I'm a Shipping Expert

After arriving at the campsite, Lin Yu looked around for a place to pitch the tent.

He spotted a large lake ahead and decided to set it up by the shore.

Firefly went for a walk by the lake, while Lin Yu stayed behind to pitch the tent.

After spreading it out, Lin Yu ran into a problem. He had forgotten that he didn't know how to pitch a tent.

He spent ages looking up tutorials on his phone, but even after following them, he still couldn't get it right.

Looking at the crooked tent, Lin Yu pressed a hand to his forehead and sighed. He had done his best.

By then, Firefly had returned from her walk. She asked curiously,

"Lin Yu, is this a tent? It's so unusual."

Hearing her assessment, Lin Yu felt like finding a hole to crawl into.

Just then, a cheerful voice called out.

"Hey! Need a hand, buddy?"

A muscular young man with short, neat hair walked over.

"Hi, I'm Yang Chenyu. I'm camping next to you." As he spoke, he pointed to a tent that had already been set up a short distance behind him.

"I saw you working on it for ages without getting it up, so I thought you might have run into some trouble."

"Hi, I'm Lin Yu. As you can see, I'm not very good at pitching tents." Lin Yu scratched his head, a little ashamed.

"This is your first time camping, right? Why don't you join us? It'll be livelier."

"Brother Yang, did you come with a friend?"

"I came with my girlfriend. We're both camping enthusiasts, and we've been camping in different places these past few days."

As he spoke, Yang Chenyu put a hand on Lin Yu's shoulder.

"And you came with your girlfriend too, right?" Yang Chenyu smiled and nudged Lin Yu's shoulder with his elbow.

"With more people, it'll be lively and not awkward. We can also help you two grow closer."

"I have to say, your girlfriend is unbelievably beautiful! If you don't cherish her, you might regret it when it's too late."

"But is your girlfriend a coser? She looks so pretty dressed up like that. Maybe I should get my girlfriend to do the same sometime?"

A flicker of panic crossed Lin Yu's face when he heard that. "Ah-yes, we came to take photos, and we thought we'd try camping while we were here."

"That's even better! We'll show you the ropes. I guarantee you'll have so much fun that you'll want to come again!"

"Then thanks in advance-but why help us?"

"Another friend means another path, and if I make another friend who likes camping, I'll have someone to go with in the future."

"Come on, come on. Let's move your tent over there, and I'll help you set it up."

Yang Chenyu picked up the half-assembled tent to carry it over. Lin Yu helped by carrying part of it as he followed behind him.

Firefly walked beside Lin Yu.

"Lin Yu, what's a girlfriend? Why did he say I'm your girlfriend?"

Lin Yu almost lost his footing at the question. How was he supposed to answer?

Firefly probably didn't even know what love was yet, and he couldn't explain it to her, so he could only make something up.

"Uh... a girlfriend is what you call someone you live with."

"I see... then does that mean Lin Yu is called a boyfriend?"

"...Yes, that's right."

For deceiving Firefly, Lin Yu could only apologize over and over in his heart.

"You're finally back. Where did you run off to...?"

Lin Yu followed Yang Chenyu to their campsite. As soon as they arrived, a girl with glasses and a ponytail walked out, a hint of anger in her voice.

As soon as she came out, she stopped in confusion, swallowing the rest of her scolding. She pointed at Lin Yu and Firefly behind Yang Chenyu.

"You two are...?"

"Friends I just met. It's their first time camping, so I thought I'd give them a hand."

Lin Yu was about to say hello when her sudden shout startled him. Even Firefly was so frightened that she hid behind him.

"Ah-!! Why are you doing this again?!!!"

She grabbed Yang Chenyu by the ear, making him cry out in pain.

"Ow, ow, ow!!! Xiao Su, let go! You're killing me!"

Despite Yang Chenyu's plea, Xiao Su refused to let go. "Why do you do this every time?! Wasn't being taken for a weirdo last time enough?!"

She pulled him along as she bowed deeply to Lin Yu and Firefly.

"Sorry! He's caused you trouble. Please don't read too much into it. He's a good person; he just gets a little too enthusiastic sometimes."

Faced with this, Lin Yu hurriedly waved his hands and explained.

"Um, you really don't need to apologize. He was only trying to help, after all."

"I'm glad you see it that way. Otherwise, he'd have ruined this camping trip too."

"Hi, I'm Su Qingxiao, this guy's girlfriend."

"Hi, I'm Lin Yu."

Firefly poked her head out and looked at her. "I'm Firefly."

"Chenyu said it's your first time camping, right? If there's anything you don't know how to do, you can ask us. You can also order him around."

Su Qingxiao pointed at Yang Chenyu, who was rubbing his ear behind her.

Yang Chenyu was startled at suddenly being called out, then looked at his girlfriend in disbelief.

"Xiao Su, what are you saying? What do you mean, they can order me around? Am I not a person?"

"You've got some nerve asking?!" Su Qingxiao grew angry at that.

"If you hadn't done the same thing before and ruined our camping plans, would I be this angry?!"

At the mention of it, Yang Chenyu instantly wilted, and even his voice grew quieter.

"I... I just wanted to make friends with them."

"Who goes around helping people with everything as soon as they meet them? You made them think they'd run into a scammer!"

"Um... you two, please calm down. Don't let this sour things between you," Lin Yu hurriedly said, trying to smooth things over.

"Brother Yang is just a little enthusiastic. As long as he hasn't done anything out of line, isn't that fine?"

Hearing Lin Yu speak up for him, Yang Chenyu's eyes instantly filled with tears.

"Brother!!!"

"All right, for their sake, I'll let you off this time."

"Yes, yes! Thank you for sparing my life, Xiao Su!"

Since they were Chenyu's friends now, they might as well camp together.

Seeing Su Qingxiao agree, Yang Chenyu raised his arms and cheered, "All right! Let's all camp together!"

Lin Yu joined in with a shout. "Oh... oh!"

"Come on, Brother Lin. Let's get your tent set up first."

"Oh... okay."

Just as Lin Yu was about to follow, someone suddenly tugged at the hem of his clothes. He turned to see Firefly looking at him pleadingly, as though asking him not to leave her behind.

Seeing this, Lin Yu gently patted Firefly's head twice.

"Opportunities like this don't come often. Why not try making a friend?"

With that, Lin Yu left to pitch the tent with Yang Chenyu, leaving a helpless Firefly standing there as if she were being punished.

She really didn't know what to do now. Since coming to this world, she had only spoken to Lin Yu and had never chatted with anyone else.

She was a little scared. She hadn't even been afraid when facing death, yet now she was starting to feel a little afraid.

She didn't know how long she had stood there before a voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

"Um... is something wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Firefly turned and stared straight at her, making Su Qingxiao feel a little uncomfortable.

Su Qingxiao awkwardly scratched her head and was about to say something when Firefly came straight over and sat down beside her, still without a word.

This left Su Qingxiao somewhat unsure what was going on. The two sat there in awkward silence, neither speaking, until Su Qingxiao finally couldn't help opening her mouth.

"...Um, your name is Firefly, right?"

Firefly nodded. "Mm..." Her voice was so quiet that Su Qingxiao almost didn't hear her.

Seeing that Firefly was willing to communicate, Su Qingxiao breathed a sigh of relief. She had thought Firefly disliked her.

But judging by how shy and introverted she was, she was probably socially anxious.

So Su Qingxiao slowed her speech and lowered her voice considerably.

"Hello, Firefly. I'm Su Qingxiao."

Firefly still didn't speak, merely giving a soft hum.

She's so cute! Now that Su Qingxiao understood the situation, she found Firefly utterly adorable.

Firefly's face was already unbelievably beautiful, enough to make even Su Qingxiao terribly envious. Combined with her shyness, it brought out Su Qingxiao's protective instincts.

She's so cute. Teasing her must be fun!

The two chatted a lot, though Su Qingxiao generally asked the questions while Firefly answered. As they went back and forth, Firefly relaxed considerably.

"By the way, is the guy who came with you your boyfriend?"

Firefly thought about what Lin Yu had just told her and nodded. "Yes, he's my boyfriend."

"Wow! I knew it!"

Startled by the sudden shout, Firefly jolted and gave her a strange look.

"S-sorry, I got a little too excited."

Su Qingxiao realized she had gotten too excited, but she couldn't miss out on some gossip.

She asked a few questions, but Firefly wouldn't answer them. Perhaps she was too embarrassed to say.

Since Firefly didn't want to talk, Su Qingxiao didn't press further. She had to be considerate of her feelings, after all.

Just then, Lin Yu and Yang Chenyu returned, having finished setting up. Since it was already noon, everyone began discussing what to eat for lunch.

Yang Chenyu and Su Qingxiao had brought ingredients for a barbecue and had planned to grill them, but Lin Yu declined.

Since they had helped him, Lin Yu decided he would provide the ingredients for lunch.

Although he hadn't brought any himself, luckily, all kinds of ingredients were sold there.

After discussing it, they decided to have easy-to-make stir-fried noodles for lunch and save the barbecue for dinner.

After buying the ingredients, Lin Yu began cooking with the equipment Yang Chenyu and Su Qingxiao had brought.

Before long, the fragrant stir-fried noodles were ready.

"Try some and see if you like them."

Yang Chenyu picked up a bite and put it in his mouth, then his eyes widened. "Delicious! Even better than Xiao Su's!"

Su Qingxiao, who was enjoying her food, was suddenly called out and punched him right on the head.

"If you don't want to eat my cooking, then don't! I'm never cooking for you again!"

"Don't! I was wrong, Xiao Su. I can't live without you! I don't know how to cook!"

Watching the two bicker, Lin Yu couldn't help wondering if heaven's matchmaking system was broken. How had it brought these two together?

While they bickered, Lin Yu and Firefly quietly ate their noodles.

Firefly, in particular, ate especially quickly. It seemed she really liked the stir-fried noodles.

Seeing that Firefly had nearly finished them, Su Qingxiao and Yang Chenyu forgot about arguing and hurriedly dug in.

Before long, the group had polished off the huge plate of noodles.

After washing the dishes, they sat together and chatted.

As they talked, Lin Yu learned that the two were third-year students at Hangcheng University in Hangcheng.

They were spending their vacation camping in different places, and Jiangcheng was their final stop.

When asked how the two had met, Yang Chenyu was very proud.

According to him, he and Su Qingxiao had met while camping during their first-year vacation.

He had forgotten to bring food and had nearly starved to death. Luckily, he had met Su Qingxiao and avoided starving.

Afterward, they talked and discovered they attended the same university. They went camping together often after that, and gradually developed feelings for each other and became a couple.

Talking about when they first met, Su Qingxiao felt like laughing. "Who was it that forgot to bring food on a camping trip? How did I ever fall for someone like that?"

Ignoring Su Qingxiao's sarcasm, Yang Chenyu pulled her into his arms. "But you still ended up with me."

"Come on, give me a kiss~" Yang Chenyu moved his lips right toward hers, but Su Qingxiao blocked him with her hand.

"What are you doing?! Can't you see there are other people here?!"

Yang Chenyu didn't care. He pulled her hand away and kissed her.

"Mmph!!"

Seeing this, Lin Yu hurriedly covered Firefly's eyes and closed his own.

He didn't dare look. He really didn't dare look. Brother Yang seemed so honest and upright, but who would have thought he was so bold?

With her eyes covered by Lin Yu, Firefly called his name while feeling around.

After they finished kissing, Su Qingxiao covered her mouth, her face flushed with embarrassment, and lightly slapped Yang Chenyu.

"Honestly, how embarrassing!"

Hearing that the two seemed to be finished, Lin Yu slowly opened his eyes. Only after making sure did he take his hand away from Firefly's eyes.

Firefly looked at Lin Yu reproachfully, one cheek puffed out. "Lin Yu... why did you cover my eyes?!"

"Th-that's still too early for you."

"What's still too early?"

Faced with Firefly's eyes, Lin Yu didn't know how to explain it away, so he hurriedly changed the subject.

"By the way, would you two like to take some photos?" Lin Yu asked as he took a camera out of his bag.

Seeing him take out the camera, Su Qingxiao was a little surprised. "Lin Yu, you know photography too?"

"I used to help take photos a lot when I went out, and I learned as I went." He tried to keep his tone casual to steer the conversation away from the previous topic.

But Firefly didn't seem to buy it and kept looking at him.

The other two, however, didn't notice anything unusual about Firefly and both agreed to Lin Yu's suggestion.

The four of them arrived at the lakeside. The morning sun was bright, and the weather was perfect for taking pictures of the scenery.

Lin Yu first took a few pictures of Brother Yang and Su Qingxiao. When it was Firefly's turn, he could only smile helplessly at her puffed-up, sulky face.

Just then, Su Qingxiao suddenly appeared in the shot and wrapped both arms around Firefly's neck, giving her a fright.

Naturally, Lin Yu caught that on camera too.

Seeing the laughing Su Qingxiao and the startled Firefly on the camera, the picture had a youthful feel to it, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly.

What a lovely photo.

Afterward, the four of them took a group photo, and that was that.

Firefly began to get sleepy, yawning every now and then.

Seeing this, Lin Yu took Firefly into the tent. After settling her in, he came back out.

Once he sat down, Su Qingxiao asked, "Is Firefly asleep?"

"She just fell asleep."

"Speaking of which, does Firefly usually take naps?"

"Maybe it's because I woke her up very early today, so she didn't get quite enough sleep."

"I see... Huh? Wait, does that mean you and Firefly live together?!" Su Qingxiao's eyes lit up as though she had just heard some huge news.

"Y-yeah... Is something wrong?"

"What do you mean, is something wrong? I didn't expect you two to move so fast that you're already living together!"

At that moment, Yang Chenyu held back Su Qingxiao, who was about to go wild, and apologized to Lin Yu.

"Sorry, Brother Lin. Xiao Su gets like this whenever she talks about romance, especially when she's talking about other people."

"Yeah, I can see that."

Held back by Yang Chenyu, Su Qingxiao said to him angrily, "What do you know? Watching other people fall in love is the sweetest thing of all. And a refined male god paired with a soft, adorable little kitten is such a treat for the eyes!"

Lin Yu thought, So I'm a refined male god?

"I don't care, I'm shipping them no matter what!!"