When people talk about weekend outings, most would think of nearby spots—strolling through streets, hitting amusement parks, or at most, a picnic in the suburbs. But the green guardrails blurring past the car window told me one thing: Jiang Chen’s idea of “going out” was the real deal.

“Hey! Where exactly are we going? Why are we on the highway?”

Jiang Chen paused his chat with Xiaoxi when he heard me. “Didn’t I tell you? We’re going out. Surprised?”

“Thanks for the heads-up! Surprised? I’m scared out of my wits! Couldn’t we just hang out nearby?” I glanced at Xia Tong and Xiaoxi beside me. Xia Tong clearly knew—I could tell. “You knew too?” I asked Xiaoxi. She seemed over her anger now.

She met my eyes and gave a small nod.

Yes! She’s really not mad anymore!

I stopped caring about the destination. Pulling out my phone, I typed three words—“I’m sorry”—and held it out to Xiaoxi.

Xia Tong leaned closer when she saw me typing. I blocked her with one hand while offering the phone to Xiaoxi with the other.

Xiaoxi took the phone, typed a reply, and handed it back.

*“I should apologize. I was selfish. Your feelings aren’t my business—I won’t overstep again.”*

Whoa. What’s gotten into her? She’d never let things go this easily. Someone must’ve talked to her. Jiang Chen?

Relieved, I quickly deleted my message and tossed the phone to Xia Tong.

*See? Gone.* I played innocent like I hadn’t done anything wrong.

Xia Tong glared at the blank screen and threw the phone back at me, huffing.

“Think you can outsmart me?” I reached for the phone, but Xia Tong snatched it back abruptly. What’s her game now?

Xiaoxi didn’t react at all—like she truly didn’t care anymore.

Xia Tong fiddled with my phone for ages before trying to shove it into my pocket. When she failed, I sighed. “Give it here.”

*S City to Suzhou takes over an hour.* Now I understood why Jiang Chen told me to nap.

I closed my eyes, my head throbbing from last night’s poor sleep. Just as drowsiness pulled me under, a hand suddenly gripped my left one. I jolted awake.

Xia Tong stared out the window, face serene. *How does she even do that?* She loved these little power plays—probably because I couldn’t fight back. But she underestimated me. Last time was nerves; this time, I had a plan.

I bent down as if tying my shoelace, sliding my hand free.

“What are you doing, Ye Xi?” Xia Tong asked, smiling sweetly. I knew that tone—sharp as a blade.

“My shoelace came loose. Don’t want to waste time fixing it later,” I deflected.

“Oh?”

“Yep.”

She typed something on her phone and slipped it onto my lap, poking my thigh to get my attention.

*Not falling for it.* I ignored the screen.

Xia Tong leaned close, her breath warm against my ear. “What are you up to? Don’t push me—I *will* do worse.” Her teeth grazed my earlobe—sharp, then tingling. “And I mean it.”

“You—” I turned to face her.

She stayed silent, smiling innocently while her eyes ordered me to put my hand back.

Jiang Chen and Xiaoxi glanced over. “Everything okay?” Jiang Chen asked.

“Fine! Totally fine!” Sweat beaded on my forehead. Thank goodness they hadn’t seen anything. The culprit beside me hummed, gazing out the window like a saint.

“Good. I didn’t bring eye masks or earplugs,” Jiang Chen said, turning away.

“Xiaoxi, let me explain—” His comment sent panic through me.

“Don’t bother me with your mess. Do whatever you want.” Her voice was flat. Unbelievable. What changed? Did she swallow some miracle pill overnight?

Xia Tong poked my waist under the seat. When I looked, she kept her eyes on the scenery—but her fingers never stopped jabbing.

Helpless. If Jiang Chen ruled over Xiaoxi, Xia Tong owned me. I placed my left hand on my thigh, hidden from view.

Her fingers finally left my waist, only to clamp down on my hand. *Fine. Whatever.* I’m a guy—I’m not losing anything.

But her grip made sleep impossible. The soft warmth of her palm sent my sleep-deprived brain spinning.

“Miss, we’ve arrived!” a voice cut through the haze.

Xiaoxi shook my shoulder. “Bro! Wake up. We’re here.”

I opened my eyes. Xia Tong had fallen asleep still holding my hand. I yanked it free—both our palms slick with sweat.

“Ye Xi, wake Xia Tong up,” Jiang Chen called from outside the car.

“Xia Tong! Hey!” I shook her shoulder. “We’re here. Time to go.”

She murmured in her sleep—a sound that tightened my nerves. *She’s a little vixen.* That whisper nearly made me lose control. *Calm down.* I really needed to talk to her about boundaries. How could she be so careless?

“Ye Xi…” She rubbed her eyes. “Are we here?”

“Yeah. They’re waiting.”

“Okay…” She gathered herself and followed me out.

“Welcome to Suzhou! Our weekend adventure starts now!” Jiang Chen announced.

“Can I ask where we are? First time here,” I raised my hand.

“Good question. What’s your first thought about Suzhou?”

“Graceful?” I answered. Ancient poems always painted it that way.

“Exactly. So—we’re at the Humble Administrator’s Garden. Good choice, right?” Jiang Chen grinned.

I knew it was one of China’s Four Great Gardens. For classical charm, it was perfect.

“It’s busy today, but better than during National Day crowds. Let’s make the most of it.”

He had a point. I hated holiday travel. Once, my mom dragged me to a beach during summer break—it felt like a public bathhouse. Since then, I’d rather sleep at home than fight tourist hordes.

“Come on!” Jiang Chen grabbed Xiaoxi’s hand and led the way. He’d barely spoken to Xia Tong all day, focused entirely on Xiaoxi. Maybe she really *was* being groomed as the next student council president. First Jiang Chen, now Xiaoxi… my future looked bleak.

Xia Tong tugged my sleeve. “Ye Xi, let’s go too.” Her voice was sweet, nothing like the stubborn girl in the car.

“Yeah…” I sighed. What could I do? I couldn’t yell, couldn’t ignore her—she’d just cling tighter. *What’s my next move?*

Behind us, the driver followed like a shadow. *So he’s a bodyguard too? Impressive.*

Three girls—Jiang Chen poised, Xia Tong gentle, Xiaoxi lively—drew stares wherever they went. Each more breathtakingly beautiful than the last.

*Spare me the jealous glares.* I knew what they were thinking: *Why does the pig always get the cabbages?* Three perfect ones, at that. They had no idea. This wasn’t a prize—it was a headache.

Above the tall brick wall, golden characters on a plaque read: “Humble Administrator’s Garden.” Jiang Chen and Xiaoxi walked ahead; Xia Tong and I followed.

Our Suzhou trip had truly begun.

No one chooses group tours if they can help it. Freedom is the whole point of relaxing—rules ruin everything.

Jiang Chen shared snippets of the garden’s history as we walked. Not as detailed as a tour guide’s, but enough for us. We were here for scenery, not textbooks.

Past the Orchid and Snow Hall, a cluster of Taihu Lake rocks formed a familiar-looking artificial mountain. It reminded me of the one at the entrance of Grand View Garden in *Dream of the Red Chamber*.

I trailed Jiang Chen, Xia Tong at my side.

Suddenly, her hand found mine again.

“You—again? Wasn’t the car enough?” I stopped, glaring.

“There are so many people. I don’t want us to get separated…” She looked up, eyes wide and earnest.

*It’s not even a holiday. Where’s this crowd?* If I weren’t blind, I’d almost believe her.

“Xia Tong, that’s enough.”

She ignored me completely. “You said not to bother you *at school*. And I listened—I never did.”

“That’s… true.” I admitted it grudgingly.

“Then why won’t you give me a chance when we’re out?” Her voice cracked, just a hint of hurt beneath the words.

“I…” I had no answer.

“You won’t know if we fit unless you try…”

Silence. I didn’t know how to reply.

"Let's go! Whatever it is can wait. Look, Jiang Chen and Xiaoxi are waiting for us!" Xia Tong said, seeing my expression.

I turned around and sure enough, saw Jiang Chen and Xiaoxi leaning against the railing, watching us.

"Inside school, I listen to you. Outside, you listen to me. Come on, let's go!" Ignoring my reaction, Xia Tong's earlier dejection vanished completely. She forcefully grabbed my hand and pulled me toward them.

If I get fooled by Xia Tong's expression one more time, I... I... Forget it. I can't win against her; her acting is too convincing.

"Are you here to play or what? If Xiaoxi hadn't spotted you, I wouldn't have known you fell behind."

Hearing Jiang Chen say that, Xiaoxi must have seen everything from the start. Xia Tong was still holding my hand. I looked at Xiaoxi, trying to read her expression. But when she noticed me staring, she just smiled slightly, showing her two little canines.

"Remember not to get lost again!" Jiang Chen glanced at Xia Tong and me.

Xia Tong didn't say anything, just looked down at the ground.

"Don't worry, we won't wander off again!" Seeing Xia Tong silent, I quickly assured Jiang Chen. Anyway, Jiang Chen wouldn't stay mad at her; she'd end up scolding me. Better to take the initiative.

Seeing me admit fault, Jiang Chen couldn't say much more. "Then let's go!" She took Xiaoxi's hand and continued deeper into the garden.

Unlike tourists who just skim the surface, Jiang Chen took us on a leisurely stroll, visiting every spot in the entire Humble Administrator's Garden. It took three hours, but only by walking through it yourself can you feel why the Jiangnan region has inspired so many poets since ancient times.

They took many photos during the tour. Even though I'd clearly said I didn't want to be in them, my words meant nothing here.

Jiang Chen sent the photos to each of us via email.

"Xia Tong? What's this?" I whispered, holding up my phone. No wonder she was fiddling with it this morning. I'd deleted the chats with Xiaoxi, but she was up to this instead.

Xia Tong looked around, avoiding my gaze, and whistled nonchalantly.

"Stop whistling! You can't even whistle properly! I just want to know what's on my wallpaper?" When I opened my phone and saw Xia Tong's private photos, my mind went blank. How could she wear even less in this shot?

"Sis Jiang Chen, when are we eating? I'm hungry!" Seeing my reaction, Xia Tong quickly hugged Jiang Chen's leg.

"We're going now!" Jiang Chen took Xiaoxi's hand in one hand and Xia Tong's in the other.

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and follow!" Jiang Chen called out.

"Oh! Coming." I quickly changed my wallpaper to a normal image. Phew, no one else saw it.

Looks like I can't be careless anywhere from now on. How does Xia Tong come up with so many tricks? I won't really have to counter-seduce her, will I?