When Lisa heard Tina''s request, her eyebrows knit together. It seemed like Tina wanted to buy the sunscreen not because she needed it, but just to unt her


    money.


    Besides, was Mira really short on cash? Her brother was a top-tier celebrity; there was no way she was struggling financially.


    Lisa turned to Tina and, despite sharing a dorm with her, spoke politely, "Actually, it''s not about the money. Mirabe''s sunscreen is a custom-made product. As you saw, she only has one or two bottles. If she sells one to you, she won''t have any left for herself."


    Tina was slightly annoyed that Lisa butted in, especially since she wasn''t talking to her. She nced at Lisa without responding and then turned her attention back to Mirabe, still hopeful, "Can you?"


    Mirabe pursed her lips, her delicate features showing a hint of indifference, "Sorry, no."


    Tina was disappointed, and her polite facade started to slip, "Alright then."


    She shrugged and walked back to her bed.


    Lisa watched Tina''s retreating figure and couldn''t help but smirk at how quickly her demeanor had changed.


    Then she carefully ced the sunscreen into her makeup bag. Once it was secure, she suggested to Mirabe that they head to the cafeteria.


    After the two left the dorm, Howard walked over to close the door, "That Mirabe is really full of herself."


    Tina, who was making her bed, responded without looking up, "She''s a literature prodigy. It''s normal for her to be proud."


    Howard shook his head, "So what if she''s a literature prodigy? She doesn''t have a strong science background. How could she be better than us?"


    "Well, you can''t say that. After all, for a literature student to join our engineering program, she must have some... capabilities," Tina said, with a hint of reason but an undeniably disdainful tone.


    Leaning against the bed, Howard scoffed, "Probably just the talent to be proud and stingy."


    Thinking back to how Mirabe had refused her in front of everyone, Tina felt annoyed and sarcastically remarked, "It''s just a no-name product, and yet she treats it like it''s gold."


    A penny pincher, refusing even free money.


    "I think she intentionally didn''t want to give it to you. After all, she readily gave one to Lisa. You even politely offered to pay, but she refused. that''s not personal, what is?"


    veln


    Howard stroked his chin, analyzing logically.


    Tina''s face darkened slightly. Indeed, they were all in the same dorm and department. What was the harm in giving away a bottle of sunscreen?


    Seeing Tina''s mood darken, Howard cleared his throat andforted her softly, "Don''t be upset. We''ve


    had one day of military traini only ot


    How


    can we tell if the sunscreen is effective? Besides, if even big brands can''t achieve that effect, who knows how many harmful chemicals are in hers. I''d be worried about damaging my skin."


    Tina considered Howard''s words and felt somewhatforted. Indeed, Howard had a point. It was nearly impossible for a product to keep skin looking like it hadn''t been exposed to the sun at all.


    After all, their knowledge in chemistry and biology wasn''t for nothing. The science was clear.


    So, during the following days of military training, Tina seemed determined to prove this theory.


    However, when she saw that Mirabe and Lisa''s skin remained almost unchanged, while her ownplexion darkened, she couldn''t help but feel a pang of jealousy.