### Chapter 18: All Good
Even though Jiang Shen doesn’t usually exercise much, when he gets busy, it’s like he’s racking up steps like crazy, sometimes hitting twenty or thirty thousand. Plus, he grew up running around in muddy fields, so his physical condition isn’t bad at all.
After drinking some water and enjoying the mountain breeze for a bit, he pretty much recovered.
Someone pointed out the squirrels darting around below the rest area. Jiang Shen walked over just in time to see a squirrel climbing a tree. Quick on the draw, he whipped out his phone and snapped a picture, which turned out surprisingly well.
“Send it to me,” Zhao Louyue said from behind him. “It looks pretty good.”
Jiang Shen replied, “Sure.”
He opened WeChat and sent it over.
Cong Gaoxuan leaned over from the side, “When did you two exchange contact info?”
“After the project was finalized.”
Cong Gaoxuan nodded, the suspicion in his eyes dissipating.
Fu Cheng, who seemed to have a god’s-eye view of everything, thought to himself, “With your observational skills, you won’t see any drama.”
After resting enough, everyone continued on their way.
Duan Chaosheng was unusually quiet. Usually, he’s all about eating, drinking, and having fun, but suddenly being thrown into a circle where every word is measured and tested was tough. Duan Nan wanted him to grow, but jumping from easy mode to hell mode was quite uncomfortable.
The only playful one, Cong Gaoxuan, had a pair of hard fists and didn’t think much of Duan Chaosheng, seizing every chance to mock him.
Old Lin was always a bit tired, and the road ahead fell into silence as he saved his energy for cycling.
Naturally, Zhao Louyue rode alongside Jiang Shen.
Cong Gaoxuan wanted to join in too, but Fu Cheng found an excuse to call him away.
At that moment, Zhao Louyue exchanged a subtle glance with Fu Cheng, who felt a sense of satisfaction from Zhao Louyue’s fatherly gaze.
“Tonight, there’s roast suckling pig and roast whole lamb,” Zhao Louyue announced the menu. “Hopefully, there’ll be some noodles too.”
“Mr. Fu arranged it, so it shouldn’t be lacking.”
“You seem to have quite the filter for him.”
Jiang Shen found this comment odd. Fu Cheng always thought three steps ahead, and his meticulous habits naturally showed in his daily life.
Zhao Louyue waited for more, his mind wandering a bit. Up ahead, Fu Cheng suddenly felt a chill and sneezed. The next second, Zhao Louyue’s front wheel hit a rock, causing him to lose balance.
“Hey?” Jiang Shen reacted quickly, accelerating and turning his handlebars to block Zhao Louyue’s sideways momentum, while freeing a hand to grab his arm.
Zhao Louyue regained his rhythm after a brief loss of control.
The two of them came to a steady stop.
Their commotion caused the people in front to stop and look back.
Fu Cheng didn’t hear their conversation but couldn’t keep his mouth shut, “Mr. Zhao, are you not awake yet?”
Zhao Louyue looked up, his expression unfriendly, “Why are you sneezing out of nowhere?”
Fu Cheng: “…” What the heck did you just say?!
Everyone else: “…” Only Zhao Louyue would dare talk to Mr. Fu like that.
Cong Gaoxuan tried to mediate, “Alright, alright.”
It took over an hour to reach the second rest area.
Old Lin downed a bottle of water, panting like a bull, “Oh my, I really can’t do this anymore. Mr. Fu, how much further to the top?”
“Less than an hour, almost there. Mr. Lin, you need to exercise more.”
Old Lin nodded in embarrassment.
Jiang Shen was sweating too. The surrounding trees were dense, and even though it was late autumn, it was still shady underneath. The air was humid, and you could faintly hear the sound of flowing water.
“The mountain spring is over there,” Fu Cheng’s assistant, who had scouted ahead, said, pointing in a direction.
A few people walked over.
“You’re not going?” Zhao Louyue asked.
“The soil is loose, and my shoes aren’t slip-resistant,” Jiang Shen shook his head.
“Then hold this for me,” Zhao Louyue handed him a wristband.
It was a small favor, so Jiang Shen didn’t refuse.
The two of them were still straddling their bikes, leaning against the wooden railing next to the rest area. The sunlight struggled to filter through the gaps, appearing pale and serene.
Jiang Shen noticed Zhao Louyue moving his wrist, and near the palm, there was a noticeable scar, white and about the size of a thumbnail.
“How did you get that?” Jiang Shen asked without thinking.
Zhao Louyue followed his gaze, “This? I owe it to my brother.”
“The little rascal was standing by the fire, playing around and almost fell in. Luckily, it was winter, and I managed to pull him back, but I still got burned by flying sparks. It festered later, and after it healed, it left a scar,” Zhao Louyue explained.
Jiang Shen nodded.
This little flaw didn’t mean much to Zhao Louyue. Even if it had burned his face, with his personality, he wouldn’t have cared. But for the next half a minute, Zhao Louyue seemed quite uncomfortable, looking at his wrist and then quietly asking Jiang Shen, “Does it look bad?”
“Not at all,” Jiang Shen said. “I was just curious.”
“Alright then.”
Zhao Louyue’s concern about the scar made Jiang Shen take another look.
To be honest, not only were these hands not unattractive, but they were also long and strong, with a powerful grip.
“Wristband,” Zhao Louyue’s tone inexplicably carried a hint of amusement.
Jiang Shen’s ears turned red, and he quickly tossed it back to him.
The people who went to see the spring came back with wet lips, and Old Lin was satisfied. After chatting for a while, they had to set off again, or they’d delay lunch. The further they went, the more energy it took.
The last stretch was indeed tiring. They rode and stopped, the gradually brightening sun at the mountain top making it hard to bear. By the time they reached the mountain villa, it was already past one in the afternoon.
Fortunately, the food was ready, and Fu Cheng told everyone not to stand on ceremony. So, a few young people, without even washing their faces, sat at the table and started wolfing down the food.
Cong Gaoxuan’s cheeks were puffed up, and he couldn’t speak, just gesturing for Jiang Shen to join him at the table.
Jiang Shen waved his hand, “You go ahead.”
Jiang Shen’s resting room was on the far left of the second floor. The resting rooms on both sides were staggered. Jiang Shen had brought a bag with him, containing a change of clothes, an empty water cup, and portable toiletries.
When he came out feeling refreshed, the door across from him opened at the same time.
Zhao Louyue had clearly just washed his face, his temples slightly damp, his eyes bright. Seeing Jiang Shen, he flashed a neat row of white teeth, “What a coincidence.”
“Indeed,” Jiang Shen agreed, surprised that Zhao Louyue’s room was right across from his.
Zhao Louyue and Jiang Shen went downstairs together, and the kitchen immediately served them food.
There were both Chinese and Western dishes. Jiang Shen ordered a bowl of noodles.
Zhao Louyue had two meat dishes and a vegetable dish with rice, casting a grateful glance at Fu Cheng midway, which Fu Cheng ignored.
Cong Gaoxuan, ever the opportunist, asked, “Brother Fu, are you tired? You’re not saying much.”
Fu Cheng didn’t even look up, “I’m worried my breathing might annoy someone, so how dare I speak?”
Zhao Louyue: “…” Seriously?
In the afternoon, it was free time. The scenery nearby was beautiful, the mountain views were stunning, and no one wanted to miss out, except for Old Lin, who needed to catch up on sleep.
Zhao Louyue walked beside Jiang Shen, “Want me to take a couple of photos for you later?”
Jiang Shen instinctively wanted to refuse, but then remembered Wang Xiuyu asking for photos yesterday, so he nodded, “Sure, thanks.”