Yang Xiaoli smiled and did not respond, changing the subject, "Has the other roommate arrived at our dorm yet?"
"No, no one has shown up until now. Maybe that bed will remain empty?" Zhu Huixi speculated.
"It probably won’t be." Lin Xiaoguai took a sip of her porridge and said, "Didn’t you see the duty roster at the dormitory entrance? Besides us three, there’s a girl named Lu Rong. She might be from out of town and arrived late."
It wasn’t uncommon. Many non-local students, worried about arriving too early and having nowhere to live or the expensive cost of staying in a hotel, would time their arrival just right, especially since registration was officially during the first three days, but one could still register on the first day of classes. This was particularly common among new students.
After breakfast, the three of them spent some time finding the Philosophy department classrooms.
Indeed, the Philosophy department was popular in those days, constantly echoing slogans about "revolution" and "thought." Reflecting on why she chose this department, Lin Xiaoguai felt a bit self-deprecating. Back then, although smart, she wasn’t particularly insightful—she just followed her teacher’s advice.
Fortunately, for the current Lin Xiaoguai, what major she studied didn’t really matter anymore. Her reason for continuing her education was twofold: firstly, to address a past regret—she had self-taught and entered Modu University, but missed out on Capital University, which was a disappointment; and secondly, to leave no regrets for her dad—although her dad hadn’t been highly educated, he had always aspired to attend the alma mater of his father and grandfather.
"Lucky we arrived early, or we wouldn’t have been able to find seats." Zhu Huixi said, relieved, as the classroom filled up.
Lin Xiaoguai just smiled and stayed silent.
By seven o’clock, the classroom was full, and the first homeroom class began.
Their homeroom teacher was a man in his forties, skinny and tall, wearing black-framed glasses, and looked approachable.
"Hello everyone, I am your homeroom teacher, Liang Gaoyi." He wrote his name on the blackboard and then took out a list, "Before we start the homeroom class, let’s take attendance."
Lin Xiaoguai and Zhu Huixi, along with Yang Xiaoli, couldn’t help but look towards the person who responded—a slim girl with slightly dark skin and curly hair, ordinary looking but with a pair of beautiful big eyes, though she had her head down and seemed a bit gloomy.
Lin Xiaoguai and Yang Xiaoli exchanged a glance, both somewhat worried—hoping she wasn’t someone difficult to get along with.
With over eighty students in the Philosophy department, after everyone was called, Mr. Liang was parched and had to gulp down several mouthfuls of water from a metal-enamel cup on the podium before he could continue.
After attendance, it was time for everyone to introduce themselves, distribute textbooks, and elect class representatives.
Lin Xiaoguai didn’t aim to stand out; her introduction was standard and unremarkable, but her striking appearance didn’t allow her to blend in, attracting the attention of many male classmates.
Naturally, Zhu Huixi, who was equally attractive, received similar attention.
Other than the homeroom class, there were no other lessons in the morning, leaving them time to acclimate to the new university environment.
"Do you think we should go say hi to Lu Rong? After all, we’re in the same dorm." Zhu Huixi asked quietly, holding a stack of textbooks as they left the classroom.
Lin Xiaoguai, watching Lu Rong’s retreating figure leave the classroom, shook her head, "There will always be an opportunity once we’re in the dorm."
As for Lu Rong, she didn’t hold high hopes, always feeling that they might not get along well.
Zhu Huixi hesitated, glanced at Yang Xiaoli, and then swallowed her words. Although they had only spent one night together, she could somewhat discern Lin Xiaoguai’s character, certain she wasn’t one to stir trouble, but she wasn’t so sure about Yang Xiaoli.
They thought they would see Lu Rong when they got to the dorm, but the room was empty.
"Where did she go? Why hasn’t she made her bed yet?" Yang Xiaoli wondered.
"She might have gone out to buy something." Zhu Huixi said while pouring water, "I saw quite a few new students going to the general store today; Lu Rong probably went shopping too."
Judging by Lu Rong’s attire, she didn’t seem to be financially constrained.
The three of them talked in the dorm for a while; Yang Xiaoli put away the cup and towel she had brought in the morning and was about to explore the school together when the dorm door was pushed open, and Lu Rong came in carrying a pile of items.
"Do you need help?" Lin Xiaoguai offered her goodwill, considering they had to live together.
Zhu Huixi and Yang Xiaoli also looked over, clearly of the same mind.
"No need." Lu Rong rejected bluntly.
The three exchanged glances, not intending to impose themselves, Yang Xiaoli smiled and said, "Then you go ahead, we are going out for a walk."
As they left the dormitory building, Yang Xiaoli sighed, "I see other dorms and the girls seem really close; is our dorm a bit strange?"
"Do you feel it too?" Zhu Huixi empathetically said, "People who don’t know would think we’re ostracizing her."
Seeing the frowns on their faces, Lin Xiaoguai said, "Maybe it’s just because we aren’t familiar yet. It’ll get better once we know each other."
Fortunately, Lin Xiaoguai and Zhu Huixi had done their homework the previous night about Capital University’s famous sights. The three spent a few hours visiting the most renowned places with a plan—leaving others to be explored later when they had time.
(To be continued. If you work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation vote or monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)