Picking Someone Up Along the Way

There was a gentle knock on the ward door.

Zhang Yang looked up and saw Tian Chuxi gently knocking on the door. "Um... did I disturb you?"

"Brother Zhang, I'm leaving now." Caught off guard, Xiang Xiaotian blushed, quickly stood up, and turned to leave.

As they brushed past Tian Chuxi, they nodded slightly to each other.

It's true that Xiang Xiaotian likes Tian Chuxi, but she's ultimately different from ordinary people. In the world she's been exposed to, celebrities aren't as unattainable as they seem.

"These are flowers for you." Tian Chuxi entered the ward and gently placed the bouquet on the bedside table.

"What's this? Why are you sending me flowers?" Zhang Yang asked, amused.

"Treatment like a benefactor." Tian Chuxi blinked lightly. "Your checkup was fine, right?"

"Stop joking around, I'm just treating this as a vacation. What about you?" Zhang Yang shook his head and smiled.

"Just a minor soft tissue abrasion." Tian Chuxi gently rubbed her arm under her clothes. "It's nothing serious."

"You're in good shape. Looks like you've been working out all this time. By the way, let me see your scars," Zhang Yang said, glancing at Tian Chuxi.

"Huh?" Tian Chuxi blushed instantly, clearly not expecting Zhang Yang to make this request.

"What's there to be embarrassed about... anyway..." Zhang Yang blurted out, but then realized it wasn't appropriate, "Never mind, forget I said anything."

He waved his hand, but Tian Chuxi, who was standing to the side, had already gently rolled up her sleeves.

"Let me show you."

Her face flushed, and she offered her arm.

"It's alright, it shouldn't leave a scar." Zhang Yang naturally grasped it, lifted it up to look at it, and said.

Tian Chuxi didn't speak, letting Zhang Yang hold her arm and examine her for a while before gently pulling away. "Stop looking, you've been looking for too long."

Zhang Yang smiled and easily released his grip.

In the morning, the ward was bright and clean. Tian Chuxi sat with Zhang Yang for a while before getting up to say goodbye.

As she left, she explained her upcoming plans and quietly asked if they wanted to pause filming for a while.

But Zhang Yang just wanted to get things done as quickly as possible.

"Since there are no problems, let's get back to normal as soon as possible. I'm not a free man; I can always spend my time here," Zhang Yang said, still thinking about his mission.

"That's fine then." Tian Chuxi nodded in agreement.

Watching Tian Chuxi's departing figure, Zhang Yang felt that it was time for him to go back as well.

In the afternoon, as Zhang Yang prepared to leave the hospital, many nurses came to see him off, and several even presented him with bouquets to express their heartfelt wishes.

"Thank you, thank you, I can't carry any more."

Zhang Yang was holding several large bouquets of flowers in his arms, surrounded by a group of pretty young nurses.

They were radiant with youth, their eyes filled with admiration.

Outside the hospital building, the Phantom was parked at the bottom of the steps. The driver jogged over and helped Zhang Yang put away the bouquet.

"See you later, but hopefully not at the hospital." Zhang Yang turned around, waved to a few nurses, and casually got into the back seat of the Phantom.

The nurses stood there, stunned, only then realizing that these past few days might have been the closest they'd ever been to their idol.

··

Back at the hotel, everything was naturally calm and peaceful.

The managers wanted to come over and offer their concern, but Zhang Yang waved them all away.

No need, really no need.

He wasn't even scratched; he really didn't need them to come and linger in front of him.

He simply returned to his suite, took a nice bath, and refreshed himself. When he stepped out of the room again, he was once again a radiant and handsome Chairman Zhang.

Inside and outside the hotel, everything, big and small, is proceeding smoothly and according to plan.

Several industries are also quite stable, providing him with a steady stream of income.

The next day, Zhang Yang saw the stunningly beautiful Xiang Xiaotian again.

This girl never needs to wear any makeup; she has fair skin, a beautiful face, and plenty of collagen, perfectly embodying the saying "natural beauty is hard to ignore."

"Brother Zhang." Xiang Xiaotian immediately gave him a hug and a hot kiss.

"Let's go, come with me for a walk." Zhang Yang had nothing to do today and planned to go to Peach Blossom Spring to check on the progress. After all, it was a house worth over 100 million yuan, plus a renovation budget of 100 million yuan, which was definitely a huge project.

The Phantom had just driven off to refuel.

Zhang Yang took Xiang Xiaotian's hand and went straight to the hotel's concierge area, where they randomly chose a Mercedes-Benz limousine for their trip.

The autumn sky is clear and the air is crisp; the weather is exceptionally pleasant.

Xiang Xiaotian sat in the passenger seat with the window half-open, in an exceptionally good mood.

"Oh, right, give me your hand."

Suddenly, Xiang Xiaotian looked at Zhang Yang and first spread out her fair hands.

"What do you want my hand for?" Zhang Yang asked curiously, but he still offered his hand.

Xiang Xiaotian happily grabbed it, then took out her phone and snapped a picture.

"What are you filming? Where are you going to post this?" Zhang Yang asked, blinking.

"Post it on WeChat Moments, show off our love!" Xiang Xiaotian gently shook her phone, a triumphant smile flashing in her eyes.

Then, she enthusiastically bent down and fiddled with her phone.

A moment later, Zhang Yang curiously took out his phone and started scrolling.

As soon as he refreshed the page, he saw Xiang Xiaotian's latest WeChat Moments post. The post featured a photo of the two of them holding hands tightly, accompanied by a simple caption of a string of bright Tongtong hearts.

Below are various likes and comments.

[It's official!]

[You don't even need to look to know it's Brother Zhang's hand]

[Buttoned up, so envious...]

Zhang Yang even saw Tian Chuxi's "like".

This is only what Zhang Yang can see. If it were on Xiang Xiaotian's own phone, who knows how many of her classmates, friends, and family members would be exposed.

Go ahead and send it.

Seeing Xiang Xiaotian's delighted expression, Zhang Yang let her be.

As the car drove along the road, a cool autumn breeze blew in through the windows. Xiang Xiaotian hummed a song softly, occasionally stealing glances at Zhang Yang, a look of happiness on her beautiful face.

"Do you know? I've been looking forward to this scene for over twenty years."

"Nonsense, don't try to create a dramatic atmosphere." Zhang Yang wasn't buying it.

"Really, many years ago, I probably dreamed about this scene, but back then I could never see who was sitting next to me. But I can't forget that feeling. Now, Brother Zhang, the feeling you give me is the same as in my dream." Xiang Xiaotian said very seriously.

Zhang Yang looked at Xiang Xiaotian face and was momentarily suspicious.

Could it be that there really is such a thing as fate?

The next second, Xiang Xiaotian couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Get lost, are you kidding me?" Zhang Yang reached out without hesitation and gave those long, beautiful legs that were pressed together a good beating.

Immediately, Xiang Xiaotian cried out in pain, her eyes becoming even more watery.

"Brother Zhang Yang... be gentle..."

Good heavens, Zhang Yang was driving perfectly fine, and he almost flipped the car over.

Halfway through the drive, Xiang Xiaotian's phone suddenly rang.

"It's my mom on the phone." She glanced at it and answered the call. "Hello, Mom?"

"What? They're here too? Now? I really don't have time!"

Zhang Yang, sitting to the side, heard it clearly; it sounded like Xiang Xiaotian's mother had asked Xiang Xiaotian to pick up someone or something...

After a while, Xiang Xiaotian talked to her mother for a long time before finally putting down her phone in a sullen mood.

"What's wrong?" Zhang Yang asked.

"It's so annoying! My clingy little cousin is here, and he brought his girlfriend. My mom insists I go show him around," Xiang Xiaotian said, annoyed. "I don't want to go."

"It's no big deal to bring it," Zhang Yang said nonchalantly.

"But..." Xiang Xiaotian hesitated, looking a little unhappy.

Zhang Yang looked at Xiang Xiaotian's expression, amused, and reached out to ruffle her hair. "There's plenty of time. Besides, can they stay with you all day?"

"Alright then, I'll bring it along." Xiang Xiaotian nodded obediently.

A moment later, she and her cousin got in touch on WeChat.

"Brother Zhang Yang, over here." Xiang Xiaotian showed the address to Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang glanced at it, nodded, and drove straight away.

···

On the roadside, a young man stood with a pretty young woman beside him, chatting animatedly.

"My aunt's family is super rich. They own a five-star hotel. My sister drives a pink Rolls-Royce Wraith. Aren't you always envious of your girlfriends? You can take a good look at my sister's car later. You'll outshine all your girlfriends!"

"Really?" Liu Qingqing's eyes showed some disbelief. "You always exaggerate a bit when you talk, I don't really believe you."

"Don't believe me? You'll find out soon enough," the boy shrugged, quite smugly. "Liu Qingqing, I promise I won't lie to you."

"Fine, Dong Jun, if you dare to lie to me, you're dead meat," Liu Qingqing snorted.

The two stood by the roadside and waited for a while. Suddenly, a Mercedes-Benz stopped in front of them.

"Dong Jun, get in the car."

The car window rolled down, Xiang Xiaotian gently waved from inside the car.

"Sister?" Dong Jun looked at the car in front of him and stammered.

Although the car in front of him was also Mercedes-Benz, and a nice car, it was completely different from the Rolls-Royce Wraith he had just been boasting about!

One is a good car in the eyes of ordinary people, and the other is a top-of-the-line luxury car in the eyes of the wealthy.

Can these be considered the same?

Sure enough, Liu Qingqing gave him a suspicious look.

"What happened?" she asked in a low voice.

"Get in the car first, get in the car first," Dong Jun quickly gestured.

He wasn't flustered, because he hadn't lied; maybe his cousin's car just hadn't been driven out today?

He pulled Liu Qingqing into the car first.

"Huh?" Dong Jun noticed the driver's seat after getting into the car.

Although I didn't see the front.

But looking at that broad back and then at those fleeting glimpses of eyes in the rearview mirror, he must be an extremely handsome guy.

What is their relationship?

Immediately, Dong Jun's mind began to wander.

"Sis, let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Liu Qingqing. Qingqing, this is my cousin, Xiang Xiaotian. Shall we get to know each other?"

"Hello." Xiang Xiaotian in the front row, turned around and extended her hand in a friendly manner.

Xiang Xiaotian's air of wealth and beauty is something she can't hide no matter what.

Liu Qingqing, who initially thought Dong Jun's words were somewhat exaggerated, was flattered and surprised when she saw the beautiful and elegant girl in front of her, and quickly extended her hand as well.

Hello, sister.

"Sis, aren't you going to introduce this handsome guy driving?" Dong Jun asked impatiently.

"Of course I should introduce him. Let me formally introduce him. This is my boyfriend, Zhang Yang. Please say hello." Xiang Xiaotian introduced Zhang Yang, who was driving.

"Hello, Brother Zhang, my name is Dong Jun." Dong Jun blinked and extended his hand.

Right now, it's a traffic light.

Zhang Yang turned his head slightly, extended his hand and shook hands, "Hello Xiao Dong, I have some things to take care of later, you guys follow along first, I'll take you out to have some fun when I'm done."

As he turned around, his handsome appearance naturally came into the view of the two people behind him.

Dong Jun was taken aback.

Liu Qingqing, standing beside him, stared intently, her gaze unwavering.

"Brother Zhang, it's nothing, you go ahead and do what you need to do," Dong Jun stammered.

"Okay, I'll try my best." Zhang Yang smiled and turned back to continue driving.

The two people in the back seat were still a little dazed.

Whispering was impractical, so the two took out their phones and started exchanging messages.

[Liu Qingqing: This is your sister's boyfriend, he's so handsome! But where's your sister's Wraith?]

[Dong Jun: I'm not lying to you, maybe they didn't open it today. As for my sister's boyfriend, this is the first time I've met him, but I heard that my aunt and uncle are very satisfied.]

[Liu Qingqing: You're satisfied with driving a Mercedes? Don't wealthy families always emphasize matching social status? Are you sure your aunt's family really owns a five-star hotel? It sounds like there's a bit of exaggeration in your statement.]

For a moment, Dong Jun was speechless, not knowing what to say.

With such good looks and driving a Mercedes-Benz, he's definitely a top talent among talents.

But considering my aunt's family's financial situation, just driving a Mercedes-Benz doesn't seem like enough to make them all very satisfied, does it?

Zhang Yang was unaware that the two people in the back row were exchanging messages; he was simply chatting with Xiang Xiaotian.

"I handed over the house I bought in Peach Blossom Spring Garden to Hong Kong Cheng Chung Design. A few designers happened to be here today, so I went over to check on the progress," Zhang Yang said casually.

"That house from last time?" Xiang Xiaotian instantly recalled the shock she felt that time.

A traditional Chinese courtyard house.

That kind of grandeur of traditional wealthy merchants, a style unique to Chinese mansions.

After that trip back, my mother said that my father sighed deeply, and whenever he talked about it, he always said that the house in Peach Blossom Spring was his lifelong dream.

"So the renovations have already been arranged? Renovating there must cost a lot of money, right?"

"Hmm, about this budget." Zhang Yang casually gestured with a "one".

Xiang Xiaotian stared blankly at the finger Zhang Yang was pointing with.

Ten million is obviously impossible.

If it were an ordinary villa, a budget of ten million would certainly allow for a very nice renovation.

But where is that? That's the Peach Blossom Spring, hailed as the pinnacle of Chinese-style luxury homes! Achieving a truly impressive Chinese-style interior design already requires a huge investment, let alone such a large area.

So, this "one" should be one hundred million?

Considering Zhang Yang's actions, Xiang Xiaotian suddenly felt that this number was much more reasonable.

But that's a hundred million!

The Chinese-style mansion, which cost 100 million yuan to renovate, must have been incredibly stunning in its final form!

For a moment, Xiang Xiaotian couldn't help but let her imagination run wild.