As soon as the lights went out, the dorm was plunged into darkness, but nobody wanted to sleep. Instead, everyone was full of energy, shifting the topic to gossip about girls.
After lights out in the dorm, everyone lay on their beds still not wanting to sleep, and they were so worked up they started gossiping about girls.
For example, Summer in her class was recognized as the department's beauty, able to compete with Ashley from journalism and Taylor from literature. Someone mentioned that a guy confessed to her and even sucked up to her, only to get shut down — total embarrassment.
Another example was a senior in sociology. Word was she went to a hotel with some working guy, but ended up getting picked up by the police.
Also, some girl from the language department was apparently very promiscuous, nicknamed the "bus" because she'd hook up with basically anyone who wanted a ride.
Everyone spoke vividly, with details so rich it felt like they'd seen it all firsthand.
Ethan occasionally chimed in with his opinion, then got bored and picked up his phone to scroll.
Ethan wondered if all the guys' dorms were like this — gossiping about girls every night before bed. After girls, they moved on to history and politics, and finally ended up joking about how they'd take down some rival country given the chance.
...
No classes the next day.
Ethan slept until ten, the sound of running water from the bathroom loud in the background.
He picked up his phone, tapped the screen, and sent Maddie a message: "Get up, get ready, I'll pick you up at your school gate."
Sent successfully, and the screen went dark.
Ethan was putting on his shoes when Marcus, sitting across from him, stuck his head out, hair a mess like a bird's nest, eyes still half-shut: "Ethan, you don't have class today. Why are you up so early?"
Ethan said while lacing his shoes, "Got something to take care of, need to head out for a bit."
"Oh—" Marcus drew out his tone, trying hard to focus his gaze, "By the way! I found a promising stock yesterday, feels like it's about to take off! Soon as the market opens, I'm jumping in. What do you think?"
He pulled out his phone, the screen casting a faint glow on the dark circles under his eyes from staying up late.
Ethan straightened up, patted his pant leg, and said calmly, "Go for it, all in. Aren't you determined to be the next Warren Buffett? I trust your judgment."
"Alright then! Should be fine, I've got a good feeling about this one." Marcus muttered, then tucked himself back into his blanket.
Ethan opened the door and, before leaving, tossed back a line: "See you later, buddy, heading out."
The door slammed shut with a click.
On the bed, Marcus had just started to drift off when the word "buddy" suddenly made him sit up, growling softly at the closed door: "Damn! Ethan, you jerk!"
After cursing, he collapsed back down, annoyed.
Ethan walked lightly downstairs.
The early morning air on campus was slightly cool, carrying the freshness of grass and trees.
Walking to the parking area below the dorm, he started the car and drove along the tree-lined path. But instead of leaving campus directly, he turned toward the quiet courtyard tucked deeper into campus.
After arriving at Oak Ridge, he parked the Audi in the yard, then drove the McLaren P1 out toward campus's exit.
Heading toward NYU Tisch, since Maddie was still a senior in college.
At the entrance to NYU Tisch.
With only about a hundred meters left before the school gate, Ethan's sharp gaze had already caught sight of that familiar figure under the shade of a tree.
Maddie was looking down at her phone. The breeze brushed the hem of her skirt, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on her.
Today, she wore a fresh, sweet floral dress with puff sleeves and a cinched waist. The skirt flowed lightly down to her calves, paired with a pair of simple white flats. She looked like a girl straight out of a pastoral oil painting, radiating youthful energy.
Her fair cheeks flushed with a healthy blush, and she looked great, clearly well-rested.
Ethan rolled down the car window and smiled, saying, "Get in! How'd you sleep last night?"
When Maddie saw it was him, her eyes instantly lit up, curving into beautiful crescents.
She skillfully slid into the low passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt with a click: "Okay! Really good, actually, slept straight through till morning."
"Then let's head to the mall." Ethan smoothly merged into the traffic.
"Why are we going to the mall?" Maddie didn't understand why Ethan suddenly wanted to go shopping.
Ethan glanced at her and smiled slightly: "Food, obviously. I'm also going to buy you something to make up for your hard work yesterday!"
He deliberately emphasized the words "hard work."
Maddie's face instantly flushed bright red, like a ripe apple.
She naturally understood what he meant, her heart racing, and she lowered her head to quietly reply, "Mm-hmm... got it."
After the initial embarrassment, a huge wave of excitement surged through her. A woman's love of shopping is natural; when it comes to shopping, what girl could resist that kind of temptation?
Thinking about the upcoming shopping trip, she couldn't help but secretly curl her lips, her fingers unconsciously tracing gently across the smooth seat.
Ethan stepped on the gas and drove the McLaren toward Time Warner Center.
One floor had been transformed into a quaint "Old New York Stories" themed dining area.
They chose a restaurant styled after a classic turn-of-the-century tavern, with dark wood beams, brick walls, vintage-style lanterns, and even the staff's outfits evoking early-1900s New York street life.
The air was filled with the aroma of food and a faint hint of cedar.
As soon as Maddie walked in, she was captivated by the immersive setting, her eyes sparkling.
She held up her phone, constantly snapping photos of the exposed beams, the vintage-style tableware, and even a beautifully plated dish, so excited she was like a kid, forgetting to touch her fork.
Ethan couldn't help but laugh.
After savoring the meal, the two of them strolled over to the art and culture area on the same floor.
There was an immersive exhibition running called "New York Then and Now: A Digital Art Experience."
A huge panoramic screen projected dynamic scenes of old New York, with lifelike streetscapes and figures, the flowing light and shadow making it feel like stepping through time.
Floor sensors made ripples appear beneath the viewer's feet with every step, startling animated flocks of pigeons or scattering golden light particles.
Maddie was deeply captivated by this blend of technology and art, pulling Ethan along to linger inside.
They watched for more than an hour before finally stepping out, still wanting more.
Next up was shopping.
From the luxury boutiques on the upper floors to the dazzling jewelry and watch section on the ground floor, Ethan took Maddie on a tour of each one.
He was generous and said gently, "Try on whatever you want, buy it if you like it."
He bought her plenty of clothes, bags, and shoes.
When they got to the watch and jewelry section, faced with a dazzling array of choices, Ethan let her pick the brand herself.
There are 130 advance chapters ahead in my Patreon. If you are interested can check it out.
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