The Master’s Mask Unveiled Again
Chapter 971 - 970: I Want to Be Closer to Her

Chapter 971: Chapter 970: I Want to Be Closer to Her

Kang Hongbin didn’t know what was on his student’s mind, but after receiving the reassuring signal, he nodded and felt much more secure.

With Xiao Qimo as his trump card, he wasn’t afraid that Lu Mian would slip away!

However, Kang Hongbin barely had a few seconds of joy before an enthusiastic and excited voice rang out at the office door.

"Me, me, me! Pick me! I’m the closest to the Literature Department!"

As this voice echoed in, Lu Mian and the teachers all turned toward the door in unison, only to see Elite Class professor Mou Taohui standing there, panting heavily.

No one knew what tricks he had used to get into the Physics Department’s teaching building.

He squeezed past a group of teachers and walked to Lu Mian’s side, saying, "Lu Mian, our teaching building is right next to the Literature Department. What do you think?"

Lu Mian smiled warmly, "This one works. Professor, can I take a minor in your field?"

She didn’t even ask a single question about the subject—so direct and decisive.

Others choosing a major: Baidu + Quora + college forums + advice from relatives.

Lu Mian choosing a major: "This one works."

Kang Hongbin hurriedly walked over, "Lu Mian, he’s Professor Mou Taohui from the Elite Class. The Elite Class is the Artificial Intelligence Academy Class, which is Qing University’s flagship program!"

"Oh." Lu Mian blinked, "Are my grades not good enough?"

Kang Hongbin: ...Who would dare say your grades aren’t good enough?!

"I mean, their coursework is incredibly intense! There’s a lot of homework! The failure rate is high!"

Mou Taohui retorted indignantly, "Dean Kang, who paid you to badmouth us like that? Lu Mian, rest assured. In our Elite Class, we emphasize self-directed learning the most—you can go at your own pace. We only admitted 29 students this year, and the remaining spot is reserved just for you!"

The other professors were mentally collapsing: Is it even allowed to recruit students like this?!

Professor Mou was too cunning!

Technically speaking, Lu Mian had just started university, and she wasn’t eligible to select a minor. But given her stellar academic performance—whether it was in physics competitions or the college entrance exam—her science scores were unquestionably top-notch.

The university considered it a feat to have recruited her at all, and naturally supported her in pursuing a second major, setting a precedent at Qing University.

Lu Mian didn’t drag it out, making her decision without even taking time to think.

"Professor Mou, let’s take care of the paperwork."

"Absolutely!" Mou Taohui beamed with joy. He had thought it would take some persuading, but he hadn’t expected her to agree so quickly.

Securing that spot for Lu Mian hadn’t been easy; it had taken countless rounds of review and approval by the university’s departments.

Now that Lu Mian agreed, the weight in his heart was lifted.

He figured Lu Mian must’ve been moved by his sincerity and decided to minor in their Artificial Intelligence program because of it.

Indeed, sincerity works wonders!

Meanwhile, Kang Hongbin sighed helplessly, glancing at Xiao Jianli and then at Xiao Qimo.

He was starting to doubt Lu Mian’s regard for Xiao Qimo.

What kind of trump card is this if it’s completely ineffective?

Xiao Qimo turned his head away calmly, pretending not to notice the look of pity from the opposing party.

Xiao Jianli was thoroughly puzzled and couldn’t figure out Lu Mian’s reasons for choosing a second major.

What does this have to do with the Literature Department?

Still, since Mianmian showed ambition, he was fully supportive.

As for the other professors, who were inwardly bitter, was their sincerity somehow less than Mou Taohui’s?

"Lu Mian, why? Do you like the Artificial Intelligence program?"

Mou Taohui looked proud, eager to hear her response.

The prestige of the Elite Class meant Lu Mian choosing their program was definitely the wisest choice!

Lu Mian tilted her head honestly, "Ah... I didn’t pay attention to what the program was."

Mou Taohui’s smiling face froze slightly.

Lu Mian went on to explain candidly: "I have a good friend in the Chinese Language and Literature Department, and I wanted to be closer to her."

The teachers: ... Nobody saw this coming!

Mou Taohui: ... My heavily-contested flagship program somehow benefited from its proximity to the Literature Department?

——

Once the enrollment formalities were finished, Lu Mian prepared to head over to settle into her dormitory.

At Qing University, all dormitories were four-person units with excellent living conditions.

Mo Si was driving, with Xiao Jianli, Xiao Qimo, and Lu Mian in the car with her, heading directly to the dormitory area. Kunyang, Jing Pei, and Su Luo followed in a second car, trailing closely behind Mo Si’s vehicle.

Though not exactly grand, two cars traversing the Qing University Campus was a level of treatment usually reserved for administrators.

Some students spotted three elder gentlemen boarding the cars and inferred—those cars must be carrying Jinjing’s Three Masters!

"I heard from the Physics Department folks that the Three Masters are here for their department’s favorite student!"

"Then, who exactly is their favorite student?"

"That’s not right. I just heard rumors from the Elite Class that the Three Masters are here for their star freshman, Lu Yutian! The Lu Family and the Three Masters’ families are close!"

"Huh? Who’s correct then?"

"Why not go take a look and find out!"

"I bet 100 bucks on the Physics Department’s favorite!"

"I bet 200 bucks on the star freshman Lu Yutian!"

——

Apartment A8.

Lu Yutian was busy unpacking when she noticed her roommate and classmates from next door rushing out to the balcony all at once, apparently excited about something.

Curious but not overly reactive, she took her time.

A student, bubbling with excitement, filled her in: "Yutian, Jinjing’s Three Masters are heading toward us!"

Lu Yutian paused mid-reach for her belongings.

The other person seemed to have gotten insider information. "Yutian, the senior said the Three Masters are here for you! Your family really is impressive!"

After blurting that out, the student dashed toward the window in a hurry.

Lu Yutian pondered briefly. Could it be that her grandfather, unable to come to campus due to his illness, sent his old friends in his place?

Though she felt quite happy about it internally, outwardly she maintained a composed demeanor, casually walking to the window to look downstairs along with everyone else.

The crowd was polite enough to leave her some space.

"Yutian, look! It’s those two cars! The university forum has already exploded!"

"Yutian, are the Masters here to take you out for a meal? So envious of you..."

Lu Yutian tucked back a strand of her hair, offering a poised and gracious smile. Just as she was about to say something, she noticed—

"Huh? What’s going on? Did those two cars just drive past us?"

"Could they have gone too far ahead?!"

——

Apartment A9 parking area.

The two modest cars finally came to a stop, and a man and woman disembarked.

Xiao Qimo handed Lu Mian a brand-new mask before heading to the trunk to retrieve her suitcase.

He strode toward the dormitory building, suitcase in hand.

As Lu Mian put on her mask, she squinted slightly, glanced up at the dormitory building, then tugged at his sleeve.

Xiao Qimo stopped in his tracks.

"What’s wrong? I’ve already spoken to the dorm manager. We can go in now," he said, thinking Lu Mian was worried about gaining entry.

Lu Mian lowered her gaze and looked at Xiao Qimo.

The sunset poured over him like a soft layer of gold, his posture tall and elegant, his demeanor refined and gentle.

Lu Mian’s cheeks flushed and she reached out to adjust the gold-rimmed glasses on his face, shaking her head.

"I can do it myself," she said.

Taking the suitcase from Xiao Qimo, she found it rather large. Though there weren’t many clothes or daily essentials packed inside, the majority was her beloved romance novels.

Mo Si, still seated in the car, called out, "Miss Lu, that suitcase is incredibly heavy—let Master Mo carry it for you!"

Three-quarters of the suitcase was filled with books. No wonder it was so heavy!

Lu Mian adjusted the strap of her black backpack and insisted on lifting the suitcase herself.

With a hand shielding her eyes from the sun’s glare, she spoke softly, "It’s fine; I can handle it. There are too many people around here—you should just wait in the car."