I Fell in Love With My Cold-Hearted, Flirtatious Roommate (GL) - Chapter 28

The two put away the pile of colorful instant noodles. Ran Jiu picked up a package and looked at the wrapper. “Korean?”

“Mm.” Rong Ting carried the things home. “You like all sorts of instant noodle flavors, don’t you? So I bought a few bags from the imported supermarket.”

Ran Jiu was a little exasperated. She used to love instant noodles, but back then she was like a wild grass, uncared for, with no one to love her, and her life was down-and-out. That didn’t mean she still loved them now…

However, when she accidentally caught sight of the supermarket receipt and saw the price of the few bags of instant noodles, she decisively chose to shut up.

Rong Ting went to the kitchen to cook the noodles. Ran Jiu followed her like a tail, yet couldn’t help but feel a pang of worry: “Why buy such expensive instant noodles?”

Rong Ting had her back to her, but her voice carried a gentle smile: “Because you like them.”

Ran Jiu froze. As a CV, she had undergone countless professional trainings, required to experience and instantly access various complex emotions.

She was also accustomed to judging a person’s emotions through their voice.

At this moment, Rong Ting’s voice was clearly doting and affectionate.

The hot chicken noodles from the imported supermarket were spicier than the ones sold in regular supermarkets. Ran Jiu ate in silence, constantly huffing from the spice. Rong Ting handed her the fruit tea, and she took small sips, like a quiet, well-behaved kitten.

Rong Ting saw the sweat on her nose and was regretting putting in too much chili sauce, but then she saw Ran Jiu, halfway through the meal, pick up the chili packet next to her and squeeze the rest of it in…

Rong Ting couldn’t stop her at all, yet Ran Jiu seemed to enjoy it even more. Fortunately, the seaweed and tofu soup in the kitchen was ready. She brought the pot back and served them each a bowl.

Ran Jiu’s mood was complex at the moment. She didn’t understand why Rong Ting’s voice had been so doting, almost like… the sweet talk of a boyfriend coaxing his girlfriend. Rong Ting’s voice was especially soft and gentle, hitting some chord in Ran Jiu’s mind, and the resonance was still lingering.

Now, looking at the soup in front of her, Ran Jiu felt inexplicably guilty, a little blaming herself for overthinking, and feeling that it was a bit excessive to eat so much of her food without saying thank you.

She picked up the spoon and took a sip. The fresh sweetness of the seaweed perfectly blended into the soup. The soup, however, wasn’t salty at all, but light and refreshing. Even the tofu was tender and soft, melting in her mouth.

She suddenly looked up: “Tingting, your cooking is really too delicious.”

Rong Ting froze for a moment. Two very shallow dimples slowly appeared at the corners of her mouth, and she used that same doting voice: “As long as you like it.”

Too gentle.

Ran Jiu sucked a piece of tofu directly into her throat, her mind instantly crashing.

The day they returned to school, there was actually no class, but they had the May Fourth Choir competition. They were trapped on the fourth floor of the Faculty of Literature building for a full day of rehearsal, eating unified boxed lunches at noon. In the afternoon, the senior students brought a pile of drinks and snacks for them.

However, the long hours of rehearsal left everyone tired and exhausted. Rong Ting’s physical stamina was generally weak, and she soon started to struggle, her face turning an ashen, jade-like pallor.

Fortunately, they only rehearsed three times in the afternoon before the choir costumes arrived, and the remaining time was for trying them on and resting.

The boys wore white shirts with a national flag logo and black pants. The girls wore pleated skirts with red collars.

Rong Ting’s size was just right, fitting her body snugly.

She hadn’t worn a skirt in a long time. Looking in the mirror, she was slightly surprised. The fabric on the back of the skirt was thin and exquisite, subtly showing her butterfly bones. The skirt was cinched at the waist before flaring out, perfectly outlining her slender figure and narrow waistline.

Moreover, the light was dim. While others looked too white with powder or too red with rouge, her face was pleasantly clear, her contours soft and comfortable to look at.

Shortly after she put on the outfit, a senior sister came over to take a picture with her, followed by another, and several in a row…

Having inexplicably become a scenic spot, Rong Ting felt a little uneasy. While taking pictures, she tightly grasped the trailing edge of the skirt, looking anxiously at the camera, appearing innocent yet spirited.

“You are so cute.” The senior sisters liked to gently touch her arm, and lightly tap her neck. Zhang Ling was especially fond of her, pinching her cheek when she wasn’t looking.

Rong Ting laughed, pushing her away: “Don’t touch me randomly. Am I a moving scenic spot?”

At 5 PM, representatives from the various colleges participating in the choir competition gradually entered the Student Activity Center. The rest of the audience with tickets entered at 6 PM.

Backstage, Rong Ting was still taking deep breaths. Zhang Ling sighed in admiration next to her: “Little junior, you usually look so plain-faced. Why are you so beautiful when you wear a skirt?” She finished and shook her head ruefully, praising Rong Ting’s natural beauty and saying that finding a boyfriend wouldn’t be a problem as long as she dressed up more often.

She even had the air of someone taking charge, asking Rong Ting, gossiping-style, if she needed her to introduce her to a boyfriend.

Rong Ting decisively refused.

When they went on stage, the atmosphere in the Student Activity Center hall reached its climax. The front row of the auditorium was occupied by leaders from various colleges and some music department judges, while the back rows were for the audience who managed to get tickets.

The stage lights shone on them. Rong Ting was a little nervous, her palms sweating. Fortunately, she was standing in the middle, shielded by others in front. She quietly clenched her palms.

The background music slowly started. The soothing yet dynamic melody gradually rose, carrying the rhythmic feel unique to piano music, finally leading to the first line.

The conductor gestured toward the bass section.

The bass section followed the accompaniment and began the first part of the performance:

海上的晚霞像年少的畫 (The sunset glow on the sea is like a painting from youth) 鋪在天空等海鷗銜走它 (Spreading across the sky, waiting for the seagulls to carry it away) 遙遠的帆任風浪拍打 (The distant sail is battered by the wind and waves) 為夢再痛也不會害怕 (No matter how painful it is for the dream, there is no fear)

Then the baton suddenly transferred to the mezzo-soprano section. The girls’ eyes sparkled, and the atmosphere gradually heated up:

遠走的風沙去誰的天涯 (The far-flung sand goes to whose horizon) 春天可曾在哪裏見過他 (Has spring ever seen him there) 時間的手撫過了臉頰 (The hand of time stroked the cheek) 他們誰都沉默不說話 (None of them spoke, remaining silent) ……

Reaching the climax of the song, the soprano section took over the previous melody, and even the audience on the field became electrically quiet. A clear high note, naturally formed, rang out:

我希望許過的願望一路生花 (I hope the wishes I’ve made will bloom along the way)* 護送那時的夢抵擋過風沙 (Escorting the dream of that time to resist the wind and sand) 指尖的櫻花如詩寫誰的韶華 (The cherry blossoms on the fingertips write whose prime in a poem) 瘋狂的熱愛夾帶着文雅 (Crazy love mixed with elegance) ……

When the chorus ended, all the judges and the audience stood up and applauded. Standing on the stage, Rong Ting felt an unprecedented surge of emotion, her heart pounding intensely in her chest cavity.

They bowed and quickly ran back to the backstage preparation room, excitedly high-fiving and hugging. The President of the Faculty of Literature Student Union also happily ran in, saying that first place was secured again this time.

They were the third to last performance. After the Math and Life Science colleges finished singing, it was time for the awards ceremony.

The judges read out the awards starting from the “Excellent Award.” Third place to first place showed a clear decreasing trend. Only two slots remained for the first prize.

When the judge announced the College of Artificial Intelligence, the students there first looked incredulous, then stood up in ecstasy. A group of boys high-fived each other, almost fainting with joy on the spot. Their poor College President shed a few tears right there, and the others rushed to comfort him.

The judges smiled and waited for this interlude to pass. Then, the judge who announced the winner actually sat down.

Sat down…

Rong Ting was stunned, and so were the people around her. Their Faculty of Literature President looked confused: “That can’t be.”

The mood of the group suddenly dropped.

However, they watched the principal take the awards list, smiled towards their area, and their hearts heavily fell back into place.

Zhang Ling excitedly covered her mouth: “Oh my god, I can’t take it. This scene is too grand. Should I just faint first?”

Rong Ting even seriously held her: “Don’t faint. Wait, faint later.”

Zhang Ling didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

The principal’s gaze slowly returned to the list. His voice was full of vitality, syllable by syllable: “Next, I will announce the group that won first place.”

Everyone in the venue focused their gaze on their area, on the group of girls in red-collared white skirts.

“The group that won first place is: The Faculty of Literature!” The principal closed the list and started applauding. “Congratulations to the Faculty of Literature for winning the May Fourth Youth Choir Competition for the tenth consecutive time!”

The warm applause in the venue lasted for a long time. However, compared to the exaggerated excitement of the College of Information, even though their hearts were surging, their demeanor was internally reserved.

They silently walked up to receive the award, each person orderly. When the President held the trophy, they smiled in unison.

When they changed their clothes and emerged, Rong Ting reverted to the fresh student she was, with a plain face, wearing a light blue shirt and jeans.

Many senior sisters covered their mouths in surprise, pretending not to recognize her. She smiled, neither pleased nor annoyed.

Zhang Ling ran in, her eyes sparkling, gesticulating with her hands: “Guys, there’s a super beautiful young woman standing outside. Her legs are this long, she’s super skinny, and she has a super great aura! Is she a celebrity?”

Someone next to her asked gossiping: “Where?”

“Is she from our Faculty of Literature?”

Zhang Ling thought about it: “Probably not from our faculty. We only have a few people. The beautiful ones would have been dug up by the confession wall long ago.”

“Then from another college?”

Zhang Ling became anxious: “How would I know? I only saw her profile, but she felt somewhat familiar.” She suddenly remembered something. “Right, she seemed to have green hair.”

While everyone was anxiously asking questions, they didn’t notice that one person had already rushed out.

Rong Ting rushed to the entrance of the Student Activity Center, looking around but not seeing the person.

However, someone next to her tugged at her arm. A secret wave of ecstatic joy welled up in Rong Ting’s heart, but when she turned around and saw the person, her expression instantly cooled.

Chen Saiyu stood awkwardly at the doorway, handing her a bottle of water: “Xiao Ting, I was at the venue too. You sang so well, and the clothes were beautiful. Congratulations on getting first place.”

Rong Ting looked down at the hand offering the water for a moment, took the bottle, said thank you, and nothing more.

Chen Saiyu, however, was delighted by her action: “You’re welcome. You’re really amazing. I’ve never seen you sing before. Do you have time later? I remember you like to drink. I bought some peach-flavored Jiang Xiaobai (Chinese liquor) to celebrate. By the way, I once fooled you into thinking that drinking more alcohol could slow down nerve sensitivity and improve concentration, and you actually listened so obediently.”

“Chen Saiyu.” Rong Ting interrupted her. “Winning the award is a matter for the entire Faculty of Literature, not just me. Besides, it’s the choir that’s great, not just me. I’m a bit tired right now, and I don’t want to reminisce about the past, okay?”

She sneered slightly: “Besides, I remember that memory wasn’t pleasant. Maybe it was funny to you, but I almost missed the exam the next day.”

Chen Saiyu’s face turned pale and she was about to explain, but Rong Ting waved her hand: “It was my own overestimation back then. I can’t blame you.”

Before that exam, Wan Sang had repeatedly caused trouble for her. That period, she was overwhelmed with anxiety. Chaotic matters were tangled around her like endless threads, yet she couldn’t find the source.

At that time, the person who treated her best in the dorm was Chen Saiyu—or so she thought—so she placed her reliance on the wrong person.

That night, she was so troubled she couldn’t sleep, and the next day was the most difficult exam: Literary Theory. The professor who taught them was a big-shot who had earned a professorship in Germany. He often sarcastically told students that even if they understood 10% of the course, they still wouldn’t fail the final.

More tragically, he was telling the truth.

Memorizing things wasn’t a problem for Rong Ting, but she couldn’t figure out the obscure and peculiar propositions of Literary Theory. Coupled with her terrible mood, she broke down that night and ran out crying.

Chen Saiyu found her, pretending to care, asking all sorts of questions—what was wrong, whether she had a conflict with someone again, and asked about her study progress. After asking, she put on a solemn and sympathetic look, which made Rong Ting feel utterly worthless, leading to a complete mental breakdown.

Later, Chen Saiyu bought her two bottles of Jiang Xiaobai, saying the alcohol content wasn’t high and a little might alleviate her mood.

Who drinks alcohol before an exam? Rong Ting was skeptical, but the other party sounded so serious, a whole set of talking points, that Rong Ting actually thought she genuinely cared about her.

Only later did she realize that everything was nothing more than blatant mockery and sarcasm.

Chen Saiyu hurried to explain: “No, I was really worried about you then. Look, it’s not like we haven’t drunk before. I know your tolerance. How could I have known you almost—”

“Stop right there.” Rong Ting’s face had been joyous when she came out, but now her eyes only showed exhaustion. Her original good mood was completely gone, and she didn’t want to dwell on the past.

Firstly, the memory was genuinely unpleasant. Secondly, these things reminded her of her own foolishness.

However, the person in front of her didn’t seem to be leaving, so Rong Ting could only use the excuse of being tired and walked around her, planning to go downstairs.

Unexpectedly, Chen Saiyu grabbed her arm in a panic, “Xiao Ting!”

“Tingting?” At the same time, another voice rang out, clearly more melodious.

Rong Ting looked up in surprise and anger. Ran Jiu, standing two steps down, was looking at her.

It was a bit dark, making it difficult to clearly see her face, but her clear, gorgeous silhouette and her graceful, slender figure were definitely conspicuous.

Ran Jiu stood there lazily, arms crossed. Although she was two steps lower than them, her presence was much more imposing.

Ran Jiu, accustomed to voice acting, put on a performance instantly. She spoke in a very sweet, high-pitched voice: “Tingting, didn’t you ask me to come pick you up? I waited outside for a long time and didn’t see you. So you abandoned me to chat with a classmate?”

“No, I didn’t.” Rong Ting quickly pulled away from Chen Saiyu. “I’m going home with you right now.”

As Rong Ting came down, Ran Jiu immediately linked her arm through hers: “Back to our home?”

Rong Ting’s ear tips turned red upon hearing this, and she played along: “Mm.”

“What are you making for dinner? Can I have your Three-Cup Chicken?”

“Okay.”

“Don’t make me wait this late again. Apologize properly when we get home.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

After walking a distance, Ran Jiu let go of her arm, unable to hold back her laughter: “I asked you to apologize, and you actually did it seriously. I’m impressed.”

Rong Ting’s left side suddenly felt empty. The warm, intimate atmosphere was completely gone, and the body heat belonging to Ran Jiu disappeared. She felt a little unaccustomed to it.

Ran Jiu asked curiously: “I saw her last time. Is she looking for you again?”

“Mm.”

Ran Jiu thought about it thoughtfully. “Seriously, I feel like she cares about you. Are you close?”

Rong Ting said coldly: “No.”

“Then?”

Rong Ting admitted frankly: “As you saw last time, my relationship with the entire dorm isn’t good.”

She thought Ran Jiu would be surprised, perhaps asking why things were this way.

But Ran Jiu only paused for a moment, then said in a very relaxed tone: “It’s a good thing they’re not good. Otherwise, how would you have the chance to room with me? You should thank them.”

Rong Ting: “……”

“It doesn’t matter. Just be good with me from now on, and I will definitely treat you well.” She smiled, like an alluring and cunning fox, making it hard for Rong Ting to distinguish the truth from the fabrication in her words.

She hoped it was true.

Ran Jiu seemed inherently so confident, her words slightly teasing: “Did you really pass out after two bottles of Jiang Xiaobai?”

The thought of this made Rong Ting speechless. Her alcohol tolerance was normally okay; it was just that her mood was especially terrible that day. After studying all day, she was both exhausted and afraid to sleep. The two bottles of liquor fermented in her body, acting as a hypnotic, successfully putting her into a deep sleep, and she almost missed the exam the next day.

So, the blame couldn’t be entirely placed on Chen Saiyu.

Rong Ting’s mouth, however, was as stubborn as ever: “Absolutely not.”

“Oh, still being stubborn,” Ran Jiu reached out a finger and poked her cheek. “You’re especially cute at times like this.”

Rong Ting’s face flushed from the teasing, and she said anxiously: “You’re the one who gets milk-drunk.”

Ran Jiu still used that light, airy tone: “What’s wrong with being milk-drunk? Is being milk-drunk more embarrassing than being alcohol-drunk? Besides, I already told you not to misuse the term ‘milk-drunk,’ you know.”

You know~

Rong Ting’s heart suddenly felt lightly brushed by a feather, gently itchy and numb. “Alcohol intoxication also depends on a person’s willpower. My mood was very bad that night, and I was very tired, so… maybe I just really wanted to fall asleep.”

She didn’t want to explain further, lest Ran Jiu misunderstand her as a poor and indecisive person.

Hearing this, Ran Jiu glanced at her: “Fine, I believe you.”

This serious tone lasted for only two seconds before her voice changed: “Besides, you study Chinese literature. I can’t out-argue you.”

“You!” Rong Ting’s hairs bristled again. She was about to say, You used to study law!

She only managed to say “You,” but stopped herself in time.

She shook her head helplessly, realizing that once she really liked someone, she constantly cared about their feelings, even having to pull the sharp edges out of her words, afraid of hurting the other person.

Moreover, she hadn’t been innocent of doing such things either, so she had to be even more cautious in the future.

Ran Jiu, hearing her only utter “You” and then fall silent, thought she was at a loss for words and knew when to stop.

Rong Ting finally remembered to ask: “Why did you come over?”

Ran Jiu suddenly remembered something and gasped, a look of despair on her face: “I forgot something very important.”

“What?”

Ran Jiu, without explanation, pulled her and ran back. Only while running did she explain the situation clearly.

Rong Ting listened breathlessly, roughly understanding that the Little Freesia Studio had conducted online interviews with a few students from U University. Ran Jiu came over to meet them first and check their qualifications. Coincidentally, she met a classmate from her U University Student Union, who told her they were having the choir competition today.

After meeting the two students, Ran Jiu, having nothing else to do, asked the classmate to drop her off. She stood near the back door and watched for a while.

“You looked so serious standing there, your face was so stern, like a little rigid traditionalist.” Ran Jiu’s voice carried a cheerful laugh. “I spent the whole time just watching you, but you sang really well. My coaching wasn’t for nothing.”

Rong Ting truly didn’t understand why someone could speak in a teasing tone, yet say things that made her feel so ambiguous.

“So? You forgot about those two juniors?” Rong Ting pulled the conversation back to the main point.

“I saw the juniors, and interviewed them. That’s not the main thing.” Ran Jiu slowed her pace a little, but when she held Rong Ting’s wrist, the touch was still damp. She was sweating from running.

Their hands intertwined, and Rong Ting could even feel her subtly beating pulse.

Rong Ting was even more confused. “Then—”

Ran Jiu suddenly stopped. Rong Ting looked ahead. Wasn’t this their school’s student supermarket?

Sometimes, the delivery room for express packages and takeaways on campus was next to it, and missed items were piled up here.

“I forgot the flowers I bought for you,” Ran Jiu said seriously. Then, she gracefully bent down and retrieved a wrapped bouquet from the pile of items.

The flowers in front of them were still dewy. The inner layer was all lilies, surrounded by gladioli and yellow roses, with baby’s breath along the edges. The wrapping paper and ribbon were exquisite and beautiful.

Rong Ting was astonished: “When did you buy them?”

“I ordered them while you were singing.”

“Your performance of ‘Yi Lu Sheng Hua’ [Wish You All the Best] was super beautiful, truly.” Ran Jiu smiled. The night was so dark, yet her amber eyes seemed to hold flowing light. “So I bought a bouquet to wish you happiness every day and that everything you do will bloom along the way.”

Rong Ting was accustomed to being reserved. Suddenly faced with such a grand gesture of goodwill from someone else, especially Ran Jiu, she was completely taken aback.

She licked her lips for a moment, trying to speak but couldn’t form the words.

Ran Jiu suddenly patted her: “I know my words are a bit cheesy, but as long as the flowers are pretty, that’s enough, right? Don’t you like them?”

Don’t you like them?

Did she like the person or the flowers?

She seemed to like both.

Rong Ting held the bouquet helplessly, not even noticing that her grip was tightening, truly looking completely enamored.

Only when the branches on the outermost edge made a rustling sound did she realize she was holding them too tightly.

“Mm, I like them.”

She repeated softly: “I like them.”