After chatting a bit more, Xu Lin returned to his group. Watching Xu Lin walk away, Ma Zhiyu suddenly thought of something.
"Lu Man, how do you think they'll get a package with five girls and one guy? There's no package for five girls, so they'll have to buy individual tickets."
"You don't get it. They're different from us," Lu Man replied, seemingly understanding something as she glanced at the group and gave Ma Zhiyu a playful look.
Ma Zhiyu scratched his head, confused.
What's different? Other than being a bit more handsome, he didn't see anything unusual.
A few minutes later, after finishing their meal, Xu Lin went to pay the bill and found that Ma Zhiyu and Lu Man had already left. At the counter, the waiter came over and handed him a QR code.
"Scan this code. The pork pies are 5 yuan each, so three are 15 yuan. The beef pies are 10 yuan each, so four are 40 yuan. The skewers are 3 yuan each, so 30 skewers are 90 yuan. That's a total of 145 yuan."
"Wait, what about the porridge?"
"Consider it a gift from me."
"No, that's not right."
"It's fine. I'll come by your place in a couple of days to check it out."
"Alright..." Though Xu Lin didn't want to take advantage, the waiter's intent to discuss potential employment was clear, so he accepted the gesture.
After settling the bill, Xu Lin and the girls left the meat pie shop. Xu Lin thought they would eagerly head to the hot springs, but they opted to get some desserts instead. This affirmed his belief: never trust a girl who says she's full; there's always room for dessert.
While the girls enjoyed their treats, Xu Lin didn't eat a bite. He didn't like sweets and was already full. Instead, he busied himself taking photos and videos of the girls, though he planned not to include these in his vlog.
He didn't want himself or his wives to be seen by others just yet, as he still enjoyed their company privately.
"Alright, we're all set. Let's head to the hot springs," Xu Lin announced.
"By the way, Little Sister Liu, you must have been to many hot springs, right?" Su Qingwan asked, thinking that as a celebrity, Liu Qinnuan must have visited many high-end places.
"No, I've only been to a hot spring once with my mother, and it wasn't even a natural hot spring. Usually, I'm either working or studying, so I'm pretty busy. Being young has helped me avoid many social engagements, as my mother and manager handle most of those for me," Liu Qinnuan replied.
"Really?"
"Yes, it's actually better that none of us have much experience. Let's see how our local hot springs compare," Xu Lin interjected, ending the conversation as he paid the bill. Realizing he only had 400 yuan left from his original 700, he would need to dip into his store's funds.
They walked through the area and headed east, eventually seeing steam rising from water and pipe installations. They arrived at a modest but clean hot spring establishment built into the hillside, with a simple sign reading "Qinglong Lake Natural Hot Springs."
Entering the lobby, they found it was plain but very clean, with a bit of a Japanese onsen vibe.
"Six of you?" the receptionist asked.
"Yes," Xu Lin replied.
"Please register here. There are group discount packages available."
"Alright."
They approached the front desk, where only one person's ID was needed for registration. Since Xu Lin was a minor, they used Qin Yunhe's ID for the registration, and the girls started looking at the packages and prices.
Several front desk attendants, seeing so many beautiful girls gathered together, felt it was quite pleasing to the eye, even though they themselves were girls. There were also some handsome guys to look at, but seeing one of them leading so many girls and chatting up the new front desk girl, Xiaoli, he immediately seemed like a playboy.
Xu Lin, unaware that he had been labeled a playboy, was still very friendly, chatting with one of the front desk girls. "Miss, how's the salary here?"
"Xu Lin, enough already."
Ji Yun couldn't help but shout at him. If you want to recruit someone, wait until you can talk in private. How can you dare to poach someone right in front of their colleagues?
That's too bold!
However, the front desk attendants didn't understand this nuance and thought it was a girlfriend seeing her boyfriend being too much and getting angry, so they quickly stepped back a few paces.
The girl who was asked about her salary was also frightened and waved her hand, "Sir, I have something to do."
"Hey, don't go..."
But the more he called, the faster she walked, heading from the front desk to the corner.
"Ji Yun, this girl is beautiful and has a nice voice. I think she'd be great for the front desk."
"But aren't you running a hotpot restaurant? Why do you need a front desk?"
"I won't just be running a hotpot place in the future."
"Xu Lin."
"Huh? What is it, Ji Yun?"
Hearing Ji Yun suddenly speak seriously, Xu Lin also stood up straight involuntarily.
"Xu Lin, don't rush. I've said it several times, I hope you take good care of yourself. Money and career can wait."
As she spoke, Ji Yun tightened her grip on his arm, and Xu Lin felt a warmth in his heart. He knew that after what happened with Aunt Yao, Ji Yun cared a lot about health and well-being.
Xu Lin gently held her hand, smiled tenderly, and raised his other arm, spreading his fingers. "I swear to you, I will do all this while keeping my health in check."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Hey, your boyfriend is flirting with someone else right in front of you," Su Qingwan said as she nudged Qin Yunhe.
Qin Yunhe looked up at Ji Yun, gave Su Qingwan a look, and said, "No problem, I have the advantage."
"You think you have the advantage? In a few years, you'll be old, and she'll still be a young girl."
"Su Qingwan, I think you deserve a beating, don't you?!"
"I'm just stating the truth."
"Aren't you older than Ji Yun? And according to your logic, Miss Liu has the most advantage."
"That's nonsense. I don't sense any such feelings from Sister Liu towards Xu Lin."
"Oh~?" Qin Yunhe continued looking at the menu, thinking, "I'm not a few years older than you for nothing."
Finally, after picking for 2-3 minutes, they still couldn't decide because there was no suitable set meal.
"Is there no discount package for five girls?"
"Sorry, we only have packages for two or four people."
"Uh... then we'll take the 4-person 599 yuan aristocrat package, and Xu Lin and the other person will get the regular VIP tickets."
"That's not worth it..."
"Yeah, a single ticket is 299, but the 4-person package is only 599..."
Even though they weren't really short on those few hundred yuan, spending extra unnecessarily was definitely annoying. Even Liu Qinnuan, who usually spent a lot, couldn't help but prefer a cost-effective package.
"Actually, I have a suggestion. You beautiful ladies can book the 4-person package, and then get a couples' package for only 399. How about that?"
As soon as the front desk girl finished speaking, all five women instantly turned their gaze to Xu Lin. They looked at each other, but no one volunteered to pair up with Xu Lin for the couples' ticket.
Seeing everyone's hesitation, Qin Yunhe was about to speak up when her bold best friend stepped up to Xu Lin's side.
"Let's take one couples' ticket then."
"Sure, I'll process that for you."
Ji Yun and the others looked at Su Qingwan with some surprise, while Qin Yunhe squinted, eyeing her friend's profile.
Su Qingwan, you don't really have any ulterior motives, do you?
Oh no, my God's little guarantee has gone awry!