Chapter 415

January 16th, another Saturday.

In the evening, at the dining table of Bihai Lanting Unit 1502, Lin Xiuhong ate her meal and chatted with Cui Suling about their Lunar New Year plans.

"Lunar New Year's Eve is on February 7th this year; we estimate we'll return to the countryside on the 5th," Lin Xiuhong said to Cui Suling. "Before we go back, why don't the families have a meal together?"

"Sure," Cui Suling immediately nodded happily. "How about the 4th? Should we cook at home?"

"We could pick a restaurant—it'd save you the trouble," Li Luo interjected.

After all, they were all worth tens of millions; why bother cooking at home for a New Year meal?

But after discussing it, Lin Xiuhong and Cui Suling still felt that cooking at home, with everyone gathered close together, carried more of a New Year atmosphere.

Thus, Li Luo's suggestion was rejected; they would still eat at Bihai Lanting.

"I need to check if Zhi Cheng is free," Li Guohong said. "But the 4th is close to New Year's Eve; he probably won't be too busy."

"Ask Aunt Yuan too, Zhusheng," Li Luo looked at Yan Zhusheng beside him. "If you're free on the 4th, come join us. By the way, are you going abroad this year?"

"Oh, yes," Yan Zhusheng nodded, then added, "But we won't go abroad until after the New Year—Mom has to perform on the Spring Festival Gala."

Hearing this, Li Guohong across the table exclaimed in surprise.

The others at the table also looked startled, all turning to Yan Zhusheng.

Li Luo couldn't help asking: "The CCTV Spring Festival Gala?"

"Yes," Yan Zhusheng nodded at Li Luo, blinked her eyes, and said seriously, "It wasn't supposed to happen, but the Gala director loved the song 'Ru Yuan' you wrote for Mom—he personally reached out to invite her."

At these words, everyone's gaze shifted again to Li Luo.

Especially Xu Rongsheng, who looked at Li Luo with admiration and wonder—he could hardly believe such a young man had created a work capable of appearing on the Spring Festival Gala stage.

"And there's also 'Shi Mama Shi Nü'," Yan Zhusheng added. "There are two songs total."

"Huh?" Li Luo paused, surprised. "Why two? That doesn't seem realistic. And if that's the case, will you be singing on the Gala too?"

"Originally there was only one," Yan Zhusheng shook her head. "But after confirming Mom would attend, a younger female star suggested performing 'Shi Mama Shi Nü' with Mom—and it was settled."

Hearing this, Li Luo finally understood.

The reason 'Ru Yuan' was chosen for the Gala was because it matched the Gala's tone and caught the director's eye.

But the second song, 'Shi Mama Shi Nü,' was purely due to the other young star's behind-the-scenes influence.

She likely saw Yuan Wanqing's current popularity and the emotional tone of 'Shi Mama Shi Nü,' which could easily endear the young star to viewers.

Used well, it could even help her earn a title like "National Daughter" and boost her hype—a form of marketing.

But that had nothing to do with Yuan Wanqing; she'd never pass up the chance to perform an extra song on the Gala.

Still, this meant…

"If your mom performs on the Gala, where will you be during the New Year?" Lin Xiuhong asked.

"I'll stay home," Yan Zhusheng blinked. "Mom returns the day after the Gala, then we pack up and leave for abroad—she's in poor health and needs to recuperate overseas every year."

"This…" Lin Xiuhong felt a pang of pity upon realizing this girl would be alone at home for the New Year.

But some words stuck in her throat, hard to voice.

Then Ying Chanxi spontaneously said to Yan Zhusheng: "Why don't you come back to the countryside with me for the New Year?"

"Huh?" Yan Zhusheng tilted her head, puzzled, looking at Ying Chanxi on Li Luo's other side. "Can I?"

"Of course you can," Ying Chanxi smiled sweetly. "Didn't you come last year? Lin Yi's family returns on the 5th—we'll go together. I have plenty of empty rooms; you know that."

"Okay, I'll ask Mom," Yan Zhusheng nodded firmly. "If she agrees, I'll go with you."

After hearing Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng's conversation, Li Luo fell into deep thought.

If Zhi Cheng and Yuan Wanqing weren't absent today, Li Luo couldn't imagine what expressions they'd be wearing right now.

His own expression, at least, was somewhat odd.

Yan Zhusheng going to the countryside for the New Year with Ying Chanxi and Zhi Cheng… even though Yuan Wanqing couldn't join because of the Gala, this was still explosive.

He wondered how Zhi Cheng would feel when he found out.

Hopefully it wouldn't shock him.

"I have to attend the Wenxue Group's annual meeting at the end of the month," Li Luo said, bringing up his own plans to Lin Xiuhong and Li Guohong.

"When?" Lin Xiuhong asked.

"The 30th and 31st," Li Luo said. "I'll probably go after school ends on the 29th and return around the 1st."

"Oh?" Lin Xiuhong nodded. "You're going to Changning City, right?"

"No," Li Luo shook his head. "I'm going to Qiongzhou City."

"Qiongzhou City?!" Lin Xiuhong exclaimed. "That's so far from here—can you go alone?"

"Why not?"

"It's that far? Won't you need to fly?" Li Guohong frowned. "You've never flown before, have you?"

He had flown… but that was in his past life.

Li Luo thought this inwardly and unconsciously glanced at Xu Youyu.

He clearly remembered his first flight was with Xu Youyu, dragged along for a trip.

"Flying isn't that hard," Li Luo said. "The annual meeting will announce the top authors—I have to be there. If you're really worried, I'll ask my editor to come to Yuhang City and fly with me."

"That could work," Lin Xiuhong nodded. "But it'd be a bother to him."

Though it was inconvenient to ask someone else, as parents, they naturally preferred an adult accompany their son for safety.

The editor Qianzhou had dined with them before; everyone knew him. If he came along, the parents would feel at ease.

Li Luo nodded: "I'll ask him then."

After confirming this, Lin Xiuhong ate her meal and suddenly had an idea, asking Li Luo: "Is it warm in Qiongzhou City in winter?"

"Yes, why?"

"Your dad and I have never traveled outside the province," Lin Xiuhong glanced reproachfully at Li Guohong. "Since you're going to Qiongzhou City anyway, why don't we go with you? That way, we won't trouble your editor."

At these words, Li Luo hadn't reacted yet, but Xu Youyu beside him instinctively widened her eyes in alarm, staring at Li Luo.

Xu Rongsheng was eating his meal in silence, his peripheral vision catching his daughter's expression—he let out a soft laugh and shook his head.

Xu Youyu clearly didn't notice her father's glance and frantically blinked at Li Luo, signaling urgently.

If Uncle and Aunt also went to Qiongzhou City, what if their flight tickets were on the same plane? Wouldn't she be exposed?

That kind of thing—absolutely not!

Xu Youyu also didn't notice that Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng had cast slightly odd glances toward her.

"Cough… You really want to go?" Li Luo coughed slightly, confirming with his parents.

Though this posed some risk for Xu Youyu, his parents had barely had a chance to enjoy themselves—since they wanted to travel to Qiongzhou City, Li Luo had no reason at all to refuse.

He was actually glad his parents could finally enjoy this modest luxury after becoming wealthy; traveling was clearly a fine choice.

Lin Xiuhong naturally nodded, but Li Guohong beside her said, "Wouldn't that be too much trouble? Li Luo still has to attend the annual meeting—he might not have time to go with us."

"Then let's two go alone," Lin Xiuhong said, turning to Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng. "Zhusheng is going back to the countryside with Chanxi for the New Year, right? Why don't you two come too?"

"Oh right, and Suling—what about your family? Any interest?"

"By then, Qian Da will be off work too. You two take Youyu, and let's all go to Qiongzhou City for fun."

Hearing this, Xu Youyu's face turned instantly pale, her body feeling stiff.

But then she reconsidered—it wasn't impossible.

oco

If her own parents were going too, she could just decline the editor's invitation, skip the annual meeting, and join Lin Xiuhong's group to Qiongzhou City instead.

That way, she wouldn't expose her identity.

Maybe she could even sneak into the annual meeting under Li Luo's cover.

But then again—if her parents came along, she'd lose the chance to share a hotel room with Li Luo… Xu Youyu thought of this and felt a faint pang of disappointment.

At this point, Cui Suling was quite willing, her heart stirred slightly.

On one hand, she and Lin Xiuhong were now close friends; traveling together would surely be delightful.

On the other hand, if Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng both went, but her own daughter stayed home, it would feel like falling behind.

Cui Suling now adored this boy Li Luo, but the only problem was how many outstanding girls surrounded him.

Her daughter had the disadvantage of being older, and now Cui Suling felt the odds were slim.

Especially after recently watching with Lin Xiuhong the MV of Ying Chanxi and Li Luo together—when she saw those two kissing on the lips, Cui Suling felt the sky was falling.

Even after Ying Chanxi explained it was all fake, just camera angles and acting, Cui Suling still felt the situation was urgent.

If she fell behind even in something like this trip, it wouldn't do.

But major family decisions were always made by Xu Rongsheng, so Cui Suling said nothing, only turned to look at her husband.

Seeing this, Xu Rongsheng paused thoughtfully, then shook his head. "We still have many relatives to visit during that time, and there are several dinner gatherings with professors at school—we won't be going."

Hearing this, Cui Suling's face fell with disappointment.

But Lin Xiuhong said, "If you're not going, why not let Youyu go with us?"

Cui Suling's eyes lit up at this, but Xu Rongsheng shook his head again. "She has to come with us when visiting relatives—it wouldn't be right otherwise."

"I see…" Lin Xiuhong sighed in regret; she'd been imagining three girls playing on the beach with her, but now that vision was ruined.

After her father's declaration, Xu Youyu first exhaled slightly in relief, then quickly realized something.

Lin Xiuhong had clearly decided to go to Qiongzhou City anyway?

What would she explain if she ran into them there?

But at that moment, Ying Chanxi spoke up: "Lin Yi, what if we go on February 1st instead?"

"Huh?" Lin Xiuhong blinked. "Won't Li Luo already be back by then?"

"We can have him stay there," Ying Chanxi said, glancing sideways at Xu Youyu. "He won't have time to accompany us during the annual meeting anyway."

"We'll wait until after his meeting ends, go on the 1st, stay a few days, and Li Luo can join us then."

"We'll return on the 4th, just in time for everyone's reunion dinner—doesn't that sound nice?"

After Ying Chanxi's reasoning, Lin Xiuhong found it sensible and nodded, turning to Li Luo. "What do you think?"

Seeing Xu Youyu nodding subtly beside him, her eyes frantically signaling approval, Li Luo chuckled. "Of course—it's settled. I'll book you all into the same hotel we use for the annual meeting."

"Hey, if it's the 1st to the 4th," Cui Suling couldn't help asking Xu Rongsheng, "can we go too?"

Xu Rongsheng paused, considering the feasibility.

Meanwhile, Xu Youyu said, "I think you can—haven't you two traveled in ages?"

Hearing his daughter say this, Xu Rongsheng—who'd been about to cover for her—was momentarily stunned.

Though he didn't understand why Xu Youyu agreed to this, he chose to trust her and nodded. "If you put it that way, it's fine."

"Great, great, great!" Lin Xiuhong beamed at Xu Rongsheng's reply, laughing happily with Cui Suling beside her. "Then it's settled!"

"It's been so many years since we went to the seaside," Cui Suling sighed with delight. "We'll have to prepare properly this time."

Yet at this moment, Li Luo glanced slightly puzzled at Xu Youyu.

But Xu Youyu merely winked at him, signaling everything was fine.

After dinner ended and the itinerary for the next half-month was finalized, the parents took their leave first.

While Ying Chanxi washed dishes and Yan Zhusheng went to the restroom, Li Luo pulled Xu Youyu aside onto the living room sofa to whisper.

"What were you thinking? Why did you agree to let your parents come along?"

"They're not arriving until February 1st—that's fine."

"But technically, you still have to board the same flight from Yuhang City to Qiongzhou City with them on the 1st," Li Luo said, baffled. "You're already in Qiongzhou City then."

"You're so dumb," Xu Youyu chuckled. "I'll just fly back on the 31st."

"The Wen Yue annual meeting is mainly Saturday afternoon and evening on the 30th—31st is all free time anyway."

"I'll discuss it with my editor and ask him to book my return ticket for the daytime on the 31st—that way I'll make it to the flight on the 1st."

Li Luo: "……You're really working hard."

"Isn't it all for the sake of having a pleasant journey with you?" Xu Youyu suddenly gazed tenderly at Li Luo, his right hand brushing against Li Luo's cheek, whispering, "I'm looking forward to this trip to Qiongzhou City."

Yan Zhusheng walked out of the bathroom and saw Xu Youyu touching Li Luo's face.

Xu Youyu pulled his hand back with a chuckle and said casually, "He had eye gunk on his eye—I wiped it off."

"Cough… I'll go help Chanxi wash the dishes." Li Luo shook off the fluttering emotion Xu Youyu had stirred in him, quickly standing up and heading into the kitchen.

But Xu Youyu and Yan Zhusheng followed him in, and the four of them crowded in front of the sink. If the kitchen hadn't had two sinks and if the three girls hadn't been slim, they wouldn't have fit at all.

"Can you swim in the sea in Qiongzhou City during winter?" Ying Chanxi asked curiously.

"Should be fine," Li Luo nodded. "Why are you asking?"

"I haven't swum in years," Ying Chanxi whispered. "I don't even know where I put my swimsuit, and the one I bought as a kid probably doesn't look good anymore."

"Do you want to buy a new swimsuit too, Chanxi?" Xu Youyu leaned in to ask.

"I've been thinking about it."

"I want to buy one too," Yan Zhusheng said.

"Can't you fit into your swimsuit anymore?" Xu Youyu glanced at Yan Zhusheng's figure and raised an eyebrow.

Yan Zhusheng noticed Xu Youyu's gaze and puffed out her cheeks: "I didn't swim much before, and after I grew taller, I never bought another one."

"Then let's just find a time to buy swimsuits," Li Luo said. "Final exams are next week—let's go after the exam weekend."

"Do you need a new swim trunks too, Li Luo?" Yan Zhusheng asked curiously.

"I haven't swum in years either," Li Luo laughed. "I only went a few times during summer break in middle school—I'll definitely need a new one."

"Then I'll pick one out for you," Yan Zhusheng blinked, volunteering eagerly.

"…" Li Luo noticed the other two girls' gazes and tugged at his mouth. Then he said, "All three of you pick one for me, okay? I'll rotate wearing them."

"Sure!" Xu Youyu grinned. "Then you've got to pick out swimsuits for us too."

After washing the dishes, Li Luo was finally freed from the flurry of girls.

Back in his bedroom, before starting to write that night, Li Luo considered carefully and called his uncle Li Guoru, explained the situation, and asked him to book the plane tickets and hotel.

"By the way, Uncle, wouldn't you like to come along too?" Li Luo added with a smile.

"I've been to Qiongzhou City so many times already—you all have fun," Li Guoru chuckled over the phone. "Your parents should finally get to enjoy some peace and travel with you. Leave the tickets and hotel to me."

"Thanks, Uncle," Li Luo said, then added, "Could you also ask if there's a private beach near the Edison Hotel that can be rented temporarily?"

"Alright, I'll get back to you."