Chapter 44: Outing

The text message was not sent to the wrong person.

Jiang Chen had indeed passed the Mountaineering Club's screening, and on Saturday morning, he boarded the shuttle bus organized for this club outdoor activity.

"Hello, I'm Hu Heng, the president of the Mountaineering Club."

Arriving at the entrance of Canteen No. 1 where the bus was parked, Jiang Chen encountered a young man of similar age. The other was dressed like a wilderness explorer—climbing shoes, outdoor gear, and a sports cap—receiving the club members participating in the activity next to the bus. He looked sunny and professional.

"Hello, President Hu. I'm Jiang Chen."

Jiang Chen was very polite, maintaining a proper sense of decorum.

"Haha, just call me Hu Heng. Luo Peng already told me about you. Don't worry, I'll make the necessary arrangements."

Hu Heng gave a meaningful wink and then handed Jiang Chen a bus ticket.

"Get on the bus first."

Understanding the implication, Jiang Chen nodded and glanced at the ticket in his hand.

*Tsk.*

Having connections in high places is truly convenient.

This was a 35-seater bus; clearly, the number of participants for this activity should be around thirty. When Jiang Chen boarded, about eight or nine people were already seated, all appearing very excited, their faces filled with anticipation for the next two days.

This weekend, they would depart on this bus, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the city to get close to nature and spend a wonderful two days and one night.

Holding his ticket, Jiang Chen found his seat: the third row from the back, left side by the aisle. No one was sitting next to him, but a boy was already seated on the right side of the aisle.

"Hello, my name is Fan Feiyu. I'm a junior majoring in Civil Engineering."

After Jiang Chen sat down, the other party proactively introduced himself.

"Hello, I am Jiang Chen."

Jiang Chen's self-introduction was simple, yet it carried profound meaning.

After all, one must realize that there is a fundamental difference between "This is who I am" and "My name is..."

Generally, only people with a certain level of fame would introduce themselves this way.

Jiang Chen's introduction wasn't an act of arrogance.

As expected, upon hearing the name "Jiang Chen," the guy's pupils suddenly constricted. He couldn't help but look Jiang Chen up and down again, exclaiming, "You're *the* Jiang Chen?!"

Jiang Chen remained unfazed and smiled. "The real deal."

Fan Feiyu quickly realized his loss of composure and gave an embarrassed smile. Not being a hypocrite, he added, "Senior Jiang, I've heard much of your reputation."

Jiang Chen didn't mind and said generously, "So, the rumors live up to the man, right?"

Fan Feiyu froze. Looking at that teasing, smiling face, he suddenly felt a flicker of goodwill toward the school's famous "simp."

He nodded cooperatively and said seriously, "Seeing you in person is better than hearing of you."

The two looked at each other and laughed.

Time passed quietly.

More and more people boarded the bus.

The participants for this activity had clearly been carefully selected by the Mountaineering Club; judging by the ratio of men to women boarding, it was almost a fifty-fifty split.

As the scheduled departure time of nine o'clock drew closer, the girls discussed things excitedly, while the boys glanced at the bus door from time to time, seemingly expecting something.

Finally.

A beautiful figure stepped onto the bus, instantly drawing everyone's gaze. The previously noisy atmosphere fell silent in an instant.

Some people are destined to become the center of attention the moment they appear; the "Flower of the Arts Academy" was clearly one of them. Even though she had dressed simply for this activity—a printed T-shirt underneath a loose brown jacket, high-waisted skinny jeans that outlined her perfect legs, and white sneakers—her long, slightly wavy hair was braided into an exquisite plait, and she wore light makeup.

The simple outfit, however, created an aura of high-end elegance on her, shedding her usual sexy maturity in favor of a fresh, ethereal charm.

*Sit by me, sit by me!*

Staring intently at the goddess as she walked forward with her ticket, some of the "beasts" sitting in nearby empty seats swallowed hard, praying fervently in their hearts.

When Li Shurui passed by their seats, their faces would twitch and their eyes would look pained, as if they had just gone through a breakup.

Amidst the silence, Li Shurui walked to the third row from the back and stopped.

Fan Feiyu had long since stopped chatting with Jiang Chen. He didn't dare look directly at the goddess so close to him, feeling restless and awkward.

After all, the seat next to him happened to be empty.

"What a coincidence."

Across the aisle, Jiang Chen stood up with an expression of surprise and delight.

Perhaps because her ability to manage her expressions was extraordinary, Li Shurui did not appear too "excited" by Jiang Chen's presence on the bus. She ignored his greeting and checked her seat.

"14A, this is it."

Jiang Chen glanced at the ticket in her hand.

That was right.

Her seat was right next to Jiang Chen's.

"Hurry and sit down, we're about to leave."

"Jiang Chen, you really are like a persistent ghost!"

Zheng Jingjing ran onto the bus right after her, curling her lip upon seeing Jiang Chen.

She didn't seem particularly surprised by his appearance either.

Jiang Chen remained unfazed, nodding with a casual smile.

Zheng Jingjing looked at her ticket and realized she was sitting on the right. Although they were both in the third row from the back, she hadn't been assigned to sit with Li Shurui.

"Jiang Chen, go sit over there!"

Without thinking, she demanded that Jiang Chen switch seats.

But how could Jiang Chen agree?

Even if he didn't consider himself, he couldn't let Hu Heng's kind intentions go to waste.

"I'm afraid that won't work."

"Why not?"

"The seats are assigned randomly; it's the same for everyone. You sit where you're assigned. Besides, this is an outdoor activity where we might encounter unpredictable risks. For safety, everyone must follow the rules. If everyone just acted on their own preferences and ignored the arrangements, how would President Hu manage the group?"

Jiang Chen's argument was so logical and well-founded that he pinned a heavy label on Zheng Jingjing, leaving her speechless. She stammered, "I... I... I..." for a long time without being able to finish a sentence.

Fan Feiyu couldn't help but nod, feeling that Jiang Chen had a point. This scene happened to be caught by Zheng Jingjing, and he was immediately caught in the crossfire.

"What are you nodding for?! Go sit in the back!"

Arrogance was a privilege of beautiful women, especially since Zheng Jingjing was currently fuming; the innocent Fan Feiyu instantly became her punching bag.

Fan Feiyu didn't have skin as thick as Jiang Chen's. Under Zheng Jingjing's blazing glare, he obediently shuffled his seat.

"Jiang Chen, don't get cocky. I'll be watching you!"

Having to settle for her second choice, Zheng Jingjing sat down, tilting her head and eyeing him like a criminal.

But what kind of person was Jiang Chen? Such a look had no effect on him whatsoever.

"Alright, everyone is here. Please take your seats; we are about to depart."

Hu Heng boarded the bus.

Jiang Chen looked toward Li Shurui.

A refreshing scent wafted past him.

Without a word, Li Shurui passed in front of him and sat down in the seat inside.

(End of Chapter)