By linking my account to the check-in system, I became a leisurely traveler.

Chapter 27 Checking in at West Lake
The value of many things does not depend on the thing itself. What truly makes something expensive are the numerous, intricate extensions that extend outwards like a spider web.

Take today's meal, for example. Li Younan knew it was expensive. But considering the ingredients and ambiance, the price shouldn't have been too high. What truly made the meal two or three times more expensive than expected was that with just a glance from Huang Xiaoyang, a beautiful waitress in a revealing cheongsam would quietly squat down and patiently ask what they needed; it was when Huang Xiaoyang casually ordered a niche juice, the manager raved about how "the boss has great taste"; and it was when Li Younan and his group finished eating and left, the young security guard pulled up in front of them and cleaned the car inside and out in the time it took to eat.

Li Younan said to Huang Xiaoyang with deep feeling, "There's definitely a reason why it's expensive."

Huang Xiaoyang didn't pay attention to Li Younan's words. He looked at the luxury car in front of him, which originally cost nearly a million yuan, with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

He didn't come out to greet Li Younan earlier, so he didn't know Li Younan had driven such an expensive car. Judging from the car's condition, it seemed to be a brand new one.

Noticing Huang Xiaoyang's gaze, Li Younan said with a hint of smugness, "This car is not bad, is it?"

Huang Xiaoyang opened the car door, jumped into the driver's seat, and then said to Li Younan, "Can I give it a try?"

Li Younan naturally couldn't find a reason to refuse the young master's request. Besides, Huang Xiaoyang had been driving for so many years, his driving skills were definitely better than his own.

But just three minutes later, Li Younan realized that he had misjudged Huang Xiaoyang.

The restaurant's parking area is bordered by a row of circular stone blocks, used to assert ownership of the parking space.

In Li Younan's view, his cool little car crashed straight into him as he made a turn.

Even Li Younan didn't have time to call a halt.

When the car stopped, Huang Xiaoyang got out, his emotions still quite stable. Looking at the mangled underbody protection, a slight blush appeared on his face, but his tone remained calm as he muttered to himself, "I've never driven a car this tall before..."

……

An hour later, when the sun was at its hottest, Li Younan and Huang Xiaoyang arrived at the shore of West Lake.

It was very hot, and there were very few people on West Lake. The lake water reflected the bright white sky.

To be honest, seeing this, West Lake is quite different from what I imagined.

It's impossible not to be disappointed. Li Younan concluded that West Lake is indeed best visited in spring.

The willows on the shore had leaves that were a dark green, drooping softly. The stone railings by the lake were so hot they were unbearable to touch. A few wild grasses sprouted from the cracks in the stone slabs, their tips curled, yellow, withered, and thin.

A boat rowed by, its oars striking the water and stirring up lazy ripples that slowly spread out and soon subsided. The people on the boat were also listless; no one spoke, even their words seemed to have withered in the sun.

Li Younan had just arrived when he activated the daily check-in task. Today's task was to walk more than 2 steps along the West Lake, which meant he had to walk here under the scorching sun.

Li Younan and Huang Xiaoyang each held a glass of iced cola. Li Younan sighed slightly; this task, combined with the weather, was truly no easy task.

However, to be fair, if you really want to see the lake view, it's better to choose a clear day.

"I've become the sales manager," Huang Xiaoyang suddenly said.

Li Younan was stunned for a moment, then looked at Huang Xiaoyang. To be honest, he was a little dumbfounded. Huang Xiaoyang, a person like him, becoming a salesman? Don't be ridiculous. Who would he sell his stuff to? Apart from those infatuated fans, who in any respectable person would buy his products? He's a serious, expressionless guy, after all.

Huang Xiaoyang wiped his sweat: "I just started a conversation because you haven't been saying anything. If you mind, I can buy you a new car."

Li Younan snapped out of her reverie and quickly shook her head, saying, "I was just thinking about something; I wasn't paying attention to that car."

Although Huang Xiaoyang had hit his car, Li Younan didn't really need to hold a grudge. Huang Xiaoyang had already arranged for the car to be repaired; the skid plate was just a consumable part, and replacing it would be a piece of cake.

Li Younan said, "That's a small matter. I was just thinking about something. You said you've become a sales manager now, but to be honest, it doesn't fit your public image."

Huang Xiaoyang nodded and said, "I also think it doesn't quite match. You gave me courage." Li Younan blinked and said, "What courage could I give you? I didn't do anything."

Huang Xiaoyang shook his head: "You come from a small county and want to stay in Binhai City, but you resigned and signed a non-compete agreement. For you, the hardest thing to face is the issue of money and staying in Binhai City. This is not an easy decision for you. You are facing your own difficulties, so I think I should also face my own biggest challenge."

Upon hearing Huang Xiaoyang's words, Li Younan was unsurprisingly dumbfounded.

Li Younan was initially a little confused as to why this guy seemed to be spying on him all the time, and had such a clear understanding of his movements.

What's even more incomprehensible is that his resignation actually spurred him to take on the sales job, which he was least good at.

Li Younan was actually quite envious of Huang Xiaoyang. You see, the rich kids are just different; even if they take a supervisory job, their reason is to challenge their own weaknesses.

Back when they were classmates, Li Younan had already noticed the difference between himself and Huang Xiaoyang. They were probably the two most handsome boys in the entire department, both played basketball, and both had top grades.

Li Younan strives to improve his grades because he wants a stable job in the future—in short, to survive. Huang Xiaoyang, however, is different; he becomes excellent simply because he wants to prove himself.

In fact, he didn't need to prove anything to others; he was proving it to himself.

Li Younan said somewhat jokingly, "The reason you gave is really childish."

However, to Li Younan's surprise, Huang Xiaoyang suddenly stopped in his tracks after he finished speaking. He paused for a moment, then sighed softly, "Are you mocking me?"

Li Younan was taken aback. Huang Xiaoyang's expression seemed to be an outpouring of emotions that had been building up for many years.

Li Younan suddenly realized something.

Could it be that my relationship with Huang Xiaoyang is actually the opposite?
Putting aside the past, at this moment, in Huang Xiaoyang's view, he has transcended the single standard of value judgment such as wealth and status, and can purely pursue what he wants.

This is a higher-level realization of personal value, and it is what Huang Xiaoyang has always been pursuing.

It sounds ridiculous, but Li Younan knew that Huang Xiaoyang was the kind of person who would really think that way.

He was actually envied by a rich second-generation heir who was awesome from every angle?

Li Younan felt something was absurd.

But at this moment, I felt inexplicably calm.

Thinking about it, it makes sense. He's extremely satisfied with his current life and his future life, and he would absolutely not give up his current life to switch places with Huang Xiaoyang.

Li Younan patted Huang Xiaoyang on the shoulder and said smugly, "Brother, I understand how you feel right now. But don't say that, I'm not going to laugh at you. When you reach my level, you'll know that laughter is rarely in my vocabulary."

Huang Xiao lowered his head deeply.

Li Younan's realm... Yes, that realm, how can one reach it? He is still living under the value judgment standards of others, and there is no glimmer of hope in the short term for him to reach Li Younan's realm.

Before they knew it, the two had walked a long, long way along the shore of West Lake, their foreheads covered in sweat from the sun.

Huang Xiaoyang suddenly said, "I'll still attend the gathering tomorrow."

Li Younan was somewhat surprised.

Huang Xiaoyang lowered his head and said, "The girl your little brother likes is already with someone else."

(End of this chapter)