The next morning, a small urban-rural bus drove through Fengshan Village.

Cao Lei brought her best friend with her too.

"Come, let me introduce you..."

Cao Lei began introducing everyone with ease and composure.

It turned out her best friend was named Xie Xin, a typical city girl.

Since her academic performance was poor during school, she had been staying at home unemployed after graduation, claiming to focus on medical certificate exams, but in reality, she was just living off her parents.

However, Xie Xin was very beautiful, unlike Cao Lei's sweet and amiable demeanor, she appeared somewhat rebellious, clearly not the type to settle down.

Wearing a tight, midriff-baring tank top, ultra-short skirt, black stockings, wine-red Sassoon short hair, makeup on her face, and a fresh scent of perfume, she had a unique charm.

"Welcome!"

"For the next few days, stay with Cao Lei, if you need anything just find me, I'll get you some wild game to try."

"Feel at home here, make yourself comfortable, and don't be formal."

Zhao Tienan gave Xie Xin a quick handshake and then turned to leave.

The two best friends linked arms and returned to the room, intending to settle in for their several days' stay.

By noon, Zhao Tienan had prepared a good spread of dishes.

Normally, Zhao Tienan wouldn't spend so much effort on food, but since there were guests today, and in consideration of Cao Lei's sake, he made a well-prepared four-dish-one-soup meal.

Yellow mushrooms, forest duck, wild bracken, cold-water fish, forest frog...

All these mountain delicacies were served.

"Wow, Zhao, it smells so good, I never thought you had such great cooking skills."

"You're so biased; when I first arrived, you didn't treat me this grand. Come on, admit it, do you have feelings for Xin?"

Sniffing the aromatic dishes, Cao Lei couldn't help but salivate.

"Don't talk nonsense!"

"You were my intern, and I'm your mentor in name. It's one thing if you don't cook for me, but you actually find fault with me?"

"Come on, Xin, don't be shy!"

Zhao Tienan chuckled and enthusiastically served some food to Xie Xin.

"Thank you."

Xie Xin nodded, but her mood seemed a bit low, and she didn't look like she was fond of talking.

But then again, it was understandable.

She had been through so many distressing things, her spirits were surely very downcast.

Zhao Tienan paid no mind, just doing what a host should.

Serving dishes when needed, encouraging drinks when appropriate.

As for comforting words, he left that to Cao Lei.

After lunch, the two girls went out for a walk.

Zhao Tienan, sitting idly in the health clinic, decided to pass the time by scrolling through short videos.

Not long after, Cao Lei and Xie Xin pushed the door open.

"Why are you back so soon? Don't you like the scenery here?"

Zhao Tienan glanced at his watch, realizing they had been out for just half an hour or so; what kind of relaxation was that?

"Not really, we had a great time by the river, but Xin suddenly started feeling a bit unwell and wanted to come back to rest."

Cao Lei shook her head helplessly, supporting her friend as she spoke.

"Oh, alright then, rest well, and tomorrow I'll take you guys to hike the mountain, the views there are even better."

Zhao Tienan nodded and said.

He thought Xin might be on her period, as women tend to get tired at those times, so he didn't think much of it.

But what he didn't anticipate was that Xin's sudden discomfort wasn't so simple...

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