「502 dormitory.」

When Zhou Li returned, the three inside each had a bucket of hot water. They were sitting face to face, chatting while soaking their feet.

Seeing him come back, all three faces expressed the envy single guys might feel toward someone who wasn't.

"Dorm Head, hurry up, get a bucket of water too. We need to keep our formation neat."

"So boring."

Two minutes later.

All four were soaking their feet face to face.

"Sigh..."

Chang Xiaoxiang let out a sigh. "I've been thinking about applying for financial aid, but it feels a bit awkward."

Chen Yang, puzzled, asked, "Why would it be awkward?"

Liu Zhengming didn't say a word.

Zhou Li stole a glance at Liu Zhengming from the corner of his eye.

In reality, everyone's living conditions had improved quite a bit. If they were to select financial aid recipients solely based on 'poverty,' there would definitely be unused spots. But as far as he knew, Liu Zhengming's family was probably on the poorer side. He didn't know much about the girls, but among all the boys in the class, Liu Zhengming was probably the most qualified for financial aid. It was mainly because his home was in a very remote place, deep in the mountains. It was an environment reminiscent of those 'Metamorphosis'-style reality shows. Though, compared to those so poor they couldn't afford food, as depicted on TV or online, his situation was still much better. These things always tend to be this way. Those who truly needed financial aid were acutely aware of its significance. In contrast, those who weren't rich but also not struggling were more likely to apply for the money casually, amidst laughter, and accept it without a second thought. Because for the former, it was a significant amount for living expenses, while for the latter, it was just a somewhat larger amount of pocket money.

After a bit of thought, Zhou Li sided with Chen Yang, saying, "Give it a try. It's not guaranteed you'll succeed anyway. Plus, there are many spots, and it's several thousand yuan at stake!"

"Exactly!" Chen Yang nodded.

"Then why don't you guys apply?" Chang Xiaoxiang asked.

"What does your application have to do with us?" Chen Yang retorted.

"It's embarrassing to apply alone, especially having to give a speech on stage." Chang Xiaoxiang's family wasn't particularly wealthy, but they definitely weren't impoverished either. He knew that at least half of the few financial aid spots would go to people with financial backgrounds similar to his. Since that was the case, he wanted to try for it too.

"Would any of you go with me?" Chang Xiaoxiang asked.

"If you're too embarrassed, I'm even more so." Chen Yang gestured toward his shoes with his chin. "I'm afraid I'd get struck by lightning."

"I'm even less suitable." Zhou Li quietly gauged Chen Yang's and Chang Xiaoxiang's expressions and figured out what they were implying, feeling a bit exasperated. "Everyone knows I've been living off-campus, and I even bought a car. Even if I went with you just for show, it would just attract criticism."

"Zhengming!" Chang Xiaoxiang turned to Liu Zhengming.

"I was already thinking about how to write the application," Liu Zhengming said with a reserved smile.

"Alright, let's do it together. We can discuss how to give the speech on stage," Chang Xiaoxiang grinned.

"Treat us to rice noodles afterward," Chen Yang tugged at his red underwear. "The rice noodles from the canteen will do."

"Sure."

"Mhm."

Both nodded in agreement.

Then Chang Xiaoxiang changed the subject, turning toward Zhou Li. "Dorm Head, where did you guys go after the meeting? I'm just really curious, is dating Brother Nan, who's such a 'big sister' type, different from how it is for us..."

Zhou Li felt even more exasperated, especially with the laughter of the Old Monster coming from the top bunk.

Facing their inquisitive looks, Zhou Li thought for a moment, then said, "It's definitely different from you guys..."

He paused. Seeing the three of them become even more interested, even involuntarily leaning forward, he continued, "Among you, two have never been in a relationship, and one was in a relationship for six months, mostly long-distance, and has now been dumped."

The three of them: …

Their expressions instantly became pained.

Especially Chang Xiaoxiang.

That had been his first love. He hadn't expected to encounter such an experienced 'player,' and the relationship had already become a scar on his heart.

The laughter from the top bunk grew louder.

The four started to chat about various things, like the growth they'd seen in their classmates after entering university. This mainly referred to the girls' makeup skills and fashion sense, which gave them the illusion that all the female classmates in their second year had suddenly become much prettier.

Of course, Zhou Li didn't have this illusion. He had a rather discerning eye.

Gradually, the water cooled.

The four of them, carrying buckets, made SQUISHING sounds with their wet slippers as they walked to the balcony to pour out the water, bringing an end to tonight's idle chat.

It's always like this at the start of a new semester; there's always a lot to talk about.

Zhou Li was getting ready for bed.

Climbing the ladder, he signaled with his eyes to the Old Monster lounging on his bed, indicating that he wanted to sleep and that the Old Monster should hurry back to his game.

The Old Monster blinked at him, unmoved.

A few black lines appeared on Zhou Li's face.

The Old Monster shuffled further in, pressing himself against the wall and freeing up half the bed for him.

Zhou Li was speechless.

So the Old Monster moved over even more, yielding two-thirds of the bed to him, and looked at him with a puzzled gaze.

Zhou Li: ...

Chen Yang's voice came from behind, "What are you doing, frozen up there on the ladder? Is there mouse poop on the bed, or is Lord Dumpling not letting you up?"

Zhou Li nodded. "There's mouse poop."

Having said that, he raised his hand as if to flick away the 'mouse poop.'

But before his hand could touch the 'mouse poop,' the 'mouse poop' made a face at him and vanished with a POOF.

Zhou Li still patted the spot before getting into bed.

Tuanzi, curled up beside his pillow, hazily opened her eyes, rubbing them and looking at him. "Mmm, Zhou Li, you're baaack? Lord Dumpling thought she heard you say there was an old uncle on the bed..."

Seeing the way she rubbed her eyes, along with that lazy, soft voice, Zhou Li had a foreboding feeling. He wouldn't sleep well tonight, either.

「The next day.」

He woke up feeling drowsy, yet inexplicably, Zhou Li also felt incredibly good, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

Sitting in his chair while brushing his teeth, he contemplated for a while before it dawned on him: his tooth had healed. It was completely back to normal.

It seemed the Old Monster was somewhat reliable after all.

「Half an hour later.」

Zhou Li didn't hesitate to drag Brother Nan into Old Ma's Wonton Shop and ordered himself a bowl of Sichuan wontons.

A large bowl, extra numbing and spicy.

Brother Nan looked at him curiously. "It healed that quickly?"

"Disappointed?"

"I... what do I have to be disappointed about?!"

"You've lost an opportunity to tease me."

"Hmm..." Brother Nan, who was never shy about admitting her mischief, nodded thoughtfully. "I didn't think so at first, but now that you mention it, I actually am a bit disappointed. That's a lot of fun gone."

"You'll get wisdom teeth too."

"Fairies don't grow wisdom teeth."

"Possibly."

For once, Zhou Li didn't immediately give in to her implied threat. After a brief pause, he added, "Wisdom teeth... as the name implies, they only grow in people who possess at least a little intelligence."

Brother Nan didn't punch him; instead, she burst into laughter. "That pause! I knew you were going to say that! So typical of you!"

The two knew each other very well by now.

Zhou Li just looked at her expressionlessly.

This statement seemed to imply that she was intelligent, and therefore, quite likely to grow wisdom teeth.

Brother Nan had ordered hot and sour rice noodles, which arrived a bit quicker. She picked up a mouthful of noodles and put them in her mouth, saying, "Our club's trial period is almost over. We need to write a trial report to make it official. As Club President, I'm officially assigning this task to you, Vice President. Work hard, and maybe someday you'll have a chance to become Club President yourself."

Zhou Li said expressionlessly, "Give it to Huai Xu. He's good at writing those kinds of reports and has even been praised by teachers for them."

"Really?..."

Before Brother Nan could finish her sentence, she suddenly furrowed her brows with a look of disbelief. "I think... my tooth... it kind of hurts??"

Had karma come this swiftly?

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