"By the way, I’ll take you to where I live." Zhang Tingyu enthusiastically took Tang Yue to her place, knowing that they would definitely be hanging out a lot during the next few years of university.
Once they entered the alley, Tang Yue found it familiar—wasn’t this where her studio was located?
Could it be that Zhang Tingyu’s residence was right next to the studio?
Just as this thought crossed Tang Yue’s mind and they stopped in front of a door, she couldn’t help but laugh, saying, "Tingyu, although we won’t be roommates, we’re neighbors now."
She had thought about inviting Zhang Tingyu to stay at the studio, but now she suddenly realized that the two of them were only separated by a wall.
Zhang Tingyu was still not quite catching on.
Tang Yue took Zhang Tingyu next door, took out her key, and opened the door.
"Xiao Yue, are we... neighbors?" Zhang Tingyu finally caught on and excitedly grabbed Tang Yue’s hand.
"This is fate, you know. I was just thinking about asking you to live here with me." Tang Yue smiled at the thought.
Zhang Tingyu was also very excited, taking a good look around the room and couldn’t help but exclaim, "Xiao Yue, is this where you work? This place is really well set up."
Her own room was simply decorated, but compared to Tang Yue’s, it was quite basic.
Apart from keeping her own room tidy, the rest was just haphazardly done.
"Yeah, it’s kind of my workspace." Tang Yue and Zhang Tingyu stayed in the work area for a long time until Tang Yue had to leave for the motor pool in the evening.
With school starting soon, she should start moving her stuff into the Siheyuan. After that, she would have less time to go to the motor pool.
After school started, there would probably be military training, which meant she might not go to the motor pool for quite some time.
She brought back a pot of cactus to the motor pool; the green cactus could survive without daily watering and would bring a touch of greenery to her home—it was the perfect decoration.
"Wow, Xiao Yue, you bought a cactus? That must have been pricey, right?" Jiang Beini looked at the cactus in Tang Yue’s hand with its beautiful white flower pot. It looked gorgeous, and was certainly not cheap to buy these days.
Besides, not everyone had the extra money to buy a cactus; at home, they were so frugal that they would split a penny into two to spend, let alone buying this.
"It’s okay, cacti are easy to keep alive," Tang Yue responded indifferently, fully aware of Jiang Beini’s unfriendliness.
If someone else doesn’t show her kindness, why should she return the favor?
Tang Yue walked past her without any intention of stopping.
Jiang Beini stepped forward to block her path, asking, "Xiao Yue, I heard you’re going to Jinghua University?"
"Hm?" Tang Yue looked towards Jiang Beini.
Jiang Beini smiled and said, "That’s right, my younger brother is almost ready for high school entrance exams. Could you... help tutor my sister?"
Tang Yue was the provincial top scholar and a new student at Jinghua University—if she could tutor her brother, his grades might skyrocket.
At this moment, Jiang Beini had completely forgotten about the rumors she had spread that Brother Mo was going to marry an ugly bride, as well as her previous contempt for considering someone as rural.
"School is about to start," Tang Yue tactfully declined.
"There aren’t that many classes in college," said Jiang Beini.
Tang Yue’s expression turned colder, and she said, "Sister-in-law, there may not be many classes in college, but I have other things to do and probably won’t have so much time."
Tang Yue flatly refused. Not to mention the issue of money, simply having a sister like Jiang Beini, her brother’s character couldn’t be any better. She was not so saintly as to want to change everybody, nor so narcissistic to believe everyone would listen to her.
Zhang Qiang and Wei Jiajie were relatives, but who was Jiang Beini’s brother to her?
"Sister-in-law, I’ve been busy outside all day, I’m covered in sweat and need to go home to take a shower." After saying that, Tang Yue went upstairs to rest.
Jiang Beini’s face darkened as she spat in the direction of Tang Yue’s retreating figure, muttering, "It’s just a university student, what’s so great about that? If she won’t teach, then she won’t teach."
Turning around and walking away, Jiang Beini passed by Ruan Xiuxiu’s house, continuing to moan about Tang Yue, "That Brother Mo’s family is really too arrogant, thinking they’re superior just because they got into Jinghua University. Refusing just to give my brother a few tutoring lessons, how petty."
"Uh..." Ruan Xiuxiu was completely oblivious to what Jiang Beini meant, and it took her a while to understand.
After listening, Ruan Xiuxiu tentatively suggested, "Sister-in-law Lu, is it possible she really doesn’t have time? I’ve noticed she seldom comes to the motors team."
"What could she be busy with?" Jiang Beini said spitefully, not understanding Ruan Xiuxiu’s implication. She continued to berate Tang Yue’s arrogance and dismissiveness.
Ruan Xiuxiu laughed awkwardly, wanting to say something but unsure of how to start. She didn’t want to offend Brother Mo, since her man had to work under him.
Back in the dormitory, Tang Yue was completely unaware of Jiang Beini’s grumbles. She was thinking about whether she should buy some sunscreen for the military training, so as not to lose the fair skin she had finally achieved.
After showering and changing clothes, Tang Yue went to the cafeteria for dinner. As soon as Xue Le saw her, he cheerfully approached and said, "Hello, sister-in-law."
"Xue Le." Tang Yue greeted him.
Xue Le eagerly served her a meal, saying, "Sister-in-law, how did you make that milk cake last time? It was so delicious."
He had tasted cakes from bakeries before, but he always felt that Tang Yue’s were tastier.
"Um, maybe it’s because I made it with love," Tang Yue smiled and earnestly explained to Xue Le how to make the cake. Last time, she added a lot of fruit and chocolate chips, which naturally made the cake taste richer.
Tang Yue taught seriously, and Xue Le listened attentively, neither of them noticing Mo Siyu’s arrival.
Tang Yue also reminded Xue Le about the points to note when baking a cake.
Xue Le, not paying attention, subconsciously drew closer.
"Cough." Somebody cleared their throat.
Xue Le, who was listening intently, felt annoyed by the interruption. He looked up and froze when he saw Mo Siyu, immediately standing up and looking towards him.
"Brother Mo," Xue Le said respectfully to Mo Siyu.
"Nothing to do today?" asked Mo Siyu.
Xue Le honestly replied, "No."
Mo Siyu gave him a look and said, "Even though you work in the kitchen, you still need proper exercise, otherwise you won’t even be able to lift a spatula."
"Yes," responded Xue Le.
Xue Le’s face fell, aware of his lack of fitness. If he had to run thirty laps, would he even be able to lift a spatula tomorrow?