Chapter 26: The Dormitory 103 Code

Director Tang did not answer her question; instead, he asked in an offhand manner, "Why are you looking for a part-time job? Is it for financial reasons?"

"Partly, yes. But more importantly, I need to give myself a chance to grow and to have a close encounter with this city. Delivering newspapers is tough and tiring, but it lets me meet all kinds of people. That will help me adapt to society in the future. Do you agree, sir?"

"Just started school and already thinking about graduation? Isn’t it a bit early for that? Can you guarantee it won’t affect your studies?" Director Tang glanced at her, his face expressionless.

"I believe the early bird gets the worm. I’m new here—no connections, no resources, so I have to be a clumsy bird that flies first or I’ll end up starving. And I promise, sir, it absolutely won’t interfere with my studies. You know, it’s only for a short time in the morning, not even overlapping with morning classes," Dong Yanyan pledged solemnly.

"You do have a sense of crisis. I can give you this certification, but can you guarantee you can handle the hardship?" Director Tang smiled.

"I can! As long as you give me this opportunity, I won’t let you down! Thank you for granting me this valuable practical experience!" Dong Yanyan bowed deeply to him, eyes full of gratitude, watching as he took out paper and pen to write her a certification, stamping it with the official seal.

Dong Yanyan signed the contract smoothly, and so began her days of rising before dawn. Every morning, after she delivered newspapers to all the school offices, she would place the copy meant for herself on Director Tang’s desk. Director Tang finally showed a hint of a smile, and sometimes, when he saw her on campus, would even greet her proactively. Leadership is like that: often, you don’t need to do much for them, just let them feel respected and valued, and they’re happy.

What Dong Yanyan gained was not only a monthly wage of two hundred yuan; for each newspaper subscription she secured, she received a commission. In those days, that money was no small sum for her.

*

Friday night was the liveliest time for students—no evening study session, followed by the long weekend ahead. Dong Yanyan finished her homework, listened to the radio at the back of the classroom, but didn’t see Lin Feng come down from his dorm on the fifth floor. It seemed none of the boys from his dorm were around. After asking Zhang Lei from the dorm next door, she learned they had a much more exciting life—the whole room had gone out drinking.

In the front row, Liu Qiang hugged his guitar, singing “Too Softhearted.” Xiaohan and her friends sat watching Southeast Satellite TV’s Super Imitation Show. In the middle of the classroom, several boys and girls joked and played. Li Hui, Liu Ying, and Liu Siying, the studious ones, automatically gathered in the back to concentrate on their exercises.

Leng Haoyang and a few boys played ball near her. Suddenly, the ball hit her head by accident. She yelped, clutching her head, then left through the back door, heading downstairs to her dorm.

As soon as she opened the dorm door, she was embarrassed: only two people were inside—Lu Tian and her boyfriend, He Jingxuan from the broadcasting class. They were cuddling on Lu Tian’s bed. Petite Lu Tian nestled sweetly in the arms of the tall, handsome He Jingxuan. They only looked up, startled, when they heard the door open.

“Sis Five, you scared me to death!” Lu Tian clutched her chest, pouting at her sweetly.

“Duckling’s back!” He Jingxuan turned to glance at her, acknowledging her presence.

“Hello, He!” Dong Yanyan leaned against the door, tapped the dorm rules posted there, and smiled at him, “Take a look at this—Dorm 103 Rule Five! Except for the life committee doing inspections, no boys allowed in this dorm!”

“That’s your dorm’s rule, doesn’t apply to me,” He Jingxuan dismissed.

“The girls’ dorm is a private space. Right now, you’re not only invading Tian Tian’s personal space, but also ours—the other seven girls. If you think it doesn’t apply to you, shall we ask the teacher?” Dong Yanyan smiled, not backing down.

He Jingxuan’s expression soured. Dong Yanyan wasn’t angry, just tilted her head, watching him with amusement.

Lu Tian, worried they might really quarrel, hurried over to take Dong Yanyan’s hand, pleading, “Sis Five, you’re my best Sis Five, aren’t you?”

Dong Yanyan lifted her chin, squinting with a smile, “Tian Tian, of course I’m your best Sis Five, I don’t mind at all! But if someone gets kicked out later, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” With that, she climbed onto her bed, drew the curtain, and buried herself in her books.

There was a brief silence below, then suppressed, muffled sounds. Dong Yanyan realized they were holding back—she was too wicked! Still, compared to some people, her mischief was hardly worth mentioning.

Soon, the dorm door opened again. Second Sis Yu Xia and Seventh Sis Xinran entered, smiling and carrying basins. Seeing a boy inside, they froze momentarily.

This time, He Jingxuan ignored them completely.

“Ah? Why is there a guy here?” Yu Xia exclaimed. Before Lu Tian could explain, she marched over and sized up He Jingxuan for two seconds, then pointed at the dorm rules, asking, “Didn’t you see this?”

“No! Why should I look?” He Jingxuan replied, displeased.

“Are you a girl?” Yu Xia continued.

“What’s wrong if I’m a guy?” He Jingxuan glared at her impatiently.

“If you’re a guy, you must be thrown out! Xinran, bring the mop handle!” Yu Xia shouted. Xinran, expressionless, calmly fetched the freshly washed mop and advanced. Seeing things take a turn for the worse, Lu Tian quickly grabbed He Jingxuan and dashed out.

Dong Yanyan laughed herself breathless on the upper bunk: with these two upright girls guarding the dorm, not even an army could break through.

*

"Thinking of you makes my mind chaotic; not thinking hurts myself. I carve a love for you, in this life and the next..." At ten o'clock that night, Dong Yanyan hummed a song as she returned from the shop outside the school, carrying two bags of instant noodles and sausages—tonight’s dormitory midnight snack, and it was her turn to buy. The moment she stepped onto campus, the lights dimmed; the lamps outside the teaching building had gone out, and only a few classrooms were still lit. Their glow did not reach her feet. Passing by the infamous haunted office building, a sudden chill wind made her shudder violently. Darkness surrounded her, sending a chill down her spine. Just then, the sound of unhurried footsteps echoed behind her, making her heart beat faster. Frightened, she remembered a trick from “The Exorcist.” She crouched, grabbed a small stone from the ground, and tossed it backward without looking, chanting, “Borrowing the power of Mount Tai, Stone General, strike!” Then she dashed toward the teaching building without looking back.

A flashlight beam swept over her from behind, accompanied by a deep male voice: “Who’s there? Which class are you from?”