The girl on the balcony gazed deeply at Su Wei, then flashed a radiant smile.
“I’m Zhou Xi. What a coincidence—I live in this dorm too!”
That mildly playful remark instantly softened Zhou Xi’s initially unapproachable aura. She stood and walked over. Su Wei had assumed Zhou Xi would offer to help with her luggage and was about to politely decline—but Zhou Xi simply stood by, watching her unpack.
“Hey, Su Wei, where are you from?”
“Huaxia, I think… Yeah, Huaxia.”
“Huh~ No wonder your standard Chinese is so good—we share the same roots!”
“Yep~”
Su Wei answered while sorting her few belongings—mostly clothes; she’d planned to buy the rest here. “By the way, is there a supermarket on campus?”
“Shopping? Great! I wanna go too.”
Watching Zhou Xi, Su Wei finally felt it—*this* was girlhood. That bright, infectious smile!
“Not exactly shopping. I need daily essentials—didn’t bring quilts or pillows.”
“Easy. I’ll have someone deliver them.”
Su Wei assumed Zhou Xi meant ordering fresh. “Sure, I’ll pay you back.”
“Pay? Nonsense! Consider it my welcome gift!”
Zhou Xi giggled, linking arms with Su Wei. A certain prominent area brushed repeatedly against Su Wei’s arm. Even through layers of fabric, she could feel its substantial size—definitely bigger than her own. Wait… Why was she even noticing this?
Su Wei shook her head slightly. “Then… thank you.”
“No need~”
Zhou Xi beamed. “Honestly, I never had many friends growing up. Dad sent me here mainly to make some.”
Su Wei sweat-dropped. Attending this world-class academy… just to make friends? If that got out, rejected applicants would rage-quit life.
“Are you a strong student?”
“Studying… I guess okay?” Zhou Xi tapped her lips. “My teachers all said I was an Em… *cough cough*… a good student.”
A flicker of worry crossed Su Wei’s mind. She was practically amnesiac—and in her past life, she’d never touched this ‘coder’ major. Could she keep up?
“Are you in Computer Software Engineering too?”
“Nope…” Zhou Xi pondered. “Quantum Engineering, I think.”
“Quantum Engineering… sounds super high-end,” Su Wei murmured. This seemingly airheaded girl was a genius? Just the name made her shudder.
“‘Gao Da Shang’?” Zhou Xi blinked. “What does that mean?”
“High-end, classy, and top-tier!”
“Pfft—HAHAHA! So fun! ‘Gao Da Shang’… Hmm, Su Wei, you’re ‘Gao Da Shang’ too!”
Zhou Xi laughed like a sheltered child delighted by a single phrase. *Her upbringing must’ve been strict*, Su Wei thought. *Poor thing barely knows the outside world.*
“More fun phrases! Tell me!”
“Uh… You caught me off guard.”
Su Wei recalled a few old jokes. Zhou Xi laughed until she nearly rolled on the floor—just then, a knock came at the door.
Su Wei opened it. Three young women around twenty stood there, arms full of supplies.
Seeing Su Wei, they froze. “Uh… where’s Di Ji?”
“Di Ji? What foundation?” Su Wei echoed, confused.
They snapped upright. “Sorry! Mistake! Is… Student Zhou inside?”
“Student Zhou? Oh—Zhou Xi! Yes, she ordered these.”
Su Wei reached to help, but they gently refused. “No need—we’ve got it.”
They entered, nodded respectfully to Zhou Xi, and began making the bed. The dorm felt more hotel suite than student housing: private bathroom to the right (over ten square meters, with shower and a tub big enough for two), nightstand between twin beds, two desks opposite, floor-to-ceiling window opening to a balcony with chairs—and a curved hanging wicker basket chair tucked in the corner.
*Dreamlike.*
By the time Su Wei finished looking around, the bed was perfectly made, pillows arranged. Toothbrushes, toiletries, even a laptop, tablet, notebook, pens—and tiny kitten plushies on her desk.
“We weren’t sure of your taste. Hope it’s okay.”
“No, no! This is incredibly thoughtful. Five-star review guaranteed!” Su Wei gushed. *In my past life, this service would’ve cost a fortune.*
“How much? I’ll pay.”
“Eh?” The trio glanced nervously at Zhou Xi, who’d been gaming.
Zhou Xi looked up, grinning. “I said—it’s my gift. Not expensive. Just treat me to dinner sometime.” She flashed a bright smile. “Right?”
Su Wei blinked… then laughed. “Exactly. That’s just how adults exchange pleasantries.”
