Seeing that Jenny was reluctant to go to her house for dinner, Summer didn't press her further.
After changing clothes and finishing work, Summer and Jenny went to the cafeteria for dinner and then returned to the dormitory. Once Jenny had freshened up, Summer took her to her own home.
By the time they arrived, it was already late.
Summer led Jenny through the second gate and, seeing no one in the courtyard, headed straight for the main house.
Hearing the commotion, Shaw and Carman came out to see what was happening.
Seeing Summer, Carman immediately asked, "Why are you back so late today?"
Summer explained the situation and introduced Jenny to them.
Guests were always treated with hospitality, so Shaw and Carman warmly asked if Jenny had eaten and offered to prepare some food for her and Summer in the kitchen.
Jenny politely declined, "Uncle Shaw, Aunt Carman, thank you, but there's no need. Summer and I already ate at the factory cafeteria."
Summer nodded in agreement, so Shaw and Carman didn't insist.
They didn't want to intrude on the young friends, so after a few more polite exchanges, they returned to their own room.
Summer led Jenny into her room and turned on the lights.
Jenny closed the door behind her and remarked, "Your house is so tidy and has such a classic charm."
Summer smiled and replied, "It's mainly because there aren't many people living here."
Jenny looked around Summer's room with admiration, "I live in a crowded apartment building with ten families sharing one courtyard. Every family has a small living space, and there are many people in my family, so I've never had my own bed, let alone such a big room."
The apartment she lived in was cramped and chaotic due to constant modifications by the families living there. The original structure had long been altered beyond recognition.
Realizing it wasn't appropriate to dwell on complaints, Jenny quickly changed the subject, "Can I see your study materials?"
Summer moved past the topic of the courtyard and the room. She went to her desk, took out the study materials she had bought over the past two years, and placed them in front of Jenny, "Take a look and see which ones you want to start with."
Jenny stood beside Summer and said, "I need to start with the basics."
She was three years older than Summer and had spent five years in the countryside after graduating. Before going to the countryside, her school was frequently disrupted by political movements, so she had forgotten almost everything she had learned.
Hearing this, Summer found two of the most basic study guides for her.
Jenny took the materials, flipped through them, and muttered, "It's really challenging. At first glance, it looks familiar, but upon closer inspection, I can't remember anything."
Summer couldn't help but laugh.
She encouraged Jenny, "We're all in the same boat. Let's work hard together!"
Jenny took a deep breath and nodded with determination, "Yes!"
Since Jenny had already washed up, Summer turned on the desk lamp and let her sit at the desk to study. Summer then took the opportunity to freshen up herself.
After washing up, Summer didn't go to bed immediately. Instead, she joined Jenny in studying for a while.
Since they had to get up in the middle of the night to line up for the study guides at the bookstore, they didn't stay up too late. When the time was right, they set an alarm and went to bed.
At two o'clock in the morning, the alarm on the bedside table rang.
Summer and Jenny were awakened by the alarm. Without lingering in bed, they quickly turned off the alarm, got dressed, and quietly left the house with their backpacks.
Summer left a note on the table before they left.
Then, the two of them rode a bicycle through the night to the bookstore.
Hoping to get in line early, they rode as fast as they could, thinking they would be among the first. However, when they were still two miles away from the bookstore, they saw a long, winding queue that seemed endless.
"..."
Summer blinked at the sight and said, "Did they start lining up right after dinner?"
Jenny was also taken aback, "I didn't expect this..."
They thought arriving at two in the morning would be early enough.
They quickly decided to get in line, realizing they might still have a chance if they joined the queue now. Delaying further would only reduce their chances.
Jenny promptly got in line.
Summer found a place to park and lock the bicycle, then returned to join Jenny in the queue.
Since everyone had woken up early, some of the people at the front of the line had probably not even slept. The queue was occasionally punctuated by yawns.
Some people had brought bags and were lying down to sleep while waiting.
Summer and Jenny were also sleepy and yawned frequently.
Fortunately, having each other for company helped them cope with the fatigue by chatting.
Both had experience working in the countryside, and now, working in the same place, they naturally had plenty to talk about.
As they chatted, the sky gradually brightened.
The eastern horizon began to glow, and the night was slowly replaced by the morning light, revealing the people in the queue more clearly.
As the sky brightened, everyone eagerly awaited the bookstore to open.
When the bookstore staff arrived to open the doors, everyone, whether tired or not, suddenly perked up.
Summer and Jenny also looked much more energetic.
However, as they waited for the line to move, their spirits were worn down again by the monotony of waiting. But each time they moved forward, they felt a renewed sense of anticipation.
After the bookstore opened, people at the front of the line began to emerge with their newly acquired study guides, walking away under envious gazes.
Summer and Jenny were further back in the line.
Seeing people passing by with the study guides they needed, they couldn't help but look on with envy.
After seeing several people pass by with the guides, Jenny, both hopeful and anxious, said, "I wonder if we can get them today."
Summer echoed her sentiments, "Let's hope we can get them smoothly."
Just as she finished speaking, another person walked by with a study guide.
As they watched enviously, Summer suddenly froze upon recognizing the person walking toward them.
Logan?
When Summer realized it was Logan, he also noticed her. Their eyes met.
Four eyes met, and Summer instinctively smiled, ready to wave and greet him.
But before the smile reached her eyes, Logan had already looked away, his expression and demeanor unchanged as he walked past.
Summer: "..."
She stiffened, feeling a bit embarrassed as she withdrew her unformed smile and pulled her hand back into her sleeve.
Jenny noticed the change in Summer's expression.
She glanced back at Logan and asked curiously, "Do you know that guy who just walked by?"
Summer snapped out of it and quickly shook her head, her tone light, "No, I must have mistaken him for someone else."
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