The two followed the script from the school gate to the library, then to the celebrity statues, and circled around the cherry blossom path a few times before arriving at the artificial lake, watching several white swans lazily swim by, stirring up ripples.

After walking under the sun for a long time, Jiang Linyuan's purchased water had long been finished, so the two decided to take a rest.

Shen Wanyu sat back down on the bench and looked at Jiang Linyuan:

"As expected of Deputy Minister Jiang, the master of sweet-talking women. Your acting skills are truly exquisite."

"Department Head, are you complimenting me or scolding me?"

"Just stating the facts."

Shen Wanyu said flatly, pulling two bottles of mineral water from her shoulder bag—who knew when she'd bought them.

Maybe she'd prepared them from the start.

"Yours."

Shen Wanyu handed one over.

"Thanks, Department Head."

Jiang Linyuan took it and replenished his fluids.

"Just an equal exchange."

Shen Wanyu took a sip of water, gazing at the rippling lake surface.

Jiang Linyuan watched her and silently activated 【Heart Slave】.

"Department Head, are we continuing tonight?"

【Pretending to ask.】

"No. Aren't you going to see Su Muzhi tonight?"

Shen Wanyu turned her head to look at Jiang Linyuan.

"Come along. As Xiao Su's friend, hardly anyone visits her hospital room."

Jiang Linyuan said casually.

【I hate these half-truths the most.】

Shen Wanyu took another sip of water and said:

"She doesn't need that either."

"That's not necessarily true. Xiao Su is so strong-willed. On the surface, she says she doesn't care, but deep down, who knows?"

Just like you, Department Head.

Shen Wanyu glanced at Jiang Linyuan and chuckled:

"I can go alone. Why should I go with you?"

"More people make it livelier. An empty hospital room feels uncomfortable, doesn't it?"

"I think you alone are lively enough."

Shen Wanyu shook her head and stopped looking at Jiang Linyuan.

【This guy always loves asking for trouble.】

What do you mean, asking for trouble? Department Head, if you'd just listen to me obediently, everything would be fine!

Jiang Linyuan didn't press further. He downed the water in one gulp and said:

"Then let's hurry up and finish the remaining scenes."

"No problem."

Shen Wanyu had no objections either. There weren't many scenes left anyway.

The core one was the segment at Xingnan's observatory, since astronomy was one of the school's stronger departments.

The short film's main purpose was to introduce the school, even though the observatory was generally not open to the public.

But with the banner of promoting the school anniversary and the backing of Vice Principal's authority, I'm invincible!

The road to the observatory was shaded by trees, with occasional gusts of wind. It would've been very comfortable to just sit and do nothing.

But the slope was steep, making walking quite strenuous. They worked up a sweat, and near dusk, the wind could easily send chills down their spines.

Jiang Linyuan naturally didn't care about such things. With the dual soul rings of 【Refreshed and Renewed】 and 【Superhero Robust Physique】 backing him up, he was fearless.

But Shen Wanyu was different. She was dressed relatively lightly and carrying a bag.

Although she had good stamina and wouldn't tire too much, having sweated and then being blown by the wind might just land her with a cold.

"Department Head, maybe we should come back tomorrow?"

Jiang Linyuan looked at Shen Wanyu, who was struggling up the slope, and asked.

"We've come this far, and you're saying we should turn back?"

Shen Wanyu turned to look at him.

Never mind, the Department Head can't be persuaded anyway.

"Department Head, don't catch a cold on the way back."

"I'm not that fragile."

Shen Wanyu nodded and pulled her coat tighter.

【What a miscalculation. I should have worn something thicker.】

"Ha... chiew!"

A strange sound rang in his ears. Jiang Linyuan turned his head; Shen Wanyu turned hers too.

"Department Head, what was that sound?"

"Maybe it was a bird that ran out somewhere."

Shen Wanyu didn't look at Jiang Linyuan, her ears a bit red.

Jiang Linyuan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Shen Wanyu immediately fixed him with an icy glare:

"What are you laughing at?"

"I just remembered that time when I was completely soaked, and you brought me clothes."

It was late autumn back then. Although it was cold, the clothes inside were all thermal wear, not like now, with this deceptive temperature shift.

Shen Wanyu also laughed, then mocked:

"Is that funny?"

"No, it's just... combined with now, it's a bit funny."

Shen Wanyu continued walking upward, ignoring Jiang Linyuan.

Jiang Linyuan caught up, took off his jacket, and handed it over:

"Department Head, wear this. It'll block the wind."

Shen Wanyu looked at him but didn't reach out.

"It's an equal exchange. I still have your clothes from back then."

Jiang Linyuan said helplessly.

"Thanks."

Shen Wanyu shrank her face. This time, she didn't refuse and put on the jacket.

It was a bit big, but surprisingly good at blocking the wind.

The two kept walking until they reached the observatory. They passed through unimpeded, heading straight for the top platform.

It was very open, with one or two telescopes placed there—whether specially set up or left behind by someone too lazy to carry them after stargazing.

"I heard that when the Astronomy Club has events, they come here to stargaze. Department Head, have you ever followed up on that?"

Jiang Linyuan looked at the bundled-up Shen Wanyu.

"No."

Standing high up, with the wind blowing, Shen Wanyu only felt colder.

【I don't like the stars. I just liked that time back then.】

The Department Head's inner thoughts are surprisingly straightforward.

Shen Wanyu gave Jiang Linyuan a strange look:

"Is there a line like that in the script?"

"Just making small talk. In such a rush to match the script?"

Jiang Linyuan said with exasperation.

Strictly business, Department Head.

"I hope someone's memory doesn't fade because of this small talk and forget the lines."

Shen Wanyu flashed a smile.

"No, Department Head, even if you forget, I won't."

"Then I'll chat with you a bit."

Shen Wanyu looked up at the sky. In the distant crimson sunset clouds, a plane's contrail cut across the sky.

"Do you remember the question I asked you before?"

"What question? Department Head, you've asked too many."

"Do you like me?"

Her tone was flat, completely unruffled.

Jiang Linyuan looked at her, stunned for a moment:

"I do. Department Head, you're so beautiful."

Shen Wanyu stared straight into his eyes and smiled:

"You've changed a lot."

【The liking from before was much cheaper. Though the current one isn't exactly precious either.】

"I'll tell Su Muzhi that."

Shen Wanyu withdrew her gaze and said matter-of-factly.

"So when will the Department Head come with me to see Xiao Su? Rather than Xiao Su coming after me later, it's better to settle things face to face."

"Unbelievable."

She covered her forehead and let out that exclamation for the second time.

【Unbelievable. Can someone really be this thick-skinned?】

"What's so unbelievable about it?"

Jiang Linyuan asked.

What's wrong with being thick-skinned? It means my family raised me well.

"I think you're the unbelievable one, Department Head. I chased you for so long, and you never agreed to be with me."

"What's so unbelievable about that?"

Shen Wanyu shot back.

"Isn't that strange enough?"

Jiang Linyuan wore a completely bewildered expression:

"Sometimes I even wondered if you were a lesbian, Department Head. But I'm not gay either, so why didn't it work?"

"...What are you talking about?"

"Lanthanum copper's useless, aluminum copper's pointless. You're not a lesbian, Department Head, and I'm not gay. My pursuit should've worked, right?!"

"...Unbelievable."

Shen Wanyu let out a long sigh and covered her ears.

ps: Nonsensical, deleting and revising. Why don't I just delete it all? The censorship takes four hours each time. What a joke.