At five o'clock the next morning, Ji Zhaoxi got up quietly. After washing up, she took her books and went to the campus park.
The park was filled with mist. By the time she arrived, many students were already standing there, reading English aloud. A few were even holding tape recorders, repeating the sentences line by line.
At first, Ji Zhaoxi felt a bit embarrassed, but seeing how hard everyone else was practicing, she started to read aloud too.
This was the first time Ji Zhaoxi had done something on her own initiative.
Without Ji Zhuxin to give her direction or Qin Du to help her plan, she could only figure things out step by step by herself.
She still felt anxious, but she had no choice but to keep moving forward.
That night, the dorm room was filled with the scent of shampoo. Ji Zhaoxi lay in bed, reading an English novel she had borrowed from the library.
Gao Lin suddenly asked, Ji Zhaoxi, do you go to the park to practice English every morning?
Ji Zhaoxi immediately sat up. Did I wake you guys up when I got out of bed this morning?
Gao Lin smiled and shook her head. You usually walk as quietly as a cat. How could you possibly wake us up?
Su Manzhen and I saw you in the park. If you want to practice, you can use this.
Gao Lin pointed to something on her desk.
It was an imported Sony tape recorder. On her shelf, there were also many original English cassette tapes that her parents had brought back for her.
Ji Zhaoxi's eyes lit up. Seeing her expression, Gao Lin laughed. Come here, I'll teach you how to use it.
Ji Zhaoxi quickly went over.
Gao Lin showed Ji Zhaoxi how to insert the tapes, how to practice along with them, and explained the function of every button.
Su Manzhen, wearing her pajamas, walked over as well. If you ask me, just talking directly to foreigners is enough.
Qi Zhenzhen, who was sitting at her desk applying nail polish, couldn't help but complain. Where are you going to find so many foreigners to practice with? Can't you guys just enjoy college life? All you do is study from morning till night.
Lin Fang shrank back inside her bed curtains. Listening to the conversation outside, she bit her lip but held back from joining in.
She was actually a bit afraid to talk to them, fearing they would look down on her.
The person she disliked the most was Qi Zhenzhen. There were others in the dorm who were better off than her, but Qi Zhenzhen was the only one who always acted so high and mighty.
In fact, ever since Ji Zhaoxi introduced herself that day, Lin Fang knew that Ji Zhaoxi was just like her. During class that day, she had only understood a little bit, but seeing that Ji Zhaoxi didn't understand anything at all made her feel relieved.
Thank goodness there was someone in the dorm doing even worse than her.
Even though Gao Lin had offered, Ji Zhaoxi still felt too embarrassed to touch the radio when she wasn't around.
Later, Gao Lin noticed this as well. So, every night, she would accompany Ji Zhaoxi on the dorm balcony to practice for a while, and Qi Zhenzhen would occasionally join in for a few sentences.
What are you guys planning to wear to the freshman welcome party? I'm going to wear a dress.
Qi Zhenzhen lay on her bed, touching her hair.
Qi Zhenzhen had ear-length short hair. The ends were permed to curl slightly inward, making her look exceptionally stylish.
The first time Ji Zhaoxi saw her, she was stunned, because no one in Xinniu Village permed their hair. Sometimes, women would even be gossiped about just for wearing their hair down.
Su Manzhen stood on the balcony and frowned. It's so cold, why wear a dress? Just throw on a jacket and wear whatever.
Gao Lin nodded in agreement. You'll catch a cold if you wear a dress.
Qi Zhenzhen shook her head speechlessly. A bunch of country bumpkins.
She looked at Ji Zhaoxi, who had been reading a book the whole time. Ji Zhaoxi, what about you? What are you going to wear? You should buy a few new outfits. Don't go bundled up so thickly.
Actually, Ji Zhaoxi wasn't wearing that many layers, but girls of this age at school were quite fashion-conscious. In comparison, she seemed to be dressed rather heavily.
Ji Zhaoxi hesitated for a moment. Where should I go to buy clothes? I don't know.
Qi Zhenzhen laughed. You're a country bumpkin too. I'll take you clothes shopping on Saturday. Just follow me.
Humming a song in a great mood, she even planted a kiss on Su Manzhen as she walked by. Su Manzhen pushed her away impatiently.
It's called a cheek kiss, understand? You country bumpkin!
Times have really changed. Even acting like a hooligan can be called a cheek kiss now, Gao Lin joked.
Ji Zhaoxi had been at the school for a week now, but she still felt entirely out of place among the others.
She couldn't understand the slang that suddenly popped out of their mouths, nor did she know the names of the brands they talked about.
She felt as if Shanghai and Xinniu Village existed in completely different worlds.
When Friday arrived, Ji Zhaoxi was so nervous that she couldn't sleep all night.
Clothes in Shanghai must be incredibly expensive. She had only been in the city for a week and was already going to buy such expensive clothes. How could she be so vain?
When they went out on Saturday, Ji Zhaoxi brought a lot of money with her. She followed behind Qi Zhenzhen and the others.
The clothes in the boutiques were all exceptionally beautiful and stylish, but Ji Zhaoxi couldn't focus on them at all.
Her whole body was tense. What if she didn't have enough money later? If it was too expensive and she decided not to buy anything, would the others laugh at her?
She let Qi Zhenzhen hold clothes up against her to check the fit, so nervous she could barely breathe.
She hated Shanghai.
Su Manzhen noticed that Ji Zhaoxi looked a bit off and frowned. What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?
She touched Ji Zhaoxi's forehead; it was very cold.
Gao Lin leaned over. I remember you didn't eat breakfast. Is it low blood sugar?
Qi Zhenzhen carelessly pulled a piece of candy from her pocket. Oh, it's no big deal. Hurry up and eat this.
Lin Fang observed all of this from behind. She was probably the only one here who knew why Ji Zhaoxi was acting this way. She touched a piece of clothing hanging nearby.
Tagging along with Qi Zhenzhen to buy clothes—did Ji Zhaoxi really have any brains?
What kind of family did Qi Zhenzhen come from, and what kind of family did she come from?
Ji Zhaoxi ate the candy and was pushed by Qi Zhenzhen into a fitting room draped with a velvet curtain.
As soon as she entered the cubicle, Ji Zhaoxi immediately flipped over the clothing tag. When she saw the price, she leaned against the wall of the fitting room, letting out a massive sigh of relief.
The price was indeed quite expensive, but it was only slightly more than the clothes Brother Qin Du had bought for her before.
It was completely different from what she had imagined, not nearly as terrifying. To think she had been trembling with fear and lost an entire night's sleep over it.
Ji Zhaoxi, are you done changing?
Qi Zhenzhen's voice came from outside.
Done—
The curtain was pulled open. Qi Zhenzhen looked at the outfit on Ji Zhaoxi and nodded in satisfaction. Who could even tell you're the same person from just now?
Su Manzhen leaned against the wall and raised an eyebrow. Anyone who can't tell definitely has something wrong with their eyes.
Qi Zhenzhen snorted.
Since we're already here, I'll just pick out a whole set for you. I'm afraid you'll mix and match them terribly otherwise.
Ji Zhaoxi held the clothes to her chest and nodded happily.
Seeing Ji Zhaoxi's reaction, Qi Zhenzhen was also quite pleased. "Since you like my taste in clothes so much, alright, alright, I'll definitely make sure to pick out some good ones for you."
Gao Lin gave Ji Zhaoxi a surprised look.
For some unknown reason, Ji Zhaoxi had seemed extremely tense the entire way here, as if a heavy weight was pressing down on her shoulders.
But somehow, the moment she stepped out of the cubicle, her entire demeanor had brightened up.
