Chapter 59: XINMEI

Everything was finally wrapping up, but it felt like the school was only getting louder.

With exams over, we were all given the final task of submitting our projects and clearing out our lockers before we were officially done. It was the usual end-of-senior year routine, but this time, there was a different kind of energy in the air. Maybe it was the thrill of finally being free from books and deadlines, or maybe it was the fact that the long-awaited trip to EDEN was just days away.

Three days to be exact.

The announcement had just been posted, finally giving us a concrete date. Though calling it a trip felt a bit odd—it wasn’t like we were traveling out of state or anything. Still, it was a big enough deal that people were already making plans, speculating about what the place would be like, what we'd do there, and more importantly, who would be going.

I barely paid attention to the excited chatter as I focused on clearing out my locker.

I took what I needed, stuffing books, files, and a few personal things into my bag. The rest? I handed them off to a few scholarship juniors who were loitering nearby, hoping to scavenge whatever cute free supplies they could get their hands on. It saved me the trouble of tossing everything, and they looked thrilled, so it was a win-win.

Once my locker was completely emptied, I shut it for the last time.

Outside, the noise had only doubled.

Some of the seniors had already been sent home for being too disruptive. Apparently, just because they were done with school, they thought it was an excuse to run wild, shouting and making a mess.

Uh…. this is not a public school, please grow up. Everyone would love that.

It was almost 4 p.m. now, and the last classes of the day were ending for the other students. The students were scattered across the school grounds, either waiting for their drivers or trying to squeeze in last-minute conversations with their friends before heading home.

Soon the seniors that were sent home befan driving back into the premises, their cars rolling in one by one. If the roads weren’t paved, they’d probably be raising dust with how aggressively they revved their engines, but thankfully, the school wasn’t that uncivilized.

Couples were all over the place, making the most of their remaining time together before graduation pulled them in different directions. Groups of friends sat on benches or leaned against cars, laughing, talking, celebrating the fact that they had finally reached the finish line.

I walked to my car, dumped my things in the back, and slid into the driver’s seat, shutting the door behind me.

Finally. Silence.

I let my head fall back against the seat and exhaled, my fingers tapping against the steering wheel as I thought about where to go next. Home wasn’t an option. I needed somewhere to cool off, to get my mind off everything. Maybe Platinum 88? Nah, I only go there for important matters. What are we even going to talk about? The price of materials? Not even sure about that seeing that I put up a notice on Aura that I would be back on track and start collecting orders after the finals.

I planned to sell off the rest of the products before moving to university, especially now that the app was ready to be launched.

Planned to get a place for it in any university I get to go.

Until I graduate, and get a permanent warehouse and hire some people.

I sighed, going to platinum wasn't an option, maybe I could just drive aimlessly for a while, shop for snacks until I figured something out—

My phone buzzed.

I picked it up and tapped the screen, opening the latest message from the school.

***> E.D.E.N TRIP UPDATE***

***Dear Students,***

***The highly anticipated trip to EDEN will take place in three days! Initially planned as a one-day excursion, it has now been extended to an overnight stay, given the sheer size of the location. The residents/owners have granted their approval, and the school has made all necessary arrangements.***

***More details to follow soon.***

***Attached to this message is the pdf containing the trip's required and prohibited items.***

***See you all at school on Thursday at 8AM!***

***Please bring your pass card, as it's mandatory for boarding the bus. <***

I stared at the message, a slow smile tugging at the corner of my lips.

Finally.

I locked my phone and set it down, about to start the car when a sudden knock on my window made me jump slightly.

I turned my head and saw a girl standing outside, waving and smiling like she knew me.

Which was weird, because I had no idea who the fuck she was.

Raising a brow, I rolled down the tinted window just enough to get a better look at her. She had long, glossy black hair that looked like it belonged in a shampoo commercial and a face that dangled between cute and hot. She was cute, okay maybe hot, or maybe cute.

She leaned slightly closer, flashing a grin. “Hey! Mind if I come in?”

I blinked. What?

She must’ve seen the confusion on my face because she giggled softly, tilting her head. “I'm not going to bite you.”

I didn’t reply immediately.

She also dangled between being Asian American? Her uniform was from our school, so she wasn’t some random stranger. But I still didn’t recognize her, and let me tell you that was something that happened often. My memory doen't hold much, except you're important or so not important that you left an impression.

Curiosity won over caution.

I slowly nodded, reaching over to unlock the door. She pulled it open and slid in, tossing her handbag into the backseat like she’d done this a million times before.

And just like that, my plans for a peaceful moment to myself were officially ruined.

"Hii, I'm Xinmei, Xin as in *heart* or *mind* and Mei as in *beautiful*”