Chapter 3, Whispers at the Hot Springs

Qianchen knew that allusion, and it made Yao Yu laugh. She understood that there was no resolution to this matter now; it was merely a way to express her grievances to Yao Yu, which made her feel a bit better. "Xiaoyu, you finally wore a dress?" She changed the subject.

However, it cannot be denied that this is a very realistic issue; once it involves marriage, love transforms into material conditions. Yao Yu still remembers saying with a smile: "Have you all seen 'Lovers in Paris'? That day, I was watching a pirated DVD at home, where the male lead proposed to the female lead. She accepted, and the male lead gazed affectionately at her face, making a promise that should have been something like 'I will love you for a lifetime, never to part.' But when translated, it became: 'Let's eat and drink well together!' Then they embraced each other affectionately. It is evident that marriage is about eating and drinking well; your mother is not wrong, first solve your basic needs!" The office erupted in laughter, and Xiao Wang came over, playfully pinching her and scolding her for her sharp tongue.

"This is not a situation where no one from the company is forcing me to come; I just changed clothes with a colleague from the company." Yao Yu recalled the cartoonish puff skirt and thought of Du Lei's sarcastic gaze. "The way Du Lei looked at me today was as if a queen were looking at a beggar. And that General Xu, joining in the mockery, it seems Du Lei has taken him down!"

"No, there isn't! There really isn't. Many people have questions about the opening of the Hot Spring Resort, so I am investigating under the pretext of promoting it!" Qianchen said with a mischievous smile.

When Xu Yizhong had already avoided the various entanglements at the cocktail party and found his way to this secluded pool, Yao Yu and her companion were talking privately, which piqued his curiosity. Seeing that they had not noticed him, he quietly lay in the pool, gazing at the stars while listening. Unexpectedly, he overheard them mention that Du Lei had an affair with him, which made Xu Yizhong very uncomfortable. His greatest taboo was office romance, especially since Du Lei herself was beautiful, sensible, and capable. Many were infatuated with Du Lei, and there were quite a few who joked about him and Du Lei. At that moment, upon hearing such remarks, he could no longer bear to listen and got up from the hot spring to leave.

Tao Qianchen's parents are both university professors; her father teaches philosophy at C University, while her mother teaches finance and accounting at the School of Economics. They live in the faculty area of C University. Her father appears to be the type of person who is very kind-hearted, solely focused on academic research and indifferent to worldly affairs. In contrast, her mother has a shrewd expression. Her great-grandfather was a historian, and it is said that he had several boxes of antiques, which were later donated to the country. Yao Yu now reflects on how difficult it was to keep this from Qianchen's parents, who live at the same university.

Ah! Yao Yu and Qian Chen simultaneously exclaimed. The two of them had specifically chosen a secluded pond to have a conversation. When did this person arrive here? How much did he hear? Qian Chen instantly armed herself: "Who is hiding there and playing tricks?"

Qianchen is also quite displeased. After sharing so many private matters tonight, he angrily remarked, "I will write a report another day. Nowadays, hot springs are everywhere, and I will also question whether the hot springs at this resort are genuine. Coming here to conduct interviews will throw them into chaos!"

She recalled Xiao Wang from the company. Once, her family introduced a potential partner to her. Xiao Wang's family is from City M, which is a relatively remote area in Province C. After hearing her family's introduction, she exaggeratedly described, "Is this a matchmaker introduction? My mom's first sentence was that the man has worked in City A for N years and has at least over 100,000 in savings. Is she selling her daughter?" After Xiao Wang finished speaking, the entire office burst into laughter. She recalled Xiao Wang from the company. Once, her family introduced a potential partner to her. Xiao Wang's family is from City M, which is a relatively remote area in Province C. After hearing her family's introduction, she exaggeratedly described, "Is this a matchmaker introduction? My mom's first sentence was that the man has worked in City A for N years and has at least over 100,000 in savings. Is she selling her daughter?" After Xiao Wang finished speaking, the entire office burst into laughter.

Then you should break up with Xiao Yang

"I said, Qianchen, you've been a journalist for two years, yet I can't help but feel that you and the capable and shrewd Tao Qianchen at work are two different people. This matter should be decided by you, shouldn't it? Is it you getting married or your mother getting married?" Yao Yu felt a headache. Qianchen has always been indecisive when it comes to matters of the heart.

I still remember that our appetites seemed to be larger than theirs; we ate a lot, while they ate little. Yao Yu couldn't help but smile.

From then on, Yao Yu thought that enjoying good food and drink was the way to happiness. She glanced at Qian Chen and said: "Your mother thinks you are too thin and eats too delicately, and Xiao Yang cannot allow you to enjoy good food and drink!"

Qianchen smiled: "How could you forget? The noodles on the mountain are quite expensive, 15 per bowl, and the boss charges as he pleases, whether you want to eat or not. In a fit of anger, we only ordered two bowls, and the two of us shared a bowl, eating closely together, yet the portions were quite generous!"

Yao Yu nodded slightly. The two exchanged glances and simultaneously dismissed the idea of asking Du Lei. "After the cocktail party, I will ask Jialin about the media contacts tomorrow; I will be able to find her," Qian Chen said with a smile.

Xiao Yang's greatest hobby is playing cards. This is something that both Yao Yu and Qian Chen equally dislike. He was caught playing cards in a group at school by the campus security and received a serious disciplinary warning. In order to educate him properly for Qian Chen's sake, Yao Yu arranged to meet Xiao Yang. After waiting for a full half hour outside the library, she finally saw Xiao Yang approaching, looking sleepy. Yao Yu immediately asked, "Where have you been? I absolutely detest people who have no sense of time!"

Qianchen stood up with a smile, pulling Yao Yu along to find Hui An. Yao Yu pursed her lips and smiled, but Qianchen didn't even glance at her cartoonish puffy skirt. Seeing her anxiously tugging at herself as she quickly navigated through the crowd, Yao Yu realized that Qianchen's impatience, cultivated from her time as a reporter, was something that could not be changed.

Yao Yu was so angry that she didn't want to say anything. She turned around and left

Yao Yu became increasingly intolerant of Du Lei, feeling that she was becoming more worldly, and the entire world had lost its original colors in her eyes. Du Lei sneered and said, "If you don't believe it, just wait and see!" At that moment, Yao Yu suddenly recalled Du Lei's previous words; could it be that a mismatch in social status truly meant they could not be together?

Little Rain! Do you know that I and Ah Yang...

"Fear? It is hatred! I have such a good temper, treat people so well, that everyone is enchanted by me! How dare they look at us with such disdain! I will be your intern and accompany you for the interview!" Yao Yu issued the command. "Considering that you and Xiao Yang have had a good time during your four years in college, I will help you successfully cover this up from your parents, so step on him!"

Xiao Yang graduated two years earlier than them. He did not seek employment, and it is said that the jobs he found were not satisfactory. He helps people assemble and maintain computers in a computer market. He told Qian Chen that one day he would have his own computer company. When it comes to Xiao Yang's aspirations, Qian Chen feels an immense sense of pride; she believes that Xiao Yang can achieve it.

Qianchen is feeling somewhat down: "I have argued with him over playing cards many times on the phone. Ayang is truly good to me. Every time I get upset and lose my temper on the phone, he quickly comes over to comfort me. Xiaoyu, this has happened many times, and after a few days, he goes out to play again"

Yao Yu forced a smile and said, "You mention Xiao Yang playing cards; he knows how to keep his composure: 'Yes, you are being unreasonable. If you continue to be unreasonable, I believe Xiao Yang will have no choice but to endure it, no matter how much he grits his teeth. He was the one who was angry yesterday, so why are you worried? '"

Qianchen chuckled: "Xiaoyu, actually it was Ayang who was angry yesterday, not me. When I got through on the phone and heard the sound of mahjong, I got furious and vented my anger at him. Ayang came out and glared at me for a long time, his face was all pale. If it were someone else, I reckon he would have thrown a punch. After a while, he helplessly said that the boss had taken on a business deal from someone else, involving dozens of computers, and they were just having some fun with them. Am I particularly inconsiderate?" After a while, he helplessly said that the boss had taken on a business deal from someone else, involving dozens of computers, and they were just having some fun with them. Am I particularly inconsiderate?

Yao Yu was momentarily taken aback, then turned to look at Qian Chen. Her bright eyes, shrouded in the misty water vapor, exuded a kind of haziness; such eyes were truly beautiful. Yao Yu chuckled and said, "There's nothing I can do, the sky is going to rain, he is going abroad, at worst, I will follow you two as a third wheel in the future"

After Xiao Yang graduated and started working, there were no school security guards to catch gamblers, so Qian Chen took on this role, often searching for him. If he couldn't find him, he would call, and Xiao Yang would never hang up on Qian Chen's calls, but he still played cards. It goes without saying that Qian Chen must have gone looking for Xiao Yang again in the past couple of days without seeing him, which led to another argument.

Yao Yuqi smiled and said: "Is this how you settle personal scores in public? However, since you are a local, have you ever heard of any hot springs around here?"

In the past, Qianchen had also asked why two people who had been together from middle school to university still lived in the same room for four years. Dure and Yao Yu were always at odds, and Yao Yu avoided answering. "Why? Dure is much more beautiful than you, and her grades are better than yours. What exactly is it about her that you find displeasing? It seems like nothing has ever happened in your room, right?" Qianchen couldn't help but ask this question again.

Then just indulge him, as long as he is not a professional gambler. Playing cards as a form of entertainment is not a big deal; you can hear the sound of mahjong everywhere on the streets. It is a national treasure. Your Ayang has played a significant role in the cultural development of the country and the inheritance of national traditions. Yao Yu knew that advising would be futile; it was better for Qian Chen and Xiao Yang to handle this matter themselves.

In order to avoid various entanglements at the cocktail party, Xu Yizhong had already found this secluded pool to soak in by the time Yao Yu and her companions arrived. He was very curious as he listened to the intimate conversation between the two of them... However, he was taken aback to hear them mention that Du Lei had an affair with him, which made Xu Yizhong feel quite uncomfortable

As he passed by the two individuals, Xu Yizhong cast a disdainful glance at them, said nothing, and walked away

Yao Yu pulled up Qian Chen: "I see Hui An, and also, Du Lei!"

Yao Yu sneered: "Alright, the next topic will be the hot springs in our city!"

Xiao Yang chuckled and said, "I played all night last night and overslept!"

Qian Chen stared at Yao Yu: "Don't smile so insincerely, I don't believe that's the reason at all"

Once a man sits at the card table, he is no longer himself! Not to mention someone like Xiao Yang, who cares about his image in front of friends! If you go to him and ask him to stop playing, wouldn't that be undermining him?

Qianchen looked through the mist with gentle eyes: "At that time, Ayang was letting me eat, smiling at me cheerfully. The taste of that bowl of noodles is truly delightful to recall, I even drank the soup clean! Alas, if you two... we might still have the chance to go again if we had time."

With a splash, a tall man emerged from the water, slowly climbed onto the shore, and draped a bathrobe over himself as he approached

Yao Yu no longer spoke, wanting Qian Chen and Xiao Yang to break up, which could almost be sworn by that line from the poem: "When the mountains have no ridges and the heavens and earth unite, when winter thunders and summer rains snow."

Tao Qianchen sat quietly eating, abstaining from alcohol. In such situations, it is best for girls not to touch the wine glass. Once it is lifted, it cannot be put down. Men often like to use phrases such as: "Women naturally have a three-point tolerance for alcohol; those who dare to raise their glasses are all heavy drinkers" to persuade women to drink. They are especially enthusiastic towards beautiful girls.

Hui'an's eyes flashed with surprise, "Where are you?" She instinctively did not ask Du Lei. She knew that Yao Yu and Du Lei were not on good terms, and because she was close to Yao Yu, she had developed a similar relationship with Du Lei as a classmate. However, Hui'an was different; they had lived in the same room for four years, and although they had not been in contact for the past two years, she truly wanted to see her.

After searching all around, Hui'an was nowhere to be found. Qianchen thought for a moment and said to Yao Yu: "Could it be that she had her meal and left, unwilling to stay here any longer"

After a pause of two seconds, Yao Yu and Qian Chen glared at Xu Yi's back, infuriated and splashing water. "Qian Chen, what kind of expression is that? He eavesdropped on our conversation and still has the audacity to be in the right?"

There was another argument yesterday

Yao Yu was silent for a moment before saying, "I don't know what she wants to argue with me about." She smiled brightly, "I actually hope she quickly hooks up with that General Xu and marries into a wealthy family. The two of them are like a duet, trying to get me to drink, as if they had already started flirting early on!"

Xiao Yu, I have informed my family about A Yang's situation, but my parents do not agree

My parents are too good to me, and I cannot bear to hurt their feelings

That is not a reason for Xiao Yang to break up with you

The hot spring design embodies the style of a Japanese garden, with clean mountain stones arranged around various pools. Pavilions and terraces are hidden in the dim light, and the steam rises like a fairyland. Yao Yu quietly leans by the pool, gazing at the stars above. The environment here is truly pleasant. In my sophomore year, I traveled to the mountains with Tong Sicheng, Qian Chen, and Xiao Yang, and that night had stars just like these. "Qian Chen, do you remember the year we went to the mountains?" In my sophomore year, I traveled to the mountains with Tong Sicheng, Qian Chen, and Xiao Yang, and that night had stars just like these. "Qian Chen, do you remember the year we went to the mountains?"

Yao Yu gently walked up behind Qian Chen and covered her eyes, clearing her throat and saying: "Guess who I am"

"Heaven, have you forgotten your parents? However, Qianchen, what era are we in? Is there still such a thing as separating lovers?" Yao Yu felt a headache at the thought of Qianchen's parents. When they were in college, Qianchen and Xiao Yang were in a relationship but dared not let their families know. She and Hui An took turns helping Qianchen keep it a secret.

Qian Chen spoke with a tone of frustration: "Xiao Yu, you have no idea, the professors at university are very elitist, judging based on qualifications, husbands, and children. My dad only cares about his academic work, and my mom is not satisfied with him. I heard that A Yang's parents both work in a factory; his father is an ordinary worker, and they have a grandmother at home who does not receive a pension. He works in a computer city, and as soon as my mom hears that, she feels embarrassed and thinks he is unreliable. You know how my mom is; once she has made up her mind, she won't change it. No matter how much I say that A Yang is very ambitious and wants to start his own business, she just won't listen!"

Yao Yu irritably released her grip and said: "Die, Qian Chen! Where have you been these days? I haven't seen you around!"

Qianchen turned her face, blinking her bright, clear eyes at Yao Yu, a faint smile on her face: "Xiaoyu!"

The journalists have relaxed their minds tonight without conducting interviews; those who did not stay at the banquet to drink have gone to soak in hot springs. The Jialin Group has arranged the rooms, and those who are not leaving will stay in the villa to rest

Qianchen is a person who takes relationships very seriously, and Xiaoyang particularly dotes on Qianchen. Yao Yu has high hopes for the two of them. However, Durei does not share this view; she says, "The match is not suitable, and it will inevitably end in a breakup!"

Qianchen felt a chill in his heart as he saw Yao Yu laughing: "Xiaoyu, your smile is quite terrifying!"

Yao Yu and Zhong Qiang greeted each other and left the banquet hall with Qian Chen to enjoy the hot springs at the back