Any pretty girls want a ride in my car

Ten minutes later, Su Yang returned home, took a quick shower, and changed into fresh clothes.

After brewing himself a cup of coffee, he leaned back comfortably on the sofa and picked up his phone. The WeChat group chat with his friends had two new additions—Ji Bo and Ye Wan. Su Yang frowned slightly. "Huh? Is Ye Wan coming too?"

"But since she’s Meng Qianyu’s friend, it makes sense. Whatever, the main goal is to find ways to boost Meng Qianyu’s favorability during this trip."

Just then, Pan Ning sent a message in the group.

Pan Ning: @everyone, meet at the plaza in front of Qianxiang Mall at 1 PM sharp to set off. Any issues?

Su Yang: None.

Meng Wenzhou: None.

Liu Bo: Got it.

......

Everyone replied one after another.

Pan Ning sent another message: If you don’t have gear yet, go buy it now. There’s still plenty of time.

Lu Yun: Little Tang and I are already at the mall~ [Photo]

Pan Ning: Ok.

Ji Bo: So nervous and excited!!

Meng Wenzhou: What’s there to be excited about? Never been camping before?

Ji Bo: Nah, it’s just my first time hanging out with you guys. Can’t help feeling pumped!

Meng Wenzhou: You won’t be excited for long~

Ji Bo: Why?

Meng Wenzhou: No reason. You’ll find out soon enough.

Ji Bo: Heh, whatever, as long as it’s fun~

Liu Bo: Hey newbie, shouldn’t you show some appreciation to the group? [Evil grin]

Ji Bo: Heh, I was planning to, but I figured you guys might look down on small change.

Liu Bo: Then just send more?

Ji Bo: ......Fine, I’ll cover some gas money~

After sending this, he spammed the group with over a dozen red packets.

Though most people in the group weren’t short on cash—especially someone like Meng Wenzhou, a super-rich second-generation—grabbing red packets had little to do with wealth. It was more about the fun and camaraderie among close friends.

Su Yang swiftly tapped open the packets.

The first one netted him 35 yuan—decent luck. He smirked and checked Ji Bo’s red packets.

There were 15 in total, each worth 200 yuan and split into 12 shares for the 13 group members.

Su Yang chuckled. "This kid’s got manners."

He opened the rest, rounding up to a total of 321 yuan.

The flood of red packets also drew out Han Xiaoyu and Xia Keke.

Han Xiaoyu: Whoa!! Who’s the generous soul showering us with red packets??

Ji Bo: Yours truly!

Xia Keke: Thanks, boss!!

Han Xiaoyu: Yeah, thanks for sparing some change for us poor working folks. We’re the only ones in this group with actual jobs, waaah~~

Ji Bo: No big deal. I was worried you’d scoff at such small amounts.

Han Xiaoyu: I’ll take anything! Send ‘em, and I’ll grab ‘em!!

......

Liu Bo: Thanks, big spender!

Zhang Ziming chimed in: Thanks, boss!

Han Xiaoyu: Thanks, boss!

Meng Wenzhou: I only got 100-something, so no thanks. But here’s a suggestion—send another 15.

Su Yang: Seconded!

Ji Bo: ......

After some banter, Pan Ning shared the trip’s destination in the group.

Su Yang checked it—a place called Qianye Mountain, located at the border of Tianhai Province and Xia Province, about 390 kilometers from Haicheng. Not too far, but not exactly close either.

He’d heard of it before—a great camping spot with scenic views, mountains, and water. Unlike commercialized tourist areas, it was relatively untouched.

Pan Ning sent another message.

Pan Ning: @everyone, this is where we’re headed.

Meng Wenzhou: That far??

Pan Ning: It’s still within the province. How’s that far?

Meng Wenzhou: I thought we were just hanging around Haicheng.

Pan Ning: Those spots are boring and overdone. We’re going somewhere raw and natural.

Ji Bo: I agree!! So hyped!

Shen Yixue: Yeah, it’s not like we’re busy anyway. Camping, barbecuing, hiking—sounds perfect.

Pan Ning: Right. Here’s the rough itinerary: Depart at 1 PM today, arrive by 6 PM, set up camp and cook. Tonight, drinks and chats. Tomorrow morning, we hike Qianye Mountain, rest after returning, and the day after, hit a hot spring resort to unwind. We’ll head back to Haicheng the following day.

Pan Ning: Even with delays, five days max.

Ji Bo: Can’t wait!! This plan’s flawless—hiking followed by a relaxing soak? Pan Ning, you’re a genius!

Shen Yixue: So excited~

Meng Wenzhou rolled his eyes on the other end of his phone: Not excited!! Can I still back out?

Pan Ning: What do you think?

Meng Wenzhou: [Crying]

Pan Ning: Oh, let’s sort out carpooling now. How many cars are we taking?

Liu Bo jumped in.

Liu Bo: I’ll drive one. I’ve got a Lincoln Navigator—huge and comfy!! Any ladies wanna ride with me? [Eager]

Pan Ning: Perfect. Use that to haul our gear.

Liu Bo: ???

Pan Ning: Problem?

Liu Bo: Heh, none at all. Honored to serve~

Su Yang couldn’t help laughing. Figuring he’d need to drive too, he typed:

—I’ll take one as well.

Zhang Ziming followed up: Me too. Happy to chauffeur. Three or four cars should suffice.

Su Yang: Right. Liu Bo’s ride has space for luggage. You and I can take the others.

Zhang Ziming: [Handshake] My thoughts exactly.

Meng Wenzhou asked: What cars are you two driving?

Zhang Ziming: G63.

Su Yang: DBX707.

Meng Wenzhou wanted to experience Su Yang’s driving speed, but he knew there’d be no seat for him. He didn’t feel like driving, and Liu Bo’s Navigator didn’t appeal either—so Zhang Ziming it was.

He tagged Zhang Ziming: @BlackNightBug, I’m riding with you.

Liu Bo: ??? Bro? You’re ditching me?

Meng Wenzhou: Ji Bo’s with you. Let him navigate.

Ji Bo: Happy to oblige~~

Zhang Ziming: So far, my car has me, Shen Yixue, and Meng Wenzhou. Room for two more.

No one replied for a minute.

Then Pan Ning said: Qianyu, Lu Yun, Little Tang, and I will ride with Su Yang. The rest of you figure it out.

Su Yang was stunned. "Damn, she’s good at this."

Liu Bo: My car seats seven!! Even with luggage, there’s space for one or two more. No need to cram five into one car.

Silence...

Ye Wan, who had been silent until now, finally appeared in the group chat.

She greeted everyone first, then said, "Sorry about that, I was busy earlier and just saw the messages now."

Ye Wan: "I’ll ride with Brother Xiao Chong then."

Zhang Ziming: "You can call me Brother Ziming [cool emoji with head lowered]."

Ye Wan: "Sure thing, Brother Ziming."

Zhang Ziming: "Hehe, so I guess the assignments are all settled now? Anyone else left?"

Liu Bo: "Nope!"

Meng Wenzhou: "Alright, let me summarize: Old Su, Pan, Qianyu, Lu Yun, and Little Tang in one car. Me, Ziming, Yixue, and Ye Wan in another. Fatty Ji Bo, you two take the last one."

Right after sending the message, Meng Wenzhou quickly added: "You two are in charge of our gear—make sure nothing goes missing!"

Ji Bo: "It’s my honor~"

Liu Bo: "[grinding teeth emoji]"

Pan Ning: "Alright, that’s settled. Those who are curious can look up Qianye Mountain beforehand. I’m off to shower—see you all soon."

......

Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was already 12:30 p.m.

Su Yang loaded some of his camping gear into the trunk of his Aston Martin.

After a quick check, he pulled the car door open and got inside.

By just before one o’clock, he had parked his car by the roadside at Qianxiang City.