Fang Yuan never liked watching those kind of romantic dramas. There are far more important things in life than so-called "love." The protagonists in those dramas are like immortal beings, untouched by the mundane world, never worrying about food, clothing, shelter, or transportation. Their daily routine is one of incessant lovemaking, as if they can't live without it, and they frequently threaten their partners with suicide or even depravity. They live not for themselves, but for each other. How can a soul that can't live independently be worthy of sympathy?
Xu Zhaodi stared at Fang Yuan with wide eyes, as if she were looking at a monster. She said, "Fang Yuan, you're such a fool! You were teary-eyed just now, but now you're smiling so brightly. No wonder men say women are fickle."
Fang Yuan made a face at Xu Zhaodi: "The Buddha said, it cannot be said, it cannot be said."
Xu Zhaodi nodded repeatedly, then said mysteriously, "Yes, it cannot be said, it cannot be said. Fortunately, I'm not a Buddha. So, if I don't tell you about this, I'd feel sorry for you."
"What is it?"
"Did you notice the handsome guy with long hair across from me?"
Fang Yuan glanced over. Not far away sat a handsome man. He had flowing hair like Hong Kong movie star Ekin Cheng. He was casually wearing a basketball jersey, revealing his bronzed skin. He had a strong build and a muscular build. His eyes were as clear and bright as black gemstones, and a hint of a smile played at the corners of his mouth as he looked over.
"What's wrong with him?"
Xu Zhaodi lamented, "You've come back empty-handed, like you've entered a mountain of treasure. This handsome guy has been staring at you since we sat here, without blinking."
"Really?"
"Would I lie to you?"
"Well, then, you haven't been secretly watching him this whole time? Otherwise, how would you know so much?"
"..."
Fang Yuan asked her seriously, "Are you attracted to him? Don't worry, we're just good sisters. I'll definitely bring you two together."
"Go to hell! You stinky Fang Yuan! You're drooling, and you still have the nerve to brag!" Xu Zhaodi retorted.
The two of them exchanged banter, completely unaware that the long-haired handsome man had calmly approached.
"Are you two beautiful ladies discussing me?"
The long-haired handsome man smiled and sat beside them, his clear, dark eyes fixed on Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan was a little flustered. His eyes were unbridled, as if a fire was burning in them.
"Tsk, we're talking about a self-satisfied cricket! What does that have to do with you?" Xu Zhaodi grabbed Fang Yuan's hand. "Fang Yuan, let's go."
The long-haired handsome guy chuckled. "So your name is Fang Yuan? What a nice name. My name is Tang Tianyu."
Fang Yuan's face flushed for some reason. She had never met such a bold boy. Ignoring him, the two of them packed up their dishes and left the fifth cafeteria. Far away, Fang Yuan looked back. Qin Tianyu was still sitting there, smiling, watching her leave.
Xu Zhaodi gloated, "I'm right, aren't I? You mustn't be so nice to him. Men are like that. If something's too easy to get, they won't cherish it. It's called playing hard to get."
Fang Yuan chuckled. "Oh, you sound so sophisticated. You're quite experienced. Tell me the truth. How many times have you been in love?"
"Let me count. One, two, three, four..."
"Tsk, just bragging. I don't think you even have a first love."
The two of them laughed and joked as they returned to dormitory 441.
Qin Yanping's family had returned. They had bought her a lot of things: a brand new computer, the latest cell phone, bags of clothes, even tableware and teacups, scattered across the floor. When Fang Yuan and Xu Zhaodi entered, they were saying goodbye.
Qin Yanping burst into tears. She was truly too delicate. Her father, mother, grandparents, and grandparents kept turning back every few steps, nagging her endlessly along the way, repeatedly admonishing her about the details of life. They had arrived at an inopportune moment, and were caught by Qin Yanping's grandparents, who repeatedly asked them to take care of their precious granddaughter. The elderly people's words were so solemn that the two of them had no choice but to agree. Despite this, under the circumstances, they had no choice but to accompany Qin Yanping to escort her family out of the medical school. A short distance of just a few hundred meters took them over half an hour. If the train hadn't been about to depart, who knows how much longer it would have taken.
The three of them returned to dormitory 441 exhausted. No wonder people say that socializing can be a painful task. Qin Yanping's emotions quickly calmed down after her family left. The melodies of youth were light and bright, and the sadness of her family's departure drifted away like flowing clouds and water, leaving no trace in her heart.
Qin Yanping was a happy young woman after all, and she quickly bonded with Fang Yuan and Xu Zhaodi. Although she was a bit delicate, she was sweet-talking and generous, and the two were happy to treat her like a younger sister, helping her organize the various things her family had bought for her.
By then, it was already dark, a gloomy night covering the entire landscape. Su Ya still hadn't returned; she hadn't been seen since she left at 2 p.m. The three girls sat in dormitory 441, feeling bored. Qin Yanping suggested assembling a computer and connecting it to the dormitory's broadband. Fang Yuan and Xu Zhaodi, unfamiliar with computers, couldn't help, so they could only assist Qin Yanping.
Soon, Qin Yanping had the computer installed, connected to the broadband, and dialed in.
Out of curiosity, Fang Yuan asked Qin Yanping to search the Nanjiang Medical College BBS for past events in dormitory 441. They found the name of Cheng Li, the girl who had committed suicide in dormitory 441 the year before, and the photo on her student ID card. In the photos, Cheng Li was a lively girl, with delicate features and stylish curly hair, resembling an exquisite doll. But her eyes—Fang Yuan gasped. In the photos, Cheng Li's eyes were lifeless, glazed, and lifeless. The same phenomenon occurred with another mad girl, Xu Yan. Xu Yan's eyes, like those of Cheng Li, seemed cast from the same mold: equally dull and gloomy, as if they came from hell. Yes, hell, the eyes of those half-dead zombies in legends look just like that.
At that moment, the two photos brought two words to Fang Yuan's mind: dead. Yes, only dead people have eyes like that. We often say that eyes can speak, because they can express a variety of emotions, such as joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. This is also why ancient painters placed the most importance on the finishing touch. Eyes devoid of emotion are undoubtedly terrifying, like lifeless mummies.
The problem is, these two photos were taken when they were enrolled in school. How could they have been dead then?