At the end of the semester, when his hair finally started growing back, Zhong Mao happily ordered a cake and, in front of all the students in the cafeteria, held a celebration for his new hair’s growth. If it weren’t for a few friends holding him back, Zhong Mao would have even sung a birthday song for the newly grown hair.

During the celebration, Jiang Yi, being the most enthusiastic supporter of his hair growth, naturally earned the honor of cutting the cake.

After the final exams, the High School officially entered summer vacation. Lu Li had originally been excitedly planning to go with Jiang Yi to City A to see the sea and collect seashells. But Jiang Yi told him that he couldn’t go because he had to go back to his hometown to accompany his grandmother.

Seeing Lu Li’s sudden look of disappointment, Jiang Yi thought for a moment and asked, “Do you want to come with me?”

Lu Li’s eyes lit up immediately, “Really? I can come with you?”

He had only visited Jiang Yi’s hometown once, around New Year time, and had met Jiang Yi’s grandmother. Jiang Yi recalled what his grandmother had said and sincerely responded, “Of course. If you come, my grandma will definitely be happy.”

Jiang Yi’s grandmother still remembered Lu Li saying he was Jiang Yi’s best friend from the city. Hearing that, a smile crept onto Lu Li’s face, “Then what should I bring as a gift? What does your grandma like?”

Jiang Yi shook his head, “You don’t need to bring anything. Just bring yourself.”

And maybe eat a bit more in the coming days to get stronger. After all, Grandma had mentioned that come August, they would be harvesting corn, peanuts, and rice on their three acres of land, and even the tractor wouldn’t be much help.

The next day after vacation started, Jiang Yi received a message from Cheng Chao, asking what he had planned for the break. Jiang Yi replied, saying that he and Lu Li were heading back to his hometown. Cheng Chao, who was lying on his bed staring at the ceiling, not wanting to face the family members he found insincere, raised an eyebrow upon receiving the message and asked where Jiang Yi’s hometown was.

Jiang Yi sent over the name of his hometown. Cheng Chao looked it up on a map, scanned it briefly, and noticed that Jiang Yi’s hometown had several scenic spots and farmhouses nearby. He thought it might be nice to escape to nature for a while and avoid his family, so he asked Jiang Yi if he could join.

Jiang Yi happily agreed, thinking he’d found another helper for the corn harvest.

Not long after, Ying Zhuohan also messaged Jiang Yi, complaining that while his foot had healed, the school break had left him bored stiff at home. Jiang Yi thought for a while and sent a message asking Ying Zhuohan if his hand was injured.

Ying Zhuohan, touched, immediately reassured Jiang Yi that only his foot had been injured and his hands were perfectly fine.

With that reassurance, Jiang Yi jotted down Ying Zhuohan’s name next to “corn grinding” and “peanut peeling” on his notebook, then warmly invited him to his hometown. Ying Zhuohan enthusiastically agreed and made Jiang Yi promise not to go back on his word, or he would be deeply hurt.

Jiang Yi thought to himself that he wouldn’t go back on his word, of course.

By the next day, Jiang Yi’s notebook was filled with names. He even managed to rope in Zhong Mao and Qin Lan, organizing everyone clearly and efficiently.

On the day of departure, four cars rolled smoothly into the Lu family’s driveway and parked by the entrance.

Carrying his backpack and pulling Jiang Yi’s suitcase, Lu Li suddenly felt uneasy when he saw the four cars.

Jiang Yi stood there cheerfully, waving at the cars.

Lu Li watched as one by one, people started getting out of the cars: Zhong Mao, Qin Lan, Cheng Chao… and even Ying Zhuohan!

The curly-haired boy with black hair gleefully waved, shouting, “Jiang Yi! Jiang Yi!” He waved his hand energetically, proudly showing that his hands were completely fine.

Jiang Yi solemnly grasped Ying Zhuohan’s hand, reminding him not to overdo it and to take good care of his hands. After all, such good hands would be wasted if they weren’t used for shucking corn and peeling peanuts.

Ying Zhuohan beamed, thinking Jiang Yi was just concerned for him. He felt they were the best of friends!

Lu Li watched as this group of people gathered around Jiang Yi, drivers ready, waiting for Jiang Yi to give the signal to set off.

Jiang Yi smiled brightly, “We can leave now!”

Everyone was excited to start the journey—except for Lu Li. With a stern expression, he asked, “Why did you invite them too?”

It was supposed to be a trip for just the two of them to go back to Jiang Yi’s hometown, so how had it turned into a group outing?

What if Jiang Yi’s grandmother, upon meeting so many people, forgot that Lu Li was her favorite city friend, even with his blond hair?

Jiang Yi gently replied, “Because Grandma said the more people, the better.”

Seeing Jiang Yi’s serious expression, Lu Li’s heart softened. He figured that maybe Jiang Yi’s grandmother was lonely and wanted some company. There would be plenty of opportunities for him and Jiang Yi to travel together in the future.

After four hours later, the five cars were jostling down a bumpy mountain road. The scenery outside the windows became increasingly beautiful, the air crisp and refreshing, with occasional stretches of lush green forest.

The further they drove, the more expansive the farmland became, stretching towards the village houses.

After over forty minutes of bumpy ride, the five cars finally came to a slow stop. An elderly woman stood at the gate of a courtyard, hesitating as she took in the sight of the four or five cars, seemingly unsure if such an entourage was really brought by her beloved grandson.

It wasn’t until a car door opened and Jiang Yi stepped out, calling, “Grandma!” that she finally believed it, breaking into a wide smile. “Ah, my sweet grandson!”

As Lu Li and the others got out of their cars one after another, the elderly woman held Jiang Yi’s hand, smiling ear to ear as she greeted the young men who all cheerfully introduced themselves.

Then her eyes landed on Lu Li, and she exclaimed, delighted, “Ah, the little foreigner! You came back with my dear grandson too!”

Lu Li, holding the old woman’s other hand with a reserved smile, said, “Yes, Grandma, I came back too.”

“Do you still remember me?”

The old woman laughed and replied, “Of course I remember! You were so afraid Jiang Yi would forget you that you took some kind of marker and wrote your name all over him! You gave me quite the scare.”

“I almost went looking for a priest to exorcise you back then!”

Lu Li: “…”