Serenade-Chapter 40: Battle of the Rivals

In the standard double bed room, Jin Xi and Chu Zhao were curled up under the quilt, only their little heads poking out. The soft night light was on, and the two stared at each other with wide eyes.

After a long while, Chu Zhao gave an embarrassed smile and didn't say anything.

Jin Xi was speechless: "No matter what you're thinking, stop it right now! I didn't do anything with Senior Jian, we were just...playing Go."

Her voice grew softer, a little guilty.

Chu Zhao smiled and said, "The room has such a big bed, clothes thrown everywhere, Senior Bo completely naked, what kind of erotic Go were you two playing?"

Jin Xi: ......

No explanation needed! Think what you want!

She pulled the quilt over her head and closed her eyes.

Just then, Chu Zhao suddenly asked again: "Little Jin Xi, have you ever thought about what your future boyfriend would be like?"

Jin Xi opened her eyes and looked at the nightlight on the wall, its soft halo of light like a lone sailboat in the darkness.

"Sun Wukong," she said.

Chu Zhao looked at her, puzzled.

Jin Xi murmured, "When I was little, I always thought that my future boyfriend would be like Sun Wukong. He could climb trees, fight monsters, somersault 108,000 li. If I was captured by a monster, no matter where he was, he would come over mountains and rivers to rescue me."

Chu Zhao frowned, "That's...too unrealistic."

"I know."

That was Jin Xi's first naive fantasy about love when she was blossoming into womanhood.

Other than Sun Wukong, she couldn't imagine what her future sweetheart would be like.

"Forget about his 72 transformations, where are you going to find a boyfriend who can climb trees?"

Jin Xi had never thought about this question before. She asked Chu Zhao, "What about you then?"

"I don't ask for much. Just someone cheerful and optimistic, a typical sunshine boy. Silly and clueless about everything. It's okay if he's a bit of a coward, but if I'm in danger, he would run to save me without hesitation."

Jin Xi: "Okay, you can stop now. That's just Xu Chaoyang himself, thank you."

Chu Zhao's old face turned red. "Last time in the escape room, he got so scared by the NPCs, but still came running and crying to save me in the end."

"You remember it till now."

"I do."

Jin Xi looked at her solemnly, "But Chu Chu, have you thought that if it was someone else, me or Luo Luo, Instructor Xu would have saved us all the same. He's a good guy, nice to everyone."

Chu Zhao pursed her lips. "I know, you don't have to say it."

Everyone understands the logic, but not everyone can let go so easily.

**

The next morning, everyone took the scenic bus to the Grand Canyon.

The canyon was cool with a light breeze.

The air quality here was excellent. Taking deep breaths was refreshing and exhilarating.

All along the way were fields of wildflowers and lush green forests, verdant and vibrant.

Jian SiXun stood by the artificial stairs at the cliff edge, appreciating the magnificent scenery, and was inspired to recite poetry: "The spring beauty of this world is spent, peach blossoms of mountain temples have just begun to bloom."

The boys walking behind didn't respond, so Jin Xi said, "That's 'On Peach Blossoms' by Bai Juyi."

Jian SiXun glanced back at Jin Xi with a faint smile, "Have you taken ancient Chinese literature history classes?"

Jin Xi shook her head, "No, we'll take it next semester."

Jian SiXun said, "You can get a head start by memorizing some of the poems and texts from the Classical Chinese Reader. It'll come in handy for your finals and postgraduate entrance exams. This is a long-term accumulation process."

"Okay, thank you senior. We haven't gotten our textbooks yet though."

"I'll lend you my copy when we get back to school."

Bo Yan walked at the back, glancing up at the two in front of him from time to time.

Jin Xi was wearing a slightly thicker velvet white jacket, looking like a fluffy little lamb.

He didn't know what they were talking about, but she was laughing so happily.

He wasn't in a good mood.

Beside him, Xu Chaoyang said, "I don't know what's so great about these pretentious guys. Why do girls all like them? Useless."

Jing Chi said, "It's called talent."

Xu Chaoyang objected, "Reciting some sour poems is talent?"

Jing Chi pulled up Xu Chaoyang's recent social media post: "You think everyone's like you, only able to post 'Holy crap this is too beautiful!' If you can get a girlfriend like this, I'll give you ten boxes of condoms for free!"

At first Xu Chaoyang didn't realize it, but after comparing with Jian SiXun, he felt more and more uncultured. He took out his phone to delete that status. After carefully pondering for a while, he reposted:

"Spring trip, beautiful scenery cleansing the soul, appreciating the beauty of the world, mood elated!"

The photo was of a bright red wildflower.

"..."

Middle-aged uncle's social media vibe.

"Being able to talk together comfortably, that's called kindred spirits, soulmates," Jing Chi continued to educate Xu Chaoyang. "Tell me, when you're with a girl, what do you talk to her about, battle tactics, nuclear strikes, or something?"

Xu Chaoyang was lost in thought: "Damn, that makes some sense."

"So I have a suggestion for you," Jing Chi patiently advised. "Don't aim too high. Find a girl who likes you. No matter what you say, she'll be interested. If you go after goddess-level girls like Qu Xuanxuan, with your skills...it may not last in the long run."

Xu Chaoyang looked at Jing Chi doubtfully: "Why do I feel like...you're setting me up?"

Jing Chi shrugged innocently, "Why would I set you up? I don't like your goddess. This is called hard truths, think about it yourself."

Bo Yan quickened his pace and walked up to Jin Xi's side with Jian SiXun, one on the left and one on the right. Jian SiXun was chattering away, lecturing Jin Xi about literature and history. She listened quite attentively.

She would glance at Bo Yan from time to time. This guy had a blank face as he walked beside her, not saying a word, which made her feel uneasy.

Jian SiXun ignored Bo Yan's presence and continued to Jin Xi, "Junior sister, what are your thoughts on Tang Xianzu's theory of 'supreme love'?"

Jin Xi: "Um..."

Bo Yan: "Junior sister, what are your thoughts on that cloud over there?"

Jin Xi: "Er..."

Jian SiXun went on, "Junior sister, I have some views on the 'theory of supreme love' that I'd like to share with you."

Bo Yan: "Junior sister, I'm planning to write a paper on that cloud over there, what do you think?"

Jin Xi: ......

Are they insane?!

She quickened her pace and went to Chu Zhao's side, ignoring the two fools.

Jian SiXun and Bo Yan exchanged a glare, sparks flying.

The rocky steps were steep. Looking down from above, nestled deep in the lush green canyon was a square traditional quadrangle courtyard with dark roof tiles. Accompanied by green bamboo, it looked as if it came right out of a painting.

There was a canyon chase scene in the movie filmed at this courtyard. The aerial view overlooking the canyon allowed the full landscape to be captured.

Everyone took out their phones to take pictures.

Passing through a narrow, precipitous zigzag stairway, Bo Yan and Jian SiXun simultaneously looked back to find Jin Xi.

Jin Xi was taking photos with her phone, ambling slowly down the stairs. Seeing the two nemeses about to start something again, standing on either side of the stairs like gate gods waiting for her.

She decisively grabbed Xu Chaoyang by the hem of his shirt, "Instructor Xu, help me down."

"No problem!"

Xu Chaoyang the warm male lead readily agreed and led Jin Xi down the cliff stairs, passing by Bo Yan and Jian SiXun. Instructor Xu even smiled at them, "You two making eyes at each other over here?"

Bo Yan: ......

Jian SiXun: ......

At the bottom of the cliff were stalls selling grilled corn, water and other foods for tourists to replenish their energy.

Seeing Jin Xi's flushed red face, somewhat stifled by the heat, Jian SiXun went to a stall to buy her a bottle of frozen Red Bull. "Junior sister, have some water to quench your thirst."

Bo Yan also took out Jin Xi's thermos from his black backpack: "Red date water, hot."

Jin Xi: ......

Didn't want to take either.

At this moment, Bo Yan appropriately unleashed his 'ultimate weapon' - Shen Pingchuan.

"Be good. Your brother said you have to drink warm water."

Jin Xi paused for a moment, and finally took the warm water cup from Bo Yan's hand. She opened the lid and took a small sip, then said to Jian SiXun, "Thank you, senior. I can't drink cold drinks these past few days."

Jian SiXun: "That's alright."

Bo Yan's mouth corner raised slightly, revealing a faint smile of victory. He casually took away the Red Bull from Jian SiXun's hand: "Don't waste it, I'll drink it for her."

After several previous rounds ending in a draw, this round was a narrow victory for Bo Yan.

Jian SiXun's expression darkened as he said in a low voice, "Let's wait and see."

Bo Yan: "I'm waiting."

After touring the picturesque canyon, the group took a sightseeing bus to the Tian Sheng Bridge. On the cliff's edge, a section of glass skywalk jutted out abruptly. Transparent, standing on the glass, it was as if suspended in midair over the cliff.

Those afraid of heights would go weak-kneed just walking on the glass skywalk.

Jin Xi looked down at the ten thousand-foot abyss below her feet, nervous yet thrilled. She took out her phone to take pictures of herself.

Jian SiXun stood at the entrance, looking somewhat afraid to proceed. He had not come over yet.

Jin Xi went over and asked, "Senior, are you afraid of heights?"

Jian SiXun helplessly replied, "Yes, I don't really dare to walk alone."

"What should we do then?"

"It's fine, you don't have to mind me. Go have fun yourself, I'll just stand here and watch."

"What a pity." Jin Xi thought for a moment, "Then I'll take you with me. Don't worry, there's no danger at all."

Jian SiXun readily agreed, "Alright, thanks Xiao Xi."

Just as his hand landed on Jin Xi's shoulder, there was a "pa" sound. On the glass skywalk, Bo Yan suddenly fainted!

Jin Xi cried out in alarm and rushed over to him, "Bo Yan!"

The Oscar-worthy actor laid sprawled on the glass skywalk, willow in the wind-like. He rubbed his forehead, "So dizzy."

Jin Xi helped Bo Yan up, "Senior, are you afraid of heights?"

Bo Yan weakly nodded, putting his arm around her shoulders, "Yes."

"Then hurry and sit by the side, don't look down no matter what." Jin Xi helped Bo Yan to a bench at the side, taking out her warm water for him to drink.

She was very concerned about him, extremely concerned.

"Xiao Xi, stay with me."

"Of course I'll stay with you!"

Jing Chi rubbed his forehead as he watched Bo Yan's Oscar-worthy acting skills.

Was there no end to this? Why couldn't they just duke it out to resolve their issues? Two grown men, were they really going to engage in these petty campus love schemes?

As expected, Jian SiXun could not stand it anymore. Expressionless, he walked over and stared coldly at Bo Yan, "Senior Bo Yan, with your physical condition that enables you to faint anywhere, it is hard to believe you were the top decathlon athlete of the National Defense Academy."

Bo Yan's eyelid twitched as he looked at Jian SiXun walking steadily over the glass skywalk, "Senior Jian, with your casual yet exaggerated acting skills, it is hard to believe you were the aloof male god heartthrob of the Literature Academy."

Jian SiXun: "I was acting. Was senior Bo Yan not?"

Bo Yan: "I wasn't. I really have a fear of heights."

Who had the thicker skin?

Jin Xi looked at the two verbally sparring men. Neither showed any signs of acrophobia at all.

She shook off Bo Yan's hand and stood up, angrily saying, "What's wrong with you two? Will you stop spoiling the mood!"

Pulling Chu Zhao's hand, she left, no longer wanting to speak to the two men.

Bo Yan watched her leave, his lips tightening as his expression darkened.

Jing Chi walked over and patted his shoulder, "Injure a thousand enemies, harm yourself eight hundred. What's the point in two grown men competing for affection and being jealous?"

"Competing for affection?" Bo Yan looked at him disdainfully and sneered, "What affection does he have? He merely takes advantage of Xiao Xi's kindheartedness."

Jing Chi smiled, "Are you not the same?"

Bo Yan: ......

Later, Jin Xi indeed ignored the two men, taking Chu Zhao and several other girls to take pictures and enjoy themselves.

Bo Yan felt listless. He simply set up his drawing board and arranged his palette, preparing to start sketching.

However, no matter how he tried, he could not calm his mood. Jing Chi's "Are you not the same" was like a interrogation of his soul, leaving his mood shrouded in circles of irritation.

In fact, he had never been certain, so he did not dare to ask outright, afraid of wishful thinking, and also afraid that in the end, he would have nothing.

The previous Bo Yan was so decisive, never hesitating or wavering. What he wanted, whether to fight or seize, he would do so without the slightest hesitation. That untouchable second young master of the Bo family seemed to have changed, no longer so reckless.

He did not dare, because for this girl, he could not simply take her...

Half an hour later, Chu Zhao ran to the edge of the glass skywalk, breathless as she said, "Senior Bo Yan, Jin Xi just dropped her phone down the slope. She went to retrieve it but rolled down herself. Now she can't climb back up, I don't know what to do."

"Where is she?"

Chu Zhao pointed, "Just up ahead."

Bo Yan did not even pack up his drawing board, running wildly along the skywalk in the direction Chu Zhao pointed.

Not far away on the wooden bridge over the mountain path, Jian SiXun leaned against the railing, eager to leap down —

"Jin Xi, wait for me. I'm coming down now."

Bo Yan peered down the slope. It was a small hillside with a gradient of about forty-five degrees. Jin Xi stood at the bottom, hugging a thick sturdy tree, her petite body not daring to move, fearfully looking up, "Hey, hurry and call emergency services! Don't risk coming down! I can still hold on."

She looked down again. The slope below grew much steeper. Rolling down there would be very dangerous indeed.

Bo Yan climbed down single-handedly, his arm braced against the tree trunk while his other hand easily lifted the clumsy Jian SiXun up.

"Scholar, forget it."

With his lack of arm strength, Jian SiXun could not hold on for long. Seeing Bo Yan leap down so effortlessly, he reconsidered and decided to give up.

Jing Chi and Xu Chaoyang who had rushed over pulled Jian SiXun back up together.

Jian SiXun anxiously said, "Hurry, hurry and call for help!"

Jing Chi took a calm look down the slope and smiled faintly, "No need. For Bo Yan, obstacles like these are nothing."

As expected, Bo Yan climbed down in seconds. Stepping on the bare rocky slope, he reached out to pull Jin Xi into his arms, asking with concern, "Are you hurt?"

Jin Xi clung tightly to Bo Yan's neck, frightened and not daring to move, "No, I'm fine."

Bo Yan put one arm around her waist, lifting her up slightly so her legs were wrapped around his waist. Her hands circled his neck, like a koala bear cub clinging to a tree.

He looked around and found Jin Xi's phone in a pile of dead vines. Hands and feet grabbing on, he climbed over to pick up her phone before scaling the vines back up. His movements were agile, his muscular arms evident.

Jin Xi looked closely at Bo Yan.

His cheeks were flushed, brows strong and broad. His lashes were thick and long, eyes naturally upturned, giving off an air of casual aloofness. But his eyes held an extremely firm gaze.

The one I like is the Monkey King, able to traverse ten thousand eight hundred miles with a somersault cloud. Whenever I'm in danger, no matter where he is, he will cross mountains and rivers to reach my side...

Jin Xi's breath gently caressed Bo Yan's eyelashes, lightly stirring them. He softly asked, "What are you looking at?"

"You remind me of someone..."

"Who?"

"The Monkey King."

Bo Yan's mouth curved slightly, "Because I can climb trees?"

Jin Xi blushed, "Yes."

The author has something to say: Happy New Year!