Recently, Jiang Wei suddenly made a decision to move out of the school dormitory and rent an apartment.
The reason wasn't to avoid Yi Ming, but because of...a dog.
This whole thing could be considered an accident. After parting ways with Yi Ming that day, Jiang Wei walked absent-mindedly around the corner and tripped right into a "tragic case".
The little dog's fur was soft and fluffy. Its paw that got stepped on twitched exaggeratedly as it flopped over dramatically, belly up, for her to see.
"What's your name?"
Jiang Wei squatted down apologetically and poked the dog's soft little belly.
The dog looked at her with a whimper, as if saying: It's up to you, but if you want to leave today without giving me three pieces of jerky, don't even think about it.
Ah, so asking for compensation, huh?
Jiang Wei smiled lightly. As a university student with manners and a sense of responsibility, how could she ever "hit and run"?
She gently picked up the little patient and looked into its shiny black eyes, saying lightly: "Since we met at the crossroads, I'll call you Xiao Shi from now on."
Xiao Shi seemed to understand as it barked twice cheerfully.
Look everyone, starting today, I, Xiao Shi, have a home.
What's three pieces of jerky? I now have a lifetime supply of jerky.
Jiang Wei temporarily took Xiao Shi back to her dorm room, but she knew according to the school rules that it couldn't stay for long.
The idea of "renting an apartment off campus" appeared in her mind and she soon made the decision.
Jiang Wei had already planned to apply for postgraduate studies, so renting an apartment off campus to prepare for exams was bound to happen sooner or later. Doing it a little earlier for Xiao Shi was acceptable.
There were many such rental apartments around the school that were reasonably priced and clean.
Jiang Wei quickly settled on a south-facing small two-bedroom apartment with ample sunlight and reasonable floor level.
To save money, Jiang Wei planned to get a roommate. The landlord said he would find a suitable roommate for her, as long as they were okay with a pet. Jiang Wei expressed her thanks immediately, and even Xiao Shi wagged its tail and ran around the landlord.
Jiang Wei didn't have much to move.
Most of her books and clothes were left in the dorm since the two places were close by and she could come get things as needed.
But when moving day arrived, Jiang Wei still felt a little sad.
Her dorm room window faced Yi Ming's dorm room across the street. Although she knew he rarely came back, she still stood blankly at the window for a long time, eyes moist.
"Missing someone?" Her roommate Xiao Liang patted Jiang Wei on the back and lamented, "If you ask me, you should ask him to see you off. You've known each other for over a decade, how could you just cut it off like that?"
Jiang Wei didn't speak, her eyes seemingly narrowing even more.
"Look at you, you were already the silent type to begin with, and after this emotional setback, you've practically become a mute."
Xiao Liang looked at her worriedly.
But Jiang Wei just hesitated, then after a while turned her head and said expressionlessly, "The ten pairs of socks hanging above my head...whose are they?"
Xiao Liang was startled. "Mine."
Jiang Wei sighed, "Didn't you... forget to put detergent in the washing machine again when you put them in?"
Xiao Liang's eyes widened as she quickly sniffed then took down the socks in a second. With an embarrassed smile, she fled the scene.
Jiang Wei left the dorm holding the last bag of clothes, eyes reddening for some reason, whether from the smell of Xiao Liang's socks or something else.
"I'll miss you, come home often."
Xiao Liang gave Jiang Wei a big hug.
Jiang Wei nodded. She also hugged Xiao Liang, but her eyes lingered downstairs at the place where Yi Ming used to wait for her.
Jiang Wei had considered letting Yi Ming know, but the text message was edited over and over until it just lay in her drafts.
She really was too bad at expressing emotions, before and now.