Bro, Don't Study Anymore - Chapter 23

7/21

The first stop on their itinerary was mountain climbing.

During the first half of the summer, the four of them had been cooped up in the lab, sitting all day, and after the competition, they were mentally and physically exhausted.

The chosen mountain wasn’t high, and it would only take about three hours to climb, making it more of a walk.

They first dropped their luggage off at the hotel, then transferred to a car to the scenic spot. The driver, who was pre-arranged, was only responsible for picking them up and dropping them off today.

“First time visiting?” The driver’s Mandarin, mixed with a regional accent, asked, “After you come down, you can go to town for hotpot. It’s really enjoyable.”

Xiao Tang, sitting in the front passenger seat, opened his notes app and asked, “Uncle, do you have any other recommendations for places to visit?”

The driver, obviously used to this, smoothly rattled off a long list of place names.

“……”

Xiao Tang, looking serious, sent a message to Senior Song.

[Can’t understand, help.]

[No problem.]

[What’s he saying?]

Senior Song didn’t reply immediately. After the driver had “poured out his wisdom,” Xiao Tang finally received a response.

[Nothing important.]

Then came a screenshot, a converted text from a voice message.

Xiao Tang sent a message back, “As expected of Senior,” and only after opening the image did he realize it was a mixed Chinese-English text.

“……”

He retracted the five-character message and resent it with a wave emoji.

[Senior, you’re amazing~]

No matter how he looked at it, it seemed sarcastic.

Senior Song: [Early footage of humans taming AI.]

–

When Xiao Tang was making plans, online reviewers had said conquering this mountain was a piece of cake.

It wasn’t until he was actually climbing that he realized how steep the steps were.

“People really kept this a secret, huh. It’s exhausting.” Xiao Tang panted, “I’m so tired.”

Senior Sister Zhao had originally been carrying a small bag, now on Senior Zhang’s back, and her sun-protection jacket was tied around her waist.

She leaned against the railing, “This is mountain climbing, who said it’s suitable for a stroll?”

Senior Zhang tried to help her but was brushed off. Senior Sister Zhao put her hands on her hips, “What are you doing? I can climb another thousand steps.”

With that, she “leaped forward,” quickly moving ahead.

“…Sister Zhao, wait for me.” Senior Zhang helplessly followed.

Xiao Tang was dumbfounded, “Senior Sister Zhao…is she really that strong?”

Senior Song, standing next to him, took the opportunity to wrap his arm around Xiao Tang’s waist when no one was looking. Xiao Tang glanced at him and permitted it.

They weren’t in a hurry, taking a break before catching up.

When they caught up with the others, they were resting in a corridor beneath the glass walkway at the mountain top.

Seeing them approach, Senior Sister Zhao raised her camera and took a picture of them. As they got closer, she cleared her throat while holding up the camera.

“I’m a professional photographer. My work is on the school’s website.”

She then spread her hands, “Couple photos, ten yuan each.”

Xiao Tang smiled obediently, ready to negotiate a bit, but the person beside him immediately opened the transfer success screen—

Senior Sister Zhao patted Senior Zhang’s leg, laughing heartily.

Xiao Tang patted Senior Song’s shoulder, “You actually transferred the money.”

Senior Song, right in front of him, swiped the screen.

It was the photo.

Senior Sister Zhao: “……”

She couldn’t believe it, “When have I ever tricked you? Are you from another era?”

Senior Song put away his phone, “Photoshopped.”

“……6”

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