Restarting your life starts with filling out your college application.

While eating in small bites, she couldn't help but ask nervously, "Zhiyuan... am I really tanned? My face and neck look different colors."

Chen Zhiyuan looked up, carefully examined her, and then nodded sincerely: "Yes, you've gotten a little tanned."

Seeing her eyes dim slightly, he immediately added with a smile, "But don't worry, this is just a 'minor adjustment.' Compared to more than 90% of the students, you are definitely in the best situation. Many people look like they just came back from aiding Africa."

His words weren't an exaggeration.

Looking around the cafeteria, many students were indeed tanned and had a distinct skin tone.

He Fei was only slightly darker, which actually made her look healthier. Her features appeared clearer and brighter against the darker skin tone.

Hearing this, He Fei secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at Chen Zhiyuan's clean and refreshing face and arms with envy: "Sigh, I really envy you. You don't have to participate in military training or be exposed to the sun."

Chen Zhiyuan took a bite of braised pork and said with a smile, "I train for sprinting every day, it's really tough, you know? I endure wind, sun, and rain without fail."

This statement is half true and half false. The training is indeed not easy, but at least you don't have to stand at attention for hours under the sun.

"Really? Then you should eat more to replenish your energy."

Upon hearing this, He Fei immediately and naturally picked up a piece of golden-brown fried grass carp from her plate and placed it in Chen Zhiyuan's bowl.

She now insists on ordering one meat dish and one vegetable dish every day, instead of just one vegetable dish like before, saving money wherever possible.

This small change stemmed from a casual remark Chen Zhiyuan made during a chat, saying that she was too thin and would look better with a little more flesh.

She quietly kept those words in her heart.

The two ate and chatted, their conversation gradually shifting from the grueling military training to the exciting and novel university life they had just begun.

He Fei's eyes sparkled, and her words were full of anticipation for the future.

For her, university was like a door that had just been pushed open, leading to a completely new world and endless possibilities, although right now...

"But..." she lowered her voice, a hint of barely perceptible embarrassment in it, "My living expenses... are still a bit tight. Some of the other people in my dorm get three or four hundred yuan a month from their families, but I only get one hundred and eighty."

One hundred and eighty yuan was a tight sum to cover a month's food and other miscellaneous expenses in college in 1999.

Chen Zhiyuan nodded understandingly and encouraged him, "Yes, I understand. Actually, you can try the school's work-study program. You can earn some living expenses and also improve yourself."

I think a job at the library, like organizing books or registering borrowers, would be perfect for you. It's quiet and the environment is nice.

He knew that the school offered many work-study opportunities, such as cleaning public areas and helping out in the cafeteria, and that the work in the library was relatively more "respectable" and easier.

"Mmm!" He Fei's eyes lit up again, and she nodded vigorously. "I also think the library is great! I'll go back and write an application to try it out!"

This suggestion seemed to open a window for her, providing a concrete solution to her financial pressures, and her mood immediately brightened considerably.

They ate lunch for a good twenty or thirty minutes before it ended in a relaxed and pleasant conversation.

He Fei even felt that the annoyance of getting tanned during military training seemed to have been quietly resolved during this meal.

The days passed smoothly, one by one, amidst the bugle calls of military training and Chen Zhiyuan's regular training and writing rhythm.

That day, Chen Zhiyuan received a phone call from his good friend Jin Liang.

"Zhiyuan, I've registered! My dad came with me, and this school is really nice!"

Jin Liang's voice came through the receiver, filled with barely suppressed excitement and a sense of relief at finally landing.

He was sitting in his new dormitory, looking around at the unfamiliar surroundings, his heart filled with gratitude for Chen Zhiyuan—if he hadn't listened to this brother's advice and applied to Jiangzhou Electric Power College, he would probably still be worrying about not meeting the score requirements for the School of Finance and Economics.

This school's strength in the field of power is undeniable, and its flagship programs are among the best in the country. By all accounts, it's the better choice.

The two chatted on the phone for a while about their recent situations and shared their experiences of starting university.

Jin Liang abruptly changed the subject, his tone taking on a somewhat "tragic" quality: "Zhiyuan, how's your military training going? Ours starts tomorrow! Just thinking about that scorching sun... what am I going to do with all this weight!"

As a fat man weighing nearly 180 pounds, high temperatures and scorching sun are his natural enemies. The thought of the "test" he will face in the next month makes his scalp tingle.

Chen Zhiyuan held his phone and couldn't help but laugh. He could imagine Jin Liang looking worried and distressed.

He considerately avoided mentioning that he didn't have to do military training, so as not to "provoke" his brother, but instead comforted him in a tone of someone who had been through it:

"Military training is tough, and getting a tan is inevitable. But while it's tough now, it might become a memorable part of my university life once it's over. Just grit your teeth and get through it."

The two brothers chatted on the phone for another ten minutes or so before reluctantly hanging up.

Jin Liang repeatedly said that once the military training is over and he has free time, he must come to Jiangnan University to visit Chen Zhiyuan.

Time flies and it's the weekend.

For the vast majority of freshmen, this was their first day off without military training, and cheers could be heard almost everywhere in the dormitories.

For Chen Zhiyuan, there was no need to train today, but he had more important things to do.

The second volume of "Those Things About the Ming Dynasty" has been officially published and distributed nationwide today after a period of intensive printing and distribution.

This new book, still smelling of fresh ink, will be prominently displayed in major Xinhua bookstores across the country.

Two days ago, Wu Shuhan, vice president of Jiangnan Publishing Group, called me personally to share the good news.

On the other hand, Chen Zhiyuan's opinion was seriously sought—the group planned to hold a large-scale promotional event for the release of the second volume at the Xinhua Bookstore on Jiefang Road, the largest and busiest bookstore in Jiangzhou.

The most important part of the event was the author's on-site book signing, which lasted about an hour.

Considering it was the weekend and he had the time, Chen Zhiyuan readily agreed.

On the other end of the phone, Wu Shuhan was so happy that his voice rose eight octaves. He repeatedly said that the group would take care of all the event arrangements, on-site setup, and publicity, and Chen Zhiyuan only needed to attend on time.

The book signing event is scheduled for 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

It was still early, so Chen Zhiyuan decided to have breakfast first.

"Hey third brother! Want to go to the internet cafe? A new one just opened outside the west gate of the school, all the machines are brand new, and they're having a promotion today: play for an hour, get an hour free!"

After washing up, the eldest brother, Du Jiancheng, extended an invitation with great enthusiasm.

After a week of "torture" from military training, he desperately needed to regain his "dignity" in the virtual world.