C12 Room Number 444

The Freshman Orientation ended amidst inexplicable chaos once again.

Zhang Heng moved briskly, eager to get out of Guo Yuan's line of sight as quickly as possible.

He sprinted with all his strength until he had gradually put some distance between himself and Guo Yuan, then he stopped and took deep breaths.

"Damn, why is this guy so relentless?"

Zhang Heng hadn't anticipated his Freshman Orientation would be so bizarre, having met so many odd individuals.

He patted his chest, panting heavily, and then headed toward his dormitory.

"How am I going to handle my accommodation fee..." Zhang Heng silently pondered to himself.

He felt like a kid with nothing to his name—not only was he broke, but he also had no idea who his parents were or even his own identity.

In this world, he knew only of his original opportunity and his martial arts skills. Yet, the most pressing challenge wasn't the martial arts; it was securing the essentials like food and shelter.

He was acutely aware and recognized that he was utterly penniless.

"Ding dong!" The sudden ring of a cellphone jolted him from his reverie.

It turned out that the accommodation issue had been resolved by the school.

He glanced at the message.

"444? Damn, what kind of bad luck is this!" Zhang Heng cursed, stomping his foot in frustration.

His peculiar reaction drew curious glances from passersby.

Though few people put stock in Feng Shui, such an inauspicious room number was hard to ignore. Who wouldn't prefer a more favorable or at least normal room number?

"Let it go, let it go. After all the commotion today, I'd better head back to the dorm and get some sleep."

With that thought, Zhang Heng quickened his steps.

The school was far shabbier than he could have imagined, looking as though it hadn't been touched in years. Ideally, he should have checked out the school's facilities during the orientation.

But due to some unforeseen interruptions, he hadn't had the chance.

Now he stood at the entrance of the dormitory building.

"This dorm is surprisingly terrible!" Zhang Heng remarked, almost at a loss for words.

But without dwelling on it, he proceeded to go upstairs.

As he entered the dormitory corridor, a pungent odor assaulted his nostrils. He resisted the urge to cover his nose, recognizing the scent as the unmistakable musk of male hormones.

Sweat!

"Wow, this stench is overwhelming, isn't it?" Zhang Heng mused to himself.

He admired the resilience of those who had managed to live here for so long. The thought of enduring the same for an extended period made him feel a twinge of sympathy for himself.

Zhang Heng surveyed his surroundings and noted that despite the building's shabby exterior, the interior was surprisingly well-maintained. It wasn't exactly luxurious, but it was decent enough to offer some solace. Yet, the overpowering odor was a stark reminder that he was indeed in a men's dormitory.

He soon located his own room.

"444..."

What he failed to notice was the peculiar looks he was receiving from the others.

He turned his head, scanning the faces around him. Some paused, halfway to the showers, their bathtubs in hand, staring at him. Others, clad only in boxers, stepped out of their rooms for a better look. A few even dashed from other floors to catch a glimpse.

The bewildering attention left him feeling uneasy and somewhat perplexed.

With a forced smile, he greeted them, "Hi, how's it going?"

He waved, acknowledging the onlookers.

Realizing their gawking might be seen as rude, they quickly shifted their gazes and offered an awkward smile. "You know, some schools are particular about avoiding certain room numbers. We've all been wondering who would end up in 444 since we first arrived," one of them explained.

A tall fellow chimed in with a hearty laugh, "No offense meant, just curious."

He reiterated, "Just curious, that's all."

Feeling a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, Zhang Heng pushed open the door and inquired, "So... are you done? Can I go in now?"

The bystander snapped to understanding and replied, "Of course, of course. It's your room, after all. You should definitely go in."

With that, Zhang Heng pushed his door wide open and stepped into his new living space, under the watchful eyes of his fellow students.

Laughter still echoed from outside the door.

"Why is this guy as gossipy as a girl?" mused Zhang Heng.

He must have felt exceptionally "lucky." Having just arrived at the school, he had already experienced a fair share of events, and now, to top it off, his room number was 444.

The coincidence seemed almost too perfect.

Finding an unoccupied spot, he lay down and quickly fell asleep.

He noted that the room housed three bunk beds, indicating he would be sharing with six "lucky" roommates.

The room's amenities were surprisingly decent, not at all reflecting the shabby exterior.

It boasted a small balcony and a bathroom, and since it was a new student building, the floor lacked the intense odor of sweat. However, a visit downstairs would reveal a much stronger scent.

Zhang Heng lay on the bed.

"Sleeping without a blanket or pillow isn't very comfortable," he thought to himself.

His rebirth here, coupled with a lack of savings, meant he traveled light, unlike those who arrived fully equipped.

The hard wooden bed was far from comfortable.

"Looks like I'll need to buy a bamboo mat," Zhang Heng remarked.

He then enveloped himself in Spiritual Energy to prevent direct contact with the bed.

Sleeping on the bare wooden boards was unthinkable.

His Spiritual Energy acted as a natural bamboo mat, and its gentle flow was soothing, lulling him to sleep in no time.

Despite the dormitory's imposing height, the soundproofing was adequate. But for an even more restful sleep, Zhang Heng used his Spiritual Energy to block out all noise. Now, lying in bed, he was oblivious to any sound.

Zhang Heng slept deeply.

Upon waking, he discovered a cacophony outside.