Jiutiao Meijie’s dance steps suddenly halted.
"Let’s go back, I’m tired."
"Aren’t you waiting for the final song?" Dubian Che said, "According to the legend I’ve heard, it’s at the very moment the bonfire party ends that if two people are holding hands, they will forge a bond that lasts until their hair turns white together."
Jiutiao Meijie looked slightly contemptuous and dismissive, "If bonfire parties really had that kind of magic, this world would have been in chaos long ago."
Having said that, she lifted her face and stared at Dubian Che:
"The only reason I’m participating in such a boring event is to see what choice you will make in the end."
"Do you find it satisfying?" Dubian Che wrapped his arms around her waist and said with a light chuckle.
The light of the bonfire illuminated the sides of their faces.
"You know what’s good for you."
Jiutiao Meijie glanced at him, "Even if I tell you how alright it is, would you truly grasp how alright it is?"
After she finished speaking, she saw a pondering look in Dubian Che’s eyes.
About a second later.
His eyes cleared, and he brought his lips close to her ear.
"Then you tell me, if you were wearing a ruffled skirt right now, would you feel like twirling it lightly?"
Jiutiao Meijie was really exasperated with this man, who could come up with a way to quantify happiness in such a short time.
"I find you really annoying at times." She pushed Dubian Che away.
"Come on, tell me, would you twirl or not?" Dubian Che continued teasingly with a grin.
"Enough talk, let’s go."
She held her right arm with her left hand and grabbed Dubian Che’s tie with her left hand, forcefully pulling him away from the dancing crowd.
"And another thing, I hate ’what ifs,’ so you’re forbidden to use that word from now on, got it?"
"Why? Without ’what ifs,’ science wouldn’t make any progress."
"I don’t give a damn about science."
Pulled by the tie by Jiutiao Meijie, their target was the pine tree they had been at before, where Kiyono Lin was reading a book.
Despite the noisy atmosphere and the chaotic environment around her, her delicate and exquisite face was completely engrossed.
Dubian Che even felt that the air around her was certainly clearer than anywhere else.
Out of the habit of ’striving to learn from excellent people and eventually surpassing Kiyono Lin,’ Dubian Che glanced at the book title.
Nagai Kaoru’s "Sunny Day Wooden Sandals."
Hearing their approaching footsteps, Kiyono Lin lifted her face from the book.
The distant bonfire, eager to kiss her, cast an ethereal hue on her fine features, like the afterglow of the setting sun.
"Are you here to show off?" Kiyono Lin’s voice carried a penetrating clarity.
"You just said I am not allowed to lay hands on Dubian or his family, so I’ll tell you this, if you dare to make a move on Dubian, don’t blame me for not being polite."
"Have you ever been polite to me since we were five?" Kiyono Lin responded nonchalantly.
"I can’t believe a goody two-shoes like you would stoop to making a move on someone else’s boyfriend," Jiutiao Meijie mocked.
"’Getting Dubian Che to fall in love with Kiyono Lin’ is a research project you’ve always known about, haven’t you? Why are you getting jittery about it now?"
After saying this, Kiyono Lin added another line:
"Conforming to the opinions of the world, erasing one’s personality, abandoning one’s goals, and foolishly putting on a gentle demeanor to please others—in the presence of the three people here, the only one full of lies is Mr. Dubian, right? Jiutiao, you seem to have no right to speak about me."
"Hold on." Dubian Che interjected, "Are you planning to ostracize me in the club? Leave me out?"
Kiyono Lin: "Shut up."
Jiutiao Meijie: "Shut up."
Dubian Che’s attempt to lighten the mood had failed.
Jiutiao Meijie’s gaze shifted from Dubian Che and shot icily toward Kiyono Lin.
"Fine then," she said with a sinister smile, "let’s see who will have the last laugh."
"Not only the matter of turning Mr. Dubian into an ape, but also in academics, art, and future career achievements, I will be the winner of it all," Kiyono Lin confidently declared.
Such was this person that even her black hair seemed to shine.
"It’s good to be confident," Jiutiao Meijie countered without yielding an inch, "but I advise you not to be too arrogant. If you lose because of your pride, don’t say it was just bad luck."
"Thanks for the warning, so let me repeat it: you best be humble yourself."
As far as Dubian Che was concerned, both of them should take it down a notch—never had he seen more self-absorbed individuals.
He was genuinely the sole conscience of the Human Observation Department.
The two ladies’ exchange of harsh words concluded, and the three walked back to the camp together.
"Didn’t they say ’school regulations require everyone to participate’?"
"Yes, but the school didn’t stipulate that everyone must stay until the end."
"Speak of absolutely honesty, but you also pick conditions that are favorable for yourself, don’t you?"
"Jiutiao, you can perceive me however you like, but as for you, walk carefully at night after doing so many bad things, not every time will there be Ochazuke who just so happens to be drinking coffee in a café like Mr. Dubian."
The argument erupted once more.
Dubian Che stepped back, letting the two walk side by side.
"Do you think this young lady would stumble in the same place twice? As for Dubian at the coffee shop, he will be by my side for the next few decades, so Kiyono doesn’t need to..."
In the midst of her words, who knows who, while transporting firewood, had dropped a piece on the ground.
At night, on the snow-covered ground, while preoccupied with refuting Kiyono Lin, Jiutiao Meijie stepped on a round log of firewood and suddenly fell over.
Her reaction was quick; she braced herself on the snowy ground without soiling her clothes.
"Oh dear oh dear, I did say to be careful on the night path." Kiyono Lin said with a tone laced with pleasure.
Supporting herself on the ground, Jiutiao Meijie’s expression was darker than the nightshade in the mixed woods.
"Meijie, are you alright?" Dubian Che hurried over.