151: Chapter 151 The Shen Family Chronicles, One Set After Another

Chen Yu and Su Lingyin left the bustling International Grand Bazaar, the heat wave still stubbornly clinging to their skin.

Sliding into the car, the cold air from the conditioner became their salvation once again.

For convenience, the Production Team had provided a vehicle.

"Where are we going next?"

While buckling her seatbelt, Su Lingyin carefully folded the Atlas silk scarf she had just bought.

Chen Yu glanced at the time; it was just past three in the afternoon, the hottest part of the day in Xinjiang, with the sunlight so bright it could almost melt the asphalt.

"It's too sunny to visit attractions right now. Let's head back to the hotel to rest for a bit and head out once the sun weakens. It stays light here until eight or nine in the evening, which is perfect for dinner."

He planned everything methodically, showing a reliability that came from having done his homework beforehand.

Su Lingyin nodded, agreeing with the arrangement: "Sure, I'm actually a bit tired too."

Leaning against the backrest, she watched the exotic street scenes flashing by the window, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows under her eyelids.

The hotel was located in a relatively quiet neighborhood and had a distinct ethnic style.

The front desk staff smiled as they checked them in and handed over two room cards.

The rooms were on the same floor, directly across from each other.

If they opened their doors at the same time, they would be able to see each other.

"I'll go back to my room and freshen up first."

Su Lingyin took the room card and pointed toward her room: "Talk to you in a bit?"

"Okay, get some rest. Shall we meet in the lobby at 5:30... or rather, around 7:30 local time?"

Chen Yu adjusted his concept of the time difference.

They each returned to their rooms.

The air conditioning in the room was blasting, sealing out the intense heat outside.

Chen Yu took a quick shower to wash away the dust and stickiness from the journey, feeling much more refreshed.

Lying on the bed, he intended to look up dinner spots, but images from the day involuntarily flashed through his mind.

The cute way she wrinkled her nose when she was burned by the baked bun, and how the vibrant silk scarf made her eyes sparkle...

Chen Yu rolled over, a smile unconsciously tugging at the corners of his mouth.

On the other side, Su Lingyin also freshened up and changed into a light cotton maxi dress.

She held the new silk scarf up to the mirror repeatedly before finally tying it to her backpack strap, adding a splash of color.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she suddenly remembered the Grand Bazaar stall owner calling him her "boyfriend," and her face heated up slightly.

She shook her head, trying to toss away the inexplicable thought.

She lay down gently on the bed.

She scrolled through her phone idly, but her attention wasn't on it.

...

Time passed quickly. Toward evening, Shen Yanzhou and Rong Shuwan climbed the ancient city wall to watch the sunset.

The setting sun gilded the edges of the Cangshan Mountain, and Erhai Lake shimmered with reflected light.

Shen Yanzhou didn't joke around as usual; he just stood quietly by her side.

"It's beautiful," Rong Shuwan whispered.

"It is," Shen Yanzhou replied, though his gaze was fixed on her cheeks, which were flushed by the sunset.

Rong Shuwan turned her head slightly, her gaze still lingering on the gradient of the clouds on the horizon. "Speaking of which, you're usually so busy with work. Do you have any hobbies for relaxation?"

The corners of Shen Yanzhou's lips curled up, his eyes still fixed on the strands of hair blowing in the wind.

"Occasionally, I'll go play golf or have a meal with friends to chat about nothing in particular. You know how men are—eating, drinking, and sports."

He paused and asked, "What about you? Besides the Guzheng, what else do you like?"

"I like listening to music, reading, traveling, and collecting folk handicrafts. They constantly enrich my world." Rong Shuwan turned around, her eyes lighting up as she spoke of the things she loved.

"Like tie-dyeing from Yunnan, or silver jewelry from Guizhou... there's a story hidden behind every piece."

"I also love watching the sunset."

Shen Yanzhou nodded, acknowledging her words.

"I'm actually quite curious about what you're like when you're playing the Guzheng."

Rong Shuwan was momentarily stunned. "Then... I'll play for you if there's a chance."

"That would be wonderful. I would be honored," Shen Yanzhou joked.

In the distance, the last ray of light sank behind the Cangshan Mountain, and the wind from Erhai Lake brushed gently over the ancient city wall.

Rong Shuwan turned her head slightly, her gaze still lingering on the distant Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake. She asked softly, "Do you like traveling?"

Shen Yanzhou's lips curled up, his gaze still fixed on her profile, warmed by the sunset's glow. "I do."

However, he preferred doing it with someone he liked.

If it were just him, he basically wouldn't travel alone.

Scenery is important, but it's far less important than the person you're with.

At this moment, he wanted to recite a poem!

—The setting sun gilds the edges, Erhai ripples with silver waves; though there are many beautiful sights, none compare to Miss Rong.

Unfortunately, he was too embarrassed to say it out loud to her.

Rong Shuwan turned her head curiously. "What are you thinking about?"

"Actually, I was wondering... why do you like watching the sunset?"

"Because it's fleeting."

She looked at the slowly sinking sun and said slowly, "The most beautiful things are always fleeting, which is why we must remember them with more heart."

He nodded readily, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, I'm different. I'm simply admiring a view that's even more beautiful than the sunset."

The glow of the clouds grew more intense, painting her cheeks a deeper red.

She deliberately looked away. "You and your smooth talk."

[Shen Yanzhou is really like a sow in a bra—one trick after another. As expected of management, he really knows how to talk.]

[Conclusion reached: Shen Yanzhou is also a simp.]

[But Rong Shuwan seems very happy hearing it. As expected, men really need to have a sweet tongue.]

[Hmph! I hate guys with smooth tongues!]

[And guys with smooth tongues hate you too!]

Shen Yanzhou didn't feel awkward; at least she didn't seem disgusted, right?

He smiled and pointed at the sinking sun. "Quick, make a wish. I hear wishes made at sunset are the most effective."

"You made that up too, didn't you?"

"Of course not."

He said with a serious face, "It's from page 328 of 'Shen's Spring and Autumn Annals'—'A wish made at sunset will surely find an echo'."

Rong Shuwan couldn't help but laugh, her eyes reflecting the colorful clouds of the sky.

She gave him a faint, playful glare. "'Shen's Spring and Autumn Annals'... You still made it up."

In the distance, the last golden ray vanished behind the Cangshan Mountain, and Erhai Lake gradually sank into a gentle blue-gray twilight.

They stood side by side on the ancient city wall, neither of them speaking again.

But both their faces were radiant with a smile.

Rong Shuwan closed her eyes and made a wish devoutly.

Shen Yanzhou was taken aback, then his smile faded as he also closed his eyes devoutly.

"I hope..."

As night fell softly, they walked down the city wall, and the lights of the ancient city began to flicker on one by one.

Shen Yanzhou naturally guided her to the inner side of the road, walking on the side closer to the traffic himself.

The flagstone path reflected the warm yellow lights.

He mentioned seemingly casually, "I heard there's a market tomorrow. There should be many curious little trinkets. Want to go check it out?"

Rong Shuwan lowered her head and smiled, the corners of her eyes curving softly. "Is this an invitation?"

The night breeze blew past, bringing with it the faint sound of singing from a distant bar and the aroma of food.

"Exactly. As your tour guide, I have to arrange the itinerary."

"Alright then, Great Guide Shen."