Chapter 73

Due to his internal clock, Ye Bai quickly rose from his slumber. Checking the time on his phone, he peered outside and noticed a faint light in the distance, signaling the impending sunrise.

Moving closer to Lin Miaomiao, he gently nudged her. "Wake up, sleeping beauty," he whispered, a fond smile gracing his lips as he admired her cute face. Retrieving his phone, he couldn't resist capturing a photo of her peaceful slumber. "Miaomiao, wake up. Let's keep our little secret," he teased, nudging her once more and planting a kiss on her cheek.

Rubbing her eyes, Lin Miaomiao smiled, still half in a dreamlike state. She felt Ye Bai's kiss on her cheek as he roused her from sleep, a sensation that felt strangely real. Another kiss followed, and this time, she jolted awake, realizing it wasn't a dream.

"Wake up. Let's watch the sunrise, but don't let anyone know you slept in my tent," Ye Bai reminded her before stepping out of the tent.

Ye Bai carefully folded Lin Miaomiao's bed and blanket, noting the remnants of unfinished snacks that had attracted ants to her tent. Shaking his head, he collected them in a plastic bag for disposal.

Moments later, Lin Miaomiao emerged from the tent, finding Ye Bai cleaning up. She felt a twinge of embarrassment at the situation but quickly joined him in tidying up, helping to shake off any lingering ants from the blanket.

As other students began to awaken and gather on mats to witness the sunrise, Ye Bai called Qian Sanyi and Jiang Tianhao. They emerged from their tents to find Ye Bai preparing noodles in a self-heating pot.

"Brother Bai, thank you. I've missed this since you left our dormitory," Jiang Tianhao remarked, taking a seat on the picnic mat.

"Let's invite the girls to watch the sunrise too," Ye Bai suggested to Tianhao.

Tianhao swiftly entered his tent to retrieve his phone and call Liang Yunshu, while Lin Miaomiao dialed Deng Xiaoqi's number.

Yunshu agreed promptly and mentioned waking up Wei Xindi. However, Deng Xiaoqi hesitated, requiring Lin Miaomiao's persuasion.

Ye Bai set up his phone on a stand, intending to record the sunrise. Adjusting the camera angle to capture both the scenery and their reactions, he ensured that the moment would be preserved.

As the group gathered, they sat in awe, watching as the sunrise slowly painted the mountain with vibrant hues. Even Deng Xiaoqi, usually a late riser, couldn't resist being captivated by the breathtaking sight unfolding before her eyes. However, she couldn't help but feel a pang of discomfort upon seeing Jiang Tianhao smiling with Liang Yunshu.

Meanwhile, Lin Miaomiao savored the noodles prepared by Ye Bai, relishing the combination of delicious food and the stunning view.

Ye Bai observed his friends' mesmerized expressions, a contented smile gracing his features as he too appreciated the beauty of the sunrise and the camaraderie among them.

...

With Lin Miaomiao practically buzzing with excitement, they approached the amusement park on the second day of their field trip, fresh from their museum visit.

"Wow! Where should we start?" Lin Miaomiao's voice echoed with enthusiasm as she turned to her friends.

Jiang Tianhao, matching her infectious energy, jumped up with a grin. "Let's try everything!" he declared.

"Absolutely! Let's dive in!" Lin Miaomiao replied, exchanging a double high-five with him.

Liang Yunshu couldn't help but chuckle at their dynamic duo. "You two are like siblings, seriously," she teased with a warm smile.

Ye Bai nodded in agreement, a soft smile playing on his lips. "True."

"I'm feeling a bit worn out already. You guys go on ahead and have fun," Qian Sanyi piped up, settling onto a nearby bench. "I'll watch over our stuff."

"Already tired? Come on, we're just getting started," Lin Miaomiao teased gently, nudging Deng Xiaoqi.

Deng Xiaoqi glanced at their friends and then back at Qian Sanyi. "I... I'm feeling a bit tired too. I think I'll stay here with Qian Sanyi," she admitted with a sheepish smile.

"What's going on with you two?" Lin Miaomiao pointed at them. "Ah, I see what's going on." She gave them both a knowing smile.

"Let's give them a break, Miaomiao. We can explore on our own," Ye Bai suggested with a reassuring smile, ever the calm presence in the group.

Meanwhile, Jiang Tianhao and Liang Yunshu were already bounding ahead towards the amusement park entrance, their laughter carrying on the breeze. Wei Xindi tagged along as the third wheel.

Spotting their friends up ahead, Lin Miaomiao couldn't contain her excitement. "Wait for me!" she called out, breaking into a joyful sprint.

Ye Bai followed behind at a leisurely pace, a sense of contentment washing over him as he observed his friends' exuberance.

Since it was a weekday, there were fewer visitors at the amusement park, allowing them to quickly hop on rides.

The five friends reveled in the thrills of the amusement park, their laughter ringing out as they soared through the air and raced around corners.

"Roller Coaster!" they exclaimed in unison when they caught sight of the towering ride, rushing to join the queue with wide grins and eager anticipation.

As they settled into their seats on the roller coaster, Lin Miaomiao and Ye Bai shared an excited glance, their hands intertwining with a shared sense of adventure. As the coaster climbed to its peak, they threw their hands in the air, their laughter blending with the rush of wind as they hurtled down the tracks.

...

"Miaomiao, over here!" Deng Xiaoqi exclaimed, holding out several candied snacks and passing them around to everyone.

Taking a seat on the bench, Lin Miaomiao eagerly grabbed a snack and took a hearty bite. "I'm so tired," she sighed, feeling the weariness in her limbs after a day filled with excitement.

Deng Xiaoqi quickly sprang into action, grabbing a tissue and gently wiping the beads of sweat from Miaomiao's forehead, a gesture of care amidst their bustling day.

Qian Sanyi observed the happiness on everyone's faces. "You guys are having so much fun," he remarked with a smile.

Jiang Tianhao gave him a thumbs up. "Absolutely! You should come join us."

Qian Sanyi shook his head, a hint of envy flickering across his features. Although he longed to join them, his fear of heights held him back. Yet, seeing their joyous expressions, he couldn't help but feel a pang of longing.

"Did you see how we all raised our hands as the roller coaster descended from the peak? It was exhilarating!" Lin Miaomiao recounted her experience to Deng Xiaoqi.

Deng Xiaoqi nodded, a tinge of apprehension in her voice. "I'm scared just thinking about it," she admitted, continuing to comfort Miaomiao.

Quickly wrapping her arms around Deng Xiaoqi's neck, Lin Miaomiao reassured her, "You won't be scared with me by your side. I'll protect you like a big brother would."

"What about you, Sanyi? Are you coming?" Jiang Tianhao asked, turning to Qian Sanyi.

Caught off guard by the sudden attention, Qian Sanyi glanced at each of his friends, feeling the weight of their expectant gazes. With resolve, he stood up and faced Miaomiao. "Who said I'm not coming?" he declared, striding towards the amusement park rides.

"Alright!" the girls cheered as they watched Qian Sanyi join them. Jiang Tianhao and Lin Miaomiao exchanged a triumphant high-five.

Meanwhile, Ye Bai, seated on the bench, felt a surge of excitement. Reflecting on the thrill of the rides they had just experienced, he eagerly anticipated joining them once more. Sensing his enthusiasm, Lin Miaomiao approached him with an encouraging smile.

"Come on, Ye Bai, let's follow Qian Sanyi. He's going to ride some amusement rides with us," she urged.

Ye Bai eagerly stood up and followed his friends, his anticipation building with each step. As they approached the rides, they were met with an array of attractions. Qian Sanyi was queuing for the Merry Go Round, surrounded by children. Undeterred, Ye Bai walked beside him, eager to join in the fun.

As they rode the Merry Go Round, Jiang Tianhao couldn't help but comment, "I thought Sanyi would choose more exciting rides, but look at this."

Lin Miaomiao nodded in agreement, her gaze shifting to Ye Bai. "You seem to be enjoying yourself," she remarked, a smile playing on her lips.

Ye Bai grinned, the thrill of the ride still coursing through his veins. "Definitely! Those extreme rides were something else, but I'm loving this change of pace," he replied enthusiastically.

"We can take it easy if you need a break," Lin Miaomiao offered, her concern evident in her gentle tone.

After the ride, they all settled down on a nearby bench near the Ferris Wheel. When the group suggested riding the Ferris Wheel next, Qian Sanyi's expression turned pale, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Ye Bai noticed and spoke up, his voice filled with understanding and empathy.

"I'll stay back here and watch over our stuff," Ye Bai offered

"Are you sure?" Jiang Tianhao asked concern etched on his face as he glanced at Ye Bai.

"Yes, I'll be fine," Ye Bai assured them with a reassuring smile, his demeanor calm and collected.

"I'll stay back too," Lin Miaomiao chimed in, her eyes flickering with understanding as she glanced at Ye Bai, silently offering her support.

Ye Bai shook his head and pointed to Xiaoqi, who was fidgeting nervously beside Lin Miaomiao. "You go with Xiaoqi," he suggested, giving them both a reassuring smile.

Lin Miaomiao nodded, taking Xiaoqi's hand gently. "Okay, let's go for one last ride," she said, her voice filled with determination as she led Xiaoqi towards the Ferris Wheel.

Qian Sanyi sat down beside Ye Bai. "I'll keep you company here," he offered, his tone sincere.

Jiang Tianhao gave them a thumbs up before strolling towards the Ferris Wheel with Yunshu and Xindi. Deng Xiaoqi hesitated to ride; she wanted to accompany Qian Sanyi, but Lin Miaomiao gently tugged her towards the Ferris Wheel. As they walked away, Ye Bai and Qian Sanyi waved, watching their friends ascend the platform.

"I'm afraid of heights," Qian Sanyi suddenly confessed.

Ye Bai turned to Qian Sanyi, his expression attentive.

"I can't even approach the railing on the second floor of the school building. It's also one of the reasons why I didn't stay in the dormitory; the beds are bunk beds, and mine would have been on the top," Qian Sanyi explained, his voice tinged with vulnerability.

Understanding washed over Ye Bai's face as he gently tapped Qian Sanyi's back. "I understand, I'll keep this a secret," he said reassuringly.

...

Lin Family Residence

Wang Shengnan and Lin Dawei enjoy their lunch together at the dining table in their cozy home. Wang Shengnan's brow furrows slightly as she observes Lin Dawei's enthusiastic slurping of his noodles, unable to conceal her annoyance.

"Can you stop slurping like that?" she remarks, her tone gentle but teasing.

Lin Dawei, catching his wife's expression, reaches for a tissue and delicately wipes the corner of his mouth, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "This is a way to enjoy dishes and also show my happiness," he explains with a grin. "When Japanese eat Udon noodles, the sound must be as loud as possible, you know?"

Wang Shengnan chuckles softly at his explanation, her affection for him evident in her warm gaze. "I didn't know that," she admits, "but are you Japanese?"

Lin Dawei responds with an awkward smile. By the way, how is Miaomiao?" he inquired, his voice laced with genuine concern.

Wang Shengnan's smile softened at the mention of their daughter. She had been diligent in keeping in touch with Miaomiao since the start of her field trip, mindful not to overwhelm her with incessant calls. Wang Shengnan also made a point to reach out to Ye Bai, knowing that Miaomiao might find her mother's calls irritating if they became too frequent. Still, despite her efforts to respect Miaomiao's independence, the worry for her daughter lingered in the back of Wang Shengnan's mind. "She seems to be enjoying her field trip," she replied, her voice tinged with both reassurance and concern. "But I plan to call her again later, just to make sure she's eating properly and remembers to lock the door."

Lin Dawei nodded in understanding. "Don't be too hard on her, you know Miaomiao well." He reminded her gently.

Wang Shengnan understands her husband's remark, she adds a dash of chili to her noodles and sits up straight, her gaze focused on her husband. "Listen, I told Tang Yuanming to enroll Lin Miaomiao as a day student."

Pausing in his eating, Lin Dawei looks at his wife attentively, a silent acknowledgment of her words.

"I want to rent a room that is close to her school," she adds, her determination evident in her voice.