Chapter 18: An encounter
Outside the swimming pool where everyone was gathered, in the changing room, the phone in Tang Wu's locker rang cheerfully and clearly, but no one answered.
Cheng Congcong was fairly popular over by the pool, but once the novelty wore off, she found the boys interested in her rather uninspiring.
Some were lacking in looks; the sight of one senior grinning foolishly at her with a face full of acne left her with no interest in giving him a proper look.
The slightly better-looking seniors, meanwhile, seemed a little too touchy-feely. Otherwise, judging by what they said and the looks they gave her, their heads were probably already full of which daily-rental rooms around campus offered hot water at the cheapest rates.
She found none of it romantic and even felt somewhat uncomfortable. Still imagining that university would have princely seniors waiting for her, men with both grace and presence, Cheng Congcong felt her ideals begin to crack. After all, having to force a smile to deal with these seniors she had attracted so easily, especially in contrast to what was happening over by Tang Wu, made her feel that the more she smiled, the more unnatural it became, and the less willing she was.
Seeing Cheng Congcong merely going through the motions among the boys, Ruan Si'ou and Tong Tong giggled on their loungers. Cheng Congcong shot them a look that said, "You're actually leaving me to die!"
Tong Tong turned onto her side and teased Ruan Si'ou, "She brought it on herself. Who told her to flirt all day? We should've kept our distance ages ago from a jar of honey like her, attracting all those bees and butterflies."
Ruan Si'ou thought for a moment before saying, "Actually, sometimes I really admire Cheng Congcong.