Mrs. Steele’s words shattered the self-respect Nina Steele had so carefully maintained in front of her roommates.

For the past three years of university, Nina had been working constantly to earn her tuition and living expenses, barely taking a single day off.

Even so, she had never participated in any school fundraisers, nor had she ever told anyone about her family’s situation.

She just didn’t want others to look down on her or pity her.

But now, on her mother’s very first day here, she had already trampled her daughter’s dignity into the dust.

It was only then that Eve Vaughn and Regina Shaw realized what Nina’s family situation was really like.

No wonder she went out to work every day, taking any part-time job she could find.

Regina had even complained before that Nina was obsessed with money.

Eve had also seen her get just thirty cents’ worth of rice for a meal, which she would then soak in the free soup from the cafeteria to make it last.

Although they disliked Mrs. Steele even more now, they chose to compromise for Nina’s sake.

Eve walked over to Regina and whispered, "How about we just let her mom stay in the dorm for one night?"

Regina, who had been adamant about kicking Mrs. Steele out, just coldly said two words: "Suit yourself!"

Eve was starting to realize that Regina was a classic example of someone with a tough exterior but a soft heart.

In the end, they agreed to let Mrs. Steele stay in the dorm room.

Nina thanked them, blushing deeply. She couldn’t even meet their eyes, afraid she would see scorn and contempt in them.

Eve saw the mother and daughter squeezed onto the small bed meant for one person and felt a pang of pity for Nina.

She remembered that Aria was gone, which meant her bed was empty. Eve hesitated for a moment.

"Nina, Aria moved out to live with her boyfriend today. Why don’t you let your mom sleep in her bed? You can just grab a blanket and make it up for her."

Before Nina could even respond to Eve’s suggestion, Mrs. Steele eagerly kicked her daughter and said, "Well? Aren’t you going to go make the bed for me?"

Just then, Eve’s WeChat buzzed.

Unexpectedly, it was a message from Regina. "Aria’s a total germaphobe, and she’s so dramatic. You’re really going to let that old woman sleep in her bed? If she finds out, she’ll throw a fit at you!"

Eve jolted. She felt like bowing ninety degrees to Regina in gratitude.

But she had already made the offer, and Nina was already getting out of bed to prepare the bedding.

Left with no choice, Eve said, "Well... then... why don’t you let your mom sleep in my bed? I’ll sleep in Aria’s."

After all, Aria used to crawl into her bed all the time, and they would binge-watch shows together under the same blanket.

’If I sleep in Aria’s bed, it should be fine.’

Nina immediately understood what Eve was getting at.

But she knew her mother was unwelcome—heck, even Nina herself found her unbearable, let alone anyone else.

So, in the end, Nina slept in Eve’s bed, while Mrs. Steele slept in Nina’s.

By the time that whole ordeal was over, it was already past midnight.

Tucked in her covers, Eve couldn’t resist sharing the strange events of the evening with Mason Lawson.

As expected, Mason wasn’t asleep either.

After reading her long-winded message, Mason told her not to meddle in other people’s business and to just take care of herself.

Eve thought about Regina’s behavior that night and typed, "I think I might actually have a chance of becoming good friends with Senior Shaw. She’s a good person, just a bit short-tempered."

Mason sent her a thumbs-up sticker and added, "I’m going on a business trip tomorrow. I’ll probably be gone for a few days, so you be good."

Eve replied, "Mr. Lawson, you have to come back soon. I’ll miss you."

Mason sent back three words: "Where do you?"

Eve blushed and also sent back three words: "In my heart."

"Oh? You don’t miss me anywhere else?"

Mason always loved to tease her like this.

Even though Eve wasn’t with him, he could perfectly picture the young woman blushing beet-red.

Sure enough, Eve’s reply came: "You perverted old man!"

"Just wait for this ’old man’ to come back and spoil you properly."

Eve stared at the words on her screen, her cheeks burning.

...

「The next morning」

Mrs. Steele got up a little after five.

A series of CLANGS and BANGS woke the others up.

Regina shot up in bed, annoyed, and couldn’t help but roar, "Will you ever stop?! It’s not even light out! What the hell are you doing up so early?"

Mrs. Steele was completely unfazed, muttering curses as she retorted, "Watch out, or you’ll never get married! Who would dare marry a shrew like you!"

Eve, who had been half-asleep, was jolted fully awake by that comment. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

She was terrified that Regina and Mrs. Steele were about to start fighting again.

But Regina loved to sleep in and had never woken up this early before.

Right now, she was dead tired. Even though she was furious, she didn’t have the energy to climb down and argue with the woman.

Frustrated, she just pulled the covers over her head and stomped her foot hard on her bed to vent her dissatisfaction.

Nina had woken up as early as her mother because she had to go help out at the cafeteria early in the morning, which paid her 60 yuan a day.

She dressed, washed her face, and brushed her teeth as quietly as possible, afraid of waking her other two roommates.

Nina said helplessly to her mother, "Could you please be a little quieter? I’ll take you to the cafeteria to get something to eat in a minute."

Hearing that she could go eat at the cafeteria, Mrs. Steele finally quieted down and urged Nina to hurry up.

Around eight o’clock, Regina and Eve got up as well.

Neither of them had slept well and had dark circles under their eyes.

When Regina saw that Mrs. Steele’s luggage was still piled in the dorm room, she said, "Why isn’t she gone yet?"

Eve tried to soothe her. "She’ll probably leave today. I guess after class, Nina will come back and see her off."

"She’d better leave soon. I can’t stand it for another minute. What kind of person is she?!"

As Regina washed up, she said, "I never would’ve thought. Nina seems so quiet and reserved, but her mom is that kind of person."

Eve sighed and said, "I feel so sorry for Nina. It seems like her family favors sons over daughters. Didn’t her mom mention yesterday that she wanted Nina to give her fifty thousand yuan for her brother?"

Regina was taken aback for a moment, then shook her head. "I can’t understand it."

Eve said, "You’ve been a pampered princess since you were a child and never had to endure any hardship, so of course you can’t understand."

The two of them chatted idly, and suddenly, it seemed like they had found some common ground. The awkwardness between them began to fade.

Regina suddenly remembered something and said, "I need to talk to Mason Lawson and have him help me figure out a way to move out! There’s never a moment of peace in this dorm room."

Eve said, "He’s on a business trip. Why don’t you wait until he’s done with his work to bring it up? So he won’t be distracted."

Regina couldn’t help but smile, teasing, "You’re so considerate of him. Honestly, is he all you ever think about?"

Eve blushed and said in a small voice, "He’s very considerate of me too. Things like that... they’re mutual, you know!"

Regina suddenly recalled her first blind date with Mason and asked curiously, "Oh, right. I remember Mason Lawson said before that he hoped his significant other could be a full-time housewife. You know, the type who doesn’t work and makes him the center of her universe! Has he ever mentioned that to you?"