Chapter 187

Another school enrollment season arrived, a batch of freshmen entered the campus, military training kicked off and was in full swing; tender figures in camouflage could be seen everywhere, bustling along the winding tree‑lined paths toward the cafeteria.

Xu Yanfeng was already in his fifth year; he used to come to school occasionally at first, but after finishing his important matters he basically didn't need to come anymore.

Xia Xi sighed, wondering how, even though they were in the same city, she felt the bitterness of a long‑distance relationship.

Zhao Lei advised her to be content, not to act miserable in front of these single dogs, or she might get hit. She also said that compared with a real long‑distance relationship, they were already quite happy—Xu Yanfeng came to see her whenever he had free time, and observers could see most clearly that they had never gone more than three days without meeting.

After hearing her, Xia Xi thought it over carefully and realized it was true; her mood instantly lightened.

Xu Yanfeng's position as Student Union Chairman was about to end; before leaving, he prepared to organize one last activity and solicited opinions from everyone in the group.

According to normal procedure he should have stepped down long ago, but he performed outstandingly—whether the rules he set or his management style, everything was convincing and faultless. Moreover, he was generous; for every internal collective activity he used his own money instead of public funds, treating everyone to a high‑standard affair.

Where could one find another leader like him?

Thus, no one succeeded him, so he continued until his fifth year. Now that it was time to step down, he thoughtfully organized an event to bid everyone a formal farewell.

Everyone felt moved and offered ideas one after another.

The group had some newcomers who had joined this year. Last year the club recruited after National Day, but this year it started earlier; the newcomers had many ideas and spoke up enthusiastically.

Some suggested an outdoor barbecue team‑building trip, others had heard from seniors that the Chairman's private villa hosted parties and wanted to experience it, while still others proposed a one‑day hot‑spring buffet tour.

Xu Yanfeng was busy and couldn't devote much energy to this, so he handed it to the Secretary Department head to consolidate information and work out a plan that would satisfy everyone relatively.

The Secretary Department head inexplicably felt like he was receiving orders from a big boss; thinking that Xu Yanfeng would inherit the Xu Clan Group after leaving school, he instantly felt this sense of déjà vu was not without reason.

After discussion and weighing, the head called Xu Yanfeng to report: "More people still prefer outdoor activities, so we decided to go to Changyan Mountain. It's developing nicely now—there are some guesthouses, bars, cafés, and a pottery studio—suitable for a group team‑building."

Xu Yanfeng gave his approval.

The head said: "There's one downside—the distance is far, a round trip takes over four hours, so if we go and return the same day we wouldn't have much time to play."

Xu Yanfeng flipped through his schedule and replied to the head: "Since there are guesthouses there, let's book two nights—three days, two nights—arrange it during the National Day holiday; you draw up a budget sheet and report it to me."

The head clenched his fist, silently cheered, and replied modestly: "Sure thing."

Everything was ready; the head posted the news in the Student Union's big group, and it immediately exploded.

"Three days, two nights—holy cow, what's the difference from a trip? The locals have gained a new understanding of team‑building."

"Food and lodging fully covered??"

"I bought a ticket to go home for National Day, but I decided to refund it—staying home I'd just lie around, so I might as well take a free trip."

"I refunded mine too."

"A newcomer timidly asked, 'Are Student Union activities always this high‑end?'"

"Hahaha, yes. But this is the last time; the new chairman taking over might not do it this way, so cherish it."

Xia Xi didn't post in the group, but she saw all the messages; she was about to private‑message Xu Yanfeng when, as if they were in sync, his call came through first. She answered, stepped onto the balcony, wearing a spaghetti‑strap top, her arms a little chilly, she rested her hand on the rail and stroked it: "Hello?"

"Student Union activity—are you going?" Xu Yanfeng got straight to the point.

Xia Xi lowered her gaze to her toes, smiled, didn't answer, and instead asked him: "Are you going?"

Xu Yanfeng hesitated, thinking she was talking nonsense, but he patiently replied: "Going." The purpose of this activity was to say farewell to members he had worked with; not going would seem rather perfunctory.

Xia Xi: "Then why are you asking me? If you're going, I'll definitely go."

Xu Yanfeng was speechless—turns out she had been waiting for him here.

October 1st, 8 a. m., the Student Union members gathered at the school gate.

New members were taking part in this kind of activity for the first time, full of excitement; they arrived early, either squatting or standing, full of anticipation. The old‑timers were much sharper—they timed their arrival, holding a crepe and soy milk, a bag slung over their shoulder, strolling leisurely, and lifted their chins at the few fresh faces: "Why are you all waiting here? It's much more comfortable to wait on the bus."

The newcomers were all bewildered: "A bus?"

The Secretary Department head pointed to the distant purple bus: "That's the one."

The bus would take up too much space if it stopped at the school gate, blocking others' entry and exit; when the head contacted the driver, he asked him to park in the open area south of the gate. The head scratched his head: "Didn't I mention that in the group?"

Newcomer: "You said you'd send a car, but you didn't say which one, so we didn't know."

"It's my oversight—get on, get on."

With a call from the head, a crowd surged onto the bus like fish, finding seats on their own.

To enjoy a few days without worry, Xia Xi had spent several hours on homework the night before; the morning alarm didn't wake her, she got up late, didn't have time for breakfast, grabbed the backpack she'd packed the night before, and rushed to the school gate as fast as a fire wheel.

"Sorry, sorry, I'm late." Xia Xi boarded the bus, took a deep breath, glanced at the time—it was already eight o'clock.

Usually when such a mistake happened, Zhou Xiaoyu would seize the chance to sneer a couple of times, but today she was unusually quiet, arms crossed, giving Xia Xi a faint glance before turning her head to look at the scenery outside.

Xia Xi stood in the aisle, hand on the seatback, scanned the carriage and didn't see Xu Yanfeng; just then the Secretary Department head laughed and said: "It doesn't count as late—our chairman hasn't arrived yet. Why don't you call and ask if something's delayed him?"

They had been dating for over half a year, their relationship stable; when they first got together the news spread across campus, shocking everyone for a while, and some were certain they wouldn't last—but after seeing Xu Yanfeng's many favors toward Xia Xi, the doubtful voices gradually faded.

Xia Xi casually took an empty seat, put her bag on her lap, took out her phone, and just as she dialed, a Mercedes she knew well pulled up and stopped in a nearby open parking spot.

Xu Yanfeng held a paper bag, locked the car, and boarded the bus.

He instantly spotted Xia Xi, waved his phone at her; she smiled, took the phone from her ear, and pressed the red end‑call button.

Xu Yanfeng handed her the paper bag without a word, then turned to the Secretary Department head and asked: "Is everyone here?"

His face was stern, he rarely smiled, wearing a dark blue hoodie, black trousers, a single‑shoulder black backpack, clean canvas shoes—standing there he looked like the male lead of a youth campus drama.

The few newly joined girls stared, cheeks flushed, hearts racing.

They had never seen this rumored Student Union Chairman before; this was their first time. What a pity—he's stepping down this semester. If they had started college a year earlier, it would have been great.

The head had just counted the heads and was missing only Xu Yanfeng; hearing his question, he replied without thinking: "Everyone's here."

Xu Yanfeng gave a slight nod, told the driver up front to depart, then sat in the empty seat to Xia Xi's right; she was already eating the breakfast he had brought.

Xia Xi tilted her head slightly toward him and whispered: "How did you know I hadn't eaten breakfast?"

Xu Yanfeng used the pad of his thumb to wipe a crumb of bread from the corner of her mouth: "I've installed a camera on you."

Xia Xi laughed and leaned against his shoulder.

Those sitting in the back had sore necks from looking up, and murmured enviously: "What's the relationship between the chairman and that girl?"

An old‑timer who heard that shrugged his shoulders and chuckled: "You've got a crush on our Chairman Xu? I'd advise you not to bother—he's taken. See that girl sitting next to him? She's Nan Da's campus belle. If you want the lowdown on their story, go look up the summary post on Tieba and catch up."

One girl with permed wavy eyes flicked her gaze toward Xia Xi, sized her up for a moment, then curled the corner of her mouth: "Is she just a bit prettier? She's not bad either."