harleyscars Chapter 2: Binding the Relaxed Comfort System, Taking the Aloof Jin to the River for Joyful Fishing
Chapter 2: Binding the Relaxed Comfort System, Taking the Aloof Jin to the River for Joyful Fishing
"Ding! Detected that the host has achieved the 'Refuse to Coil' achievement. Absolute Comfort Zone System is now bound!"
The sudden mechanical sound in his mind made Lin Xian's foot tremble as he pressed the accelerator.
The used Volkswagen made a muffled thud and bounced half a meter high on the bumpy dirt road.
He turned to look at Su Qinghan, who was still looking in the rearview mirror, and was certain that only he could hear the voice.
"System binding successful, newbie gift pack has been issued."
"Congratulations, host, you have obtained personal start-up funds. Ten small goals have been deposited into your exclusive black card. The source of funds is absolutely legal and safe."
"Main quest activated: Please immediately engage in a pointless relaxation activity to thoroughly wash away the strong smell of classmate reeking from your body."
As Lin Xian listened to the voice in his mind, the corners of his mouth turned up in a wild smile.
One billion!
He slammed his hands on the steering wheel and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Su Qinghan was startled by his movement and gripped the handle above her head tightly with both hands.
"What are you laughing at? The people behind us are catching up!"
Lin Xian glanced at the Mercedes-Benz G-Class vehicles with their hazard lights flashing in the rearview mirror.
He jerked the steering wheel, and the used Volkswagen veered directly onto an abandoned dirt road without even streetlights.
The chassis scraped against the weeds, making a screeching sound.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class vehicles with their low chassis came to an abrupt stop at the bumpy entrance.
A group of bodyguards in black suits rushed out of the car, kicking pebbles on the roadside in a fit of rage.
Lin Xian whistled and turned the heavy metal rock music on the car stereo up to the maximum volume.
Su Qinghan watched as the pursuers completely disappeared into the darkness, and her tense shoulders slumped heavily.
She looked down at her mud-covered skirt, her fingers clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
As dawn broke, the used Volkswagen finally stopped in front of a dilapidated farmhouse.
This is the edge of Qingshui County, the old house of Lin Xian's hometown.
Pushing open the two rusty iron gates, the yard was overgrown with weeds half a person tall.
Lin Xian stretched out a big yawn, and even the bones in his neck cracked and popped.
The air at work smells sweet, even without having to clock in.
Su Qinghan stood at the door with her arms crossed, and the morning breeze from the mountains made her sneeze twice.
Lin Xian strode into the inner room, rummaged through the chests and cabinets, found a set of clothes, and threw them into her arms.
"Change out of this tattered wedding dress; it's an eyesore."
Su Qinghan looked down at the clothes in her hands: a faded, oversized T-shirt and a pair of beach shorts printed with bright red peonies.
She bit her lip, her resistance written all over her face.
"I've only ever worn haute couture since I was a child, and I can't stand wearing other people's old clothes."
Lin Xian yawned and leaned against the door frame, picking his ear with his little finger.
"Then you can just freeze in the yard. I don't need this ice sculpture."
Su Qinghan was furious and stared at him for a full ten seconds.
A gust of cold wind blew by, and she shivered, obediently taking her clothes and going into the inner room.
Five minutes later, the aloof female CEO who once dominated Shanghai's financial circles walked out wearing bright red floral shorts.
The oversized T-shirt covered her waist, but it made her legs look even whiter and longer.
Lin Xian looked him up and down, barely managing to suppress a laugh.
"Come on, I'll take you to do something big."
Su Qinghan gripped the wide trouser leg, looking at him warily.
"Where to?"
Lin Xian picked up a broken plastic bucket and a net full of holes from the corner of the wall.
"Let's go to the river to catch fish."
Su Qinghan froze, her mouth agape, standing motionless.
"You fled all this way just to catch fish in a ditch?"
Lin Xian walked out without looking back, casually shoving the plastic bucket into her arms.
"Work is nothing compared to slacking off; this is called purifying your soul, you know?"
The water in the stream at the entrance of the village is crystal clear, and aquatic plants sway gently in the current.
The morning sunlight shone on the water, creating a golden ripple.
Lin Xian kicked off his flip-flops, rolled up his trousers, and stepped into the water.
The cool river water washed over his ankles, and he let out a comfortable sigh of relief.
Su Qinghan stood on the muddy bank, holding a plastic bucket, her brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.
She received a top-tier elite education from a young age, and even the water she drank had to be airlifted. She had never stepped on muddy ground in her life.
Lin Xian, holding a landing net, searched through the water plants, then turned to look at the woman on the shore.
"What are you standing there for? Get in the water!"
Su Qinghan shook her head vigorously and took a big step back.
"There's mud in the water, and unknown insects too. I'd rather die than go down there."
Lin Xian pursed his lips, bent down and scooped up a handful of water from the water, then splashed it directly onto her smooth calves.
The icy touch made Su Qinghan gasp in surprise. Her foot slipped, and she fell forward uncontrollably.
Lin Xian reacted quickly, grabbing her wrist and pulling her back.
Su Qinghan steadied herself in the muddy water and firmly planted her feet in the soft riverbed.
The fine, moist mud and sand seeped out between my toes, creating an indescribable and wonderful tactile sensation.
There's no constraint of high heels, and no suffocating intrigue in the conference room.
She looked down at her reflection in the water, which showed her wearing peony-patterned shorts, and suddenly found it somewhat amusing.
Lin Xian released her hand, grabbed the net, and scooped it up from the water. A small crucian carp, no bigger than a palm, was jumping and wriggling in the net.
"See? This is what you call a harvest."
He precisely tossed the fish into the plastic bucket in Su Qinghan's arms, splashing a few drops of water onto the tip of her nose.
Su Qinghan looked at the crucian carp swimming in the bucket, a hint of novelty flashing in her eyes that she herself did not realize.
She imitated Lin Xian and carefully took a step into the deep water.
The cool river water instantly enveloped her feet, chasing away the fatigue of a night of fleeing.
"Here's the net. There's a big one under the bushes on the left."
Lin Xian shoved the net handle into her hand and pointed to a patch of water hyacinth two meters away.
Su Qinghan gripped the net with both hands, as if holding a heavy sniper rifle, and slowly moved over while holding her breath.
She usually signs contracts worth hundreds of millions without breaking a sweat, but now her palms were covered in fine sweat.
The water plants suddenly swayed, and a glimpse of bluish fish scales flashed in the sunlight.
"Now's the time, let's fish!"
Lin Xian shouted at the top of his lungs from the side.
Su Qinghan was startled. She pressed down hard with both hands and then lifted them up sharply.
With a loud splash, water sprayed everywhere on the river surface.
A large grass carp weighing at least two kilograms was scooped up and brought to the surface by a landing net.
The grass carp struggled desperately in the net, splashing mud and water that smeared onto half of Su Qinghan's face.
"I caught him!"
Instead of wiping the mud off her face, she jumped and hopped in the river, holding the net.
At this moment, she was no longer the icy CEO she once was; she was just like a little girl who had just received her New Year's money.
She laughed so hard her eyes curved into beautiful crescent moons.
The morning sunlight shone on her mud-splattered cheeks, revealing a breathtaking, wild beauty.
Lin Xian leaned against a large rock, watching her genuine smile, not even blinking for two seconds.
Indeed, giving up is the most primal source of human happiness.
"Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing the complete relaxation task."
"Reward: A set of blueprints for a fully automated intelligent quantum machine tool, representing cutting-edge technology."
"A bottle of physique enhancement liquid and a fund doubling card have been automatically sent to your system space as a reward."
The system notification sounded in my mind right on time, announcing the complete success of this slacking-off trip.
Lin Xian clapped his hands in satisfaction, preparing to call Su Qinghan ashore to grill the big grass carp.
Just then, his phone in his pocket suddenly started vibrating like crazy.
The piercing heavy metal ringtone instantly shattered the relaxed and tranquil atmosphere by the river.
Lin Xian took out his phone, looked at the lit screen, and his brows furrowed instantly.
When he resigned and left Shanghai last night, he had already blocked all the company's work groups and his boss's phone number.
But what's flashing on the screen right now is an unfamiliar out-of-town number, carrying a sense of forced calling that can't be refused.
Su Qinghan turned her head while holding the plastic bucket, and the smile on her face gradually faded.
Lin Xian stared at the string of numbers on the screen, his thumb hovering above the screen, a playful smirk playing on his lips.
"These days, are there still people who are blind enough to run into the line of fire so early in the morning?"