Chapter 164: She is looking at him, and he is looking at her

Normally, this kind of occurrence would be quite common, but for some reason, many of the bumpy roads on this trip had been smoothed out as if plowed over beforehand. There were no major jolts, and barely any minor ones, allowing her to enjoy a thoroughly comfortable ride. It was precisely this unusual lack of turbulence that had suddenly startled her awake.

Growing somewhat tired of her mobile game, she looked around and happened to catch sight of Zhang Ning waking up midway through the journey, an adorable sight that completely melted her heart.

In Sun Huihui's eyes, Zhang Ning was no mysterious high-ranking figure, nor the Fifth Prince of the Demonic Sect, but merely a lovable youth. Those soft, crimson lips, pearly-white teeth, and those big, sparkling eyes... it was almost enough to make one commit a crime!

She had initially thought the older brother or paternal uncle accompanying the child was already strikingly handsome, but she realized she had been utterly blind—this boy was just as cute! What was his name again... Little Ning?

Sun Huihui instinctively turned her head to glance at Zhang Ning, only to find him dozing once more, resting his head on Mr. Chu's lap. Mr. Chu, noticing her gaze, looked back at her with an amused expression. Sun Huihui's cheeks instantly flushed a bright crimson, and she dared not look again, let alone let her imagination wander, obediently turning her head straight back.

While Sun Huihui turned back, she had no idea that as she was watching others, someone was watching her. That person was none other than their club president, Fan Yunfei.

Seeing Zhang Huihui turn around at last, Fan Yunfei finally breathed a sigh of relief, wiped the cold sweat beading on his forehead, and quietly turned his head back as well.

Ever since he had been entrusted by the elderly man to take good care of Zhang Ning and his companion, Fan Yunfei had racked his brain trying to figure out how to fulfill the task. Aside from coordinating with various departments to ensure a completely smooth journey with green lights all the way, Fan Yunfei felt that the itinerary had proceeded far too smoothly.

He knew this was the result of countless people quietly working behind the scenes. The fact that so many efforts were dedicated entirely to ensuring the comfort and peace of mind of just two people gave him goosebumps—evoking both envy and a touch of dread, which made Fan Yunfei acutely aware of the heavy weight of this responsibility. Yet, how exactly was he supposed to make them feel truly at ease?

Fan Yunfei obviously could not make it too obvious. Seeing that these two genuinely wished to experience a standard group tour, they certainly wouldn't want anyone walking on eggshells around them the entire time. Therefore, Fan Yunfei had not disclosed the so-called truth to the members of the first tour group. After all, for these privileged youths, half-veiled warnings were most likely to produce the exact opposite effect.

Instead, he simply explained to the group that Zhang Ning and his companion had originally booked a tour with a different agency, but due to complications there, they had been transferred to this group as a gesture of appeasement.

Since everyone in the group was essentially a shareholder of the Ink-Dyed Hanfu Club, none of them would resort to sneering or mocking the newcomers. At the same time, because the two sides belonged to different social circles, there would be no fawning or pandering that crossed boundaries. This casual, near-indifferent attitude might actually yield the best results.

Up to this point, the only potential loophole in the plan was Sun Huihui. Given her lively and active personality in recent years, if she were to provoke Zhang Ning and his companion, the consequences would be truly unpredictable. However, seeing her obedient demeanor now, Fan Yunfei finally set his mind at ease.

In truth, had Sun Huihui not been quite popular—meaning her unexplained absence would have prompted endless questioning from the others—Fan Yunfei would have simply asked her not to join this trip.

Yet, as things stood, everything was progressing quite smoothly, even though Sun Huihui seemed to have been momentarily dazed by the sheer beauty of the other man.

Fan Yunfei completely understood this reaction. After all, that man's appearance was so breathtakingly transcendent that even Fan Yunfei—who was usually indifferent to people's looks and frequently teased by friends for being completely oblivious despite being surrounded by beauties—had lost himself in a daze for a moment.

Fan Yunfei silently counted the time in his heart, occasionally checking on the two passengers in the back row. Seeing that the younger one had woken up and seemed somewhat bored after sleeping for quite a while, Fan Yunfei quickly adjusted his facial expression to look cheerful, bright, and radiating an infectious charm.

He reached the front of the vehicle, picked up the onboard karaoke microphone, and called out, "Is anyone feeling bored? Who wants to jam together?"

The rest of the passengers, who had been bored for quite some time, immediately responded enthusiastically. Some even silently complained to themselves why Fan Yunfei hadn't brought out the equipment sooner to entertain them. Little did they know that Fan Yunfei had timed everything strictly according to the schedule of those two distinguished guests; seeing that the man had wished to rest earlier, how could he possibly have allowed anything to disturb him?

Fan Yunfei glanced intentionally or unintentionally toward Zhang Ning and saw his eyes shining brightly with interest. Feeling reassured, he gave himself a mental thumbs-up!

Fifteen days later.

"Signing up for this tour was truly the right choice, Master! Your decision was brilliant!"

Zhang Ning had spent the past few days in sheer bliss. Every aspect of this tour's planning was overwhelmingly delightful—imaginative yet entirely logical, with occasional touches of genuine romance.

For instance, after sleeping too much during the day, he had woken up very early the next morning and found himself bored to the extreme while lying in bed, only to suddenly hear a knock on the door. It turned out the club president had organized a group hike up the mountain to catch the very first ray of dawn.

On another occasion, while passing by a small pond that was neither particularly grand nor picturesque, but happened to remind Zhang Ning of a pond in the Azure Realm, the club president suggested that everyone take off their socks and step into the mud together.

All these various experiences combined made Zhang Ning's days fulfilling and joyful, inevitably elevating his appreciation for the tour group and transferring that admiration to his Master for making the correct choice, completely forgetting that he had spent a great deal of effort selecting it himself.

Seeing Zhang Ning looking this happy, Chu Hanyu felt a mixture of helplessness and amusement, though he said nothing, merely reaching out to gently pinch the bridge of Zhang Ning's nose.

Naturally, Chu Hanyu could see that Zhang Ning's overwhelming joy was entirely the result of someone meticulously catering to his every preference—so seamlessly done that ordinary people would never notice.

Of course, whether in the Azure Realm or in this minor world of supernatural beings, Zhang Ning possessed the status and innate talent to remain entirely oblivious to such machinations. Moreover, as long as he was around, Zhang Ning could practically do as he pleased without the slightest consequence.

Even so, Chu Hanyu still believed that some things ought to be understood. He planned to discuss this aspect with Zhang Ning after the trip concluded; after all, comprehending the subtle intentions of subordinates was a mandatory lesson for anyone in a position of authority.

However, there was no need to dampen Zhang Ning's spirits during the journey. Otherwise, it would turn into an instructional exercise where one party analyzed Zhang Ning's thoughts while Zhang Ning analyzed theirs. Chu Hanyu was by no means an old-fashioned pedant who couldn't bear to see his disciple happy and constantly sought to humble him. Thus, he simply nodded in response.

Zhang Ning continued, asking him, "Are we going to stop at the final destination? ...I've heard that place is wonderful, Master."

Hearing the eagerness leaking from Zhang Ning's words, Chu Hanyu replied, "Jingyi Gardens, is it? Very well."

Having achieved his goal, Zhang Ning's eyes curved into crescent moons as he smiled and said, "Great, everything as Master commands!"