Chapter 878: Chapter 874: One Pit After Another
Even if we take a step back and say that a complaint might be effective, after going through a series of procedures, it’s hard to say there would be a refund or apology—it might even delay the start of the semester.
With just one year left until graduation, Xiang Yiting definitely doesn’t want anything to go wrong at this time, causing her to not complete her studies smoothly.
Moreover, she is still technically working, and half of the agreed half-hour has already passed. If the tourists return to the meeting point and find the guide isn’t present, it would be truly disastrous.
Losing money is a minor issue, but once the travel agency reports her situation to the school, it will certainly have a negative impact on her.
This impact may seem small, but it’s very detrimental to her long-term development and would affect her mentor’s overall evaluation of her.
Following the regular process for complaints isn’t feasible, but Xiang Yiting is embarrassed to ask Xiao Tian to waste money again.
Yet, without spending money, the only option is to squeeze together on the boat, which makes Xiang Yiting quite uneasy.
As for retreating now and letting Xiao Tian take the boat tour alone, Xiang Yiting considered it, but quickly rejected the idea.
Because at this point, if they abandon the plan halfway, it would be like wasting all the money spent so far. Xiang Yiting is clearly not someone who likes to dismiss others’ good intentions.
After thinking it over, Xiang Yiting gritted her teeth and came up with a desperate solution.
"I’ll sit at the back of the boat, you sit on the seat." Saying this, Xiang Yiting suddenly leaped forward, landed on the wooden boat, and sat at the back with her feet on the seat.
Her heart was uneasy due to the boat’s shaking caused by the jump.
"I’ll sit at the back, you sit on the seat." Xiao Tian thought for a moment and said this.
However, just as Xiang Yiting was about to politely refuse, she saw the boat’s staff at the bow, seemingly losing all patience, shout, "Sit or don’t sit, stop dawdling, it’s truly annoying."
With this, he really started moving the oars, looking like he was about to depart immediately.
Xiang Yiting shrieked, she hadn’t even finished putting on her life jacket, and the person was about to set off, not worried about someone losing their life?!
Moreover, if she were taken alone onto the water and something happened, she wouldn’t even be able to escape, especially with the recent news of international students encountering accidents, making Xiang Yiting increasingly anxious.
Just as she was thinking whether to jump off while they hadn’t gone far, a black shadow suddenly flashed before her eyes, followed by a muffled sound and the rocking of the boat, almost tipping her over.
"Are you okay?"
After Xiao Tian quickly jumped onto the boat, he immediately grabbed Xiang Yiting’s small arms, stabilizing her balance amidst the unstable center of gravity.
"Whew..."
Breathing a sigh of relief, only then did Xiang Yiting see who it was—upon recognizing Xiao Tian, she relaxed with a blush, instinctively freeing herself while saying, "I’m fine."
Xiao Tian chuckled lightly, then turned his gaze to the bow, coincidentally meeting the eyes of the rowing staff, who showed a hint of regret but quickly masked it with displeasure.
With his eyes slightly narrowed, Xiao Tian murmured that this guy surely had no good intentions, and if necessary, he might not be able to keep retreating.
The wooden boat slowly began to move, with the three of them carrying their thoughts towards Confucian Spring Center.
Shortly after leaving the dock, a voice came from the bow.
"This is Confucian Spring. At the center, 30 meters underwater is the spring’s source, and the water there is very sweet, containing all sorts of elements needed by the human body. It’s said to be better than any health tonic on the market."
However, the voice carried a tone of reluctance, as if speaking was the least he wanted to do unless necessary.
After a while, without receiving any proper response, the rower grew increasingly unhappy and couldn’t help but say, "Are you two so rude? I spoke so much, and you don’t even reply?!"
At this point, Xiao Tian didn’t feel much about it; this absurd logic was so common that he’d become numb to it.
If the other party claimed talking required payment, Xiao Tian wouldn’t be too surprised.
"Let me be straightforward, your package includes a drinking activity in the center of Confucian Spring. The equipment needed for this is in the small box under your seat; you can take a look."
Hearing the rowing staff’s words, Xiao Tian lifted his legs and awkwardly pulled out the drawer as instructed.
He couldn’t help but be puzzled—tools for fetching water?
Clearly, Xiang Yiting shared the same confusion, her bright eyes fixed unblinkingly on Xiao Tian’s actions, eager to see the tools mentioned.
Yet both secretly speculated that it wouldn’t be so simple.
It’s not that they were overthinking, but from the start, it felt like each step was a trap, making them doubt the motives now.
Sure enough, as Xiao Tian completely withdrew the drawer, the rower’s voice timely sounded.
"There’s a price list from left to right; you can choose according to your situation!"
With that, Xiao Tian and Xiang Yiting both looked into the drawer’s contents.
Before them were six cups neatly arranged in a row, starting from the left was a glass cup, followed by iron, copper, silver, gold, and finally jade on the far right.
Under each cup were different prices, which, when converted into local currency, ranged from 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 8,000, to 10,000 maximum!
This unique marketing approach, cleverly designed to strip guests bare from top to bottom, inside and out, was truly a first for someone as well-traveled as Xiao Tian.
After a long pause, Xiang Yiting spoke, "Didn’t you say the package included this activity, so why should we pay additional fees for what’s already included?"
"Ha, I mentioned the drinking activity, but never about providing the tools for fetching water!"
While moving the oars, the staff continued: "But I advise against using your hands to fetch water, otherwise...you can check the sign on the right shore."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Tian and Xiang Yiting simultaneously turned right, seeing several signs standing tall, labeled bilingually: Prohibited from touching spring water with hands, violators face fines...
"Therefore, I advise you to consider the consequences and not act impulsively."
