When Shi Man woke up, she found only Jiang Xin sleeping beside her, emitting the slightest of snores. Shi Man gently eased Jiang Xin’s arm off her body and slipped out of the covers. Though she moved as quietly as possible, Jiang Xin registered the shift, her only reaction a simple turning over to resume her sleep.

Crawling out and getting dressed, Shi Man saw Jiang Xin roll over once more before starting to snore again. “A child content with happiness,” Shi Man murmured.

In the living room, Dai Lijun and Han Tao were still glued to the computers, while Wang Qiqi busied herself in the kitchen. But where was Zhu Lina? Shi Man paused, wondering if Lina was in her room. The room was empty. Puzzled, Shi Man walked into the kitchen. “Qiqi, are you making sweet red bean soup?”

Wang Qiqi gave a soft hum. “It’s been a week since we last had it; time to replenish. Girls need this regularly, or how else would you still look so rosy and fair even after the rigors of the twelfth grade?” A girl needed white skin, yes, but also a healthy flush. “You’re not having any?”

“I will,” Shi Man replied. Although she wasn't overly fond of it, maintaining one's qi and blood was important for a girl, especially since this was a late-night snack; refusing meant going to bed hungry. “By the way, where’s Lina?”

“She went out. She remembered she needed to borrow a book,” Wang Qiqi replied before turning back to her task. “Help out. Han Tao has a tutoring session tonight and needs to leave early.”

Shi Man helplessly took the vegetables Wang Qiqi handed her, sighing inwardly. Her life was truly taxing. At home, she rarely did chores, but now, studying at a university in the capital, she was transforming into a domestic whiz—and this was only twice a week! If she moved back here next semester, Shi Man seriously considered proposing they hire a cleaner for housework.

After dinner, Han Tao left. Dai Lijun watched him go and soon followed, taking Jiang Xin with him as he departed. “Qiqi, Manman, Lina, I’m heading out. Thanks for everything today.” Jiang Xin felt quite awkward looking at the uncleared dinner table; she’d eaten two full meals without offering to help at all.

Dai Lijun, observing the embarrassed look on her face, remarked coolly from the side, “If you feel awkward, you can come back tomorrow and help out then.” Hmph. Saying she feels bad, but when it came to food, there was no awkwardness; her movements when grabbing dishes were lightning fast, and she devoured meat quicker than anyone, especially the chicken feet and gizzards—her mouth was never empty.

Jiang Xin’s initial comment held a thread of politeness, masking a genuine twinge of embarrassment. She hadn't expected this bookworm, Dai Lijun, to speak so bluntly. Wasn't that too much? “You have the nerve to talk about me? Why don’t you look at yourself? You claimed you were helping Qiqi select a computer and would teach her how to use it, but I watched you play on it since you got it this morning. The only time you weren’t playing was during meals. And you have the gall to say that.” She should really check her own actions before criticizing others.

Anyone else would have argued, but Dai Lijun felt his previous conversation with Wang Qiqi about computer usage justified his actions. “I was just testing the machine. It’s good. I’ll teach you tomorrow.” Though, truthfully, Dai Lijun was more interested in being near the computer itself.

Wang Qiqi simply watched Dai Lijun talk to himself. Frankly, Qiqi wasn't expecting much instruction from this top computer science student. If it involved programming or anything complex, she wouldn't understand anyway; for everything else, Wang Qiqi felt perfectly capable of handling it herself.

Jiang Xin hadn't caught everything Dai Lijun said earlier, but she clearly heard his last statement. “You’re coming back tomorrow?” This was too much! A grown man sponging off their hospitality for a whole day, and he planned on returning tomorrow? “Qiqi, I’m coming tomorrow too!”

Worried her point hadn't sunk in with Wang Qiqi, Jiang Xin grabbed her hand and started shaking it until Qiqi felt dizzy. “Come tomorrow then...” Wang Qiqi started to add that she shouldn't come too early, as they all planned on sleeping in after such an early start, not just Wang Qiqi herself.

Hearing that she was welcome back tomorrow, Jiang Xin took off immediately, following Dai Lijun out before Wang Qiqi could finish speaking. Her speed was remarkable, carrying an air of near-flight. Wang Qiqi considered it for a moment; Jiang Xin was young, and who among the youth didn't enjoy sleeping in?

Wang Qiqi carried her IBM notebook back to her room, sighing contentedly, “My beloved laptop can finally be used.” Alas, it was her own laptop, but the first person to use it had been the salesman; once home, the first user was Dai Lijun, and the second to operate it was Han Tao. She was the third—she felt like a proverbial third party (xiaosan), which sounded terribly unlucky. A third party, how ominous.

Although Shi Man had been hesitant to use the computer at the brokerage firm, it wasn't due to a lack of interest; she just didn't want to interfere with Qiqi checking the stock market. “Qiqi, can I play with it for a bit? It looks like there are some small games on it.” Shi Man had noticed Dai Lijun play a round; even if she found it ordinary, it didn't stop her from wanting a turn.

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected Shi Man to want to use the computer, nor that she’d want to play games. But if she insisted, so be it. “Go ahead. I’ll read a book.”

Shi Man had no idea Wang Qiqi agreed so readily for the reason she did. Had she known, she’d have called Wang Qiqi superstitious. Fortunately, she didn't know, and happily dove into the computer games.

Zhu Lina watched Wang Qiqi engrossed in her reading, then glanced at Shi Man happily playing on the computer. “You’re not playing?” Zhu Lina gestured toward the PC.

Wang Qiqi raised the book in her hand. “I’ll study this first. When I need to use it later, I’ll know what to do.” This computer introductory guide was something she had specifically bought to maintain appearances. If anyone questioned how smoothly she operated the machine later, she’d have an excuse.

Zhu Lina hummed in understanding. So Wang Qiqi was building her theoretical knowledge. The two bent over their books, while Shi Man played on the computer. The room fell silent, broken only by Shi Man’s occasional exclamation or the clatter of keys.

Knock, knock, knock, knock. A series of knocks sounded from outside. Wang Qiqi lifted her gaze from the tedious introductory book and checked the small clock on the desk—it was already past nine o’clock.

Wang Qiqi initially assumed the knocking was at the main apartment door. Past nine in the evening, who could that be? She dismissed it. Neither Zhu Lina nor Shi Man moved, continuing their reading. But the knocking didn't stop; it persisted.

“Is he looking for us?” Shi Man turned to look at Wang Qiqi and Zhu Lina.

Wang Qiqi preferred to ignore it, but the person outside wouldn't quit. “Should we go look?”

Zhu Lina also emerged from her nest of blankets, pulling on her trousers. “Let’s go see together.”

Wang Qiqi approached the main door. “Who is outside?” she called out loudly. A mistake, not installing a peephole, she thought. Even with one, it would be useless now; it was pitch black out there.

Han Tao had been knocking for a while without any sign of the door opening. He wondered what was wrong. He’d seen the lights on when he passed downstairs, but he didn't have a key, which made him anxious. Had something happened? Just as panic started to set in, he finally heard Wang Qiqi’s voice. “Qiqi, it’s me, Han Tao. Open the door.”

Han Tao? Wang Qiqi found his presence strange. He hadn't mentioned returning tonight when he left earlier. Nevertheless, Wang Qiqi opened the main door to let him in.

“So late, why are you here?” Shi Man asked suspiciously. Could this kid be worried about Wang Qiqi?

Han Tao was momentarily stunned but quickly remembered something. “My tutoring session tonight is near here.” It was much closer than returning to school. Moreover, since Dai Lijun was coming tomorrow, Han Tao didn't want to miss such a good opportunity. He felt that even just standing by and watching Dai Lijun operate the computer would be a form of learning. Besides, Han Tao had taken this tutoring job precisely because he hoped Qiqi might stay here over the weekend, allowing him to look after her nearby—even with three other people in the apartment, Han Tao remained uneasy.

Wang Qiqi came back inside and poured a bowl of sweet red bean soup. “Have some.” As for why Han Tao coincidentally picked up this assignment, that was his business.

Shi Man was curious about Han Tao’s convenient tutoring job. She hadn't asked at the time. Though Shi Man was quite gossipy, she realized Han Tao wouldn't answer certain questions even if she asked, so she let it go. “Qiqi, I’m going back to play on the computer.” Seeing Han Tao back, Shi Man worried he might take over the computer next, so she decided to keep playing a while longer.

Just as Shi Man predicted, not long after she returned to the room, she heard Han Tao outside asking Qiqi if he could use the computer.

Hearing Han Tao’s request, Wang Qiqi nearly wept. If she had known Han Tao would return, even if she had to play the ‘third party’ role, she wouldn't have let Shi Man play the computer. But she couldn't exactly refuse Han Tao either. “Go ask Shi Man.”

Han Tao was surprised the computer was occupied by Shi Man. He froze for a moment. He had assumed Wang Qiqi was late opening the door because she was using the computer, not realizing that wasn't the reason for her delay. “Forget it, I’ll just wait till tomorrow...”

“You play. Dai Lijun will be here tomorrow to instruct me, so I’ll just read today.” With Dai Lijun coming tomorrow, she figured she wouldn't get a chance to use the computer anyway. “You go study it. I can always play at school.”

Han Tao stared at Wang Qiqi for a long time. He knew Qiqi likely wanted to play, but she was yielding it to him. Yet, Han Tao couldn't resist the temptation of the computer. He really wanted to try out the operations Dai Lijun had demonstrated today. “In that case, I won’t be polite.” (To be continued)