The 30-minute car ride was undoubtedly very short; after listening to a few songs and just falling asleep, the train had already entered Hongqiao Station.
Yao An gradually woke up, rubbing her sore neck.
After spitting out a strand of hair that had casually fallen into her mouth, she felt a heaviness on her shoulder. Turning her head, she was met with Jiang Jingya's bright and captivating profile.
The other person hadn't been woken by the high-speed rail announcement and was still deeply asleep, resting her head on Yao An's shoulder.
From her lightly trembling eyelashes and occasionally pursed lips, it was clear that she was having a beautiful dream.
Perhaps she was dreaming of a grand meal? Or maybe a hidden edition of her favorite trendy toy.
Most likely, she was dreaming of those fancy desserts.
"Her sleep quality is really good."
Yao An felt a little envious. She picked up a strand of her beautiful hair and playfully brushed it across Little Cake's nose.
Little Cake stirred, rubbing her nose with a raised hand, and then slowly lifted her head with a light hum.
"Hmm? An... An'an, have we arrived?"
"If you slept any longer, you'd be home."
Yao An couldn't resist pinching her cheek.
"What have you been doing lately? Why are you so sleepy?"
Jiang Jingya looked a little embarrassed.
"Last night, I wanted to see what good food there was near the Normal University. But the more I searched, the hungrier I got. Thinking about my diet, I managed to curb the urge to eat snacks."
"But I was so hungry I couldn't sleep, so I just closed my eyes and imagined the taste of those delicious foods. The more I thought, the more I couldn't sleep, and then..."
Yao An looked peculiar and probed,
"Then you stayed up all night?"
"Not really, I fell asleep at five in the morning."
She looked disgusted.
"Quick, wipe the drool from the corner of your mouth. It's so embarrassing."
Jiang Jingya froze, her small face immediately flushing red. She lowered her head and covered her mouth to wipe, but only lipstick came off, not a trace of drool.
"Oh, you stinky fox, how dare you trick me!"
She was furious and wanted to show Yao An her prowess, but when she turned her head, she found that the other person had already slipped away.
After exiting the station, Jiang Jingya, the little glutton, suggested they go have a big meal, generously patting her increasingly expanding tummy and saying, "My treat."
Although they said they were having a big meal, the two of them actually just ate a 35-yuan bowl of beef noodles at a mall across the street.
Yao An's bird-like appetite couldn't handle too much, and coupled with today's main mission being registration, she really wasn't in the mood to enjoy local delicacies.
The mission of unlocking restaurant entries with Little Cake would just have to wait for another time.
"The high-speed rail station is relatively close to East China Normal University, and you have a lot of stuff, so I'll take you there later."
Yao An planned the route on the map.
Although she had been to Shanghai many times, each time her father, Yao, made the plans, so most of her impressions of the city were limited to Disney.
"Okay, then after I put my things in the dorm, I'll go to the University of Finance and Economics with you."
Yao An shook her head.
"It's a two-hour round trip between the Normal University and the University of Finance and Economics. You should stay on campus this afternoon to get familiar with the environment."
"The only reason I suggested taking you is simply because it's on the way. Otherwise, do you think I'm very free? I'd rather read a few more pages of romance novels with that time."
"You truly are a heartless woman."
After the meal, a disagreement arose between them again regarding the choice between taking the subway and a taxi.
Ultimately, Yao An couldn't win against her, so they hailed a ride-sharing car at the mall entrance.
Waiting and traffic jams made it nearly an hour before they saw the gates of East China Normal University.
"Stay here, don't move. I'll buy you some oranges."
Jiang Jingya looked at her best friend, who was jogging towards the fruit store, with a face full of question marks.
A moment later, Yao An came out carrying a large bag of items.
They were all fruit salads with packaging boxes, looking very exquisite.
"Why did you buy so many fruit salads?"
Jiang Jingya's eyes were full of confusion.
Yao An opened a box, poked a piece of watermelon with a small fork, and put it in her mouth. As the sweetness melted, her eyes curved, revealing a beautiful smile.
"I bought them for you. The temperature in Shanghai is higher than in Suzhou. I, your best friend who acts as both nanny and mother, is afraid you'll get heatstroke."
"You don't need to buy so many! I saw the school dorms online, and there's no refrigerator at all. If I eat all this by myself, I'll definitely get diarrhea."
"Then share them with your roommates."
Jiang Jingya reacted and couldn't help but frown.
"So these fruits were specifically bought for them? You don't even know them, why spend this wasted money?"
"It's enough that you know them. Let's go, it's time to register."
Yao An didn't explain, carrying the fruits and a suitcase to complete the enrollment procedures.
There was already a lot of stuff, and with a bag of fruit in hand, even though Yao An's physical fitness had improved from dancing square dances for half a month, carrying so many things was still a bit strenuous for the two girls.
Fortunately, attractive girls have many privileges, not to mention two of them.
The most important thing was that they didn't have parents accompanying them.
This undoubtedly presented an opportunity for many.
"Don't sleep, wake up quickly."
"Are you sick? What's wrong?"
"Look over there, there are two beauties, 95 points or higher, even prettier than Xu Yuanyuan."
"Don't be ridiculous, Xu Yuanyuan is my goddess, no one can be better than her... Hmm? Who is Xu Yuanyuan?"
"Which one do you like?"
"If it's about temperament, I definitely like the charming older sister with the foxy eyes, but her aura is a bit cold, and she seems hard to approach. So I'll choose the girl with the peach blossom eyes instead."
"Too small, the scope is too small. As adults, we want them all."
The senior students at the Normal University's welcoming station immediately became restless, swarming to offer their services. Not to mention just carrying a few suitcases; even if there was a mountain in front of them, they could move it to the girls' dormitory.
Even more, some, when passing by the two girls, unhesitatingly tripped their brothers beside them.
In response, Yao An could only offer an awkward yet polite smile.
Inside, she was furiously complaining.
This person must be an idiot, right?
It seems that 985 universities don't necessarily only have normal people.
There are too many crazy people outside; girls must protect themselves when they're out.
"That junior smiled at me, she must like me."
"Secretary, where's the secretary? I want all her information within five minutes."
Aside from the fake senior students, the most commendable aspect of Normal University-type institutions is undoubtedly the abundance of female students.
Moreover, most of the senior female students who knew how to dress up were very pleasing to the eye.
The more daring ones, taking advantage of the weather not yet getting significantly colder, wore short skirts, black stockings, and open-toed sandals, fully attracting the restless gazes of the new students.
Of course, no matter how much they dressed up, they still seemed to pale in comparison to Yao An and Jiang Jingya.
One could only say that there wasn't a single one who could compete.
Even without heavy makeup, the two girls were still the most beautiful scenery on campus today.
If nothing unexpected happened, Jiang Jingya was definitely going to reserve a spot as campus belle.
Upon reaching the dormitory building, Yao An first left the suitcase with the dorm manager for temporary storage and completed the registration. It would be much easier for the two girls to just carry Jiang Jingya's luggage upstairs.
She lived on the 3rd floor, dorm number 317.
After opening the door, several girls had already moved in.
They were chattering away and, upon seeing their new roommate arrive, quickly helped her with her luggage and introduced themselves, appearing especially enthusiastic.