Ethan Bennett glanced smugly at the pickpocket, but happened to catch sight of the bus stop sign outside the window. Even though the bus was moving, Ethan Bennett's eyesight was far beyond ordinary; with just one look, he clearly saw the four characters for Normal University on the sign. Instantly, he felt a wave of frustration—his good deed had caused him to miss his stop.

At the next stop, Ethan Bennett jumped off the bus. He had barely walked a few steps when he sensed someone following behind. Sneaking a look, he saw it was the same pickpocket from the bus. Ethan Bennett chuckled to himself. Normally, he would just let things go after retrieving his belongings from a thief, but when it came to those who wanted to retaliate, Ethan Bennett had never shown mercy.

Ethan Bennett noticed a quiet alley by the roadside and deliberately walked in. Sure enough, the pickpocket followed closely. After turning a corner, Ethan Bennett began to wait for him.

He heard the other’s footsteps quicken. Ethan Bennett smiled slightly, just as the pickpocket turned the corner and looked up to see Ethan Bennett's smiling face. The pickpocket froze. Ethan Bennett had already clenched his fist, ready to swing, but then saw the pickpocket nod at him.

In that brief moment of surprise, the pickpocket deftly reached into his jacket and pulled out a pack of Sanwu cigarettes. With a flick, he popped one out and offered it to Ethan Bennett, saying, “Brother, nice skills.”

Ethan Bennett paused again before replying, “I don’t smoke.”

Hearing this, the pickpocket quickly put the cigarette away and said respectfully, “I didn’t know that lady was your friend earlier. Sorry for the offense.”

Ethan Bennett now fully understood what was going on. This was the first time he’d encountered such a situation, so he curiously sized up the young man in front of him, who looked about his own age.

The other glanced at Ethan Bennett’s suitcase and said, “Brother, just arrived here?”

Ethan Bennett nodded.

The other nodded as well and said, “I usually hang around this area near A Normal University. Let’s be friends—if you ever need anything, just come find me.”

Ethan Bennett never expected things to turn out like this. Was he about to gain a pickpocket as a friend for no reason? While he was still dazed, the other handed him a thin slip of paper, saying, “I’m John Clark, but everyone calls me Little John.”

Ethan Bennett felt dizzy. Was that a business card he was being handed? Curiosity got the better of him, and he took it. Sure enough, it was a business card, but aside from a name and phone number, there was nothing else on it. He couldn’t help but marvel at how different big cities were—even pickpockets were so fashionable.

Seeing Ethan Bennett accept the card, the other smiled and said, “I’ve got something to do today, so I’ll head off first. When you have time, call me and we’ll go out for tea.” With that, he cupped his fists in farewell and turned to leave.

Ethan Bennett was still marveling—look at this pickpocket: he has a business card, can say “call” in English, and even suggests going out for tea. Among the people he knew, none seemed to have more class than this guy.

After sighing for a moment, Ethan Bennett looked at the business card in his hand and slipped it into his pocket.

Volume One, Chapter Five: New Student Registration

Emerging from the alley, Ethan Bennett strode toward the Normal University. The walk wasn’t far, and before long, Ethan Bennett arrived at the school’s main gate.

A large banner hung above the gate, with five big characters: Welcome New Students.

Ethan Bennett felt a surge of emotion. His journey here had truly been full of twists and turns—he’d encountered thieves, robbers, and swindlers. Now, finally standing at the school gate, how could he not feel a thousand emotions? Grinning, he walked through the entrance and saw a wide concrete avenue lined with trees he didn’t even recognize. On the trunk of a tree ahead, a wooden arrow was nailed, bearing another five characters: New Student Registration.

Ethan Bennett thought, “This is great,” and followed the arrow’s direction. Soon, a seven-story building appeared before him. In front of the building was a large plaza, now packed with a dense crowd. As Ethan Bennett looked around, a voice blared from a loudspeaker somewhere: “Attention new students, attention new students, please report to the table for your department. Please report to the table for your department. Don’t crowd, come one at a time.”

So this was where the registration was happening. Ethan Bennett scanned the crowd—there were few students, mostly parents, and many people, like himself, had brought their luggage directly, making the scene even more congested.

Ethan Bennett looked around. In such a crowded place, it was normal to spot people like himself. Right now, he could already sense several presences from different directions. But he was used to this; for him, it was like a game of hide-and-seek. Sometimes even Ethan Bennett found it strange—who would have thought that practitioners of the arts were no rarer than giant pandas?

Others relied on their parents, but Ethan Bennett could only rely on himself. Grabbing his suitcase, he squeezed in with the uncles and aunties. There’s strength in numbers—even with his extraordinary physique, Ethan Bennett was nearly crushed by the crowd. In a moment of impulse, he almost wanted to “star-kill” everyone there.

After struggling for a while, Ethan Bennett heard, amid the noisy crowd, shouts like, “English Department over here, Computer Science over here, Environmental Engineering over here”—all thanks to his exceptional hearing.

Ethan Bennett focused even more, straining his ears, and finally heard, “Chinese Department over here.” That was all he needed to pinpoint the direction, and he squeezed over, sweating profusely.

Ethan Bennett pushed forward until he heard a shrill cry from deep within the crowd: “Ah! Stop pushing! The table’s about to tip over!” Only then did he stop moving forward. At this spot, people were coming and going—unless someone left, there was no way to squeeze in even a little.