Chapter 35: The Young Should Not Venture into Shu

After placing his luggage in the trunk and getting into the car, Li Yan confirmed his destination with the driver: The St. Regis Chengdu, a luxury hotel under a globally renowned brand.

The hotel is quite famous locally and boasts a prime location in the heart of the city's financial and business district, not far from iconic attractions such as Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li.

Li Yan planned to spend a few days exploring the city center to soak in its atmosphere before taking his time to find and rent an apartment near his university. He was in no rush regarding housing; he had both the funds and the time to spare.

As the car merged onto the airport expressway, billboards flashed by, and the city’s skyline gradually came into focus. About half an hour later, the car pulled up in front of The St. Regis Chengdu.

A doorman stepped forward to open the door, greeting him with a smile, "Good afternoon, sir. Welcome."

Li Yan nodded in acknowledgment. As he stepped out, a concierge took charge of his luggage and placed it on a trolley.

The hotel's exterior was both modern and elegant. Entering the lobby in the mid-afternoon, he was met with high ceilings and warm light filtering through artistic chandeliers, casting a soft glow across the marble floor. The music was gentle, and two receptionists in dark uniforms greeted him with smiles from behind the front desk.

Li Yan approached and presented his ID and reservation details. He had booked an executive suite before his departure, priced between 2,000 and 3,000 yuan per night. Chengdu is a popular tourist destination, and as an ultra-five-star brand, St. Regis rates typically fluctuate between 2,500 and 3,500 yuan. By booking during a non-peak weekday, Li Yan had secured a rate of roughly 2,800 yuan per night, which included breakfast and access to the executive lounge, totaling 5,600 yuan for two nights.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Li. You have booked an executive suite for two nights for a total of 5,600 yuan, including breakfast for two and executive lounge privileges. Would you like an invoice?" the receptionist asked in a soft voice.

"No, thank you," Li Yan replied with a smile, handing over his ID. Once registration was complete, he took his room key. A concierge was already waiting nearby to escort him upstairs.

As they took the elevator to a higher floor, the concierge spoke softly over the background music: "Sir, your room faces south, offering a view of part of the city center. The executive lounge is on the top floor, with tea and refreshments served in the afternoon. If you need to make restaurant reservations or arrange for a car, you can simply call the front desk."

The room was spacious. Through the window, he could see the city's high-rise skyline, with the silhouettes of landmark buildings in the distance. The interior decor was minimalist yet exquisite, with soothing color tones. Li Yan placed his luggage on the rack and let out a soft sigh of relief.

Everything had gone even more smoothly than expected. He had felt grounded ever since returning from Green Island City, and now he had arrived with ease in the heart of Chengdu. There were no heavy bags to lug around, and he felt no fatigue.

After closing the door, he washed his face and wiped it dry with a hotel towel, observing his calm reflection in the mirror. Over the next few days, he wanted to wander the city center, sample local Chengdu snacks, visit art exhibitions, and incidentally contact an agent to look at properties. A small apartment near the university would suffice—convenient for his future studies and for socializing. As for a car, he would look into that in a few days after gauging the market and parking situation; there was no need to rush.

Li Yan hadn't yet decided on what kind of car to purchase. Of course, the task notification lingering in his mind was another reason he felt no urgency.

[God-tier Tycoon, a car is naturally one of your hallmarks. Choose a luxury car to start your university life as a tycoon. The reward is a cash rebate of 1–3 times the value of the car. The higher the system's evaluation, the higher the rebate amount.]

This was a new task issued by the system after he had completed his shopping in Green Island City. This was also why he wasn't rushing his choice of vehicle. Naturally, he couldn't choose anything pedestrian, as this was a matter of his rebate amount. Otherwise, with only a little over two million yuan in funds, purchasing a super-luxury car would be impossible.

Of course, taking out a loan wouldn't be an issue. Although Li Yan was only eighteen, his financial transaction records over his three years of high school were robust enough that obtaining a loan would be simple.

After resting for a while, he changed into a pair of light shoes and headed downstairs to explore the commercial area near the hotel. Taikoo Li and Chunxi Road, the gathering spots for the city's youth, were a twenty-minute walk away. He didn't rush to find expensive restaurants in the culinary hotspots; he just wanted to look at the street scenes first.

Along the way, he bought a cup of plain tea for 15 yuan at a milk tea shop, sat on a roadside bench, and listened to the locals chatting. He watched couples walking hand-in-hand and fashionably dressed office workers moving in and out of high-end office buildings. Seeing the bright red chili decorations hanging outside a local snack shop made him smile.

The vibe of the city was different from his hometown or Green Island City, carrying the unique, leisurely, and warm atmosphere of the Sichuan region. The old saying, "Don't enter Sichuan in your youth, and don't leave Sichuan in your old age," certainly held true.

By evening, he found an authentic "fly restaurant"—a small, hole-in-the-wall eatery—in an alleyway to eat *chuan chuan xiang* (skewered snacks). With twenty or thirty skewers, a spicy red broth, and a beer, the total bill came to just over a hundred yuan. The taste was numbing, spicy, fresh, and fragrant; he broke into a sweat, but it was incredibly satisfying.

This was completely different from the expensive Western food or seafood he’d had a few days ago, yet it possessed a vibrant, human touch. He didn't feel a sense of loss; rather, he thoroughly enjoyed the hidden happiness in this simplicity.

It was nine o'clock when he returned to the hotel. Passing through the lobby, he saw business travelers clutching briefcases and realized this hotel was primarily geared toward business guests. He didn't care; he, too, was a person with plans, just with different goals.

Remembering he hadn't contacted the real estate agent yet, he sat at the desk and opened his phone, sending a message to the number he had saved: "I have arrived in Chengdu. Can we look at apartments tomorrow morning?"

The agent replied quickly: "Certainly. Tomorrow at 10:00 AM, we can look at two apartments not far from the school. The monthly rent is between 4,000 and 6,000 yuan. You can see if they are suitable."

Li Yan had already told the agent his requirements: at least two bedrooms and a living room, exquisite decoration, and a good residential environment or property management service. In short, nothing low-end was being considered.

After showering, he put on his headphones and listened to music, leaning back against the headboard to browse through Chengdu food guides on his phone. Tomorrow, he could try authentic *dan dan* noodles and red oil wontons, then, after viewing the apartments, perhaps have some plum wine at a small bistro to experience the multifaceted nature of life.

Thinking about how university hadn't started yet, he realized that coming early to scout the area had spared him the experience of crowding with throngs of other freshmen. He smiled; this was fine, too—no need to be flustered in the middle of a crowd. He had his own pace.

Flying first class, staying in a luxury hotel, and spending a few days exploring the city center before settling down—this lifestyle lacked earth-shattering drama, but it satisfied his pursuit of a balanced life.

Before turning off the lights, he hung his simple T-shirt and trousers for the next day on the back of a chair so he wouldn't have to rummage through his suitcase in the morning. The wild shopping spree and subsequent rebates from a few days ago had now become memories and a foundation of confidence.

The room was filled with the faint floral scent of the water-cultivated lilies on the table. He took a breath, exhaled, and felt entirely certain about the future.

Deep in the night, he closed his eyes. There were still so many corners of this city he had yet to explore. Whether it was houses, cars, or food, by moving forward in small, steady steps—without rushing, without being ostentatious, and without frenzy—he could enjoy the most authentic pulse of life.