Chapter 116: Going on a Trip
Extra Chapter 7

Fan Jun sat under the umbrella at the shop entrance and opened a freshly delivered cardboard box. Inside was a new steering wheel cover that Zou Yang had just bought.

They had already picked up their new car, which was parked in the commercial city’s parking lot. For the past few evenings, he and Zou Yang had been driving on the highway for a while to break in the car. They were planning a self-driving trip for the May Day holiday with Liu Wenrui and the others.

The car drove smoothly, but Zou Yang felt the steering wheel was uncomfortable to hold, so he bought a cover.

Fan Jun originally thought he could just take it to the car and put it on, but after receiving the package, he discovered it was made of leather and came with needle and thread.

It had to be sewn.

Fan Jun glanced at the time. Zou Yang didn’t have class right now.

He took a photo and sent it to Zou Yang.

[Fan] Teacher Zou
[Fan] Do I need to sew this thing?
[Zouyang] Didn’t they send it already sewn? Why is it a half-finished product?
[Fan] If it was already sewn, how would I put it on?
[Zouyang] Oh…
[Fan] ?
[Zouyang] Then you sew it.

Fan Jun checked the contents of the package. The accessories were quite complete, even including a thimble.

…Then he’d sew it.

Teacher Zou was busy now, so the preparation work for the trip would have to be done by him, the idle one.

He stood up, told Xiao Yang a quick note, took the package, and went to the parking lot.

There were many cars in the parking lot, but no matter where he and Zou Yang parked their new car, Fan Jun could spot it immediately. To distinguish it from the many black, white, gray, and red cars, he had specifically chosen night-glow blue.

He originally wanted Zou Yang to pick the color, but Zou Yang refused.

Teacher Zou had a strange conviction: he insisted that choosing the car and paying for it were all things he had to do himself.

Even picking up the car, Fan Jun had brought it back himself.

Fan Jun smiled, opened the door, and got into the car.

The little gadgets inside the car were all chosen by Zou Yang: this steering wheel cover, floor mats, and even the small plaque hanging from the rearview mirror.

White chocolate base, with words written in black chocolate.

From now on, a smooth road.

Zou Yang had made this at a handmade workshop, recommended to him by one of his students.

It was very similar to the previous chocolate plaque taken from the cake, but the words on this one were handwritten by Zou Yang himself—very beautiful.

When Zou Yang returned to the shop, Xiao Yang was cleaning up and getting ready to close.

“Where’s Fan Jun?” Zou Yang asked.

“He said he went to the parking lot,” Xiao Yang said. “To work on that steering wheel cover.”

“…Still working on it now?” Zou Yang was stunned.

“He came back to the shop to eat in the middle,” Xiao Yang, confused by Zou Yang’s question, replied. “Is it that difficult?”

“I’ll go check.” Zou Yang turned around, preparing to go to the parking lot.

“Have you eaten?” Xiao Yang asked. “Brother Fan bought sandwiches. Do you want one?”

“Yes.” Zou Yang immediately reached out. “No need to heat it.”

The sandwich was a bit small. He finished it in a few bites.

It felt like he hadn’t eaten at all.

When he walked to the parking lot, Zou Yang still felt very hungry.

There were still quite a few cars in the parking lot, but Zou Yang didn’t need to look for it. Only one car had its lights on.

He walked over quickly and saw Fan Jun sitting in the driver’s seat, head bowed, his nose almost pressed against the steering wheel.

This person’s ear still hadn’t recovered. Zou Yang had already reached the car door, Fan Jun had the window open, but he hadn’t heard.

Finally, when his shadow flickered, Fan Jun turned his head. Seeing Zou Yang, he smiled: “Off work, Teacher Zou?”

“Why did it take so long? Is it very troublesome?” Zou Yang leaned on the roof and looked inside.

The steering wheel cover was mostly on, but Fan Jun was still holding a needle and thread.

“I sewed almost half of it before I found the instruction manual. Then I looked at the manual and realized I sewed it wrong,” Fan Jun sighed. “Wait a bit. I’m almost finishing the closing.”

Zou Yang leaned closer and stared at his hands: “Let me see your fingers.”

“A little bit rubbed,” Fan Jun didn’t show him his fingers, only demonstrated. “When you pull this thread…”

“Let me see.” Zou Yang interrupted him.

Fan Jun sighed and held out his left index finger in front of him.

The side of his fingertip was a bit red, with a small blister.

“Damn,” Zou Yang frowned. “I should’ve just let you go to any shop and have someone else do it.”

“Doing it yourself is more fun.” Fan Jun said.

“Wipe it.” Zou Yang said.

“What?” Fan Jun looked at him.

“Wipe your fingers.” Zou Yang said.

“Can’t you see clearly? Maybe you should wipe your lens instead.” While saying this, Fan Jun still opened the wet wipes on the passenger seat, pulled one out, wiped his hand, and held his finger out in front of him again. “Can you see clearly now?”

Zou Yang didn’t speak. He leaned forward and bit his finger.

Fan Jun froze. First, he quickly glanced out the window, then tried to pull his finger out.

Zou Yang immediately tightened his grip, biting his finger without letting go.

“What are you doing?” Fan Jun asked.

Zou Yang still didn’t make a sound. He lightly licked the tip of his finger.

“…Zou Yang,” Fan Jun looked at him. “There’s surveillance in the parking lot.”

Zou Yang smiled, half his body leaning through the window into the driver’s seat. He let go of his finger, turned his head, and looked at him: “What, Master Fan is afraid the security guard will see?”

Fan Jun looked at him. After a while, he also smiled: “What am I afraid o—”

Before Fan Jun could finish, Zou Yang leaned over and kissed his lips.

His hand slid down along Fan Jun’s chest, reaching under his waistband.

“Mm!” Although Fan Jun’s mouth was lost in lust, his hand hadn’t been swept off by lust. He grabbed Zou Yang’s wrist.

This position, with Zou Yang’s ribs caught in the car window, wasn’t very comfortable either. Reluctantly, he let go of Fan Jun and pulled his body out of the window.

“Did your needle stab me?” Zou Yang wiped his mouth and noticed Fan Jun was still holding that needle.

“If it stabbed you, wouldn’t you feel it?” Fan Jun laughed.

“Who knows? When I’m overcome with lust, I can’t think about anything…” Zou Yang walked to the back seat and opened the door. He had already seen two large bags on the back seat. “What did you buy?”

“Snacks.” Fan Jun said.

“Five adults are going on a self-driving trip, not our school’s spring outing with students.” Zou Yang opened the bag and looked inside. He felt like Fan Jun had been pulling snacks off the supermarket shelf in order. “This is so much. Even Xiao Bai won’t be able to eat all of this.”

“You’re a child in my eyes.” Fan Jun said.

Zou Yang tilted his head and looked at him.

“Xiao Bai has his own snacks. This bag is yours,” Fan Jun said. “The bag next to it is for those three.”

Zou Yang laughed: “Is there none for yourself?”

“I’ve quit snacks.” Fan Jun said.

“Don’t I need to quit?” Zou Yang asked.

“Your face has already gotten a whole circle thinner. You don’t eat regularly either,” Fan Jun said. “Now that we’re going out to play, eat whatever you want.”

“They’ll definitely fight for mine.” Zou Yang rummaged through the bag of snacks.

“Probably not,” Fan Jun smiled. “Aren’t they all adults?”

Liu Wenrui’s car suddenly accelerated from behind and pulled up beside their car. Zhang Chuanlong’s head stuck out of the passenger window. At the moment of overtaking, he pointed at Fan Jun and shouted: “Stop the car!”

“What’s he shouting?” Fan Jun asked.

“Telling us to stop.” Zou Yang said, smiling.

“What for?” Fan Jun looked at Liu Wenrui’s car ahead, which had already pulled over to the roadside and flashed its hazard lights a few times to slow down. He also pressed the brake.

“Stealing food.” Zou Yang said.

“We’ve only just gotten off the highway…” Before Fan Jun finished speaking, the car ahead had already stopped by the roadside.

Liu Wenrui and Zhang Chuanlong got out, one on each side, and walked toward their car, looking quite fierce.

“Crazy,” Zou Yang laughed while opening the car door and shouted. “Robbing you three? Your skills are a bit weak!”

Xiao Bai stuck his head out of the rolled-down back window and barked a few times at them.

“Then let’s beg. Xiao Bai, be good…” Liu Wenrui was very adaptable. “Brother Fan, what food do you have in your car? Have pity on us. Share some.”

“Where’s yours?” Fan Jun got out of the car.

“Eaten all.” Zhang Chuanlong said.

“…Teacher Li doesn’t look after you? We’ve only been out for less than three hours,” Zou Yang was shocked. “Such a big bag.”

“Teacher Li is sleeping on the back seat,” Liu Wenrui said. “He hasn’t woken up since getting on the car. He’s not here to play; he’s here to catch up on sleep.”

“Their school is too competitive. High pressure,” Zhang Chuanlong made a couple of “tss” sounds. “We said at the beginning for him to come to the middle school with me, but he wouldn’t…”

“Don’t talk about work,” Liu Wenrui patted the car roof. “Begging for food is begging for food.”

“What’s wrong? The only unemployed person, afraid you won’t have common language with us?” Zhang Chuanlong opened the bag, rubbed Xiao Bai’s head, and took out a pack of soda crackers and several packs of duck feet.

He held each one in front of Xiao Bai for inspection.

“With your top-tier language artistry, haven’t you been complained about by parents?” Liu Wenrui looked at him.

“I just won third place in the school’s ‘Most Popular Young Teacher’ competition.” Zhang Chuanlong said.

“There are only three young teachers in total,” Liu Wenrui said.

“You’re jealous of me.” Zhang Chuanlong said.

“I’m jealous of your appetite,” Liu Wenrui carried a bunch of food. “Let’s go!”

Of the four dorm mates, only Liu Wenrui had never had a job. He hadn’t figured out what he wanted to do and had been in a state of confusion.

Fortunately, his family didn’t pressure him. They gave him a card with the lucky money his parents had saved for him from childhood until now. Before spending it all, he could take his time being confused.

Liu Wenrui wasn’t in a hurry. He stayed confused until the very end, then started considering whether to accept Zou Yang’s invitation to work as a planner at the calligraphy and painting institute.

“Did he agree to go?” Fan Jun started the car and followed Liu Wenrui’s car.

“More or less,” Zou Yang yawned. “A few days ago he told me he’d try working there for two months after the holiday.”

“He should be able to do it well.” Fan Jun said.

“Mm,” Zou Yang nodded. “Don’t look at how unreliable he seems normally. When it comes to serious matters… sometimes he’s not reliable either…”

Fan Jun couldn’t help laughing.

“Damn,” Zou Yang laughed at himself too. “I mean, if you really give him something to do, he’ll take it seriously and do it well.”

“After all, he’s a friend you’ve played with since childhood.” Fan Jun said.

“Mm,” Zou Yang looked at the car ahead. “But it’s a bit strange. Usually when I’m at work, I feel like an adult. But when I’m with them, I feel like a student again.”

“That’s normal,” Fan Jun said. “Even now… I still wouldn’t dare talk back to Lu Ze unless I’m really backed into a corner.”

Zou Yang looked at him and smiled.

“What?” Fan Jun asked.

“Jun,” Zou Yang reached out and hooked his chin. “You’re really cute.”

Driving out to play with two cars felt different from driving with one car.

There was a strange sense of liveliness.

Occasionally making phone calls to discuss the route, occasionally stopping by the roadside as a group to look at the scenery. Compared to just two people, one car, and one dog in the world, it seemed to add a bit more connection with the outside world.

After dark, they found a small roadside restaurant to eat. With such a big group, no one had to worry about being ripped off. Liu Wenrui and Zhang Chuanlong directly blocked the kitchen door, watching the chef stir-fry.

Zou Yang sat beside the table, watching the video of Dahei that He Lu had just sent. The cat had been staying at her place these days. Right now, Dahei was sleeping soundly on his back with all four paws in the air.

“Is Dahei getting older? Why does he sleep so much?” Zou Yang patted Xiao Bai’s head, who was sitting beside him. The corners of Xiao Bai’s mouth were already a bit whitened.

“Cats love sleeping anyway,” Li Zhiyue yawned. “Dahei is only a few years old.”

“Are you going to die next semester when you teach the third year of high school?” Zou Yang looked at him.

“Ah,” Li Zhiyue smiled. “Die then. Dying from exhaustion is the worst.”

“According to Liu Wenrui’s plan, we’ll arrive at the destination around 5 AM tomorrow, then immediately start playing,” Zou Yang said. “Can you make it?”

“If the sleeping god like you can, why can’t I?” Li Zhiyue said. “I’ve basically slept through the whole trip already.”

“I’m getting up at 6:30 every day now.” Zou Yang made a “tss” sound.

“Come on. Your carbon-based alarm clock won’t even get you up if you skip one day.” Li Zhiyue said.

Zou Yang glanced at Fan Jun and laughed: “Damn.”

After eating, everyone continued into their cars to travel. Fan Jun stopped Zou Yang, who was about to drive: “I’ll drive. You sleep for a while.”

“I’m not sleepy now.” Zou Yang said.

“Sleep a bit,” Fan Jun said. “I’m afraid you won’t have fun tomorrow. Aren’t we going rafting? If you fall asleep halfway and fall into the water, I’ll have to fish you out. I’m very bad at swimming.”

“Damn it.” Zou Yang didn’t insist anymore and smiled as he got into the passenger seat.

He didn’t feel sleepy at first, but after getting in the car, within a few minutes of the car shaking as they left this small town, he fell asleep.

When he woke up again, Fan Jun had already stopped the car, and he wasn’t in the driver’s seat anymore.

Zou Yang sat up and looked out the window. He realized it wasn’t dark yet… That didn’t make sense. When they left after dinner, it was already completely dark…

Now it should be just starting to dawn… Damn.

Zou Yang opened the car door and jumped out.

Fan Jun, with Xiao Bai, was standing beside Liu Wenrui’s car at the back. Everyone had gotten out of their cars. Among all the people and dogs, only Zou Yang had just woken up.

“What’s wrong?” He quickly walked over and asked.

“We’ve arrived.” Fan Jun said.

“Huh?” Zou Yang was stunned. “Arrived where?”

“Arrived at your school,” Liu Wenrui said.

“Damn it,” Zou Yang cursed, then looked around. It was a two-lane road, with mountains and wasteland on both sides. No other cars, and no people.

“Okay, see the sign, go forward one hundred meters, right?” Li Zhiyue was on the phone nearby. “Yes, yes, we’ll be there right away. Sorry for the trouble… Yes, we brought a dog. We mentioned it before. Yes, it’s a Doberman… Okay, okay, thank you.”

“The homestay has someone coming to pick us up and take us in,” Liu Wenrui said.

“Let’s go,” Li Zhiyue finished his call and pointed forward. “Go a little further and you’ll see the sign for Hongye Town. Then go another hundred meters and turn right at the intersection. They’ll have someone come out to meet us.”

Everyone got back into their cars. After driving a short while, they saw the sign that said “Hongye Town Welcomes You.” Then houses started appearing along the roadside. After turning right, it was the road into the town.

There were several large signs along the roadside, printing the town’s attractions and tourist routes.

In the distance, there were stars of light scattered everywhere, extending all the way to the farthest half-mountain.

“Damn,” Zou Yang said. “This town is not bad. I wasn’t really interested at first, even though Liu Wenrui insisted on coming here… Why didn’t we book a homestay on the mountain?”

“He booked what they call one of the top ten or excellent homestays here. Said it has many good reviews,” Fan Jun said, pointing across the road. “Isn’t that the homestay person?”

Someone was riding a motorcycle over. When they were about ten meters away, the motorcycle flashed its lights at them and honked once.

Liu Wenrui honked back.

The motorcycle pulled up beside Liu Wenrui’s car. A man in his twenties looked into the car: “Mr. Liu?”

“Yes.” Zhang Chuanlong answered from the passenger seat.

“Follow my car,” the man said.

“Okay,” Zhang Chuanlong stuck his head out and shouted to Zou Yang and the others. “Let’s go! Follow this curly-haired handsome guy!”

The “curly-haired handsome guy,” who had already turned around to lead the way, looked back at him. His face showed no expression.

“Idiot,” Zou Yang quickly rolled down the window. In his experience, most people with distinctive features—including but not limited to curly hair, glasses, fair skin, dark skin, fat, thin, short legs—didn’t like being called that directly.

He also shouted to the curly-haired handsome guy: “Thanks, bro! What’s your surname?”

“Chen,” the curly-haired man said.

“Trouble you to lead the way, Brother Chen! Thanks!” Liu Wenrui shouted from the front as well.

Chen twisted the handlebars, and the motorcycle drove forward.

The homestay was easy to find. Drive straight to the end of the road, at the foot of the mountain. From far away, you could see two characters on a white wall with warm yellow backlighting: Dayin (Great Seclusion).

During the May Day period, the streets on both sides were completely full of cars, let alone the homestay’s courtyard. Chen led them inside to the courtyard wall of a homestay.

“Park here.”

“Is this also your parking spot?” Li Zhiyue got out of the car.

“No,” Chen said. “But you can park.”

“Won’t there be any… disputes?” Li Zhiyue asked.

“No. Just enter through the back door in a bit,” Chen said, pointing to Dayin’s back door. “We have a dog in the backyard. If your dog doesn’t like other dogs, take the front entrance.”

“Our dog has a very good personality.” Zou Yang got out of the car, put Xiao Bai on the ground, and clipped on the leash.

Although it wasn’t even six yet, there were already quite a few people in the homestay. Those who had just arrived, those who woke up early. As they walked through the corridor, you could smell the scent of breakfast.

“That way is the restaurant,” Chen introduced. “You can go eat later. Breakfast is available until 10 AM.”

“Please register over here!” Someone shouted from the lobby.

Zou Yang turned and looked. He couldn’t help raising an eyebrow. A girl at the front desk was waving at them. Below her short sleeves was a floral tattooed arm.

The group walked to the front desk. The girl took their ID cards: “Several of you booked three standard rooms. The room with the dog has been arranged over there by the corridor. No problem?”

“No problem.” Fan Jun said.

“Breakfast is from 6 AM to 10 AM on the first-floor restaurant…” The girl leaned down and looked below the desk. “Wow, such a big dog. Handsome… Does it have one blind eye?”

“Mm. It was injured.” Zou Yang smiled.

“Very cool.” The girl glanced at Fan Jun’s face again. “We have a small local dog in the backyard. It’s quite well-behaved. If there are places you go to play these days where it’s inconvenient to bring your dog, you can leave it in the backyard. It’ll have a companion.”

Before Zou Yang could answer, the girl turned her head and shouted behind them: “Sanbing, help the guests take their luggage to the third floor!”

“Okayyy.” A man swayed over from behind. He waved his hand, snatched three suitcases from beside them, turned sideways, pulled the other two suitcases, and swayed toward the elevator.

“Wait a moment. The computer is a bit laggy today,” the girl said. “Please sit and rest for a while. The rooms are still being cleaned. It’ll be ready in half an hour.”

Zou Yang looked around. There was a coffee shop beside the side door of the lobby. He walked over there: “Come on, have a cup of coffee.”

“Brown sugar bobo,” Zhang Chuanlong immediately followed.

“Don’t steal mine.” Liu Wenrui said.

“Coffee shop? Brown sugar bobo?” Zou Yang was a bit speechless.

“Latte.” Li Zhiyue said.

“Flat white.” Liu Wenrui said.

“Latte.” Fan Jun also whispered in his ear.

“Don’t you get tired of drinking it every day?” Zou Yang asked, smiling.

“No.” Fan Jun said.

But it didn’t matter what they ordered. Except for a man leaning back on the sofa with his head up, sleeping, there was no one else in the coffee shop.

Just as the group was confused, Chen’s voice came from behind: “Want… coffee?”

“Yes.” Zou Yang answered and turned around.

Chen seemed a bit troubled. He glanced toward the front desk, then as if making a decision, walked behind the counter: “Only latte. Free.”

“What?” Zou Yang was a bit surprised.

“Mm,” Chen looked at the coffee machine. “I make it for free.”

Zou Yang looked at him, then glanced at the price list on the wall. There was still a certain difference between the listed price and “free.” He vaguely understood something.

“Did the barista not come?” he asked.

“Mm.” Chen replied.

“Can we… pay and then make it ourselves…?” Zou Yang asked. “We have a barista.”

Fan Jun turned and looked at him.

“Okay.” Chen walked out.

Fan Jun hesitated for a moment, went around behind the counter, washed his hands, and checked the machine that was starting up.

“Can you do it?” Zou Yang asked quietly.

“…Yes.” Fan Jun nodded.

“You guys make it yourselves,” Chen walked over to the sofa. He turned back and added one more instruction: “Don’t make it for other guests.”

“Okay.” Zou Yang replied.

Chen walked over to the man sleeping on the sofa and kicked his foot: “Don’t sleep here.”

“You…” The man opened his eyes, stared at him for a few seconds, sighed, got up, and walked out of the coffee shop. “Okay, Manager Chen.”

“Guests can’t rest for a while?” Liu Wenrui couldn’t help asking.

“That’s our boss.” Chen said.

“…Oh.”

After kicking the boss out of the coffee shop, Manager Chen didn’t leave either. He stood beside the counter, watching Fan Jun make coffee.

Zou Yang was leaning on the counter, intently watching Fan Jun. Suddenly having someone else watch with him made him a bit uncomfortable. He couldn’t help turning his head and looking at Manager Chen.

“It’s against the rules,” Chen said. “I have to watch. Consider this his interview right now.”

“…Oh.” Zou Yang didn’t dare say anything more.

“Manager Chen,” Li Zhiyue sat on the sofa behind. “We also booked white-water rafting. What time is best to go?”

“As soon as you finish check-in, go. If you wait longer, there will be more people. Queuing starts at 8 AM.” Chen took a flyer from the counter and handed it to Li Zhiyue. “After rafting, you can follow the recommendations on this, go see that ancient village, and have lunch there. There are local specialty dishes.”

“Okay.” Li Zhiyue took the flyer.

Only after Fan Jun finished making coffee for everyone and they started drinking did Manager Chen walk out of the coffee shop.

“This homestay is quite interesting.” Liu Wenrui drank the coffee.

“Who’s going rafting alone in a bit?” Zhang Chuanlong asked.

“Why would anyone raft alone?” Zou Yang didn’t understand.

“You two, double,” Zhang Chuanlong gestured. “The three of us… isn’t that one extra?”

“Which rafting ride only has double boats!” Liu Wenrui looked at him. “We three! One boat! Stop always comparing yourselves to couples.”

Zou Yang and Fan Jun didn’t sit in a double boat either. They also sat in a three-person boat, with a seat for Xiao Bai.

Manager Chen’s recommendation to come at this time was correct. By now there were already quite a few people, but no queuing was needed, and they could still choose life jackets.

“Who starts first?” Liu Wenrui was frantically putting on his life jacket, afraid that if he moved too slowly, there would be too many people and the rafting wouldn’t be fun.

“We.” Zou Yang waited for Fan Jun to fasten Xiao Bai’s life jacket, then led Xiao Bai toward the boat. “Xiao Bai, you sit behind me later… No, you sit… at the very back… seems inappropriate too…”

Fan Jun whispered close behind his ear: “It’ll be in front. You hold it. I’ll be behind you.”

“I want to sit at the bow,” Zou Yang turned his head and whispered.

“Next time, little sister.” Fan Jun said.

Zou Yang paused, then couldn’t help laughing: “Why?”

“Then I can hug you,” Fan Jun still spoke very quietly. “If you’re in front, I can only hug Xiao Bai. It can’t be at the very back, or it’ll fall off…”

“Okay.” Zou Yang nodded.

Xiao Bai had never played in water before, but when getting on the boat, he was very calm. He sat properly in the front position, with his front legs spread apart, looking quite imposing.

Several tourists nearby came over and took photos of him.

After Zou Yang and Fan Jun sat down, Fan Jun, in front of other tourists, didn’t dare openly hug Zou Yang. He just gently placed his hand on Zou Yang’s side.

The boatman shouted: “Let’s go!”

The rubber boat suddenly surged forward with the water. Fan Jun immediately gave up on restraint and hugged Zou Yang’s waist.

“Scared?” Zou Yang asked.

“A little,” Fan Jun said in his ear. “Never done this before.”

“Me neither,” Zou Yang said. “We’re the same.”

“Mm.” Fan Jun smiled.

The boat quickly drifted out. At first it was relatively calm, but before Fan Jun could even see the scenery around him, the waterway ahead suddenly disappeared.

“We’re about to go down a drop,” Zou Yang said, one hand holding Xiao Bai’s chest harness, the other hand at his mouth. “Hold on tight.”

“Mm.” Fan Jun tightened his arms.

“Turn around!” Came Liu Wenrui’s excited shout from behind. “I’m filming. Turn your heads and look at us.”

“Turn what!” Fan Jun hugged Zou Yang tighter. There was no seatbelt on this boat either. Forget turning around; it was already good if he didn’t fall out while rushing down.

Liu Wenrui was still shouting something, but he couldn’t hear clearly. The bow suddenly sank down, and then there was a feeling of lifting off the water, as if airborne.

Zou Yang put his hand at his mouth and blew a loud whistle as the boat rushed down the small waterfall.

Xiao Bai also let out a wolf howl, something rarely heard.

Fan Jun closed his eyes.

Even though he was already Teacher Zou, Zou Yang hadn’t changed at all in this regard.

Still the same pervert who made his eyes… and ears light up.

And he even drove his dog crazy.

The small waterfall wasn’t very high. The moment the boat was airborne, it fell back into the water. Splashes of cool water sprayed all around, sparkling with fine fragments of light under the rising sun.

“Grab the paddle,” Zou Yang said, picking up the paddle at his feet.

“Mm.” Fan Jun kept his left arm around Zou Yang’s waist without letting go and picked up the paddle with his right hand.

“Avoid the rocks ahead,” Zou Yang directed.

From behind came the chaotic screams of Liu Wenrui and the others.

Zou Yang turned his head and looked. Their boat had gone down the small waterfall sideways. This was just the beginning. All three of them were already completely soaked.

Before departing, they were asked if they wanted raincoats. They had all confidently said no, not wanting to affect the filming effect.

Who could have thought that five minutes later, the photographer Liu Wenrui, holding the action camera, was already wet to the hair.

But he was still very professional. As soon as the boat stabilized, he immediately pointed at Zou Yang and Fan Jun: “Don’t move! Just like that, turn your heads and look at us.”

“Want to watch us bathe?” Zou Yang asked.

“Be civilized!” Liu Wenrui shouted. “I’m recording video! What is this? You’re a homeroom teacher, you know!”

Zou Yang laughed uncontrollably, leaned back against Fan Jun’s shoulder.

“Don’t relax too much,” Fan Jun said. “You can’t swim either, right?”

“Mm? No,” Zou Yang rested his head on his shoulder and turned his head. “The water is so shallow. If we fall, Xiao Bai can fetch both of us.”

“You should confirm that with him first,” Fan Jun raised the paddle and pushed against the mountain wall beside them, pushing the boat away from the edge. “In his whole life, he’s only ever fetched Dahei…”

“Don’t be afraid,” Zou Yang reached back and touched Fan Jun’s thigh. “I can fetch you too.”

“Teacher Zou,” Fan Jun looked at him. “There are people behind us…”

“They’re all our own people. They’re sick of watching us already.” Zou Yang smiled, his hand continuing to touch without stopping.

“Early morning…” Fan Jun said.

“Early morning is exactly when we’re full of energy.” Zou Yang said.

Fan Jun didn’t speak. The hand hugging his waist suddenly loosened, slid over his lower abdomen, and went downward.

“Hey!” Zou Yang suddenly sat straight up, pressing his voice. “What are you doing?”

“Full of energy,” Fan Jun said.

“Damn.” Zou Yang laughed, pulled his hand back, leaned against him again, and sighed.

The boat dropped down two more levels. The group shouted a couple more times. After the three people on the boat behind them took two more “baths,” the water flow began to calm down.

According to the introduction they had seen earlier, this calm stretch of water wasn’t long. After merging with another mountain stream, it would become rapid again.

Zou Yang adjusted his posture, taking advantage of this short “elderly rafting” section to enjoy himself.

“You can camp here too?” Fan Jun looked at a slightly farther area. There were some scattered tents there.

“Better to sleep indoors. Easier to do whatever.” Zou Yang said.

“What are you thinking about in that brain?” Fan Jun said, smiling.

“Thinking about things we could think about when we were young and strong.” Zou Yang looked at the large patches of grass on the shore. The sun had risen a bit higher, slowly blanketing the distance with light. Staring at it for too long made him feel a bit dizzy.

“You can think about it even when you’re old.” Fan Jun said.

Zou Yang laughed: “I really never knew you were this improper behind the scenes.”

“Depends on who you’ve been with for a long time.” Fan Jun smiled.

Zou Yang didn’t speak. He gently let out a breath and looked at the sky.

Fan Jun took out his phone, held it up, and took a photo of the two of them. Then he took another photo that included the three people behind. Then he started tapping on his phone.

Zou Yang tilted his head and looked at Fan Jun’s screen.

Fan Jun opened a map, kept zooming in, zooming in, until finally he found the location of Hongye Town. He marked a small box on the stream by the mountain and wrote the date.

“What are you recording?” Zou Yang asked.

“Recording the places we travel to each time.” Fan Jun said.

“You’re quite romantic, brother.” Zou Yang said.

“I wasn’t like this before,” Fan Jun looked back at the people behind him, then turned back and quickly kissed Zou Yang’s forehead. “It’s because I’ve been with you for a long time.”

Zou Yang took his phone and looked at the map: “We can mark a few more places this summer.”

“Mm.” Fan Jun nodded.

“Every ten years… no, every five years,” Zou Yang looked at the map. “We can go through all the marked places again.”

“Okay,” Fan Jun nodded. “That’s quite a big project.”

“We’ve got a whole lifetime.” Zou Yang said, smiling.