Chapter 46: Autumn Amusement Park

After the homeroom teacher finished discussing matters with the principal, she began organizing the students to board the buses for the autumn excursion.

It was only fitting that the buses belonged to the Imperial University—each one gleaming and new, with consecutive license plates lined up at the front.

She stepped onto the bus.

Xu Chuyin took the seat beside her.

She glanced at him sideways, coldly unscrewing her imported drink and taking a sip.

“My sister probably won't be coming to school for a while. Yesterday, the principal told her to stay home and rest—she’s not to return for the time being.”

The principal?

Ha, he certainly chose his side quickly.

“And then?”

“Last night, my sister caused a scene all night. This morning, the doctor came to examine her and diagnosed her with bipolar disorder.”

“Bipolar disorder? She assaults others, yet somehow ends up with a diagnosis herself? Anyone who doesn’t know the truth would think she’s faking it to avoid a lawsuit.”

“She really has been losing her mind these days. Yesterday she argued with Father and nearly stabbed a servant with a knife.”

Zhong Huayan was speechless again. “Why didn’t she use the knife on her own father? Clearly, her mind isn’t damaged, only her heart is rotten.”

Xu Chuyin seemed momentarily stunned by her words, then offered a gentle smile.

“Are you staying in a tent alone?”

Zhong Huayan thought it over—none of the students at Imperial University were worth befriending; they were all fence-sitters, swaying with the wind.

“I’m more comfortable on my own.”

“Will you have lunch with me later?”

“It’s difficult to eat when I look at you.”

For the first time, Xu Chuyin was rebuffed by a woman.

He had always assumed she still harbored some affection for him.

Now it seemed that whatever feelings she once had had been so thoroughly wounded that there was nothing left.

Xu Chuyin didn’t even know how to make amends.

Perhaps he simply didn’t want things to become too ugly between them.

“I’m sorry.”

“Is ‘sorry’ supposed to help?”

They stopped speaking. She put on her headphones, gazing out the window as she listened to music.

Xu Chuyin prided himself on never feeling nervous around women, but today the air felt stifling. He wanted to say something, but couldn’t find the words; the atmosphere grew awkward.

The bus arrived at a scenic area—sunlight poured over the leaves and ancient buildings. It wasn’t a famous tourist spot, but the scenery was extraordinary. On either side, ponds filled with fading lotus blossoms, slender towering trees, streams trickling steadily. There were artificial hills, villas, barbecue grills, even outdoor karaoke, amusement rides, and wooden bamboo rafts by the pavilions.

“Li Yanyan, want to join us girls on the pirate ship later?”

She removed her headphones and saw several female classmates, brimming with excitement, inviting her.

Zhong Huayan had never visited an amusement park before. Occasionally she went, but rarely participated.

But now, no longer the heiress or the chairwoman of the Zhong Group, she felt a surge of curiosity.

Stepping off the bus, the throng of students breathed unprecedented vitality into this vast, deserted place.

The girls dragged her to the pirate ship.

The pirate ship was huge, operated by machinery; today, the school covered all expenses.

“Let’s get on together, Li Yanyan—which seat do you want?”

Before she could answer, the other seats were already claimed.

Only the last few rows remained. Without a word, Xu Chuyin strode over, put his arm around her shoulder, and led her to the very last row.

The last row was the most turbulent, the most thrilling.

She glanced at Xu Chuyin beside her; his white school uniform gave him an air of genteel elegance, but the smile at his lips betrayed the innocence of his appearance.

“Are you scared?”

“Scared of what? It’s just a pirate ship.”

The girls took seats farther forward; once everyone was ready, the machine started up.

The school had even hired photographers to capture the outing for publicity; eventually, each student would receive a commemorative book.

Zhong Huayan expected the pirate ship wouldn’t be too frightening, just like a swing.

“Now it’s too late to abandon ship,” Xu Chuyin remarked, deliberately provoking her.

At first, the ship moved gently, but soon it soared higher and higher, then suddenly plunged downward.

Zhong Huayan felt the weightlessness pierce her heart like countless needles, the suffocating pain forcing a scream from her lips!

The pirate ship echoed with girls’ cries, rising and falling.

Xu Chuyin laughed, his voice bright as sunshine.

Her hair was already disheveled; she clung desperately to the railing. Damn it! There wasn’t even a safety belt, just a single bar.

With each downward rush, she buried her head, face pale and sweating, her heart stopping, only to resume breathing ten seconds later.

Was her body truly so frail—

Or was the pirate ship’s weightlessness simply too intense?

She glanced at Xu Chuyin’s mischievous face; he seemed utterly unfazed, even smirking.

“A few more minutes. Can you hold on? If you’re uncomfortable, you can lean closer to me!”

“Aah!”

She barely heard him as the ship plunged again, her only relief in screaming to ease her discomfort.

It seemed her body was indeed not in good shape.

Back and forth, she never once considered leaning on Xu Chuyin.

At last, the machine stopped.

She staggered off, tidying her messy hair.

Even now, her legs trembled and her chest ached with a pain sharper than carsickness.

“Have some water?”

Xu Chuyin offered her a bottle.

Normally she appeared strong, but now, with her face drained of color, she inspired pity.

He didn’t like her completely fragile.

He preferred her strength, even when she stubbornly endured weakness.

Her gentle features were now beaded with cold sweat, lips pale and dry, hair disordered, legs trembling and fair—

She drank water, mouthful by mouthful.

He stood watching; he’d never noticed before that Li Yanyan was actually quite beautiful.

Not just her appearance, but her temperament, every gesture, every movement radiated beauty.

At the swimming pool, during her Kunqu performance—he’d been entranced, learning to appreciate her allure.

No wonder Fu Yan Yan liked her…

Xu Chuyin recalled his wager with his brother, and a strange irritation rose within him.

He wanted genuine love, marriage, children—not this sordid game.

“Li Yanyan, if I confessed to you, would you give me even a little chance?”

“No. My refusal is absolute. I will never like you. I despise you.”

Her words were resolute.

Xu Chuyin let out a low laugh. He’d expected rejection, but hadn’t imagined it would be so thorough.

He’d never before found himself repeatedly asking such pointless questions of a woman!

His heart began to ache, layer upon layer…

He stared at her, annoyed, gulping water so quickly it ran down his throat.

Zhong Huayan was truly weary of these men. She only wanted to serve her country, not bother with romance; love was the dessert of the world—an illusion, the most insubstantial thing of all.

She didn’t believe in love, not from the marrow of her bones; perhaps she simply couldn’t feel it.

She’d watched her parents’ love shatter since childhood, grew up surrounded by relationships built on ulterior motives—what was there to trust?

Except for Fu Yan Yan, whom she believed to be sincere.