A Day of Unforeseen Events

I hung up the phone, feeling a mix of speechlessness and slight disappointment. I then lingered in bed for a while longer.

Only then, with reluctance, did I finally crawl out of the covers to hastily wash up and change. As I was binding my chest with strips of cloth, my mind drifted to yesterday, when Yang Laoer had loudly demanded to see if I was wearing a camisole.

Naturally, I had vehemently opposed his request and, with a swift movement, slapped him across the face.

To be honest, considering I currently possessed no internal energy and had lost all my martial arts, striking Yang Laoer—who was typically adept at dodging within a several-meter radius—with a single slap in our small dorm room seemed utterly fantastical.

Yet, driven by lust, that scoundrel surprisingly took my slap without evasion. To my utter astonishment, I felt my palm connect squarely with his face. Just as I paused in slight surprise, the rascal suddenly executed a move, “Piercing Flowers and Sweeping Willows.”

With a flick of his left hand from bottom to top, he lifted the hem of my T-shirt straight up to my armpit, subtly revealing the strips of cloth wrapped several times around my chest.

–Damn it, Fourth Brother, what is the meaning of this? You can’t deceive your Second Brother’s feelings like this! I thought…– Yang Laoer exclaimed in a strange, disappointed voice, seeing his elaborate ruse of sacrificing his face for a peek at my chest had failed.

Guo Hao and Linghu Ruoxu, who had been standing by, both wore expressions of regret. However, after I threatened them with a look, they immediately sprang forward.

They helped me hold down the mischievous Yang Laoer and gave him a thorough beating. Second Brother had taken a slap and then a combined beating; he was truly miserable.

Thinking back, the reason I had taken these precautions was thanks to Peng Lao San, one of the Peng family brothers I’d met earlier on Mount Huang. When I first traveled with him and Peng Boxiong to meet their other three brothers, Peng Lao San had suddenly, for some unknown reason, turned beet red.

He struggled to utter a single word for a long time. It was only after Peng Boxiong asserted his authority and threatened him that Peng Lao San, his horse-like face covered in a thick, knotted beard, reluctantly pointed to my chest.

That gesture, at the time, made all three of us blush. It was then that I realized my severe lack of understanding regarding female attire as a male: I hadn’t worn a bra.

I remember covering up the oversight with a fabricated story: I claimed to have been too flustered when they stumbled upon me bathing in the wild, accidentally dropping my bra into the water, where it floated away to an unknown location.

Frankly, that lie wasn’t particularly clever, but it was sufficient to fool the Peng brothers. After all, according to the scenario I concocted, they were in the wrong and couldn’t very well press for more details.

Subsequently, a flash of inspiration struck me. I tore a portion from the hem of my already somewhat oversized T-shirt, then ripped it into strips. After greeting the Peng brothers, I found a secluded spot and bound my chest, thus resolving the awkwardness of not having a bra. It was quite a display of quick thinking!

Of course, if Yang Laoer had been among my companions at the time instead of the Peng brothers, the same lie likely would have been exposed. Based on my understanding of that scoundrel, he probably would have seized the opportunity to search downstream in the creek for that camisole, which only existed in my fabrication.

****

After washing up and dressing, I had intended to have breakfast at the inn. However, I unexpectedly received another call from Secretary Feng Tian’er, who informed me that Principal Dugu’s schedule was extremely tight and that he hoped I would come to the principal’s office as soon as possible.

Left with no other choice, I had to postpone breakfast, rushing out of the inn and jogging all the way to Tianwu University.

By the time I arrived at the principal’s office, it was just past the hour of Chen. As I knocked on the door, still breathless, I first heard a chaotic clatter of bowls, plates, and chopsticks from within.

Then came Principal Dugu’s slightly muffled voice, answering the door. –Come, come in…–

I pushed the door open as instructed. Principal Dugu was already sitting upright at his desk. Upon seeing me, a kind and gentle smile spread across his face.

–Miss Dongfang, you’ve finally arrived. This old man has been waiting for quite some time!– he said, smiling and beckoning me over.

I obediently walked closer, only to see traces of chili oil still clinging to the corners of the old man’s mouth. I immediately understood that his supposed long wait had likely been spent enjoying tofu pudding for breakfast. A pang of hunger in my stomach made me slightly annoyed, but I had nowhere to vent it.

****

With great effort, I suppressed the irrational irritation in my heart and patiently continued conversing with him. I truthfully reported the matter of returning to my dorm room last night and confronting the three.

He furrowed his brow slightly, merely saying, –Whether your original identity is exposed or not is your own affair. I hope you will consider it carefully.–

Following that, he clearly explained various matters to me. Finally, Principal Dugu waved his hand and said, –You little girl probably haven’t had breakfast yet, have you? Go on, go on. This old man has already informed nearly everyone in the school about the remaining matters. Today, go and tidy up your dorm room and bed. Tomorrow, report to the Foreign Language Academy in the West District.

–Hmm, as for the ‘Sunflower Manual,’ this old man has his own arrangements. When I have some free time, I will contact you. I have other arrangements next, so I won’t see you out. Enjoy your university life as Miss Dongfang!–

Hearing his clear dismissal, and feeling intensely hungry, I immediately bowed slowly to him and said, –In that case, I shall not continue to disturb Principal Dugu’s work.–

–Go on, go on…– he waved his hand again, and I promptly retreated.

As I stepped out, I coincidentally ran into Secretary Feng Tian’er, who was rushing from somewhere. She offered a sweet smile and softly asked, –Has Principal Dugu arranged everything properly?–

I nodded, feeling a blush creep up my face as I met the gaze of this woman, who appeared a few years older than me, with her bright, intelligent eyes that sparkled with life.

–Last night, I already had your bedding, quilt, and all essential living items sent to your dorm room. That little girl from the Xiao family told me you had gone out, and I figured you hadn’t quite adjusted to the dorm yet and might have returned to the inn first, so I didn’t ask further.

–Oh, right, your horse was also sent to the school stables yesterday. That’s roughly everything. If there’s anything else, and you don’t find it convenient to bother Principal Dugu, just call me first!–

With that, she handed me a business card and then elegantly turned and entered the principal’s office.

I held the fragrant business card, lost in thought for a moment, before remembering that I should first find something to eat at the cafeteria. So, after exiting the administrative building, I headed straight for the First Cafeteria, which opened earliest.

However, before I could even reach my destination, the phone in my back pocket suddenly rang loudly. I quickly answered, only to find it was Guo Hao’s number.

–Fourth Brother, where are you right now? Hurry over, something’s wrong! Second Brother got into an argument with someone, and they’re about to fight!–