Free Web NovelChapter 441: Chapter 441: Dorm Team Building
Sensing Tan You’s momentary emotional fluctuation, the little milk dog, who had been gleefully running around, paused. ’Dimples weren’t an option in this lottery. I’ll add them next time, so the host doesn’t keep longing for them.’
After muttering a few words, a stream of data flowed around the little milk dog’s body. In just a couple of breaths, it was off again, chasing sparrows into the distance.
Tan You had no idea the little milk dog had already set up a backdoor for her; she was currently chatting with her roommates. She didn’t intend to get overly chummy with everyone, but she wouldn’t be too cold, either. There was no harm in keeping up with what her classmates were doing.
From what she could tell, all these girls had good personalities. Even Chen Ting, who looked a little short-tempered, was actually a cheerful and outspoken person who loved to talk and laugh. That was a relief. Living in the same dorm, everyone would feel uncomfortable if there was a troublemaker.
At ten o’clock, a lean and sharp-looking male teacher walked into the classroom, and the first person he looked at was Tan You. Tan You was already immune to this kind of attention. Nearly everyone who walked into the classroom looked at her first; she was basically the brightest star in the room.
After announcing a series of regulations for the military training, the acting head teacher, Teacher Li, called out a few students’ names, mainly to have them go move textbooks. In the meantime, before they collected the books and went to eat, everyone was free to do as they pleased.
Yin Xiu fiddled with her fingers. "What are you planning to do?"
Tan You mentally reviewed the things she needed for the dorm. "I plan to go buy a big water bottle; I forgot yesterday. We can’t keep running back to the dorm to refill our water during military training, can we? A bigger bottle will be more convenient."
"Let’s go together." Gu Qiuxia, the girl who had called Tan You biased, tugged on her sleeve. "I’m starting to realize that if you just follow Tan You, you basically can’t go wrong."
"You guys think so too? I just feel like Tan You is super reliable and has thought of everything." As soon as Gu Qiuxia spoke, the other girls from the dorm also chimed in, all of them having a very good impression of Tan You.
Tan You really couldn’t handle being praised by a group of young girls. "I just know a few things, so I shared them with everyone. It’s no big deal. Besides, I’m a student from the main campus, so it’s only natural that I know a bit more."
She wasn’t some saint whose benevolence radiated to all, but when she saw a need and had the ability to help, she’d lend a hand if it was convenient.
Since they were all from the same dorm and the girls were well-mannered, their quiet conversation didn’t disturb anyone around them. When Teacher Li came back in with a few students, everyone quieted down, waiting for the new semester’s textbooks.
Tan You was no stranger to the high school curriculum. She constantly reviewed her high school lessons, terrified that after spending decades on missions, she would turn around and have forgotten all her high school knowledge completely.
After receiving the textbooks, which still smelled of fresh ink, Tan You felt a wave of lingering fear. It had been so close—she had almost been unable to continue her education. She understood Tan Lin’s personality; once she stopped attending high school, there was no way he would have sent her to a vocational school or a junior college.
After all, back when she was in the seventh grade, Tan Lin had already intended for her to drop out of school. It was only because Cheng Wenhui single-handedly insisted that Tan You was able to finish middle school. It was just that later, she...
At this thought, Tan You lowered her gaze. When she was young, she felt she had been wronged so much, as if the whole world had let her down. But looking back now, she realized she had also been the recipient of much kindness.
Of course, her greatest debt of gratitude was to Cheng Wenhui; Tan You didn’t deny this. In the past, Tan You had somewhat resented her, because all she ever got from her was criticism, almost never any praise.
Cheng Wenhui would say she was dull and reserved, that she didn’t know how to be a sweet-talker, and that she was usually silent as a stone. She would also say she was lazy and hated to move... At this thought, Tan You shook her head, pushing aside these negative emotions and waiting for the acting head teacher on the stage to dismiss them.
Everyone stored their newly issued books inside their desks. The moment Tan You stood up, the other nine girls also rose with a RUSTLE, following in her footsteps to the small shop just outside of campus.
Tan You casually picked up a large 1000ml water bottle. The other girls followed her lead, and soon they had cleared out the shop owner’s entire overstock of these bottles. The delighted owner even gave them all a small discount.
Tan You looked at the thermoses nearby. "The military training pack only comes with a small thermos. I’m going to buy a bigger one. I don’t plan on going to the communal bathrooms to shower when the training is over, because it’ll be too crowded."
"If you guys need one, you should buy it. If you don’t have enough money..."
Yin Xiu pulled out a hundred-yuan bill. "I have enough. If you don’t, I can lend you some! You can pay me back when the semester officially starts."
The girls exchanged a glance. Gu Qiuxia said a little proudly, "I have money too! My mom gave me plenty."
Tan You took another look and saw that pretty much everyone had money on hand. That made sense; military training had just begun, and students were bound to be short on many things. She didn’t say anything else, but just as everyone was about to pay, she also bought a small lock.
This group of girls all had money on them now. A lock might only keep an honest person out, but it was better than nothing. The others followed her lead once more. They each had a small locker, and they’d have more peace of mind if it was locked up.
When Tan You had gone out yesterday, she had mainly bought shoes and bags. As for other daily necessities, she was getting them now. She led the group of girls in what amounted to a bulk purchase, making the shop owner grin from ear to ear.
"Tan You, you’re so good at bargaining! I was about to pay when the owner said five yuan, but you actually got him down to three." Gu Qiuxia hugged a basin with a little kitten printed on the bottom, her ponytail swinging back and forth in excitement.
"His cost for it was probably less than one yuan," Tan You said. It’s not like she was some clueless rookie. "We’re buying so much that he’s just making a little less profit, that’s all. He was definitely going to sell in the end."
Yin Xiu was holding a large washbasin. "Tan You, why’d you buy such a big basin? To take a bath?"
"No, it’s for washing clothes." Tan You glanced at her. "I also bought a length of hose. A basin this big won’t fit in the sink. It’s more convenient to use a big basin for laundry. You guys can use it too if you want."
"We definitely won’t stand on ceremony with you!" Cao Haiyan was a girl with chubby cheeks, and she skipped along beside Tan You. Her short, curly hair sat atop her head like an exploded firework.
Tan You looked at these girls as if they were her juniors, but there was no denying that being with them put her in a good mood. For the first time in a long while, she felt the vibrant energy of youth.
"Tan You?" Unfortunately, just when you’re happy, someone always comes along to spoil your mood, just like now. Looking at Tan Ying, who had called out to her, the smile on Tan You’s face didn’t change, but the mirth in her eyes lessened slightly.
"Tan Ying? You’re back?" Tan You glanced at the girls standing beside her. "These are my roommates. This is Tan Ying, a childhood friend from my village. What class are you in?"
Tan Ying glanced at the girls surrounding Tan You, a sour feeling rising in her heart. "I’m in Class 1."
