Chapter 7

The half-month military training came to an end with the instructors’ departure. After the closing performance, the first thing Yue Bai did when she got back to the dorm was strip off her military training uniform and slip into her own clothes.

“Still, nothing beats my own clothes,” Yue Bai murmured as she folded the uniform neatly. After a moment’s thought, she decided to toss it into a basin to wash and put away later. After all, it was part of her college life.

“Are we just gonna hole up in the dorm for our two days off?” Xu Nuo called out from her lower bunk, poking her head halfway out.

“Holy crap, you scared me! Popping out like that,” Zhao Yu shot back. “Careful, or I’ll shove your head back in.”

Over the course of military training, the four of them had grown much closer.

“Boo hoo hoo, would you really, Yu Yu?” Xu Nuo whined pitifully.

“Totally,” Zhao Yu replied deadpan.

“Fine then.” Xu Nuo sat up, looking down at the other three with mock grievance. “I heard there’s a murder mystery game shop near campus. Wanna go?”

“I think one session takes a few hours, right?” Yue Bai turned around to sit sideways, sipping her milk through a straw she’d chewed flat.

“Nah, forget it then.” Xu Nuo pivoted to another idea. “How about the Pedestrian Street? Let’s go shopping.”

“Sounds good. I need to pick up some daily essentials anyway, and we could grab dinner there,” Chen Han agreed.

“Me too,” Zhao Yu chimed in.

Yue Bai finished her yogurt with a final slurp and tossed the carton into the trash bin in a perfect arc. She pretended to ponder the question.

“Little Bai, you in?” Xu Nuo hollered bluntly.

“I’m in, I’m in—but you’re the little one!” Yue Bai bristled at the nickname. She jumped up, pretending to lunge at Xu Nuo, who scooted back with a grin.

“Little Bai’s such a cute name,” Xu Nuo taunted, pulling a face. “Can’t catch me, can’t catch me!”

Yue Bai couldn’t help laughing at her. She didn’t actually chase and sat back down. “I’ve got stuff to buy anyway.”

That morning while washing her face, she’d noticed her face towels were running low. It was a perfect excuse to restock. Plus, after all those days cooped up in training, she was dying to see the outside world.

After a quick tidy-up, Yue Bai sat waiting for her roommates. She watched the other three bustling about, her brows furrowing into a deep crease.

“You guys still not done with makeup?” Yue Bai asked helplessly, glancing in the mirror. She’d only done a light touch-up.

“It’s a rare outing—we’ve gotta doll up properly. Who knows, I might run into my future sweetheart,” Xu Nuo said, clasping her hands under her chin with starry eyes full of longing.

Zhao Yu shot her a look. “Yeah, right. You were yapping about finding someone every day during training, and nothing’s come of it.”

“Well, I gotta actually find one first,” Xu Nuo retorted.

“That guy from the next class who confessed to you seemed pretty nice,” Chen Han suggested.

“Him? Too straight-laced. I like ’em roguishly handsome,” Xu Nuo replied while applying lipstick.

Yue Bai fiddled with her phone, eavesdropping on their chatter. She checked her QQ—the class group had a message from the counselor about holiday safety tips, like staying vigilant against scams.

Ten minutes later, the other three finally finished their makeup.

“Finally,” Yue Bai couldn’t resist teasing. “No wonder you’re all single—this takes forever.”

Xu Nuo bristled. “You got ready quick, but you’re still a singleton yourself!”

Yue Bai fell silent.

A University was just two subway stops from the Pedestrian Street, with the station right by the north gate.

It being the weekend, the already bustling street was even more crowded and lively.

Yue Bai whistled softly. “So many people.”

“Here, hold on to big sis so you don’t get lost,” Xu Nuo said, extending her arm in front of Yue Bai with a doting smile.

“Get lost,” Yue Bai laughed, shoving the arm away.

Weaving through the throng, Yue Bai glanced at the shops on one side—mostly clothing and shoe stores, dotted with a few snack stalls. She wasn’t hungry, but something tempting caught her eye anyway.

“Pig trotters!” Her eyes lit up as she grabbed the person next to her excitedly. “Wait for me—I’m grabbing a pig trotter.”

Zhao Yu eyed the small shop’s rack, where a few perfectly grilled trotters sat, glistening and aromatic. “Replenishing collagen?”

“No wonder your skin’s so good—you like these?” Chen Han teased.

“They’re seriously delicious.” After ordering a spicy one, Yue Bai added, “You guys should try one.”

Xu Nuo shook her head vigorously. “Hard pass.”

“Can I try one?” A gentle voice floated from nearby. Sang Wan approached with a warm smile for the group, her clear gaze lingering on the sizzling trotter. “Smells amazing. Bet it’s tasty.”

“Hi, Senior Sister!” three voices greeted her in unison.

Sang Wan acknowledged each one. Her gaze settled on the sole silent girl, a faint smile rippling in her eyes. “Junior Sister?”

“Senior Sister, what brings you here?” Yue Bai blurted out, then cringed inwardly at how dumb it sounded the next second.

It was the weekend—everyone was off, including Sang Wan. And what business was it of hers anyway? Why ask something so nosy?

How rude. Yue Bai wanted to sink into the ground.

“Just out for fun,” Sang Wan replied, oblivious to Yue Bai’s inner turmoil. “And picking up a few things.”

“Oh, right.” Yue Bai nodded dumbly. “You here alone, Senior Sister?”

“Yeah, my roommates had stuff to do.” Sang Wan glanced at the vendor calling “Ready!” then at the frozen Yue Bai. She reached out and took the handed-over trotter. “Yours is done.”

“Ah, thanks, Senior Sister.” Yue Bai fumbled to take it, stammering her gratitude.

“What for?” Sang Wan found it amusing. “It’s yours anyway.”

Yue Bai mumbled incoherently, nodding stiffly while holding her breath.

“Hey… Yue Bai, why don’t you hang out with Senior Sister?” Xu Nuo suggested helpfully. “Must be boring shopping solo.”

“Uh…” Yue Bai hesitated, glancing at Sang Wan—only to meet her soft, watery gaze.

“Would that be okay?” Sang Wan tilted her head slightly, her gentle features bathed in a warm golden glow from the sunlight.

“Y-Yeah… sure.” Yue Bai’s body tensed, her voice unsteady.

“Alright then, we’re off! Take good care of Senior Sister, Little Bai.” Xu Nuo flashed a cheeky gesture at Yue Bai.

Traitor, Yue Bai thought bitterly. Meeting Sang Wan’s curious eyes, she asked, “Where do you want to shop, Senior Sister?”

Sang Wan smiled faintly, her tone teasing. “Little Bai?”

“Senior Sister!” Yue Bai protested shyly.

“Alright, alright—I think it’s cute. But if you don’t like it, I won’t use it.” Seeing Yue Bai’s big reaction, Sang Wan dropped the teasing and got serious.

“No, I… I like it.” A blush dusted Yue Bai’s cheeks. “You can call me that, Senior Sister.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Then, Little Bai, shall we head somewhere else?” Sang Wan’s trotter was ready too. After thanking the vendor, the two set off in the other direction.

The Pedestrian Street near the university district was full of couples—guys and girls strolling hand-in-hand, dipping in and out of shops. Yue Bai looked around with wide-eyed curiosity, stealing glances at the woman beside her.

Sang Wan was about the same height as her, around five-foot-seven. Tilting her head, Yue Bai could see her jade-like fair complexion, refined and exquisite features, and eyes brimming with an inseparable gentle languor.

Sang Wan was beautiful, both in looks and aura—top-tier.

Logically, someone like her should have hordes of admirers at university. So why had Yue Bai never heard anything? She stared openly at Sang Wan. Suddenly, she recalled dorm gossip: Sang Wan had plenty of suitors, but two god-tier ones had scared the rest off.

Wonder who Senior Sister Sang will end up with. Yue Bai mused inwardly.

“Is there something on my face? You’ve been staring forever.” Sang Wan stopped walking, her lips curving in helpless amusement.

That gaze had been too blatant to ignore—Yue Bai had stared without a shred of subtlety.