Chapter 49: Shidu Hot Spring Trip, Zhu Xiaopeng

Under the night sky, the Xucheng bus station bustled with people, still noisy as ever.

"Chen Yansen, I'm over here!"

Meng Jie, backpack on her shoulders, stood among the crowd, waving and calling out to Chen Yansen in the distance.

To meet him, she had applied light makeup, worn a deep indigo dress, and paired it with a short jacket; her smile was radiant, her eyes brimming with joy, like a thirsty traveler who suddenly spotted an oasis.

"Tsk tsk tsk, Class President Meng's first time wearing a dress? This must be commemorated! Come on, look at the lens, smile."

Chen Yansen smiled faintly, pulled out his phone, and wrapped an arm around Meng Jie's shoulder.

"Pretty, right? It's not all for you—I'm performing at the Business School's welcome banquet next week, as class president."

Meng Jie grinned, saying one thing but meaning another.

Ever since she saw Chen Yansen, her smile hadn't faded; they'd only been apart four or five days, yet she couldn't sit still at home—her mind was filled with nothing but his image.

"Then I definitely have to come see it."

Chen Yansen took her small hand in his, squeezing it tightly; this girl, inexperienced in love, was easy to handle—just a little intimacy made her heart race for ages.

They flagged down a taxi on the roadside; after getting in, Chen Yansen told the driver, "To Shidu Hot Spring Hotel."

Beside him, Meng Jie didn't notice a thing.

The driver grinned, thinking he'd landed a big fare—the trip was long.

More than ten minutes passed.

Meng Jie noticed the street scenes outside growing increasingly unfamiliar, frowned, and asked, "Driver, aren't you lost?"

"No mistake! Aren't you going to Shidu Hot Spring Hotel?"

The driver paused, checked the street sign, confirmed he was on the right route, then replied.

"I've been exhausted lately, really wanted to rest for a couple days—just happened that a new hot spring hotel opened next door in Shidu, so I thought I'd bring you along to relax."

Chen Yansen squeezed her soft little hand, explaining seriously.

Hot spring hotel? Together to relax?

Meng Jie's cheeks flushed, and she whispered, "My dad was right—you're a bad boy, always trying to take advantage of me."

"Then should I tell the driver to turn back to campus?"

Chen Yansen teased her with a smile.

"Fine, I brought packed beef soup in my bag—let's go back to Room 0418 and I'll cook it for you?"

Meng Jie knew going to the hotel with Chen Yansen was like a lamb walking into a tiger's den; she truly liked him, but didn't want their relationship to progress too fast—not yet, she wasn't mentally ready.

"It's fine, the hotel has a shared kitchen—we can still cook beef soup." Chen Yansen patted her, signaling her not to worry.

Am I worried about that?

Meng Jie was both annoyed and amused, casting him a resentful glance, thinking: I'm afraid you'll do something improper!

Yet after that, she didn't object further, as if she'd forgotten the matter, her gaze shifting quietly as she listened to the sound of her own heartbeat.

The one-and-a-half-hour drive passed in a flash.

Chen Yansen checked them in; the room was loft-style: downstairs held a bathroom, a tatami relaxation area, and a three-meter-square pool; upstairs held two single beds and a desk.

"I'll go fill the tub—it'll take about half an hour."

Chen Yansen tossed his phone and key card aside, then moved to unbutton his shirt.

"Don't take off your clothes, okay? I'm scared!" Meng Jie's eyes dropped, her voice timid.

Her tone was utterly unlike her usual self.

Chen Yansen stopped what he was doing, looked at Meng Jie seriously—her chin trembled slightly, a glistening droplet clung to her lashes; she was terrified.

"Then I'll change clothes in the bathroom." Chen Yansen suddenly said.

Meng Jie exhaled in relief; along the way, she'd feared both that he'd act improperly and that refusing him would make him unhappy.

Soon after, Chen Yansen finished washing, stepped out wrapped in a towel.

The hot spring pool was already half full; he placed a towel behind his head and lay back comfortably.

"Go wash up—after the soak, I'll take you out for dinner." Chen Yansen closed his eyes, looking utterly relaxed, speaking casually to Meng Jie.

"Mmm, warn you—don't you dare misbehave!" Meng Jie whispered a warning, though without much conviction.

"Yes yes yes! I know, go on." Chen Yansen waved his hand, sounding dismissive.

Meng Jie hesitated for a long while, then picked up her bag and entered the bathroom.

When she finished bathing, wrapped in a towel, and peeked out cautiously, she realized Chen Yansen seemed to have fallen asleep.

His breathing was steady, his chest rising and falling gently; fine droplets glistened on his handsome face, and his exposed arms showed clear, defined muscle lines.

Chen Yansen always wore shirts—he'd never shown it, but under his clothes lay a powerful, athletic build.

Meng Jie tiptoed quietly to the pool's edge, gently prodded his muscle—when he didn't react, she realized his claim of being exhausted lately was probably true; he'd truly been working hard.

She lay down as Chen Yansen had, her eyes fixed on him.

They'd been classmates for three years; before, they'd only discussed math problems together. In the two months since graduation, he'd transformed—his manner, speech, experience, even his ability to earn money—all far surpassed his peers.

Add to that his wit, humor, and knack for making people happy—and despite her father's repeated warnings not to fall for Chen Yansen, Meng Jie had already fallen.

"Dad, you don't understand him—Chen Yansen is truly, truly good."

Meng Jie squinted, feeling the warm spring water flow over her Bai Xi skin, thinking quietly to herself.

Long after, Chen Yansen suddenly opened his eyes and saw Meng Jie lying opposite, her slender legs submerged in the water, the soaked towel clinging tightly to her skin—now even the ripples had distinct shapes.

"Change clothes—I'm taking you out to eat."

Chen Yansen sat up abruptly, dropped those words, then grabbed his clothes and headed for the bathroom.

Meng Jie turned her head, stole a glance at him, then softly said "Mm," waited until he closed the door, then slowly rose, dried herself, and wrapped a fresh towel around her.

She wasn't tall; the towel covered her from below her shoulders down to her calves, so there was no risk of exposure.

After changing, they stepped outside onto the green lawn and found over a dozen young guests already there—the chef was busy grilling, the tables laden with skewers, crayfish, seafood in savory sauce, and drinks.

"It's self-service; take whatever you want to eat."

Chen Yansen said to Meng Jie.

"You go save a seat; I'll get the food." Meng Jie glanced quickly, immediately fell in love with the atmosphere, and instructed Chen Yansen.

Chen Yansen smiled and nodded, found an empty table to sit at. Beside him sat a youth carrying a folk guitar, full of artistic flair, softly humming Xu Wei's "Blue Lotus."

After the other finished singing, Chen Yansen praised, "Brother, a Yamaha F310; quite a taste."

"Yo, brother, your eye is truly sharp! Want to try the tone of this guitar?" The artistic youth grinned and asked readily.

"Then I won't be polite with you! Bringing a girlfriend out to play, you know." Chen Yansen took the guitar and gave the other a look.

The artistic youth understood immediately, picked up a bottle of beer, crossed his legs, and prepared to watch the show.

"Ding—"

Chen Yansen casually plucked a string to find his feel, then immediately played the intro to "Yesterday Once More"; the soothing guitar sound instantly rang out.

Though it was an old song over fifty years old, sung by Chen Yansen, it was full of charm. His voice naturally carried a grainy texture; the moment he opened his mouth, a sense of imagery and story rushed forward.

Meng Jie, holding food, heard the music, turned her head, saw Chen Yansen playing the guitar, her eyes instantly lit up, and she walked back quickly.

"You actually know how to play the guitar? During the New Year's Eve gala in high school, why didn't you go on stage and perform a program?"

After the song ended, Chen Yansen returned the guitar. Meng Jie tugged his sleeve and asked curiously.

"I only play for girls I like." Chen Yansen spoke bluntly; Meng Jie's heart couldn't help but tremble slightly.

Chen Yansen had said this line in similar scenes to quite a few girls; every time the effect was very good.

"Then why did you chase Zhou Keyuan in high school? Why not chase me first?" Meng Jie frowned and asked.

"I was young back then, didn't understand things." Chen Yansen made an excuse; he couldn't possibly say that he hadn't been reborn back then.

Meng Jie felt this answer was a bit perfunctory, but she didn't press further; she was naturally cheerful and straightforward, unlike other little girls who always loved to ask non-stop.

The two ate skewers, clinking glasses from time to time. The artistic youth opposite saw this scene and couldn't help but exclaim that in the future he too would find a cool, short-haired girl who could sing and drink with him.

Brothers by day, lovers by night.

After eating and drinking their fill, Chen Yansen pulled her to lie on a moon chair, idly counting the stars on the horizon.

Listening to Meng Jie's chattering voice, Chen Yansen smiled wryly. Although he had been reborn back to eighteen, his mindset was no longer young; he lacked the childishness and greenness of eighteen.

The night wind grew cool; the people on the grass slowly decreased.

Chen Yansen and Meng Jie also returned to the room. Each had a bed, separated by a distance of several tens of centimeters, quietly looking at each other.

"Goodnight, Chen Yansen! Today left a deep impression on me; thank you." Meng Jie flicked her fingers on his palm and said softly.

"Goodnight!" Chen Yansen replied.

The next day, the two ate breakfast at the hotel, then, led by staff, walked to an open space outdoors. Within sight was all green grass, with patches of white tents set up on both sides.

Inside the tents were teapots, trays of dried fruits, and fresh fruit.

Chen Yansen accompanied Meng Jie drinking tea and playing cards, occasionally going out to play badminton for a while, sometimes staying in the tent reading books and listening to music.

Time passed quickly; in the blink of an eye, most of the day was gone. When the two returned to Xu Cheng Academy, it was already 6:30 PM on the fifth.

After sending Meng Jie back to her dormitory, he thought for a moment, then turned his head and walked into Dormitory Building No. 8.

"Eh? Brother Sen, you're back?" Hearing the noise, Meng Xibo looked up and asked.

"I didn't go back to my hometown; these holiday days I've been busy with Fox Tao matters. Where's Song Yang? Call him, let's eat together."

Chen Yansen scanned the room, saw Tang Zhenzhe, Zhu Xiaopeng, and Wang Zhengqiang were all there, only Song Yang was missing.

"Yangyang is still at his hometown in Jin Ling; he's estimated to arrive tomorrow afternoon. How about we gather tomorrow?" Tang Zhenzhe suggested.

"Brother Sen, does your project still need people?"

Zhu Xiaopeng put down his phone, smiled cheerfully, leaned over, and asked with a face full of flattery.

Nowadays, Fox Tao was famous, having gained the principal's attention and support. As soon as it launched, it garnered over a hundred thousand users; in the entire Xu Cheng Academy, almost no one was unaware of it.

Another eye-catching piece of news was that the salary Chen Yansen issued to team members in September was between 2,000 and 5,000 yuan, and this was merely a part-time job.

To know, in this era, 90% of college students' living expenses were less than 1,000 yuan per month.

Zhu Xiaopeng speaking up voluntarily was also reasonable.

"Naturally, we need people. What, are you interested?" Chen Yansen asked noncommittally.

Reporting to the bosses: yesterday the new book chart peaked at rank 30, 8th in Urban. Thanks to all the bosses for flying me! But this book is a bit lacking in volume absorption; I beg the bosses to cast some votes so we can climb one more inch together! Another chapter at 8 o'clock!

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(End of this chapter)