The Urban Dao Child

Yang Dao located his dormitory. The room he was provided as a single person room. It was done because he was a topper and he deserved at least this much courtesy. Yang Dao took out the card provided to him by the principal. The room had advanced security measures and was installed with a computerized lock. Yang Dao tapped the card on the lock and the door opened with a click. He dragged his suitcase inside. The room was actually two rooms. One living room furnished with a sofa set and table. Behind the living room was an open kitchen equipped with some basic appliances. Yang Dao walked straight to the small corridor leading to his bedroom and study. There was a normal bed in the room. Capable to accommodate one person with no problem.

Opposite the bed was a small study table with a bookshelf hanging over it. There was also a bathroom and a balcony in this room. Yang Dao was satisfied with such a room. He raised his wrist to look. It was about time for the student gathering. The registrations would close for the day. They will continue tomorrow and every student can take part as long as they have the invitation letter. Yang Dao opened his suitcase and took out a pair of formal blue shirt and blue pants. He also took out his belt and formal black shoes. It was all the gifts he got from the people in his orphanage.

Yang Dao took out a change of his undergarments and toiletries. He walked towards the bathroom to take a bath and get ready for the student's address. After taking a bath, he came out with his hair slightly wet. He first hanged his towed to dry on the balcony. Then he came in and brushed his hair. Following the steps, he first wore a blue shirt, black pants, a pair of blue socks, and black shoes. The shoes were well kept. He then tied a silver strap watch on his wrist. He checked himself in the mirror one more time and left after finding nothing wrong with his attire. He folded the sleeves of his shirt by a quarter and his looks were enhanced by a multiple of ten.

On the way to the assembly hall, a lot of students saw him. Girls looked at him with adoration while guys gave him an envious glance. Yang Dao ignored them all. He really did not like to become the object of scrutiny. He walked over and saw Kiya and Sasha also following the trail to the hall. Kiya saw Yang Dao, who smiled at her. She instinctively did not greet him and just returned the gesture. Yang Dao gave her a second glance and kept walking to the assembly hall. His eyes were filled with disappointment.

He thought to himself, 'People always act like that. If you are too high profile they a scared of you. If you are too low-profile. They suddenly think you are not worth shit. This universe is filled with snobs. Snobs who only indulge with those who are on the same level as them. Whether it is the rich or the poor. Humph. I am good on my own.'

His resolve to stay low-profile to avoid people became more rigid at this moment. He arrived at the assembly hall and stood among the masses like a normal student. Some people though still recognized him. They started whispering and even pointed fingers at him. He could sense all those fingers without even looking at those people. Yet he could only ignore them. The clock struck three, and the principal walked up to the stage. Followed by the teaching faculty of the first-year students and also the heads of the departments. He only stood in the crowd, glancing at the stage.

The principal tapped the mic twice and everybody fell silent. He spoke, "Hello, students. Welcome to The National University. I am Brad McQueen, your principal. I congratulate you all on getting admitted to this great institution. This campus has witnessed the rise of lots of scholars, leaders, and tycoons. I believe that your batch will also have some remarkable figures waiting to rise and cover the sky. I hope you are taking the rules seriously because in our college they are not bent for anyone, and I mean anyone. You all should have read the rule book by now and I would not waste anymore time over this issue. Now I ask the Head of departments to come over and address you."

The crowd applauded for the principal. The speeches continued and every department head took their time to introduce the faculty members responsible for the one by one. This was a slow and boring process, but the students were high on adrenaline. They experienced all this for the first time. This spared Yang Dao the itchy fingers pointed towards him. The principal took over the mic again after the Head of Departments were done.

The old man spoke, "Now is the time to introduce you to this year's student representative. Please cheer up your classmate and also the genius who broke the all-time high score record in the general entrance exam this year. Yang Dao."

Yang Dao walked forward under a good enough applause by the 'snobs'. Yes, Yang Dao named the whole society as 'snobs' collectively. He stepped on the stage. Shook hands with the faculty and Heads of departments. He came to the Mic stand. Suddenly a voice came from the crowd.

"He grew up in an orphanage. How is he good enough to represent us, the people of High society?

The principal retorted, "This is a university. Here your marks talk. Not the last name you were given by your family."

The boy who tried to stir up trouble quietened down. Yang Dao spoke, "Respected, teacher, faculty members and staff of the university. I, Yang Dao, on the behalf of all the freshers would like to thank you for taking care of us students through the years we graduate. As for my fellow classmates, I would like to say, for the next four years we all will be together. I hope we all get along and help each other if need be. Thank You."

There was good enough applause. Yang Dao got off the podium with a smile on his face. Some girls even clicked his picture. He was already handsome but when he smiled the people around will also smile.