A Shura Field of Earthly Dogs
Chu Xingxing was still immersed in the excitement of her upcoming trip to southern Spain, a place full of exotic charm.
Passionate flamenco, the richly Arabian-influenced Alhambra, the Mosque-Cathedral, Seville’s Royal Alcázar, the most beautiful Spanish Steps in the world…
Southern Andalusia is also the birthplace of Spain’s world-famous tapas.
Spring is also the best season for traveling.
The old babies were excited too, all chattering and discussing enthusiastically.
No one noticed the subtle shift in Little Jiang Grandma’s mood.
At least, Chu Xingxing was completely in the dark and had no idea what kind of extraordinary connection Little Jiang Grandma had with Seville, the capital of Andalusia.
—
It was still early, and none of the old babies were sleepy. Everyone sat around in the small lounge, chatting about tomorrow’s itinerary.
Madam Wen Xuelan held a Spain travel guide and asked curiously, “A Ze, how are we getting to Seville? Are we driving ourselves, or flying?”
Jiang Luoze said, “We’re taking Spain’s high-speed rail. It’ll be a good experience for everyone.”
“Ooh, is Spain’s high-speed rail any good?” Grandma Ai Minli suddenly thought of a hilarious news story and burst out laughing.
Jiang Luoze guessed what Grandma Ai was laughing about, and he laughed too. “The existing lines are fine. Because the country is small, Spain has over 2,000 train stations, including small trains passing through even tiny cities. Big cities have frequent trains, and speeds can reach 350 kilometers per hour. You could call it high-speed rail, but…”
Jiang Luoze paused, then switched to a complaining tone. “I know what Grandma Ai is laughing about. There are plenty of unreliable things in this country too. For example, a while back, the national rail company decided to buy new trains. They spent over two years and 250 million euros, only to discover the trains were built too wide and couldn’t fit through the tunnels…”
【Hahahahaha! What kind of absurd news is this!!!】
【I’m dying laughing. This kind of rookie mistake was made by a national-level department???】
【I can’t even. I saw that news. There was a photo of workers measuring the tunnel width on site, with a bunch of Spanish onlookers squatting nearby (all with very entertaining expressions on their faces).】
【Sisters, check my IP (Spain). Nothing bizarre that happens in this country surprises me anymore, because everyone here is incredibly unreliable!】
“Pfft! This isn’t a joke, it’s real?” Chu Xingxing burst out laughing. That was just too unreliable.
“It’s real,” Jiang Luoze spread his hands helplessly. “Even Saci has Spanish suppliers and partners. They’re all great people, very easy to get along with. It’s just that once it comes to professional matters, problems tend to arise. But it’s not just Spaniards. Southern Europeans all have similar personalities. We’re used to it by now.”
“Tomorrow, how long will we be on the train?” Little Jiang Grandma asked what she considered a very important question.
“Two and a half hours,” Jiang Luoze glanced at the itinerary booking on his phone. “I’ve booked an entire first-class carriage so filming won’t disturb other passengers.”
“Two and a half hours, that’s quite a while. And we’ve booked a whole carriage. Can we maybe…” Grandma Sheng Shuwen’s eyes lit up as she looked at her old sisters.
“Play mahjong, play mahjong!” Madam Wen Xuelan excitedly stood up from the sofa.
All the old babies had a bit of a gambling itch, and the train was the perfect place to scratch it.
“We can promote our national treasure!” Little Jiang Grandma got excited too.
Grandma Ai Minli was more level-headed. “But we need mahjong tiles to play. Did you all bring yours? You didn’t, right? Even if you did, the small tables on the train can’t fit a mahjong setup. Isn’t that right, A Ze?”
“Mahjong… really won’t fit…” Jiang Luoze thought for a moment, then added, “How about we go with Plan B and play cards instead?”
Grandma Sheng Shuwen nodded. “Cards work too. There are six of us, perfect for playing San Jia.”
Although all four old babies enjoyed card games, the one who loved them most was Grandma Sheng.
Poker, bridge, mahjong, chess, and so on — she loved any competitive tabletop game, and her competitive spirit was fierce.
In the past two years, Grandma Sheng had been in a semi-retired state and had even learned from her grandchildren to play Werewolf, script murder games, and Monopoly. She enjoyed those too.
“Can Xingxing play?” Grandma Sheng Shuwen was still excited, worried they’d be one person short for a card game.
The three old sisters all knew how to play, and Jiang Luoze had been “trained” by Grandma Sheng, making him a qualified card partner.
Facing the old babies’ expectant gazes, Chu Xingxing smiled weakly and scratched her head. “I… don’t know how.”
She really had never played cards. If the post-apocalyptic base hadn’t been converted from an ancient library, Chu Xingxing wouldn’t have even had entertainment like “CEO romance” novels.
“What time is it now?” Grandma Sheng’s expression remained calm.
“Eight thirty,” Jiang Luoze glanced at his phone.
“What time does Xingxing usually go to sleep?” Grandma Sheng asked.
Chu Xingxing: “Around eleven…”
Jiang Luoze: “Should be around eleven. Yesterday it wasn’t even twelve and she looked really sleepy…”
Chu Xingxing and Jiang Luoze said simultaneously.
Chu Xingxing froze for a moment and glanced at Jiang Luoze.
“I guessed. Didn’t expect to get it right.” Jiang Luoze said gently, his phoenix eyes curving into crescent moons.
【Ahhhhh!!! I’m shipping them so hard!!!】
【This is even better than a dating show. “Little Fox” already knows Xingxing’s sleep schedule this quickly!】
【Watching this almost gave me a romance brain. I’m punishing myself by going to scoop some poop to calm down…】
【Hahahaha! The sister above is ruthless!】
“Eh?” Little Jiang Grandma grinned with a gossipy expression, leaning in between the two. “A Ze, how did you know?”
Jiang Luoze said openly, “Yesterday I was drawing in the living room, and Xingxing was also in the living room planning the trip. I saw that by eleven thirty, she was so sleepy her head was bobbing like a little chick pecking at rice.”
After saying that, he looked at Chu Xingxing with soft eyes.
【Ah! The “little chick pecking at rice” description is so doting and cute!】
【What does this prove, sisters! This proves “Little Fox” has been staring at Xingxing the whole time!!!】
【Sa Beining oxygen mask, I’m shipping them so hard wuwuwuwu!】
“Oh, then I understand,” Little Jiang Grandma wore an “I knew it” smirk and turned to the other three grandmas with a slightly “show-off” tone. “Our A Ze has always been single-minded in everything since he was little. He never gets distracted, especially when drawing.”
The implication couldn’t have been clearer.
Look, A Ze and Xingxing were drawing together!
And A Ze is usually the most focused, but Xingxing made him lose focus.
Little Jiang Grandma proudly tossed her head. She had braided her hair into a single plait today, and it looked like her “little tail” was about to fly up to the sky.
The other three old babies certainly couldn’t stand their youngest sister being so “cocky.”
“When we go to Seville, we’ll definitely watch a local flamenco performance, right?” Grandma Sheng Shuwen said in a casual tone, patting Madam Wen Xuelan’s hand beside her.
Madam Wen Xuelan, a shrewd woman, immediately understood Big Sister’s meaning and nodded. “Of course. Tomorrow night we’ll go! To that one, what was it called? The very famous one, the Spanish dance troupe that performed at Yaoyao’s school back in the day…”
Little Jiang Grandma’s expression changed instantly, and she was no longer so “cocky.”
Grandma Ai Minli also asked with a smile, “Yaoyao, what was that dance troupe called again?”
Little Jiang Grandma grabbed a throw pillow and hugged it, saying guiltily, “That was decades ago! Who still remembers…”
【Perking up my little ears. Does Little Jiang Grandma have some tea to spill?】
【I’m so curious!!! Did Little Jiang Grandma date a flamenco artist?】
【Holy crap! An international romance! An international romance from thirty or forty years ago — that’s explosive.】
【And three old babies are all teasing her together. Little Jiang Grandma clearly knows so much about Spain. There must be a story there!】
In the end, it was Grandma Sheng who “pulled” the topic back.
“Then there are still two or three hours before Xingxing goes to sleep. A Ze, you’re responsible for teaching Xingxing. Tomorrow we’ll meet at the card table.” After saying that, Grandma Sheng Shuwen added, “A Ze can’t hold back. Teach Xingxing well — teach her San Jia, Sheng Ji, Bao Huang, Gou Ji, and all of them. Xingxing is so smart, she’ll pick it up in no time.”
Chu Xingxing listened to the unfamiliar terms, her face a bit blank. “Grandma Sheng, are you sure I’ll pick it up in no time?”
“Of course. Cards aren’t hard.” Grandma Sheng smiled kindly.
Chu Xingxing blinked guiltily.
She wasn’t so sure…
“Don’t worry, it’s not hard. I’ll teach you.” Jiang Luoze said softly.
—
Everyone chatted a bit more in the lounge.
Since they had to leave early the next morning for Madrid’s Atocha train station, they all returned to their rooms.
Chu Xingxing and Jiang Luoze walked toward the guest rooms together. They were planning to go to the small living room in the guest area for some “crash training” in cards.
The old-style European large flat had long corridors.
Just then, Jiang Luoze’s phone buzzed.
He stopped, glanced at it, and laughed.
“What is it?” Chu Xingxing turned back to ask.
Jiang Luoze narrowed his eyes slightly, and with his pointed chin, he looked even more like a “little fox.” “Come out with me for a bit?”
Chu Xingxing nodded. “Sure, where to?”
She thought simply. According to Cookie, Southern Europe was full of pickpockets and robbers.
Although Jiang Luoze was very familiar with Europe, with his small frame, what if someone grabbed him by the neck?
Not only would their “Grandma’s Journey” group lose their “tour guide,” but the trip would be delayed too.
It was safer for her to go out with Jiang Luoze. When it came to physical prowess, Chu Xingxing had never lost to anyone.
Jiang Luoze said with a smile, “Help Grandma Sheng buy some things for tomorrow…”
Chu Xingxing’s curiosity was piqued. “What things are so mysterious???”
“You’ll see when we get there.” Jiang Luoze put away his phone, pressed his lips together, and smiled with a hint of cunning. “What, afraid I’ll sell you in Spain?”
“Sell me?” Chu Xingxing said dismissively. “I didn’t know A Ze had that ability. Who sells whom is still up in the air.”
Jiang Luoze joked, “Then I’ll sell myself to you. Fifty euros.”
“Trying to trick the fifty euros from lunch back out of my hands?” Chu Xingxing’s eyes widened as she covered the wallet in her pocket. “Too expensive, can’t afford it…”
Besides, if she really bought such a refined “little fox,” she definitely couldn’t afford to keep him!
“You didn’t even haggle,” Jiang Luoze sighed and said slowly. “I can be haggled down…”
“Not even for free!” Chu Xingxing shook her head frantically.
“Once you pass this village, there’s no such shop…”
“No, no! Can’t afford to buy, can’t afford to keep. Foxes are too delicate. At most I could afford a golden retriever.”
“But foxes are also canines. Not much different from dogs…”
“Oh, come on!”
…
The sound of Chu Xingxing and Jiang Luoze bickering gradually faded into the long European corridor.
【The two of them are going off alone! Honestly, “Little Fox” does have some romance talent. He’s creating opportunities to spend time with Xingbao even without the conditions for it!】
【Come on, did you see who “Little Fox” grew up with? “Little Fox” inherited the true teachings of “Love Genius” Little Jiang Grandma, okay!】
【Wuwuwuwu, I really love the childish bickering between Xingxing and “Little Fox.” So cute!】
【Sisters, calm down. Although I also think Xingbao and “Little Fox” are a perfect match, right now Xingbao really treats “Little Fox” as a good friend and confidant. It doesn’t seem like she has that fluttery feeling yet (hiding under a pot lid and running away)】
【Sister above +1. I’m also a firm “Xing Fox” shipper, but Xingxing hasn’t blushed even once at Designer Jiang. I think Xingbao just wants to be the good baby of the old ladies and isn’t interested in anything else hahaha.】
—
Twenty minutes later, Chu Xingxing and Jiang Luoze arrived at an Asian supermarket not far from the Salamanca district.
“Wow, it’s exactly like Cookie said!” Chu Xingxing picked up a shopping basket and looked curiously at the products on the shelves.
As a European city with a Chinese population of sixty or seventy thousand, Madrid’s Asian supermarkets were relatively well-stocked.
All kinds of seasonings, foods, snacks, vegetables, soy products, and so on needed for daily life were available.
“What did Cookie tell you?” Jiang Luoze naturally took the shopping basket from Chu Xingxing’s hand.
“I’ve got it, I’ve got it.” Chu Xingxing glanced at Jiang Luoze’s slender arms and waved her hand. “Designer Jiang’s hands are for drawing. I’m strong. I’ll carry the basket. Before coming, Cookie told me that if there were any Chinese seasonings or snacks, I didn’t need to bring them from home — I could just buy them at a Chinese supermarket in Europe. The prices aren’t much more expensive than at home.”
Jiang Luoze didn’t continue to fight Chu Xingxing for the basket.
Since Xingxing was willing to carry it, he’d let her.
When she really couldn’t carry it anymore, or got bored and lost interest, he’d take over.
“Cookie lived in Europe before, right?” Jiang Luoze went to the snack section and bent down to look for what Grandma Sheng had asked him to buy.
Chu Xingxing was already dazzled by the snacks. It was strange — back home, she never felt like eating snacks much.
But abroad, after a few Western meals, even though she knew Western food was delicious, when she smelled the familiar “science and hard work,” she actually wanted some.
Chu Xingxing glanced a few more times at the oily spicy strips and looked up. “Yeah. Don’t let Little Cookie’s young age fool you — she has rich life experience and is very independent.”
When talking about the girls around her, Chu Xingxing never held back her praise.
“You’re all wonderful girls.” Jiang Luoze crouched down and picked up a pack of spicy strips. “Which flavor do you like?”
“Um…” Chu Xingxing’s choice paralysis kicked in again. Usually in these situations, she just didn’t choose at all.
Jiang Luoze took two packs of spicy strips and flipped them over to check the production dates. “Personally, I like the five-spice cumin and the spicy ones. They’re pretty good as a snack to go with drinks. I’ll get one small pack of each for you to try. If you don’t like them, no problem — the rest are mine.”
After saying that, he put both packs of spicy strips into the shopping basket Chu Xingxing was carrying.
【Damn, “Little Fox” is really so thoughtful wuwuwu. How can there be such a soft man who still doesn’t feel unmasculine? He really gives me the vibe of a little househusband!】
【Yes, very punchable (bushi). Jiang Luoze is basically a must-have for home travel and murder hahahaha.】
【I see pickled pepper chicken feet and I’m instantly drooling! Why isn’t anyone getting pickled pepper chicken feet? You have to eat pickled pepper chicken feet on a train!!!】
【So Asian supermarkets abroad aren’t much more expensive than at home. I also see Lao Gan Ma, olive vegetable, pickled mustard tuber, and red oil bamboo shoots. Damn, I’m so hungry…】
【Let’s just say, following the old babies on a cloud trip through Europe — even though the food is tempting, when you’re really hungry, you realize you still have a Chinese stomach.】
“What else do we need to buy?” Chu Xingxing looked at the dazzling array of snacks on the shelves and wanted to help Jiang Luoze find things too.
“Found it.” Jiang Luoze stood up and grabbed a few packs of snacks from the shelf.
“Want Want Senbei?” Chu Xingxing was confused.
Jiang Luoze nodded. “Three packs is enough.”
“Is this a snack Grandma Sheng really likes?” Chu Xingxing asked.
Jiang Luoze smiled and continued to be mysterious. “It’s okay. I liked eating them when I was little. But Grandma Sheng probably won’t eat them herself.”
“Get three bottles of soda water too…” Jiang Luoze had already moved to another shelf, muttering to himself. “Tetra Pak milk… seems like they don’t have it?”
“I’ll go ask.” Chu Xingxing volunteered and found a store clerk to ask.
Soon, she came back looking helpless and told Jiang Luoze, “They don’t have Tetra Pak milk.”
“Then…” Jiang Luoze’s quick mind thought for a moment, then he turned and grabbed three more packs of Want Want Senbei in different flavors. “Get three more packs then. The effect should be the same.”
【Damn, I’m so curious! Why does Grandma Sheng want to buy so many Want Want Senbei?】
【Isn’t it just because she likes eating them?】
【”Little Fox” just said Grandma Sheng won’t eat them herself, so are they for the other grandmas?】
【Definitely. “Little Fox” gets everything in threes, so they must be for the other grandmas.】
“What else are we missing?” Chu Xingxing’s eyes swept over various hot pot bases. She saw a tomato-flavored soup packet and suddenly felt a craving, swallowing her saliva.
Tomato hot pot base with fish tofu, fresh tomatoes, winter melon, corn, yam, luncheon meat, beef, tripe, shrimp paste…
Ah!!! So delicious!!!
After several Western meals, Chu Xingxing was already missing hot pot.
“We still need… Yinlu peanut milk…” Jiang Luoze’s eyes skipped over and found it next to the eight-treasure porridge. “One bottle is enough.”
“That’s it, we can go.” Jiang Luoze waved to Chu Xingxing.
“Um, okay.” Chu Xingxing glanced reluctantly at the tomato hot pot base and ran over with the small basket. “Coming!”
She had just had an internal battle.
Mainly because if she bought the hot pot base, the other ingredients would be hard to get — they were all frozen or refrigerated, and it wasn’t realistic to bring them on the train to the south.
Most importantly, she didn’t know if the old babies would like this light-flavored hot pot. Maybe the grandmas hadn’t had enough Western food yet?
Thinking this way, Chu Xingxing ultimately didn’t take the hot pot base.
But a day later, she would regret this decision so much that she’d pound her chest and stomp her feet.
—
The next morning at 8:30, the guests of “Grandma’s Journey” had already arrived at Atocha Station, the largest train station in all of Spain.
The old babies’ tickets were for 9:30. Normally, trains aren’t like planes — you don’t need to arrive so early.
But when everyone arrived at Atocha Station, they discovered that this train station had something special.
The business car drove all the guests past the large roundabout in front of the station.
Spanish roads are full of roundabouts.
From a distance, Atocha Station looked more like a majestic palace with a brownish-red facade.
“A train station with all this fanfare!” Grandma Wen Xuelan exclaimed.
Little Jiang Grandma said quietly, “It’s been completely restored now…”
“Was this train station damaged before?” Chu Xingxing sat next to Grandma Jiang Yao. No one else heard what the grandma said, but she did.
“…” Little Jiang Grandma was silent for a few seconds, then nodded, her expression somewhat heavy. “Yes, about twenty years ago, Madrid experienced a terrorist attack targeting the railway system. There were ten explosions at different train stations and railway lines. Since then, the station has been under repair. They say it’s been under repair for many years.”
Outside the window, the sun was just right.
Atocha Station’s facade, against the sunlight and blue sky with white clouds, looked even more brilliantly red.
Chu Xingxing sighed and patted Little Jiang Grandma’s hand.
In the apocalypse, life and death had become commonplace.
After traveling to peacetime, Chu Xingxing had only recently learned that so-called “peace” was only relative.
Perhaps, compared to zombies and cruel beasts, humans were the most ferocious existence of all.
Jiang Luoze turned back from the front seat, trying to change the subject. “Atocha Station is also a very special train station, so I decided to leave early and bring everyone here to look around.”
【I know, I know! I can answer this one!】
【I won’t spoil it for everyone. I’ll just say that fans of Zootopia will be in for a surprise!】
The staff watched the luggage for the old babies, and Jiang Luoze led the grandmas from the entrance down the elevator to the second floor.
From afar, everyone let out a gasp.
“Wow! Inside the train station…” Madam Wen Xuelan pointed at a large lush forest. “There’s actually a tropical botanical garden?”
Grandma Ai Minli, who was more familiar with East Asia, said, “Although it’s not as spectacular as the botanical garden and waterfall at Singapore’s Changi Airport, paired with the rustic European architecture, it has a lot of charm.”
Little Jiang Grandma’s eyes widened. “Such tall palm trees! They feel like they’re going to pierce the sky!”
Grandma Sheng Shuwen, ever steady, said, “Madrid’s train station is quite distinctive. A Ze put thought into this.”
But Chu Xingxing looked even more excited than the grandmas.
“This botanical garden looks so familiar. I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere?” She tried to recall, and finally remembered…
Before her first trip, Chu Xingxing was still a small nobody with no job, just “sitting at home twiddling her thumbs.”
To better understand this new world, she had watched a lot of shows and movies at home during that time. Besides the old babies’ representative works, there were also some popular movies and TV dramas.
One animated film had deeply captured her heart. She had already watched it two or three times.
Chu Xingxing’s face lit up with surprise as she looked up at Jiang Luoze. “The train station in Zootopia looks so much like this one in Madrid! Is it the inspiration?”
Jiang Luoze lowered his head slightly and said with a smile, “Some say yes, others say the Zootopia train station was inspired by Berlin’s Anhalter Bahnhof. But personally, I think Madrid’s Atocha Station looks more like it.”
“It really does! I thought it looked like it at first glance!” Chu Xingxing raised her hand and pointed at the ceiling. “Look at this dome, the round clock, and the elevators on both sides. This huge tropical rainforest — it’s almost identical…”
Chu Xingxing even felt like she had completely stepped into Officer Judy Hopps’ perspective on her first trip to the city.
Everything looked so fresh.
Jiang Luoze smiled. “I didn’t expect Xingxing and I to like the same movie. We really do have fate, don’t we?”
Chu Xingxing took out her phone to photograph the indoor tropical rainforest wetland and said absentmindedly, “Then this fate is really something. The reason I chose this movie was because it was ranked number one on the charts, with over 200 million views. I can only say that you and I are very fated with those 200 million people too.”
“But…” Chu Xingxing put down her phone, turned her head to look at Jiang Luoze, and continued thoughtfully, “You like Zootopia. Is it because the fox Nick in it is a lot like you?”
“You really think I’m a ‘male fox spirit’?” Jiang Luoze wasn’t annoyed. Instead, he followed Chu Xingxing’s lead and said with a smile, “Get this straight — that’s a foreign fox. It’s not the same system as our immortal sect’s ‘fox spirits.'”
Chu Xingxing was amused. Bickering with Jiang Luoze was just so fun.
She teased him too. “You’re right. You’re a nine-tailed white fox, and Nick is a red fox with only one tail!”
“Wow, so I’m a nine-tailed white fox?” Jiang Luoze nodded slightly, then suddenly put on what he thought was a “fierce” expression and said in a somewhat “ruthless” tone, “Then Xingxing better be careful. Nine-tailed foxes are vicious beasts.”
“Don’t worry…” Chu Xingxing wouldn’t be scared by him. She patted Jiang Luoze’s shoulder and said earnestly, “Little Fox, no matter how fierce you are, you can’t beat me.”
【I’m already shipping them so hard I’m passing out…】
【So sweet wuwuwuwu. Even if it’s just a friendship line, it’s still so shippable!!!】
【Jiang Luoze really is an ideal man. I’m not afraid of anything except that our Xingbao doesn’t like this type (gently)】
【A guy like “Little Fox” is really rare, bushi. I’ve never met one! Beautiful, skillful with his hands, virtuous, can take a joke, respects women, and pursues someone so openly and honorably… The point of saying all this is, if Xingxing doesn’t want “Little Fox,” can you package him and send him to me?】
Madam Wen Xuelan discovered a huge turtle pond in Atocha Station’s botanical garden, with at least several hundred turtles inside.
The fun-loving Madam Wen Xuelan shouted at the top of her lungs to Chu Xingxing and Jiang Luoze not far away, “Oh my, Xingbao, there’s a huge turtle pond here…”
“Shh…” Little Jiang Grandma covered Madam Wen Xuelan’s mouth and dragged her aside. “The two ‘porters’ are busy. Let’s not cause trouble. Does Sister Lan want a photo with the turtles? Come, come, I’ll take one for you.”
“Who wants a photo with turtles?” Madam Wen Xuelan broke free from Grandma Jiang Yao’s hand and put her hands on her hips. “You little Yaoyao, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to!”
Little Jiang Grandma smiled coquettishly. “Oh, what is Sister Lan talking about? What bad intentions could your little sister have?”
【Hahahaha! I’m dying laughing at the love-hate relationship between Madam Wen Xuelan and Little Jiang Grandma!】
【These two comedy queens have to compete wherever they go hahaha!】
【The old babies are getting jealous too. I’m dying. It’s completely a “Battle for Xingbao.”】
Madam Wen Xuelan wasn’t blind to A Ze’s “bolded” “one-sided arrow” toward Xingbao.
Madam Wen Xuelan mainly wasn’t willing to accept her youngest son being “eliminated” so quickly.
She also hated that her warm-hearted boy Xiao Nuan was too gentle and slow, too soft — he couldn’t even “beat” the soft and squishy A Ze.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Madam Wen Xuelan took out her phone, about to send WeChat to give Wen Han a good scolding, when she saw a message from her daughter Wen Nuan.
【Wen Nuan: Has Mom adjusted to the time difference today? Spain’s climate is quite dry. Remember to drink more water and eat more fruit.】
Madam Wen Xuelan, who had just been full of anger, instantly lost all her steam when she saw the caring message from her thoughtful little cotton jacket.
With a sweet smile, Madam Wen Xuelan put on her reading glasses and began seriously replying to her daughter on WeChat.
After replying, she tapped on Wen Han’s profile picture.
The chat history was still from before departure, when Wen Han sent a “Safe travels” message and nothing else.
Madam Wen Xuelan rolled her eyes.
Daughters are the best. Sons are worthless!!!
—
On the high-speed train from Madrid to Seville.
Jiang Luoze had booked an entire first-class carriage.
The atmosphere in the carriage was lively, like Chinese New Year, even carrying a hint of the old green-skin train vibe.
The seats on Spain’s high-speed train could be turned around, and the small table in the middle could be fully opened into a large “dining table.”
On the table, besides scattered playing cards, each grandma had different snacks and drinks by her side.
The first round of cards had just started. To accommodate Chu Xingxing, the first round was played almost “face-up.”
Chu Xingxing was a bit nervous at first, but as they played, she started to enjoy it.
It looked like a game, but playing it gave a strong competitive feeling — the kind of adrenaline rush Chu Xingxing loved.
There was the thrill of adventure and strong logical thinking.
And there was the ability to control the overall situation by reading opponents’ micro-expressions, the cards they’d played, the cards they hadn’t played, and so on.
Just from the basics, Chu Xingxing already tasted the fun of card games.
And during the game, Chu Xingxing discovered something interesting.
Compared to the other three old babies who played purely for fun, Grandma Sheng Shuwen’s style at the card table was unique and exceptionally serious.
She suddenly understood something.
No wonder Grandma Sheng became a legendary female tycoon in the business world, with a unique eye for investment.
Although the first round was played “face-up” to help Chu Xingxing get used to it, a winner and loser were still determined.
In the beginner round, Chu Xingxing’s side lost.
The Sheng family card games never involved money, but there was a punishment principle.
Grandma Sheng Shuwen had been playing with younger generations a lot recently and had learned a new punishment method.
As Grandma Sheng shuffled the cards, she said, “Then let’s use Truth or Dare as the punishment. Any objections?”
Chu Xingxing laughed. “Grandma Sheng, you know about Truth or Dare?”
Little Jiang Grandma patted her chest. “We’re old, not out of touch!”
Madam Wen Xuelan, ever blunt and bold, said, “When your Grandma Wen was clubbing at bars, you little ones weren’t even fertilized eggs yet!”
Grandma Ai Minli looked at Jiang Luoze. “I suggest Xingxing choose Truth, and let A Ze ask the question?”
The other three grandmas were all excited, and the air gradually filled with a strong “gossip” atmosphere.
Chu Xingxing: ???
“Wait, even a beginner round gets a punishment?” Chu Xingxing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Jiang Luoze originally wanted to plead for her, but then he thought — it was “Truth or Dare,” and he would have control over the question…
“Little Fox” rested his slender, fair fingers on his chin and smiled wickedly. “A beginner round is still a round. Xingxing, Truth or Dare — pick one.”
【Hahahaha! Xingbao is so confused!!!】
【Why are the old babies so playful? I’m dying laughing at them hahaha!】
【”Xing Fox” and the old babies are my daily source of happiness!】
【Ahhhhh! Jiang Luoze is so handsome I’m crying wuwuwu bushi, so beautiful I’m crying. How can he be softer and more delicate than a girl, yet not feminine at all!!!】
—
Even though Spain has its unreliable aspects, the high-speed train in motion was one of the few reliable things.
The AVE from Madrid to Seville sped forward, the carriage smooth, the air conditioning at a comfortable temperature.
Chu Xingxing didn’t feel upset about losing the first card round. Instead, it sparked a strong fighting spirit.
Next round, she definitely wouldn’t lose!
And she was a good sport — beginner round or not, a loss was a loss.
Take the punishment. It was nothing.
“Then I choose…” Chu Xingxing paused, her brain racing. “Truth.”
She didn’t choose “Dare” because they were on a formal AVE train.
Although she thought Jiang Luoze probably wouldn’t propose anything excessive as a “punishment,” Chu Xingxing was worried about disturbing passengers in other carriages.
“Truth is good!” Little Jiang Grandma was especially excited, slapping her thigh and glancing at Jiang Luoze: A Ze, don’t embarrass your auntie. Work hard!!!
“My question is…” Jiang Luoze smiled innocently, like a harmless little white fox on a snowy field doing a “head tilt kill.”
“What is the one thing Xingxing’s future partner absolutely must have?”
“Little White Fox’s” question was anything but innocent.
【”Little Fox” is so sly!!!】
【This question is on another level…】
【I freaking love “Truth” questions that are asked seriously in any variety show. Waiting for Xingxing’s answer!】
【Excited, excited. Jiang Luoze is definitely a pro!】
Little Jiang Grandma clenched her right fist, looking secretly delighted: Ha! Worthy of the kid I raised. Awesome!
The other three grandmas’ expressions were also very entertaining.
“A future partner. That’s a good question…” Grandma Sheng Shuwen still looked steady, but the “click click click” of the cards in her hand betrayed her curiosity.
“So it’s Xingxing’s future boyfriend?” Madam Wen Xuelan propped her chin on both hands, waiting for the answer.
“No, it’s husband!” Little Jiang Grandma said.
“A Ze didn’t specify it has to be a guy, right? He just said ‘partner.'” Grandma Ai Minli looked at Jiang Luoze approvingly.
【Ah!!! Grandma Ai is so open-minded!!!】
【Wow, so Grandma Ai noticed too. I thought I was the only one who caught that “Little Fox” used “partner,” not boyfriend, not husband, but partner!!!】
【”Little Fox” really maxed out my good impression. So gentle and respectful, but also a little sly hahaha. Otherwise he wouldn’t have asked such a sneaky question.】
Chu Xingxing thought seriously.
The one thing a future partner absolutely must have — what was it?
This point shouldn’t just be a requirement for a future partner. It should also be a requirement for herself…
—
At the same time.
Beijing, ZIN Entertainment Building, a certain studio.
“Happy Gym, You and Me” had just finished recording a new episode.
Back in the dressing room, Wen Han habitually opened the CBM Entertainment live streaming app.
—
Beijing, CBM Entertainment Building.
The pantry in the executive lounge area.
Jiang Changsheng downed more than half a cup of iced Americano and rubbed his brow.
This period had been the busiest and most exhausting time of young Master Jiang’s life.
Truly exhausting, but also truly fulfilling.
His phone buzzed. It was a WeChat from his assistant.
【Young Master Jiang, your meeting in ten minutes is in Conference Room C3, ninth floor.】
Jiang Changsheng replied “OK” and turned up the volume on his Bluetooth earphones.
From the Bluetooth earphones in Jiang Changsheng’s ears came the lively sounds of the “Grandma’s Journey” live stream…
—
Beijing Renji Hospital.
Surgery lounge.
Dr. Ai, who had just finished surgery, could finally eat lunch at 4 p.m.
Still in his surgical scrubs, while waiting for the microwave to heat his bento, he suddenly wanted to relax a little. He wondered how his aunt and the others were enjoying Europe.
Dr. Ai took out his phone and opened the “Grandma’s Journey” live stream…
—
At the same time.
Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Local time 5:15 p.m.
Sheng Luzhi had thirty minutes before leaving the hotel to attend a business dinner with a partner.
He had flown from LA to Kyoto that morning. Sheng Luzhi was already used to a life without jet lag.
As Grandma Sheng would say, “Anyway, A Zhi is still young. He can handle it.”
With only thirty minutes of brief rest, Sheng Luzhi still had to review a proposal and decide whether to pursue it.
But recently, he had gotten used to sometimes multitasking.
All because of what Grandma Ai Minli said during the trip: “The other three brats are nowhere near as good at living as A Ze…”
While Sheng Luzhi opened his tablet to review the proposal, he simultaneously opened the “Grandma’s Journey” live stream on his phone.
Listening to these old babies turn a European high-speed train ride into something from the green-skin train era, a faint smile appeared on Sheng Luzhi’s serious face.
Jiang Luoze’s voice came through: “What is the one thing Xingxing’s future partner absolutely must have?”
Sheng Luzhi paused, put down his tablet, and looked up at his phone screen…
The live stream camera cut to a close-up of Chu Xingxing.
She was wearing a square-necked apricot knit top today, the fabric clinging nicely, revealing beautiful collarbones and a fair, swan-like neck.
On the bottom, she wore a long skirt with Morandi blue and low-saturation pink color blocking. The cut was Saci’s standard three-dimensional tailoring — not purely feminine. The visible outer seams gave the sweet skirt a playful and dashing edge.
Her slightly wavy black hair was casually spread over her shoulders. Her eye makeup and base were light, and her lip color was a soft cherry pink, making Chu Xingxing look as beautiful as a little cherry blossom just peeking out in spring, not yet fully bloomed.
—
On the high-speed train from Madrid to Seville.
Sitting sideways in the wide seat, Chu Xingxing was quiet as she thought.
Those big eyes that usually looked sharp and resolute were now tinged with a bit of mist.
“I think the one thing a future partner absolutely must have should be…” The mist in Chu Xingxing’s eyes cleared, and the smile at the corner of her lips revealed determination.
She gave her answer: “Favoritism. Open, unmistakable favoritism.”
After saying that, Chu Xingxing added, “It’s not just a requirement for my partner. It’s also a requirement for myself.”
“Understood.” Jiang Luoze, sitting across from her, nodded gently.
And thousands of kilometers away, Sheng Luzhi, Jiang Changsheng, Wen Han, Ai Puxin…
All made the same gesture.
