Chapter Six: The Goddess Takes Me Back to the Dormitory

Because Geng Haoshi had lost too much blood from his nose, the mission was forced to a halt…

The young woman in white, thinking she’d caused him internal injuries by pinning him down, supported Geng Haoshi back to his dormitory.

It was just past four in the morning when she knocked on the dormitory door with Geng Haoshi in tow.

“Who is it?” Lai Dabao, who happened to be awake after a trip to the restroom, emerged just at that moment.

“Hurry, open the door!” The woman’s gentle voice carried a note of urgency—she was genuinely concerned about Geng Haoshi’s condition.

Hearing a girl’s voice, and such a pleasant one at that, Lai Dabao quickly tidied his clothes and hair, squaring his shoulders as he marched to the door.

Among Geng Haoshi’s five other dormmates, there was Zhao Ritian, the athletic one; Ye Liangchen, the master of flirting; Wang Wei and Li Jing, both diligent scholars; and Lai Dabao himself, who was a little on the chubby side and not particularly skilled at anything. Perhaps due to a lack of intelligence, even though Lai Dabao went to the library every day, his grades were mediocre—still, they were better than Geng Haoshi’s endless list of failed courses.

As the door swung open, a delicate fragrance drifted in… Lai Dabao froze, petrified on the spot. There, at four in the morning, stood a soft, lovely girl with big, sparkling eyes and flowing hair, her figure graced with generous curves—a vision that could only be heaven’s answer to his lonely soul. For a moment, Lai Dabao could only gape, his expression as blank and awestruck as Geng Haoshi’s had been many times before.

“Did we get the wrong dorm?” the woman in white asked anxiously, her tone uncertain.

But Lai Dabao’s daydream ended abruptly when he realized that this “angel” was supporting none other than his own dormmate, Geng Haoshi! Instantly, his hopes were dashed. How on earth did this guy, fatter and clumsier than me, end up with a goddess like her?

In truth, Geng Haoshi had already recovered but was feigning weakness just to remain close to the woman. Noticing Lai Dabao’s stunned look, Geng Haoshi winked at him and feigned a feeble tone, “Hey, Tubby… don’t just stand there… let her in…”

Though Lai Dabao and Geng Haoshi rarely spoke, Lai Dabao was quick enough to catch the hint. “Please come in! Please, right this way!”

The woman led Geng Haoshi to his bed, tucked him in with great care, and covered him with his quilt.

“Are you feeling any better?” she asked softly.

“Much better… just a little dizzy still…” Geng Haoshi continued the act.

“It’s still early—get some rest. I’ll bring you breakfast later. If you’re still dizzy, we’ll head to the infirmary.” With that, she left.

Watching her silhouette disappear, Geng Haoshi clutched the quilt she’d tucked around him, his heart pounding with excitement.

“Who was that?” his other four roommates all sat up, curiosity burning in their eyes—they’d all been awake, eavesdropping from their beds.

Ye Liangchen, ever the ladies’ man, spoke first: “You’re always so quiet, I thought you were a robot or something. Didn’t expect you had this in you!”

“Exactly! Haoshi, you have to teach me,” Wang Wei blurted out, curiosity overwhelming him. He’d never had a girlfriend, and Li Jing, his studious neighbor, nodded in agreement.

Wang Wei and Li Jing were honest bookworms—neither had the athletic prowess or charm of Zhao Ritian, nor the silver tongue and good looks of Ye Liangchen, whose girlfriends came in endless succession. So when they saw the chubby, round-faced Geng Haoshi being fussed over by a goddess, there had to be a secret—otherwise, such things simply didn’t happen.

Geng Haoshi simply lay there, grinning foolishly, thinking: Now that they’ve seen my irresistible charm, they want to cozy up to me after all the times they ignored me? I don’t have time for that.

Lai Dabao, after much hesitation, finally asked the question that had been burning in his mind since he’d seen the woman: “Hey, Haoshi, what were you two doing out so late?”

Geng Haoshi actually felt some sympathy for Lai Dabao; his plump figure and lack of popularity made them kindred spirits.

“Brother Bao, since you asked, I’ll tell you.” Geng Haoshi put on a world-weary air, as if he hadn’t been ‘the boss’ for years.

“Well, alone with a goddess in the middle of the night…” He trailed off mysteriously. “What do you think happened?”

Lai Dabao’s excitement was palpable: “Haoshi, so… so, how was it?”

Lai Dabao had clearly picked up on Geng Haoshi’s innuendo, which made Geng Haoshi even more pleased with himself. “Well… some things can only be experienced, not described!”

This successfully captured everyone’s attention—the whole dorm blushed, hearts pounding.

“…,” the system could only sigh silently. How are these guys so much like their master?

Lai Dabao refused to give up, sitting at Geng Haoshi’s bedside and massaging his shoulders. “Come on, Haoshi, tell us.”

“Let’s just say it was R-rated… Brother Bao, I’m only looking out for you—I wouldn’t want to corrupt your innocent soul… In short, it was indescribable!” Geng Haoshi patted his belly, utterly satisfied.

Thinking of Geng Haoshi being supported back by the woman, Lai Dabao’s admiration for him swelled like a river in flood… so intense an activity, no wonder he needed help!

“By the way, Haoshi, what’s her name? Which department is she from? I’ve never heard of such a goddess before.”

After all, every university has a goddess ranking. Geng Haoshi’s school was no exception—the top spot belonged to Xu Jiaojiao of the Performing Arts Department, idolized by all the male students. How could a goddess like that woman not be on the list? Lai Dabao’s confusion was understandable.

Indeed, how had he never heard of her? Even Geng Haoshi wondered.

“Haoshi?” Lai Dabao prompted when Geng Haoshi didn’t answer.

“Actually… um… I haven’t asked her name yet…” Geng Haoshi admitted awkwardly, realizing he’d forgotten to ask.

“You don’t even know her name?” Lai Dabao exclaimed. “Haoshi, you’re amazing! You scored with a goddess without even knowing her name. Incredible!”

“Heh… thanks, thanks.” It was a good excuse. Not wanting to dig himself in deeper, Geng Haoshi immediately hid under his quilt.

Though he hadn’t completed all his tasks that day, he’d run five kilometers after all. Ignoring the others, he hugged the quilt she’d tucked around him and drifted into a blissful sleep…

“Hey, classmate…” A gentle female voice slipped into Geng Haoshi’s ears, brushing his heartstrings.

In his dream, Geng Haoshi was holding hands with the campus goddess Xu Jiaojiao when a familiar voice called out. He turned to see the woman in white, smiling and waving at him. And just like that, Geng Haoshi woke up.

“Are you feeling better?” The woman in white was standing by his bed, her sweet smile unchanged.

“Oh… much better.” Geng Haoshi felt a bit awkward—after all, he’d just been dreaming about someone else.

“I brought you breakfast,” she said, reaching out to help him sit up.

So caring, so gentle! Geng Haoshi stared at her, dazed all over again.

“Why are you looking at me? Eat up!” Noticing his gaze, a faint blush colored her cheeks.

“Oh… okay!” For the first time, Geng Haoshi realized that staring at someone with such puppy-dog eyes might not be appropriate. He bowed his head and ate in earnest.

“By the way, I haven’t thanked you yet,” she said shyly.

Across the room, Lai Dabao, in the middle of brushing his teeth, spat his mouthful of water in shock. To think that after all that, the goddess had come to thank him—his awe for Geng Haoshi grew ever deeper.

“No need to thank me, it’s nothing,” Geng Haoshi mumbled, though inwardly he thought: If only it were still dark and she couldn’t see my bulky body—would she dislike me? Would she want to be friends? Would she…? It was probably the most he’d ever thought about anything in his life.

“I haven’t asked your name yet… I’m Yang Mimi,” she said, her cheeks pink as she smiled.

Finally, he knew the goddess’s name! “I—I’m Geng Haoshi,” he stammered, his heart racing. It was the first time a girl had ever introduced herself to him and asked his name.

“Geng Haoshi? That sounds like ‘Square Root of Four’—which is two? What a fun name. I’ll call you Second Brother from now on, and you can just call me Mimi.” Yang Mimi smiled sweetly.

From now on? Did that mean he’d get to see her often? Geng Haoshi felt as though he could smell the scent of love in the air.

“Eat up. I have class today, so I’ll be off now.”

Yang Mimi stood and made to leave.

“Wait…” Geng Haoshi summoned all the courage he had in his life. “Mimi, can I have your phone number?”

He startled himself with his own boldness. In that moment, his heart thundered as if it would break free from his chest.

“Oh, right—sorry, I almost forgot.” Yang Mimi took his phone, entered her number, and handed it back.

Holding the phone she’d just returned, Geng Haoshi stared after her, his hands trembling, his body trembling, even his soul trembling…

He sat there clutching his phone long after everyone else had left, until he was the only one in the room. “Ah! Nine-five-two-seven! I’m in love!”