I'm Right Next Door to You

The four of them showed no signs of drowsiness. Tang Ziyun and Xia Keke were chatting about something, sometimes frowning, sometimes covering their mouths with laughter.

Su Yang and Meng Wenzhou also lit cigarettes while continuing their conversation.

[Ding! Detecting that the host is currently in high spirits and thoroughly enjoying himself. Reward: 1 million.]

By now, it was already half past midnight. Before long, seven or eight more guests arrived to check into the inn.

There were both men and women, most of them young people around the same age as Su Yang and the others.

Soon, two girls and a guy joined Su Yang’s group at the tea table.

The three of them didn’t know each other—they had all come to Shima Town alone for travel.

One of the girls immediately caught Su Yang’s attention.

She had a slightly classical beauty about her, exuding an air of elegance, composure, and effortless grace—with an indescribable... high-class aura.

Her face gave off the same vibe as those top-tier supermodels, yet without their usual icy detachment.

Su Yang had noticed her the moment she walked into the lobby. She was tall, standing at around 173 or 174 cm, with an exceptionally slender figure.

Despite her height, she wasn’t the least bit heavy—her proportions were perfect: short torso, long legs, and a uniquely cool, refined demeanor.

Pan Ning had a similar vibe, though she leaned more toward aloofness. This girl, however, didn’t come across as particularly cold.

After checking in, she confidently walked over to the tea table, greeted everyone, and sat down to join them.

Su Yang didn’t rush to have the system scan her. Instead, he took a moment to observe her carefully.

She was carrying a small white suitcase and a black crossbody bag. She wore a loose-fitting rose-red T-shirt and dark wide-leg jeans that draped over her gray-and-white Dunk sneakers.

Her shoulder-length hair was slightly tousled, framing a delicate oval face with striking phoenix eyes that sparkled with an alluring charm. Her features were sharp, her skin fair and flawless, and her lips full.

In short, she was stunning from every angle.

No matter which way you looked at her, her face radiated beauty and sophistication.

Yet another girl on the same level as Pan Ning and Lu Yun.

Su Yang and Meng Wenzhou exchanged a knowing glance.

—System, do your thing! I’m dying to know what her score is.

[Su Qingci, Age: 21]

[Height: 173 cm]

[Weight: 55 kg]

[Appearance: 97]

[Figure: 90]

[Relationships: 0, Single]

[Experience: 0]

[Traits: Easy to get along with, but extremely hard to win over.]

—Holy sht!!! Wait, wait—she’s even a fellow Su?!

—97 points?! Higher than Pan Ning and Lu Yun?! And never been in a relationship? No experience either? What the hell... is she an actual goddess?

[Su Qingci meets the binding criteria. Proceed with binding?]

—What do you think?

[Ding! Binding successful.]

[Su Qingci’s favorability toward the host: 0]

—This is straight-up main-character material!! "Extremely hard to win over"? Well, I’ve got to give it a shot!

[Host may proceed at will. For every 20-point increase in Su Qingci’s favorability, rewards will double.]

—No way?! Seriously? She really does have that protagonist aura, huh? What a pleasant surprise!

By now, the group had been chatting for a while. Su Yang turned to Su Qingci with a smile. "So, you’re traveling to Shima Town alone?"

"Yep~" She smiled softly.

"That’s impressive. Where are you from?"

"Hai City. What about you guys?"

"What a coincidence! We’re from Hai City too—well, I’m originally from Yang City, but I live in Hai City now."

Su Qingci nodded. "I’m a little jealous of you all traveling together. My friends are still at school, so I had to come alone."

Su Yang pretended to think for a moment. "Your friends are at school? Are you a student?"

"Mhm. But I have special privileges, so I don’t have to stay on campus all the time." She twirled a strand of hair, her bright eyes gleaming.

"Lucky you! I’m jealous."

"Hehe. But traveling alone isn’t as fun. It’s better with friends—at least you have people to talk to."

Meng Wenzhou chimed in, "Hey, the fact that we all met here means we’re friends now, right?"

He glanced at the other two newcomers—a girl and a guy.

They had arrived after Su Qingci. The guy was average-looking, around 175 cm tall, but dressed head-to-toe in designer brands—clearly from a well-off family.

The girl was the bubbly, outgoing type—an extrovert. Though not exceptionally pretty, she had a warm personality and could chat with anyone.

Since arriving, she’d been talking nonstop with Tang Ziyun and Xia Keke, probably sharing everything from her family background to her childhood and current job.

Su Qingci turned back to Su Yang with a faint smile. "I’m guessing you all came to Shima Town for the Blue River rafting tomorrow?"

Su Yang nodded. "Yep, that’s the plan. Blue River rafting is famous nationwide, and with this heat, it’s the perfect time to go."

The other girl shook her head. "Not me. I’m too scared to raft. I’m just passing through—waiting for a friend before heading somewhere else."

Su Qingci nodded. "And you?" She looked at the guy.

He grinned. "Not here for rafting either."

"Well then~ Looks like it’s just you four."

Su Yang chuckled. "Actually, there are four more in our group. They went to bed early."

"Oh, I see."

Su Qingci’s eyes sparkled mischievously. "Since we’re all staying at the same inn... and fate brought us together... do you think I could hitch a ride with you guys tomorrow? You’re driving, right? Hehe."

Su Yang and Meng Wenzhou exchanged amused glances. "Sure, no problem. We’re all friends now."

"Thanks in advance, then~"

"Don’t mention it."

As the conversation continued, the other two eventually excused themselves to rest.

Around 1:30 a.m., Su Qingci checked the time and pulled out her phone. "Let’s exchange WeChat info so we can coordinate tomorrow."

"Sounds good!"

"Oh, right—we’ve been talking so long, but I don’t even know your names yet."

"I’m Su Yang."

"You’re a Su too?" She blinked in surprise.

Su Yang feigned equal astonishment. "‘Too’? So you’re also...?"

Su Qingci grinned. "That’s right!"

"What are the odds? Same family name."

Meng Wenzhou chuckled. "I’m Meng Wenzhou."

"I’m Han Xiaoyu—just call me Xiaoyu~"

"Xia Keke here. You can call me Keke."

"Got it."

After briefly introducing themselves, Su Qingci dragged her suitcase ahead to her room to rest.

Su Yang turned to the other three with a smile. "Let's head to our rooms too. It's pretty late."

"Sounds good. We’ll wake up at nine tomorrow," Meng Wenzhou said, stretching lazily.

"Sure, we can sleep in a bit longer."

The four of them stood up and walked out of the front hall.

Su Yang checked his room keycard—it read Mountain Lodge, Room 02.

Meng Wenzhou also glanced at his keycard: Cloud Field, Room 11.

He looked around and remarked, "This inn really could use someone to guide us. It’s not easy to find our way otherwise."

"Never mind, it’s too late to bother anyone. Let’s just figure it out ourselves. Tang Ziyun, Xia Keke, what are your room names?" Su Yang asked, turning to the two.

Tang Ziyun checked her keycard. "Mountain Lodge, Room 01."

"You’re in Mountain Lodge too?"

"Yeah, you as well?"

"I’m right next door~"

"Then let’s go together~"

Xia Keke chimed in, "Mine’s Cloud Field, Room 09."

Meng Wenzhou paused, then grinned. "Then you’re with me—I’m in Room 11."

"Okay~"

Xia Keke agreed shyly, already knowing there was no escaping tonight...

The four stopped at a signpost in the center of the courtyard. The direction for Cloud Field was to the left of the front hall, while Mountain Lodge was to the right.

After exchanging quick goodbyes, Su Yang and Tang Ziyun went one way, while Meng Wenzhou and Xia Keke headed the other.

......