institutions. They generally believe students from this major are more suited for decision-making positions. For example, the Interstellar United Civilization Association, the Interstellar Public Strategy Advisory Department, or the Interstellar Empire Ministry of Education.”

Lin Zhiyan looked at him, though all she could really see were his lowered lashes.

He continued, “Excellent grades require rich extracurricular project experience, and vice versa. Some people and I are currently participating in a research project. I think you’d be very suitable to join.”

Lin Zhiyan: “……”

Holy shit.

Was everyone this competitive?!

It was still just orientation week and they were already doing research projects before classes even officially started?!

She was deeply shaken. After a long moment, she finally asked, “Uh… then what exactly would I need to do?”

Li Siheng didn’t answer. Like a beautiful doll that had run out of batteries, he fell silent again.

Instead, Zephi—forever polished and radiant—smiled and answered for him. “You only need to join the project. Someone will teach you what to do afterward. Everything is very simple.”

…Please stop making it sound like illegal human experimentation or genetic modification, okay?

After thinking for a moment, Lin Zhiyan said, “I don’t really understand much about any of this yet. Maybe later I can talk with Student Li Siheng first, and then decide whether I want to join.”

“Of course.” Zephi smiled and gently patted her shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t worry. It’s just a major-related research project. Students who take preparatory programs for these majors usually enter university already carrying project experience. You’ll gradually understand.”

Certain specialized fields partnered with universities to create extra preparatory courses after high school, allowing students to advance directly into higher education afterward. For example, some students in the Military-Political Department had already completed all standard military academy courses before enrollment, meaning they started university with access to higher-level classes immediately.

Lin Zhiyan hadn’t expected even humanities majors could operate like this.

This guy really knew how to talk. In just a few sentences, he’d created the overwhelming pressure that everyone else was already desperately competing.

She couldn’t help glancing at Zephi a few more times.

Zephi didn’t mind her stare at all. “What is it?”

“Senior Zephi is very handsome,” Lin Zhiyan replied.

“Thank you.” Zephi accepted the compliment readily, his eyes curving again with amusement. “It’s getting late. I’ll have the driver take you home.”

Then he added, “Coincidentally, Siheng is leaving too. You two can chat on the way and get to know each other better.”

“For some reason, it feels like Senior Zephi is very eager for me to interact with him,” Lin Zhiyan said.

“Perhaps because I think he needs to learn from you.” Zephi chuckled softly as he stood, then looked toward Li Siheng. “Take Student Lin to the car.”

Li Siheng rose to his feet, and Lin Zhiyan cooperatively followed behind him.

Though she still had no clue what they actually wanted, at least—

Free transportation home!

The two of them walked silently out of the banquet hall. The night air was cold, though not nearly as cold as the atmosphere between them.

Once inside the car, Lin Zhiyan pulled out her terminal and was immediately bombarded with messages from Aiwen.

[Aiwen: Sorry I ran first, the atmosphere was terrifying.]

[Aiwen: I’m seriously scared I’ll accidentally offend them.]

[Aiwen: Are you okay? Are you still alive?]

[LIN: I’m fine. Heading home now.]

[LIN: Are they actually biological brothers? Why are their surnames different?]

[Aiwen: Cousins. Their moms are twin sisters though, which is why they look so alike.]

[Aiwen: Oh right, there’s something I don’t know if I should tell you.]

[Aiwen: Actually never mind, I’ll just say it.]

[Aiwen: Zephi’s father owns the Solent Education Group. They control over 300 private schools. His mother works in a strategic think tank. Li Siheng’s father is the Minister of Education. His preparatory course grades were excellent, and the policy mentioned in his thesis topic was something his father previously discussed in a public speech, so everyone assumed he’d take first place in the entrance exams.]

[Aiwen: Anyway… you get it, right? I can’t say too much. Just be careful.]

Aiwen typed quickly and endlessly, clearly guilty for leaving Lin Zhiyan alone to deal with them. She poured out an entire basket of information while still acting as though she were only hinting at things indirectly.

After sending everything, she rapidly unsent the messages one by one, finally leaving behind only an emoji.

Lin Zhiyan waited two minutes before replying with a question mark and saying she hadn’t seen anything, then turned off her screen.

No wonder Zephi knew so much about her situation.

Turns out she’d occupied someone else’s reserved spot.

Lin Zhiyan turned toward Li Siheng again. The car lights weren’t on, and only the occasional flashes from outside illuminated his beautiful but strangely lifeless face before swallowing it back into darkness.

After thinking for a few seconds, she asked, “Do you need me to join your project?”

Li Siheng looked at her. His gray-black eyes shimmered faintly in the dark.

“How much money do you want?” he asked.

Lin Zhiyan froze.

“How much would it take for all your future papers, assignments, grades, and honors to carry my name instead?” He paused before continuing, “That was Zephi’s real meaning.”

Lin Zhiyan said, “So by ‘joining the project,’ you meant entering a team dedicated to manufacturing your résumé for you?”

Li Siheng nodded, closing his eyes as though resting. His voice drifted softly through the air.

“If I had participated in the opening speech, I would’ve spoken about educational resources. I would’ve emphasized support for unequal distribution of education, reducing public education spending, promoting more open education policies, and increasing the number of private institutions.”

“But you didn’t stand on that stage,” Lin Zhiyan said.

“Yes.” Li Siheng opened his eyes again. “So now I must endure this humiliation.”

Lin Zhiyan fell silent for a few seconds. “The humiliation of making me your ghostwriter?”

“No. You would never become my ghostwriter. Zephi knows that, and so do I.” Li Siheng spoke slowly. “Zephi simply wants me to realize that I lost to someone from District Sixteen.”

Meaning—

Having him interact with a “lowborn” person like her was considered humiliation?

The moment Lin Zhiyan pieced together that logic, she nearly laughed in anger.

So we commoners are part of your elite obedience-training exercises now?!

Hearing her laugh, Li Siheng looked at her and said, “I don’t think that way. We’re not different. If I offended you, I apologize.”

He behaved very much like a civilized gentleman.

“No need. At this point, no matter what you say, I’ll just feel like I’m part of your humiliation ritual.”

Lin Zhiyan answered seriously.

Li Siheng paused briefly. “I’m sorry.”

Lin Zhiyan said nothing, despairingly realizing she was already beginning to get used to this.

She’d only been in the Central District for a few days, and she was already adapting to being treated like crap.

What a promising future.

The two remained silent all the way until the car stopped in an extremely remote area.

Lin Zhiyan opened the car door and stepped out, then turned back toward Li Siheng.

“Even if it’s humiliating, getting a free ride home still feels pretty nice.”

“That wasn’t my intention,” Li Siheng said.

Then he added, “I really liked your magic trick.”

“But you still obeyed him, didn’t you?”

Lin Zhiyan leaned down slightly to look at him.

Li Siheng lowered his eyes before looking back at her. “I have no choice but to obey him.”

Lin Zhiyan smiled.

“Then I have no choice but to see the two of you as the same.”

She added, “Goodbye. Or maybe I should say… I’ll probably only ever meet your project teams.”

The car door closed.

Li Siheng watched as her figure disappeared beneath the streetlights, back perfectly straight, black hair drifting behind her. Even in such a shabby, desolate place, she walked unhurriedly, her silhouette eventually vanishing into the distance.

He lowered his gaze and sighed softly.

Then he took out his terminal and called Zephi.

“She refused,” he said flatly.

“Are you actually stupid, or pretending to be?” The sound of strong wind came from the other end of the call. Zephi seemed to be laughing. “Of course she’d refuse demands backed by privilege. But she might not refuse an exchange of利益.”

Leaning against a railing, Zephi overlooked the dazzling city lights below, pale hair blown by the wind.

His voice was light. “But she doesn’t matter. She’s just a minor lesson along the way. No need to waste effort on her. What you need to do is successfully enroll in Professor Toya’s course. She’ll give you a sufficiently good grade. Aside from that, your assistant has already arranged all your required social practice activities. Remember to attend them.”

Then his tone cooled slightly.

“And remember. Don’t make mistakes again. You know very well how strict certain opportunities are about GPA.”

Li Siheng fell silent for a moment before nodding.

Soon, the car disappeared slowly into the dark night.

As dawn gradually brightened, orientation week passed in the blink of an eye.

Lin Zhiyan stared at her smart terminal, comparing courses against the handbook while feeling waves of despair.

The required credits for mandatory and elective courses were already enormous. On top of that, there were endless requirements for clubs, social practice, project honors, and all kinds of miscellaneous achievements. One glance at the list made it feel like the only way to survive graduation was either to study oneself to death—or be rich and well-connected enough to game the system with projects.

Lin Zhiyan had it even worse than merely studying herself to death.

Because she also had to work part-time.

At that moment, she sincerely felt life would’ve been much easier if she were illiterate. At least then she wouldn’t have to suffer from studying.

She kept scrolling. Scrolling. Scrolling.

Searching desperately for courses with shorter durations.

Soon, she found one.

Modern District Sixteen Customs and Cultural History Studies

Professor: Toya Alderan
Course Length: 3 weeks
Enrollment Requirements: Students from Years 1–4, all departments accepted
Assessment Method: Exam
Credits: 4

Lin Zhiyan’s eyes widened.

One course worth four credits?!

That was equivalent to two normal courses!

She had a strong feeling there had to be something suspicious about a course this rewarding.

But her hand had already clicked “Enroll.”