RBCT Chapter 194: Rumors
Chapter 194: Rumors
In Shanghai, the temperature drops quickly in winter as soon as the wind picks up. The temperature started to drop this week, but it slowly warmed up again starting Wednesday. The temperature didn't actually rise much, but the sun came out and the midday sun made people feel warm all over.
At night, things got worse, and we had to rely on a heater. News of the heater in room 222 spread quickly, and even Dai Xiaoguang was alerted.
As soon as he entered room 222, he felt unbearably hot. Upon closer inspection, wow! The room was full of people, some reading, some drinking tea, and a few playing cards. It seemed they were living a more comfortable life than he, the counselor!
When Dai Xiaoguang arrived, everyone in the room greeted him.
"Teacher Dai!"
He beckoned Wu Duo to the door. Wu Duo put down his book, put on a coat, and followed Dai Xiaoguang outside.
"What is that thing in your room? What does it burn? Is it electric? I'm telling you, there are regulations against using high-powered electrical appliances."
"Don't worry, Teacher Dai, we don't use electricity. We use kerosene, which is just as safe as using a kerosene lamp."
"It uses oil? Where did it come from?"
Wu Duo certainly wouldn't sell Huang Xiaochuan: "We pooled our money to buy it. Teacher Dai, most of us in room 222 are from the north, and we really can't stand the winters in Shanghai. Having this thing will make things a little easier. We've studied the dormitory management regulations, and they don't prohibit the use of heaters."
Dai Xiaoguang nodded. He knew that Wu Duo was right, so he didn't intend to delve into the matter further; he just wanted to understand the situation.
He was particularly interested in the stove, so he asked Wu Duo, "How much does this stove cost?"
Wu Duo laughed and said, "This stove isn't cheap; it costs almost a thousand."
The price startled Dai Xiaoguang: "Huh?"
Dai Xiaoguang completely gave up the idea of buying such a stove for his family. One stove would cost him four months' salary, and with a little more, he could buy a large-capacity Xiangxuehai refrigerator.
He pointed at Wu Duo with a wry smile: "There are rumors that everyone in your dorm is rich. I didn't believe it at first, but now I have to. You guys actually spent almost a thousand yuan to buy a heater just because you're afraid of the cold. That's really too extravagant."
Wu Duo protested, "Teacher Dai, you don't know how much we northerners fear the winters in Shanghai. Even though the temperature seems to be much higher than in our hometown, the cold here is a damp cold. Before it even drops below zero, the chill goes straight to the bone. Back home, it's cold, but the humidity isn't as high, and we all have heating in our houses. We can wear shorts and a vest at home."
"Look at our dorm, apart from having an extra heater, it's no different from any other dorm. We still eat at the cafeteria every day, don't we? If we were all rich, we'd be eating out every day!"
Dai Xiaoguang waved his hand to interrupt Wu Duo: "Alright, alright, stop playing the poor card in front of me. I know you guys. That kid Huang Xiaochuan brings a cell phone to class every day. Do you think I don't know? I've just turned a blind eye."
Wu Duo also felt he couldn't keep up the act any longer, so he chuckled and said, "Teacher Dai, you are wise. When I get back, I will criticize Huang Xiaochuan and teach him to be humble."
"Alright, alright, stop trying to fool me. Do you think I don't know you guys in room 222 are all in cahoots? Let's go. Be careful when using that thing tonight, don't be careless!"
"Of course, we wouldn't risk our lives. Take care, Teacher Dai. I'm not dressed warmly enough, so I won't see you off!"
Seeing that Wu Duo was wearing only a coat and thermal underwear, Dai Xiaoguang waved for him to hurry back to the dormitory, then shrank back and left.
Ding Yi was playing cards with his roommates from the next dorm when he saw Wu Duo return after a while. He asked Wu Duo, "What did Lao Dai want with you?"
Wu Duo picked up the large tea mug, blew on it, took a small sip, and then held the mug in his hands to warm it: "I've come to ask about the heater."
Upon hearing this, everyone in the dormitory stopped what they were doing and looked at Wu Duo.
Wu Duo quickly reassured them, "It's alright, it's alright, I just came to ask. They didn't say they wouldn't let us use it, so don't worry!"
Everyone was relieved. If they couldn't use this thing, it would be like going back to square one!
Huang Xiaochuan wasn't in the dorm right now. He took a taxi to the old apartment building. He went straight back to school after returning yesterday and didn't go to Yu Xiang's place. He took some time to go there this afternoon, mainly because he was worried that Yu Xiang wouldn't know how to use the heater. But when he got there, he realized he hadn't worried for nothing. Yu Xiang and Ji Mei had already started using it.
As Huang Xiaochuan entered the room, he changed into slippers while calling out, "I'm home!"
It's warm inside; it seems the heater is already in use. These two women seem quite handy.
Upon hearing Huang Xiaochuan's voice, Yu Xiang came out of the kitchen to greet him.
"Hey! What brings you here at this hour?"
Huang Xiaochuan rubbed his hands together: "I was out running errands and just happened to be passing by. I plan to have dinner here before going back."
Yu Xiang laughed and said, "You're in luck! Ji Mei and I were planning to have hot pot tonight, and you've made it in time."
"Hot pot?" Huang Xiaochuan thought to himself, "There's no induction cooker here, and no copper hot pot at home. What are we going to eat hot pot with?"
Yu Xiang seemed to notice Huang Xiaochuan's confusion and took out a portable gas stove from the kitchen.
"Use this to burn gas. It contains a liquefied gas cylinder. I bought a lot of them."
Huang Xiaochuan took it, looked at it, and said with a smile, "This is nice. Where did you buy it?"
"I bought a cheap general merchandise item from the 100 yuan counter because it looked good."
"That's great! Now we can eat hot pot anytime we want!"
Ji Mei carried the dishes out of the kitchen, calling out, "You two, don't just stand there! Help me carry the dishes!"
It's freezing outside, but it's warm inside, and we even have hot pot to eat. This is the best life ever!
Knowing that Huang Xiaochuan had arrived by taxi, Yu Xiang allowed him to have a drink.
Halfway through the meal, Huang Xiaochuan's cell phone rang. He answered the call and found it was his uncle, Zeng Jiahua, calling.
"Xiao Chuan, He Guang and Yang Junmin can drive on their own now. Do you think we should have your two come over and switch places?"
"Okay! Uncle, you can make the arrangements! I'll send Zhou Wei and He Wenfeng to Suzhou tomorrow."
"Fine! Let them come!"
After dinner, Huang Xiaochuan took a taxi back to school.
Back in the dormitory, he called Ding Yi to the hallway.
"Old Ding, could you do me a favor?"
"I'm not used to you being so polite to me."
"Really, I really need your help!"
When Ding Yi saw that Huang Xiaochuan wasn't joking with him, he became serious.
"What is it? Tell me!"
"Could you help me figure out a way to get a driver's license? I mean, I want to take the test directly without attending any training, since I can drive."
"Huh? You can drive? How come I didn't know that?" Ding Yi was startled. Huang Xiaochuan could drive?
"I learned to drive from my dad's driver when I was at home, but I was too young to take the driving test," Huang Xiaochuan lied.
Seeing that Ding Yi was still hesitant to give an answer, he urged, "Is it going to work or not? Give me an answer!"
"What the hell are you rushing me for? I'm trying to help you figure something out!"
A moment later, Ding Yi snapped his fingers: "I'll try to think of a solution for you tomorrow, but I can't guarantee it!"
Huang Xiaochuan laughed and said, "I don't need your guarantee. If it really doesn't work, I'll just honestly sign up for the training!"