Chapter 27.2

As the two groups walked away from each other, the seven boys took on a somewhat heroic demeanor, like characters in a tragic story.

Seeing the strange looks they received from passersby, Lu Nong couldn’t help but comfort her younger brothers. “Hey, don’t be so down. Think of it positively. By being my bodyguards, you have a chance to improve yourselves.”

Pei Zheng, Jiang Yu, Shen Jiming and Zhang Kaiping: “…” Thank you so much.

“And this is also a lesson,” Lu Nong continued, pretending not to notice their exasperation. “It teaches you not to underestimate anyone. Look what happens when you do.”

After a moment, Jiang Yu couldn’t hold back and asked, feeling a bit melancholic, “What does it feel like to get into Peking University at fourteen?”

It must feel incredibly proud and exhilarating. If he were in her shoes, he would feel on top of the world.

Lu Nong shot him a glance and remembered how Jiang Yu had accused her of lying earlier. She recalled a certain comedic skit and said smugly, “What’s it feel like? Well, Peking University is just okay.”

Jiang Yu: “…”

Shen Jiming & Zhang Kaiping: “…”

Pei Zheng: “…” Why don’t you go to heaven?

Jiang Yu felt utterly defeated. His friends looked on sympathetically, each patting him on the shoulder to comfort him.

Only Lu Nong remained heartless, feeling no guilt for striking a blow to the sensitive hearts of the boys. She felt quite cheerful. The harshness of life often dealt unexpected blows, and one must learn to accept them.

Before Lu Nong could land another jab at Jiang Yu, Zhang Kaiping, his close brother, patted Jiang Yu’s shoulder. Relating it to his own experience, he said with a sympathetic look, “Brother, just let it go. People are all different.”

Jiang Yu: “…” Go away! That just makes me feel worse!

puff–

Lu Nong nearly burst out laughing. Now, that was what a good brother was for—always ready to stab you in the back at a moment’s notice!

Zhang Kaiping, in his innocent way, was an expert at teasing Jiang Yu.

As they all approached the girls’ dormitory, the atmosphere was a mix of cheer and despair.

Lu Nong’s dorm was on the second floor, and she thought it was decent enough, at least better than the first floor. Northern dormitories lacked the humidity of the south, but the first floor could still get damp at times, making it uncomfortable. The girls’ dormitory had a similar layout to the boys’, with eight beds, but only three were currently occupied. Unlike Pei Zheng’s dorm, there were no name tags on the headboards, allowing Lu Nong to choose freely.

Since Lu Nong had joined in the middle of the third year, there were no available beds in the third-year dorm. It didn’t make sense to place her in a first- or second-year dorm, so she was assigned to a mixed dormitory, which usually housed leftover students from various majors, resulting in many unoccupied beds.

Lu Nong chose a lower bunk near the closet. She was too lazy to climb up and down the upper bunk, and the old iron beds looked shaky. It was nerve-wracking to climb up, and sleeping up there didn’t feel secure either.

Besides, she was only staying to sleep during the day, as she would be going home at night, so there was no need to be too picky.

Lu Nong ordered Pei Zheng and the others to help her set up her bed while she stood aside like a queen, occasionally pointing out their mistakes, exercising her rights as the winning party of a bet.

“Xiao Jiang, your blanket folding is not up to standard. Is this the level of a bodyguard? Fold it again,” Lu Nong shook her head, realizing this brother wasn’t very competent.

Jiang Yu took a deep breath, reminding himself to accept the consequences of his bet. He held back his frustration and folded the blanket again.

Lu Nong then turned her attention to Zhang Kaiping and Pei Zheng. Zhang Kaiping, as the eldest sibling at home, was used to taking care of his younger siblings. He skillfully laid out the sheets and pillowcases while Pei Zheng busied himself organizing Lu Nong’s closet.

Lu Nong nodded in satisfaction, thinking they were doing well. They were truly obedient younger brothers and stepson.

Finally, it was Shen Jiming’s turn, and Lu Nong was disappointed. He was just standing there empty-handed, doing nothing, even more like a king than she was. How could that be acceptable?

Lu Nong frowned. “Xiao Shen? What are you doing there? Don’t you see what the others are doing? Really, you are so grown up, and you don’t have any sense of life. How can you be so ignorant?”

She glanced around, noticing there didn’t seem to be any other chores left, but letting Shen Jiming off the hook was not an option. She paused before saying, “The floor doesn’t look very clean. Why don’t you clean it?”

Shen Jiming realized Lu Nong was deliberately making things difficult for them and almost laughed at the absurdity. He did end up smiling, his youthful, handsome face lighting up with a surprisingly charming smile.

This caught the attention of Lu Nong’s three roommates, leaving them stunned.

Speaking of her three roommates, when Lu Nong arrived and began to act like a spoiled princess, they were first shocked by the good looks of Lu Nong and the four boys. Then they were astonished by how naturally she commanded the boys to do her bidding, leaving them completely speechless.

Once they came back to their senses, the three felt a bit embarrassed. Lu Nong smiled at them and took the initiative to introduce herself. “Hello, I’m Lu Nong from the History Department. I just moved in here this year, so I hope we can get along well.”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” replied the most simply dressed girl among them. “Since we’ll all be roommates, it’s only natural to help and care for each other. There’s no need for formalities.”

“Oh, right, I’m Zhang Shuying from the Spanish Department; this is Jiang Zhenzhen from the Oriental Language Department and that’s Wang Zhu from the Law Department.” Zhang Shuying introduced the other two.

Lu Nong shook hands with Jiang Zhenzhen and Wang Zhu.

She took a moment to size up her new roommates, forming her first impressions. Zhang Shuying gave off a warm, friendly vibe with her simple attire and ordinary looks. Jiang Zhenzhen was the prettiest among the three, with a delicate nose and cherry lips, exuding a charming aura and dressing quite fashionably while often looking down when meeting others’ gazes. Wang Zhu appeared more aloof, radiating a certain intellectual pride.

Jiang Zhenzhen was lively, her face still glowing with excitement. She looked at Pei Zheng and the little one in Lu Nong’s arms, curiously asking, “Who are they…”

“Oh,” Lu Nong waved her hand dismissively. “Those are my four useless younger brothers, but let’s not talk about them. As for this little one in my arms, he is my son, Gu Huai.”

Her four younger brothers froze : “……”

Jiang Zhenzhen exclaimed, “You’re married?” Lu Nong looked so young that Jiang Zhenzhen thought the baby in her arms was her younger brother.

Lu Nong nodded. “Yes, I am married.”

Jiang Zhenzhen’s gaze towards Lu Nong changed.

Lu Nong didn’t mind. She hadn’t come to school to make friends. It was nice to have some acquaintances, but if their values didn’t align, it didn’t matter. Maintaining a façade of civility was enough for her.

After tidying up the dormitory, Lu Nong said goodbye to her three roommates and left the school with her four useless brothers and her precious son.

As they reached the school gate, the security guard had adjusted his mood and wanted to greet Pei Zheng. However, he was met with the sight of Pei Zheng and the four boys, who looked dejected and didn’t even glance his way.

The guard was baffled, wondering what had happened. They had seemed fine just moments ago.

Upon returning to the compound, Jiang Yu, Zhang Kaiping, and Shen Jiming exchanged furtive glances, preparing to sneak away.

Lu Nong saw through their little scheme and said slowly, “Xiao Zhang, Xiao Jiang, Xiao Shen, and Xiao Pei, report the number of people who are supposed to be here and the number of people who are actually here.”

Xiao Zhang, Xiao Jiang, Xiao Shen, Xiao Pei: “…” Auntie, you are so cruel.

Pei Zheng ordered, “At ease, stand straight, and report.”

Zhang Kaiping announced, “Two.”

Jiang Yu added, “Three.”

Shen Jiming chimed in, “Four. Four are supposed to be here, and four are present. Please give us your orders!”

“Alright,” Lu Nong cleared her throat, “Now let me share my eight habits and ten principles with you. Pay attention. My first habit is that I dislike washing Huaihuai’s diapers and clothes. The second habit is that there’s too much grass in the yard; I can’t stand it and want to plant different vegetables and flowers. The third habit is related to my godmother. Your Grandma Wu isn’t in great health, and someone needs to help her with massages and shoulder rubs. The fourth habit…”

She continued on, listing off seven or eight habits in one breath. Lu Nong, feeling she hadn’t said enough, added, “I’ll stop here for today. Tomorrow, I’ll go over my ten principles. I’ve said enough for now. Xiao Zhang, Xiao Shen, Xiao Pei, and Xiao Jiang, I hope you understand what I mean?”

Xiao Zhang, Xiao Jiang, Xiao Shen, Xiao Pei: “…” They nodded expressionlessly.

Lu Nong nodded in satisfaction. “That’s good. Now what are you waiting for? Hurry up and get to work. Don’t be lazy, I will be checking.”

The four guards lined up and walked stiffly towards the Pei residence.

Lu Nong leisurely followed behind, holding her baby. “Little one, from now on, someone else will take care of your diapers and clothes. You need to be grateful and thank your brothers, alright?”

“”Ah, thank you, Guo Guo.” the baby mimicked Lu Nong’s words.

As they just returned home, her godmother rushed out, looking flustered, and said to Lu Nong, “Nong Nong, your husband has been injured.”

“What!?”