The Goddess and the Ugly Duckling - Chapter 3

This novel was posted on cntranslationss [dot] blogsp0t [dot] com, by anasi. If you’re not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

Early the next morning, while the first wisps of the sun’s rising rays shone down, Yu Xiaoya felt like if she was still lost in a dream, the thought causing her to rub her eyes, as a beautiful face that had no right to appear in the human world was currently before her. The impact of it all was simply too much for her, which was why Yu Xiaoya felt as if her head had grown dizzy.

Captain

But right now, instead…

“Are you alright?” The others were laughing and carrying on, but only Lu Xiaobei noticed Xiaoya seemed a dazed, so she asked the other girl out of concern.

Gao Heng then interceded, “Since our little junior can’t think of a question, I’ll take on that mantle myself.”

Throw the Handkerchief [丢手帕]: this a kid’s game played by seating five or more people in a circle and having one person holding a handkerchief encircle everyone from behind while they all sing a song. The handkerchief holder then chooses a person to secretly drop the handkerchief behind, the person who it was dropped by has to then quickly chase the thrower to win, but if the thrower steals the chaser’s seat, the chaser has to pay a penalty. It’s kinda like duck duck goose. [] Close your eyes when it gets dark [玩天黑请闭眼]: is a detective, murder-mystery boardgame and an online game that requires 8-16 people who are allotted the roles of policemen, killers, or civilians (for basic gameplay, you can have less people). The number of players determines how many cops or killers an be in the game (8-10 players: 2 killers and officers max; 10-14: 3 killers and officers max; 15-16: 4 killers and officers max). A judge is selected and they shuffle and deal the cards which must be kept hidden. After looking at your cards, the judge announces it’s dark and everyone stops moving and closes their eyes quietly. The judge then announces for the killers to open their eyes so they can each see their comrades. Then the judge asks the killer to kill, and they quietly agree on a person to kill, the judge notes the person and after telling the killers to close their again, the judge announces to the police to open their eyes. The police then all confirm their companions… Okay, this goes on for a good while but you get the gist. Think, Among Us.[] Black White Match [黑白配]: A game to reduce multiple people down to two, and rock—paper—scissors is used to narrow a group of two down to one.

Lu Xiaobei looked behind her, to see a group of seven or eight boys and girls sitting on the grass in a circle. They were all currently staring at Lu Xiaobei, eyes filled with sparkles as if they were seeing a celebrity.

Xiaoya looked at Lu Xiaobei with raised eyebrows, the other seeming to look back at her with a smile. Lu Xiaobei’s face seemed to be as dazzling as the sun, and for some unknown reason, Xiaoya felt her own cheeks grow warm.

“Aye aye aye, are you a kid? Only primary school kids play that game. We should all play the murder-mystery boardgame close your eyes when it gets dark instead.”

Mr. Qi was around twenty seven to twenty eight years old. He always wore a pair a gold-rimmed glasses, and had fair skin. He was a handsome man, one who always had a graceful air surrounding him, and one who looked like those financial industry elites. But, secretly, Yu Xiaoya always thought he was not as responsible as the other winter holiday teacher who had brought them there, Miss Xu.

“It’s time to wake up.” That low and sexy voice of hers sounded in Xiaoya’s ears.

Yu Xiaoya hurriedly washed up, running to the first floor to grab two buns, before dashing to the self-study class on the third floor of the left building.

Lu Xiaobei from beside Xiaoya introduced the other members, “The guy speaking right now is called Gao Heng.” Xiaoya in response glanced to Lu Xiaobei and said, “Oh, I know him. He hosts the school’s talent show every year.”

Xiaoya walked over beside Lu Xiaobei, to sit in the empty spot which remained in the circle everyone formed. Then that boy who had just invited them, picked up a stick, and struck the grass, asking: “So have you guys figured out what game we’re going to play?”

Yu Xiaoya hastily sat herself up, her eyes dazedly staring at the refreshingly gorgeous beauty softly walking away from her bed, then to the passageway, before opening the door and closing it shut, her movements much like floating clouds or flowing water.

N/A

So Yu Xiaoya spent that entire morning in a daze, while doing her best to get through the self-study period.

Yu Xiaoya hastily sat herself up, her eyes dazedly staring at the refreshingly gorgeous beauty softly walking away from her bed, then to the passageway, before opening the door and closing it shut, her movements much like floating clouds or flowing water.

Only when Lu Xiaobei had closed the door with a “ka-chack”, did Yu Xiaoya fully regain her senses. The winter holidays had already arrived, and right now she was no longer in her house…

Yu Xiaoya had read the brochure for the winter camp before, it stated that they (the students) would be taken to closely experience the great outdoors, and to know more about nature. Yu Xiaoya’s parents also believed that this meant the instructors would be teaching them about the natural flora and fauna. Which would prevent the only tree their daughter was able to recognise being a willow, and the only flower she’s able to recognise being a rose.

This was her first day living with the campus goddess Lu Xiaobei. Wait… no, that’s not right—this was her first day at winter camp!

Lu Xiaobei from beside Xiaoya introduced the other members, “The guy speaking right now is called Gao Heng.” Xiaoya in response glanced to Lu Xiaobei and said, “Oh, I know him. He hosts the school’s talent show every year.”

“Are you alright?” The others were laughing and carrying on, but only Lu Xiaobei noticed Xiaoya seemed a dazed, so she asked the other girl out of concern.

Only when Lu Xiaobei had closed the door with a “ka-chack”, did Yu Xiaoya fully regain her senses. The winter holidays had already arrived, and right now she was no longer in her house…

Lu Xiaobei from beside Xiaoya introduced the other members, “The guy speaking right now is called Gao Heng.” Xiaoya in response glanced to Lu Xiaobei and said, “Oh, I know him. He hosts the school’s talent show every year.”

Everyone turned their gazes from Lu Xiaobei towards Xiaoya, her victory gaining her this privilege. Xiaoya clenched her hand, raising to caress her cheek, absentmindedly replying: “I uh… I can’t think of a question.”

Yu Xiaoya hurriedly washed up, running to the first floor to grab two buns, before dashing to the self-study class on the third floor of the left building.

The third floor of the building was turned into a self-study area, consisting of a dozen or so chairs and desks of varying sizes, with Mr. Qi sitting up at the front as he supervised the students doing their papers. But one shouldn’t look down on a high school teacher’s ability to dole out assignments, you know. Because these papers come in all forms, like there were papers issued by their own school, papers issued by the top schools in the same city, papers issued by the top schools in the same province, papers issued by the most notable schools in the country, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera…

N/A

The third floor of the building was turned into a self-study area, consisting of a dozen or so chairs and desks of varying sizes, with Mr. Qi sitting up at the front as he supervised the students doing their papers. But one shouldn’t look down on a high school teacher’s ability to dole out assignments, you know. Because these papers come in all forms, like there were papers issued by their own school, papers issued by the top schools in the same city, papers issued by the top schools in the same province, papers issued by the most notable schools in the country, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera…

The third floor of the building was turned into a self-study area, consisting of a dozen or so chairs and desks of varying sizes, with Mr. Qi sitting up at the front as he supervised the students doing their papers. But one shouldn’t look down on a high school teacher’s ability to dole out assignments, you know. Because these papers come in all forms, like there were papers issued by their own school, papers issued by the top schools in the same city, papers issued by the top schools in the same province, papers issued by the most notable schools in the country, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera…

Lu Xiaobei looked behind her, to see a group of seven or eight boys and girls sitting on the grass in a circle. They were all currently staring at Lu Xiaobei, eyes filled with sparkles as if they were seeing a celebrity.

All those assignments… they were basically impossible to ever complete.

When “match” was declared, everyone stretched their hands out, with palms facing either up or down. Gao Heng looked at the hands, seven had palms facing up (white) and four had them facing down (black), then announced: “White’s out, black continue.”

Yu Xiaoya spent the entire morning with her head in the clouds. In the suitcase packed by her mother, all there was were thick clothing, extra thick clothing, and extra extra thick clothing along with a myriad of snacks, and not one sign of the winter homework assigned to her by her teachers. Yu Xiaoya scratched her head, the last two days at her house were spent embroiled in arguments, so she never get the chance to tell her mother she still needed to get her winter holiday homework assignments.

Xiaoya also recalled seeing English on Lu Xiaobei’s computer screen the day before upon hearing this, thinking: No wonder her English is so good! It’s because she’s mixed.

But high-schoolers still needed their winter assignments! Mom, do you have such little faith in me? Don’t you care about me? Sad, Yu Xiaoya cried.

Yu Xiaoya spent the entire morning with her head in the clouds. In the suitcase packed by her mother, all there was were thick clothing, extra thick clothing, and extra extra thick clothing along with a myriad of snacks, and not one sign of the winter homework assigned to her by her teachers. Yu Xiaoya scratched her head, the last two days at her house were spent embroiled in arguments, so she never get the chance to tell her mother she still needed to get her winter holiday homework assignments.

Lu Xiaobei from beside Xiaoya introduced the other members, “The guy speaking right now is called Gao Heng.” Xiaoya in response glanced to Lu Xiaobei and said, “Oh, I know him. He hosts the school’s talent show every year.”

“Gao Heng, how did you guess?!”

A new round began: “Black—white—match—”

Xiaoya looked at Lu Xiaobei with raised eyebrows, the other seeming to look back at her with a smile. Lu Xiaobei’s face seemed to be as dazzling as the sun, and for some unknown reason, Xiaoya felt her own cheeks grow warm.

Yu Xiaoya hastily sat herself up, her eyes dazedly staring at the refreshingly gorgeous beauty softly walking away from her bed, then to the passageway, before opening the door and closing it shut, her movements much like floating clouds or flowing water.

All those assignments… they were basically impossible to ever complete.

The curiosity of the onlookers were all aroused, as when it came to their goddess, there was so much they didn’t know. Such as: has she ever been in love? What kind of boy does she like? How may people are there in her family? Or if she grew up pretty, etc.

“And now, here we have a scene of a pair roommates turning from lovers to foes. Yesterday, they slept under the same roof, but today, they are forced to draw knives against the other. So in this battle, who will be crowned the victor, and who will be the one to suffer the sting defeat?” Gao Heng proclaimed from beside them, “Are you guys ready?!”

Lazy and unreliable to the extreme.

“Hahahaha.” Gao Heng laughed, “Captain, you and our junior are way too in sync. Every time there’s a pair of black or white it’s destined to be the two of you.”

So Yu Xiaoya spent that entire morning in a daze, while doing her best to get through the self-study period.

After Gao Heng’s burst of luck got him chosen for five consecutive rounds, he threw down the stick in his hand and grumbled: “I’m not going again, I’ll be the referee.”

“Do you want to come with me?” The sound of Lu Xiaobei’s voice sounding in Xiaoya’s ear left her stunned, after she realized what the other girl had asked, she replied, “Oh, yeah, okay!”

Xiaoya looked at Lu Xiaobei with raised eyebrows, the other seeming to look back at her with a smile. Lu Xiaobei’s face seemed to be as dazzling as the sun, and for some unknown reason, Xiaoya felt her own cheeks grow warm.

After lunch, they went on an outing. Mr. Qi took them from the building for a walk up the mountain located at the back of the town. This mountain had a large meadow, and even a few benches. “Listen up you guys, I don’t want you all to wander off too far, alright? This mountain is quite large so if you get lost, I won’t be able to find you.”

This was her first day living with the campus goddess Lu Xiaobei. Wait… no, that’s not right—this was her first day at winter camp!

Gao Heng then interceded, “Since our little junior can’t think of a question, I’ll take on that mantle myself.”

Lu Xiaobei looked behind her, to see a group of seven or eight boys and girls sitting on the grass in a circle. They were all currently staring at Lu Xiaobei, eyes filled with sparkles as if they were seeing a celebrity.

Early the next morning, while the first wisps of the sun’s rising rays shone down, Yu Xiaoya felt like if she was still lost in a dream, the thought causing her to rub her eyes, as a beautiful face that had no right to appear in the human world was currently before her. The impact of it all was simply too much for her, which was why Yu Xiaoya felt as if her head had grown dizzy.

“Is it your grandmother or grandfather who’s European?”

Mr. Qi was around twenty seven to twenty eight years old. He always wore a pair a gold-rimmed glasses, and had fair skin. He was a handsome man, one who always had a graceful air surrounding him, and one who looked like those financial industry elites. But, secretly, Yu Xiaoya always thought he was not as responsible as the other winter holiday teacher who had brought them there, Miss Xu.

Yu Xiaoya sighed internally, but after lingering about for a while, she then walked over to Lu Xiaobei and asked: “Are you busy right now?”

But right now, instead…

Lu Xiaobei didn’t reply, saying instead, “Sorry, those all count as other questions.”

But right now, instead…

Lu Xiaobei replied: “Truth.”

Lu Xiaobei, even though she was very pretty, her foreign ancestry wasn’t very obvious, otherwise no one would’ve not guessed it until now.

Despite the ones grumbling about how boring the option was, they themselves couldn’t come up with any games, so not too long afterwards, they all placed their right hands behind their backs and shouted: “Black—white—match—”

Xiaoya already entered a fighting posture, “I’m ready!”

After Gao Heng’s burst of luck got him chosen for five consecutive rounds, he threw down the stick in his hand and grumbled: “I’m not going again, I’ll be the referee.”

So Yu Xiaoya spent that entire morning in a daze, while doing her best to get through the self-study period.

Despite the ones grumbling about how boring the option was, they themselves couldn’t come up with any games, so not too long afterwards, they all placed their right hands behind their backs and shouted: “Black—white—match—”

Yu Xiaoya had read the brochure for the winter camp before, it stated that they (the students) would be taken to closely experience the great outdoors, and to know more about nature. Yu Xiaoya’s parents also believed that this meant the instructors would be teaching them about the natural flora and fauna. Which would prevent the only tree their daughter was able to recognise being a willow, and the only flower she’s able to recognise being a rose.

Lu Xiaobei did not deny it, saying, “Yes, I have some Western European ancestry.”

Xiaoya stuck out her tongue and smiled at Lu Xiaobei, as both had their palms facing upwards which meant they didn’t have to worry about being chosen for a while.

Early the next morning, while the first wisps of the sun’s rising rays shone down, Yu Xiaoya felt like if she was still lost in a dream, the thought causing her to rub her eyes, as a beautiful face that had no right to appear in the human world was currently before her. The impact of it all was simply too much for her, which was why Yu Xiaoya felt as if her head had grown dizzy.

Everyone turned their gazes from Lu Xiaobei towards Xiaoya, her victory gaining her this privilege. Xiaoya clenched her hand, raising to caress her cheek, absentmindedly replying: “I uh… I can’t think of a question.”

Yu Xiaoya hurriedly washed up, running to the first floor to grab two buns, before dashing to the self-study class on the third floor of the left building.

Mr. Qi was around twenty seven to twenty eight years old. He always wore a pair a gold-rimmed glasses, and had fair skin. He was a handsome man, one who always had a graceful air surrounding him, and one who looked like those financial industry elites. But, secretly, Yu Xiaoya always thought he was not as responsible as the other winter holiday teacher who had brought them there, Miss Xu.

Yu Xiaoya sighed internally, but after lingering about for a while, she then walked over to Lu Xiaobei and asked: “Are you busy right now?”

When “match” was declared, everyone stretched their hands out, with palms facing either up or down. Gao Heng looked at the hands, seven had palms facing up (white) and four had them facing down (black), then announced: “White’s out, black continue.”

“It’s time to wake up.” That low and sexy voice of hers sounded in Xiaoya’s ears.

“Aw—” Everyone sighed. You’re face to face the mysterious goddess Lu Xiaobei, and seriously couldn’t come up with a question?

Early the next morning, while the first wisps of the sun’s rising rays shone down, Yu Xiaoya felt like if she was still lost in a dream, the thought causing her to rub her eyes, as a beautiful face that had no right to appear in the human world was currently before her. The impact of it all was simply too much for her, which was why Yu Xiaoya felt as if her head had grown dizzy.

But right now, instead…

Despite the ones grumbling about how boring the option was, they themselves couldn’t come up with any games, so not too long afterwards, they all placed their right hands behind their backs and shouted: “Black—white—match—”

“Hahahaha.” Gao Heng laughed, “Captain, you and our junior are way too in sync. Every time there’s a pair of black or white it’s destined to be the two of you.”

“Gao Heng, how did you guess?!”

Xiaoya regained now her senses, replying, “Yeah, I’m alright. But why does everyone call you captain, though?”

“Are you alright?” The others were laughing and carrying on, but only Lu Xiaobei noticed Xiaoya seemed a dazed, so she asked the other girl out of concern.

Xiaoya also recalled seeing English on Lu Xiaobei’s computer screen the day before upon hearing this, thinking: No wonder her English is so good! It’s because she’s mixed.

Lu Xiaobei was seriously like a character straight out of a comic book.

Gao Heng picked up the stick he held, waving it in the centre of the circle, saying, “Hey, quit arguing, already. How about truth or dare? It’s not like we have any stuff with us here anyway.”

All those assignments… they were basically impossible to ever complete.

Mr. Qi then urged: “Look after your roommates, and don’t go running around wildly. If anything happens, that other person will get themselves plastered in bold letters on the complaint poster when they get back at school.” Then quickly found himself a refreshing patch of grass to enjoy a nice bath in the sun.

Lu Xiaobei replied: “Truth.”

After experiencing Gao Heng carrying a female student on his back, running three laps around everyone, doing twenty push-ups, and sharing the saddest love story of his life; everyone had become deeply immersed in the game. Gao Heng was simply an entertaining fellow, he was such a spectacle to the eyes. Every single time it had come down to him and another person to duke it out using rock-paper-scissors, he would always lose, which made it even more entertaining!

Lu Xiaobei didn’t reply, saying instead, “Sorry, those all count as other questions.”

Lazy and unreliable to the extreme.

But high-schoolers still needed their winter assignments! Mom, do you have such little faith in me? Don’t you care about me? Sad, Yu Xiaoya cried.

Lu Xiaobei laughed, not saying a word.

“Huh?!” Xiaoya looked at Lu Xiaobei in shock. Even though Lu Xiaobei’s nose was high and quite straight, her facial features seemed to be carved, and her skin was very pale to the point it seemed to glow a bit under the sun; she never thought Lu Xiaobei could be mixed.

Yu Xiaoya sighed internally, but after lingering about for a while, she then walked over to Lu Xiaobei and asked: “Are you busy right now?”

Hearing this, the group sighed in disappointment, and instead eagerly turned their thoughts towards winning against Lu Xiaobei in the next upcoming rounds. Gao Heng stuck his nose out to the sky proudly to reply, “The first time I saw Captain, her eyes were a bit bluer than they are now, so I suspected it from since back then.”

Gao Heng then cleared his throat, and then asked a question no one else had thought of, saying, “Captain, are you mixed?”

“Is it your grandmother or grandfather who’s European?”

Lu Xiaobei replied: “During our high school military training sessions I was chosen by the drillmaster to be captain, and from then on everyone just kept calling me that, so the title kind of just stuck.”

Before Lu Xiaobei could respond, a boy jumped out from behind her, and said: “Captain, do you want to play together?”

N/A

This was her first day living with the campus goddess Lu Xiaobei. Wait… no, that’s not right—this was her first day at winter camp!

Before Lu Xiaobei could respond, a boy jumped out from behind her, and said: “Captain, do you want to play together?”

Gao Heng then interceded, “Since our little junior can’t think of a question, I’ll take on that mantle myself.”

Lu Xiaobei replied: “During our high school military training sessions I was chosen by the drillmaster to be captain, and from then on everyone just kept calling me that, so the title kind of just stuck.”

Captain

So Yu Xiaoya spent that entire morning in a daze, while doing her best to get through the self-study period.

This was her first day living with the campus goddess Lu Xiaobei. Wait… no, that’s not right—this was her first day at winter camp!

Gao Heng then interceded, “Since our little junior can’t think of a question, I’ll take on that mantle myself.”

Xiaoya also recalled seeing English on Lu Xiaobei’s computer screen the day before upon hearing this, thinking: No wonder her English is so good! It’s because she’s mixed.

Captain

“Aw—” Everyone sighed. You’re face to face the mysterious goddess Lu Xiaobei, and seriously couldn’t come up with a question?

Lu Xiaobei looked behind her, to see a group of seven or eight boys and girls sitting on the grass in a circle. They were all currently staring at Lu Xiaobei, eyes filled with sparkles as if they were seeing a celebrity.

For some unknown reason, Xiaoya’s and Lu Xiaobei’s picks always turned out the same. Just now there were five people, but because Xiaoya and Lu Xiaobei both had their palms facing down, the others were all out.

After Gao Heng’s burst of luck got him chosen for five consecutive rounds, he threw down the stick in his hand and grumbled: “I’m not going again, I’ll be the referee.”

All those assignments… they were basically impossible to ever complete.

Hearing this, the group sighed in disappointment, and instead eagerly turned their thoughts towards winning against Lu Xiaobei in the next upcoming rounds. Gao Heng stuck his nose out to the sky proudly to reply, “The first time I saw Captain, her eyes were a bit bluer than they are now, so I suspected it from since back then.”

Xiaoya looked at Lu Xiaobei with raised eyebrows, the other seeming to look back at her with a smile. Lu Xiaobei’s face seemed to be as dazzling as the sun, and for some unknown reason, Xiaoya felt her own cheeks grow warm.

Gao Heng stood up excitedly at this result, “In the peak of this battle, it seems our little junior has gained the victory!” He then put on a sad face, saying with a sigh, “Captain, the privilege is all yours now, so which will you choose, is it going to be truth, or will it be a dare?”

Hearing this, the group sighed in disappointment, and instead eagerly turned their thoughts towards winning against Lu Xiaobei in the next upcoming rounds. Gao Heng stuck his nose out to the sky proudly to reply, “The first time I saw Captain, her eyes were a bit bluer than they are now, so I suspected it from since back then.”

Mr. Qi was around twenty seven to twenty eight years old. He always wore a pair a gold-rimmed glasses, and had fair skin. He was a handsome man, one who always had a graceful air surrounding him, and one who looked like those financial industry elites. But, secretly, Yu Xiaoya always thought he was not as responsible as the other winter holiday teacher who had brought them there, Miss Xu.

Everyone turned their gazes from Lu Xiaobei towards Xiaoya, her victory gaining her this privilege. Xiaoya clenched her hand, raising to caress her cheek, absentmindedly replying: “I uh… I can’t think of a question.”

“Do you want to come with me?” The sound of Lu Xiaobei’s voice sounding in Xiaoya’s ear left her stunned, after she realized what the other girl had asked, she replied, “Oh, yeah, okay!”

Xiaoya stuck out her tongue and smiled at Lu Xiaobei, as both had their palms facing upwards which meant they didn’t have to worry about being chosen for a while.

Yu Xiaoya had read the brochure for the winter camp before, it stated that they (the students) would be taken to closely experience the great outdoors, and to know more about nature. Yu Xiaoya’s parents also believed that this meant the instructors would be teaching them about the natural flora and fauna. Which would prevent the only tree their daughter was able to recognise being a willow, and the only flower she’s able to recognise being a rose.

Xiaoya looked at Lu Xiaobei with raised eyebrows, the other seeming to look back at her with a smile. Lu Xiaobei’s face seemed to be as dazzling as the sun, and for some unknown reason, Xiaoya felt her own cheeks grow warm.

Lu Xiaobei was seriously like a character straight out of a comic book.

This was her first day living with the campus goddess Lu Xiaobei. Wait… no, that’s not right—this was her first day at winter camp!

“Rock—paper—scissors—” The crowd cheered them on, as Xiaoya then put out paper while Lu Xiaobei drew rock.

“Do you want to come with me?” The sound of Lu Xiaobei’s voice sounding in Xiaoya’s ear left her stunned, after she realized what the other girl had asked, she replied, “Oh, yeah, okay!”

Xiaoya walked over beside Lu Xiaobei, to sit in the empty spot which remained in the circle everyone formed. Then that boy who had just invited them, picked up a stick, and struck the grass, asking: “So have you guys figured out what game we’re going to play?”

All those assignments… they were basically impossible to ever complete.

The others rapidly started to chime in, “Since we’re already sitting in a circle, playing throw the handkerchief[1] makes sense, and the loser can put on a talent show.”

Before Lu Xiaobei could respond, a boy jumped out from behind her, and said: “Captain, do you want to play together?”

“Aye aye aye, are you a kid? Only primary school kids play that game. We should all play the murder-mystery boardgame close your eyes when it gets dark[2] instead.”

“Huh?!” Xiaoya looked at Lu Xiaobei in shock. Even though Lu Xiaobei’s nose was high and quite straight, her facial features seemed to be carved, and her skin was very pale to the point it seemed to glow a bit under the sun; she never thought Lu Xiaobei could be mixed.

So Yu Xiaoya spent that entire morning in a daze, while doing her best to get through the self-study period.

When “match” was declared, everyone stretched their hands out, with palms facing either up or down. Gao Heng looked at the hands, seven had palms facing up (white) and four had them facing down (black), then announced: “White’s out, black continue.”

Yu Xiaoya spent the entire morning with her head in the clouds. In the suitcase packed by her mother, all there was were thick clothing, extra thick clothing, and extra extra thick clothing along with a myriad of snacks, and not one sign of the winter homework assigned to her by her teachers. Yu Xiaoya scratched her head, the last two days at her house were spent embroiled in arguments, so she never get the chance to tell her mother she still needed to get her winter holiday homework assignments.

Lu Xiaobei from beside Xiaoya introduced the other members, “The guy speaking right now is called Gao Heng.” Xiaoya in response glanced to Lu Xiaobei and said, “Oh, I know him. He hosts the school’s talent show every year.”

Lu Xiaobei from beside Xiaoya introduced the other members, “The guy speaking right now is called Gao Heng.” Xiaoya in response glanced to Lu Xiaobei and said, “Oh, I know him. He hosts the school’s talent show every year.”

Yu Xiaoya hastily sat herself up, her eyes dazedly staring at the refreshingly gorgeous beauty softly walking away from her bed, then to the passageway, before opening the door and closing it shut, her movements much like floating clouds or flowing water.

A new round began: “Black—white—match—”

Everyone turned their gazes from Lu Xiaobei towards Xiaoya, her victory gaining her this privilege. Xiaoya clenched her hand, raising to caress her cheek, absentmindedly replying: “I uh… I can’t think of a question.”

“Gao Heng, how did you guess?!”

Lu Xiaobei replied: “Truth.”

“Hahahaha.” Gao Heng laughed, “Captain, you and our junior are way too in sync. Every time there’s a pair of black or white it’s destined to be the two of you.”

Gao Heng then interceded, “Since our little junior can’t think of a question, I’ll take on that mantle myself.”

Throw the Handkerchief [丢手帕]: this a kid’s game played by seating five or more people in a circle and having one person holding a handkerchief encircle everyone from behind while they all sing a song. The handkerchief holder then chooses a person to secretly drop the handkerchief behind, the person who it was dropped by has to then quickly chase the thrower to win, but if the thrower steals the chaser’s seat, the chaser has to pay a penalty. It’s kinda like duck duck goose. [] Close your eyes when it gets dark [玩天黑请闭眼]: is a detective, murder-mystery boardgame and an online game that requires 8-16 people who are allotted the roles of policemen, killers, or civilians (for basic gameplay, you can have less people). The number of players determines how many cops or killers an be in the game (8-10 players: 2 killers and officers max; 10-14: 3 killers and officers max; 15-16: 4 killers and officers max). A judge is selected and they shuffle and deal the cards which must be kept hidden. After looking at your cards, the judge announces it’s dark and everyone stops moving and closes their eyes quietly. The judge then announces for the killers to open their eyes so they can each see their comrades. Then the judge asks the killer to kill, and they quietly agree on a person to kill, the judge notes the person and after telling the killers to close their again, the judge announces to the police to open their eyes. The police then all confirm their companions… Okay, this goes on for a good while but you get the gist. Think, Among Us.[] Black White Match [黑白配]: A game to reduce multiple people down to two, and rock—paper—scissors is used to narrow a group of two down to one.

“And now, here we have a scene of a pair roommates turning from lovers to foes. Yesterday, they slept under the same roof, but today, they are forced to draw knives against the other. So in this battle, who will be crowned the victor, and who will be the one to suffer the sting defeat?” Gao Heng proclaimed from beside them, “Are you guys ready?!”

Lu Xiaobei again introduced the people she knew, most of them being third year students. The remaining were a few second years who she did not know, and as for the number of first years, there was only Yu Xiaoya.

Lu Xiaobei was seriously like a character straight out of a comic book.

Gao Heng picked up the stick he held, waving it in the centre of the circle, saying, “Hey, quit arguing, already. How about truth or dare? It’s not like we have any stuff with us here anyway.”

“Gao Heng, how did you guess?!”

A new round began: “Black—white—match—”

Gao Heng stood up excitedly at this result, “In the peak of this battle, it seems our little junior has gained the victory!” He then put on a sad face, saying with a sigh, “Captain, the privilege is all yours now, so which will you choose, is it going to be truth, or will it be a dare?”

Xiaoya already entered a fighting posture, “I’m ready!”

So Yu Xiaoya spent that entire morning in a daze, while doing her best to get through the self-study period.

The others rapidly started to chime in, “Since we’re already sitting in a circle, playing throw the handkerchief makes sense, and the loser can put on a talent show.”

After lunch, they went on an outing. Mr. Qi took them from the building for a walk up the mountain located at the back of the town. This mountain had a large meadow, and even a few benches. “Listen up you guys, I don’t want you all to wander off too far, alright? This mountain is quite large so if you get lost, I won’t be able to find you.”

But right now, instead…

So Yu Xiaoya spent that entire morning in a daze, while doing her best to get through the self-study period.

Gao Heng then cleared his throat, and then asked a question no one else had thought of, saying, “Captain, are you mixed?”

Lu Xiaobei replied: “During our high school military training sessions I was chosen by the drillmaster to be captain, and from then on everyone just kept calling me that, so the title kind of just stuck.”

Despite the ones grumbling about how boring the option was, they themselves couldn’t come up with any games, so not too long afterwards, they all placed their right hands behind their backs and shouted: “Black—white—match—”[3]

The curiosity of the onlookers were all aroused, as when it came to their goddess, there was so much they didn’t know. Such as: has she ever been in love? What kind of boy does she like? How may people are there in her family? Or if she grew up pretty, etc.

When “match” was declared, everyone stretched their hands out, with palms facing either up or down. Gao Heng looked at the hands, seven had palms facing up (white) and four had them facing down (black), then announced: “White’s out, black continue.”

After lunch, they went on an outing. Mr. Qi took them from the building for a walk up the mountain located at the back of the town. This mountain had a large meadow, and even a few benches. “Listen up you guys, I don’t want you all to wander off too far, alright? This mountain is quite large so if you get lost, I won’t be able to find you.”

“Do you want to come with me?” The sound of Lu Xiaobei’s voice sounding in Xiaoya’s ear left her stunned, after she realized what the other girl had asked, she replied, “Oh, yeah, okay!”

“Is it your grandmother or grandfather who’s European?”

Lu Xiaobei looked behind her, to see a group of seven or eight boys and girls sitting on the grass in a circle. They were all currently staring at Lu Xiaobei, eyes filled with sparkles as if they were seeing a celebrity.

After experiencing Gao Heng carrying a female student on his back, running three laps around everyone, doing twenty push-ups, and sharing the saddest love story of his life; everyone had become deeply immersed in the game. Gao Heng was simply an entertaining fellow, he was such a spectacle to the eyes. Every single time it had come down to him and another person to duke it out using rock-paper-scissors, he would always lose, which made it even more entertaining!

Xiaoya stuck out her tongue and smiled at Lu Xiaobei, as both had their palms facing upwards which meant they didn’t have to worry about being chosen for a while.

“Are you alright?” The others were laughing and carrying on, but only Lu Xiaobei noticed Xiaoya seemed a dazed, so she asked the other girl out of concern.

After Gao Heng’s burst of luck got him chosen for five consecutive rounds, he threw down the stick in his hand and grumbled: “I’m not going again, I’ll be the referee.”

Yu Xiaoya had read the brochure for the winter camp before, it stated that they (the students) would be taken to closely experience the great outdoors, and to know more about nature. Yu Xiaoya’s parents also believed that this meant the instructors would be teaching them about the natural flora and fauna. Which would prevent the only tree their daughter was able to recognise being a willow, and the only flower she’s able to recognise being a rose.

All those assignments… they were basically impossible to ever complete.

The third floor of the building was turned into a self-study area, consisting of a dozen or so chairs and desks of varying sizes, with Mr. Qi sitting up at the front as he supervised the students doing their papers. But one shouldn’t look down on a high school teacher’s ability to dole out assignments, you know. Because these papers come in all forms, like there were papers issued by their own school, papers issued by the top schools in the same city, papers issued by the top schools in the same province, papers issued by the most notable schools in the country, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera…

Captain

N/A

After experiencing Gao Heng carrying a female student on his back, running three laps around everyone, doing twenty push-ups, and sharing the saddest love story of his life; everyone had become deeply immersed in the game. Gao Heng was simply an entertaining fellow, he was such a spectacle to the eyes. Every single time it had come down to him and another person to duke it out using rock-paper-scissors, he would always lose, which made it even more entertaining!

Lu Xiaobei didn’t reply, saying instead, “Sorry, those all count as other questions.”

After Gao Heng’s burst of luck got him chosen for five consecutive rounds, he threw down the stick in his hand and grumbled: “I’m not going again, I’ll be the referee.”

After experiencing Gao Heng carrying a female student on his back, running three laps around everyone, doing twenty push-ups, and sharing the saddest love story of his life; everyone had become deeply immersed in the game. Gao Heng was simply an entertaining fellow, he was such a spectacle to the eyes. Every single time it had come down to him and another person to duke it out using rock-paper-scissors, he would always lose, which made it even more entertaining!

The curiosity of the onlookers were all aroused, as when it came to their goddess, there was so much they didn’t know. Such as: has she ever been in love? What kind of boy does she like? How may people are there in her family? Or if she grew up pretty, etc.

Lu Xiaobei replied: “Truth.”

Captain

Xiaoya looked at Lu Xiaobei with raised eyebrows, the other seeming to look back at her with a smile. Lu Xiaobei’s face seemed to be as dazzling as the sun, and for some unknown reason, Xiaoya felt her own cheeks grow warm.

After lunch, they went on an outing. Mr. Qi took them from the building for a walk up the mountain located at the back of the town. This mountain had a large meadow, and even a few benches. “Listen up you guys, I don’t want you all to wander off too far, alright? This mountain is quite large so if you get lost, I won’t be able to find you.”

The third floor of the building was turned into a self-study area, consisting of a dozen or so chairs and desks of varying sizes, with Mr. Qi sitting up at the front as he supervised the students doing their papers. But one shouldn’t look down on a high school teacher’s ability to dole out assignments, you know. Because these papers come in all forms, like there were papers issued by their own school, papers issued by the top schools in the same city, papers issued by the top schools in the same province, papers issued by the most notable schools in the country, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera…

Everyone else just laughed joyfully, not caring at all, as Gao Heng had always been the one losing. Seeing him being the only one tasting defeat would get boring at some point too, right?

Only when Lu Xiaobei had closed the door with a “ka-chack”, did Yu Xiaoya fully regain her senses. The winter holidays had already arrived, and right now she was no longer in her house…

N/A

Xiaoya regained now her senses, replying, “Yeah, I’m alright. But why does everyone call you captain, though?”

Lu Xiaobei again introduced the people she knew, most of them being third year students. The remaining were a few second years who she did not know, and as for the number of first years, there was only Yu Xiaoya.

When “match” was declared, everyone stretched their hands out, with palms facing either up or down. Gao Heng looked at the hands, seven had palms facing up (white) and four had them facing down (black), then announced: “White’s out, black continue.”

N/A

Yu Xiaoya sighed internally, but after lingering about for a while, she then walked over to Lu Xiaobei and asked: “Are you busy right now?”

The others rapidly started to chime in, “Since we’re already sitting in a circle, playing throw the handkerchief makes sense, and the loser can put on a talent show.”

“And now, here we have a scene of a pair roommates turning from lovers to foes. Yesterday, they slept under the same roof, but today, they are forced to draw knives against the other. So in this battle, who will be crowned the victor, and who will be the one to suffer the sting defeat?” Gao Heng proclaimed from beside them, “Are you guys ready?!”

A new round began: “Black—white—match—”

On the grass, the group of sparrows chirped: “Captain, why didn’t you ever say anything?”

This was her first day living with the campus goddess Lu Xiaobei. Wait… no, that’s not right—this was her first day at winter camp!

Xiaoya also recalled seeing English on Lu Xiaobei’s computer screen the day before upon hearing this, thinking: No wonder her English is so good! It’s because she’s mixed.

Lu Xiaobei did not deny it, saying, “Yes, I have some Western European ancestry.”

“Aw—” Everyone sighed. You’re face to face the mysterious goddess Lu Xiaobei, and seriously couldn’t come up with a question?

“Hahahaha.” Gao Heng laughed, “Captain, you and our junior are way too in sync. Every time there’s a pair of black or white it’s destined to be the two of you.”

Xiaoya jaw dropped in admiration, “That’s so cool!” The military drill sessions of their high school wasn’t separated between boys and girls, so for her to become captain, she would have had to defeat every single person on her team.

Xiaoya stuck out her tongue and smiled at Lu Xiaobei, as both had their palms facing upwards which meant they didn’t have to worry about being chosen for a while.

Despite the ones grumbling about how boring the option was, they themselves couldn’t come up with any games, so not too long afterwards, they all placed their right hands behind their backs and shouted: “Black—white—match—”

“Do you want to come with me?” The sound of Lu Xiaobei’s voice sounding in Xiaoya’s ear left her stunned, after she realized what the other girl had asked, she replied, “Oh, yeah, okay!”

Lu Xiaobei laughed, not saying a word.

Lu Xiaobei from beside Xiaoya introduced the other members, “The guy speaking right now is called Gao Heng.” Xiaoya in response glanced to Lu Xiaobei and said, “Oh, I know him. He hosts the school’s talent show every year.”

Gao Heng picked up the stick he held, waving it in the centre of the circle, saying, “Hey, quit arguing, already. How about truth or dare? It’s not like we have any stuff with us here anyway.”

“Is it your grandmother or grandfather who’s European?”

Yu Xiaoya hastily sat herself up, her eyes dazedly staring at the refreshingly gorgeous beauty softly walking away from her bed, then to the passageway, before opening the door and closing it shut, her movements much like floating clouds or flowing water.

“Are you alright?” The others were laughing and carrying on, but only Lu Xiaobei noticed Xiaoya seemed a dazed, so she asked the other girl out of concern.

The others rapidly started to chime in, “Since we’re already sitting in a circle, playing throw the handkerchief makes sense, and the loser can put on a talent show.”

For some unknown reason, Xiaoya’s and Lu Xiaobei’s picks always turned out the same. Just now there were five people, but because Xiaoya and Lu Xiaobei both had their palms facing down, the others were all out.

Everyone else just laughed joyfully, not caring at all, as Gao Heng had always been the one losing. Seeing him being the only one tasting defeat would get boring at some point too, right?

Lu Xiaobei from beside Xiaoya introduced the other members, “The guy speaking right now is called Gao Heng.” Xiaoya in response glanced to Lu Xiaobei and said, “Oh, I know him. He hosts the school’s talent show every year.”

After lunch, they went on an outing. Mr. Qi took them from the building for a walk up the mountain located at the back of the town. This mountain had a large meadow, and even a few benches. “Listen up you guys, I don’t want you all to wander off too far, alright? This mountain is quite large so if you get lost, I won’t be able to find you.”

Yu Xiaoya hastily sat herself up, her eyes dazedly staring at the refreshingly gorgeous beauty softly walking away from her bed, then to the passageway, before opening the door and closing it shut, her movements much like floating clouds or flowing water.

Yu Xiaoya had read the brochure for the winter camp before, it stated that they (the students) would be taken to closely experience the great outdoors, and to know more about nature. Yu Xiaoya’s parents also believed that this meant the instructors would be teaching them about the natural flora and fauna. Which would prevent the only tree their daughter was able to recognise being a willow, and the only flower she’s able to recognise being a rose.

The curiosity of the onlookers were all aroused, as when it came to their goddess, there was so much they didn’t know. Such as: has she ever been in love? What kind of boy does she like? How may people are there in her family? Or if she grew up pretty, etc.

Lazy and unreliable to the extreme.

Hearing this, the group sighed in disappointment, and instead eagerly turned their thoughts towards winning against Lu Xiaobei in the next upcoming rounds. Gao Heng stuck his nose out to the sky proudly to reply, “The first time I saw Captain, her eyes were a bit bluer than they are now, so I suspected it from since back then.”

Yu Xiaoya sighed internally, but after lingering about for a while, she then walked over to Lu Xiaobei and asked: “Are you busy right now?”

On the grass, the group of sparrows chirped: “Captain, why didn’t you ever say anything?”

On the grass, the group of sparrows chirped: “Captain, why didn’t you ever say anything?”

“And now, here we have a scene of a pair roommates turning from lovers to foes. Yesterday, they slept under the same roof, but today, they are forced to draw knives against the other. So in this battle, who will be crowned the victor, and who will be the one to suffer the sting defeat?” Gao Heng proclaimed from beside them, “Are you guys ready?!”

Lu Xiaobei, even though she was very pretty, her foreign ancestry wasn’t very obvious, otherwise no one would’ve not guessed it until now.

Xiaoya already entered a fighting posture, “I’m ready!”

Gao Heng stood up excitedly at this result, “In the peak of this battle, it seems our little junior has gained the victory!” He then put on a sad face, saying with a sigh, “Captain, the privilege is all yours now, so which will you choose, is it going to be truth, or will it be a dare?”

Lu Xiaobei laughed, not saying a word.

“It’s time to wake up.” That low and sexy voice of hers sounded in Xiaoya’s ears.

Everyone turned their gazes from Lu Xiaobei towards Xiaoya, her victory gaining her this privilege. Xiaoya clenched her hand, raising to caress her cheek, absentmindedly replying: “I uh… I can’t think of a question.”

So Yu Xiaoya spent that entire morning in a daze, while doing her best to get through the self-study period.

“Is it your grandmother or grandfather who’s European?”

“Aw—” Everyone sighed. You’re face to face the mysterious goddess Lu Xiaobei, and seriously couldn’t come up with a question?

“Rock—paper—scissors—” The crowd cheered them on, as Xiaoya then put out paper while Lu Xiaobei drew rock.

Xiaoya walked over beside Lu Xiaobei, to sit in the empty spot which remained in the circle everyone formed. Then that boy who had just invited them, picked up a stick, and struck the grass, asking: “So have you guys figured out what game we’re going to play?”

Gao Heng stood up excitedly at this result, “In the peak of this battle, it seems our little junior has gained the victory!” He then put on a sad face, saying with a sigh, “Captain, the privilege is all yours now, so which will you choose, is it going to be truth, or will it be a dare?”

Early the next morning, while the first wisps of the sun’s rising rays shone down, Yu Xiaoya felt like if she was still lost in a dream, the thought causing her to rub her eyes, as a beautiful face that had no right to appear in the human world was currently before her. The impact of it all was simply too much for her, which was why Yu Xiaoya felt as if her head had grown dizzy.

The third floor of the building was turned into a self-study area, consisting of a dozen or so chairs and desks of varying sizes, with Mr. Qi sitting up at the front as he supervised the students doing their papers. But one shouldn’t look down on a high school teacher’s ability to dole out assignments, you know. Because these papers come in all forms, like there were papers issued by their own school, papers issued by the top schools in the same city, papers issued by the top schools in the same province, papers issued by the most notable schools in the country, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera…

“It’s time to wake up.” That low and sexy voice of hers sounded in Xiaoya’s ears.

Yu Xiaoya had read the brochure for the winter camp before, it stated that they (the students) would be taken to closely experience the great outdoors, and to know more about nature. Yu Xiaoya’s parents also believed that this meant the instructors would be teaching them about the natural flora and fauna. Which would prevent the only tree their daughter was able to recognise being a willow, and the only flower she’s able to recognise being a rose.

Yu Xiaoya had read the brochure for the winter camp before, it stated that they (the students) would be taken to closely experience the great outdoors, and to know more about nature. Yu Xiaoya’s parents also believed that this meant the instructors would be teaching them about the natural flora and fauna. Which would prevent the only tree their daughter was able to recognise being a willow, and the only flower she’s able to recognise being a rose.

“Hahahaha.” Gao Heng laughed, “Captain, you and our junior are way too in sync. Every time there’s a pair of black or white it’s destined to be the two of you.”

Lu Xiaobei replied: “Truth.”

Despite the ones grumbling about how boring the option was, they themselves couldn’t come up with any games, so not too long afterwards, they all placed their right hands behind their backs and shouted: “Black—white—match—”

Xiaoya also recalled seeing English on Lu Xiaobei’s computer screen the day before upon hearing this, thinking: No wonder her English is so good! It’s because she’s mixed.

The others rapidly started to chime in, “Since we’re already sitting in a circle, playing throw the handkerchief makes sense, and the loser can put on a talent show.”

“Aw—” Everyone sighed. You’re face to face the mysterious goddess Lu Xiaobei, and seriously couldn’t come up with a question?

Xiaoya looked at Lu Xiaobei with raised eyebrows, the other seeming to look back at her with a smile. Lu Xiaobei’s face seemed to be as dazzling as the sun, and for some unknown reason, Xiaoya felt her own cheeks grow warm.

“Hahahaha.” Gao Heng laughed, “Captain, you and our junior are way too in sync. Every time there’s a pair of black or white it’s destined to be the two of you.”

“Huh?!” Xiaoya looked at Lu Xiaobei in shock. Even though Lu Xiaobei’s nose was high and quite straight, her facial features seemed to be carved, and her skin was very pale to the point it seemed to glow a bit under the sun; she never thought Lu Xiaobei could be mixed.

Yu Xiaoya had read the brochure for the winter camp before, it stated that they (the students) would be taken to closely experience the great outdoors, and to know more about nature. Yu Xiaoya’s parents also believed that this meant the instructors would be teaching them about the natural flora and fauna. Which would prevent the only tree their daughter was able to recognise being a willow, and the only flower she’s able to recognise being a rose.

Yu Xiaoya had read the brochure for the winter camp before, it stated that they (the students) would be taken to closely experience the great outdoors, and to know more about nature. Yu Xiaoya’s parents also believed that this meant the instructors would be teaching them about the natural flora and fauna. Which would prevent the only tree their daughter was able to recognise being a willow, and the only flower she’s able to recognise being a rose.

N/A

Lu Xiaobei replied: “Truth.”

Xiaoya regained now her senses, replying, “Yeah, I’m alright. But why does everyone call you captain, though?”

Yu Xiaoya hastily sat herself up, her eyes dazedly staring at the refreshingly gorgeous beauty softly walking away from her bed, then to the passageway, before opening the door and closing it shut, her movements much like floating clouds or flowing water.

But high-schoolers still needed their winter assignments! Mom, do you have such little faith in me? Don’t you care about me? Sad, Yu Xiaoya cried.

Xiaoya walked over beside Lu Xiaobei, to sit in the empty spot which remained in the circle everyone formed. Then that boy who had just invited them, picked up a stick, and struck the grass, asking: “So have you guys figured out what game we’re going to play?”

Lazy and unreliable to the extreme.

Everyone turned their gazes from Lu Xiaobei towards Xiaoya, her victory gaining her this privilege. Xiaoya clenched her hand, raising to caress her cheek, absentmindedly replying: “I uh… I can’t think of a question.”

Lu Xiaobei laughed, not saying a word.

“Are you alright?” The others were laughing and carrying on, but only Lu Xiaobei noticed Xiaoya seemed a dazed, so she asked the other girl out of concern.

On the grass, the group of sparrows chirped: “Captain, why didn’t you ever say anything?”

“Are you alright?” The others were laughing and carrying on, but only Lu Xiaobei noticed Xiaoya seemed a dazed, so she asked the other girl out of concern.

Gao Heng stood up excitedly at this result, “In the peak of this battle, it seems our little junior has gained the victory!” He then put on a sad face, saying with a sigh, “Captain, the privilege is all yours now, so which will you choose, is it going to be truth, or will it be a dare?”

A new round began: “Black—white—match—”

Gao Heng then cleared his throat, and then asked a question no one else had thought of, saying, “Captain, are you mixed?”

After experiencing Gao Heng carrying a female student on his back, running three laps around everyone, doing twenty push-ups, and sharing the saddest love story of his life; everyone had become deeply immersed in the game. Gao Heng was simply an entertaining fellow, he was such a spectacle to the eyes. Every single time it had come down to him and another person to duke it out using rock-paper-scissors, he would always lose, which made it even more entertaining!

Yu Xiaoya spent the entire morning with her head in the clouds. In the suitcase packed by her mother, all there was were thick clothing, extra thick clothing, and extra extra thick clothing along with a myriad of snacks, and not one sign of the winter homework assigned to her by her teachers. Yu Xiaoya scratched her head, the last two days at her house were spent embroiled in arguments, so she never get the chance to tell her mother she still needed to get her winter holiday homework assignments.

“Aw—” Everyone sighed. You’re face to face the mysterious goddess Lu Xiaobei, and seriously couldn’t come up with a question?

Everyone turned their gazes from Lu Xiaobei towards Xiaoya, her victory gaining her this privilege. Xiaoya clenched her hand, raising to caress her cheek, absentmindedly replying: “I uh… I can’t think of a question.”

Xiaoya regained now her senses, replying, “Yeah, I’m alright. But why does everyone call you captain, though?”

“Huh?!” Xiaoya looked at Lu Xiaobei in shock. Even though Lu Xiaobei’s nose was high and quite straight, her facial features seemed to be carved, and her skin was very pale to the point it seemed to glow a bit under the sun; she never thought Lu Xiaobei could be mixed.

Lu Xiaobei looked behind her, to see a group of seven or eight boys and girls sitting on the grass in a circle. They were all currently staring at Lu Xiaobei, eyes filled with sparkles as if they were seeing a celebrity.

Lu Xiaobei laughed, not saying a word.

Before Lu Xiaobei could respond, a boy jumped out from behind her, and said: “Captain, do you want to play together?”

Lu Xiaobei again introduced the people she knew, most of them being third year students. The remaining were a few second years who she did not know, and as for the number of first years, there was only Yu Xiaoya.

When “match” was declared, everyone stretched their hands out, with palms facing either up or down. Gao Heng looked at the hands, seven had palms facing up (white) and four had them facing down (black), then announced: “White’s out, black continue.”

“It’s time to wake up.” That low and sexy voice of hers sounded in Xiaoya’s ears.

Gao Heng then interceded, “Since our little junior can’t think of a question, I’ll take on that mantle myself.”

Lu Xiaobei replied: “During our high school military training sessions I was chosen by the drillmaster to be captain, and from then on everyone just kept calling me that, so the title kind of just stuck.”

“And now, here we have a scene of a pair roommates turning from lovers to foes. Yesterday, they slept under the same roof, but today, they are forced to draw knives against the other. So in this battle, who will be crowned the victor, and who will be the one to suffer the sting defeat?” Gao Heng proclaimed from beside them, “Are you guys ready?!”

On the grass, the group of sparrows chirped: “Captain, why didn’t you ever say anything?”

This was her first day living with the campus goddess Lu Xiaobei. Wait… no, that’s not right—this was her first day at winter camp!

The third floor of the building was turned into a self-study area, consisting of a dozen or so chairs and desks of varying sizes, with Mr. Qi sitting up at the front as he supervised the students doing their papers. But one shouldn’t look down on a high school teacher’s ability to dole out assignments, you know. Because these papers come in all forms, like there were papers issued by their own school, papers issued by the top schools in the same city, papers issued by the top schools in the same province, papers issued by the most notable schools in the country, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera…

The curiosity of the onlookers were all aroused, as when it came to their goddess, there was so much they didn’t know. Such as: has she ever been in love? What kind of boy does she like? How may people are there in her family? Or if she grew up pretty, etc.

Lazy and unreliable to the extreme.

Gao Heng picked up the stick he held, waving it in the centre of the circle, saying, “Hey, quit arguing, already. How about truth or dare? It’s not like we have any stuff with us here anyway.”

But high-schoolers still needed their winter assignments! Mom, do you have such little faith in me? Don’t you care about me? Sad, Yu Xiaoya cried.

Lu Xiaobei was seriously like a character straight out of a comic book.

“Hahahaha.” Gao Heng laughed, “Captain, you and our junior are way too in sync. Every time there’s a pair of black or white it’s destined to be the two of you.”

Lu Xiaobei, even though she was very pretty, her foreign ancestry wasn’t very obvious, otherwise no one would’ve not guessed it until now.

“Huh?!” Xiaoya looked at Lu Xiaobei in shock. Even though Lu Xiaobei’s nose was high and quite straight, her facial features seemed to be carved, and her skin was very pale to the point it seemed to glow a bit under the sun; she never thought Lu Xiaobei could be mixed.

Gao Heng then cleared his throat, and then asked a question no one else had thought of, saying, “Captain, are you mixed?”

“Do you want to come with me?” The sound of Lu Xiaobei’s voice sounding in Xiaoya’s ear left her stunned, after she realized what the other girl had asked, she replied, “Oh, yeah, okay!”

Captain

Xiaoya already entered a fighting posture, “I’m ready!”

Yu Xiaoya spent the entire morning with her head in the clouds. In the suitcase packed by her mother, all there was were thick clothing, extra thick clothing, and extra extra thick clothing along with a myriad of snacks, and not one sign of the winter homework assigned to her by her teachers. Yu Xiaoya scratched her head, the last two days at her house were spent embroiled in arguments, so she never get the chance to tell her mother she still needed to get her winter holiday homework assignments.

“Is it your grandmother or grandfather who’s European?”

“Huh?!” Xiaoya looked at Lu Xiaobei in shock. Even though Lu Xiaobei’s nose was high and quite straight, her facial features seemed to be carved, and her skin was very pale to the point it seemed to glow a bit under the sun; she never thought Lu Xiaobei could be mixed.

“Rock—paper—scissors—” The crowd cheered them on, as Xiaoya then put out paper while Lu Xiaobei drew rock.

Xiaoya looked at Lu Xiaobei with raised eyebrows, the other seeming to look back at her with a smile. Lu Xiaobei’s face seemed to be as dazzling as the sun, and for some unknown reason, Xiaoya felt her own cheeks grow warm.

Despite the ones grumbling about how boring the option was, they themselves couldn’t come up with any games, so not too long afterwards, they all placed their right hands behind their backs and shouted: “Black—white—match—”

For some unknown reason, Xiaoya’s and Lu Xiaobei’s picks always turned out the same. Just now there were five people, but because Xiaoya and Lu Xiaobei both had their palms facing down, the others were all out.

Xiaoya regained now her senses, replying, “Yeah, I’m alright. But why does everyone call you captain, though?”

Lu Xiaobei was seriously like a character straight out of a comic book.

A new round began: “Black—white—match—”

Lu Xiaobei again introduced the people she knew, most of them being third year students. The remaining were a few second years who she did not know, and as for the number of first years, there was only Yu Xiaoya.

Xiaoya also recalled seeing English on Lu Xiaobei’s computer screen the day before upon hearing this, thinking: No wonder her English is so good! It’s because she’s mixed.

Lu Xiaobei did not deny it, saying, “Yes, I have some Western European ancestry.”

“Aw—” Everyone sighed. You’re face to face the mysterious goddess Lu Xiaobei, and seriously couldn’t come up with a question?

On the grass, the group of sparrows chirped: “Captain, why didn’t you ever say anything?”

Lu Xiaobei again introduced the people she knew, most of them being third year students. The remaining were a few second years who she did not know, and as for the number of first years, there was only Yu Xiaoya.

“Hahahaha.” Gao Heng laughed, “Captain, you and our junior are way too in sync. Every time there’s a pair of black or white it’s destined to be the two of you.”

“Rock—paper—scissors—” The crowd cheered them on, as Xiaoya then put out paper while Lu Xiaobei drew rock.

Captain

Lu Xiaobei didn’t reply, saying instead, “Sorry, those all count as other questions.”

Everyone else just laughed joyfully, not caring at all, as Gao Heng had always been the one losing. Seeing him being the only one tasting defeat would get boring at some point too, right?

Despite the ones grumbling about how boring the option was, they themselves couldn’t come up with any games, so not too long afterwards, they all placed their right hands behind their backs and shouted: “Black—white—match—”

“Gao Heng, how did you guess?!”

A new round began: “Black—white—match—”

“Is it your grandmother or grandfather who’s European?”

“Aye aye aye, are you a kid? Only primary school kids play that game. We should all play the murder-mystery boardgame close your eyes when it gets dark instead.”

Lu Xiaobei, even though she was very pretty, her foreign ancestry wasn’t very obvious, otherwise no one would’ve not guessed it until now.

“And now, here we have a scene of a pair roommates turning from lovers to foes. Yesterday, they slept under the same roof, but today, they are forced to draw knives against the other. So in this battle, who will be crowned the victor, and who will be the one to suffer the sting defeat?” Gao Heng proclaimed from beside them, “Are you guys ready?!”

Lu Xiaobei didn’t reply, saying instead, “Sorry, those all count as other questions.”

But right now, instead…

Hearing this, the group sighed in disappointment, and instead eagerly turned their thoughts towards winning against Lu Xiaobei in the next upcoming rounds. Gao Heng stuck his nose out to the sky proudly to reply, “The first time I saw Captain, her eyes were a bit bluer than they are now, so I suspected it from since back then.”

Xiaoya looked at Lu Xiaobei with raised eyebrows, the other seeming to look back at her with a smile. Lu Xiaobei’s face seemed to be as dazzling as the sun, and for some unknown reason, Xiaoya felt her own cheeks grow warm.

Yu Xiaoya had read the brochure for the winter camp before, it stated that they (the students) would be taken to closely experience the great outdoors, and to know more about nature. Yu Xiaoya’s parents also believed that this meant the instructors would be teaching them about the natural flora and fauna. Which would prevent the only tree their daughter was able to recognise being a willow, and the only flower she’s able to recognise being a rose.

Xiaoya jaw dropped in admiration, “That’s so cool!” The military drill sessions of their high school wasn’t separated between boys and girls, so for her to become captain, she would have had to defeat every single person on her team.

“Is it your grandmother or grandfather who’s European?”

Everyone else just laughed joyfully, not caring at all, as Gao Heng had always been the one losing. Seeing him being the only one tasting defeat would get boring at some point too, right?

Xiaoya also recalled seeing English on Lu Xiaobei’s computer screen the day before upon hearing this, thinking: No wonder her English is so good! It’s because she’s mixed.

Mr. Qi then urged: “Look after your roommates, and don’t go running around wildly. If anything happens, that other person will get themselves plastered in bold letters on the complaint poster when they get back at school.” Then quickly found himself a refreshing patch of grass to enjoy a nice bath in the sun.

“And now, here we have a scene of a pair roommates turning from lovers to foes. Yesterday, they slept under the same roof, but today, they are forced to draw knives against the other. So in this battle, who will be crowned the victor, and who will be the one to suffer the sting defeat?” Gao Heng proclaimed from beside them, “Are you guys ready?!”

After Gao Heng’s burst of luck got him chosen for five consecutive rounds, he threw down the stick in his hand and grumbled: “I’m not going again, I’ll be the referee.”

“Gao Heng, how did you guess?!”

But high-schoolers still needed their winter assignments! Mom, do you have such little faith in me? Don’t you care about me? Sad, Yu Xiaoya cried.

“Gao Heng, how did you guess?!”

Yu Xiaoya had read the brochure for the winter camp before, it stated that they (the students) would be taken to closely experience the great outdoors, and to know more about nature. Yu Xiaoya’s parents also believed that this meant the instructors would be teaching them about the natural flora and fauna. Which would prevent the only tree their daughter was able to recognise being a willow, and the only flower she’s able to recognise being a rose.

“Are you alright?” The others were laughing and carrying on, but only Lu Xiaobei noticed Xiaoya seemed a dazed, so she asked the other girl out of concern.

Gao Heng picked up the stick he held, waving it in the centre of the circle, saying, “Hey, quit arguing, already. How about truth or dare? It’s not like we have any stuff with us here anyway.”

Lu Xiaobei, even though she was very pretty, her foreign ancestry wasn’t very obvious, otherwise no one would’ve not guessed it until now.

Xiaoya already entered a fighting posture, “I’m ready!”

All those assignments… they were basically impossible to ever complete.

But high-schoolers still needed their winter assignments! Mom, do you have such little faith in me? Don’t you care about me? Sad, Yu Xiaoya cried.

“Is it your grandmother or grandfather who’s European?”

All those assignments… they were basically impossible to ever complete.

Yu Xiaoya hurriedly washed up, running to the first floor to grab two buns, before dashing to the self-study class on the third floor of the left building.

“Hahahaha.” Gao Heng laughed, “Captain, you and our junior are way too in sync. Every time there’s a pair of black or white it’s destined to be the two of you.”

“Huh?!” Xiaoya looked at Lu Xiaobei in shock. Even though Lu Xiaobei’s nose was high and quite straight, her facial features seemed to be carved, and her skin was very pale to the point it seemed to glow a bit under the sun; she never thought Lu Xiaobei could be mixed.

Yu Xiaoya hurriedly washed up, running to the first floor to grab two buns, before dashing to the self-study class on the third floor of the left building.

Xiaoya regained now her senses, replying, “Yeah, I’m alright. But why does everyone call you captain, though?”

Gao Heng then cleared his throat, and then asked a question no one else had thought of, saying, “Captain, are you mixed?”

“Is it your grandmother or grandfather who’s European?”

“Aye aye aye, are you a kid? Only primary school kids play that game. We should all play the murder-mystery boardgame close your eyes when it gets dark instead.”

This was her first day living with the campus goddess Lu Xiaobei. Wait… no, that’s not right—this was her first day at winter camp!

The third floor of the building was turned into a self-study area, consisting of a dozen or so chairs and desks of varying sizes, with Mr. Qi sitting up at the front as he supervised the students doing their papers. But one shouldn’t look down on a high school teacher’s ability to dole out assignments, you know. Because these papers come in all forms, like there were papers issued by their own school, papers issued by the top schools in the same city, papers issued by the top schools in the same province, papers issued by the most notable schools in the country, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera…

Yu Xiaoya had read the brochure for the winter camp before, it stated that they (the students) would be taken to closely experience the great outdoors, and to know more about nature. Yu Xiaoya’s parents also believed that this meant the instructors would be teaching them about the natural flora and fauna. Which would prevent the only tree their daughter was able to recognise being a willow, and the only flower she’s able to recognise being a rose.

Lu Xiaobei looked behind her, to see a group of seven or eight boys and girls sitting on the grass in a circle. They were all currently staring at Lu Xiaobei, eyes filled with sparkles as if they were seeing a celebrity.

N/A

Xiaoya regained now her senses, replying, “Yeah, I’m alright. But why does everyone call you captain, though?”

Lu Xiaobei replied: “During our high school military training sessions I was chosen by the drillmaster to be captain, and from then on everyone just kept calling me that, so the title kind of just stuck.”

Throw the Handkerchief [丢手帕]: this a kid’s game played by seating five or more people in a circle and having one person holding a handkerchief encircle everyone from behind while they all sing a song. The handkerchief holder then chooses a person to secretly drop the handkerchief behind, the person who it was dropped by has to then quickly chase the thrower to win, but if the thrower steals the chaser’s seat, the chaser has to pay a penalty. It’s kinda like duck duck goose. [] Close your eyes when it gets dark [玩天黑请闭眼]: is a detective, murder-mystery boardgame and an online game that requires 8-16 people who are allotted the roles of policemen, killers, or civilians (for basic gameplay, you can have less people). The number of players determines how many cops or killers an be in the game (8-10 players: 2 killers and officers max; 10-14: 3 killers and officers max; 15-16: 4 killers and officers max). A judge is selected and they shuffle and deal the cards which must be kept hidden. After looking at your cards, the judge announces it’s dark and everyone stops moving and closes their eyes quietly. The judge then announces for the killers to open their eyes so they can each see their comrades. Then the judge asks the killer to kill, and they quietly agree on a person to kill, the judge notes the person and after telling the killers to close their again, the judge announces to the police to open their eyes. The police then all confirm their companions… Okay, this goes on for a good while but you get the gist. Think, Among Us.[] Black White Match [黑白配]: A game to reduce multiple people down to two, and rock—paper—scissors is used to narrow a group of two down to one.

N/A

Despite the ones grumbling about how boring the option was, they themselves couldn’t come up with any games, so not too long afterwards, they all placed their right hands behind their backs and shouted: “Black—white—match—”

Lu Xiaobei laughed, not saying a word.

Lu Xiaobei replied: “Truth.”

“Is it your grandmother or grandfather who’s European?”

Lu Xiaobei looked behind her, to see a group of seven or eight boys and girls sitting on the grass in a circle. They were all currently staring at Lu Xiaobei, eyes filled with sparkles as if they were seeing a celebrity.

Xiaoya jaw dropped in admiration, “That’s so cool!” The military drill sessions of their high school wasn’t separated between boys and girls, so for her to become captain, she would have had to defeat every single person on her team.

“Is it your grandmother or grandfather who’s European?”

Lu Xiaobei was seriously like a character straight out of a comic book.

Mr. Qi was around twenty seven to twenty eight years old. He always wore a pair a gold-rimmed glasses, and had fair skin. He was a handsome man, one who always had a graceful air surrounding him, and one who looked like those financial industry elites. But, secretly, Yu Xiaoya always thought he was not as responsible as the other winter holiday teacher who had brought them there, Miss Xu.

N/A

Xiaoya jaw dropped in admiration, “That’s so cool!” The military drill sessions of their high school wasn’t separated between boys and girls, so for her to become captain, she would have had to defeat every single person on her team.

“It’s time to wake up.” That low and sexy voice of hers sounded in Xiaoya’s ears.

“Are you alright?” The others were laughing and carrying on, but only Lu Xiaobei noticed Xiaoya seemed a dazed, so she asked the other girl out of concern.

Xiaoya looked at Lu Xiaobei with raised eyebrows, the other seeming to look back at her with a smile. Lu Xiaobei’s face seemed to be as dazzling as the sun, and for some unknown reason, Xiaoya felt her own cheeks grow warm.

But high-schoolers still needed their winter assignments! Mom, do you have such little faith in me? Don’t you care about me? Sad, Yu Xiaoya cried.

Lu Xiaobei looked behind her, to see a group of seven or eight boys and girls sitting on the grass in a circle. They were all currently staring at Lu Xiaobei, eyes filled with sparkles as if they were seeing a celebrity.

Everyone else just laughed joyfully, not caring at all, as Gao Heng had always been the one losing. Seeing him being the only one tasting defeat would get boring at some point too, right?

Captain

Only when Lu Xiaobei had closed the door with a “ka-chack”, did Yu Xiaoya fully regain her senses. The winter holidays had already arrived, and right now she was no longer in her house…