Grace smiled wryly. This new roommate named Mauve really did seem difficult to get along with.

  At least based on first impressions, she was far more distant and indifferent than Grace's initial encounter with Scarlett had been.

  But then the two noticed something else—the dorm, which had been empty all holiday, was now spotless. Even their desks showed signs of being wiped down.

  Usually, they hired someone from the school's "cleaning group chat" to tidy up. This time, it was clearly the new roommate.

  Before they could express their surprise, Mauve was back. She stopped at the door and suddenly spoke. "The lock on the door—I removed it. If you need compensation, you can send me the bill. Or I can buy a new lock and replace it. I moved in yesterday afternoon. The admin only gave me the key to the mechanical lock. I didn't know you'd added an extra one."

  "No worries," Grace said. "If you could take it off that easily, it probably wasn't much of a lock anyway."

  Scarlett nodded in agreement. Mauve continued, "I wiped your desks without asking. If that bothers you, I'll remember next time."

  "Not at all!" Scarlett quickly replied. "We were actually about to look for someone in the cleaning chat. We didn't expect you to clean the whole dorm by yourself. Thanks for the hard work."

  Perhaps intimidated by Mauve's sharp, almost assertive personality, Scarlett found herself speaking with unusual caution.

  Then she added, "We usually pay someone to clean. Since you did it, let us pay you. You shouldn't have to work for free."

  Grace could tell Scarlett's words were sincere but carried a note of politeness.

  Mauve, however, showed no hesitation. "Sure. From now on, I'll handle the dorm cleaning. Just pay me whatever you'd pay the cleaners."

  Her straightforward, unpretentious attitude caught Scarlett off guard—she was used to the veiled niceties of high society.

  Just like that? No polite refusal?

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  Grace, on the other hand, saw no problem. There were three of them now. If they kept hiring outside cleaners, would they take turns paying? Would Mauve even be okay with that?

  Dormitory matters were best settled among themselves. If Mauve was willing to earn the money, Grace had no objections.

  They exchanged LetsChat contacts. Scarlett transferred the cleaning fee—two cents.

  "Should we make a group chat?" Scarlett ventured, glancing at Mauve.

  A group would make communication easier, she thought.

  Grace also looked at Mauve. Clearly, both felt the new roommate's preference mattered most.

  Mauve pulled out an old, heavily worn phone—cracked screen, never replaced—and held it openly, showing no hint of embarrassment.

  Her expression remained candid as she looked at them. "A group is fine. But I probably won't talk much. Judging by your stuff, you're probably from wealthy families. I'm pretty short on cash. So if you have dorm activities, want to buy things, order takeout or bubble tea—don't include me."

  "This might make you uncomfortable, but I don't resent rich people, and this isn't personal. I'm just letting you know—my financial situation doesn't allow me to keep up with you. Rather than reject you over and over, it's better to be clear upfront. That's more polite. I hope you'll extend me the same courtesy and respect."

  Mauve's sudden monologue seemed abrupt, but beneath it lay a guardedness she herself might not have recognized.

  Deep down, she hadn't planned on befriending her new roommates. She considered them different from her—different kinds of people. She hoped they could coexist without interference.

  Such strong boundary-setting made Grace suspect Mauve had switched dorms precisely because she didn't fit in elsewhere.

  Scarlett was straightforward too, but now her lips moved soundlessly—she didn't know what to say.

  Grace didn't rush to respond. If this was how Mauve wanted things, she'd respect it. She just wondered how long it would last.

  Knowing Scarlett, she was momentarily thrown by Mauve's novel personality and approach. But once she processed it, she wouldn't be able to stand it.

  And right on cue, by day's end, Scarlett was already frustrated watching someone come and go without exchanging more than a few words.

  It felt like an "outsider" had moved in. She was deeply uncomfortable. Even speaking to Grace, she instinctively lowered her voice. The days of chatting freely and laughing loudly in the dorm might be gone forever.

  "This is so suffocating!"

  While Mauve was out, Scarlett paced the room restlessly. "At first I was happy—thought we'd gotten a tall, gorgeous new roommate, different from us. This university's most beautiful dorm just got even better, right? Another stunner joins the ranks. But I never expected this personality."

  Grace watched her with an amused expression. "I knew you'd crack."

  "And you're fine with this? We'll have to wear headphones just to watch our shows!"

  "I'm okay with it... for now," Grace admitted honestly.

  Scarlett shook her head. "No way. I'm already losing it on day one. I need to... talk to her."

  Just then, Mauve returned. Wordlessly, she went to her spot, pulled out a gym bag, and began packing.

  Once ready, she slung the bag over her shoulder, swapped into sneakers, laced them tight, and headed for the door again.

  Scarlett suddenly stepped forward, blocking her path. "Mauve. I think we really need to talk."

  Mauve showed no irritation. She glanced at her sports watch. "Sure. I've got about ten minutes. What do you want to talk about?"

  "I don't think you can handle roommate relationships like this," Scarlett said, no longer tiptoeing. "We're going to be living together for two or three years. Grace and I only became roommates a month ago, and now we're best friends. We hope you'll try to be friends with us too—or at least not cut off that possibility before we've even gotten to know each other."

  Grace stepped forward as well, backing Scarlett up. "We can tell you're straightforward. Honestly, so are we. If we're open with each other, I think we could become friends. Like Scarlett said, shouldn't we get to know someone before deciding?"

  Mauve seemed genuinely surprised. Especially Scarlett—her sincerity and earnestness were unexpectedly affecting.

  Mauve's expression remained unreadable as she looked at them. Finally, she gave a slight nod.

  "You want to get to know me? Fine. Then both of you—change your clothes. You're coming with me."