Redemption from the Abyss: The School Beauty Insists on Pulling Me Out of the Mire

[8:00 AM the next morning · At the entrance of Jiangcheng No.1 Middle School]

Although it was only eight o'clock in the morning, the sun already showed its ferocious power to melt the asphalt road.

A luxury minibus sent by Lu Wenjia was already parked on the side of the road, with the air conditioning blasting.

"Get in the car! Get in the car! I'm melting!"

Lin Lu, wearing an exaggerated sun hat and dragging a pink suitcase, was the first to rush into the car.

Others arrived one after another.

Lu Wen was dressed in a flashy floral shirt and beach shorts, wearing sunglasses, looking every bit the foolish son of a landlord.

Shen Hao, carrying a huge hiking backpack, nervously followed behind Xu You like a dutiful bodyguard.

Xie Wang and Su Qinghe arrived last.

The two were dressed simply. Su Qinghe wore a white T-shirt and denim shorts, while Xie Wang wore a black T-shirt and cargo pants.

Although they weren't wearing matching outfits, the black and white color scheme created an indescribable sense of harmony when they stood together.

"Is everyone here?"

Lu Wen stood at the car door and called out, "Alright, driver, let's go! Destination: Qingyun Mountain!"

[9:30 AM · Mountain Road]

After leaving the city, the scenery gradually turned lush and green.

The car entered the winding mountain road of Qingyun Mountain.

The road conditions began to become complicated. Although it was an asphalt road, there were many curves, and the car would sway violently from time to time with sharp turns.

The back row of the carriage.

Su Qinghe's face began to turn pale.

She was already prone to motion sickness, and having not eaten much that morning, her stomach was churning. Her brows were furrowed, and she leaned back in her seat with her eyes closed, her lips pressed into a straight line.

Xie Wang sat down next to her.

He was listening to music with his headphones on, but when he noticed out of the corner of his eye that she wasn't acting right, he immediately took off his headphones.

"Feeling unwell?"

He asked in a low voice, his usual nonchalant tone gone.

Su Qinghe was too weak to speak, he just nodded slightly, a layer of cold sweat seeping from his forehead.

Xie Wang immediately got up and adjusted the air conditioner vent above her head to prevent it from blowing directly on her head.

Then he took out a bottle of medicated oil and a bag of dried tangerine peel from the side pocket of his backpack—he had specially put these in before leaving home.

Open your mouth.

He tore open the packaging of a dried plum and held it to her lips.

Su Qinghe obediently opened her mouth and took it in; the sweet and sour taste slightly suppressed the nausea.

"Come closer."

Xie Wang patted his shoulder, his tone leaving no room for argument:

"Close your eyes and go to sleep. You won't feel dizzy anymore once you fall asleep."

Su Qinghe hesitated for a moment, but the pain was too intense, so he stopped trying to be strong, leaned to the side, and rested his head on his broad shoulder.

The boy's shoulders were strong but steady, and he had a faint smell of laundry detergent on him, which inexplicably made people feel at ease.

The car went around another sharp bend, and the car suddenly lurched.

Su Qinghe's head almost hit the car window next to him.

The next second, a warm, large hand was placed between her forehead and the glass.

Xie Wang did not withdraw his hand.

He maintained this posture—one hand protecting her head to prevent her from bumping it; the other hand gently covering her outer ear to block out the noise of the wheels rubbing against the ground.

"Go to sleep."

He whispered above her head:

"I'll call you when we get there."

The first few rows.

Lu Wen was fighting with Lin Lu for snacks, while Shen Hao was telling Xu You a lame joke he had seen online.

Only the last row was as quiet as a painting.

It took more than two hours to drive there.

Xie Wang remained in that somewhat stiff posture until half of his arm went numb, without moving an inch.

Under his protection, Su Qinghe's brows gradually relaxed, and he truly fell asleep.

……

【12:00 noon · Qingyun Mountain Summer Resort】

"We're here! Time to get off and use some oxygen!"

Lu Wen's cheer woke Su Qinghe.

She opened her eyes groggily and found herself still leaning against Xie Wang, with Xie Wang's hand still resting on her cheek.

Outside the car window, everything was lush and green, and the air was cool and moist, a characteristic of the mountains and forests.

"woke up?"

Xie Wang casually withdrew his hand, which was almost numb, and moved his wrist.

"How are you feeling? Still feeling nauseous?"

Su Qinghe sat up straight, watching his arm swinging, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart:

"Much better... Is your hand numb?"

"No," Xie Wang retorted stubbornly. "I just ran over it. Let's go, get out of the car."

Everyone got off the car.

The sight before them made everyone exclaim "Wow!"

This is a private villa built halfway up a mountain.

White walls and black tiles are nestled among bamboo groves. The courtyard boasts a huge infinity pool, its azure waters reflecting the blue sky and white clouds. In the distance lie rolling green hills, while nearby blooming hydrangeas add to the ambiance.

The temperature was at least ten degrees lower than in the city, and a cool breeze was blowing; it was simply paradise.

"Butler! We want to eat meat!" Lu Wen rushed through the gate like a bandit.

The butler, who had been waiting, greeted them with a smile:

"Young master, lunch is ready, and the rooms are cleaned up. There are four guest rooms on the second floor and one suite on the third floor."

[The subtle considerations behind room allocation]

"How do we divide them?" Lin Lu looked at the row of keys, her eyes darting between the group of people.

Lu Wen coughed and pretended to be serious as he assigned tasks:

"Um... Shen Hao and I share a room, Xu You and Lin Lu share a room, all on the second floor. As for the remaining suite on the third floor..."

He tossed the tasseled key to Xie Wang, winking at him.

"You rascal, the best room is yours, no objections?"

"I have an objection!" Su Qinghe suddenly spoke up.

Everyone was taken aback.

Su Qinghe pointed to the room on the second floor:

"I want to live with Lin Lu and the others."

Xie Wang raised an eyebrow and looked at her.

Su Qinghe calmly added, "The third floor is too high; I don't like climbing stairs."

"OK."

Xie Wang smiled, not angry at all, but instead simply tossed the keys back to Lu Wen:

"Then I'll stay on the second floor. Lu Wen, you can stay in the suite on the third floor."

"I live in the room next to Su Qinghe's."

Lu Wen caught the keys, his face filled with grief and indignation:

"Why?! That's for couples... no, for VIPs!"

Xie Wang ignored him, picked up Su Qinghe's suitcase, and went straight to the second floor.

"Because I'm a germaphobe, I don't want to share a room with you and Shen Hao. I want to live alone."

After saying that, he turned and glanced at Su Qinghe:

"Teacher Su, aren't you coming? Do you still want the box?"

Su Qinghe looked at his tall and straight back, and couldn't help but smile.

She took a key to the second floor and followed him up.

Lin Lu leaned close to Xu You's ear, a maternal smile on her face:

"Look at Xie Wang's little scheme, insisting on living next door, is it so he can easily climb through the window at night?"

Xu You blushed and said, "Don't talk nonsense..."

Shen Hao scratched his head, looking bewildered. "I also want a single room... Young Master Lu, can I squeeze in with you on the third floor?"

Lu Wen rolled his eyes: "Get lost! I want the presidential suite all to myself!"