"Come outside with me for a moment!"
This was Xu Xiuwen's first sentence upon seeing Tang Weiwei.
His expression was serious, and his tone was stern.
The girls were all startled, thinking something major must have happened.
They couldn't focus on their books anymore and quickly stood up, following Tang Weiwei out into the hallway.
Xu Xiuwen led Tang Weiwei down the hall, making sure they were far enough not to disturb the others. Only then did he turn around to speak.
When he turned back, he saw the other three girls had followed them. Surprised, he asked, "Why did you come along?"
Shen Minyao didn't answer but asked back, "What's going on?"
The concern on her face was unmistakable.
Bai Yue'er also asked, "Xu Xiuwen, what's the matter?"
Su Yanyan inquired, "DaDa, are you facing some difficulty?"
Seeing their expressions, Xu Xiuwen realized his earlier demeanor had caused a misunderstanding.
He relaxed his expression and reassured them, "You misunderstood. It's nothing serious. I just wanted to talk to Weiwei about train tickets. By the way, have you three bought your tickets yet?"
Upon hearing his explanation, the three girls sighed in relief.
They immediately shook their heads.
Seeing this, Xu Xiuwen couldn't help but laugh and cry, "I think you've been reading so much that you've gone silly! Other people have already bought their tickets in advance, but you don't seem concerned at all."
He turned to Tang Weiwei, "And you, Weiwei, there's no direct train from Jinling to Chongqing. How are you planning to get home?"
Shen Minyao said, "There's still half a month before the holidays. Isn't it too early?"
Xu Xiuwen replied exasperatedly, "It's already late, not early. If you wait any longer, you might as well stay in Jinling for the New Year and not go back."
Seeing the girls didn't quite understand, he patiently explained, "This isn't a normal time. The holidays and the New Year are coming up, and tickets are in high demand. If you don't buy them early, by the time you want to, they'll be sold out. My family is in Langya, so I can take a bus or even a taxi home without spending too much. But if you want to spend the New Year at my place, go ahead and keep delaying."
After Xu Xiuwen's explanation, the four girls finally understood why he had looked so grim earlier.
When Bai Yue'er heard him mention spending the New Year at his place, she was momentarily tempted. However, she quickly dismissed the thought. Not only was it likely Xu Xiuwen was just speaking casually, but she also couldn't possibly not go home and instead go to Langya.
Besides, she had no proper status, so it wouldn't be appropriate to visit his home.
Shen Minyao suddenly smiled.
When Xu Xiuwen looked over in surprise, she smiled back and said, "Going to your place isn't impossible. I just need to call my sister and let her know."
Knowing her family background, Xu Xiuwen realized she was serious.
He was startled.
In his past life, Shen Minyao naturally spent every New Year with him, but in this life, if he brought Shen Minyao home, how would he explain it to his mother?
If Xiao Youran found out he had brought a female classmate home, it would cause an uproar.
That definitely wouldn't do.
But before he could say no, Shen Minyao preempted him, "Look at you, scared. I'm just kidding. Who would want to go to your place? Stop being so self-absorbed."
Xu Xiuwen didn't dare argue further and simply said, "Anyway, hurry up and buy your tickets. If you wait any longer, you really won't get any."
Then he turned to Tang Weiwei, exasperated, "What about you? There's no direct train. Are you planning to transfer? How did you get here?"
Tang Weiwei quietly answered his question, "I took a train. First, I went from Chongqing to Xian, then transferred to Jinling."
Just listening to it sounded troublesome.
Xu Xiuwen, having personally experienced the current train stations, knew they were crowded and chaotic, with all sorts of people.
Tang Weiwei, a girl from the countryside, traveling alone and transferring trains, wasn't a simple matter.
He felt a pang of sympathy for Tang Weiwei. With the other three girls present, he couldn't directly hug her, so he discreetly squeezed her hand.
Tang Weiwei looked over immediately, understanding his concern from his expression.
Tang Weiwei didn't feel pitiful at all. She smiled at Xu Xiuwen.
Xu Xiuwen couldn't help but ask, "Isn't there a long-distance bus from Jinling to Chongqing? Why don't you take the bus?"
Tang Weiwei explained, "There is, but the ticket is too expensive. I can't afford it."
"How expensive?"
"348 yuan, which is more than 100 yuan more than the train fare," Tang Weiwei said, somewhat distressed.
After hearing this, Xu Xiuwen immediately said, "I'll pay for the ticket. Take the long-distance bus home. It saves you from having to transfer."
Tang Weiwei shook her head, "With the money you gave me and my part-time job earnings, I have enough money. But taking the bus costs over 100 yuan more. There's no need to spend extra money. It's too wasteful."
Most of the time, Tang Weiwei was easy-going, but sometimes she could be quite stubborn.
Though her tone sounded gentle, her expression was firm, clearly not convinced.
Xu Xiuwen thought for a moment and said, "You don't necessarily have to transfer at Xian. You could transfer at Chengdu. Yang Baishan hasn't bought his ticket yet. I'll ask him. If it's convenient, you can go with him to Chengdu, then transfer to Chongqing."
Seeing Tang Weiwei was about to refuse, Xu Xiuwen immediately said sternly, "Let's compromise. I won't force you to take the long-distance bus, and you don't insist on transferring at Xian."
Then his tone softened, "You traveling alone on the train, having to transfer, with the holiday crowds and all sorts of people around—there are many scammers and thieves. How can I be at ease? I'd be worried sick. Just think of it as doing me a favor, okay?"
Xu Xiuwen had said so much that Tang Weiwei didn't insist anymore and nodded.
Xu Xiuwen felt relieved.
He remembered the three other girls hadn't spoken and turned to see their expressions were somewhat peculiar.
Su Yanyan whispered, "DaDa, you really care about sister Weiwei."
Bai Yue'er couldn't help but snort, "So sappy! Talking about being worried sick. Is it really that exaggerated?"
Shen Minyao didn't say anything. Even though she knew she shouldn't, she couldn't help but feel envious of Tang Weiwei.
Thinking of herself, she couldn't help but sigh.
Hearing Su Yanyan's comment, Xu Xiuwen naturally replied, "Of course, I should care about Weiwei."
As for Bai Yue'er, he glared at her, "If you think it's sappy, block your ears. Don't listen to me. I say, are you jealous of Weiwei?"
Bai Yue'er was startled and immediately retorted, "Who's jealous? Don't talk nonsense. I'm not!"
Seeing Bai Yue'er so agitated, Tang Weiwei couldn't help but tell Xu Xiuwen, "Don't say that about sister Yue'er. She's always very kind to me."
Bai Yue'er was touched and held Tang Weiwei's arm.
Since Tang Weiwei had spoken, Xu Xiuwen naturally didn't say more.
Bai Yue'er, feeling emboldened, glared at Xu Xiuwen, "Xu Xiuwen, you're so annoying! Why are you so full of yourself?"
Xu Xiuwen directly ignored her, making Bai Yue'er puff out her cheeks in anger.