The 70s Novel: The Supporting Character Just Wants to Lie Down-Chapter 70: A Sleepless Night, Truly Annoying

The westernmost part of the dormitory building houses the washing room, bathroom, and drying room, where everyone does their washing and laundry. Because there are so many people on each floor, it can get really crowded. It’s best to plan your time and avoid going during peak hours.

"Wang Miaomiao, didn’t you say your parents are farmers?" Li Jiajia’s sneering voice suddenly came from behind Wang Miaomiao. "Are you trying to show off more than you have...?"

Li Jiajia was envious as she watched Wang Miaomiao take out one new item after another: a kettle, a porcelain mug, a lunch box, a backpack... all brand new. Her family was fairly well-off, but even she didn’t have everything so complete and not all brand new.

Seeing the little girl’s jealous expression, Wang Miaomiao wasn’t upset. She quickly thought of something and smiled, "Oh, these things? They were rewards from the school and the community for getting first place in the city. Li, how about you? You didn’t get first place in the city, right? How about the school? What was your rank in the school? Didn’t you get any awards for coming first in the school?"

Li Jiajia’s eyes flickered; she glanced at Liu Ying who was sitting at the head of the bed reading a book, seemed to think of something, then turned around and went back to her bed with a harumph.

Wang Miaomiao was puzzled, watched them thoughtfully. Li Jiajia returned to her bed and ignored everyone; Liu Ying noticed her looking, gave a sweet and harmless smile.

Wang Miaomiao smiled back at her; these two probably have some issues. But it’s none of her business, so she just let it go.

The dormitory at Provincial High School had electric lights, but they weren’t very bright. Who knows how many watts they were, and several lights in the hallway were broken. The lights go out at seven in the evening, as good as having none at all.

The school gates also closed at seven, not allowing people to come and go freely.

The first night after school started, Wang Miaomiao couldn’t sleep. With eight people in one room, there were bound to be disturbances—someone turning over here or someone snoring there, and the wooden bed creaking noisily.

In September, it was still hot, the room was poorly ventilated, and mosquitoes kept buzzing near the ear... How could anyone sleep!

Waking up in the morning, Wang Miaomiao started to think about it. This isn’t a way to continue.

"Jia Jia, do you know where I can buy a mosquito net in the city?" Wang Miaomiao asked Li Jiajia with a bright smile, completely ignoring her look of disbelief, "There are mosquitoes in our dorm, I couldn’t sleep well all night, I want to buy a mosquito net to hang up."

When she asked this, she didn’t avoid others; everyone heard and looked hopefully at Li Jiajia, showing they too were tormented by mosquitoes.

Why did she ask Li Jiajia instead of Liu Ying, even though they were both from J City? Well, she preferred Li Jiajia’s straightforward, simple-minded nature over the seemingly innocent Liu Ying.

In theory, people like Li Jiajia and Liu Ying, who lived in J City and close to home, could go home every day and not stay at the dorm. It’s unclear why they chose to stay.

Wang Miaomiao didn’t know, Li Jiajia’s house was crowded with ten people squeezed into less than fifty square meters; her childhood dream was to have her own bed.

"The supply and marketing cooperative probably has them, but you’ll need cloth coupons. Do you have coupons?"

Everyone fell silent at her words.

They were at school, definitely wouldn’t have brought cloth coupons.

"Tomorrow is Saturday; we can go home. Why don’t we each go home and get one? No need to buy." Liu Ying suddenly suggested with a smile, "Let’s hold on a bit more, just one more night."

"Oh right, we can go home tomorrow. I miss home." Ren Caihong chimed in with a laugh.

However, Li Jiajia glanced at Liu Ying, her gaze somewhat gloomy, didn’t respond, and took her toiletries to leave.

Liu Ying silently watched her back, her eyes fluctuating with some emotion. When she left, she shifted her gaze as if nothing had happened, gave Wang Miaomiao a bitter smile, "I don’t know how I offended Jia Jia; she’s ignoring me."

Wang Miaomiao thought, I’m not a mediator; why should I care what’s going on between you?

Wang Miaomiao didn’t want to get involved, but some loved to meddle and champion others’ causes.

"Really? Did you have a fight?" Ren Caihong asked, hearing Liu Ying’s complaint. "We’re sisters sharing a dorm, we should look after each other. Whatever it is, just talk it out. I’ll go ask her..."

Saying this, she picked up her toiletries and turned to look for Li Jiajia.

Liu Ying saw this and immediately sensed a problem, hurriedly said, "No need to go, Ren. Jia Jia didn’t say anything; perhaps I’m overthinking, she just doesn’t want to pay attention to me."

Hearing this, Ren Caihong got unhappier, "How can you ignore someone for no reason? I’m going to find her."

Liu Ying, seeing this, got more anxious, jumped out of bed, chased after and caught Ren Caihong, "No need to go. Jia Jia and I can handle our matters by ourselves. Thank you, Ren; you’re really kind-hearted."

"Of course, we’re dorm sisters. If something comes up, you can come to me. Don’t be afraid if bullied, I’ll stand up for you." Ren Caihong felt very pleased with the compliment, completely forgetting how she tried to flatter Li Jiajia when she heard her father was Deputy Director at the Educated Youth Office.

Wang Miaomiao listened to their conversation, feeling amused. These people changed faces faster than flipping a book.

When Li Jiajia returned from washing up, she found Liu Ying and Ren Caihong suddenly getting along well, chatting and laughing. They looked at her with strange eyes when she came back. Bewildered, she didn’t pursue the matter since she was feeling upset anyway and wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone.

Seeing Li Jiajia’s dismissive attitude, Ren Caihong became annoyed, completely forgetting Liu Ying’s earlier request not to intervene, angrily asked, "Li Jiajia, what’s your problem, why don’t you respond when Liu Ying talks to you?"

Li Jiajia was dumbfounded by the questioning, looked incredulously at her, then at Liu Ying.

Liu Ying was also scared, hadn’t she agreed not to interfere? How come she didn’t keep her word? She quickly explained to Li Jiajia, "Jia Jia, don’t listen to her nonsense, I didn’t say anything."

The explanation sounded weak, truly making people uncomfortable.

Ren Caihong wasn’t pleased, "What nonsense? Didn’t you just complain to Wang Miaomiao that Li Jiajia was ignoring you? Wang Miaomiao, tell the truth, right?"

Feeling wronged for no reason, Wang Miaomiao suddenly had a headache, picked up her toiletries, and pretended nothing happened, quickly walked out, "Huh? What... you guys should hurry and finish washing up, don’t be late for class."

Taking the chance, Wang Miaomiao dashed out. She didn’t know that shortly after she left, the three women in the room got into a physical altercation.

When she leisurely finished washing and returned, the three had already been taken away, and the dorm looked as if it had been swept by a cyclone—tables and chairs were knocked over; a complete mess.