Chapter 129: Journey to the Treasure Island (2)

The first dinner in Shawan was hosted by Shen Molan. The wealthy young heiress waved her hand generously and said, "Fang Yu, I accept you as a friend. Tell me, what do you want to eat for dinner?"

He grinned and seized the opportunity, "Since Miss Shen is paying, I won't stand on ceremony. Let's find a local restaurant with authentic flavors."

Unfortunately, Shawan was a bit different from the inland; most of the culinary gems were hidden in narrow alleys. The group had to wander back and forth between several night markets, their hands full of various snacks.

"This oyster omelet is so delicious!" Xia Churan, ignoring any thoughts of dieting, smiled brightly as she cradled a pile of food.

Zhao Bin and Lu Zhen had also set aside their differences. Like long-lost brothers, they walked shoulder-to-shoulder, searching for the next delicacy.

"These egg cakes are good. Let's get some for a midnight snack later."

"These egg tarts are great too, let's buy some. Oh, the beef noodles smell amazing—let's get a bowl."

The temperature in Taoyuan was pleasant in early March, hovering near 20 degrees even at night. The night breeze ruffled the thick, dark hair of the young man as Fang Yu stood quietly by the beach alone, admiring the coastline after sunset.

Xia Churan walked over and curiously linked her arm through his. "Fang Yu, do you have something on your mind?"

"Hmm? Why do you ask?" He turned his head with an amused expression.

"Look at how happy everyone is. You were the one who initiated this trip, but why have you stopped smiling since we arrived in Shawan? Is something bothering you?"

"Haha, you're overthinking it. I was just pondering some business matters. Besides, it's nice to get out and catch some fresh air occasionally. I was born with an aversion to crowds; I just don't like being where it's too packed."

"Tch, you always talk like an old soul. It doesn't feel like you're nineteen at all." The young girl pouted, standing obediently by his side as they watched the distance together.

"Oh? And how should a nineteen-year-old act?" He withdrew his gaze and looked at the beautiful young woman beside him with a smile.

"Look at you. You're only nineteen, just starting your freshman year, yet you've already opened your own shop and are making money. The car you drive is far better than anyone else's, but you don't seem excited at all, as if this is just a mundane, everyday occurrence."

It had to be said that Xia Churan was quite observant, though she could never have imagined the truth of his rebirth.

Fang Yu thought about it seriously and reached out to ruffle the girl's hair. "When your daily income exceeds your monthly salary, you feel excitement. Even before the money hits your account, you're probably already planning a fancy feast for after work, right?"

"But when your daily income exceeds your yearly salary, you no longer feel excitement; you feel something more like calm."

"You no longer want to go out for a big meal. You just want to return home quietly as you always do, with the sunset reflecting off your face at a crossroads. You wait patiently for the traffic light, watching the endless stream of people, and you get a sense of detachment, as if you are standing apart from the world."

"In that moment, you don't care if someone honks at you aggressively, and it doesn't matter if someone cuts you off in traffic, because you simply aren't in the same world as them anymore."

He said all this in one breath. When he turned to look, the girl beside him had clear, bright, deer-like eyes filled with confusion. "Fang Yu, I really don't understand you. No one has ever spoken to me like this before."

"Silly girl, you aren't in the same world as the people from that little village. You'll understand what I mean one day. For now, it's fine if you don't. Let's go, the wind is picking up." He took her delicate wrist and led her toward the bustling night market.

Xia Churan might not have understood those words, but once they were back in the room, it didn't stop her from acting coy and pestering him for a bedtime story. Although they had requested two separate quilts, with such a fragrant, alluring beauty sleeping right beside him, Fang Yu found it difficult to fall asleep.

Just as he finally drifted into a hazy slumber in the middle of the night, he felt the quilt being lifted. The young beauty beside him pressed against him as if she had no bones, her dark hair resting on his shoulder, mumbling to herself, "So cold..."

This, in truth, could not be blamed on Xia Churan. Fang Yu was naturally sensitive to heat and kept the air conditioning at 16 degrees year-round, so it was no wonder the girl had instinctively moved closer.

He was now wide awake, his senses filled with the enticing, sweet fragrance emanating from her. Having been without a woman for a long time, his body reacted instantly.

Fang Yu had to grit his teeth and endure until dawn, never managing to fall back asleep. Every time the girl in his arms stirred, his heart skipped a beat.

Seeing a sliver of sunlight peeking through the curtains, the phone by the pillow rang. It was Shen Molan. "Fang Yu, get up! Tell the senior to come shopping with me."

"What time is it? We're on vacation; can't you let a person sleep in?" He grumbled as he checked the time—it was only 8:00 AM.

"Tch, I never sleep in. Get up quickly; I'll be knocking on your door in a bit." With that, the heiress hung up the phone without ceremony.

He sighed helplessly and put the phone down. The girl in his arms seemed to be awake, though she refused to open her eyes, her eyeballs darting back and forth beneath her lids.

"Stop pretending to be asleep. Get up, Shen Molan wants you to go shopping." He took the opportunity to break free from her embrace and sat up.

"Awoo, it's so early. I'm still sleepy." The girl stretched lazily, a sight that held a unique charm.

Fang Yu gulped, quickly got out of bed, and drank some cold water. "Don't girls love shopping? Hurry up and get ready. I have to go meet the suppliers with Cheng Chen today. Li Jing will probably join you all too. Here, take this."

As he spoke, he pulled a small stack of bills from his bag and handed them to Xia Churan, who was still in bed.

The girl looked stunned, staring fixedly at the money. "Fang Yu, what do you mean? Why are you giving me so much money?"

"Don't overthink it. Shen Molan's family is wealthy; she probably doesn't keep track of her spending. Try not to spend her money, you hear?"

Xia Churan gave him a resentful glare. "What kind of person do you think I am?"

"Ha, a little sweetheart, what else?" he said casually.

This remark truly annoyed the girl. "Fang Yu, you jerk! I wouldn't be your 'little sweetheart' just for money. What do you take me for? Unless, unless I..." As she spoke, the girl's cheeks turned crimson, and she covered her face with the quilt.

"Damn, where is your mind going? I just meant don't owe anyone favors," he quickly improvised an excuse.

"But it doesn't have to be this much, right?" The girl peeked out from under the quilt, timidly pointing at the stack of bills. The largest denomination in Shawan was 2,000, and this small stack looked to be at least 40,000 or 50,000.

"You're already here, so it doesn't matter. I'm going to wash up. You hurry and get up." Fang Yu just wanted to escape the room as quickly as possible.

Seeing him enter the bathroom, Xia Churan stared at the stack of cash for a long time. Finally, she tucked it away happily, a faint smile lingering on her lips.