Chapter 201: Hidden Gems in Yangcheng

After seeing Xie Bingran off, Xu Chen headed out to meet up with Fang Jun, Wu Feifei, and Huang Qianqian.

The Buick GL8 pulled right up in front of Xu Chen.

“Hop in first! It’s scorching out here!” Wu Feifei called, rolling down the window.

Xu Chen smiled and climbed into the passenger seat without a fuss.

“Where should we eat? Any recommendations, Teacher Xu?”

Wu Feifei leaned in from the back seat, eager for Xu Chen’s suggestion.

Xu Chen replied, “I’m not all-knowing, and I’m not too familiar with this area!”

He still had to pick up Bing Ge later, so they couldn’t go far. Plus, being in Yangcheng was a rare treat, and he didn’t want to settle for anything ordinary.

Xu Chen turned to Wu Feifei:

“Why not ask your dad?”

Wu Feifei echoed, “My dad?”

Xu Chen grinned, “A big leader like him would know the best spots—places most people don’t even hear about.”

Huang Qianqian blinked, “But he’s not based in Yangcheng…”

Xu Chen just smiled without answering.

Fang Jun chimed in to explain:

“Normally, leaders at his level have visited all the major cities in the country.

Even if not for work, they’d go for personal trips…”

Wu Feifei already had her phone out, messaging her high-ranking father for help.

In no time, Wu Feifei stared at her phone and laughed,

“Dad says there’s a super private good hotel up on White Cloud Mountain. We can eat there.”

…

…

Ten minutes later, they arrived at a hotel tucked away behind thick greenery.

“It’s really hidden—if you weren’t looking for it, you’d never find it, but it’s right by the main road up the mountain,” Wu Feifei noted.

A stone signboard stood behind two sprawling banyan trees.

The calligraphy on the sign was by one of the original founders of a certain organization.

Fang Jun said, “Definitely a great spot.”

The four walked in slowly.

The hotel wasn’t large, but its layout followed the terrain’s rises and falls, all shaded by dense foliage.

Winding paths led to corridors, streams twisted past the buildings, windows framed mountain views, and gardens blended seamlessly with the landscape.

They deliberately skipped the lobby and dining area, wandering around first, growing even more surprised.

Because the inscriptions and photos on the walls were beyond what ordinary people could imagine.

It was hard to picture who might stay or hold meetings here…

Huang Qianqian stared in awe:

“Is this really a place we can visit?”

Wu Feifei said, “Since Dad suggested it, it must be open to the public.

Though it’s so private, and the owners don’t promote it at all.”

She glanced at Xu Chen:

“Teacher Xu, you came up with a great idea. I never thought to ask my dad…”

“I’m starving—let’s eat!” Xu Chen laughed.

…

The restaurant was small, surrounded by a spring pool, with large windows offering views of massive red koi fish.

Besides Xu Chen’s group, only one other table had guests.

The server brought the menu, and Wu Feifei handed it straight to Xu Chen.

Xu Chen smiled and passed it to Fang Jun:

“You’re the expert at ordering, Fang Jun.”

Fang Jun paused but took the menu.

She glanced through it quickly and ordered a few signature dishes.

…

“Wow, this is delicious!”

“And this soup is amazing—it’s the essence of fresh flavors!”

“It’s all about the fresh ingredients; no matter how you cook them, they shine.”

“No wonder there are so many famous inscriptions and photos here…”

…

As they savored the meal, praises kept flowing.

“Food in Yangcheng”—Cantonese cuisine really has its charm.

Good tea was a must—one pot of raw Puerh, one of ripe.

Puerh tea mainly comes from Yunnan Province, but the best batches are shipped to Yangcheng right away each year.

In Yunnan itself, people mostly get second- or third-grade leaves.

This was something Xu Chen learned in his past life from a tea merchant friend…

Xu Chen enjoyed a plate of tasty “steamed chicken with salt and oil fungus” and nodded in silent agreement.

He pulled out his phone, snapped a photo of the table, and sent it to Bing Ge.

[This restaurant is pretty good. I’ll bring you here sometime.]

Soon, Xie Bingran replied:

[Just finished listening to the leader’s boring speech. Now heading to a dull buffet.]

[Then eat lightly—I’ll take you out for midnight snacks later.]

[Okay.]

…

…

At Yangcheng Sports Stadium, in the activity center.

Xie Bingran walked along, replying to messages on her phone.

Cheng Hong glanced over and smiled, “New phone?”

Xie Bingran: “From Xu Chen.”

Cheng Hong: “I figured.”

She reached out and touched the backpack on Xie Bingran’s shoulder, grinning,

“Besides the phone and backpack, what else did Xu Chen get you?”

Xie Bingran lifted her wrist: “This watch too.

And a pair of shoes, two sets of sportswear…”

When I was in school, he gave me lots of ballpoint pens, erasers, stationery cases, and stuff like that…”

Cheng Hong smirked, “You remember it all so clearly.”

Xie Bingran: “Huh?”

Cheng Hong sighed suddenly, “I wish some guy would spoil me like that.”

Xie Bingran paused:

“Spoil me?”

Cheng Hong turned to her:

“He likes you, you know…”

Xie Bingran pursed her lips, seemingly deep in thought.

Cheng Hong: “You didn’t realize?”

Xie Bingran asked seriously, “Why do you say that?”

Cheng Hong shook her head and explained earnestly:

“When a guy keeps buying and giving gifts, it’s usually a clear sign of pursuit.

If it’s not about some ulterior motive, then it’s genuine affection…”

Xie Bingran blinked her wide eyes, still not quite grasping it.

Cheng Hong continued, “Spending money is spending heart…

Think of it this way—he’s out shopping, sees something, and suddenly thinks it would suit you. That means you’re on his mind.

Or he tries a tasty dish and immediately plans to take you to try it…

That’s what liking someone looks like!”

Xie Bingran fell silent, lost in thought.

After a moment, she asked,

“Does he know that himself?”

Cheng Hong: “Know what?”

Xie Bingran: “That it’s liking someone.”

Cheng Hong paused: “That’s a good question…”

…

At the buffet entrance.

Xie Bingran stopped at the door instead of going in.

Cheng Hong looked back: “Come on, let’s eat!”

Xie Bingran: “Can I skip this?”

Cheng Hong: “No, there’s a celebration segment afterward, and it’s for you.”

A flicker crossed Xie Bingran’s cool expression:

“Right now, I really want to find Xu Chen.”