Section 2
At the moment she hung up the phone, she felt a twinge of guilt. For the past few days, she had been telling Emily and the others that she was going to the study room to review her lessons, but the real destination was the food street at the university. She did not understand why she had to lie to them; it was just that this expectation, likely born from an illusion, left her at a loss for how to broach the subject with them.
"What is your major?" Damn, does she have to sound so pleasant too? Cheng Jiayang has always been defenseless against beautiful women. In fact, at this moment, he had already thought about how to persuade her to join if she was willing; even if she was not, he would still eloquently convince her to join. However, he still pretended to follow the procedure.
When Mingmei received the text message, she was being entangled by Cheng Jiayang outside a small bar on the food street of the island. He had drunk a bit too much, his entire face flushed red, and he was forcefully pulling Mingmei, trying to drag her inside: "Junior Sister, what a coincidence to run into you here, come in and have some fun with us!"
Not long after starting her studies, Xia Chunqiu was introduced by a senior from her hometown to a relatively large fitness club in the city to work as a Taekwondo coach. Normally, large chain clubs require coaches to have qualifications, but although Xia Chunqiu did not possess a professional qualification certificate, her three years of training in high school were not in vain. Therefore, she performed exceptionally well during the interview, and coupled with the close relationship between the senior and the club manager, she was admitted despite the usual requirements. While many first-year students were still searching for various part-time jobs, she had already saved up a little personal fund. Coming from a small town and with a family that was not well-off, Xia Chunqiu refused the living expenses offered by her family once she found a job. She was very budget-conscious and frugal, yet every time she returned from the club after class, she would always bring back some small snacks for the three girls in her dormitory, which were inexpensive items from street vendors. Seeing Emily and the others rush to grab them made her feel very happy. Being the oldest in the dormitory, she felt like their older sister at those moments, genuinely wanting to take care of them.
What you said, you must not keep it to yourself and must introduce it to me!
Emily and Lin Miaofeng rushed over, surrounding the snacks in Xia Chunqiu's hands, both eager to be the first to taste them. Xia Chunqiu, feeling annoyed, said, "All you think about is eating; why don't you learn from Mingmei? Look how hard she works!"
As she wandered outside various restaurants, bars, KTVs, and snack shops, she contemplated countless times the opening line she would use when she saw him again: "How have you been all these years?" or "You, the scoundrel who doesn't keep his word, didn't you say you would come back to find me?" or perhaps, "Do you know how much I miss you? I've been inquiring about you all along." ... What she thought about even more were the long, enduring hours they had spent together, from the very beginning when he bullied her to the end when he took on the role of protector, those memories that had settled deep within the passage of time, and with a slight closing of her eyes, it felt as if it had happened yesterday.
During the weekend, Mingmei returned home for the first time. As she opened the door, a faint smell of dust greeted her; in such an old house, it only takes a few days without cleaning for it to become like this. She looked around the room and was relieved to see that all the doors and windows were intact, and there were no signs of disturbance in the house. Those people had not appeared for a long time, and it was unclear whether they had completely given up or if it was due to her living on campus.
Mingmei looked at the litter scattered all over the ground, jumping over the shells of sunflower seeds, packaging bags, and fruit peels. She went to the balcony to get a broom and a dustpan, sweeping while rolling her eyes: "Forget it, I can't expect anything from you!"
What a coincidence, I study marine biology. Cheng Jiayang, a junior. He put down his coffee, stood up, and extended his hand
It is often said that enjoying the love given by others is a great happiness; however, sometimes, giving love can also be a source of joy and fulfillment
The disappointment in my heart for not having encountered the Luo River was significantly alleviated during the light-hearted night conversations with a few people
I hate you! Why didn't you call me earlier to invite me to see the handsome guy!" Emily instantly became enthusiastic, pulling Mingmei inside.
The people inside are having a meal. A woman comes out holding a bowl to open the door and, upon seeing Mingmei, her expression slightly changes. Mingmei greets her with a faint smile: "Aunt Zhu, we are just having a meal."
As Cheng Jiayang looked up, he was met with a bright, gently smiling face. He couldn't help but think to himself, there are indeed many beautiful new students this year
I warn you all, if you continue like this, I will throw you all out! Hmph! In the end, it always concludes with this bright warning that goes in one ear and out the other for everyone.
Mingmei stood downstairs, gazing quietly up at the window, which remained closed. The figure that used to peek out whenever she called from below was long gone. She took a deep breath, ascended to the third floor, and stood outside the Zhu family's door. After hesitating for a moment, she finally reached out to knock.
On a night in December, it was already extremely cold, with the north wind howling fiercely, unrestrainedly blowing against the cheeks with a stinging pain. Mingmei returned to the dormitory, and as soon as she pushed open the door, she gritted her teeth and growled, "You bunch of bastards!"
Marine geology
Emily cheerfully poked her head out and said, "Our little darling is the most diligent! You've worked hard, we've been taking turns buying breakfast for you for three consecutive days!"
Although it was already known that Emily was the type who would sit when she could, lie down when she could sit, and go to great lengths to avoid work, she had not been this lazy before! As for Xia Chunqiu, who has a boyish personality, she is good at everything except for cleaning, where she is utterly inept, yet her destructive capability is not low at all. Lin Miao? Don't even mention it; she is a spoiled young lady. Her parents are a hospital director and an attending physician, and they are always busy, having left her in the care of a nanny since childhood, living a princess life where everything is handed to her. It is said that she was assigned to a mixed dormitory because she faked a medical leave to avoid military training and only reported back after the training was completed.
At that moment, there was no one in front of the table. She saw a young man sitting there, leisurely sipping a can of coffee while flipping through a stack of completed application forms.
Lin Miao was originally stretching her head to talk to the upper bunk's Emily, but upon hearing the bright voice, she quickly buried her head under the blanket. Emily coughed twice and then rolled back onto her bed, pretending to be dead. Only Xia Chunqiu poked her head out from the bathroom, smiling at Mingmei in a pleasing manner: "There's nothing we can do, we've all tried, but we really can't control it. Don't worry about it, I'll come to clean up tomorrow morning."
"Junior Sister, would you like to join the diving team?" He immediately flashed a smile that he believed could captivate the world, greeting her enthusiastically
After finishing the cleaning, she carefully timed her schedule before lunch and walked towards a residential building that brightened the alley. This path, she had walked countless times, almost to the point where she could navigate it with her eyes closed, yet it had been a long time since she last walked it
Indeed, it is Senior Brother, and moreover, he is quite a handsome man! Mingmei walked over and immediately saw the badge hanging on his chest, which read: Cheng Jiayang, Deputy Leader of the Diving Team
Indeed, every night she wanders like a restless spirit in the food street, solely in hopes of encountering Luo He once more. This obsession to see him again is so powerful that even if there is only a one in ten thousand chance, she does not wish to give up.
Mingmei sighed and quickened her pace towards the school
Mingmei was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, and she pulled her sister aside: "Alright, sister, just look at this crowd. Anyway, I have joined the group, and I will introduce you to them later." It was almost twelve o'clock, and the people at the activity center were all leaving; it was truly unwise to go in at this time.
Hello, senior brother, may I ask what conditions are needed
Emily bit into a spring roll and mumbled, "Her major is inherently difficult to study, as it involves both marine studies and geography and geology, oh, just hearing about it makes my chest ache"
Mingmei felt dizzy from the alcohol smell on him and tried to push his arm away, but he tightened his grip even more. Mingmei frowned and said, "Senior brother, it's late, I need to go back to the dormitory"
Diving team
Xia Chunqiu sent a message to Mingmei: It is very cold, come back early
Cheng Jiayang was taken aback for a moment, but quickly grabbed the form and pen from the table, saying, "Come on, fill out this form, and be sure to leave your phone number, so we can reach you for meetings and practical matters."
"Junior Sister, diving is closely related to our profession..." Cheng Jiayang rambled on for quite a while. Mingmei thought that perhaps Emily and the others should be finishing up soon, and with a smile, she interrupted him: "Senior Brother, I would like to join."
"Alright, alright! Then, we can go eat now, right? I'm about to starve to death." Mingmei quickly nodded. At that moment, she had no idea that countless times later, she would deeply regret this decision
Mingmei's patience had already run out at this moment. She blew a breath towards Liu Hai, gritted her teeth, and stepped on Cheng Jiayang's foot. He let out a painful "ow" and released Mingmei's hand. Taking the opportunity, Mingmei jumped back a few steps and said, "I'm sorry, Senior Brother, I will head back first." She turned and ran away as if fleeing from a plague
Three vandals living together would at most be like living in a garbage dump, but with Mingmei, who has a slight obsession with cleanliness, she simply cannot tolerate even a tissue or a sunflower seed shell on the floor. Therefore, dialogues like the one tonight truly play out every few days.
Cheng Jiayang let out a belch, as if he hadn't heard her words, and pulled her towards the bar entrance: "By the way, our team leader is also inside, you haven't met him yet, come on, I'll introduce you."
Mingmei took out her phone and replied to Xia Chunqiu with a message: Just reply.
The bright and cheerful one is too lazy to pay her any mind. Three women make a play, so what about three lazy women? They only create a chaotic dump, nothing but a chaotic dump.
Lin Miao nodded: "Exactly, I flipped through her major's textbooks last time, and I basically couldn't understand them. I have to say, your sports department is the best; not only does it strengthen the body, but you can also earn some extra money as a freshman, how wonderful!" Her tone was filled with envy
Mingmei hesitated for a moment, then reached out to grasp his hand: "Mingmei."
Upon exiting the hall, Mingmei indeed discovered that Emily and Lin Miao were sitting on a bench waiting for her. Lin Miao, with an excited expression, was saying something. Upon seeing Mingmei, she stood up to report her achievements: "I applied to the Drama Club and the Broadcasting Club. In fact, I am interested in many clubs, but unfortunately, I am afraid there won't be enough time. Emily has nothing to report. What about you, Mingmei?"
Only after confirming that Cheng Jiayang was not pursuing her did Mingmei stop to catch her breath. The person she wished to meet always eluded her, while the one she did not want to engage with remained entangled.
When Xia Chunqiu pushed open the dormitory door with a bag of snacks, she found that, as usual, only Emily and Lin Miao were in the room. One was lying on her bed, leaning against the wall with her legs up, claiming it was to prevent breast sagging, while the other was squatting in front of the computer, engrossed in a drama. Xia Chunqiu glanced at the time; it was almost 10 o'clock, and Mingmei had not yet returned. The answer she received was still: the study room. Xia Chunqiu looked at the time again; it was almost 10 o'clock, and Mingmei had not yet returned. The answer she received was still: the study room.
Mingmei had filled in the form as requested, and Cheng Jiayang still wanted to get closer to her, but Mingmei had already said goodbye to him and then turned around to go downstairs
Brightly laughing with a "puh," she suddenly recalled Cheng Jiayang's excessively enthusiastic handsome face, and regretfully said: "If I had known, I would have called you to come up to the second floor to take a look. The senior brother in charge of recruiting for the diving team is quite handsome... Hey, why are you pulling me inside?"
Sigh, the crowd is bustling, and looking around, there isn't a single handsome guy! Emily leaned languidly against her, her bright shoulders accentuated. Have all the handsome guys gone off to date? What a waste of my sister's morning!