Chapter 193: Chapter 192: Monthly Tickets 20+
At first, Qu Chaozong was grateful to Zhang Xin for her help with the contract and would reply to her messages. But later he found out that even if he replied, Zhang Xin wouldn’t respond. She acted like she was playing a single-player game, sending random text messages whenever she felt like it.
Over time, Qu Chaozong gradually regarded the messages from Zhang Xin as no more important than the ads sent by 10086, glancing at them and then casually deleting them.
Looking at Zhang Xin standing opposite him, Qu Chaozong noticed she seemed thinner after months of not seeing her. Her eyebrows seemed more prominent, making her look increasingly pretty, especially with a face that seemed to reflect light due to her smooth skin.
Qu Chaozong took a step back, maintaining a two-meter distance and asked with a frown, "Need something from me?"
Zhang Xin giggled cheekily, "Can’t I find you without a reason?"
Qu Chaozong couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on from her tone. Just as he was about to speak, his nose felt itchy, and he couldn’t suppress it, quickly turning his head to cover his mouth and sneezing twice consecutively.
Zhang Xin asked, "Are you okay? Are you sick? You’re more likely to catch a cold after the New Year. Do you have any medicine at home? I heard from a doctor that for treating a cold, you absolutely must not take medicine recklessly, as some have serious side effects that particularly harm the kidneys! Let me think, what was the name of the medicine he mentioned at that time...?"
Qu Chaozong felt annoyed, "Go to hell! You’re the one who’s sick!"
Zhang Xin laughed mischievously, "Yes, I told you before, I’m sick. I haven’t come to see you because I was hospitalized for treatment. Now that my condition is stable, the doctors have let me out."
Qu Chaozong: "..."
Zhang Xin said, "I just came to see you today, nothing else. It’s terribly cold, you should go home."
Qu Chaozong did not speak but looked at Zhang Xin, evidently surprised.
Zhang Xin waved her hand at him, "Alright, you don’t need to send me off. Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you, Happy New Year!"
Qu Chaozong was a bit slow to react, watching as Zhang Xin swung her hips and walked to the roadside, getting directly into a waiting taxi and leaving.
As he watched the taxi drive away, Qu Chaozong put his hands back into his pockets and walked home, pondering whether Zhang Xin was serious about what she said. Who would casually carry so much medicine?
After the eighth day of the new year, Zhao Meimei resumed her role as a left-behind child. She kept thinking about moving into the new house to live with Shi Yang, her mind filled with romantic thoughts, and she seemed absent-minded throughout the days.
Xu Xu continued accompanying Zhao Meimei in her studies every day. They had completed their winter holiday homework and were now tackling workbook exercises by themselves.
The coffee table was not very large, and Xu Xu and Zhao Meimei sat side by side, with water glasses and snacks piled next to Zhao Meimei, making it easier for her to grab and eat.
Feeling thirsty, Xu Xu called out to Zhao Meimei, "Meimei, pass me the water cup."
Xu Xu lowered his head and flipped a page, reaching out to receive it, only to see Zhao Meimei handing him a bag of chips.
Xu Xu was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, "I asked for the water cup."
Zhao Meimei suddenly snapped back to reality, "Oh, oh."
Xu Xu took the cup and drank two sips before asking, "What’s going on with you? You seem so distracted all day long."
Zhao Meimei giggled and mentioned the plan to move into the new house once school starts.
Xu Xu was quite surprised, "Your family bought a new house?"
Zhao Meimei shook her head, "No, the house belongs to my brother."
Xu Xu softly acknowledged, assuming Zhao Meimei’s family was going to live in Shi Yang’s house temporarily.
Zhao Meimei spoke about Shi Yang during the day with Xu Xu, and then Shi Yang came over in the evening. He drove Liu Xiue and Zhao Dazhuang home and stayed for dinner at Zhao Meimei’s house.
Zhao Dazhuang chatted with Shi Yang for a long time about installation and design issues. Zhao Meimei didn’t understand but refused to leave, squeezing in next to Shi Yang on the couch, their thighs pressed tightly together, feeling each other’s warmth even through layers of autumn pants.
Midway, Zhao Dazhuang got up to go to the restroom, finally giving Shi Yang a chance to breathe. He turned his head and quietly asked Zhao Meimei, "Did you miss me?"
Zhao Meimei nodded openly, "Missed you terribly."
Shi Yang brushed his leg against Zhao Meimei’s leg, "I couldn’t tell. Since I walked in, you haven’t acknowledged me."
Zhao Meimei burst into laughter, "My eyes haven’t left you for a moment, how else should I greet you?"
Shi Yang teased her, "How about a hug as soon as we meet, then initiate a kiss, followed by some sweet nothings?"
Zhao Meimei, feeling delighted, showed a hint of pride at the edge of her lips, "You’re probably missing me a lot too, right? Even more than I miss you?"
Shi Yang nodded in agreement, making Zhao Meimei satisfied, asking, "You were talking to my dad about going to the provincial capital? Why are you going there?"
Shi Yang explained seriously, "The Naughty Castle in the provincial capital has begun adding dining options, and I’m planning to go see if it’s viable for us to get a set of equipment and run it ourselves."
Zhao Meimei’s eyes brightened, "Are we going to sell food?"
Shi Yang replied, "Yes, they’re running fast food like burgers, fried chicken, and braised meat rice. We’ll see what options we have then."
Zhao Meimei beamed, "That’s great, I love fried chicken the most. When I move in with you, you have to bring some back for me to try."
Shi Yang smiled and asked, "Are you willing to move in with me?"
Zhao Meimei nodded enthusiastically, "Of course! Absolutely willing!"
Shi Yang grinned craftily, teasing her deliberately, "At that point, just you and me alone in the house, aren’t you afraid I’ll gobble you up?"
Zhao Meimei never hesitated or felt shy in front of Shi Yang, grinning widely, "Not afraid! As long as it’s you, I’m not afraid of anything."
Shi Yang felt indescribable emotions, a mix of three parts being touched and seven parts excitement. He scanned the directions of the restroom and kitchen warily, assessing the situation for any threats, and once safe, tilted his head and gave Zhao Meimei a quick kiss. As their lips touched, his heart softened completely, brimming with warmth.
The day after Shi Yang discussed this with Zhao Meimei, he delegated his work to Qu Chaozong and hurried off to the provincial capital.
Li Shuren had already opened his third chain of Naughty Castle in the provincial capital, each one bigger and equipped more advanced than the last. Although called a chain store, the three playgrounds varied in class, with slight price adjustments accordingly. The result was that prices went down, but profits not only didn’t decrease but increased.
Li Shuren accompanied Shi Yang to visit each of the stores, proudly explained, "We used to charge high fees by relying on novel concepts and targeted higher-income families. Now, by dividing the zones by class, we’ve attracted working-class families as customers, walking the path of low profit but high volume."