Nanshan is located in the suburban outskirts, encompassing a large mountainous area.
Years ago, a homestay was developed, and a bus line to the city was also opened.
However, the bus runs infrequently, only three times a day—morning, noon, and evening.
The last bus in the afternoon is at 4:30 PM; miss that bus, and you’ll have to wait till the next day if you want to go back to the city.
The homestay where Zhao Yongkang went to sketch is at the very southern end of the Nanshan Tourism District, which is some distance away from the bus stop.
To this, Su Muxue didn’t mind. It meant walking a bit further, but she took it as a chance to enjoy the suburban outdoors.
She made her plans and then said to Zhao Yongkang, "Little Uncle, I checked, and we can take the noon bus there, then catch the one in the afternoon back!"
Su Muxue lived modestly, despite having an uncle who was a painter and a close friend who was a billionaire rich and beauty. She maintained her own perspectives on money and spending.
That meant saving money where it was possible.
The round trip bus fare from the city to Nanshan on a dedicated line was only six yuan.
Taking a taxi, however, would cost more than a hundred yuan.
After being kicked out of the He Family, Zhao Yongkang, in an attempt to prove he could still live well even without being Lady He’s Prince Consort, ostentatiously bought a luxury house and two expensive cars.
He didn’t mind lending these cars for his niece to take for a spin.
But the problem was, even though Su Muxue could drive, she didn’t have a driver’s license.
She wasn’t even of legal age to apply for one.
Even if she was concerned about saving on gas, Su Muxue had no opportunity to do so.
After comparing the options, she still found taking the bus to be the cheapest.
"Mui Xue, you’re slapping your uncle’s face. Even if your Little Uncle is at his worst, he’s still a well-known painter in the country, one who can sell a painting for the high price of ten million yuan!"
"You are my only niece, also one of only two close relatives I have, and once you have your license, I can gift you a car directly!"
"To squeeze onto a bus? And just because you’re helping me? If word gets out, your Little Uncle will no longer be able to set foot in high society!"
Zhao Yongkang hurriedly rattled off a bunch of words, which seemed somewhat logical.
But Su Muxue just felt that her Little Uncle was being too eager.
Of course, Su Muxue didn’t doubt the love from her Little Uncle; after all, no matter how he treated her aunt, he always took great care of her, his niece.
Her Little Uncle definitely didn’t want her squeezing onto a bus, unwilling to let her wander for two hours on an old suburban line. That was certain.
It was just that... Su Muxue couldn’t explain why, but she had a bad feeling about it.
"Enough, no taking the bus. I’ll just find you a substitute driver to drive our family car and take you to Nanshan!"
"Once you get to the homestay, don’t rush back. Stay for a couple of days and treat it as a trip to relax."
"Though it doesn’t have any internet-famous spots, the air and environment here are really not bad, and the local farmhouse food is quite authentic."
Zhao Yongkang was zealously persuading her, seemingly very eager for his niece to come and visit the suburbs for herself.
Su Muxue looked rather stoic, but her voice was still, as always, gentle and sweet, "Okay, Little Uncle, I’ll do as you say!"
"Good! That’s settled then." Zhao Yongkang hung up the phone and quickly arranged for a substitute driver, clearly stating his requirements.
Half an hour later, a substitute driver arrived in front of the luxury house owned by Zhao Yongkang.
Following Zhao Yongkang’s instructions, Su Muxue had packed a box full of paint and led the substitute driver to the garage. Out of the two brand new luxury cars available, she chose a somewhat modest BMW to head towards Nanshan.
The substitute driver was quite skilled, driving both fast and steady.
The trip, which would take two hours by bus, was completed in only one hour by the driver.
"Oh, Muxue, you’re finally here, I’ve been waiting for the paints."
Zhao Yongkang was sporting a painting apron, smeared with colorful strokes of paint.
He had been eagerly waiting at the roadside.
Upon seeing his familiar luxury car and his niece stepping out gracefully, Zhao Yongkang’s anxious heart finally settled.
With immense warmth upon meeting Muxue, he wasn’t in as much of a hurry for the paints.
He put aside his painting and began leading Su Muxue up the mountain, while introducing, "The homestay I’m renting is up there. It’s a bit secluded but truly has a beautiful environment."
"It’s located on the mid-slope, surrounded by dense woods, the backyard adjoins the cliff, and there’s even a mountain stream flowing down!"
"What’s most beautiful is the morning, the first thing to wake you isn’t an alarm clock, but the first ray of sunlight through the mountains or the joyful chirping of birds from the forest!"