The candidates were chattering noisily, mostly complaining about Shen Liao, but surprisingly there were also people speaking up for him.

"There’s a reason for it, I guess. I know the guy with glasses; he’s proctored my exams many times. Once, when the exam started, he warned us not to cheat and then shared his own experience. Turns out back when he was a sophomore, he was caught cheating by a senior. She lectured him in the exam room with eloquence but also severity, saying things like how he, as a student of Beihua Normal University, should be a model of conduct and morality. He was so embarrassed and ashamed that he decided to change his ways and focus on his studies, improving his grades significantly. That’s why he’s now pursuing graduate studies..."

"So he wants to pass on the torch, take up the proctoring relay, and despise cheating?"

"Isn’t cheating something to be despised? If you put as much thought into studying as you do into cheating, maybe you’d remember more answers!"

A girl snorted softly, "Not bothering to study usually, then blaming the strict proctor—what’s wrong with people!"

The conversation momentarily paused; everyone had different expressions and started to disperse, and the topic of discussion shifted direction.

"Getting assigned to this exam room isn’t bad, actually. That tall senior is so handsome—so pleasing to the eyes that I hesitated to submit my paper after finishing just so I could sneak a few more glances. Too bad he didn’t take off his mask the entire time."

"I heard the patrolling proctor joking with him, calling him the campus heartthrob Peifeng... Do we actually have a campus heartthrob?"

Shen Liao and Li Peifeng were walking behind them and overheard most of the conversation. Initially, Shen Liao just smiled indifferently at hearing them gossip about him, but then he felt gratified when someone spoke up for him. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

However, moments later, Shen Liao suddenly looked mournful. Walking silently with Li Peifeng out of the teaching building, he slowed down as he looked at the junior students coming out of the exam halls and said softly, "Seeing them reminds me of my own youth that’s gone by."

Li Peifeng slowed his pace and chuckled silently, "It’s not gone yet; there’s still a bit left."

Shen Liao, with a flourish of his poetic soul, pursed his lips as if composing something. After a few steps, he sighed wistfully, "I still remember when I was a freshman, the teacher lecturing tirelessly on stage, while I daydreamed looking out at the sunset or dozed off at my desk, or played games on my phone."

"A few days ago it snowed heavily, and our dorm collectively chose to take a nap. The room wasn’t too hot or cold, and clothes we had washed at noon dripped slowly, releasing the scent of laundry detergent. As I was about to fall asleep, Old Xu came searching for me to have a snowball fight, bringing in a chilly gust of wind. Seeing everyone asleep, he quietly left, not forgetting to tuck my blanket through the bed rail before he left."

Hmm? Old Xu didn’t get into bed with you? Didn’t test for best sleeping positions?

Li Peifeng was intrigued, "And then?"

Shen Liao said with feeling, "I was in a state of half-sleep, thinking I could just lie there forever, and that would be fine. Those brothers were good guys in the traditional sense, and they tolerated my rebellious ways. I found comfort in the day-in and day-out routine—attending classes, eating meals, gossiping on runs—that is life..."

"But when Old Xu brought in that gust of cold wind, it startled me awake. I suddenly remembered I’m already halfway through my second year of graduate school, and soon I’d have to start job hunting. I suddenly realized that these peaceful days in my long life, the years at university, seem on the verge of being squandered away. Damn it!"

Shen Liao’s face clouded, and he cursed under his breath, "Peifeng, tell me, I just took a nap, how did I suddenly grow up?"

Growth is destined to be chaotic and tempestuous all on its own.

Li Peifeng was slightly taken aback, overwhelmed by complex emotions but merely sighed and chose to change the subject: "How’s your thesis? Did you start it yet?"

Shen Liao took a couple of deep breaths and nodded, "Almost done. I’ve shown it to my advisor twice, and there shouldn’t be any problems."

Li Peifeng was a bit surprised, "Very fast, what’s it about?"

"About the history of red literature."

Li Peifeng was astonished again, "That direction and that speed, impressive, impressive."

Shen Liao laughed at himself, "Just going through old paper stacks. It’s your online literature that’s the future of literature... By the way, you’re graduating early, so your thesis must be done, right?"

"Just about," Li Peifeng nodded slightly, "I’m reducing the word count. Once that’s done, it’s ready."

"And your new book? Have you written it? Why haven’t you released a new book since you finished the last one? Made enough money already?"

Shen Liao’s words brought a smile to Li Peifeng’s face, "I was actually supposed to release it yesterday, but I had some differences with the website over the book’s copyright. I spent quite some time discussing it with the responsible person yesterday but didn’t reach an agreement until the editor called me at lunchtime today... So I’m going to release the new book when I get home later!"

Li Peifeng has high hopes for "Swords and Magic," especially concerning film and game rights.

For digital rights, namely novel subscriptions, the contract for a platinum writer is a 70-30 split, with the author getting 70, which Li Peifeng had no issue with.

However, for film and game rights, the split was still 50-50, and Li Peifeng couldn’t quite accept that. So after writing 170,000 words of "Swords and Magic" and completing the first volume, he sent it to Xia Sheng for review and, after receiving approval and even praise, brought up the issue, hoping to negotiate the terms or reclaim the rights entirely.

This was beyond Xia Sheng’s authority, so it was reported to higher-ups for negotiations with Li Peifeng. The process was complicated and not worth elaborating on, but the final result was an added clause in the contract.

That is; Li Peifeng could repurchase the film, game, and other adaptation rights for "The Chronicles of Swords and Magic" with a large sum.

This result was satisfactory to both parties, making the release of "The Chronicles of Swords and Magic" a certainty.

"Congratulations, congratulations~" Shen Liao observed Li Peifeng’s expression and knew the contract negotiation was likely beneficial for him, so he casually offered congratulations. He then added, "What’s the new book about? Still that kind of incomprehensible stuff I can’t read?"

"It’s written for the male demographic; you’ll definitely be able to read it!"

"Oh? Changing genres? So brave!"

Shen Liao exclaimed in surprise and asked a couple more questions about Li Peifeng’s project, whose responses piqued his interest. He promised to thoroughly read it over the winter break and might even write a few literary critique posts from an academic perspective to provide feedback.

While the two of them chatted casually, they arrived at the relevant office in the School of Arts and Sciences building, handed in the papers to the teacher, and headed out. They just happened to encounter Bai Xiaoyang and Bai Qingchuan, who were also carrying stacks of papers, seemingly having also been recruited as helpers by their own advisor.

"I was just looking for you, don’t leave yet."

Shen Liao and Li Peifeng waved from a distance in greeting, but Bai Xiaoyang quickly came over, loudly asking them to stay.

"What’s up?"

Having just snowed, the path was cold and slippery. Bai Xiaoyang stumbled while running, nearly falling, and Li Peifeng quickly caught him, "What’s so urgent?"

Bai Xiaoyang arrived, slightly panting, "End-of-semester club dinner, it’s supposedly night snacks and KTV, are you coming?"

"Sure."

Shen Liao agreed quickly. Li Peifeng thought of his manuscript for "Swords and Magic" and remembered he would graduate early next semester, realizing this might be one of the last chances to attend such events. So he nodded, "Count me in."

...

At eleven forty in the morning, Li Peifeng parted ways with Shen Liao and the others and headed to Zhao Qingge’s office.

It was still quite some time before the dinner event in the evening. If possible, he planned to sponge a lunch using Old Zhao’s meal card before heading home, partly to gauge his attitude and partly because he had helped invigilate, contributing his effort, so it was fitting.

"Knock knock~"

"Click~"

The door opened directly, and Zhao Qingge seemed to be heading out, holding a thermos cup.

"Finished proctoring?"

Li Peifeng responded affirmatively, "Are you heading to the cafeteria for lunch?"

Zhao Qingge glanced at him, continuing to walk outside, "Do you need something?"

A tone that suggested what he was doing was none of his rebellious student’s business...

What’s with this attitude?!

Li Peifeng followed, frowning slightly, speaking more firmly, "Baby’s hungry, needs to eat!!"