After Being Bitten By Top-Tier O, Flop A Went Viral - Chapter 29

29: A Slightly Troubled Expression

By the time they reached the school gate, Qin Que realized that Yan Qing wasn’t the only one excited.

Yan Yuzhen was also beaming with joy, chattering nonstop to Jin Shuo, making the rest of the composed adults seem utterly dull in comparison.

Mi Sike had also changed her outfit today, wearing lightweight casual clothes and a small yellow hat, looking like a tour guide.

Behind her was an open-air eight-seater cart with a few pots and bulging bags tied to the back—likely the cooking gear for today’s spring outing.

“The spring outing spot is still a bit far from here. Please board the cart, classmates.” Mi Sike said cheerfully, pulling open the simple cart door.

They boarded in groups, with Qin Que and Yan Qing taking the last row.

Qin Que pulled out a thin, long seatbelt from under the seat. “This… is a modified tourist cart, right?”

She remembered traveling with Wu Feng and Bai Tuantuan before—larger scenic spots often had these carts, mainly used to ferry tired tourists for a fee.

“Yes, please fasten your seatbelts, everyone.” Mi Sike, who was driving, turned around with a smile.

“You’re quite knowledgeable.” Yan Qing remarked from beside her, admiring the open space outside the school. Clearly, being cooped up in one place for three days had been stifling.

But Qin Que was too busy to respond, fastening the seatbelt for both of them and carefully adjusting the flimsy buckle to ensure it could at least somewhat secure them.

“Hmm?” Yan Qing leaned over, tugging at her seatbelt with a laugh. “Thanks, but I doubt this thing does much.”

“No, this kind of cart usually…” Before Qin Que could finish, Mi Sike started the cart. The engine sputtered as if it had hit a pothole right after moving, jolting violently.

Amid the screams from the cart, Qin Que remained steady. She braced one hand against the seat in front and grabbed the handle beside Yan Qing with the other, using her arm as a makeshift second seatbelt.

“What’s up with this cart?” Yan Qing didn’t scream but still seemed surprised—she probably hadn’t ridden in something like this before.

Seeing that the road ahead was smooth, Qin Que relaxed slightly and explained, “The suspension on these carts is practically nonexistent. They’re only meant for flat scenic areas.”

She’d noticed the day she arrived that the roads around Fengcheng No. 1 High were old and patchy, full of potholes. A cart like this on such roads could only mean one thing.

She heard Dai Yuchen roar from the front, “Can’t you guys get a better cart?!”

The others, for once, agreed with him.

Except Yan Qing.

The woman laughed, utterly relaxed. “It’s fun—like a budget rollercoaster.”

Qin Que glanced at her, still feeling it wasn’t safe enough, and warned, “Hold on tight. Watch your head.”

Yan Qing patted the arm Qin Que was using as a seatbelt, unfazed. “I’ve got you, don’t I? It’s not like I’ll go flying.”

Qin Que: “…”

What could she say? She could only grip tighter while trying to suppress the goofy smile threatening to spread across her face.

Soon, the cart left the main road and turned onto a winding rural path. Though it was a cement road, lack of maintenance meant lush grass on the sides and dust flying everywhere.

“Pfft—pfft—pfft! Jin Shuo, close your mouth unless you want a face full of dirt—pfft!” Yan Yuzhen coughed while trying to warn him.

Jin Shuo covered her mouth. “You first.”

Qin Que couldn’t help but chuckle at the two, then retracted her arm from the seat in front, took off her school jacket, and handed it to Yan Qing.

“Huh?” Yan Qing, much savvier than Yan Yuzhen, had already shut her mouth the moment they hit the dirt road and now spoke softly. “What’s this for?”

“Cover up. It’ll block some of the dust.” Qin Que said, about to unfold the jacket for her when Yan Qing didn’t move.

Yan Qing laughed, flicking the jacket open so it draped over both their heads.

The jacket blocked most of the sunlight, leaving them close together in a dim, enclosed space where they could only see each other’s faces.

It was like being under a translucent blanket.

Qin Que inhaled the now more concentrated scent of wine in the confined space and suddenly stumbled over her words again. “I—I don’t need it.”

“It’s your jacket. I can’t just leave you out here eating dust.” Yan Qing said matter-of-factly. Since the jacket was limited in size, she was practically pressed against Qin Que as she spoke.

The warmth of her breath against Qin Que’s ear sent a faint tickle through her, and Qin Que didn’t dare say another word.

The live chat was going wild because the follow camera hadn’t been covered.

Comment 1: “Wait, why are they having a private chat in public? What can’t we see?”

Comment 2: “I paid for VIP! I’m level 8! I’m not an outsider! Let me in! I demand to see the director!”

Comment 3: “I bet they’re making out in there. Prove me wrong by putting the camera under there.”

Comment 4: “Do we even need to see? Yan Qing’s practically on top of Qin Que.”

Comment 5: “Day 1: They’re just acting like they’re not close. Day 2: Maybe it’s real, let’s see. Day 3: About to kiss. Day 4: Kissed.”

After another twenty minutes, the cart finally stopped. Mi Sike’s voice rang out, “Everyone, we’re here.”

Yan Qing removed the jacket, dusted it off, and handed it back to Qin Que with a smile. “Thanks to you. So smart.”

Qin Que accepted it shyly.

Yan Yuzhen, wiping dust off her face with a wet wipe, looked betrayed. “Sis Yan! Why didn’t you warn us?”

Yan Qing blinked innocently. “I couldn’t see you after covering up. I thought you’d all copy us. Besides.” she pointed at Qin Que, “it was her idea.”

Yan Yuzhen sighed in admiration. “You’re pretty clever.”

Qin Que: “…Thanks.”

Meanwhile, Dai Yuchen and Nie Sijun were dusting themselves off, standing half a meter apart as if in a cold war.

Once everyone recovered from the bumpy ride, they realized they’d arrived at a truly picturesque spot.

The sky overhead, untouched by modern pollution, was a pure blue. Below, soft green grass stretched out, and a clear river flowed nearby. Beyond that were lush cornfields.

The chirping of birds filled the air. Qin Que took a deep breath, the crisp scent of grass and earth washing away her morning drowsiness.

“Please come collect your spring outing gear.” Mi Sike called from beside the cart.

The luggage tied to the back was divided into three bundles. Qin Que stepped forward and picked up one—not too heavy but bulky, containing a large two-tier steamer and a stuffed bag.

“Let’s see.” Yan Qing immediately started untying the bag, uninterested in the already visible pots.

Watching her fumble with the ropes, Qin Que was inexplicably reminded of a cat pawing at a box in a video she’d seen.

Her analogies were getting out of hand.

She shook her head and crouched to help Yan Qing.

Inside the bag were a basket, a fishing net, a cutting board, some kitchen utensils, and small bottles of oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar.

“Are there fish in that river?” Yan Qing picked up the net, eyes gleaming.

“Yes.” Mi Sike chimed in. “Today’s first activity is a fishing competition. You have one hour, and rankings will be based on total weight. Note that since we’re off-campus, school currency can’t be used. The ingredients you gather will be your lunch, so take it seriously. Of course, the show will provide basic food for those who don’t catch anything.” She pulled out a bag of dry, hard-looking bread from the cart. “But I doubt anyone wants to eat this.”

Of course—ending up with only dry bread in such a place would be tragic.

Once Mi Sike announced the start, the three groups rushed toward the river.

Qin Que observed the water first. It wasn’t deep—she could see the bottom—and was full of fish of all sizes, lazily swimming around as if waiting to be fed. Clearly, the show had stocked it.

“I’ll go first—” She barely got the words out before Yan Qing kicked off her shoes, rolled up her pants, and started stretching like she was warming up to dive in.

Qin Que’s gaze flickered over Yan Qing’s glowing white calves before she looked away and finished, “—to check.”

Though the riverbed looked smooth, Yan Qing’s skin was so delicate she might still get scratched.

“Hmm…” Yan Qing pouted slightly, her expression troubled—like a child debating whether to share a toy with a friend.

Qin Que felt a sudden surge of guilt and was about to say, “You go first,” when Yan Qing solemnly handed her the net. “Then you go first. But I want a turn later.”

Such profound trust.

Qin Que suddenly felt the weight of the flimsy net in her hands.

After warming up, she stepped into the cool river, shivering slightly. The fish, though lacking survival instincts, still scattered at the disturbance.

The pebbles were a bit rough underfoot.

Once she adjusted to the faint discomfort, Qin Que stood still. She’d never fished before, but she knew humans couldn’t outmaneuver fish in water. Better to wait than chase.

Fish only had seven-second memories, after all.

Sure enough, once the giant intruder stopped moving, the fish soon mistook her for part of the riverbed and began circling her lazily.

Qin Que held her breath, zeroing in on the largest one. She slowly lowered the net beside it until half its tail was inside, then flipped it up with a jerk!

Water splashed everywhere, drenching her face, but the thrashing weight against her confirmed her success. She gripped the net tightly until the fish tired itself out.

Peering inside, she saw the unlucky big fish she’d targeted, its mouth gaping and tail still twitching.

This one would be enough for a meal.

Relieved, Qin Que carried it to the shore where Yan Qing was practically vibrating with excitement.

“Here.”

“Wow, such a big one!” Yan Qing marveled, examining the fish in the net.

Qin Que, watching her smile, felt a surge of pride even greater than when she’d caught the fish.

She couldn’t help but preen a little—until Yan Qing suddenly looked up at her face.

“What?”

Was there something on her face?

Before she could wipe it, Yan Qing pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her cheeks.

The soft cloth carried Yan Qing’s scent as it brushed gently over her skin.

She heard the woman’s warm chuckle. “Your face is covered in water. Didn’t you notice?”