Hai En had not shown up in front of Jian Dan for several consecutive days, but he was paying attention to her.
Aside from personality flaws, Jian Dan was actually a very disciplined and outstanding person. On the ranking test on Wednesday, she took the top position in the grade.
The day they checked the rankings was Friday. He saw Jian Dan searching for her names with two roommates in front of the list.
The tall Lai Wei came in second, Mi Lu was slightly behind and ranked lower, Mo Yue placed somewhere in the twenties, which was also a decent result. He didn’t deliberately greet them but stood behind the group. The three of them were focused on the scores, hardly noticing his presence.
Nevertheless, he caught an earful of their conversation.
After Lai Wei checked the results, she reached out and patted Jian Dan’s head with a smile that carried a touch of indulgence and gentleness, "I didn’t expect you, little girl, to do quite well."
Jian Dan’s smile was broad, seemingly very satisfied with her scores, and she rubbed her head playfully into her palm like a large feline, "Hmph, of course, I am excellent."
Mi Lu, quite regretful, pushed her way in between them, holding onto one arm each, "Hey hey hey, how about sparing a thought for me, the newcomer in the twenties? I study so hard with you guys, and this is my reward? I am going to be mad."
"You," Lai Wei sighed, holding her forehead, "when we were seriously doing our homework, where were you poking around and fumbling about?"
Mi Lu laughed somewhat awkwardly, trying to brush it off, "Actually, I was serious, even if not quite serious. Alright, alright, next time I’ll make sure to place my name with yours. I’ve recognized my mistake this time."
"Actually, Lulu did quite well too," Jian Dan complimented her.
"Think about it, the way you studied abroad is different from how we study here. To return and score this well on your first try is already very impressive. Lai Wei and I have been educated in the domestic system, so naturally, we’re more familiar with the logic."
Lai Wei nodded, apparently agreeing with Jian Dan’s statement.
Mi Lu instantly felt healed, "Well then, since I’m that excellent and under your care, let’s go, it’s my treat, let’s get skewers."
"Not going, it’s Friday today and I’m going home," Lai Wei declined, "We’ll find another time, this meal won’t get away from me. My mother is at home alone, I need to go keep her company."
Mi Lu rested her chin in her hands, "My family is also just me. Weiwei, how about I go with you? I dare not visit Jian Dan’s home, her little uncle looks like a really fierce person, and I’m scared to go there. But I’m not scared to visit your home, you’re so gentle, your mom must also be a gentle person."
Lai Wei smiled, "Just letting you know first, my home is very small, and quite old. We live in one of those original alleys, where dozens of families are crammed together in one building. If you come to my house, you can only sleep in the closet, are you sure you want to come to my home?"
Mi Lu blinked her eyes, nodding firmly, "I’ve never tried it, I want to go."
Lai Wei paused, then seemed to understand that Mi Lu didn’t get her point, and chuckled, "Lulu, do you know what I mean? A closet, do you know what that is? Sleeping in there means a very confined space, are you sure you can handle it?"
Mi Lu blinked, then blinked again, "Is there any difference?"
Jian Dan explained what a closet was in very simple terms, doing so in a way that was gentle and didn’t make Lai Wei feel uncomfortable. After listening, Mi Lu looked at Lai Wei, "Weiwei, is Jian Dan’s explanation correct?"
Lai Wei nodded, "More or less."
The three of them spoke in hushed tones, and everyone around them was busy checking the rankings, with only Hai En intently listening in. His gaze involuntarily settled on Lai Wei, filled with astonishment and some confusion.
Some people, when talking about their family background, tend to feel inferior, especially considering that Jian Dan and Mi Lu’s families clearly seemed wealthy or noble. Nevertheless, as a poor person, Lai Wei wasn’t the slightest bit intimidated.
Such composure and candor were truly admirable.
He was not a good person, but he understood people.
Mi Lu did not hesitate, nodding her head, "I want to go."
Lai Wei’s smile contained a hint of teasing, "Just so you know, if you’re not comfortable and ask me to take you back home halfway through, I can’t do that, you’ll have to call your driver to pick you up."
"Don’t underestimate me, Weiwei; I’m not that kind of person. I will make sure to sleep well in the closet until morning."
Jian Dan nodded her head, indicating that she was sensible and there was no need to worry, "Then, if you’re still at Weiwei’s home on Zhou Tian, I’ll come over to hang out with you guys, and we can come to school together, okay?"