Chapter 46: Setting Out for the Western Regions

The three of them found a restaurant near the cinema, had dinner, and strolled around for a while afterward.

They timed their arrival at the cinema, bought some fruit juice and soda, and had their tickets checked before entering the screening hall.

The movie started soon after.

The overall pace of the film was light and breezy, with comedic moments dominating the first half. The latter half was more refined, focusing on the ebb and flow of urban relationships between men and women.

All in all, it was decent—nothing spectacular, but certainly not bad. There was little worth criticizing.

What truly caught Lu Yu’s attention throughout the film was Su Yihan. This actress, the latest rising star, was the embodiment of innocence and purity. On camera, her beauty was all the more breathtaking, making hearts flutter.

Though Su Yihan had interacted with the official account of Pink White, Black Brows several times, Lu Yu had never known what she looked like. Now that he saw her, he found her truly stunning.

By comparison, Qin Xiaomian, also with a pure image, seemed a little less dazzling—at least on screen. Without having met Su Yihan in person, it was impossible to make a direct comparison.

Qin Xiaomian, observing Lu Yu’s expression, gave his waist a hard pinch and sipped her juice with a pout.

Lu Yu smiled at the corner of his mouth and ignored her.

After all, what woman doesn’t get a little jealous? Just as, what man isn’t a little susceptible to beauty?

No need to argue—whether admiring men or women, it’s all about appreciating beauty. No objections accepted.

Lu Yu couldn’t speak for others, but when Su Yihan appeared in her close-up, the entire audience of men gasped in awe. There followed a collective sharp intake of breath—hiss. He guessed most of them, like himself, suffered the wrath of their female companions.

After the movie, the three walked home together. Lu Yu held Shi Zixuan’s hand; perhaps because she liked gentleness, he sometimes treated her with extra tenderness. Qin Xiaomian walked on the other side, holding Shi Zixuan’s arm.

They wandered under the streetlights, their shadows stretching and shrinking as they went.

Suddenly, Lu Yu remembered something and said to Shi Zixuan, “I recall you telling me your birthday is in May, right?”

Shi Zixuan’s bright eyes sparkled as she looked at him. In a soft voice she said, “Yes, May sixteenth. I thought you had forgotten.”

Lu Yu squeezed her delicate hand. “Of course I remember. I just didn’t know the exact date before.”

“Nineteen, is there anything special you want as a gift?”

Shi Zixuan lowered her gaze, thinking for a moment. In the past, she might have wanted luxury goods, clothes, or bags. But ever since being with Lu Yu, she no longer lacked for those things and didn’t desire them as much as before.

Shi Zixuan shook her head. “I don’t know. I used to want luxury items, but now I don’t really care, so I’m not sure what I want.”

Lu Yu chuckled, “It’s fine. There’s still half a month—think about it, and let me know when you decide.”

Qin Xiaomian hesitated, as if she wanted to say something. Lu Yu glanced at her. “Yours is in November—plenty of time, half a year to think about it.”

Qin Xiaomian grinned mischievously.

They arrived home soon after.

The two girls were planning to shower and go to bed, but Lu Yu dragged them both onto the treadmill, set a distance goal, and joined them for a run himself.

Only after all three were drenched in sweat did they stop. This time, Shi Zixuan and Qin Xiaomian didn’t collapse on the floor, but went upstairs for a bath after a brief rest.

It was already late after the movie, and with Lu Yu’s insistence on exercising, the two girls just wanted to bathe and sleep—otherwise, they’d never get up for work in the morning.

Lu Yu showered too and lay on his bed scrolling through his phone, his thoughts drifting back to the movie they’d just watched.

He found himself thinking of the fresh, delicate Su Yihan, and couldn’t resist the idea of sneaking into Qin Xiaomian’s room. But then he remembered that, while Qin Xiaomian looked innocent, her personality was anything but. Shi Zixuan was more fitting—gentle, fond of tenderness. He considered going to her room instead.

In the end, he hesitated so long that he went nowhere, telling himself firmly to exercise restraint.

He played on his phone, checked various messages, let his mind wander, and soon grew sleepy. He tossed his phone aside and fell asleep.

The next morning, the two girls had already left for work.

It was the last workday before the holiday—tomorrow, their vacation would officially begin, and the three of them were heading west for a trip.

A few days earlier, Chen Xiaofei had messaged him, asking about his plans for May Day. But then, his mother sent him a “decree”—so he had no choice but to spend the holiday with family.

According to Chen Xiaofei, both Zhang Kexin and Qian Qian had gone home as well.

Lu Yu had considered taking his parents on a trip, but they said everywhere would be too crowded during the holidays—they’d go another time, when it wasn’t so busy. Since they were both retired, they had all the time in the world.

Hearing this, Lu Yu didn’t press the issue.

He got dressed and headed to the library, staying there until five in the afternoon.

The two girls returned around the same time, faces alight with excitement as they checked their luggage and gear.

Their plane tickets had long been booked—their flight was at nine the next morning.

That meant they had to be at the airport by just after eight, leaving little time to pack in the morning.

Lu Yu had nothing essential to bring—just a few changes of clothes and a small suitcase.

Shi Zixuan and Qin Xiaomian, on the other hand, had much more: mainly changes of clothes, some necessary cosmetics and sunscreen. In the end, even a large suitcase couldn’t fit everything. Lu Yu wondered if they planned to change outfits twice a day.

He finally said something, and the two girls reluctantly removed a few items.

With their luggage ready, they were too excited to sleep after their showers. They piled into Lu Yu’s room, lying on either side of him, chatting endlessly without the slightest intention of going to bed early.

Lu Yu listened helplessly, occasionally adding his own opinions.

He wasn’t sure when he finally fell asleep—he only remembered the two girls talking for a long, long time.

In the morning, he was woken by the two of them—after much shaking and prodding, they finally got him up to wash.

The three took a taxi to the airport.

Lu Yu climbed into the front seat and closed his eyes, drifting in and out of sleep. He had no memory of arriving at the airport, checking in, or passing through security.

Luckily, they’d booked first class and didn’t have to wait long.

Once on the plane, he adjusted his seat and immediately lay back to sleep.

The two girls found this amusing, guessing that their late-night chatter had kept him up. They asked the flight attendant for a thin blanket to cover him.

A little excited, the girls took selfies, snapped pictures of each other, and even mischievously took many photos of Lu Yu sleeping.

They only turned off their phones when the plane was about to take off and switched to a tablet to watch pre-downloaded shows.

Before departure, they’d already sent their flight information to their private guide for this trip, Aisha.

Aisha would be picking them up at the airport, taking them to the hotel to drop off their luggage, and showing them around the city that afternoon and evening. Tomorrow, they would head to Heavenly Lake in the Tianshan Mountains.

Lu Yu was sleeping soundly when Qin Xiaomian woke him. He looked around drowsily before sitting up.

Qin Xiaomian grinned, “Uncle, why are you so tired?”

Lu Yu didn’t want to answer and shot her a glare, drinking some water. “You really don’t know why I’m so tired?”

Qin Xiaomian’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “How would I know? Maybe you were up all night thinking about that pretty actress from the movie? Hmph—”

Lu Yu paused, realizing after a moment that she was referring to Su Yihan.

He swallowed his water, glanced at her, and then gazed out the window at the blue sky, lost in thought.

The plane soon landed at Diwopu Airport in Uqi City. They collected their luggage and walked out together.

Shi Zixuan called Aisha, their guide, and found her in the crowd. Aisha greeted them warmly.

Lu Yu was briefly stunned when he saw Aisha—were all the girls from the Western Region this stunning? Don’t fool me just because I’m not well-read. How could a guide found randomly online have a beauty rating over 80? And with a figure to match—over 170 cm tall, in small heels, those long legs were just too much!

Lu Yu stole a glance at those long, fair legs, secretly marveling at her allure.

If he’d known the women out west were this attractive, he’d have come ages ago! But don’t misunderstand—it’s only to appreciate the unique frontier scenery.

Aisha had borrowed a car from the travel agency, accompanied by a driver.

They rode to the Silver Capital Hotel.

Along the way, the two girls curiously observed the scenery, so different from Sichuan Province, and chatted with Aisha, who acted as a capable guide, providing explanations.

At the hotel, the travel agency car left. They checked in at the front desk while Aisha waited in the lobby.

Lu Yu led the girls up to their suite, inspecting the place and feeling satisfied.

Shi Zixuan and Qin Xiaomian looked around as well, then dragged their suitcases into the bedroom and hung up their clothes.

Once they were settled, they went downstairs for a city tour with Aisha.

It was already afternoon, so they couldn’t go anywhere far.

Aisha showed them around the city, sampling local specialties for snacks and dinner—a true taste of the region.

As they had to get up early for the Heavenly Mountain trip, they didn’t stay out late.

They returned to the hotel early, where Aisha said her goodbyes and promised to meet them in the morning. Lu Yu arranged with the front desk for a car, since the Tianshan scenic spot was over a hundred kilometers away and driving would be easier.

The three of them showered in turns. Lu Yu wanted to bathe together, but the girls refused, strongly condemning his inappropriate suggestion.

Even after all this time together, they were still too shy to bathe with him.

Lu Yu didn’t insist—after all, no matter the relationship, some privacy should always be preserved. After all, what remains veiled and indistinct is often the most beautiful.

Shi Zixuan bathed first, then came out in a sheer nightdress, lying on the bed and looking through the photos taken that afternoon and evening.

Lu Yu showered next, and Qin Xiaomian went last.

Shi Zixuan leaned on Lu Yu’s shoulder, showing him all the photos, asking which ones she looked good in, and which ones she didn’t.

Lu Yu wasn’t foolish—could he say any were unflattering at a time like this? Of course, they were all beautiful! Even if not, they were beautiful in a subtle way!

Sensing Lu Yu’s strong desire to stay in her good graces, Shi Zixuan glanced at him with satisfaction.

Girls are just like that—they know you’re flattering them, but they enjoy these little rituals all the same.