After Cookie finished speaking, she whispered something into the ear of the young fan with round glasses.
The young fan with round glasses nodded earnestly, showing her agreement.
Then, the two girls faced the live stream camera directly, their expressions serious, and said, “Congratulations to Xingxing for being elected as the Goodwill Ambassador against Campus Violence. We invite all friends watching the live stream to join Xingxing in paying attention to school bullying.”
The girl with round glasses added, “Say no to school bullying. It starts with you and me.”
[After watching Chu Xingxing’s vlog, her election as the Goodwill Ambassador against Campus Violence is well-deserved. Having been through the rain herself, she’s also willing to hold an umbrella for other children.]
[Xingxing’s vlog made me cry. She answered the questions so calmly, but I could still see a flicker of avoidance in her eyes. It truly breaks my heart.]
[Thumbs up for Xingxing and Cookie, and also for the adorable little fan. All three girls are amazing!]
[I absolutely love Cookie and Xingxing’s live stream. Every time I come in and see these sunny girls, it feels so healing. It’s full of positive energy – just wonderful!]
[I hope every flower can bloom safely, far away from the darkness.]
——–
Meanwhile, in Tian Mengtong’s live stream, a large number of fans were unhappy because of Cookie’s straightforward response just now—
[Is Cookie blatantly throwing shade? Is she crazy? If she got elected, fine, but why does she have to step on our Tongtong!]
[Ugh, Cookie is such a little green tea. What kind of character is that?!]
[I always feel like CXX must have latched onto some wealthy backer. How else did her resources skyrocket so much?]
[Same here. All I can say is, respect and best wishes. I just hope CBM Entertainment remembers who the company’s current rising star is.]
[Our Tongtong also auditioned for “Fruitless Youth.” Inside sources say she got a role too. But why hasn’t the official drama website announced it? Why the different treatment, only announcing CXX’s casting??? CBM’s management, come out and explain!]
[Now we know why Little Cookie clings to CXX. It’s a big green tea leading a little green tea, right? Look at how wronged our Tongtong seems…]
[I feel so bad for Tongbao. She used to be so good to CXX for nothing!]
From the very beginning of this trip, Tian Mengtong had been keeping a low profile.
Throughout, she hadn’t interacted much with Jiang Chang’an. She just quietly followed the group and rarely spoke up.
However, after some internal struggle on the plane and figuring out many things, Tian Mengtong’s spirits were back. She had fully regained her “fighting will.”
She needed to perform well and let Jiang Changsheng and the Shengshi Group see her strengths.
In her previous life, when Xiao Xiang took the Jiang brothers, Jiang Chang’an and Jiang Changsheng, to start a new company, Tian Mengtong had also left CBM Entertainment, which had been renamed under the Sheng surname.
Since she had already decided in this life not to repeat the path of the past, Tian Mengtong resolved not to leave CBM Entertainment again.
After all, she had built her foundation here over the years, and she had already experienced the hardship of starting over in her previous life.
Most crucially, Tian Mengtong had a feeling that in this life, Jiang Changsheng would definitely not leave CBM Entertainment.
She had her brother secretly inquire through his connections about the current management situation at CBM Entertainment. It seemed that the big boss, Jiang Haidong, was inclined to step back from the front lines.
The main reason was that when his wife accompanied their son for a check-up, they discovered early-stage breast cancer. Although the surgery was successful, Jiang Haidong had been coming to the company much less frequently to accompany his wife during her recovery.
Jiang Haidong was also gradually delegating most of CBM Entertainment’s authority to his younger son, Jiang Changsheng.
This was completely different from what had happened in the previous life. In this lifetime, Jiang Changsheng had taken over his father’s responsibilities much earlier.
Tian Mengtong still had confidence in Jiang Changsheng’s capabilities.
If Jiang Changsheng could successfully reform CBM Entertainment and satisfy the influential Sheng Luzhi…
Then, there was a high possibility that Sheng Luzhi wouldn’t force the Jiang family out of CBM Entertainment.
But regardless of whether Sheng Luzhi forced the Jiangs out, Xiao Xiang would definitely have to leave. Even Tian Mengtong knew that many of the things Xiao Xiang did were not compliant.
Otherwise, her previous agent, Chen Dong, wouldn’t have been so blatantly brazen as to have Chu Xingxing sign a contract with obvious “unreasonable clauses.”
Chen Dong was one of Xiao Xiang’s people.
Tian Mengtong speculated that the reason Sheng Luzhi hadn’t gotten rid of Xiao Xiang yet was to test Jiang Changsheng’s abilities.
If Jiang Changsheng’s capabilities met Sheng Luzhi’s expectations, and with Jiang Haidong stepping back, they could kick out the “cancer” that was Xiao Xiang. Then, Sheng Luzhi would have no reason not to leave the reformed CBM Entertainment in Jiang Changsheng’s hands.
From this perspective, the most unstable factors right now were actually Xiao Xiang and Jiang Chang’an.
Jiang Chang’an and Xiao Xiang had an unusually close personal relationship.
Jiang Chang’an had little affection for his father. If Xiao Xiang left, Jiang Chang’an would likely follow.
In the previous life, because Jiang Changsheng hadn’t known about Xiao Xiang’s modus operandi at CBM Entertainment, he had maintained a good relationship with Xiao Xiang out of respect for his brother.
But in this life, Jiang Changsheng was already at odds with Xiao Xiang. If Xiao Xiang left, Jiang Changsheng would be more likely to cause trouble than to help.
If Xiao Xiang and Jiang Chang’an started their own business, Tian Mengtong didn’t have much faith in them. The only reason they’d succeeded before was because Jiang Changsheng had laid a very solid foundation for the new company early on.
Now, without Jiang Changsheng, those two were probably doomed…
Living her second life, Tian Mengtong was no longer the naive, willful, and foolishly innocent girl she once was. She had already chosen the quickest path for herself—to win over Jiang Changsheng.
Jiang Changsheng was clean-living and handsome.
Besides being a bit hot-tempered and proud, he was a top-tier talent in both career and education.
Most importantly, once Jiang Changsheng considered someone family, he would protect them fiercely, even at the cost of himself.
If she married Young Master Jiang in this life and stayed at CBM Entertainment as the young lady boss, Tian Mengtong thought that wouldn’t be bad at all.
That way, she could save herself over a decade of hard work compared to her previous life, gain more resources, win the Best Actress crown sooner, and show her parents and brother that she, Tian Mengtong, could build her career in the entertainment industry on her own, without relying on her family.
Her parents and brother always said she was wasting her time in the entertainment industry. But acting was the only thing Tian Mengtong truly loved in this life.
So, even though her well-off family had told her to give up, stating they wouldn’t help her as long as she stayed in the entertainment industry, Tian Mengtong still persisted in “pursuing her acting dream.”
Tian Mengtong also recalled something else. During the last audition, Chu Xingxing had been so adamant that she didn’t like Jiang Changsheng.
Since Chu Xingxing wasn’t her love rival…
Tian Mengtong felt that the whole “contract” issue, including the two slaps Chu Xingxing had given her during the audition, was already in the past.
Besides, Chu Xingxing’s relationship with the Sheng family was delicate now. As long as Tian Mengtong wanted to stay in the entertainment industry, she couldn’t afford to offend the Sheng family.
Suddenly, Tian Mengtong couldn’t find a reason to be at odds with Chu Xingxing anymore.
In this industry, more friends meant more paths.
And so, Tian Mengtong made another bold decision…
——–
Over on Cookie’s side, she was waiting for the girl with round glasses to finish her phone call with her father.
The little fan was a local Chinese. She was speaking Spanish to her dad.
Cookie, having studied in Andorra, also spoke Spanish. She waited quietly beside the little fan, just in case she needed any help.
“Cookie…” Tian Mengtong tugged at Cookie’s sleeve.
“¿Sí?” Cookie instinctively said in Spanish. Turning around and seeing it was Tian Mengtong, she looked a bit surprised. “Uh, what? What’s up?”
“Nothing much, Little Cookie. I just wanted to say thank you,” Tian Mengtong said, flashing her signature sweet smile, her eyes sincere and clear.
“Thank… me?” Cookie pointed at herself.
Tian Mengtong nodded. “Mm.”
Cookie was baffled. Wasn’t Tian Mengtong totally at odds with her?
The first time they traveled together, they almost had a “fight” over the phone confiscation issue.
Why was Tian Mengtong suddenly coming over to play the sisterly love card? What was she up to…
Tian Mengtong’s tone was light, and she smiled as she said, “Thank you for being good friends with Xingxing, for supporting her, and for taking care of her. If you see her, could you tell her for me…”
She sighed softly and said quietly, “I really miss her. I didn’t do well before. I was too immature, and it was my fault. I’ve always hoped for Xingxing’s forgiveness…”
Cookie’s eyes widened like saucers, her face full of shock. “…”
Not only was Cookie stunned.
The fans who had been camping out in Tian Mengtong’s live stream, always fighting on the front lines for her, were also dumbfounded—
[Whoa! Did I hear that right, everyone? Was Tongtong just now making friendly overtures towards Chu Xingxing?]
[I don’t think this is just making nice… it feels more like ‘sucking up’ (Sorry for using such a harsh word, but that’s honestly the vibe).]
[No, Tongtong, snap out of it!!! What are you doing, girl!!!]
[Why do I feel so betrayed, wuwuwu. I’ve been doing data and voting for Tongtong for two years as a career-oriented fan, always at the forefront. Wasn’t CXX always our rival? Wasn’t the ‘good bestie’ thing just forced marketing by the company? And now you’re telling me it was all fake???]
[Ugh, I was just feeling so indignant for Tongbao because of CXX and Little Cookie, but now it turns out there’s no issue at all. I’m losing it…]
[This is so frustrating. I’m not watching the live stream for a bit. I need a minute to decompress.]
…
The viewer count in Tian Mengtong’s live stream began to slowly drop.
The general director of Let’s Travel Together also noticed the data change and frowned.
Over here, Cookie thought she was hallucinating. She shook her head vigorously. The unusually gentle Tian Mengtong was still there.
Okay, so it wasn’t a hallucination…
“Are you feeling okay?” Cookie blurted out, even reaching out to lift Tian Mengtong’s “iron bangs” and feel her forehead. “No fever?”
“I’m not sick,” Tian Mengtong shook her head, made a fist and pumped it in a cheering gesture, mimicking the tone Cookie and the girl with glasses had used when addressing the camera earlier. “Let’s all cheer for Xingxing together and hope she gets better and better!”
“Shi…” Cookie bit back the “t” just in time.
This was truly a sight for sore eyes!
The girl with round glasses came from a family in the transportation business.
Her father ran a large transport company in Madrid.
The little fan’s dad adored his daughter. Knowing his daughter’s favorite star was in trouble and that they were also Chinese, he didn’t hesitate. He made a phone call and arranged for a mid-sized bus to come pick them up at the airport.
Once the bus arrived, Cookie specifically sat with the little fan and quietly asked her how much it cost to rent such a bus.
The production team didn’t allow guests to use their own money during the show, but Cookie still intended to find a way to pay the family back later.
Overseas Chinese work hard. She couldn’t just take advantage of their kindness for free.
“Really, there’s no need. Talking about money hurts feelings,” the cute little fan with round glasses said seriously. “My dad said it’s because we’re all Chinese. Even if you weren’t my favorite stars, if he met a compatriot in need, he’d do his best to help. He’s always taught me to help our own people.”
Cookie felt a warmth in her heart.
She deeply understood what the girl with round glasses said.
Growing up traveling the globe with her parents, Cookie had found that most Chinese people she met in different countries were incredibly friendly and offered selfless help.
Comments in the live stream also expressed how heartwarming this was—
[Wow! Chu Xingxing’s little fan has such great manners. What a kind girl!]
[Aw, overseas Chinese really are so warm. When I went from the UK to Barcelona, I lost my wallet and luggage. A kind auntie who ran a Chinese restaurant took me in, gave me a free rice bowl with toppings, and even gave me a drink. She taught me how to get replacement documents at the embassy. I still remember that auntie with the curly hair. I wonder how she’s doing now. I left in such a hurry I didn’t get her contact info, but I’ve always wanted to thank her properly.]
[I’ve also met kind people. Studying abroad, I missed home so much. When I first arrived in Frankfurt, I didn’t have any friends. On Mid-Autumn Festival, I couldn’t hold it together and cried at the bus stop on my way to work. A female PhD student gave me a mooncake and hugged me.]
[See? The world may be full of holes, but there are always warm-hearted people mending it.]
“Babe, what’s your dad’s transport company called? Do you have a business card?” Cookie whispered. She felt she should do something for them.
The little fan with round glasses blinked and pulled out a small card from her bag. “I actually do have one. It’s called Euro Express Logistics…”
“Got it,” Cookie said, picking up the card. Since the bus hadn’t started moving, she put the card right in front of the camera. “Ta-da! Commercial break time! For any Chinese friends in Spain needing transport services, please contact this company—Euro Express Logistics.”
[Hahaha! Cookie is such a warm-hearted baby too!]
[LOL! Finally know why Xingxing and Cookie get along so well. They’re both super cheerful, like little suns! So lovable!]
[Little Cookie, mommy loves you! Go, ‘Starry Cookie’!!!]
——–
Madrid City Center, Salamanca District (affluent area).
The police cars speeding by with their sirens blaring slightly disturbed Chu Xingxing’s thoughts.
She didn’t know why, but she had a faint worry about Cookie.
She had just sent Cookie a WeChat message at the homestay, but hadn’t received a reply yet. Was everything okay on Cookie’s end?
Jiang Luoze thoughtfully translated the menu for everyone.
Among those present, he was the only one who had eaten the most authentic, traditional Spanish cuisine.
So when translating the dish names, Jiang Luoze also described the texture and flavors of the dishes he’d tried, making it easier for the grandmas to choose.
Grandma Jiang Yao: “Ah Ze’s garlic shrimp sounds tempting. Let’s get one?”
Jiang Luoze nodded. “Mm, that dish is a Spanish national classic. It’s great with bread. One portion probably isn’t enough for six of us. Let’s get three, two people per portion since the appetizer portions are small.”
“Alright, let’s listen to Ah Ze.” Little Grandma Jiang nodded approvingly and gave Chu Xingxing a meaningful glance.
Hehe, Little Grandma Jiang felt her nephew had really scored big points!
“Should we order some Iberian ham too?”
Chu Xingxing had just seen at another table a specialized ham carver in gloves slicing the ham on-site. It looked reddish, glossy, and very appetizing.
“Great choice, Xingxing,” Jiang Luoze looked up, praising her with a smile. “Out of all these ham varieties, you picked the best one.”
Chu Xingxing was honest: “Ah, I just picked randomly…”
Jiang Luoze smoothly replied, “Picking the best ham even when choosing randomly means Xingxing must have great luck. And having good luck is also a form of strength.”
Chu Xingxing: “…”
The usually easygoing and outspoken Chu Xingxing actually felt a bit shy from Jiang Luoze’s constant compliments.
[Whoa! ‘Male Fox Spirit’ sure knows how to talk! Did his mouth get blessed or what!]
[Male Fox Spirit Jiang Luoze was raised by Little Grandma Jiang. Aw, Little Grandma Jiang knows how to raise men!]
[I wish I could send my boyfriend, who’s as taciturn as a clam, to Little Grandma Jiang for some training!]
[Haha, sis up there got it mixed up. Taciturn men should be sent to Grandma Sheng’s ‘School of Male Virtue’ for some lessons. Little Grandma Jiang runs a ‘Love and Romance’ workshop.]
For appetizers, besides the garlic shrimp and Iberian ham platter, Jiang Luoze also ordered caramelized foie gras mille-feuille, crispy fried shrimp with garlic aioli, beef tartare, porcini mushroom croquettes, a dozen scallops pan-fried in olive oil, half a cheese platter, and a vegetable salad.
For main courses, he ordered the signature seafood paella, truffle risotto, pan-seared black cod, Vila beef burgers, T-bone steak, and grilled baby squid.
The restaurant Jiang Luoze chose was a Spanish restaurant with a fusion twist.
It wasn’t purely traditional Spanish cuisine.
He chose this more “modern” style for the first meal because he was worried the grandmas might not be used to the strongly flavored traditional Spanish dishes.
Taking it step by step, letting the “old babies” start with mildly modified versions first, would make it easier for them to accept the traditional cuisine later.
Chu Xingxing wasn’t a picky eater. She’d eat almost anything, especially meat. She was particularly interested in the ham and the T-bone steak.
European restaurants typically start with appetizers.
Leading the charge was the Iberian ham Chu Xingxing had been most looking forward to.
A Spanish guy in a black uniform and black apron pushed a ham stand to their table.
As he carved, Jiang Luoze explained, “In Spain, there are specialized ham carvers. Good ones undergo professional training. This guy is actually ‘certified’.”
There were special knives for carving ham.
They usually start from the thickest part of the ham, with the cut perpendicular to the ham’s cross-section, slicing downwards along the bone.
Then, they begin to “shave” the ham, tilting the knife slightly while holding the ham with a gloved hand to better control the direction and depth.
Slices of varying thickness, translucent and dark rose-colored, gradually lay onto the pure white bone china plate.
Unlike other ham varieties, Iberian ham has a marbled pattern alternating between deep rose and pale pink. The fat parts are glossy and oily.
Once a plate was fully carved and plated, it looked more like a bouquet of delicate roses.
Jiang Luoze: “I suggest everyone try it plain first, then you can pair it with red wine, cheese, or little crackers.”
Just as Chu Xingxing and the old babies picked up their knives and forks, the previously composed ham carver hurriedly stopped them and made a pinching motion with his fingers.
“Use our hands, not knives and forks?!” Chu Xingxing found it a bit incredible. She thought Western dining was very particular.
Jiang Luoze laughed and nodded. “Yes, we all just washed our hands. Just use your hands. Spanish people aren’t fussy about that. They usually eat with their hands, but using utensils is fine too.”
Grandma Jiang Yao took the lead, picking up a slice with her hand.
Then, Grandmas Wen Xuelan and Ai Minli also picked up a slice.
Grandma Sheng was the only one who used a knife and fork. She absolutely couldn’t accept eating directly with her hands.
She remembered that when Sheng Luzhi was little, if he ever dared to eat with his hands, she’d hit his palm until it swelled with her little bamboo whip.
Chu Xingxing also followed the local custom. She pinched a slice of the glistening ham and put it in her mouth.
As the distinctive Iberian fat melted between her lips and teeth, the rich, meaty aroma and subtle saltiness of the ham followed.
Good Iberian ham isn’t overly salty; it’s just right to eat plain.
As you chew, a slight sweetness and a lingering flavor of milk and oak nuts emerge.
Many say that the first time you try Iberian ham, you might not love it. The second time, you find it quite tasty. The third time, you get hooked, and if you go a while without it, you start craving it.
But Chu Xingxing felt she was hooked from the first bite!
That uniquely intense meaty flavor, the sensation of the soft, milky fat melting in her mouth—it was incredible!
Ah!!! Chu Xingxing shouted internally. People living in times of peace are so fortunate to enjoy such wonderful food!!!
The old babies also praised the ham’s flavor, especially when paired with red wine, without even needing cheese to compete with the taste.
A sip of wine, a bite of ham. One plate of Iberian ham disappeared quickly.
Jiang Luoze ordered another plate. Then another…
By the third plate, he didn’t dare order more, afraid the old babies might get tired of ham and never want to eat it again.
[It didn’t look that delicious, but mainly because Xingxing ate it with such relish. Can someone describe the taste to me?!]
[Aw, babies, Iberian ham is truly delicious and addictive! It’s subtly salty, with a milky aroma and the rich scent of oak nuts. It’s hard to describe, but I’m drooling just typing this.]
[I’ve had it too. Was skeptical at first, but it really is great! It’s so hard to describe, just fragrant! The fat’s aroma blends into the lean meat, and the meat’s flavor mingles with the melted fat.]
[Oh, I’m so craving it now! Price police, please come and crush my hopes!]
[Class rep reporting in. A whole 7-8 kg Iberian ham costs around 700-800 euros locally in Spain, roughly 6,000 RMB.]
[I just caught a glimpse of the menu. A thin little plate costs 50 euros, about 400 RMB!!!]
[Thanks to the grandmas for showing us the world. This kid can only dream about the taste!]
As they tasted each remaining dish one by one, Chu Xingxing’s big eyes kept sparkling.
The garlic shrimp combined the crispy, cracker-like fried garlic slices, the sweet freshness of the shrimp, and the unique flavor of smoked paprika, all simmered in extra virgin olive oil.
One bite of the shrimp was sweet and smooth. Even after finishing the shrimp, dipping the small bread in the remaining garlic-infused olive oil was delicious.
The caramelized foie gras mille-feuille was undeniably good. The rich animal fat of the foie gras was intoxicating, but the chef cleverly used slightly bitter caramelized layers and a touch of wild berry jam to cut the richness, making it refreshing and not greasy.
Spain also has a famous street snack: fried calamari sandwiches. This upscale restaurant had adapted the snack, adding fresh garlic aioli, and it was heavenly!
Not to mention the smooth and delicate beef tartare, the intensely flavorful porcini croquettes, and the sweet, fresh scallops.
Every appetizer was stunning.
As a result, by the time the main courses arrived, everyone was almost half-full.
The signature seafood paella, truffle risotto, pan-seared black cod, Vila beef burgers, T-bone steak, and grilled baby squid were all tasty, but they couldn’t finish them.
Chu Xingxing would almost give Spanish cuisine a perfect score!
The seasoning, cooking methods, ingredient pairings, etc., all suited Chinese palates quite well.
Except for one thing: the service was a bit slow.
However, this seemed to be a local custom.
Spanish locals are leisurely; they don’t rush and aren’t in a hurry.
Also, unlike the serious Northern Europeans, Southern Europeans seem naturally optimistic, a bit like people from the Sichuan-Chongqing area. They eat and drink slowly. Whether it’s family or friends gathering, they chat and eat without ever rushing. Even in upscale restaurants, they chat loudly.
It actually gives a very comfortable, pleasant, and relaxing vacation vibe.
After the main meal, Chu Xingxing wanted to suggest packing up the leftovers.
She was already stuffed, and she really hated to waste the remaining food.
If it were just Chu Xingxing, she’d take the leftover meat dishes for breakfast, but the old babies weren’t in the habit of eating leftovers, which put her in a bit of a spot.
Seeming to notice her dilemma, when the server brought the dessert menu, Jiang Luoze stood up.
“I’ll find the server to pack this up,” Jiang Luoze said, holding his napkin, leaning down slightly to speak to Chu Xingxing. “I get hungry late at night after drawing, and I’m too lazy to go out for food. Packing this for my midnight snack will be perfect.”
[Ahhhh! Help! I’ve completely changed sides!!! How can Jiang Luoze be such a gentleman!!!]
[Jiang Luoze really is handsome enough to take out, good at managing a household, a gentleman, and can make money (yells out loud) Where do you find a man like this!!!]
[Just take him in, Xingxing (screaming)(twisting)(moving in the dark) (crawling)(writhing)(wriggling) (rolling)(intensely crawling) Mom approves this match (twisting)(convulsing)(roaring)(wriggling)]
[Who doesn’t love an Omega like ‘Male Fox Spirit’ who can build a career and manage a household!!! Xingbao, if you don’t want him… I’m a college student, can I have him!!!!]
At the same time, the cast of Let’s Travel Together, with help from Chu Xingxing’s fan, finally arrived at the street closest to their homestay that was relatively wider.
The mid-sized bus stopped, and everyone filed out.
At 9:30 PM in Madrid, it was finally dark, though not completely pitch black.
The streets were still bustling with pedestrians and tourists. Restaurants, bars, dessert shops, and various stores were all still open.
This was the center of Madrid’s tourism and its best-preserved historical old town, filled with typical Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance-style architecture.
Because it’s a historical old town, the streets are extremely narrow.
The fact that the mid-sized bus could even stop here was thanks to the driver figuring out a way, even getting a ticket to drive in.
Normally, no private vehicles except those authorized for local residents can enter this area.
Cookie and the girl with round glasses exchanged contact information.
It was too late today to fulfill the promise of taking the little fan to see Chu Xingxing for a photo.
The girl with round glasses understood. Conveniently, the bus driver was also taking her home.
Cookie raised her arms to hug the girl. “Babe, thank you so much for today! Let me contact Xingxing first to see what their schedule is tomorrow, then I’ll get back to you about where we can meet, okay?”
“Okay, I’m not in a rush…” Being hugged by such a pretty girl group member made the little fan’s face turn red. She whispered, “If you need, I can also be your guide around Madrid.”
Cookie, finally finding a girl younger than her, immediately put on a big sister air. “No way, you’re only seventeen, still a minor. We can’t hire child labor.”
“Okay…” The girl with round glasses stuck out her tongue and smiled sheepishly.
“Stay safe on your way home. Send me a message when you get there so I know you arrived safely,” Cookie said, using the tone that Xingxing usually used to remind her, to remind the little fan. “Make sure you’re careful.”
[Wow! Suddenly, Little Cookie seems so grown up!]
[Here, Little Cookie’s tone is exactly the same as our Xingxing’s, lol.]
[Looks like good friends really do influence each other.]
“Okay, thank you, Cookie!” The girl with round glasses hopped onto the bus and waved goodbye to everyone.
All the cast of Let’s Travel Together came to thank this warm-hearted girl.
If it weren’t for her, their first day of travel might have ended with them sleeping right at the airport…
After seeing off the little fan, everyone carried their bulky luggage and followed the GPS to find the homestay.
As expected, the road was a series of sloping cross-streets all the way.
Pulling suitcases was bumpy and difficult.
Cookie looked around at the male guests and zeroed in on Jiang Chang’an. “Big brother, I can’t carry this…”
Cookie’s expression wasn’t one of someone asking for help, but more of a slightly proud “I’m giving you the chance” to serve her look.
After all, she’d done him a big favor today.
“Move aside a bit,” Jiang Chang’an said, resigned to his fate. But he had no choice; after all, everyone’s funds had been stolen on his watch.
He put down his own suitcase first, silently carried Cookie’s to the homestay, then went back for his own.
Just as Young Master Jiang was debating whether to make a third trip to bring Tian Mengtong’s suitcase over too…
He noticed that Tian Mengtong’s pink suitcase had already been brought over by Su Wei?!
Jiang Chang’an let out a cold laugh and carried his two suitcases into the foyer.
Tian Mengtong didn’t acknowledge him either. The “pink bubbles” between them had vanished completely.
——–
At the door of the homestay in Madrid’s old town…
Cookie used the key from the lockbox left by the host to open the door.
It was a fairly basic Airbnb homestay, with two rooms, two bathrooms, and a small living room.
The layout of the two bedrooms resembled a group dorm, both with bunk beds.
One was the boys’ dorm, the other the girls’ dorm.
There was no choice but to assign them that way.
After putting down their luggage, all the cast members gathered in the foyer, staring blankly at each other.
Even though no one was speaking, the scene was far from quiet…
The rumbling sounds of hungry stomachs came one after another.
[Hahahaha! Why are they so unlucky yet so funny? Watching Let’s Travel Together is making me feel a bit sorry for the cast.]
[I guess luck is truly a fickle thing. The budget this time was way better than the last island trip. If they hadn’t lost the money, they could have eaten and played well in Spain too. The accommodation just isn’t great.]
[LOL, now it’s back to square one. Is this going to be another full cast drama blow-up?]
[At least they need to sort out dinner. Not eating is really not an option.]
Although the homestay prepared by the production team was quite basic, its location was excellent—right in the heart of Madrid’s tourist district.
If they wanted to head to the famous Puerta del Sol to experience the vibrant nightlife, it was a ten-minute walk at most.
But right now, everyone was starving and couldn’t care less about sightseeing.
“I have a suggestion…” Cookie spoke up first. She had experience living in Europe.
After the incident with Jiang Chang’an losing the funds, everyone fully trusted Cookie.
“This is the old town and a tourist area. There are tons of tourists. Near Puerta del Sol, lots of people busk for tips. Why don’t…”
Cookie looked at Xiao Xiong, Su Wei who had brought his guitar, Jiang Chang’an, and Chunzhen from the WE boy band. She pointed around. “You guys can go busking to earn some money for our meal. You’re all so handsome, plenty of people will tip. Those street performers make a lot!”
[Hahahaha! Cookie’s idea is pretty good!]
[Little Cookie might as well be the show’s director. She’s great at ‘cooking up drama’?]
“I don’t have any talent…” Jiang Chang’an said discontentedly.
Cookie didn’t hold back. “But the money was stolen because you didn’t keep it safe. You have to take responsibility, right? Or are you planning to just sit at home, waiting for Brother Xiao Xiong and Brother Su Wei to feed you after they busk? How fragile…”
Jiang Chang’an had two weaknesses: crying and weakness in women, and being provoked.
Provoked by Cookie, Jiang Chang’an grabbed Su Wei’s guitar and stormed out, almost outpacing the camera crew.
Everyone was left dumbfounded.
“Oh no!” Cookie stomped her foot. “Why aren’t you guys going after him?! What if Jiang Chang’an gets lost? He had no sense of direction back in the mangroves!”
[LOL! Cookie successfully ‘betrays’ Jiang Chang’an again.]
[I’m dying at Cookie. Why is this little girl so endearing?]
“Oh, right, right, let’s go, let’s go…”
“Hey! Jiang Chang’an, why are you running so fast?!”
Xiao Xiong, Su Wei, and the other male guests dashed out after him.
The remaining female guests were worried and insisted on following.
“Let’s go check it out too. Those guys seem pretty unreliable. We can just do some fast-paced rhyming patter if we have to. At least we can earn enough for some KFC or McDonald’s to tide us over, right?”
Tian Mengtong, of course, went with the flow and followed behind the other women.
“Do you want to come with us, Cookie? If you’re too tired, just rest at the homestay. You haven’t slept all day, chatting with the little fan. It must have been tough.”
Comedian Zhu Yuxuan asked with concern as they were about to leave.
Cookie told the truth. “I, I’m pretty tired, headache. I’d like to rest a bit. Maybe I won’t go…”
Cookie had the most reason not to go busking.
She’d been taking care of everyone all along, reminding them to watch their belongings. Thanks to her, the women hadn’t had anything stolen. After Jiang Chang’an’s loss, she acted as translator and fixed the transportation issue with the fan.
Cookie was currently at the top of the food chain among all the Let’s Travel Together cast.
No one objected. They told Little Cookie to be safe, lock the doors and windows, and not open the door for strangers.
After a round of reminders, the women, including Tian Mengtong, left the homestay.
Now, the cramped homestay was left with only Cookie.
Little Cookie finally breathed a sigh of relief and patted her chest, muttering to herself, “OMG, they finally all left…”
[What? Does Little Cookie have another sneaky plan?!]
[Haha, what’s Cookie up to?]
[I thought something was off with Little Cookie earlier. She usually loves joining the fun. How come she didn’t want to go see Jiang Chang’an make a fool of himself busking today?]
Fans and viewers alike stared excitedly at the live stream screen.
First, Cookie checked if the apartment’s small open kitchen was usable.
The homestay provided basic cooking tools and an induction stove. Simple cooking was fine.
“Great!” Cookie’s eyes sparkled. She trotted over and pulled open her suitcase, pulling out a purple package. She held it under her nose and took a deep breath. “Wow! Smells so good!!!”
Then, she fished out a tea egg, a sausage, a small pack of peeled bamboo shoots…
“Hehe, you guys go busk. I’m having dinner!” Cookie hummed a little tune, opened all the windows in the room, and started boiling water in a pot.
The cameraman, holding back laughter, gave the purple package on the table a close-up—
Haomou Luo Snail Rice Noodles (a popular Chinese instant noodle dish).
Committed to making a great bowl of noodles with a clear conscience!
[Hahahahahahahaha!]
[OMG!!! I’m dying of laughter!!! Cookie is such a precious little treasure!!!]
[How devious! Doesn’t Cookie know that the smell of snail rice noodles won’t dissipate all night, hahahaha.]
[Can’t breathe! So Cookie came prepared, just waiting for everyone to leave so she could cook her noodles in peace. Hahaha I’m laughing so loud!!!]
——–
Madrid, Salamanca District.
TEN CON TEN Restaurant.
Chu Xingxing and the old babies were all stuffed.
Jiang Luoze carried the takeout boxes and accompanied them for a stroll nearby to help with digestion.
Doing their digestion exercises in front of so many foreigners was a bit embarrassing, so the grandmas decided to walk around and explore the area.
It wasn’t even 10 PM yet, and the Salamanca District was still lively. Many bars and snack shops were just opening for the night.
Madam Wen Xuelan was so full now that she didn’t even feel like eating the frozen yogurt she’d seen on the way. She was almost falling over from being too full.
After walking around for a bit, they had digested enough and returned to the homestay to rest.
Even though they’d flown by private jet, it was still a long flight.
The old babies couldn’t compare with the younger folks in terms of stamina. After the initial excitement and a heavy meal, they were tired now.
However, despite their fatigue, all members of Grandma’s Journey still upheld their fine tradition—
Sitting in a row to soak their feet before bed.
When Jiang Luoze saw…
In front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of the luxurious, old-money, duplex-style penthouse living room, a row of portable foot baths in various colors laid out neatly…
The baths, filled with mugwort packets, were steaming warmly. Behind the baths stood six perfectly aligned chairs, he couldn’t help but laugh.
Jiang Luoze wasn’t the only one holding in laughter. The fans and viewers in the live stream were also amused—
[This is so adorable!]
[Hahaha, the old babies and Xingxing have to do their self-care routine everywhere! On Pearl Island, they’d sit in a row by the sea, soaking their feet while listening to the waves and looking at the starry sky. Now they’re in Europe, in this luxurious penthouse with a view of Madrid’s nightscape, and they still have to soak their feet?]
[LOL, I guess this is another form of cultural export, right?]
[Hey? I count six chairs, but only five foot baths. What’s up with that?]
[Jiang Luoze doesn’t have a foot bath! Everyone else got theirs from Xingxing. Wen Han and Cookie had them too. So why doesn’t the Male Fox Spirit have one?]
[Haha, is our Xingbao playing favorites today? Did she forget to bring one for Jiang Luoze?]
[I’m dying. If Male Fox Spirit doesn’t get a foot bath, is he going to use the big fountain in the courtyard for a (not) foot bath?]
[Male Fox Spirit taking a bath! Where, where, I want to see!!!]
Jiang Luoze also noticed there was one foot bath missing…
“Ah Ze!” Chu Xingxing ran over from the guest suite, holding something in her arms.
Jiang Luoze: “Hm?”
“Here, this is for you.” Chu Xingxing shoved a dark blue portable foot bath into his hands. “Everyone gets one. We’re a team, so no one gets left out.”
“Thank you~” Jiang Luoze’s eyes curved, his lips and voice both lifting.
That phrase, “no one gets left out,” made him feel quite good.
And so, on their first night in Europe…
The old babies and their two “porters” spent their evening self-care routine sitting in a row in the hundred-square-meter spacious European old-money style living room, looking out at the Moorish courtyard through the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing up at the same starry sky they’d seen on Pearl Island, and comfortably soaking their feet.
The scene was a bit surreal, but surreally adorable.
——–
After soaking their feet, the old babies went back to their respective rooms to rest.
Chu Xingxing and Jiang Luoze also returned to their guest rooms, which were across from each other.
Between these two rooms was a shared small sitting room.
The sitting room had an electric fireplace, comfortable armchairs, a sofa, and a large desk.
Chu Xingxing had just closed her door when she heard polite knocking behind her.
“What’s up?” Chu Xingxing opened the door. She was still in the clothes she’d worn earlier, not yet changed into her pajamas.
“First, let me apologize,” Jiang Luoze said, eyes downcast, leaning against the doorframe with two large bath towels in his arms.
Seeing his lazy, charming demeanor, Chu Xingxing deliberately joked with the “Male Fox Spirit.” “What is it? Did you do something bad?”
“Mm, for you, it might be something not so great.”
Jiang Luoze went along with her words, shaking his head with a smile. “I have a bad habit. No matter what time zone I’m in, I only get drawing inspiration around midnight. The only big desk in the sitting room is shared between our rooms, so I might need to use it until late.”
Chu Xingxing was unconcerned. “So what? Use it all you want. I sleep deeply. Besides, how much noise can drawing make? Unless… you like to draw to the sound of death metal?”
“Maybe I’ll try death metal next time. Might give me some new inspiration?”
Jiang Luoze smiled bewitchingly, raising the towels in his hands and slowly kneeling down…
“It’s, it’s not New Year yet!” Chu Xingxing quickly grabbed him.
She couldn’t handle such a big show of formality!
“Pfft…” Jiang Luoze laughed, kneeling upright.
He bent down and tightly tucked the towels along the gap at the bottom of the door. “I tried it in my room just now. If the sitting room light is on and my room light is off, some light leaks through the door gap. So I wanted to block the gap for you so you could sleep more soundly. Light can affect sleep quality…”
Chu Xingxing: “…”
She wanted to shout: Someone marry Jiang Luoze already!!!
He’s too thoughtful!!!
[Ahhhhh! That single knee from the Male Fox Spirit went straight to my heart!!!]
[Who gets it? The way Jiang Luoze knelt from behind was so alluring. How can his back be so straight, aw… those hips, those legs, I’m dead…]
[Honestly, sisters, a man who doesn’t value his knees and kneels so easily can’t be trusted. And he’s this meticulous? Clearly, he’s petty and has a lot of little schemes! None of you should set your sights on him. I’ll reluctantly take this ‘Male Fox Spirit’ off your hands (shrugs).]
[Sister above, that was some loud mental arithmetic. I could hear it loud and clear from your IP address!]
“No, no need for all that…”
Chu Xingxing grabbed Jiang Luoze’s arm, afraid to squeeze too hard in case she broke him. She finally managed to get him off the floor.
She quickly said, “I won’t be sleeping that early anyway. I want to use the sitting room too. You take the desk, I’ll use the sofa and coffee table.”
She wasn’t used to having someone else lead the entire trip, so she wanted to use the evening to plan out the rest of their stay.
The old babies might not necessarily use her plans.
But at least having them would provide a Plan B in case of emergencies.
Having that sense of being fully prepared made Chu Xingxing feel at ease.
However, she was a bit worried that Jiang Luoze might be the “lone wolf” type at work and wouldn’t like having someone nearby.
Chu Xingxing pointed to the nearby armchair. “I’ll be very quiet, just looking up some info. I won’t disturb your drawing. Is that okay? If not, I could…”
“It’s not not okay,” Jiang Luoze said, lowering his head to meet her eyes and speaking slowly, word by word. “I would want nothing more.”
Chu Xingxing looked up and met his pale-toned eyes, which seemed filled with anticipation and delight.
She wondered if it was because she kept secretly calling him “Male Fox Spirit” in her head.
But Chu Xingxing inexplicably felt like she was hallucinating?
His clear, moist eyes were as captivatingly seductive as the eyes of a snow-white fox in a nature documentary.
The only thing missing, it seemed, was…
For a big, fluffy tail, as soft as snow and cotton, to suddenly sprout from behind Jiang Luoze – then he’d be perfect.
