Chapter 321: Heavy Metal Rock
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
You could only see his teeth in the dark.
Everyone stared at Qin Guan for 30 seconds and gasped.
Batiste grabbed Qin Guan's arm with shining eyes. "Are you a Drama Major? Why did you come to New York? You should have gone to France! We have the best drama schools!"
Naturally inclined to contradict the French, Joseph questioned his logic, "Broadway is in New York. He might be a dancer. Besides, Los Angeles is also in the US! What could Qin Guan do in France? Remain unpaid and go on strike with your labor union?"
"You motherf*cker! The Honor of Gaul Warriors will never be defended!"
Cella broke in, "I've never had dinner for free before. You treated me to food, so I'll treat you to good music. We are all artists after all."
Who told you that I'm an artist? How can you tell that that's my profession? By my appearance?
Before Qin Guan could speak, Cella went on to say, "I have a show tonight. You should come. Drinks are for free."
"You should dress up though. Your face is dangerous, and we have a dangerous audience."
Who would dare come to the show after you say something like that? Do you think I'm an idiot? What? Drinks are for free?
Joseph, who was an alcohol addict, suddenly turned to Qin Guan. "You are a stranger here, Qin Guan. You'll get lost. I've been living in New York for many years. I'll take you. It'll be my pleasure!"
The French boys suddenly stood up. "Cella, you never invited us! We are also artists ourselves! We want to..."
"Wow! A background band! That's what I call American culture! I want to go too! Here is the admission fee."
A golden foil was presented. It was a bribe from Congo.
Cella inserted the foil into her hammock calmly. Her generous cleavage swallowed it up. There was a beautiful snake tattoo on her breasts.
Qin Guan cast a glance at Cong Nianwei and saw his brave girlfriend watching the funny scene in high spirits. It seemed that he was the only one who would rather stay in bed with his girlfriend on his first day in the US.
Since everyone was interested in the show, Qin Guan agreed to go. He put on a pair of silly black-framed glasses before they left.
At the entrance of the building, Cong Nianwei and Qin Guan realized that Cella's show was different from the ordinary.
The members of her band, most of whom were not Mexican, came to pick her up. They were driving a cool bubble car with prints of golden flames.
It was like a demon carriage from "Journey to the West". Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei followed the French brothers to their Volkswagen. We'd better stay with ordinary people.
After several turns, they arrived at the city center and parked in a large parking lot. Then they walked to the inner streets.
The roads were wet and slippery with waste everywhere. Compared to the business streets of New York, that area was much darker.
At the end of an alley, there was a small twinkling bulb, quite different from the exaggerated neon lights in the Japanese entertainment area. It had a restrained vibe to it.
They gathered at the entrance, where iron handrails were leading to the basement. A strong man was standing by.
He was a security guard. Even though it was dark, he was still wearing sunglasses. Every visitor had to be checked by him.
This was the tradition of such disorderly places. No guns or sharp weapons were permitted. That rule was for the protection of their customers.
They went in directly, because Cella was with them.
Qin Guan pushed the old iron gate open, feeling like he was opening Pandora's box. The world inside was completely different from the one outside.
Sparkling neon lights were rotating on the high ceiling. Except for the lights on the stage, it was completely dark inside.
It took them some time to adapt to the low lights. They could hardly see anything in the chaotic, dark hall.
Rockers with rivets and metal pieces were making noise in the hot, dry environment.
The bar counter was the brightest place in the hall. Customers went there every now and then. They moved towards the normal-looking bartender subconsciously, trying to avoid people with rogue faces.
"In my tribe, they would be the best warriors."
"What do you mean?"
"In my tribe, tattoos on the face are a symbol of courage during hunting. Besides, the tattoos would scare big felids away. Any one of them could frighten two lions, in my opinion."
You could poison a lion with your words, my prince.
Only Joseph knew the place well enough to navigate through it with ease. He asked for a large glass of beer and enjoyed it by the counter.
Cong Nianwei was in Qin Guan's embrace the whole time. For a good girl like her, this was a new experience.
The lights on the stage lit up and several drummers appeared. Cella was standing by the microphone. She was the lead vocalist of the band!
The whole audience was screaming, whistling and cheering. Cella was very popular in the club. Everyone went crazy during the prelude.
The band was playing heavy metal music, a valiant genre of rock music. Even the cement floor was trembling along with the rhythm.
Cella's voice was a typical hoarse voice. Her friends, who knew nothing about music, were in awe of her. The crazy music cheered the audience up.
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Chapter 322: The German Sun
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Everyone there was much more fierce and irritable, not just because of the alcohol, but also because of their own characteristics.
A guy with long hair standing like a snake had been provoking Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei for a long time.
As a frequent patron, he knew that people would hit on him if he stood in the spotlight.
He was clever enough to find a place near the counter.
He was right. After a couple of songs, there was quarrel in the hall. The crowd parted, leaving space for a person rolling out ahead and another one chasing them.
They knew the rules well. They had their fight by the edge of the room, automatically avoiding the counter.
The crowd gathered again, paying no attention to the follow-up. Even the security staff standing by just cast an indifferent glance at them and turned their heads around.
Interesting. If this had happened in China, they would have been stopped right away. People there seemed uninterested in other people's affairs though.
Qin Guan wanted to take his girlfriend away, but she was sitting happily with their neighbours. She should have had some sunflower seeds in her hand.
There were idlers everywhere. By that time, Joseph had ordered his third cup of beer and was discussing the concrete uses of martial arts in real life.
The man beaten by his opponent was sad to hear the commentary. Nobody would want to hear such comments when they were suffering a beating.
The winner was also annoyed by the narrator, who was querying his IQ and analysing his actions in a disdainful manner.
"Shut up!"
"Shut up!"
The two men shouted at Joseph in one voice.
Huh? What's happening? I was whispering under the cover of loud music.
Qin Guan pulled the confused boy away, reminding him not to irritate other people.
"F*ck!"
Joseph was calm though. "See?" he told Qin Guan. "English speakers are short on words and expressions. They don't even know how to curse without using the word f*ck."
Qin Guan wanted to agree with him, but he couldn't say anything. He realized that Joseph had just insulted the two men.
It was strange, but the other guys did not seem anxious. They were looking at Joseph as if they were watching an actor.
Aren't you too cruel with him? He's tall, but he doesn't look like a good fighter. If something happened to him, I'd give him a hand.
The two men rushed up to Joseph and attacked his face with their large fists.
"Be careful!" Suddenly, Joseph squatted down and set his glass on the counter. He was not a strict commentator anymore.
The two guys couldn't draw their fists back in time. Missing their target, their fists collided with Qin Guan, who was standing behind Joseph.
"Ah!" Cong Nianwei couldn't help but scream. Despite her high IQ, she could do nothing but scream as she faced the wide gap between two different forces.
The others failed to run for help. They were all too stunned to move. Even the straw in Bastie's mouth fell to the ground.
The handsome boy would get disfigured after those two blows!
...
Potential was always maximized during a crisis. Qin Guan's brain automatically issued an order, manipulating his nervous reflexes.
There were only several centimetres between the fists and his body, when Qin Guan suddenly moved.
The onlookers only saw a pair of black-framed glasses flying in the air as the owner disappeared in a flash.
Actually, Qin Guan hadn't even moved his feet. He had bent 90 degrees, as if he was limbo dancing. His movement was clean-cut and clear.
The two guys realized their mistake and retreated. The threat had been minimized temporarily.
Qin Guan stood up again.
The crowd applauded him.
"I told you he was a dancer. He will become famous on Broadway!"
Joseph was no longer the focus of the conversation. His enemies had been shocked by Qin Guan.
And God said, "Let there be light; and there was light."
The onlookers saw someone shiner in front of them. The boy who had lost his glasses during the fight revealed his real beauty before them.
They thought it was miracle.
"Wow!"
As sophisticated New Yorkers, they came back to their senses fast. Cheers and whistles were heard everywhere. This was what rebelling, frivolous American boys were like. Joseph though, who had no idea what was going on, thought that they were challenging him and Qin Guan.
You think your master is scared? Just wait till you experience the German Sun!
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Chapter 323: Applause
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Joseph jumped over and pushed his head against one of them.
Bang!
Caught completely unaware, the guy fell down and fainted.
"Wow!"
Is this the time for admiration? You guys are too optimistic!
"Hey, Joseph..."
Joseph's eyes were shining. He was not influenced by the others. All he could see was the other guy, who was wearing an iron gauze.
"Oh, f*ck!"
I, Warrior William of 132nd Street, will never yield to anyone! He attacked Joseph again.
The best defense was offense, so Joseph jumped aside.
Qin Guan was picking his glasses up from the floor, when he looked up and saw another fist in front him.
He pushed one of his fists down and performed an elegant backward somersault by using the recoiling force. He landed on the table behind him.
It was a perfect landing. William had just retreated with his arm outstretched.
Ignorant American guys, huh?
"Qin Guan, I love you! Do it again!" Batiste shouted loudly.
More and more people saw the fight in the dark. It was even more splendid than the band on the stage.
It included all the favorite elements of American guys: violence, astonishing results, fairy boys from Asia and mysterious Chinese martial arts.
Taking advantage of this, Joseph hit the man on the jaw. The attack was on point.
Blood escaped the man's nose. Looking at his white T-shirt, Joseph jumped back without hesitation.
So did Qin Guan, who had stopped posing on the table. Thanks to Joseph's move, he hadn't attracted more attention.
As a tall man, Joseph is a bit too vigorous. Judging by his figure, he should have been a tough fighter. He seems to be good at dodging hits though.
Qin Guan didn't think about it anymore. More and more people gathered around them, curious about the unusual fight.
"It's late. We better go," Qin Guan suggested.
"Fine, let's go," said Joseph.
He had won the battle, so he didn't want to stay anymore.
The waiter cleared their cups away. Just before Joseph left, the man lying on the floor rubbed his blood on Joseph's pants.
Is that your way of fighting back?
William had noticed that Joseph was a squeamish guy, because he had cared about his white shirt.
"F*ck dich!" Joseph cried. "What shall I do now, you motherf*cker?"
Qin Guan stopped him before he could stomp on William's face. "If you step on his face, you'll get more blood on your shoes!"
Qin Guan is right. I'd better stay away from the bastard.
"Go! Go!"
Pushing Joseph, they ran as fast as their feet could carry them. The crowd made a path for them.
The strong man must have hit his head pretty hard. He was the one who had provoked the others first after all.
In fact, Joseph was an ordinary man during peaceful times. He liked to provoke others and start fights when he drank though. His friends knew him well.
When they left the noisy underground club, some hot-blooded youngsters decided that they should learn something from the young martial artist.
They rushed to the exit, but saw nobody there.
They all got in the car. Anyone who wasn't drunk had to drive. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei's driving licenses would be valid in the US in half a year. They had to take the examination again during that time.
The two cars drove off, leaving smoke behind them.
The moon looked the same as it did in China. Its dim light was like water.
The smell of armored concrete in a metropolitan area was exactly the same. After a busy day, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei had a good night's sleep on a soft bed.
It was wonderful to experience life in a foreign country. These would be their best memories when they were old.
New York, New York.
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Chapter 324: Schools Open
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
That brief interlude was soon behind them. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei merged into the city in high spirits.
Taking their kettles, backpacks, spare change and a city map with them, they entered the noisy city.
The sunlight was blocked by enormous mansions. People there saw no sun rays in 2002. The US was completely dejected.
New York was still a beautiful city though. There were trees everywhere as well as free public museums.
They travelled from south to north by bus, getting a panoramic view of Manhattan. They saw the financial district, the New York stock exchange and the Federal Reserve Bank.
In Chinatown, on the Lower East Side, they felt right at home.
The New York University had no walls around its campus. A visitor might think that those were just a few ordinary buildings.
Broadway was clustered by dozens of theatres. Looking ahead, they saw luxurious Chelsea and the solemn Supreme Judicial Court of New York.
The Upper East Side was inhabited by rich people of the last generation, and it was one of the most luxurious areas of the city.
In an effort to avoid the repression of old-fashioned people, young lawyers and doctors had found their own paradise. After crossing a bridge, they got away from noisy Manhattan and reached their quiet harbor.
Long Island, which was slightly remote, had naturally been their first choice for a home.
The air there was misty, and the sky was blue. The housing prices were completely ridiculous though.
Leisure time flew by fast. Before Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei could visit every free museum in the city, all schools had opened.
The first beam of sunlight fell on the Upper West Side. Columbia University was far from the city center. A towering lion sculpture was the symbol of the university. It was bathing in the sunshine like a king bathing in holy light. It looked solemn and respectful.
The Roman-style Butler Library was located on the central square of the university, welcoming the bustling students.
Senior students were already familiar with the university. It was the freshmen who attracted more attention.
There were college societies at all the entrances of the main buildings.
Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei looked curiously at the unfamiliar campus, attracting the volunteers in charge of guiding freshmen.
John was an enthusiastic young man. He was a typical Washington guy with a pair of deep, charming blue eyes.
He was also an influential basketball player, so he was very popular in college. Wearing his green volunteer uniform, he saw Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei. They seem like Asian students. I have no Asian supporters in my campaign.
He ran over to them happily and greeted them, "Freshmen, right?"
"Yes. She is in the Department of Civil Engineering and I am in the Department of Finance."
"Oh, different departments. The general introduction is still the same though. I'll take you to register first and then I'll show you around the campus."
Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei exchanged a glance. This sure is the top university in the US. His taste in clothes might be mediocre, but he looks nice.
"Ladies first. We'll head to her department. As for you, don't worry. The two of us are in the same department."
Media Studies, Law, Finance and Civil Engineering were the top four departments of Columbia University. Among all universities and colleges, they were the fiercest competition. The acceptance rate there was only 8%.
John was surprised to find out that the two freshmen were both enrolled at top departments. He was more serious with them now.
During their conversation, he discovered that they were Chinese students, which made him even more serious.
There would be about 7,000 foreign students at the university that year, which was two sevenths of all the freshmen.
China was spreading to the whole world and the number of Chinese students was increasing at Columbia University. That year, the rate was about 30%.
This meant that there would be one Chinese student in every 24 freshmen. That was a large number. If John could make a good impression on his fellow Chinese students, he could gain an overwhelming advantage in the upcoming election.
John was even more enthusiastic with them now. After helping them with their registration, he showed them around the campus. All facilities at Columbia University were perfect.
Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei felt a familiar vibe coming off the warm-hearted boy.
There were differences between oriental and Western culture, but people remained the same. John was like Ye Dong in several aspects.
He was much more liberal and easy-going than Ye though. He really loved politics, while Ye had just liked power.
He could become a good friend in time. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei exchanged a glance with each other and got immersed in the bright atmosphere of the campus.
The whole university was like a sea of singing and dancing students.
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Chapter 325: Throwing Herself at Him
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Dancing teams and cheering squads welcoming the freshmen could be seen everywhere. Loudspeakers were playing mainstream music.
Time and again, dancers competed against each other, attracting applause from the onlookers.
"Would you like to take a walk around, or apply for a bank and phone card first?"
Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei looked at each other. "There's no hurry. We'd like to watch the dancers first."
John liked that reply, as he had just seen Susanna, his dazzling girlfriend and cheerleader of the basketball team, competing with her arch enemy Wendy, a classic beauty engaging in modern dance. They were currently in a hot competition.
Most of the onlookers were senior students at Columbia University, who were anxious to see the world in disorder. They had been watching the love-hate relationship between John and the two beauties for many years.
Even John had no idea who was the ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend.
Cupid always shot his arrows at random. Whose heart got broken now?
Susanna made several elegant somersaults. Her nearly transparent hair was shining in the air. She was a typical American girl with blonde hair, blue eyes and fair skin.
In the US, young people loved movies. Such a girl would have been the female villain in a movie. Susanna was the winner in real life though.
She had been born on the West Coast, in Central California. Her father was a famous farmer who owned the wildest land in California, but she did not look like a Californian girl.
As the queen of the university, she had always been a cheerleader at school. The only arch enemy she had ever had was Wendy at Columbia University.
That tall b*tch was always standing high above the masses. She was nothing but a middle-class citizen, yet she constantly acted like a queen.
Susanna paused and looked at Wendy in a provoking manner. Suddenly, she spotted her handsome boyfriend in the crowd.
"John!" Susanna ran over and took his arm. "Did you come to cheer me on?"
John looked at Wendy guiltily. The brunette looked down gloomily. Her beautiful eyelashes trembled slightly.
"I'm working as a volunteer. What about you? Come join me and my new friends if you are not busy."
"Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei, this is my girlfriend, Susanna."
"Hello!"
"Hello!"
Susanna glanced at the two Asian students. The boy was mediocre, but the girl was pretty in a delicate way. American boys tended to like girls like her.
Susanna cast a worried glance at them and noticed that their hands were locked. They are a couple. Suddenly, her voice softened. "We are still in the middle of the competition. I have to wait until Wendy finishes her dance. Anyway, we are good friends, right?"
John looked awkwardly at Wendy, who was standing in the center proudly. He fell silent.
He couldn't show favor towards one of them, or World War III would break out.
Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were newcomers, so they just stood by, watching the performance quietly. They noticed the strange expression on the surrounding people's faces.
Let's observe first.
Suddenly, Wendy moved. The music became more melodious. Her dance was sad and beautiful in a heroic way.
She looked up at the sky unyieldingly, struggling with her emotions.
As Qin Guan watched her with relish, he told Cong Nianwei, "Such skill. It seems like she is not just good at contemporary dance."
John focused on Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei happily. Their comments were actually quite accurate.
"She often performs on Broadway. If the courses at our university weren't taking up so much of her time, she would have been a chief dancer in theater."
"That's why I got a ballet and jazz vibe from her performance. She combines those characteristics in contemporary dance."
John looked at Qin Guan with new eyes. The Asian boy with the black-framed glasses seemed to know a lot about dance.
"Exactly. She is excellent." John gave Qin Guan a thumbs-up in a slightly showy manner.
"Ouch!"
John turned his head around and saw Susanna's pink nails twisting on his bottom.
Some people around them put their fingers in their mouths and whistled at him.
A dancer could get startled by the whistle of an audience member under the stage, let alone their own lover's.
Wendy was distracted by the whistle. She jumped repeatedly, but she forgot that she was not in a safe dancing room, but on the hard campus ground.
"She shouldn't have done that! John, catch her!" Qin Guan warned John.
Wendy realized her mistake, but it was too late for her to control her body. She flew right in John's direction.
In other people's eyes, she looked like she was expressing her emotions for her ex-boyfriend. She was such a cunning girl. She had taken advantage of the dancing to throw herself at him.
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Chapter 326: The Hero Saved the Beauty
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
John was convinced by the Asian boy. Even though he had not known him for a long time, he considered Qin Guan a reliable guy.
Qin Guan kept talking, using professional terms.
John unconsciously rushed up to Wendy and spread his arms. In Susanna's eyes, he was about to embrace her enemy.
Susanna's hometown was renowned for its bikers and skinheads. She was an irritable girl in nature.
She suddenly pulled at John's T-shirt and hugged him tightly. Before John could explain, Susanna pasted her lips on his.
Everyone saw the couple kissing each other in the middle of the crowd. Wendy was about to land right in front of them.
In Qin Guan's opinion, if no precautions were taken, Wendy would break her slender legs, which was a terrible thing to happen to any dancer.
"That's dangerous!" Even Cong Nianwei could see that this was not going to end well. Feeling sympathetic, she gently pushed Qin Guan in Wendy's direction. "Any ideas?"
Weizi, I'm not invincible. I can do nothing to help her, short of being a landing pad.
Time was pressing. Qin Guan decided to save the girl first, so he rushed over to Wendy.
Wendy couldn't control her body well though, and Qin Guan had no time to get prepared. He was knocked down by her.
Wendy fell down and landed on Qin Guan's body with her legs open wide. Her right foot was on Qin Guan's jaw, and her left was between Qin Guan's legs. Right on his crotch, to be exact.
Stunned, Cong Nianwei covered her mouth. She was relieved when she saw the thick grass under Qin Guan's head. She rushed up to the two of them fast.
"Get up! You are sitting on my boyfriend!" Cong Nianwei ordered Wendy, who was still on Qin Guan's stomach with her legs open.
You're making my boyfriend suffer.
Cong Nianwei got even angrier at the thought. "Hey! Watch your underwear!"
Wendy came back to her senses and looked down unconsciously.
Her skirt had been flipped. Fortunately, she had been wearing safety pants. She stood up reluctantly and fixed her clothes.
Her eyes were still focused on Qin Guan's face though. She was feeling extremely frightened and helpless, and she thought the Asian boy had a mysterious charm.
Under his glasses, she could see a pair of beautiful eyes. No pores were visible on his smooth skin. Why does he suddenly look so different?
Qin Guan was lying on the ground tamely while Cong Nianwei was checking him carefully from head to toe. He looks like an ordinary boy. There's nothing special about him.
"Are you okay?" Cong Nianwei asked nervously as she pulled Qin Guan up from the ground and wiped the dust from his clothes.
"It's nothing. My back hurts a little though. You can apply safflower oil on it at night. My mother gave me a bottle."
"No problem. I'll take care of your jaw too. You have a bruise there."
Qin Guan smiled warmly at Cong Nianwei, who was wiping the dust off with her handkerchief.
Suddenly, Wendy realized something. This mysterious Asian boy is a miracle. He is as splendid as the brightest light on Times Square, yet he can also be as dim as any ordinary person.
When John pulled away from Susanna's kiss, he saw that both Wendy and Qin Guan were safe. He was very relieved. If Susanna had caused an accident, there would have been chaos.
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Chapter 327: Luxurious Columbia University
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
"What happened?"
People thought the spectacle was over and began to disperse. Suddenly, a group of heavily armed football players came over. Their leader was Joseph.
"Joseph?"
"Qin Guan? Cong Nianwei?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm a student here!" they all said in one voice.
Why couldn't they talk about business like ordinary people? They were too sensitive about their privacy, so they knew very little about their fellow students.
"What a coincidence!" Joseph became serious when he saw the scene. "What happened? Were you beaten? Who was the troublemaker?"
Qin Guan is the best cook I have met. I have to protect him for my stomach's sake.
Joseph looked at John. That guy is famous in college. He must have been competing with Qin Guan over the girls. Qin Guan was alone, so he was defeated.
Joseph cast a glance at Susanna and Wendy. Those easy b*tches! They always try to flirt with that handsome boy!
Joseph handed his hamlet to a strong black boy who was under his command and strode over to John.
He looked at John with his cold grey eyes, showing him his strong chest. "Hey, boy! Qin Guan is my brother. Don't cause trouble for him on campus."
"No, there must have been a misunderstanding! Qin Guan just saved Wendy. That's why everyone is shocked."
John did not look nervous. He wasn't afraid of anyone on campus. The two guys were from two different worlds. If he knew Joseph better, he would have been more careful around the German.
"It's just a misunderstanding, Joseph. Are you here for training? Just go, I'm okay. I'll tell you the whole story at supper."
Qin Guan waved at Joseph, gesturing for him to go away.
"Really? I'll bring some wine. What's for dinner tonight?"
"Meat and rice!"
"Okay!" Joseph left, swallowing his own saliva. He didn't forget to make a suggestion though. "I liked those potato threads!"
Poor boy.
The dancing teams left for another place. Qin Guan decided to continue their trip around campus.
John and Susanna led the way, when suddenly Wendy, who had remained silent for a long while, said, "Thank you very much, Qin Guan."
She took out a pen and wrote her phone number on Qin Guan's arm.
"This is my number. I'm a postgraduate student at the Media Studies Department. I think we are in the same semester. You can call me if you need anything."
Biting on her lips, the beautiful girl added, "Are you a foreign student? I'll be in the dancing studio on the second floor. Everybody knows where it is."
When she left, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei followed John to the main building.
"Qin Guan?" Cong Nianwei asked in a soft voice.
"Yes?"
"I have told you to behave yourself. Don't act like a peacock! Wendy is acting too strange around you."
Your Majesty asked me to save her, but now Your Majesty is suspicious of me.
Qin Guan felt wronged. "Impossible! We idled on campus for half an hour. I'm just good at acting now. I'm not flirting with other girls. Besides, we are strangers here!"
His words convinced Cong Nianwei, and they continued their trip.
The character of a college lay neither in its lofty, magnificent buildings, nor in the beautiful scenery on campus. It was the ordinary details that showed the university's humanistic concern for its students.
Sure enough, the student dormitories were plain even at Columbia University.
Independent American students were inclined to live outside campus after spending several months there.
Plus, the dormitories were a rare resource. You had to apply one year in advance. With enough good luck, you might manage to get a key.
However, their first stop on their traditional campus trip was still the dormitories. After all, there would be quite a few of their fellow students living there.
Qin Guan entered one of the dormitories and saw the master, a strong man with a beard, who was calmly typing on his computer amid a pile of rubbish.
It was a double room of about 10 square meters. The gap between the beds was wide enough for one person to walk through.
There was an independent washroom, which was good if one neglected the strange smell.
John, who was familiar with the scene, led them to the next building. The rooms there were all the same.
Qin Guan was shocked by the next building though. There was a 24-hour gym with top equipment, and it was for free!
There were all kinds of equipment, including yoga, aerobic gymnastics, free sparring equipment, and so on. The university had made great effort to enrich the students' lives after class.
On the first floor, there was a giant swimming pool with diving towers and boards. A city sports meeting could be held there.
After their visit, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei were confused. Should we go to university just for education?
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Chapter 328: Class Has Begun!
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
John didn't explain any further. They would know everything soon enough in class.
After passing several buildings, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei finally reached their favorite place: the library. The building was of a solemn, ancient style, unlike the rest of New York, which was very fancy. Human knowledge was stored there.
The library of the University of Columbia had the fifth largest collection of books in America. There were thousands of ancient books there. The floor and the chairs were made of brown wood, and there were also private, independent chambers. Students there had many choices.
Their class was a vocation course, yet half the seats were already taken. They made a quick visit to the library and then left.
"The library is open 23 hours a day. The staff arranges the returned books during that one hour. You can study here anytime."
"The bad news is, although the library can hold hundreds of students, it's usually impossible to find a spare seat on weekdays."
"This university is very academic. You'll see when you get to your first class."
Words couldn't do justice to the reality of the situation. Most Chinese students, who were the most diligent guys in Asia, would not listen to the seniors' stories. As a result, they would cry later in class.
At the end of their tour, they saw a strange iron gate.
It was black with European characteristics, so it stood out in the university. Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei looked at John curiously, waiting for his explanation.
John shrugged helplessly. "It's Barnard College."
"It's an independent girls-only college inside our university. The girls can apply for a degree from Columbia University after their graduation. We do not recognize their diplomas though. All their professors and staff are independent from our university. We call their college a younger sister. If you are not clever enough, you could apply to this college."
Suddenly, he looked up proudly. I'm a proud student of Columbia University!
Qin Guan saw some freshmen going out. They were wearing purple summer uniforms with a bear symbol on them. Interesting. It was different from the lion of Columbia University.
It was just like a small college in Peking University. The students shared all the resources on campus, including the library and the gym.
Suddenly, John told Qin Guan in secret, "The girls there all engage in art. They are the most beautiful girls in the US, and they like to date students from our university. Understand?"
I understand nothing. My girlfriend is here, and I don't want to die.
They walked out of the gate with their shoulders touching, fighting playfully. Outside was Broadway Street.
The setting sun cast an orange light on the street, which was quiet during peak time.
They unconsciously headed west. Unlike most universities in the US, Columbia University had fences. That was because there was a river by the side gate.
Purple flowers decorated the bank. On the other side of the river was the noisy urban area.
"Thank you for showing us around. See you in class!"
They said goodbye on the path along the river. This was the splendid paradise they would be striving in in the future.
Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei decided to walk along the river towards Broadway Street before concluding their trip.
There were simple restaurants all along the street. Cheap fast food, like hamburgers and fries, was popular among the students. Breakfast there cost only 1.99 dollars.
...
The next morning was just as beautiful. Taking their student cards with them, they walked in different directions, starting off the new semester.
Following his timetable, Qin Guan went to his first classroom. He saw a Chinese cup, a clean handkerchief and a vintage cigar case on the professor's desk.
What kind of person is our professor? He sure has a strange style!
When most students had taken their seats, Professor Martin entered the classroom leisurely. Those things on the desk must have been arranged by Kuhn. Martin cast a favorable glance at the first row, where a young man with blonde hair and blue eyes was sitting. He was grinning at Martin.
Martin sighed at him helplessly. Then he saw a boy with thick glasses. Xu Xiaoxiao, Kuhn's friend, also passed the postgraduate exams. Good boy!
Where is my Chinese boy? Is he late for his first class?
Martin couldn't find Qin Guan. Forget it. I'll call names first.
"Kuhn?"
"Here!"
"Qin Guan?"
"Here!"
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Chapter 329: Chinatown
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Huh? It's him!
Prof. Martin looked in the direction of the voice. The boy was quite different from the one in the photos. Students in Columbia University like to boost themselves up. It's not a good idea to dress like an ordinary person here.
If Qin Guan could read Martin's mind, he would have protested loudly. He was there to study, not cause drama. All the students there seemed busy and calm. He didn't want to attract attention either.
Prof. Martin got a grip on himself and began his opening lecture. "If you are strolling on the shady path along the Hudson River, you will notice two American presidents accompanying you, as well as 97 Nobel winners."
"It's a wonderful feeling, isn't it? As your tutor though, it's my job to bring you back to reality!"
"Wake up, boys and girls! If that was true, you would definitely be seeing ghosts! I'd admire anyone who would dare stand by the river calmly."
"Stop that rubbish right now! You are in the school of finance. Do you want to dream in your spare time? No problem. But there will only be two possible scenarios. One, you give up and fail the exams. The second scenario applies only to the geniuses among you. The homework I will give you will be a piece of cake for them."
"The first scenario can come true at any time, but the second one will only be a dream in my class. Today, I'll show you the advantages of studying finance at Columbia."
As flowers bloomed and cicadas sang by the window, Prof. Martin began his lecture. As a straight-A student, Qin Guan was fascinated by the class.
He only came back to his senses when the bell rang. He was about to rush out with his books, when he suddenly realized no one had left their seats.
"Okay, that's it for today. Your homework includes the core views of the three finance systems of Columbia..."
What? Homework? Are you kidding?
Qin Guan, who had had no homework for many years, was shocked. He had written several theses, but he'd had no homework in college.
All the freshmen were taking notes earnestly.
"Send them to my email by tomorrow. Dismissed!"
Looking at the thick books in his hands, Qin Guan nearly spit out blood. This is so much work! I have to do it by tomorrow?
This reminded Qin Guan of the lovely days during 12th grade, before he had taken the College Entrance Examination.
Xu Xiaoxiao, the only other Asian student in class, kindly explained to Qin Guan, "Freshmen always struggle in the beginning. There is a proverb that says that 'studying is a drug'. You can't live without drugs. The homework today was fine. I have gone through more miserable phases in my life."
Kuhn raised his eyebrows. Xu Xiaoxiao, the boy who is as dumb as an oyster, speaks on his own initiative? Without me, he would have cried eight times a day on campus.
Qin Guan smiled at the honest boy. "Got it! Thanks! I'm Qin Guan. I'm from China."
He stretched his fair, slender hand towards Xu, who looked stunned as he took it. "Xu Xiaoxiao, I'm Chinese American. I live in Manhattan."
"Are you ready, Xu Xiaoxiao? I'm going to Roche Square. Are you coming with me?" Kuhn was impatient to leave.
"Oh, I'm coming!" Xu Xiaoxiao looked at Qin Guan in disappointment and hastened to catch up with Kuhn.
Qin Guan glanced at his watch. He had elective classes in the afternoon. Time was pressing. He had to have a quick lunch in the meantime.
The classroom was empty. After classes had started, the relaxed atmosphere had disappeared from campus. There were hurried students everywhere. The university was of a practical style. Everything they did was career-oriented.
Sitting in the corridor, Qin Guan was looking in the distance like a sculpture. Cong Nianwei walked up to him in a rush with her textbooks in her arms. His heart warmed up immediately.
"What did you think of the courses?"
"There are differences from the theories we learned in China..."
They discussed their courses on the bus. They were so concentrated that they missed their stop.
"We are close to Chinatown. We can have lunch there and take a bus back."
"Good idea. We haven't been there. We can get off at Broadway Street."
Walking hand in hand, they looked at the Chinese-style streets. It was like another city within Manhattan. It felt like they had gone back to a familiar place through a magic door.
Pointing to the carved beams and the painted rafters with the red lanterns, Qin Guan suggested that they have lunch there.
"Okay!" The two of them entered the Chinese restaurant.
The bead curtains divided the two worlds. Qin Guan found a hidden, but beautiful spot inside. The owner must be rich, but he lacks knowledge on the Chinese culture.
He had combined too many Chinese elements together. What a mess! In the eyes of American people though, this was what China was really like.
In the center of the restaurant there was a stage for Peking opera, just like the stages in Brazilian and Russian restaurants.
It was like a traditional house restaurant in China, or the little theater of Deyun Crosstalk Association. Everything was bright and gorgeous.
Qin Guan ordered the boiled dumplings. They couldn't stand the so-called Chinese dishes they saw on other tables.
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Chapter 330: Are you Kidding?
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Boiled dumplings with eggs and Chinese chives were a common food for Chinese people. Even the frozen ones bought from the supermarket were delicious. As he was chewing the dumplings in his mouth, Qin Guan heard a percussion from the stage.
The attention of the guests was attracted by the sound.
Dang, dang, dang,...
"Leaving Hongdong Town, Su San walked along the street..." [1]
Qin Guan spit his food out. Cong Nianwei, who was peeling garlic across from him, calmly pulled her plate back.
Are you kidding? It's despondent to sing such a sad song during dinner.
Even more ridiculous things followed.
There was a hurried percussion sound before a monkey suddenly jumped out. [2]
"Elder sister, don't worry! I'm coming!"
The Monkey King performed a series of backward somersaults backstage. All the American customers looked excited. They cheered and applauded, forgetting about the food on their tables.
The Monkey King's appearance was expected. Anyone studying about the Peking Opera would have clapped. It was a pity that he was in the wrong play.
Who had taught them this? [3]
An intact garlic was lying in Cong Nianwei's hand. She blinked and put the garlic in Qin Guan's bowl. Qin Guan had gotten absorbed in the performance, so he was paying no attention to her.
After several backward somersaults, the monkey walked up to Su San with his golden stick.
"You b*tch! You killed my brother! You should pay back!" [4]
Qin Guan's chopsticks fell on the table. Am I dreaming?
"Spare my life, uncle! It was Wu Dalang who originally..."
Sister, you just called yourself Su San. Why did you change your name from Pan Jinlian? What is this? A combination of traditional operas?
Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei stopped eating for fear that they would choke on their dumplings.
They were curious about what the monkey would do next. According to common sense, the martial arts part had to follow. The monkey would play with his famous stick and hit Pan Jinlian, or Su San, on the head.
The Monkey King moved. The stick was rotating like a wind wheel in his hand before it took flight. It danced in the air like a golden flower and then landed on Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei's table.
"Careful!" Qin Guan yelled, shielding Cong Nianwei's head.
In an instant, water and dumplings splashed out in all directions. Their plates and chopsticks fell on the floor with a loud sound.
"Thank god the soup was warm, and not hot!" If the soup had been boiling hot, Qin Guan would have gotten burned.
He let Cong Nianwei go and spat the dirt out. It had been an accident.
The monkey on the stage was confounded, but the audience was laughing happily. They all applauded Qin Guan. "Good, very good!"
Are they praising me?
The monkey ran up to Qin Guan with a bitter expression. "Qin Guan? Is that you?"
"Who are you?" Qin Guan picked a dumpling off his hair angrily. There go my hard-earned dollars...
"It's me, Xu Xiaoxiao!"
What? The obsequious boy? Are you kidding me?
The two of them were classmates. Qin Guan calmed down. "Do you work here?" he asked Xu sympathetically. What a hard job!
Xu sniffed as he watched Cong Nianwei clean Qin Guan's face with a handkerchief. Finally, he noticed Qin Guan's real face.
Oh, my! Words can't express my feelings.
Reality had exceeded his imagination. Students at Columbia University were considered the most modest among Ivy League Universities. That guy was too modest in Xu's opinion though. He had heard about the mysterious, ancient skill of disguising in China.
Although he had been born and raised in the US, Xu admired Chinese culture a lot. His family had lived in Chinatown for hundreds of years and worshipped traditional Chinese culture the most.
Xu showed off to Qin Guan proudly. "No, this is my family's restaurant. I direct the performance. Isn't it perfect?"
Both Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei smiled kindly at him.
Xu waved his stick at the stage and the percussion resumed.
"People say that bright, beautiful flowers will bloom in Luoyang, but this is no spring before my eyes..." It was an authentic Peking opera.
"My grandpa will celebrate his 68th birthday and all my family members will gather in New York. We'll play an opera during the party. As his grandson, I have to perform on stage. I have to dress up in motley attire to amuse my parents."
"So you're practising here? How is it going?"
Xu looked down gloomily. "I'm too busy with courses. I have no time to practise. Besides, there are few opera actors in New York. Nobody has agreed to teach me."
Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei exchanged a glance. He's a devoted, but unlucky boy.
[1] From the famous Peking Opera "Su-San Under Police Escort"
[2] It's the Monkey King in "Journey to the West"
[3] It means that the writer's knowledge of Chinese Literature is poor.
[4] It's a famous plot in "Water Margin"
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