Chapter Twenty-Four: Spring Outing

Today dawned bright and clear, the morning sun already casting radiant light as I rose. It was the perfect day for a spring outing—how I longed to exclaim as much, yet, curled in the shade of my umbrella, I felt unworthy to do so. I laughed at myself and lowered the brim of my sunhat.

"Miss, are you sure you want to go?" Ang asked, worry in his voice.

"Of course. I promised Xingyu. If I don't go, I'll regret it," I replied, smiling through the burning pain on my skin. I was used to it now; even under the sun’s searing rays, I could still muster a smile.

My bright smile was met with Ang’s deep sigh.

"Nana!" Amid the crowd, Le Xiaoyou waved at me and called out loudly. Thanks to today’s excursion, we didn’t have to go to class; instead, we gathered at the school gate.

I turned toward her voice and saw Le Xiaoyou, clad in a pale green T-shirt and jeans, waving at me with delight. Beside her stood Xingyu, smiling in a crisp white shirt. And of course, there was Mo Chen, dressed in black sportswear, acting as our porter.

Braving the sun, I kept my smile as I walked over. "Xingyu, Xiaoyou," I greeted them, naturally ignoring Mo Chen as usual.

"Lilith, good morning. Are you feeling alright?" Xingyu asked, concerned, seeking final reassurance.

"Don't worry, I'm fine," I answered with a smile and a shake of my head. It was just a bit of burning; nothing I couldn’t handle.

"Nana, you brought so much luggage!" Le Xiaoyou exclaimed as she stared at the enormous suitcase Ang carried.

Her words reminded me of Ang packing earlier. Despite my repeated requests, we’d managed to reduce the luggage by two-thirds for this trip, but the remaining bags still filled a massive case, nearly one and a half meters long and a meter high. Ang held it effortlessly.

"These are the essentials for Miss's daily life," Ang replied coldly before I could speak.

Mo Chen, standing to the side, paled at the sight of Ang’s enormous luggage. He had volunteered to help carry our bags, but that suitcase looked like a crushing burden even for him.

"You don't need to worry about my luggage. Ang is more than enough," I said coolly to Mo Chen, who seemed to be steeling himself for the task.

His expression, a mix of embarrassment and relief, was rather amusing.

As we chatted, the school bus rolled up, and we boarded, heading toward our destination.

Stepping off the bus, the first sensation was intense heat. It hadn’t seemed so hot inside, but now, under the near-noon sun, even the shade of my umbrella felt insufficient; my body felt ready to ignite. How vexing—just a bit of sunlight, and yet I refused to yield. I clenched my fists and endured. Ang, holding the umbrella behind me, watched with worried eyes.

"Ah, the air is so fresh!" Le Xiaoyou, following us off the bus, stretched and sighed in admiration.

"It is. The scenery here is lovely," Xingyu glanced around at the lush landscape. Tender new leaves, barely budding in early spring, exuded vitality. Wildflowers, their names unknown, dotted the grassy fields, swaying gently in the breeze.

"It really is beautiful," I smiled at Xingyu. Just sunlight—today, I would overcome it for them, I silently vowed.

"Finally here," Mo Chen, the last of our group, stepped off the bus. Though he should have been on the deluxe bus with the first class, he’d somehow ended up on ours, now carrying bags for three people as he followed behind.

"You may move about freely for now. We'll gather later for lunch," the homeroom teacher called from behind.

"Miss, shall we rest in the shade of the trees?" Ang suggested, glancing at the nearby woods.

"Yes, yes! The midday sun is fierce; it's really scorching," Le Xiaoyou said, pushing her small parasol under Ang's umbrella to create an extra patch of shade above me, complaining good-naturedly. She was saying it for my sake, I knew.

"It is hot. Let's take shelter in the shade," Xingyu agreed.

I nodded, accepting their kindness, and whispered so softly only I could hear, "Thank you." With Xingyu and Le Xiaoyou’s concern, the sunlight overhead suddenly seemed less oppressive.

"You all go rest; let me handle the tent and everything," Mo Chen declared, pounding his chest in assurance—his own way of caring for me.

"Alright, we'll leave it to you," Le Xiaoyou replied cheerfully.

"Don't worry, I have plenty of experience pitching tents," Mo Chen said confidently.

Seated beneath the trees, feeling the caress of the breeze, and looking at Xingyu beside me, I was filled with warmth. I wished this moment could last forever and silently prayed for it.

"Xingyu, Xiaoyou," after a quiet while, I spoke to them.

"Nana, what's wrong?" Le Xiaoyou asked.

"You don’t have to stay here with me. Go explore and enjoy the outing; it would be a shame to waste it," I said to both Xingyu and Le Xiaoyou.

Xingyu listened, said nothing, and gently shook her head.

"Nana, it’s alright. We’re friends," Le Xiaoyou looked at me earnestly.

"Yes, I understand," I said, leaving it at that. We were friends, so I had nothing to feel guilty about. Between friends, there was no need to say sorry. I contentedly basked in the warmth of the moment.

"Miss, would you like lunch now?" The pleasant time passed quickly; in what seemed like an instant, it was time to eat.

"Yes. Xingyu, Xiaoyou, let’s have lunch together," I invited them.

"Lilith, now that you mention it, I am feeling hungry," Xingyu smiled.

"Me too, me too! Let’s eat, let’s eat—lunch time!" Le Xiaoyou cheered.

"Looks like I arrived just in time. Mind if I join you?" Mo Chen, having finished setting up the tent, returned to the grove.

"Of course, you’re very welcome," Xingyu replied with a smile.

"Great! I’m exhausted—if I don’t eat soon, I’ll starve," Mo Chen said, sprawling out in the shade.

And thus, our spring outing began. This excursion would become a turning point for the relationships among Xingyu, Le Xiaoyou, Mo Chen, and myself. The wheels of fate begin to turn unnoticed, guiding us toward an unforeseeable future.