The next morning, Gu Qianran carried a heavy aura of "I am so sleepy, let me rest." She herself deeply regretted everything.
Why had she been so bored as to start wondering about her own sexual orientation? Why torment herself into tossing and turning half the night until she could not sleep?
Bai Ziyuan watched as Gu Qianran dozed off at her desk again and felt puzzled. Normally, Gu Qianran never looked this tired. Could it be... she had not slept well last night? Why not?
Her heart ached a little. It must be that Gu Qianran had exhausted herself with business yesterday. Yes, such a dangerous ordeal would leave anyone sleepless with lingering fear. Gu Qianran was the same age as her, yet had to shoulder such risky responsibilities...
But that was exactly the Gu Qianran she liked, the Gu Qianran who was forever bold, forever in command of every situation. Bai Ziyuan's cheeks flushed as she glanced at Gu Qianran's slightly disheveled profile, then quickly lowered her head in shyness.
This time, it was her turn to spoil Gu Qianran. Bai Ziyuan's eyes gleamed with determination. She gently nudged Gu Qianran. "Ran Ran, if you're sleepy, you can lean on me. But you really should rest properly, okay? After class, I'll lend you my notes."
Gu Qianran's consciousness was hazy, but she could still recognize Bai Ziyuan's voice. To Gu Qianran, those words were as sweet as heavenly music. Only after sleeping like this did she realize just how unbearably hard a desk truly was.
Without thinking, she leaned lightly against Bai Ziyuan's shoulder, careful not to press down too hard. Her response came out mumbled and indistinct: "Mm… little cutie, you're so sweet… but forget the notes… exams are just about scribbling something down anyway…"
She had perfectly demonstrated what it meant to use the most alluring tone to say the most aggravating words.
Bai Ziyuan looked at Gu Qianran, who usually scored near-perfect marks in every subject: …
Wuuuu, she wanted to cry so loudly! Listen to that. Was that even human speech?
Of course it was! But wuuuu, that soft older-sister voice was just too charming… Bai Ziyuan felt her heart melting more and more. She gazed at Gu Qianran, who had finally dropped her guard and fallen into a deep sleep, and her face flushed scarlet again.
So even Gu Qianran had such a cute side. But was she some kind of walking flirt machine? How was it that even asleep she could still make Bai Ziyuan's heart race?
It turned out that sleepiness really was contagious. Just test it during a self-study class: once one person nods off, the entire surrounding circle will usually topple down too.
So when Bai Zilu came to call them for lunch at noon, what she saw was a scene straight out of some bizarrely aesthetic painting. Ji Tang was asleep in the first row, the lone flower in bloom, her calm posture out of step with all the other students diligently working on problems.
Meanwhile, Bai Ziyuan had somehow ended up nestled in Gu Qianran's arms, the two of them twisted together in a strange but intimate position. Bai Ziyuan looked quite comfortable, even nuzzling deeper into Gu Qianran's chest, reducing her uniform to complete disorder.
Bai Zilu: …
She had really underestimated these three.
Ji Tang falling asleep was nothing new, especially since Ji Tang had solemnly explained before that it was a side effect of "being exploited by feudalism."
But what on earth was with those two in the back? Flaunting affection in broad daylight??? Who knew her silly younger sister was actually this good at taking advantage? How was she supposed to call them to lunch with such an awkward posture?
In the end, it was Ji Tang's internal clock that woke her up right on time, and she took it upon herself to rouse the other two lumps as well.
When Bai Ziyuan realized she had fallen asleep in Gu Qianran's arms, her heart nearly exploded.
Why did she always manage to stumble into the most embarrassing situations? Did her body have a mind of its own? Otherwise, why did it keep burrowing into Gu Qianran's embrace? She felt like such a rogue! Oh no… she must have accidentally taken all kinds of liberties with Gu Qianran. What if Gu Qianran hated her now…
Gu Qianran blinked awake, her still-hazy eyes immediately landing on Bai Ziyuan's tearful face. Memories slowly returned. Right, she had ended up dozing off together with the little cutie. And now the little cutie looked bullied again.
"Little cutie, what's wrong?" Gu Qianran asked softly.
Bai Ziyuan's expression crumpled further. She buried herself into Gu Qianran's arms, murmuring pitifully, "Ran Ran, please don't hate me, please don't despise me, okay?"
Gu Qianran stared at her, bewildered, but instinctively began to comfort her. "I won't hate you. Why would I hate you?"
Bai Ziyuan whined, "But I slept on you, and I messed up your clothes." And I took advantage of you, she added silently.
Gu Qianran felt like she could not keep up with the little cutie's train of thought again. With a wry smile, she reassured her: "It's fine. You leaning into my arms without thinking only means we're really close. How could I possibly hate my best friend?"
Friend… Bai Ziyuan's eyes dimmed for a moment. But since Gu Qianran had said she was her best friend, that must mean she held a unique place in Gu Qianran's heart.
Bai Ziyuan revived instantly and tugged Gu Qianran along to lunch. Ji Tang, however, claimed the cafeteria food was too awful and returned to the dorm to prepare her own meal. Curious, Bai Zilu secretly followed her.
Over these past days, Bai Zilu had realized she had completely underestimated Ji Tang. Forget calling her a refined scoundrel—she was the very picture of hidden mischief. Calm on the surface, but bursting with eccentric antics in private.
For instance, she had been the second to figure out how to smuggle in takeout without getting caught by the teachers. The first, naturally, was Gu Qianran, eternal goddess.
Like a thief, Bai Zilu trailed Ji Tang up to the dormitory stairwell. There, she watched Ji Tang hoist up… a plate of raw lamb?
Was she planning to eat lamb sashimi? With all that blood dripping, could that really be edible? Bai Zilu stared at Ji Tang like she was some kind of monster. Then she saw Ji Tang draw the curtains, plunging the dorm into darkness.
Bai Zilu's imagination, rivaling her younger sister's, immediately went wild. Was Ji Tang conducting some forbidden ritual? Or offering raw meat as a sacrifice?
Her skin prickled with goosebumps. She had only one thought left: she had to stop Ji Tang!
She lunged forward, yanked open the dorm door, and slammed it shut behind her. Just as she was about to shout, she froze. Ji Tang was standing there, gaze shadowy and unreadable, holding a lighter that sparked with flame.
Bai Zilu's brain short-circuited. In a real fight, she could not possibly win against Ji Tang. Trembling, she pointed at her and stammered, "You… you know what you're doing?"
Ji Tang tilted her head, then finally spoke. "Woman, do you know you're playing with fire?"
Ji Tang: …
Well, literally, yes.
She flicked on the light, sighed helplessly at Bai Zilu, and used the lighter to ignite kerosene inside a hollowed-out soda bottle. Then, with practiced ease, she pulled out oil and spices from under her bed and began grilling the lamb meat over the sizzling soda-can stove.
Seeing Bai Zilu's stunned face, Ji Tang even offered an explanation. "I washed the soda can, bought it on the way. The kerosene I swiped from the chemistry lab. The lamb was ordered from takeout, seasonings too. This way, it's cheap."
Bai Zilu was thunderstruck. "So you're not… some cultist?"
Ji Tang was speechless. Heaven knew where this silly girl's brain had veered off to this time. She just wanted to eat meat, not sell her soul to any cult! Was that really so hard to understand?
The meat grew more fragrant by the second, Ji Tang handling the seasoning and heat like a skilled chef. Bai Zilu's mouth watered uncontrollably. Delicious. So delicious.
Ji Tang chuckled at her expression. "Would you dare eat grilled meat made by a cultist?" But she still handed Bai Zilu a pair of chopsticks.
"Eat! Why wouldn't I? This whole plate is mine!" Bai Zilu's eyes lit up as she seized the chopsticks and dug in.
"Careful, it's hot," Ji Tang said with exasperation, handing her a cup of water when Bai Zilu immediately burned her tongue. Bai Zilu looked at her gratefully. Ji Tang's gaze, without her realizing, had softened. This girl was just as cute as Bai Ziyuan—clearly, they were family.
Bai Zilu's earlier boldness crumbled quickly. After a few bites, she was stuffed and sat rubbing her stomach blankly. Ji Tang continued grilling, then casually grabbed Bai Zilu's chopsticks and kept eating.
Bai Zilu gawked. "Wait, aren't those the ones I just used…?"
Ji Tang did not even look up. "Is that a problem? Saliva kills germs. I don't mind, and it saves me washing another pair. Why not?"
Bai Zilu fell silent, her emotions tangled. Ji Tang, oblivious, devoured the rest and disposed of the soda can stove and leftovers in the bathroom trash.
Smiling, she said, "Total cost thirty-three yuan. Enough for two people, with seasonings to spare. Isn't that cheaper, tastier, and more filling than the cafeteria?"
Bai Zilu stared at her for a long moment before slowly nodding in thought.
When Gu Qianran and Bai Ziyuan returned to the dorm, they were immediately hit by a thick scent of grilled meat. Gu Qianran frowned and asked Ji Tang, "You were barbecuing inside the room?"
Ji Tang nodded. "Yep. Thanks to Gu Qianran for providing the idea and some of the tools."
Bai Zilu was stunned. "So this method came from you?"
Thinking Bai Zilu was upset, Gu Qianran glared at Ji Tang. "I didn't teach you this so you could pollute the dorm environment."
But Bai Zilu's eyes lit up with excitement. "Gu Qianran, next time let's do a full imperial feast!"
All three dormmates stared at Gu Qianran with eager puppy eyes, proof of how badly the cafeteria food had traumatized them.
Gu Qianran sighed and patted Bai Ziyuan's head, finally nodding in agreement. These days she always felt a bit guilty about her strange thoughts toward the little cutie. Since none of them liked the cafeteria, cooking in the dorm was not entirely impossible…
She recalled the eccentric tricks of her student days and felt helpless. Bai Zilu was supposed to be the eldest, yet somehow Gu Qianran had become the mother of three silly children.
After midterms, the system stared blankly at the four of them, now sitting around a hotpot simmering over alcohol burners in the dorm.
The system ranted at Gu Qianran: "The heroine I asked for was meant to be sharp, flamboyant, wild, and devoted. And you… this?"
"I am the villainess," Gu Qianran replied simply, then ignored the system and continued placing food into Bai Ziyuan's bowl. Bai Zilu thought for a moment, then also picked out dishes for Ji Tang. Ji Tang was puzzled at first, but soon just ate whatever Bai Zilu gave her. Two fed, two eating, the room warm with cozy atmosphere.
Meanwhile, chemistry lab students were left scratching their heads. "Why is one of our alcohol burners missing?"