85: Chapter 85 Cousin Guo Changge

Why did that girl look so much like his maternal aunt's cousin, Guo Changge?

Cao Kun's heart stirred. He rolled down the car window and tentatively called out, 'Guo Changge?'

One of the girls, who had been laughing and joking with her friends while preparing to wait for the bus by the roadside, abruptly stopped in her tracks and turned her head in surprise.

The other three girls also looked over in unison.

The gazes of the four girls first landed on Cao Kun's handsome face, then were instantly and firmly captured by the imposing SUV beside him.

In a small county town, a car like this was not a common sight.

The girl who had been called out was indeed Guo Changge.

She squinted for a couple of seconds, the surprise on her face quickly transforming into delight. Tossing away the cigarette butt in her hand, she jogged over. 'Bro? Brother Cao Kun! It really is you!'

Her shout drew the other three 'spirited girls' over curiously, surrounding Cao Kun and his car, their eyes full of novelty and scrutiny as they looked him up and down.

'Changge, who's this? You have such a handsome brother? Driving such a nice car?'

A girl with pink-dyed hair, the most petite of them, nudged Guo Changge with her elbow, her voice tinged with exaggerated astonishment.

Guo Changge lifted her chin somewhat proudly and began the introductions. 'This is my cousin, Cao Kun! My actual cousin!'

Then, pointing at her three friends, she said, 'Bro, these are my good friends: Shen Nana, Xia Qingzi, Pan Tiantian.'

Being stared at and called 'brother' in unison by three fashionably dressed girls made Cao Kun a bit uncomfortable, but he still nodded in acknowledgment.

Cao Kun didn't have any particular prejudice against this type of girl. Who wasn't a bit rebellious and eager to stand out when they were young?

'Changge, where are you all headed? Dressed so... formally.' He glanced at their light backpacks.

'We're going to Zhongzhou to visit my friend!' Guo Changge said excitedly. 'She works there, said she's made some money, and invited us to come play for a couple of days. We were just about to catch the bus!'

As she spoke, she couldn't resist touching Cao Kun's car door again, her eyes shining. 'Bro, is this your car? It's so cool! When did you buy it? Struck it rich?'

'Yeah, mine. Bought it not long ago,' Cao Kun replied simply.

Looking at this little cousin who, in his memory, used to wear a ponytail and was a bit shy, but had now transformed into a heavily made-up, cigarette-smoking 'spirited girl,' he inwardly marveled at how powerfully time and society could shape a person.

He remembered his cousin had just turned eighteen. Last Chinese New Year, he'd heard she dropped out of high school, and back then she was still a quiet kid.

'Awesome, bro! Sick!' Guo Changge didn't hold back, giving a thumbs-up, which drew a chorus of agreeing laughter and teasing shouts of 'Brother is so amazing!' from her friends.

Cao Kun felt a bit embarrassed by their straightforward praise. He cleared his throat lightly. 'I'm heading back to Zhongzhou too, it's on the way. Don't wait for the bus; ride with me.'

'Really, bro?' The four girls exclaimed in unison, their faces instantly blooming with immense joy.

'That's fantastic! Thanks, bro!'

'Great! No need to squeeze into that crappy bus, and we save ten bucks!'

'Going to Zhongzhou in this car? So much face!'

The girls cheered. Without waiting for Cao Kun's invitation, they deftly pulled open the car doors and piled into the back seat.

Fortunately, the car was spacious enough that the four slender girls didn't seem crowded once seated.

Once inside, the girls acted like they'd entered the Grand View Garden, touching everything, looking around, and constantly exclaiming in awe.

'Wow, these seats are so comfortable! Do they massage?'

'This screen is huge! Can we watch movies, bro?'

'The AC is so cool! Bro, this car must cost hundreds of thousands, right?'

'Brother, what big business are you in? So young and already so successful!'

'Bro, do you have a girlfriend? Want us sisters to introduce you to one? Guaranteed to be pretty!'

A chorus of chattering, chirping voices.

A barrage of compliments and curious questions rained down on Cao Kun.

Being looked at with admiration by several young girls, being sweetly called 'bro' repeatedly, Cao Kun couldn't help but feel a bit buoyant inside. His vanity was greatly satisfied.

It had to be said, these 'spirited girls' really knew how to provide emotional validation.

As he started the car, he answered vaguely, 'Just doing a little business, got lucky... Girlfriend... no need for introductions for now...'

Just as he was pondering how to steer the conversation away from himself and learn a bit about his cousin's recent life...

The system notification sounded in his mind.

[Ding! New mission issued: Arrange a fun and memorable trip to Zhongzhou for Guo Changge and her friends, leaving them with a deep impression.]

[Mission reward: Two hundred thousand yuan in cash.]

Cao Kun's hand on the steering wheel paused slightly, and the corner of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

This system... really knew how to play along!

He had already been thinking of taking his cousin to have a good time in Zhongzhou and looking out for her. After all, she was family and at an age prone to taking wrong turns.

Now, there was even a reward! Talk about a pillow appearing just when you're sleepy.

Cao Kun glanced in the rearview mirror at the four girls still excitedly chatting in the back seat, and a plan began to form in his mind.

Passing by the conspicuously signposted 'Mixue Ice City' at the town entrance, he hit the turn signal and pulled over to the curb.

'Wait for me a second.'

With that, Cao Kun got out of the car and walked into the shop.

A few minutes later, he returned to the car carrying four cups of milk tea in different flavors, handing them to the girls in the back.

'Wow! Milk tea! Thanks, bro!'

'Bro, you're so thoughtful!'

'Bro, you're the best!'

'Changge, your brother is too good! I'm jealous!'

The four girls took the milk tea, erupting again into cheers and thanks of excessive sweetness.

A few yuan spent on milk tea could make them this happy. Cao Kun felt a pang of Feeling, which further solidified his resolve to show them a really good time.

Back on the road, Cao Kun drove while speaking in a casual tone. 'Changge, Nana, Qingzi, Tiantian, do you have any concrete plans once you get to Zhongzhou? Just meeting up with your friend?'

Guo Changge took a big sip of milk tea and said vaguely, 'Yeah, she said she works as a waitress at a hotpot restaurant. She's off tomorrow. If she gets off work early today, she'll take us to eat something good and maybe stroll around the night market.'

'A waitress, huh...'

Cao Kun nodded, his tone naturally taking on a big-brother air.

'That's not easy money. You've come all this way; don't let her spend too much on you.'

'Here's the deal. Since you're in Zhongzhou, you're kind of on my turf now. Invite your friend along tonight.'

'I'll take you all out to have a proper good time. A nice meal, then maybe some karaoke or something else. Live it up a little! All expenses are on me!'

As Cao Kun said this, he anticipated an immediate, even more enthusiastic burst of cheers and shouts of 'Long live brother!' from the back seat.

After all, from the looks of them, they didn't seem like they often had the chance to be treated like this.

However, the anticipated scene did not materialize.

The car suddenly fell quiet for a moment.