Farther

Near nine o'clock, the event ended. Hesta slowly packed up her things and said goodbye to everyone in turn.

Cheng Xiaoshu seemed to have something she wanted to say to Hesta, but Lin Jiao remained at Hesta's side, and the two appeared to be heading the same way. After hesitating for a moment, she took the initiative to bid them both farewell.

After leaving the gymnasium, Hesta and Lin Jiao tacitly headed toward the old Wen Academy building. As soon as they reached the tree-lined path, they heard Xiang Hanshan calling their names from afar and waving vigorously.

"You really came today," Xiang Hanshan said with a smile as she approached Hesta. "We were just discussing whether you'd show up or not."

Hesta smiled politely.

"How did it feel?" Xiang Hanshan asked. "Will you come to the next event too?"

Hesta thought for a while. "I can, as long as you agree to one condition."

"What is it?"

"At the next event, I want to bring some friends from outside the school to take part in the poetry club's activities."

Xiang Hanshan's expression turned slightly strange. She looked at Lin Jiao, then back at Hesta. "Wouldn't that... be inappropriate? The poetry club can provide support precisely because it's stable. If everyone casually brought friends along—"

"Not 'everyone.' Just me," Hesta said quietly. "I need the privilege of bringing extra people. Can you give me that?"

Lin Jiao thought for a moment. "...We can."

Xiang Hanshan said, "But—"

"You'd better give us the visitors' information in advance," Lin Jiao said, cutting Xiang Hanshan off. "That way, we can all be mentally prepared."

"Of course."

"At most one person each time. How about that?"

"Three?"

"Two." Lin Jiao stared seriously into Hesta's eyes. "That's the greatest concession we can make."

"Fine." Hesta