Arriving at the school.
The three of them got off the bus in a daze because it had been traveling for a whole day and night.
At first, the three were able to muster the energy to look at the scenery outside and figure out where they were. But the bus took them further and further into the suburbs, and by their current location, they had long left the city.
The road was bumpy, and coupled with the unfamiliar surroundings, the three of them had no idea where they were.
Later, as night fell, they naturally drifted off to sleep, waking up just as the sky began to lighten.
Seeing the scene before them, all three were a bit dumbfounded—this was clearly a remote wilderness.
Apart from the four three-story buildings in front of them, there was nothing else.
The school was surrounded by very tall fences, strangely made of raw wood, looking very primitive, though remarkably high.
The arrangent of the four three-story buildings was sowhat reminiscent of Jiang Xiaoxiao’s family courtyard.
The fence was just an added layer of protection outside the courtyard walls.
The courtyard should have front and back gates, and they were standing at the front gate.
Two tall guards were staring at them intently.
"Hurry up and go in. My job is done since I got you here; now I can go back to sleep."
The old man with a white beard waved his hand, signaling them to go quickly before driving off like the wind.
Jiang Xiaoxiao and the two others arrived at the gate.
"We’re new students here to register."
"Co with . I’ll handle the paperwork for you, and then you can go straight to the school."
The guard replied expressionlessly.
Jiang Xiaoxiao was skeptical; sothing about the way he spoke didn’t sound quite right.
A teacher was specifically assigned to handle their enrollnt, giving each of them a number tag, before leading them to the backyard, where they realized:
There were more than fifty people crowded together with their luggage, obviously all new students.
"Okay, since you all have your number tags, those serve as your identity markers. The dorm can be seen from here; just head out the back gate and over the mountain to reach it. The school campus is over there too. Here is rely our reception area. There’s only one path, so if you all go together, you’ll see the school. Just a heads up: as freshn, you’ll face many challenges on the way, so keep your eyes open and good luck."
Jiang Xiaoxiao suddenly understood why she’d found it strange earlier; it was the way the teacher phrased things.
It just seed particularly odd.
It turned out this wasn’t the campus at all, and evidently, their path ahead wouldn’t be smooth sailing.
Hadn’t they heard the teacher’s words, to keep their eyes open and rely on their luck?
Apparently, the upperclassn had so tests for them as freshn.
But what kind of tests could these be?
It is, after all, a ti of peace.
Surely, they wouldn’t resort to things like robbery.
However, considering that the West City is sowhat of a no man’s land, anything could be possible.
Jiang Xiaoxiao felt fortunate to have brought only a simple backpack, with most of her belongings stored in her own space.
The group set out on the road.
No one knew each other, but thankfully Jiang Xiaoxiao had co along with Bai Xiao and Wu Yang, who were at least familiar faces.
So the three stuck together.
Jiang Xiaoxiao prepared to help Bai Xiao with one of her backpacks; the girl had brought quite a lot of luggage.
Two large suitcases, two backpacks, plus her assorted bits and pieces.
At this rate, she’d never make it across.
Jiang Xiaoxiao could see that they would likely have to climb the mountain, and the mountain paths were challenging.
She worried for Bai Xiao.
Wu Yang’s family must have briefed him, as he only brought a backpack, looking similar to Jiang Xiaoxiao’s load.
Despite his disdainful look, he still helped Bai Xiao carry one of her suitcases.
They moved at the back of the group, slowed down by Bai Xiao.
No wonder, given her heavy luggage, but then again, there were many others like them with big bags.
So the group beca quite large and scattered.
By midday, everyone was resting under the shade of trees.
The temperature had suddenly risen, and with no breaks along the way, they all thought they could make it to school in one go.
But after walking all morning for several hours, they hadn’t even reached the foot of the mountain.
Jiang Xiaoxiao took out a water bottle from her backpack and took a sip.
The water bottle in her backpack was a disguise.
In actuality, the water inside was drawn from her own space’s Spiritual Spring.
She ca to study, her backpack only carrying two simple changes of clothes; the lunchbox and water bottle were personal requirents for school.
Thus, she had packed these two items.
Food was not packed; they’d spent the whole day and night yesterday and now the whole morning.
Even Jiang Xiaoxiao’s stomach was growling now.
Most people were the sa because no one thought to bring food or drink.
Shouldn’t the dorms at school have a cafeteria?
Wouldn’t there be shops and convenience stores around?
Everyone knew the West City was full of departnt stores, so buying things was never an issue. Everyone brought money instead of snacks.
No one wanted to burden themselves with heavy luggage.
Jiang Xiaoxiao looked silently at the surrounding students, who appeared listless.
Why did she suddenly have a bad feeling this school wasn’t so easy to get to?
Suddenly, soone handed her a packet of biscuits.
Jiang Xiaoxiao looked up to see Bai Xiao batting her eyes, smiling mischievously.
"Xue’er, eat!"
Xue’er!?
Jiang Xiaoxiao got goosebumps.
"Don’t call Xue’er; my nickna is Xiao Xiao."
Because Xue’er reminded her of a dog she’d once owned by that na, she didn’t want to use a dog’s na.
"You all complained about my luggage, but now you see the benefits of having more luggage. I’ve packed loads of snacks in my suitcase and backpack. My mom was worried I’d go hungry and stuffed with things. Now they’re coming in handy. Hurry up and eat; there’s more after this."
Bai Xiao proudly tapped her backpack.
Wu Yang was over there devouring a sausage ravenously.
It seed Wu Yang, like Jiang Xiaoxiao, hadn’t bothered bringing much.
"Thank you, but I’ve actually brought food in my backpack."
Jiang Xiaoxiao took out a lunchbox; she had plenty in her space.
Given past experiences, how could she not prepare so supplies in her space? Not to ntion the space was piled high with rice, wheat, and various fruits and vegetables, plus lots of homade goodies she kept inside.
Just in case.
Inside the lunchbox were Baozi she made beforehand.
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