Chapter 2219 - 2420: Preparations Before Departure

Early the next morning, when the sky was just slightly bright, Hao Jian got up. Not for anything else, but because this class trip was organized by him and Zhang Danlin, replacing Li Weiwei. Since today was the day of the trip, he needed to get up early to arrange and prepare some things.

Li Weiwei completely acted as a hands-off manager, ignoring everything and entrusting all to him and Zhang Danlin. Some things could be delegated to Zhang Danlin, but there were things that a girl shouldn't be running around handling, so he needed to take care of them personally.

For instance, the pre-booked bus was scheduled to arrive at the school on time. Right now, he needed to be at the school early to meet the driver, and simultaneously inform each classmate to board the bus on time and depart for the Ancient Town.

Originally, he was still asleep, but a call from Zhang Danlin woke him up, telling him to get up and come to school. Of course, this was because he had asked Zhang Danlin beforehand to do so, so she called to wake him up. Initially, their relationship was rather plain, with Zhang Danlin even deliberately keeping some distance from him. But slowly, though their relationship wasn't as good as before, it became less restrained.

Maybe Zhang Danlin figured out that the way to forget someone isn't to avoid contact and cut ties entirely, but rather to continue living together daily, slowly forgetting. This is the best way to forget someone, as time passes, you gradually forget.

Time really can fade everything, perhaps it can fade this too.

When Hao Jian got up, Xiaohai was also about to get up, but when he left, she was still busy at home. Girls have so much to deal with. Since Hao Jian was busy, he didn't wait for Xiaohai and instead told her to take a cab to school later. After speaking, he left.

Soon after, he got off the car and appeared at the school. By this time, Zhang Danlin had already been waiting at the school for nearly twenty minutes. Hao Jian hurried over to her.

Today, Zhang Danlin was different from her usual self, more often like a pretty neighbor girl next door, naturally beautiful without any makeup. But today, she was lightly made up, with attention paid to her attire.

Not much had changed, but sometimes minor changes can make a person seem drastically different. Changing a hairstyle or outfit can alter a person's aura, let alone a naturally beautiful girl like Zhang Danlin.

At this moment, as Hao Jian walked up to her, he was immediately captivated by her outfit today. He meant to speak but found himself momentarily dumbfounded, staring at her.

"You look really beautiful today!" Hao Jian subconsciously exclaimed.

Zhang Danlin was okay before, but upon hearing Hao Jian's words, her expression instantly changed. The smile on her face quickly disappeared, her complexion turning red, yet her gaze seemed slightly displeased.

At this point, Hao Jian realized he'd spoken too recklessly. Zhang Danlin was deliberately keeping her distance, yet he complimented her so directly, as if trying to create an ambiguity between them. He immediately realized his mistake and quickly apologized.

"Sorry!" He said apologetically.

Zhang Danlin realized her expression was perhaps a bit excessive. After all, Hao Jian only complimented her and hadn't done anything inappropriate, so why react like that? She then changed her expression and said, "Thank you!"

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Hao Jian changed the topic and said, "So... the driver is already on the way. He should be able to reach the school in about ten minutes. How about the people in the class you contacted?"

Since Hao Jian diverted the conversation to the matter at hand, she said, "Most of the boys have already left, and some girls are on their way, though some might be slightly late, but not by much. We can depart within the estimated time."

"That's good," Hao Jian said.

After glancing at Zhang Danlin once more, he asked, "So... did you have breakfast this morning? It'll take us a few hours to reach the Ancient Town. If you don't eat breakfast, it'll be uncomfortable later."

Zhang Danlin replied, "Oh, my mom knew I was going on a trip with the class today, so she got up early to prepare breakfast for me. So I ate. As for you, I called to wake you up and you rushed over. I could tell you didn't have breakfast."

Hao Jian scratched his head and laughed, indeed caught by Zhang Danlin's words. He indeed hadn't eaten breakfast; otherwise, he wouldn't have rushed over so quickly, but would have still been on the way. To save time, he chose not to eat breakfast.

But upon hearing Zhang Danlin saying her mom prepared breakfast for her, he felt comforted. He thought this girl was actually quite pitiful; having no loving parents, even lots of pocket money couldn't change that. However, hearing now that her mom prepared breakfast for her early in the morning for the class trip, he felt a sense of comfort.

He genuinely hoped she would be happy every day. Smiling, he said, "I'm used to skipping breakfast, so it's fine. As long as you've eaten, that's good."

Zhang Danlin suddenly didn't know what to say. Previously, she might have gone to buy him breakfast, but now that she knew some things about Hao Jian, she deliberately kept some distance, so buying breakfast wouldn't be appropriate.

So, the two fell silent, just standing there waiting for the bus to arrive.

About ten minutes later, finally, a bus drove into the school and headed for the parking lot area. Upon seeing the advertisement on the bus, Hao Jian knew the reserved bus had arrived, and directed the driver to park properly.

After parking, the driver opened the window, and asked Hao Jian, "Is this your group?"

Zhang Danlin nodded and said, "Yes, sir, I contacted you by phone."

Upon hearing the familiar voice, the driver nodded and got off the bus, offering a cigarette to Hao Jian, who declined indicating he doesn't smoke. The driver chuckled, recalling Hao Jian was a student, and smoked by himself.

Meanwhile, Hao Jian chatted with the driver, while Zhang Danlin stood to the side because she didn't like the smell of smoke. After a chat with the driver, Hao Jian walked over to Zhang Danlin, exchanging a few words to avoid leaving a girl standing alone.

After the driver finished his cigarette, he boarded the bus again. After waiting nearly four or five more minutes, the first classmate arrived, a boy. Hao Jian directed him onto the bus, and after another few minutes, more people gradually arrived.

Most who arrived were boys, coming in pairs or threes, who traveled light with backpacks containing clothes and essentials. Girls, however, brought more, often carrying two or three bags, holding one and wearing another, or carrying two and wearing one.

Indeed, boys and girls are different. Boys seem more relaxed, convenient, and quick in this aspect.

Soon, girls also started arriving. Boys accounted for about two-thirds, while girls made up about a third. Hao Jian greeted and directed everyone onto the bus, constantly busy organizing. Naturally, Zhang Danlin couldn't assist with such matters, so she chatted with a few girls outside.

The air inside the bus was naturally not as fresh as outside, so after putting their things on the bus, many came back outside and waited until everyone had arrived to get on the bus together.

Hu Lai and Fatty ZhengJun approached Hao Jian, greeting him, "Hello Brother Hao." Hao Jian was too occupied to talk much, only nodded and continued with his tasks. Once things were mostly settled, he joined Hu Lai and the others.

As soon as he approached, Hu Lai said, "Brother Hao, have you noticed, the girls in our class seem much prettier today?"

Fatty chimed in, "Yeah, today they're looking exceptionally beautiful."

Zheng Jun gazed at several newly arrived girls and said, "That's because many of them wore makeup today and dressed up meticulously, making them look a bit different!"

Hao Jian chuckled, "Attentive as always, Zheng Jun."

Previously, he was too busy to notice this, seeing only that Zhang Danlin wore light makeup and dressed differently today. But with their observations, he realized most of the girls indeed had on light makeup and dressed nicely, unlike usual, appearing more beautiful and refined.

It was only then he recalled, on his way out this morning, Xiaohai was also busy applying makeup, indicating she was also dressing up carefully.

He paused briefly and chuckled.

"Look over there!" Hu Lai suddenly directed his gaze towards Zhang Danlin, a hint of astonishment in his eyes.