June 2nd, Tuesday.

Zhou Li felt he was getting lazier by the day. He didn't want to get up early or go outside. If it weren't for wanting to have breakfast with Brother Nan, he probably would have hoarded enough dry food like Liu Zhengming and taken online classes directly from his bed. Aside from going to the cafeteria for meals, he could stay indoors all day.

GULP…

Brother Nan finished the last sip of noodle soup, placed the plastic bowl on the table, and asked him, "What class do you have this morning?"

"Physics, an introduction."

"Introduction to Ethnic Music."

"Emmm…" Zhou Li exchanged a glance with Brother Nan. For some reason, they both found it a bit strange. "Right, the music college also has online classes, don't they? So you…"

"I'm going to the teacher's house for class."

"I see…"

"Eat up. When you're done, I'll take you to buy some fruit, as thanks for helping me close up shop last night," Brother Nan urged. "You still can't eat as fast as me, honestly…"

"Oh."

"I want some too!"

"Buy! I'll buy for everyone!"

When Zhou Li returned to the dormitory carrying apples and sugarcane, he was greeted by the pungent smell of Red Bull and barbecue-flavored instant noodles. Liu Zhengming was sitting at his desk playing a video game, a half-eaten cup of noodles beside him.

This kid was quite honest, but he had a habit of always leaving food on his desk. Sometimes, after bringing a meal back from the cafeteria at night, he'd eat half and, not feeling like finishing, just leave it there. He wouldn't empty it or wash the bowl. The next morning, he would wake up, see it, and think—Huh? Half a bowl of breakfast! That saves me a trip to the cafeteria. Sometimes he'd eat it as is; other times, he'd add some hot water, not seeming to mind either way. After eating, he still wouldn't wash it, just leaving the bowl on the table. He would only take it to the sink and give it a quick, careless rinse when he absolutely needed the bowl for his next meal. At first, he often left the sink full of leftover food and rice grains, but he improved after Chen Yang and Chang Xiaoxiang told him off.

Sigh…

Zhou Li silently walked out to the balcony, washed all the apples, and asked Liu Zhengming, "Do you want some apple and sugarcane?"

"Thanks, boss."

"Hmm."

Zhou Li walked back to his bed and stood on tiptoe to look at it—Tuanzi was clearly awake, yet still nestled there, unmoving.

"Lord Dumpling, it's time to get up."

"Mmm... did you bring Lord Dumpling breakfast back, meow?"

"You're having canned beef."

"Did you bring back fish soup with puffed rice, meow?"

"Nope."

"Mmm, Lord Dumpling doesn't want to get up," Tuanzi said, rubbing her eyes with her front paws and squinting at Zhou Li. "Lord Dumpling chased little butterflies in her dreams last night and is too tired…"

"Then do you want an apple?" Zhou Li looked at her helplessly. "How about I peel a small piece for you? I can put it on a napkin."

"Approved."

"…"

Shaking his head, Zhou Li took out a small knife.

It was only seven-fifty, still quite early.

After placing a piece of apple and a napkin on the bed, he went back to the balcony to water and trim Wen Zhu and Yueli. Then he returned to his seat, picked up his carving knife and wood, and prepared to start his online class.

There was a small lotus on the desk. Zhou Li picked it up and held it in his hand. The small lotus was only as big as the pad of a thumb, a gradient of purple, very delicate, beautiful, and cute.

Zhou Li turned his head.

He saw Huai Xu sitting on Chang Xiaoxiang's bed, swinging his legs and smiling at him. "My little lotus has been blooming so nicely these past few days!"

"?"

"That's for the second major class."

"…"

Zhou Li nodded, looked away, and started the class.

The first major class was Basic Physics. The physics teacher's online class was relatively easygoing. The old man didn't check attendance much, nor did he frequently call on people to answer questions. Zhou Li carved, chatted with Brother Nan, and attended class, multitasking effectively and not feeling too impacted.

He was currently carving Yasuo. Yesterday, Liu Zhengming saw his work and suggested he carve this character. Zhou Li thought about it; he didn't know what else to carve anyway.

Suddenly, he heard his cousin's name through his headphones—

"Would student Ji Ran from class four please answer?"

"Would student Ji Ran from class four please answer this question?"

"Is student Ji Ran there?"

"Isn't she online?"

"Huh..."

The physics teacher sounded puzzled for a moment and muttered quietly, "This girl, she didn't respond when I called on her yesterday. I thought her internet was bad. Today I deliberately called on her again, so this time, it's not on me..."

Zhou Li's computer made a DING-DONG sound.

Li Daimao: Your Little Cousin went out to take photos to earn money. She keeps the online class running on her phone and takes it with her. I told her to leave her phone and computer in the dorm, but she wouldn't. HAHAHA, I'm dying of laughter...

Zhou Li: ...

He was somewhat familiar with Baozi's character. His Little Cousin had good grades, always paid attention in class, and rarely skipped. She seemed like a well-behaved girl… False! It was just that she usually had nothing else to do. When she went to do activities for the Volunteer Association, went out to take photos, or was in a bad mood and wanted ice cream, she would skip class without blinking an eye! Even Zhou Li would hesitate before skipping class, but she was more decisive than anyone!

At that moment, the physics teacher's voice sounded again. "Then, will student Liu Zhengming from class three please answer?"

Zhou Li turned to look at Liu Zhengming.

Liu Zhengming looked stunned for a moment, then quickly muted his computer's sound and unmuted his microphone. But he didn't speak.

The physics teacher's puzzled voice came through, "Student Liu Zhengming? Student Liu Zhengming? That's strange, it shows your mic is on. Why can't I hear you speaking? Can the other students hear him? Is it a problem on my end or yours..."

MEOW MEOW~~

"Um, Liu Zhengming, minus five points."

Liu Zhengming turned his head, staring blankly at Zhou Li.

Lord Dumpling's head popped out from the bed. Her paw reached out, trying to touch Zhou Li's hair from half a meter away but falling short. "Zhou Li, peel another piece of apple for Lord Dumpling—"

Li Daimao: PFFHAHAHA...

「At noon, in the cafeteria.」

Brother Nan took out two identical student card protective sleeves and handed one to Zhou Li. "There's been a lot going on these last few days. Are you going to the Bicycle Association's event this afternoon?"

"Hmm?"

"You know, just sitting together, chatting, playing cards, that kind of thing. We can't go out riding these days."

"Are you going?"

"I am."

"Okay, then."

"Alright, what are you having?"

"I'll get some eggplant," Zhou Li said. "Has Baozi not come back yet?"

"She's back. She took her food back to the dorm to eat," Brother Nan said. "She took four photography jobs today. Other photographers usually only take one or two a day. I think it's because 618 is coming up, and she's trying hard to save money."

"I'll have a talk with her..."

Zhou Li felt that making money was important, but class participation grades were not to be overlooked either. Besides, the sun was so harsh today, and it was widely known that Chunming had strong ultraviolet rays. Running around all day from morning to evening was too tiring; he didn't want his fair-skinned Little Cousin getting sunburned to look like a buckwheat baozi.

Zhou Li: You got called on today. The physics teacher said he'd dock you ten points. Are you planning to skip class again tomorrow?

After sending the message, he put down his phone, picked up a piece of eggplant with his chopsticks, and began to eat silently as he pondered how to phrase his argument. He had a feeling that convincing his Little Cousin might be even harder than appeasing Brother Nan. Baozi might seem weak and easy to bully, but she was incredibly stubborn. Hadn't he seen how many times Brother Nan tried to discipline her without any real effect? So he needed to craft his words carefully.

However, as time ticked away, Zhou Li had thought for a long time and finished his meal, but his phone remained silent.

He returned to the dorm, but his cousin still hadn't replied.

Not until nap time.

DING-DONG—

Baozi: Sorry, I was playing with my phone earlier and forgot to reply to your message [bow]

Just as Zhou Li typed 'No worries,' he suddenly paused and quietly deleted the words. Never mind, he suddenly felt it wouldn't be too bad if this girl ended up sunburned like a buckwheat baozi after all.