Chapter 24 Breakthrough "So you're really going to leave after all?"...

The day of the spring outing arrived quickly. Ning Yanzhao was fully prepared this time, even secretly wearing knee pads. She refused to believe that anything could go wrong this time.

Although Jing Yiran planned to spend the weekend at Ning Yanzhao's house this week, she still had to stay alone for the night because she needed to prepare things for the spring outing.

Today was a rare outing for our school, so wearing school uniforms wasn't mandatory. Many students changed into their own casual clothes.

As expected of Jing Yiran, who prepared so diligently, she truly is the most dazzling girl in the class. A cute hat paired with a beige long dress and a matching knitted cardigan is enough to make her stand out in the March and April weather.

Although it's already quite warm, it's not hot enough to be dressed so lightly. Ning Yanzhao figured Jing Yiran would get cold again as she walked, so she kindly slipped a school uniform jacket into Jing Yiran's backpack.

Today, besides Jing Yiran dressed in very casual casual clothes, some students also wore cosplay outfits. Since it was a rare outing, the teachers were neutral and just wanted the students to have fun.

All students in grades 10 and 11 at No. 1 High School gathered near the school gate in their respective classes. After the homeroom teachers counted the number of students, the annual spring outing of No. 1 High School officially began!

The spring outing was simple. All students first walked to Xianmiao Park, a well-known local park about four or five kilometers away from No. 1 Middle School. They then had free time in the park and left around four or five o'clock in the afternoon to go home. The missed class time on Friday was made up for on Sunday.

If you remember any of the school's field trips, you'll know that the neatly lined-up students would quickly disperse and chat amongst themselves as long as no one was watching them. The teachers would turn a blind eye as long as the students were safe, since it was a rare opportunity for the students to relax.

"Yan Zhao, why aren't you wearing the matching outfits we bought for us today?"

Jing Yiran was referring to the two knitted cardigans she had seen online. Apart from the color, the style was exactly the same. They were a birthday gift that Jing Yiran gave to Ning Yanzhao on her birthday last time. She said that she could wear them in the spring next year and they would look especially good. One of them was currently being worn by Jing Yiran.

"I'm wearing it, it's inside."

Aren't you hot wearing so much?

"It's not hot. I was worried you'd be cold, so I brought you a jacket."

"Wow, you're so kind, even though I'm sure I'm not cold."

"That's still uncertain."

"..."

"Ning Yanzhao, Jing Yiran, may I join you?" When the Class 2 group had mostly dispersed, He Shenmo came over to talk to Ning Yanzhao and Jing Yiran, looking somewhat reserved.

It seems that ever since Ning Yanzhao helped He Shenmo out of a predicament, their relationship has achieved an unprecedented "breakthrough." She could say all the things she had said in a single day, including all the days she had known He Shenmo nine years ago.

During these days, whenever Ning Yanzhao had any questions or problems, she would ask He Shenmo, and she would answer them carefully and in detail. He Shenmo would also occasionally bring Ning Yanzhao some local delicacies made by her mother.

Jing Yiran also had a good impression of this new classmate who was both good-looking and academically excellent. She was often present when Ning Yanzhao and He Shenmo studied, and of course, she also got to taste some delicious food. So she was naturally willing to go with them. The two of them said in unison, "Of course, you are very welcome."

The two responded with remarkable tacit understanding, which surprised He Shenmo. "Thank you both. You're so kind. I really envy your good relationship and your perfect understanding."

"What's the big deal? We've known each other for many years, so our relationship is definitely strong."

He Shenmo simply shook his head, then smiled gently and said, "Not everyone can be as lucky as you are."

Everyone has their own unspeakable past, and He Shenmo is probably no exception.

Ning Yanzhao and Jing Yiran do indeed have a tacit understanding. They can understand each other's thoughts with just a glance. There's no need to dwell on the past; cherishing the present is the best thing to do.

After walking for about an hour, the group finally arrived at Xianmiao Park.

Although it is called a park, Xianmiao Park is not like a typical park which is all flat land; it is actually a small hill.

When ordinary residents come here for a walk, they usually stay at the foot of the mountain. There are many recreational facilities at the foot of the mountain, and you can also collect clean mountain spring water. If you go deeper into the park and hike up, you can climb to the top of the mountain, reach the highest point in the city, and overlook the entire city. This is also an important spot for people to visit in the city.

"Alright, our class is located in Zone 5. I'll take you there later. It's best if you play in our class's activity area and don't go to other classes. If you really want to play with students from other classes or visit the scenic spots in the mountains, that's fine too, but the most important thing is to ensure your own safety."

"good."

After announcing all the precautions, the homeroom teacher also tactfully went to chat with the homeroom teacher of the next class, because they had also been students themselves and knew that the students wouldn't have as much fun with a teacher present.

Considering everyone's usual exercise habits and return travel schedule, most students' activity area was arranged at the foot of the mountain.

"Finally, we can officially start our spring outing! Yanzhao, Yanzhao, let's go explore after we finish our assigned tasks. Although it's a famous mountain in our area, I've never actually climbed it before. It's a rare opportunity to take a day off during the school's regular study time and have some fun."

"OK."

Ning Yanzhao recalled that this time was different from before. In her memory, even though she had mustered up her courage, she still didn't introduce herself to An Nianyu. Although it seemed like there was no progress now, the two of them had been in contact much more. She believed that people always make progress gradually.

The areas for Class 1 and Class 2 were not only very close to each other, but both classes also chose to have barbecue. Both classes rented barbecue equipment from a barbecue restaurant across from the school. Since many students were regular customers of this barbecue restaurant, the owner lent it to the students for free, which saved them money on the activity, so everyone was happy to do so.

The barbecue ingredients included some prepared a day in advance and kept frozen in the refrigerator in the homeroom teacher's office, as well as vegetables bought by the student life committee member from the supermarket across from the school gate early this morning.

These are all very common ingredients, especially vegetables, but as long as they are skewered, grilled on a barbecue grill, and sprinkled with chili powder, they become so fragrant that people can't resist them. Of all the vegetables that can be grilled, Ning Yanzhao's absolute favorite is grilled chives.

Once they arrived at the park, everyone had a clear division of labor: some students were responsible for skewering the food, separating the vegetable skewers from the meat skewers; some students were responsible for controlling the cooking time; and the last group of students were responsible for the final cleaning.

Ning Yanzhao and Jing Yiran were both in charge of skewering the food. After skewering, they could have some free time, while He Shenmo was assigned to the final cleaning work.

"Finally finished dressing, Shenmo. We're going to buy drinks. Do you want to come with us?" Jing Yiran asked He Shenmo after finishing the skewers.

He Shenmo was no different from usual today. Even during the spring outing, she sat quietly reading a book and only put it down when someone talked to her.

"Okay, let's go together."

As the three of them walked to the small supermarket, He Shenmo suddenly asked, "Would you mind if I read?"

"Of course I don't mind. Why do you say that?"

"Because many people have said that I'm 'pretentious' before, but I really am not. I just like reading."

It turns out that He Shenmo had already faced another level of criticism in the past, but Ning Yanzhao could only say, "Don't worry too much about what others think, just be yourself."

"It's really relaxing to talk to you all, thank you."

When the three of them returned after buying drinks, it seemed that the barbecue from Class 1 and Class 2 was already cooked. Ning Yanzhao saw her favorite chives and was about to grab a skewer when she was interrupted by a representative sent by the grade director.

"Ning Yanzhao, the grade head is looking for you."

"ah?"

"Oh my god, did you do something wrong? It was the head of the grade who called you, not your homeroom teacher." Jing Yiran, who was already eating a skewer of barbecue, asked as if she were watching a melon.

"No, I haven't been behaving myself lately." Ning Yanzhao genuinely didn't know she had violated any rules. Why was the grade head suddenly looking for her?

As soon as Ning Yanzhao stepped out of the classroom, she saw the grade headmaster with a serious expression, holding a notebook in his hand. What was this? Had she really done something wrong?

Ning Yanzhao politely greeted, "Teacher, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Ning Yanzhao, this is your long-term leave application, and it's been approved."

Leave request? Ning Yanzhao thought about it and realized that there really was such a thing, but she had forgotten about it. She guessed that it was applied for by the "Ning Yanzhao" who traveled through this time.

In the second semester of her junior year of high school, her parents felt that she was under too much pressure at school and asked her to apply for evening self-study at home. Because her parents insisted and she was already an excellent student, the teachers did not object. However, the final step was to get approval from the grade director before a leave slip could be issued.

That said, today is the first time Ning Yanzhao has ever participated in a spring outing for such a long time. The last time, she fell and hurt her leg before she even got to the last part, so naturally she didn't have to come to evening self-study anymore.

Ning Yanzhao never expected that if she hadn't hurt her leg, it would have been a leave request sent out today.

"Thank you, teacher."

"It's okay, go have fun."

After receiving the leave slip, Ning Yanzhao was about to return to the classroom area when she saw An Nianyu no longer at the barbecue spot, but standing under a tree watching her.

"So you're really going to leave after all?"