Leisurely Traveler with Check-in System

Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Living with a Junior (Crossed Out) Renting Together

In mid-June, Xiamen’s sky was dazzlingly blue, the sun gleamed overhead, and the air carried a warm oceanic saltiness.

The plane landed steadily at Xiamen Gaoqi Airport. As soon as the door opened, that familiar, damp, warm breeze rushed in like a thick quilt, instantly making people feel a bit sticky.

Li Younan didn’t bring much complex luggage, just a backpack. Walking out of the airport hall, the heat wave felt even more real.

Outside the airport, taxis lined up, most drivers rolled down their windows, some were scrolling through their phones, others simply leaned back in their seats, dozing.

When it was Li Younan’s turn, he opened the door of a blue and white taxi. The cold air mixed with a faint leather and tobacco smell rushed over, like diving into a life-saving tank of cold water.

”Driver, please head to Zhongshan Road, near the ferry terminal.” Li Younan said while placing his luggage on the back seat.

The driver, a tanned middle-aged man wearing a loose polo shirt, agreed with a heavy Minnan accent, casually unscrewing a large plastic cup filled with dark tea leaves beside the dashboard, taking a sip.

The car drove out of the airport, turned onto the spacious Success Avenue. Tall palm trees and flame trees lined the road, the flame tree leaves darkened under the scorching sun, with some scattered red flowers hanging on the branches like dancing little flames.

After a while, the car merged into traffic and its speed slowed down. The driver was in no hurry, tapping the steering wheel gently along with the Minnan song purring from the radio.

Li Younan gazed out, passing old buildings with red brick walls, swallows-tail ridged roofs stood in charming contrast against modern high-rises in the distance.

The car gradually entered the old town, the scenery becoming lively.

Passing near the ferry terminal, glimpsing the outline of Gulangyu Island on the opposite shore, hazy in the summer’s rising water vapor, like floating on the sea.

”Almost there,” the driver reminded in Mandarin blended with Minnan dialect, ”Turn into the next junction. It’s really hot today.” He then picked up the large tea cup, blowing on it.

”Yeah, but at least there’s the sea breeze.” Li Younan responded, still looking out the window. A few older women in flip-flops, carrying bags of seafood, were chatting under the arcades, their voices loud and rapid.

The car stopped on a less spacious one-way road, the driver swiftly checked the meter and tore off the ticket: ”Here we are, ahead is the entrance to the pedestrian street, the car can’t go in.” He pointed at the meter.

After paying and getting out, the heat wave and the richer living aromas wrapped him instantly again—the salty smell of seafood dried goods shops, the sweet scent of mangoes and longans from fruit stalls on the corner, and a faint coffee aroma mingling with the smoke of fried food.

Behind him, the taxi merged back into traffic, quickly disappearing into the street scene interwoven with arcades and greenery.

Li Younan took out his phone and sent a message to Jing Chaoyi: ”I’ve arrived, where are you now?”

Just after sending the message, he felt someone pat him from behind.

”Hey, senior! Let’s find some Sour Bamboo Shoot Noodles to appease our cravings first!”

...

Jing Chaoyi was dressed very lightly today.

On top was a small camisole, exposing her beautifully toned abs.

Below was a breezy little skirt.

Her skin was shining, as if coated with an oil.

She wore sandals with Doraemon nail art on her toes.

In the hottest days of summer, nothing is more enjoyable than eating an ice cream, Jing Chaoyi handed over an unopened popsicle.

Li Younan took the ice cream without hesitation and ate it, asking while eating, ”Hey, where’s the Youth Carnival located?”

Jing Chaoyi grinned and said, ”Senior, can’t wait, huh? It’s on Guanyin Mountain beach.”

”It’s not that I can’t wait, just asking to plan the accommodation.”

Jing Chaoyi tore open her ice cream, took a lick, and said leisurely, ”We should just stay here, it’s much cheaper here for both lodging and food.

”The closer to the beach, the higher the costs, especially the snacks in scenic spots, for locals it’s just a way to rip off tourists.”

”If you want to eat there, I won’t go.”

Clearly, Jing Chaoyi loved fun, which spared Li Younan a lot of trouble.

Playing with someone like her, no need for a guide, nor for brainstorming.

Li Younan said, ”Alright, since you arrived earlier, you make the call.”

Jing Chaoyi arrived several days earlier and had arranged everything here. What Li Younan didn’t anticipate was that Jing Chaoyi rented a short-term apartment right away for two weeks.

The rent here isn’t cheap, the apartment is fully furnished. Although not close to scenic spots, the surrounding life facilities are complete. Calculating, two weeks cost 2400 yuan.

Jing Chaoyi said, ”Senior, agree to the shared rental, rest assured, I won’t take advantage of you.”

Li Younan crossed his arms, thought for a bit, and said, ”It’s workable, indeed it’s much more economical than staying in a hotel.”

Jing Chaoyi chuckled, then extended her hand: ”Let’s go half and half.”

Li Younan responded with mock anger: ”Don’t worry, I won’t short you.”

Following Jing Chaoyi, Li Younan casually ate a bowl of sour bamboo shoot noodles, then headed to the rented apartment.

The population density here is high, reportedly higher than Tokyo and Hong Kong. As Xiamen’s old district, it’s filled with buildings that carry a sense of time. In a way, this is also an urban village; scenes from the drama ”Goodbye Ah Lang” were filmed here.

Older folks communicate in Minnan dialect, incomprehensible to Li Younan, creating a feeling of stepping into the scenes from ”Goodbye Ah Lang” watched as a child. Neither in a hurry, they leisurely arrived at the rental.

Jing Chaoyi opened the door and said, ”There are two keys, I’ll give you one later. After dropping our luggage, let’s buy some groceries. We definitely must have seafood here, I’ll make you a delicious seafood feast later.”

Li Younan instinctively asked, ”You’ll cook?”

Jing Chaoyi giggled and said, ”What do you mean, will I cook? Are you saying this big guy should do such delicate work?”

Li Younan retorted, ”Look at the hotel chefs, how many of them are women.”

Jing Chaoyi snorted and said, ”That’s different.”

After putting down their luggage, they headed out together. Halfway, Jing Chaoyi sized up Li Younan again and said, ”Hmm, your outfit doesn’t quite fit. Later, buy some shorts and cooler shirts, maybe more breathable sandals.”

Indeed, Li Younan’s appearance seemed a bit odd on the street. He wore casual pants, a cotton t-shirt on top, although summer attire, it didn’t appear cool. Li Younan nonchalantly said, ”Whatever works.”

They bought shrimp, abalone, and oysters at the seafood market. As a guy from the Sichuan region, Li Younan had great interest in seafood... didn’t have much opportunity to eat it in childhood.

Honestly, even while in Binhai, despite it being a coastal city, there wasn’t much chance to eat seafood... prices were steep, especially for close to arm-thick prawns in the plastic bags.

Buying these fresh goods cost 800 yuan but it was worth it.

On their way back, they bought beach shorts and flip-flops, didn’t need to buy tops, Li Younan had a couple of sleeveless vests in his backpack.

For the first dinner, Jing Chaoyi insisted on cooking herself, so Li Younan sat somewhat bored in the living room. Although this is the old town, and the furniture wasn’t new, the apartment is clean. Jing Chaoyi, having arrived earlier, tidied it up well.

Li Younan’s room contained just a bed and a wardrobe, which was enough for him. From the kitchen came the crackling noise of frying, Li Younan turned on the TV, unexpectedly feeling a bit of warmth.