Chapter 7: Graduation Trip? Not Interested
“We’re all graduating, so how about going on a trip together?”
“I was thinking the same! It would be so much fun if we all went.”
“After graduation, there probably won’t be many chances to meet up again. Great idea!”
“Though, not everyone might want to go, right?”
“People can join if they want. No pressure for those who don’t.”
In the class group chat for Grade 12, Class 5, the discussion about a graduation trip had been going non-stop since morning.
A group of students who had been suffocating under the pressure of academics was finally ready to let loose and embrace their youth.
Graduation trip, huh…
Boys and girls staying together. Who knows what wonderful stories might unfold?
Maybe a few couples would even get together.
A lot of the guys in the group were probably thinking just that.
That’s why they were so enthusiastic. These trips were perfect for sparking romance.
Who knew, maybe they’d come back with a girlfriend.
Even though college life was right around the corner, getting a head start with a girlfriend didn’t sound bad at all.
Zheng Yu: “@Chu Yuwei, Yuwei, what do you think about the idea?”
Chu Yuwei: “I think it’s great. If someone organizes it, I’m in.”
“Whoa, even the goddess is going? Count me in!”
“Let’s go to the beach. The beach is perfect for graduation trips!”
“Come on, you just wanna see the goddess in a swimsuit. Shameless.”
“Why’re you calling me out? Don’t pretend you guys don’t want to see it too.”
“Pfft, we’re just appreciating beauty!”
Chu Yuwei: “Ahem, how about we create a poll in the group to see how many are interested?”
Zheng Yu: “Good idea. I’ll set it up. If you wanna join the graduation trip, sign up now!”
As soon as the poll popped up, tons of students swarmed in.
There were 53 students in Class 5. In the end, only 10 didn’t sign up.
And Jiang Zhou was one of them.
At that moment, Jiang Zhou was riding his bike along Xinghuai Avenue.
He’d been on the sidewalk for a while, and his phone kept buzzing.
Just a bunch of brats who only care about having fun. Unlike him, he was always thinking about how to make money.
Jiang Zhou casually muted the group chat and stopped in front of a fried chicken shop.
According to memories from his past life, this area was about to be redeveloped.
Because it was part of an old city renovation project, the compensation would be insanely high.
If he could buy this little shop now, his capital might double.
But five hundred grand just wasn’t enough.
Even if he bought it, who knew how long he’d have to wait to get the payout.
After all, from the time demolition was announced to when the compensation came through, it was a long process.
He planned to start a business as soon as college began.
There’s no way the payout would come in two months.
That meant his startup plan would have to be shelved.
Looks like he needed to think of another project.
Just then, Jiang Zhou’s phone buzzed again.
The notification sound was different this time. It was almost musical.
Didn’t I already mute the group chat?
Still getting messages?
He opened his phone and saw it was a QQ message from Chu Yuwei.
The special ringtone was because his eighteen-year-old self had set her as a “special contact.”
Chu Yuwei: “Jiang Zhou, are you joining the graduation trip? You haven’t voted. Did you miss it?”
Jiang Zhou: “Not interested.”
Chu Yuwei: “Everyone else is going…”
Jiang Zhou: “What’s that got to do with me?”
She hesitated for a while: “I’m going too. We might be heading to the beach.”
Jiang Zhou: “Mm, hope you all have fun.”
Chu Yuwei: “It’s a class event. If you don’t go, you’ll look like a loner.”
Jiang Zhou: “After graduation, we won’t see each other again. I don’t care.”
Chu Yuwei sat on her bed, biting her lip. She didn’t know what to say.
Wasn’t that hint obvious enough?
She was going to wear a swimsuit!
She was going to swim in the sea!
But this guy just said he wasn’t interested?
Was he so dense that he didn’t catch the hint?
Chu Yuwei: “Do you know any stores that sell swimsuits? For going to the beach…”
Jiang Zhou: “Nope. Busy. Talk later.”
After replying, Jiang Zhou scrolled up the chat history.
He noticed that before June 9th, he’d been a full-on simp.
He was always messaging Chu Yuwei and never getting a real response.
Jiang Zhou: “Goddess, you there? There’s a cool movie out. Wanna see it together?”
Chu Yuwei: “I’m studying. Can’t chat.”
Jiang Zhou: “What are you doing? Why aren’t you replying?”
Chu Yuwei: “Taking a shower.”
Jiang Zhou: “I saw your post about craving sweets. I bought a cake, so can I drop it off?”
Chu Yuwei: “No thanks.”
Looking at those old messages, Jiang Zhou cringed hard.
He felt like he didn’t even recognize himself.
Was I really that much of a simp?
And the more he thought about it, the more he disliked Chu Yuwei.
Even simps are people, you know.
Would it have killed you to throw me a bone once in a while?
Meanwhile, in Jiangdong Courtyard, Building 1, Unit 201.
Chu Yuwei curled up in a corner of her bedroom, face full of frustration.
But did he have to be that rude?
Saying he’s not interested? Saying he’s busy?
Hello? It’s summer break!
What could a student who just finished college entrance exams possibly be “busy” with?
Does he really hate me that much?
However, he didn’t used to be …
He used to message her all the time.
She’d only respond when she got really annoyed, always saying she was studying or showering. And he never got mad.
So, why did he change so much after graduation?
Ignoring her, saying he’s not interested…
Does he think he’s more mature than everyone else?
He’s just pretending.
Pretending he doesn’t care!
Chu Yuwei glanced at the group poll again.
Everyone seemed excited about the trip.
So why was he the only one not tempted?
She sat there in silence for a long while.
Then suddenly, she realized she didn’t feel like going on the graduation trip anymore.