8.Encountering cruise ships

Three months passed by leisurely. The wheels of time rolled forward silently, seemingly changing everything subtly. At the port of Xiangshan'ao, a giant cruise ship, like a colossus on the sea, was slowly pulling out of the harbor and heading towards the vast open sea.

This cruise ship was like a dream palace floating on the sea. The interior was ablaze with dazzling lights. The bright yet soft light was like countless stars sprinkled inside, casting a luxurious and indulgent scene.

In the entertainment area, there were crowds of people, and the hustle and bustle intertwined to form a unique melody. People were either concentrating at the gambling tables or chatting leisurely while sipping drinks at the bar, fully enjoying the joy brought by this sea journey.

At this moment, the elevator was slowly descending from the top floor. With a clear prompt sound, the elevator doors slowly opened. In an instant, several burly bodyguards quickly stepped forward. They were like well-trained shields, closely lined up together, instantly blocking the sight of the crowd.

In the middle was a tall man. He was wearing a black collarless suit, and the neat suit further accentuated his tall and straight figure. The man walked with a strong wind, his steps were rapid and powerful, as if a black whirlwind flashed by. Many tourists around didn't have time to catch a glimpse of his face before he disappeared from their sight.

By his side was a young man of similar age, also striding forward and closely following without leaving his side. Looking closely, the one wearing a floral shirt behind was Jiang Song. He was trotting all the way, closely following behind Ye Fan, and his mouth was like an open faucet, chattering non-stop.

"Brother Fan, I also want to go to Xizicheng! After things are done, can you ask Sun Tai to switch with me?" Jiang Song looked at Ye Fan with full expectation, his eyes shining with longing. However, Ye Fan seemed not to have heard him and didn't respond at all. At this moment, Ye Fan's mood was as turbulent as the rough sea, far from calm.

Jiang Song didn't notice the change in Ye Fan's expression and still kept talking to himself: "I heard from Sun Tai that Xizicheng is extremely beautiful! I also want to see the towering ancient trees clustered together and drink tea in the bar in the forest!"

When Ye Fan heard this, the corner of his mouth twitched strangely. He was just about to speak but then stopped. "Yes, yes! Xizicheng is famous for its beautiful women! I really want to go! After the matters in Hong Kong are wrapped up, Brother Fan, take me with you! I want to see the beautiful women in the south of the Yangtze River!" Jiang Song became more and more excited as he spoke, and his face was filled with an excited blush.

But at this moment, the curve of Ye Fan's mouth disappeared instantly, and his eyes suddenly turned cold, like cold stars in the cold night, making people shudder. His steps also suddenly increased, as if he wanted to vent out the depression in his heart through these rapid steps.

What a Xizicheng and its beautiful women! What a beautiful woman in the south of the Yangtze River! Ye Fan muttered to himself in his heart. In the past three months, he had been searching everywhere like looking for a needle in a haystack, but he had always found nothing. The other party seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth without a trace.

Jiang Song finally noticed the strange expression on Ye Fan's face. It was as if he had been poured a basin of cold water from head to toe, and he suddenly shivered all over. He quickly lowered his head and didn't dare to say anything more. He was secretly wondering in his heart what exactly he had said wrong. Why was Brother Fan suddenly angry? A series of question marks swirled in his mind, but he didn't dare to ask any more questions.

At the same time, at a table in the cruise ship's restaurant, there were three women and one man sitting, and the atmosphere was a bit delicate. Tang Qian was quietly having a meal. Her movements were elegant and slow, and every bite of food seemed to be savoring the little bits of life.

Chen Guang turned his gaze to Tang Qian and asked, "Tang Qian, don't you want to play anything? It's the last day already. Let's go to the entertainment area and have a look together?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Qian gently shook her head and said softly, "I don't have any money."

After hearing this, Chen Guang showed a generous smile and quickly said, "It doesn't matter. We can play small. I'll treat you to play."

But Tang Qian still firmly shook her head and refused: "I don't gamble."

Chen Guang still didn't give up and continued to persuade: "It's okay if you don't want to play. Just go in and take a look together? Since we're already here, we can't leave with regret."

At this time, Chen Ling, who had been sitting beside them, finally couldn't stand it anymore. She widened her eyes and gave Chen Guang a fierce glare, and said angrily, "Brother, aren't you annoying? You keep asking and asking! She said she doesn't want to go. Are you deaf?!"

Chen Guang was choked by his sister and immediately shut his mouth. His face showed an embarrassed expression, and his mood became very bad.

And Tang Qian's mood was even worse. After she landed at the Hong Kong airport, on a whim, she suddenly wanted to come to Xiangshan'ao to see the world, thinking that it might expand some inspiration for her painting creation.

She had specifically boarded this cruise ship because she had heard that the owner of the cruise ship loved collecting famous paintings, and there were many original works of world-famous paintings hanging on the ship. For her, who loved painting, this was undoubtedly of great attraction. But she never expected to meet Chen Guang and his group of three who were traveling south here.

When their eyes met, for a moment, they were speechless, and there seemed to be a trace of awkwardness in the air. Chen Ling was completely stunned at that time. She widened her eyes and looked incredibly surprised. She couldn't believe that she would meet Tang Qian here.

After a while, she finally reacted. The Royal College of Art had a three-semester system a year, and three months was exactly the time to finish one semester. It was the holiday season at this time... Thinking of this, Chen Ling was full of helplessness in her heart. She really didn't expect such a coincidence. Xiangshan'ao was so far away from Xizicheng, yet they could still meet! She secretly regretted in her heart that she should have communicated with Tang Qian about their itinerary in advance...

Liu Ran, who was sitting in Chen Guang's arms, coquettishly pleaded at this time, "I want to play."

Chen Guang immediately reached out and hugged her, saying gently, "I'll take you to have a good time today. The two of us will have enough fun."

When Chen Ling heard this, she was not to be outdone and shouted loudly, "I want to go too. Don't stop me."

Chen Guang turned his head, looked at Chen Ling, and said with a look of disgust, "What a third wheel you are. Are you old enough? People under 21 can't go in!"

When Chen Ling heard this, she immediately jumped up and retorted loudly, "I'm already 23!" Chen Guang called the waiter to pay the bill, and a smile appeared on his face. He teased, "Even at 23, you're still a kid. Take it easy, or you'll be scolded by Dad when you go back."

When Chen Ling heard this, she became even angrier. She pointed at Chen Guang's nose and said, "What about Tang Qian? She's also 23! Why do you insist on her going? I think you're crazy!"

Chen Guang's face became serious, and he said sternly, "Do you really not know the reason why I'm taking care of her, or are you pretending to me? Three months ago, you were being headstrong and reckless. Uncle Tang was almost driven crazy!"

But Chen Ling said indifferently, "What's the big deal? Isn't it just traveling for three months?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Guang raised his voice and scolded, "You are you, and she is she! She is a lady from a prominent family. Who is like you, always running wild outside every day? I think you've been spoiled!"

Seeing that the two were arguing fiercely, Liu Ran quickly stepped in to mediate, "Okay, okay. Stop arguing. Why are you arguing as siblings?"

After paying the bill after the meal, the three of them didn't go directly to the entertainment area. Instead, they first sent Tang Qian back to her room.

Chen Guang looked at Tang Qian with a concerned expression and said, "Don't be as willful as Lingling. Running away from home for three months is really too much. I'll send you back as soon as the cruise ship docks."

After hearing this, Tang Qian gently nodded and replied, "Okay." Before closing the door, Chen Guang, still worried, reminded, "Don't wander around. After all, this is the open sea, not Xizicheng. It's not safe."

With a clear "click" sound, the door slowly closed, isolating Tang Qian from the outside world.