27: Jiangcheng Holiday (A long chapter of 3,000 words)

Back in his own room, Wang Chen finished showering and leaned against the headboard. He took out his phone and thought about the surprise Du Ruoxi had mentioned a few days ago. Wondering how the preparations were going, he couldn't resist sending her a video call.

The call was answered after just a few rings. Du Ruoxi's lovely face, capable of both joy and feigned anger, appeared on the screen. She seemed to be sitting at a table, with piles of fabric and colored thread beside her.

"Yang Yang!" Du Ruoxi's voice was still full of vitality and joy. She always liked to show her happy side to Wang Chen, but the slight weariness between her brows didn't escape his notice.

"Are you back at the hotel? Did you have fun today?"

"It was alright, just a bit tiring." Wang Chen didn't mention the matter with Song Shiyin and Qin Qing. Instead, he smiled and asked, "How about you? How's the surprise coming along? Looking at your background, it seems like you're working on some big project."

Du Ruoxi mysteriously pointed the camera at the table in front of her, giving it a quick shake before swiftly moving it away. She pouted playfully, "No peeking! For this surprise, I haven't streamed at all these past few days. I've been completely focused! I guarantee it'll amaze you!"

Seeing her little "praise me, praise me" expression, the gloom in Wang Chen's heart dissipated quite a bit. Playing along, he coaxed, "Alright, alright, I won't look. Our Ruoxi is the best. I'll wait for your super big surprise."

The two lovebirds chatted sweetly for a while longer, with Du Ruoxi doing most of the talking, sharing the interesting things that had happened to her over the past couple of days.

Wang Chen listened quietly, occasionally interjecting a few words, feeling both physically and mentally relaxed. After ending the call, Wang Chen thought about Du Ruoxi's earnest expression and genuinely began to feel intensely curious about her so-called "surprise."

With nothing to do, he prepared to scroll through TikTok for a bit. However, several videos in a row featured young women dressed in "scanty clothing."

Wang Chen, who had just tasted the pleasures of intimacy, couldn't handle this. Instantly, uncontrollable images of his intimate moments with Qin Qing flooded his mind, making him restless and agitated. He simply put down his phone, turned off the light, and went to sleep, hoping to quell this restlessness through slumber.

He didn't know how much time had passed when, in that half-asleep, half-awake state, he faintly heard a soft "beep" from the hotel room door. A familiar figure quietly slipped in, bringing a hint of the night's coolness, and skillfully slid under his covers.

"Husband~" Qin Qing's voice was soft and gentle, carrying a hint of guilt for doing something mischievous.

Wang Chen was instantly wide awake. His arm naturally wrapped around her as he chuckled softly, "Why did you sneak back?"

"Sister Shiyin is asleep, I... I couldn't sleep. Lili told me to come keep you company." She mumbled softly in the darkness, her warm breath tickling Wang Chen's neck.

The fire Wang Chen had just suppressed surged up in an instant. With a turn, he pinned her down, eliciting a gasp of surprise from Qin Qing, and kissed her!

...That night was, naturally, another passionate one, a short and sweet spring night.

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains. Wang Chen was awakened by the notification sound of a WeChat message. Picking up his phone, he saw it was a message from Yang Li in their four-person group chat (temporarily created last night for easier communication).

Yang Li: "@Wang Chen, reporting, Captain! Sister Shiyin has 'awakened.' After a morning of my ideological guidance and delicious food deliveries, she is emotionally stable and in good mental condition, requesting to rejoin the team!"

Attached was a photo of Song Shiyin wearing pajamas, her hair slightly disheveled but with a faint smile on her face as she ate breakfast.

Qin Qing chimed in from beside him, "Husband, Sister Shiyin looks much better. Don't worry."

Looking at the photo, Wang Chen saw that although Song Shiyin still looked somewhat worn, her eyes had regained their clarity, even holding a hint of relieved amusement. He felt a wave of relief.

"Our great hero Lili has worked hard. What do you want for lunch? My treat!"

When they met Song Shiyin again, she had already changed into the off-white suit dress Wang Chen bought for her yesterday. She wore light makeup, and apart from her slightly reddened eyes, almost no trace of last night's distress and sorrow remained.

Ultimately, lunch was chosen at a restaurant famous for its Sichuan cuisine.

"Mr. Wang, yesterday... thank you so very much, and also Qing Qing and Lili." Song Shiyin raised her teacup, using tea in place of wine, and sincerely expressed her gratitude to the three of them.

Wang Chen waved his hand, saying, "No need to be so formal. We're friends. I'm older than you, so if you don't mind, just call me Brother Chen like they do. 'Mr. Wang' is too distant."

Song Shiyin gave a slight nod, a shallow smile appearing at the corner of her mouth. "Alright, Brother Chen."

"Sister Shiyin, please don't stand on ceremony. We all consider you a friend!" Qin Qing hurriedly added.

Yang Li was even more direct, waving a hand grandly, "Exactly! Friends don't need to say such things! If that bastard surnamed Zhao dares to show up again, just close the door and release Brother Wang Chen!"

Wang Chen nearly choked on his tea, shooting Yang Li a glare. What kind of analogy was that!

Song Shiyin was also amused, this time her smile much more genuine, as if the dark clouds shrouding her heart had finally cracked, letting a sliver of sunlight through.

For the next three days, Wang Chen fully embraced the "tycoon on vacation" mode. Led by Song Shiyin, their top-tier guide, they practically visited every worthwhile place in Jiangcheng.

They ascended Yellow Crane Tower to view the nightscape of the Yangtze River, experienced horseback riding on Mulan Grassland, ate their way from one end of Hubu Alley to the other (Yang Li rubbed her stomach, stuffed full), went to the Riverbank to enjoy the night view, feeling the river breeze and listening to street performers sing, and even attended a fairly famous stand-up comedy show, laughing uproariously at the comedians' improvised jokes.

Of course, the most important activity was always—"Shop till you drop!"

Wang Chen's pampering of Qin Qing reached an "outrageous" level. Especially when purchasing "battle attire" and matching equipment, the scene even made the well-traveled Song Shiyin secretly gasp in astonishment.

In a high-end lingerie store, Wang Chen stroked his chin, his gaze sweeping over the dazzling array of sexy nightgowns and stockings.

"Qing Qing, I think that black lace-up nightgown is nice. It really suits yourtemperament (temperament)."

"That purple silk camisole is a bit like the one Yang Li gave you, but the details are more exquisite. We'll take it!"

"Wow, this white sheer style has an ethereal feel! Must buy!"

"And these," he pointed to the entire row of stockings in various colors and styles next to them, "black, white, nude, fishnet, with patterns... every style, every color, in her size, one of each!"

Qin Qing blushed from head to toe, wishing she could bury her face in Wang Chen's chest. Her small hands pinched his waist hard, but he only laughed and held her tighter.

The sales assistant's smile couldn't be described as merely bright; it was more like she had seen a walking God of Wealth! While deftly packing the items, she said in an overly sweet voice, "Sir, you treat your girlfriend so well! With your girlfriend's figure, she'll look absolutely stunning in these!"

Yang Li watched, dumbfounded, whispering to Song Shiyin, "Oh my god, is Brother Wang Chen preparing to host a 'Qin Qing Exclusive Fashion Show'? The kind with special nighttime programming?"

Song Shiyin pursed her lips in a light laugh, whispering back, "This just shows Brother Chen really loves Qing Qing."

Yang Li rolled her eyes, "He definitely loves her, it's just that this way of expressing love... is a bit hard on the kidneys!"

Hearing this, Wang Chen turned his head and gave Yang Li an exasperated look. Yang Li immediately mimed zipping her lips shut, but the teasing in her eyes remained undiminished.

Over these three days, Wang Chen not only bought a pile of luxury clothing, bags, shoes, and jewelry for Qin Qing, but also purchased many gifts for Yang Li and Song Shiyin. For Yang Li, it was mostly trendy brands and cosmetics she liked. For Song Shiyin, it was more elegant art pieces, scented candles, and books. A rough estimate put the spending over these few days easily surpassing another million. Wang Chen didn't even blink; with the system backing him up, he just spent!

Happy times always fly by, and in the blink of an eye, it was time to leave Jiangcheng.

At the hotel entrance, Song Shiyin personally came to see them off. After these days of adjustment and companionship, she seemed much more cheerful overall. Although a trace of sorrow remained deep in her eyes, at least she was no longer completely shrouded by it.

"Brother Chen, Qing Qing, Lili, I truly can't thank you enough this time," Song Shiyin looked at the three of them, her eyes full of reluctance. "If it weren't for you, I might still be stuck in the quagmire of the past."

"Sister Shiyin, don't say that. We're also very happy to have met you," Qin Qing said sincerely, holding Song Shiyin's hand.

Yang Li also leaned in, "Exactly! Sister Shiyin, you must come visit us in Yi City when you have time! Let Brother Wang Chen treat you to all the good food!"

Wang Chen nodded with a smile, "You're welcome anytime. Yi City might not be as bustling as Jiangcheng, but it has its own unique charm."

Song Shiyin nodded firmly, "Definitely! Once I finish handling some matters at hand, I will definitely come to Yi City to see you all."

Having received the news that Wang Chen and the other two were returning to Yi City, Song Jingming also specially called. After some warm pleasantries, Song Jingming expressed that if Wang Chen ever had more good items to sell in the future, he could contact him anytime!

After hanging up, helping to load the luggage into the trunk, Wang Chen got into the driver's seat. Qin Qing and Yang Li also got in the car. As the car slowly started, the three of them waved goodbye through the window to Song Shiyin, who stood rooted to the spot.

Only when the car merged into traffic and Song Shiyin's figure was no longer visible did Qin Qing reluctantly withdraw her gaze. Leaning back in her seat, she said softly, "Sister Shiyin, being all alone, must have it tough too."

Yang Li also uncharacteristically quieted down, agreeing, "Yeah, I hope she can truly move on."

Wang Chen glanced at them through the rearview mirror, smiled, and said nothing. He turned on the car's music system. The white Mercedes GLE carried the three of them away from the city that had briefly held their joy, heading in the direction of Yi City.

The car drove smoothly on the highway. Wang Chen held the steering wheel, thinking about his trip to Jiangcheng over the past few days, and couldn't help but let a smile curl his lips.

This trip was really worth it. Not only did his assets skyrocket, solving his post-car-purchase financial concerns, and earning Qin Qing's complete devotion, but he also incidentally became good friends with Song Shiyin.

However, the thing he was most looking forward to was still that system-rewarded, fully-furnished, 380-square-meter luxury penthouse apartment!

Just thinking about it made Wang Chen a little excited. He couldn't wait to fly back immediately!