“Alright, gather up! Everyone gather up!”
The class monitor was shouting through a large megaphone, directing the students to form a square formation after getting off the bus. She waved the itinerary in one hand, trying to herd the scattered students like a brood of chicks, while Monkey worked hard beside her to keep them contained.
Bai Shi followed Pei Cangyu as soon as they stepped off the bus, but others crowded in behind them, pushing Bai Shi toward the back. The group eventually formed several columns, leaving Bai Shi two people away from Pei Cangyu.
“Next, we’ll be moving in groups. You can walk around the area, but don’t go past the hilltop. Once you’ve formed a group, report to the vice monitor. Since our tents are two-person units, it’s best to pair up now—these will also be your roommates for tonight. We’ll gather back here at 11:30 AM for lunch.” The monitor raised her voice again. “I’ll emphasize this once more: this isn't the deep wilderness, so don't go off on any 'expeditions.' This is a developed recreational area with nothing particularly special. Don’t run off too far. You’ll have a chance to play in the afternoon, but stay close…”
Apple shook his head and nudged Pei Cangyu. “The monitor is so naggy for someone so young. What do you think, Pei Cangyu?”
Pei Cangyu winced from the nudge and pushed Apple away. “It’s because you guys never listen. Otherwise, would she have to work this hard?”
Airplane immediately began making faces. “Oh, damn! Look at him, speaking up for her already. Ooh-la-la…”
Pei Cangyu shoved him. “Get lost.”
Pi Gou pulled them apart. “Groups are forming.”
Apple waved a hand dismissively. “Let’s just split up among ourselves then.”
Bai Shi watched from a distance as they casually formed groups; Pei Cangyu was paired with Airplane. He didn't move. Some people were wandering around, and even a few bold girls came over to invite Bai Shi to join them, but he shook his head, saying he was already paired up.
He kept his eyes on Pei Cangyu.
Sure enough, Pei Cangyu suddenly stopped and slapped his forehead. “Bai Shi!”
He craned his neck, looking around for him. After spotting Bai Shi two people away, he waved him over. “Hey, come here! Why did you run off over there?”
Bai Shi walked toward him. Before he even reached him, Pei Cangyu reached out and slung an arm around his shoulders, announcing to the others, “I’ll be with Bai Shi then. Airplane, you go find Monkey.”
Airplane was tilting his head back to eat a jelly snack. He swallowed and nodded.
The monitor announced at the front that it was time to collect the tents. Pei Cangyu slapped Bai Shi on the back. “Let’s grab a good one!”
“Grab?”
As if a whistle had been blown, the various groups surged forward, everyone trying to pick the newest-looking tent from the folded piles. They swarmed the area in a chaotic rush.
The monitor froze for a moment before snapping at Monkey. “How many times did I tell you? We distribute them one by one according to the list! Why did you let them just take them?!”
Monkey scratched his head. “We didn't have enough hands…”
The monitor was so angry she grabbed Monkey by the collar and shook him. “Then distribute them slowly!” She sat down, clutching her head, and muttered to herself, “Not a single man can be relied upon…”
Airplane chimed in from the side. “Exactly! Right on! Monkey, you’re really unreliable. Don’t you feel ashamed?”
Monkey glanced at him. “Where’s your tent?”
Airplane grinned shamelessly. “With you as the vice monitor, would I ever have to worry about not having a tent?”
Monkey spread his hands. “This is when being a class officer comes in handy. I’m not planning to fight for one. I’ll just take whatever’s left.”
Airplane jumped up. “Not a single man can be relied upon!”
The monitor stood up again, looking at the commotion in the distance, and turned on her megaphone. “Everyone, stop grabbing! We will distribute them systematically. Those who took one must bring it back…”
The students immediately voiced their dissatisfaction, protesting loudly. The scene was quite ugly.
The monitor was frantic. Despite her best efforts, she was being undermined by her "pig teammates." She glared at Monkey again.
Monkey realized his mistake this time and spoke to the monitor in a placating tone. “Calm down, calm down.”
With that, he stood on a high platform and shouted, “Pei Cangyu! Pei Cangyu!”
Pei Cangyu was currently inspecting the new tent he had snatched while Bai Shi assisted him by wiping down the poles.
Hearing Monkey call him, Pei Cangyu looked up. “What the hell are you shouting for? What is it!”
Monkey called out again, “Come help!”
Pei Cangyu walked over reluctantly.
Bai Shi stopped what he was doing and watched as Monkey spoke to Pei Cangyu with a pleading expression. Pei Cangyu looked lazy and uninterested until the monitor said a few words. Suddenly, Pei Cangyu turned serious, listening intently and nodding repeatedly as if receiving an important command.
Bai Shi watched as Pei Cangyu walked back and hoisted their tent onto his shoulder.
“Where are we going?” Bai Shi stood up to follow.
Pei Cangyu didn't look back. “Returning the tent.”
Pei Cangyu then stood at the very front, put his tent back, and began hollering at the whole class to do the same. He didn't even need the megaphone; his voice was loud enough on its own as he bellowed.
The students were still disgruntled, but before long, they complied.
The monitor and Monkey were busy collecting the tents while Pei Cangyu stood on the high point like an overseer.
Bai Shi looked at the three of them, his gaze finally landing on the monitor—he hadn't really paid much attention to her before.
***
When Bai Shi went back to the bus to pack his things, Pei Cangyu followed him, his eyes bright. Holding a map he had acquired from somewhere, he pointed to a lake and said, “Let’s go here!”
Bai Shi glanced at it.
Pei Cangyu pointed again. “Let’s go, let’s go. None of the others want to go; they have zero spirit of adventure…”
Bai Shi paused and took the map. “Did you ask them first and only come to me because they said no?”
“…” Pei Cangyu rubbed his nose. “I haven't asked them yet.”
Bai Shi looked up at Pei Cangyu, who was clearly talking nonsense. Pei Cangyu averted his eyes.
Bai Shi looked over the map for a moment while Pei Cangyu waited quietly. As he waited, Pei Cangyu started to feel uneasy. *Does it really matter who I asked first? Is Bai Shi a bit too easy to upset?*
Bai Shi folded the map and handed it back. “Fine. But take some stuff out of your bag; you don't need that much.”
Pei Cangyu beamed as soon as he agreed. “Ok, ok.”
As the two of them headed down with their backpacks, they saw two girls trying to hook something out of a tree. They were jumping up and down, their faces flushed.
Pei Cangyu asked casually, “What’s up?”
The girl he addressed froze, her face turning even redder. She turned and avoided his gaze when she saw it was Pei Cangyu. Bai Shi recognized her immediately—it was Qi Shuo.
Qi Shuo seemed unable to speak, but her friend walked over as soon as she saw Pei Cangyu. “Oh, perfect timing! Our shuttlecock got stuck in the tree. Help us get it down!”
“Impressive, bringing a shuttlecock.” As Pei Cangyu spoke, he tossed his backpack to Bai Shi. Bai Shi reached out to catch it, but he hadn't expected it to be so heavy. He wobbled as he caught it, stepped on a loose stone, slipped, and landed on his butt with a thud.
It gave Pei Cangyu a fright.
Pei Cangyu laughed as he came over to help him up. “Man, you really are something.”
Bai Shi’s temper flared again, and he brushed off Pei Cangyu’s hand.
Just then, Liu Yaosheng and Tang Qi passed by. Seeing Bai Shi on the ground, they reached out and helped him up. Tang Qi looked at Bai Shi’s dirtied pants and then at Pei Cangyu. “Student Pei really should study hard so he can hire a professional bag-carrier in the future—the kind you actually pay.”
Pei Cangyu’s face stiffened.
Liu Yaosheng gave Pei Cangyu a cold look before turning to Bai Shi. “Are you okay? Do you need to see a doctor?”
Bai Shi shook his head.
Liu Yaosheng asked again, “We’re going to buy some bread. Do you want to come with us?”
The implication was that she could rescue Bai Shi from his current predicament.
To Bai Shi’s surprise, before he could answer, Pei Cangyu grabbed him and pulled him to his side. He looked at Bai Shi, his eyes screaming *‘Hurry up and reject them!’* yet Pei Cangyu still didn't dare to confront the two girls directly.
So, Bai Shi turned to them and said, “No, thank you.”
Perhaps it was a connection between top students, but they spoke smoothly, bid each other a harmonious farewell, and went their separate ways.
Only then did Pei Cangyu breathe a sigh of relief. He picked up a branch and, with a few quick movements, hooked the shuttlecock down for Qi Shuo and her friend.
Qi Shuo murmured a thank you. Her friend asked the two of them, “Are you guys planning to go somewhere?”
Pei Cangyu grew excited at the mention of this. “I have a map. There’s a lake on it. That map… Hey, where’s my map?” He felt around his person but couldn't find it. He looked at Bai Shi. “Is the map with you?”
Bai Shi nodded.
“Give it here.”
Bai Shi threw Pei Cangyu’s backpack back to him and shouldered his own. “Let’s go, before we have to gather again.”
He left Pei Cangyu and the two girls staring at each other. Finally, Pei Cangyu scratched his head awkwardly. “Uh, Monkey seems to have more maps. If you want to come, you can go find him and take a look…”
Then he turned and jogged to catch up with Bai Shi. The more he thought about it, the more he felt Bai Shi had embarrassed him in front of the girls. He gave Bai Shi’s backside a light kick.
To his shock, Bai Shi spun around and threw a punch straight at Pei Cangyu’s face.
Pei Cangyu took the hit, the shock outweighing the pain. He clutched half of his face. “…What are you doing…” Realizing his voice lacked authority, he raised it. “What the fuck are you doing!”
Bai Shi himself was a bit stunned. He didn't know why he had struck out. Maybe it was because Pei Cangyu kicked him; maybe it was because he had listened to Pei Cangyu and rejected the others, but Pei Cangyu wouldn't listen to him; maybe it was because Pei Cangyu’s refusal to let him go with the others wasn't for any special reason, but simply because Pei Cangyu didn't want to be alone—if Qi Shuo and her friend were willing to go with him, then it wouldn't matter to Pei Cangyu where Bai Shi went…
Pei Cangyu had already squared up, thinking they were probably going to have another fight. He didn't know why, but it seemed like a fight was happening.
Bai Shi lowered his hand and glanced at Pei Cangyu. “Sorry. Let’s go.”
With that, he started walking forward again.
Pei Cangyu found it utterly bizarre. *What was that? What was any of that?*
He stood there for a moment. Seeing Bai Shi walking further away, he thought to himself, *Dammit, whatever, he apologized. Forget it.* He chased after him.
They didn't speak until they reached the lakeshore. Along the way, Pei Cangyu occasionally stole glances at Bai Shi’s expression.
Bai Shi noticed. He realized that his mercurial personality was a heavy burden for Pei Cangyu, though Pei Cangyu himself didn't seem to have realized it yet.
Bai Shi wanted to talk more, or smile more, but he didn't know what to say, and Pei Cangyu could actually see through his fake smiles at a glance.
“Whoa!” Pei Cangyu cried out when he saw the lake.
The lake was about the size of a sports field, nestled amidst layers of forest. A "No Swimming" sign stood nearby. The water was as blue as a gemstone. The calm surface only rippled in the far distance, the waves dissipating before they could reach the center, like the tail end of a sound that fades before reaching the ear, leaving everything in absolute silence. The deep blue water almost seemed to glow with a faint luminescence. The sun reflected off it in dazzling spots of light, forcing anyone who looked to shield their eyes. Embedded in this brown and green woodland, it looked like a secluded paradise from a fairy tale—perhaps the place where the sun and moon slept when they weren't in the sky.
Pei Cangyu walked over with a look of wonder. He bent down to look at the water and cautiously reached out to touch it, disturbing the stillness and sending out a long string of ripples.
His eyes lit up, and he turned to wave at Bai Shi. “Come here, come here!”
Bai Shi walked over and pulled Pei Cangyu back as he heedlessly leaned toward the water. Pei Cangyu couldn't stop staring at his own reflection. “Holy crap, this could practically be a mirror…”
Bai Shi set down his backpack and sat on the ground. The sun beat down on him. He squinted as he watched Pei Cangyu kneeling by the lake, rolling up his sleeves to test the depth. Pei Cangyu’s rear was stuck in the air as he strained to reach down, his feet nearly lifting off the ground.
Bai Shi watched him. Pei Cangyu leaned closer and closer to the water, but he didn't stop. The patch of earth his feet were hooked onto was already becoming loose.
The "Human Observer" thought to himself: *Pei Cangyu really is a master at getting into trouble.*
The earth gave way with a snap. Just as Pei Cangyu was about to tumble into the water, Bai Shi lunged upward, grabbed the back of Pei Cangyu’s shirt, and yanked him back.
But Pei Cangyu felt no post-scare fear at all. He held up a bit of mud on his fingertip. “Hehe, I think I touched the bottom. It doesn't seem that deep.”
Bai Shi glanced at him. He should have let him sink a bit further.
They sat side-by-side by the lake. Pei Cangyu was braiding grass and proudly told Bai Shi, “Ma Hua specifically taught me how to do this.”
Bai Shi looked at it coldly. “What’s there to learn about that?”
Pei Cangyu shook the braided grass in his hand. “Do you know how?”
“If I learned, I’d definitely be better at it than you.”
“Ha!” Pei Cangyu picked up a few more blades of grass. “I’ll teach you right now. If you can’t do it, you… you…”
“I what?”
“We’ll see… anyway, you won’t be able to!”
Bai Shi mimicked Pei Cangyu’s movements and tried it out. To be honest, this kind of braiding was something anyone with hands could learn. Ma Hua must have taught Pei Cangyu the simplest method she could think of.
“Ha! No, that’s wrong!”
Pei Cangyu reached around his shoulders, effectively pulling Bai Shi into his arms. He held Bai Shi’s hands with his own, guiding him through a correct step, and then led him through an incorrect one.
But Bai Shi didn't notice any of that. He only felt Pei Cangyu’s breath against his neck.
Bai Shi’s hands and feet went cold. He subconsciously ground his teeth. When he turned his head, he saw the blood vessels in Pei Cangyu’s thin neck pulsing under the sunlight.
Pei Cangyu’s mind wasn't on this at all. He let go of Bai Shi. “Sigh, why isn't it working…”
Bai Shi dropped the grass and grabbed Pei Cangyu’s wrist. He stared into Pei Cangyu’s eyes and leaned toward him.
Pei Cangyu backed away blankly. “What now? What is it this time? Hey…”
Bai Shi seemed to lose himself. He felt like he might want to bite Pei Cangyu, but he wasn't sure. He had to get closer first. Getting closer meant… closer…
“Found you!!”
A voice came from behind them. Bai Shi retreated instantly, like a nocturnal animal exposed to light. Pei Cangyu, who had been oblivious to the situation the entire time, turned his head and saw Qi Shuo and her friend.
The girls waved at Pei Cangyu. “We came to see the lake too!”
Pei Cangyu loved a crowd. He stood up. “Hurry up, hurry up! Did anyone bring a camera?”
The group gathered together, their noise filling the lake with endless ripples.
Bai Shi’s head began to ache again. His teeth felt very uncomfortable, so he ground them once more.
***
