36: Friendly roommates

The phone screen suddenly lit up, and a video call request popped out.

The caller ID showed — Mom.

Li Wanxi answered the video call.

A middle-aged woman's concerned face appeared on the screen, her worry etched into the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.

"Wanxi, why did it take you so long to answer? What were you doing? Is the signal in your dorm that bad?"

Her mother, Zhang Lan's, voice came through.

Li Wanxi forced a smile, suppressing the excitement and guilt of her recent Breakthrough.

"N-no, Mom. I was just... previewing my major's coursework. My phone was on silent, so I didn't hear it."

"Previewing again?"

Zhang Lan's brows furrowed.

"What's going on with your school? They make you study so late at night? Don't overwork yourself. Your dad and I looked up that Kunlun Academy you mentioned, but there's no such key university online."

Here it comes.

Li Wanxi's heart skipped a beat.

She had long expected her parents to check and had already prepared a set of excuses.

"Mom, I already told you, this is a special talent Cultivation program, it's not public! It's highly confidential!"

She sat up straight, making herself seem more confident.

"The school has invested a lot. Our dorms are all private units, the environment is as good as a resort. The tuition is cheap because there's a national special subsidy! It's specifically for Cultivating us... special talents!"

"Special talents? What kind of special talents?"

Zhang Lan's doubts didn't lessen in the slightest.

"What was your major called again? It's long and awkward, sounds a bit improper."

"Mom!"

Li Wanxi raised her voice.

"My major is the most cutting-edge in the world! You don't understand! Anyway, just wait, when I graduate, I'll definitely surprise both you and Dad!"

"I didn't mean that..."

Zhang Lan's tone softened, with a hint of a sigh.

"Wanxi, tell Mom honestly, have you been scammed? There are so many tricks in online scams these days, specifically targeting young girls like you who are just starting out. Cheap tuition and a good environment, where in the world is there such a good thing?"

"If you don't have enough money, just tell us. Don't suffer out there."

"I haven't been scammed!"

Li Wanxi blurted out, her voice so sharp it startled even herself.

Zhang Lan on the other end of the video also froze.

Li Wanxi's chest heaved violently; this was what she feared most.

Being treated by her parents as a foolish person who was scammed and still stubbornly refused to see it.

"Mom, I'm grown up now. I have my own judgment."

Her tone softened, but it carried an unyielding stubbornness.

"This school, I chose it myself. I think it's very good, extremely good."

Zhang Lan fell silent.

After a long while, she spoke faintly.

"You used to... didn't you always want to be a designer? Your drawings were so good, teachers praised your talent. Why did you suddenly... change to such an unrelated major?"

Designer.

These three words were like a needle, sharply piercing Li Wanxi's heart.

She recalled the days and nights she dedicated to the art exam, and the despair that felt like the sky was falling when she saw her failed results.

Those memories she had deliberately sealed away now surged up.

"People always change."

Li Wanxi lowered her head, not wanting her mother to see her reddened eyes.

"I don't want to draw anymore. What I've chosen now is the path I truly want to take."

"This path, its future is promising."

Another long silence fell on the other end of the video.

Finally, Zhang Lan sighed, as if she had conceded.

"Alright, since it's your own choice, Mom supports you. Take good care of yourself out there, get along well with your classmates, and don't let anyone bully you."

"Mhm!"

Li Wanxi nodded heavily.

"Mom, don't worry! My roommate is so good to me! Especially Dong Wanying, we're the best of friends now!"

"That's good, that's good..."

The mother and daughter chatted for a few more minutes about daily life, then Li Wanxi found an excuse and hastily hung up the video call.

The phone screen darkened.

Li Wanxi let out a long sigh, feeling as if all her strength had been drained, and she slumped onto the chair.

Those few short minutes of conversation were more exhausting than Cultivating all night.

She turned around, ready to share the joy of her Breakthrough with her roommate.

But she saw Dong Wanying on the neighboring bed, sitting with her knees hugged to her chest, her head buried deeply.

Although no sound was made, her slightly trembling shoulders revealed her current state.

Li Wanxi's heart sank abruptly.

She had forgotten that the dorm's soundproofing wasn't good.

Dong Wanying must have heard her entire conversation with her mother.

She knew about Dong Wanying's family situation.

Parents who favored sons over daughters, a beloved younger brother, and her, always overlooked.

A call full of worry and concern, like the one just now, was an unattainable luxury for Dong Wanying.

Li Wanxi quietly walked to the edge of the bed and sat down.

"Hey."

Dong Wanying's body stiffened, and she slowly raised her head.

Her eyes were red, and the traces of unshed tears still lingered on her face.

She pulled at the corners of her mouth, trying to smile, but it looked worse than crying.

"Your... your mom is so good to you."

Her voice was thick with a nasal tone, full of envy.

The air in the room instantly became heavy and oppressive.

Li Wanxi looked at her, then suddenly grinned.

"Hey, let me ask you a question."

Dong Wanying stared at her blankly, not understanding.

"Do you know what's best for curing unhappiness?"

Without waiting for Dong Wanying to answer, Li Wanxi suddenly extended both hands, like two predatory tigers, pouncing straight for Dong Wanying's waist.

"Ah!"

Dong Wanying shrieked, her body recoiling like an electric shock.

"Haha... Li Wanxi! What are you doing! Stop... stop it! It tickles!"

"Tell me! Are you still sad!"

Li Wanxi, an Incarnation of a great Devil King, furiously attacked her most ticklish spots with her fingers, muttering all the while.

"I command you! Laugh out loud right now! Laugh loudly!"

"Hahahahaha... Stop! Stop it quickly! I'm going to die... Hahaha..."

Dong Wanying shrieked and writhed on the bed, trying to evade those mischievous "Devil King's claws."

The dorm, which had been dull and oppressive moments before, was instantly filled with the girls' screams and laughter.

Eventually, both of them laughed until they had no strength left, collapsing onto the bed, gasping for breath.

Dong Wanying's face was flushed from laughter, and the tear stains at the corners of her eyes were washed away by the tears of laughter.

Li Wanxi turned on her side, propping her head with her elbow, and looked at her.

"Better now?"

Dong Wanying nodded vigorously, a lingering smile of relief on her face.

Li Wanxi's smile softened a bit. She leaned closer, looking seriously into Dong Wanying's eyes.

"Wanying, we're roommates, and we're also friends."

"If you ever feel down in the future, just say it. Don't keep it all bottled up inside; you'll hurt yourself."

Dong Wanying looked at her, saying nothing.

After a long pause.

She softly uttered a "Mhm."

That single word carried more weight than any flowery prose.

Li Wanxi patted her shoulder and lay back down.