My Years as the Pure Love Interest at the Noble Academy

According to the previous game's agreement, the winner would decide the destination of their post-graduation trip, and the one with the decision-making power was naturally Xu Che.

Later, Xu Che casually asked Song Yi where she wanted to go.

Song Yi thought seriously for a moment, her gaze falling on the surrounding urban skyscrapers, and suddenly she felt a bit dazed.

She said she wanted to go to the countryside, with its simple houses and ponds, and the chickens, ducks, and geese raised by the elderly. It was the place where she grew up as a child.

When everyone was bumping along the road in an expensive luxury car, Murong Huan wore an expression of utter despair as she looked at Xu Che in the driver's seat and asked, "How much longer until we get there?"

Xu Che's answer was always the same two words: "Soon."

Which was as good as saying nothing.

Hang Feng also frowned and asked, "Where exactly are we going?"

This time, Xu Che simply didn't respond.

"Why is it such a secret? Why all the mystery?" Shen Yujing chimed in, then rummaged through his bag and pulled out two preserved plums. He handed one to Song Yi and was about to unwrap the other when he noticed Quan Le's pleading gaze.

Quan Le stretched out a hand, his face twisted in pain, and said word by word, "Give it... give it to me... ugh—"

Murong Huan, sitting next to him, clutched her chest, her expression also turning pained, and she quickly snatched the plum from Shen Yujing's hand and shoved it into Quan Le's mouth.

However, eating a single preserved plum wasn't going to do much for Quan Le, who suffered from severe motion sickness.

He couldn't take it anymore and slowly raised a hand, saying, "Stop the car! Stop the car!"

The car pulled over to the side of the road.

The road seemed to have been built just a few years ago, but it was clear that the materials used were of poor quality, as it was still quite bumpy.

Wildflowers and weeds lined the roadside, and not far away, simple houses came into view.

Song Yi crunched the candy in her mouth, already realizing what their final destination was.

Quan Le staggered out of the car, leaning on the door for support, and then pulled an electric scooter out of the trunk.

Everyone: "..."

Sitting on his little electric scooter, helmet securely fastened, Quan Le finally felt like the air in the world had become fresh again.

Murong Huan: "..."

So that's why, even though Xu Che was driving, Quan Le had insisted on bringing his own car—it was because of this electric scooter.

Quan Le called out to Murong Huan, "Want to hop on the back?"

Murong Huan simply rolled up the window, which was answer enough.

Who would want to ride on the back of such a dinky little scooter? It wasn't cool at all! Maybe if Quan Le learned to ride a motorcycle, then they could talk!

The Quan family's luxury car continued moving forward, while the young master Quan Le himself rode his little electric scooter, following at a steady distance like a little tail.

After a few more minutes of driving, the others also began to sense that something was off.

Murong Huan was the first to speak up, "What kind of place is this? It looks so run-down."

Shen Yujing looked out the window at the houses and said, "It's strange. This place doesn't look very wealthy, but why does every household live in a villa? They're just a bit small, though."

Seeing the completely clueless expressions on everyone's faces, Song Yi said, "This is the countryside."

Jiang Yiheng adjusted his glasses and asked, "Why did we come here?"

Murong Huan added, "Yeah, there are so many cities and countries we could have traveled to. What can we even do here?"

Murong Huan wasn't very fond of this place because she had brought two whole suitcases of pretty clothes, all ready for photo ops. But coming to a place like this... her plans seemed unlikely to pan out.

Xu Che kept his eyes on the road and said calmly, "You've been to all the bustling commercial streets in the world, all the so-called tourist hotspots. You've seen all the beautiful scenery. What's the point of going to those places again?"

What he said wasn't wrong, but still...

Murong Huan pressed him, "Then what's the point of coming here?"

Xu Che shot back, "Have you ever been to a place like this?"

Murong Huan was taken aback for a moment, then shook her head and replied, "No."

Xu Che said, "That's why you're here."

Murong Huan: "!!!"

It sounded like she didn't quite get it, but at the same time, it made a lot of sense!

So she turned to Song Yi, deep in thought, and said, "I feel like Xu Che just talked me in circles."

"He's not wrong," Song Yi smiled softly and said to Murong Huan, "Places you haven't been to, sights you haven't seen—those are the ones you should go see."

Shen Yujing directly told Murong Huan, "Why are you overthinking it? Didn't we agree to let Xu Che decide? You win some, you lose some. Even if this place has no meaning, since Xu Che won, if he wanted to ride a merry-go-round at an amusement park for three days, we'd have to follow."

Murong Huan was stunned for a moment, and her gaze toward Shen Yujing shifted slightly as she said, "Wow, Shen Yujing, you actually made a smart point for once?"

Shen Yujing grinned and continued, "Mainly, I can't figure out why we're here either. If you can't figure something out, don't waste your brainpower trying."

Murong Huan: "..."

She took back her earlier compliment about Shen Yujing being smart.

About half an hour later, the car finally stopped in front of a house.

It was a three-story self-built villa in the countryside, with a fairly large yard enclosed by a tightly shut iron gate.

Shen Yujing was the first to get out of the car, curiously examining the house, then looking back at the small convenience store across the street and the chickens and ducks in front of it.

He bent down and even reached out to pull at the dogtail grass on the ground, as everything here was new and fascinating to him.

Though he still didn't understand why they had come here, Shen Yujing found everything interesting, even the dogtail grass.

The others also got out of the car one by one.

Quan Le's little electric scooter slowly caught up and stopped at the gate. He looked around at the surroundings with some surprise and said, "So this is the kind of place it is."

Xu Che took a key out of his pocket and unlocked the gate.

In the corner of the yard were cages containing chickens, ducks, and geese.

At the edge of the yard were the bathroom and kitchen.

Going up the steps led to the main hall.

Xu Che said, "There are four rooms on the first floor and three on the second. Take a look and pick your keys."

Everyone gradually picked their keys.

Song Yi and Murong Huan took rooms on the second floor, while Hang Feng, Jiang Yiheng, and Quan Le chose the first floor.

Xu Che held a key for the first floor in his left hand and one for the second floor in his right. He looked at Shen Yujing and asked, "Which one do you want?"

Shen Yujing hesitated.

Of course, he wanted to stay next to Song Yi, but he also saw Song Yi holding up a finger, subtly hinting that he should choose the first floor.

That made sense. Before coming, Song Yi had specifically reminded him not to get too close to her during this trip and to act as they had before.

Shen Yujing could understand. After all, they had just transitioned from friends to lovers, and this shift in their dynamic would take time. Otherwise, the others might feel awkward.

But if he didn't stay on the second floor, that would mean Xu Che would.

So Shen Yujing smiled and said to Xu Che, "Let's share a room."

Xu Che: "?"

Song Yi: "..."

Of course, Xu Che understood what Shen Yujing meant, so he chose the first floor.

When he saw Shen Yujing inexplicably squeezing into his room, Quan Le: "?"

"Is this really necessary? It's just being on the same floor, not even sharing a room," Quan Le said, utterly baffled, clutching his pillow tightly.

Shen Yujing snatched the pillow from Quan Le's hands and said, "It is necessary. You don't have a girlfriend, so you wouldn't understand."

Quan Le: "...?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Was that a personal attack?

The two of them then started fighting over the only pillow until a knock came at the door, and Xu Che's voice sounded from outside, "If you're done packing, come out."

Shen Yujing and Quan Le exchanged a glance and, with some semblance of understanding, simultaneously let go and stood up.

In the living room, everyone gathered around the table, except for—

Quan Le asked, puzzled, "Where's Murong Huan?"

Song Yi pointed toward the yard.

Everyone looked over to see Murong Huan, who had initially been disdainful about coming here, now happily holding a bamboo winnowing basket and scattering corn kernels on the ground to feed the chickens.

Her pink hair was tied up high, with a headband across her forehead, and the sleeves of her sun-protective jacket were rolled up. It looked like she had instantly adapted to the environment.

Everyone: "..."

Shen Yujing stroked his chin, still unable to comprehend what he was seeing, and said, "Why does she look so happy?"

Quan Le paused for two seconds before replying, "Maybe this is her true nature."

Xu Che said, "There are a lot of vegetables growing in the yard. Everyone, pick some to prepare for dinner."

"Got it," everyone nodded in unison, then took baskets and gloves from Xu Che.

While the others were picking vegetables, Murong Huan was busy herding chickens.

While the others were sorting vegetables, Murong Huan was chasing ducks.

While the others were busy chopping and washing vegetables, Murong Huan suddenly let out a scream: "Ahhhh!"

Everyone turned their heads toward the entrance, only to see Murong Huan being chased around the yard by a goose, screaming continuously as she ran.

Quan Le immediately rushed out, shouting, "Don't be afraid! I'll protect you!"

One minute later.

The two of them started running together, yelling, "Help! Help us!"

"Aren't you going to save them?" Shen Yujing asked in disbelief, looking at everyone.

The group fell silent.

Unable to stand by any longer, the loyal Shen Yujing grabbed a kitchen knife and strode out, declaring, "I'm coming, bro! We're having goose for dinner tonight!"

Two minutes later.

Shen Yujing turned around and started running back, screaming, "Help! Song Yi! Xu Che! Help me!!!"

Xu Che calmly lowered his head and continued washing vegetables, his disdain evident on his face, showing no intention of helping.

Jiang Yiheng and Hang Feng exchanged glances, both feeling utterly speechless and exasperated by the chaotic scene unfolding before them.

Song Yi: "..."

Useless! Absolutely useless!

Seeing that Shen Yujing was about to bring the goose back with him, Song Yi had no choice but to pick up another kitchen knife.

Five minutes later, the goose lay peacefully on the chopping board, looking quite serene.

Shen Yujing wiped away nonexistent tears, clasped his hands together, and said, "Rest in peace."

Quan Le also put on a mournful expression and said, "You suffered in this life. I hope you can find peace in the next and live a good life."

Murong Huan, however, sneered, "Serves you right for bullying me!"

Song Yi: "..."

Could the three of you tone down the drama to match the size of your courage?

Hang Feng had already quietly distanced himself from the trio.

Xu Che, meanwhile, picked up a green onion, dipped it in water, and flicked it at Shen Yujing's face.

Shen Yujing, now drenched, spat out, "...Pfft!"

Furious, Shen Yujing demanded, "What was that for?"

Xu Che replied with a straight face, "To ward off evil spirits, so the goose's ghost doesn't haunt you."

Shen Yujing: "...?"

Since when does a wet green onion ward off evil spirits? Can you stop saying such nonsense with such a serious expression?