Chapter 50: Off to Camp… (Eighth Update)

At this moment, all he could do was hold Zhao Jing tightly.

“That’s why, you see, men don’t need to be so hypocritical. Tell me, between me, Xia Yufei, Lin Ruo, and Lin Xi—five of us—which one could you give up? Ask your heart. If any one of us left, would it hurt you?”

“It would.”

“Then that settles it, doesn’t it?”

Yang Fan fell silent. Indeed, those who are strong possess privileges that others do not, just like Ai Xiaomei’s existence. By rights, she should not exist in this world.

Because her existence defies the laws of this world. Yet since Ai Xiaomei does exist, it proves there are things here that don’t belong to ordinary people.

Perhaps all the rules for ordinary people simply don’t apply. What truly exists is the primal law of survival of the fittest.

“I find myself less and less able to see through you.”

“To be lost in a haze is, in its way, happiness. Even if I tell you now, you couldn’t protect me. What use is knowing?”

Yang Fan’s whole body shivered again...

“Don’t worry. I promise, I won’t leave in the coming year.”

“And after that?”

“We’ll try together!”

“Alright!” Yang Fan affirmed.

Nine o’clock sharp, Lin Ruo called, asking him to come home.

After hanging up, Yang Fan held on for a while longer, reluctant to leave.

“Enough. Go home now, I need to sleep too.”

“I don’t want to go,” Yang Fan said.

“Fine, then stay tonight.”

“In that case, I’d better go.” Yang Fan sighed, troubled.

Zhao Jing laughed and said, “Alright, get up.”

Yang Fan got up, and Zhao Jing walked him to the entrance of the alley, waving him off...

After Yang Fan left, Zhao Jing stood alone in the darkness, her smile frozen.

“I only hope, after I leave, these girls will be ties for you, and you’ll forget me. Forgive me, for I am destined to leave. It’s my fate.”

At the Garden Community, Yang Fan returned home to find Lin Ruo waiting on the sofa.

“So you actually remembered to come back. If I hadn’t called, were you planning not to return again?” Lin Ruo said coldly.

“Sister, it’s not even ten yet!” Yang Fan complained.

“You waste your days like this, do you think you’re being fair to my sister?”

“I...” Yang Fan felt bitter inside. Zhao Jing had talked to him, but it would take time for his thoughts to change.

Of course, such conservative ideas had already harmed two people; if he were any more open, the prospect was terrifying.

He had thought about it on the road: all of this depends on self-awareness; let things take their course.

“Come here, sit down. Let’s talk about last night. Turn off the lights first—I don’t want Zhang Chen and the others coming up and knocking. Tonight, let’s have a proper conversation.”

Obediently, Yang Fan turned off the lights and sat on the sofa.

“Sister, last night was an accident. You know, Xia Yufei performed today; I had to comfort her.”

“How did you comfort her?”

“I...” Yang Fan couldn’t reply—such things are private.

“Letting you run wild every day, have you eaten?”

Yang Fan was startled; her mood shifted too quickly.

“I have.”

“Then go to sleep.”

Lin Ruo stood up first and returned to her bedroom.

Yang Fan sat brooding on the sofa for a long time. What kind of rhythm was this?

He sighed helplessly, went to his room, and called Xia Yufei, telling her he’d be returning to his hometown for four or five days.

He thought about Wu Qian as well, but decided to let things happen naturally, to treat her kindly in the future.

Reflecting on it, it was clearly Wu Qian, but she insisted it wasn’t her. She didn’t want to bind him with that—such devoted women!

What a mess...

Having slept during the day, he couldn’t sleep at night. Hearing noise in the hallway, Yang Fan hurried out of bed.

He went to Lin Ruo and knocked on her door.

“What is it?”

“Lin Ruo, I’m going downstairs to have a drink with Zhang Chen and the others.”

“Suit yourself!”

The upstairs layout was identical to theirs, and even Zhang Chen and his friends found it curious.

“You’re home? I thought you hadn’t returned!”

“I got back at ten, but couldn’t sleep. Came to chat,” Yang Fan said.

“Alright! Come on, Hao Yu, bring the wine—there are snacks too!”

Actually, no one was drinking seriously. A bottle of wine wouldn’t get anyone drunk.

“Where do you guys hang out every night?” Yang Fan couldn’t help asking. It seemed they always returned after ten.

“Where else? We don’t really go anywhere. You know, our school’s leadership is negotiating with others, and some other schools as well.”

“By the way, at Tian Ning Normal, will you handle the talks or should we? Xia Yufei’s there—I think it’s best if you go.”

“I’ll deal with it when I get back from Lake City,” Yang Fan said.

“Alright, we’ll skip those six schools then.”

Yang Fan nodded...

“You never bring Xia Yufei out for us to meet. You’re keeping her hidden.”

“How is that hiding, brother?” Yang Fan replied, feeling down. He had told Zhang Chen and the others.

“Enough, don’t say anything—penalize yourself two drinks!” Wang Jie declared.

Yang Fan gloomily drank two glasses, munching snacks and chatting.

“How’s it going with your little assistants?”

“Same as always—pure as can be. Not like you.”

“Me—” Yang Fan started, then quickly shut his mouth.

Their bond had been tight since freshman year.

“Let’s all work hard!” That was all Yang Fan could really say, layered with meaning.

“Cheers!”

The conversation lasted till three in the morning. Yang Fan talked them all into drowsiness, feeling a bit tipsy himself, so he left and went upstairs.

Lying in bed, less than ten minutes later, Lin Ruo came in. Yang Fan quickly closed his eyes.

Lin Ruo walked over—not to massage him, but to take off his clothes and trousers, and cover him with a blanket.

“Tell me, aren’t you a rascal? Last night you didn’t even come home, I had to look for you!”

“What if someone sold you—I wouldn’t even know where to rescue you!”

Muttering to herself, Lin Ruo left.

Yang Fan’s mind was blank...

The next day, Yang Fan went early to the company to give instructions, called Wu Qian into his office for a few special words, then told Zhao Jing at the courier company entrance, went home to catch up on sleep. Lin Ruo was also napping—likely she hadn’t slept last night or the night before.

At noon, they packed. Yang Fan didn’t have much to pack; Lin Ruo brought some clothes.

At six in the evening, they went for dinner—just the two of them—then bought some things at the supermarket. At ten at night, they set out right on time.

Once they left Tian Ning City, they got onto the highway, but strangely, an hour later, Lin Ruo drove off the highway.

“Where are we going?”

“Find a mountain and go camping!”

“I—” Yang Fan was speechless. So that’s why they set out at ten at night?

“Sleeping under the stars—how wonderful!”