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“Uncle Wu, you move fast! Bringing people over so quickly eases my worries. It’s great to have someone helping out at home,” Zhang Weiguo remarked.
Wu Changyong grinned proudly, “Of course, when have I ever failed to keep my word? Weiguo, are you all set for the upcoming school term? If you need anything, these two can help you out.”
Shaking his head with a smile, Zhang Weiguo replied, “Uncle Wu, I’ve arranged everything. I only have to prepare for the feast for the occasion. When the time comes, I’ll have them assist with that.”
With the two men settled in, Grandpa Wu departed, promising to return for dinner in the evening to ensure they were well-adjusted.
At noon, Wang Xuan and the others had lunch with Mingyuan at the cafeteria and decided to keep him at the school for now. It was a way for the dorm mates to bond, and Yang Nuo suggested he stay there rather than returning home to get familiar with each other. Mingyuan staying back would help strengthen their camaraderie.
Later in the evening, Cong Tao returned after a day of running errands outside. With the new term approaching, he needed to finalize external matters and accompany the two newcomers for enrollment. It was a tiring but necessary task for him.
Upon learning that Grandpa Wu would be joining them for dinner, Wang Xuan and Yang Nuo energetically prepared the meal. Wang Xuan made sure to inquire about Sun Zhiming and Han Zhengdong’s dietary preferences. Understanding each other’s likes and dislikes was crucial for their long-term coexistence.
For Sun Zhiming, today was an eye-opener. Protecting a group of university students, they felt honored and keenly aware of the responsibility. Interacting closely with university students was a unique experience for them.
When Wang Xuan asked about their dietary habits, Sun Zhiming and Han Zhengdong realized that university students were approachable, especially the ones from the Wang family’s household. The students were friendly and made them feel like part of the family, not just hired help.
“Wang Xuan, we don’t have any specific dietary restrictions. We’ll eat whatever you prepare. And please make a bit extra; these two military dogs have hearty appetites, so let’s make sure they are well-fed,” Sun Zhiming requested.
Unsure about what military dogs should eat, Wang Xuan quickly asked the two men about the dogs’ dietary habits. Hearing about the dogs’ previous diet made her slightly envious, as it sounded better than what humans ate. However, since the dogs were meant for protection, she decided to add more oil to their food.
During dinner, Grandpa Wu and Zheng Furong arrived to dine together. The conversation shifted to Chen Minghai’s condition. “Mingcheng, shouldn’t Grandpa Chen be discharged soon? It’s been a while, and I heard his sons have been running around looking after him,” Grandpa Wu mentioned.
When Chen Xu heard the discussion about Grandpa Chen, he smiled joyfully. “Grandpa Chen, Sister Bai has informed us that the test results came back differently from what they initially thought. However, my father and the others are still concerned, so they want Grandpa to stay in the hospital for a few more days for observation. He should be discharged soon, especially with the new school year approaching. Grandpa’s work can’t afford any delays,” Chen Xu shared.
The group couldn’t help but feel happy for Grandpa Chen. As long as their family members were harmonious, everything else seemed insignificant. Elderly individuals often wished for peace and stability in their families, hoping to avoid unnecessary commotion.
Initially feeling a bit reserved, Sun Zhiming and Han Zhengdong found themselves dining at the same table with the senior officials, a first-time experience for them despite their military background. Even though they had retired, a sense of reverence lingered within them.
Observing their timid eating habits, Wu Changyong intervened, “You two, why are you eating like birds? In the military, did you eat like this? You’ll starve at this rate. Eat properly, just like before. These are your own people now; feel free to eat. The Wang family members are good people. You’ll realize your good fortune by being with them. I won’t say more; you’ll understand in due time.”
Encouraged by Grandpa Wu’s words, Sun Zhiming and Han Zhengdong began eating heartily. Zhang Weiguo reassured them, “Brothers, you’ll have to take care of things at home. You can’t function on an empty stomach. Treat this place as your own home. If you need anything or face difficulties, don’t hesitate to ask. We’re here to help.”
The two men nodded in agreement, promising, “Brother Weiguo, if we make any mistakes in the future, feel free to point them out so we can correct them promptly.”
At the table, everyone nodded with smiles. “Sun, Han, you two don’t need to worry. Once you get familiar with everything, you’ll see that things here are quite simple. You’ll meet my younger siblings when they return next week,” Wang Xuan assured them.
Meanwhile, at the school cafeteria, Wang Qian went to get her dinner – millet porridge, a steamed bun, and a plate of pickled vegetables. She sat with others from her dorm. They thought she was hesitant to eat and offered to share their food, but Wang Qian politely declined with a smile.
The steamed buns in the cafeteria were quite tasty, while the bread rolls were a bit hard, probably not fully risen. The vegetable dish was plain, so Wang Qian enjoyed her meal with the millet porridge and pickled vegetables, finding it quite satisfying.
In the afternoon, three more classmates arrived at their dorm, with two more yet to report. Wang Qian assumed the latter two were likely from the capital, so she wasn’t concerned. The three newcomers, like herself, hailed from rural areas, with slightly less privileged backgrounds. However, with the school subsidies, they could afford meals. That evening, they all dined on steamed buns.
The three new roommates were Li Tiange from Xinjiang, Tian Chang from Inner Mongolia, and Wang Yue from Shaanxi, coincidentally sharing Wang Qian’s surname. Wang Qian even joked that they must have been one family five hundred years ago.
With these eight roommates, they now represented diverse regions in China. Conversations in the dorm were a mix of various accents, but everyone could communicate in Mandarin, even if not perfectly.
After dinner, the dorm mates decided to take a walk. Being in university, they wanted to explore and get to know their school better.
As the six of them strolled along the pathways of the university campus, Wang Qian had initially planned to go harvest in her space that evening. With more people in the household and increased food requirements, she needed to ensure a steady supply. With Zhang Lan and the others around, she wouldn’t have needed an excuse, but now that her parents were away, she would have to come up with a white lie. Unable to resist her roommates’ invitation, she joined them for the walk.
The other three, perhaps visiting a large city for the first time, were curious about everything. Wang Qian, on the other hand, observed with mild interest. The university buildings in her past life were far grander, but the current campus atmosphere felt pleasant, exuding a simple and robust charm.
While Zhu Shan and Hu Lianduo’s footsteps in their heels echoed on the road, Wang Qian and her friends wore canvas shoes. Wang Qian preferred sneakers for comfort, especially since she heard they would have morning exercises at university. She wanted to be at ease while running and not tire her feet out.
Zuo He had wanted to buy her some leather shoes before, but she declined. She believed in wearing whatever was comfortable and didn’t care much about others’ opinions. Most students, especially those from rural areas, wore simple cloth shoes, either handmade or store-bought. Simply getting into university was a significant achievement, and their clothing choices were practical – as long as they were fed and clothed, that was enough.
However, Wang Qian foresaw a significant transformation in student attire within a few years. Freshmen seemed naive, but by the time they were seniors, they would have learned how to dress elegantly. It seemed like a pattern she remembered from her past life.
“Are the ones who came to see you today all your real brothers, Wang Qian?” Hu Lianduo couldn’t resist asking after holding her curiosity in all day.
Wang Qian replied with a smile, “One of them is my real brother, and the other two are my relatives’ brothers. Aren’t they handsome? I think my brothers are quite good-looking.”
When it came to the appearance of the boys in her family, each one was impressive, especially the three from the Zuo family who stood out exceptionally. Wang Qian hadn’t seen children more attractive than her brothers, even though Mingcheng and Mingyuan were also handsome. But compared to the three brothers from the Zuo family, they fell slightly short.
Beside her, Zhu Shan expressed envy, “Wang Qian, your family has such good genes. But why don’t you look like your brothers?”
She actually wanted to say, “Why don’t you look as good as your brothers?” but felt awkward saying it directly, so she opted for a different phrasing.
Wang Qian was aware of her appearance, with half of her face almost hidden by her thick-framed glasses. It would be quite a sight to see her full face.
“Hehe, I’m still young. I probably inherited my mom’s brains, and my brothers inherited the looks. It’s good this way; we can’t have it all, or else everyone would be envious,” Wang Qian responded playfully.
Li Tiange glanced at her roommate, shaking her head inwardly. She couldn’t understand why she seemed so self-deprecating. Despite wearing large glasses, she was quite delicate. She wondered how she would look without them. With such handsome brothers, it made no sense for the sister to be unattractive. She didn’t point it out, realizing that some things would become clear with time.
After exploring the entire campus, these energetic young individuals returned to the dorm, washed up, and settled into their beds. Wang Qian’s bed had its own curtains drawn, a habit she carried over from her past life. Once the lights were out, she engaged in activities that others couldn’t see.
As she heard the sounds of her roommates falling asleep, Wang Qian finally relaxed. She then entered her space.