What Can Be Permed

The group followed Pan Ning past the villa area, walking along a winding mountain path paved with ancient stone slabs, surrounded by lush green bamboo groves.

After passing through the modest bamboo forest and proceeding another few dozen meters, they arrived at the entrance gate of Crescent Bay Hot Springs.

The gate was a wooden archway exuding a faint, pleasant fragrance. Above the lintel hung a plaque inscribed with "Crescent Bay Hot Springs" in bold, elegant calligraphy.

A few people were coming and going through the gate, though the crowd was sparse.

Pan Ning pointed ahead and said, "We're here. Let's go."

"Let's go. By the way, I heard this place has two specialties—hot springs and massages. Are you all getting massages later?" Meng Wenzhou asked, grinning at the girls.

"Oh? They offer massages here too?" Shen Yixue glanced at Pan Ning uncertainly.

Pan Ning nodded. "Yes, and they're actually better than most massage parlors outside."

"Then we’ve got to try them!"

"Sure, let’s soak first and get massages afterward."

"Sounds good."

Chatting, the eleven of them stepped through the hot spring archway. Ahead, a cobblestone path led deeper into the hot spring area, lined with vibrant flowers and plants, the air filled with a delicate floral scent.

Further along, they saw signs splitting the path into two directions—left for the women’s area and right for the men’s.

Su Yang smiled at Pan Ning and the others. "Let’s not soak too long. It’s summer, after all. Meet back at the gate in half an hour."

"Make it an hour. We’ll need to shower afterward."

"Fine, then let’s regroup at the gate in an hour. We’ll grab dinner first, then go for massages. How’s that?"

"Perfect plan!" Meng Qianyu gave Su Yang a thumbs-up with a faint smile.

"Alright, let’s soak!"

After confirming the time, they split up and headed to their respective areas.

Su Yang and the others continued chatting as they walked, passing a low wall covered in vines before winding another ten meters deeper. There, they saw hot spring pools scattered across the mountainside, each bordered by smooth stones, the water steaming and bubbling.

Night had already fallen, and many guests had left. At the moment, Su Yang’s group were the only five in the men’s area.

The entire hot spring zone was nestled in the mountains, enclosed by simple wooden railings.

The surroundings were utterly serene—nothing but the gentle murmur of the springs and the chirping of mountain insects, blending into a soothing symphony of nature.

[Ding! Detecting the host’s relaxed and joyful state. Reward: 1 million.]

With night fully settled, the ambient lights had turned on.

Steam curled upward through the warm golden glow, creating an ethereal, almost otherworldly atmosphere.

Not far to the right of the hot spring area stood a rustic building housing changing rooms, showers, and other facilities.

"Not bad at all," Liu Bo remarked, looking around.

Su Yang agreed with a smile. "Definitely. I bet it doesn’t feel like this during the day. Soaking at night is way more comfortable."

"Exactly. I love this hazy, dreamy vibe."

"Come on, let’s go change."

After taking in the surroundings, the five of them cheerfully entered the building.

Inside, a waiter in traditional Chinese attire greeted and guided them.

Soon, they stripped down and, skipping the robes, went straight to one of the larger pools bare-skinned.

"Whoa! Hot!" Ji Bo yelped as he dipped a foot in, immediately jerking it back out.

"What’s the rush? Ease into it," Meng Wenzhou advised.

"Yeah, take it slow. But the hotter, the better," Su Yang added with a smirk.

Ji Bo rolled his eyes, thinking for a second. "Yang, you mean the water’s better when it’s hotter?"

Su Yang winked and grinned. "Everything’s better when it’s hotter."

The moment he said it, the others burst into laughter.

Liu Bo clutched his stomach, laughing. "Hahaha! Yang, you just floor it without warning! Almost missed that one."

"Really? You’d miss it?"

……

Since the men’s and women’s areas weren’t far apart, the girls heard their laughter.

"What are those guys laughing about so loudly?" Meng Qianyu wondered, glancing toward the men’s side.

"Who knows? Probably some dirty jokes again," Pan Ning said flatly.

"Oh? Sis, how do you know so well?"

Pan Ning shot her a look. "What do you mean ‘know’? I’m just guessing."

Ye Wan giggled. "That’s all guys ever talk about, isn’t it?"

"Heh, true enough."

The girls tied up their hair and submerged themselves in the pool, leaving only their fair shoulders exposed.

Steam enveloped them as fine beads of sweat trickled down their foreheads and cheeks.

The scene resembled the Seven Fairies descending to bathe—except they were one fairy short.

Hahaha—

Another round of laughter echoed from the men’s side.

Meng Qianyu craned her neck curiously. "I really want to know what they’re talking about."

Shen Yixue smirked. "If you’re that curious, why not join them?"

"No way. I just envy their fun vibe. Let’s chat too."

……

Meanwhile, the guys settled at the pool’s edge, gradually dipping their feet to acclimate.

Meng Wenzhou turned to Liu Bo. "Hey, Fatty, you got cigarettes?"

"Of course. Didn’t you see the ashtrays by every pool? Super considerate."

"Then hand them over already. What’re you waiting for?"

"Here."

Liu Bo pulled out a pack of 1916 and passed them around.

Click.

They lit up before slowly easing into the steaming water.

"Ahhh—damn, this is good!" Su Yang exhaled, leaning back with his arms spread along the pool’s edge, cigarette dangling from his lips.

"Mmm… so relaxing," Liu Bo shuddered.

"Still a bit too hot, though. Two or three degrees cooler would be perfect."

"What’re we doing after the massages?" Zhang Ziming asked, tilting sideways in the water.

"Just say what you’re thinking."

Meng Wenzhou blew out a smoke ring, eyes closed.

"I mean, shouldn’t we play some icebreaker games with the girls afterward?"

"Like what? Spit it out."

"I don’t know. You’re the expert—what do you usually play?"

Meng Wenzhou pondered. "Just pick something everyone can join in on."

"How about Werewolf?" Ji Bo suggested.

"Yeah, that works. We’ve got enough people. Grab some drinks, play while sipping—perfect."

……