Proofreader & Editor: Howard Wong
After leaving Zheng Mansion, I stumbled and crawled my way for over two hours until I finally saw the highway.
Lucky me.
I quickly hailed a taxi.
"Driver, to Nanyuan Second Village… the Home Inn across from it!"
I had intended to return to my rented apartment.
But then it struck me that Sun Jiao knew where I lived, and going back now would be like walking into a trap, so I changed my destination on the spot.
By the time I checked into the Home Inn and settled into my room, it was already 3 a.m.
I locked the door from the inside and collapsed onto the bed, falling asleep immediately…
***
When I woke up, it was already noon.
After a quick wash and ordering some takeout, I began to organize my thoughts and plan my journey.
From Green Vine City to Longhu Mountain, it was nearly 800 kilometers.
Driving myself was definitely not an option.
Firstly, Lu Chenglun had said that I should choose public transportation to mask my scent and prevent Granny Zheng from finding me.
Secondly, my rental car was still parked right outside Zheng Mansion!
After much thought, I decided to take the train.
I knew flying would be faster!
But I couldn't afford a plane ticket! After last night's taxi ride and hotel room, I only had seven hundred yuan left!
After checking out of the hotel, I took the bus to the train station.
Just as I was about to go through the ticket check, I saw a beautiful woman with an umbrella standing nearby, looking around. She was dressed in an OL suit, wearing blue crystal high heels, and it was none other than Sun Jiao!
"Damn!"
I quickly turned around, startled.
It seemed Granny Zheng had guessed I might try to escape and had sent Sun Jiao to watch me!
Luckily, I reacted quickly and wasn't spotted by Sun Jiao.
Leaving the train station, I stood on the bustling street, unsure of what to do next.
With someone watching the train station, the airport and bus stations were likely under surveillance too!
Just as I was at a loss, a tour bus pulled up in front of me, stopping at a nearby bus station.
The side of the bus had a banner that read: Longhu Mountain Sightseeing Tour Group — Green Vine City Changteng Travel Agency!
"Hmm?"
I hurried over and got on the bus without a second thought.
The tour guide, a woman wearing a little red hat and holding a megaphone, grabbed me and asked, "Hey, are you part of our group?"
I replied, "I want to go to Longhu Mountain for a tour, is it still possible to join?"
The tour guide smiled and said, "You're in luck! One of our tourists fell ill and was hospitalized, so a spot just opened up!"
Heaven is helping me!
I was overjoyed, feeling that this trip to Longhu Mountain would not be in vain!
The tour guide said, "Our tour is a two-day trip to Longhu Mountain, including round-trip transportation, entrance tickets to the scenic area, and two nights at a homestay, totaling 588 yuan!"
"Okay!"
I quickly scanned the QR code to pay, afraid that someone else might snatch the spot.
The tourists were all locals from Green Vine City, and the bus had to stop along the way to pick people up.
When I boarded, there were many empty seats, so I chose a middle seat by the window.
The tour guide handed me a little red hat, just like hers.
I pulled the brim down to shade my eyes from the sun and leaned against the window to continue sleeping…
About half an hour later, all the tourists had arrived, and the bus entered the highway.
A woman sitting next to me.
I hadn't actually seen her, as I was still dozing off, but I had already caught the scent of her perfume.
The perfume was light and elegant, likely expensive.
The woman hadn't spoken since boarding the bus, and even her cough was soft.
Judging by all this, she seemed to be a quiet woman.
As for whether she was beautiful, that was down to luck!
Naturally, I hoped she was a beauty.
The trip to Longhu Mountain would take seven or eight hours, and no one would want to sit next to a ugly woman!
While I was pondering this, someone tapped me on the shoulder from behind.
I took off my hat and turned around to see a middle-aged man, about forty years old, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and looking quite refined.
"What's up?" I asked.
The middle-aged man smiled and said, "Hello, young comrade, could I trouble you to switch seats with me?"
Switch seats?
I took the opportunity to glance at the woman next to me, and my eyes lit up!
The woman beside me was very beautiful!
Although she appeared to be in her early thirties, she had delicate features and an elegant demeanor, with long, flowing black hair—a typical Eastern beauty.
I shook my head: "No!"
The middle-aged man became anxious: "Young comrade, the lady next to you is my wife, and we're traveling together. Please, do me a favor!"
I replied: "No!"
The middle-aged man was dumbfounded, not knowing what to say.
At that moment, the woman beside me laughed, taking pleasure in his predicament, and said, "I told you to book a flight, but you insisted on saving money and taking a long-distance bus. Now you've got your wish!"
"You're being unreasonable, young man!"
The middle-aged man was furious but helpless, and could only turn his gaze to the person sitting next to him.
Next to him was a muscular uncle with a somewhat fierce look and tattoos on his body!
The middle-aged man seemed a bit intimidated.
After hesitating for a moment, he finally mustered the courage to gently nudge the other man.
The muscular uncle glanced at him and said gruffly, "What do you want?"
The middle-aged man took out a business card, handed it over with both hands, and said in a low voice, "Hello, comrade, I'm Xu Ming from the municipal quality supervision department. Could you please switch seats with my wife?"
"I don't care what department you're from!" The muscular uncle said irritably, "Get lost, I'm from the underworld!"
Xu Ming was so scared that he shivered and sat down, not daring to bring up the seat switch again.
***
The long-distance bus had hit the highway around two in the afternoon.
By six o'clock, we were more than halfway through the journey.
By then, I had woken up from my nap.
When I opened my eyes, the Eastern beauty beside me was also asleep.
Since her seat wasn't by the window, she had to lean towards me to avoid falling over.
I sat rigidly, careful not to disturb the Eastern beauty.
The thought that her husband was right behind us filled me with an inexplicable thrill and excitement!
Bang!
Suddenly, there was a loud noise from the front of the bus.
Immediately after, the bus lost balance and started to brake erratically!
If nothing else, it was an accident!
It came out of nowhere!
In an instant, the bus was filled with screams, and the tourists were thrown into disarray!
Thankfully, I was awake!
Seeing the Eastern beauty about to fall, I quickly caught her in my arms!
This lasted for a good ten seconds!
Finally, the bus came to a stop on the side of the road.
But the windshield was shattered, covered in blood!
As everyone calmed their nerves, complaints filled the air.
I looked down and asked, "Are you okay?"
The Eastern beauty, pale with fright, took a while to regain her composure and shook her head, "I'm fine, thank you!"
"That's good!"
I held her, a bit dazed.
Recently, I had slept with three women!
Sun Jiao, Pan Mudan, and the Red Chain Snake disguised as Pan Mudan!
The Red Chain Snake was a demon!
Sun Jiao and Pan Mudan were ghosts!
And now, the person I was holding was a living, breathing human!
Her warmth, scent, and the realness of her touch stirred my heart.
Soon, the Eastern beauty's face turned red, and she struggled lightly, whispering, "Are your arms tired?"
"Huh?"
I snapped back to reality and quickly let go.
The Eastern beauty opened her handbag and handed me a bottle of mineral water, saying again, "Thank you for just now, little brother! My name is Wen Rou, what's yours?"
"Zhang Yuan!"
I took the mineral water and gulped down a big mouthful.
At that moment, Xu Ming came over, holding his head, and asked, "Wife, are you alright?"
"I'm okay!" Wen Rou gave him a cold look and asked, "What happened to you?"
Xu Ming replied, "I bumped my head, but there's no bleeding, should be fine!"
Wen Rou instructed, "Go check what happened at the front."
"Okay!"
Xu Ming scurried off.