Sun Mingfei, her roommate, declared she had seen through the “obstacle of romance” and would channel all her energy into studies, vowing not to rest until she secured the national scholarship.
“When I win the scholarship, I shall treat you all to dinner. I have realised it. Men are passing clouds, sisters are true bonds!”
Sun Mingfei issued her grand proclamation, leaving the other two roommates exchanging puzzled glances.
“What on earth stimulated you this time?”
“Have you two quarrelled again?”
One could hardly blame the roommates for their scepticism. Sun Mingfei possessed boundless energy for romance and often fell out with the boy from the neighbouring class, only to reconcile within days.
Recalling the story Wen Ying had shared, Sun Mingfei found the whole affair increasingly pointless.
“You doubt my declarations now, but when I truly claim the scholarship, you will believe me.”
Oh, this quarrel appeared rather serious.
One roommate quietly asked Wen Ying if she knew the details. Wen Ying guarded the specifics closely, revealing no private matters, and offered only a general remark. “Is it not good that she directs her energy towards studies? Dating someone at university does not guarantee a lifetime together, but the knowledge acquired will benefit you forever. Whichever way you look at it, investing in studies offers greater returns!”
Wen Ying spoke with sound reason.
The two roommates resolved to observe how long Sun Mingfei could maintain her resolve.
Romance was something everyone eagerly anticipated. Having it was splendid, lacking it would not prove fatal.
By contrast, the dread of failing to secure a good job after graduation exerted far greater pressure. No romance would not leave you starving, but no money certainly would.
Cases like Wen Ying were rare. She earned from writing books, dated without neglecting her studies, a veritable grandmaster of time management. The roommates envied her deeply.
Wen Ying smiled. “If you could accept spending 80% of dates studying with your boyfriend, dating would not hinder your learning either.”
Wen Ying was the time management grandmaster, while Xie Qian was an freakish all-rounder in academics, supervising her across disciplines like her personal tutor in every subject.
The roommates pondered Xie Qian’s divine appearance and felt their hearts stir. “If he were half as handsome as Xie Qian, we would devote 100% of date time to studying.”
Merely his looks provided ample motivation to learn.
Add that he was a supreme academic star.
Never mind. Half Xie Qian’s handsomeness was wishful thinking. As ordinary girls, even if they found one, they probably could not hold him. Retreat a step: as long as he was an academic star, that would suffice.
Sun Mingfei had struck a wall in romance, yet the other two roommates still harboured hopes for love.
To their surprise, from the very next day, Sun Mingfei truly ceased approaching the boy from the neighbouring class.
Whether for lectures, meals, or self-study, she went everywhere with her roommates.
Wen Ying did not cling to Xie Qian constantly either. When they had separate engagements, she joined the roommates for classes, fortunate to witness Sun Mingfei’s firmness.
After several days of being ignored, the boy could no longer sit still. He approached casually, inviting Sun Mingfei to the canteen.
“Which counter do you fancy today? My treat.”
In the past, such initiative would erase the quarrel’s unpleasantness for Sun Mingfei. This time, she stood her ground.
“Why did you run away that night? Was it you who could not be seen in public, or me?”
The boy glanced at Wen Ying, hesitating to speak.
Wen Ying felt aggrieved. “Why look at me? I am not the high school director catching pupils in early romances!”
She even touched her face subconsciously after saying so.
People often praised her for being approachable. Her appearance had no connection whatsoever with “stern”.
Unable to provide a reason, Sun Mingfei had anticipated this. Unsure whether disappointed or relieved, she turned her head aside. “Let us end it here. Do not seek me out deliberately anymore. We can simply be ordinary classmates. That would be fine.”
Ordinary classmates?
The boy looked wounded. Before he could respond, Sun Mingfei pulled Wen Ying and the others away.
“Some people enjoy ambiguity. I do not. Prolonged ambiguity without commitment is far too painful for me.”
Once seated in the canteen, Sun Mingfei suddenly shared her reflection.
Wen Ying considered, then asked, “Suppose he realises he is losing you and confesses now, wanting to make things official. Would you change your mind?”
Sun Mingfei fell silent for a long while, pondering the question even through the meal.
After finishing and setting down her chopsticks, she reached clarity. “I would not. He had numerous opportunities to end the ambiguity and commit. He never did. If he confesses only after I declare no further contact, it is likely because of my ‘pressure’. Given his personality, would I not have to coerce him into marrying me later? No, thank you. I choose to spare him and spare myself.”
Wen Ying smiled genuinely.
It seemed Sun Mingfei had not cheated to enter Zhendan. She possessed brains, merely clouded temporarily before.
If the boy simply enjoyed ambiguity without desiring commitment, that showed a lack of responsibility.
If he harboured unspoken difficulties preventing commitment, he should have clarified early with Sun Mingfei, not allowed her to sink deeper.
Whether purely irresponsible or avoidant in personality, a relationship with such a person would prove utterly exhausting.
A good romance improves both partners, rather than leaving them weary after coming together.
“Sun Mingfei, my goal is the national scholarship too.”
Wen Ying added competitive pressure. Sun Mingfei bit her lip. “One more rival makes no difference. Bring it on. If I utter the word ‘fear’, I shall change my surname.”
Even without Wen Ying, others would vie for the scholarship. Sun Mingfei was mentally prepared.
The other two roommates’ mouths gaped slightly.
“You both aim for the top scholarship. What about us?”
“What can we do? We cannot surrender before even applying…”
Thanks to Sun Mingfei’s “return to the right path”, the entire dorm’s atmosphere transformed. Time spent discussing romantic gossip diminished, while conversations about studies and future plans increased.
Though only in the second semester of their first year, as finance majors, Wen Ying and her friends inevitably paid attention to economic conditions.
The recent stock market volatility truly offered much to discuss.
On 6 May, the A-share index plummeted from 3786 points to 2566 points.
Finance students could at most sigh. Ordinary investors felt their hearts stabbed.
Not to mention last year’s peak above 6000 points, even in early February this year it had exceeded 4000. Who could have foreseen the first drop below 3000 in mid-April?
The shrewd had long since cut losses and fled. The greedy remained trapped, harbouring thoughts of despair.
The roommates watched the news with pounding hearts and asked Wen Ying if she traded stocks. She denied it naturally. “With my level, trading would send me to the rooftop eventually. I do not trade!”
Professional matters belonged to professionals. Manager Chen handled Wen Ying’s investments. No need to mention that to the roommates.
In Beijing, Wen Kai teased his brother-in-law Leng Jun. “How about it? My second aunt’s judgement was correct, was it not?”
Leng Jun wore a depressed expression. “I have not sold all my stocks yet!”
