Hearing Li Chen's words, Yi Ziyi smiled softly and replied, "Not really. I haven't been sleeping well these past few years—my skin's gotten a lot worse."
"Really?"
Li Chen took a step forward as he spoke and leaned in to examine her face closely. "I don't see it. Your skin looks great to me."
Yi Ziyi hadn't expected Li Chen to suddenly move so close. With his face right in front of hers, her heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively felt flustered.
"I put on makeup today—of course you can't tell."
She quickly turned her head away. "Um… let's go eat first. I've already booked a restaurant. It's just nearby."
"Sure."
Li Chen smiled. "I'm a bit hungry too."
————————
A short while later, the two arrived at a nearby Shandong cuisine restaurant.
After entering, Yi Ziyi went straight to the counter and said to the server, "Hi, I bought a group deal on Meituan."
"You bought a deal?"
Li Chen hurried over. "Didn't we agree I'd treat?"
"You're visiting my city—I have to play the host. Besides, you already treated me to milk tea."
Yi Ziyi opened the group-purchase voucher and said to Li Chen, "This Shandong restaurant is pretty good—authentic flavors and not too expensive. Our dorm used to come here often for group meals."
Li Chen felt a bit helpless listening to her.
He finally had money, yet somehow couldn't find a chance to spend it.
Still, this worked out fine. She treated him first; later, when he treated her, she wouldn't be able to refuse.
Li Chen took a look. Yi Ziyi had bought a two-person set meal—originally 258 yuan, discounted to 178 yuan.
Not cheap, but not exactly expensive either.
After scanning the voucher, the two found a window seat and sat down.
Before long, the dishes were served.
Sweet-and-sour Yellow River carp, clay-pot braised pork, spiral-cut cucumber, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, plus two bowls of traditional Jicheng sweet porridge—classic local specialties.
They ate while chatting.
From their recent lives to all sorts of funny stories from when they used to be desk mates back in school.
Gradually, the atmosphere grew warmer.
The earlier awkwardness faded away without them even realizing it, and things felt more and more natural between them.
After the meal, Yi Ziyi took Li Chen to Jicheng's most famous attraction—Baotu Spring.
"Baotu Spring isn't just one spring," she explained with a smile. "There are lots of scenic spots inside. Just the Seventy-Two Springs area alone has more than a dozen sites, plus the Li Qingzhao Memorial Hall."
Entering from the south gate, the two strolled leisurely, visiting nearby sights as they made their way toward Baotu Spring.
Along the way, Yi Ziyi smiled brightly, occasionally introducing him to facts and stories about Baotu Spring.
They didn't rush around checking in like speedrun tourists. After wandering at a relaxed pace for nearly an hour, they finally reached Baotu Spring.
Watching the three streams of water surge high above the surface was quite a magical sight.
They stood under the long corridor for a while, admiring it.
Each of them took a few photos and short videos.
At that moment, Li Chen noticed many people on the bridge to the right holding ice cream, taking photos of Baotu Spring and Guanlan Pavilion.
Although Jicheng's temperature wasn't particularly high today—only 28°C—the midday sun was strong. After walking around for so long, both of them were slightly sweaty.
Li Chen turned to Yi Ziyi and said, "It's a bit hot. Let's go buy some ice cream."
Yi Ziyi shook her head. "Forget it. That's Baotu Spring's cultural-creative ice cream. It's expensive."
Expensive?
Even better!
"And there's probably a long line. It's not worth it just for ice cream," Yi Ziyi added.
Li Chen smiled faintly.
A long line?
That didn't count as a problem.
It was time to show what money could do.
"Let's at least take a look," Li Chen said. "And the angle for viewing Baotu Spring over there seems a bit better."
When they reached the ice cream stand, they saw a long queue stretching so far back that they couldn't even see the end.
"There are way too many people. Forget it—let's buy ice cream outside later," Yi Ziyi said, turning to leave.
"It's fine. You rest here for a bit. I'll be right back," Li Chen said.
He immediately walked to the very front of the line and said to the guy standing first, "Hey, bro, can I talk to you for a second?"
The guy looked at him warily. "What? Trying to cut in line?"
"Not cutting. I want to buy your spot."
"Buy my spot?"
The guy frowned immediately and said unhappily, "I've been waiting half an hour to get here. Not selling."
Li Chen held up five fingers. "I'll pay 500."
"Five hundred?!"
The man froze, staring at him in disbelief. "You serious?"
"Of course."
Li Chen said calmly, "If you don't believe me, open your payment code. I'll transfer it right now."
The surrounding people all turned their heads, stunned.
500 yuan just to buy a place in line?
That was absurdly rich.
At that moment, a girl behind the guy shouted, "Handsome, if he won't sell, buy my spot!"
As she spoke, she held out her WeChat payment code.
"Who says I won't sell?!"
The guy panicked instantly, shot a glare at the girl, then quickly opened his payment code and said with a grin, "Bro, go ahead and scan!"
Li Chen didn't hesitate—he scanned and paid 500 yuan directly.
Seeing this, the girl behind them sighed regretfully.
The guy received the money and was grinning from ear to ear as he immediately gave up his spot to Li Chen.
Half an hour of waiting, net profit 500 yuan!
Easiest money ever!
What a great day.
The people nearby were completely dumbfounded.
Holy crap—he really paid!
This has to be some rich second-generation kid, right?
Money really lets you do whatever you want!
Standing at the very front of the line, Li Chen couldn't help but sigh inwardly—having money is freaking amazing.
While others were still suffering through the line, he walked right in.
The experience was on a whole different level.
When he reached the counter and saw the price, however, he felt a bit disappointed.
20 yuan.
If this were before, he'd think it was expensive. Now, he thought it was too cheap.
Couldn't you at least stab me in the back and surprise me a little?
————————
After buying the ice cream, Li Chen saw Yi Ziyi standing by Laihe Bridge admiring the spring, and walked over.
"Ta-da!"
He lightly tapped her shoulder from behind and waved the ice cream in front of her.
"Huh? How did you manage to buy it?!"
Yi Ziyi turned around, her beautiful eyes full of surprise. "You didn't actually pay extra to buy it from someone, did you?"
"More or less," Li Chen smiled. "I bought the spot from the person at the front."
"What?!"
Yi Ziyi's eyes widened. "That must've cost a lot!"
"Don't worry about that," Li Chen said. "When you're out having fun, being happy is what matters most."
Yi Ziyi looked pained. "But spending that much money just for two ice creams—that's such a waste."
"As long as you like it, it's worth it."
Li Chen handed her one of the ice creams and said, "Strawberry flavor. I remember you used to like strawberries."
Yi Ziyi hesitated for a moment, then took it. She looked surprised. "You still remember that?"
Li Chen looked into her eyes and said seriously and firmly, "Of course. I remember everything about you."
Hearing his slightly suggestive words, a strange warmth rose in Yi Ziyi's chest.
She carefully studied his expression, then silently lowered her head and began unwrapping the ice cream.
"This ice cream is so pretty!"
Looking at the beautifully designed cultural ice cream—with Guanlan Pavilion and the three streams—her eyes sparkled.
"Let's take photos too!"
She looked up at Li Chen and said excitedly.
"Sure!"
Seeing how happy Yi Ziyi was, Li Chen felt just as happy.
The two walked together to the middle of Laihe Bridge.
Watching Yi Ziyi smile brightly as she held up the ice cream and took photos with Guanlan Pavilion and the three streams behind her…
At that moment, Li Chen felt as if he were seeing the sunny, sweet, adorable girl from their school days once again.
While Yi Ziyi was taking her photos, Li Chen also opened his camera and snapped a picture of her beautiful profile.
Yi Ziyi looked absolutely stunning at that moment!
Her smile was truly radiant and captivating!