As soon as Qiao Rui heard that they were going out to play, he immediately became spirited and asked, "Is it organized by the school?"
"Yeah."
"Then let's go out of town to play. I'm tired of Changwan."
Yu Na chuckled, "Beauty, our budget is limited. We can only stay in Changwan."
"Ugh...boring. Forget it, you can figure it out yourself."
Yu Na ignored him. "I think going to the museum would be best. I've always wanted to go."
Qiao Rui deflated like a ball, "Damn, even more boring. Listen to me, some people simply aren't interested in museums. You have to choose a place most people would enjoy, at least outdoors."
"Then think about it some more. I'll take another look too. We can discuss it during tomorrow afternoon's class meeting."
...
Yu Na left her things at Yunwan Hotel. After eating, she and Qiao Rui went back together to pack up and return to No.1 Huating.
But when they first arrived home, they discovered the lights were on.
Could it be Xiao Chen had returned?
Yu Na hurriedly peeked inside.
Actually, after finding out last Saturday that Xiao Chen was away on a business trip, her heart had felt empty.
She hadn't seen him for over a week already.
"Is my brother back?"
Yu Na appeared calm on the surface, shaking her head, "Don't know."
Qiao Rui was in his room studying. Yu Na went back to help him pack things up.
When she was nearly done, Qiao Rui suddenly came in and lowered his voice, "Teacher Yu, I think my brother is drunk."
"Huh?"
After Yu Na finished packing, Qiao Rui pushed her out of the bedroom, "I'm scared of drunkards. Go take a look!"
"..."
Upon hearing the word "drunkard", Yu Na's body trembled.
The embarrassing scene of her getting drunk flashed through her mind again.
She gingerly knocked on Xiao Chen's door. According to Qiao Rui's description, she had imagined he would be incoherent.
But she had just knocked twice when Xiao Chen opened the door.
He had just gotten out of the shower. His fair skin was tinged pink, a white towel hung around his neck, and his half-dried hair still had droplets of water.
He wore a pure black T-shirt and pure black shorts. Broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His arms bulged with veins and his muscular, streamlined figure was taut.
Although he had showered, there was still a faint scent of wine on him.
Unlike usual, Xiao Chen didn't ask "What do you want?", that question she never knew how to answer.
Instead, he silently stepped aside for her to enter the room.
Yu Na's heart inexplicably beat faster. Her gaze dodged about furtively. "When did you get back?"
"Just now. Where did you guys go?"
"Qiao Rui said he wanted Western food, so I brought him."
"Did you pay?"
"Yeah."
Xiao Chen leaned against the desk. "How much? I'll reimburse you."
"No need," said Yu Na. "Some students were spreading rumors about me last week. Qiao Rui helped clarify things once, so I should treat him as thanks."
Xiao Chen's long eyelashes fluttered. He didn't speak.
He thought to himself, that kid really won big, benefiting from both sides.
He casually grabbed a bottle of mineral water from the desk, twisted open the cap, and drank two mouthfuls.
Yu Na couldn't help but glance up, noticing his Adam's apple bobbing over the little black mole on his neck.
Damn, how seductive.
She awkwardly changed the subject, "Did you drink alcohol?"
"Had some."
Yu Na frowned slightly and mumbled softly, "Just...some?"
"What?" He lowered his head. His eyebrow raised teasingly, his gaze filled with amusement, his voice low, "Don't want me to drink?"
She lowered her head, "No."
"Alright—" He dragged out his voice, "I'll drink less from now on."
"..."
Seeing Yu Na silent, Xiao Chen unwillingly pleaded in a coaxing tone, "Okay?"
Yu Na's face was bright red. She really couldn't withstand his gentle voice.
She was even more certain he had drunk too much. Because he would never speak to her this way normally.
So she also played along with this drunkard, "Okay, drinking less is better for your health."
Xiao Chen chuckled softly, his voice lingering, "Okay, I'll listen to you."
"..."
Definitely drunk.
People really can be frightening when drunk.
In fact, Yu Na didn't even let Xiao Chen send her home. Before leaving, she knocked on Qiao Rui's door to remind him, "Remember to pick a spot."
Then she hurried away.
Qiao Rui: ?
After Yu Na left, he sidled up next to Xiao Chen and resentfully rebuked, "Bro, you're useless."
"What's wrong with me?" Xiao Chen turned serious again.
"I even locked my door and put on headphones to give you guys a chance. But that was it? Just that??!!"
"...", "F*ck your door."
"No, such a good opportunity! Teacher Yu even came in to take care of you, but you..."
At this point Xiao Chen was sober and rational, "Your brother is a human, not a beast."
"..."
He rubbed his hair, "What spot did she ask you to pick?"
"Oh, that's—" When Qiao Rui reached the key point he suddenly stopped. Spotting the mouse, an impish smile rose and he changed the subject, "Bro, my mouse isn't working well."
Xiao Chen readily agreed, "Alright, I'll get you a new one."
Only then did Qiao Rui continue his earlier words, "Sorry, I still haven't started choosing."
"..."
"You can't be planning to follow us, right?"
Xiao Chen: "I'm not that shameless."
...
However, Xiao Chen demonstrated taking things at face value to the extreme —
High school classes 2-3 decided on their field trip destination at the class meeting — Lingfeng Scenic Area.
It was a nice place for hiking, about a two hour bus ride there.
After getting this news from Qiao Rui, Xiao Chen immediately contacted his assistant Xiao Jiang.
Xiao Jiang was around the same age as Xiao Chen. Moreover, Xiao Chen himself wasn't pretentious, so his subordinates spoke quite casually with him.
That night, Xiao Chen sent Xiao Jiang a message: 【It's been awhile since our last company outing right?】
Xiao Jiang quickly replied: 【We organized a senior staff outing last weekend to Linzhou】
Xiao Chen: 【How come I didn't know?】
Xiao Jiang: 【You said you were staying home to watch your kid do homework】
Xiao Chen: "..."
Xiao Jiang: 【We all agree you're getting closer and closer to the perfect househusband image】
Xiao Jiang: 【You didn't even care about your brother before】
Xiao Chen: ?
Did he? He didn't know that.
Xiao Chen: 【Have I been too nice to you lately?】
Even through the screen Xiao Jiang felt killing intent and hurriedly changed his words: 【President Xiao, your order?】
Xiao Chen: 【Let's have a small company outing on Friday. You, Xiao Zhao, Wen Liang, notify them too. Family can come.】
Xiao Jiang: 【Yes sir. Do you have a destination in mind? Or should I arrange it?】
Xiao Chen: 【Lingfeng Scenic Area. Tally the number of people, then book a hotel for two days one night.】
Xiao Jiang: 【Understood.】
