Chapter 81: Camping 1

Chapter 81: Camping 1

The next morning, Yun He woke up to find Gu Jiabei packing a suitcase by the earthen bed.

Yun He instantly snapped out of his daze and hurriedly got out of bed, his voice still groggy from sleep. "Where are you going?!"

"Shush, what's all the noise…" Ji You was still in the midst of a dream when Yun He's sudden exclamation startled him halfway awake. He grumbled in dissatisfaction.

"Gu Jiabei, where are you going?" Yun He's gaze never left Gu Jiabei, his expression tense.

"You only took three days off, didn't you?" Gu Jiabei replied casually. "Do you want to stay here for a few more days?"

There was a moment of hesitation in Yun He's eyes before a glimmer of surprise flickered across them. "So you're coming back with me?!"

Yun He leaped out of bed, ignoring his shoes, and jumped down from the bed to wrap his arms around Gu Jiabei.

"I was so scared! I thought you were leaving on your own."

"Ugh, so annoying! Can't you let people sleep in peace? If you want to hug, do it outside!" Ji You, with a mess of hair and a face full of anger, glared at the cuddling pair in the room.

"Yun He, you shouldn't sleep either. Get up and pack. We'll leave soon," Gu Jiabei said to Ji You while trying to pry Yun He off him. However, Yun He clung on like an octopus, refusing to let go. Gu Jiabei frowned and sternly said, "Let go."

Feeling slightly wronged, Yun He was about to complain that he couldn't even have a hug when Gu Jiabei spoke again, "The floor is cold. Go put on your shoes."

"I swear, I'm fed up..." Ji You gritted his teeth in frustration. The sudden dose of early morning 'dog food' had completely wiped away any remaining sleepiness.

Yun He and Gu Jiabei parted ways with Ji You at the school gate.

Before leaving, Ji You patted Yun He's shoulder seriously. "Thank you. In this time, you've shown me what a real 'tea ceremony' is."

Yun He rolled his eyes. "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll pour a hot cup of tea on your face."

Ji You snorted. "Since we're parting ways, let me give you a farewell blessing."

Knowing it wouldn't be anything nice, Yun He wasn't surprised when Ji You said, "May your journey to win your love be a long and arduous one."

"In that case, I can't be rude and not return a blessing. I wish you, in your future declarations of love," Yun He enunciated each word carefully, "success on the first try."

Ji You's expression darkened instantly. He turned to grab his luggage handle and addressed Gu Jiabei with a cold face, "Terrible taste!"

Then, he stuffed his luggage into the car at his side and drove off in a grand manner.

"Immature," Yun He commented, looking at the trail of exhaust from the car.

Gu Jiabei glanced at him sidelong but didn't say anything. However, his expression clearly conveyed, "I don't see how you're so capable."

"Let's go," Gu Jiabei said, heading towards the G-Class SUV. Yun He's car was parked not far behind it, and they would be driving separately.

At this time, Old Wei and the other teachers were in class, so there was no one else to see them off.

Gu Jiabei had already informed them beforehand, and he had deliberately chosen this time to leave precisely to avoid a farewell ceremony like bidding farewell to a leader.

"Gu Jiabei," Yun He called out to the man about to get into the car.

Gu Jiabei turned back and waited for him to speak.

"I'll be following right behind you," Yun He said, his hair fluttering in the wind, with a glint of sunlight reflecting in his eyes, "I won't lose you again."

"Then keep up," Gu Jiabei said, getting into his car.

Two cars left the village in tandem, kicking up a cloud of dust on the dirt road.

After half an hour of driving, they turned onto a provincial highway. Yun He's car consistently followed behind Gu Jiabei's, maintaining a steady distance between them.

Gu Jiabei would occasionally glance through his rearview mirror at the car trailing behind.

Inside Yun He's vehicle, he answered a call through the car's Bluetooth system.

"Hello, handsome," a young woman's voice rang out in the car. "Do you still remember me? I hope you haven't forgotten."

Yun He glanced at the display screen, which showed the caller's name.

He chuckled. "Of course, Xin Xin."

She was the overseas returnee girl that Teacher Jin had introduced to Yun He previously.

The girl's cheerful laughter filled the car. "I didn't hear from you after we exchanged contact information. I thought you might have forgotten about me."

"No," Yun He replied.

"Yun He, I'm having a small party for my birthday this weekend. Would you have time to come?" Xin Xin went straight to the point. "I don't know many people here, so your presence would really boost the atmosphere."

Yun He gazed at the G-Class car in front of him and replied slowly, "Sorry, Xin Xin, I might not be able to make it."

"Is it because you're busy? Even a short visit would be great."

"No, I actually want to spend the weekend with someone I like."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before Xin Xin's voice returned. "Oh, I see. Mr. Jin never mentioned you having someone you like. Can you tell me about her? I'm curious about your standards."

Not wanting to waste either of their time, Yun He, though not very close to Xin Xin, appreciated his straightforwardness. Therefore, he decided to be honest. "He's very tall, handsome, charismatic, and tough on the outside but soft on the inside…" Yun He paused slightly, then smiled. "He's a guy."

Another few seconds of silence followed.

"I see. Well, that makes me feel better, hahaha... I thought it was my charm that wasn't enough. Turns out it's my gender," Xin Xin said with a broad-minded tone. "In that case, no amount of effort would have made a difference."

"Sorry about that, Xin Xin."

"There's no need to apologize. It's just a matter of personal preference."

"Can you keep this a secret from Teacher Jin, please?"

"Sure, I get it. Don't worry. I've studied abroad, so I'm familiar with this kind of thing. But it's more conservative back home," Xin Xin said. "Anyway, finding someone you like is always a beautiful thing, right, Yun He?"

Yun He nodded, even though Xin Xin couldn't see it. He appreciated the other's kindness. "Thank you."

"We can still be friends, and maybe sometime in the future, you can bring your tough-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside hunk along to hang out."

"Sounds good to me."

"So, have you two officially become a couple yet? Hahahaha... I can't help my curiosity," Xin Xin said with an excited tone.

"Not yet. He... I'm trying my best to win him back."

"Win him back? Seems like there's quite a tale between you two," Xin Xin mused. "Although I don't know the details, if he still has feelings for you, he shouldn't keep you waiting too long, right?"

"No, it's me who won't make him wait any longer." Yun He's voice was soft but resolute. "I'm going to chase him down."

"Well, good luck then. I wish you all the success."

Yun He concluded his call with Xin Xin and glanced at the nearby G-Class vehicle. He then dialed Gu Jiabei's number.

"What's up?" Gu Jiabei's deep voice resonated within the car, enveloping Yun He's eardrums.

A restless emotion stirred within Yun He, akin to molten lava beneath a volcano, ready to erupt. Gripping the steering wheel tightly, he said, "Gu Jiabei, let's go watch the sunrise. If the sun rises tomorrow morning, let's reconcile."

Outside the car window, the sky was a canvas of clear blue, bathed in radiant sunshine.