But there was no way she would apologize to them. Not making them clean her bed again was already the height of her generosity. However, seeing Xue Yang standing by her side, it would be a lie to say she wasn’t moved.

"I think you should apologize to Si Wen."

After hearing Xue Yang’s analysis, Cao Xinrou and Liu Shiqi realized their mistake and apologized to Si Wen.

"Sorry, we didn’t mean to put our things on your bed. It won’t happen again."

"Seeing as you’ve apologized so sincerely, this young lady will forgive you. This is to compensate you for your trouble."

"There’s no need. You can take it back."

Si Wen’s attitude wasn’t great, but at least she was willing to pay for the damages. However, Liu Shiqi and Cao Xinrou weren’t the type to be swayed by money, so they refused her offer. Nevertheless, a rift had already formed between them.

Seeing that the matter was more or less resolved, Xue Yang said to Lin Xi and Si Wen, "Let’s go. I’ll take you to buy some essential supplies for the dorm."

"We’re not actually going to be living here, so there’s not much to buy."

"It’s good to be prepared, just in case you need them someday."

Listening to their conversation, Liu Shiqi and Cao Xinrou finally understood that these two hadn’t planned on staying in the dorm at all; they were just occupying the beds. This meant that, in the future, only two people would be living in the dorm. With such an unexpected bit of good luck falling into their laps, Cao Xinrou and Liu Shiqi wondered if they should try to make amends.

But the other three were already walking out the door.

"Forget it. We’re all classmates, after all. If we can get along, great. If not, we shouldn’t force it."

Hearing Liu Shiqi’s words, Cao Xinrou nodded in agreement. "You’re right. We dirtied their beds, so let’s clean them for them. Then we also need to go out and buy some daily necessities."

"Okay."

...

After leaving the dormitory, Si Wen asked in confusion, "Why did you even bring them snacks? Who do they think they are?"

"You’re roommates, which means you’re also classmates. College is like a small society; you need to handle social relationships well."

"This young lady couldn’t care less about that kind of social nonsense."

That much was true. But... don’t you two need to make other friends?

"No need. People like us don’t need ordinary friends."

After all, if Lin Xi hadn’t run away from home and met Xue Yang, their paths likely never would have crossed, let alone led to where they were now. Their social circles were fundamentally different. They only needed to associate with useful people.

"Si Wen, your temper is too explosive. You need to change that."

Indeed, they didn’t need to make friends with ordinary people, but certain aspects of their personalities had to change. Otherwise, how would they get along with their employees? A boss who can’t befriend their employees will find it hard to succeed in the long run.

Xue Yang had brought the snacks precisely so they could interact more with ordinary people and understand them better. It would be good for them in the long run.

Si Wen snorted impatiently. "Who told them they could put their things on my bed without my permission?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"They said it was temporary and they weren’t trying to occupy it. You should have just told them to move it. If they kept doing it after you warned them, it wouldn’t have been too late to teach them a lesson. Why jump straight into a fight? Do you think this is still high school? Everyone who got into this university has their own pride. As the saying goes, another friend is another path."

Si Wen pursed her lips. Although she was still unwilling to back down, she finally stopped arguing with Xue Yang.

Halfway there, Xue Yang’s phone rang again. This time, it was Yu Kexin.

"Boss, things are going crazy here! Get to the office, we need you!"

After hanging up, Xue Yang apologized to the girls. "You two go see what you need to buy. I have to get to the office."

Lin Xi obediently replied, "Okay~"

"It’s your girlfriend’s first day of school, and you’re already ditching her..." Si Wen wanted to say more, but Lin Xi clapped a hand over her mouth and waved at Xue Yang.

"Xue Yang, Si Wen and I can shop on our own. Go on, take care of your work."

"Call me when you’re done shopping, and I’ll come pick you up."

"Okay~"

Only when Xue Yang was far away did Lin Xi finally remove her hand from Si Wen’s mouth.

"Lin Xi, why didn’t you let me finish?"

"Xue Yang isn’t ditching me on purpose. Why would you say something like that?"

"You always stick up for him. You’ll regret it sooner or later."

"No, I won’t. I trust him."

"That’s how men are. The less you rely on them, the more they start to feel like they’re dispensable to you... or that *you’re* dispensable. Don’t come crying to me when that happens."

Hearing Si Wen’s words, Lin Xi frowned as if deep in thought.

Just as Si Wen thought her words were having an effect, she heard Lin Xi exclaim, "I can’t believe you, Si Wen! He just defended you a moment ago, and now you’re bad-mouthing him behind his back, right in front of his girlfriend!"

Si Wen was speechless, suddenly at a loss for how to respond.

"Forget it, let’s go shopping. We damaged their things, so we need to replace them."

Lin Xi knew Si Wen was all bark and no bite. She figured Si Wen hadn’t meant to knock their things to the floor. She probably thought it was just a pile of trash.

They were already near the pedestrian street by the school. After Xue Yang left, it only took the two of them a short walk to arrive.

The surroundings gradually grew boisterous. The decorative lights dazzled brightly, like a flowing ribbon of color illuminating the entire street. Neon signs flickered in time with the music blasting from the shops, adding to the cheerful atmosphere. Crowds of people milled about, entering the pedestrian street from all directions. Groups of fashionably dressed young people chatted and laughed as they strolled along.

The aroma of food filled the air, with countless snack stalls lining the street. There were grilled skewers, grilled fish, and kebabs, as well as crayfish in every imaginable flavor, their scents so tempting it made one’s mouth water.

"I never expected there would be such a lively place nearby," Si Wen remarked.

"Of course. You only ever go to shopping malls, so when would you get the chance to visit a place like this?"

"Oh, look at you. Spend a little time with Xue Yang, and now you’ve learned how to lecture people, have you?"

"No, I haven’t."

As she spoke, Lin Xi suddenly spotted a large tree in the distance. She walked toward it involuntarily.

"Hey, where are you going?" Si Wen hurried after her.

Lin Xi stopped under the big tree and gazed up, a sweet feeling reflected in her eyes.

Si Wen looked at the tree, then back at Lin Xi. Am I seeing things? Is Xiao Xi actually swooning over a tree? But I’ve been looking at it for a while and there’s nothing special about it at all.

"Si Wen, do you know? Back then, I was standing right there," Lin Xi said, pointing to the spot right in front of her.

...