An Early Night, an Awkward Chat, and a Soccer Match Invitation

As evening fell upon Wenlu Academy, it had not yet completely quieted down, yet some dormitories were already hushed.

In female dormitory room 502, all the lights were already out, but the twilight sun still filtered through the curtains, preventing the room from becoming entirely dark.

Both beds were neatly covered with quilts. The lines of one bed were standard and elegant, while the other quilt boasted astonishing curves.

It appeared as though both occupants were asleep.

However, a few minutes later, Xi Yao could no longer hold back.

“Um, Jiang Li, I think there’s a slight problem with what we’re doing.”

Jiang Li remained silent for a while, then nodded from beneath her quilt.

“I think so too.”

Just over half an hour ago, after the teacher announced dismissal, Jiang Li, subconsciously adhering to her usual school routine, had declared her intention to return to the dorm to sleep.

Only after leaving the classroom did she realize that school had ended a bit early today, and it wasn’t dark yet.

She hadn’t initially paid it much mind, simply dismissing it as a slip of the tongue, as there was no need to specifically explain or retract her words. However, she never anticipated that her roommate, the ‘big-chested girl,’ would, immediately upon returning, straightforwardly strip off her clothes and climb into bed.

Jiang Li stood by the bed, speechless for a long moment. Upon reflection, it was true: she had personally uttered the words, ‘return to the dorm to sleep.’ She couldn’t very well contradict herself now.

Such was the nature of this ‘Three-Noes Girl’ (TL Note: A common internet slang term referring to someone who is emotionless, expressionless, and has no desires or ambition). Upon realizing her mistake, she dared not speak.

Consequently, she too removed her clothes and lay down, pulling the quilt over herself even faster than Xi Yao had.

This action, however, utterly bewildered Xi Yao.

How could Jiang Li have known that her ‘big-chested’ roommate had climbed into bed not to sleep, but merely to lie prone and play on her phone? Yet, with Jiang Li now seemingly asleep, Xi Yao felt too awkward to play.

Playing on her phone would inevitably produce some sound, and the phone’s light would disturb her roommate’s sleep. Left with no alternative, Xi Yao could only put down her phone and pretend to sleep alongside her.

‘Let’s just consider this an early night and an early rise, which is good for health,’ she thought.

Half an hour later, the two girls, neither of whom had actually fallen asleep, could no longer maintain the charade.

“I think it’s still far too early for this,” Xi Yao stated, voicing her opinion first.

“Mm.”

Jiang Li softly responded.

“Why don’t we chat for a bit?” Xi Yao suggested.

Jiang Li hesitated for a few seconds, then softly asked, “About what?”

“Anything at all, we can talk about anything,” Xi Yao replied. “Whatever you want to say, you can say it.”

After a full half-minute of silence, Jiang Li slowly spoke.

“I… I don’t know what to say.”

Beneath the quilt, the elegant curves shifted ever so slightly.

Recalling Jiang Li’s behavior in class earlier today, Xi Yao felt a pang of curiosity.

“Jiang Li, did you not have any close friends before?”

“Mm, because I felt it would involve a lot of energy, so… I didn’t pay much attention.”

“What about your previous roommates then?”

“Because I already considered that it would only be for one year, I didn’t pay attention to them either.”

“…I see.”

‘Come to think of it, it’s a good thing I’ll be her roommate for two years, so there’s a need to get along properly,’ she mused.

Jiang Li hadn’t actually finished her thought. The reason she hadn’t made an effort to get along with her previous roommate, aside from their limited one-year duration, was also because the other person was rather ordinary.

Not as pretty as Xi Yao, nor as ‘big-chested’ as Xi Yao, nor as cheerful… or rather, as outgoing as Xi Yao.

“Do you ever feel lonely at school?” Xi Yao asked, her voice laced with concern. “Especially if you encounter something difficult to handle alone?”

“It’s fine, I have an older sister who’s the school doctor,” Jiang Li said blandly. “If I really run into anything tricky, I can go to her.”

“Eh?”

Xi Yao paused, slightly taken aback.

“An older sister?”

“Mm, she used to study at Wenlu Academy too, and just graduated from the Medical Department of the university section.” Jiang Li offered a brief explanation.

“I see.”

Xi Yao mused to herself, ‘I also have an older sister in the university section. I thought she was just my sister, but it turns out she’s more like my fiancée.’

Jiang Li pondered for a moment, then spoke up again.

“If you ever get sick or injured, you’ll be able to meet her. I’ll introduce you two then.”

Xi Yao’s pretty face tightened slightly.

“…Mm.”

Indeed, student Jiang Li was not particularly skilled at conversation.

‘That’s hardly a human thing to say,’ she thought.

Jiang Li seemed to sense this, and softly added.

“It’s fine even if you’re not sick; I can introduce you to her when there’s time.”

Over two years of school, one was bound to encounter minor illnesses or injuries, and knowing the school doctor was beneficial, not harmful—at least, that was Jiang Li’s reasoning.

“Alright.”

Xi Yao casually agreed.

She didn’t dwell on it, simply thinking to herself, ‘If Jiang Li is this beautiful, her older sister must be a beauty too, right?’

After chatting for a while, the sky had completely darkened. It was getting late, and the girls could finally put aside their quilts and sleep peacefully.

Tomorrow would be another day full of hope.

“Um,” before closing her eyes, Jiang Li tentatively spoke.

“Good night.”

‘Getting along with a friend doesn’t seem all that difficult after all,’ she mused.

“Mm-hmm, good night~”

Zzzz

****

The next day, Wednesday, marked the official start of classes. However, as it was the very first day of school, and students had just emerged from a three-month summer vacation, most were not yet in the right mindset, so teachers wouldn’t immediately dive into intense lessons.

During the four morning classes, Chinese class reviewed last semester’s material, math class went over the summer homework assignments, and for the homeroom teacher’s class, they simply turned on the TV and played ‘First Lesson of School’ (TL Note: A traditional program aired on the first day of school in China, often featuring inspirational content).

Xi Yao also learned something else: the entire Wednesday afternoon was dedicated to physical education. Moreover, there was a ball game scheduled for the university section that afternoon, and all students were invited to watch.

Wenlu Academy offered a wide variety of sports, and choosing a soccer match for the first day of school was intended to create a more lively atmosphere for everyone.

The first day of the new semester was all about setting the right mood.

“Have you heard? This afternoon is the sophomore versus junior match, girls’ division.”

“Juniors against sophomores? Isn’t that a bit unfair? The juniors have an extra year of practice, after all.”

“It would be unfair, but apparently, Xi Ruo is playing.”

“The legendary senior student?”

“Yes, that’s her.”

“Then it should be an even match, right?”

“Even match? You’re being too conservative.”

Xi Yao didn’t hear her classmates’ discussion, nor did she need to, for she had already received a call from Xi Ruo.

–Hello, Xi Ruo-jie?–

–There’s a ball game this afternoon, and I’ll be playing,– Xi Ruo stated concisely. –Remember to come and watch.–

–Understood,– Xi Yao dutifully replied. –I’ll be sitting in the South Stand.–

Xi Ruo paused slightly, then chuckled softly. –You know quite a bit, don’t you?–

In soccer circles, the South Stand is known as the gathering place for the home team’s die-hard fans.

“Just a little, I occasionally glance at things,” Xi Yao said humbly.

Xi Ruo rolled her eyes on the other end of the phone. ‘You’re really quite impertinent,’ she thought. ‘Ever since your ‘little fairy’ facade was exposed, your cherry lips have become increasingly chatty.’

–Make sure to be there on time, don’t be late. Also,– she continued into the phone, –wait for me outside after the game, and we’ll have dinner together!–

Xi Yao hesitated slightly.

“…Oh, alright.”