Chapter 83: The Art of Reading People, The Skill of Social Maneuvering

“Leaving so soon? Aren’t you planning to stay a little longer?”

The two waited until Gou Yu’s mother had resumed wandering around the manor before explaining the situation to her.

For some reason, they hadn’t seen Gou Yu’s father—probably coaxed to sleep.

“We’re planning to go to the seaside. You know, the beach is always an essential part of any youth campus drama.” Gou Yu gestured animatedly with his hands in the air.

The noblewoman didn’t even glance at her beloved son, instead turning her gaze toward Zhu Niao.

Zhu Niao nodded.

“If you two want to go, I naturally have no objections. But it’s autumn now, and the seaside can be quite cold.” Gou Yu’s mother gave her son a pointed look. “Don’t catch a cold.”

Zhu Niao felt as if there was a deeper meaning behind her words.

And Gou Yu knew perfectly well his mother wasn’t concerned about him catching a chill at the seaside in autumn.

“Got it, got it. I’ll wrap her up in layers and layers.” Gou Yu’s eyes involuntarily dimmed a bit.

Just moments ago, he was still looking forward to seeing Zhu Niao’s swimsuit.

Zhu Niao’s gaze shifted between the two of them, then she tilted her head: “Huh?”

“How long do you plan to stay? If it’s not too long, just come back after you’re done playing—no need to rush back to school.” The noblewoman continued.

Now the little bird understood clearly; this was their way of trying to keep the two of them there.

It was somewhat refreshing—last time someone pleaded for her to stay was when Gou Yu was punished by the teacher and begged her not to leave.

There was another layer of meaning here too. It was rare for Zhu Niao to catch the hidden implication.

When going on a trip, you naturally return home, which meant fully accepting this place as one of their homes.

“We weren’t planning to go back to school so soon anyway.” Gou Yu popped out from beside them and added, “We even brought a change of clothes. At least two days at home.”

After saying that, he reached out, slinging his arm around Zhu Niao’s shoulders and pulling her into a hug.

Zhu Niao looked up at Gou Yu in surprise.

Though she had originally planned to agree, Gou Yu’s anxious demeanor made it seem like he was afraid she might run off.

Isn’t it normal for them to stay together no matter where they go?

Zhu Niao couldn’t understand.

Their luggage stayed behind briefly, only a set of clothes was brought along.

The cat was left in the shopkeeper’s care.

Zhu Niao suddenly felt like they were a couple who’d dropped their kid off at their grandparents’ house, then went off to have fun themselves.

“If you need, the driver can take you there.” Just then, the shopkeeper—who had earlier claimed to be busy—popped up out of nowhere, holding the well-behaved little orange tabby.

“No, that won’t be necessary.” Zhu Niao quickly waved her off.

She still couldn’t forget that at first, she had mistaken that driver uncle for Gou Yu’s father; meeting again might make things awkward.

“Then the high-speed train it is.” The shopkeeper flipped her tablet around to show them. “Tickets are bought. How about leaving this afternoon?”

The speed was astonishing.

“Oh….” Zhu Niao obediently nodded at the arrangement.

Then she paused—how did they get her identity info?

Oh, she must have handed over a personal information form during the interview. Not just identity info, even her household registration was in there.

“I need to get a good sleep. Wake me up when it’s time to leave tonight.”

Gou Yu said as he patted Zhu Niao’s head. “Choo choo choo, got that?”

It sounded less like a wake-up call and more like calling a big dog.

The little bird froze, then raised her fist and chased after Gou Yu, disappearing from the shopkeeper and noblewoman’s view.

They chased all the way to the room door before Gou Yu stopped and turned around to look at the panting little bird.

“Rest first. Don’t get sleepy when it’s actually time to have fun.” After saying that, Gou Yu slipped into his room, only half showing himself as he raised a middle finger at Zhu Niao. “I’m definitely going to oversleep. If you don’t sleep now, then if you oversleep later, neither of us will get to go.”

“You still have the nerve to ask me to wake you up?” Zhu Niao didn’t have time to get mad before Gou Yu slammed the door shut.

Startled and almost hitting her face on the door, Zhu Niao huffed and returned to her room.

The bed was soft, and as Zhu Niao crawled under the covers, drowsiness swept over her.

She looked at the photo frame on the nightstand, a rather unique group photo.

No fresh water droplets, no dirty water stains.

After washing the whole frame, Gou Yu had carefully wiped every corner.

Come to think of it, both she and Gou Yu had been exhausted today—rest was truly necessary.

Curled up under the blanket, she tucked the edge tightly under her neck. The feeling of being so wrapped up gave her an inexplicable sense of comfort and security.

She glanced one last time at the photo frame—and the person she kissed inside it.

Good night, Gou Yu.

*****

“Little Bird agreed to go, but she’s definitely taking Gou Yu with her.”

Ye Qingchang leaned on the table with both hands, the glare from her glasses, with their three-hundred-degree prescription, flickering oddly.

Beside her, Liu Xie mirrored her posture, as if scheming some world-shaking plan.

Yang Shuli didn’t understand but followed along.

“What’s wrong with taking Gou Yu along?” Yang Shuli asked straightforwardly.

“If it was before, it wouldn’t be a problem, but now it’s a big deal.” Liu Xie explained, “Originally, five grown men going out together would be fine, but now it becomes a couple and three third wheels.”

“Huh?” Yang Shuli seemed to realize something. “So you mean we can’t bring people? But I already invited Xu Nian.”

Liu Xie and Ye Qingchang looked stunned, staring at their adorably clueless dorm leader.

It was hard to imagine Yang Shuli, usually slow on the uptake, reacting so quickly now.

“Why did you invite him for a trip?” Liu Xie couldn’t help but ask.

“Because I want to eat seafood.”

Yang Shuli’s expression was sincere, and her only desire was for seafood.

Liu Xie and Ye Qingchang both facepalmed.

They almost forgot why they had suggested the seaside trip in the first place.

“Well, now it’s just the two of us as third wheels.”

Liu Xie and Ye Qingchang looked at each other.

After a moment, Ye Qingchang spoke first, “Don’t betray the bros, okay?”

Liu Xie put a hand on Ye Qingchang’s shoulder. “Of course not. Calling my brother is no different from calling my dad. But you—don’t tell me you’re going to bring your electronic pet?”

“Of course not. I’m going to relax, not use my brain. Besides, that guy is already out traveling. How would I call him?”

Ye Qingchang also placed her hand on Liu Xie’s shoulder. “I certainly won’t invite anyone. Whether you will, I don’t know.”

“So how about a deal? Neither of us invites anyone. Just the two of us. Let them have their fun alone.” Liu Xie smiled.

“Fine.” Ye Qingchang squinted, letting her hand fall from Liu Xie’s shoulder as she shook his hand. “It’s a promise.”

Then she turned and went to book the hotel rooms.

The art of social maneuvering—dark psychology.

Though the two of them really wouldn’t invite anyone else along.

But Liu Anran had already seen Liu Xie’s hotel booking notification.