Daili Jun’s liking for Jiang Xin was not only strange to Wang Qiqi, but Shi Man and Zhu Lina also found it peculiar. “It’s too late to like someone now; she already has a boyfriend,” Shi Man remarked with a sigh.

Zhu Lina felt a pang of regret, too. Though the dummy seemed slow-witted, he was actually quite considerate and sincere with his friends. It was a pity they weren't fated to be together. “It’s his own fault. Maybe he was afraid Jiang Xin would reject him.” Daili Jun simply refused to tidy himself up at all. If he only put a little effort into his appearance, he could certainly turn heads when he went out, but the problem was this kid was obstinate; what use was it for others to worry?

Wang Qiqi saw the point. Daili Jun was a good person, but as a woman, seeing her boyfriend so stubbornly unkempt made her wonder how she’d manage taking him out in public. She figured his girlfriend must have a headache over it. “What’s meant to be yours will be yours, no matter how frantic he gets now. I just wonder what Jiang Xin’s boyfriend is like. By the way, Nana, Manman, isn’t that guy one of your senior students? Do you know him?”

Zhu Lina thought back. “It’s not like I claim to know every senior or junior student; I just don’t have enough time at school to meet all the classmates.” Too many things demanded Zhu Lina’s attention in her studies and practical applications; she was either in class or heading to the library to borrow books—in short, she was swamped.

Shi Man also shook her head. “I find most of the guys at school too immature. Besides, I’m studying French now.” When she had spare time, Shi Man often gravitated toward the French department; how could she have the time for mingling events with senior students? She barely even returned to the dorm, only joining the occasional gathering with her dorm sisters.

“It seems he isn't some big shot, which is good news,” Wang Qiqi thought, concluding this suggested one of two things: either the person lacked talent, or he was merely low-key, much like their own group of sisters. “I’m really looking forward to it.”

Shi Man was also expectant, but more than anticipation, she worried. “I wonder if the dummy will completely lose his composure when he shows up that day. If it were me, I wouldn’t attend under any circumstances, not even if I had to fake an illness.” The girl he liked already had a boyfriend; the tragedy was that the male protagonist wasn't him, so one could imagine his feelings. He seemed slightly off during lunch today, though he masked it well, but if he met the real person that day, would the dummy become entirely different?

Shi Man didn't want to see the dummy become a laughingstock; rather, she worried, given the dummy’s pride, how he would cope if he lost his composure that day and Jiang Xin’s boyfriend made a display of it, or if he constantly wore a smug expression whenever he saw the dummy. Would the usually proud dummy sink into despair?

Shi Man’s words made Wang Qiqi and Zhu Lina, who had been anticipating a bit of amusement at the dummy’s expense, suddenly sober up. Though Shi Man’s point was a bit frightening, it wasn't impossible. “How about we set the day when the dummy is busy so they can come over then?” Although it felt like evasion, Wang Qiqi truly didn't know what else to do. Some people’s pride was so fragile that a minor setback could cause them to collapse completely, and Wang Qiqi didn't know if Daili Jun was one of those people. If he wasn't, that would be for the best, but what if he turned out to be a coward? Wang Qiqi couldn't bear that responsibility.

The three looked at each other, and just like that, the decision was settled.

Han Tao mulled over the plan devised by the three women for a moment before declaring, “I object. In doing this, have you truly considered the dummy’s feelings?” Han Tao admitted that Wang Qiqi and the others were thinking of Daili Jun, but sometimes their perspective was too simplistic.

Wang Qiqi immediately protested, pouting. “How could we not consider the dummy?” If they hadn't considered him, why would the three of them be huddled together plotting how to prevent him from getting hurt?

“Exactly,” Shi Man and Zhu Lina shot him disapproving glances. What did he mean by that? Did it sound as if they were trying to harm someone? If they truly wanted to harm him, they wouldn't bother with precautions; they’d just let him show up, and perhaps they could have a good laugh. But now, their sincere efforts were being questioned by Han Tao, which left them baffled.

Han Tao, seeing the three becoming agitated and demanding an explanation, felt a headache coming on. “That’s not what I meant. I know you mean well and don't want the dummy to get hurt, but the problem is, will the dummy never run into those two again? The campus isn't huge, but it’s not small either; that possibility certainly exists…”

Listening to Han Tao’s analysis, the three couldn't help but concede that as a man, he understood male psychology better, and the possibility he raised was not remote. “Since that’s the case, it looks like your task will be quite demanding. You need to communicate properly with the dummy.”

Han Tao knew this, of course, but he held little hope of success. “I’ll talk to the dummy in the next few days. Besides, it’s just a secret crush; time will dull everything. I refuse to believe there won’t be any good women waiting for him later.” Han Tao said with fierce determination, though he knew Jiang Xin wasn't entirely to blame, he still felt it was her fault somehow.

Wang Qiqi caught the dissatisfaction in Han Tao’s tone directed toward Jiang Xin. Wang Qiqi and the others, however, felt this wasn't Jiang Xin's problem but the dummy's. Sigh, what did it matter anyway? “In any case, if the dummy suffers any major shock that day, it has nothing to do with us.”

Han Tao grunted. He was confident in the dummy; if he couldn't withstand such a minor blow, Han Tao thought the dummy’s future achievements wouldn't amount to much anyway.

Wang Qiqi and the others assumed meeting Jiang Xin’s companion would take at least ten days or half a month, perhaps only after they had a meal with her roommates. But unexpectedly, Jiang Xin’s side moved quite quickly.

Wang Qiqi was chatting enthusiastically with Bai Ge and the others while holding her books. Since Wang Qiqi had introduced them to summer jobs, although their connection with Qiqi had become slightly less intimate, it was still manageable. They often gathered to chat. In truth, they felt Wang Qiqi rarely returned to the dorm anymore; if they didn't improve their relationship, would she remember them when future good opportunities arose? While this thought was perhaps too pragmatic, Wang Qiqi found their reasoning normal. Friendships devoid of any mutual benefit might not last long; relationships that involved mutual help and support toward achieving desired positions tended to endure.

Since Duan Xiaomin and the others held this view, Wang Qiqi was happy to engage in frequent communication with them, especially as Duan Xiaomin had a high chance of getting into the departmental student union next year. “Congratulations on entering the departmental student union, Duan Xiaomin. Best wishes for the university student union next year.” Although Wang Qiqi felt that student unions in China were somewhat like prestige projects, they could at least offer experience that would be very helpful for future employment.

Duan Xiaomin was quite pleased with herself for getting into the departmental student union; being a class cadre had offered no real challenge. Only joining the departmental or university student union provided some drive. However, this meant she would have less time for part-time work. She hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to congratulate her so warmly, seemingly with a hint of envy in her tone, which made her feel rather smug. “If you campaigned, Qiqi, you could do it too. Oh, right, we still need to thank Zhu Lina for introducing us to the summer jobs; we should treat her to a meal first.”

Bai Ge and the others nodded along hastily when they heard Duan Xiaomin say this. Although this summer they had rented a place, covered transportation fees for their younger siblings, and bought quite a few things, they had earned enough to cover their siblings’ tuition fees. They were counting on having such a profitable opportunity again next summer.

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected them to be so polite. Although Shi Man had grumbled once before, saying how Wang Qiqi had introduced Duan Xiaomin and the others to a great summer job, and yet hadn't received a single thank you—it wasn't that she cared about the words or a little less food, but rather that such an action felt disheartening. However, she maintained appearances perfectly, showing no hint of displeasure. “It’s not necessary to treat us. Nana is busy with her internship lately. If you really insist on treating, just do it here on campus.” Wang Qiqi knew that they were all under varying degrees of financial pressure—some couldn't meet their families' demands for money, some needed to cover their own tuition and living expenses, and on top of that, they hoped to cover their younger siblings’ tuition. How good could their economic situation be? Moreover, Zhu Lina, while not overly picky, was certainly discerning in her own way.

Eating at the cafeteria? Duan Xiaomin and the others were tempted; this would save a lot of money. How expensive could a meal on campus be? After politely declining a few times, they agreed, “Then we’ll treat you both on campus.”

Jiang Xin noticed Wang Qiqi chatting animatedly with Bai Ge and the others, walked over, called Wang Qiqi aside, and quickly conveyed what she needed to say.

Wang Qiqi found it very strange. “What did you say? A joint dinner? No way. The guy’s roommates, Jiang Xin’s roommates, plus us… Wait, he should really only be inviting Wang Qiqi, Shi Man, and Zhu Lina, right? But if it’s just the three of them, doesn’t that greatly deviate from the original plan? And judging by what that girl seems to think, she’ll probably stick with Cao Rui. Since she suggested it, what can Wang Qiqi say?”

“I’ll have to ask Nana and the others when I get back.” But Wang Qiqi doubted Zhu Lina would have time to show up. Wang Qiqi barely knew Jiang Xin’s roommates either, and why would Zhu Lina and the others waste time on such a pointless gathering with people they didn't know well? Who knew if it was worth the effort?

Jiang Xin murmured an acknowledgement. She knew Zhu Lina was busy with her internship and might not have time. “Um, I’m really sorry about that.” In Jiang Xin’s view, Cao Rui suggesting to only invite three people seemed a bit much, but his point was valid too—inviting more would incur the cost of an extra table. (To be continued)