69 Chapter 69
"You still took your aunt's clothes," Wang Shengnan said to Lin Miaomiao, who was dancing in front of the TV. She adjusted the bag Lin Miaomiao would carry tomorrow.
"I have to remind you, when you go out, take a moment to admire the scenery. Don't just stare at your phone, alright?" Wang Shengnan cautioned.
Lin Miaomiao, still dancing, simply nodded in response.
"That's right, when you're out, it's better to interact with friends than to be glued to your phone," Lin Dawei interjected, emerging from the bedroom with a bag of snacks in hand. "Here, take these with you. Hurry up."
Lin Miaomiao suddenly halted her dance and eagerly grabbed the snacks. "Hmm! Ahhhh! My father is the best," she exclaimed as she stuffed the snacks into the bag.
Wang Shengnan glanced at her husband. "What are you doing? Why are you giving her so many snacks?"
"When going out, children should have them," Lin Dawei defended, casting a fond glance at his daughter. "But remember, these are for three days, so don't gobble them all up in one go," he cautioned, a smile playing on his lips.
Lin Miaomiao nodded earnestly, adjusting her glasses with a sense of responsibility.
"I have to remind you, make sure to lock the door tightly at night," Wang Shengnan cautioned, her maternal instincts kicking in. "And I read online the other day about criminals installing two-way mirrors in bathrooms. So, when you see a mirror, give it a little tap," she advised, noticing Miaomiao's distracted demeanor. "Hey!" Wang Shengnan's sharp call brought her daughter's attention back to the conversation.
"Listen, if you can see a gap between your finger and your reflection, it's just a regular mirror. But if there's no gap, it might be a two-way mirror," Wang Shengnan explained patiently. "That means someone could be watching you from the other side."
Lin Miaomiao giggled. "Why would anyone want to watch me? I'm not that pretty."
Lin Dawei and Wang Shengnan exchanged amused glances, marveling at their daughter's innocence.
Lin Miaomiao paused, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "What?" she asked, curiosity evident in her voice.
"You're still such a child. If you have doubts about your own beauty, why would Ye Bai be interested in you?" Lin Dawei teased gently, a twinkle in his eye.
Lin Miaomiao's blush deepened, her heart fluttering at the mention of Ye Bai's name.
"After you arrive at the hotel, make sure you know where the emergency exits are located. It's crucial," Lin Dawei advised, his tone serious.
"Girls, pay attention," Wang Shengnan reminded. "I'll call Ye Bai so he can take care of you," she said, walking away to find her phone.
"Mum!" Miaomiao followed her into their parents' bedroom try to stopped her from calling Ye Bai.
"Go ahead, call Ye Bai!" Lin Dawei yelled, laughing.
...
Wu Qian strode over to the bed and inspected the bag her son was preparing to take, giving a nod of approval at its neat and organized appearance. "Take care of Lin Miaomiao, especially since you'll be out," she reminded him.
Ye Bai nodded confidently. "Yes, Mom, you know me. I won't let anything bad happen to Miaomiao," he reassured her.
Ye Bai, seated at his study table, nodded confidently. "Yes, Mom, you know me. I won't let anything bad happen to Miaomiao," he reassured her.
Suddenly, his phone rang, prompting Ye Bai to rise from his seat and swiftly move to the bed to answer, recognizing it was Aunt Wang calling.
As Ye Bai answered, he heard Lin Miaomiao's voice in the background, seemingly attempting to grab her mother's phone. "Hello, Aunt Wu, this is Ye Bai."
"Ye Bai, take care of my silly daughter. You know how mischievous she can be, and if she does anything wrong, remember to call me," Wang Shengnan requested a favor.
"Yes, I will, Auntie Wu," Ye Bai promised her, his tone filled with sincerity.
"Okay, this girl is giving me a hard time. I'll hang up now."
Upon hearing the hang-up tone, Ye Bai couldn't help but smile as he settled back onto his bed.
"Who was that?" Wu Qian inquired as she approached Ye Bai's bedside.
"It was Aunt Wu, asking me to look after Miaomiao," Ye Bai replied.
Wu Qian chuckled. "Shengnan really is herself. Alright, I'm heading out now," she said before leaving the room.
As Wu Qian left, Ye Bai's phone rang again. He quickly answered upon seeing the caller.
"Ye Bai, Mom bullied me!" came Miaomiao's voice over the phone.
"It's alright, your mother was just concerned for you," Ye Bai reassured her.
Ye Bai then heard Wang Shengnan's voice on the phone. "Miaomiao, I've prepared some cold medicine, anti-diarrhea medication, and alcohol solution for you. Use it to clean your dishes before eating. You can also use it to clean your friends' dishes. People will say, 'Oh, Lin Miaomiao is so feminine.'"
"Mum! I'm on the phone, and why did you bring so much? It's just three days, I'm not going on some ultimate survival challenge," Lin Miaomiao replied, her voice filled with exasperation and humor.
"Yes, I almost forgot, your period is about to come."
"MOM!" Lin Miaomiao quickly ended the call.
Ye Bai smiled as he looked at the cut-up call from Miaomiao.
...
"Why are you yelling about my period while I'm on the phone with Ye Bai?" Lin Miaomiao interjected from her spot on the sofa, a hint of irritation in her voice.
"I'm just reminding you so we don't repeat what happened last time. When you shower, make sure to dry your hair and don't let it get cold—"
"Mom, we need to talk about something important," Lin Miaomiao cut in, her tone serious.
"What's up?" Wang Shengnan asked, intrigued by her daughter's sudden seriousness.
"How much money are you going to give me?" Lin Miaomiao asked playfully, her gaze shifting between Wang Shengnan and Lin Dawei.
There was a brief silence in the room.
"Does your school have a set amount for allowances?" Wang Shengnan inquired further.
"Nope, it's up to you guys," Lin Miaomiao replied.
"What about what other kids get?" Wang Shengnan probed.
"Qian Sanyi gets 500, Deng Xiaoqi gets 800, Jiang Tianhao gets 1000. And Ye Bai says he has his own cash flow. As for me, I'm leaving it in your hands," Lin Miaomiao explained.
Wang Shengnan raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Ye Bai has his own income?"
Lin Miaomiao nodded. "Yes, because he was the top scorer, the school awarded him 500,000, and he invested it."
"I didn't expect Ye Bai to be investing already," Lin Dawei remarked.
Wang Shengnan nodded in agreement. "Let's get back to discussing my allowance," Lin Miaomiao reminded them.
"I'll give you 300," Wang Shengnan offered.
"And what about you, Dad?" Lin Miaomiao turned to her father.
"He won't give anything," Wang Shengnan interjected before Lin Dawei could respond. "300 is enough."
"Dad—"
"What more do you want?" Wang Shengnan interrupted her daughter. "Just two days ago, my colleague's child went for dental care. I'll take you for dental care too, and then spend so much money on it that you won't ask for money anymore," he teased mischievously.
Lin Miaomiao's face scrunched up in annoyance as she looked at her mother before grabbing her bag and storming off to her bedroom.
"Miaomiao, let me help you," Wang Shengnan called after her, following her daughter into her room.
...
As the students gathered near the school bus, excitement buzzed through the air like electricity. It was the day of the much-anticipated field trip, and everyone was eager to embark on the adventure ahead.
Among the bustling crowd, Lin Miaomiao searched for Ye Bai, hoping to sit beside him during the journey. However, her plans were disrupted when Deng Xiaoqi, with a sly grin, approached her, batting her eyelashes in a coquettish manner.
"Hey, Miaomiao, let's sit together on the bus, shall we?" Deng Xiaoqi suggested, her tone sweet and persuasive.
Though Miaomiao secretly wanted to sit beside Ye Bai, she found herself agreeing to Deng Xiaoqi's proposal, not wanting to disappoint her friend. With a forced smile, she nodded in agreement.
Ye Bai, observing the interaction, simply smiled and made his way to the other side of the bus, understanding Miaomiao's willingness to accommodate her friend's request.
As the bus rumbled to life and the journey began, Miaomiao couldn't help but steal glances at Ye Bai from across the aisle, silently wishing she was sitting beside him. Yet, despite her longing, she plastered on a smile and engaged in lively conversation with Deng Xiaoqi.
After a while, Deng Xiaoqi couldn't resist the lull of the bus's gentle motion and drifted off to sleep. Lin Miaomiao, on the other hand, decided to open a bag of potato chips, stealing occasional glances at Ye Bai, who was also dozing off at this point. Suddenly, she noticed Teacher Tian Shanshan sitting in front of Ye Bai, alongside Teacher Tang Yuanming.
"It's so noisy, it's giving me a headache," Teacher Tian Shanshan remarked, noticing Tang Yuanming engrossed in playing games on his phone. "Are you still in the mood to play games leisurely?"
"We're on an outing, so we should be cheerful," Tang Yuanming responded casually.
Lin Miaomiao remembered what her Aunt Dingnan had said about keeping an eye on the women around her Uncle. She tried to eavesdrop on their conversation, straightening her posture and calling out to Teacher Tian. "Ms. Tian, Ms. Tian, would you like some chips?" She offered, holding out the bag.
Teacher Tian Shanshan quickly removed her earphones upon hearing Miaomiao's voice. "No, thanks," she declined politely.
Quickly seizing the opportunity, Miaomiao chased after Teacher Tian before she could put her earphones back in. "Why are you riding on our class's bus?" she inquired.
"What?" Tian Shanshan raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Why are you riding on our class's bus?" Miaomiao repeated.
"Why can't I ride?" Tian Shanshan countered.
Miaomiao simply smiled. "I was just asking. Why don't you ride on your own class's bus?"
Tian Shanshan shook her head and replaced her earphones. "You should mind your own business," she replied curtly.
"Lin Miaomiao, it's not just one teacher who can ride on a bus. Sometimes, buses get crowded quickly because of the number of students. So, Ms. Tian and some students fill up empty spaces," Tang Yuanming explained.
Meanwhile, Ye Bai woke up amidst the ongoing conversation around him.
"Oh!" Lin Miaomiao nodded in understanding.
"Later on, only ask things you should ask. Don't ask things you shouldn't," Tang Yuanming reminded, returning his attention to his phone.
Lin Miaomiao nodded in acknowledgment.
"Why did you have to answer her?" Tian Shanshan questioned Tang Yuanming.
"Lin Miaomiao is my niece," Tang Yuanming replied, his focus still on his phone.
"Huh?" Teacher Tian removed her earphones, surprised.
"Lin Miaomiao is my niece," Tang Yuanming reiterated.
Upon hearing this, Tian Shanshan paused, turning to look at Lin Miaomiao.
Quickly trying to diffuse the tension, Lin Miaomiao offered some food to Ye Bai. "Ye Bai, do you want some?" she asked, her laughter sounding awkward as she felt Tian Shanshan's gaze on her.
Ye Bai accepted some of the snacks, easing the awkwardness that Lin Miaomiao felt.
...
As the bus descended to Qiolong Mountain, the highest peak in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, Lin Miaomiao couldn't help but react, "Wow, it's a little cold," she exclaimed, feeling the chill in the air. She was wearing a dark blue t-shirt and couldn't help but notice Deng Xiaoqi's attire—a black polo shirt and miniskirt—as she hugged herself against the cold.
"Do you have extra clothes?" Lin Miaomiao asked Deng Xiaoqi.
"No," Deng Xiaoqi replied, shivering slightly.
"What will you do then?" Lin Miaomiao asked, beginning to untie the long sleeve shirt she had wrapped around her waist.
"Don't mind me. Just wear your own clothes," Deng Xiaoqi insisted.
"If you won't wear it, then neither will I—" Lin Miaomiao started to say before Ye Bai intervened, taking Lin Miaomiao's sweater and giving it to Deng Xiaoqi. "Wear this," he instructed.
"What about Miaomiao?" Deng Xiaoqi asked.
Ye Bai then took out a red sweater. "Wear this, Miaomiao," he said.
Lin Miaomiao quickly took Ye Bai's sweater and put it on, blushing slightly as she caught a whiff of his scent on the fabric.
Deng Xiaoqi also wore Lin Miaomiao's sweater, feeling a bit warmer now.
Lin Miaomiao couldn't help but notice the bag Ye Bai was carrying. "Ye Bai, why did you bring a tent? We're supposed to be staying in a hotel."
"Oh, didn't you read the itinerary? It clearly states that you can bring a tent. There's a specific spot allocated for campers," Ye Bai explained patiently.
Deng Xiaoqi and Lin Miaomiao exchanged a guilty glance. They hadn't bothered to read the itinerary thoroughly; instead, they had simply passed it on to their parents for a quick signature.
Glancing around, they noticed that some students had indeed brought tents with them.
"Alright, let's keep moving," Ye Bai remarked, observing that some students had already begun heading towards the entrance.
"Hey, look, isn't that Haozi?" Lin Miaomiao exclaimed, pointing towards Jiang Tianhao, who was waiting with his classmates.
With curiosity piqued, Ye Bai, Lin Miaomiao, and Deng Xiaoqi made their way over to Jiang Tianhao.
"Haozi, Brother!" Lin Miaomiao exclaimed, running up to him and giving him a high five.
"Brother Miao!" Jiang Tianhao reciprocated the high five, then took off his sweater and gave it to Liang Yunshu.
Liang Yunshu accepted it with a smile.
Lin Miaomiao smiled as she watched them, "Wow, Yunshu, you're really pampered by Haozi."
Liang Yunshu just laughed and looked at Jiang Tianhao lovingly.
Deng Xiaoqi couldn't help but notice what was happening and couldn't resist glancing at the sweater she was wearing.
"Okay, students! I have three reminders for you," Zhang Rongbao's voice boomed. "First: Safety. Second: Safety. Third: Safety."
The students chuckled.
"Follow the coach who is handling your group and don't stray from the group," Zhang Rongbao reminded them.
