Chapter 339

Chapter 339: So They’ve Become Adults Already

That day, several people rested on the vast second floor of Xiang Bingbing’s house. Liu Xiaoyu and Guo Yun slept in one room with Xiang Bingbing, while Mei Fang, Xia Yuan, and Lin Youxi shared another.

The area around Shennongjia was still using the old bamboo beds with mosquito nets from Bai Mei County in earlier years. Xia Yuan remembered how when she was younger, Mei Fang and Lin Youxi would sleep on the bamboo bed without her. She used her cuteness to monopolize Mei Fang for an entire night, leaving marks on her face from the bed the next morning.

Xiang Bingbing successfully arranged to go camping with her childhood friend Ran Rou the previous night. She met everyone early the next morning.

Ran Rou was a close childhood friend of Xiang Bingbing. Bingbing liked to call her Xiaoran, and the other girls simply called her Rourou. She appeared to be a girl with short hair and bangs, and a tan complexion.

Although they had recently gotten engaged, Ran Rou still looked very youthful. Everyone greeted her under Xiang Bingbing’s introduction.

“Hello, hello, Ran Rou.”

The three major characters—Mei Youyuan, Liu Xiaoyu, and Guo Yun—had all lived in Jiangcheng for over three years, giving them a refined manner of speaking and demeanor. Xia Yuan even boldly held Ran Rou’s hand and led her to the car.

Xia Yuan’s strong aura as a white-collar beauty made the rural girl Ran Rou feel somewhat uneasy, so she sat quietly in the car without much conversation.

Since everyone had already talked to Xiang Bingbing about the situation, they understood her feelings and didn’t focus too much on Ran Rou. Instead, they occasionally included her in their conversations, allowing her to feel more at ease.

Bingbing’s mother usually helped with short-distance transportation, delivering goods to merchants in the forest area. With a car, she could also take care of the children and sometimes bring them to see their father in the forest area. Despite managing such a large household, she was efficient and calm, quickly getting everyone to the scenic area of Shennongjia.

Because the area was spacious, Bingbing’s mother had an entry pass, bringing them directly to the core area and handing out the camping equipment.

“Up the mountain from here, you can find a good campsite. Make sure to stay warm; wear your windproof jacket. You can stay at the Huiquan Hotel downstairs the next day. I’ve already spoken to Uncle Wang…”

After Xiang Bingbing finished her instructions, her eyes fell on Ran Rou, and she said, “Rou, don’t worry too much about home affairs today. Have fun!”

“Okay, thank you, Aunt Xiang,” Ran Rou nodded.

“Next up is our adventure in Shennongjia! Follow me!”

Xiang Bingbing seemed like her usual optimistic self while playing, but no one could tell if she was genuinely happy or just putting on a show for her childhood friend.

Everyone crossed the stream, walked across the boardwalk, and followed the tourists up the mountain. The scenery gradually became shrouded in layers of mountains and thin mist. Xia Yuan, walking and looking around, gradually forgot her fatigue and turned to Mei Fang, saying:

“Woah! Afang, Youxi, look over here! This place is like a fairyland, really beautiful!”

As Xia Yuan stumbled, Mei Fang steadied her from behind.

“Be careful, this isn’t flat ground.”

Mei Fang patted Xia Yuan’s head, and she replied, “I’m not a child! I just slipped a bit.”

Guo Yun had been closer to Liu Xiaoyu these past few days, always walking together. Liu Xiaoyu was physically weaker than Guo Yun, often needing to catch her breath halfway. Guo Yun always waited for her at the end.

“Thanks for waiting again… I feel bad…”

Liu Xiaoyu, panting, held onto Guo Yun’s hand, “It must be boring waiting for me all the time?”

“It’s okay, everyone has their weaknesses. I used to lag behind too.”

“Is that about middle school?”

Liu Xiaoyu smiled, “I heard Youyuan talk about your fitness routine. It’s impressive that you stuck with it. I wouldn’t have the determination.”

“I didn’t do it alone…”

This reminded Guo Yun of climbing Old Ancestor Mountain with Mei Fang and others back then.

She stared at Mei Fang’s back, determined to stand by his side in the future. Now, thinking back, it seemed incredible. This precious memory brought a slight smile to her lips.

“Why are you smiling?”

Liu Xiaoyu curiously leaned in, “Are you thinking of something happy?”

Guo Yun didn’t respond directly, instead reflecting, “Having someone you like is wonderful, especially someone excellent. Even if it’s just distant admiration, you naturally strive to get closer and become better yourself. That process is very fulfilling.”

Ah…

Although Guo Yun spoke casually, Liu Xiaoyu felt a surge of emotion inside.

This must be about Mei Fang!

She was Mei Fang’s deskmate, and he must have cared for her a lot…

When she was least popular, having someone excellent support and encourage her, appreciate her talents, was truly heartwarming.

If I were Guo Yun, I would definitely like Mei Fang—the scoundrel.

Liu Xiaoyu sighed inwardly, recalling how Mei Fang comforted her when he took her home at the beginning of the year, listening to her cry beside her. A shy feeling arose.

Yes, yes…

Hmph.

How could anyone not like such a gentle Mei Fang?

“Liu Xiaoyu, how are you? Should we rest if you’re too tired? Your face is red.”

“Huh? Oh… I guess I am a bit tired…”

Liu Xiaoyu mumbled, pulling Guo Yun’s hand, “Speaking of which, does that mean you actually have someone you like?”

“I? Well… probably not, haha,” Guo Yun shook her head.

“But you’ve become quite remarkable.”

Liu Xiaoyu looked ahead at Lin Youxi and Xia Yuan, who were being affectionate, and Guo Yun, pure and naive, immediately felt anxious, “Then… let’s walk faster! We might get lost otherwise.”

“Wait, Guo Yun, my shoelace is coming undone!”

Xiang Bingbing and Ran Rou led the group. Bingbing kept leading while chatting with her childhood friend about past memories.

“Our development is rapid. There weren’t many hotels back then, but now there are plenty, along with cultural landmarks. The little paths we used to climb together can hardly be found anymore except for the one in my father’s forest area.”

“Times change, and life gets better for everyone.”

“That’s why you got married so young,” Bingbing pouted.

“I can’t compare with you and your friends… I’m not smart, and I don’t have your athletic talent.”

Ran Rou laughed, patting her face, “Don’t worry about me. My partner is actually nice. You don’t need to worry too much. I’ll introduce him to you soon. He’s not a bad person.”

“What did you mean when you said you wanted to be a forest ranger?”

“Oh, when was that?”

Ran Rou shook her head and smiled, “Back then, I hadn’t met him yet. I wasn’t doing well in exams, felt hopeless, and thought living alone in the forest would be better…”

“Hmm…”

Bingbing scratched her head, “Something feels off.”

Ran Rou tried to cheer her up, “Bingbing, stop worrying so much. Stay carefree and joyful. Don’t let me make you sad.”

“Stop treating me like I don’t think things through! You’re so mean!”

“Don’t just talk about me. Tell me about your own experiences. Didn’t you have any crushes in high school?”

“Not really tall ones! How could I have any!”

“You’d only go for shorter ones.”

“I won’t compromise. Then I’d rather live alone, hahaha!”

Xiang Bingbing and Ran Rou chatted and laughed, creating a lively atmosphere.

Together, they followed the scenic route. Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi each held onto Mei Fang’s arm, attracting many curious glances, but the group was used to it.

Finally finding a camping spot, Xiang Bingbing and Mei Fang carried a 10-pound tent each. With Ran Rou and Bingbing’s help, they quickly set up both tents.

The girls sat cross-legged inside. Bingbing sighed, “The last time we were in a tent together was… the last time.”

Liu Xiaoyu added, “That was us, except for Yunyun and Xiaoran.”

Guo Yun asked curiously, “What do you guys chat about during camping?”

Lin Youxi explained with a smile, “Just love stuff. But back then, we were students, so our topics were much simpler compared to today.”

“There can’t be much difference,” Bingbing scratched her head, puzzled. Liu Xiaoyu, remembering office politics, blushed and said, “Youxian, don’t talk about too explicit topics! Most of us are still innocent.”

Youxian looked at Liu Xiaoyu with interest, “Your words make it sound like Youyuan and I aren’t innocent anymore…”

Xia Yuan, who was happily munching on melon seeds, suddenly chimed in, “Youxian, you’re not a good sister! Why did you drag me into this! I’m innocent!”

“Hmph, I knew you’d disagree. So I brought the latest college social game—this!”

“Isn’t it another Three Kingdoms game? I don’t want to be cooked…”

Before Mei Fang could finish, Xiang Bingbing pulled out a deck of cards.

“Ta-da! Don’t misunderstand, this is the popular Truth or Dare game! As a punishment, you must choose either a truth question or dare based on the card you draw. You must answer truthfully, or complete the dare.”

Youxian was intrigued, “Sounds interesting. Can we see the questions on the cards?”

“No! Don’t peek!”

Xiang Bingbing hid the cards, “To keep the mystery, I haven’t even seen the contents myself. Isn’t it more fun to play with anticipation?”

Xia Yuan clapped excitedly, “Sure, sure. Bingbing is still a great player! Let’s start!”

Liu Xiaoyu interjected, “Truth or Dare needs a penalty measure from another game to be fun. It shouldn’t be random.”

“Simple, we’ll play rock-paper-scissors. The loser draws a card.”

“Alright, that works!”

Xia Yuan strongly supported Bingbing’s idea, feeling a sense of Bingbing finally growing up, using tactics.

They played rock-paper-scissors. Everyone else chose rock, but Xia Yuan picked scissors.

“Aw, why did it come down so fast… statistically, it should be a tie!”

“Come on, accept the result. Draw a card?”

Hmm…

Xia Yuan thought it was still early, so she didn’t rush Ran Rou to lose and raise suspicion.

Xia Yuan randomly drew a card from Bingbing’s deck. Seeing the truth question, she immediately looked shocked.

“Wow, Bing! What kind of Truth or Dare questions did you buy? This is too much!”

The first truth question was: [How far have you progressed with your lover’s body?]

“This topic is so dirty, do we really have to discuss it?”

“It’s not dirty. You’re an adult, Youyuan.”

Bingbing seemed less uncomfortable, “Just answer honestly, right?”

Youxian added, “That’s true. Since Youyuan doesn’t have a lover, she can skip this.”

Youxian, you!

Xia Yuan waved her hands, “No way! Past relationships should count too. I accept the challenge… But, let me see the dare first—”

[Dare: Shout in front of strangers, ‘I am a little firewood!’]

Xia Yuan smiled, “Let’s stick to truth?”

“But you started the dare—”

“Truth!”

“Truth!”

“Alright…”

Bingbing felt a bit disappointed—she expected a common answer—

Xia Yuan muttered, “We’ve touched every step… everything is there.”

“Yes, everything is there. Hmm?”

Bingbing scratched her head, puzzled, “What do you mean by everything? Have you even kissed Afang? Good job, Youyuan! Impressive.”

“Everything… that means…”

Liu Xiaoyu tightly grabbed Guo Yun, who was about to explain to Bingbing, signaling her to stop, to avoid shocking the innocent Bingbing for a whole year.

Guo Yun, perceptive, understood Liu Xiaoyu’s intention and nodded, not continuing. Her gaze fell on Mei Fang, feeling a mix of emotions.

Youyuan and Afang have been through everything, so Youxian must have—

So, they’ve grown up already.

—

(End of Chapter)