This is what life is all about.

Meng Wenzhou shot Liu Bo a sidelong glance.

"Enough with the chatter. We're still short one car. I'm not too keen on driving myself. Ziming, Ji Bo, Old Chu—which of you three will take the last one?"

Chu Qiunan was the first to raise his hand. "I... I'd like to drive one, but I only have one car in Haicheng right now."

"Then why even bring it up? What about you two?" Meng Wenzhou smirked, shifting his gaze to Zhang Ziming and Ji Bo.

The two exchanged a glance before Ji Bo spoke up. "Ziming, why don’t you take it? I’d love to help out, but... I don’t have an SUV..."

Zhang Ziming picked up a beer from the table, took a swig, and nodded casually. "Fine, I’ll drive one."

Seeing their decision, Meng Wenzhou leaned back, interlacing his fingers behind his head. "Ziming, what car do you drive?"

"RS Q8."

"RS Q8? That’s a performance car. Hmm..." Meng Wenzhou pondered for a moment before adding, "Actually, never mind. I’ll drive. Your car’s suspension is too stiff, and it’s not comfortable for long rides. We’ve got a long road trip ahead—we need something that’s both off-road capable and comfortable, or our backs will be wrecked."

Hearing this, Pan Ning, who had been quietly sipping her drink and listening, remarked coolly, "Finally, you’re being useful for once."

"Hey, I just took the chance to slack off when someone else was driving before~"

"But this time, we’ll all have to take turns behind the wheel. It’s a long drive, and one person shouldn’t bear the whole burden."

Zhang Ziming grinned and nodded. "So, Old Meng, what are you driving?"

"My Range Rover~"

"Isn’t that a bit too... executive? Hope it doesn’t break down halfway."

Meng Wenzhou straightened up and shot Zhang Ziming an amused look. "Are you kidding me? Questioning a Range Rover’s off-road chops?"

"Isn’t it just a luxury SUV?"

"Shame on you, calling yourself a car enthusiast. The Range Rover isn’t just comfy—it’s a beast off-road. Crushing an uninhabited zone? Piece of cake~"

"Heh, I’ll admit I’m not too familiar with SUVs."

"Alright, enough talk. It’s settled—I’ll drive one, Old Su will take another, and Fatty handles the third. Three cars should do it~"

"Sweet~ Cheers, everyone~"

......

After another half-hour of casual conversation, they set aside the logistics and focused on drinking, games, and banter.

By midnight, Meng Wenzhou checked the time and suggested, "Let’s call it a night. We’ve got an early start tomorrow to prep our gear."

"Sounds good. Time to bounce~"

As everyone stood up, Chu Qiunan pulled out his phone and headed into the bar to settle the tab.

Two minutes later, the group reconvened on the sidewalk.

Su Yang glanced around. "Did everyone call a driver?"

"Just did," Liu Bo replied with a grin.

Just then, a taxi sped down the road. Zhang Ziming stepped to the curb and flagged it down. "I’ll skip the driver. My place isn’t far. I’ll come back for my car tomorrow. Later~"

"Sure, whatever."

The taxi pulled up, and Zhang Ziming waved goodbye before hopping in and disappearing down the street.

Next, Su Qingci walked to the roadside and hailed another cab. When it arrived, she turned to Su Yang and the others with a smile. "Su Yang, Meng, Sis Pan, I’m off too~"

"Got it. Message the group when you’re home."

"Mm-hmm, will do~"

Su Qingci slid into the backseat, waving energetically through the window as the taxi sped away.

After her departure, Tang Ziyun also bid farewell and caught a ride home.

The remaining group waited for their designated drivers.

As they chatted on the sidewalk, Su Yang’s driver arrived first, pedaling up on a compact electric folding bike.

Su Yang turned to Meng Wenzhou and Liu Bo. "I’m out too. Let’s finalize our departure time tomorrow night in the group chat after everyone’s ready."

"No problem. Drop a message when you’re home."

"Got it."

Before Su Yang could move, Meng Qianyu suddenly spun around, flashing a grin at Meng Wenzhou and the others. "I’m off too~"

With that, she dashed to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, yanked open the rear door, and slipped inside.

The group froze.

Meng Wenzhou and Liu Bo were merely surprised, but Chu Qiunan and Ji Bo? Their jaws practically hit the pavement as they gaped at Meng Qianyu in Su Yang’s car.

Pan Ning riding with Su Yang was one thing—but Meng Qianyu too? What was going on?

"Uh... what’s this?" Ji Bo stammered, pointing at the Cullinan.

Su Yang sighed. "It’s... complicated. Let’s just say—"

Pan Ning cut in, tugging his arm. "Enough talk. Let’s go."

"Alright, we’re leaving. See you guys."

Su Yang let Pan Ning pull him away, offering a quick wave to the stunned group before climbing into the driver’s seat.

As the Cullinan vanished down the road, Chu Qiunan and Ji Bo exchanged bewildered glances, utterly speechless.

......

Twenty minutes later, the driver expertly pulled the Cullinan up to the gates of Jingyutai Villas.

Su Yang, seated in the passenger seat, spoke calmly. "Thanks, man. Just drop us here."

"Not going inside?"

"Nah, no need to trouble you further."

"Alright, boss. Give me a sec to grab my bike."

The driver hopped out, retrieving his electric bike from the trunk.

Su Yang exited as well, tipping the driver an extra 188 yuan through the app before nodding and taking the wheel, driving into the villa complex.

Watching the Cullinan disappear behind the gates, the driver exhaled deeply, muttering to himself, "Now that’s the life... damn, I’m jealous."

He lingered for a moment, staring wistfully at the opulent entrance of Jingyutai Villas.

Ding!

A new ride request pinged on his app.

Snapping out of his daze, the driver checked his phone and chuckled wryly.

Accepting the job, he mounted his bike and pedaled off into the night.

......