[A/N: Shifting the novel's theme, I'll avoid real country names except for China. The country will differ significantly from reality, maintaining only similarities in province and major city names for reader familiarity.
Peace! Battling censorship is tough, but a noble mission!]
15th January, 9:00 am.
"Haha, brother, are you all set for the upcoming trip?" Chen Li's exuberant voice echoed through the air, his backpack slung over one shoulder, surrounded by the ordered rows of school buses awaiting departure.
Wang Xiao's eyes flicked toward him, a genuine surprise etched on his face. 'Is he intentionally avoiding any mention of the recent incident?'
Chen Li, however, chose an unexpected topic, diverting from the unspoken tension. "Brother Wang, your mother is quite the intimidating figure. How do you manage living alone with her? Isn't she fearsome, like a dragon ready to devour you?"
The unexpectedness of the remark left Wang Xiao momentarily stunned. He had braced himself for a potential confrontation about the recent money matter, but Chen Li's nonchalance caught him off guard. Unsure of Chen Li's intentions, Wang Xiao decided to play along with the conversational detour. "She isn't that scary," he responded.
Chen Li raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, really?"
Wang Xiao began to explain, "Yeah, she is jus—"
The English teacher, Lei Xia, stationed at the entrance, interrupted them with a frown. "Get inside the bus quickly, we are late!" Her voice carried an impatient urgency.
Wang Xiao and Chen Li exchanged annoyed glances before complying, heading inside the bus. As Wang Xiao ascended the stairs, Lei Xia shot him a lingering glare, still nursing a grudge.
Wang Xiao shook his head, reflecting on yet another instance of an adult trapped in a child's body.
The bus had two supervisors for the trip: Chen Yongzheng, their homeroom teacher, and Lei Xia, the English teacher. Wang Xiao and Chen Li made their way to seats at the back, finding themselves directly behind Dong Kai and his buddies.
Their eyes clashed briefly, but a semblance of peace prevailed until Chen Yongzheng approached to brief everyone about the upcoming school trip.
The school trip was scheduled to conclude on the 18th, with an additional day reserved by the school—January 19th. If all went smoothly, they would be back by the 19th or, at the latest, the 20th of January.
The destination was the Shanxi village, nestled near Hongzhou city in the Zhejiang province. More precisely, the school had secured accommodations at a resort near 'The Arctic Mountain,' situated in the vicinity of Shanxi Village. The lofty mountain range in that region boasted varying climates, and specific areas near Shanxi Village experienced rainfall during the coldest winter months.
This made it a popular tourist attraction, particularly for skiing enthusiasts.
Excitement rippled through the bus as the destination for their trip was announced. Fortunately, the students had all come prepared with winter clothes, given that Shanghai's weather this year had been colder than usual.
The atmosphere on the bus crackled with excitement when Chen Yongzheng dropped a bombshell: the school trip wasn't an exclusive affair. Instead, it involved a joint venture with multiple schools—Green Oasis Academy's various branches and associated institutions.
The impact of this revelation struck Wang Xiao as he realized he would encounter all three of his sisters in the same location.
The news caught him slightly off guard, but he remained seated, absorbing the implications. However, he overlooked a crucial problem—his recent accumulation of enemies, including Dong Kai, with whom he had a confrontation last year. The potential clashes that might unfold during this joint trip eluded Wang Xiao's estimation.
"The Arctic Mountain! I heard it's an amazing spot for skiing. Can't wait to hit the slopes!" Chen Li's enthusiasm resonated through the bus, infecting nearby classmates with a shared excitement.
Wang Xiao nodded in agreement, "Yeah, it's better than going to a museum." Little did he realize that beyond the thrill of skiing adventures, the trip held the promise of unexpected encounters and potential conflicts.
As the bus rumbled toward the impending adventure, the lively chatter among students reached a crescendo. Amidst the excitement, Dong Kai leaned over to Wang Xiao, a smirk playing on his face. "Hope you've got your skiing skills polished, Wang. You might need them."
Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, responding with calm assurance, "I can handle myself just fine. Has your bruise from last time already healed?"
Dong Kai's forehead bulged with veins, an imminent outburst halted only by the classmate next to him restraining him.
"Wang Xiao, why are you creating a disturbance on the bus?!" Lei Xia seized the opportunity to intervene, her voice cutting through the rising tension.
"It's Wang Xiao again!"
"Wang Xiao!"
"Wang Xiao!"
The passengers didn't spare a single opportunity to further escalate, cheering and yelling, much to Lei Xia's annoyance. "Shut up, everyone!" she commanded, trying to restore order amid the chaos.
The chaotic atmosphere inside the bus caught the attention of Chen Yongzheng, prompting him to make his way through the commotion. "Hey, hey, why are you guys shouting?" he inquired, scanning the chaotic scene unfolding.
Lei Xia seized the opportunity to voice her complaint, pointing fingers at Wang Xiao. "Mr. Chen, it's your student Wang Xiao again. He's creating trouble!"
Chen Yongzheng arched an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping across the now silent crowd. Confronted with accusatory stares, he couldn't dismiss the situation. "Wang Xiao, come and sit in the front."
Wang Xiao sighed, an air of resignation settling in. 'Here goes the promising start to a dull journey...'
The impending hours on the bus seemed poised to transform into a nightmare, with those in the front oblivious to anything but their enjoyment.
Chen Li shot a fiery glare at Dong Kai, who smirked smugly while strategically using the teachers as a shield.
Observing their interaction, Wang Xiao couldn't help but shake his head in amusement. 'Ignorance is bliss,' he mused to himself.
Chen Li, seemingly still on his side despite the recent event, appeared to be attributed to his naive and underdeveloped understanding of how society functions at a deeper level.
In another person's shoes, alarm bells might have been ringing in the presence of Wang Xiao, who was known to use anyone to gain an advantage—selfish to the core.
Was it something to be proud of? Certainly. But only if one could master the art of hiding it well.
At the root, every person is inherently selfish, driven by the pursuit of personal satisfaction. However, this intrinsic nature often goes unnoticed, shrouded in ignorance, leading individuals into a web of delusions. As a result, they find themselves entangled in contrasting situations where core values and personal beliefs collide.
Wang Xiao moved to the front with Chen Yongzheng, surveying the limited available seats. Most were occupied, except for one—occupied by a lone girl. Zhang Sisi sat there, quietly observing the unfolding events.
Her eyes blinked in response to Chen Yongzheng's gaze as he addressed her, "Student Zhang Sisi, can you share the seat with Wang Xiao, please?"
Zhang Sisi offered a nod of acknowledgment, retrieving her bag from the vacant seat and stowing it in the overhead compartment. Chen Yongzheng directed Wang Xiao, "You can go and sit there. Don't make any more ruckus."
Wang Xiao raised his brows in response, nodding in compliance. His gaze lingered on Zhang Sisi, who remained fixated on the scenery outside.
'Bastard!'
A chorus of muttered curses echoed through the bus, directed at Wang Xiao. Zhang Sisi held the esteemed position of class leader, and while interactions between her and Wang Xiao were scarce, she purposefully kept her distance. Wang Xiao harbored a curiosity about this dynamic but hadn't ventured to inquire further.
Taking his seat beside her, Wang Xiao initiated a polite introduction.
"Zhang Sisi, right?" Wang Xiao initiated the conversation, eyeing her profile.
Zhang Sisi turned her head slightly, acknowledging him with a curt nod. "Yes, that's me. Wang Xiao, I presume?"
Wang Xiao leaned back, his tone nonchalant. "That's correct. The illustrious class leader. Any specific reason you've been avoiding me?"
Zhang Sisi maintained her composure. "Avoiding implies intention. I'm merely focused on my responsibilities."
Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Responsibilities or a convenient excuse? You seem quite proficient at navigating around certain individuals."
Zhang Sisi's gaze intensified, revealing a hint of intrigue. "Efficiency is a valuable trait, Wang Xiao. I suggest you focus on your own journey."
Wang Xiao chuckled, realizing this bus trip might not be as dull as he initially anticipated.
As the wheels of the bus rolled on, Wang Xiao's curiosity grew into a persistent itch. The deliberate avoidance by Zhang Sisi fueled his determination to unravel the mystery, like an unsolved puzzle challenging him.
Curiosity, that elusive whisper, seduced him into action. The journey to Hongzhou would consume several hours, and Wang Xiao found himself unwilling to succumb to boredom. Instead, he saw an opportunity to put his manipulative skills to the test.
A live human subject in the form of Zhang Sisi presented a challenge he couldn't resist. His agenda became clear—by the end of this journey, he would unearth the true reason behind Zhang Sisi's intentional avoidance.