After listening to the school leaders' passionate speeches, the rally for the National Youth Fencing Championship finally came to an end.
On stage and off, many eyes turned toward Lu Chen and Ei. The two of them were undoubtedly the stars of the school team and the clear center of attention.
Lu Chen nodded toward Zen Zhang's father, who returned the gesture with a broad, confident smile.
Thanks to his involvement, it seemed the school had been injected with new energy—the goal had finally shifted from "fighting for bronze and silver" to "securing silver and going for gold."
At least they had a little ambition now.
The playground was crowded with students during recess, and all eyes were drawn to the school team, neatly dressed in their sports uniforms.
Although the uniforms were a bit old-fashioned, a team full of tall, energetic boys and girls still made for a striking sight.
Faint cheers from some of the girls could even be heard.
Lu Chen shook his head and smiled. It was hard to believe that the fencing team, once on the verge of being disbanded, had become so popular.
In fact, the team's popularity was now rivaling that of the basketball and soccer teams.
As for the reason... well, that was obviously thanks to Ei and Lu Chen joining.
He'd heard from Zhou Yang that both of them now had their own fan clubs. Every time they played matches against other schools, those fans never missed a single game...
While he was lost in thought, Ei suddenly nudged him with her elbow.
"Hm? What is it?" Lu Chen looked at her in confusion.
Then he noticed Ei pursing her lips, her small face tight.
"No! Smiling! Allowed!"
"Uh..." Lu Chen glanced past Ei at the girls cheering for the team.
It did seem like they were all looking at him...
Lu Chen quickly wiped the smile from his face.
Though in his heart, he sighed—Ah, this unstoppable charm of mine~
...
During the third class period, the school team gathered at the front gate, where a large bus was parked.
Lu Chen watched the team members board the bus but didn't get on with them.
Miko would be coming to pick them up.
While they waited, Venti came walking through the gate, holding a textbook, so focused on reading that he didn't even notice Lu Chen and Ei standing there.
"Teacher Venti?"
Venti jumped in surprise when Lu Chen called out. He quickly closed the book.
Lu Chen asked, puzzled, "What are you reading so intently?"
"Uh... nothing. When are Miko and Zhongli getting here?"
"They should be here soon..." Lu Chen replied, casually glancing at the book in Venti's hand.
Tucked inside the textbook was a practice book for Subject One.
Miko had already gotten her driver's license. Venti, on the other hand, was still struggling with Subject One. Honestly... he really didn't seem cut out for driving.
Of course, Venti's own explanation was that he couldn't concentrate while drinking, which made it impossible to memorize the questions.
When he tried quitting drinking, he felt dazed—and when drinking, he couldn't memorize them anyway. No matter how you looked at it, he always had an excuse...
Lu Chen had a feeling that Venti's dream of opening a bar was drifting farther and farther away.
The three of them stood at the gate chatting for a while. Two music students coming back from shopping spotted Venti and excitedly greeted him.
Venti smiled and nodded in return.
That percussion teacher who seemed to live in the hospital had finally been discharged and was back at school these past few days.
Venti's special teaching contract was set to expire at the end of the month—this time, he really would be leaving Haizhou College.
Naturally, the students were dismayed and reluctant to see him go.
They had been trying to organize a farewell party for him, but Venti politely declined.
Glancing at the focused Venti, Lu Chen knew he didn't care for such formalities—and he didn't want the returning percussion teacher giving the students trouble over it.
Still, Lu Chen felt conflicted... should he tell Venti that the students had secretly prepared a "surprise" for him?
...
The weather was getting stuffy. The three of them waited under the shade of a tree by the gate for quite a while.
Just as Lu Chen was starting to get impatient, a flashy stretch RV pulled up.
Miko opened the door and motioned behind her with her thumb.
"Got stuck in traffic—hurry up and get in!"
As soon as Lu Chen stepped into the RV, a refreshing coolness greeted him. Looking back, he saw everyone already seated on the sofa, waiting.
This multi-million RV looked like a medium-sized bus on the outside, but stepping inside felt like entering a small villa.
The front of the vehicle was spacious—on the left was a height-adjustable dining table with booth seating, on the right a long sofa. It felt just like a living room where you could watch TV.
Zhongli was at the table brewing tea. Venti sat opposite him and placed a bottle of wine on the table.
"Want some?"
Zhongli lifted his teacup and took a slow sip.
"No, thank you."
"Oh..."
"I thought you were quitting drinking?" Miko called back from the driver's seat.
"Ah." Venti glanced at the wine bottle within easy reach, then at the driving manual on the table he had planned to study.
He looked conflicted.
Lu Chen pulled Ei into the RV and closed the door behind them.
He recalled—this was now Venti's twelfth attempt to quit drinking.
Of course, every single attempt had failed within a day.
No point bringing it up anymore.
Lu Chen strolled around the RV for a bit. The middle section was the rest area—there were expandable compartments on both sides that could hold four double beds when parked.
But he'd had them all converted into single beds so each of the six people would have their own bed.
Hmm...
No more intimate moments with Ei now.
A small pity.
But they were going on a trip. He couldn't just think about his own comfort—he had to consider everyone.
Ei blinked, confused by the way Lu Chen was suddenly staring at her with such a strange look in his eyes.
She instinctively tidied the stray hairs on her forehead.
At the back of the RV were the kitchen and bathroom—not much to see there. Lu Chen walked back to the passenger seat and sat beside Miko.
"Alright, dear passengers, are you all ready?" Miko was clearly excited as she checked the rearview mirror.
Those drinking tea, sipping wine, and watching TV all glanced toward the driver's seat.
"The Teyvat Express is about to depart! Why is no one excited?" Miko pouted.
A light smattering of applause followed—from Ei, who couldn't bear to let her be embarrassed, and from the ever-expressionless Qiqi.
Miko was about to say more, but Lu Chen interrupted impatiently, "Just start driving! The school team bus is already getting on the highway!"
Miko pouted again, faced forward, and stomped on the gas.
Lu Chen hadn't even settled in yet—his head banged against the seat behind him.
The entire RV shook.
"Miko, I respect your driving skills..."
"But could you maybe... ease into it a bit when starting up?"
This wasn't Ling Shan Bay—you couldn't just go racing here...
Miko burst out laughing.
Lu Chen gave her a helpless look.
She'd dressed for convenience—short jacket, white shirt, goggles perched on her head. Anyone who didn't know her would think she was a race car driver.
Honestly, she'd become obsessed with driving lately.
But it was good to see her stepping away from the world of light novels and getting back to reality.
Everyone in the family was living pretty full lives now—he, Ei, and Venti had to go to school, even Qiqi would tag along with Grandpa Zhong on his walks down the mountain.
Only Miko still stayed home reading novels every day.
Just like Ei used to be...
"Let's gooo~" Miko said cheerfully, eyes fixed on the road ahead.
Lu Chen looked forward too.
The RV slowly merged into the bustling traffic, heading toward their next adventure—called travel.
...