The day Xu Yi arrived in G City, the weather was extremely hot. The wind blowing on her skin was scalding, and her whole body felt like it was soaking in a sauna room with sweat dripping down as soon as she touched her head.
At the entrance of G University, the elite parents posing with their children for pictures in front of the iconic campus gate.
Xu Yi came by herself this time without her parents sending her off. She stood at the school gate, eyeing the main entrance. This little area was G City's famed tourist attraction.
She silently marveled to herself in her heart: "So this is G University!"
It was the university that countless people dreamed of, the one she had strived for since starting middle school. And now, she was standing right here in the flesh.
Following a senior volunteer sister, she went to register, collect items, and finally arrived at her dorm.
After thanking the senior sister, Xu Yi opened the dorm door.
There were four people to a room. She was the last one to arrive.
Two girls were chatting together, one with twin tails and one with a bun.
Another girl and her boyfriend were making the bed together. She had wavy hair.
Feeling a little shy, Xu Yi greeted them, then quietly started unpacking.
Midway through, she turned her head and saw the girl with her boyfriend reluctantly bidding farewell.
The boyfriend stroked her head, "Be good. I'll come to see you tonight."
"Okay, you must keep in touch with me."
"I will."
After her boyfriend left, only the four girls remained in the dorm.
The dorm building was newly constructed with bunk beds and desks below. The facilities were brand new with a private bathroom and a large balcony. The environment was rather nice.
"Let's introduce ourselves!" Gu Ran with the bun took the initiative and said, "I'm Gu Ran, she's Fang Chuning." She pointed at the girl she was chatting with earlier while speaking.
Fang Chuning smiled politely, "Hello."
"I'm Su Ling. That was my boyfriend just now."
Xu Yi got off her bed, "Hello everyone, I'm Xu Yi."
She had a typical delicate look with fair skin that attracted attention. Add in her shallow dimple, and she was even more endearing.
Gu Ran was outgoing and asked Xu Yi, "You came alone?"
"Yes."
Gu Ran: "You're so capable. I had too much stuff so my mom insisted on sending me over no matter what."
Fang Chuning: "What are we talking about? Su Ling is the really capable one. Her boyfriend personally sent her to the dorm. *sigh* I don't even have a boyfriend."
Gu Ran: "That's right. When will I ever find sweet love?"
Su Ling was embarrassed by their teasing, but she was elated inside when it came to her boyfriend. Her eyes shone as she humbly said, "No way. He often makes me angry too. Being in love is so annoying..."
"Don't pretend!"
Fang Chuning was very gossipy and asked Xu Yi, "Xu Yi, do you have a boyfriend?"
Xu Yi was startled. Unconsciously, Qiao Rui's figure flashed through her mind.
H University started later than G University. He said he would come over in a couple days and even cheekily sent her two messages:
[Don't check out handsome guys while I'm not around these few days]
[If you want to see a handsome guy, then wait for me to go over and I'll show you me [shy/]]
Xu Yi replied: [Even a wok of freshly fried oil sticks isn't as oily as you!]
She shook her head and answered honestly, "No, I don't."
"No way. With your classic delicate female lead looks in youthful romantic tragedies, how could you not have a boyfriend?"
Fang Chuning: "There's no rule that you must have a boyfriend, but there are definitely many chasing after you."
Xu Yi: "......"
The few girls got familiar with each other quickly after just a few sentences.
After unpacking, they went around campus together to get familiar with the environment.
The four beauties walking side by side on campus already formed a gorgeous sight.
Xu Yi was quieter and spent most of the walk listening to their chatter, only chiming in occasionally when the topic was about her.
After a round around campus, they returned to the dorm.
Right after getting back, Xu Yi's phone rang.
It was the courier calling to say there was an oversized package for her to sign and collect at the school entrance.
It was items her mother sent over, worried she would lack things here and insisting on packing more no matter what. But there was too much for Xu Yi to bring originally, so her mother got her to go ahead first while directly sending the packages over to G City.
They were shipped out yesterday afternoon and arrived surprisingly quickly.
Xu Yi told her roommates, "I need to go out for a delivery."
Fang Chuning: "Want us to go with you and help?"
"No need, I can handle it myself." Xu Yi declined politely with a smile.
Gu Ran: "Alright, let's go eat together when you're back?"
"Sounds good."
The courier was at the main entrance while Xu Yi's dorm building was at the east gate, quite a distance away. So she ran over.
After signing and collecting the items at the main entrance, she thanked the courier.
Out of breath from sprinting over, Xu Yi half-squatted there to rest for a while.
Suddenly, a gentle voice pulled her back from her thoughts. "Student, let me help you with your luggage."
Glancing up at the voice, she saw a male student around her age standing before her. Xu Yi smiled and waved her hand, "No need, I can handle it myself."
But the guy didn't leave. "You're a new student at G University right?"
"Yes."
"Then let's exchange WeChat contacts. I'm—"
Before he could finish speaking, Xu Yi felt a pat on her shoulder. "Yo."
It directly interrupted the guy's request to add WeChat.
Hearing this familiar voice made Xu Yi's heart tremble. She hurriedly turned around and indeed saw Qiao Rui.
He was dressed very simply—a light blue shirt with black athletic shorts and a pair of basketball shoes.
Standing in the crowd, he was especially eye-catching.
"You—" Xu Yi was pleasantly surprised amidst her astonishment. On the surface she remained very calm. "Why are you here?"
Guessing what was going on, the male student let out an embarrassed chuckle and swiftly dispelled any notions of taking out his phone. "Sorry, I've got something to do. I'm leaving first."
In contrast, Qiao Rui was very enthusiastic. "Sure, thanks, see you around."
Xu Yi: ?
After the male student bid them farewell and left, Xu Yi still hadn't reacted. She asked Qiao Rui, "Do you know that guy?"
"Nope."
"Then why did you say see you around to him?"
"Isn't it obvious? To thank him."
"Thank him?"
"Mm. He wanted to help carry your luggage. Shouldn't you thank him?" Without another word, Qiao Rui ruffled her hair into a big mess. "Look at you. It's fine if you don't appreciate me, but to a stranger who offered to help carry your things, you even asked what to thank him for?"
He deliberately emphasized the words "stranger".
Xu Yi struggled free of him. "Qiao Rui!"
"Alright alright—" Qiao Rui patiently tidied her hair back in place. Then he took her luggage from her. "Your pack mule has arrived. From now on, leave these tough chores to me, no need to find others."
"......"
The school was open today. Qiao Rui and Xu Yi entered together.
Only now was Xu Yi accepting the reality that he had come to G City. Still, she couldn't help asking, "Why did you come so early?"
"Isn't it for you?"
Xu Yi: ?
Qiao Rui stroked her head. "Unfamiliar environment and all, what if you get homesick? With me around—" His eyes curved into crescent moons. "Won't it make you feel a little better inside?"
