“Laugh, laugh, laugh. Your son is about to graduate—do you even know how hard it is to find a job these days? Look at you as a father, you have no skills or connections at all. I told you to go butter up Old Harris next door—he’s at least a section chief. You care about your pride, but if it weren’t for my son’s luck, how would you even have your own house to live in?” Mark Bolton shouted. Old Thompson’s family came from Shandong, and buying a house in Upper Pudong in 2010 was definitely the wisest decision. But now, seeing her son about to graduate, Mark Bolton’s chronic worrying flared up again.

“He’s still my son, anyway,” Old Thompson protested weakly.

David Thompson couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter. Mom was probably hitting menopause early; life for father and son was tough.

Fourth update—friends, both the book review section and Skull’s Weibo are collecting novel characters, IDs, and story ideas. If you have a story, brothers and sisters, feel free to leave a message. Skull will pick suitable ones to add to My Era, and there will be regular prize draws. Details will be posted later. s, there will be more updates tonight. Skull is in Xi’an now, getting ready for the new book launch. There will be live streams on Douyu and other platforms. Today is also the year-end review and concert. In s8, we achieved a full Grand Slam—wahaha!

Chapter 5: We Are Not the Same

“What are you laughing at? What’s the male-to-female ratio at your school? Look at Second Liu next door—he got into a junior college and brings his girlfriend home every other day. And you? Did you get your dorm application done?” Mark Bolton stared at David Thompson. If she heard the wrong answer, it felt like little Li was about to get game over.

That Korean guy the whole family was hoping for never came back, but David Thompson luckily got into East Shanghai University of Political Science and Law. In a couple of days, he’d be starting his senior year.

“I did, I did. School starts tomorrow, and I’ll move into the dorm then. Mom, you’ll miss me.” In the past, to save money, David Thompson commuted from home, but now that her son was about to graduate, Mark Bolton was anxious—living on campus meant more chances to meet girls.

“Get lost. David Thompson, I’m telling you, if you don’t bring back a girlfriend, don’t bother coming home,” Mark Bolton glared fiercely at her son.

“Mom, your son is super popular at school. I’m just picky, that’s all.” David Thompson couldn’t help but defend himself. Come on, how could no one like him? This was a matter of a “man’s” dignity.

Old Thompson secretly gave a thumbs up. “Of course, just as handsome as your dad. But this time, I’m on your mom’s side—no girlfriend, no coming home. Remember to find a pretty one who doesn’t want a house. Housing prices have gone crazy these past few years.”

“Sigh, why didn’t that international friend come back? It’d be great if he could help pay off the mortgage too,” Mom reminisced a bit. “Old Thompson, how about you go out tomorrow

===League of Legends: My Era Section Reading 3===

and see if there are any more out there?”

Old Thompson and little Li quickly buried their faces in their bowls. Idiots like that are one in a hundred years—how could you just wait for one to show up?

So, early the next morning, David Thompson was kicked out by his mom, and she didn’t even let him take his computer. In her logic, people without girlfriends don’t deserve to own a computer.

East Shanghai University of Political Science and Law is located in the beautiful Songjiang University Town. The European-style campus is filled with youth and hope. It has the best law school in East China and is also a dating paradise, with a female-to-male ratio of over 3:2. David Thompson is now a senior majoring in Economic Law. If you had to label him, it’d be “single dog.”

Boys’ dorm, Room 396—this is where David Thompson was assigned, and there happened to be a vacant bed. The dorm fee was paid with mom’s reluctant heart; if he couldn’t find a girlfriend, he might really not be allowed back home.

All three in 396 were in the same class and usually played basketball together, so they got along well. Dragging his suitcase, he pushed open the door. “Hey guys, I’m here to check in!”

Immediately, singing broke out in the dorm: “We are not the same, not the same, you’re the only one in the dorm without a girlfriend. We’re here, waiting for you.”

This was followed by a burst of laughter. Clearly, someone had already leaked the news about David Thompson moving into the dorm.

“Samuel Reed, you blabbermouth, I knew you couldn’t keep your mouth shut,” David Thompson regretted telling him.

Samuel Reed, a native Shanghainese, fancies himself a love guru—charming and suave, he’s had three girlfriends in three years. Rumor has it he’s a second-generation demolition tycoon, with several houses at home.

“Heh heh, Mr. Thompson, if you want us to keep quiet, you’ll have to show some goodwill. We’ve already decided to elect you as dorm leader. You know what that means.” Samuel Reed winked mischievously.

“Got it. I’ll take care of cleaning for the first month, okay? After that, we’ll rotate every week.” David Thompson shrugged helplessly. These friends of his…

“Mr. Thompson, generous as always. That’s settled then. I told you, our dorm boss has to be Mr. Thompson.”

“Mr. Thompson, don’t listen to their nonsense. I don’t have a girlfriend either,” Little White said with a smile, putting down his book.

“No way, Little White, didn’t your childhood sweetheart come to our school as an exchange student this year? Tsk tsk, an imported junior schoolmate—can’t wait to see her,” Samuel Reed laughed. This guy’s mouth was something else—no idea how girls could like him.

“She’s not my girlfriend, just a former neighbor. I haven’t seen her in years,” Little White smiled slightly—now that’s real charm.