Chapter 1245: Chapter 1246: The Love-Struck Brother’s Sister 88 Zhang Yu, studying at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), is pleased to be free from the Zhang Family’s presence and dedicates herself fully to her studies. Due to her interests, she also finds time to audit classes in the physics department, resulting in being extremely busy with courses from two majors simultaneously. On weekends, Lu Jiajia would video call Zhang Yu to ask questions, only to find her either in the study room or the library. Initially, Lu Jiajia was very surprised, knowing that college wasn’t as easy as she imagined, but she didn’t expect it to be so busy that weekends had to be spent in the library. When she found out that Zhang Yu was also attending physics courses, she was completely confused. Even though she was in a science major, Lu Jiajia struggled a bit with physics, and Zhang Yu chose to study it. Lu Jiajia: I really admire you. You’re diligent in both high school and college. I always thought senior year was tough, but compared to your university life… Lu Jiajia sighed helplessly: It feels like they’re not in the same league. Zhang Yu: High school is about working hard to get into a good university, while college requires effort for future prospects. Zhang Yu has truly learned a lot during this time: I really don’t regret coming to USTC. Although it’s not as renowned as B University or Q University, if Zhang Yu had to choose, she’d really prefer here; the atmosphere is just wonderful. The key is that there are fewer students, so when consulting professors with questions, there’s no long wait. Previously, Zhang Dong had analyzed with Zhang Yu about pursuing graduate studies at B University or Q University after graduating from USTC. He didn’t mention studying abroad due to work-related reasons, recognizing the procedures for Zhang Yu to study abroad would be quite cumbersome. Of course, it wasn’t impossible to study abroad, but Zhang Yu understood why Zhang Dong didn’t discuss it, fearing she’d never return and sever ties with the Zhang Family, especially with Zhang Hao being unreliable. Fortunately, Zhang Yu didn’t consider studying abroad, only where to pursue her graduate studies. Previously, Zhang Yu expressed indifference about changing schools for further studies to broaden her horizons, but now she feels there’s no need to leave for graduate studies. After Lu Jiajia asked a few questions, she requested: I know you’re good at making schedules, may I see your current schedule? It was surprising as Lu Jiajia originally thought she’d ask for something much harder, but it turned out to be just this. Zhang Yu: No problem. She retrieved her latest timetable from her computer and sent it to Lu Jiajia: This is the schedule I’m currently following. Even though she had mentally prepared herself, upon opening the schedule, Lu Jiajia’s expression froze immediately. Lu Jiajia took a deep breath: Honestly, I didn’t expect a freshman to work even harder than during senior year. Zhang Yu laughed: It’s not that exaggerated. At least I don’t stay up until the early hours like you guys. Thinking about the daily rest time made Zhang Yu shudder. It really is exhausting. Lu Jiajia: But your intensity, are you aware you’re in college? Lu Jiajia couldn’t help but worry: Will I be this busy when I enter college? She really couldn’t imagine that university could be this demanding; everyone always says university is relaxing, yet how is it that when it comes her turn, it seems so daunting? Zhang Yu hurriedly comforted Lu Jiajia, as this girl applied herself so diligently in her studies, wanting to get into a good university. The sudden realization that university requires such serious study would surely frighten her. Zhang Yu: You don’t have to be so serious; just getting by is fine. Lu Jiajia: Are the people around you the same way, this serious? Zhang Yu: Everyone is busy, very busy, busy with studying. Lu Jiajia: Aren’t there any couples? Couples? Zhang Yu was taken aback, then carefully thought about it: I really haven’t noticed any. Zhang Yu: I don’t know if they’re just good at hiding it or if there really aren’t any. At least, I haven’t noticed. Would dating in college need to be concealed? Lu Jiajia was shocked: Is USTC so strict that they don’t even allow students to date? Only then did Zhang Yu realize that her previous answer startled Lu Jiajia. Zhang Yu: There are couples, the school doesn’t prohibit dating. After all, we’re college students. Zhang Yu: It’s just that everyone is genuinely busy, too busy to have time for relationships. Zhang Yu: Dating requires time, and instead of spending time on that, it’s better to work on improving your skills and level. Watching Zhang Yu seriously reading, after hanging up the call, a thought popped into Lu Jiajia’s mind. What if Zhang Yu never even considered dating? As Zhang Yu’s friend, she knew there were quite a few boys at First High who liked her. But they were really too shy to admit it, especially when taking into account her early college entrance and national competition placements. She entered First High with grades that were in the lower-middle range, yet she excelled in the initial assessments, constantly advancing, and since reaching first place, she never dropped back. She took her college entrance exam a year early and got an excellent score. Even now, the teachers believe if Zhang Yu hadn’t taken the exam early, she might have been the municipal or even provincial top scorer. However, it’s all speculation from the teachers as even Zhang Yu can’t guarantee she’d perform exceptionally well in the entrance exam. Lu Jiajia had a thought: If everyone knew that Zhang Yu, the one who led everyone in competition back in high school, is still competitive in university. What would they think? Would they admire her or be exasperated? Or perhaps become even more diligent? Lu Jiajia was truly curious. After considering it, Lu Jiajia wanted to share some of this with her close friends. When her friends saw Zhang Yu’s schedule, they were taken aback, unable to imagine working so hard when they start university. Had it been anyone else, they wouldn’t have believed this, thinking they were just portraying a certain persona. Lu Jiajia became the most sought-after person at this stage within the school; everyone came to her for confirmation. Lu Jiajia had no choice but to keep repeating, confirming that Zhang Yu is majoring in mathematics, and that physics is only an elective. Regarding study hours, they’d only be more than what’s on the schedule, not less. Everyone was amazed, “I thought senior year was already hard enough, but I never expected university to be this challenging.” Lu Jiajia nodded, “Of course, it doesn’t have to be this hard; it depends on how you choose.” Everyone couldn’t help but nod, “Yes, that’s true as well.” Originally, First High’s teachers were worried that Zhang Yu might lose direction after entering university, as many lose motivation without their teachers’ urging. Yet, upon learning that Zhang Yu is still just as competitive in university, the teachers sighed repeatedly, competitive people are competitive everywhere they go.