Gong Yiying waited amidst the expectant chatter for Han Meina’s return, but when she did come back, Gong Yiying was dumbfounded. She couldn’t believe Han Meina had only brought back some snacks. What was going on? Weren't her parents supposed to dote on her, agreeing to almost any reasonable request? Buying a laptop, while expensive, seemed perfectly legitimate. Yet, Han Meina, who had sounded so furious on the phone promising to get the computer, had returned just like this.

Gong Yiying eyed Han Meina’s empty hands with a touch of disdain. Hmph, she always boasted about how well-off her family was and how much her parents loved her. But now it seemed either her parents didn’t love her that much, or while their finances were decent, they couldn't possibly afford to spend that much on a laptop in one go. This realization brought a flicker of joy; if Han Meina’s family wasn't that wealthy, it meant Gong Yiying wouldn’t feel so inferior.

Gong Yiying managed her facial expression well, but she was still a young woman barely twenty, and her smile couldn't be perfectly seamless. Han Meina caught sight of it. She lowered her gaze and continued unpacking what she had brought. What she was thinking, only she knew.

Han Meina finished unpacking, picked up the books needed for class, and announced, "I’m heading to the library." What a petty person, she thought. She must have been mocking me just now, but does she think I'm really that stupid? If it weren't for my father’s task for me to observe human nature closely, would I bother playing along with her? Hmph. I might be spoiled and beautiful, but I got into C University on my own merits.

To the library? Gong Yiying paused, surprised. Why would Han Meina suddenly decide to go to the library? In her impression, Han Meina was brainless. What reason could she have for liking the library? "Are you going to find Qiqi?" Other than that, she genuinely couldn't fathom why Han Meina would go there.

Han Meina considered this, staring at Gong Yiying for a moment before retorting, "Can't I go to the library to borrow books?" So, my going to the library is just to find trouble? She really underestimates me. I plan to study hard. Isn't it possible for me to surpass her academically? Han Meina clenched her fists to emphasize her resolve. "Oh, and where are Bai Ge and the others?"

Gong Yiying pouted. "They said they were going to borrow some computer books to study together. I told Wang Qiqi she was just showing off because she has a computer, but look now, computers are suddenly hot commodities." Gong Yiying secretly wanted to try using one too, but yesterday, whenever she mentioned playing on the computer, Wang Qiqi had responded only with a cold smirk. If it were yesterday, Gong Yiying could have comforted herself by thinking, What’s the big deal about showing off? Once Han Meina buys the computer, I can use it. But now, that support structure was gone. Alas.

"Regardless, they have the means to buy a computer. I’m going to the library. Are you coming?" Han Meina said calmly. "Oh, starting this week, on afternoons when I don't have class, I'll be staying at home." Right, I need to tell the counselor this afternoon, just in case there are questions when they do room checks and I'm not here.

Gong Yiying flinched upon hearing the news. After a moment, she licked her lips. "Why the sudden decision to stay home?" Surely she isn't giving up on battling Wang Qiqi, is she? I’ve been clinging to Han Meina’s coattails in the dorm, and I never expected things to turn out like this. It’s such a letdown. Gong Yiying thought. Yes, Han Meina was isolated in the dorm, but she could chat with the boys in the class, and she could go home. What about her? Gong Yiying suddenly felt lost about what to do next.

Han Meina noticed Gong Yiying’s face fluctuating as she reached the doorway. A cold smile twitched at her lips. Hmph, I want you to feel this awkward. You should have known this day would come when you tried to sow discord between me and Wang Qiqi, right? And Bai Ge must have heard what I said to Gong Yiying that day clearly. Haha, even if she doesn’t tell the others, would Bai Ge really chat much with a two-faced person like Gong Yiying? From now on, she’ll certainly keep a closer eye on her words.

Han Meina suppressed her smile and said impatiently, "Are you coming or not? If you’re not, I’m leaving." The person she was waiting for hadn't shown up yet, let alone Gong Yiying.

Gong Yiying shivered. "I'm feeling a bit unwell; I need to stay in the dorm." Since Han Meina plans to live in both places, I must adjust my relationship with my roommates in the dorm immediately. The first step is adjusting things with Han Meina—at least I can’t let the other roommates keep associating me with her. But I can’t make things too stiff with Han Meina either. Gong Yiying felt her head was about to explode from the complicated calculations.

If Gong Yiying had followed me to the library, I might have given her a little more respect. But the moment she heard I was staying out but keeping the dorm, and her reaction was like this—in wartime, she’d definitely be a traitor. But since she’s acting this way, using her later will be entirely without burden. "If you’re unwell, then stay here." With that, Han Meina slammed the door shut. The resounding echo startled Gong Yiying.

Gong Yiying stared at the door, sitting dazed on her bed, her mind racing with unspoken worries.

After borrowing a few books at the library, Han Meina found a spot and began reviewing her lessons. Although she wasn't far from where Wang Qiqi and the others were studying, she had no inclination to bother Wang Qiqi. She had better use that time reading, striving for good grades by the final exams and securing a scholarship—that would be the real way to surpass Wang Qiqi.

When Jiang Xin returned after fetching water, she noticed Wang Qiqi and found it peculiar. "Han Meina is just a few tables ahead of us, reading, but I haven't seen Gong Yiying." That was what struck her as odd. Where Han Meina was, Gong Yiying was never far away, though the reverse wasn't always true.

"Maybe she went to look for books," Wang Qiqi replied, turning a page. Wang Qiqi intended to read as much as possible before her interview to maximize her chances of passing.

Wang Qiqi and the others paid little mind to whether Gong Yiying appeared, continuing their serious reading. As for the strange one, Dai Lijun, he remained engrossed in his studies. Even if he knew about external commentary, he wouldn't let it bother him. From a distance, their study arrangement—four girls and one boy—was the quietest. Apart from the occasional brief discussion among the girls, the sole male rarely spoke, only moving to get water or attend to physiological needs.

Many gossip-hungry guys who had hoped to see interactions among the four girls and one boy were disappointed. They silently scorned the man occupying such a prime spot for not taking advantage of the situation. They muttered that if it were them, they could secure one of the girls within a month. "Think we should go sit over there? Do you think they'll even acknowledge us?" one guy asked, slicking back his center-parted hair, clearly thinking himself quite handsome.

The surrounding guys felt nauseous watching his pose, mixing contempt with envy. It was undeniable that this man had a high success rate with women; he rarely failed. "Go ahead and try. If you succeed, you’ll score big."

They wouldn't bother warning him that others had tried sitting at that table before. Those groups wouldn't chase newcomers away, but they certainly wouldn't chat with suddenly joining members. After several failed attempts, no one bothered trying to curry favor anymore. Now, they just wanted to see if this guy could complete the mission of striking up a conversation.

The handsome man straightened his clothes, glancing at his companions. He never paid attention to their jealousy; in his mind, envy meant nothing unless action was taken to claim the beauty. "Watch this."

The handsome man first wandered outside, returning with a few books in hand. His idea was to avoid looking too calculated in his approach, lest he appear like a mere loafer.

As the handsome man passed his companions' table, he threw them a meaningful look before heading toward the back table. He knew that the four beauties had occupied that spot for a long time without any new additions, suggesting they were difficult targets. Even if his friends hadn't mentioned it, he was sure others had tried and failed. His goal today was a successful initial approach; then he could proceed slowly. He refused to believe he couldn't conquer one of them—hadn't he successfully pursued the notoriously cold 'ice mountain' of the department before?

"Excuse me, may I sit here?" the handsome man asked as he approached their table.

Dai Lijun wouldn't speak; he’d leave these bothersome flies for Wang Qiqi and the others to handle.

Jiang Xin was struggling with an English book from Tianshu. She completely ignored the guy asking if he could sit; there had been plenty of such approaches lately.

Wang Qiqi had just finished reading an interesting passage and was about to get up to stretch her stiff body when she heard the male voice. She looked up. "If there’s room, go ahead and sit."

The handsome man expected a long wait for a reply, so he was surprised by the quick assent. He was about to say thank you and strike up a conversation when he saw the girl he was addressing pick up two cups and float away gracefully. The other girls remained silent, acting as if their tablemate didn't exist. This deflated him considerably.

However, as an expert in pursuit, he was accustomed to such cold treatment. He wasn't interested in girls who were too easy to win over. For him, the harder a girl was to pursue, the greater the challenge, wasn't that right? (To be continued)

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