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

Chapter 128 First Arrival at the Ski Resort [6.5 thousand words]

Before Li Younan officially set off for Northeast China, as was customary, he naturally visited his grandparents.

For grandparents, life has become less enjoyable.

But ever since Li Younan helped them renovate the old house and turn it into a guesthouse, the small courtyard has become very lively, and life has become more interesting.

However, the liveliness of outsiders can never compare to the comfort of family, so they are always especially happy whenever Li Younan comes to visit them.

The night before he left, Li Younan told his mother about his plans.

My mom remained very calm, only offering a few standard reminders like "be careful."

It's clear that my mom isn't exactly indifferent to my upcoming trip, but she's certainly not unmoved.

So fine.

From his mother's perspective, it's certainly good if her son is at home.

Putting everything else aside, Li Younan would pick her up and drop her off at get off work, and he would also cook for her.

During this time, Li Younan has been at home, and the quality of her meals has improved considerably; she no longer eats at the company cafeteria.

But the right amount of time is fine; if it's a little too long, she'll feel a kind of inexplicable discomfort.

She felt that her son, a top student from a prestigious university and handsome, was rather...unattractive to spend all his time at home cooking and cleaning in the kitchen.

Of course she wouldn't be bored.

She doesn't hate going to work; for her, the work in the finance department isn't so busy that she doesn't even have time to drink water.

More often than not, the women in the office would chat while eating sunflower seeds, which was actually quite interesting.

She's only a little busy when she's making reports, but it's not too bad for her; she only works overtime about twice a year.

She'll be reaching retirement age in a few years. The bank has an early retirement policy, and many middle-level managers and even senior executives at the branch are younger than her. They treat her very politely and don't assign her too much work.

For her, it's good enough to just go to work diligently and not become disconnected from society when Li Younan is away.

Think about it, I don't have much time left to work. After working for so many years, I feel a little melancholy if I suddenly retire.

So when Li Younan said he wanted to go out and play again, his mother was not reluctant at all; in fact, she was even a little happy.

……

As agreed, Li Younan brought Chen Rui along.

This kind of pure travel doesn't actually involve any burdens. Saying that I'm bringing Chen Rui along is really just about having a travel companion.

This time, Li Younan didn't plan to drive there. He parked his car under the awning parking space in the community, turned off the battery, and decided to take public transportation.

Chen Rui took a taxi to pick him up. To Li Younan's surprise, Chen Rui had very few belongings; she only carried a backpack.

In contrast, Li Younan also brought a suitcase.

Chen Rui sat in the passenger seat, rolled down the window, took a deep breath, then turned to look at Li Younan and said, "You can film videos, right?"

Li Younan nodded.

Chen Rui then asked, "Will I be on TV?"

Li Younan countered, "Do you want to be on TV?"

Chen Rui blinked and shook her head: "Never mind, but I can help you film a video."

Li Younan smiled in response.

The two of them took the high-speed train to Chengdu, planning to fly there from Chengdu.

However, there was one more thing to do before that. After leaving the train station, Li Younan casually hailed a taxi and went to a nearby coffee shop for a short rest.

Chen Rui asked him, somewhat puzzled, "What are we waiting for?"

Li Younan told her, "Someone wants to give me something, we can chat for a bit now."

Chen Rui nodded: "Sure, what do you want to talk about?"

Li Younan casually said, "Let's talk about your university major."

Chen Rui looked at Li Younan with amusement: "You're one of the few people who will proactively ask me to talk about my major."

Chen Rui studied a major that most people would find daunting—theoretical physics.

The terminology involved might be confusing even to someone who studied science in high school.

What about relativity, condensed matter, and all sorts of symmetries...?

After studying for a period of time, you can choose different directions.

But before that, she was somewhat confused.

She was certain that she liked physics, but the ocean of physics was so vast that she, like a little fish, could swim around in it but could never find the direction of the current.

Perhaps this is what sowed the seeds of my own anxiety.

One idea that comes closest to a practical goal is to master the theoretical knowledge and strive to become an engineer in experimental physics.

But if these conceptual things were explained to Li Younan, he probably wouldn't care much.

In terms of appearance, Chen Rui knew that she didn't have the look of a top student in other people's eyes.

Because she is beautiful; she is a true beauty.

A beautiful woman who is also a top student—although there are many examples of this in real life, it seems that people still find it hard to accept such a setting. They feel that God has already opened a window for you, so why did He also open a door for you?
So many strangers who approach her are drawn to her looks, but the conversation doesn't last long and then fizzles out... They're probably intimidated by her impressive knowledge... Haha.

However, since Li Younan took the initiative to ask her, she wouldn't hesitate to ask.

She sipped her coffee with a smile as she explained some basic theoretical physics to him.

Seeing Li Younan's furrowed brows from time to time gave her a slight sense of pleasure. It was quite amusing to torment this guy who dared to force her to call him "brother" in this way.

However, to Chen Rui's surprise, Li Younan would often ponder for a while before asking two or three very insightful questions, making Chen Rui feel as if she had been pointed out.

She realized... Li Younan had really taken it to heart.

Although Li Younan studied computer programming, which is more mathematically oriented, in college, it doesn't mean he wasn't interested in physics or couldn't understand it.

This young girl is only a sophomore in college, so how much of what she's learned could be incomprehensible to others?

She gradually became surprised, and she withdrew her earlier contempt. Li Younan was far more intelligent than she had imagined.

The two chatted very simply. Occasionally, a waiter would pass by to refill their water or tea, and upon hearing them discussing random terms like Lorentz symmetry, fermions, and bosons, the waiter would quietly refill their cups and then leave.

Chen Rui rested her elbows on the table, her hands hanging down gently, her chin resting on the back of her hands, tilting her head to the side, looking somewhat elegant, her eyes fixed on Li Younan.

Actually, Chen Rui had no feelings about Li Younan's handsome appearance, or rather, she had no feelings for any handsome boy. She just objectively knew that, oh, he was pretty good-looking.

The moment she found fascinating... was when a man intellectually matched with her, or even surpassed her.

I chatted with Li Younan before because the things he shared made me feel calm.

At that moment, she realized that what calmed her down wasn't the content Li Younan shared, but rather... the way he spoke, and something deeper beneath the surface...

For example, clear logic, concise expression, the thinking revealed in a small matter, and the way of thinking, etc.

Without realizing it, she found herself a little distracted.

Just then, a man dressed as a deliveryman, carrying a box, walked into the coffee shop, looked around, and then saw Li Younan. He tentatively approached and asked, "Excuse me, are you Mr. Li?"

Li Younan nodded and said, "Yes, I have something to give you, right?"

The other party said, "Yes, it's a same-city express delivery. Please sign for it."

Li Younan took the items. Chen Rui hesitated for a moment when she saw this, but did not ask any further questions.

After signing for the package, Li Younan politely returned the pen to the courier, and then opened the package in front of Chen Rui.

Inside was a DJI Mavic 3, equipped with three batteries and a storage backpack.

Upon seeing the package, Li Younan sighed slightly: "This set must have cost a lot of money." He took out his phone and sent a message to JK Long: "Brother Long, I received the package. You really went to a lot of trouble."

Yes, that's right, this drone was a gift from JK Long.

JK Long said nonchalantly, "Do you like it? It's good that you received it. Stop with the nonsense. Using this drone to shoot some videos is better than any meaningless words of thanks."

Li Younan was thoroughly humiliated by Brother Long, and with a slight sigh, he could only accept it for the time being.

Sometimes he was really curious: what exactly was Brother Long after?
He packed the drone into the storage bag, looked up at Chen Rui and said, "Alright, the stuff's here, let's go!"

……

In fact, Li Younan's chosen departure time was a bit too early.

Lan Yiyi hasn't gone home yet. There are still some things to finish up on the set. She won't be able to return to Xilinhot for about two or three days.

Li Younan's plan was to take advantage of the next two or three days to experience skiing.

Like Li Younan, Chen Rui had never tried skiing.

Compared to Li Younan, Chen Rui's life has been much more hectic since childhood.

Having grown up in the Sichuan-Chongqing region, I found that skiing resources were limited. The few ski resorts that were available were only open during specific seasons and were tiny, completely incomparable to the top-tier ski resorts in Northeast China and Xinjiang.

Therefore, the participation rate in skiing in the entire Sendai region is not high.

But to be honest, I would still really look forward to the opportunity to ski.

It's only the beginning of November, and many of the top ski resorts in China haven't even opened up their official websites yet.

Of the several large ski resorts that have opened, Beidahu Ski Resort was one of the first to open, and Li Younan was quite satisfied with it.

Although Beidahu Ski Resort is probably not among the top five in China, it is still a popular spot for taking photos.

The destination is Beidahu Ski Resort.

……

The hum of the plane's engines gradually subsided, and the clouds outside the window dispersed, revealing a northeastern plain covered with a thin layer of frost—Changchun Longjia Airport had arrived.

Stepping out of the cabin, a refreshing breeze instantly enveloped me. It wasn't biting, but rather like gently turning on a switch for my lungs, which had been stuffy all the way, making me feel instantly awake. Following the "Transportation Hub" signs, I strolled slowly. A number of people had already gathered around the baggage carousel, with their eye-catching ski bags standing out prominently.

Just after landing, Lan Yiyi called via video to ask Li Younan if he had arrived in Northeast China.

Lan Yiyi also knew about Li Younan's trip to Northeast China to go skiing.

Li Younan raised his phone high to greet Lan Yiyi.

Lan Yiyi noticed the girl next to Li Younan, a beautiful woman with a cool and aloof appearance. She blinked, her eyes revealing a probing look.

Li Younan said very generously and naturally, "By the way, let me introduce you to this, my younger sister, Chen Rui."

Chen Rui was startled, but instead of immediately exposing Li Younan's lie, she politely smiled faintly at the video.

After Li Younan and Lan Yiyi chatted for a few minutes and hung up the video call, she said with some dissatisfaction, "He actually took it upon himself to say that he was the older brother."

Li Younan said nonchalantly, "Don't worry about these details. When you're out and about, you need to have a certain image. What's appropriate to say given our relationship?"

Chen Rui blurted out, "Of course we're friends."

Li Younan said in a serious tone, "It's not good for a girl's reputation if a man and a woman travel together as friends."

Chen Rui's expression was somewhat strange, and she sneered, "What kind of old-fashioned thinking do you have?" But after a moment, she hesitated, thought about it seriously, and then stopped arguing.

Li Younan chuckled: "You're not losing anything by calling me 'brother.' There are plenty of people who want to be my sister."

"cut."

The two arrived at the airport early and went to the city to look at ski equipment.

This time, Li Younan picked a ski, while Chen Rui didn't.

Li Younan suggested that she just rent a set of ski equipment at the ski resort.

Chen Rui asked curiously, "Why do you want to buy it?"

Li Younan said, "Didn't I tell you? I'm a skiing prince, and rented skis won't let me show my true skills."

Chen Rui had gotten somewhat used to Li Younan's casual ramblings.

The two then boarded a bus to head directly to the ski resort.

After the bus started moving, the scenery outside the window gradually transitioned into snow-covered fields, with occasional rows of poplar trees adorned with icicles passing by.

The car was well-heated, and the windows were covered with a thin layer of fog.

Two skiers sitting next to each other were quietly comparing ski goggle models, while a family of three in the back row shared steaming dumplings from a thermos, the air filled with the faint aroma of food and the distinctive rubber smell of ski equipment.

Li Younan leaned against the window, watching the outline of the low hills in the distance slowly become clear.

The two-hour drive was faster than expected.

As the car turned into the gate of Beidahu Resort, the ski slopes stretched down from the mountaintop like white ribbons, and the cable car was slowly climbing the slope.

The bus came to a smooth stop at the entrance of the ski equipment hall. The door opened with a "whoosh," and cold air swirled in with snowflakes, instantly invigorating everyone.

Li Younan and Chen Rui dragged their luggage toward the hotel they had booked.

On the way, I met a few young people who had just finished skiing. They hadn't taken off their ski suits yet, their cheeks were red from the cold but they were smiling broadly. They had their skis on their shoulders and were gesturing as they walked, demonstrating the moves they had made on a certain bend.

The hotel is very close to the J-line ski lift. When checking in, the front desk specifically reminded us: "The J-line ski lift opens at 7:30 tomorrow morning. There are fewer people and the snow is good, which is perfect for skiing." When they handed over the room key, they also included a breakfast voucher - which can be exchanged for bread at Tous Les Jours in the ski equipment hall, or you can take the shuttle bus to Phase 1 for hot porridge and steamed buns.

The two of them obviously couldn't share a room, but they were right next to each other.

I went to the ski equipment hall to scout out the area in the evening.

This time, Chen Rui asked Li Younan with a bit of seriousness to confirm whether it was his first time skiing, just like hers.

Li Younan thought for a moment and gave a seemingly plausible but ultimately flawed answer: "Some people have read many books and love writing. They've written numerous magazine articles since childhood. When they turn 30, they suddenly decide to write an online novel. Of course, this is their first time writing an online novel. Others dropped out of school after junior high and worked in factories for many years, screwing in screws. One day, someone tells them that writing online novels can make money. They've never read an online novel before, but they also decide to write one. This person is also writing an online novel for the first time. But can you say that these two people are the same?"

Chen Rui thought for a moment, her expression somewhat strange, but for her, it was the answer she wanted.

He rambled on and on, but to be honest, he's still a newbie.

Confirming this is very important for Chen Rui, as it means that they can hire an instructor together when they arrive at the ski resort tomorrow.

Li Younan was certainly not a novice. Due to the influence of several skills, he directly upgraded to level two skiing skill when he acquired the skiing skill.

[Snowboarding Skill lv.2: You tear through the sky like an eagle, weaving impossible angles between snow waves and gaps in the clouds.]

In terms of skill strength, level two is equivalent to master level.

In some years, winning an Olympic gold medal at this level is enough.

After all, the skill description says "weaving impossible angles between snow waves and gaps in clouds." While other amateur skiers are just splashing around on the snow, his limit is in the sky. Flying up on the jump and doing a few somersaults is probably a very easy thing for him.

However, Li Younan didn't have such a strong obsession with flying into the sky.

Even if it's a legendary or master performing such extreme leaps, there's still a considerable risk involved, and Li Younan doesn't intend to put himself in danger.

For him, skiing is no different from other sports during travel; the first priority is to relax and enjoy the experience, and then think about other things.

According to Li Younan's plan, find a longer slope, preferably several kilometers long, but not too steep, and leisurely glide down it at a low speed. Just this simple action is already very enjoyable.

Based on his skill, while ordinary people nervously control their muscles and worry about being bumped by others when doing something as simple as this, Li Younan glides down as if taking a walk, which is an extremely wonderful experience in itself.

Many people choose to stay at Daxuehu Ski Resort for an extended period after the ski season begins, whether it's seven or eight days or a month.

Li Younan didn't plan to stay that long, but he would still stay for a few days.

Skiing for such a long time inevitably leads to a gradual loss of enjoyment.

So it would be nice if we could teach Chen Rui how to ski during this time.

However, it is still necessary to hire a coach before doing so.

It seems that private ski lessons are not allowed at commercial ski resorts like this.

Li Younan had no interest or time to delve into the legal relationships involved, as it would be a waste of time and ruin the experience.

As long as a coach accompanies Chen Rui throughout the process and provides guidance, there won't be any other complaints.

This is a simple way to handle it.

……

The heat from the ski equipment hall, mixed with the smell of snow wax, hit you in the face.

Peng Tao's eyes searched through the throng of people.

Can't wait any longer.

The man in the corner wearing a dark blue ski suit caught his attention. The man was repeatedly flipping through the ski resort guide in his hand, his brows slightly furrowed, looking somewhat isolated and helpless.

That's him.

Peng Tao took a deep breath, moved his feet and walked over. His snow boots felt much heavier than usual on the wet paving stones.

"Hello...hello."

His voice was a little weak, like a valve core that wasn't tightened properly.

The man looked up, his eyes filled with a question and a hint of barely perceptible expectation.

Peng Tao: "Do we need...do we need a coach?"

His words caught in his throat, and he quickly added, "I...I'm the...coach here..."

My face felt a little hot, and the words I had prepared seemed to freeze, stuck in my throat, leaving only an awkward silence.

The man said "Oh" and nodded, seemingly waiting for him to continue his explanation.

Peng Tao hurriedly reached into the inner pocket of his down jacket to retrieve the neatly folded price list.

Just as Peng Tao was trying to organize his thoughts, wanting to say something more about teaching experience or safety guarantees, the man frowned and said indifferently, "Sorry, I don't need that."

Peng Tao watched the man's departing figure and sighed softly.

But not long after, another coach struck up a conversation with the man. "Brother, is this your first time at Beidahu?"

It's Coach Li.

His smile was comfortable, neither overly warm nor distant: "The terrain of this ski resort is a bit tricky, and beginners can easily get confused trying to figure it out on their own. The weather is good this morning, and the snow conditions are excellent. Want to give it a try? Two hours of basic training will get you a firm footing, and you can even try out a beginner slope to experience speed."

The man in the dark blue ski suit was clearly drawn in; his brow relaxed, and his attention was completely focused: "Two hours is really enough to ski?"

"I wouldn't dare say I'm super skilled, but I'll definitely be able to do the basic moves like pushing off the slope and the leaf fall," Coach Li said with a smile, pulling a clean and crisp card from his breast pocket. The card clearly showed the course level and price. "Don't worry, we're all certified by the ski resort. Safety comes first."

"Okay, then... let's give it a try." The man made his decision, and his tone became much more relaxed.

"Alright!" Coach Li's smile widened, and he immediately began to guide you, "Let's go over there to complete the formalities first, and while we're at it, we'll help you pick out a suitable paddle."

Peng Tao opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

He is a coach who has only been with the company for a short time, and he considers his skills to be quite good.

He started skiing when he was very young, but after entering the industry, he realized that the profession of ski instructor is more like sales than coaching.

He has always been somewhat tongue-tied and introverted, and it's incredibly frustrating that he hasn't closed a single deal since joining the company.

Maybe I shouldn't have gone into this line of work.

Just as he was lost in thought, someone suddenly called out to him, "Hey, buddy, are you the coach?"

Peng Tao looked over and saw a young couple, a man and a woman.

The man was quite tall, but to be honest, being tall isn't really an advantage when it comes to skiing. Another girl, holding a ski, was also looking at him curiously.

Peng Tao nodded quickly: "I am, I am the coach. Do you...do you want to ski?"

He regretted his opening remarks as soon as they left his mouth. These two were each carrying a ski, a full set of ski equipment—if they weren't here to ski, what were they here for? What a question…

While he was still thinking about how to remedy the situation, the young man asked directly, "We need to hire a coach for the two of us. Can you teach two people by yourself?"

Originally, teaching two people would definitely require charging for both, but before he could say that, Peng Tao stopped himself and quickly nodded, "Sure, sure, I'll only charge for one person..."

(End of this chapter)