"Alright then, I'm heading out! If you want to use the computer, go ahead, I'll leave it on!" Li Si saw her nod and smile, grabbed a jacket, and turned to leave the dormitory. For some reason, she unconsciously let out a breath of relief—the atmosphere just now felt so stifling. She gave a light shake of her head and walked toward a small restaurant outside the campus.
In mid-October, North City had already started embracing the charm of autumn. The leaves on the trees lining both sides of the campus roads had turned yellow, with some scattering on the ground. Stepping on them produced crunchy sounds, which Li Si particularly enjoyed. She recalled making leaf specimens from a book she adored when she was younger.
After having a simple meal of Yu-Shiang shredded pork over rice, she remembered the snacks she had added to her shopping cart earlier. Having yet to place the order, she hurried back to the dormitory.
When she arrived at the dorm, she found everyone was there, but the atmosphere felt off. Yao Meiling and Kong Dan both had unpleasant expressions, while Wang Shishi lay on her bed with headphones on, flipping through a magazine.
Li Si ignored them, took off her jacket, hung it by the bed, and continued her shopping spree on Taobao.
After a while, Yao Meiling approached Li Si and cleared her throat lightly. "Li Si, mind if I take a look at your computer? Isn't it funny that our laptops are totally identical?"
"Sure, go ahead. But what's the big deal about them being identical?"
Li Si couldn't help but feel annoyed when she saw her demeanor. What kind of drama was she stirring up now?
Yao Meiling awkwardly laughed, "Oh, no, don't misunderstand. I just wanted to check if the specs are the same. Earlier, when I got back to the dorm, I thought for a moment…" She left the sentence unfinished.
Unexpectedly, Kong Dan erupted first, "Thought what? Huh? Did you think I secretly took your laptop and used it? Let me tell you, Yao Meiling, I may be from a small county with a modest family background, but I wouldn't stoop so low as to take someone else's laptop! Earlier, it was obviously Li Si who lent me hers—what else is there for you to say now?"
"No, no, it was just a misunderstanding earlier! How was I supposed to know Li Si's laptop is the same as mine? There are so many laptop models out there—who would've thought we'd get matching ones without shopping together?" Yao Meiling replied, raising her brows and glancing at Li Si as if accusing her of copying.
Li Si was so upset she burst out laughing. "Oh, so what you mean is that just because you bought a specific laptop model, no one else is allowed to buy it too?"
Kong Dan spoke up loudly again, "Yao Meiling, let me tell you something. Since the start of our freshman year, I thought you were decent, but as time goes by, you really get to know someone's true colors. Now I see, everything about you was fake. Don't treat everyone like fools. Do you think I don't know why you bought that laptop? Isn't it just to get closer to Meng Zijun from the computer science department?"
"Kong Dan, stop talking nonsense! If you keep this up, I won't hold back against you! I admit I was wrong earlier, and I apologize for that—sorry. But let's keep things separate; you can't just make up lies about me. Li Si, Shishi, you guys be the judge here!" Yao Meiling glared fiercely at Kong Dan, visibly angry and flustered.
Wang Shishi was acting somewhat unusual today. Normally, she would've stepped in to back up Yao Meiling, but now she seemed utterly detached, maintaining her earlier position and remaining silent.
"You were in the wrong from the start, didn't need anyone to spell it out. Even kindergarteners know the rule: you mess up, you apologize." With that, Kong Dan felt significantly relieved.
"Alright, alright, we live in the same dorm; if there's a conflict, let's air it out and resolve it," Li Si spoke up to mediate, sensing the shift in Kong Dan's mood. Based on her usual behavior, Li Si suspected she didn't want things to escalate too far either.
"Exactly, Kong Dan. From now on, feel free to use my computer anytime. Don't be mad, okay?" Yao Meiling walked up to Kong Dan, smiling.
Kong Dan sat on the edge of the bed and let out a hum without saying anything, though her expression had already softened significantly.
For a moment, the dormitory fell silent again. Everyone busied themselves with their own tasks. Li Si's phone suddenly rang. She glanced at the caller ID and saw it was "Aunt."
Li Si picked up the phone and walked out. "Hello, Aunt?"
A male voice came from the other end of the line. "Li Si, it's your Uncle! Are you busy right now?"
"Not busy, Uncle. What's up?" Li Si was a little puzzled as to why he was calling.
"Uncle just wanted to ask—your Aunt said one of your classmates' families is opening a shop and hiring people, offering 1,500 yuan a month with bonuses. Is that true?"
"It's true, but the shop hasn't opened yet. Aunt will need to wait a bit longer!"
"Haha, good, good. No problem, waiting is fine. Anyway, family takes care of each other. Li Si, come and visit us at Uncle's house sometime! I'll have your Aunt cook something delicious for you!" Uncle suddenly became much more enthusiastic.
"Sure, I'll come by when I have time!" Li Si replied, and the call ended on the other side shortly after.
Li Si tilted her head and thought for a moment—it must have been her Aunt mentioning this after going back home, and her in-laws didn't believe her.
At the Wu Family's home, after the call ended, Mrs. Wu eagerly pressed, "What did they say? Is it really true?"
Wu Dachuan impatiently replied, "Didn't you just hear it all? Why are you still asking? They said the shop isn't open yet—it'll be a while before the job starts."
Mrs. Wu clapped her hands joyfully. "Waiting is fine! 1,500 yuan, plus bonuses—it might even go up to 2,000! Your wife is finally useful! Once she gets her paycheck, make sure to take every penny—don't leave her with anything. If we save for a few years, we might even afford a flat!"
"Exactly! She wouldn't dare keep it from me. I won't spoil her. When the time comes, Mom, I'll leave a room just for you. You can enjoy life comfortably then!" Wu Dachuan smugly patted the back of his head.
"Great, I'll move in to keep an eye on your wife. If she earns more than you, I won't let her get cocky!"
Wu Dachuan widened his eyes. "She wouldn't dare! No matter how much she earns, she'll have to hand it all over to me! She doesn't get a say in this family!"
"But, son, wasn't that a big idea about running a restaurant, suggested by Zhang Meihua? Isn't there any hope for it?" Mrs. Wu's eyes shifted as she recalled the promises Zhang Meihua had made.
"Mom, stop taking everything at face value. Think about it—if Meihua's sister-in-law were so clever, why wouldn't she seize the opportunity herself? She's obviously trying to use us! Don't listen to her so much in the future!"
"Fine, I was just thinking about it—starting your own business isn't necessarily a good thing. If you lose money, it's better to just work for someone else!" Mrs. Wu replied, following his lead.
Feeling satisfied, Wu Dachuan smiled and hummed a tune as he headed back to his room to nap. Neither of them noticed Li Si's aunt, who had been sent out to buy fruit, standing outside the door, overhearing the entire conversation. When she returned, her face was full of indignation.
In the library, warm winter sunlight poured in, gently illuminating the surroundings. The atmosphere was tranquil, interrupted only by the occasional sound of pages turning.
Li Si quietly leaned over her copy of the original text. Ever since starting work, she rarely had the chance to sit down quietly and read. At this moment, her heart brimmed with peace and serenity. Perhaps people only learn the value of something after it's gone, which made her cherish this opportunity to revisit knowledge all the more.