Chapter 336

Chapter 336: Journey to Shennongjia (Thanks to Classmate Tan Du Zhi Yu for the Patronage)

This time, Bingbing’s invitation to Shennongjia was mainly extended to Youyuan and the three big ones, but she also invited Liu Xiaoyu, Guo Yun, Wan Chaoxiong, Zhu Nai Nai, and others with whom she interacted frequently.

In the end, only Liu Xiaoyu and Guo Yun were willing to go.

Although Zhu Nai Nai wanted to go very much, she still needed to continue her review and preparation for exams, following the footsteps of her senior Mei Fang.

Even though students from Jiangcheng Normal School No. 1 were top-notch, getting into Pingshan University in this world wasn’t an easy feat.

If they were going to Shennongjia, taking a taxi would be too far, and they couldn’t afford to fly. So, everyone decided to travel by train in soft sleeper compartments.

With Mei Youyuan, Bingbing, Xiaoyu, Yun, and Nainai, Mei Boss bought eight tickets, effectively reserving two soft sleeper compartments. Since it was still some time before the peak season, there weren’t many tourists in Shennongjia, so it wouldn’t inconvenience others.

The night before departure, Xiaoyuan was busy packing, and Mei Fang found it amusing and offered to help.

“Do we need to prepare so much?”

“Yes, we’re exploring Shennongjia, the most mysterious place in Chu North Province… Look at all I’ve brought: a compass, a map, compressed biscuits, a Swiss Army knife, and a high-powered flashlight…”

“We’re going to Bingbing’s house, not surviving in the wild. I think we’ll just camp out, so let’s bring regular camping gear. We can buy more when we get there.”

Mei Fang glanced at Lin Youxi, who was on the sofa working on her laptop, “Youxi, aren’t you packing?”

“I have something to do at C Station today, so Xiaoyuan can pack for me. If not, I can borrow hers.”

“Where did you learn that? And won’t your clothes be too loose on her?”

“Are you saying I’m fat?”

Lin Youxi closed her laptop and scrutinized Mei Fang.

“Afang clearly thinks I’m fat! Isn’t he?”

Xiaoyuan closed her suitcase, tugging at Mei Fang’s sleeve indignantly.

“Hey, I didn’t mean to attack both of you!”

Mei Fang raised his hands in surrender innocently.

In the end, Mei Fang was sentenced to help Lin Youxi pack, select outfits, and pick underwear as punishment.

They left for Shennongjia in the evening, with only a slow train available, arriving early next morning. They stored their luggage at the station and spent a day shopping nearby.

Bingbing suddenly felt sentimental on the elevator back to the station:

“After today, I don’t know if I’ll ever come back…”

“Bingbing, are you sad?”

Bingbing nodded, “A little… especially about the cafeteria at Jiangcheng Normal School No. 1. I wonder if the cafeteria at Pingshan University is as good.”

“It’s still about the food, huh?”

Mei Fang rubbed his forehead, “But that’s Bingbing’s style.”

“There’s nothing wrong with loving food!”

Bingbing made a face at Mei Fang, “Afang, how could you lack sentimentality? You don’t understand the joy of eating.”

“Don’t say that, Bingbing.”

Lin Youxi smiled, “Actually, Afang does have his own standards about food.”

“Really? I don’t believe it…”

“But it’s not conventional food…”

“What do you mean by unconventional?”

Though Lin Youxi spoke vaguely, Xiaoyuan and Liu Xiaoyu immediately thought of something unpleasant. Xiaoyuan blushed and looked flustered, while Guo Yun was confused. Xiaoyuan quickly intervened:

“Haha, Youxi is joking! It’s late, let’s hurry through security!”

Xiaoyuan pushed Mei Fang forward, reminding them to keep their backpacks and documents safe. Finally, they nervously placed their luggage in the gate and waited to retrieve it.

“You look nervous.”

“Well…”

Xiaoyuan scratched her head, “It’s my first time on a train.”

“You’ve never been on a train before? Really?”

“Usually, I ride in Dad’s car, and sometimes I take a plane for long trips, but never a train.” Xiaoyuan smiled at Mei Fang, “I’m a bit excited.”

“No wonder you’re so excited…”

“I’m actually on my first train too.”

Lin Youxi chimed in, “I rarely left Chu North Province when I was young because my dad was always busy.”

“Sorry, Youxi.”

Xiaoyuan suddenly apologized, leaving her puzzled, “What are you apologizing for?”

“My childhood was happier than yours, showing off in front of you. That should be an apology…”

“That’s not necessarily true…”

Lin Youxi put her hands on her hips, “You know, while you were traveling, Afang and I grew closer. We ate together, played games, wrote code, and slept together. We did many things you didn’t know about.”

“Really?”

Xiaoyuan tilted her head to look at Mei Fang, “I never heard you mention it!”

Mei Fang shrugged, “Youxi said it might upset you, so I kept it a secret. But it was just pure friendship, no need to worry.”

“Sleeping together… how can it remain pure…”

“Just resting on bamboo mats for naps! Nothing else happened, right, Youxi?”

Lin Youxi held Xiaoyuan’s hand and smiled, “Afang is right. At least until I fell asleep, then I hugged Afang.”

“Mmm…”

Xiaoyuan tried to stay composed, “It’s fine… we were young, and I hugged Afang during that super energy period…”

Xiaoyuan finally understood why Youxi seemed indifferent to their physical closeness.

I wasn’t the first…

Bingbing watched the trio banter, looking puzzled.

The six of them queued up to board the train, quickly swiped their cards, and found their soft sleeper compartment. They helped each other store their luggage, and Xiaoyuan immediately collapsed on the lower bunk to rest.

“How’s the train?”

Mei Fang sat beside Xiaoyuan and gently patted her bottom. Xiaoyuan, still on the lower bunk, swung her legs and shared her thoughts:

“It’s much more crowded than I imagined… but we chose soft sleepers with sliding doors. I saw the hard sleepers, and I definitely wouldn’t sleep well there.”

Mei Fang, distracted by Xiaoyuan’s swinging feet, started to act—

“Hmph, I’d never make my wife suffer, right? Yes…”

“Oh stop, you’re teasing me!”

Xiaoyuan giggled nonstop. Lin Youxi, after packing, pulled Mei Fang’s shirt and said, “You’re having fun with Xiaoyuan now, but tonight you’ll have to sleep with me.”

“Ah… why must it be tonight—”

Just then, the soft sleeper door slid open swiftly.

“Hello! I came to check on you!”

“Bingbing, remember to knock next time. It’s not polite.”

Lin Youxi reminded Bingbing calmly, who scratched her head apologetically, “Sorry, sorry, I was too excited. This is my first time in a soft sleeper. I’ll remember next time.”

“It’s okay! Just remember next time, Bingbing.”

Xiaoyuan got up and asked Bingbing, “How are you planning the beds?”

“Xiaoyu and Yun will share one side, I’ll take the other.”

“Are you comfortable sleeping alone?”

“It’s fine, haha, I’m used to it.”

While Bingbing talked to Xiaoyuan, Mei Fang moved to sit next to Lin Youxi and whispered:

“Should we tell Bingbing about the three-person thing? She doesn’t seem to know.”

“Let’s wait until we’re camping in Shennongjia. It’s not urgent now.”

Lin Youxi and Mei Fang whispered, and soon the soft sleeper door knocked again.

“Hello.”

Guo Yun and Liu Xiaoyu came over to visit Mei Youyuan and the others.

The five girls chatted animatedly. Mei Fang served tea, snacks, and water. Liu Xiaoyu, feeling honored, took over Mei Fang’s tasks and messaged him:

“Are we disturbing your intimacy?”

“No worries, keep chatting.”

Mei Fang smiled at Liu Xiaoyu and moved to the upper bunk.

Mei Fang was quite surprised.

Every time he went out to play, there was no one to talk to.

Wan Chaoxiong didn’t even want to play with him.

Forget it, old friends are more reliable.

Mei Fang messaged Zhang Ming:

Mei Youxi: [Son, what are you doing?]

Yeguang: [Aren’t you going to Shennongjia?]

Mei: [Bored on the train.]

Zhang: [Boredom means you should come find your dad, right?]

Mei: [Your kid.jpg]

Zhang: [Be careful in Shennongjia, don’t get eaten by wild men.]

Mei: [We have a giant protector.]

Zhang: [What? A giant protector?]

Mei: [Didn’t you see her? Last time…]

Just as Mei Fang and Zhang Ming were chatting, Youxi yawned, “I’m a bit sleepy, you guys keep chatting.”

Understanding the mood, Liu Xiaoyu and Guo Yun stood up, “Then we’ll leave—”

Youxi waved them off, “Keep chatting, it doesn’t bother me.”

Youxi climbed onto Mei Fang’s bed, leaving Bingbing, Xiaoyu, and Yun stunned.

“With whom are you chatting so happily?”

“No one… nothing…”

“Good, glad to hear that.”

Youxi trusted Mei Fang implicitly and lay down in his arms.

Under such circumstances, the three outsiders didn’t say much and bid farewell shortly after.

Xiaoyuan stood on the lower bunk, swinging the upper bunks, “Why be so intimate in front of others? It scared Bingbing.”

“Just reaffirming our bond. Afraid someone like Peng Xue might scheme against Afang.”

Youxi slightly opened her eyes, smiling slyly, “Afang is so outstanding, many girls have their eyes on him.”

“Yun and Xiaoyu and I already discussed it. There’s nothing to fear… Are you worried Bingbing might scheme against Afang?”

“What do you mean? Do you want to join in tonight?”

“Maybe it’s a bit crowded.”

“This is a train! That’s too exaggerated! It’ll disturb others.”

Youxi frowned at Xiaoyuan’s red face, “Isn’t it about sleeping together? Why are you thinking of such things? You need to control yourself. It’s for Afang’s health. He isn’t your toy.”

“Okay, I get it! Stop lecturing me!”

Xiaoyuan was scolded by Youxi.

Bingbing and Liu Xiaoyu, Guo Yun returned to the neighboring soft sleeper. Bingbing sat down and expressed her confusion, “I noticed something lately when playing with Afang and the others. Did you notice?”

Liu Xiaoyu and Guo Yun exchanged glances. They knew about the three-person situation but hadn’t discussed it.

“What’s the confusion?”

“Even though Afang and Youyuan broke up, they’re still very close. In adult door photos and group pictures, they were always like that. Today was even more obvious.”

“It’s natural, they’ve been childhood friends for years.”

Liu Xiaoyu scratched her head, “Deeper feelings are normal.”

Guo Yun softly agreed, “Yes, yes… When I was in middle school, I was Afang’s desk partner, and they weren’t together, yet they were always like that.”

“Oh, I see… I thought Afang was a bit distant, but it makes sense given their history.”

Bingbing propped her chin and asked, “Do you have any childhood friends? Friends you’ve known since childhood?”

“No,” Guo Yun shook her head. She used to be overweight, no one liked her.

Liu Xiaoyu smiled, “We’ve talked about this. Until middle school, I had one, but we had a falling out and stopped talking.”

“Oh, I forgot about that. Wasn’t it during a camping trip?”

Bingbing smiled, “Actually, I have a childhood friend too. We grew up together, just like Youxi and Youxi. Our relationship is deep! I’ll introduce her to you. We’ll all go on an adventure to Shennongjia together!”

“Sure, sounds great.”

Liu Xiaoyu and Guo Yun nodded.

Thank you to the patron for the generous donation. I’ll wake up my friend to update a little more today.

End of Chapter