When Liu Yiyi came out, she saw Shang Hui standing not far away and walked over to her.
"Yiyi, how did it go? The senior didn't give you a hard time, did he?" Shang Hui already knew that calling Liu Yiyi out of the blue was definitely because of the cafeteria incident.
"It's fine, it's already resolved."
Shang Hui didn't ask any further. About 10 minutes later, Senior Tan Qiuyan and the others came out to take attendance. After finishing, he said:
"Due to our mistake, today's gathering time was delayed by half an hour, so the evening roll call is cancelled. Also, there is a freshman welcome party tonight. Your direct seniors will inform you of the time and place, so please attend on time."
"Everyone go and complete your respective tasks. Dismissed!" As soon as he finished speaking, the cheers of the freshmen could be heard.
Shang Hui pulled Liu Yiyi, getting ready to leave as well. "Liu Yiyi, please wait a moment." Senior Tan Qiuyan and his friends came over. "I want to talk to you about what happened just now. I'm very sorry, it was my failure to consider things thoroughly. Also, I hope you understand that having a poor relationship with your seniors in this school is not good for your campus life."
Liu Yiyi looked at the senior in front of her and listened to what he said. "I understand, thank you for the warning, Senior." The senior looked into Liu Yiyi's clear eyes; she didn't seem to take what happened just now to heart. He nodded and added, "Junior, tonight's freshman welcome party will be held with Literature Department Class E1 and Economics Department Classes A1 and A2, at Vestr Restaurant at 7 PM."
"Senior, is it possible not to attend?" Liu Yiyi hesitated for a moment and asked.
Tan Qiuyan hadn't expected such a situation, as attendance at the gathering wasn't strictly mandatory. "You should still go to the freshman party. Don't you want to get to know your classmates?"
"Yiyi, let's go. If I go alone, I'll be bored to death," Shang Hui chimed in and persuaded her.
"That's right, Junior, it's better for you to participate in these activities. All freshman training sessions come with credits."
"I understand, Senior," Liu Yiyi said, looking at Shang Hui's expectant expression.
"Great, see you tonight then." Senior Tan Qiuyan said goodbye to them.
"Yiyi, let's go to the pool to see the abdominal muscles and get the signature done!" Shang Hui grabbed Liu Yiyi and started walking. The walk to the natatorium was quite long, so they had to take the campus shuttle. The shuttle was completely open without windows, and Liu Yiyi found a seat near the edge.
The shuttle started moving, and the warm breeze blowing against their faces felt very comfortable. Looking at the buildings passing by one after another, Liu Yiyi couldn't help but feel that T University was truly vast and its architecture magnificent—truly deserving of being Country T's top institution. After about 15 minutes, they arrived at the natatorium and got off. They took out their student IDs and walked inside. There weren't many people inside, but it wasn't empty either.
Liu Yiyi found a seat and sat down, saying to Shang Hui, "I'll wait for you here."
"Okay, I'll be right back." Shang Hui took her notebook and merged into the crowd.
Liu Yiyi took out her phone to continue previewing her upcoming lessons. Time slipped away bit by bit, and in about half an hour, Shang Hui came back, standing in front of her and holding up her notebook. "Yiyi, it's done! Where should we go next? How about... I take you on a tour of the campus?"Shang Hui took Liu Yiyi for a tour around the Literature Department. Behind the department building lay an artificial lake called Crescent Valley, named for its striking crescent moon shape. Winding pebble paths paved the area around the lake, shaded by weeping willows that dipped their branches low, making the white benches beneath them stand out even more. In the middle of the lake stood a brown pedestrian bridge flanked by fountains. Under the sunlight, the water shimmered with a faint green hue, imparting a revitalizing sense of rebirth.
An environment like this was ideal for couples to chat. The seats under the trees were already filled with people. Country T was quite open-minded, and one could see male-female, male-male, and female-female couples caressing each other's heads and kissing at the corners of the mouth.
After leading her around for just a little while, Shang Hui patted Liu Yiyi and said, "Yiyi, it's already past five o'clock. Let's head back to our dorms to change. Where are you staying?"
"Jinxi Apartment."
"I'm at another apartment complex called Yushang. So how about you wait for me at Jinxi Apartment? That restaurant is closer to your place," Shang Hui said, reasonably arranging the meeting time.
"Then I'll head back first. I'll contact you when I get there." Waving at her, Shang Hui left.
Seeing an empty seat, Liu Yiyi walked over and sat down, gently closing her eyes to take in the surrounding sounds: the wind, the water, the laughter, and the chirping of insects—all blending into a deep sense of peace.
Everything that had happened today seemed to fade away right here. She raised the corners of her mouth slightly and opened her eyes. It was nearly six o'clock. She got up to leave, returned to her dorm, and changed into a white hooded athletic outfit. She favored solid-colored clothing with very few patterns. Looking in the mirror, she tidied her wind-tossed hair just as her phone rang—Shang Hui had already arrived downstairs at the apartment building.
Liu Yiyi picked up her bag, put her phone and keys inside, and headed downstairs. Downstairs, Shang Hui waved at her. As Liu Yiyi stepped out through the glass door, Shang Hui looked her over: a plain white short-sleeved top, matching shorts, and sneakers with practically no other colors, accessorized only with a light brown crossbody bag and a matching watch on her wrist. "Yiyi, you're dressed way too plainly. Look at me—little leather skirt, high heels," Shang Hui said, pointing to her own outfit.
Liu Yiyi looked at her: Shang Hui was wearing an indigo short-sleeved blouse printed with numerous brown and coffee-colored little flowers, layered with two butterfly bows at the neckline, a black leather skirt, matching high heels, and a cyan-green bag, finished with a full face of makeup. The outfit suited her very well, matching her vibrant and energetic personality.
Shang Hui glanced at her phone. "There's still time. Would you rather go change?"
"No need, this is fine." Seeing that Liu Yiyi couldn't be rushed, Shang Hui dropped the subject. "How are we getting there? Should I ride a bike and give you a ride?" Liu Yiyi pointed a finger at a silver-white bicycle parked downstairs.
Shang Hui looked down at her short skirt. Following her gaze, Liu Yiyi understood. "Is it far? Should we take a taxi instead?"
"It's not far, only about 700 meters from here. Let's just walk over." Linking her arm through Yiyi's, Shang Hui led the way toward Vestr Restaurant.