Chapter 317: Hurry Up and Put Your Pants On

At 6:30 a. m. the next day.

In Room 101 of the accommodation area, Li Luo's phone alarm rang on time.

Li Luo opened his eyes half-asleep, fumbled for a long while with his left hand beside his bed, but couldn't find his phone.

Finally, Yan Zhusheng beside him grew tired of the noise, rolled over close to Li Luo, reached out with her right hand, grabbed his phone, and turned off the alarm.

She also draped her long leg over Li Luo, wrapped her right arm around his neck, rested it on his shoulder, and leaned half her body against him.

Instantly, Li Luo snapped fully awake.

Feeling the smooth, slippery touch on his leg, his hand beneath the covers instinctively brushed against something fine and silky, sending a shiver through him.

His face flushed slightly; he quickly patted Yan Zhusheng's cheek and asked irritably, "When did you take off your pants?"

"Mmm…" Yan Zhusheng stirred half-asleep, lifted her head to glance at Li Luo, leaned closer, and rubbed against him.

Her soft pink cheek brushed against his, bringing a warm, soothing calm.

Li Luo froze for a moment, then heard Yan Zhusheng murmur softly by his ear: "Wearing pants to sleep is uncomfortable, so I took them off."

Last night, after her bath, Yan Zhusheng had sneaked down, hoping to use her stolen keycard to surprise Li Luo—but she got caught red-handed and failed.

Still, she'd managed to stay.

"But I remember…" Li Luo rubbed his head, glancing at the other bed, "I told you to sleep over there. When did you sneak over here?"

Their room had two single beds.

Last night, letting Yan Zhusheng stay was because there were two beds—he didn't want her going back and disturbing Xu Yinghuan's sleep.

Yet this girl had somehow slipped out of her pants and crawled into his bed without him noticing.

"Don't remember when," Yan Zhusheng muttered softly. "It was when you were asleep."

"Obviously," Li Luo smirked. "Would I let you over if I were awake?"

"So what?"

"…You doing this makes it easy to make mistakes."

"We've slept together before."

"That just proves I'm a good person—I controlled the urge to make mistakes."

"Oh." Yan Zhusheng nodded slowly, half-understanding. "What if you hadn't controlled it?"

"You ask too many questions. Get up," Li Luo pinched her cheek, took a deep breath, pushed away her smooth leg, rolled off the bed, and stood up. "Hurry up, don't dawdle—or someone'll see you leaving my room, and I'll never wash clean even if I jump into the Yin River."

After speaking, Li Luo went into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth.

Yan Zhusheng obediently got out of bed, trotted after him, picked up an unused disposable toothbrush and toothpaste from the sink counter, and began brushing her teeth beside Li Luo.

At first, nothing seemed amiss.

But when Li Luo rinsed his mouth and lowered his head, he caught sight of Yan Zhusheng's dazzlingly white, long legs—and it left him momentarily dizzy.

"Can't you put your pants on before getting up?"

"I don't know where I put them. Couldn't find them," Yan Zhusheng admitted honestly.

Li Luo took a deep breath, washed his face with cleanser, stepped out of the bathroom, paced around the bedroom, checked the other bed, scanned the floor—still couldn't find Yan Zhusheng's pants.

Finally, he lifted his own blanket and found the missing pants at the foot of the bed. He fell silent.

So Yan Zhusheng had taken off her pants in his bed last night?

Li Luo took a deep breath, forcing himself not to imagine that scene.

But it was like telling someone not to think of an elephant—once you tried, your mind filled with nothing but elephants.

Li Luo quickly tossed Yan Zhusheng's pants onto the other bed, sat at the desk, opened his laptop, and typed out a novel outline to calm himself.

Somehow, he ended up writing details from yesterday's events into the novel's daily interaction outline.

Li Luo swore this was pure, unconscious author instinct—unrelated to his own desires.

Yan Zhusheng finished washing up, stepped out of the bathroom, and saw her pants suddenly on her bed. She glanced at Li Luo, furiously typing at his laptop.

She'd been planning to tease him some more—but Li Luo, as if foreseeing her move, immediately said: "Hurry up and put your pants on."

Hearing this, Yan Zhusheng obediently pulled on her pants.

Then the two left together.

Before opening the door, Li Luo pressed against the doorframe, listened carefully outside, confirmed no footsteps passed by, then opened the room door.

He poked his head out, scanned left and right—no one around.

Li Luo stepped out swiftly, waved to Yan Zhusheng, signaling her to follow quickly.

Once they were both out, Li Luo shut the door and finally exhaled in relief.

He checked the time: 6:45 a. m. —still fifteen minutes before the 7 a. m. wake-up deadline.

So Li Luo said: "Run a bit?"

"Mm."

…

Since last year, after picking up the habit of morning runs with Yan Zhusheng, Li Luo now felt off if he didn't run every morning.

He had to run—stretch his body, warm up, break a light sweat—only then did he feel truly comfortable.

The two ran several laps along the countryside inn's corridor; when time neared 7 a. m., they headed to the dining area for breakfast.

Some classmates who'd woken on time had already washed up and arrived; spotting Li Luo and Yan Zhusheng, they came over to greet them and sat together to eat.

Meanwhile, in Room 202, where Yan Zhusheng and Xu Yinghuan stayed.

Xu Yinghuan woke to her 7 a. m. alarm, rolled over in bed, groaned "Mmm… ahh…," turned off the alarm, and drifted back to sleep.

Five minutes later, the second alarm rang.

Another five minutes, the third alarm rang.

This cycle repeated until the seventh alarm sounded—only then did Xu Yinghuan struggle upright, rubbed her bleary eyes, and mumbled: "Zhusheng, wake up. You still not up?"

When she saw the flat, neatly made bed and quilt next to hers, she froze, scratching her cheek and wondering where Yan Zhusheng had gone.

She had been exhausted from playing yesterday; after bathing, she got into bed, watched Yan Zhusheng go into the bathroom, and fell into a drowsy sleep listening to the sound of her shower, unaware of what happened afterward.

Given how neatly the sheets and pillowcases were arranged, Xu Yinghuan almost suspected Yan Zhusheng hadn't slept here at all last night.

Is Zhusheng really this obsessive-compulsive? After waking up, she still makes the quilt so perfectly…

Xu Yinghuan got out of bed, put on her shoes, and muttered under her breath: "You got up and didn't even wake me up—Zhusheng, really."

After washing up in the bathroom, Xu Yinghuan changed clothes and went out for breakfast.

When she walked into the dining area, she saw Li Luo and Yan Zhusheng sitting together, their plates nearly empty, and fell silent.

She picked up a few simple dishes, carried her tray over, sat down beside them, and launched her accusation at Yan Zhusheng: "Where did you go so early? I didn't see you when I woke up."

"I got up at six-thirty," Yan Zhusheng said seriously. "You were still fast asleep, so I didn't wake you."

"Why did you get up so early?" Xu Yinghuan asked suspiciously. "Just to find Li Luo sooner?"

"Exactly," Yan Zhusheng nodded. "We go jogging every morning—today's no exception."

Hearing Yan Zhusheng admit it so simply, Xu Yinghuan was surprised—until she heard the rest and realized: "What…? You just meant jogging?"

"What were you thinking?" Yan Zhusheng asked curiously.

"N-nothing."

After breakfast, the students of Class Eight finished eating and gathered in the small square in front of the dining area.

Under the guidance of several staff members acting as tour guides, the group set off precisely at eight a. m. toward Yuxi Mountain, which lay behind the countryside resort.

Geographically speaking, Yuxi Mountain wasn't really a mountain at all—its highest point was barely under two hundred meters, strictly speaking, just a small hill.

But for the parents of Class Eight's students, a simple hike to experience nature outdoors was enough.

Climbing a mountain over a thousand meters high would be too taxing—and unnecessary.

Still, some students struggled to keep up.

Halfway up the slope, Jin Yuting began breathing heavily.

Seeing this, Xu Yinghuan laughed and said: "Tingting, you need more exercise. Look at Zhusheng—she's not even out of breath."

"I can't possibly match you two," Jin Yuting said helplessly.

Yan Zhusheng, of course, was the class sports monitor, with exceptional athletic ability and the school's champion in the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints.

Xu Yinghuan wasn't quite as strong, but she was still at a level to compete in sprint events—her stamina was far better.

But at that moment, Yan Zhusheng reached out her hand to Li Luo and whispered: "Li Luo, I'm tired—pull me up."

"Oh," Li Luo said without thinking, reaching out to grasp Yan Zhusheng's wrist.

Jin Yuting and Xu Yinghuan, watching this, fell silent, exchanged a glance, and stared at each other for a long while, unsure what to say.

"Are… are you tired?" Jin Yuting asked Xu Yinghuan.

"I'm not tired!" Xu Yinghuan snapped. She had no one to pretend to be tired for.

Finally reaching the summit, Class Eight followed their guide to a platform with a small pavilion for shade.

Standing at the pavilion's edge, they could even see the estuary of the Qianjiang River far away, shaped like a trumpet flower.

Every year on the eighteenth day of the eighth lunar month, a spectacular tide could be seen along the Qianjiang's banks—considered one of its major attractions.

Looking down further, they spotted the miniature layout of the countryside resort at the mountain's foot, pointing and identifying which buildings served what purpose.

Everyone took photos at the small pavilion, then gathered together under Li Luo's arrangement for a group photo taken by the guide, planning to print them as keepsakes.

They stayed on the summit for over half an hour—some taking photos, others admiring the view, others resting.

Li Luo watched his parents taking the lead among the parents and couldn't help smiling.

Honestly, this class-trip had been quite rewarding.

At least for Li Luo's parents, their energy and confidence had improved significantly.

Now, everything they said was met with praise—they couldn't even feel inferior.

Originally, Li Guohong and Lin Xiuhong had worried their breakfast stall made them seem beneath others, so they'd asked Li Guoru to come along to lend them support, fearing they'd say the wrong things and upset the other parents.

But once they arrived, they realized it wasn't like that at all.

Moreover, their family was steadily rising—both their wealth and spiritual well-being had been nourished—and their entire demeanor had changed.

Now, when they went out and told others they ran a breakfast stall, no one would believe them—they looked nothing like it.

Li Luo was naturally delighted by this change in his parents.

Though medical opinions varied, if his parents were happy, mentally strong, and not overworked, it was surely good for their health.

Their chances of falling ill would drop dramatically.

Li Luo didn't want to relive the painful experience of his past life.

After this class-trip ended, and before next month's Changning trip began, if he had free time during summer vacation, he'd take the whole family for a full health checkup.

He'd make it a habit: two checkups a year, to ensure lifelong health.

Around ten a. m., the group descended from Yuxi Mountain's summit, returned to the countryside resort, and successfully completed the morning hike, returning hungry and ready for lunch.

Li Luo hadn't slept well the night before; after lunch, he felt a wave of drowsiness.

Just as Xu Yinghuan came to ask Yan Zhusheng if she wanted to play mahjong, Li Luo waved her off—tell her to go play—and headed back to his room to nap.

"When you wake up, come find me in the mahjong room," Yan Zhusheng instructed seriously.

"Got it," Li Luo waved, turning toward his room.

Back on his bed, he collapsed into sleep immediately.

When he woke again, it was already past two in the afternoon.

Rubbing his foggy head, he got up, washed his face in the bathroom, felt a bit clearer, and pulled out his phone.

【Ying Chanxi】: I just finished lunch with my senior—have you eaten yet?

After their long phone call last night, Ying Chanxi had become more proactive, willing to send messages to check in.

This QQ message showed a timestamp of 12:30 PM.

Li Luo had already fallen asleep and hadn't seen it.

【Li Luo】: Mm, there was a hiking activity in the morning, then I ate around eleven, and after eating I went back to my room for a nap—I just woke up.

【Ying Chanxi】: Mm! We really did chat late last night, sorry for disturbing your rest. A midday nap is good.

【Li Luo】: You're replying this fast? Aren't you still in class right now?

【Ying Chanxi】: Dummy! It's Saturday today—there's no class!

【Li Luo】: Oh right, I forgot. What are you doing now?

【Ying Chanxi】: Qiao Xinyan invited me out—we're shopping at the mall.

【Li Luo】: Then I won't disturb you. I should go check what those guys are up to.

【Ying Chanxi】: Wait a sec—I'm picking out clothes. Should I buy a few for you too?

【Li Luo】: Didn't you already buy me several pieces before? No need to buy more.

【Ying Chanxi】: I haven't bought you any pants yet. This time I'm planning to pick out two nice pairs to match your shirts.

Qiao Xinyan, who was currently picking out clothes in a women's clothing store, took a garment and held it up against herself, intending to ask Ying Chanxi if it looked good—only to turn and see her低头 staring at her phone, doing something mysterious.

Leaning closer, she realized Ying Chanxi was chatting with Li Luo, and sighed.

"What are you two talking about now?"

"N-nothing." Ying Chanxi hastily hid her phone against her chest and whispered, "What's wrong, Xinyan?"

"Nothing." Qiao Xinyan chuckled. "Li Luo went to the countryside resort—how's he still got time to message you?"

"He just asked what I was doing." Ying Chanxi's face flushed slightly.

"He's checking up on you?" Qiao Xinyan raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"What checking up? Don't say nonsense, Xinyan." Ying Chanxi's face turned even redder, a little embarrassed.

After all, it was actually she who had messaged Li Luo first.

【Li Luo】: Go ahead and pick whatever you like—I don't care.

【Ying Chanxi】: Mm! I'm thinking we're going to Changning next month, and you're attending that writer's salon—you should wear something new.

【Ying Chanxi】: By the way, will that salon be formal? Will you need to wear a suit?

【Li Luo】: Uh… no need for that. Online Novel writers aren't that formal—unless you're going onstage to receive an award at the annual meeting, you probably won't need a suit.

【Ying Chanxi】: Oh, I see.

【Li Luo】: I'll head out then. Keep hanging out with Qiao Xinyan—we'll talk tonight.

【Ying Chanxi】: Okay, go ahead.

Ying Chanxi felt a small disappointment she couldn't buy Li Luo a suit, but chatting with him still made her happy.

Her steps grew lighter as she followed Qiao Xinyan through the stores, an unconscious smile spreading across her face.

When Qiao Xinyan was pulled into a men's clothing store by Ying Chanxi, she froze: "Why are we here?"

"I'm buying Li Luo a few pairs of pants." Ying Chanxi whispered, "Help me pick, Xinyan."

Qiao Xinyan stared, speechless: "... I give up on you."

…

Li Luo stepped out of his room and headed toward the mahjong room. On the way, passing the chicken and duck coops, he spotted Lu Jiahao.

This time he wasn't feeding Chicken Brother—he was doting on the little rabbits in the cage beside him.

Holding stalks of cabbage and carrots, he watched the bunnies scramble for food with great delight.

Li Luo walked over curiously, took a cabbage, and fed one too. Then he pointed at one particularly fat rabbit and smiled: "This one's good."

"Yeah, cute," Lu Jiahao nodded.

"Lots of meat."

Lu Jiahao: "..."

He patted Lu Jiahao's shoulder, signaling him to keep enjoying himself, then moved on to the mahjong room and found the private booth where Yan Zhusheng and the others were.

As soon as he opened the door, Li Luo saw Xu Yinghuan slump forward and shove her cards into the shuffler with a long sigh: "Why is my luck always this bad? I've been losing since yesterday."

"Perfect—this'll help you quit your gambling habit before you get addicted to mahjong," Li Luo said, closing the door behind him with a grin.

Xu Yinghuan rolled her eyes at Li Luo's entrance: "It's only Yan Zhusheng who's winning the most."

"You're not putting any money in, so losing's fine," Li Luo sat down in the empty seat beside Yan Zhusheng, then added, "And by the way—it's not 'my Zhusheng.' You can eat whatever you want, but don't say stupid things."

Xu Yinghuan just chuckled twice.

Jin Yuting and Zhu Huiyan across from them also bit their lips hard, barely holding back their laughter.

"Li Luo." The shuffler pushed out a new round of cards. After all four had sorted theirs, Yan Zhusheng turned to him. "Teach me how to play."

"You don't need me to teach you—Xu Yinghuan's about to lose her mind."

"This hand's tricky. Take a look."

Watching Li Luo lean close to Yan Zhusheng, Xu Yinghuan stared blankly: "Li Luo, you'd be better off sleeping longer."

"What do you mean?"

"I've been losing nonstop already—it's painful enough. Now you two are torturing me even more. That's a bit too much."

"Come on, Yinghuan," Yan Zhusheng encouraged. "You can do it."

Xu Yinghuan: "..."

…

After spending the whole afternoon playing mahjong with Yan Zhusheng, after over two hours, Yan Zhusheng said she was tired and asked Li Luo to play for her.

So they switched seats.

But this swap made things even more agonizing for Xu Yinghuan and the others.

Because Yan Zhusheng not only hovered around Li Luo, asking him question after question, but also actively peeled fruit for him and poured tea and water.

This made Xu Yinghuan and the other two girls deeply resentful.

After barely making it to evening, the mahjong game ended; Xu Yinghuan let out a long sigh and remarked as she stepped out of the private room: "From now on, I'll never play mahjong again when both of you are present."

"Aren't you the one who won several rounds later?" Li Luo chuckled, "Aren't you happy?"

Xu Yinghuan's face darkened: "... You really have the nerve to say that."

Every time Li Luo lost a round, Yan Zhusheng had to peel him an orange to comfort and encourage him.

Watching this, Xu Yinghuan felt sourness flooding her mouth.

"Alright, alright—the bonfire party's tonight, let's gather up," Li Luo stretched as he stepped out of the private room. "I'll go get my guitar. Meet at the small square in a bit."

Yan Zhusheng followed closely beside Li Luo, accompanying him back to the room to fetch the guitar, skipping and hopping as if genuinely delighted.

When they reached the room door, before Li Luo could pull out his key card, Yan Zhusheng had already pulled hers out and swiped the door open.

Hua Xiuxiu and Ren Zheng, having gotten their clothes wet from boating in the afternoon, had just returned to the second floor to change and were coming downstairs when they saw Yan Zhusheng swiping the key card at the hallway entrance.

They exchanged a glance, stared at each other in silence, then remembered Li Luo's novel—and suddenly smiled in understanding.

"The monitor's really bold," Ren Zheng whispered. "Dad, Mom, and Teacher Kong are all here, and yet she still dares to... still do this."

"Hmm..." Hua Xiuxiu shook her head helplessly. "Let's not gossip. Come on—let's pretend we didn't see anything."

A few minutes later, when Li Luo arrived at the small square in front of the dining area, guitar in hand, with Yan Zhusheng beside him.

He noticed some girls glancing at him, and felt their stares were strangely odd.

He wasn't sure if it was his imagination.