Chapter 50: Embarrassment

They had just decided to go to Xi’an yesterday. Last night at eight, Yang Qian called to say that Zhuo Jiyu’s schedule had changed, and he was already in Xi’an, asking them to fly there tomorrow. Zhuo Jiyu even had his assistant handle the flight bookings; all they needed to do was show up at the airport on time with their luggage.

Chen Jin had no choice but to pack her things overnight. Just in time, when she returned from Xi’an, the supermarket in the Jinxiuhua Community would be opening, and by then, her third cousin’s travel agency should be up and running.

Although it was a last-minute change of plans, the arrangement was just right.

A month of summer vacation is neither too long nor too short; once a day passes, there’s hardly any time left!

The next morning, Chen Jin went out to hail a taxi. She encountered Shen Baichuan, who was returning from a morning run, drenched in sweat. She couldn’t help but think: Who would have thought!

“Teacher Chen?” Shen Baichuan was puzzled, glancing down at his outfit for the day, which seemed perfectly normal. But Chen Jin was looking at him as if he were a gorilla…

He soon noticed that Chen Jin was dragging a suitcase and dressed in a casual, relaxed manner. Without even driving, he asked, “Going on another trip?”

She really loves to go out; I don’t know where she gets all that enthusiasm and energy. Even at work, she seems as cheerful as if she were collecting rent.

“Ah? Oh right, going on a trip,” Chen Jin replied, feeling a strange urge to chuckle but suppressing it. She quickly added, “Teacher Shen, I’ll be on my way. Bye!”

She hurriedly pushed her suitcase and jogged off to hail a taxi.

Shen Baichuan stood there for a moment, raising an eyebrow. Although he didn’t know why, he noticed that Chen Jin didn’t avoid him anymore when they met.

Had they become familiar simply by seeing each other often?

When Chen Jin met up with Yang Qian and Lin Xiran, the three of them were incredibly noisy. As soon as they saw each other, they were either snapping pictures excitedly or chatting, “Did you bring the 51?” “How did you sleep last night? I was busy packing!” “Hey, did you hear about Xi’an…”

The most talkative among them was Lin Xiran. While Yang Qian was relatively quiet, once Lin Xiran started a topic, the two of them couldn’t stop.

After more than three hours of flying, they weren’t the least bit sleepy; they spent the entire time eating and chatting. With people in front and behind them napping, they had to whisper like thieves.

When they landed, Lin Xiran felt as if her ears were still buzzing, and her throat was a bit scratchy from all the talking. She had done most of the talking during the flight.

Yang Qian mentioned that Zhuo Jiyu was busy and couldn’t pay attention to them, only arranging for an assistant to drive them. Once they were settled, he’d take them out to explore with a local guide.

But the reality was…

Chen Jin and Lin Xiran exchanged glances, biting their lips to stifle their laughter as they awkwardly scratched their heads, unsure of how to relieve the embarrassment. They wondered if Zhuo Jiyu had heard Yang Qian just call him “that old man Zhuo Jiyu” so loudly…

Chen Jin glanced at the man in front of Yang Qian, resembling a gangster boss from a crime movie, and silently worried for Yang Qian. Truly, one should never speak ill of others in public; it’s too embarrassing if the person hears it!

“Are you not going to introduce your friends to me?” Zhuo Jiyu asked, his expression a mix of amusement and scrutiny as he looked at Yang Qian. Wasn’t she quite lively in front of her friends? Why was she acting demure in front of him?

“Chen Jin, Lin Xiran. Zhuo Jiyu,” Yang Qian said. Having seen more of the world, she only panicked for a moment when she first saw Zhuo Jiyu, quickly regaining her composure as if the comment about him being an old man hadn’t come from her.

After a simple introduction, she immediately suggested, “Let’s go settle in at the hotel first. Where’s the car?”

Zhuo Jiyu gave her a deep look, took her luggage, and instructed his assistant to help Chen Jin and Lin Xiran with their bags as he led the way to the parking lot.

Yang Qian glanced at the timid Chen Jin and Lin Xiran, resembling quails, and said, “Don’t be awkward. We’ll have fun tomorrow.”

Aside from their first meal in Xi’an, which Zhuo Jiyu treated them to, he didn’t appear again for the next few days. But the trip was arranged so well that Chen Jin and the others could just follow along without thinking. They were all very obedient; when warned of danger or safety precautions, they resolutely chose not to be curious and avoided those places.

Perhaps traveling together really enhances their bond. Now, they laughed and joked on their outings every day, returning in high spirits, and at night, they huddled together, sharing stories from their pasts, chatting from late night until dawn, as if they had found kindred spirits:

“Wow! You went through that too? Me too!”

“Oh my gosh! I’ve done that as well!”

“I thought I was the only one who thought that!”

“…”

On their last day in Xi’an, Zhuo Jiyu finally managed to find some time to treat them to another meal. Waiting at the hotel for them to come down, he saw three “pandas” sitting at the table.

While they were eating, Zhuo Jiyu made an excuse to step out and asked his assistant, “Do they have a packed schedule every day?”

The assistant shook his head. “Not really.”

Recalling their conversations in the car each day, he found it amusing but held back a laugh in front of his boss. “It seems that Miss Yang and the others chat late into the night.”

Zhuo Jiyu returned to the dining room, standing at the entrance for a while, waiting until they had finished eating before going back in. Sure enough, upon seeing him, their expressions changed immediately, and Yang Qian’s friends looked increasingly nervous.

Their families were well acquainted, having known each other for years. He knew most of Yang Qian’s friends, but these two new friends were quite different from the ones she usually hung out with.

“Make sure your friends eat more. Don’t feel uncomfortable just because I’m here.”

Yang Qian thought, Do you have to say it out loud?

She didn’t believe that Zhuo Jiyu, the sly old fox, couldn’t see how shy they were. Because he was there, none of them felt comfortable continuing their earlier conversation.

Even the most talkative Lin Xiran became mute in front of Zhuo Jiyu. His presence was overwhelming, and it seemed that Yang Qian and he didn’t act like engaged couples, more like strangers, making it even harder for them to speak.

But after all, he had arranged their itinerary perfectly, and it was hard to refuse the kindness. Chen Jin nudged Yang Qian with her foot, giving her a meaningful look: Speak up!

Yang Qian said, “They’re usually like this; they don’t like to talk and eat very little. They’re already full. Oh, right, you haven’t eaten much. Would you like me to order something else for you?”

What she really meant was: Hurry up and eat! Stop chatting!

The quiet and little-eating Chen Jin and Lin Xiran smiled, “Yes, we’re all full. Mr. Zhuo, please enjoy your meal.”

That evening, when they returned to the hotel, Yang Qian scolded them, “I see you two are usually quite talkative, but when Zhuo Jiyu is around, you’re like mice seeing a cat—so disappointing!”

“It’s mainly because we’re not familiar with him, and we don’t really have any topics to discuss.”

“Exactly, we’re not familiar, so there’s nothing to talk about.” They just exchanged pleasantries when they met; they were friends with Yang Qian, and there was no need to befriend her fiancé.

Lin Xiran nudged Yang Qian’s shoulder and said, “I think you two make a pretty good pair. You used to call him ‘old man,’ but he doesn’t look that old. Besides, being a bit older has its advantages; he seems to take good care of you.”

“Not bad, I guess,” Yang Qian shrugged. “Anyway, I’m not losing out. If I marry him, I can get a share of his stocks and the family shares. If things don’t work out and we get a divorce someday, I’ll still benefit.”

Lin Xinran clicked her tongue. “Be a bit more optimistic. You’re not even married yet, and you’re already thinking about divorce. If you live well, you can always live better. Chen Jin, what do you think?”

“Me? I don’t know. I just want to be a single rich woman,” Chen Jin laughed.

The family situations of the three of them are all different. Yang Qian’s parents are a strong alliance of two families, and their relationship resembles mutual respect. Lin Xinran’s parents are affectionate and have a harmonious family, so she holds a beautiful expectation for marriage. As for her, it’s a mixed bag. Both her mother and her aunt ended up divorced, so it’s impossible for that not to affect her. However, her three uncles and aunts have maintained their feelings for decades, which gives her some hope.

For now, she isn’t thinking about marriage in the future; after all, she hasn’t found anyone she likes, and she feels no urge to date. Instead of dating, she wants the demolition of Qiaoxi Village to happen quickly! She wants to become a super rich woman! Hehe~

Lin Xinran: “What are you smiling about? Rich woman Jin! You’re already a single rich woman!”

“Then I’ll work hard to become a single millionaire!” Chen Jin rolled over on the bed, eager to see if driving a luxury car worth millions feels as exhilarating as she imagines.