"The weather is quite hot, so An'an bought everyone some fruit salad. Everyone gets one."
After a brief self-introduction, Yao An distributed the items bought at the school gate to the girls.
As high school graduates of only two months, they were still a bit shy, symbolically declining a couple of times before accepting the items.
Although they had been chatting before, the girls had only just met, so their interactions were inevitably a bit stiff and awkward.
But once everyone accepted the fruit salad, the dormitory atmosphere immediately became harmonious, and the girls gradually livened up.
Of course, due to the saying 'he who eats another's food is beholden to him', the conversation naturally gravitated towards Yao An and Jiang Jingya.
"You came to register by yourselves, that's impressive."
"The University of Finance and Economics seems to be an hour's journey from the Normal University, so you specifically came to drop off Jiang Jingya?"
"Something like that. She brought a lot of things, and she couldn't manage without someone accompanying her."
"Are you her friend?"
"I'm her older sister."
"You two have such a good relationship. I wish I had an older sister who was as pretty and doted on me as much as you do."
Yao An, who usually didn't like to talk much, was chatting animatedly with her roommates, while Jiang Jingya, usually as chirpy as a little sparrow, seemed somewhat quiet.
She would only puff out her cheeks when Yao An verbally took advantage of her, then reach her hand under Yao An's shirt hem and mischievously tickle her.
After chatting for more than ten minutes, it was almost two in the afternoon.
Yao An patted Jiang Jingya's head, told her to take care of herself, and then turned to leave.
"Little fox… An'an!"
As soon as she left the dormitory and hadn't walked two steps, a familiar clear voice sounded from behind.
"What's wrong? You don't expect me to stay and make your bed for you, do you?"
She turned to look at Jiang Jingya, who had chased after her.
"Pfft, I'm not a child who can't take care of herself. Who needs your help?"
Yao An quietly waited for her to continue.
"You used to be indifferent to everyone and wouldn't buy a bunch of things to curry favor with others. You've changed."
Yao An saw that Jiang Jingya was just making conversation and found it a bit funny.
It was normal to feel a little helpless and homesick when living in an unfamiliar city for the first time in 18 years, surrounded by strangers.
She pulled Jiang Jingya to the side of the corridor, avoiding the crowds looking for dormitories, and explained:
"University is a small society. Everyone won't revolve around one person, and conflicts can easily arise between roommates, especially among girls."
"Five boxes of fruit salad only cost a hundred yuan, but it can bring you closer to your roommates. When everyone is unfamiliar with each other, you can make new friends faster."
"Even if conflicts do arise, everyone will be on your side, so you won't be collectively isolated."
Yao Yuanping was an old hand who had been in officialdom for many years, and before the transmigration, he had taught Yao An from a young age: you can be bad at studying, but you must understand social etiquette.
Under his guidance, although she had no experience living in a girls' dormitory, she at least knew how to get along with people.
Using cigarettes and alcohol with men, and exquisitely packaged items with women, this formula usually worked well.
Jiang Jingya snorted indignantly.
"I won't be isolated. If anyone gets isolated, it'll be me isolating others. Don't treat me like an idiot, okay?"
Yao An smiled gently and lightly said, "Okay."
"This is also your first time living in a dormitory. All this so-called social etiquette, you didn't learn it all from novels, did you?"
Yao An was stunned, truly not expecting the other party to have already found an excuse for her.
She really… After returning to the dormitory, Jiang Jingya quietly started making her bed.
The girl who had chatted with Yao An the most earlier came to her bed and placed a box of pastries down.
Seeing Jiang Jingya's surprised look, the girl smiled, very kindly.
"These are from my home. They're quite tasty. Have some."
Jiang Jingya secretly looked around, startled to realize that this girl seemed to have only given her pastries… "Hello, where is the registration office?"
"After entering, walk 200 meters to the left, and you'll find the activity center. There are many people there, so it's easy to spot."
Yu Huai returned to school earlier this year, originally hoping to get a few good nights of sleep in the dormitory while there were fewer people.
Unexpectedly, he was pulled in by the Student Union to be a freshman welcoming recruit after only a few days.
"Minister Yu, would you like some coffee? Do you want an Americano or a latte?"
The Student Union girl raised her hand and made a "stop" gesture.
"I bet you want an iced Americano."
Yu Huai smiled and nodded.
With the iced Americano, much of the late summer afternoon heat was dispelled. He couldn't help but let out a breath, feeling a bit relaxed.
Welcoming new students was quite interesting; many people approached it with a playful attitude.
Seniors often felt a sense of superiority as experienced individuals when facing freshmen, using their years of campus experience to guide the new students from a high vantage point.
In short, it was about showing off.
Moreover, those familiar with finance universities know that while the number of female students might be slightly lower than in Normal University, the quality is truly high.
Especially at a top finance university like Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
It's no exaggeration to say that in summer, as far as the eye can see, the campus is a sea of white, all legs.
Only a few schools with flight attendant programs could probably contend with the University of Finance and Economics.
But Yu Huai didn't have much thought of looking at beautiful women. Firstly, he was starting his third year and planned to work on some entrepreneurial projects. Regardless of success, it would polish his resume, making it easier to find a job or start a business later.
Secondly, while the quality of the freshmen girls was high, they still fell short compared to that one girl.
Unfortunately, he still didn't know the name of the girl who liked to dance square dances.
"Hello, Senior~ I'm a new student from the Business School. Can you take me to registration? I can't find my way."
Yu Huai, lost in thought, heard a sweet, cooing voice beside him. He turned to see a girl wearing a wine-red bodycon skirt, black stockings, and high heels.
She was very beautiful, and her makeup was quite exquisite. If no one said anything, people might mistake her for a third or fourth-year student.
There was no trace of the shyness and youthfulness expected of a recent high school graduate.
On a scale of 100, she scored above 90.
Of course, her bold finance department attire accounted for at least 10 points.
Many surrounding boys were drawn to this striking figure.
Nothing else, just pure allure.
"The registration office is in…"
Just as Yu Huai was about to answer, his peripheral vision caught a familiar figure by the security office.
White wide-leg pants, a fitted, cinched short-sleeved top, everyday wear, carrying a large silver suitcase, and a baseball cap covering the upper half of her face, revealing a high ponytail tied at the back of her head.
He had seen this back many times during the summer, so he recognized it at a glance.
He was immediately stunned.
"Xiao Yue, you take this junior to registration. I have something to do."
Yu Huai instructed, then hurried towards the security office.
The girl in the bodycon skirt looked in the direction he left, and upon seeing that tall figure, she couldn't help but frown.