Chapter 90: The Wallet Feels a Little Pinched

Qin Yiren glanced at her phone. “The meteor shower package at Qingli Mountain during the National Day holiday only accepts 10,000 visitors. The fee is 20,000 yuan per person, but it’s quite reasonable considering everything that’s included.”

“20,000 yuan? That’s so expensive!” someone exclaimed. 

Qin Yiren shook her head, a confident smile playing on her lips. “It’s actually not bad at all. The package covers a week’s accommodation, entrance tickets to the scenic area, and a 50% discount on all the amazing amenities—a luxurious clubhouse, a thrilling go-kart track, and even an amusement park! They provide tents and barbecue grills for free, so you can camp out under the stars in style.

“Oh, and Qingli Mountain has an orchard, a ranch, and hot springs. I’ve read the reviews, and people rave about the breathtaking scenery and top-notch service. If you only stay for one or two days, the price might seem high, but if you stay for a week, it’s quite reasonable.”  

For Qin Yiren, this price was a drop in the bucket, barely enough to purchase a designer handbag. However, for ordinary people, it was quite substantial, especially considering that the usual ticket price for Qingli Mountain was only 360 yuan. Even with accommodation factored in, a week-long stay would typically cost around 5,000 yuan, making the meteor shower package seem extravagant by comparison.

Yu Shui felt a twinge in his wallet and remained silent, his brow furrowed as he contemplated the cost. 

Noting the lack of enthusiasm from her colleagues, Qin Yiren’s smile faltered, a flicker of dissatisfaction crossing her face. She took a breath and tried a different approach, her voice turning persuasive. “Think about it—we’ve been cooped up for months due to the abnormal weather. Now that the skies are finally clear and the water supply is abundant, it’s the perfect time to seize the moment and create unforgettable memories.

“Imagine camping under a canopy of stars, the scent of barbecue mingling with the crisp night air, as a dazzling meteor shower paints the sky above. It’s the kind of experience that comes along once in a lifetime. Who knows what challenges the second half of the year may bring? We should embrace this opportunity while we can.”

Ye Xiaoxiao leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. “Yiren, are you definitely going?” 

“Without a doubt! This year boasts a meteor storm, an incredibly rare phenomenon. If we miss this chance, we may never witness something so spectacular again,” Qin Yiren declared, her grin widening with excitement.

“Count me in, then! I had no other plans for the holiday anyway,” Ye Xiaoxiao said, her mind made up.

Xia Ran chimed in, raising her hand with enthusiasm. “Me too! I’ve been trapped at home for half a year, and I’m starting to feel like I’m gathering moss. It’s time for an adventure!”

“Fantastic! I’ll sign you both up right away and send a message to the organizers.” Qin Yiren grabbed a pen and jotted down Ye Xiaoxiao and Xia Ran’s names on a colorful sticky note. She glanced up at Li Yinhe, her eyebrows raised in question. “Do you want to go?”

Li Yinhe hesitated, a thoughtful expression on his face. “I’d love to, but I need to check with my family first to see if they have any plans. They might want to make it a family trip. Oh, could you share that Qingli Mountain introduction with me? I’d like to show them the details.”

“Of course! I’ll put you down as a tentative participant for now.” Qin Yiren swiftly shared the link from her phone, and Li Yinhe forwarded it to his family group chat, adding a brief message: “This is what my colleague shared today. The package looks amazing. Why don’t we sign up too?”

Qin Yiren knew that her four new colleagues had enjoyed high salaries and generous benefits in their previous positions. For them, 20,000 yuan was merely a month’s wage. None of them lacked this amount of money.

Turning her attention to Mi Xue’er, Qin Yiren extended the invitation. “Xue’er, would you like to come with us?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected offer, Mi Xue’er fidgeted nervously, her eyes darting away. “Oh, I’m not sure if I have other commitments during the National Day holiday…”

Qin Yiren’s smile softened, a knowing look in her eyes. Based on their recent interactions, she sensed that Mi Xue’er might feel financially stretched by the expense. “No worries! If you decide you want to join, just let me know, and I’ll add your name to the list.”

Rising from her seat, Qin Yiren made her way towards Wei Qin and the others, her steps measured and purposeful. “Sister Qin, Brother Qing, Brother Yong—what about you? Do you want to go?”

Wei Qin shook her head without hesitation, a rueful smile on her face. “I’ll have to pass. With several people in my family, the cost would be too steep for our budget. I think I’ll enjoy a restful holiday at home, maybe head to the suburbs in the evening to catch a glimpse of the meteor shower.” She thought that for her family of four, going together would cost 80,000 yuan, an amount she couldn’t bear to spend.

Chen Qing and Shi Leyong echoed Wei Qin’s sentiments, politely declining the invitation. They cited the high expenses they had incurred earlier in the year while hosting relatives, making the meteor shower package an unaffordable luxury.

Qin Yiren nodded, unsurprised by their responses. The expenses were high for those with families, unlike her, a single woman who could spend her money however she liked and even ask for more from her family if needed.

A subtle sense of superiority swelled within her, and Qin Yiren unconsciously lifted her chin, her posture straightening as she walked towards Shen Yanming with an air of elegance and confidence. “Shen Yanming,” she called out, her voice melodic and inviting, “would you like to join us at Qingli Mountain?”

Engrossed in processing a stack of documents, Shen Yanming had been oblivious to the ongoing discussion. It wasn’t until Qin Yiren approached him directly that his focus was interrupted, his train of thought derailed. 

He glanced up, a quizzical expression on his face. “What’s the matter?”

For a fleeting moment, Qin Yiren was taken aback. Her gaze flickered to the pile of documents on Shen Yanming’s desk, realization dawning that he had been too preoccupied to catch her initial invitation.

Composing herself, she summoned a dazzling smile, her voice dripping with sweetness as she repeated her pitch. “We’re planning a vacation to Qingli Mountain during the National Day holiday…”

After Qin Yiren’s detailed description of the package and the scenic area, Shen Yanming’s curiosity was piqued. “Where exactly is Qingli Mountain Scenic Area located? How far is it from Hai City?”

Ye Xiaoxiao slapped her forehead, a sheepish grin on her face. “Oh, right! We were so caught up in the excitement that we forgot to ask about the location.”

Li Yinhe, having just finished watching the promotional video, chimed in with the answer. “I know where it is! Qingli Mountain is situated at the border of Nan City and Chun City. If we drive, it’ll take around seven or eight hours to get there.”

Upon hearing the location, a flicker of recognition danced in Shen Yanming’s eyes. He turned to Bi Qiao’an, gently removing her headphones to get her attention. “Want to see the meteor shower?”

Bi Qiao’an blinked, momentarily disoriented. “Meteor shower?” 

Shen Yanming nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. Bi Qiao’an’s eyes lit up with pure joy, and she eagerly grasped his arm, her voice brimming with excitement. “When is it? Can we see it from here? It’s been years since I last saw a meteor shower!”

In their previous life, they had sneaked out to the park on a frigid winter night, huddled together as they watched the celestial spectacle. Shen Yanming, only sixteen at the time, had held eight-year-old Bi Qiao’an close, their breath forming misty clouds in the air. They had stayed for hours, marveling at the dozen or so meteors that streaked across the sky, until their hands and feet were numb from the cold.

Upon returning home, Bi Qiao’an’s delicate constitution had succumbed to a fever that lasted for days, and Shen Yanming was beaten by his mother because of this.

Seeing the pure delight on Bi Qiao’an’s face, Shen Yanming’s heart swelled with warmth. “The Taurids meteor shower during the National Day holiday may form a meteor storm. They’re planning to go to Qingli Mountain for a holiday. Do you want to go?” 

Bi Qiao’an’s brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. “But didn’t we already make plans with Zhang Heping and the others?”

Shen Yanming’s gaze softened, his voice reassuring. “It’s entirely up to you. As long as you want to go, we’ll go.”

Bi Qiao’an paused, considering their options. “Then let’s ask Zhang Heping and the others first and see if they’re willing to go together.”

As Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an huddled together to discuss, neither of them noticed the fleeting distortion that clouded Qin Yiren’s delicate features.

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Author’s Note: 

Some readers have commented that there are a bit too many vicious female supporting characters. I want to explain that these characters are used to advance the plot. Moreover, the vicious female supporting characters in this story won’t be overly vicious or constantly irritating. They will quickly go offline, so don’t worry!

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