"Consumer economics is the study of the economic relationships (i.e., consumption relationships) formed by people in the process of consumption under certain social conditions, and their development laws..."
An old man was lecturing on the podium.
The back door of the classroom was not closed, and Liu Sandao entered with Fu Ruhai.
Fu Ruhai, with a secretive air, hunched over and walked step by step towards the seats closest to the door.
There were two empty spots, just enough for them.
This class was Consumer Economics, a mandatory graduation course. The old man on the podium was Master Wu, a renowned scholar in economics at Qingkong University. Being discovered late would result in a lecture at best, and failing the course at worst.
Failing the course meant retaking it and delaying graduation.
Master Wu had a nickname: "Wu Da Zao" (meaning "Wu Big Early" or also "No Big Deal" depending on the pronunciation).
His classes were always scheduled for the first period in the morning. No one dared to skip, not even to be late.
Many students would rush into the classroom before the bell, skipping breakfast and washing up.
Fu Ruhai silently chanted, "Don't see me, don't see me!"
Liu Sandao, walking behind him, entered directly.
He couldn't stand Fu Ruhai's demeanor and didn't understand why he was acting that way.
It was just a class, why act like a thief when one could simply walk in normally?
"Did you see that? Look, it's those two idiots again, always late!"
"They're finished. 'Wu Da Zao, can't sleep, overslept and you're dead!' They're doomed today no matter what!"
"Exactly. Senior year has just begun, and they've already extended their entire university life. How tragic!"
Some whispered amongst themselves.
In university classrooms, most classes were just going through the motions. The teacher lectured about their work, and students pondered their own work at their desks.
Everyone was busy with their own affairs. Occasionally, if the teacher grew impatient, they would restore order.
That was generally how it was.
But Master Wu Da Zao was an exception.
Fu Ruhai was lucky. Tip-toeing, he finally reached his seat and lunged forward.
Liu Sandao, following close behind, was about to slide into the last seat when a hand pushed him aside.
"Make way, make way!"
It was Mei Ziqi speaking and acting.
He followed Liu Sandao, appearing somewhat flustered, his steps uncoordinated.
He'd seized the moment when Liu Sandao wasn't paying attention and lunged.
Unfortunately, his voice was louder than the whispers.
"Clang!"
The seat board fell to the ground as he lost his balance.
"Hahaha!"
The surrounding students, enjoying the spectacle, burst into laughter.
The tense classroom suddenly became livelier.
This attracted the attention of Master Wu, who had been lecturing with his head down. He looked up towards the back door of the classroom.
Two students had rushed in and just sat down, but one student remained standing there, motionless.
Latecomers were a common occurrence, and he knew the situation.
However, to avoid interrupting his lecture flow, he had held back from reacting.
But the students' laughter had disrupted his plan, which made him very angry, especially the standing student, who was like a stubborn block!
"Hey! What's your name?"
Hearing the question, Liu Sandao looked up at the podium.
"It's over, this pretty boy is finished!"
"Hmph! Serves him right for showing off and acting cool all the time. Let's see how he handles this!"
Fu Ruhai, hearing this, was worried and kept signaling Liu Sandao with his eyes, urging him to answer quickly.
Perhaps Master Wu would just rant a bit and it would be fine; not failing the course would be the best outcome.
"You! What's your name!"
Master Wu was getting annoyed. No student had ever dared to be so defiant.
As he spoke, he pointed at Liu Sandao and walked down from the podium indignantly.
The area around the back door was already full, with no empty seats. Liu Sandao could only stand in place.
"Liu Sandao!"
This answer didn't come from Liu Sandao himself, but from Fu Ruhai, who blurted it out in his distress.
Upon hearing this, everyone burst into another wave of laughter.
"He doesn't even know his own name? You have to say it for him? Are you his dad or his mom?"
Master Wu unleashed a torrent of scolding at Fu Ruhai.
Fu Ruhai lowered his head and remained silent.
"Tell me, what's your name? And why are you late!"
"..."
Liu Sandao wanted to answer, but his lips didn't move. He wasn't sure if he should answer truthfully.
Could he say that they were late this morning simply because of a cat?
Originally, he and Fu Ruhai had set their alarms to be on time for class. But Fu Ruhai suddenly remembered he had to give a "fu guo" (fortune fruit) to a cat on the west campus, forcing them to change their original plan.
This cat was named Lao Hei (Old Black), completely black.
It was a stray cat on campus and had become famous after a video of it bravely fighting a large rat in the cafeteria.
It was well-known at Qingkong University, recognized by many students.
The "fu guo" Fu Ruhai was giving was not an ordinary fruit; it was an immortal fruit, a fruit that could save destiny, what the world called "fortune" or "merit."
Fu Ruhai hadn't explained why he was giving the "fu guo" to the cat, and Liu Sandao hadn't asked.
When the two arrived, Lao Hei had just woken up and was stretching and moving its body.
Fu Ruhai took out the "fu guo" from his pocket and threw it directly.
He thought Lao Hei would eat it willingly, but it didn't even glance at it.
Fu Ruhai didn't mind. He picked it up, grabbed Lao Hei by the scruff of its neck, and forced it into its mouth.
You might have seen forceful sales, but you probably haven't seen someone force-feed like this.
The scene was quite revolting to imagine.
Fortunately, Lao Hei was in the faculty housing area, and since it was time for class, there weren't many people around.
After doing this, Fu Ruhai clapped his hands. Just as he was about to leave, an old woman emerged from the building's entrance.
She was pulling a small cart, seemingly heading out to buy groceries.
There was nothing particularly unusual about this, but Lao Hei suddenly leaped towards the old woman.
Liu Sandao, facing the building entrance, saw it clearly:
Behind the old woman, near the corner of the entrance, a large black snake, two to three meters long, had appeared.
"Hiss, hiss!"
With its red tongue flicking, it was about to bite the old woman. The situation was extremely critical.
Lao Hei's leap startled the large black snake, causing it to raise its head, its upper body rising half a meter high!
Perhaps it wasn't fear, but a warning to Lao Hei!
But Lao Hei showed no fear. "Meow!"
With a long meow, it pounced directly.
The black snake immediately engaged, concentrating all its venom at the tip of its fangs, waiting to bite the cat and inject its venom fiercely.
A thrilling battle of dragon and tiger ensued.
They exchanged blows, it dodged, he retreated, it pursued; it dared to extend its head, and he responded with lightning-fast claws.
As expected, Lao Hei lived up to its reputation, showing extraordinary ferocity.
After a few rounds, the black snake fled in disarray.
The old woman, who had turned around after seeing the cat's leap, was stunned by the scene before her and was speechless for a long time.
Fu Ruhai, however, immediately stepped forward, protecting the elderly woman while comforting her.
...
"Speak up! Are you mute! I see you, all of you, this course is over for you!"
It was over. This was the announcement of failure.
As expected, Wu Da Zao, dead and gone!