Villa, Test, and Barbecue

On a Saturday afternoon, the sunlight was just right, filtering through the clouds and casting a golden glow, making the streets of Huihe City feel warm and cozy.

Chen Mo followed the address sent by Zhao Peng, riding his old bicycle, which creaked and rattled with every part except its bell, as he weaved through more than half of Huihe City. The tires rolled over the uneven stone slabs of the old town, then onto the smooth asphalt of the new district, finally stopping at the entrance of the "Guanlan Villa Area" located in the southeast of the city.

Even before getting close, a refreshing atmosphere, completely different from the old town, hit him. The imposing metal-carved gate, three meters high, was magnificent. The vine-covered pillars were inlaid with the four characters "Guanlan Villa" in gilded lettering, shining brightly in the sun. At the guardhouse, two security guards in crisp black uniforms stood tall and straight like pine trees, their eyes sharp as eagles. Black security equipment was vaguely visible at their waists, clearly not ordinary residential area guards—Chen Mo keenly noticed their steady stances, even breathing, and slightly bulging temples, indicating they were martial arts practitioners.

One of the guards stepped forward, his gaze lingering on Chen Mo's old bicycle for a moment, but without any hint of disdain. He politely asked, "May I ask if you are Mr. Chen Mo?"

"I am," Chen Mo nodded.

"Young Master Zhao Peng has already informed us. Please come this way." After verifying the information, the guard respectfully gestured with his hand and pressed the control button next to the guardhouse. The heavy metal gate slowly opened to both sides, revealing a wide road leading deep into the park. The guard specifically pointed out the location of the Zhao family villa: "Go straight along the main road for three hundred meters, turn right at the third intersection, and you'll see a detached villa with a white fence."

"Thank you," Chen Mo said, and slowly rode his bicycle into the park.

As soon as he entered the residential area, Chen Mo felt as if he had stepped into another world. Wide, smooth asphalt roads wound between meticulously manicured green belts. On both sides of the road stood ginkgo and camphor trees over ten meters tall, with lush foliage and swaying branches, casting dappled shadows as sunlight filtered through the leaves. Detached villas of various styles were hidden behind the trees and landscape gardens, spaced at least fifty meters apart, ensuring excellent privacy.

An artificial lake occupied the central area of the park. The lake's surface sparkled with light, and several white swans glided leisurely, leaving shallow ripples on the water. The lakeside was dotted with small bridges, flowing water, pavilions, and towers. Winding paths paved with bluestone meandered through them, exuding the elegant charm of a Chinese garden. Even more remarkable was that the park was equipped with modern facilities such as intelligent waste sorting stations, outdoor fitness areas, and children's play areas, combining convenience with poetic beauty. The air seemed exceptionally fresh, carrying the cool, moist scent of grass and trees, a stark contrast to the compact, bustling atmosphere of Xingfu Residential Area.

"This is a truly 'high-quality living area'," Chen Mo sighed inwardly. Every blade of grass, every tree, every brick and tile here exuded a tranquility and superiority built from money and resources. Children growing up here, from birth, would have a better environment and superior resources, giving them a much higher starting point than ordinary people.

Following the guard's instructions, he soon arrived in front of a three-story villa with a distinct modern minimalist style. The villa had a gray and white eco-friendly painted exterior, paired with large floor-to-ceiling windows. The lines were clean and sharp, exuding understated luxury. The small garden at the entrance was surrounded by a white carved fence, containing many precious flowers and plants Chen Mo couldn't name—succulents with thick leaves and pink flowers, climbing plants with clusters of small purple flowers, and several uniquely shaped bonsai trees, clearly tended by professional landscapers. Every detail was exquisitely perfect.

As soon as he parked his car, the villa's fully automatic sensor door slid open to both sides with a "swish." Zhao Peng, dressed in loose light gray loungewear and soft slippers, rushed out excitedly, his face beaming with unconcealed enthusiasm.

"Brother Mo! You're finally here! I've been waiting for you!" Zhao Peng greeted Chen Mo with a punch to the shoulder, not too hard, not too light, with the characteristic cheerfulness of a young man. "You really rode your old bike here? If I had known, I would have asked the family driver to pick you up. You must be exhausted from riding all this way?"

"Not tired, it's good exercise," Chen Mo said with a smile, rubbing his shoulder. He followed Zhao Peng into the house. His bicycle was parked in the dedicated parking area at the villa entrance, forming a stark contrast with the black luxury car parked next to it, yet it didn't seem out of place—the security in the park was accustomed to all sorts of visitors and paid it no mind.

The interior decoration of the villa also followed a simple and elegant style. The living room, with a ceiling nearly five meters high, was spacious and bright. A huge crystal chandelier, made of hundreds of small crystals, refracted the sunlight streaming in from the windows, its brilliance dazzling but not harsh. The floor was covered with light gray marble, so polished it reflected the outlines of the furniture. In the center of the living room was a set of off-white leather sofas, soft and delicate to the touch. Beside them was a black solid wood coffee table, on which sat an exquisite tea set.

Several abstract paintings hung on the walls, their colors bold yet harmonious. Large, vibrant green plants were placed in the corners, their leaves lush and verdant, adding a touch of nature to the interior. The overall atmosphere was comfortable and modern, reflecting the owner's excellent taste, pursuing quality without being ostentatious.

"Sit anywhere you like, make yourself at home! Don't be polite!" Zhao Peng sank into the spacious leather sofa and casually picked up the remote control from the coffee table. "What would you like to drink? Ice-cold cola? Juice? Or tea? I have some excellent 'Qingxin Tea' at home. My dad had someone pick it from Lingwu Mountain. Drinking it can calm the mind and spirit, and it even has some auxiliary benefits for improving Mental Strength."

"Just plain water is fine, thank you," Chen Mo sat down on the other side of the sofa, his gaze inadvertently sweeping across the surroundings. The living room was quiet; besides the two of them, there seemed to be no one else.

"My parents went to another city today to discuss a chain cooperation for a Martial Arts fitness center. They probably won't be back until seven or eight tonight," Zhao Peng seemed to read his thoughts and explained casually. At the same time, he called out towards the kitchen, "Mama Wu, could you please bring two cups of water? And some snacks!"

"Okay, Young Master Zhao," a gentle response came from the kitchen. Soon, a middle-aged woman with a kind face, wearing a plain apron, came over with an exquisite wooden tray. On the tray were two cups of steaming warm water and a plate of delicately shaped pastries—osmanthus cakes and mung bean pastries, which looked fragrant and delicious.

Mama Wu placed the tray on the coffee table and smiled kindly at Chen Mo, "Mr. Chen, please try the pastries. I just made them."

"Thank you, Mama Wu," Chen Mo replied politely.

Mama Wu nodded slightly and withdrew into the kitchen without saying more, her footsteps so light they were almost silent, clearly a professionally trained housekeeper.