The next day marked the official start of classes.
University classes weren't held in a single fixed classroom; some large lectures combined students from two or three classes, and English classes, for example, were streamed based on college entrance exam scores, with Fang Bai placed in the top-tier Class A, while the lowest-tier was Class C.
Even in the relatively pure ivory tower of university, students were still divided into different tiers.
When Class 3 of Mechanics students chatted with students from other classes, they would intentionally or unintentionally bring up Fang Bai.
Fang Bai's reputation quickly spread throughout the Department, with talk of a top-scoring class president in Class 3 of Mechanics who carried a mobile phone, was incredibly generous, and had excellent interpersonal skills.
When Fang Bai attended combined classes, he was quickly recognized by students from other classes who proactively approached him.
Fang Bai naturally engaged with them all; these students would all become top talents in various fields after graduation, and knowing more of them was certainly better.
He came to university not only for his studies but also to meet more talented individuals and expand his network.
After his Golden Finger's ring finger level rose to Level 3, Fang Bai no longer gained network points when meeting people of lower social strata, such as Wang Hengli or his high school principal.
This didn't mean that these individuals weren't part of his network, but rather that their utility to Fang Bai was minimal, falling outside the Golden Finger's recognition range.
Fang Bai felt that ordinary professors wouldn't increase his network; only renowned professors, deans, vice-deans, university leaders, and academicians would.
His network count remained at 50.
To upgrade his ring finger to Level 4, his network count needed to reach 80.
In the afternoon, just after Fang Bai finished his first class, Teacher Qin found him.
In the corridor outside the classroom, Teacher Qin smiled and told him, "Fang Bai, I have good news for you: the freshman orientation ceremony will be held at 3 PM on September 15th, and you've been recommended to give a speech as the freshman representative on stage. Military training will begin the day after that."
"Me?"
Fang Bai looked shocked; this was too sudden.
"Yes, it's you. The Department recommended you, and it's already decided."
"Teacher Qin, aren't you afraid my legs will turn to jelly when I stand on that podium?"
"You represent not only the freshmen but also the face of the Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering and the Department leaders' prestige. If you make a fool of yourself, you'll have plenty of fun during your four years of university. I'm sure you'll take it seriously," Teacher Qin smiled triumphantly, sensing that he wasn't resistant to the idea.
"Teacher Qin, you don't need to use reverse psychology. If I have to go, I'll go. It's just a few minutes on stage, isn't it? I'm more worried about talking too much and getting pulled off."
"Haha, alright then. Prepare your speech draft and give it to me; I'll have the Department leaders review it."
"Can't I just give an impromptu speech?"
Teacher Qin rolled her eyes: "You're amazing, but it's safer to have it reviewed. Don't be reckless with something like this; I'm afraid you might accidentally mess up."
"Reading from a script lacks presence, your hands are tied, you feel weak all over, it's unnatural and uncoordinated."
"Fang Bai, that's enough. I think I've figured you out. Seriously, write the draft and submit it. You can memorize it well and then give an unscripted speech, or just read the speech we prepare. That's it, go to class now." After Teacher Qin finished her instructions, she left without waiting for Fang Bai to retort, feeling that continuing to talk to him would cause internal injury. This guy was really good at pretending.
She touched her chubby face just now, trying hard not to laugh too openly.
Fang Bai pouted and returned to the classroom. His roommate curiously asked him, "Class President, what did Teacher Qin want? You look a bit displeased."
"It's not good news," Fang Bai sighed.
"Oh, that's pretty unlucky."
"There's going to be a freshman orientation ceremony soon, and they want me to give a speech on stage. Sigh, what virtue or ability do I possess?"
...
The surrounding classmates were shocked. If this wasn't good news, then they'd gladly go up there instead.
As long as they could go on stage, it would absolutely be the most glorious and dazzling moment of their four years of university, granting them priority in choosing a partner for four years.
Yang Tan was so jealous. This was the best way to gild one's resume for a career in public service, something money couldn't buy, and it was truly wasted on a rich kid like Fang Bai.
"Fang Bai, I want to strangle you," Yang Tan couldn't help but show disdain.
"I agree! I want to kick him twice!"
"I agree too. You guys go ahead, I'll applaud." Mei Xihu glanced at them, then crossed his arms and, seeing Wang Yifei and Yang Tan not moving, egged them on, "Go on, what are you afraid of? Don't just talk tough. If you're a man, go for it! Don't just make threats!"
Yang Tan squeezed his hands: "My fingers hurt. I can't strangle him today. I'll definitely strangle him tomorrow."
"Ouch, my foot hurts!" Wang Yifei clutched his calf.
The other roommates were less talkative and just watched the show.
"Tsk, you have no masculinity at all. Yang Tan, you can use your feet. Yifei, you can use your hands to strangle."
Wang Yifei glanced at Yang Tan and pointed at Mei Xihu: "Get him."
Yang Tan immediately pounced on him and grabbed his neck. He didn't dare mess with Fang Bai, but he had no qualms with the other roommates.
The three of them played around for a while, then the bell rang, and class started again.
The news of Fang Bai preparing to represent the freshmen in a speech spread throughout the class, and his classmates were curious about what he would say.
"I'm so worried, I'm not writing it."
Fang Bai was at a loss for words. He wasn't afraid of giving an hour-long impromptu speech, but having to write a draft was annoying.
Yang Tan, sitting next to him, said, "It doesn't seem that hard to write. It's just an essay, right? It shouldn't stump you."
Fang Bai sighed, "I've thought of several draft ideas, but I don't know which one to use."
"Uh, that's truly annoying. I thought you couldn't write anything at all."
"Yang Tan, Fang Bai's worries are different from ours.
He worries about having too much money and not knowing how to spend it, he worries about having too many love letters and not knowing who to choose, he worries about getting too good grades, like what to do if he scores 99 next time after scoring 100 this time, and he also worries that being too famous isn't a good thing."
"Sigh, I wish I had those kinds of worries."
...
Department leaders' office.
A middle-aged man asked Teacher Qin, "What's Fang Bai's opinion?"
Teacher Qin respectfully replied, "Leader, Fang Bai has no opinion. He just complained a bit. He's quite good at pretending. I felt like if I kept talking to him, he'd expose himself."
"Haha, you've had a tough time, Teacher Qin. Well, you'll have to keep up this act. Anyway, we'll just pretend we don't know about his situation, so he doesn't think we're targeting him."
"Understood, sir."
Teacher Qin left the Department leaders' office. She felt that Fang Bai was quite easy to communicate with; that guy had a strong sense of affinity.
She touched her chubby face and tidied her inward-curled hairstyle before returning to her office.
...
During class, Fang Bai mostly read his own books, occasionally listening to the teacher.
University classes weren't much different from high school classes; the professors lectured with great passion.
For instance, the calculus teacher, when getting passionate, would ask students if he could smoke a cigarette, and after getting permission, would lecture while smoking.
In this era, many professors were addicted to smoking. Many of them had been educated youths, living in very monotonous times, and cigarettes were their spiritual support to keep living.
Fang Bai didn't sit in the front row; that was reserved for girls.
Smoking no longer affected his right hand, but he had quit smoking.
After a day of classes, Fang Bai felt very fulfilled. After school, he played basketball with his classmates. There was no pressure of further studies; as long as he attended classes normally and didn't fail, it was fine, unless he wanted to pursue postgraduate studies.
The only downside was that many girls watched him play from outside the court, which made Fang Bai feel quite embarrassed.
But it had to be said, Fang Bai's shooting accuracy was quite good.
His right hand injury had recovered, plus his index finger dexterity +1, making his hand even more flexible.
When he first started shooting, his two-point accuracy was only around 20%. Once he got his feel, his uncontested shooting reached 50%, and his three-point shots reached 30%.
Of course, if it was a game with competition and interference, his accuracy would directly drop by half.
But Fang Bai felt pretty good about it. He wasn't playing professional basketball; it was fine as long as playing for fun wasn't too awkward. With more practice, his accuracy would still increase, and playing in class basketball games shouldn't be a problem.
Girls outside the court watched Fang Bai shoot, finding him quite handsome. They couldn't help but applaud when he made a shot, and some girls bought water but were too shy to give it to Fang Bai.
The boys in Class 3 of Mechanics, seeing girls watching them play basketball, worked even harder, wanting to display their more hormonal side to gain the girls' favor.
After playing basketball, Fang Bai felt tired but completely relaxed, feeling every cell in his body pulsating. This was what youth felt like, not just staying in the classroom reading or constantly hustling for money.
Feeling great, he decided to treat the dozen or so classmates who played with him to drinks.
"Class President's shooting is pretty accurate. Class President, when are we going to have a class basketball game?"
"Save your energy for military training. We'll talk about basketball games when we have time," Fang Bai said, wiping his sweat. "At that time, I'll have the sports and recreation committee member invite everyone. You guys need to practice; it'll be embarrassing if we lose."
"Class President, you have to play! If you don't play, the female classmates won't come to watch. I saw many girls today who came just for you."
"Yeah, Class President, if you're playing, you have to call me!"
Fang Bai laughed and cursed, "Get lost! Alright, I'm leaving first. See you Monday."
After saying that, he high-fived his classmates, grabbed his backpack, and rode his bicycle out of campus. He needed to go back and take a shower. Tomorrow was Sunday, so he didn't have class.
It had to be said, university life was pretty good.
No wonder so many people yearned for it.