Chapter 13

From then on, Lan Shuqing would send messages to Jiang Bai from time to time. Most of the time, Lan Shuqing would share some gossip or interesting things, and Jiang Bai would respond. Jiang Bai was not a warm person, and in her opinion, the responses seemed pale. She just kept the agreement with Lan Shuqing, and she would slowly share some trivial things in life with Lan Shuqing.

It was the end of the month again, and Lan Shuqing and the others were facing their first monthly exam of the semester, while Jiang Bai had to work overtime. Most finance staff, with a few exceptions, had to work overtime to close accounts at the end of the month. And every time Jiang Bai worked overtime, he wouldn't get home until after 10 p.m., sometimes as late as 1 or 2 a.m. This month was especially so, as it was a quarterly month, and there was more to do than in the previous two months.

Lan Shuqing had monthly exams on the 28th and 29th, and Jiang Bai had to work overtime from the 27th to the 30th. Because of the exams, Lan Shuqing and his classmates extended their evening study time by half an hour, and school didn't end until 10 o'clock.

"Jiang Bai, how about you pick me up after you finish working overtime and we go have barbecue?" Only a few days had passed since the last time they went to Haidilao, and Lan Shuqing was already inviting Jiang Bai again.

Jiang Bai originally planned to go back to sleep after working overtime, after all, he would be tired, but Jiang Bai looked at the well-behaved cat emoticon on the screen, hesitated for a moment, and finally agreed.

"Okay, have you decided which barbecue place to go to?"

They said they were going to have barbecue, but the only time they could get together was on the 27th. On the 29th, Lan Shuqing finished his exams and went on vacation, and Jiang Bai continued to work overtime.

Lan Shuqing chose a restaurant with good food. She, Xie Rong and other friends would occasionally go out for dinner together, and she knew all the good food in City A.

On the evening of the 27th, Jiang Bai finished her work and got off work at 9:30. She was going to pick up Lan Shuqing. The journey took about 20 minutes. When she arrived at the school gate, she almost didn't get a seat at the school gate. There were a lot of cars picking up students at the gate. She stopped by the roadside, took out her mobile phone, took a picture, and then sent it to Lan Shuqing: I'll wait for you at this location.

Lan Shuqing didn't reply, probably he was in class.

The school bell rang at ten o'clock, and soon students came out one after another, and the school gate gradually became lively.

Jiang Bai looked at the senior high school students filing out, and remembered that when she was in high school, she did the same thing after evening self-study. But in a small city there weren't so many cars, and most students rode bicycles. She also had one.

Lan Shuqing finished the last problem, and it was time to go home. The classmates around him packed up and left the classroom. Xie Rongshu covered his head and swayed to Lan Shuqing's side, sitting down on Lan Shuqing's desk. "Finally, get out of class is over. Let's continue working on the problems. I've been dreaming about solving them all the time."

"That's not that exaggerated. It's only an extra half an hour." Lan Shuqing packed up his things, took out his phone from the drawer, and put on his bag. "Let's go."

Xie Rong carried Lan Shuqing on his shoulder. "Shuqing, do you want to go relax after the exam? It happens to be National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival together. I heard that the scenery on Phoenix Mountain is nice right now, perfect for an autumn outing."

Lan Shu chuckled and glanced at her, "You arrange it."

Xie Rong thought for a moment and patted Lan Shuqing's shoulder, "Leave it to me."

The two walked out of the school gate side by side. Since Xie Rong was a teacher's child, he didn't need to carry a schoolbag. He lived in the teacher's dormitory across the street. He said goodbye to Lan Shuqing and went home.

Lan Shuqing had seen Jiang Bai's message before. She looked in the direction of the photo and saw the familiar Tom and Jerry helmet and the green-orange electric scooter. She walked over and met Jiang Bai's gaze.

High school students still have to wear school uniforms. The autumn uniform of No. 3 Middle School is a shirt and an orange jacket, which is a very ordinary outfit, but it looks particularly good when paired with Lan Shuqing, especially when half of the long hair is tied up and the rest is curled on the chest like lamb wool, swaying slightly with the movement.

The girl stood out among a group of high school students, looking like a college student.

Lan Shu tilted his head and smiled, "Have you been waiting for a long time?"

Jiang Bai shook his head and handed the helmet to her. Lan Shuqing held the backpack strap with one hand, his eyes fell on the identical Tom and Jerry helmets. He turned to look at Jiang Bai, stepped forward, and asked with a smile: "Did you buy this for me?"

The scent of jasmine permeated his heart. Jiang Bai said calmly, "No, I bought it before, but I never used it."

Who would buy two helmets at once? Lan Shuqing didn't expose Jiang Bai. Instead, he simply fixed his hair, picked up the helmet and put it on. Then he sat behind Jiang Bai and skillfully put his hands around his waist. "Okay, let's go."

Jiang Bai started his electric scooter and rushed out from among the private cars.

There was a gentle breeze and not many cars on the road. Because there were people in the back, Jiang Bai drove slower and more steadily than usual. Neither of them spoke. Jiang Bai didn't know what to say, while Lan Shuqing was still recalling today's exercises in his mind.

It wasn't long before they arrived at the barbecue place. It wasn't big, with only seven or eight tables. They chose a seat by the window, sitting face to face. When the waiter came to take their order, Jiang Bai handed the menu to Lan Shuqing, "You order, I'm fine with anything."

Lan Shuqing looked up at Jiang Bai. It seemed that Jiang Bai was not in a very good mood today. Lan Shuqing looked at him, ordered a few dishes, and then handed them to the waiter.

After the waiter left, Jiang Bai looked at Lan Shuqing. Her schoolbag was casually placed outside. "Lan Shuqing, give me your bag. I'll put it inside."

Lan Shuqing handed the schoolbag to Jiang Bai. Jiang Bai took it and she raised her eyebrows. "Your bag is so light." She said and put it beside her.

"I already had evening self-study today, and I only had a notebook in my bag." Lan Shu looked at her with his chin lightly supported, his slightly curly long hair sliding on his shoulders, looking exceptionally soft.

Jiang Bai's eyes flickered slightly, and he smiled before asking, "Are you tired from attending class?"

Lan Shu hummed softly and asked, "Are you tired from work too?"

Jiang Bai was stunned for a moment. Lan Shuqing saw this and continued, "Classes aren't tiring, they just tax your brain."

Lan Shuqing said this with a smile, and Jiang Bai also laughed, "Work is not tiring, but dealing with people is tiring."

"Hmm?" Lan Shuqing straightened up. "What do you mean?"

Jiang Bai looked at Lan Shuqing's straightforward gaze and felt a little choked up. She carefully chose her words and said, "It's about work."

Lan Shuqing looked at her and suddenly smiled, "Are you tired because of social anxiety?"

Jiang Bai looked at her in surprise and nodded.

Lan Shuqing smiled again, "But I think you can handle it."

Otherwise it wouldn't just be tired.

Hearing her say this, Jiang Bai smiled. She saw that there were fruits on other tables, so she stood up and said to Lan Shuqing, "I'll go see if there are any snacks or anything."

Lan Shuqing supported his chin with his hand, looked at her back, and snorted softly: A woman who avoids the important and focuses on the trivial.

Further inside is the kitchen, and further inside is the bathroom. There is a small table in front of the kitchen entrance, with three kinds of fruits: watermelon, cantaloupe, and cherry tomatoes, as well as some snacks, French fries, etc., and barbecue seasonings next to it.

The waiter had already brought the seasonings for two people. Jiang Bai only took some fruits and picked some snacks. She didn't know what Lan Shuqing liked to eat, so she took a little of everything.

When they returned to their seats, there were two small plates full of food placed between Jiang Bai and Lan Shuqing.

"I don't know what you like to eat, so I took a little bit of everything." Jiang Bai said, and then gave two small forks to Lan Shuqing, one for fruit and one for snacks.

Lan Shuqing looked at her and smiled, "I like sweet food."

Jiang Bai nodded, "Okay."

Seriously, Lan Shu picked up a piece of watermelon with a fork. It was not her first time to come to this store, nor was it her first time to eat watermelon here, but today's watermelon was particularly sweet.

The barbecue lasted nearly an hour, and Jiang Bai was grilling most of the time. After grilling, he gave the food to Lan Shuqing and then ate it himself. Lan Shuqing basically did not touch anything.

When it came time to pay the bill, it was Jiang Bai who paid.

After leaving the barbecue restaurant, Jiang Bai prepared to send Lan Shuqing back first, and then go home.

Although it was only their third official meeting, Lan Shuqing particularly liked the feeling of being with Jiang Bai, especially now. Holding Jiang Bai's waist, Lan Shuqing suddenly had some other thoughts. This thought was especially strong when Jiang Bai handed her the helmet, but it was not the right time yet, Lan Shuqing thought.

It was still the familiar villa area. Jiang Bai stopped at the villa door. It was already half past eleven. She turned around and asked Lan Shuqing, "Where is your home? I'll take you there." Then she thought of something, "Can I ride in?"

Lan Shu nodded lightly, "Okay, I'll just say hello to the security guard."

However, it was the first time that Tianlu’s security guards saw someone riding an electric scooter to take the owner home. However, Tianlu always puts the owner first, so they naturally would not stop Jiang Bai. They just reminded him to be careful and not to honk the horn to avoid disturbing others.

Jiang Bai agreed and walked in the direction Lan Shuqing pointed. It was five minutes later when he arrived at Lan Shuqing's house. If she hadn't ridden in, it would have taken Lan Shuqing more than ten minutes to walk alone.

Jiang Bai was glad that he had mentioned it.

Lan Shuqing got out of the car, took off his helmet and held it in his left hand. "I'm here. Jiang Bai, you can go back. Be safe. Send me a message when you get home."

Jiang Bai nodded and reached for the helmet. Lan Shuqing tightened his left hand, "The helmet is for me, right? You still want it back?"

Jiang Bai was stunned for a moment, and she coughed lightly, "It's not convenient for you to hold it, right?"

Lan Shuqing suddenly thought of something. She handed the helmet over and said, "Then remember this is mine."

Jiang Bai smiled helplessly and said, "Okay."

Jiang Bai waited until Lan Shuqing entered the villa before turning around and leaving. It was already twelve o'clock when she got home. She first sent a message to Lan Shuqing, then said she was going to take a shower and went to pack up.

Lan Shuqing had already finished her shower and was lying on the bed. She looked at Jiang Bai's reply, smiled, and then said: Good night.

The next day, Jiang Bai received Lan Shuqing's good morning greeting as soon as he got up. After Jiang Bai replied to her, he washed up and went to work.

She hadn't met Lan Shuqing at work during this period. Somehow, Jiang Bai paid more attention when passing by the school today, but still didn't see Lan Shuqing. It seemed that the sixth sense was sometimes not very accurate.

After two days of exams, it will be the 30th. Jiang Bai has to work overtime, but the school has already been closed for vacation. The monthly exam results will not be released until after National Day. He can still have some fun during the eight-day holiday of National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival.

After the exam, everyone in the class finally felt relieved. Those who did well naturally needed to be relieved, but those who did not do well couldn't help but sigh. Xie Rong was somewhere in between. Her grades were around the middle of the class. She was confident about some questions, but not about others, which made her... feel very uncomfortable.

However, when she thought of the holiday, Xie Rong perked up again. She lay on Lan Shuqing's desk and watched Lan Shuqing take out his cell phone and type away after finishing the exam.

Xie Rong arranged a trip to Phoenix Mountain, and Lan Shuqing wanted to go with them for three days.

Jiang Bai was packing up to get off work when he received a message from Lan Shuqing: Jiang Bai, until what day will you work overtime?

While waiting for the computer to shut down, Jiang Bai replied to Lan Shuqing's message: On the 1st, and then it will be a holiday.

Q version of the little man: What are your plans for the holidays?

Pure white avatar: No, at home.

Q version of the villain: Then wait for me to come back and play with you?

Jiang Bai thought for a moment and replied: Okay.

Lan Shuqing snorted secretly, how cold.

Xie Rong was a little surprised to see her like this, "Shu Qing, who are you chatting with?" She was happy at one moment and depressed at another.

Lan Shuqing didn't look up, her eyes fixed on her phone. "Just the sister from before." Just as she was about to type, a new message popped up in the chat box: What are you guys doing in Phoenix Mountain? Hiking?

Xie Rong stared at Lan Shuqing, who started to reply to messages with a smile again.

Q version character: Xie Rong said he wanted to go camping and there is a camping base on the mountain.

Pure white avatar: Then you should pay attention to safety and don’t go to places with few people.

Q version character: Why are you like an old lady?

Pure white avatar: It is your blessing that a young mother cares about you.

Q version character: I don’t want the old lady, I want my sister.

Pure white avatar: no sister.

Voice 2s: Hello, sister.

Jiang Bai's face was visibly red, but luckily Lan Shuqing couldn't see it. Meanwhile, Xie Rong was taken aback by Lan Shuqing's slightly coquettish address as "sister." She rubbed her chin. What sister? She was so happy chatting...

Pure white avatar: Seriously, how was the exam?

Q version of the little man: It’s okay, it should be in the top three.

Pure white avatar: Then your grades are really good and you are very smart.

Lan Shuqing started to show off: Of course.

Jiang Bai was helpless: Yeah.

Lan Shuqing: Then wait for me to come back.

Jiang Bai: Okay.

After receiving Jiang Bai's affirmative reply, Lan Shuqing turned off the phone with satisfaction. When he looked up, he met Xie Rong's inquiring eyes: "Shuqing, there's something wrong with you."