Chapter 53: Large dormitory! Personal space! I'm so excited!
The new dormitory wasn't actually far; just as Li Lin was worrying if the things on top of his head were going to fall off, they had already arrived.
In a corner of numerous buildings far from the bustling area of Lungmen, a small two-story building stood quietly. On it was a newly spray-painted Penguin Logistics LOGO, looking slightly comical, yet filled with some inexplicable meaning.
The people in the car quickly got out and, led by Texas, filed into this somewhat elegant and chic little building. Looking at the facilities inside, although not glittering with gold, they were already dazzling enough in their eyes, and they couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. Reaching out to touch the walls and furniture inside, they seemed somewhat unable to believe the things inside could be used by their group.
"…This is a combined sofa that can seat ten people!"
"Huge LCD screen! And a projector!"
"The mini-bar is full of all kinds of alcohol!"
"Complete toilet! Really, every room has a complete toilet!"
"Quad-row large washing machine! I can finally stop worrying about the smell on my underwear!"
"Hey! Who just said that!"
"…"
After some inexplicable commotion, the group looked at this brand-new dormitory and finally felt relieved.
Although single rooms were still shared by two people, it was clear the two people were separated into two small rooms internally. The soundproofing was such that you'd know with just a shout, but you still had to knock to enter. Everyone's room had a small desk and some empty space, clearly for placing personal items.
And the bathroom was also unexpectedly somewhat larger; two people shared one bathroom, and there was also a washing machine. But as long as time was allocated well, it was generally no problem. The original awkwardness and drawbacks were perfectly resolved; everyone had private space and a place to easily relieve their bodily functions (新陳代謝 - xīnchén dàixiè - metabolism, here used humorously for excretion). Everyone who had suffered from prostate issues cheered joyfully, hailing the greatness of the Emperor and long live Penguin Logistics.
"But before that, there are still some things to say. Dangerous items must be reported to others before use."
"Does a novel count as a dangerous item?"
"Counts."
"Then pretend I didn't say anything…"
Looking at Texas's resolute expression, Li Lin shrugged.
Li Lin felt someone must be secretly stirring things up; he was just honestly writing a novel, how could someone bully a good person like him? It must be Proprietress Chongyue secretly saying something. Although what he wrote was a bit courting death , the heart of freedom is irrepressible—at worst, write [censored content]*
Making a mental note against Proprietress Chongyue, Li Lin outwardly expressed obedience, having no objections. And Texas just nodded and moved on to the next topic.
"Then next is the issue of accommodation allocation, who do you each plan to live with?"
"I still think Exusiai and I should live—"
"I'll do it."
"Eh?!"
Looking at the cute yellow-haired idol volunteering beside him, Li Lin was instantly stunned. He even had a thought like, 'Could it be Sora actually really likes me, so she made this request?'—a thought filled with an ambiguous atmosphere. But Sora quickly signaled with her eyes, dispelling his peachy dreams .
Feeling he should trust his ally, Li Lin closed his mouth. With no one objecting, the dormitory allocation was quickly completed. Lappland dejectedly ended up living with Croissant. Li Lin lived with Sora. Texas was still in the front room with Exusiai. And Angelina, for care reasons, was arranged in a separate room. After all, sleeping on the floor and such looked truly too miserable.
Apart from Lappland, no one else had any objections, so it passed just like that. And Li Lin was dragged by Sora into their room, slammed against the wall with a kabedon , startling Li Lin.
"Wh-what's wrong? Didn't you want to live with Texas?"
"Do you think Senior Croissant or Junior Lappland are the types with tight lips?"
Her face directly approached, Sora said with a gloomy expression:
"If we don't have this factual relationship as proof, they will definitely spill the beans under others' questioning."
"Tight-lipped or not, what does it matter? It's no big deal, right?"
"Consider it from my perspective; if I didn't live with you, and then paparazzi came asking, and Senior Croissant and Junior Lappland suddenly said, 'Eh, there's nothing between them at all? After all, they're quite distant, not even as close as Exusiai,' what do you think my situation would be?"
"What would it be?"
"The other woman. Third party. Bitch. Because Senior Exusiai started it all, my image will be attacked like this."
"N-No way, right?"
Looking at Sora, whose eyes were somewhat dim, although Li Lin said "no way" verbally, thinking carefully, he felt it was still possible.
Before transmigrating, Li Lin had seen news about idol fans often having some morbid obsessions and actions. Although Originium Arts made Sora herself much safer, it couldn't guarantee people wouldn't dig deep into their relationship. Li Lin hadn't hidden his cohabitation with Exusiai during that time; if it was dug up that they were still cohabiting now, things would indeed be a bit troublesome.
Considering it from Sora's perspective as a girl, finding a fake boyfriend was already a big sacrifice. Being labeled a third party on top of that was indeed a bit too much.
"Prophet, you really don't understand anything about the entertainment industry."
Facing Li Lin, who seemed to have just reacted, Sora shook her head and said with some emotion:
"Just groundless rumors can easily destroy a popular idol here, you know? Must be extremely cautious. I know Prophet, you and Senior Exusiai have a very deep friendship, but please consider me a little. If even a small mistake happens, I'm finished."
"Now that you say that, indeed…"
"Right? So considering it from both our perspectives, it's indeed better for us two to be together."
"But I still feel something is off…"
"Do you know how many times Senior Croissant almost tricked me?"
"…"
S-Seems to make some sense?
Recalling the carefree appearance of the bread person ( Croissant) and Lappland, Li Lin felt that although he could give them both some degree of confidence, this confidence, no matter what, felt a bit unsure. Croissant aside for now, Lappland… although Li Lin felt it shouldn't be like that, he instinctively didn't want to believe her.
But with cohabitation as proof, it wouldn't matter even if they were told. Instead, it could even muddy the waters a bit, which seemed very appropriate no matter how you looked at it. To some extent, it could also avoid the talk of avoiding suspicion. Explaining after cohabiting, it could always be salvaged.
"Right? So only I can help you, and only I can be trusted by you. Let's cooperate for a win-win situation, shall we?"
"O-Okay…"
But why does it feel like something is off…
Looking at Sora extending her hand with a brilliant smile, Li Lin shook hands full of doubt, always feeling she was plotting something. Although there was no harm to himself, and no warning from intuition, the feeling of being schemed against still made him feel something was strange.