When getting on the bus, Lu Nan originally wanted to find a seat in the front row. 

However, newcomers are always the last to board. The only empty seats are in the middle and back rows. 

Lu Nan sighed resignedly. Fortunately, she was prepared and had taken motion sickness medicine before setting off. 

During their meeting, people in the same standard room sat together, while Dong Hui and Wang Xiaoxue also sat intimately in double seats. 

Lu Nan placed her bag on her lap, took out a prepared long-sleeved shirt and baseball cap from inside, and then she planned to cram the entire backpack into the luggage rack. 

Yan Kai walked to the back of the bus and laughed when he saw Lu Nan’s posture. He took the backpack from her hands. “Go sit in the front. I saved you a seat in the second row. Manager Wang just asked me to buy water and I forgot to tell you. Who knew you’d come straight to the back. Do you know how bad your motion sickness is?” 

Lu Nan didn’t stand on ceremony with Yan Kai. The seats in the back of the bus were much bumpier than the front ones. “Thank you, senior.” Although the bus had not yet departed, the smell of sponge seats and artificial leather inside the car made her feel nauseous. 

Director Xiang and Li Li both have cars, so it’s not surprising that neither of them, nor Zhou Tian, appeared on the bus. But surprisingly, Sasha didn’t drive either? 

Lu Nan settled into Yan Kai’s former seat, with Provincial Finance Manager Xu Yao and Provincial Office Clerk He Manlin seated in front. 

On the other side, Manager Wang and Chen Xiao sat in the front row, with Sasha and Provincial Personnel Zhu Lingling behind them. 

When Yan Kai helped Lu Nan carry her bag and walked over behind her, Xu Yao chuckled mischievously. 

Manager Wang also half-seriously and half-jokingly asked, “Yan Kai, what’s going on with you?” 

Lu Nan smiled awkwardly, “Manager Wang, I get motion sickness.” Whether they believed her or not, as soon as the bus started, Lu Nan put on her long sleeves, wore a hat, pulled the brim down low, plugged in her earphones, and began to sleep. 

Once asleep, she wouldn’t feel nauseous anymore. 

The motion sickness medicine worked well. After over two hours of travel, Lu Nan was safe and sound, just a bit pale.  

After getting off the bus, they had to transfer to a large boat to head out to sea. The facility provided cars but not boats, so they had to sit in the assigned seats with no other option. 

After the boat sailed, Lu Nan tried to force herself to sleep again. However, the smell inside the cabin was even worse than on the bus, and with so many passengers, it was incredibly noisy and chaotic, making her regular earphones ineffective. She leaned her head back in frustration. 

Chen Xiao in front of her passed over a pair of noise-canceling earplugs. 

Lu Nan glanced at the earplugs in his hand and then gestured toward herself. 

“Take these new ones first,” he offered. 

“Thanks, Brother Chen,” Lu Nan whispered softly, not because she feared someone would hear, but because she genuinely felt weak. 

Manager Wang heard the commotion and turned around in surprise. “Lu Nan, why is your face so pale?” 

Embarrassed to admit it, Lu Nan suffered not only from motion sickness but also from seasickness. 

The young woman in her twenties now looked as if she had been chilled by frost. Manager Wang shook his head and sighed, “Yan Kai, hold onto her bag, and get ready with water and plastic bags.” Looking at her face, it’s hard to tell whether she will faint or vomit in the next minute. 

Accepting the noise-canceling earplugs from Chen Xiao, Lu Nan recognized the brand, which was not cheap. “Thanks, Brother Chen. I’ll pay you back for these earplugs later,” she said gratefully. After thanking him, she leaned against the back of the chair, curled up, and tried to close her eyes.” 

Perhaps due to the long-lasting effectiveness of the motion sickness medicine or the efficacy of the earplugs, Lu Nan managed to endure the boat journey safely. 

Although there was still a short ride to their accommodations, Manager Wang said it would only take about fifteen minutes. Lu Nan felt she could hold out a little longer. 

The semi-annual conference at the provincial office was conservatively estimated to have more than 100 participants, all staying at the Wanghai City Navy Guesthouse. 

The guesthouse has a vintage feel with only up to five floors, and although it’s a bit old with no elevator, the rooms are clean and tidy. 

Chen Lu supported Lu Nan as they walked. 

Yan Kai carried Lu Nan’s bag. 

The room key was in Sasha’s hand. 

With four of them together, the turning heads were hard to miss. 

Lu Nan pulled her hat brim down a bit more. “If only I hadn’t taken motion sickness pills in my previous life. I started vomiting shortly after getting on the bus. But strangely, I feel better after vomiting. I should have just skipped the pills and vomited instead.” 

Yan Kai placed Lu Nan’s luggage on a chair in the room and left first. 

Chen Lu helped Lu Nan to the edge of the bed. 

Lu Nan took off her shoes and crawled under the covers: “Sister Lu, could you please help me asked Manager Wang for leave? I won’t be going to dinner tonight.” 

“Sure, you rest well.” After Chen Lu left, she went to the room on the right where she and Liu Yang were staying. 

Before leaving, Sasha asked, “Do you want me to bring back some food for you?” 

Lu Nan shook her head: “I’m not sure how long I’ll sleep. Let’s talk when I wake up… You should go ahead and eat.” 

After sleeping for over an hour, Lu Nan woke up because of hunger. 

She opened her phone to find an unread message from Yan Kai. “Feeling better?” 

“Fully revived, but starving.” Just as Lu Nan finished typing this, Yan Kai called. 

“Senior?” 

On the other end of the phone came a light laugh, “Dinner’s over, but I didn’t eat enough. Want me to take you somewhere good to eat?” 

“Sure, but you’ll have to wait a bit. I woke up covered in cold sweat.” 

After freshening up and changing into a dress, Lu Nan met Xiang Feifei and others at the staircase. 

“Lu Nan, we’re going to Dong Hui’s room to play Werewolf. Are you coming?” 

“I’m starving and I’m about to go out to find something to eat. You guys go ahead.” 

… 

Yan Kai was familiar with the seaside area and took Lu Nan to a seafood porridge place, which was deliciously sweet and fresh. 

Lu Nan praised it endlessly, complimenting Yan Kai for choosing such a great place. 

“Oh, that’s because I’m from this area.” 

Lu Nan tapped her forehead, “Right, I forgot. When I first started freshman year, Senior even brought us dried fish slices! So, are you planning on staying at home for the next few days?” 

“Yeah, I was thinking whether I should take you home to let you taste my mom’s cooking.” Yan Kai said earnestly. 

Lu Nan waved her hands repeatedly, “No, no need, no need to trouble Auntie.” 

Yan Kai laughed, “I’m just kidding. The neighbors around my house have known me for years. Bringing a girl home might spark rumors all over the place. I don’t dare… Have you had enough to eat? Let me take you home.” 

“No need, really. I remember the way. Just walk straight down this road, no need to escort me. Senior, you should go home. Also, let me treat you to this meal as a thank you for bringing me to such a delicious place.” 

When it comes to ‘insisting,’ it seems Yan Kai has never won against his junior schoolmate. It was just past nine in the evening. The streets of Wanghai City were bustling and brightly lit, looking peaceful and very safe. Yan Kai smiled helplessly, “Alright then, just let me know when you get to the hostel, send me message on WeChat.” 

Lu Nan gave an OK sign. 

… 

Walking through the hostel corridor, Lu Nan could hear the laughter and chatter coming from Wang Xiaoxue and Dong Hui’s room even through the door. 

Lu Nan didn’t stop and continued to her room, finding Sasha there. “I thought you were playing next door?” 

“All of the newcomers are playing next door. Liu Yang, Chen Lu, and I were called to accompany the leaders for a few drinks. I drank a bit too fast, so I came back to lie down for a while.” 

Before long, someone knocked on the door. “Sasha, have you rested enough? Want to come over and play some board games? Brother Xiao is here too.” Outside the door was Xu Yao, the accountant from the provincial office. 

Upon hearing this, Lu Nan thought, “Xu Yao, your name should be Gossiper.”