“Alright, everyone, put down your pens. Place your test papers on the upper right corner of your desks and stay seated.” The teacher at the podium spoke while the other teachers started collecting the papers.
“After the exam, proceed to the experimental building where you usually have classes. It’s organized similarly to the classroom, with your student numbers posted. Make sure you find the correct place.”
The teacher emphasized, “If you mess up, your scores might end up under someone else’s name. If you’re unlucky, you might even get a zero, and there goes your chance to visit the international lab.”
…
“Qiu Shufeng! Hurry up.” Wang Zhan rushed down as soon as his paper was collected, “Let’s get to the lab. We can check the experiment setup before the test starts.”
Though they wouldn’t know the exact experiment, the materials on the lab tables would hint at it. Before the test, they could search online for experiments using those materials, increasing their chances of success.
Since it was impractical to set up the materials after students were seated, teachers often included extra items on the tables to prevent students from guessing the experiment. However, a little online research with the provided materials could still help.
Wang Zhan teamed up with Yu Luofan, and they hurriedly ran down, only to see Qiu Shufeng calmly packing his things.
Wang Zhan was puzzled, “Aren’t you in a hurry?”
Qiu Shufeng took a leisurely sip of water, “No rush. My teammate isn’t ready yet. We’ll go in a bit.”
Wang Zhan knew the benefits of checking the lab setup early. They had learned these tips together on the forum.
But now, like this…”
“Who’s your teammate?” Wang Zhan asked, and immediately saw Qiu Shufeng looking like he was about to confess something.
Wang Zhan: “… Seriously? Just shut up, I already know who it is. What’s with this? The ‘Study God’ taking on a burden and carrying the main load forcefully?”
Qiu Shufeng had been holding back for so long without showing off, and now he finally had a chance to shine brightly. He wasn’t about to let it slip by.
“The Study God sees my unique talents and believes I can handle the heavy lifting, so…”
“So you’re morally obligated to carry this idi*t with you,” Wang Zhan interrupted, turning to leave. “We need to check out the questions first. Study God, we’re off!”
Qiao Huaiyao said lightly, “Hmm.”
Qiu Shufeng pursed his lips, feeling a bit aggrieved.
He hadn’t had enough of his moment.
If he had known, he would have shown off right from the start. Now it was too rushed; Wang Zhan was eager to see the questions.
Qiu Shufeng thought, he would show off again after the exam was over.
Qiao Huaiyao packed up his things and stood up. “Let’s go.”
“Sure thing!” Qiu Shufeng hurriedly went around the other side and caught up.
When Qiao Huaiyao and they arrived, the lab was already crowded.
Two students were stationed at each workstation, one with a phone and the other handling equipment, clearly checking online resources.
Qiu Shufeng remained calm, as if he knew what he was doing. He took down the materials from the table and asked, “Study God, where should we start?”
Qiao Huaiyao thought for a moment. “Let’s wait for the teacher to come and announce the topic.”
He didn’t need to search online; just looking at the materials could give him a clue about the experiment. They could start once the teacher arrived and declared the beginning.
But the teacher hadn’t arrived yet.
Taking advantage of this time, Qiao Huaiyao messaged Bai Jinyan, [Have you arranged the hotel after landing?]
Bai Jinyan hadn’t boarded the plane yet and replied, [It’s all set. Under your family’s name. The Seven Stars one.]
When traveling, Bai Jinyan usually stayed at hotels owned by Qiao Huaiyao’s family company. If those weren’t available, then they would consider other options.
Seeing these few lines, Qiao Huaiyao couldn’t help but chuckle softly. [Next time, let me know in advance. Have you booked the room? Cancel it and come to my room instead. I’ll arrange it.]
Every hotel, whether Qiao Huaiyao goes or not, keeps a room that is highly suitable, with the best view.
This room is not open to the public, and no guests checking in can access it. Compared to the standard rooms, it is also slightly larger.
When traveling, his brother couldn’t be slighted.
While the other hotel rooms are also good, they certainly differ from the one reserved exclusively for Qiao Huaiyao.
After messaging Bai Jinyan, Qiao Huaiyao began arranging things, directly contacting the housekeeper to handle it.
Bai Jinyan: [Don’t stay too long in the lab today, go back early and rest.]
Qiao Huaiyao quickly switched back to chatting with his brother, [Okay.]
Bai Jinyan: [I’ve put the strawberry candies in the fridge. One or two pieces per day, enough for you until I come back.]
Knowing he would be away for a while abroad, Bai Jinyan had prepared everything that needed to be done in advance, including the strawberry candies. He had made them when he had the chance, stored them all in the fridge where the cold environment would keep them fresh longer.
In addition, Bai Jinyan had sent several more messages intermittently.
Qiao Huaiyao looked at the cute expression of the nodding kitten that replied occasionally.
Until the end.
Bai Jinyan: [Boarding now, switching to airplane mode, will message you after landing.]
Following that was another message, [Remember to miss me.]
Qiao Huaiyao’s fingers hovered over the keyboard silently responding, [Okay.]
After a while, with the teacher still not arriving, Qiao Huaiyao sighed softly as he looked at the unanswered message box. He sent another message, [I’m already missing you.]
Pausing for a moment, he left this message there. Bai Jinyan would only see it once he turned off airplane mode after landing.
Hesitating for a moment, feeling a slight warmth behind his ears, Qiao Huaiyao decided within two minutes to retract the message.
The prompt for retracting the message was too conspicuous. Before Qiao Huaiyao could send any further explanation, Bai Jinyan had already responded, “I saw it.”
Qiao Huaiyao: “??!”
Bai Jinyan sent a voice message.
Qiao Huaiyao put on his earphones and listened. From the other end, Bai Jinyan’s voice, tinged with a smile, said, “Since I got on board, I’ve been thinking about you.”
Thinking about you all this time, wanting to take you away with me.