Since they were leaving for the capital tomorrow, Jiang Ruotang and Zhao Changfeng had almost finished packing their luggage, which was placed by the entrance, ready to be wheeled out directly tomorrow. Other items were packed and sent directly to the university by express delivery, to be signed for upon arrival.

“Drunken Immortal Platform” had not yet finished filming. Jiang Huaiyuan, as the director, naturally couldn’t take leave. He could only make a video call to Jiang Ruotang, tearfully saying that his son was going to university, and to the capital no less, and he couldn’t even see him off.

Jiang Huaiyuan’s eyes were glistening from crying. The assistant director next to him handed him tissues while comforting him.

In the background behind the camera, one could see Ling Song, who looked confused about what was happening. What could make the “demon director” Jiang Huaiyuan turn into a crybaby?

Jiang Ruotang’s heart swelled with reluctance, and he started to shed tears, overwhelmed with emotions.

After all, in his previous life, Jiang Huaiyuan hadn’t even seen Jiang Ruotang take his college entrance exam.

Finally, Zhao Yunshu couldn’t stand it anymore. She took Jiang Ruotang’s phone and told Jiang Huaiyuan, “With me, their mother, sending the two kids over, don’t worry unnecessarily. Once the drama finishes, I’ll accompany you to the capital for a few days; I guarantee your son won’t want to see you again!”

Jiang Ruotang had just wiped away his tears when Zhao Yunshu made him laugh.

And on the other end, Jiang Huaiyuan stopped crying as if a faucet had suddenly been turned off.

---

Despite being about to leave the home he had lived in for many years, Jiang Ruotang slept very soundly that night.

His life was about to bid farewell to his eighteen-year-old youth and move towards another higher and further world.

There were still many unknowns and many interesting things awaiting him to experience and explore.

The next afternoon, they arrived in the capital. Although Sheng City was also a first-tier large city, its economic scale was no less than that of the capital. However, in terms of cultural atmosphere and historical sense, the capital still reigned supreme.

Jiang Huaiyuan also had many friends in the capital and specially sent a car to pick them up at the airport.

Thus, Jiang Ruotang and Lu Guifan sat in the second row, while Zhao Changfeng sat alone in the back row. He recalled how new and exciting he found the atmosphere of history intertwined with modernity when he first came for his tryout. After staying for more than a month, he was now used to it.

Jiang Ruotang had been here many times in his previous life, and Lu Guifan had also visited when he participated in the Olympiad finals.

They didn’t feel much novelty. Instead, the entrances to famous restaurants and commercial streets attracted their attention more, and they chattered away discussing them.

Zhao Yunshu found it amusing: “These kids, they haven’t even seen their dorms yet, and they’re already planning what to eat together! No wonder they say ‘half-grown boys eat their fathers poor’!”

They discussed it and all agreed to go process Jiang Ruotang’s paperwork first. So, their first destination was the Capital Fine Arts Academy.

The academy’s campus buildings were older than Zhao Changfeng had imagined. Many exterior walls were made of red bricks, some covered with climbing vines, creating a strong atmospheric feel.

Inside the campus, there were vast green areas, as well as sculptures and works by many famous alumni, which made Zhao Changfeng stop to look.

“Jiang Ruotang, will your sculpture also be erected here in the future, like an honorary alumnus?”

“Better not. These sculptures aren’t good-looking,” Jiang Ruotang shook his head.

Lu Guifan, following behind, chuckled softly. Between being an honorary alumnus and being good-looking, Jiang Ruotang chose the latter.

---

Accompanied by his family and Lu Guifan, Jiang Ruotang completed the enrollment procedures. After receiving his teaching materials and course schedule, he headed to the dormitory.

While carrying things upstairs, Zhao Changfeng said, “You better be mentally prepared; the dorms here are especially small, like combined soft-sleeper train compartments.”

“It can’t be that bad, can it?” Jiang Ruotang thought Zhao Changfeng was definitely exaggerating.

Lu Guifan said calmly, “It’s fine even if it’s crowded.”

“Yeah, I’m already happy to be able to come here for university.”

Just as Jiang Ruotang finished speaking, Lu Guifan leaned into his ear and whispered in a voice only he could hear, “I’ll go pick up the apartment in a few days and bring you the keys once I get them.”

This way, Jiang Ruotang would have spacious living space and could be with Lu Guifan. Just thinking about it made his heart pound with excitement. Indeed… whether the dorm was crowded or not didn’t matter at all!

The dorm was on the fifth floor, fortunately, there was an elevator, otherwise, carrying all that luggage would have made them sweat profusely.

Stepping out of the elevator, Jiang Ruotang found his dorm room following the number on the doorplate. Just as he was about to take out his key to unlock the door, he faintly heard voices chatting inside.

“Have you heard? There’s a particularly amazing person in our class, the champion of the Fu Chunshi ‘Rising Wave’ competition! He hasn’t even started university, and without being taken in as a disciple by any master, he’s already won such a high-level competition!”

“Heh, well, let me tell you something else: this person’s dad is a famous director! Just imagine, his connections are not the same as ours, are they?”

“Cui He… you can’t say that, can you? There’s still a boundary between directors and calligraphy/painting art. Could he even persuade old man Fu Chunshi to personally comment?”

Jiang Ruotang hadn’t expected to become the topic of conversation for his new roommates.

But he could understand. After all, getting into the Capital Fine Arts Academy was just the first step. This path would constantly weed people out, and some even knew before graduating that they wouldn’t achieve much in art. So, someone like him, who had already won at the start, was bound to be envied and even jealous.

Zhao Changfeng, who was following behind, saw Jiang Ruotang stop there, seemingly lost in thought, and couldn’t help but step forward and unlock the door for him.

“What are you doing? So slow just to open a door!”

At that instant, the dorm room fell silent. The three people who were chatting looked at the entering Zhao Changfeng with astonished eyes. That sense of oppression…

This guy had grown taller again during the summer, approaching two meters in height, with tight, smooth muscle lines. Compared to the three art students in the dorm, there was a sense of an adult looking at elementary school students.

Zhao Changfeng laughed heartily, “Hello everyone! My brother is also assigned to this dorm. We’re here to drop him off and help him organize his things!”

The three quickly greeted them, introduced themselves, and exchanged a few pleasantries.

It was a male dormitory, after all. Zhao Yunshu stood at the door, glanced at the conditions, and then retreated outside. She had to admit that Zhao Changfeng’s analogy wasn’t wrong… it really did feel like a soft-sleeper train compartment.

Although it was a quadruple room, the space under the beds was packed. Desks, wardrobes, and bookshelves were like folded spaces; it felt like you could barely turn around once you sat down. The aisle in the middle was very narrow, only about eighty centimeters wide. Fortunately, there was a small balcony, and the lighting was decent.

After Zhao Changfeng and Lu Guifan entered, the entire dorm seemed even smaller.

The family backgrounds of these kids didn’t seem bad. Zhao Yunshu guessed that once they adapted to their studies, they probably wouldn’t stay in the dorm.

Lu Guifan patted Jiang Ruotang’s shoulder, telling him to stay on the lower bunk to organize his wardrobe, while he took the bedding to the upper bunk to make his bed.

Zhao Changfeng poked Jiang Ruotang’s shoulder and whispered, “I can’t be the only one performing here; you should introduce yourself to your roommates too.”

Jiang Ruotang smiled politely and said, “Hello everyone, my name is Jiang Ruotang, and I’m from Sheng City.”

One of the roommates lowered his head, felt the name sounded familiar, and then took out his phone to search.

“Ah… oh…”

“Hello, hello… Is the one making the bed above your brother too?”

Jiang Ruotang was about to speak, thinking, If I say “boyfriend” now, and my roommate minds, I can just move out. But if Zhao Changfeng makes a fuss, it’ll be awkward.

Fortunately, Zhao Changfeng spoke first: “Oh! The one on the upper bunk? He’s our brother! And he’s our provincial top scorer!”

“Provincial top scorer?”

The three simultaneously looked up, their eyes filled with admiration as they gazed at Lu Guifan.

“Provincial top scorer… Then are you… from Capital University of Science and Technology?”

After all, Capital University of Science and Technology was known as a top scorer harvester.

Lu Guifan hadn’t even opened his mouth yet when Zhao Changfeng started boasting again: “That’s right! He already has several patents, and research teams across the ocean rely on him to solve their intractable problems!”

That admiration seemed to increase even more.

If it were elsewhere, someone might say that Zhao Changfeng was bragging about his friend.

But this was the capital, full of talent, a gathering place for provincial top scorers. However, provincial top scorers who already held patents were truly rare.

Lu Guifan made the bed quickly, glanced at Zhao Changfeng, and chuckled, “Did you forget that you’re also from Capital University of Science and Technology?”

“I can’t compare to you; I’m a sports specialist student.”

One of the roommates named Ding Bing exclaimed, “To get into Capital University of Science and Technology with a sports specialty, you must be an Olympic champion, right? What sport are you in?”

Listening to the voice, Jiang Ruotang recognized that Ding Bing was the one who spoke fairly when the three of them were chatting.

“Bas… basketball…” Zhao Changfeng scratched the back of his head, embarrassed.

Ding Bing leaned in and said, “No wonder you’re so tall! Your arms and legs are so long! If you can be admitted to Capital University of Science and Technology, you’ll most likely enter professional men’s basketball in the future!”

“Tha… thank you…”

Zhao Changfeng suddenly remembered this was Jiang Ruotang’s dorm. How could he almost forget to bring honor to Jiang Ruotang?

“My brother isn’t bad either! He participated in that Fu Chunshi art exhibition competition and even won the New Talent Champion!”

It was better not to mention that award. Once it was brought up, Jiang Ruotang felt embarrassed for his future roommates.

The one who was checking his phone suddenly looked up, “So you… you are Jiang Huaiyuan… Director Jiang’s son?”

From the voice, it was Cui He, who suspected he won the award because of his father’s background.

“Yes.” Jiang Ruotang nodded slightly.

The three of them exchanged awkward and quick glances, unsure if their conversation about Jiang Ruotang had been overheard by him.

Jiang Ruotang was too lazy to argue with them, because in human interactions, before familiarity, there would always be various imaginations, conjectures, and judgments.

“And that Asian New Star Awards, my brother also has works shortlisted!”

Jiang Ruotang tugged at Zhao Changfeng. Did this guy not know how to write the word “low-key”?

Cui He raised his chin, “Oh, shortlisted!”

The voice didn’t sound like praise, but more like a sneer.

“There must be thousands of shortlisted works, right? After all, it’s all of Asia.”

Meaning, it’s nothing remarkable.

Ding Bing quickly said, “Being shortlisted is already very strong. Unlike me, I don’t even qualify.”

Cui He said in a comforting tone, “They must have been vigorously cultivated by their families since childhood. The cost and connections are definitely something ordinary people like us can’t compare to.”

Lu Guifan, standing on a chair and putting a pillowcase on Jiang Ruotang’s pillow, frowned. He never cared when others discussed him, but he was very sensitive about anything concerning Jiang Ruotang.

“You can’t say that. As far as I know, Director Jiang has always been busy with filming and has been hands-off with Ruotang. Mr. Fu Chunshi praised Ruotang, specifically commending how his emotions are naturally displayed in his paintings, not dominated by academic techniques, showing his own character.”

Hearing Lu Guifan say this, Jiang Ruotang immediately felt sweeter inside.

Zhao Changfeng also seemed to sense the uncomfortable underlying meaning in Cui He’s words. He simply turned into a “brother-booster,” constantly talking about how “my brother” did this and that, with genuine admiration and pride, as if Jiang Ruotang’s works being exhibited in Europe and Jiang Ruotang gaining favor from collectors were all his own achievements as a half-brother.

He boasted so much that the three roommates were stunned.

Ding Bing was an honest person and felt quite lucky to have such capable people among his roommates.

Lu An’s expression was like listening to a story, waiting for Zhao Changfeng to continue.

As for Cui He, he echoed Zhao Changfeng’s praises for a few sentences, smiling as he said to Jiang Ruotang, “Then, Master Jiang, please, for the sake of being roommates, please take us with you to fly in the future!”

However, how much sincerity was in this praise was subjective.

---

Just then, there was a knock on the dorm room door. A man wearing glasses and a Polo shirt stood outside, smiling broadly at them. “Oh, this dorm seems lively. Is everyone here?”

Cui He immediately stood up and walked towards him with a smile, “Director Zhang, all four of us in this dorm are here! Are you specially here to inspect the new student dorms? You’ve worked so hard!”

Listening to Cui He’s tone, leaders would likely appreciate it.

Director Zhang smiled and nodded, “Which one is student Jiang Ruotang?”

Suddenly called out by Director Zhang, Jiang Ruotang was still a bit slow to react.

“Ah… I am… I am Jiang Ruotang.”

Director Zhang walked over and grasped Jiang Ruotang’s hands: “Student Jiang Ruotang, congratulations!”

“Congratulations to me? For what?”

Is it for getting into the Capital Fine Arts Academy? But everyone in this dorm did.

“Of course, it’s about the Asian New Star Awards! I heard many international judges highly praised your painting, ‘The Back View’! The evaluation was quite high! Your winning the Super New Star is bringing glory to our country!”

Hearing Director Zhang’s words, Jiang Ruotang was even more confused.

“Me? Super New Star? When?”

“You don’t know? We’ve been following the official website of the Asian New Star Awards. The results were announced this morning. Didn’t they notify you?”

Jiang Ruotang took out his phone. There was a message from Teacher Liang of the art studio, informing him of the award.

There was also a message from Mu Xianqing, congratulating him.

However, he was on the plane, so he hadn’t received these messages.

“Is this real?” Jiang Ruotang was still a bit skeptical. He had never thought he could win an award; his attitude was entirely about participation.

Lu Guifan also checked the award information on his phone. The Chinese official website opened slowly, but once it did, the most eye-catching image was “The Back View,” which was also Lu Guifan’s own back.

“It’s real,” Lu Guifan replied.

Director Zhang walked over to Jiang Ruotang and said, “The school also wants to discuss with you whether your painting can be exhibited in the school’s art museum once it returns? This is also our school’s pride. My visit here is also to invite you to participate in a special discussion meeting at the school. We will definitely guarantee your rights and the safety of your painting.”

Jiang Ruotang nodded blankly.