The tutoring atmosphere in the fourth-floor classroom still held no trace of romantic ambiguity between the two.
Only the lecturer’s voice filled the room; no idle chatter could be heard.
As the lunch break neared its end, Chi Yuzhou heard Xiao Yingwan, sitting across from him, say unexpectedly:
“For this afternoon’s activity, I’ll have to trouble you to look after me, Yuzhou.”
“Mm.”
With strands of hair shielding his face, Xiao Yingwan couldn’t see his expression.
Only his calm posture showed he wasn’t shaken.
Though Chi Yuzhou didn’t grasp why she was being so polite, he gave a slight nod.
After all, he wasn’t the aloof type.
When the bell rang, their homeroom teacher—not the subject teacher—entered Class 3, Grade 11.
She stood at the podium, reminding them of safety rules for the day’s outing.
Then she led the class onto a bus.
Chi Yuzhou watched the scenery blur past the window, feeling an inexplicable lightness.
Even his classmates buzzed with excitement for the off-campus trip.
Freedom truly was the most comfortable thing.
He sat quietly in his seat.
Glancing up, he noticed the student in front turning to stare at him.
It was the same guy who’d blocked him at the convenience store earlier.
The boy gave Chi Yuzhou a few odd looks before silently facing forward again.
Chi Yuzhou was puzzled.
Just then, Hua Qi beside him asked:
“Yuzhou, did you do something to Sun Yi Yang?”
“No. I don’t know him.”
“Then why was he staring? Could it be…?”
Hua Qi’s surprised gaze made Chi Yuzhou guess his thought:
That Sun Yi Yang had spotted his hidden appearance.
But Chi Yuzhou shook his head.
“He hasn’t noticed. I don’t know why he looked.”
“That’s weird.”
Hua Qi glanced at Chi Yuzhou, now gazing out the window.
Without fully revealing his face, Chi Yuzhou seemed shadowed yet relaxed.
But if he wore his tavern disguise, approaching him might be as hard as approaching Xiao Yingwan.
The bus rolled for twenty minutes to a picnic spot near a decent-sized forest.
No wonder the teacher had stressed fire safety.
Only four classes joined this outdoor session, including theirs.
Chi Yuzhou stared at the row of stove-like setups ahead.
He’d never cooked before—not even indoors.
Living alone, he had a kitchen, but school and part-time work left no energy for it.
A chef-hatted instructor gathered them.
Groups of five stood behind stoves as he lectured.
He paced while shouting cooking tips, but most advice felt useless.
“Ingredients are under your stoves! Light your fires yourselves! Follow my tips, but be careful with knives!”
“Teacher! Can we cook something else?”
“Of course! It’s your dinner—do what your group wants!”
The class erupted in chatter.
Chi Yuzhou realized their stove burned wood.
The provided firewood looked barely enough for one meal.
His group—Chi Yuzhou, Xiao Yingwan, Hua Fu, Shen Shiling, and Hua Qi—exchanged glances.
Shen Shiling broke the silence:
“Shall we cook what the teacher suggested, or something else?”
“The spices and ingredients here are rich… curry should work, right?”
Hua Qi crouched to inspect the supplies.
“So… we’re making curry? What do you think?”
Shen Shiling saw the other three nod.
Chi Yuzhou and Hua Fu’s agreement left her slightly uneasy.
No input now might mean complaints later if they disliked the food.
Behind his hair, Chi Yuzhou’s eyes lit up.
Something he’d never tasted!
Also, Hua Qi and Shen Shiling seemed closer than classmates—like old friends.
Chi Yuzhou observed quietly, hair shadowing his eyes.
“Those who can cook, stay to prep ingredients. Others, gather firewood. Fair?”
“No problem.”
“Mm.”
Hua Qi and Chi Yuzhou nodded together.
“Yingwan and I can cook. What about you two?”
“I can’t cook.”
Hua Qi spread his hands helplessly.
“Me neither.”
Chi Yuzhou shook his head.
All eyes briefly turned to Hua Fu.
Behind thick glasses, she lowered her gaze and whispered:
“I know a little.”
“Perfect. Girls cook; boys fetch wood. Okay?”
As class monitor, Shen Shiling’s tone brooked no argument.
Chi Yuzhou and Hua Qi agreed without hesitation.
Chi Yuzhou felt genuine anticipation.
The boys followed signs into the forest.
Neatly cut firewood lay scattered everywhere—clearly prepped.
Chi Yuzhou understood.
This was about teamwork and coordination.
More students soon wandered in; the wood might not last.
They gathered logs methodically.
Watching Hua Qi nearby, Chi Yuzhou asked:
“You know the monitor?”
“Yeah. Since elementary school.”
Hua Qi continued, “Shen Shiling and I are neighbors too.”
“Childhood friends?”
“Yeah, you could say that.”
Chi Yuzhou grew curious.
He recalled Hua Qi’s online romance essay.
Hua Qi wasn’t unattractive—and standing beside Shen Shiling, they looked perfectly matched.
