1 Chapter 1: How Much Does It Cost To Build A University?

Chapter 1: How Much Does It Cost To Build A University?

Jinling.

Inside a rented house.

"I... is this time travel?" Qin Mu sat in the gaming chair, looking around with a bewildered expression. 

Not far in front of him, a camera flashed red. On the table, there was a complete set of live broadcasting equipment and a computer. 

Everything, from the kettle and water cups to the unfinished instant noodle container, seemed strange to him.

He... it appeared that he had truly traveled through time.

Shortly thereafter, an overwhelming amount of information flooded into his mind. 

After a while, memories that did not belong to him began to surface. 

It was then that Qin Mu realized the truth: he had indeed crossed over. 

Moreover, he had transmigrated into the body of a small-time anchor. 

Both of his parents had passed away in this body, and his academic performance had been far from satisfactory.

To make a living, he ventured into the world of live broadcasting after graduating from high school, investing in a complete set of live broadcast equipment. 

However, live broadcasting was not a field for the faint-hearted. Without traffic and recommendations, success was almost impossible to attain.

His predecessor had toiled tirelessly, managing to accumulate a mere 20,000 fans over three years of broadcasting. Each stream would attract around 200 viewers on average.

"Live challenges?" Qin Mu glanced at the live streaming room displayed on the computer screen, his lips curling in a wry smile. 

It seemed this was a gimmick his predecessor had come up with, where audience suggestions led to the execution of the most bizarre and incredible challenges. 

Typically, completing these challenges would yield significantly more rewards and gifts than usual.

His predecessor had survived for three years in the industry, largely thanks to these challenges, which prevented him from ending up on the streets. 

The audience's suggestions, however, grew increasingly eccentric, ranging from challenging haunted houses with eight soul rings to daringly consuming something unpleasant in a subway car, or even reporting traffic police officers for minor violations.

All in all, the seemingly light-hearted live broadcast challenges had been twisted into life-threatening trials by some unscrupulous viewers.

Coincidentally, at this very moment, his few viewers were engaged in a silent discussion in the live-streaming room.

"Hey, the college entrance exams are over again, and the admission results will be out soon. I bet Shandong's admission rate will be at the bottom again."

"Are you from Shandong, bro? I'm from Shanxi, and it's heartbreaking to see this."

"I'm from Henan, with a population of over 100 million, and look at where we stand."

"D*mn it, the more I think about it, the angrier I get. Our four provinces account for a quarter of the country's college entrance exam candidates, and we can't even have four 985 universities? We have to go to other provinces every year?"

"It would be amazing if our four provinces had their own 985 universities."

...

Amidst the chat, viewers from the four provinces expressed their frustration and disappointment. 

The four provinces, known as Shanhe, had a combined population of over 300 million and were considered the backbone of the country. 

Each year, a quarter of the nation's college entrance exam candidates come from these provinces.

However, contrary to expectations, there were very few 985 universities in the region, and the admission rates continued to plummet.

"Ding! Host detected as a traverser; system binding in progress," suddenly, a cold, emotionless mechanical voice echoed in Qin Mu's mind. 

Although devoid of emotion, this voice caused Qin Mu's expression to brighten immediately.

A system! He was familiar with the concept; it was a common tool for those who had experienced such extraordinary situations.

"Ding! System binding complete!"

Before long, another system notification chimed.

"Ding! This is a live challenge system. By completing challenges proposed by the audience in the live streaming room, the host can earn challenge points and various skill rewards."

"Ding! A new audience-requested challenge task has been triggered in the host's live broadcast room: 'Establish Shanhe University.'"

"[Establish Shanhe University]: The host is tasked with establishing a top-tier university spanning the four provinces of Shanhe within one month. Upon completion, the system will comprehensively evaluate the campus location, school emblem, motto, student enrollment, and faculty strength, rewarding the host with skills and challenge points based on task completion."

Upon hearing this, Qin Mu was utterly perplexed, his face reflecting his bewilderment. 

He couldn't help but gaze at the system panel that had appeared before him, displaying the newly assigned task.

"What on earth is this university?" he muttered to himself. 

The university's enrollment rate for the college entrance exam was abysmal, and he had no connection to any educational institution. 

Moreover, he had just crossed over, and his current situation remained unclear. 

Yet, his very first task was to establish a super university spanning four provinces!

Not to mention the countless funds required to build such an institution. As he contemplated this, Qin Mu gulped and turned to his computer to search for information.

"What's the minimum cost to build a university?" he inquired, attempting to gather information. 

The search results startled him. Building a comprehensive university with facilities like playgrounds, teaching buildings, and dormitories would require a minimum investment of at least 3 billion yuan.

Currently, the money in his pocket amounted to no more than thirty yuan.

"Is this system a scam? Is the first mission meant to be this challenging?" Qin Mu rolled his eyes, his disbelief apparent. 

He then shifted his gaze back to the system panel, contemplating whether it was possible to change the assigned task.

Just then, the system's light began to flicker, and the same cold, mechanical voice sounded again.

"Ding! The host's initial binding has been detected. As a token of appreciation, I shall now present you with a novice gift package."