Around nine-thirty, Shen Lianyao arrived as well.
Her look was quite similar to Qi Taili’s—bare-faced with just a casual baseball cap pulled on.
She had a Bluetooth earbud in one ear and a backpack slung over her shoulders, clearly lost in her music. As she walked over, she only gave Song Rui a quick greeting without so much as glancing at Shen An.
Shen An arched a brow slightly. He released Song Rui’s lustrous hair and stepped up to Shen Lianyao. “Good morning, Classmate Shen~”
Shen Lianyao didn’t even look up. “Morning,” she murmured.
“I almost thought you were going to be late.”
“No need to worry about that. I’m not usually late.” Shen Lianyao seemed to realize that deliberately avoiding Shen An would be tough—they were the only three people in this department, after all.
Rather than wait for Shen An to bring up some weird topic, she decided to take the initiative.
She lifted her gaze and glanced at the lively group nearby. “Have you tallied the headcount yet?”
Shen An blinked, then chuckled softly. “I almost forgot about that. Thanks for the reminder.”
“But we’ve still got half an hour until muster time. No need to rush.”
Shen An checked his phone. “Let’s wait another ten minutes.”
“Do you know where we’re headed this time?” Shen Lianyao asked next.
Shen An shook his head. “Senior Sister Zhao hasn’t told me.”
“You didn’t ask?”
“Ha, ask how?” Shen An shrugged. “Why don’t you give it a shot? I bet you’d get a straighter answer than me.”
Shen Lianyao rolled her eyes a bit. “We’re about to head out. Asking now wouldn’t make a difference.”
“Tch, Classmate Shen seems pretty invested.”
Shen An’s voice softened. “But wherever we end up, it’s only a day and a half. Not a long trip.”
“True, but what if it’s some weird spot?”
A trace of worry flickered across Shen Lianyao’s face.
“What, got any no-gos?” Shen An casually twirled a lock of Song Rui’s hair around his finger.
Song Rui watched the two of them chatting as casually as ever, apparently unaffected by the previous incident. She quietly let out a breath of relief.
Truth be told, she had been pretty worried.
She’d been afraid Shen An and Shen Lianyao might end up at odds. After all, they were in the same department, and any conflict would make things messy down the line.
But on second thought, who knew what trick Shen An had pulled? Had he told her the truth?
“No-gos?”
Shen Lianyao looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”
“Eh, just an example. Some folks with faint hearts hate haunted houses or anything adventurous.”
“I don’t think I have any,” Shen Lianyao said after a moment’s thought, shaking her head.
“Then what are you worried about?”
“Even if I don’t, that doesn’t mean no one else does.” Shen Lianyao grew serious. “You know Senior Sister Zhao made the arrangements this time.”
“Whether people are coming willingly or just buckling under her pressure, she still has a responsibility to them.”
“If the destination rubs people the wrong way, her plan might backfire spectacularly.”
Shen Lianyao had certainly thought this through thoroughly.
At least far more than this carefree slacker Shen An.
If they were judging objectively, she’d make a better candidate for the next office director.
It wasn’t that Shen An was totally heartless—he just had a certain trust in Zhao Qingyu.
Though he couldn’t quite pinpoint where that trust came from.
He figured she might pull a little prank, but nothing that’d cause real chaos.
Taking Shen Lianyao’s concern to heart, Shen An reined in his casual demeanor. “Fair point. I’ll go scout out the situation first.”
He turned to her. “Want to come with and help tally the numbers?”
“I can!” Song Rui shot her hand up eagerly.
Shen Lianyao hesitated. “You two go ahead. I’ll watch the bags here.”
Meeting Song Rui’s expectant gaze, Shen An nodded. “Alright.”
With that, he took Song Rui’s hand and headed off, leaving Shen Lianyao standing there alone.
She pulled the earbud case from her pocket, popped the other bud in, then lowered her head and retreated into her own world.
Tallying headcounts was a breeze for Shen An.
He wasn’t about to stupidly count each person one by one.
Instead, he went straight to each department’s president and asked, having Song Rui jot down the numbers.
It wasn’t laziness—Song Rui wanted to help out anyway.
He was just granting her wish.
Meanwhile, Shen An’s real goal was to use the headcount as cover to chat with members from each group and gauge their thoughts.
That was his scouting.
The numbers came together quickly.
Whether from Zhao Qingyu’s heavy pressure or the Art Troupe’s irresistible appeal, absences were minimal across the board. Every department had at least eighty percent turnout.
As for the intel: few had “no-gos.” Most were excited for a break, destination be damned.
Shen An also asked the presidents about the trip’s endpoint.
Unfortunately, no one had a clear answer.
Not even Qi Taili—she had no clue.
She just said everything was up to Zhao Qingyu; they’d find out when she arrived.
By nine-fifty, a fleet of buses rolled up and parked along the road.
Shen An counted: seven in total, plenty for the whole Art Troupe.
Bringing up the rear was a sedan.
Zhao Qingyu stepped out, her long, pale legs gleaming in the sunlight below her shorts—ivory skin with a sun-kissed flush.
She wore a striking pair of sunglasses, which she removed to reveal a pair of foxy, seductive eyes.
In that moment, Wang Yuqiong’s standout beauty finally met its match.
Even without much effort in her appearance, Zhao Qingyu’s exceptional icy allure could hold its own against Wang Yuqiong.
Of course, the key was Zhao Qingyu’s unique aura.
Her presence was commanding. As she strode forward, the bustling crowd naturally quieted, all eyes turning to her.
Zhao Qingyu stopped in the center and gave Shen An a wave.
“Headcount done?”
She asked in a low voice.
“Yep, results you’ll like.” Shen An handed her the tally.
Zhao Qingyu glanced at it, her lips curving slightly. “Surprising.”
“Maybe you’re just that popular.”
Shen An said softly.
Zhao Qingyu’s brows lifted in teasing, her foxy eyes narrowing into sly slits as she stared at him, smiling silently.
Shen An coughed lightly, averting his gaze with a touch of guilt. “Heading out now?”
“Pretty much.”
Zhao Qingyu replied coolly. “So, bus or ride with me?”
She leaned in closer, her cool tone laced with allure. “You can sit with me this time.”
A whiff of her enchanting perfume hit him, and Shen An inhaled deeply, a bit entranced.
Then he politely declined. “I’ll take the bus.”
Zhao Qingyu frowned. “Guess you don’t want to sit with me, huh.”
“Nah.”
Shen An shook his head solemnly. “I’m afraid I’d get carsick and puke on you.”
Zhao Qingyu looked stunned. “You get carsick?”
“Yeah, only short trips for me. Anything over an hour, and I get dizzy and nauseous.”
“Wouldn’t the bus make it worse?” Zhao Qingyu huffed.
“Uh, my constitution’s weird. Buses actually make me sleepier, and if I’m out, I don’t puke.”
Zhao Qingyu’s smile turned playful. “Can’t you come up with a better excuse next time?”
Shen An raised a brow. “I’m afraid I just can’t handle it.”
“Oh?”
“Didn’t you ask last time what you look like in my eyes?”
“Mm-hmm. I figured you’d tell me when we got there.”
“I can give you one now.”
“One?” Zhao Qingyu sounded displeased. “How many do you have?”
“Wanna hear it?” Shen An teased.
“Hmph.” Zhao Qingyu pursed her lips.
“First one: You seem like a fox—a nine-tailed demon fox that’s cultivated for a thousand years.” Shen An eyed her alluring earrings glinting in the sun. “Spend too much time with a fox like that, and it’s dangerous.”
Zhao Qingyu didn’t get mad. Instead, she covered her mouth and giggled.
Little fox~
She actually rather liked the description.
“How’s that? Satisfied with the excuse, milady?”
Shen An chuckled.
“Not even close. Scram.”
Zhao Qingyu waved him off and turned. “Get them on the buses.”
“Me? What about you?”
“I hate sweating.” Zhao Qingyu slipped her sunglasses back on with flair and headed to the sedan.
Back at their spot, Song Rui tugged at Shen An. “How’d it go? What’d Senior Sister Zhao say?”
“She’s thrilled—said your tally was super detailed.” Shen An patted her head.
Song Rui’s eyes sparkled. “Really?”
“Why would I lie?”
Shen An grumbled good-naturedly.
“So what now?” Shen Lianyao cut in.
“Nothing much—just herd ’em onto the buses, one by one.”
“Groups?”
“Seven buses—not worth splitting hairs. Pile ’em in.”
“Got it.”
Shen Lianyao stowed her Bluetooth buds.
“What’re you looking at? You’re going too!” Shen An poked Song Rui’s forehead.
Song Rui pouted pitifully and muttered, “I never said I wasn’t going.”
