Chapter 80: Journey to Heron City [3]

Su Han was at the front, outlining all the details and precautions for the upcoming event. Meanwhile, Yan Yu, his head propped lazily on one hand, tilted his neck to look at Yang Xuefei. “Feifei, are you going?”

“Why do you ask me?” Yang Xuefei replied warily.

“We’ve been desk mates for so long—don’t you know me by now? Of course I want to protect you. Just think, when we head out into the wild, anything could happen in the wilderness, and that’s when you’ll need a strong desk mate to look after you,” Yan Yu grinned. “If you’re not going, then neither am I. I’m already tired of mountains and rivers. What’s the point of an outdoor activity without a beauty like you?”

Yan Yu’s words left Yang Xuefei both exasperated and amused. “Luckily, it’s not this weekend; I was planning to get away for a bit anyway.”

“What does the weekend have to do with it?”

“This weekend I’m going to Egret City for a banquet. I heard my idol will be there. I’m going to get his autograph and take a photo with him!”

Her eyes turned to hearts, practically beating out of her chest. Yan Yu finally understood the meaning of a young girl’s heart.

After Su Han finished her announcements, she began the English lesson. As soon as Yan Yu heard her start teaching, drowsiness overtook him—soon enough, he was sprawled over his desk, snoring softly.

He slept straight until dusk. When Yan Yu awoke, the classroom was empty except for Su Han sitting right in front of him.

“Huh?” Yan Yu mumbled, still half-asleep.

“Is my class really that boring?” Su Han asked.

He shook his head, finally coming to his senses. “No, it’s not the lesson. It’s just that whenever I see you, Teacher Su, I get sleepy.”

“You big-headed fool!” Su Han smacked him hard on the forehead with her finger. Yan Yu grumbled, “Are you misunderstanding me again?”

“And you blame me?!”

“Ahem…”

“Wake up. I need to ask you something,” Su Han said, her expression turning serious.

Yan Yu immediately straightened, fixing his eyes on hers. “Don’t bother asking. I loved you—once.”

“Go to hell!”

After a thorough beating that left Yan Yu’s face bruised and swollen, he sat up properly before Su Han. As she massaged her reddened knuckles, she said, “Do you have any plans this weekend? Could you accompany me to Egret City?”

“I do… but why are we going to Egret City?” Yan Yu rubbed the swelling on his head, not daring to joke around any longer.

Su Han sighed. “You saw it last time—the family butler came looking for me, wanting me to go back for my grandfather’s eightieth birthday. I didn’t want to go, but in his letter, my grandfather wrote that his health has been declining these past years and he might not have long left. He really hopes to see me at the celebration this year, so…”

“Filial piety comes first. Of course you should go!” Yan Yu grinned wickedly. “With you gone, I’ll take care of Qingqing.”

“Let me finish!” Su Han glared at him. “My grandfather isn’t a bad man—he’s spoiled me since I was little. But perhaps because he’s getting older, he’s obsessed with finding me a good match. He’s been pressuring me to get married these last few years. If I go back, he’ll definitely try to introduce me to a bunch of wealthy young men. I don’t like any of them.”

“So you want me to pretend to be your boyfriend?” Yan Yu cut in. “What a cliché plot—I'm ready to play my part.”

“…So, will you go to Egret City with me?” Su Han asked with a hint of grievance.

Yan Yu rubbed his panda eyes. He had a premonition that if he refused now, he might not make it home alive.

So he could only nod. “Alright, but what about Qingqing and Dahei? Are we leaving them at home?”

“I already talked to Qingqing. She can look after herself and Dahei,” Su Han replied.

Yan Yu’s eye twitched. That woman, Zhao Qingqing, was probably eager for him and Su Han to get together. She’d probably sneak some… ‘protection’ into his backpack before they left.

“So, when do we leave?” he asked, resigning himself to fate. Since disaster couldn’t be avoided, maybe this was a good chance to visit Egret City—and if possible, he could finally thank Ouyang Sheng in person for his help last time.

To his surprise, Su Han answered, “Right now.”

“What?” Yan Yu was stunned. “I didn’t bring my ID card!”

“I knew you’d say that, so when I took Qingqing home, I grabbed your ID as well,” Su Han snickered. “By the way, the photo on your ID is really ugly.”

…

Yan Yu silently packed his things, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and followed Su Han out of the classroom.

As soon as they stepped outside, they saw Fatty and Hao Zhuang squatting near the door.

“What are you two doing here?” Su Han asked.

“Uh… We’re voting for our idol…” Fatty’s lie was obvious.

But Su Han couldn’t be bothered to argue. “Make sure you go home soon.”

“Yes, Miss Su, goodbye! Bye, boss!”

Fatty and Hao Zhuang watched as Yan Yu and Su Han walked away, then exchanged shocked looks. Fatty said in awe, “Did you see that, Big Guy? Miss Su actually took Boss’s ID to get a room together…”

“No wonder he’s our boss! I admire him so much!” Hao Zhuang saluted in the direction Yan Yu had left.

…

Egret City lies on the southeastern coast of China, home to the famous scenic spot Gulangyu Island—a paradise for artistic youth, where dreamers can be found on every street corner.

The high-speed train from Rong City to Egret City takes only two hours. As the city lights sped by outside the window, Yan Yu found himself feeling a pang of homesickness—not for Rong City, but for Mount Emei, where he grew up.

“When we get off the train, we’ll head straight to my house. After you meet my grandfather, just nod and agree to everything—don’t say a word. If he asks about you, say you’re from Yanjing, your parents are just ordinary workers, you finished your doctorate at eighteen, started your own business, and now you run a listed internet company…”

Su Han chattered on and on, giving Yan Yu a headache. “Why is it so complicated…”

“My grandfather likes ambitious young men. As for your family background, as long as you’re not a criminal, he doesn’t care. He always told me growing up, ‘When you pick a boyfriend, don’t worry if his family is rich or not—no one will ever be richer than ours anyway…’”

“So that’s the principle of a family with real money?” Yan Yu couldn’t help but envy such a bold standard for choosing friends.

“Just do as I say. If all goes well, we’ll celebrate his birthday tomorrow and be back in Rong City by nightfall.”