Let's Do Some Questions - Chapter 85

After a round of the game, only Song Man rolled the smallest number, 1, and only Chu Fengqiu rolled the largest, 24.

Everyone waited for Chu Fengqiu to pose a question. Chu Fengqiu didn’t think for long before stating a problem.

The question was posed very skillfully. At first glance, it seemed ordinary, but upon careful calculation, its cleverness became apparent.

“Great.”

The teacher pondered for a moment, then smiled in praise.

Song Man was quite familiar with Chu Fengqiu’s thought process. From the start, she felt it was impossible for her to pose such a simple question in this setting. Although it was a game, the students present were all qualified to be there, and this was undoubtedly everyone’s initial assessment of each other’s abilities. Chu Fengqiu would never just throw out a random question to fool around.

It was because of this familiarity that Song Man was able to grasp the loophole from the beginning, solve the problem, and after getting the answer, she paused.

“Song, figured it out?”

Another teacher observed her, smiling as he asked when he saw her reaction.

Song Man nodded, a slight blush appearing on her face.

“I’ve also figured it out. How about all the students who have the answer say it together?”

Michelson was excited and wanted to blurt out the answer immediately, but he didn’t forget who was supposed to answer.

Michelson counted to three, and everyone who had figured it out said it together.

“520.” [The digits 5-2-0 (wǔ-èr-líng) approximate the sounds of 我 (wǒ, “I”), 爱 (ài, “love”), and 你 (nǐ, “you”) in Mandarin.]

Song Man also said it, looking at Chu Fengqiu beside her. The surrounding joy became a blurred background, slowing down in an instant. Only Chu Fengqiu’s face was clear, her eyes carrying a smile, distinct and unforgettable.

“Wow.”

Everyone started cheering and laughing at Chu Fengqiu.

They didn’t think there was love between Chu Fengqiu and Song Man, just that they had a very good relationship, which was why they chose this number.

Everyone expressed their admiration for Chu Fengqiu’s ability, to come up with a question based on the current situation in such a short time, and to have the answer so perfectly chosen. They couldn’t help but be impressed.

Song Man was also convinced. This was too showy.

This kind of gesture was too heartwarming.

Under the dining table, Chu Fengqiu’s hand lightly hooked her pinky finger, wiggling it slightly. Song Man looked at her, watching her mouth words to her.

——I love you.

Ah ah ah ah ah ah!

Song Man unconsciously blushed, subtly withdrew her finger, and began to enjoy dinner with everyone.

Yuna was sitting diagonally across from Song Man. While drinking hot soup, she happened to catch sight of Song Man’s flushed face and sensed something unusual.

But Yuna didn’t probe into the story behind it, just lowered her head and continued drinking her soup.

After dinner, the teachers told everyone to rest well and they would go sightseeing the next morning.

Chu Fengqiu and Song Man returned to their room, took out their toiletries, washed up, greeted the classmates they met, and went up to the third floor.

Their accommodation was by the water. Looking out from the room window, they could see a large expanse of water, deep and tranquil.

Outside, only the sound of the wind blew, making everything feel exceptionally peaceful.

When Song Man turned around, Chu Fengqiu was changing into her pajamas.

The girl was tall and slender, her back showing a beautiful sheen, seemingly shimmering with delicate light.

Chu Fengqiu pulled down her clothes, adjusted the collar and hem, and smoothed out the hair that had been tucked inside, her black hair lifting and falling in the air, seemingly sparkling.

As Chu Fengqiu seemed to sense something, Song Man immediately turned her head, continuing to pretend to look at the lake outside the window as if nothing had happened.

It wasn’t peeking! It was looking openly!

Song Man looked at the lake surface, her mind filled with random thoughts. When she turned back, she found that Chu Fengqiu had already changed and was lying cross-legged on the bed.

It was a double bed. Chu Fengqiu waved at Song Man, signaling that it was time to rest.

Song Man took out her pajamas from her suitcase, feeling a bit shy, sensing that Chu Fengqiu might be watching her.

Three seconds later, Song Man’s expression cracked.

What the hell was she thinking?! This hesitant, wishy-washy behavior wasn’t her style at all, she wasn’t like this!

Back then, she had changed clothes in front of Chu Fengqiu without a care! How could she feel a bit shy now?

It was too strange, truly too strange.

Song Man closed her suitcase and placed it by the bed.

It’s just changing clothes, change!

Song Man unbuttoned her clothes. The inner shirt she wore today had buttons, which had to be undone one by one.

She was focused on unbuttoning with her head down, not noticing Chu Fengqiu’s darkening eyes.

Chu Fengqiu watched as the buttons were undone one by one, revealing beautiful collarbones and a large expanse of smooth skin.

Her throat moved, and she forced herself to lower her head.

Still trying to be a decent person, won’t have to wait much longer, Chu Fengqiu told herself, the darkness in her eyes gradually clearing.

Song Man was eagerly unbuttoning, thinking about changing quickly, but then hesitated when it came to pulling it open. Then she immediately mentally slapped herself. So timid and awkward, how could she claim to be the boss?

The rustling was too loud. Chu Fengqiu looked up and saw the girl’s back highlighted as she dressed, the beautifully shaped bones like a butterfly about to take flight, instantly covered.

The room should have been a bit cold, but Song Man worked up a sweat just changing clothes. After changing, she burrowed into the blanket, wrapping herself up tightly.

Chu Fengqiu reached out and pulled the blanket up for her, tucking in the edges for Song Man.

Her parents made a cross-border video call. Chu Fengqiu checked the time; it must be 1 AM in China now.

“Why aren’t you sleeping yet? Didn’t I tell you we arrived safely when we got here?”

“Your mom couldn’t sleep, got up and said she wanted to call you.”

Xu Qinglang sounded a bit helpless, turning the camera towards Song Zici beside him.

Ms. Song wasn’t wearing makeup at the moment. The imposing aura she usually had at the company was greatly reduced, making her look like a gentle lady.

“Mom, not getting your beauty sleep makes you age easily.”

“You’re not sleeping either.”

“We have a time difference!”

“Okay, okay, I know. I just fell asleep and then suddenly woke up, and I wanted to see you.”

A hint of worry flashed in Song Zici’s eyes, but it quickly disappeared, so fast that Song Man thought she had just imagined it.

“Look, I’m doing well. Chu Fengqiu is next to me.”

Song Man turned the camera, putting her face close for her mom to see clearly, then turned the camera towards Chu Fengqiu.

Chu Fengqiu quickly reacted, smiling and saying hello.

From the other side of the video, there was the sound of putting on shoes, followed by the sound of a door opening and closing.

“Mom, where’s Dad going?”

“He went to get me milk. Oh, right, your sister…”

“What about my sister?”

Song Man tilted her head.

“I see your sister is not young anymore, and she doesn’t have a boyfriend. I wanted to ask if she ever told you about anyone she was dating or the type she likes?”

“Huh? I don’t know. My sister never told me.”

Why would Song Man inquire about Song Qinglan’s affairs? She barely wanted to talk to Song Qinglan, how could she possibly know what kind of person she liked? Song Qinglan wouldn’t actively introduce her friends either.

Aside from Tong Yiran and Jiang Shan, Song Man truly didn’t know any of Song Qinglan’s friends. Oh, right, Song Qinglan probably wouldn’t admit Jiang Shan was her friend. She didn’t know how their last talk went, and Jiang Shan hadn’t contacted her again.

“Is that so…”

“What’s wrong, Mom? Why are you suddenly worrying about her? Are you planning to find her a partner?”

Whether Song Qinglan would accept an arranged marriage was another matter. After all, their family was different from others; the children had to take the Song surname. If they found someone with strong patriarchal views, it really wouldn’t fit their family.

“If there’s someone suitable, I’ll consider it. Alright, I won’t disturb your rest. Go to bed early.”

“You too, Mom. Bye, goodnight.”

Song Man hung up the phone and didn’t think much about it. After all, she didn’t have any particular thoughts about what kind of partner Song Qinglan would have in the future, as long as they weren’t someone with ill intentions.

Song Man felt sleepy after the video call. She had been tired all day. She put her phone aside, set a timer, and played music suitable for sleeping.

“Chu Fengqiu, goodnight.”

Song Man’s voice was soft.

“Goodnight.”

Hearing Chu Fengqiu’s low, gentle voice, Song Man closed her eyes.

The music timer ended. By the time it finished, Song Man had rolled into Chu Fengqiu’s arms.

Chu Fengqiu was already very used to this. With practiced ease, she let Song Man lean on her and put her arm around Song Man’s waist.

Song Man wasn’t surprised at all to see herself tangled up with Chu Fengqiu when she woke up the next day.

First time’s awkward, second time’s familiar. She was already accustomed to her sleeping posture; once she fell asleep, she couldn’t control herself.

They woke up at the scheduled time, washed up, ate breakfast, then gathered to go sightseeing at Geirangerfjord.

Since Song Man came in winter, there weren’t as many tourists as in summer. They chartered a boat and began to enjoy the fjord. The most famous sight here was the Seven Sisters waterfall, naturally magnificent and captivating. The splashing water refracted the sunlight, creating a beauty that was mesmerizing.

The scenery was relaxing and also helped improve focus and mental agility.

They didn’t spend every day sightseeing, but rather used an amplified Pomodoro method.

The quality of the winter camp was not inconsistent; it could be said to have met standards. Everyone discussed together, with teachers providing guidance and answering questions, creating a great atmosphere.

Sometimes they would be on the grass outside, looking at the green mountains and clear water, discussing refraction, gravity, density, sometimes extending to higher-level fields that Song Man had never heard of.

She craved this knowledge, fascinated by numbers.

And even more fortunate was having someone who understood her immersed in it with her.

On Christmas Day, Deng Wei sent Song Man a video of his confession, happy like an idiot.

“Lao Chu, come look, Deng Wei actually got the girl.”

The background of the video was still the hospital room. Deng Wei had recovered quite well; at least his face was presentable. He didn’t do anything tacky like writing a love confession on his cast. Instead, he held a large bouquet of roses and awkwardly expressed his affection to Shen Conglin.

In the video, Shen Conglin held the roses, covering her mouth, her cheeks flushed.

Shen Conglin said, “I like you, but you need to know that I’m agreeing not because you ended up here for me. I think that was the silliest and most foolish thing, and I absolutely don’t want to see it happen again. But I’m very touched that you were so brave for me. I like that you tell me jokes and make me laugh, I like that you ran so far just to buy me the soy milk I like, I like that you clumsily knitted a scarf for me. It’s really good to have met you.”

In the background, everyone was cheering, full of joy.

The video ended there. Song Man smiled and typed out words of blessing on the screen.

Deng Wei sent another voice message, full of smugness.

“Thanks, Man Jie. When will your good news be close?”

Just her luck, Chu Fengqiu was right beside her and heard the whole thing.

“Can’t you keep your mouth shut when you’re dating?”

Song Man was annoyed. Chu Fengqiu was leaning right next to her. She didn’t dare look at Chu Fengqiu’s expression, knowing it must be a smile that made her feel shy.

She felt Chu Fengqiu getting closer, warmth on her earlobe.

“Man Jie, Man Jie, when will our good news be close?”

She actually mimicked Deng Wei’s question, her gentle voice carrying a smile, making Song Man’s face instantly turn bright red. She pushed Chu Fengqiu’s face away.

“Don’t you have a clue when it’ll be close?”

Song Man grumbled and walked away, maintaining her last shred of dignity.