Chapter -5

Ji Yang walked wearily back to her

dorm, her steps slow and deliberate.

But fate had other plans as she stumbled upon a troubling scene unfolding between Lin Jiaqi and Li Yi Ming.

"Hey Yi Ming, why are you ignoring me?" Jiaqi's tone was tinged with irritation as she gestured toward Yi Ming's phone.

Yi Ming's response was terse, his cold demeanor apparent. "I'm busy. I don't have time for you. Don't bother me," he replied sharply.

Without another word, Yi Ming turned to leave, brushing past Jiaqi. She reached out to stop him, but he pushed her aside, and she stumbled, falling to the ground with a cry of pain.

Ji Yang, witnessing the scene, hurried over to Jiaqi's side. "Are you alright? Did you get hurt?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.

Jiaqi: "Yeah, my knee hurts..."

Ji Yang noticed the wound on Jiaqi's knee and turned her gaze toward Yi Ming, her expression a mixture of concern and reproach.

Ji Yang: "What are you looking at? Hurry up, take her to the infirmary."

Yi Ming, his demeanor cold and distant, reluctantly complied, carrying Jiaqi to the infirmary with an air of frustration.

After the doctor tended to Jiaqi's wounds, Ji Yang seized the opportunity to confront Yi Ming.

Ji Yang: "Hey Yi Ming, what's wrong with you? Why are you so rude to people? Why did you treat her like that?"

Yi Ming, his tone defensive, responded curtly.

Yi Ming: "I did nothing. She got hurt on her own. And how I treat others is none of your business."

With a final, fierce look, Yi Ming took his leave from the infirmary, leaving Ji Yang to ponder the complexities of his character and the impact of his actions.

As Ji Yang stepped into her dorm room, greeted by the familiar presence of her roommates, a wave of exhaustion washed over her, mingling with the lingering unease from the day's events.

Xu Ming's voice cut through the air, laced with concern and a hint of reproach.

Xu Ming: "Yangyang, where were you? You said you were going back to the dorm to get some sleep."

Linlin's curiosity bubbled forth, her words echoing Xu Ming's sentiments. "Yeah, where have you been? It's been an hour since you left the classroom."

Liang Wei's gentle inquiry pierced the tense atmosphere, her voice soft with genuine concern. "Are you alright? Did something happen?"

With a heavy sigh, Ji Yang recounted the events of the day, her voice betraying a hint of frustration and uncertainty.

Linlin, ever the outspoken one, voiced her confusion and frustration. "What's wrong with Yi Ming? I really don't get him."

Xu Ming's curiosity piqued, seeking to unravel the threads of the situation.

Xu Ming: "Hey, who is Jiaqi?"

Liang Wei, ever observant, provided a brief explanation, her voice calm and composed.

"She's from the reporting department. Her room is on the 5th floor."

Xu Ming nodded in understanding, while Liu Mei leaned in, eager for more information.

Linlin: "How do you know her?"

Liang Wei: I also joined the reporting club.

Linlin nodded her head.

Ji Yang, feeling the weight of exhaustion bearing down upon her, made a decision.

Ji Yang: "Okay, I'm going to get some sleep now. Wake me up at dinner time."

Xu Ming: "It's okay, get some sleep. We'll wake you up."

With a grateful nod, Ji Yang climbed into her bunk, the warmth of her blankets enveloping her weary frame as she surrendered to the embrace of sleep.

Zhou Linlin urged Liang Wei to wake up Ji Yang as dinner time approached.

"Liang Wei, wake up Ji Yang. Xu Ming and I are heading to the canteen first. We'll save seats for you guys, so hurry up," Zhou Linlin instructed.

Liang Wei nodded in understanding and approached Ji Yang.

"Hey, Yangyang, it's almost dinner time," Liang Wei said gently, trying to rouse her dormmate.

Ji Yang stirred and responded, "Okay, I got it. You go ahead, I just need to wash my face first, then I'll come."

"Alright, I'm going first, but hurry up," Liang Wei replied before exiting the dorm room, leaving Ji Yang to prepare herself for dinner.

Ji Yang hurried to the cafeteria, but she ran into Yi Ming along the way. Just as she was about to fall, Yi Ming caught her by the waist, and they found themselves locked in a momentary gaze.

"You... you can let me go now," Ji Yang stammered, feeling flustered by the unexpected encounter.

"Ah... Ahmm, why are you in such a hurry? If I hadn't caught you, you would have fallen on your face," Yi Ming remarked, his tone slightly teasing.

"Hey, what are you saying?" Ji Yang replied, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and irritation.

"Am I wrong?" Yi Ming countered.

"Forget it. And thanks," Ji Yang said, attempting to change the subject. "Are you also going to have dinner?"

"What do you think I would do outside the cafeteria?" Yi Ming retorted, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Who knows, maybe catching mosquitoes or maybe feeding them," Ji Yang quipped back.

Yi Ming sighed. "I don't know why I always run into you."

"You think that I want to? Ha, it's my bad luck that I always run into you," Ji Yang responded with a small laugh.

"Are you coming?" Yi Ming asked, indicating towards the cafeteria.

"Yeah, coming," Ji Yang replied, following him to the food line. As they waited, it was almost Ji Yang's turn when she realized she had forgotten her card.

"What happened? Scan your card," Yi Ming suggested.

"You go first," Ji Yang insisted.

"Why?" Yi Ming questioned.

"I forgot my card," Ji Yang admitted reluctantly.

"Come, I'll scan mine twice," Yi Ming offered.

"No, no need. I'm fine. My roommates are here. I'll bring the card from them," Ji Yang insisted, starting to walk away.

But Yi Ming stopped her by holding her wrist and scanned his card twice. "Here, take it," he said, handing her the scanned card.

"I said it's fine," Ji Yang protested weakly.

"I've already done it. If you don't want to eat it, then throw it," Yi Ming replied, his expression firm.

"It would be a waste then," Ji Yang murmured.

"Then eat it," Yi Ming insisted.

"Hmm, okay. I'll eat. Thanks," Ji Yang replied gratefully.

Just as they were standing there, Liu Mei called out to Ji Yang, waving her hand.

"Yangyang, come here," Liu Mei called.

Ji Yang turned to Yi Ming and said, "I'm going now. Thanks."

Yi Ming nodded and turned to his roommates, leaving Ji Yang to join her friends for dinner.

Linlin teased Ji Yang, "Baby, did you sleep well?"

Ji Yang nodded in response, "Yeah."

Xu Ming chimed in with a question, "Hey Yangyang, how did you get your food when your card is with me?"

Ji Yang looked puzzled, "What do you mean ?my card is with you?"

Xu Ming explained, "That's right. Before leaving the room, I brought it with me. I thought you might forget to bring it in a hurry, so I brought it along."

Ji Yang chuckled, "Oh, I thought I forgot it. I was waiting in line, then found out I didn't have it with me. Li Yi Ming was also there. I was coming to you guys to borrow your card, but he stopped me and scanned his card."

All of them reacted in surprise, "What? Yi Ming? That poker face?"

Ji Yang cautioned them, "Keep it low, what if he hears?"

Zhou linlin continued, "He really..."

But Ji Yang quickly interrupted, "Alright, let's eat."

Liang Wei interjected, "Oh, tomorrow we don't have any class."

"That's right, I almost forgot. Tomorrow I'll sleep all day, and in the evening, we will go out to have fun," Zhou Linlin exclaimed excitedly.

Ji Yang nodded in agreement, "Okay, no problem."

Xu Ming let out a sigh, catching everyone's attention.

"What happened?" Ji Yang asked, concerned.

Xu Ming sighed again, "I also want to sleep all day, but tomorrow Teacher Ma has called me and Wang Rui to discuss some things about our department."

Zhou Linlin comforted her, "It's okay, darling, don't be sad."

Xu Ming responded with a noncommittal noise, still feeling a bit disappointed about missing out on a day of rest.

As they entered their room Ji Yang proposed, "Anyone want to shower?"

Linlin replied lazily, "No, I'm too lazy."

Xu Ming shook her head, "Forget it, I have to wake up early."

Liang Wei offered, "Then I'll accompany you."

Ji Yang agreed, "Okay, Weiwei, let's go."

Together, they headed off to the shower.

Next day, As Xu Ming prepared for her meeting with Mr. Ma, she glanced up at her sleeping roommates on their bunks.

"Look at these people sleeping soundly. I also want to sleep," she mumbled to herself.

Ji Yang, who had just removed her bed curtain, chimed in, "Mingming, why are you shouting in the morning?"

Linlin joined the conversation, adding, "That's right, sister, what are you doing?"

Xu Ming sighed in frustration, "Don't ask me, I'm annoyed."

Ji Yang, now fully awake, asked, "Hey, where are you going in the early morning?"

"Early morning?" Xu Ming scoffed, checking the time. "Sis, look at the time, it's 10 AM. And didn't I tell you last time that I have a meeting?"

Ji Yang nodded in understanding, "Oh, really."

Linlin interjected, "Hey, bring some food for me on your way back. I have no energy to walk to the cafeteria."

Xu Ming rolled her eyes, "Zhou Linlin, look at you. Forget it, I'm leaving."

"Don't forget to bring food!" Linlin called out as Xu Ming exited the room.

Xu Ming received a call from Wang Rui as she made her way to the meeting.

"Hello, Xu Ming, where are you? You haven't come yet. Don't tell me you forgot about the meeting?" Wang Rui's voice sounded concerned.

"No, no, monitor, I didn't forget about the meeting. I'm on my way. I'll be there in a few minutes," Xu Ming assured her.

"Okay, hurry up. I'm waiting for you outside the office," Wang Rui replied.

"Okay," Xu Ming confirmed before ending the call.

At the office, Mr. Ma initiated the conversation, "Have you guys made the arrangements for our department?"

Xu Ming responded confidently, "Yes, we are almost done."

Mr. Ma nodded in acknowledgment, "Yesterday, I announced about students finding partners to work with. Is it done?"

Wang Rui confirmed, "Yeah, here, have a look."

Mr. Ma examined the document before him and nodded in approval. "It's good then. Today, I've called you because we have a project we need students to work on. I've selected four of your seniors, but I still need two more people to work with. Do you have any suggestions?"

Wang Rui suggested, "Teacher Ma, I think Li Yi Ming can do it."

Xu Ming agreed, "Yeah, and among us girls, I think Ji Yang would be perfect to work with."

Mr. Ma considered their suggestions, "I also think so. Okay, then you guys can go now. Wait, tell Yi Ming to see me in half an hour."

Wang Rui acknowledged, "Okay, then we are leaving."

Xu Ming added, "Thanks, teacher, take care," before they exited the office.

Wang Rui initiated the conversation, "Hey, Xu Ming, where are you going now?"

Xu Ming replied, "Me? I'm going to the cafeteria to bring some food to the dorm."

Wang Rui exclaimed, "What a coincidence, me too! Let's go together."

Xu Ming agreed, "Okay, let's go."

Wang Rui then remembered something and said, "Oh, right, let me make a call to Yi Ming."

Xu Ming nodded in understanding.

Wang Rui dialed Yi Ming's number and waited for him to pick up. When he did, she said, "Hello, Yi Ming, where are you?"

Yi Ming responded, "I'm at the dorm. What happened?"

Wang Rui replied, "Nothing much. Mr. Ma has called you to see him in half an hour."

"Okay, I got it," Yi Ming acknowledged before ending the call.