Xu Xiuwen didn't enter the girls' dormitory first.
To other male students, the mysterious girls' dormitory might seem extra-ordinary, but to him, it was just that—plain and nothing special.
Perhaps the air was slightly better than the boys' dormitory, without any strange odors, and looked a bit tidier.
The desks of the other three girls were relatively neat, except for Bai Yue'er.
Her desk was a bit messy, with various little things left unorganized.
Xu Xiuwen even saw a pair of white stockings pressed under a college math textbook.
Seeing the white stockings, Xu Xiuwen couldn't help but imagine Bai Yue'er wearing them, unconsciously swallowing a bit of saliva.
Had she worn white stockings before?
Well, Xu Xiuwen hadn't seen her wearing them.
"Xu Xiuwen, have some water."
Shen Minyao walked over to him with a cup of water in her hand.
Steam was still rising from the cup's mouth.
Xu Xiuwen was indeed a bit thirsty, so he took the cup and started drinking.
After a few sips, he realized.
Whose cup was this?
Certainly not Tang Weiwei's.
Because Xu Xiuwen had seen Tang Weiwei's cup before.
And Shen Minyao probably wouldn't just take Bai Yue'er's and Su Yanyan's cups without their consent to give him to use.
So, the answer was simple.
Xu Xiuwen calmly put down the cup and said to Shen Minyao, "I have to go downstairs, or else the dorm supervisor will come up looking for someone."
"I'll walk you down."
Xu Xiuwen smiled and said, "No need. You've been drinking and busy for a while. Rest, I'm leaving."
He finished and walked towards the dormitory door.
As he reached the corridor, Shen Minyao suddenly asked, "I'm going back tomorrow morning. Can you take me to the train station?"
Xu Xiuwen stopped at her words.
He turned slowly to face Shen Minyao.
Sensing his gaze, Shen Minyao adjusted her hair and 'explained', "Don't get me wrong, I don't mean anything else. It's just that I'm leaving with Yue'er tomorrow morning, and I'm not familiar with Shi Xiangming either. I'm afraid it might be awkward then. It would be better if you were there, and besides, I have quite a bit of luggage. I can't carry it all by myself."
Xu Xiuwen looked at her and nodded, "Okay, I'll take you to the station tomorrow."
Shen Minyao was very happy to hear that, her smile blooming, "Thank you."
Xu Xiuwen waved his hand, "It's nothing. We're classmates. Alright, I'm leaving. You rest."
He finished and turned to walk to the other end of the corridor.
Shen Minyao stood quietly at the door of Room 601, watching his back silently until he disappeared, then turned back into the dormitory.
When Xu Xiuwen returned to the dormitory, Yang Baishan was lying on the bed snoring, reeking of alcohol.
Shi Xiangming was sitting in Wang Juncai's place, playing with his computer.
Shi Xiangming was deeply engrossed in the game and didn't even notice Xu Xiuwen coming in.
Xu Xiuwen didn't bother him either.
Usually, Xu Xiuwen would bring hot water downstairs every morning to prepare hot water, then leave it on the steps outside the dormitory door, and bring the water bottle back up when he returned at night.
He poured himself a basin of cold water, adjusted the temperature with hot water to the right level, and started soaking his feet.
The feeling of soaking feet in the dead of winter, only those who have tried it know.
While soaking his feet, Xu Xiuwen picked up his phone and saw a text message from Xiao Youran.
Xiao Youran first said hello, saying she had arrived home.
Then she asked when Xu Xiuwen would return and if he wanted her to pick him up, also mentioning that her father had a car and it would be convenient, telling him not to be polite.
Xu Xiuwen felt warm inside.
Regardless of anything else, their eighteen years of childhood companionship couldn't be faked. The two of them had a deep and special bond.
What a pity!
Xu Xiuwen sighed.
It was impossible for him and Xiao Youran now.
Whether it was Cheng Lu or Tang Weiwei, he couldn't bear to let go.
Though he might be greedy, he had his bottom line as a person and wouldn't become insatiable.
Two girls were enough for him.
Xu Xiuwen quickly shook off the unusual emotions. He lowered his head to type on his phone, "No need to trouble Uncle. I can go back by myself. You haven't seen your parents for so long, you should spend more time chatting with them."
Soon, Xiao Youran's message came back.
"It's okay. I often keep in touch with my parents. It's been a while since I've seen Aunt Ning. I want to go see her and chat with her."
Xu Xiuwen sighed and replied, "As long as you're happy."
Then he sent a text to Cheng Lu, asking if she had packed her luggage.
Cheng Lu replied quickly, "Just finished packing."
Followed by another message, "I'm going to wash up first, we'll chat later."
About half an hour later, Cheng Lu finished washing up.
Before getting into bed, she turned to An Shishi and asked, "An Shishi, can I turn off the lights now?"
An Shishi said, "Sure, if you want to turn them off, go ahead."
"Okay."
Cheng Lu turned off the lights, climbed into bed from the ladder, and got under the covers.
She lay in bed, starting to text Xu Xiuwen to let him know she had finished washing up.
An Shishi watched the faint glow of Cheng Lu's phone at the head of her bed and suddenly asked, "Cheng Lu, are you taking the train tomorrow?"
Without receiving Xu Xiuwen's message yet, and hearing An Shishi's question, Cheng Lu answered, "Yes, tomorrow afternoon's train."
"Oh." An Shishi nodded and didn't say anything more.
Because Xu Xiuwen hadn't replied yet, Cheng Lu asked again, "When are you leaving?"
An Shishi shook her head, "I'm not leaving. I'm planning to stay at school."
Cheng Lu was stunned.
When she came back to her senses, she couldn't help but ask, "An Shishi, aren't you going home for the New Year?"
An Shishi smiled and said, "Oh, I'm not as lucky as you three. I still have to earn my own tuition and living expenses next year. I have to stay and make money."
Cheng Lu fell silent immediately.
An Shishi's family background was average, something everyone in the dorm knew.
But in situations like this, besides offering a few words of comfort and encouragement, there wasn't much they could do to help.
Cheng Lu's family was well-off, so helping with tuition fees and providing some living expenses wasn't a big deal.
But in front of An Shishi, she had never mentioned it.
Because not everyone was willing to accept others' kindness.
In everyday life, An Shishi never took advantage of anyone.
Cheng Lu could tell that she was a very independent and strong girl.
Cheng Lu worried that if she brought it up, knowing An Shishi's personality, she might not accept it and it could make their relationship awkward.
The conversation between the two stopped there.
Just then, Xu Xiuwen's text came through.
Cheng Lu didn't dwell on An Shishi anymore and chatted with Xu Xiuwen via text.
They talked for a long time, and Cheng Lu occasionally burst into laughter because of Xu Xiuwen's messages.
She was trying to restrain herself, but sometimes she couldn't help it and had to cover her head with the blanket.
In the quiet dorm room, even the slightest sound was so clear.
An Shishi sat on the edge of the bed, silently watching Cheng Lu.
After a while, she turned her head to look out the window.