Chapter 618: Chapter 588: Self-Driving Tour Plan_1
September 21, 2013, early morning
"Hurry up, speed up! Are you taking a stroll? I said to change pace, do you understand human language or not? We’re still a pound away from the goal. Exercise properly and there’s no need to edit the wedding photos, understand?"
Xia Momo clung to Zhou Ning’s arm, watching with worry as Mr. Zhao sweat profusely on the track below, and Zhu Xingxing, completely wrapped up and holding a whistle, continuously shook her head on the side.
"These two really are a pair of happy enemies. Zhao Xinli complains about not getting enough to eat every day, and still gets bullied by Zhu Xingxing. Although Zhu Xingxing is full of complaints, she seems tireless in getting Zhao Xinli to lose weight. It’s already the twenty-first; aren’t they going to take their wedding photos? What’s more, can Xinli really endure this training on just a cup of black coffee?"
Zhou Ning laughed and patted Xia Momo’s arm.
"We get to watch a free show every day without paying admission; we’re the real beneficiaries here. Actually, I hope they don’t get their wedding photos done so they won’t have to insist on getting married on the same day as us."
Xia Momo, still holding onto Zhou Ning’s arm, looked up at his profile—a profile so handsome it seemed happiness was about to overflow. She rubbed Zhou Ning’s arm and said softly,
"Whether they get married on the same day as us doesn’t matter to me. As long as I’m with you, every day will be a happy day."
Zhou Ning ruffled Xia Momo’s hair, messing it up for a while and then tidying it back up. Her waist-length hair was just to Zhou Ning’s aesthetic. He grabbed Xia Momo’s hand and squeezed it tightly.
"They will have a wedding banquet, so there’s some envy there, huh?"
Xia Momo nodded, then shook her head after thinking it over.
"My mom has been complaining about our wedding plans to my dad for a while. At first, I also imagined being in a wedding dress and accepting blessings from relatives and friends. At the church or on an outdoor lawn, my dad would escort me step by step towards you and hand my hand over to you. Just thinking about it feels so romantic and ceremonial.
But that’s all for show. The closer it gets to our wedding day, the more I feel that happiness has nothing to do with others. Having a romantic wedding doesn’t guarantee happiness forever. As long as I can stay peacefully by your side, holding your hand for a lifetime, I feel so happy that I could wake up smiling."
Zhou Ning rubbed Xia Momo’s cheeks with his hands, then, with a strong move, hugged her tightly in his arms.
"Sorry, I can’t fulfill that kind of wish for you."
Xia Momo pushed Zhou Ning away and looked around. Many students were exercising in the morning, after all, they were on the campus of Qin University. Her cheeks were a bit red.
"We’re in school, let’s be careful. You’re technically a student at the research center; there are quite a few around, how awkward if someone sees us, right?"
Zhou Ning laughed.
"There’s nothing awkward about holding my own fiancée; I’m not holding some other woman. If they’re envious, they should go find their own fiancées."
Xia Momo turned her head slightly and hummed.
"We haven’t gotten the marriage license yet. Right, shall we go get it tomorrow?"
Zhou Ning shook his head.
"No."
Xia Momo was stunned.
"No?"
Before Zhou Ning could speak, Mr. Zhao came over, panting heavily.
He snatched the water bottle from Zhu Xingxing’s hand, took a few gulps that didn’t seem to quench his thirst, then poured it over his head like a dog shaking off water. Zhou Ning, anticipating Mr. Zhao’s actions, pulled Xia Momo to one side in time.
Zhu Xingxing, who didn’t react in time, was splashed with sweat all over her face and hair and kicked Mr. Zhao furiously, yelling,
"Zhao Xinli, do you want to die? I’m soaked in your sweat, it stinks to death!"
Mr. Zhao huffed and gave Zhu Xingxing a glare.
Ignoring her yell, he snatched a towel and wiped himself roughly. It was then that Zhou Ning saw clearly that no sooner had the kid wiped the water from his head and face than his face was covered in sweat once again, as if such physical exertion wasn’t quite suitable for him.
"If you find exercise uncomfortable, you really can’t handle it, ask He Shancun to come up with a diet plan."
Mr. Zhao’s head wobbled like a bobblehead as he pointed at Zhou Ning, his face full of resentment.
"You stop right there. I’m killing myself running here, and do you know why? It’s because Zhu Xingxing won’t stop feeding me, and life isn’t worth living if you can’t eat or drink. I’m a carnivore, I don’t eat grass. Mr. Xia, can’t you take a look at this kid’s phone?
Is it too much trust or what? Zhou Xiaozhou searched Baidu Almanac ages ago to see which day is suitable for getting a marriage license. Tomorrow is not a good day. Just listen to Zhou Xiaozhou’s arrangements; it’s all right. After all, we’re getting married on the same day; we might as well group together and get our licenses."
Xia Momo realized, and Zhou Ning raised his fist towards Zhao Xinli.
"How can you talk so fast, you know people so you don’t have to queue?"
Zhu Xingxing crossed her arms, and Mr. Zhao raised his eyebrows, his finger pointing helplessly at Zhu Xingxing.
"Her aunt is at the licensing window and can help us get an early number. How about it, still want to ditch us?"
Xia Momo was already holding Zhu Xingxing’s arm, and the two watched Zhao Xinli bicker with Zhou Ning.
"Fine then, you arrange the time. But we’ll probably go on our honeymoon early and won’t be able to attend your banquet. Let’s not bother giving each other money; you give me, I give you, it’s all a hassle."
Mr. Zhao shook his head.
"No hassle, I’ll give you first, and then you have to up the ante when returning the favor. Come on, Zhu Xingxing, give me the red envelope, quick!"
Zhou Ning rolled his eyes at him.
"Scram!"
Mr. Zhao couldn’t stop laughing and nudged Zhou Ning’s shoulder, to Zhou Ning’s surprise, discovering that Mr. Zhao seemed to have really lost weight. His shoulders no longer felt like a wall as before; now it was possible to feel the bones.
"Don’t mention the effectiveness of losing weight, you can actually feel bones in your shoulders now."
Mr. Zhao lifted his chin, proudly saying:
"I’ve lost nearly forty kilos, I have been working on that case before and you didn’t notice my changes. Forty kilos is a lot, you know, like a six or seven-year-old kid."
Zhu Xingxing pushed Mr. Zhao, who looked puzzled.
"Why are you pushing me?"
"So much blather and not a word of substance. I really don’t know how your memory can deteriorate to this extent. Have you forgotten what we were supposed to tell the boss?"
Mr. Zhao slapped his thigh and quickly turned serious.
"Right, here’s the important thing, we’re not having a wedding anymore. Just going to the ancestral home for a meal on the 27th, no need for a wedding dress or anything. So hurry up and contribute your honeymoon itinerary. We need to copy your answers, and book our tickets quickly or it will really be too late."
Zhou Ning was stunned.
Seeing Zhao Xinli and Zhu Xingxing with serious expressions, he then believed what they were saying. However, previously they had been seriously planning the wedding banquet, and their families had booked the hotel well in advance.
"What’s the reason?"
Mr. Zhao shook his head.
"You know where my dad and her dad work. There’s a sudden sea training mission, I can’t divulge the details, but after the training, they’ll go straight to the southern seas for a 47-day maritime fleet cluster military training exercise. You don’t need me to introduce who the imagined enemy is, right?
They won’t make it back in time, and both our moms are peripheral personnel, each having their own tasks. They need to head to the training location at the end of the month, so what’s the point of having the wedding banquet?
No kidding, besides the two of us, the four key people won’t be there, so we’ll just cancel the banquet. Since we can’t give back the cash gifts we’ve received, we decided to join you guys. Now, pitch your itinerary so I can book my tickets and hotels along with you."
Zhou Ning suddenly realized that he hadn’t thought of this angle, but considering the big maritime project that Qindao recently took over, everything naturally became clear to him.
"We’re not going abroad, especially since during the National Day Golden Week, every tourist spot will be crowded with people and cars. So we decided to do the opposite and go on a self-drive tour.
We’ll fly directly to Tianshan, where I’ve rented an RV. We’ll stay in hotels when we find them, or camp otherwise; we’ll spend a couple of days playing around the Tianshan scenic area, then head to Turpan and Daban City.
After that we’ll drive to Jiayuguan and Zhangye, and I’ve booked hotels in both places. Regarding the RV, we’ve negotiated with the rental company that they can leave the vehicle in Zhangye or LANZHOU, and we’ve booked tickets for the return trip.
Along the way, we’ve only planned for two people, and the hotels are booked for two as well. Do you think we can merge our trips together?"
Mr. Zhao blinked and gestured Zhou Ning to come closer.
"Stop dodging the topic, give me the car rental company’s number and the contacts for the three hotels. Of course, I also need your electronic itinerary so I can book the car and rooms according to your schedule.
Really, we don’t want to go abroad either, nor to crowded places. An RV self-drive tour sounds just too blissful. It’s the thing I’ve dreamed about."
Zhu Xingxing was visibly excited, her eyes nearly turning into little stars as she shook Mr. Zhao’s arm vigorously.
"Zhao Xinli, your decision is so cool. I’ve never realized how cool you could be. I want to stay in an RV too and enjoy the thrill of driving the vehicle across the Gobi Desert."
Zhou Ning glanced at Mr. Zhao, hearing that he was to book another vehicle, not hitch a ride on his; he suddenly felt less resistant to the idea.
Plus, two RVs traveling together could look out for each other.
With this in mind, Zhou Ning found the three numbers on his phone and quickly shared them with Mr. Zhao, also thoughtfully indicating which number belonged to whom. Zhu Xingxing leaned in to grab her phone, ready to make the call.
Just then, a familiar voice arose from behind them.
"What are you four plotting over here?"
Hearing the voice, Mr. Zhao shivered and quickly turned around.
"Mrs. Fei, how did you get here?"
Liu Yufei crossed her arms and approached them, followed by Chen Cheng acting all innocent, waving to the group in greeting.
"We were looking for Mr. He, and then we heard you guys came here for exercise this morning, so we chased down here."
Zhou Ning put away his smile and hurried over. Knowing today was the last day of the Mid-Autumn Festival break, their presence at this time seemed urgent.
Mr. Zhao also edged closer, asking out of habit:
"Is there a case?"
Liu Yufei slapped Mr. Zhao’s arm with a smack.
"Can you not run your mouth off during a break? I have private matters to discuss with Zhou Ning, come with me for a second."
Zhou Ning looked puzzled; private matters could encompass a wide range of things, and he didn’t immediately understand the meaning.
"What’s the matter?"
