Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared-Chapter 24 - the third one comes

24: Chapter 24, the third one comes

24 -24, the third one comes

The welcome party had begun.

With dazzling lights, blasting music, and impassioned songs and dances, everyone was exuberant, letting their youth run wild.

Lu Yi was bursting with energy to the point of near excitement, “My god, the new sophomore from the Art Department is pretty.

I feel it.

Really, I do.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Fan and Jie, who were sitting next to him, looked at him with disdain.

They were annoyed by Lu Yi’s frequent outbursts, fearing that his neurotic behavior might rub off on them.

When Lin Xi stepped onto the stage and sang a beautiful song, the lights dimmed out.

Everyone in the audience started waving their cell phones, looking like countless fireflies flitting around or like stars falling from the sky.

They were all cheering for Lin Xi.

The popularity of the campus belle was simply overwhelming.

The welcome party finally ended with Lin Xi’s last song.

Balloons that had been prepared in advance fell from above.

Multicolored balloons landed amidst the crowd, eliciting another round of cheers.

Everyone left reluctantly, as if they hadn’t had enough.

“It’s finally over!” Gu Fan and Lu Yi felt a sense of relief.

As staff members, what they dreaded most was encountering problems in the middle of the event.

While everyone was cheering and dancing, they had to stay focused on what was happening on stage.

It was really tiring.

The event ended well.

Gu Fan and Lu Yi started to pack up the equipment.

Everyone from the student council was busy.

Nobody complained.

They all saw it as an opportunity to grow during their university years.

Everyone worked late into the night.

Just when they were about to call it a day, Qian Chuan sneaked a spiteful glance at Lu Yi who was carrying a large box over.

Then he deliberately stretched out his foot.

Because the box was too big, Lu Yi’s view was obstructed.

He didn’t see what was in front of him, and tripped.

Everything spun around and he fell to the ground.

“What the hell!

Qian Chuan, are you blind?” Lu Yi wasn’t injured, but his fall had been quite embarrassing.

Infuriated, he raised his voice to scold Qian Chuan, attracting attention from many people.

Qian Chuan responded with indifference, which further infuriated Lu Yi.

Gu Fan quickly helped Lu Yi up and tried to mediate, “I don’t think he did it on purpose.

Everyone’s busy.

Let’s forgive each other for the accidental bumps.

But at least apologize.”

“Sorry, I didn’t hurt you, did I?” Qian Chuan’s tone was full of sarcasm, showing no signs of real remorse or apology.

“Not only am I not hurt, but I also have enough energy to give you a beating.” Qu The moment Yi finished, he charged at Qian Chuan and pushed him.

This immediately angered Qian Chuan, and soon the two were in a scuffle.

Some of the others watched with excitement, some remained indifferent, and others like Gu Fan pulled the two apart.

If the situation escalated and the teachers found out, it would become a problem.

Lu Yi felt unsatisfied and Qian Chuan was unhappy, as their fight was stopped abruptly.

As they were walking out, Qian Chuan brazenly declared, “I did it on purpose.

What are you going to do about that?”

Upon hearing this, Lu Yi was furious.

He turned to Gu Fan and said, “I’m completely sure now.

If a third student were to disappear, I would 100% hope it’s Qian Chuan.”

Gu Fan didn’t respond, but merely patted Lu Yi on the shoulder.

Knowing that Lu Yi was pissed, the best way to calm him down was to suggest a drink.

Meanwhile, Qian Chuan was storming off with a few students, grumbling, “Bloody hell, dare to anger me, watch how I deal with you.”

Others comforted him, “Calm down, don’t stoop to their level.”

But Qian Chuan wouldn’t listen.

He couldn’t swallow this affront.

He felt that he deserved more respect than Gu Fan and Lu Yi.

But these two just kept standing up to him.

Just then, Du Jun happened to pass by when he bumped into Qian Chuan.

He asked with concern, “What’s up?

You look furious.

Who angered you?”

“Who else could it be, but Gu Fan and Lu Yi?

Just hearing their names gets on my nerves.” After answering, Qian Chuan asked Du Jun for a cigarette while still swearing under his breath.

Du Jun replied with a smile, “Neither of them are easy to deal with.

Sometimes, I get annoyed too.

But let’s drop it now.

The more I say, the angrier I become.

Let’s go out for drinks, my treat.”

“Sure, Du Jun, you’re the best.” Qian Chuan seemed satisfied.

They followed Du Jun to the campus store to get some beer, but the last few bottles had already been bought by Gu Fan and Lu Yi.

They wouldn’t restock until the next day.

“Those two again.” Qian Chuan was instantly infuriated.

It felt like Gu Fan and Lu Yi were deliberately messing with him.

Du Jun also showed a regretful expression, “Well, never mind.

I’ll treat you guys some other time.”

“No more ‘later’, let’s stick with today.

Besides, always making you pay isn’t right.

I’ll do it this time.

The school store is out of beer; I’ll go out and buy some.” Qian Chuan spoke, comic but determined to keep his promise.

However, Du Jun looked troubled, “But it’s so late, the school gates already closed, and they don’t let us go out at this hour.

How can we get to an outside store?”

“Climb the wall, man.

I know a spot where the wall is easy to scale over.” As Qian Chuan said this, he appeared keenly enthusiastic, seeming eager to break school rules.

“That’s not right, don’t forget you’re part of the student union.

It’s not good to break school rules.” Du Jun’s advice seemed to rub Qian Chuan up the wrong way, “Since when did you, Du Jun, become such a worrier?

I’ve climbed the wall multiple times, you guys know that, and I’ve always come back safe.”

But Du Jun and the other students still felt uneasy.

Nevertheless, Qian Chuan continued in a tough-guy manner, and said, “Look at you guys all scared.

If you don’t want to go, I’ll go alone.

Wait for me here, I’ll be back soon.” Saying this, Qian Chuan left at a quick pace.

His close friends wanted to call out to stop him but couldn’t.

They sighed quietly, Qian Chuan was still showing off.

Meanwhile, on a small path in the school woods, Gu Fan, Lu Yi, and Jie were drinking and chatting, having completely forgotten their previous unpleasant encounter.

Lu Yi laughed loudly, “The freshman girl we just saw was pretty great.

Do you guys think I should make a move on her or an older student, or maybe even a policewoman?”

“I think you should go for a teacher-student relationship.” Jie casually tabbed at an idea which sparked an instant realization in Lu Yi, making him excited enough to exclaim, “Great idea, how come I didn’t think of that!

Do you guys think I could date a teacher while in college?”

Gu Fan shook his head, “You can’t be serious, have you already set your sights on a teacher?”

Jie added, “A student-teacher relationship in college isn’t realistic, I think the chances are slim.

Why not try to become a teacher after graduation, this way you can date a student.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Yi instantly nodded and gave a thumbs up, “Alright, we’ll go with that.

Now, do you guys think I should be a primary school or preschool teacher?”

“You can’t be serious.” Gu Fan couldn’t help but laugh at their absurdities.

Suddenly, Gu Fan, Lu Yi, and Jie saw a familiar figure running towards them, ending their aimless chatter.

It was none other than Qian Chuan.

Qian Chuan was equally surprised.

He hadn’t expected to run into them in the dark woods.

Cursing his luck, he let out a cold snort and passed by Gu Fan.

Qian Chuan was rather rude, deliberately bumping his shoulder into Gu Fan as he passed.

Honest to God, Gu Fan wanted to punch him.

But he then decided against it.

Conflicts in school that escalate to violence were not unheard of, and in Gu Fan’s view, Qian Chuan was the type to hold grudges and lose his temper quickly.

“Strange, why would he run into the woods?” Jie watched Qian Chuan’s retreating silhouette in confusion.

However, both Gu Fan and Lu Yi knew what he was up to.

Beyond the woods was a wall, with random objects lying at its base that could provide an easy boost over the wall, thus facilitating an escape to the outside world.

Soon, Gu Fan, Lu Yi, and Jie could hear someone climbing over the wall.

They had no idea why Qian Chuan would be slipping out at this hour, but they didn’t care, it wasn’t their business anyway.

Since it was already late, Gu Fan decided to spend the night in the dorm with Jie and Lu Yi instead of going home.

The three of them spent the wee hours of the night playing cards and drinking.

After all, they had no classes for the next morning.

They could afford to sleep in.

This was college life after all.

The next day, Gu Fan was rudely awakened by the urgent ring of a phone, involuntarily questioning the need for cellphones.

Lu Yi, who was also disturbed by the ringing noise, complained, “Who is it?

Who would call so early, could it be Lin Xi missing you so much, Gu Fan?”

“Let me see which jerk ruined my beauty sleep.” Gu Fan said, rubbing his eyes and reaching out for his cellphone.

The name on the caller ID instantly made him sit straight – it was his teacher.

Gu Fan found it strange.

Why would the teacher call so early?

Did they forget some equipment during last night’s clean-up?

Bewildered, Gu Fan answered the call.

“Hello, teacher.” Gu Fan politely greeted, then he listened to the voice on the other end and his face gradually turned stern.

Seeing Gu Fan’s expression, Lu Yi knew something was wrong.

As soon as Gu Fan ended the call, Lu Yi asked anxiously.

“Qian Chuan didn’t return to his dormitory last night.

The teacher was trying to find out what happened.” Gu Fan explained with a serious expression, at which point Lu Yi broke out in a cold sweat.