Chapter 5
On the bustling bus, Jian Wu maintained a 45-degree angle, gazing at the sky, silent as a marble statue.
The pleasant chatter of Ling Meng and Song Shuci drifted over from time to time.
Ling Meng asked Song Shuci when he had boarded. The latter replied with a faint smile: “When Teacher Jian asked if the new university teachers would be coming.”
He added an explanation: “At that time, Teacher Jian seemed to be choking, and I saw you were busy patting his back, so I didn’t want to disturb you. Later, you two were chatting so animatedly, I felt even more hesitant to interrupt.”
Jian Wu rolled his eyes at the blue sky.
After all these years, this guy still spoke so pretentiously.
Ling Meng, as expected, categorized Song Shuci as introverted based on his explanation and said warmly: “It’s nothing, you can just call us directly.”
Song Shuci glanced at Jian Wu: “I’m afraid Teacher Jian would be angry.”
“Jian Wu has a very good temper,” Ling Meng said. “Don’t worry, he never gets angry.”
“Really? But he doesn’t seem very friendly towards me.”
Jian Wu listened to Song Shuci’s chatter with a deadpan expression and couldn’t help but turn around: “Is your throat feeling better now?”
Song Shuci handed the medicine box back to Jian Wu, smiling brightly: “Thank you for the medicine, Teacher Jian. It worked wonders.”
Jian Wu ignored him, turning his head back to look out the window.
When he first realized Song Shuci was behind him, his first reaction was to take back the medicine. However, Song Shuci was quicker, grabbing the other end of the medicine box and refusing to let go. They were in a stalemate until Ling Meng turned around, and they both released their grip at the same time.
The medicine box, losing its support, fell into Song Shuci’s lap.
“You keep it,” he said to Song Shuci. “I don’t want it anymore.”
Silence from behind for a moment, followed by the rustling of fabric. “Don’t worry, Teacher Jian, I’ll treasure it.”
Jian Wu: “…”
What on earth did this guy learn during his years studying abroad?
The bus arrived, and they finally reached their destination for the social gathering.
This gathering was held at a grassland-themed scenic spot in B City. The area had recently been renovated with many amusement park facilities, adding entertainment to the original natural landscape of mountains and forests.
Jian Wu was a big fan of amusement parks, addicted to the thrill and excitement of weightlessness. However, today, even after riding all kinds of roller coasters, his heart didn’t race.
He sat on the drop tower with a deadpan expression, Ling Meng excitedly on his left, and Song Shuci, who looked refined even while riding a drop tower, on his right.
After the thrilling ascents and descents, he unbuckled his seatbelt and got off. Ling Meng finally noticed something was wrong with him.
“You look like you really want to jump off a building.”
Hearing the familiar footsteps behind him, Jian Wu gritted his teeth and forced a stiff smile: “It’s not something I wouldn’t consider.”
Since getting off the bus, Song Shuci had been following him. Whatever ride he lined up for, Song Shuci lined up for the same one.
Finally, when Ling Meng went to the restroom, he couldn’t help but turn around angrily: “Can you stop following me–”
“Ah?”
The man was holding a ticket, about to walk in the opposite direction.
Jian Wu: “…”
“Never mind.”
There was only one main path in the amusement park. Song Shuci probably wasn’t intentionally following him, Jian Wu consoled himself. The path widened here, so Song Shuci would naturally go to other rides.
However, after being called out, Song Shuci stopped walking.
He stood there, holding the amusement park map, but his gaze was fixed on Jian Wu’s face.
The amusement park was crowded in the evening, streams of people brushing past them. The bustling scenic spot was noisy, making their corner seem strangely quiet.
This was their first real moment alone since their sudden encounter yesterday.
Compared to their previous bickering and aggressiveness in front of others, this time, for some reason, they both tacitly remained silent.
Nightfall always came quickly. They looked at each other under the dim streetlights, like some kind of game or contest, neither avoiding the other’s gaze.
It wasn’t until someone shouted about watching the fireworks that they broke away from the slightly tense atmosphere and looked up at the sky, now darkened by night.
Colorful fireworks bloomed at the highest point of the sky, then quickly faded into silence. The brief bursts of light illuminated Jian Wu’s well-defined face intermittently.
Song Shuci glanced at him from the corner of his eye while watching the fireworks and softly said: “These past few years…”
Hearing Song Shuci speak, Jian Wu subconsciously swallowed.
Have you been well these past few years?
Or, where have you been these past few years, what have you been doing?
Probably neither was Song Shuci’s style.
Finally, amidst the clamor of firecrackers, Jian Wu heard him say with a hint of sarcasm: “Have you found a rich boyfriend to support you yet?”
As expected, the words were unexpected yet perfectly in line with Jian Wu’s understanding of Song Shuci—nothing good ever came out of his mouth.
“Almost,” Jian Wu replied nonchalantly, making things up. “I’ve been on blind dates constantly.”
This answer seemed to surprise Song Shuci. He paused for a long time before saying “Oh.” “Remember to introduce him to me when you find him.”
For some reason, Song Shuci’s voice was low when he said this.
Jian Wu subtly turned his face away, avoiding Song Shuci’s gaze, but his words were still sharp: “Why? Are you going to teach him the secrets of failed relationships?”
Song Shuci returned to his sarcastic tone: “I’m afraid your taste is too bad, and you’ll be tricked.”
Jian Wu retorted defiantly: “Your taste is the one that’s bad.”
“What are you two doing!”
The sudden appearance of Ling Meng abruptly interrupted their conversation. She clapped both hands heavily on their shoulders, poking her head between them.
Jian Wu’s heart skipped a beat, the emotions on his face and in his heart instantly vanishing.
He rubbed his ears: “Weren’t we waiting for you?”
“Did you wait for a super long time?” Ling Meng touched her nose and explained apologetically, “There were just too many people in line!”
Jian Wu was always straightforward with Ling Meng, so he didn’t hold back, drawing out his words: “Yeah, waited so long the flowers have wilted.”
Ling Meng muttered pointedly: “Your flowers never bloomed in the first place.”
Jian Wu just glared at her when Song Shuci, who had been silent, suddenly pointed at the sky and said to Ling Meng: “Don’t feel bad, we weren’t just waiting for you, we also watched the fireworks together.”
Jian Wu: “?”
Ling Meng breathed a sigh of relief: “That’s good, that’s good, I was afraid you two were getting impatient.” Then, as if remembering something, she smiled and exclaimed: “You two are quite romantic.”
Jian Wu, allergic to romance, couldn’t help but retort: “Are you sure watching fireworks in front of the restroom is romantic?”
Song Shuci glanced at him: “But Teacher Jian was watching very intently just now, wasn’t he?”
Jian Wu said with a deadpan expression: “I was counting how many times they exploded.”
Ling Meng became curious: “So how many times?”
Jian Wu: “…”
Seeing Jian Wu speechless, Song Shuci chuckled softly: “Thirty-six times.”
“Wow!” Ling Meng looked at him with admiration. “That’s amazing, you actually counted.”
Jian Wu was speechless.
Overachieving show-offs were definitely the most annoying creatures in the world.
Seriously.
“Oh right, I almost forgot because of you two,” Ling Meng said while taking out her phone. “The team leader asked us to gather, saying dinner is ready.”
Each bus had a team leader responsible for coordinating the activities and accommodations of everyone on board.
Jian Wu was bewildered: “Do we have to eat together?”
“What else?” Ling Meng pushed him forward. “This is a social gathering, how can we get to know each other and ignite sparks of love if we don’t stay together?”
Jian Wu was numb.
This wasn’t relaxation, it was torture.
He knew it, you get what you pay for.
The team leader had prepared a grassland barbecue for dinner. Perhaps except for Jian Wu, everyone was well aware of the purpose of the social gathering. The entire barbecue area was filled with a romantic atmosphere, laughter and conversation filling the air.
Some people were busy skewering food, some were busy washing vegetables, and some were busy showing off—Jian Wu glanced disdainfully at Song Shuci, who was posturing like a chef, sprinkling cumin by the grill.
Thanks to him, many people who weren’t even in their group came over to join the fun. A group of dedicated cheerleaders stood expectantly around Song Shuci, praising the food before even tasting it: “It must be delicious.”
Even though Song Shuci himself only spoke occasionally, these people still chatted with him enthusiastically.
From childhood to adulthood, no matter the occasion or stage of life, Song Shuci was always the center of attention.
During his school years, he was the renowned academic god; after work, he was the most sought-after bachelor at social gatherings and blind dates.
Even if he did nothing and said nothing, countless people would still approach him because of his aura.
Jian Wu chose to walk a little further away, silently turning up the volume on his headphones.
He took some ingredients and skewers, intending to get to work. After skewering a few, a round-faced young man with thick-rimmed glasses, who looked like a university student, suddenly walked up to him and said warmly: “Excuse me, can I join you?”
Jian Wu was taken aback. The young man smiled generously and explained: “I arrived late, and there doesn’t seem to be anything left for me to help with.”
Most of the people on the bus were teachers from the affiliated middle and elementary schools. Since the elementary and middle schools were connected, Jian Wu was familiar with most of them.
But he was less familiar with this round-faced young man, who was probably a university staff member.
He took off his headphones and said amiably: “Of course.”
Teachers were generally talkative in public. As they skewered the ingredients, they chatted casually. The young man seemed to be skilled at lab work, his skewering technique quite swift. They were having a pleasant conversation until a commotion suddenly erupted nearby.
Chef Song’s skewers were finally ready after much anticipation, and the praises finally had substance.
Many people asked excitedly: “This is so fragrant, how did you come up with grilling beef and pineapple together?”
There were also many who echoed: “It’s really delicious, this grilling technique clearly shows he’s learned this before.”
Some blindly flattered: “A professor’s mind is different, even grilling skewers has innovative points.”
Finally, Song Shuci’s voice: “It wasn’t my idea.”
He paused, explaining: “My first love saw it online and asked me to learn it.”
Showing affection could always stir up gossip and excitement, and the atmosphere became lively. Some sighed about how sweet it was, and some asked what kind of person Song Shuci’s first love was. Upon learning they had broken up, there were sighs of regret from the barbecue area.
A few steps away, the round-faced young man beside Jian Wu looked at the tray in front of him with a subtle and complex expression.
On the stainless steel tray, small pieces of beef were paired with golden pineapple chunks. Although not yet grilled, they were already appetizing.
Jian Wu listened throughout without speaking, his expression unchanged. His hands didn’t stop, still skewering the ingredients at his own pace.
After a while, the round-faced young man, glancing at Jian Wu’s expression, couldn’t help but comment: “Teacher Jian, you and Professor Song’s ex-girlfriend have quite a bit of tacit understanding.”
