8. Add burdens to new students

"Crickets chirp outside the gate, yet the echo seems like an illusion~"

The entire Nanhu University basked in golden sunlight, lush trees casting dappled shadows onto the land, a gentle breeze causing the leaves to sway softly, rustling.

Crickets nestled in the bushes, joyfully playing a summer symphony along with the music broadcasted across the campus.

"...shall we talk, just as if we are holding hands and going to school anew~"

Lu Jincheng took a deep breath, the air fragrant with lake water and fresh grass, walking on the cobblestone path of Nanhu, unable to resist humming along with his favorite song from his past life.

This song by Eason Chan fit perfectly with his current mood, so apt.

Once sure there were no changes in the timeline, Lu Jincheng relaxed considerably.

There was a certain flexibility in attending university classes, but military training was different; not only was strict attendance required, but some schools also counted it towards assessment scores.

To thrive in the stock market and not be labeled as a credit defaulter, to pay off his debts early and start a happy life, he needed to request this leave.

Management College, building south 10.

Lu Jincheng, familiar with the place, found Guo Minjie's office and knocked to enter.

"This situation... is beyond a counselor's authority, I can't make this decision."

Guo Minjie, in her late twenties, had a classic elegance, radiant yet not strikingly stunning, but exuded an aura that was truly refreshing.

She held the medical report Lu Jincheng had handed her, her brow slightly furrowed.

Everything seemed in order, with the official stamp of a top-tier hospital, the doctor's signature, and a recommendation for bed rest, leaving no room for nitpicking.

She scrutinized Lu Jincheng from head to toe twice yet couldn't spot the issues mentioned in the medical advice.

The medical report seemed too crafty, as if a parent, well-versed in society's ways, had sorted it with a doctor to help their child conveniently skip military training.

"I have no objections here, but you'll need the department leader's signature for a full leave of absence. Turn left out the door, up to the sixth floor."

When in doubt, pass it up to the leadership.

"Check with Director Cai Shangdong?"

Lu Jincheng asked, almost instinctively.

"Do you know him?" Guo Minjie asked, puzzled.

"Er... I saw it on the bulletin board downstairs."

Lu Jincheng quickly realized, as he was indeed a new freshman at the university.

Cai Shangdong, newly promoted as the head of the business administration department, was in his prime, full of vigor, the kind of drive men possess at their peak.

In his previous life, Mr. Lu, having achieved significant success, had repeatedly returned to his alma mater for donations.

Besides school leaders, Cai Shangdong, then the head of Management College, often reminisced with him during meals: "Your batch was the best group of students I've ever taught," "The school is proud of your achievements today," among other memorable lines.

Lao Cai was a clever man, in more ways than one.

"Alright, you go ahead, remember to be polite."

The kid seemed quite attentive.

The bulletin in front of the college building was like the regulatory list in a restaurant, which beyond the parties involved, no one gave a second glance.

Let alone remembering the names and their importance.

Guo Minjie pointed in the direction of the department head's office, regarding Lu Jincheng with newfound respect, and couldn't help but remind,

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Come in!"

605, the head's individual office, Cai Shangdong's voice resonant as he pinched a cigarette between his fingers.

Lu Jincheng pushed open the door and bowed politely.

"Director Cai, hello, I am a freshman from the class one of business administration department, my name is Lu Jincheng, I need to seek your approval for a matter."

After all, he had interacted with Cai Shangdong in his past life and was clear about his nature.

Straightforward, no-nonsense, with a swift and decisive manner he greatly admired.

"What is it?" Cai Shangdong turned around, his gaze falling on the kraft paper bag in Lu Jincheng's hands, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

He didn't put on airs, gesturing Lu Jincheng inside: "Come in and talk."

Lu Jincheng walked over confidently to the opposite side of the desk, pulled out the medical report, and presented it with both hands.

"Director Cai, I would like to request some time off and not participate in the remaining military training."

"Hmm?"

Cai Shangdong took the medical report, glanced over it briefly, then looked at Lu Jincheng's overall demeanor, and roughly grasped the situation.

Another rich kid who knows the rules, looking to avoid hardship and training.

Want to take a leave? At least make an effort to pretend.

He crossed his arms and asked, "You seem to speak with strong energy, your back is also straight, are you really feeling unwell?"

"It's a lie!"

Lu Jincheng's response was incredibly blunt.

"Director, to be honest, there's nothing wrong with my body, I just want to go through the process."

And his next reason even earned Cai Shangdong's respect.

"I must confess, I need to work part-time because my family business failed, and I'm buried under hundreds of thousands in loans."

With that, he pulled out his phone, displaying a string of loan-related messages to Cai Shangdong.

"The military training takes almost half a month, for me, each day's time is very precious."

"..."

It's interesting.

Director Cai tapped the ash off his cigarette, his gaze on Lu Jincheng growing sharper by the moment.

Having taught for decades, he had seen countless students from financially struggling families, their demeanor and eyes often tinged with a bit of self-consciousness and timidity.

Put in future terms, they were filled with a sort of retracting force.

But he had never seen a freshman, young and saddled with hundreds of thousands in loans, as spirited and hopeful about life as Lu Jincheng was.

This kid was about to become a defaulter, where did his confidence come from?

"This money, it's not easy to repay by just doing part-time jobs and being frugal, is it?"

Director Cai asked with interest.

"Not easy to repay."

Lu Jincheng faced Director Cai's questioning gaze without any evasion, "Part-time work, to put it bluntly, is just the accumulation and exploration phase on the track. In my university years, I will start my own business and find the most suitable business model."

"It's about following the national development direction, right? Mass entrepreneurship, innovation for all, am I right?"

Director Cai nodded, clearly very satisfied with Lu Jincheng's response, "Well said."

Lu Jincheng's words not only proved his perspective, vision, and scope beyond his peers but also fully demonstrated his strong assertiveness as a man.

How many freshmen could talk frankly while looking straight into Director Cai's eyes?

"Really interesting..."

Director Cai didn't speak but silently printed a leave form, then handed it to Lu Jincheng.

"Thank you, Director Cai!"

Lu Jincheng immediately replied, signing his name where required and respectfully handed it back.

"You have good handwriting."

This time, Director Cai's gaze was full of admiration, "While searching for entrepreneurial tracks, don't fall behind in your studies. Cutting-edge knowledge is the foundation of doing business and entrepreneurship. Don't drop the watermelon to pick up sesame seeds."

"Your situation is quite special. Study well. Our university has limited ways to help, but financial aid and scholarships will certainly prioritize considering you."

"You really don't have to, Director Cai. I don't need special treatment. I can afford the tuition and living expenses. Leave it for those who need it more."

Lu Jincheng waved his hand, his tone light and carefree, as if he wasn't in debt at all.

This kid was definitely exceptional!

"Alright, alright, let's stick to the rules. If you qualify, it's yours. If not, let it be."

Director Cai internally gave a thumbs-up. With this spirit and perspective, it would be odd if he didn't succeed.

During university years, how many people fought fiercely over scholarships and financial aid spots?

Some even, clearly without financial struggles at home, wearing Adidas and Nike, using iPhones, yet claimed every year's school subsidy.

How does that saying go?

'Even though not yet developed, a tiger or leopard's offspring already has the air of consuming oxen.'

In just one meeting, Lu Jincheng had left a profound impression on Director Cai.

Management Class One, right...

For such a student, Director Cai decided without hesitation, to add more to his responsibilities!

Director Cai stood up, patted Lu Jincheng's shoulder, his admiration apparent, "Don't neglect your studies. If you want to start a business, you'll need to unite your classmates, understand?"

"Has your class chosen the class committee? The class monitor will be you. Join the college committee, which will make it easier to get into the Student Union later."

"Adding responsibilities won't interfere with your entrepreneurship, right?"

"No!"

Lu Jincheng answered loudly with a smile, "Thank you for your trust and training. I understand your good intentions."

Whether or not it would help his future career, things he had wanted to accomplish in his previous life but hadn't, were all resolved with this visit to Lao Cai.

A serendipitous backdoor into the college committee, smoothly facilitating an internal recommendation to the Student Union, realms he hadn't explored in his past life, were now unfolding before him.

Just thinking about the fresh encounters made him incredibly joyful.

"Good, if you encounter any difficulties at school later, you can come directly to me. Here is my WeChat ID."

Director Cai, looking at Lu Jincheng's vibrant demeanor, felt more and more certain about his judgement.

He grabbed the signed leave form, swiftly adding his own signature.

"Submit the leave form to Xiao Guo. There aren't many students who take leave for the entire military training, so you'll still need to follow the process with the Student Affairs Office."

"Alright, thank you, Director. Director, goodbye!"

Lu Jincheng took the leave form, smiled and nodded, bidding farewell to Director Cai.

...

"He signed it for you?"

In the counselor's office, Guo Minjie stared at the finished leave form, somewhat surprised.

How could the usually strict Director Cai let a freshman off so easily?

Isn't he the one who always says, 'When it's time to endure hardship, one must endure'?

Many delicate girls who handed in leave forms to Director Cai couldn't get past him.

So, Lu Jincheng's body must be really weak.

"Hmm, counselor, is this okay?"

"It's okay, huh...?"

Guo Minjie had just scanned the leave form when she received a WeChat message from the director.

It was about personnel suggestions for the class monitor of Management Class One and the college committee.

She looked up again at Lu Jincheng, who was waiting quietly beside her, and her eyes widened in surprise.