Chapter 354 284: This Is an Illegal Act

Xue Rui thought, 'It's tricky to get a foothold on these top bunks, so making the bed is a hassle. This girl definitely won't be able to do it right on her first try.' He sighed and gestured that he would go up.

He glanced at the bunk next to Gu Muxue's, which belonged to Li Yina. He asked, "Li Yina, would it be okay for Gu Muxue to step on your bed?"

Li Yina immediately understood. It was no big deal to have her roommate step on her bed—after all, they'd be living together for the next four years. Still, she thought Xue Rui was very polite for asking her permission over something so minor.

Xue Rui took off his shoes and climbed onto Gu Muxue's bed frame. "Muxue, a job like this is best done by two people."

With perfect coordination, each of them took an end of the sheet and quickly spread it smoothly over the mattress.

Gao Shufen scratched her head in embarrassment. "Don't laugh, but my mom made my bed for me before she left. I'm probably even more hopeless than Gu Muxue."

Gu Muxue said, "We can help each other from now on."

The girl's sincerity took the others by surprise for a moment. Then, they all nodded and said, "Okay."

After they finished putting her things away, Xue Rui thought, 'My mission for today is pretty much done. There's really nothing to worry about with Gu Muxue. The girl has just been a little too sheltered. All she needs is the right environment to become independent. She knows how to handle all sorts of people.'

So, his being here today was just to show his support.

Once her things were arranged, Gu Muxue pulled Xue Rui outside. She felt it was inappropriate for him to keep hanging around the girls' dorm; some classmates who had dropped by for a visit hadn't even dared to come in.

And yet, she didn't want him to leave. 'This is so complicated.'

Still, she decided practical matters were more important. She said, "Xiaorui, you should have Uncle Yang take you to your school. I'll be fine here."

Xue Rui thought, 'Have Yang Xing take me? My acceptance letter is still with this girl. How could I just sneak off?'

Still, he feigned a sad tone. "Sigh... Does this count as a long-distance relationship now?"

"Give me a kiss before I go. By the next time I see you, you'll probably have a tan," Xue Rui said, leaning in.

Gu Muxue suddenly remembered the upcoming military training. Angrily, she pinched him hard on the chest. "Jerk! What's wrong with getting a tan?"

Xue Rui winced in pain. He figured it was about time to go; if he delayed any longer, he'd miss his afternoon high-speed train.

He slung an arm around Yang Xing's shoulder and headed downstairs without a backward glance.

Yang Xing was a bit puzzled. Why was Xue Rui leaving so decisively?

But it didn't matter. He still had to take Xue Rui to his school.

Gu Muxue watched Xue Rui stride away with Yang Xing. She glanced around. There wasn't a single familiar face, and she was far from home. A sudden emptiness washed over her.

'Maybe I should have given him that kiss.'

She pulled out her phone and furiously sent Xue Rui a barrage of [bomb] emojis.

A moment later, he replied with a [grinning] emoji.

Gu Muxue looked at her phone and smiled softly, the corners of her eyes crinkling like blossoming flowers...

'Xue Rui is always with me.'

Just then, the door behind her opened from the inside, startling Gu Muxue so much that she clutched her phone to her chest.

"Did your boyfriend leave? Let's go get something to eat."

...

Meanwhile, Xue Rui had just reached the bottom of the stairs. He spotted Qian Huabiao standing at the base of the girls' dorm, staring blankly at a crumpled 100-yuan bill. Curious, Xue Rui stood behind him and watched for a moment.

He saw fury blazing in Qian Huabiao's eyes. The guy was grinding his teeth, his trembling arms tensing as if he were about to rip the bill in half.

Xue Rui quickly snatched the bill away. With a grave expression, he said to Qian Huabiao, "My friend, I feel compelled to inform you that defacing national currency is against the law!"