Winter Returns

Chapter 193 Lure the snake out of its hole

Chapter 193 Lure the snake out of its hole
"Down a bit, yes, that's good..."

"What color should the blackboard be? Use red. Pink doesn't look good, and don't pair it with green. Who came up with red and green last year? It was horribly ugly."

At this moment, someone raised their hand and asked:
"Class monitor, what was your class's theme last year? Let's not repeat it today?"

"I forgot, just make up any story," she said nonchalantly. "I only care if it's good-looking."

"What's on the Christmas tree? What's hanging on it? There's only one star right now?"

"Everyone bring their own chocolate, apple, pine cone, candy, and bell. Let the students in the class use their creativity. I'm only responsible for the stars on the top."

"Alright." Gu Qiumian clapped her hands. "That's enough for now. Let's finish up what we have and go have lunch."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Some were choosing chalk colors, some were sketching on the blackboard, some were pasting paper-cut window decorations, and others were sweeping up fallen leaves.

The classroom was bustling with activity in the afternoon. The girl finished arranging her work, then turned around, the hair ornament at the end of her hair flicking with her movement—

"The stars are crooked!"

Zhang Shutong turned around helplessly:
"is this okay?"

Gu Qiumian crossed her arms and thought for a moment:
"Go a little lower."

"How about this?" Zhang Shutong stood on tiptoe and tried to adjust it several times.

"Hmm...it seems like the previous spot was better?"

Such cold words came from her rosy lips.

"...So that's it?"

"can."

Serving the young lady was not easy, Zhang Shutong breathed a sigh of relief and jumped off the chair.

December 17th, Monday, the classroom of Class 2, Grade 9.

As the saying goes, ducks are the first to know when the river warms in spring. On the island, the first places to feel the Christmas spirit, besides the shopping mall, are the schools.

Looking at the Christmas tree in front of him, Zhang Shutong never imagined that it was a real tree. It was a fir, which is said to be the most commonly used tree species for making Christmas trees in the world every year.

Not long ago, it was carried to the classroom by several workers and placed against the back wall of the classroom. It was more than two meters tall, and the top of the tree almost touched the ceiling.

Even so, this is already the smallest model among the fir trees. If it weren't for the fact that it's on the fourth floor of the building and too big to move, it might be several meters taller than this.

When Zhang Shutong first saw it, he was so surprised that he couldn't close his mouth. He thought, "In my mind, Christmas trees are those plastic fake trees that are only as tall as a child, with some gift boxes hanging on them and some foam to fill them up. When did we start seeing real trees on the island?"
But the people around him were used to it. He asked around and found out that it was Miss Gu who paid for it out of her own pocket. Of course, this was after her interpersonal relationships changed. Every Christmas, Gu Qiu Mian would bring a Christmas tree from outside the island to put in the classroom.

Only her class had this privilege; the other three classes were only allowed to create one blackboard bulletin, bring some small items to decorate the classroom, or give them to friends.

She loves Christmas, and her classmates can join in the fun. Sharing happiness is worse than enjoying it alone, so no one will gossip.

Zhang Shutong was the only one who suffered.

Logically speaking, a student from Class 1 shouldn't be helping Class 2, especially for something as small as hanging stars on the treetop. Class Monitor Gu certainly doesn't lack manpower, and there were countless volunteers. But the class monitor insisted on using only him, saying, "Who told you to be so tall?"

"Actually, I still think it looks better at a higher height."

Gu Qiu Mian seemed to be deep in thought, while Zhang Shutong took off running... Well, there was no escaping it. He advised the young lady from the side:
"It's because you're standing too far away and hanging too high, so you can't see it from under the tree."

“Okay, okay,” she sighed, “you’re so lazy.”

"Yes Yes."

"I'm leaving now, Shihan. You watch them pack up."

The girl named Shihan was the vice class monitor. As she spoke, the young lady waved her hand and pulled her Pokémon out of the classroom.

As she passed by Class 1, she asked curiously:

"Is Class One not even going to decorate the exterior walls this year?"

“There’s nothing there.” Zhang Shutong glanced at it. “The homeroom teacher won’t allow it.”

"That's why I'm having you experience Class Two."

"You are truly wise."

"Otherwise what?" she snorted.

"Oh dear, have you decided what to have for lunch?" Gu Qiumian urged again.

"Will you eat the chicken?" Zhang Shutong had just uttered the word "eat" when he saw Gu Qiumian raise her eyebrows defiantly. She looked quite pretty today, Zhang Shutong thought to himself.

"Qingyi and the others have made a reservation at a small restaurant," Zhang Shutong said, no longer joking.

Gu Qiu Mian was a little unhappy. "Didn't you say you had something important to tell me during the long break?"

"It is quite important. However, it's not very convenient here. We'll talk about it when we get there."

They planned to hold a short, impromptu meeting at noon.

There were five people in total, including Zhang Shutong.

Although Ruoping's matter couldn't be discussed on the road, Zhang Shutong could offer some other suggestions:
"Have your bodyguards or drivers been free lately?"

"what happened?"

"Can you make the decision to borrow some people?"

"Tell me what you've been up to now?"

“It’s not about causing trouble,” Zhang Shutong explained. “Well… let me ask you a question. Do you remember when you were in the first year of junior high, Ruoping brought you a bag of gold coin chocolates, and you returned a box to her the next day?”

"What?" Gu Qiumian glanced at him sideways.

Zhang Shutong wanted to hint at the timeline before it was altered, so that she could prepare for the topic to come.

But before he could even speak, Gu Qiu Mian began to dredge up old grievances:

"Oh, I remember now, I gave you one back then too, why didn't you take it?"

"I don't like sweets." Heaven knows why he didn't take it. "Let's put that aside for now, what if Ruoping doesn't accept your chocolate the next day?"

Zhang Shutong said cautiously:

"What I mean is, is it possible that something like the butterfly effect could happen? If she didn't accept the chocolate, it could lead to her being ostracized by the class, and then she wouldn't be very popular in class for the next few years, and wouldn't have many friends..."

"You're the one who's not popular! You're the one who's not popular!" Qiu Yu Mianmian immediately became unhappy, her eyebrows furrowed, as if she were being made up.

Zhang Shutong felt somewhat helpless. After thinking about it, he decided to only tell Gu Qiumian about the fox and leave the dark history aside for the time being.

"I have something to tell you, so be prepared." Now they were on campus, and there weren't many people around. Zhang Shutong leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I recently discovered a secret. Besides snakes, there are also legends of foxes on the island."

Gu Qiumian blushed.

The fox was the first to hear that it was shy.

Zhang Shutong waved his hand in front of her eyes and was glared at.

"and then?"

“Then we started looking for foxes yesterday.” Zhang Shutong held up two fingers. “We’ve found two already. My mom found one, and Ruoping found one.”

Gu Qiu Mian didn't pay attention to the few statues she found; she was still pondering the legend of the fox.

"I feel like I've heard this somewhere before."

Zhang Shutong exclaimed in surprise:

"Have you heard of it? Before or after the transfer?"

"I forgot." Gu Qiumian frowned. "And where did you hear that from?"

"Uh, one is a student... and the other is a tourist."

"So what does this have to do with bodyguards?"

"Ruoping is in some danger because of the fox."

Zhang Shutong didn't want to tell her directly about the function of the two statues. He planned to gradually find an opportunity to explain, as it would be easy to confuse her by talking about changing the past and predicting the future right away.

"You could interpret this as another unidentified man also searching for the fox statue, and leaving behind some... threats?"

"I don't quite understand."

“It’s precisely because it’s unclear that it’s worrying,” Zhang Shutong said truthfully. “I’m not sure why that person is looking for the fox. He left some clues, and the gist of it is that he’s coming to find Ruoping within a week, which is quite frightening.” “Could it involve some conflict of faith?” Gu Qiumian asked worriedly. “Don’t take it lightly; this is no joke.”

"Who knows, that's why I'm asking you for a favor."

"You only remembered me now? Why didn't you tell me when you were looking for the fox?"

"I didn't have time..." Zhang Shutong explained, "I was too busy yesterday."

"Tch, how can I help?"

“It’s alright at school, but mainly on the way to and from school,” Zhang Shutong thought for a moment. “Of course, we can’t be too passive. It would be best to find a way to look for him.”

How do you know it's a man?

Zhang Shutong explained what happened yesterday to her:
"Unfortunately, there aren't many clues."

Gu Qiu Mian didn't say whether she would help or not. They got into the car, and the driver headed towards the small restaurant. The two tacitly stopped talking about the fox.

After a while, Gu Qiu Mian cleared her throat:
Christmas Day—

She drew out her words, and Zhang Shutong knew she was waiting for him to respond:

"Oh, Christmas."

"I'm asking what your plans are for Christmas?"

"I haven't decided yet."

Zhang Shutong remembers that last Christmas was on a weekend, and his family went to the city for dinner:

"Maybe I'll be having dinner with friends tonight."

"From what you said until Christmas, it seems like exactly one week has passed."

"Oh, that's true."

"A week goes by quickly."

Zhang Shutong understood:
"You're treating us to dinner, will you choose the venue?"

Gu Qiumian's lips curled downwards, a look of disbelief at someone who looked like an idiot.
"you……"

She took a deep breath:
Why are you so annoying every day?

Zhang Shutong really felt a bit innocent. "How could it be every day? At least not yesterday."

"Who said you didn't yesterday?" It turns out women are unreasonable creatures when they're angry. "You were angry in your dream!"

"Does this count?"

Zhang Shutong thought to himself, "Autumn Rain, how did I corrupt you? You're dreaming too."

Zhang Shutong didn't argue with her, but simply asked what kind of dream it was, so that people could at least understand why they died.

Gu Qiu Mian only glanced at her own legs. She was wearing jeans today, and her legs were long and straight.

The girl blushed:
"Don't tell you!"

Zhang Shutong was a little confused.

……

When they entered the private room, the other three were already there. It was a stir-fry restaurant with only two private rooms. Zhang Shutong greeted them, and Gu Qiumian waved back as a greeting, then whispered in his ear:
"By the way, does Lu Qinglian know about the fox? Isn't she the temple keeper of the Green Snake Temple?"

"She doesn't know as much as you do."

Zhang Shutong had wanted to call her out at noon, but he didn't have the face to do so.

Gu Qiu Mian nodded, and the two then sat down. Zhang Shutong unwrapped the plastic-sealed tableware, rinsed the bowls and chopsticks with hot water, and pushed them in front of Gu Qiu Mian.

Zhang Shutong noticed that everyone was staring at him:

"What's wrong? Didn't you order anything?"

"It's ordered, it's ordered." Du Kang asked strangely, "How did things go with that Shu Tong?"

“I’m fine on my end,” Gu Qiumian said.

"Alright," Qingyi glanced at Ruoping, "Since we're all here today, I'll briefly explain the plans for this week. First, at school, the three of us boys will be watching over you, is that alright?"

"There's a problem." Ruoping slumped listlessly on the table.

"what?"

"When you go to the toilet, you really, really don't need to follow me..."

"Oh, I'll be more careful next time," Qingyi said calmly. "Next, what about the two fox statues? They'll be placed at the 'base,' no objections, right?"

Zhang Shutong nodded.

He originally wanted to keep it at his own home, but even if he didn't consider himself, he had to consider his mother. After thinking it over, he decided to keep it at the base. Du Kang even suggested hiding it in the doghouse. Zhang Shutong felt that the inertia of history was very strong.

Gu Qiumian asked again in a low voice:
What is a base?

Zhang Shutong was about to say, "You've been there?" when he suddenly remembered it was the time when Zhou Ziheng and his son were arrested.
“A large drainage hole, inside which is a safe.”

She nodded again, seemingly finding it quite exciting; this was her first time participating in something like this.

How big are those two fox statues?

I'll take a picture and show it to you later.

"Then there's Shutong..."

"Yes, I've already contacted the police, but don't get your hopes up too high."

"Then it's Ruoping herself. It's best if she doesn't go out unnecessarily these next few days."

"Can't we even go on the weekend?" Ruoping asked timidly, feeling naturally inferior now. "I was thinking of buying some Christmas decorations."

"Rejected," the three boys said at the same time.

Du Kang added:
"It's best to bring your own lunch from home these days. If you're craving something, we'll bring you whatever you want to eat. Also, it's better to wear a hat."

"receive……"

With the plan roughly settled, the five of them quickly finished their meal. At the table, Gu Qiu Mian went out to make a phone call, and when she returned, she waved her phone:

"It's done."

……

When Lu Qinglian returned to the classroom, she was reading a book at her desk.

It looks like they just finished eating and came down from the rooftop.

Zhang Shutong greeted them:
"We've reached an agreement here, now it's time to get back to work."

Lu Qinglian turned a page of the book and nodded slightly.

"But don't you really need to buy a new outfit?"

"Wearing Feng Ruoping's clothes is enough."

"And what about the shoes? We can't keep wearing the old ones, this is perfect..."

Lu Qinglian interrupted expressionlessly:
"Zhang Shutong, you've brought up the shoes three times today, you'd better..."

Zhang Shutong thought to himself that it was because his family actually had a pair of boots, and he changed the subject:

"Go to the shopping street after school. I remember they sell wigs there. You won't actually have to cut your hair."