Cui Xijin rarely has experience in group outings.
She believes, and has believed since childhood—that the essence of humanity is to live as an individual.
Throughout elementary school, middle school, high school, and university... all the spring outings, picnics, and hikes, as well as the now-popular "graduation trips," she would avoid participating whenever possible.
Originally, after graduating from university, Chen Wenran and Ran Yan planned a graduation trip for the four of them—Xiamen, Taiwan, Dali, Tibet... this was their original plan.
However, it ultimately concluded with Cui Xijin signing up for an environmental program in South America. Although she didn't want to go, Chen Wenran and Ran Yan seemed determined—not wanting to go with just three people, not one could be missing.
Cui Xijin felt confused. She never understood what her significance was in this group of four.
Though she ultimately did not go to South America, by the end of that period, everyone had returned to Chengdu, while those who stayed in Chongqing began to step into their work routines.
The connections between people are indeed mysterious. Some drift apart as if nothing happened; even if they meet for the last time, they don't know what their final words were. Others might drift and argue, yet in the end, those few remain by their side.
So far, apart from these three people and the unavoidable blood ties, Cui Xijin has not maintained any relationship for more than a year. She has always held a pessimistic view towards "intimate relationships."
As a result, Chen Wenran has expressed concern more than once—"I'm afraid that if I don't keep pulling Cui Xijin, she'll just get married and retreat from the world one day."
But Chi Buyu's philosophy of life is always at odds with Cui Xijin; she is passionate about group activities, possessing a charm that maintains intimate relationships unwaveringly. Chen Wenran had previously been jealous of Chi Buyu, but upon meeting her for the first time, she sighed—"No one can take a sip of water without falling in love with Chi Buyu."
Cui Xijin guesses that Chi Buyu's life philosophy is probably— the essence of humanity is to live vibrantly with other humans.
Ran Yan has also expressed concern about this—"I'm afraid if I don't keep pulling Shuishui, she'll be deceived by a bad woman one day."
In summary, this two-day, two-night group outing's destination is Leshan, only three stops by high-speed train.
Cui Xijin often travels for work but rarely goes on trips. So she packed her luggage according to her work trip standards. In the end, she organized a 24-inch black suitcase, a neck pillow, and a cap for sun protection.
On the subway to Chengdu East Station.
Cui Xijin thought—Chi Buyu should be the kind of person who would carry two fully packed suitcases even when going to nearby cities.
Sure enough, as soon as she exited the subway gate and looked up, she saw Chi Buyu sitting on one of the suitcases, holding onto the other suitcase's handle, lazily resting her chin on it.
The transfer from the subway to the high-speed train was crowded with people, most hurriedly pushing their suitcases, and the cold lighting inside made everyone look fatigued and dull.
Only Chi Buyu stood out among them.
She wore a spring-like ginger-yellow collared shirt, a brown vest, and a matching short skirt, topped off with a straw hat and two braids. Her hair seemed freshly dyed, appearing a slightly darker color than before, resembling black but not quite. It should be a bit lighter than the color of her irises.
