In front of the men’s dormitory
It was the first time Luo Ye was escorted back to his room by a girl. Usually the pattern was guys escorting girls; a girl like Su Bai Zhu actually taking a guy home was rare.
Luo decided he’d have to reflect on himself later. He liked the senior, he was chasing her, yet it always felt like she was the one watching over him.
“Senior, be safe on the way back.”
“Mm.”
Su Bai Zhu nodded at him at the dorm entrance, then turned to leave.
“Senior, text me when you get home.”
Su paused for a beat, then nodded again.
She disappeared into the rain while Luo lingered at the doorway, still watching.
“Don’t stare, she’s already gone. Are you the stone that watches his wife?” the dorm supervisor called out. Luo turned and saw the slightly plump dorm‑supervisor aunt, face half‑covered with a sheet mask, looking ghostly beside him.
He forced a nervous smile, “Hey, Lin‑ma, what are you doing here?”
“I’ve been here all along. You finally managed to land a senior?”
Since Shen Qiao’s nightly returns always meant Luo had to ask the supervisor to let him in, she was familiar with him.
“Lin‑ma, this is just… a matter of the underworld, you wouldn’t get it. By the way, can I get you a cup of tea?”
“Good. It’s nice to see you actually doing something useful.”
She gave him a thumbs‑up.
Luo realized he might end up like Shen—coming back late often—so he started currying favor with the supervisor. She was short‑tempered but basically kind, and she knew how to play the social game.
From Monday to Friday, unless a student has official permission, Jiang University doesn’t allow them to stay off‑campus at night. Without a permit, freshmen must stay in the dorms. Luo didn’t apply because freshmen can’t request it; you have to wait until sophomore year. The policy protects newcomers who have no friends yet and need a safe environment.
Luo might end up living in the faculty housing, so he pre‑emptively gave Lin‑ma a little extra “favor” to make future trouble‑making smoother.
On the fifth floor, Luo finally stepped onto the landing. He always wanted to complain about the building’s design—no elevator past the sixth floor. It’s a pain; students on the 5th and 6th floors waste precious time climbing stairs between classes.
Back in the dorm, everyone was unusually quiet. Especially Shen Qiao, who had returned early and was sitting on his bed, staring with an indescribable expression.
Luo took a step back, nervously asking, “Male star, did you finally go from 1 to 0?”
“Don’t say that.”
Shen gave a faint smile, sighed, then looked at Luo and said, “Thanks.”
“What are you thanking me for? I helped your girlfriend, not you.”
Luo waved his hand. He’d just posted a donation request; it was the kind people who helped Ai Xiao‑Ya.
“Say thanks to Senior Su for me, too.”
“Huh?”
“Senior… what?”
“Su Bai Zhu, the senior.”
Shen explained, “I got a call from Jiangnan University. They gave Xiao Xia (the little tear) a grant and sent a dedicated teacher to visit her in the hospital. If she wakes up, they’ll waive her tuition.”
He continued, “Word is our school was the only one who could get the administration’s ear. After thinking it over, she’s the only one who could make it happen.”
Luo was stunned. He’d only mentioned the senior in passing, never imagined she’d pull such strings. He felt a deep gratitude.
He glanced at Wang Da Chui and Li Hao Yang, noticing they looked a bit uneasy.
“What’s up with you two?”
Wang snorted, trying to act aloof.
Li Hao Yang stood, eyes serious, “Brother Luo, we’re all brothers here. Why hide such a huge thing from us?”
He turned to Shen, “If you hadn’t dropped the ball, we’d have known you were quitting school.”
Wang glared at Shen, “You don’t treat us like family. Kid’s been all in for you; are you keeping him in the dark too? Did you discover this yourself?”
Shen opened his mouth but stayed silent—he didn’t want to burden them.
“Kid, what are you doing?”
Wang noticed Luo scrolling on his phone, looking for something.
“Nothing—just checking the donation platform… found it.”
Luo read his messages out loud, “I’m Shen’s dad… that’s you, Chui? Donated 1,000 yuan… my mom, you only get 1,500 a month, you’re not even eating?”
“Not me!!” Wang flushed bright red, immediately protesting. He was already angry at Shen, now this.
“How could you guess that? My name’s super secret, you spotted it in one glance?”
“And the coach—World’s #1 Mr. Muscle—if you guessed that’s you, you donated 300 yuan. Coach, you still hit the gym, buy protein, low‑fat food; 300 is a lot for you.”
Li Hao Yang turned away, a little embarrassed. Men don’t like airing such soft stuff.
Wang, now not angry, crossed his arms, “Kid helped you a ton, and the coach donated a lot too. As a celebrity, shouldn’t you give us something back?”
Shen stared at him, “You say…”
“Cross‑dressing!”
Wang’s face twisted into a mischievous grin, looking at Shen with a lecherous spark, “You’re so handsome; you’d be a campus‑beauty in a dress. I’m curious, what would you look like?”
“No, you’re not curious.”
Luo muttered, “Why would a male star wear women’s clothing? What’s your hidden agenda?”
Li Hao Yang nodded, “Yeah, what’s up?”
“Hey, don’t you want to see?” Wang asked, surprised at their silence.
A beat of silence, then Luo and Li nodded.
“So that’s settled.”
All three stared at Shen, expectancy in their eyes.
He sighed, feeling trapped by their scheming. He’d always been the mastermind; now he feared he’d been out‑played. Yet they’d helped him out big time.
“It’s just a dress. I’ll wear it for you this weekend.”
“Really?” Wang’s eyes lit up.
“It’s true.”
“Ha ha ha, awesome.”
Wang was ecstatic.
Shen’s cross‑dressed look would be campus‑beauty level; hitting the town on the weekend with a school‑beauty‑type girl by his side would boost his street cred.