I Fell in Love With My Cold-Hearted, Flirtatious Roommate (GL) - Chapter 22

The consequence of Rong Ting spending the entire evening making pancakes was that she woke up with dark circles under her eyes.

She slept too late and woke up past 10 AM. She quickly tidied up her bedding and checked the time on her phone; she had two hours before the first class in the afternoon. She folded her quilt and left the bedroom, surprised to see Ran Jiu’s bedroom door, which was rarely open, slightly ajar.

She walked closer and stood outside. The curtains were drawn open, and the entire bedroom, which was dominated by deep blue tones, was enveloped in a haze-like light. The computer screen was off. Below, the wires were still tangled and complicated. The microphone was not set up on its stand, and the headphones were casually tossed on the desk, a testament to the owner’s laid-back style.

But there was no one in the room.

Rong Ting regained her focus and saw the yogurt and jackfruit on the coffee table were untouched.

Her heart sank for a moment. Then, she proceeded to wash her face and brush her teeth as usual, packed all her materials and her laptop, and headed to school for class.

This class was an educational observation course, and the professor was eccentric. The course stipulated that 80 points of the usual grade depended on individuals voluntarily presenting on stage. The more times a student presented, the more points they accumulated.

Furthermore, there was a more peculiar rule: if others could effectively refute the presenter’s viewpoint, the points deducted from the presenter would be added to the refuter’s score.

As a result, this class had been cursed from the beginning to the end of the semester. Yet, even as everyone grumbled, they still competed intensely. Some people had already been forced to present three times, causing even the originally passive students to become restless.

Rong Ting genuinely disliked this course. She hadn’t presented once so far. However, for the sake of her final grade, she carefully studied the previously learned content and finally chose a relatively suitable topic.

After she finished presenting at the podium, the professor routinely asked the students behind her, “Who would like to offer a rebuttal?”

As expected, Wan Sang raised her hand.

Rong Ting smirked inwardly. She hadn’t expected Wan Sang to offer any valuable counter-argument. Sure enough, Wan Sang seized upon individual words in the presentation’s argument, nitpicking relentlessly, distorting and magnifying the meaning infinitely.

Under normal circumstances, Rong Ting might have had the tolerance to settle the matter peacefully, and it would have passed. But for some reason this time, the suppressed anxiety and grievance in her heart peaked at this moment, and her words were full of provocation.

“I don’t think Student Wan Sang has genuinely understood the meaning I explained. I suggest you read it a few more times before questioning it.”

Wan Sang immediately flared up: “Who are you looking down on? I clearly read it! If you’re sensitive, don’t try to over-explain. Your viewpoint clearly has many problems.”

Rong Ting sneered: “I never quite believed you could read and understand my viewpoint. So, if you insist on misinterpreting, then please first define my definition.”

The entire class instantly fell silent. The professor’s pen clattered onto the desk.

The subsequent events spiraled out of everyone’s control. Before the teaching assistant could intervene, the two started arguing fiercely.

Wan Sang’s face was flushed: “Quibbling! You’re just quibbling!”

Rong Ting glanced at her coldly: “I understand human language, but not ghost talk.”

Wan Sang’s baseless aggression reached its peak: “To be honest with everyone, Student Rong Ting’s carefully prepared content is patched together from several academic papers. No wonder she’s so familiar with it. Calling you a paper tailor is even giving you praise.”

Rong Ting laughed in anger: “So familiar that you can misread it? Then please footnote the papers I plagiarized, otherwise, I won’t even know which ones I copied.”

Amidst the intensely hostile and sarcastic exchange between the two, the onlookers below were entertained. A crack finally appeared on the professor’s face, and he roared: “If you don’t want to attend class, get out!”

With an hour left before the class ended, Rong Ting stood outside the teaching building, looking at the clear blue sky, thinking that this wasn’t bad; she could go to her tutoring job early.

That afternoon, the two children finished school early and were in a state of high excitement and hyperactivity. Rong Ting tried to calm them down for a long time, but the two children were still yelling loudly and bouncing around.

Rong Ting’s face darkened. Children are smart. Seeing the change in her expression, they immediately sat down obediently to study.

After completing a few hours of tutoring, the children’s mother returned and transferred the money as usual. Rong Ting thanked her and stayed in the room to tidy up her things.

A rustling sound of footsteps came from outside. Then, the little girl handed a piece of liquor-filled chocolate to her, her small face anxious. “Mommy said we weren’t good today and told us to apologize to you.”

The chocolate was a German brand, wrapped in simple yet exquisite tin foil. The price must have been high.

Rong Ting was momentarily stunned.

This was the second time she had received kindness from a stranger in this unfamiliar city.

And the previous time was from Ran Jiu.

She suddenly smiled with relief. Just for this, she had to learn to be grateful.

The children’s mother stood at the doorway, deliberately admonishing the two children, “Exactly. You need to be more sensible and not always make the teacher angry.”

The little girl hesitantly held Rong Ting’s hand. “Teacher, I’m sorry. We were the ones who made you unhappy.”

Rong Ting wouldn’t let the children take the blame and explained it had nothing to do with them.

“Then why?” The little girl stretched out the word “why” in a childish, soft voice. Rong Ting immediately broke into a smile: “Because the teacher seems to have had a disagreement with a good friend, and also, the teacher’s scholarship might be gone.”

The little boy beside her cleverly said, “Then aren’t you ‘losing the wife and losing the money’?”

The little girl corrected him: “Mommy taught us ‘losing the wife and losing the army’ [a Chinese idiom meaning to suffer a double loss].”

The little boy was still unconvinced: “Isn’t it the same?”

The two young ones debated the correct saying, not noticing Rong Ting’s slightly awkward expression. She sighed and patted both children’s heads.

The little boy said boldly: “Let Mommy give the teacher extra money. She earns a lot!”

The little girl also nodded in agreement: “Good! Give the teacher extra money!” She looked back at Rong Ting, her eyes innocent. “Teacher, don’t be sad. I’ll ask Mommy for the scholarship for you. As for good friends, we can’t do anything, but you still need to coax them well.”

Rong Ting didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The gloom in her heart gradually dissipated, leaving only regret and guilt.

How should she explain things to Ran Jiu?

And how should she face her when she returned?

It was past 7 PM when she left the tutoring family’s house. The bus was sparse. Rong Ting easily found a window seat, still indifferent to the scenery outside.

The dense trees flashed past. Her heart gradually calmed down.

Returning to her usual routine, going home to study and write assignments, and continuing to be good roommates with Ran Jiu was actually quite nice. She had already gained a lot and no longer craved more.

However, when she got home, she found that the jackfruit on the coffee table had been opened, and clearly half of it was gone. Also, one of the two boxes of yogurt she bought was missing.

Her slightly peaceful heart surged again, like a startled deer running into the forest.

Ran Jiu’s door was open, and the light was on. Rong Ting didn’t change her shoes and quickly walked over: “Ran—”

She saw the other person sitting in the chair, singing directly into the mic. Ran Jiu seemed to know she was behind her and made a “wait a moment” gesture by pressing her index and middle fingers together and pointing down.

Rong Ting immediately went silent and saw the barrage of comments flying across the wide screen. Ran Jiu hadn’t turned on the camera and wasn’t showing her face. She was singing a song.

It was Angesi’s “Dancin’.”

Her slender body was slightly nestled in the computer chair. The two large headphones completely covered her ears. From the side, one could only see the delicate structure of her profile, her lips opening and closing, lazily humming the lyrics.

All the time my baby you on my mind You are always on my mind And I don’t know why yeah but the feeling is fine I don’t know why, but this feeling is incomparable Can’t you see honey you are for me Don’t you understand that you are my destiny Oh we were meant to be We were made for each other …

This was a song with a nightclub style. Many lyrics were deliberately blurred in pronunciation, carrying a decadent, seductive vibe.

Ran Jiu, wearing headphones and resting against the chair back, looked at the lyrics on the side monitor and easily sang with a lazy, charming feeling. It was like a lover consoling someone with sweet talk instead of lying—a dangerous sugar-coated bomb, yet an addictive drug.

Several jackfruit seeds were placed on a white paper on the desk, and next to them was an opened yogurt container. Rong Ting’s heart finally settled.

She thought that perhaps things would be good like this in the future.

Ran Jiu was clearly free and indifferent. She was cold and lonely. She would make harmless jokes with her, look at her a few more times, say a few more words, and occasionally rely on her, but these actions didn’t necessarily mean anything.

She was also full and magnificent, seemingly not taking anything to heart, thriving like tenacious vegetation.

Nothing could restrain her.

Ran Jiu continued to sing.

Every time when I look in your eyes Every time I look into your eyes I smile with pride happy that you’re mine I smile with pride because you are mine Joy in love your love is true I know Your love gives me joy, I know your love is truly genuine You are the best thing that has happened to me You are the most wonderful existence in my life …

The song ended with one last smooth transition. The fans above were still scrolling frantically, begging her to sing another one.

Ran Jiu reached out and picked up the half-drunk yogurt, tore open the packaging, and licked the yogurt lid. A milk foam stuck to the corner of her mouth, and she suddenly darted out the tip of her tongue, flexibly hooking the foam back in.

Rong Ting’s heart suddenly skipped a beat again.

She was grateful the fans didn’t see that.

Because a tongue like that really seemed suitable for kissing…

Ran Jiu must have been live-streaming for quite a while before she returned. Her voice was no longer that clear; it was a little hoarse, with a texture like slightly carbonated fruit wine.

The screen was filled with requests for another song. She smiled, and that soft, doting voice immediately transmitted through the microphone.

Then, the screen was instantly covered by a dense barrage.

【Don’t use the doting voice! Don’t!】

【Sister’s breath before the smile really gasped right into my heart.】

【Don’t listen to the front ones, smile more, okay?】

【But big one’s voice is so hoarse, it has a unique texture now.】

【Jiu-cub, are you secretly staying up late again? Watch out, Mom will spank you.】

【What’s wrong, Jiu? Haven’t live-streamed lately. I miss you so much!】

Ran Jiu looked at the screen and answered the questions above: “Too many love songs have been sung. It hurts the body and heart, so I couldn’t sleep well at night.”

“Ah, I just took some cold medicine. It’s a bit bitter. I’ve had a cold recently.”

“What? Will drinking sesame oil help with a hoarse throat? I’ll try it next time.”

Only Rong Ting saw that she said it with all seriousness, yet her face was completely devoid of emotion.

A little sprite who was skilled at lying.

The fans on the other side bought it.

【Big one, remember to live-stream again next time, at least three songs.】

Ran Jiu said okay, which counted as an agreement.

At this time, a comment drifted across the screen: 【Is Jiu-da in the recording studio? Why did I hear a soft girl voice just now?】

Ran Jiu only answered the first part of the question: “I’m not in the recording studio. I was sick a while ago, so I’ve been recovering at home. I just started broadcasting as soon as my throat felt a little better.”

Rong Ting thought, At least she didn’t lie about this part.

Fans expressed their concern, telling her to drink more water and take care of her voice.

Someone relentlessly asked: 【Is that soft girl voice your roommate?】

Ran Jiu didn’t hide it this time: “Mm, she’s living with me now.”

A wave of pink hearts appeared on the screen.

【Can Roommate Sister say hello, please?】

【I raise my hand in agreement! Xiao Jiu is so good, the roommate must be even cuter.】

【Since you’re here, don’t leave. How about the two of you do the curtain call together?】

Rong Ting thought Ran Jiu would brush it off, but instead, she smiled: “Then I’ll ask her.”

Seeing Ran Jiu turn towards her, Rong Ting was already waving her hands frantically, her face contorted in a mask of pain.

No no no no no—

Are you kidding me? Her voice on the mic? It was good enough that she could teach students.

Besides, what would she say on the mic? Ask them to collectively recite a text?

Ran Jiu mouthed to her: “Just say hello, I haven’t turned on the camera.”

This time, Rong Ting couldn’t avoid it. She gave her a cold look, resigned herself, and walked over.

The barrage seemed to have heard her footsteps and was flooded with comments, mostly urging her to speak.

Rong Ting took a deep breath: “Hello everyone, I am your Jiu… Jiu-da’s roommate.”

The screen instantly exploded.

【Hahaha, so cute! Is it that formal?】

【Little sister’s voice sounds so small. Is she an adult?】

【OMG, Jiu-da’s roommate also calls her Jiu-da. So, how big is Jiu-Jiu really?】

【Don’t speak casually in the front or you might get banned! But this voice is really soft girl, wuwuwu. I don’t know who to envy.】

【Since she calls her Jiu-da, does the soft girl know how to act spoiled?】

A more pragmatic comment floated by later: 【Roommate Sister, please help take care of Jiu-cub. Our cub loves to drink, can’t drink milk, doesn’t wear pants when it’s cold, and doesn’t like to take medicine when sick. Roommate must force her to drink less, make her put on long underwear, and take her medicine on time! Please help us take care of this cub! Bows!】

Rong Ting forgot the person couldn’t see her and nodded awkwardly. “Mm, I will.” She heard movement next to her.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the person was slumped over the desk, laughing so hard her shoulders were shaking, her butterfly bones even popping out slightly.

Ran Jiu laughed for a long time, then sat up and calmly said goodbye to her fans before logging off. She even had the presence of mind to tidy up a few scripts on the desk, then winked at Rong Ting. “Remember what you just said? You have to keep your word!”

She was dressed innocently today in a loose, deep blue T-shirt, yet it still couldn’t hide her collarbones. Two black straps ran over the center of her collarbones, tied at the back of her neck. When she smiled, it was alluring and wicked. “Seriously, do you want to try voice acting? If you do, I can introduce you!”

Rong Ting rejected her simply and clearly: “No.”

The air froze with that sound. Time stretched in that moment.

In the silence, some kind of barrier seemed to be quietly broken.

The smile on Ran Jiu’s face gradually faded. She asked a little seriously, “Why were you angry yesterday?”