I Just Won't Avoid It

"Ugh, we have to go to school on Saturday again."

"No choice. New Year's Day falls on a Tuesday. We first-years are lucky to get three days off—the second-years even have to attend on Sunday."

Someone chimed in gloomily, "The third-years only get New Year's Day off."

As everyone knows, third-years have no rights.

Fang Jun approached, "Hey, wanna celebrate New Year's Eve together?"

Lin Mo raised an eyebrow, "Celebrate? At Zhonghua Square or Haixinsha? And then walk home afterward?"

Truthfully, Lin Mo wasn’t interested in New Year’s Eve celebrations. The government didn’t encourage such gatherings, so after the countdown, taxis would be impossible to find, and McDonald’s would be packed.

Most of the time, walking home was the only option.

A one- or two-hour stroll along the riverbank would get them home.

But Fang Jun shook his head.

"Of course not! That kind of celebration is just for the vibe—it’s over once the clock strikes midnight. My uncle runs a farmhouse. Their roasted chicken and ribs are amazing! We can stay overnight, eat, drink, and have fun!"

Lin Jiajun put down his newspaper, intrigued. "A farmhouse celebration does sound interesting. At least we won’t have to walk home, and it’s safer too."

Fang Jun’s proposal sparked excitement in the class, though not many committed.

Most had already made plans with middle or elementary school friends.

After all, it was only the first semester of high school—classmate bonds weren’t that strong yet.

Jiang Yunlu glanced at Lin Mo.

"Would you go?"

Lin Mo nodded. "Sounds fun. I’m in."

Fang Jun grinned. "See? I knew you’d like it! The place is near a reservoir—you can fish and have it cooked right away."

Wang Qin finally asked, "What about the cost? Staying overnight at a farmhouse isn’t cheap, right?"

"Come on, don’t underestimate my connections! He’s my uncle—I can guarantee a 50% discount! If it’s too expensive, I’ll cover the difference."

Fang Jun wasn’t the type to make empty promises, so Wang Qin considered it.

She turned to Jiang Yunlu. "Yunlu, let’s go. You’ve never been to a farmhouse, right?"

Jiang Yunlu hadn’t. Her family usually stayed at mountain villas or upscale resorts.

But roasted chicken and ribs? That was new.

Still, her gaze lingered on Lin Mo.

If he wasn’t going, neither was she.

Lin Mo recalled Fang Jun suggesting the farmhouse in his past life too.

Back then, he’d preferred city celebrations and dragged Fang Jun to Haixinsha instead. After the countdown, they’d walked home—without Jiang Yunlu.

But this time was different.

"Let’s go. When you enter a new phase in life, you should try new things. Broaden your horizons."

With Lin Mo on board, Jiang Yunlu agreed. "Alright. I can arrange a car to take everyone there."

Lin Jiajun set his newspaper aside. "Count me in. Farmhouses are great."

"Me too!" Wang Qin raised her hand.

Fang Jun added, "You can invite friends or relatives too. The place can easily handle 40 or 50 people."

Wang Qin blinked. "Is this a farmhouse or a resort?"

"He calls it a farmhouse, but they have hot springs too."

The mention of hot springs lit up the girls’ eyes.

Lin Jiajun asked, "Real hot springs or just heated water?"

"Real ones! My uncle wouldn’t lie. He spent a fortune piping it in, and they clean the pools daily."

It sounded irresistible.

More people decided to join.

Lin Jiajun added, "One rule: Bring friends, but no parents. It’ll kill the vibe."

Fang Jun nodded eagerly. "Exactly! Parents would cramp our style."

Wang Qin teased, "Isn’t your uncle the owner? Doesn’t that count as bringing a parent?"

"Relax, as long as we don’t go wild, he won’t interfere."

What counted as "wild" was unclear, but they probably wouldn’t cross the line.

Lin Mo asked Chu Miaomiao if she wanted to come.

She’d overheard the plan. Without Lin Mo, she wouldn’t have gone—but since he asked, she agreed.

"Should we ask Xie Yuling too?"

Xie Yuling’s memories were sealed, but Chu Miaomiao still remembered the girl who’d stood up for her.

"Don’t worry, I’ll ask. But she might have family plans."

Lin Mo hadn’t seen Xie Yufei since that barbecue.

After evening self-study, Xie Yuling left the classroom first.

Chu Miaomiao practically sprinted after her.

Their bond had grown stronger since that incident.

Arm in arm, Chu Miaomiao asked about her New Year’s Eve plans.

"Are you coming?"

Lin Mo took his time packing up and exited later.

"You in?"

Xie Yuling hadn’t celebrated New Year’s Eve in years. She disliked crowds—or rather, too many strangers.

But with familiar faces around, she was tempted.

"Just go with her. You two can share a room. The other morning, I saw Chu Miaomiao clinging to you like an octopus."

Xie Yuling flushed and smacked Lin Mo’s arm.

"Stop barging into girls’ rooms, okay?"

Lin Mo shrugged. "My bad."

Chu Miaomiao and Xie Yuling walked ahead, hand in hand.

Lin Mo trailed behind.

After Chu Miaomiao got into her car, the other two strolled toward the urban village.

"Not spending New Year’s with your cousin?"

"He goes out every year. What, don’t want me at the farmhouse?"

Lin Mo raised his hands in mock surrender.

"Not at all. Just didn’t know your usual plans."

"No plans. Stayed home." Xie Yuling side-eyed him.

As they walked, Lin Mo spotted the lingering spirit of an old woman shuffling toward them.

If he didn’t move, they’d collide.

But he didn’t care.

Screw it. I’m not budging.

He kept walking straight.

The muttering old woman drew closer.

Just before impact, Xie Yuling suddenly yanked Lin Mo aside.

Startled, he let her pull him away.

The old woman halted.

A flicker of awareness flashed in her eyes as she looked up at Xie Yuling.