Chapter 38
"So, even if Li Hua went, what does that matter?"
Gu Xici's questioning made Lu Man speechless. She didn't know what to say because her words seemed to elevate the status of those people, even though she didn't really think so.
Looking at Lu Man, Gu Xici couldn't help but sigh. In her heart, she firmly believed that the choices she made were not bad, whether it was for the girls or for the whole group. Even though a few people might have emotional reactions to it, it wouldn't hinder the overall progress.
But now she had become the target of criticism. It would be wise for her to stay calm and composed.
Moreover, her intention was not to provoke opposition. Clarifying boundaries was also about minimizing conflicts and disagreements. She didn't want to cause a scene just because of some opposing behaviors, as Lu Man suggested.
She also didn't want anyone else, besides herself, to deliberately provoke disputes. So she had to remind those who were currently agitated, "Once things escalate, it won't be good for everyone. Especially now, when everyone's emotions are highly unstable, including yours. I don't want anything to further provoke everyone's emotions."
With the scarcity of food lately, the atmosphere in the 8th Building had reached its lowest point. There were even talks of fasting soon.
As this atmosphere spread, negative work attitudes started to emerge in the 8th Building. In this situation, if there was another scene due to something, with the current fragile atmosphere here, it would be difficult to control the situation. This wouldn't be good for the entire 8th Building.
Moreover, Gu Xici understood that compromising with each other after coordination was the effective choice to prolong survival.
Perhaps seeing Gu Xici's determination, Lu Man finally didn't insist anymore. She directly sat down next to Qiao Tang, unsettling Qiao Tang's bed with a few movements. She muttered, "Forget it, call me nosy."
Her anger was very evident in her tone, but Gu Xici, who she thought should have paid attention to her words, chose to remain silent, which made her feel even more upset.
Gu Xici knows Lu Man too well and understands that Lu Man is trying to protect her, but she can't let Lu Man go too far.
Previously, because of the issue of separating the dormitories for boys and girls, it directly triggered some people's resistance. The food assigned to girls was deliberately reduced, and there were even comments like "Since it's separated so clearly, if girls want to eat, they should find it themselves."
After Gu Xici reported it, although Jiang Bei punished the troublemaker, he also scolded Gu Xici.
In a nutshell, Jiang Bei's handling of this matter was to give both parties a punishment, which made Gu Xici realize that ultimately the one who has the final say here is the one who holds the power. And she doesn't have that power now. But luckily Jiang Bei isn't too unreasonable, he just tends to be indecisive and sometimes lacks his own opinions, but there is still a bottom line.
But Lu Man is too impulsive, and she easily stirs up trouble for Gu Xici, which gives Gu Xici a headache. She even needs to put effort into dealing with such matters. So she wants to nip this in the bud.
Lu Man naturally doesn't know what Gu Xici is thinking. She just sees that Gu Xici doesn't even respond to her, which naturally makes her even more angry.
The atmosphere in the dorm instantly became extremely cold.
Feeling the awkward atmosphere, Qiao Tang couldn't help but grip the registration book in her hand, and silently gathered her courage in her heart, "By the way, do you guys know Su Mo?"
Then smoothly, after she spoke, both people sitting were attracted and focused, because after all, this topic would not cause a disagreement between the two.
Su Mo? Gu Xici silently repeated this name in her mind, feeling somewhat familiar, as if she had heard it somewhere, but for the moment, she couldn't remember.
This is not her fault either. In these four years, she had only been focused on her classmate Lu Jia, so she had little knowledge about people who didn't belong to her own college.
However, even though she didn't know, they had Lu Man here, who knew a lot about all the colleges. So with just a little thought, Su Mo naturally came to mind.
"Qiao Tang, you're amazing. Su Mo doesn't even know?" She laughed and gave Qiao Tang a thumbs up, as if she found it somewhat unbelievable that Qiao Tang, who knew very little about the school like Su Mo, could meet someone like her.
As she listened to Lu Man's words, Gu Xici couldn't help but focus her attention on Lu Man and wanted to know something.
"Is she... very famous?" Qiao Tang asked, lowering her head to look at the register, specifically Su Mo's entry.
The things written on it proved one thing - that on the night when the zombies arrived, Su Mo had been to the dormitory. As for the reason, she wasn't clear yet. But because of this register, a speculation in her mind was greatly confirmed. She just didn't understand why Lu Jia had to tell such a lie.
"Of course she's famous. Although in our college, she can't compare to the popularity of Xici, she has good grades and is beautiful. In the School of Information Engineering, she is quite popular."
Lu Man continued to explain.
Listening to her words, Gu Xici finally remembered that she had indeed heard of and seen this name before, it was on the school's commendation list. For the past four years, this name seemed to always be there, so gradually it left an impression on her.
"So you've met her?" Qiao Tang wanted to know if Lu Man knew her, so she could confirm if the person in Lu Jia's dormitory was indeed Su Mo.
Listening to her words, Lu Man shook her head this time. "I've only seen a few blurry photos of her. I heard she doesn't like to participate in activities, and it's even hard to see her in class. It's like she's hiding at the school. But those who have seen her say she's beautiful, and..."
Despite speaking so well, Lu Man couldn't help but close her mouth and look at Gu Xici.
Looking at the sudden gaze towards her, Gu Xici was a bit confused, but she still gestured for Lu Man to continue.
With Gu Xici's confirmation, Lu Man continued, "Rumors have it that she and Lu Jia went to the same high school, so for a period of time, the inter-college forums were filled with discussions about the two of them, comparing them."
Lu Man knew that Gu Xici didn't like Lu Jia and didn't like browsing forums, so she guessed that Gu Xici was unaware of this matter.
As for that forum war, she was lucky enough to witness the entire thing, even though the two main characters never showed up or made any statements from start to finish. But this war lasted for half a month until the administrators deleted the posts, citing it as a threat to the forum's healthy environment. After that, it gradually quieted down.
"So... Su Mo and Lu Jia were actually high school classmates. No wonder they seem so... close?" Qiao Tang thought.
"Close? How is that possible?" Lu Man laughed, clearly disagreeing with Qiao Tang's understanding. "Let me put it this way. How good can the relationship be between two families who constantly compare themselves to each other? If it were good, then that post wouldn't have caused such a long argument."
In Lu Man's opinion, Su Mo and Lu Jia's relationship is basically equivalent to Gu Xici and Lu Jia's relationship in her mind. Therefore, based on Xici and Lu Jia's relationship, it's impossible for the two of them to have a good relationship.
"Really?" Qiao Tang muttered to herself, not fully agreeing with Lu Man's words. She remembered what she saw in Lu Jia's dorm room that day. Those two people seemed to have a really good relationship, even... one could say it was excellent.
But Gu Xici, as she listened to their conversation, gradually focused on Qiao Tang. In the past few days, Qiao Tang seemed to have been influenced by something, and her emotional recovery was beyond Gu Xici's imagination.
Could something have happened to her? Gu Xici couldn't be sure, but seeing Qiao Tang's clueless expression regarding Su Mo, she couldn't help but have some doubts. "Qiao Tang, why are you suddenly bringing this up? Is there something going on?"
After Gu Xici's question, Qiao Tang indeed seemed a bit taken aback. Seeing her like this, Gu Xici was about to speak, but Qiao Tang voluntarily interrupted her.
"It's nothing. I just felt that the atmosphere here is a bit strange, so I casually asked about the names on this list. I thought, maybe it could improve the atmosphere."
Quietly raising the registration book, Qiao Tang pointed at the name and forced a smile, her expression appearing somewhat cautious.
This made Gu Xici and Lu Man feel awkward again, so the reason Qiao Tang asked was because of them.
The atmosphere seemed to have returned, but it was slightly different from before.
Until Lu Man slapped Qiao Tang on the shoulder and said, "Wow, you're amazing! You can randomly point out such a person. But, you must have the same name and surname as them."
In any case, Lu Man firmly believed in her own understanding, but it was also because of her words that the room broke the ice again.
It was in this situation that Lu Man remembered that she almost forgot the main task because of Lu Jia. She searched through her pocket and found a set of keys. She walked towards Gu Xici and placed the items on a small table next to Gu Xici. "These are the keys I received."
According to Gu Xici's request, she had previously gone to find the warehouse manager and took away as many spare keys as possible from the dormitory where the A Building girls lived. It was on her way back that she saw Li Hua taking Lu Jia away.
"However, the keys here are not complete. They said some keys were missing," Lu Man explained. Although they said that, Lu Man still had some doubts that those people were hiding some keys and had some bad intentions.
Without paying much attention to the keys on the table, Gu Xici didn't have the same mindset as Lu Man. After receiving the keys, she started thinking about the arrangements for the future.
It might be necessary to make some changes in the dormitories. It would be better to move the girls who are living in the dormitories without spare keys to the ones with spare keys.
Thinking about it, as a person who prefers quick solutions, she immediately invited Lu Man to accompany her on a trip because Lu Man is familiar with these keys.
As for Qiao Tang, although she has been calmer lately, Gu Xici always felt that something was off with Qiao Tang's situation. So the best way was to give her something to do. Gu Xici has been doing this these days. She has been busy with her own matters and hasn't had the mind to think about anything else.
So, before leaving, Gu Xici handed the task of transcribing names to Qiao Tang.
After Gu Xici explained everything, Lu Man opened the door herself. Maybe because of this sudden action, it startled the person who was squatting outside Gu Xici's window. When that person realized it, she immediately stood up. Under the gaze of Gu Xici and Lu Man, the girl calmly turned around and walked forward until she reached the third floor.
Watching the girl disappear before her eyes, Lu Man became furious and wanted to chase after her and give her a beating. But Gu Xici held onto her wrist.
"Let it go," Gu Xici said. She had gotten used to this situation.
"Why let it go? I think Zhang Han is insane. She not only leans against the wall with guys, but also peeks around the corner. Isn't that disgusting?" As Lu Man mentioned the name, her frustration was evident. She even deliberately raised her voice, hoping that Zhang Han would hear it.
"Alright, let's not talk about it. Qiao Tang is still inside, let's go first."
However, Gu Xici didn't want to dwell on such matters. She turned around and walked in the opposite direction of where the girl left, heading upstairs. Lu Man could only sigh quietly and choose to follow Gu Xici.
