At this moment, Jiang Chen felt incredibly pleased. Although he had been trying hard to appear calm earlier, after stepping outside, he could already feel a lightness in his step.
One word could sum up his mood: ecstatic!
To have offloaded several tons of gold—this was something he had never even dreamed of before!
His original plan had been to get his hands on the gold from the vault, melt it down, and then sell it bit by bit to jewelry stores. While this approach would have been slow and prone to drawing attention from local power players, it was the safest option. A large amount of gold would definitely raise suspicions, especially since people were already keeping an eye on the little bit of cash that regular folks had. There was a real risk that he would be accused of digging the gold from some site, the authorities would seize it, and the local government would issue a certificate of appreciation... which would, of course, somehow end up in certain people's pockets.
What? Is this your gold? How can you prove that the gold you're holding is yours?
Jiang Chen obviously couldn't prove it, because the gold wasn't his in the first place.
But he could definitely tell the authorities, "It's not mine, but it's not yours either!"
Selling the gold in batches, worth 100 million yuan in total, and then quickly stopping seemed like a cautious choice. But now, it seemed like that caution wasn't necessary. If these "foreign friends" were willing to help him with the sales, everything would be much easier. All he needed was to set up a Swiss bank account, and that hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of gold would no longer be a hot potato!
How difficult could transporting gold be? One ton of gold only takes up 0.05 cubic meters, and the energy required for storage was barely half an atom of crystal.
After leaving the hotel's main building, Jiang Chen decided to head straight back to the villa. By now, Liu Yao should still be waiting for him.
Sure enough, when he arrived at the villa's entrance, he saw Liu Yao standing in the shade of the trees.
At that moment, Liu Yao wasn't in her swimsuit, like when they first met. Instead, she had changed into a beige waist-cinching dress and was wearing a sunhat with a ribbon. She looked every bit the picture of youthful vitality.
She knew exactly what made her charming, and she knew how to use both her innocence and her allure to her advantage.
"Why are you so late? I'm starving here!" Liu Yao pouted, placing her delicate hand on her waist, throwing a playful and natural tantrum.
"Haha, I'll take you out to eat," Jiang Chen laughed, opening the villa door and even taking her suitcase like a gentleman. He grinned and said, "Tell me what you want, and I'll make it happen!"
"Yay! I want to go to the Ice Source Ocean Restaurant!" Liu Yao grabbed Jiang Chen's arm, shaking it like a cute, dependent girlfriend.
"Alright! Let's go," Jiang Chen replied cheerfully, waving his free hand in the air, earning a delighted cheer from Liu Yao. As she walked, her assets swayed enticingly, making Jiang Chen swallow a few times.
Liu Yao smiled slyly, clearly satisfied with the look on Jiang Chen's face. She linked her arm through his as they headed for the restaurant.
Perhaps it was all an act—or perhaps it was from the heart? Who could say?
The Ice Source Ocean Restaurant was one of the most famous spots in Sanya, and it had earned a stellar reputation even beyond the Hilton Hotel.
With a water theme, the restaurant was surrounded by turquoise pools and water features. Rows of coconut and palm trees were artfully arranged, their green fronds reflecting the vast, blue sea. Upon entering, visitors were immediately dazzled by an impressive array of wines, which also set a refined and luxurious tone, making everyone naturally slow their steps and lower their voices.
At the heart of the restaurant was a private dining room, designed like an aquarium. Dining here felt like being submerged in the ocean itself. The glimmering water, without the need for flashy neon lights, was enough to soothe the soul.
Now, Jiang Chen and Liu Yao were seated in this very room.
"I heard the night view here is stunning, but even at lunchtime, the atmosphere is unique," Jiang Chen remarked, savoring the delicate flesh of a sea carp while sipping on some rich soup from Wenchang chicken. The table was filled with so many exquisite dishes that he found himself somewhat overwhelmed.
"Wow, this Boston lobster is amazing!" Liu Yao teased, sticking out her little tongue and expertly peeling the lobster with her delicate fingers.
"Delicious and beautiful," Jiang Chen smiled, picking up an oyster and adding it to his mouth. Although the restaurant was Western-style, the staff always made sure to provide chopsticks.
"Heh, isn't it beautiful?" Liu Yao threw him a flirtatious glance, continuing to peel the shrimp.
"I was talking about the lobster," Jiang Chen teased, clearly enjoying himself.
"Ugh, you're impossible!" Liu Yao pouted, making her best attempt at looking annoyed, but her expression was still playful.
Liu Yao wasn't a big eater, but she preferred fine foods. She stayed away from heavy meats like Wenchang chicken and stuck to smaller, more delicate dishes. Most of the food ended up being consumed by Jiang Chen, whose appetite had now grown to the size of two adults.
"You seem really happy today," Liu Yao said, dabbing her mouth with a napkin, her eyes glimmering as she looked at Jiang Chen.
"Yes, I just made a big deal," Jiang Chen didn't try to hide his excitement. He chuckled, revealing his good mood.
"Eh? I thought it was because of me," Liu Yao teased.
Jiang Chen gave her a mysterious smile and leaned closer.
"Can you guess how big the deal was?"
"One million? U.S. dollars?" Liu Yao asked playfully, taking a small sip of wine. She wasn't particularly concerned with how much money Jiang Chen had made, but she understood men's egos. Seeing that Jiang Chen wasn't shy about it, she decided to tease him.
"One million? That's just the small change," Jiang Chen replied, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed smile.
"Small change?" Liu Yao raised an eyebrow, looking at him in disbelief.
"At least one hundred million," Jiang Chen said, pretending to sound indifferent.
"Ah..." Liu Yao gasped, almost spitting out her wine in surprise.
"I didn't expect you to be this capable. Such a shame..." Liu Yao pouted, taking a sip of wine. Jiang Chen, of course, knew what she meant by "shame," but he was resolute and wouldn't soften his stance.
"Not really. I showed you my true skills last night," Jiang Chen said with a playful tone, emphasizing the word "skills," and teasing her with his gaze.
Liu Yao froze for a moment, then blushed slightly as she understood his implication.
"Pervert."
Jiang Chen wasn't put off by the slap on his shoulder.
After dinner, Jiang Chen walked beside Liu Yao along the edge of the pool. Rather than a typical swimming pool, this felt more like a beautifully landscaped pond. The surrounding palm trees and greenery added a natural touch to the artificial pool, and the white umbrellas around the edge offered shade and relaxation for those who had spent time in the water.
"Didn't you say you don't like crowded places?" Liu Yao asked, her bright eyes observing his profile.
"That's true. But it would be a waste to stay cooped up in the villa. The pool here is one of the famous sights in Sanya," Jiang Chen replied.
"Oh? But I thought you seemed like a pretty lively person," Liu Yao said, curious.
"A lively person doesn't necessarily like crowded places. But I do enjoy this place, especially that blonde European beauty..." Jiang Chen casually changed the subject with a mischievous grin.
"Is my swimsuit not good enough?" Liu Yao asked, raising her chest slightly in mock defiance.
"Different strokes for different folks," Jiang Chen said, trying to sound serious. If Liu Yao had been his girlfriend, he wouldn't have complimented another woman in front of her, but since she wasn't, it didn't matter.
Liu Yao was both angry and amused by Jiang Chen's flippant attitude. She pouted, then, like a little girl, poked his waist lightly. Of course, she controlled the force just right so that it only felt pleasant, not painful.
"I'm a D-cup, you know. Don't you think I'm bigger than that woman?" Liu Yao teased, adjusting her slightly messy hair and proudly pushing out her chest.
"Who knows if it's real or fake?" Jiang Chen replied with a sly grin.
"How do you know mine is fake and hers is real?" Liu Yao persisted, giving him a cheeky challenge.
"Oh? Maybe it's real," Jiang Chen said, pretending to be surprised.
In this day and age, is there anything that can't be faked? Jiang Chen certainly didn't take it seriously.
"Idiot. Didn't you realize after all this time?" Liu Yao's face flushed slightly as she playfully glared at Jiang Chen.
Her flirtatious expression made Jiang Chen's thoughts run wild again.
Noticing Jiang Chen's burning gaze, Liu Yao's blush deepened. While Jiang Chen's skills in that regard were somewhat inexperienced, his endurance, stamina, and recovery more than made up for it... With just a little guidance, Liu Yao could experience pleasure beyond imagination.
Some things were undoubtedly more satisfying for the woman, and Liu Yao had no intention of rejecting Jiang Chen's advances.
With a teasing glance at him, Liu Yao hooked her finger through Jiang Chen's collar and dragged him toward the secluded bathroom on the first floor.
"In here?" Jiang Chen asked with a mischievous grin, his hand already wandering to Liu Yao's slender waist.
"Pervert. Be careful or I'll scream for help." Liu Yao shot him an admonishing look but locked the door behind her, almost as if she were setting a trap.
The bathroom, rarely used by anyone, was tucked away from the main hall. At that moment, everyone else was either resting in their rooms or lounging by the beach. Given the private nature of the spot, there was no worry about cameras.
The special environment gave Jiang Chen an inexplicable thrill. Liu Yao's flushed face told him she probably felt the same.
"You better bite your lip," Jiang Chen whispered, his breath warm against her ear, his hand sliding down her leg...
They were now in uncharted territory.
Two hours later, when they finally emerged from the restroom, Liu Yao, her legs weak, leaned against Jiang Chen, her half-body draped over his shoulder.
"You freak. Couldn't you have been gentler?"
"Haha, the way you were holding onto the wall and covering your mouth looked pretty cute." Jiang Chen laughed as he dodged Liu Yao's hand, which was trying to sneak up to his waist, and grabbed it to tease.
To the outside world, they probably looked like a couple of love-struck fools, teasing each other without care for the setting.
Suddenly, Liu Yao felt a strange, bitter sensation in her nose.
"If… I mean, if..." She trailed off.
"What's wrong? You can tell me." Jiang Chen smiled at her, sensing she had something to say.
"No, it's nothing." Liu Yao suddenly turned her face away, flashing a bright smile that caught Jiang Chen off guard, leaving him staring at her, somewhat mesmerized.
It wasn't because she was particularly beautiful.
It was because that smile reminded him of his high school days.
Those were carefree years, when all you had to do was study hard to be recognized, and being good at basketball would earn you admiration.
That smile reminded him of Chen Lele from the movies, the carefree girl who left the male second lead with endless regret...
Had he gotten too absorbed in the scene? He chuckled at himself. What was he even thinking?
"I'm a woman who loves money. I know men hate women like me who don't love themselves." Liu Yao spoke softly, still holding Jiang Chen's hand, but taking a step ahead so he couldn't see her expression.
"It's just a choice in life. I never hated you." Jiang Chen replied gently, his words sincere.
"But you can't accept it, can you?" Liu Yao suddenly turned back.
Jiang Chen noticed the slight redness in her eyes.
... Was it just acting?
But Jiang Chen wasn't going to change his mind. He sighed, ready to make his feelings clear.
"No need to say it," Liu Yao suddenly grinned and kissed him lightly on the lips before skipping ahead and walking on her own, "I know... And I'm aware a girl like me doesn't deserve you. But... I can't help but feel a little unwilling."
Since her back was to him, Jiang Chen couldn't see the expression on her face. Liu Yao forced a smile, then continued to speak softly to herself.
"If… I mean, if we had met two years earlier, before I debuted, would you have fallen for me?"
"If I had fallen for you back then, would you have chosen me?" Jiang Chen's reply seemed simple, but in his mind, he was thinking of the girl he had watched That Year with.
The resemblance was uncanny...
His straightforward reply made Liu Yao feel a bit shaken. She turned back, a reluctant smile on her face.
She understood the meaning behind his words.
"Probably… not," she answered honestly.
Liu Yao, for some reason, suddenly thought of her college days—the boy who once set up 99 red candles under her building to confess his love. She had felt a fleeting moment of attraction, but she had rejected him, because he couldn't give her the life she wanted. Her first time had gone to some director whose name she no longer wanted to remember, in exchange for a supporting role in a film. She didn't regret it, because it earned her 80,000 yuan and a ticket into the entertainment industry.
But now, she regretted it a little...
For some reason, Jiang Chen's figure now seemed to overlap with that boy she had rejected years ago.
Two years ago… if Jiang Chen, with nothing to his name, had confessed to her, she probably wouldn't even have spared him a glance.
It wasn't about right or wrong, just a choice.
"Since it's a rare vacation, why think about those troublesome things?" Jiang Chen said quietly, interrupting Liu Yao's thoughts.
"Mm... You're right... Let's just enjoy the beach," Liu Yao said, her face lighting up with a relieved smile.
That smile was beautiful.
But a single tear, glistening at the corner of her eye, silently slipped away, dissolving into the sand.
In the sound of the waves crashing on the southern beach, it seemed so insignificant...