Chapter 17
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Dorm life is a significant part of a college student’s experience, especially when it often lasts for four years. A positive dorm atmosphere can greatly impact both academic and personal life.
Lin Hao made an effort to push aside his frustration, reminding himself that he was dealing with someone just barely an adult and chose not to dwell on it.
After calming himself, he checked his class’s dorm assignments. The allocations were as follows: Cao Jun, Chen Minghao, Chen An, and Dang Hao in one room; Lin Hao, Liu Ye, Niu Qingfeng, and Qin Hao in another; and Tian Zheng, Zhang Yuan, Zhao Huinan, and Zhao Jiayi in yet another room. Since there were 11 boys in the acting class, he figured that one room might have students from other classes. Surprisingly, the dorms were organized into four-person rooms—a rarity given the limited dorm space at the school, where it wasn’t uncommon to have six, eight, or even ten students per room.
Looking closer, he noticed he was assigned a lower bunk, which suited him. Although sleeping on the upper bunk is preferable for someone with germaphobia, Lin Hao appreciated not having to climb up and down.
There was little else to note, just some accommodation agreements. As he waited for Wang Qianyuan to return, two unfamiliar students from the directing program came by.
About ten minutes later, Wang Qianyuan arrived, and Lin Hao had a quick chat with him. Wang Qianyuan was filling in for a friend with this responsibility, not his usual role.
“You sure have a lot of friends,” Lin Hao remarked.
“Maybe it’s because I’m sociable,” Wang Qianyuan replied, a hint of pride in his tone. Good social connections are valuable.
“Oh, right!” Lin Hao remembered, “I need some help moving things into my dorm. That’s allowed, right?”
“Should be fine as long as you register,” Wang Qianyuan responded.
…
With the means available, Lin Hao intended to make his dorm as comfortable as possible.
Arriving early, he was alone in the room and called in some help. About half an hour later, workers arrived with various dorm essentials, including cups, a mosquito net, and even checked the bunk beds for stability—no one likes the creaking of a shaky bunk. He even added a table and chair and would’ve squeezed in a couch if space allowed. However, the most significant upgrade he’d arranged over the break: installing an air conditioner.
In Beijing’s summer heat, not having air conditioning is unbearable.
In this era, air conditioning was still rare and expensive; even having it at home was uncommon. Lin Hao went to great lengths and pulled favors to make it happen, even making a small donation to the school to smooth over any hurdles. Lin Hao’s preference for comfort showed in his rejection of the idea that hardship breeds strength. He believed beauty could be found without discomfort.
As Lin Hao finished setting up, he noticed he had time to kill, so he decided to explore. Knowing the area around Central Academy of Drama well—being near Nanluoguxiang with its many eateries and attractions—he decided to clear the air after an earlier argument with Liu Ye. He strolled around, eventually deciding to visit a nearby department store, browsing to see if he needed anything. Though unimpressed by most items, he picked up a couple of notebooks.
He then collected a bamboo flute he’d ordered. Having recently begun learning, he was motivated by knowing there were others in his class with skill in the instrument. One student had shown off their advanced techniques, which pushed Lin Hao to continue practicing despite feeling intimidated by the competition.
When he returned to the dorm, it was bustling with people. As he entered, all eyes turned toward him. Liu Ye was there with his parents and another student, who seemed slightly older and was likely Niu Qingfeng, based on process of elimination.
“Hello, Uncle and Auntie. I’m Lin Hao.” He greeted Liu Ye’s parents politely.
“Hello, hello! So you’re Lin Hao? Our son mentioned you—top student in the entrance exam, right?” Liu Ye’s mother said enthusiastically. “We also heard you were the top in academics!”
Lin Hao felt Liu’s mother was being gracious, given how he assumed Liu Ye had likely complained about him at home. “Oh no, I’m just in the acting department, Auntie. Liu Ye performed well too,” he replied modestly.
“Pffft…” Liu Ye, busy organizing his belongings, scoffed under his breath.
“Liu Ye!” his mother chided immediately.
Turning to the other student, Lin Hao greeted him, “You must be Niu Qingfeng? I’m Lin Hao, nice to meet you.” Niu Qingfeng, clearly older and more mature, acknowledged him, easing the tension in the room.
…
With three roommates arriving on the first day, Lin Hao suggested they all go out for a meal. Everyone agreed, except Liu Ye, who seemed less enthusiastic. Liu Ye’s father even asked Lin Hao to look after his son, who, he noted, was stubborn and disliked asking for help. Liu Ye’s mother jokingly offered that Lin Hao could contact her if Liu Ye ever gave him trouble.
Lin Hao replied warmly, “Of course, Auntie.”
Seeing Liu Ye’s mother’s attentiveness made Lin Hao think of his own parents, stirring a bittersweet feeling he kept to himself.
“Thank you in advance,” Liu Ye’s mother said, feeling Lin Hao’s reliability. Observing Liu Ye, she couldn’t help but compare her son with him.
Niu Qingfeng watched with amusement, grateful that his parents hadn’t come along, leaving him out of such comparisons. Liu Ye seemed destined to live under the shadow of being compared to “someone else’s child.”