From a distance, Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan saw rows of private cars parked along the roadside outside the main gate of Jiangda University.
"It looks like we won't be able to drive directly in today. We'll have to walk in to register!" Qin Tian remarked, surveying the situation outside the campus gate.
"Mm!" Xia Nuannuan nodded and replied, "Then let's find a place to park!"
Qin Tian then parked the car in a roadside spot as close to the gate as possible, and they both got out.
"Nuannuan, get the materials ready for registration: your ID card, admission notice, exam permit, and file!" Qin Tian reminded her.
"Everything I need is in this bag!" Xia Nuannuan said loudly, slinging her backpack over her shoulders.
"Mine are still in the suitcase. I'll get them out and put them in your bag!"
"Okay, should we bring the suitcase then?"
"Mine is fine, just bring as much of your luggage as you can. We'll find your dormitory first, settle your things, and then come back for mine!"
"Mhm, mhm!"
As they spoke, they reached the back of the car. Qin Tian opened the trunk, retrieved the registration materials from the suitcase, placed them in Xia Nuannuan's backpack, and then took out her luggage. He also helped her put on another backpack, and then prepared to carry the two suitcases, one in each hand. Xia Nuannuan also picked up a large bag, the contents of which were unknown, and it looked a bit heavy.
"Is this okay? Or should I put it on top?" Qin Tian patted the larger suitcase.
"No need, I can manage. It's you... I really brought too much stuff," Xia Nuannuan said with a slightly embarrassed smile.
"It's fine, they all have wheels, we can just drag them. Let's go!" Qin Tian pulled the handles of the two suitcases and began walking towards the campus gate. Xia Nuannuan quickly followed suit.
The moment they walked side-by-side through the campus gate, many pairs of eyes in the makeshift tents on both sides suddenly lit up.
"Quick, look, handsome junior!"
"He really is, so handsome!"
"Damn it, beautiful junior! None of you dare to snatch her from me!"
"Get lost!"
Almost simultaneously, figures rushed out from the tents, moving like speed walkers directly towards the duo entering the gate.
In his past life, during his university days, Qin Tian had gone through this phase. He had even participated in welcoming new students as a senior at the start of his second year. Therefore, Qin Tian was well aware of the unspoken dynamics. He shifted to the side, positioning himself to shield Xia Nuannuan behind him.
Xia Nuannuan stopped and blinked her big eyes in confusion. The approaching seniors and juniors immediately slowed their pace, realizing the two were together, and their gazes turned to Qin Tian with curiosity.
What's going on? Is it another boyfriend bringing his girlfriend to register? This thought simultaneously crossed the minds of the seniors and juniors.
"Damn, they're wearing matching outfits!" a guy blurted out unexpectedly.
The others suddenly understood, losing the inclination to approach. On such an anticipated day, they didn't want to be the third wheel and witness any public displays of affection. Fortunately, one senior girl didn't have such reservations and was purely captivated by their good looks.
"Hello, handsome. Are you bringing your girlfriend to register?" the girl asked, smiling, as she approached them.
"Hello, senior. We're both new students this year, registering together," Qin Tian replied with a smile.
"Both of you?" The girl looked surprised. Xia Nuannuan peeked out from behind Qin Tian, smiled sweetly, and waved at the girl, saying, "Hello, senior. My name is Xia Nuannuan, and this is Qin Tian!"
"Hello, I'm Xiao Yue, a sophomore from the Foreign Languages Department!" Xiao Yue said with a broad smile, amused by her cute demeanor. She then asked, "Shall I take you to register? Or do you need someone else?"
"No need, we're in the same major. We'll trouble you, senior," Qin Tian quickly declined with a smile.
"Still the same major?" Xiao Yue paused again, then nodded and said, "Alright, then follow me. Give me one of the suitcases, I'll help!"
"No, no, I can manage myself!" Qin Tian shook his head.
"Then... junior girl, let me carry this bag!" Xiao Yue then moved to help Xia Nuannuan. After some polite refusal, Xia Nuannuan couldn't insist further and let her help with the bag. Xiao Yue then led the way, with Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan following a step behind.
Watching the three depart, several boys grumbled discontentedly.
"This is too much, wearing matching outfits to register! I've never seen that before!"
"Did that guy just say they're both from our school?"
"Is he bragging? Aren't they carrying all the junior girl's luggage?"
"Tsk, it's rare to see a junior girl I like, but it's a shame, all the good ones..."
"The type you like? I bet everyone likes someone like this?" Several senior girls nearby scoffed derisively when they heard this.
"You guys are so superficial. You just look at how cute and well-figured they are."
"Exactly! That's why you guys are single. What's so great about junior girls?"
"That junior guy is so handsome, a perfect match of handsome guy and beautiful girl. Just give up!"
"..." Several girls chimed in in agreement. The boys immediately got annoyed, and they started bickering defensively.
"Oh, please. Didn't you all look like silly fans when you saw how handsome he was? What's the difference?"
"Bah, you guys are just lusting after their bodies, how vulgar. We're not!"
"Aren't you lusting after the junior guy's looks? It's the pot calling the kettle black, don't you think!"
"Who's calling who what? We're sisters!"
...
...
Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan were unaware that they had inadvertently sparked a war among a group of single students. Along the way, Senior Xiao Yue chatted casually with them. Upon learning that they were classmates from the same high school, even desk mates, and had both been admitted to Jiangda University, and had chosen the same major, Xiao Yue was both shocked and envious. What a perfect couple!
As they chatted and joked, the three soon arrived at the freshman reception area located on the sports field. More tents were set up here, and they could see signs for various departments displayed on the tables.
"Which major are you from?" Xiao Yue asked again.
"We're in the Economics major!" Xia Nuannuan replied with a smile.
"Economics and Management Department, let me see!" Xiao Yue looked around and then pointed in a nearby direction, saying, "It's over there!"
"I see it, let's go. Get your materials ready," Qin Tian told Xia Nuannuan. Xia Nuannuan nodded obediently, took off her backpack, and took out all their materials. After identity verification, they received their dormitory information and campus cards.
"Let's go, shall I take you to find your dorm? Should we go to the junior girl's dorm first?" Xiao Yue asked with a bright smile.
"Yes, thank you, senior," Qin Tian replied with a smile. Under the envious gazes of many seniors and juniors at the reception, the three headed towards the freshman girls' dormitory area.