Chapter 73: The Eve of the Return

“Ah, I see. You mean about the girlfriend thing?” Zhang Yang said in sudden understanding.

“Mm,” Zhuang Jiayi responded softly, saying nothing more.

“I already said I have a girlfriend,” Zhang Yang said, looking at her. “Don’t tell me you can’t cover this little lie?”

“I really can’t,” Zhuang Jiayi shook her head, her clear eyes showing a kind of innocent foolishness.

She didn’t seem like someone who could lie, or rather, she didn’t seem like someone who could lie and then smoothly cover it up.

“Doesn’t matter. I’m taking you home anyway,” Zhang Yang said, ignoring her as he called a car.

“Just one night!” Suddenly, her words brought a quiet pause.

Zhang Yang turned in surprise, staring at her lowered head, not daring to look at him. He couldn’t believe she actually said that.

“Did you think I’ve been joking these past two days?” Zhuang Jiayi lifted her head.

“Ah?” Zhang Yang was speechless.

“Think about me, dummy,” she stepped forward and, without asking for consent, leaned in and kissed the corner of his mouth.

Sometimes ordinary life has its advantages. For instance, a moment like this-if it had happened to the old Zhang Yang-it would have been impossible.

But now…

Faced with such a clear confession from a cute, charming girl, could he really resist?

“Actually… it’s not that I don’t…” Zhang Yang let out a soft sigh.

“Forget it. You wouldn’t value something gained so easily anyway. I’m leaving.” Zhuang Jiayi’s eyes dimmed again, and without another word, she walked off.

“What? I haven’t finished talking!” Zhang Yang stood there, dumbfounded.

And just like that, he watched Zhuang Jiayi hail a taxi and leave.

She was gone…

A wealthy man like him, going back to do hundreds of push-ups at night?

As for whether Zhuang Jiayi did it on purpose… Zhang Yang thought back, recalling those clear, naïve eyes. Huh, it probably wasn’t fake. This girl couldn’t be that scheming, could she?

Fine, whatever-back to push-ups.

Actually, he joked. If he really didn’t want to do push-ups, he could easily return to the club and have girls follow him. Tall, handsome, rich-normal girls wouldn’t flirt, but club girls? Not difficult.

But he wasn’t that desperate.

As a man, if you can’t control small desires, how could you accomplish great things?

Late at night, Zhang Yang returned to the hotel and did countless push-ups, tireless, unceasing.

With the basic endurance enhancement, he felt his stamina was already enough to take on a lot.

The last stop of the trip was the Leshan Giant Buddha, but for Zhang Yang, the tour’s tasks were already complete. Going to the Buddha was just to give these few days and nights a proper ending.

On the Min River, the group stood on the boat, gradually facing the towering seventy-one-meter (~233 ft) statue.

Truly, it was impressive.

He wondered whether the Leshan Buddha’s base contained the Lingyun Caves, and whether the legendary Blood Bodhi tree might be there.

Zhang Yang’s thoughts drifted, amusing himself.

“Zhang Yang,” Zhuang Jiayi said, wearing a flowing dress at the bow of the boat.

Zhang Yang looked at the Buddha, then felt warmth at his waist.

“Again,” he muttered, glancing at Zhuang Jiayi holding him.

Ever since the lie last night, she seemed extra playful today, occasionally making intimate gestures.

“Don’t speak. They’re watching,” she whispered, biting his ear lightly.

Zhang Yang ignored her.

Zhuang Jiayi noticed, paused, and then quietly released her hold, standing silently beside him.

“Going back?” she asked after a long pause.

“Yeah, probably tomorrow or the day after,” Zhang Yang said. Last night’s little incident wasn’t enough to bother him.

“Still mad?” Zhuang Jiayi tilted her head, gently cupping his face.

“Not really,” Zhang Yang said with a smile, feeling the river breeze, with no other emotions.

In the presence of the great river, all human passions seemed trivial.

“Then prove it,” Zhuang Jiayi leaned in closer.

Feeling her sweet scent, Zhang Yang didn’t hesitate. He wrapped his arms around her small waist and kissed her.

They stood in the river breeze, kissing for a long time.

“Let’s find a hotel later,” Zhuang Jiayi whispered, lightly pecking his lips again.

“You said I wouldn’t value something easily gained,” Zhang Yang teased. “I could run away, you know.”

“But I will cherish it.” She leaned against his chest, gazing at the Min River, her expression gentle as water.

Zhang Yang noticed the task completion reminder in his mind. Besides earning five experience points, he silently gave himself a basic endurance boost.

At a nearby hotel, Zhang Yang and Zhuang Jiayi both gained something.

On the final night before returning to Chengdu, they stayed awake all night, talking about everything.

“Summer break is coming soon,” Zhuang Jiayi said, resting her head in Zhang Yang’s arm, wanting to ask if she could visit him.

But seeing his expression, she swallowed the words.

“Will we meet again?” she finally asked.

“If we want to see each other, we will. It’s not difficult,” Zhang Yang said. Boys didn’t think too far ahead or overcomplicate things.

“Really? Then I’ll come find you. Don’t tell me it’s inconvenient,” Zhuang Jiayi said with a smile.

“Well… you’ll have to wait until it’s convenient for me,” Zhang Yang chuckled awkwardly.

“Hmph… I’ll bite you hard, you’re still a scoundrel.” Zhuang Jiayi huffed and pulled up the covers.

The next morning, they returned to Chengdu with the tour group.

Zhang Yang gained five experience points and a tireless body.

Though it was only a basic endurance boost, he tested it-push-ups, planks, low-intensity exercises-they left him nearly unstoppable. He didn’t even know his limits.

This Chengdu trip had been incredibly rewarding.

The franchise store matters were settled, he was familiar with the workflow, and he had over six million in cash plus more than a million in Audemars Piguet watches. The trip was far from wasted.

It was time to return.