Chapter 2: Former Dormmates

Chen Wan, the senior, was still a bit green as a sophomore. She had a bare face, wore a white T-shirt with jeans, and a red volunteer vest over them. She would later become the student council president in her junior year.

In the previous life, it was Chen Wan's enthusiastic help that guided Zhou Yuwen to his dormitory.

Zhou Yuwen, visiting a big city for the first time, had a good impression of the friendly senior.

She asked if he had a local SIM card.

Zhou Yuwen said he already had one.

"That's different; you have a card from your hometown. You'll be living in Jinling now, so you'll need a local card. Do you have enough data on your current plan?" Chen Wan persuaded.

At that time, Zhou Yuwen indeed needed one, and so did his dormmates. Enticed by the High-Speed Internet offer, three of them got new cards, though only one was necessary per dorm.

Later, after joining the student council and becoming familiar with Chen Wan, she admitted to Zhou Yuwen that she felt bad for scamming him.

He later learned that each campus card cost 150 yuan, earning Chen Wan, a sub-agent, a 20-yuan commission, and the main dealer, 50 yuan.

A senior once bought a Magotan with the earnings from selling campus cards throughout college.

Chen Wan, being a responsible senior, reached out to help with Zhou Yuwen's luggage and guided him to his dormitory.

This time, Zhou Yuwen handed his suitcase to Chen Wan without hesitation,

which surprised her.

Normally, guys would shyly say, "No need, senior, I can manage."

But Zhou Yuwen just handed over his suitcase and walked ahead, not worrying about Chen Wan stealing it.

"???"

Zhou Yuwen turned back to see Chen Wan frozen in place, puzzled. "What's wrong, senior? Aren't you taking me to my dorm?"

"Oh, uh, is this your first time here?" Chen Wan asked.

"Of course not," Zhou Yuwen replied.

"Are you a local of Jinling?" Chen Wan continued.

"Uh, sort of," Zhou Yuwen answered, knowing he had later obtained a Jinling residence permit and a 220-square-meter apartment.

"So your SIM card is local?" Chen Wan looked disappointed.

Still a college student, her disappointment was evident. Zhou Yuwen noticed the flyers for SIM cards in her hand and said, "Oh, you’re selling SIM cards, right, senior?"

"Yeah, just a part-time job. It's no big deal if you don't need one," Chen Wan quickly regained her composure.

She explained that campus cards were a great deal with 30GB of data monthly, unlimited High-Speed Internet, and a free smartphone.

Zhou Yuwen nodded, acknowledging the value.

"So, junior, would you like to get one from me?" Chen Wan said, winking playfully.

"I don't need a card," Zhou Yuwen said.

Chen Wan looked a bit embarrassed.

"Well, senior, I feel bad if you carry my luggage and I don’t get a card. Let me take my suitcase," Zhou Yuwen offered.

"No worries, it’s part of my volunteer work," Chen Wan insisted.

"Thank you, then,"

"No trouble at all,"

"How about this: give me some flyers, and I’ll help promote them in the dorm?"

Chen Wan, initially upset, brightened up and handed Zhou Yuwen a stack of flyers.

She pointed out the boys' dormitory ahead.

"I won’t go any further. I have to help other freshmen,"

Zhou Yuwen pouted, recalling how she had escorted him to the dorm in his past life.

But it didn’t matter. Zhou Yuwen dragged his suitcase into the building where he would spend the next four years.

He registered with the dorm supervisor,

collected his key,

paid a 20-yuan deposit,

and got a receipt.

The supervisor told him to keep the receipt safe for a refund upon graduation.

Someone in line scoffed, "Who remembers a measly 20 yuan?"

Another suggested pawning the key for internet money when it broke, prompting laughter.

As it was just before the start of term, the dorm supervisor's office was crowded with students waiting for keys. Most were leaving their parents for the first time, filled with the excitement of newfound independence. They chatted with their new friends in a mix of Mandarin and local dialects.

"You’re wrong! Since the fight with Cell, Gohan’s been stronger than Goku!"

"No way! Goku’s always the strongest!"

Zhou Yuwen paid 20 yuan, got his key, and followed the familiar route to his dorm. From the train station to here, he had kept a calm demeanor.

But now, standing in front of his dorm, he felt a complex mix of emotions. He never expected, at thirty, to be here again.

Even more so, to be with his dormmates again.

Pushing open the door,

sunlight from the balcony lit up the room.

The dorm had four beds with desks underneath.

Zhou Yuwen was the last to arrive. As he opened the door, his three roommates turned to look at him.

On the balcony, a young man with a cigarette in his mouth was loudly complaining over the phone: "You can go to hell! If I hadn’t bombed the entrance exam, I wouldn’t be at this crappy school!"

Near the door, a tall guy with a crew cut and a tattered black vest stood next to a bulging burlap sack on the floor.

Lastly, on the bed near the balcony, a pale, thin guy quietly played on his phone.

Taking in the scene,

"Zhou Yuwen?" The guy on the phone was the first to recognize him. There were four of them in the dorm, and since the others were there, the last one had to be Zhou Yuwen.