When the bus hit the national highway, the driving speed picked up significantly, and the scenery outside gradually became richer.
Feng Siruo tugged Jiang Zhou’s sleeve repeatedly, wanting him to look out the window.
“Umm… could those be mandarin ducks?”
Feng Siruo was surprised. “Are these mandarin ducks?”
Jiang Zhou nodded. “Wild ducks are bigger and uglier than mandarin ducks.”
“Someone’s swimming too.”
“Oh, that person probably fell in the water. Didn’t you see people trying to rescue them?”
Feng Siruo scrunched her nose, her eyes full of delight.
She knew Jiang Zhou was teasing her to make her happy, and she was truly happy.
She had seen lakes before, but at this moment, everything she saw felt different, and she had never so openly shared her world with someone else.
“Haodong, why are you shaking all the time?”
From the front seat, Zhang Guangfa looked at Xu Haodong in surprise.
Xu Haodong gritted his teeth. “How long is this road? I really need to pee!”
“Bro, trust me, you’re done for.”
Zhang Guangfa clicked his tongue. “Fine, I won’t talk. I’ll whistle instead.”
“Crap, I’m gonna have to change my pants…” Xu Haodong looked pale but also a bit relieved.
Over an hour later, the bus turned off the highway into a tree-lined lane.
Thick tree canopies overlapped overhead, like a woven green roof.
Gradually, as they neared the end of the road, the grass and shrubs on both sides thickened.
Everyone opened their windows and leaned out.
Ahead was an ancient town full of antique charm.
A winding river separated the road from the town.
After a short muddy path of about ten meters, there stood a white stone bridge.
The students all got off, took their luggage, and crossed the bridge.
Looking out, the entire town seemed surrounded by water.
Beneath distant mountains, a thin layer of mist rose, spreading and settling on the flowers and trees, making the buildings look ethereal and richly atmospheric.
This was likely the steam rising from the hot springs.
Combined with the town’s quaint style, it was like a scene from the town where Li Xiaoyao hadn’t yet left the newbie village.
“Wow, class monitor, your hometown’s town is amazing.”
“Beautiful, beautiful, I’m gonna fill my phone memory with photos!”
“When I find a girlfriend, I have to come here again.”
The group entered the town enthusiastically after crossing the bridge.
Qu Xiaoya walked proudly over to Jiang Zhou’s side. “Jiang Zhou, our hometown isn’t bad, right?”
“Yeah, it looks quite charming.”
Qu Xiaoya covered her mouth with a smile. “My dad said to thank you for advertising for him, but he didn’t come today.”
Jiang Zhou shook his head. “It’s just reciprocating kindness, no need to be so polite.”
“What kind of house do you like to live in?”
“I’m not picky. Anywhere is fine.”
Qu Xiaoya bit her lip. “Then I’ll pick one for you, how about that?”
Jiang Zhou nodded. “That’d be great, thanks.”
“Okay, I’ll come find you when I’ve picked one!”
Watching Qu Xiaoya run off excitedly, Huang Qi nudged Jiang Zhou’s shoulder. “See? She wants to be your neighbor.”
“Are you looking forward to it?”
“Actually, Qu Xiaoya’s not bad-looking either.”
Hearing that, Feng Siruo immediately got a bit huffy.
Her little hand, which Jiang Zhou had been holding, suddenly pulled away in a huff.
Jiang Zhou glanced at her and then forcibly grabbed her hand back.
If she didn’t talk to him for another three days, he wouldn’t survive.
Better keep his mouth shut and be obedient.
“Ahem, but even if she lives next door, she probably won’t find me.”
Huang Qi looked at him. “Why not?”
Jiang Zhou pinched Feng Siruo’s little face. “At night, I’ll be soothing Feng classmate to sleep.”
“Whether you like it or not, you have to!”
Feng Siruo bowed her head, looking very wronged. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵⚑𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⚑𝓷𝓮𝓽
She didn’t dare say no, afraid he would get mad and say he wouldn’t pursue her anymore.
And Ding Yue had already disappeared.
She and Xu Haodong had a bet. Whoever found a partner first wins and reigns supreme.
So as soon as they got off the bus, Ding Yue rushed to the boys’ group.
Anyway, Feng Siruo thought with Jiang Zhou leading her, everything would be fine.
No matter what happened, Jiang Zhou would protect her.
So she relaxed and focused all her energy on finding a partner.
Soon, Qu Xiaoya assigned rooms for the 50+ students based on the list.
Two per room, boys and girls separated.
Feng Siruo and Ding Yue shared one room.
Jiang Zhou stayed with Gao Wenkai.
Huang Qi stayed with a girl named Zheng Cancan.
This girl didn’t like to shower and always had a strange smell.
Her roommates had even reported her before, but to no avail.
The school didn’t arrange single dorms.
Huang Qi thought this was Qu Xiaoya’s revenge, jealous that she got a gift from Jiang Zhou.
This woman was not only petty but also cruel!
Ten minutes later, everyone with keys went back to their rooms to unpack.
The hot spring hotel in this town was pretty nice.
The interior was purely wooden structure, and the warm orange lighting gave the inside a cozy atmosphere.
Jiang Zhou arrived at his door and saw Qu Xiaoya’s room right next door.
This was a bit blatant, obviously everyone knew what was going on.
“Jiang Zhou, let’s watch movies all night!”
Inside the room, Gao Wenkai excitedly pointed at the projector.
Jiang Zhou snapped out of it. “No way, there are lots of girls waiting for me outside. I’m busy tonight.”
“You’re really heartless.”
As they talked, there was a sudden knock on the door.
Jiang Zhou opened it casually, and Huang Qi walked in.
She didn’t come alone but pushed in her suitcase too.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m sleeping here tonight!”
Without another word, Huang Qi dropped her luggage and plopped down on Jiang Zhou’s bed.
She rolled around once and kicked off her shoes.
Only socks with little bear patterns remained on her feet.
Then she lay flat out.
Huang Qi got up. “Of course I’m serious! I’m not sharing a room with Zheng Cancan!”
Jiang Zhou was a little surprised. “Qu Xiaoya put you with Zheng Cancan?”
“Yeah. You gave me the perfume, and she’s jealous of me!”
“Then if you stay here, what about me?”
Huang Qi looked around. “You can sleep in Gao Wenkai’s bed.”
Gao Wenkai was a little shocked. “Then where do I sleep?”
“You stay with Zheng Cancan. She doesn’t have a boyfriend!”
“Wow, you’re really cruel.”
Jiang Zhou patted her on the butt. “I don’t agree with this plan.”
Huang Qi immediately looked wronged. “Then what now? I really don’t want to live with Zheng Cancan.”
“Then stay here for now. I’ll figure something out tonight.”
“I’d rather you stay with me or Feng Siruo!”
Jiang Zhou’s eyes widened. “You’re not only after me, you’re after my wife too?”
Huang Qi giggled, tapping her feet happily.