Leisurely Traveler with Check-in System

Chapter 86: Chapter 83: Blue and White [8,888 Words!] (Part 3)

The two of them slowly looked at each stall, listening to the stall owners talk about glaze colors and painting skills. Zhu Qingyue saw a small teapot she liked and picked it up to touch. The glaze was smooth, and she toyed with it curiously, asking, ”Do you also like this kind of humanistic travel?”

Li Younan said, ”In my eyes, there’s no distinction between them.”

Zhu Qingyue chuckled lightly, ”There should be some distinction; experiencing humanity and experiencing scenery evoke different feelings.”

”Which one do you like more?”

”Humanity... it has a certain depth.”

”Don’t you like scenery?”

”It’s not that I don’t like it. Places with beautiful scenery are certainly nice. When I was younger, I went to Jiuzhaigou with my parents. Everyone was admiring how beautiful the water was, but I was chatting with a Tibetan girl all the way. She was so interesting... So, it’s just a matter of preference.”

Tired from shopping, the two of them found a small, pleasing eatery in Tao Xichuan for dinner. They ordered stir-fried noodles and a crock soup. The soup, made with ribs and radish, was well-stewed and warmed the stomach.

The place was quite busy, buzzing with conversations. The two sat by the window, watching people come and go under the lights outside. Zhu Qingyue held the small teapot she had just bought in one hand and a little pig given to her by Li Younan in the other, playing with them gleefully.

The dishes were served, and Li Younan took out his phone to film. Nowadays, he has developed the qualities a social media influencer should have—capturing things worth sharing anytime, anywhere.

In general, Jingdezhen is a well-known place, but capturing unique travel videos here isn’t easy. During the day, the sculptures didn’t have anyone filming them, which would have made an interesting topic.

Li Younan put away his phone, but suddenly noticed Zhu Qingyue staring at her phone with a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.

Li Younan asked curiously, ”What’s wrong?”

Zhu Qingyue showed a hint of embarrassment on her face, pondered slightly, then somewhat shyly said, ”Could you do me a favor tomorrow?”

Li Younan didn’t agree immediately, nor did he refuse, but asked, ”What do you need?”

Zhu Qingyue sighed slightly, then directly turned her phone screen towards the table, pushing it to Li Younan.

The phone showed messages from a group chat. Li Younan hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head to read the message record.

Zhu Qingyue began explaining, ”I’m a small author, writing novels while traveling, and many readers know this as I don’t hide it. This afternoon, I couldn’t resist posting a status. Photos taken during the experience were seen by the readers in the group...”

Li Younan saw in the messages that a fan wanted to meet Zhu Qingyue tomorrow.

Li Younan thought for a moment and asked, ”What do you want me to help with?”

Zhu Qingyue stirred her bowl of soup somewhat absentmindedly and said, ”This group is my VIP fan group. This particular fan has tipped me several thousand yuan over time; it’s hard to refuse. And I think meeting a reader isn’t really a big deal.” Pausing for a moment, Zhu Qingyue looked up and said, ”But, I am a bit worried. Can you accompany me?”

This wasn’t a problem for Li Younan, so he agreed readily.

Upon receiving Li Younan’s affirmative answer, Zhu Qingyue visibly brightened up and started chatting on the phone with the fan about the meeting place and time.

...

The next day.

Zhu Qingyue chose a place in the Sanbao Art Village. It’s quiet, with lots of greenery, winding paths, and nearby pottery studios and quiet cafes.

It had rained last night, leaving a scent in the air of rain-soaked porcelain clay mixed with a hint of plants, which felt quite pleasant.

They sat by an outdoor wooden table at a cafe, under a canopy covered with vines.

”Do you think she’ll feel I’m very different from her imagination?”

Zhu Qingyue fingered the strap of her canvas bag, winding it around again and again. She wore a simple cotton-linen dress today, with her hair carefully combed, looking prettier, but her eyes seemed a bit adrift.

”Hehe.” Li Younan sipped his iced Americano, ”Anyone who tips you that much surely likes your writing, not judging a beauty contest... And even if it were, you’d win.”

Zhu Qingyue laughed at that, ”You really know how to talk.”

Li Younan looked at the wisps of mist trailing the mountains in the distance, ”Just relax. Being here is nice.”

She gave a soft agreement, glanced down at her phone, turning the screen on just to lock it again, repeatedly.

About five minutes after the agreed time, a girl in a fresh T-shirt and denim shorts, backpack slung over her shoulder, turned the corner and looked around. Zhu Qingyue immediately sat up straight, discreetly clutching the hem of her skirt under the table, then raised a somewhat stiff smile, waving her hand towards her.

The girl saw her, walked over quickly, her face alight with a smile. Zhu Qingyue was already preparing to stand up to greet her, and her smile became more natural.

Xiaoyu’s gaze slid over Li Younan’s face and suddenly paused.

Then her expression transformed into one of uncontained, enormous delight, her eyes lighting up astonishingly.

”Ah—! It’s you! The traveling guy?!”

”You’re the travel-loving Li Younan!”

She completely ignored Zhu Qingyue, who was already half out of her seat, hand half-raised, and in just two steps she was in front of Li Younan, so excited she was almost incoherent, ”Oh my gosh! It’s really you! I’ve watched all your videos! That backflip! And the parkour in Xiamen! You are even more handsome in person! And you modified your own lathe! What... what are you doing here?!”