Free Web NovelChapter 460: Chapter 460: Asserting Sovereignty
Shen Xunteng, standing at 1.73 meters, was considered tall for this era. His skin was fair, he wore a pair of black-framed glasses, exuding a scholarly aura, and seemed a bit shy. Ever since knowing that the person observing him was Zhang Yaen’s dormitory mate, his ears had been red.
But from Shen Xunteng’s behavior, Yi Roujing and the others could tell that he had feelings for Zhang Yaen, otherwise he wouldn’t have paid attention to them like this.
"Xunteng, are these your friends?" A few guys approached Shen Xunteng to greet him, their eyes turning to Yi Roujing and her friends. They couldn’t help it; Yi Roujing and Ren Xuejuan’s appearances were just too captivating.
Initially, those guys were a little regretful about today’s joint autumn outing with Jing University Medical Department, thinking the counselor organized it for the female comrades. The only six guys in the class were just decorations. Who knew that upon arrival, they’d find that the female students from Jing University’s Medical Department were also present and of high quality.
Yi Roujing’s looks were considered top one even at Foreign Language University, a school full of girls.
They were originally puzzled why Shen Xunteng dressed so meticulously today, wearing Dacron fabric clothes, which was quite a status symbol. Not everyone could afford Dacron. Seeing him know someone from Jing University Medical Department made things clear. This cunning fellow had known the female students from there all along. They couldn’t miss such a good opportunity.
People who could speak foreign languages at this time were rare. Those who had interest and the means to learn usually came from some respectable backgrounds. Shen Xunteng’s classmates seemed like young unmarried individuals. Their attire hinted at decent family conditions, particularly the watches on their wrists.
Yi Roujing noticed that some of the watches they wore were imported goods. At least, she hadn’t seen the models in Jing City’s Department Store, surely bought from abroad.
"They are the dorm mates of my girlfriend Zhang Yaen," Shen Xunteng was not foolish at this moment, immediately declaring his stake, emphasizing the word "girlfriend" heavily.
But in Shen Xunteng’s classmates’ ears, what remained was just "dorm mates," a meaning that was quite clear — the nearer the water, the higher the tower’s platform.
"Hello to all the lady comrades, I am Xing Yazhong."
"I am Yu Jianfeng."
"Hey, hey, count me in, I am..."
Shen Xunteng’s classmates couldn’t wait to introduce themselves, standing across mainly from Yi Roujing.
"Our Roujing is so beautiful; how many hearts will be broken this time?" Zhang Yaen feigned a heart-catching gesture and then announced, "Sorry, you all are too late. Our Roujing is already married and even has a son."
"What?"
"Liar?"
Of course, these were just their self-deceiving talks. No one would joke about big matters like marriage and having children. However, the disappointment was quick, and the quick recovery of morale led them to focus their sights on Ren Xuejuan, Wang Ruohua, and others.
Yu Cuiyu’s age was obvious. At a glance, they knew she must be married, all being very appropriately respectful without any flippant talk.
"Sorry, I am also married." Ren Xuejuan proactively walked with Yi Roujing. They were married individuals and needed to be conscious of that.
Unexpectedly, three people were married. With Zhang Yaen being Shen Xunteng’s girlfriend, they could only show their attentiveness in front of Wang Ruohua and the others, whether fetching water or cleaning pots. But their clumsy actions left Gong Jue’e’s brow furrowed throughout. Eventually, she took over their tasks, starting the stove and putting on the pot.
From start to finish, the redness on Shen Xunteng’s ears hadn’t faded. Not only that, but he was patiently and gentlemanly washing chopsticks, laying out the tablecloth, and arranging items for Yi Roujing and the others.
The tablecloth was brought by Yi Roujing, made by patching pieces of old cloth together. Ding Anmin’s craftsmanship was quite bold in its color scheme, looking very fashionable. Spread on the ground, everyone could sit on it to eat conveniently. Such an arrangement was something only well-off families could do; otherwise, wouldn’t most people save scraps for suitable patchwork purposes?
"Roujing, can I eat with you?" Zhang Mengdi walked over and quietly asked Yi Roujing.
Regarding Zhang Mengdi, Yi Roujing was somewhat surprised as well. This girl’s temperament had improved significantly since first arriving at school. If she behaved this way only towards herself, it might be out of fear due to the exam incident, with a sense of ingratiation. But Yi Roujing noticed that Zhang Mengdi was polite even to others.
"Sure." Yi Roujing wouldn’t refuse Zhang Mengdi’s kind actions. After all, at Jing University’s Medical Department, they were the only group of female comrades. Wherever they went, it was either with unfamiliar people or with male classmates from the class.
Yi Roujing’s nod made Zhang Mengdi secretly breathe a sigh of relief. She was really afraid that Yi Roujing would refuse her. Although her past wrongdoings were unknown to other classmates, Zhang Mengdi had shadows, especially after Zhang Mengtian received the admission notice from Jing University.
Indeed, Zhang Mengtian sat for the college entrance examination under this name on July 20th of that year and successfully entered Jing University. Regarding this result, Zhang Mengdi wasn’t surprised, given Zhang Mengtian’s capability.
Zhang Mengtian didn’t return to her hometown but rented a room outside the school with Mili and even sent Mili to kindergarten. Zhang Mengtian also signed up for the Medical Department. Since the opening of school in September, Zhang Mengdi saw her frequently, and everyone knew they were "real sisters."
Initially, they received a lot of praise. Both sisters getting into Jing University was a significant accomplishment, understandable from the lavish compliments they got. However, after enrolling, Zhang Mengdi’s first semester performance was poor, not only ranking at the bottom of the class but also failing a few subjects, making her more low-key.
Not only that, but Zhang Mengdi also approached Zhang Mengtian for tutoring. Perhaps Zhang Mengdi’s conscience had awakened, offering half her monthly allowance to Zhang Mengtian to help with raising the child, or maybe Zhang Mengdi’s words became more genuine, leading to Zhang Mengtian’s agreement. Now, Zhang Mengdi’s grades had seen some improvement, better than before.
Previously, Zhang Mengdi didn’t have good rapport, but now whether with her current dorm mates or Yi Roujing’s former dorm mates, her relations improved significantly. When Zhang Mengdi sat down, Yu Cuiyu handed her a piece of candy, and Wang Ruohua and the others shared with her.
Yu Cuiyu’s perception of Zhang Mengdi was mainly due to Zhang Mengdi giving her allowance to her sister, enabling her and the child to survive in Jing City. Being a mother herself and renting a place in Jing City with her family, there was a sense of shared experiences.
"How should we address this classmate?" Xing Yazhong and his group already knew Yi Roujing’s and her friends’ names and some basic circumstances. Smiling, they asked about Zhang Mengdi, the new arrival.
