Chapter 96 - 74: I Just Want to Be Your Best Friend

Chapter 96: Chapter 74: I Just Want to Be Your Best Friend

Compared to how other girls fed them, Song Jianye was quite carefree.

She clapped her hands together, looking as if she’d just accomplished a great feat.

After feeding the pigeons, the two of them went to a notice board that had a map and the park rules.

According to the recommendations, the first thing to do was a sightseeing tour by bus. There was a free option and a paid one that let you feed the animals. The choice was up to you and your budget.

But for Song Jianye, there was really only one option. The animals had to be fed.

Just as Chen Yuan was about to buy the tickets, Song Jianye stopped him.

"Let’s take the free one."

"How could words like that possibly come out of your mouth?"

Song Jianye leaned in and whispered, "I overspent this month. We should save a little. Any more and it’ll be hard to cook the books."

"You’re really afraid Tilanqiao Prison won’t have enough to do, aren’t you?"

"Hey, we should save where we can. You need a plan not just for getting things done, but for spending money, too."

"Alright, we’ll take the free one then."

They went to line up by the tour bus. The line was a bit long, but it was moving quickly. He estimated they’d definitely be on the bus within five minutes.

Song Jianye tugged on Chen Yuan’s sleeve. "Let’s not rush over just yet. Let’s hang back a bit."

"What’s wrong?"

"The tour bus has a capacity of 23 people. I counted the people in line, and there are about 40. By the time we get on, there might not be any good seats left. Let’s wait a little."

Chen Yuan glanced at the tour bus. This kind of bus didn’t have standing room; everyone got a seat.

From that perspective, Song Jianye’s worry seemed a bit unnecessary.

However, things weren’t nearly that simple.

Among the people waiting for the bus were families of three and groups of five. Once odd numbers came into play, you’d have to share a row with strangers.

Some people were also quite crafty. They’d come as a pair but wouldn’t sit together, each one grabbing a window seat.

And the last row had five seats. If you were stuck in the very middle, your viewing experience would definitely be the worst.

All things considered, there was nothing wrong with Song Jianye’s little scheme.

’She’s pretty quick on her feet, figuring out the numbers in such a short time.’

"You’re the boss. Let’s wait."

"Mhm, aren’t I pretty smart?"

"A little clever."

"So next time you tell me to do a handstand when I’m crying, I won’t fall for it, even though I actually know how."

"You even know how to do that?"

"I took dance lessons when I was little, so of course I know how."

’Do one for your daddy.’

"Don’t be so stiff. We have to pretend we’re admiring the scenery so they don’t know we’re in a hurry to get in line."

"Why do we have to do that?"

"Otherwise, they’ll think we’re being scheming. We have to act natural."

"Well, well, Song Jianye. You’re really something else."

"Hee hee."

After waiting a short while, a few more people came to line up. Seeing the time was right, the two of them got in at the back of the line.

The outcome was just as Song Jianye had predicted. They were the second ones to board the bus.

"We can pick any seats we want!"

The bus had a capacity of 23, but there were fewer than ten truly prime seats.

This was because eight of the seats were located over the wheel wells, which had raised bumps on the floor. You had to sit with your legs curled up, which wasn’t very comfortable.

Having seized the initiative, the two found a spot in the middle that was just right.

Chen Yuan let Song Jianye take the inner seat, and then they waited for the bus to depart.

Stealthily, Song Jianye looked at the other people on the bus and noticed many of them were young couples, eating snacks they’d brought while waiting for the bus to leave.

’Aunt Flo came at the worst time. I even forgot to bring the cut fruit.’

She rummaged through her bag and found the small yogurt drink she’d brought.

"Here."

"Why is there only one? Where’s yours?"

"It’s the last one. You can have it."

"It’s the last one. I can’t just take it from you."

Chen Yuan remembered how protective Song Jianye was of her food. She seemed to really love this brand of yogurt drink.

"All the other guys have something to eat. You should too."

Chen Yuan glanced at the other people on the bus. The young couples were indeed all eating their own snacks, talking and laughing. They looked quite lovey-dovey.

One couple was even feeding each other mouth-to-mouth. ’Seriously, in broad daylight? What a bunch of shameless show-offs.’

’Well, I wish you a long and happy life together. May you have eight sons.’

"Look at those guys," Chen Yuan said. "They all let the girls eat first, and only eat after the girls are done."

"We only have one, so we’ll have to share."

"No problem. Time to see our friendship shine through in times of hardship."

Pursing her lips, Song Jianye took a sip, wiped the straw, and passed it to Chen Yuan’s lips.

"I’m done. The rest is yours."

"What are you wiping the straw for? I was waiting for an indirect kiss."

"I was afraid you’d be grossed out."

"Take another sip."

The tips of Song Jianye’s ears turned red again as she stealthily took another sip.

"That’s more like it. Imported tastes better."

Chen Yuan took a SLURP. The taste really was different—better than the ones sold in stores.

"You want to try the imported kind?"

"Is... is that okay?"

’Chen Yuan drank after me, which is like he indirectly kissed me.’

’If I drink after him, does that count as kissing him?’

’It should be fine between friends, right?’

’Besides, it’s not like I find him gross or anything.’

"Are you grossed out by me? Look at the couple next to us, they’ve already started making out."

"I’ll drink it, I’ll drink it!"

Without a moment’s hesitation, Song Jianye lowered her head and took a sip.

"That’s more like it."

The bus filled up, and once the driver got on, they set off.

The tour bus had a fixed route that mostly passed by the large animal enclosures. The bus didn’t go fast and would also stop at designated spots for tourists to take pictures.