After a long journey, Chen Niu finally stood at the entrance of Peking University.

He tilted his head, looking down the road that led into the campus. His gaze penetrated deep inside, but he remained outside, not taking a single step forward.

Seeing this, the security guard walked over, worried, and asked, “Young man, where are you from? Do you have a letter of introduction?”

Chen Niu took out the letter of introduction that Qian Niuhua had helped him get with facial recognition, proving his identity was clean, that he wasn’t up to anything suspicious.

After reading the letter, the guard relaxed and struck up a conversation. “Oh, so you’re a university student too. Came here specifically to see our school? Did you not get in before?”

With Chen Niu’s grades at the time, he had barely made the cutoff; it wasn’t clear if he could have gotten into such a prestigious school.

But he had already decided on his preferred university early on, so all his applications were to agricultural schools. That determination had prevented him from losing focus and having his choices slip away.

On one hand, he had his own plans; on the other, he knew his grandmother’s wish—to bring Qian Niuhua along with him.

Of course, between the two, his own wish came first.

Facing the guard’s question, Chen Niu nodded. “Yeah, didn’t get in. Too hard to get in. Everyone inside must be top-notch students.”

“Same everywhere, same everywhere. You university students are impressive. Out of a hundred, only a few make it. Truly one in a hundred.”

The guard enthusiastically said, “You can go in and take a look! What’s there to hesitate about? Don’t be afraid.”

“No hesitation,” Chen Niu shook his head with a smile. “I’m not going in.”

He was just here to see Beijing, to see what the university looked like. That was enough—no need to go in and bother anyone.

As for why he came at all, it was simply because he felt like coming.

Even Chen Niu didn’t know why, but with some people, you just know you like them at first sight.

The guard continued encouraging him, “You must really like our school, huh? Go take a look, it doesn’t hurt. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll be the teacher here!”

“Mm, hope there will be such a day. Thanks for your kind words, sir.”

After wandering outside for a long time and following the brazen Wang Anlei around, Chen Niu had become more experienced in handling situations. Not exactly outstanding, but at least he wouldn’t leave people speechless or create awkwardness.

After leaving Peking University, Chen Niu got a map and wandered around various places, just so that when Qian Niuhua asked later, he wouldn’t have to admit he hadn’t been anywhere.

But exploring alone was far less fun than going with a group.

After a hurried walk, he decided that next time, he would never go out alone again.

Boarding the train, leaving Beijing amid the sounds of “besides,” Chen Niu sat by the window, gazing at the foggy scenery outside. Then he looked at his own rough, large hands, realizing he alone carried the calm and silence of the entire train.

Back at South Agricultural University, Chen Niu returned to his single room but didn’t see Qian Niuhua.

That was normal.

So he started searching the whole campus for Qian Niuhua, asking along the way if anyone had seen his cow.

“Teacher Zhao, have you seen Qian Niuhua?”

“Chen Niu, you’re back! I saw Qian Niuhua this morning. At this hour, he’s probably listening to a story at Sister Dong’s place. They usually gather by the lake; you can go take a look.”

“Ah, alright, thanks, Teacher Zhao. I’ll go check.”

Chen Niu walked toward the lake and soon spotted a group of children gathered around the school teachers, forming a half-circle, listening to a story.

Most prominent of all was a yellow cow lying next to the storyteller.

This VIP treatment, of course, belonged to Shi Qian, the social cow himself.

When the story reached the part about the three battles with the White Bone Spirit, full of twists and turns, everyone listened intently. Even Shi Qian, who already knew how it would go, felt excited.

Being the eldest senior really was impressive!

Chen Niu gradually got absorbed as well, sitting on the ground behind them, joining this story-listening group.

When the story ended, the children began chattering excitedly. Shi Qian saw Chen Niu behind him and immediately got up.

He nimbly weaved through the crowd and ran up to Chen Niu. “Moo moo.”

“How was your trip to Beijing?”

Chen Niu raised his hand and stroked Shi Qian’s neck. “Miss me?”

Shi Qian shook his head and glanced back at his new circle of friends.

Chen Niu chuckled. “And here I was, thinking of bringing you something.”

“Moo moo?”

A gift! What is it?

Shi Qian looked around, then reached out his hoof to tug at Chen Niu’s collar.

Chen Niu grabbed his shirt with one hand and lifted him slightly with the other. “Not on me—left it in the room. Go check yourself.”

Shi Qian immediately turned back and said to his new friends, “Moo moo.”

Bye-bye.

And he waved one of his front hooves.

“Goodbye, Qian Niuhua!”

“Come out to play tomorrow.”

“Won’t your parents mind if you go out?” a suspicious child asked, glancing at Chen Niu.

Chen Niu: …“Don’t worry, he can go out whenever he wants.”

There’s no one who can control him.

Shi Qian nodded in agreement, showing that he really could go out freely. His little friends cast envious glances at him.

After greeting Teacher Dong, the storyteller, Chen Niu led his cow back with him.

On the way, Shi Qian sensed a slightly gloomy aura from him after leaving the crowd.

Tilting his head, Shi Qian asked, “Moo moo?”

What’s wrong? Not enjoying yourself?

He nudged Chen Niu slightly, and Chen Niu stepped aside.

Chen Niu: “Why are you pushing me?”

“Moo moo.”

Just checking on you.

Shi Qian thought Chen Niu probably already knew what he meant. What could have happened in Beijing?

There was only one possible reason for him to feel down.

Sure enough, Chen Niu sighed and replied, “I didn’t see her, just looked around the school gate.”

“I’ll be planting fields for many years to come, putting down roots in the soil.”

That meant he couldn’t provide much care or protection—he simply wasn’t a suitable choice.

Chen Niu knew that at some point, there had been a chance. Lin Nanyin had even asked him which university he wanted to apply to. Chen Niu hadn’t dared to look at her and named a few schools—all in different cities.

Shi Qian could only comfort him: “Moo moo.”

It’s okay, I’ll farm with you.

Farming wasn’t shameful or bad. It wasn’t something to be ashamed of. They were working to feed more people, contributing to a more stable future for the country, striving for everyone in the world to have enough to eat.

Though nameless and arduous, it was like the sun in the sky, silently spreading light everywhere.

Chen Niu patted his head. “It’s fine. Do you know which teacher at school is good at English?”

Shi Qian, off guard, gave him the name of the teacher proficient in English.

Unexpectedly, Chen Niu wanted to have a private lesson the next day and even asked to bring him along.

Shi Qian ran off immediately.

Farming together was fine, but learning a foreign language? Forget it!

Besides, Shi Qian didn’t like studying that. Even if he learned it, it wouldn’t be useful.

He left Chen Niu, spent the morning grazing, and continued listening to Journey to the West in the afternoon. After that story, the next one would be the Three Kingdoms.

The teachers welcomed diligent students, and Chen Niu successfully gained a new teacher.

In a flash, the next semester arrived.

Besides returning students, a new batch of freshmen was about to arrive. This meant that—after only half a semester—Chen Niu was promoted straight to a “sophomore.”

Chen Niu was pulled into work, and Shi Qian, just like last year, helped carry textbooks and supplies for the students, bustling around the campus.

Until the student council came over and grabbed Chen Niu: “Chen Niu, we need your help.”

Chen Niu didn’t know them well. “Tell me first. I need to know what this is about.”

“Nothing major, just borrowing Qian Niuhua for a bit.”

“Borrow Qian Niuhua?”

Shi Qian, curious, chimed in: “Moo moo?”

Tell me, what do you need me for?

“It’s simple. We want to take Qian Niuhua to the train station to welcome the new students. Just standing there, and everyone will know about our agricultural school. We’ll put a big red flower on Qian Niuhua—so spirited! No other school today will be more eye-catching than ours!”

“How are we getting there? It’s not close, right?”

“Ride the tractor,” the other person asked, a bit worried. “Can Qian Niuhua handle a tractor?”

Shi Qian was more than happy to show off and nodded: “Moo moo.”

I can.

Chen Niu immediately tightened his hold around Shi Qian’s neck: “He can’t.”

“The tractor is so loud and bumpy. Walking over is too far. Forget it.”

The first time he walked from the train station to Nannong, Chen Niu remembered it clearly, so he never let Shi Qian take that route a second time.

“Besides, you’re so strong. What if you get startled and hurt someone?”

“I’ve seen a cow hit someone before—gutters torn, intestines out. Not a joke!”

Shi Qian didn’t see the problem. He’d seen tractors before, and he’d heard loud noises; a little tolerance was fine. Plus, going out to welcome new students was a perfect chance to assert his senior status.

Shi Qian flopped onto the ground: “Moo moo.”

I’m going.

Even Chen Niu couldn’t stop him and ended up lying down on the ground with him.

It looked like one person and one cow were about to start a fight. After a moment’s thought, the student council compromised: “How about we find another vehicle? Quieter and smoother.”

Reluctantly, Chen Niu let go: “Fine, as long as you find a good one. I’ll follow.”

Shi Qian had successfully thrown his tantrum. He got on a car with a rear truck bed, wore a big red flower on his chest, and set off triumphantly.

Walking from Nannong to the train station, all eyes followed them.

People on the road kept asking, “What’s with taking that big cow?”

The people in the car laughed: “It’s Nannong welcoming new students!”

Chen Niu: …

Regret leaving the house already.

Would people still remember this absurd stunt at Nannong decades later?

But there was no turning back, and everyone around, including the cow, was happy. Chen Niu could only watch the car move forward and follow Shi Qian, “enjoying” the attention of the crowd.

When students from other schools gave them the “you’re cheating” look, he had to admit… it was a little thrilling.

However, before long, more and more freshmen gathered around Shi Qian, not caring about gender, and Chen Niu started to feel a sense of crisis.

He squeezed to the front: “He’s a senior, don’t touch him!”