Traveling Through Those Years Of Farming (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 27

Since the college entrance examination resumes, the number of candidates increases every year, prompting Provincial University to expand several times beyond its original campus. A few years ago, due to a shortage of dormitories, the university builds three new dorm buildings, significantly easing the accommodation pressure. The dormitories, which had originally been eight-person and ten-person rooms, are now divided into four-person and six-person rooms.

Baobao is lucky to be assigned to a four-person room. Because she has more luggage, some of the other students have already gone to the female dormitory.

“Here’s the dormitory key, child. Go ahead and register first.”

The dormitory aunt in Building No. 3 is an elderly woman in her seventies. She is short, thin, and has a slight hunch due to her age. Despite her age, the old lady dresses herself very neatly in a white shirt with blue flowers, navy blue trousers, and her silver-white hair is combed with great care. It appears she has even applied some hair oil, as not a single strand is out of place. She puts on her reading glasses and hands a registration book to Sheng Baobao. Baobao notices how neatly her nails are trimmed, with no dirt under them.

Baobao is a little curious, however, since the dormitory aunt before her is quite elderly. She can’t even bring herself to call her “aunt”—she feels she should address her as “grandma.” She wonders why the school has allowed someone of her age to manage the dormitory. At her age, she should have retired by now, right?

“Auntie, what should I call you?” While Baobao is signing in, Hua Yingpo greets the old woman.

“My husband’s surname is Xu, so you can just call me Xu Lin.” The old lady smiles, her expression kind and gentle.

The others are a little surprised. Few people introduce themselves like that these days, but considering the old lady’s age, it’s understandable—people from her generation are often more traditional.

“How about this? I’ll call you Aunt Xu.”

Since Hua Yingpo is at least one generation older than the old lady, she can’t just call her “Xu Lin.” Seeing how much the old woman seems to value her husband’s surname, Hua Yingpo decides to call her Aunt Xu.

“Ah, that’s fine.” The old lady’s smile deepens, and her eyes soften even more.

“Our dormitory building was constructed just a few years ago, so all the facilities are relatively new. There are two toilets on each floor, and the odd-numbered floors have water rooms that provide hot water 24/7. The bathhouse is on the first floor, with hot water available from 12 noon to 2 pm and from 6 pm to 11 pm every day.” Aunt Xu Lin goes on, carefully explaining everything. Baobao knows some of these things already from the freshman notes, but Aunt Xu’s advice is still helpful. “It’s a good idea to buy two hot water bottles, so that even if you don’t have time to go to the bathhouse, you can still use the water to wipe your body. Also, you should get a small, battery-powered table lamp. The dormitory cuts off power at 11 pm, but when you’re preparing for exams, you’ll definitely need some light…”

She is clearly more experienced than anyone else present, and she shares many tips that aren’t in the freshman notes but are very practical.

After Hua Yingpo and Sheng Wukun thank her multiple times, they take Baobao upstairs. Baobao’s room is on the third floor, which is ideal. There is less concern about thieves climbing up the stairs, and it isn’t too exhausting to carry heavy luggage. Those living on the sixth and seventh floors have it much worse—their luggage is so heavy when they first arrive, it’s a real challenge.

When they arrive at the room, two roommates have already checked in. Baobao’s bed is the upper bunk by the window, while the last roommate who hasn’t arrived yet is assigned the lower bunk on the other side.

“Baobao is lucky! The upper bunk is much better than the lower one.”

Hua Yingpo and Sheng Wukun are quick to open the luggage and start unpacking.

“The faucet in the east bathroom is rusty, and the water comes out yellow and brown. Baobao, remember to use the west bathroom from now on.”

They take out two enamel washbasins and an old brass basin. The enamel washbasins are for bathing and washing her face, while the brass basin is for cleaning. The couple goes to the public bathroom to fetch a basin of water, wipes the bed down carefully, and lays the sheets and bedding.

Sheng Wukun pulls out a white mosquito net from the bag like a magic trick and hangs it on the bed frame. Baobao and the others aren’t idle either. She and Chunming carefully wipe down her desk, chair, and the cabinet with her name on it. The old monk, walking around the room chanting Buddhist scriptures, seems to be performing some kind of ritual.

“These things won’t last long, so it’s best to eat them quickly. The canned foods will last longer, but don’t hesitate to eat them. After you finish, call home, and your parents will bring more supplies.”

The contents of the several large packages are sorted and placed into the cabinets. But even with the cabinets full, there is still a small portion of luggage left. Mrs. Hua feels a bit embarrassed about dealing with the remaining food and daily necessities. She thinks the small dorm room feels a bit cramped, and it seems a little unfair to her daughter.

As they wonder where to store the rest of the things, footsteps approach outside the room.

“I can’t believe it. In this day and age, people still call themselves ‘Xu Linshi.’ Is she some ancient fossil who crawled out of a tomb? How could the university allow someone like her to be a dormitory manager? So low-class.” The voice is young, likely from a girl around Baobao’s age.

“It’s because your father is so conservative. I’ve always said you should study abroad. People in developed countries have different mindsets compared to those in China. Our relatives may not be as well-off, but their kids get sent to Britain, France, and the United States. They’ll stay there, get foreign passports, and have completely different identities.” This voice sounds more mature, probably the girl’s mother.

“I’ll definitely go abroad when I’m a senior. Otherwise, I’ll be laughed at. The quality of this year’s provincial university students is so poor. Did you see on the way here? Someone’s luggage had ‘urea’ written on it. I really don’t know what it was used for before. It’s disgusting.”

Only a half-open door separates them, and their conversation reaches Baobao and the others clearly. They exchange glances, curious about what kind of “foreign” people are outside.

“306, is this the room?”

Just when Baobao is silently praying that the fashionable girl won’t be her roommate, the girl stops at the dormitory door and quickly pushes it open.

The goddess of luck seems to have finally turned away from Baobao, as the two women who enter immediately frown when they see several men in the room.

The mother and daughter, who have been criticizing the dormitory manager and the quality of domestic people, are certainly very “fashionable.”

The mother looks to be around the same age as Hua Ma, and she is dressed quite delicately. Her large, curly hair resembles the style of Hong Kong stars, with foundation, painted eyebrows, eyeliner, and bright red lipstick that catches the eye. She wears a little black skirt and black high heels. Baobao’s sharp eyes notice the Chanel logo on her skirt, and the handbag she carries is also from a major brand, something quite rare in the late 1990s.

The young girl’s outfit isn’t as luxurious as her mother’s, but it is clear she has also been carefully dressed. She has bangs and long, straight black hair, and wears a knee-length off-white dress. She looks a bit like the innocent Hong Kong actress Zhou Huimin, except she is a bit heavier and doesn’t have the same charm.

“Sister Liu, help Xinxin pack her things.”

The beautiful woman instructs her assistant, “Why did she have to be assigned to that position? Oh, it’s all because of the school’s rule that freshmen must live on campus. If it weren’t for that, your father and I would’ve bought you a place near the school. You’d be much happier.”

Clearly, the woman is dissatisfied with both the dormitory and her daughter’s bed location.

Upon hearing this, Hua Yingpo and Sheng Wukun are moved. Yes, they could buy a house for their daughter, which would also give them a place to stay when visiting.

“Are you Xinxin’s roommate?” the woman asks, finally acknowledging the people in the room. “Hello, my Xinxin has been spoiled since she was little. I’ll need to trouble you to take care of her while she’s here.”

Although the woman has noticed the dorm environment, she turns her attention back to Baobao and the others.

“Our Xinxin doesn’t do much around the house. When the time comes, please help her with cleaning and making the bed. Xinxin is very generous with her friends. When she gets settled, she’ll buy fruit and snacks to share with all of you.”

Since Hua Yingpo and the others are from the countryside and dressed quite simply—almost a little rustic—the woman assumes they are just an ordinary family. She thinks giving them a little benefit might encourage them to take care of her daughter more during the school year.

“What a coincidence!” Hua Yingpo claps her hands loudly, startling the woman. “When our Baobao was at home, she never touched water. She’s so delicate she’s never even washed a bowl. She only drinks the first drop of dew that condenses on flower petals in the morning and only eats chicken, duck, and fish that have been blessed by Buddhist scriptures before being slaughtered. If there’s even a speck of dust on the quilt, she gets a rash. Your name is Xinxin, right? Please take care of our Baobao in the future and help her with her work. Our Baobao is very generous with her friends. When the time comes, you can have a sip of the floral water she’s collected.”

What’s wrong? Her child is so precious, yet she asks her to help clean and make the bed, as if no one else could afford fruit snacks. She treats her classmates like servants!

The beautiful woman never imagines that her daughter’s roommate’s parents would be so rude. After hearing what Hua Yingpo says, her face turns green.

As for Baobao, she silently takes a sip from the bottle of mineral water in her hand. So, it turns out she is a fairy who grew up drinking floral water.

Seeing this, the beautiful woman becomes so angry her hands tremble. The girl has clearly just told her that what she said is nonsense, and it is obvious she is challenging her.

“What low-class behavior!” After holding it in for a while, the beautiful woman mutters a foreign word. “Xinxin, let’s go and ask if we can change your dormitory.”

What kind of people are these from the countryside? The mother is so arrogant, and the daughter is just as bad. Her well-behaved Xinxin is definitely going to be bullied.

The beautiful woman grabs her daughter’s hand and storms off, her high heels clicking loudly on the ground, clearly furious.

The nanny, who has already made half of the bed, feels awkward. She isn’t sure whether to continue or to pack up and wait for the owner to come back.

“Baobao, we don’t cause trouble, but we’re not afraid of it either. If you’re ever bullied at school, don’t just tolerate it.” Hua Yingpo worries that her daughter’s soft temperament might make her an easy target.

“Don’t worry, Auntie Hua, I’ll take good care of Baobao.” Chunming says seriously from the side.

“With you here, I feel much more at ease.” Hua Yingpo pats the boy’s shoulder with satisfaction. “I’ve been thinking. Why don’t I leave these things at your place for now? Then when Baobao needs them, we can just go to your dorm to get them.”

Chunming doesn’t mind at all, and since his luggage is quite light, there will be plenty of space in his room.

So the group takes their luggage to the boys’ dormitory.

Chunming has been assigned to the first male dormitory, the oldest building in the provincial university. It has been renovated a few years ago, but some of the newly painted walls are already beginning to peel.

As they walk into the male dormitory, Baobao spots the young soldier again.

He is standing under the large banyan tree in front of the building, looking into the distance. Baobao can only see his profile.

Strangely, when she blinks, he disappears again.

Baobao rubs her eyes. Is she seeing things?

Chunming lives on the fifth floor. There are already two senior students living in the six-person dormitory. After exchanging greetings, Hua Yingpo and Sheng Wukun help the old monk and Chunming settle in their things. By the time they’re done, it is almost lunchtime.

The old monk invites his apprentice’s two roommates to join them, but the students feel a little awkward and politely decline. They say that when all the roommates are present, they will have a meal together.

The old monk doesn’t insist, and the five of them go to the cafeteria.

The country now places a strong emphasis on education, and universities receive substantial subsidies. The provincial university’s cafeteria receives special grants every year to improve the quality of students’ meals.

Hua Yingpo is impressed by the variety of dishes offered, representing food from all over the country. The prices are very affordable too—only twenty yuan a month for food is already quite good.

She gives Baobao a hundred yuan for living expenses each month, reminding her to occasionally buy fruit snacks for Chunming, so he won’t suffer too much.

After dinner, the group strolls around the provincial university. By about two or three o’clock in the afternoon, Hua Yingpo and the others say their goodbyes and leave for the provincial capital.

Baobao and Chunming walk them to the door. After saying farewell, they watch the car slowly disappear around the corner before turning back.

Across the road, a hunched old man stands. Despite the hot September weather, he has a large shawl wrapped around his head, and his entire upper body is covered with it.

With the light behind him and the shawl obscuring his face, his features are hidden in shadow.

He stares at Baobao and Chunming’s retreating figures for a long time before revealing a sly smile.