Chapter 27: Getting Along with Roommates

The pedestrian street in the university town was bustling with people, ninety percent of whom were freshmen. It was their curiosity and excitement that drove them to cross the road just to grab a bite. Upperclassmen, on the other hand, wouldn't bother. Worn down by the monotonous grind of college life, they'd gotten rough around the edges. Forget the off-campus food street—sometimes even going downstairs for a meal felt like too much effort.

Of course, those with partners were an exception.

People in relationships would run themselves ragged just to get out.

Jiang Qin brought Feng Nanshu to a roadside stall and ordered scrambled eggs with tomatoes, twice-cooked pork, pickled fish, and spicy shredded potatoes.

When eating out, choosing dishes was an age-old dilemma. Unfamiliar dishes risked disappointment, and fancy ones might not be worth it. So Jiang Qin always stuck to these four dishes—they almost never failed him. It was a lesson learned from ordering takeout as a corporate drone in his past life.

While waiting for the food, passersby couldn't help but pause near their table, their eyes lingering on Feng Nanshu, who sat obediently. A spark of awe flickered in their gazes. Some were so mesmerized they didn't snap out of it until they stumbled into someone else's stall.

Jiang Qin clicked his tongue, his expression darkening.

Serves you right for eyeing my rich girl. Why don't you just walk straight into the boss's wok?

He pulled his gaze back, stacked two sets of utensils, rinsed them with hot water, and turned his attention to Feng Nanshu.

"You said you eavesdropped on your roommates outside the dorm. What did they say?"

"'So aloof,' 'hard to approach,' 'don't want to live with a rich heiress,' stuff like that."

Feng Nanshu wiped her mouth, her eyes occasionally darting to the wok in the stall owner's hands.

Jiang Qin nodded after hearing this, roughly grasping the mindset of those five girls.

The little heiress was too pretty, naturally radiating an aura. Add in her over-the-top entrance with bodyguards clearing the way, and though cleaning the dorm might've seemed like a kind gesture, it actually created a sense of pressure for the whole room.

And this "female version of an overbearing CEO," as her roommates saw her…

She was currently staring hungrily at that big black wok, completely oblivious to how explosive her actions had been.

Solving this perfectly wasn't hard. The girls weren't hostile—they were just intimidated. A little show of friendliness would probably do the trick. But Feng Nanshu was naturally clueless, often missing the mark with words. Relying on her to verbally express goodwill wasn't realistic—another approach was needed.

"Jiang Qin, I want that!"

Jiang Qin followed her pointing finger and saw a cart selling colorful cotton candy nearby. "No, you don't."

Feng Nanshu swallowed hard. "Can I buy it myself?"

"That stuff's all food coloring. It'll stain your tongue. Be good—no eating it."

"I'll get you one too. What color do you like? I want pink—how about blue for you?"

Jiang Qin couldn't hold it in anymore. "Can you stop bribing me with something so childish? What kind of upright person caves to that? I said no, and that's final."

Feng Nanshu instantly reverted to her aloof expression. "Childish? Hah, you've ridden a rocking car before."

"?????"

Jiang Qin's eyes widened in disbelief. You can't learn to make friends, but you're a pro at throwing accusations first? If it weren't for keeping you company, would a tough guy like me ride a rocking car?

"Jiang Qin, is there a rocking car around here?"

"Not a chance."

Imagining the two of them playing on a rocking car at a crowded intersection gave Jiang Qin goosebumps.

While they talked, the stall owner finished cooking and deftly brought the dishes to their table. Seeing food, Feng Nanshu perked up, dropping her extra demands.

After dinner, Jiang Qin took her to a supermarket, grabbing snacks from the shelves and dividing them into five bags.

"No, no, I can't eat that much!"

"It's not for you."

Feng Nanshu froze at his words, her little face instantly crumpling.

Jiang Qin didn't notice her change in expression, focused on stuffing sweets into the bags.

"You're not good with words, so don't say much. Just smile more in the dorm from now on. Your roommates don't dislike you—they just think you're unapproachable and feel pressured. You need to take the initiative to show some kindness. They say people soften when they eat your food or take your gifts. Give them these snacks, and they'll see you're easy to get along with."

Jiang Qin led her to the checkout. As they left the supermarket, he suddenly recalled Guo Zihang's words. "Damn, I really do feel like your dad now."

Feng Nanshu panicked. "No way! I already have a dad. I just want to be friends with you."

"It's just a figure of speech!"

"Oh… you scared me to death."

By the time they returned to campus from the pedestrian street, night had fallen. The air across the school was thick with hormones, and shadowy corners were inevitably occupied by couples. Jiang Qin carried the snack bags in front, while Feng Nanshu followed in her little leather shoes. They strolled under the moonlight, flanked by a gentle breeze rustling the willows on the left and shimmering water on the right.

Walking along, Jiang Qin suddenly stopped. Caught off guard, the little heiress crashed into his back—soft, warm, and bouncy.

He smirked, certain someone as oblivious as Feng Nanshu wouldn't catch his real intent.

So, he pulled this trick seven or eight times on the way, only stopping when they reached the girls' dorm.

"Here, take these. Share them when you get back." Jiang Qin put on a gentlemanly air.

"Okay." Feng Nanshu took the bags. "Can I sneak a little?"

"No."

"Oh."

Jiang Qin turned serious, emphasizing each word. "I mean it. If you sneak something and someone ends up with nothing while the others get theirs, it could get messy."

Feng Nanshu pondered for a moment before a lightbulb went off. "Then can I pick one thing and eat five of it?"

"You… you're a damn clever little sneak."

Jiang Qin couldn't tell if he was praising or teasing her. He waved goodbye and strolled out of the girls' dorm area under the moonlight.

After watching him leave, Feng Nanshu lowered her gaze to her chest, her lashes trembling slightly, her expression thoughtful.

What's so great about these? Looking isn't enough—he has to find ways to bump into them too.

The little heiress stood in silence for a moment before heading upstairs with the five big bags of snacks. The girls in Room 503 had been chatting lively until she pushed the door open. The room went silent, all eyes turning to her, filled with tension and curiosity.

Feng Nanshu took a deep breath, walked in, and placed the snack bags on their desks one by one, biting her lip without a word.

After a long pause, Fan Shuling coughed and shot a look at the other four.

"Um, Feng Nanshu, we're heading to orientation at eight tomorrow. Want to come with us?"

"Yeah, join us! If we're free in the afternoon, how about we grab a meal together?"

Feng Nanshu smiled and nodded happily. The five roommates exhaled in relief, quickly pulling her to sit in the middle. The dorm's atmosphere warmed up, filled with silvery, cheerful laughter. But Feng Nanshu still wasn't great at talking—she just listened quietly.

Jiang Qin, probably worried about her situation, sent her a QQ message not long after, asking if she'd handed out the snacks.

She replied with a simple "yes," then gazed out at the dark window.

A faint, indescribable flutter stirred in her chest—similar to the loneliness she'd felt before, yet somehow different.