The Unexpected Roommate and the Dorm Swap Dilemma

He absolutely adored the taste of roasted sweet potatoes, finding them delightfully sweet, fragrant, and wonderfully soft.

He had initially considered getting some roasted chestnuts as well, but after purchasing the sweet potatoes, the price had deterred him.

[Image]

This roasted sweet potato isn’t even as big as my hand, yet they charged me ten yuan for it.

This is an absolute travesty!

Tonight’s dinner budget has been cut in half.

[Pitiful.Jpg]

[WeChat Transfer] Please collect 1000 yuan.

Let’s go eat hotpot in this frigid weather.

A new hotpot restaurant just opened at school; I hear it’s quite good.

[Refunded]

Why are you transferring money to me again?

I haven’t even finished spending the last amount you sent.

?

How could you not have spent it all by now?

Are you not using my money?

An Ran stammered and equivocated for a long time, not daring to reply.

During the time they had been chatting, he had come to realize that H was somewhat domineering, constantly wanting to transfer money to him, always fretting that he wasn’t eating enough or dressing warmly enough.

On several occasions, H had transferred five-figure sums to him; An Ran’s own saved pocket money only amounted to a few thousand yuan, so how could he possibly accept tens of thousands from H? He had returned every single transfer.

Later, H seemed to realize that An Ran might be hesitant to accept such large amounts, so he began transferring a few hundred or a thousand yuan at a time.

Even so, the total amount H had transferred to him now amounted to several thousand yuan.

He hadn’t touched a single cent of it.

[WeChat Transfer] Please collect 520 yuan.

Eat more meat.

You’re too thin.

An Ran was startled by this message, his heart skipping a beat.

‘How do you know I’m very thin?’

I guessed.

Judging by the photos you usually send me, even Huahua eats more than you do.

An Ran abruptly let out a sigh of relief.

For a fleeting moment, he had feared that H had already discovered his true identity, and he was completely unprepared for his ‘mask’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term, ‘majia,’ referring to an online persona or alter ego, or a hidden identity) to be revealed.

At least for now, he hadn’t considered transitioning his online relationship with H into a real-life one.

[Collected]

Then tonight I’m going to eat lots and lots of meat.

An Ran immediately turned around and invited Fu Zao, telling him he wanted to treat him to hotpot.

The newly opened hotpot restaurant in the school cafeteria was spacious, offered excellent value for money, and allowed free unlimited refills of over ten types of vegetables for just ten yuan.

In such cold weather, hotpot was especially perfect for warming the body.

An Ran ordered a half-and-half pot with mild spice.

His mouth had been terribly swollen after their last barbecue meal, and even now, he dared not eat anything too spicy, intending to use the clear broth side and just a bit of bird’s eye chili in his dipping sauce.

Just as the waiter served the hotpot base, other customers took seats at the empty table beside them.

An Ran lifted his gaze, surprised to see Gong He.

He hadn’t expected such a coincidence, running into his roommate here.

Come to think of it, this was the third time, wasn’t it?

The military training, the previous barbecue restaurant, and now this hotpot place.

Lu Ye waved at him. “Hi, what a coincidence.”

An Ran nodded awkwardly, murmuring, “Yes, what a coincidence.”

He didn’t even dare to glance at Gong He again, instead burying his head in his phone.

The hotpot restaurant is really crowded today.

The owner gave us two bowls of ice jelly.

I didn’t expect to run into my roommate here.

I don’t know how to greet them; it’s a bit awkward.

My toes are curling (TL Note: A Chinese slang term, ‘jiaozhi kou di,’ literally ‘toes digging into the ground,’ used to describe an intense feeling of embarrassment or awkwardness).

Ice jelly is a bit cold; eat less of it.

You don’t have to greet him; you can pretend he’s not there.

I still feel like that’s not right.

We’ve lived together for several months, yet we’re still like strangers.

[Soybean feeling wronged.Jpg]

Then why don’t you try saying a few words to him?

I think I’ll pass on that.

Being like strangers isn’t entirely unacceptable, I suppose.

Gong He’s lips curved upward slightly, a low, soft chuckle escaping his throat.

An Ran glanced at him with a hint of surprise, then quickly averted his gaze.

Lu Ye leaned closer to him. “What are you laughing about? Let me see?”

Gong He put his phone away, giving Lu Ye a cool, dismissive glance. “None of your damn business.”

Lu Ye pouted. “All day long you just cling to that darn phone of yours, chatting away so intently with some unknown little vixen.”

Gong He let out a soft snort. “With all this food ordered, can’t you keep your mouth shut?”

Lu Ye retorted, “You have the nerve to say that! Last time you said you’d treat me to barbecue, but you skipped out on the bill! I haven’t even settled that score with you yet!”

Fu Zao quietly listened to their conversation, then privately messaged An Ran: [When did Gong He start dating?]

???

When did Gong He start dating?

??!

Doesn’t Lu Ye’s comment imply that Gong He is dating, which is why he’s constantly on his phone?

Oh my goodness! Gong He is actually dating! This is breaking news!

The people in our Omega group chat were still planning to confess to him for Christmas! He’s actually dating??!

I bet no one knows about him dating except for Lu Ye.

Then I definitely wouldn’t know.

Gong He and I aren’t close at all.

Alright.

I was hoping you could get some firsthand information.

I’m dying to know which little vixen managed to snag Gong He.

No, no, I refuse.

Gong He and I are really not close!!

I really don’t want him to think I’m prying into his private life.

Spare me, please orz.

Just then, An Ran’s phone rang; it was an unfamiliar local number.

“Hello?”

After hearing who the caller was, An Ran paused, “Are you the dorm supervisor auntie?”

Dorm Supervisor Auntie: “That’s right, didn’t you leave your contact number with me before?”

An Ran: “Is there something you need?”

Dorm Supervisor Auntie: “The dorms were full before, so I couldn’t make room for you, but now there’s a student who wants to switch dorms. If you agree, I can arrange a swap for the two of you.”

An Ran froze for a moment, instinctively glancing at Gong He, only to meet Gong He’s gaze.

He quickly looked away.

Dorm Supervisor Auntie: “Do you want to switch?”

An Ran’s thoughts were a mess, his mind utterly blank. “Auntie, can I think about it first?”

Dorm Supervisor Auntie: “Of course, just let me know as soon as possible so I can tell the other person.”

After hanging up, An Ran anxiously bit his lower lip, looking bewildered.

Fu Zao: “What’s wrong? What did the dorm supervisor auntie want?”

An Ran replied uneasily, “She told me that a student applied to switch dorms and asked if I wanted to swap with them.”

The moment the words left An Ran’s lips, Gong He accidentally knocked over the complimentary ice jelly provided by the restaurant.

With a loud “bang,” An Ran jumped, his gaze snapping to Gong He.

It suddenly dawned on him that his roommate was sitting right beside him, and he wondered what Gong He must be thinking after hearing about the potential dorm swap.

Gong He’s voice, devoid of any warmth, seemed to carry shards of ice and a chilling coldness as it drifted into An Ran’s ears.

“My apologies, my hand slipped.”