Wang Qiqi walked in, a look of confusion clouding her face, her gaze immediately settling on Julina. Jiang Xin sat beside Shi Man, a clear declaration of her alignment in that arrangement. Daly Jun, meanwhile, was quietly engrossed in his laptop at the dining table. For him, these weekends were the only stretches of time he could freely game; otherwise, he was either mooching off the computer lab or sneaking time on machines during class—time during which he certainly couldn't pursue his personal projects. "I want to buy a computer," Daly Jun suddenly blurted out, "Can I store it at your place?" "I mean a desktop. For the same specs, a desktop is a lot cheaper."

Daly Jun’s statement left everyone momentarily stunned. What was he implying? Julina couldn't fathom what the man was thinking. This was her home, wasn't it? How could someone just start speaking as if he owned the place? Julina coughed a few times, subtly reminding him that this wasn't his domain and he should perhaps reconsider his words.

Jiang Xin glared at Daly Jun without courtesy. "You've gone too far. Don't think just because you’ve become a little closer to Lina and the others, you can start making demands..." She was close with Qiqi, but she would never suggest something so outlandish. How could he, a man, put forward such an unreasonable request?

Han Tao also looked towards Daly Jun with clear displeasure, though he remained silent. His lips were pressed tightly together as he simply stared. Shi Man, at this point, forgot her irritation with Wang Qiqi. Though she had gotten along quite well with Daly Jun over the last half-month, she knew that even if he harbored nefarious intentions, he certainly lacked the nerve for them. Furthermore, ever since hearing Wang Qiqi's words last time, the way he looked at Qiqi carried a distinct undercurrent of fear. Given that, why would he be thinking this way?

After a moment of pause, Wang Qiqi wondered if he was worried about not having a place to keep a desktop if he bought one, especially since laptops were still relatively uncommon. If she brought one back to the dorm, the others would use it too, so they wouldn't object much. But if it were Daly Jun, his dorm was filled with men, all Computer Science majors; he would undoubtedly monopolize the machine, perhaps even engaging in other activities. "You're not worried about it being inconvenient to keep it in the dorm, are you?" Wang Qiqi ventured cautiously.

Daly Jun didn't lift his head, his eyes still fixed on the screen. "Yeah, that's it. Your laptop is nice, but I think a desktop is better, and it’s easier to add hardware later." Daly Jun had interned at a computer company back home during the summer break, so he had some knowledge. "I plan to rent an apartment after the New Year break." By then, the discussions with his seniors might yield some concrete results. Although everyone treated it mostly as a trial run, Daly Jun didn't expect much to materialize, yet he found discussing computer topics with his seniors far more rewarding than studying alone or sitting through lectures. As for cultivating good relations with his roommates, Daly Jun had given up hope. "That way, I won't have to fight you all for the computer." He knew his monopolizing the machine on Saturdays and Sundays had already sparked widespread resentment.

Once Daly Jun explained himself, everyone seemed to grasp the situation. Yet, hearing his explanation, Jiang Xin felt something was still off. "If you have the money to buy a computer, don't you have money to rent a place?" The cost of a computer alone could cover rent for quite some time, and he wasn't asking for much.

"I do." Even immersed in his digital world, Daly Jun picked up on the underlying annoyance in the room. "I plan to sublet with my seniors. They intend to move out next semester after the New Year. Oh, and Han Tao, if you're interested, you can come study with us too. My seniors are really good; they could offer some guidance. Of course, that's assuming you're not completely dense. You absolutely need to improve your fundamentals in these next few months." He didn't want Han Tao to still be a total novice; Daly Jun might have the patience to guide him a bit, but his seniors might not have the time.

Hearing Daly Jun say this, Han Tao’s face lit up with surprise. "Really? Didn't you say this was still under discussion?" Regarding computers, Han Tao had read the textbooks, and comparing that knowledge to what Daly Jun described, Han Tao had only one thought: the textbook material was outdated. He had even asked his counselor about it, whose response was that books are static; by the time one is written, printed, and distributed, it's old news, especially for textbooks that were already a year or two old—those were severely obsolete.

"It's been settled. We're renting after the New Year." Daly Jun grew happy just thinking about being able to discuss computer matters constantly with his seniors. "We'll rent near here, so you can come over on weekends."

Han Tao nodded excitedly. An opportunity for direct guidance—how could he possibly miss this? "Save me a spot then; I'll chip in for the rent." That way, he could ask questions constantly, and it would be less hassle than staying put.

"Deal." Daly Jun had no objection. "But you should know, living with us might mean two or three people sharing a room, maybe even bunk beds." That’s how they’d save on rent. Besides, they weren't moving out for luxury; Han Tao was different. His current room, though small, afforded him his own space, which was far superior treatment.

"Discussing problems—that’s how you get all-night sessions going, right?" Han Tao figured he wasn't the type who prioritized comfort.

"Good. Oh, right, the seniors need to approve this. I’ll set up a meeting for you guys sometime." Daly Jun suddenly remembered that he hadn't actually discussed this possibility with his seniors yet. "Actually, they have to be the ones to decide."

Wang Qiqi truly didn't know whether to laugh or scold Daly Jun. How could such a person exist? Agreeing to everything first, only to follow up with, "Oops, sorry, they have to agree to this; I’m not the decision-maker." The whole situation felt ridiculous. "Daly Jun, this is teasing! Plain, unadulterated teasing!"

Jiang Xin was even more blunt with her criticism. "I think there's something wrong with his brain. He only seems normal when he's glued to a computer; otherwise, he's completely abnormal." Jiang Xin nodded emphatically as she spoke.

Daly Jun paid no mind to Jiang Xin’s provocative remarks. "Lina, will you agree to lend me a corner to set up my computer?" Daly Jun looked nervously at Julina. "I'll only come on Saturdays and Sundays; I won't be staying here."

"Remember what you promised." Since Daly Jun had put it that way, how could Julina refuse? Sighing, she thought, if he had just explained things clearly earlier, would the situation have escalated this much?

Daly Jun let out an "Oh," beckoned Han Tao over, and the two began poring over their things. Wang Qiqi had intended to input the translation she was working on so she could edit directly on the computer, avoiding all the scribbles and revisions on paper. However, if only she had a printer, she wouldn't have to write by hand at all. But printers were expensive nowadays; she'd wait until she earned some money. Besides, she genuinely needed to practice her handwriting. Even if she wouldn't write much in the future, good handwriting leaves a better first impression.

Shi Man saw Wang Qiqi pull out a stack of papers from her bag and peered over her shoulder. "Did you get an assignment?"

Julina shot Shi Man a look. Had this person not figured that out yet? "Why else would Qiqi be treating Han Tao to steak?" Shi Man was sharp enough in most matters, but when it came to food, she could be astonishingly dense. Then again, the people involved were those Shi Man felt secure around; otherwise, Julina truly would doubt how Shi Man's astute parents could have produced such a naive daughter.

Shi Man glared at Julina for ruining the mood, then snuggled into Wang Qiqi’s embrace, whining sweetly, "Qiqi, you're so biased, so mean, not even treating us to anything." Humph, even if Han Tao introduced such a great job to Wang Qiqi, she shouldn't be so obvious about favoring him. "You value romance over friendship!" Shi Man accused.

"If you introduced me to such a great job, I’d treat you to steak too," Wang Qiqi dismissed Shi Man’s provocation. Tch, she'd seen through that little trick long ago. "Alright, I’ll treat everyone to hot pot tonight."

Shi Man was slightly unsatisfied—steak and hot pot were worlds apart. "Then I want to eat..." Shi Man began listing the dishes she wanted on her fingers.

Jiang Xin chimed in from the side, naming her preferred dishes. "I want the fish balls from yesterday, and make sure there are plenty." Suddenly, a male voice interjected.

Shi Man and Jiang Xin, who had been enthusiastically listing their cravings, stopped dead. They turned to look at the person who was supposed to be seriously focused on his computer, then turned back to each other, staring in disbelief. "Oh my god, no way, did he just name the dishes he wants?"

"Isn't he only concerned with computers?"

Wang Qiqi immediately looked toward Daly Jun, keen to see his reaction at that moment. As expected, she saw his face flush red. Then Shi Man and the others noticed it too. "Wow, look who’s blushing! Jiang Xin, did you happen to notice the direction the sun rose this morning?" Shi Man found him rather cute seeing that, though the things he said could infuriate people sometimes.

Already slightly flushed, Daly Jun’s face darkened further when Shi Man made her comment. "Okay, I’ll pay for everything, you guys go buy the groceries," Wang Qiqi interjected. "Besides, only you girls are allowed to name the menu items? Can't he suggest anything?" Wang Qiqi worried that if they continued, Daly Jun would bolt from the room, and then he wouldn't dare study with her again. Wang Qiqi shot Shi Man a warning glare; no matter what, she was a useful tool for shooing away pests when she needed to study.

Upon receiving the visual cue from Wang Qiqi, Shi Man shot her a glare back. Hmph, always bullying her! "I don't have the energy to go run errands." Why should she be the one running around doing chores?

"I need to translate this manuscript to earn money, or where will the funds for the treats come from?" Wang Qiqi looked at the job order in her hand. "I have to hand this in tomorrow afternoon. Do you think that's urgent or not?"

Shi Man exclaimed when she heard that. "Tomorrow? All of this?" Impossible, it looked like a thick stack of pages.

Wang Qiqi nodded helplessly. "That’s why I have no time."