12

 Jiang Nian was unaware of Lei Zhanxing's thoughts, and he also couldn't fall asleep easily.

He was assigned to share a room with his deskmate, which wasn't too bad, as the two were familiar with each other. His deskmate even volunteered to help Jiang Nian organize his clothes, but Jiang Nian refused, as he hadn't brought many things. After

putting his cup in the bathroom, Jiang Nian heard his deskmate call him. He went out and saw his deskmate standing at the door. The door opened, and Xu Haiyuan stood outside.

His deskmate said something to Jiang Nian and then went to pack his things. Jiang Nian walked to the door, leaning against the doorframe, not quite understanding why Xu Haiyuan wanted to see him.

Jiang Nian thought this, and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Surprisingly, Xu Haiyuan wasn't angry at all. Instead, his handsome face showed a hint of evasion. Xu Haiyuan pulled Jiang Nian aside and shoved the bag in his hand into hers, saying with a mixture of pride and dissatisfaction, "I washed your pajamas for you. I washed them all by hand, without using the washing machine. It's just... it's just that why did you make me wash those kinds of clothes? It's too personal. I know you like me, but you can't be too forward, you know? I should be the one to take the initiative. Since you've hinted at it this far, I'll take care of all your pajamas from now on. You're not allowed to let anyone else wash them, and don't give them to anyone else, understand?"

Xu Haiyuan's rambling was something Jiang Nian had gotten used to, but she still didn't really listen. Sometimes she didn't understand what Xu Haiyuan was saying, but what were those kinds of clothes?

Weren't they just pajamas?

Those kinds of clothes were actually underwear.

A small pair, pure white, without any extra decorations or patterns, very pure, yet very erotic.

Jiang Nian hadn't checked the clothes carefully when she collected them; they were tucked inside her pajama bottoms and given to Xu Haiyuan.

Although Xu Haiyuan was a rich young master, he wasn't inexperienced at washing clothes, but this was the first time he'd ever hand-washed them, and washing his beloved's underwear was an absolute first.

Standing in his dorm room, holding those underwear, he was enveloped in a pink aura; it's no exaggeration to say his cheeks instantly flushed red.

The small piece of fabric was smaller than his palm. Xu Haiyuan examined it from all angles, but unfortunately, it was very clean, without any suspicious water stains. Clearly, his wife was a clean freak.

Xu Haiyuan didn't know what he was regretting.

He stared at the underwear as if it were his own, as if it had just been worn a moment ago, still warm from the friction of her delicate skin—hot, fragrant… enticing Xu Haiyuan to abandon his pride and uncontrollably bury his handsome face in the underwear, taking a deep sniff.

An indescribable fragrance wafted over, subtle, a sweet and slightly fishy scent.

He could lick it.

He wanted to lick it.

In reality, there was nothing there; it was all Xu Haiyuan's imagination.

When Xu Haiyuan regained his senses, he had already subconsciously done those things.

What was he thinking? He wasn't thinking anything, only the image of Jiang Nian's sweet smile when she was being affectionate with him floated into his mind, involuntarily leading him to other things.

Like a pink flower bud about to bloom, or like a sudden storm, the rain lashed and swayed, finally landing on Xu Haiyuan's face.

The rain fell, covering his face.

He could only feel suffocation and the damp heat.

Thinking this, a flash of white light appeared in Xu Haiyuan's mind, and his white underwear instantly became stained.

Xu Haiyuan breathed heavily, but his heart felt empty.

Nian Nian…

my baby.

He longed to be intimate with Jiang Nian. But Jiang Nian wouldn't allow it, always only giving him a little bit of sweetness.

In a daze, those lotus-root-like jade hands stroked Xu Haiyuan's cheeks, little by little, as if comforting him, which made Xu Haiyuan rouse himself again.

Afterwards, Xu Haiyuan obediently squatted in the bathroom, washing his wife's clothes in a clean basin, especially her underwear, washing it again and again.

He finally hung it to dry, waiting to boast to his wife.

But before he could, they were caught up in a trip, so he carried it all the way, hoping to bump into Jiang Nian by chance, but he didn't see her. Finally, he asked his teacher about Jiang Nian's room at the hotel, and then rushed over to say what he thought were sweet words with a husband's authority.

He thought Jiang Nian would understand, but she didn't listen at all.

He didn't even look at the pajamas in the bag; he was too exhausted. Even if the bus seats were comfortable, he had been sitting all night. Jiang Nian gave Xu Haiyuan a perfunctory hug around the waist, showing a standard smile, "Thank you, Brother Xu, you're so kind. I'll come back to you again."

Then she released Xu Haiyuan and went into her room without hesitation, closing the door.

And Xu Haiyuan? Xu Haiyuan's romanticized view was too strong. He assumed Jiang Nian was embarrassed by his boldness and had shyly run back to her room. Xu Haiyuan chuckled foolishly a few times, then immediately straightened up after a passerby, coughed a few times, unable to hide his inner pleasure, and slowly returned to his room.

His wife really did like him.

He didn't sleep long; around nine o'clock, the teachers leading the group knocked on each door. Jiang Nian got up, put on his windbreaker, and prepared to leave.

He took a step before his deskmate stopped him, looking him over and saying, "Nian Nian, didn't you bring a tent?"

Jiang Nian then noticed his deskmate was carrying a huge backpack. He froze. "Aren't we going hiking? Why bring a tent?"

Jiang Nian hadn't researched Anshan or done any planning. The teachers hadn't informed him properly either. The academy had organized several trips to Anshan, and the arrangements were all pretty much the same, so the students all assumed they needed to prepare something. But Jiang Nian didn't know; he assumed it was one of those towering, precipitous peaks to climb and then take a cable car down.

Actually, no. The mountains rise one after another, but at their foot lies a vast grassland with clear streams flowing down from the mountaintops, and herds of horses and sheep. You can ride the horses for a fee.

After climbing the mountains, they don't return to the hotel; instead, they camp on the grassland and have a bonfire party. They bring most of their own food, and the student council also provides some. If they're really short of supplies, there are official tourist shops on the grassland where they can buy things.

Seeing that Jiang Nian didn't know, her deskmate explained, then said, "It's okay, my tent is big, and not everyone brings a tent, that would be too many. Many people sleep in one tent. You can sleep with me too."

"Oh, I see. Okay then." Jiang Nian shook her deskmate's hand, sweetly saying, "You're so thoughtful, I love you."

Her deskmate had heard those two words countless times, and if others knew, they'd be furious. He wasn't completely immune to such thoughts; his handsome face flushed red, and he replied, "If you keep saying that, I'll misunderstand."

Although he was also very moved, he knew Jiang Nian was just joking. He sighed and stroked Jiang Nian's soft, straight black hair. He felt

a fatherly concern.

The teacher led them on a bus ride for a while longer, then they arrived at the scenic area. Everyone took the tickets given by the teacher and entered the gate.

Jiang Nian and her deskmate initially climbed the mountain with their classmates, but before they knew it, Jiang Nian realized that the people around her had changed to Xu Haiyuan, Fu Qing, and Zhong Rui.

No one knows how they got here.

Fu Qing and Xu Haiyuan followed beside Jiang Nian, while Zhong Rui followed not far behind. They didn't go up to greet Jiang Nian, but they didn't fall behind either.

His deskmate and the other classmates left.

The teacher leading the group was ahead and didn't pay much attention. Anshan wasn't a dangerous scenic area; most of it had been developed, and if there were any problems, they could contact the scenic area immediately. So the teacher only took attendance when they gathered.

The scenery was magnificent, and Jiang Nian couldn't take it all in. It was a different kind of scenery from the scenic spots he had visited before, which was very interesting.

Xu Haiyuan and the others wanted to carry his backpack, but it was full of snacks that Jiang Nian had brought, and he felt it would be more convenient for him to carry it himself, so he didn't let them take it.

Along the way, the two of them went out of their way to make him happy, and there were also beautiful views for Jiang Nian to see, so he didn't feel bored.

But even though the mountain wasn't high, Jiang Nian was getting tired. Moreover, since he had been staying in the academy since arriving in this world, he hadn't exercised much, and his stamina was poor. Seeing that the others were still climbing, Jiang Nian finished a sip of water, returned the water bottle to Fu Qing, gritted his teeth, and decided to continue.

Zhong Rui, who had been silently following behind, suddenly took a few steps to Jiang Nian's side and, when the other two weren't paying attention, picked him up in a princess carry.

Fu Qing was the first to react, "What are you doing? Put Nian Nian down!"

Xu Haiyuan also chimed in, "Let go of my wife."

He was already annoyed by having extra people following his wife all the way.

But Zhong Rui said calmly, "Didn't you see Jiang Nian is tired?"

The two fell silent, noticing the fine sweat on Jiang Nian's pale face. They felt a pang of guilt; they had actually wanted to carry Jiang Nian too, but Zhong Rui had gotten there first. They thought Zhong Rui was a green tea bitch, but they couldn't bear to see Jiang Nian tired, so they kept quiet.

Fu Qing decided, "We'll take turns carrying her."

A balance was struck among the three. It wasn't a matter of whose family background was more powerful; they had no choice but to accept it. Jiang Nian, who was being carried, struggled, his face flushed with embarrassment as the other hikers watched him.

With his resistance, he was eventually carried on Zhong Rui's back, which was much better. Although still shy, Jiang Nian buried his face in the back of Zhong Rui's neck.

A soft, warm breath brushed against Zhong Rui's skin, sending a shiver down his spine. A soft body pressed against his back, making his heart pound. He had never known that climbing a mountain could make him so breathless.

Zhong Rui didn't really know what was wrong with him. Jiang Nian had casually flirted with him a few times, and after agreeing to apply the medicine next time, he felt a certain… a desire to watch Jiang Nian.

He wanted to see how Jiang Nian would treat him next.

That ambiguous pull, that hesitant expression, made Zhong Rui uncontrollably succumb, but he didn't know, he knew nothing.

He thought he only felt a little different towards Jiang Nian.

But what was that saying again? There were so many powerful and influential people in the academy, why didn't Jiang Nian flirt with others but only with him? Wasn't it because she liked him?

He knew Jiang Nian was flirting with other people, but if Jiang Nian truly liked them and chose them, she wouldn't be flirting with him anymore. And Zhong Rui had thought about it, observed it; after flirting with him, Jiang Nian hadn't flirted with anyone else. What did that prove?

It proved that Jiang Nian was most satisfied with him.

Zhong Rui convinced himself.

As a man, if Jiang Nian is still hesitant, then he'll show her through his actions that he'll be a good husband, a good choice.

...Isn't this moving too fast? Zhong Rui has never been in a relationship before; he doesn't know how normal people date. Does this mean he likes Jiang Nian? Zhong Rui isn't sure either. He just finds Jiang Nian interesting and has good taste.

But that's Zhong Rui's personality; at the slightest hint, he'll act immediately.

It doesn't matter if he doesn't know his own feelings; he'll slowly get to know Jiang Nian until he understands his own feelings.

But the prerequisite is that he has to change Jiang Nian's insecure heart.

Zhong Rui's lack of experience in relationships doesn't mean he doesn't have possessiveness.

He's letting Jiang Nian be now because they're not together yet. Once they are, Jiang Nian can't continue to be fickle.

He knows why Jiang Nian is fickle; he used to look down on her, but now he understands.

Others are just playing around with Jiang Nian, but Zhong Rui isn't. Even if they've only just started being ambiguous, he's a very serious person. He'll tell Jiang Nian, reassure her, put her at ease, and then Jiang Nian will understand that he's different, that he's trustworthy, and then she'll give up on others.

He has that confidence.

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