PCJ – Chapter 541 Autumn Outing

“Next time your class organizes an event, let’s join you,” Tang Yan said with a smile.

“Sure,” Zhang Jiaohua nodded.

It was initially just a casual comment, but unexpectedly, it turned out to be true. As soon as the National Day holiday ended, Class Monitor Wang Shibin announced that an autumn outing would be organized.

“This will be our class’s first collective event. I hope everyone can overcome difficulties and actively participate in this autumn outing. It’s a rare chance that students from all over Beijing can gather at the Fourth School. I hope every student in the class will be as united as we were during the last basketball game. We should not only exceed other classes in academics but also in every other activity, showing even more unity than the other classes,” Wang Shibin said, growing increasingly passionate, waving his hands uncontrollably.

His speech made many students, like Zhang Jiaohua, who had thought of rejecting the outing without giving it a second thought, hesitate. Once they spoke up, it would be like disrupting the class’s unity, looking down on their classmates. No one in the class wanted to bear such a label.

Wang Shibin scanned everyone in the class, “Does anyone have objections?”

Zhang Jiaohua rolled his eyes inwardly and thought, You’ve said it like this, how could I dare to say no? Glasses-wearing people really can’t escape being sly. Wang Shibin, who usually seemed honest, turned out to be crafty through and through.

“Since no one has objections, let’s talk about where we should go,” Wang Shibin continued.

Zheng Wendong quickly asked, “Class monitor, how about we go see the red leaves in Xiangshan?”

“It’s still a bit early to see the red leaves. At this time, the maple leaves haven’t fully turned red yet, so it won’t be very beautiful,” Wang Shibin shook his head.

“Then just tell us where you want to go,” Zheng Wendong said.

“What do the other classmates think?” Wang Shibin actually already had an ideal destination in mind but insisted on letting the classmates voice their ideas first, then systematically rejecting them.

“Zhang Jiaohua, you say,” Wang Shibin asked.

Zhang Jiaohua had already seen through it and quickly shook his head. “Don’t ask me about this. I’m an outsider. How would I know where’s the best place to visit in Beijing?”

Only then did Wang Shibin reveal his plan. “I have an idea. Let’s see if it works for everyone.”

“Wang Shibin, you haven’t shared your own idea yet. Hurry up,” Xu Chuan’an said.

“We can go to Xiyun Reservoir for the autumn outing. We can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, and we can also camp and cook outdoors to strengthen our bonds. What do you think?” Wang Shibin asked.

“Doesn’t that take two days?” Xu Xiaoting asked.

“Yes, we would meet and depart on Saturday and return on Sunday afternoon. This is our class’s first collective activity, so everyone mustn’t make excuses and refuse to participate,” Wang Shibin said, slightly worried that his first event as class monitor wouldn’t receive full support from everyone.

“Zhang Jiaohua, will you participate?” Xu Xiaoting thought for a while, then turned and asked Zhang Jiaohua.

“Xu Xiaoting, are you going or not? Do you need Zhang Jiaohua to go on the autumn outing for you to join?” Zheng Wendong laughed.

“Zheng Wendong, if you don’t stop talking, no one will consider you mute,” Xu Xiaoting glared at Zheng Wendong but blushed slightly.

“Ah, I was just casually asking. Actually, I also wanted to ask Zhang Jiaohua. Our basketball team brothers need to stick together. If Zhang Jiaohua doesn’t go, we won’t go either,” Zheng Wendong smiled.

Zhang Jiaohua grinned. “I’m an outsider anyway, so even if it’s the weekend, I won’t go home. If there’s somewhere to go, I’d be happy to join.”

Zhang Jiaohua’s words were effectively saying that he would attend the autumn outing.

“Then I’ll go too,” Xu Xiaoting said, immediately turning around, feeling slightly embarrassed to face the class’s gaze.

“Our basketball team won’t be absent either,” Zheng Wendong said with a smile.

As more and more classmates signed up for the outing, Wang Shibin smiled broadly.

“Since everyone agrees to participate, I’ll assign some tasks. Each person needs to prepare some items for the outing. Since we’re camping, we need to bring camping equipment, and we also need cooking utensils for the outdoor meal…” Zheng Wendong said.

Zhang Jiaohua asked, “Class monitor, can we invite people who aren’t in our class to join us?”

“Uh, it’s best not to mix in people unrelated to our class. After all, this is a collective event for our class. If we let outsiders join, it might undermine the meaning of this autumn outing,” Wang Shibin frowned.

“Why not? Zhang Jiaohua hasn’t even said who he wants to invite,” Zheng Wendong immediately said with dissatisfaction.

“I just said it’s better not to mix outsiders. Zhang Jiaohua, who are you thinking of inviting?” Wang Shibin knew that if he offended Zhang Jiaohua, the whole basketball team would turn against him, so he had to force himself to ask.

“If it’s not allowed, forget it. It doesn’t matter. Just that last time at the party, Tang Yan and them mentioned that if our class had a group activity, we could let them know. They’d come if they had time. Since mixing outsiders isn’t a good idea, forget it,” Zhang Jiaohua said.

“Don’t be like that. Tang Yan and them are not outsiders. They represented our class at the party last time, so since that day, they’ve been honorary members of our class, right? Right, everyone?” Wang Shibin hurriedly interjected.

Zheng Wendong chuckled, then said, “I still don’t think it’s a good idea. They’re not in our class, and they’re much older than us. They definitely won’t be able to play along with us. Besides, by then, you’ll all be busy fangirling. How are you going to enjoy the outing?”

After saying this, Zheng Wendong nudged Xu Chuan’an, signaling him to speak. Xu Chuan’an, still immersed in the surprise, was pushed and quickly said, “Well, Zheng Wendong, sorry, but I can’t say something I don’t believe. Captain, we should definitely invite Tang Yan and them. It would be best to bring their entire crew, like last time. That would be awesome.”

“You don’t understand. We’re going on an autumn outing, not to film a movie,” Zheng Wendong said as he kicked Xu Chuan’an’s behind in annoyance.

Li Wenjuan quickly said, “Actually, as long as everyone treats them like regular people during the outing, it’s fine. They’re coming as our friends, not as celebrities. We shouldn’t treat them too differently. Otherwise, they might not want to join our class activities next time.”

“Right, right, rational fangirling. Don’t be brainless fans,” Wang Shibin agreed.

When Zhang Jiaohua called Tang Yan, she and the others were very happy and excitedly accepted the invitation.

“We’re all on holiday right now. We’ll come over at that time. By the way, since you students aren’t convenient for preparing the camping stuff and vehicles, I’ll talk to Wang Yiwei and ask him to arrange it. Don’t worry, if you knew it was for you, you’d be even happier,” Tang Yan not only agreed to go but also took on the most troublesome issues for the class.

The autumn outing had been kept a secret from Wei Yunlong.

“Many classes are having autumn outings. I don’t mind if it’s a moderate way to relax, but I want to emphasize one thing: we absolutely cannot have activities like hiking or camping that lack safety guarantees. What if something happens? Who’s responsible?” Wei Yunlong, not knowing whether he had caught wind of something, came to the classroom early in the morning and started talking about the autumn outing.

Everyone’s gaze turned to Wang Shibin, thinking he had told Wei Yunlong.

“Wang Shibin, did you organize this autumn outing? Why is it, whenever I mention autumn outings, everyone looks at you?” Wei Yunlong, a teacher with many years of experience, asked.

“No, no. We’re just planning to go to the botanical garden for a stroll on the weekend. We’re not going anywhere too far,” Wang Shibin stammered slightly as he lied.

“Then how come I heard there’s a big event in our class? You’ve even invited celebrities!” Wei Yunlong stared at Wang Shibin.

“Well, that’s not settled yet,” Wang Shibin said awkwardly.

“If it’s such a good event, don’t forget to invite me,” Wei Yunlong said in an odd tone, leaving everyone unsure if he was serious or not.

After class, Wang Shibin approached Zhang Jiaohua and asked, “Zhang Jiaohua, do you think we should tell Teacher Wei?”

“Up to you. If I can’t go, I don’t care. At worst, a few of us from the basketball team will go and have fun,” Zhang Jiaohua said nonchalantly.

“Then forget it. If Teacher Wei finds out, we definitely won’t be able to go,” Wang Shibin scratched the back of his head.

Wei Yunlong must have known about it because after school, he called Zhang Jiaohua aside. “You’re the one organizing the camping, right?”

“I’m not a class officer. How could I organize it?” Zhang Jiaohua laughed.

“Don’t lie to me. Even if you didn’t come up with the idea, the final arrangements will still depend on you. I heard Tang Yan and them are coming too?” Wei Yunlong asked.

Zhang Jiaohua didn’t hide it, “I called them, and they said they’re coming.”

“You have a special relationship with them, huh? Last time, you managed to get them here, and now you’ve invited them with just one phone call.”

“Chen Cheng is from my village. Maybe that’s why,” Zhang Jiaohua didn’t elaborate further.

“Oh.” Wei Yunlong didn’t fully believe it. Even though Chen Cheng and Zhang Jiaohua were from the same village, that didn’t explain how he could get Tang Yan and Chen Haibo, two of the hottest stars, to join the outing.

“Are you going, Teacher Wei?” Zhang Jiaohua asked.

“You guys are afraid I’ll find out. If I go, you won’t enjoy yourselves. Forget it, I won’t go. You’re different from the other students. This time, the safety of the classmates on the outing will be your responsibility,” Wei Yunlong said, making it clear why he was speaking to Zhang Jiaohua.