Mountain
As the bus goes deeper, the scenery of Changqing Mountain gradually appears in the field of vision.
Although winter had arrived in Flower City, the trees in the city were withered and the weather was cold, but there was no snow. However, the mountains were already covered with a layer of snow.
The mountains are full of pine trees, which look like a lush green sea from a distance. They are covered with frost and snow, and crystal icicles hang from the branches. Being there, it feels like you have accidentally walked into a winter fairy tale paradise.
When bursts of exclamations were heard around him, Shen Anyan opened his eyes and looked out the window, and then saw this scene.
She took a few photos and leaned back in her chair to quietly admire the beautiful scenery outside the window.
The team leader glanced at his phone, clapped his hands, and reminded everyone, "Students, we're almost at the drop-off point. Everyone, dress warmly. We'll have to walk for about half an hour to reach the training camp."
The others had no objection, but the four boys immediately started complaining when they heard this.
"Half an hour, I'm going to be exhausted..."
"Teacher, I don't want to leave. Can't I just take the bus?"
“Ah—I’m going to die…”
The instructor offered a few token words of advice, then turned a deaf ear to the boys' complaints. After all, they were boys, and once they got spoiled, it was impossible to persuade them. Anyway, they would have to leave when they got off the bus, even if they didn't want to.
Liang Xiaonuo glanced at his coat and knew he couldn't wear it anyway, but he didn't bring any extra cotton-padded jackets. He was just worrying about it when he heard a sound of metal collision behind him.
He looked back and saw He Qingtian in the back seat opening the suitcase and taking out a cotton jacket. Then he stood up and looked forward, meeting his gaze.
Seeing this, the other party gave him a gentle smile and handed him the cotton jacket in his arms.
"I think you can't wear that dress of yours. If you don't mind, you can use mine first." He Qingtian said.
Liang Xiaonuo blinked, still a little hesitant, when the person opposite him handed the clothes forward again, motioning him to take it.
Liang Xiaonuo thanked him, took the clothes, and added nervously: "I will be careful not to get them dirty."
He Qingtian smiled and said, "It's okay, wear it without worry."
After the car stopped, the teacher in charge got out first and then asked the students to get out one by one.
This time the four boys finally stopped causing any trouble, and everyone quickly got off the bus and lined up.
The driver drove away. Without the roar of the bus, the mountains and fields seemed extremely quiet and vast. The only sound could be heard of small animals running and jumping in the woods or on the snow.
The instructor reminded: "The roads are slippery in the snow, everyone please walk slowly, follow me closely, and don't fall behind."
Surprisingly, the teacher did not take them along the main road, but instead led them into the woods.
The sweater contestant couldn't help but ask: "Teacher, are we sure we are on the right track?"
The instructor glanced at her and replied with a smile, "Don't worry, Lin Shuang. This training location is a little special. I've checked it several times in advance, and it's definitely not wrong."
Since the teacher said so, everyone put their doubts aside and followed each other obediently and continued forward.
The roads in the mountains are really difficult to walk on. The soil is covered with snow, and it is easy to sink into it. Everyone walks with one foot deep and one foot shallow, which is not only tiring, but also easily dirtys the shoes when they touch the wet soil after the snow melts. Occasionally, the snow is piled deeper, and snow grains will penetrate through the shoe openings, making people shiver with cold.
He Qingtian had foresight and had changed into long boots when he arrived. The rest of the people were a little uncomfortable. After walking for half an hour, their feet were almost numb from the cold.
The originally beautiful and dreamy winter snow scene lost its appeal after such a hard journey. Everyone was exhausted from running around and no longer had the leisure to appreciate the beautiful scenery.
Chen Anyan had already begun to regret why he had chosen to join the winter camp. Although the rental conditions were quite poor, it was still better than hiking in the snow in the middle of winter.
She stamped her feet, barely regaining some feeling in her stiff and cold feet. When she turned to look at Gu Cijiang beside her, she saw that he was frowning slightly and his face was not very good, but he still endured the discomfort and walked forward.
The depression in Shen Anyan's heart disappeared instantly. She asked with a bit of heartache: "Are you feeling uncomfortable? Do you want me to carry you?"
Gu Cijiang glanced at her, his frown instantly loosening when he heard her words. He replied with a bit of amusement, "I can still hold on. Besides, the snow is hard to walk on. If you really carry me on your back, what if we both fall down later?"
Shen Anyan patted his chest and said, "My arms are very strong, so I won't fall so easily! And if you do fall, I will definitely protect you and will never let you get hurt!"
Gu Cijiang couldn't help but chuckle. He shook his head and said helplessly, "Just go on your way."
He Qingtian slowed down and walked forward side by side with Zhou Tian while chatting.
Zhou Tian was a little puzzled and asked, "That's strange. Why didn't you go and talk to Shengyan this time?"
He Qingtian coughed lightly and said with a smile: "Why, I have to chat with Shengyan and not with you?"
Zhou Tian rolled his eyes at her and said, "No need to be polite."
He Qingtian raised his chin and gestured to the two sticky figures in front of her: "Because I don't want to be a light bulb."
After she said this, she didn't hear any response from the other party for a long time. She turned her head with some confusion and saw Zhou Tian with a shocked expression.
He Qingtian: "...? What happened?"
Zhou Tian was bewildered: "Uh...are they in love?"
He Qingtian: "...Isn't this something anyone with a discerning eye can see?"
Zhou Tian pinched his eyebrows and said, "Uh, okay, I'm blind."
The man with earrings next to them heard their conversation and came over with a smile, asking, "Hey, classmates, are you four from the same school?"
He Qingtian didn't say anything, and Zhou Tian didn't think much about it and just said "hmm".
The man with earrings said, "That's amazing! Isn't it said that falling in love affects study? Then these two—"
He glanced at the backs of Chen and Gu in front of him and said jokingly, "They are both students from key high schools, and they have both been shortlisted for the national competition. They are good-looking and have good grades. It's a setting that only appears in novels."
Zhou Tian thought to himself, is that really that exaggerated? However, he still replied politely, "Really?"
The man with earrings smiled and said, "Of course, but..."
He glanced back at Liang Xiaonuo, who was following not far away. The cotton-padded jacket he was wearing was a bit too big for him, making him look even thinner and more slender. The cold wind blew across his face, causing his fair skin to turn a light red, adding a touch of glamour to his already delicate and beautiful features.
It's really unpleasant no matter how you look at it.
The man with the earrings curled his lips, but turned around and put on a gentle smile again: "Then they must have a good relationship, right? Hey, Xiao Nuo from our class, maybe he doesn't know their situation, but he has to keep getting close to other people's girlfriends. I hope he didn't make their boyfriends angry?"
Zhou Tian was a little confused: "Um, who is 'Xiao Nuo'?"
The man with earrings froze.
He Qingtian laughed out loud without giving any face.
Shen Anyan heard laughter from behind, turned around and asked as he walked: "What are you laughing at? What funny things have you encountered? Tell me about it too."
Gu Cijiang also turned his head and looked at the two of them curiously, but he quickly turned back and pulled Shen Anyan, reminding him: "Be careful, you don't have to worry about bumping into a tree when you walk backwards."
Chen Anyan smiled and said, "You're watching anyway. If you bump into someone, just remind me, right?"
He Qingtian teased, "Okay, you two can keep on being so annoying. My jokes aren't as interesting as your interactions."
Shen Anyan smiled at her and finally turned around and walked straight.
————
When we reached the end of the road, the outline of a house gradually appeared in the distance. Its bright colors were particularly eye-catching in this withered winter day.
The group quickened their pace, and after walking out of the forest, the complete form of the house finally appeared before their eyes.
It was indeed a very beautiful house... No, most houses were not as big as it. To be precise, it should be a villa with a retro and gorgeous design.
The reddish-brown roof, ivory-white walls, intricate patterns carved into the corner prisms, and silk flower-like ornaments dotted around the windows. Built deep in the mountains and forests, the villa exudes a mysterious and tranquil charm.
After everyone came out, they exclaimed twice in succession.
The first one was naturally out of surprise for the luxurious training center they would be staying in for the next month.
As for the second sound...
There was a cliff separating where they were standing now and where the villa was.
It's possible to cross over. There's a suspension bridge made of ropes and planks between the two banks, but it doesn't look very sturdy. And looking down from above, all you can see is bottomless darkness. Crossing that way would be a real test of courage.
This time, even without Lin Shuang saying anything, everyone was confused.
He Qingtian asked: "Teacher, is this really our training site this time?"
Zhou Tian was also surprised and asked, "Didn't they say the training camp was in the apartment?"
The instructor patiently explained to everyone in a gentle tone, "We originally planned to continue using the training center from previous years, but considering there are only ten finalists this year, the previous training center was used for teams of around 50 people, which would inevitably lead to waste. So, after careful consideration, the competition team finally applied for this training center."
Seems to make sense?
Lin Shuang asked: "But...shouldn't a villa be more expensive than an apartment?"
The instructor explained, "That's true, but an apartment can accommodate more people than a villa... One has a worse environment but can accommodate more people, while the other can accommodate fewer people but has a better environment. Since the budget for winter camp is fixed anyway, wouldn't it be more cost-effective to choose the latter with fewer people and better conditions?"
Seems to make sense?
The instructor's face lit up with embarrassment as he spoke. "That's what we discussed at the time, but when we actually implemented it, we discovered a slight discrepancy between the results and our expectations. The rent for a villa is indeed a bit higher than an apartment, but it's still manageable. As long as we save a little elsewhere, we can still afford it. And..."
She nodded and said the old saying - "Since we're here and have made plans, it would be a shame not to rent it, so..."
Okay, needless to say, everyone understands.
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