Chapter 421: Don

At 6:30 p. m., a long queue had already formed in front of the boarding gate.

Xu Youyu glanced at his boarding pass; it showed the flight departure time as 7:00 p. m.

"Aren't we going to line up?" Xu Youyu asked hesitantly. "Aren't all these people waiting for our flight?"

"Mm, no rush," Li Luo said, pulling out his phone and glancing at it. "There's no need to line up early unless you can get one of the first twenty or thirty spots—otherwise, you'll just end up waiting again inside after you get in."

"If you really want a front spot, you've got to be there waiting at least ten minutes before boarding opens."

"It's better to just sit like we are now and go in later. The boarding time is definitely plenty."

Xu Youyu stared at Li Luo in surprise: "You know all this?"

"It's what the online guides say."

"Then let's sit a bit longer," Xu Youyu said, sitting beside Li Luo and glancing at his phone. "What are you looking at?"

"Replying to my editor," Li Luo showed him the chat history on his phone.

【Qianzhou】: Your flight is at seven. Remember to get to the airport early.

【Chongran】: Already on the way.

【Qianzhou】: Are you there yet? It's already six.

【Chongran】: Traffic's a bit heavy, almost there.

【Qianzhou】: Are any parents accompanying you? Will you be boarding? If you don't know anything once you're inside, just ask the airport staff, okay?

【Chongran】: Don't worry.

【Qianzhou】: How's it going?

【Chongran】: At the boarding gate.

【Qianzhou】: OKOK, I'll wait for you at the Qiongzhou City airport exit at 9:30 p. m.

【Chongran】: Thanks for the trouble.

【Qianzhou】: You two are minors—if you get lost, I can't be held responsible. Plus, the hotel has a shuttle service; I just came along with the driver.

【Chongran】: Still, thanks for coming.

【Qianzhou】: The managing editor couldn't come—only the chief editor could, but since you two are minors, the company sent me specifically to look after you.

【Chongran】: So we made you work overtime?

【Qianzhou】: You're helping me on vacation. The other colleagues are jealous—I'm getting paid to travel.

After finishing the chat with the editor.

Li Luo then called Lin Xiuhong to tell her he was ready to board and would send a safety update after takeoff.

After that, he opened QQ and checked his messages.

【Ying Chanxi】: At the boarding gate yet?

【Li Luo】: Yes.

【Ying Chanxi】: Be careful. Qiongzhou City is hot, but it gets chilly at night.

【Ying Chanxi】: After you land, you can take off your down jacket, sweater, and cotton pants—but don't just wear a short-sleeve shirt. Put on the coat I packed for you.

【Li Luo】: Okay.

【Ying Chanxi】: Let me know once you've landed.

【Li Luo】: Got it. What are you doing?

【Ying Chanxi】: Watching TV with Zhusheng in the living room.

【Li Luo】: I'm about to board, so I'll stop chatting.

【Ying Chanxi】: Mm, go ahead.

After exiting the chat, Li Luo tapped on Yan Zhusheng's avatar.

【Li Luo】: Watching TV?

【Yan Zhusheng】: Thinking about you.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Are you about to take off?

【Li Luo】: Mm, ready to board.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Just chatting with Chanxi?

【Li Luo】: Thinking about you.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Chanxi's watching.

【Li Luo】:?

【Yan Zhusheng】: Just kidding.

【Li Luo】: You're asking for a beating.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Want to spank me? How about after we land in Qiongzhou on the 1st?

【Li Luo】: …Suddenly feels like you're being rewarded.

【Yan Zhusheng】: It's punishment.

【Li Luo】: Isn't your punishment a kiss, Teacher Yan?

【Yan Zhusheng】: That works too.

【Li Luo】: Go back to watching TV. I need to board.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Okay, be careful on the way.

【Li Luo】: Mm.

Watching as each person ahead of them passed through security, Li Luo didn't hurry—he stayed seated with Xu Youyu until everyone ahead had gone in.

Only when there were still over ten minutes left before takeoff did he slowly stand up, check their boarding passes at the gate, and walk into the boarding corridor.

Xu Youyu glanced curiously around the boarding corridor, staring at the planes parked outside—massive, dark shapes in the night, looking like toys from afar.

With a slightly excited heart, Xu Youyu followed Li Luo and finally arrived at the airplane's entrance.

Two tall flight attendants in uniform smiled to greet them; after checking their ticket seat numbers, they led the two to their assigned seats.

Most passengers ahead had already seated, the aisle was clear; after following the attendant to their seats, Li Luo glanced at his ticket.

His seat was by the window, but after thinking, Li Luo said to Xu Youyu: "You take the inside, I'll take the middle."

"Oh." Hearing this, Xu Youyu looked toward the small window on the far side, instantly excited; once the aunt sitting outside moved aside, she slipped into the innermost seat.

Li Luo shoved both their backpacks into the overhead bin, then sat beside Xu Youyu.

Turning to look at Xu Youyu, who was eagerly peering out the window, Li Luo chuckled, leaned over, pulled the seatbelt from her waist, and fastened it for her.

Because they boarded late, the plane only waited about ten minutes before beginning to move toward the runway.

Watching the scenery recede outside the window, Xu Youyu's heart surged; she instinctively grabbed Li Luo's hand and whispered: "Are we taking off?"

"Mm, almost."

"How come you don't seem nervous at all?" Xu Youyu studied Li Luo's expression. "Are you really flying for the first time?"

"Definitely. I've never flown in my life," Li Luo admitted honestly.

But in his past life, he had flown.

And in his previous life, he mostly flew with Xu Youyu.

In Li Luo's memory, he had never flown alone—not even in this life, he still flew with Xu Youyu.

It was quite strange, really.

Must be fate.

Thinking of this, Li Luo unconsciously tightened his grip on Xu Youyu's hand.

Feeling the pressure in Li Luo's palm, Xu Youyu couldn't help but sneak a smile.

She thought: this guy is clearly nervous too, yet he pretends to be calm—so reliable, so adorable.

As Xu Youyu stole a glance at Li Luo, the plane reached the runway.

With a roar of engines, the plane accelerated forward; Xu Youyu soon felt a strong push against her back, as if the seat itself was shoving her forward.

When the engine roar and the violent screech of tires against pavement reached deafening levels, and the plane hit its critical speed—

Xu Youyu instantly felt her head tilt backward, the entire cabin tilting upward.

The plane's nose lifted toward the sky; the deafening screech of tires on the ground vanished.

The noise around her suddenly grew much quieter.

As she savored the sensation of takeoff, Xu Youyu eagerly pressed her face to the window, peering outside.

One look—and Xu Youyu held her breath, eyes locked on the window, not blinking.

It was already seven p. m.; night had fallen. Outside the small window, the streets glowed brightly with lights.

At first, only buildings around the airport were visible—even cars moving on the roads could be seen.

As the plane climbed higher, scattered lights merged into a continuous glow; ten thousand lanterns resembled an oil painting spilled across paper—just one glance filled her with awe.

"So beautiful," Xu Youyu whispered.

She took out her phone, switched it to airplane mode, and took many photos.

Only when the plane rose above the clouds, into pitch-black nothingness, did she put the phone away, leaned back contentedly, and sighed deeply.

Then she tilted her head and rested it on Li Luo's shoulder.

"Tired?"

"I've been leaning against the window—my neck's sore."

"Then sleep a bit."

"But when we land, wake me up," Xu Youyu whispered. "I still want to see."

"Alright."

……

At 9:30 p. m., Li Luo and Xu Youyu's flight landed punctually at Qiongzhou City Airport.

As the plane touched down and glided smoothly, Xu Youyu, who had been photographing out the window, finally pulled her gaze away, thoroughly satisfied.

Li Luo had already pulled out his phone and sent a message to his parents: landed safely; then he messaged Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng.

【Ying Chanxi】: Landed?

【Li Luo】: Mm.

【Ying Chanxi】: Don't forget to change clothes—the airport has changing rooms.

【Li Luo】: Not off the plane yet. I'll change once I get my suitcase.

【Ying Chanxi】: When you get to the hotel, go to bed early—you have the annual meeting tomorrow, right?

【Li Luo】: Mm, I know. You sleep early too.

【Ying Chanxi】: Okay! I'm going to shower now. Let me know when you reach the hotel.

【Li Luo】: Got it.

……

【Yan Zhusheng】: Good you arrived. I'm going to shower now.

【Li Luo】: Why are you showering too?

【Yan Zhusheng】: Chanxi's showering, so if I want to shower too, I'll have to use your bathroom. You won't object, right?

【Li Luo】: …

【Yan Zhusheng】: I'll take that as consent.

【Li Luo】: Just don't both sleep in my bed tonight.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Thanks for reminding me.

【Li Luo】: Now, right now, immediately, stick your ass out.

【Yan Zhusheng】: What's wrong? I've stuck it out.

【Li Luo】: Slap it once.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Done.

【Li Luo】: Just pretend I slapped it.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Oh, so do you want to slap a few more times?

【Li Luo】: …Nah, no need.

【Yan Zhusheng】: I already slapped it for you. No need to thank me.

【Li Luo】: You'd better go take a shower now.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Okay.

…

"You're updating Xixi and Zhusheng?" Xu Youyu leaned over beside Li Luo, grinning as she wrapped her arm around his. "Too bad they probably can't guess I'm right here next to you."

"We agreed on a couple's experience," Li Luo sighed with a wry smile. "Don't turn it into a lover's experience again."

"Isn't that all your fault?" Xu Youyu rolled her eyes. "You keep sending messages to Xixi and Zhusheng like you're sneaking around and got caught on inspection."

"…It's clearly you who's thinking like that," Li Luo stared blankly. "I seriously wonder what you've been reading lately."

Hearing this, Xu Youyu immediately felt guilty, twisting her hair with her fingers and muttering softly: "I haven't read anything."

After landing, the plane glided for another few minutes before finally coming to a steady stop.

Li Luo and Xu Youyu picked up their backpacks, followed the crowd out of the cabin, entered the airport, and headed to the baggage claim area.

At that moment, Li Luo's phone vibrated.

He pulled it out and saw it was Qianzhou, his editor, so he answered immediately.

"Hello?"

"You've arrived, right?"

"Yeah, just got off the plane, picking up luggage."

"Me and the driver are right by the exit. You'll see us as soon as you come out."

"Alright, we need to change clothes first—these down jackets are way too hot."

"No rush, take your time."

After hanging up, Li Luo held Xu Youyu's hand and waited by the baggage carousel until their suitcases appeared.

They picked them up and walked into the nearby changing room.

Before entering the changing room, Xu Youyu winked at Li Luo and teased: "Want to help me change?"

"Just go," Li Luo rolled his eyes. "Get to the hotel faster—we've got to write tonight."

"Can't you say something that doesn't make me sad?"

Inside the changing room, they swapped into fresh, light clothing; the stuffy heat from landing vanished instantly.

They packed their thick clothes into the suitcases, pulled them out of the changing room, and walked together toward the exit.

Xu Youyu dragged one suitcase while clinging to Li Luo's arm, completely unbothered.

Seeing this, Li Luo couldn't help but whisper a reminder: "We're meeting the editor soon—let go a bit."

"Why let go?" Xu Youyu looked at him in confusion, grinning. "Don't you remember what we told the editor before we came?"

With her reminder, Li Luo suddenly remembered.

It wasn't just their private game—they'd openly told the editor they were a couple.

Even booked a double room for them.

So now, holding hands like this? It wouldn't look strange if seen.

Thinking this, Li Luo and Xu Youyu reached the exit.

Walking out, they saw a row of people waiting to pick up arrivals behind the barrier.

The next second, Li Luo and Xu Youyu spotted their editor, Qianzhou.

It wasn't because he was particularly easy to recognize—it was simply because… he was holding up two signs!

【Chongran】

【SleepEarlyGrowTaller】

"Over here, over here!" Qianzhou spotted them and waved his pickup signs cheerfully.

Li Luo and Xu Youyu hurried over and took the signs from his hands.

Xu Youyu even hugged them to her chest like a thief, glancing left and right until she confirmed no one was looking, then sighed in relief.

"Where did you get these signs?" Li Luo asked, dumbfounded.

"Free from the hotel," Qianzhou grinned. "Come on, follow the driver."

The three followed the driver toward the parking lot.

Qianzhou kept glancing at their linked hands, his expression oddly uneasy.

When he first heard they were dating, he'd been surprised.

Though the two got along well, Qianzhou wasn't some isolated fool.

He clearly remembered that when he first met Li Luo, the girl beside him was that little girl named Yan Zhusheng.

Later, on the stage of "I Am a Singer," she'd performed with her mother, Yuan Wanqing, and shared backstage how she felt about Chongran.

Back then, Qianzhou had assumed Li Luo was already dating Yan Zhusheng.

Now he was telling him he was dating Xu Youyu?

But young people—breakups and reconciliations were normal. Qianzhou wouldn't meddle in his authors' personal lives.

I just hope this kid doesn't go too far—if he stirs up any romantic drama, it'll inevitably have some impact.

Especially since he's underage, this point needs extra attention.

"Let's head straight to the hotel and check you two in," said Qianzhou after settling into the front passenger seat, addressing the two in the back, "We'll probably arrive at the hotel around ten-thirty, so I'll tell you some things now while we're still in the car."

"At the Edison Hotel here, meals are all-inclusive—you can show your room card and dine at the restaurant for breakfast, lunch, or dinner."

"Tomorrow daytime is free time; the annual meeting is in the evening, at Conference Room One on the third floor of this hotel."

"The conference room opens in the afternoon—authors who are familiar with each other can chat there ahead of time, or get to know those they haven't met yet."

"Tomorrow's dinner is a buffet banquet at the French restaurant on the second floor; our company has rented the entire place, so don't forget to show up."

"After dinner, the annual meeting starts at seven—you'll have to go up on stage."

"Details tomorrow; for now, just check in and get some rest."

Qianzhou rattled off a long list in the car; by ten-thirty that night, the vehicle finally pulled into the Edison Hotel and dropped the three off at the entrance.

Under Qianzhou's guidance, the two checked in at the front desk, received their room cards, and followed Qianzhou upstairs to the fifth floor.

"5008," Xu Youyu glanced at the room number, "We're here!"

"I'll leave you two here," Qianzhou stood at the room door, watching Li Luo swipe open the door; as Xu Youyu stepped in first, dragging his suitcase, Qianzhou grabbed Li Luo's wrist and leaned close to his ear, whispering, "A double room was arranged for you two, but you must be careful—don't get me into trouble."

"Cough…" Li Luo cleared his throat and nodded quickly, "Don't overthink it—I won't do anything reckless."

"Then that's settled—I'm heading back to rest too," Qianzhou nodded, slightly reassured. "You two get some sleep as well."

"Mm, goodnight."

After seeing off Qianzhou, Li Luo dragged his suitcase into the room.

Xu Youyu, already sprawled on the bed, turned to Li Luo and asked curiously, "What were you two talking about at the door?"

"He told you to be careful—not to get handsy with me."

"Heh, impossible."