The next morning.
The sound of running water from washing echoed in the dormitory.
Long Aotian was a light sleeper, and the noise, combined with his ingrained biological clock, roused him from his drowsiness.
Rubbing his bleary eyes, he glanced around and noticed Huang Fei’s bed was empty. "Old Huang, you’re up early today?"
"Couldn’t sleep," Huang Fei replied as he stepped out, already dressed impeccably—more formal than when he went home for New Year’s matchmaking.
"What you said yesterday made a lot of sense, so I’ve decided to help Shen Mengjie find that coward who only dares to scheme behind people’s backs."
"I’m way too curious about this spineless guy."
Their conversation woke Li Longlong and Xu Shuai as well.
"Honestly, we’re pretty curious too," they chimed in, climbing out of bed.
Just as Huang Fei was about to say something, Li Longlong and Xu Shuai thumped their chests. "No need to explain. Brothers understand."Huang Fei smiled. He truly owed his brothers a lot for their unwavering support.
With anyone else, Long Aotian might’ve hesitated—he often came off as too mature.
But Li Longlong and Xu Shuai? They were usually the first to crack jokes at his expense.
Yet now, they weren’t laughing at him...
After getting ready, the "Four Heavenly Kings" of Dorm 147 strode out of the building together once again.
"Last time we all left the dorm together was... well, last time."
"Damn, that’s some flawless logic!"
"Hahaha..."
Watching the three of them banter and joke around, Huang Fei’s mood lightened a little.
His gaze drifted to Long Aotian. Sometimes, he had to admit the guy was right: liking Shen Mengjie was exhausting...
"By the way, Old Aotian, what have you been up to all this time?"
"Yeah, every time we wake up on days without class, you’re already gone. You disappear for the whole day."
"A secret. I’ll tell you guys eventually," Long Aotian said, stretching. Being with them made him feel younger.
"A secret?"
"There are no secrets in Dorm 147!" Xu Shuai declared solemnly. "You three grilled me until I spilled all my little secrets, and now you’re keeping one from us?"
"Speaking of which, didn’t you used to not own this outfit? Wang Lijuan bought it for you, didn’t she?" Long Aotian eyed Xu Shuai up and down.
Love really could change a person.
Before, Xu Shuai had been slightly chubby, with questionable fashion sense.
But after dating Wang Lijuan for just a short while, he’d slimmed down a bit—not drastically, but enough to notice—and his wardrobe had definitely leveled up...
At the mention of this, Xu Shuai straightened proudly, brushing his sleeves affectionately. "Yeah, I told her not to, but she insisted on buying it for me."
"Had no choice but to return the favor and get her something too..."
His grin never faded as he spoke, radiating smugness.
That smile stabbed straight into Huang Fei’s heart. "Take it off."
"Yeah, strip it off right now."
Xu Shuai immediately clutched his jacket protectively.
"You’re only allowed to wear our clothes. We’ve got plenty—open the wardrobe and pick whatever you want."
"You pinch pennies when it’s time to treat us to a meal, but splurge on Wang Lijuan? You’re the worst, flaunting your relationship like this!"
They yanked the jacket right off him.
Huang Fei tried it on, then passed it to Li Longlong, who handed it to Long Aotian, who finally returned it to Xu Shuai.
Just like that, the mood lifted considerably.
Outside the girls’ dormitory, under the watchful eyes of his three friends, Xu Shuai called Wang Lijuan.
After some stammering and mumbling, he relayed the situation.
Long Aotian, with his sharp hearing, turned to Xu Shuai in disbelief. "Damn, he’s snitching on us!"
"We ask you to handle business, and you tattle?"
"No justice, no order in this world!"
Before long, Wang Lijuan came jogging over, shooting Long Aotian and the others a disapproving look. "Stop bullying Xu Shuai."
"Exactly! They’re always picking on me. Only my Lijuan treats me right." With Wang Lijuan backing him, Xu Shuai laid on the sweetness thick.
Their fists clenched at the sight of his shameless, lovey-dovey expression.
The stench of romance was unbearable...
Soon, Shen Mengjie and her two roommates descended as well.
Her gaze flickered toward Long Aotian for a fleeting moment before she averted her eyes, focusing on Huang Fei instead. "I can handle this myself."
She knew Long Aotian and the others were only helping because of Huang Fei.
She was aware of Huang Fei’s feelings for her—which was precisely why she felt so conflicted.
Shen Mengjie had once declared she’d never deliberately lead anyone on, but if she found someone she liked, she’d pursue them outright.
She did have a soft spot for Huang Fei, but it wasn’t romantic.
At first, she’d enjoyed the attention, basking in the admiration.
When Huang Fei had confronted her about it, she’d been honest—because she genuinely didn’t care.
The old Shen Mengjie wouldn’t have hesitated to use anyone who desired her, exploiting them to her advantage.
But now, faced with Huang Fei’s sincerity, she couldn’t bring herself to do it...
Huang Fei pressed his lips together, meeting Shen Mengjie’s eyes. "You’re my buddy’s girlfriend’s roommate. If you’re upset, it’ll affect my buddy’s relationship. For the sake of their happiness, the Four Heavenly Kings of Dorm 147 won’t stand by."
"Besides, we’re classmates. It’s only right to back up our female classmates..."
"Come on, Mengjie, don’t refuse. It’s better if we all go together," Wang Lijuan urged.
She knew Shen Mengjie’s personality—she wasn’t the type to make empty threats. If they actually uncovered who was behind the rumors, Shen Mengjie would absolutely confront them head-on.
If it were just the girls alone...
Zhang Mengmeng was too timid to raise her voice, Han Xiaojing was quiet and reserved, and Wang Lijuan herself wasn’t exactly fearless...
At least with the guys around, they’d feel braver...
Han Xiaojing nodded in agreement. She was a little nervous too...
Zhang Mengmeng suddenly spoke up softly, "I think whoever it is won’t dare escalate things. They’ll probably delete the post soon..."
Shen Mengjie turned to her, smiling as she took her hand. "Mengmeng, don’t worry. This isn’t your fight. Just stay behind us and cheer me on when I tear into them, okay?"
Zhang Mengmeng looked at her, then nodded gently.
"That’s more like it." Shen Mengjie pulled up her hood, the oversized fabric obscuring half her face.
Watching her force herself to appear cheerful, Long Aotian couldn’t help but think how exhausting it must be to live like that.
Happy or not, she wore a mask of happiness. After so long, could she even remember what her real face looked like?