"One must always guard against others..."
Zhen Yan uttered this phrase involuntarily, his eyes filled with sadness.
He truly couldn’t comprehend why, despite wholeheartedly being good to his mother,
he ended up with the same fate as his sister! Did his mother really ever care...?
His sister’s voice from the phone sounded as if coming from a distant place, "As long as you understand. Though people say it’s tough to be parents, we as children must first see who their heart really cares for! Otherwise, it’s not their pity but our own misery..."
Zhen Yan didn’t want to listen anymore at that moment, so he directly said to the phone, "...Little sister! Hang up!"
Then, after pressing the hang-up button, Zhen Yan standing in the dormitory hallway turned and dashed outside.
As he passed the door, the old man on duty shouted, "Hey! Where are you going? Lights out in ten minutes!"
"Going for a run!" Zhen Yan roared before speeding away like a gust of wind.
The old man on duty: "At this late hour... young folks are just too full of energy!"
Because he was mindful of the time, Zhen Yan ran only one lap before returning to the dormitory.
Yet, that single lap in the bone-chilling wind blew away all his negative emotions completely!
It also brought his muddlehead unprecedented clarity in the icy world!
Zhen Yan never recognized so clearly as tonight that since his parents remarried, they already shifted their focus from him and his sister to other children!
He was no longer the most important person in his mother’s eyes!
If so, then he needn’t constantly worry about her...
——
Meanwhile, Zhen Yu was in a daze after her brother hung up the phone.
You Qing cautiously asked, "Xiao Yu, have you finished your call?"
Zhen Yu: "Huh? Yeah!"
You Qing: "I heard you weren’t talking to your boyfriend..."
"Oh, it was my brother." Zhen Yu didn’t hide while making the call, so naturally, she wouldn’t deny it.
Shi Mei suddenly chimed in, "What’s going on? I heard you mention your brother redeeming some internet café? Turns out you two have one in the capital too! I thought you only opened one back in your hometown!"
"Nothing major! Regarding the internet café... to be honest! The one we frequently visit was opened by me! My brother also opened one near the Public Security University." Zhen Yu had long wanted to confess this but never found the chance.
As soon as she finished, Shi Mei exclaimed dramatically, "Whoa..."
You Qing also couldn’t believe it, "That internet café was opened by you?!"
Even Sun Shuhan was stunned! Because she loves playing games and goes there almost daily to play Legend!
"Yes! I opened it!" Zhen Yu nodded to confirm again, "I always wanted to say it but didn’t know how to bring it up."
"Rich lady! Please take care of me!" Shi Mei suddenly flirted at Zhen Yu with a wink, showing no ill feeling about being kept in the dark.
You Qing only joked, "You kept us in the dark so much! You must treat us to a feast to comfort my resentful heart."
But Sun Shuhan suddenly interjected firmly, "I want a Supreme VIP!"
Shi Mei: "Pfft..."
——
As the chat continued, the lights went out.
Perhaps the last dormitory talk wasn’t enjoyable enough, so although everyone lay down, they kept talking.
However, the topic about Zhen Yu and the internet café didn’t go on, as everyone briefly checked in and stopped.
Then You Qing, still the one who opened fresh topics for conversation, spoke soon after, "Tomorrow afternoon no classes, what are everyone’s plans?"
Sun Shuhan: "First discuss the semi-final work with Zhen Yu, then go for self-study."
Shi Mei: "Standing by that! Exams are soon, feels like I need self-study revision..."
Zhen Yu: "I almost forgot about the work! I’ll return to the dorm after lunch tomorrow!"
You Qing: "Then? You too going for self-study?"
"No, I’m going out for a bit! Planning to enroll in an art class."
Just as Zhen Yu was talking, her phone made a sound, indicating a message.
You Qing pondered for a moment and then spoke with intention.
"If that’s the case, Shi Mei, accompany me to the archaeology department and see if we can find a mentor."
"Hey? Haven’t you already found one in our Chinese department? Why still looking?" Shi Mei asked surprisingly.
You Qing replied helplessly, "Have you not read the regulations for the club formation? Two mentors are required!"
Shi Mei: "Ah... Okay then! I’ll go with you!"
——
Just as their conversation reached a pause, Zhen Yu’s voice suddenly broke the silence.
"Dinner tomorrow evening, want to come?"
"Eh? Is there such a good thing in the world? Quick, tell us! Are you up to something?" You Qing reacted first, "Who was the message from earlier?"
"Haha!" Zhen Yu didn’t pretend and directly revealed her boyfriend, "Han Mingyue! He’s treating our dorm mates to dinner, wants me to invite you guys too. Are you coming?"
Zhen Yu’s confession made You Qing suddenly feel embarrassed.
"Uh..."
"What is there to hesitate! If there’s good food, of course, we’re going!" Shi Mei didn’t care about such things! Since she wasn’t interested in the guys in Han Mingyue’s dormitory, she agreed without any pressure.
"What about you two? Shuhan?" Zhen Yu worried that Sun Shuhan might fall asleep without speaking, so she specifically called her name.
In the darkness, Sun Shuhan’s cheeks felt warm, but she responded quietly, "Then, then let’s go!"
"You’re the only one left, You Qing!" Hearing this, Shi Mei immediately helped Zhen Yu chase up the only one who hadn’t agreed yet.
You Qing finally agreed as if going with the flow, "Since you’re all going! I must go too then!"
Shi Mei: "That’s more like it!"
Zhen Yu chuckled in the dark; although You Qing was usually straightforward, she suddenly hesitated just now.
Definitely, something secretive is going on...
But now wasn’t the time to expose her, so Zhen Yu said, "Since everyone agreed, I’ll reply to him now!"
Shi Mei immediately said, "Go ahead, reply quickly! By the way, ask what’s for dinner tomorrow night!"
Zhen Yu chuckled, "Haha... I’ll ask now..."