Chapter Forty-Three: A Reunion with My Dormmates

After everything had been settled, Mu Tingye left with the girl, leaving the principal alone in his office, lost in thought.

As they walked along the tree-lined path of the campus, the girl noticed that Mu Tingye seemed intent on accompanying her through every step of the registration process. She hurriedly said, "Uncle Tingye, there's nothing else I need to do here. I'm going to the girls' dorm now, so you should go take care of your business."

The man considered for a moment and realized there really was nothing left for him to do. "Alright. By the way, I've asked Aunt He to help you set up your dorm room. Don't wander off."

"Oh, that's not necessary! I can do it myself." The girl quickly refused, not wanting to reveal her identity just yet. If Aunt He showed up, everything would be exposed. Who brings a family maid to help arrange a dorm room on the first day? It was much too extravagant.

Seeing Mu Tingye silently gaze at her slender arms and legs, as if wordlessly asking, "Are you sure you can manage alone?" the girl felt embarrassed. She lifted her eyes, filled with a touch of playful pleading, and shook their clasped hands gently: "Uncle Tingye~"

Before the man could respond, she continued, "I'm already an adult now. I can be independent. Please don't treat me like a child. It's just setting up a dorm room—it's not hard at all. I don't need Aunt He's help. Otherwise, what would my classmates think of me..."

The little girl had grown up, now understanding humility and respect for others. She didn't act superior just because she came from a wealthy family—a rare quality indeed.

At this thought, an image of Mu Tian swaggering about and bullying the servants flashed through his mind. She was so brash and noisy, not even comparable to a single hair on this girl's head. Truly, people of the same Mu family could be worlds apart.

Forget it, let her be. A little hard work wouldn't hurt.

"Alright," he said softly, his voice gentle.

The man, who rarely changed his mind, actually listened to her this time. The girl beamed with delight. "Thank you, Uncle Tingye. Be careful on your way back."

Her voice was sweet as honey, making Mu Tingye's heart skip a beat. A tingling, pleasant sensation spread throughout his body—a feeling of comfort.

He nodded calmly, agreed, and left with his assistant, his spirits lifted.

After he left, the girl wandered off alone toward the dormitory, taking in the scenery along the way.

When she arrived at her room, someone was already there, unpacking with her back turned. In a gentle voice, the girl asked, "Hello, are you staying here too?"

Upon hearing her, Yu Qian turned around and saw an angelic young woman standing at the door. Her delicate face was charming and lovely, her round bright eyes radiated innocence and youth, and though her attire was simple, her every gesture was captivating. Her pure gaze inspired instant affection.

Yu Qian quickly replied, "Yes, yes! Are you as well?"

"Yes, hello! My name is Wei Jiujou." Her sweet, sincere smile was infectious.

Hearing the familiar name, Yu Qian was overjoyed. She hugged the girl excitedly. "Jiujou, so you’re Jiujou! I’m so happy to be living with you."

"And you are?"

"I'm Yu Qian—Qianqian!"

"Wow, what a coincidence!" Though the girl had known she would be rooming with Yu Qian, she was still moved by her cheerful smile, and her own face lit up with joy.

The two chatted happily for a while before unpacking their belongings. The girl had managed on her own in her previous life, so she didn't find it difficult now, especially with Yu Qian's help. Soon, everything was in order, leaving only the task of buying daily necessities.

After a quick discussion, they decided to head to the campus supermarket.

Walking side by side, chatting as they went, their friendship grew quickly.

"Jiujou, look, so many boys are sneaking glances at you," Yu Qian whispered.

The girl had noticed the attention too and smiled gently. "How do you know they aren’t looking at you?"

Yu Qian answered at once, "Because you’re so pretty!" She nodded emphatically, lest the girl not believe her.

The girl’s smile was radiant as she looked at Yu Qian. "But you’re very pretty too, Qianqian." Then, almost absentmindedly, she changed the subject. "What kind of boys do you like?"

At that, Yu Qian blushed. "Oh, I don’t really know."

"Why are you so shy, Qianqian? Your face is all red," the girl teased.

"Oh, you rascal, Jiujou! Don’t make fun of me!"

"Hehe, my apologies, Lady Qian. Spare me!"

Laughter filled the air as they walked, their spirits high.

The girl’s pure aura made her stand out, even in a crowd.

Outside the student council president’s office on the third floor, Cheng Yiran noticed her at once. Her doe-like eyes wandered curiously, chatting with her companion. Whatever her friend said made her break into a dazzling smile. Bathed in sunlight, her profile grew even softer, a warm, inviting glow emanated from her, drawing others near. Her skin seemed to glow like polished jade, impossible to ignore.

Wherever she went, eyes followed. Even Cheng Yiran, the most admired boy on campus, was no exception. He stood quietly, his gaze fixed on the girl in the crowd.

In that instant, as she smiled, a firework exploded in his heart. For the first time in twenty years, his usually indifferent heart gave a slight tremor, as if some emotion was breaking through the soil—a feeling impossible to suppress.

Some instinct told him this girl was different. But why? She was just a pretty girl, wasn't she? Why was she so different? He couldn't explain the frustration—this was the first time in years he’d felt such a foreign emotion, beyond his control. There was a tinge of fear, but also anticipation as he watched her figure from the window.

She must be a freshman, he thought. Beautiful, but not with a sharp or intimidating beauty. She was soft and endearing, making people want to let down their guard and let her in.

He drew his gaze back, feeling only a faint ripple within him. It wasn’t enough to warrant more attention for now, so he turned and went back into the office to work.

Cheng Yiran thought it was just a fleeting encounter, that he would never see her again. After all, the campus was vast, and the chances of meeting were slim. But what he didn’t know was that for him, the girl had journeyed a great distance, hoping to experience that unique thrill of the heart.

As she chatted and laughed with Qianqian, the girl kept a subtle watch on the people around them, keenly aware of the heated gazes directed her way. She relished it. In her previous life, she had received only ridicule and disdain. In this life, she was greedy for envy and praise.

And so, they arrived at the supermarket.

"Jiujou, thankfully the campus supermarket has everything we need, or we’d have to go off campus—and that’s so far!" Yu Qian sighed.

"Yes, let’s just buy what we need for today, or we won’t be able to carry it all."