“Let’s not mention slot machines at the arcade again. We’ll just focus on our small business.”

Beijing was a place Bang Ge was determined to go.

He wouldn’t break his promise to Cen Huai’an.

In Beijing, Cen Huai’an received Bang Ge’s reply and felt relieved after reading its contents.

Chuxia’s relationship with Cheng Jun at the hospital grew even more distant.

Cheng Jun noticed that Chuxia had not mentioned those things to Dr. Yan, which eased his worry.

He wanted to talk to Chuxia more, but she avoided him and simply said, “I just want to do well at the hospital. You don’t need to talk to me about anything.”

However, as Chuxia performed excellently at the hospital, Cheng Jun’s frustration only grew, leading to more reprimands from Dr. Yan.

His mood became increasingly unstable, and Chuxia felt like he was a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.

“Doctor, Cheng Jun’s mood seems off.”

After another reprimand from Dr. Yan, Cheng Jun tightly clenched his fists.

Though he admitted his fault, he found an excuse to leave the clinic.

“I know,” Dr. Yan replied with a smile. “Chuxia, focus on your studies. I know how to handle it.”

Chuxia looked at Dr. Yan and met his insightful gaze.

She was momentarily stunned.

Indeed, Dr. Yan, with his age and experience, had likely seen all kinds of people and wouldn’t miss Cheng Jun’s true nature.

Chu Xia nodded. “I understand, Teacher.”

In early July, after Cen Huai’an finished his final exams, he began preparing for the summer camp.

Summer clothes were minimal, and the teachers had already mentioned that bedding would be provided at the camp.

Chu Xia packed only a bed sheet and a duvet cover for Cen Huai’an, as thick blankets weren’t needed in the summer.

The suitcase was a gift from Jiang Zhida, who had specifically asked Qian Ran to buy it in Yangcheng.

There were two, one for Zhang Lu and one for Cen Huai’an.

The suitcases were only available in Yangcheng at the time. Knowing that both were going to the summer camp, Jiang Zhida bought them as gifts.

“It’s only natural for me, as an elder, to show my support for the younger generation from the Jiang family.”

When Chu Xia tried to refuse, Jiang Zhida insisted and firmly handed the suitcases to Zhang Lu and Cen Huai’an.

“Mom, I need to bring my Go board.”

Cen Huai’an packed his Go board into his suitcase, along with several books.

He gave all the supernatural novels he had bought to Zhang Lu, not wanting to read them again himself.

Most of the clothes were packed by Cen Huai’an himself, with Chu Xia only checking to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything.

Once she confirmed that everything was packed, including her homemade heat-stroke prevention herbal package, drinkable herbal tea, and mosquito repellent, she was satisfied and allowed Cen Huai’an to close his suitcase.

Apart from Cen Huai’an, another student who won second place in the middle school physics competition would also attend the summer camp.

The Jinghua summer camp accepted students not only in mathematics but also in other subjects and high school students.

Teacher Zhang personally took these two students to the summer camp, with the school covering the expenses.

It was an opportunity to bring honor to the school, so the school didn’t hesitate.

Since the camp was at Jinghua University in the capital, Chu Xia took a day off to accompany Cen Huai’an.

“Mom, I can go by myself. You can go to work.”

Chu Xia patted his head. “I also want to see Jinghua University, not just drop you off.”

Cen Huai’an looked at Chu Xia in silence, understanding that it was her excuse.

She could visit Jinghua University anytime, and didn’t need to take time off specifically for it.

However, Cen Huai’an remained silent and felt warm inside.

The next day, Chu Xia, along with Teacher Zhang, took the two students on a bus from the research institute to Jinghua University, which was not a short distance.

Zhang Lu, Tang Song, and other students from their school also set off for Jinghua University.

Jinghua University was vast, with multiple gates.

Chu Xia and Cen Huai’an got off at the west gate, where they saw four grand calligraphy characters—“Jinghua University”—carved in gray-white marble.

The grandeur of the entrance made a strong impression.

Despite having been in the capital for a while, it was Chu Xia’s first visit to Jinghua University.

She had taken Cen Huai’an to various famous spots in the capital—Great Wall, Fragrant Hills in autumn, Summer Palace—but had not yet had the opportunity to visit universities.

She had planned to show Cen Huai’an around the universities, and today was a perfect chance.

Cen Huai’an also looked up at the gate of Jinghua University, feeling a surge of ambition.

He hoped to come back here someday.

Teacher Zhang and the other student also gazed at the gate.

The four of them stood at the entrance like four statues, all in the same posture.

Just then, a bus pulled up, and a group of students and teachers got off.

“An’an!”

Zhang Lu, seeing Cen Huai’an, ran over excitedly, her suitcase making a clattering noise that drew attention from other students.

“Sister.” Cen Huai’an’s expression softened upon seeing Zhang Lu.

Zhang Lu ran over, looking up at Chu Xia with surprise. “Auntie, you’re here too!”

“I came to see Jinghua University. I almost went here myself back in the day.”

Both Cen Huai’an and Zhang Lu remembered Chu Xia’s high exam scores.

If she had chosen Jinghua University, she would have been accepted for sure.

Zhang Lu laughed heartily. “Auntie, do you regret it now? Mom often says at home how she wished you had applied to Jinghua University.”

“No regrets, just a bit nostalgic.”

Teacher Zhang and the others looked at Chu Xia with curiosity.

To nearly enter Jinghua University, one’s scores must have been exceptionally high.

No wonder Cen Huai’an turned out to be such an outstanding student.

The group couldn’t stay at the entrance forever.

They went into Jinghua University to find the summer camp reception.

Jinghua University had arranged everything, with each gate having students assigned to help.

Once inside, students were guided by other students to their accommodations and informed about upcoming activities.

Chu Xia followed Cen Huai’an, listening to the Jinghua University students talk about the buildings and their history.

The summer camp students stayed in student dormitories—girls in one building, boys in another, with quite a distance between them.

Zhang Lu pouted unhappily and said to Cen Huai’an and Tang Song, “I’m the closest with you two and wanted to eat together every day. Now that we’re so far apart, I’ll have to eat alone.”

Cen Huai’an pursed his lips, then said, “We can eat together at lunch and dinner.”

Tang Song looked at Zhang Lu and, hearing Cen Huai’an’s words, opened his mouth but didn’t say anything more.

Today was the check-in day for the summer camp with no other scheduled activities.

The students had free time to explore the campus.

Since the accommodation fee had been paid, Cen Huai’an and the others were given meal vouchers for the cafeteria.

Chu Xia, genuinely wanting to explore Jinghua University, spent the whole afternoon touring the campus with Cen Huai’an, Zhang Lu, and Tang Song.

However, she mostly visited indoor buildings, as it was too hot and sunny outside.

When Chu Xia was finally tired, she said her goodbyes to Cen Huai’an and Zhang Lu. “An’an, if you miss me, give me a call. Lu Lu, call if you need anything. I’m leaving now.”

Cen Huai’an watched Chu Xia’s figure leave the gate of Jinghua University, feeling a sudden drop in his emotions.

Zhang Lu, noticing Cen Huai’an’s mood, looked at him and then at the retreating Chu Xia.

She grabbed his hand and started running. “An’an, I heard the cafeteria has some good food today. We have to hurry, or we might miss out!”

Cen Huai’an’s sadness vanished instantly.

The summer camp included not only students from Jinghua but also other top students from across the country.

Cen Huai’an had learned about this before, but when he saw Xiao He at the summer camp, he couldn’t help but show his surprise and joy.

In the evening, there was an opening meeting for all the students at the summer camp.

A teacher hosted the meeting and arranged all the activities for the next two weeks.

Cen Huai’an and Zhang Lu arrived a bit early and went to the designated area for math students, which was right next to the physics students.

He glanced around casually and spotted Xiao He sitting properly, attentively looking ahead.

Cen Huai’an stopped Zhang Lu, who was about to walk further ahead. “Sis, I see a familiar friend.”

“Who?” Zhang Lu looked around but didn’t see anyone she recognized.

“It’s a friend of mine from Ganzhou. I’m going to say hello.”

“I’ll come with you!” Zhang Lu quickly followed.

“Xiao He.”

Cen Huai’an walked up to Xiao He and tapped him on the shoulder.

Xiao He turned his head upon hearing the familiar voice and, though his face showed no surprise, said, “I guessed you’d come to the summer camp.”

Cen Huai’an looked at him and said, “You didn’t mention that you were participating in the physics competition.”

Xiao He nodded, smiling slightly. “I wanted to see your reaction when I suddenly appeared in Beijing. And I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to come at first.”

Zhang Lu watched the two with curiosity.

They called each other friends, but their interaction seemed a bit strange to her.

She looked at them with a puzzled expression.

Cen Huai’an introduced Xiao He to Zhang Lu.

Zhang Lu put away her thoughts and showed a warm smile. “Hello, I’m Zhang Lu, An’an’s cousin. Like An’an, I’m also participating in the math competition.”

“Hello, sister. I’m Xiao He.”

Cen Huai’an only chatted with Xiao He for a few moments, noticed that the meeting was about to start, and went back to his seat with Zhang Lu.

Tang Song had removed the books from their seats and had been holding the seats for them.

After the meeting, Xiao He and Cen Huai’an headed to the dormitory together.

On the way, Xiao He asked Cen Huai’an, “Did you bring the Go game?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Let’s play a game when we get to the dorm,” Xiao He said, showing a competitive spirit that Cen Huai’an was very familiar with.

Tang Song looked at the two of them.

Go? He had never learned it.

Cen Huai’an replied, “Sure.”

Xiao He had never won a game of Go against Cen Huai’an, but every time he saw him, he wanted to play, hoping that one day he would win.

Tang Song and Xiao He were not in the same dorm as Cen Huai’an.

Cen Huai’an’s roommates were students from other schools whom he didn’t know well.

When Xiao He and Tang Song entered Cen Huai’an’s dorm, they looked a bit confused.

It wasn’t until they laid out the Go board and pieces that Cen Huai’an’s roommates showed interest and gathered around, with Tang Song also standing by.