Chapter 25: Daily Life with Gangan

During lunch, Wang Zhen brought up his date for the evening: "Liu Yuting wants me to meet her at a trendy restaurant downtown at 7:00 PM. She wants to try a new style of French cuisine. It seems it costs about six or seven hundred per person; my wallet is already aching."

Li Yan chuckled, "It’s just six or seven hundred for a meal, and you're feeling the pinch? Your family owns a supermarket and the business is doing fine; just relax. You have to invest a little when pursuing a girl."

Wang Zhen sighed, "True, an investment. The money isn't the issue; the key is that I need to be good at conversation and know how to present myself."

Li Yan comforted him, "Just be natural. You don't need to force anything. Just show your reliability and sincerity, and that will be enough."

After the meal, Li Yan paid the bill without a moment's hesitation.

Wang Zhen lamented, "I really need to work harder so I don't always have to let you treat me."

Li Yan smiled without responding. To him, this expense was pocket change, and there was no need to nickel and dime over it.

Wang Zhen grinned, "Well then, I wish you and your date a pleasant evening."

The two went their separate ways. Wang Zhen headed home to prepare, while Li Yan went home to rest for a bit. Between his early morning run, the exam, and the photoshoot, he could still handle the fatigue, but a quick nap was best, as he had to meet Gangan in the evening.

Back home, his parents had not yet returned from work. Li Yan turned on the air conditioning to a comfortable temperature and poured a glass of ice water. He sat down at his computer to export the footage from the past two days and browse through the photos.

With the Leica Q2, the quality of his shots was exceptional; even without post-processing, they looked fantastic. As he scrolled through the photos of Gangan, the corners of his mouth curled up. She was indeed adorable—petite and delicate, yet not lacking in feminine charm.

With over two million followers, she was no small fry locally; she was a mid-to-high-tier influencer. While she couldn't compare to top-tier internet celebrities, she was a major figure in a fourth or fifth-tier city like Luzhong. She naturally had no shortage of suitors, but the fact that she was interested in Li Yan showed that his temperament, generosity, and conversational style were truly a cut above.

Li Yan randomly selected two beautiful portraits and sent them to Gangan via his phone. "Take a look at these two. Do you like them?"

Gangan replied quickly, "I love them! They're stunning! The lighting, skin tone, and composition are all amazing!"

Li Yan: "I'm treating you to dinner tonight. Let's look over the video footage together and I can give you some suggestions, how about that?"

Gangan replied: "That sounds great! You pick the time and place. You're really too kind; I'm starting to feel bad about always asking for your help."

Li Yan sent a smiley face: "It's no problem. I'm happy to help a friend. It's rare for you to have such a good opportunity for a shoot, so let's keep communicating."

***

After some thought, Li Yan decided to book a private room at an elegantly decorated Chinese restaurant called "Linhu Pavilion."

Located in a semi-private setting on the outskirts of the city, it cost about six or seven hundred per person, but it was worth it for the quiet atmosphere and exquisite cuisine. He called the restaurant to book a room for two, saying they would arrive at 7:30. The staff confirmed immediately.

After setting the time with Gangan, he checked his messages again. Shen Qingyue had sent another WeChat: "Don't forget the day after tomorrow at noon."

Li Yan only replied: "Got it. I'll be in touch then."

His attitude was neither cold nor warm, maintaining a polite distance. Shen Qingyue was surely confused, but Li Yan had no intention of offering further explanations.

With dinner arranged, Li Yan closed his laptop and walked to the balcony. A pothos plant and several succulents sat there, and the sunlight cast a bright patch on the floor through the glass. He stretched his arms, loosened his neck, and let the soft breeze from the half-open window wash over him.

He considered his future plans: after passing the second part of the driving test, he would wait for notifications for the third and fourth parts—no rush there. He should be able to finish his morning run goal in the coming days, and he could gradually wrap up his local social connections without getting too entangled.

In a week or two, he planned to head to Shudu early to scope out the campus environment of Sichuan University. As an advertising major, getting into a 985-tier university was a big deal, and he didn't want to wait until the start of the semester to arrive. He wanted to rent an apartment early, adapt to the rhythm of life there, familiarize himself with the food and routes around the school, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of Shudu.

As for the local women, he was full of anticipation for the girls of Sichuan. It was said that the region had produced beauties since ancient times, which was certainly an attraction for him. Now that he was financially well-off, renting an apartment in Shudu would be effortless. Once he found a suitable neighborhood, he could spend his time wandering through malls and cafes to see if he could make new friends. This lifestyle came naturally to Li Yan, who had always been someone who enjoyed trying out new environments and circles.

Thinking of this, he felt full of confidence for the future.

***

There was no need to rush into any major projects right now; he just wanted to grasp the ease of the present. He decided to take a half-hour nap, then wake up around five to shower and change before heading to Linhu Pavilion to wait for Gangan.

Although this restaurant was not cheap, his spending was now without hesitation. He lived like a man of means without being ostentatious, using money to curate a high-quality lifestyle for himself.

By evening, Li Yan set out again, dressed in a crisp linen shirt and light-colored trousers, with a pair of white Gucci sneakers on his feet—clean and elegant. He sprayed a bit of light cologne, subtle and fresh in the summer night.

He took a taxi to Linhu Pavilion. On the way, he watched the sun slowly dip below the horizon as the city lights began to flicker on. The restaurant was by the lake, and the name "Linhu Pavilion" sounded quite literary. The price was reasonable, a perfect choice for his current level—less flashy than Yun Jingxuan, but with a more natural charm.

Private rooms required reservations. Li Yan gave his name, and the waiter immediately led him inside. The room was not large, but it was beautifully decorated with a faint scent of wood. Through the window, he could see the shimmering lake, with a few water birds skimming across the surface in the twilight.

He set down his camera bag and asked the waiter for a pot of white tea and some ice water.

A dozen minutes later, Gangan arrived. She pushed the door open, wearing a light pink camisole and white casual pants, with strappy sandals on her feet. Her long hair was draped over her shoulders, and she looked relaxed yet subtly sexy.

Seeing Li Yan, she smiled and said, "A change of venue? I thought you’d book another high-end Western restaurant."

Li Yan smiled faintly, "The environment here is quiet, suitable for talking. What would you like to drink? I ordered some white tea, but we can also order some refreshing fruit juice."

Gangan walked to the window, "The lake view is lovely. Do they have juice? I'd like some watermelon juice."

Li Yan called the waiter, "One glass of watermelon juice, and serve a few of your signature dishes—the secret-recipe sea snails, the poached chicken, the steamed sea bass, and some seasonal vegetables. Also, bring a pot of soup made with high-quality wild mushrooms. Keep it light; it's just the two of us."

The waiter took the order and left. Gangan looked at him, unable to help but remark, "You're very familiar with these restaurants, aren't you?"

Li Yan said nonchalantly, "I go out often, so I naturally know which places are quiet and suitable for conversation. I don't like noisy places. When discussing matters with someone as classy as you, the environment has to be just right."