I Like Swimming

About an hour later, Su Yang threw off the covers and sat up.

Pan Ning was still hiding under the blankets.

[Ding! Detected Pan Ning's affection toward the host has increased to 85 (deeply fond). Affection has risen significantly. As this is the first time the host's bound target has exceeded 80 affection points, the host is rewarded with 20 million yuan and a "Cure-All Card," which has been placed in the system inventory.]

[Ding! Additional reward: Two McLaren Senna fragments (5/5). Fragments have been fully collected. The vehicle has been parked in the underground garage of Senhai Manor and registered in the property system.]

[Ding! Detected the host is in an extremely joyful mood. Reward: 5 million yuan, +1 physique (current physique: 87).]

As the system showered him with rewards, Su Yang’s face lit up with a grin.

—Damn, so Pan Ning’s affection only goes up like this? And it shot straight to 85!

—Guess her affection was already high before, but she must’ve been suppressing it.

—And now I’ve got the McLaren Senna too? Hell yeah, this is awesome!

"Why are you shaking?" Pan Ning’s voice came muffled from under the covers.

"Oh, nothing. Just excited."

"That happy?"

"Absolutely! Over the moon!" Su Yang couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.

"Whatever. Go to sleep."

"Do I have to go back to my room?"

"No." Pan Ning turned over and slowly drifted off.

Within minutes, Su Yang heard the steady rhythm of her breathing.

‘She must be asleep.’

—System?

[Here.]

—What’s this "Cure-All Card" thing?

[Cure-All Card: Can cure any disease in existence. Single-use only.]

—What?? Seriously?

Su Yang froze for a couple of seconds before responding.

—That’s insane! You’re not messing with me, right?

[No.]

—Holy crap, this isn’t something money can buy. It’s practically a divine artifact!

[Host need not overreact.]

Su Yang: "..."

—Alright, guess I won’t need it for now. By the way, can I check my own affection level for Pan Ning?

[Yes.]

—Then show me.

[Host’s affection toward Pan Ning: 80.]

—Whoa, that high? But… I think I might actually be falling for her. What do I do?

[Host may follow their heart without overthinking it.]

Su Yang was taken aback. The system usually responded mechanically, sticking strictly to the question—never offering advice like this. Now it was practically comforting him.

With a faint smile, Su Yang lay back and stared at the dark ceiling, lost in thought.

......

The night passed quickly.

By the next afternoon, the two finally woke up.

Su Yang sat up and glanced at Pan Ning. "Sleep well?"

"Mhm, not bad."

......

Half an hour later, Pan Ning got up first to shower.

Su Yang lazed in bed for another ten minutes before finally rolling out.

By the time he reached the living room, Pan Ning had already finished and was drying her hair.

She looked at him. "You showering?"

"Yeah, just a quick rinse."

"Hurry up then. The group chat says they’re heading out for lunch."

"Got it, be fast." Su Yang ducked into the bathroom.

Meanwhile, in the WeChat group:

Meng Wenzhou sent a message:

LonelyMe: Everyone up yet?

Conqueror: Been up. Stomach’s growling like crazy.

NightCrawler: Same. What’re we eating later?

LonelyMe: Once everyone’s ready, seafood.

NightCrawler: Roger! Where after? Didn’t plan anything since we came in a rush.

LonelyMe: Who needs plans? L.City’s my second home.

NightCrawler: Haha, true. You’re always here living it up.

Conqueror: Let’s go swimming after. I just wanna soak today—this heat’s brutal.

LonelyMe: Fine. I’ll call a few girls to join you.

Conqueror: WHAT?! Dead serious, Meng?

LonelyMe: When do I joke?

Conqueror: Then swimming it is! No backing out!

NightCrawler: Love swimming. My favorite hobby, honestly. [Dog emoji]

......

Thirty minutes later, Pan Ning finished her makeup, and the two left the room.

In the hotel lobby lounge, everyone except Meng Wenzhou had already gathered.

Liu Bo spotted Su Yang and grinned, giving him a knowing look. "Su bro!"

He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Su Yang smirked, about to return the gesture, but Pan Ning shot Liu Bo a glare that instantly made him duck his head sheepishly.

The two took a seat on the sofa while Shen Yixue scooted over to Pan Ning, chattering about outfit choices for the day.

Su Yang turned to Liu Bo and Zhang Ziming. "Where’s Lao Meng?"

"Taking a dump. Classic him—always needs a big one before going out."

"Man’s gotta fix that habit. His stomach okay?"

"Who knows."

As they chatted, Meng Wenzhou finally strolled in.

Today, he was dressed in a crisp all-white fit: a beige bucket hat, a loose Burberry short-sleeved shirt and shorts, and Chanel slides.

On his left wrist was a Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse in rose gold, sunglasses still in place.

"Looking sharp, Lao Meng," Su Yang remarked with a laugh.

"Obviously. You think I lugged that huge suitcase for nothing? One fit a day is standard."

"Gotta hand it to you. I should take notes on your fashion game."

Meng Wenzhou leaned against the sofa. "You really should. Look at what you’re wearing—not bad, but not polished. Get what I mean?"

Su Yang stood up and inspected his outfit.

He had on a gray LV graphic tee, white Supreme shorts, and the same black slides from last night.

"What’s wrong with this?"

He spread his arms, genuinely puzzled.

"Nothing wrong, just… basic. Hard to explain. How many outfits and watches did you bring?"

"Four tees, four shorts, underwear. Just this one watch."

"Too little. No hats either?"

"Rarely wear ’em."

Meng Wenzhou sighed. "Hats are key for styling. Look at me—without this hat, the whole vibe falls flat, right?"

He removed it.

Su Yang studied him. "Seems fine either way?"

Meng Wenzhou rolled his eyes. "Ugh, forget it. Can’t explain in two sentences. We’ll talk later. Let’s eat first."

"Let’s go."

The group chatted as they walked out of the hotel.