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

Chapter 78 Spend the night
Although I was a bit fussed over, I still need to sleep.

The situation is indeed a bit awkward right now.

The camping light inside the car was on, shining on Zhizhi's still-dripping hair and the wet pillow in her arms.

The sound of raindrops hitting the car roof was so dense it was unsettling, like countless hands desperately pounding against it.

"You can rest for a while in the back." Li Younan pointed to the two-meter-wide bed, trying to make his voice sound natural, as if he were talking about something very ordinary.

She immediately shook her head, a few drops of water flying from her wet hair: "No...no need! My car is right there!" She poked at the car window with her finger, pointing to the blurry pink shadow in the rain outside, her tone resolute, "I'll just go back to my own car!"

"Okay then." Li Younan nodded, not trying to persuade him further.

At a time like this, it's simply inappropriate to force a young woman to share a bed with a man she's only known for a day.

Li Younan turned around to get her an umbrella—although in this kind of rain, an umbrella is probably just for psychological comfort.

"Hey..." she suddenly cried out in a short, hurried voice.

Li Younan stopped and turned to look at her.

She hugged the wet pillow, her fingers unconsciously picking at the damp fabric on the pillowcase. Her eyes quickly glanced at the neatly made, comfortable bed before she lowered her gaze again, staring at her mud-covered sandals.

Her lips moved a few times before Zhizhi finally managed to squeeze out a mosquito-like hum: "...The rain is too heavy now, I'll go over when...when the rain gets a little lighter."

The rain outside was pounding so hard that it created a chaotic scene, and there wasn't even a hint of it stopping.

"Hmm," Li Younan responded again, without pointing it out.

Her own little car... well, it certainly doesn't get wet in the rain.

After all, if she insisted on getting back into her car, Li Younan could simply drive his car back to hers.

But after one night's sleep...

Haha, the little car was crammed full of stuff, the space... the experience...

Li Younan rolled over and climbed onto the large bed in the back row. The drawer was designed to be opened from the top as well. After opening it, Li Younan searched for a spare umbrella.

When Li Younan straightened up with the folding umbrella, he found her standing on the chair. She was no longer staring at the sandals, but instead tilting her head slightly, her gaze fixed on the spacious, dry, and comfortable bed.

Her sleeping bag was still damp and crumpled at her feet, like a grieved rag.

Time ticked by, and the sound of raindrops on the car roof grew louder. She tightened her grip on the wet pillow, then loosened it, her sandals nervously rubbing against the water stains spreading on the car carpet.

Li Younan found it somewhat amusing; Zhizhi's conflicted little appearance resembled a kitten trapped in the rain, wanting to get close to the warm fire but afraid of getting burned.

Finally, as if she had made a tremendous decision, she abruptly raised her head, her cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment, even the tips of her ears turning bright red. Her eyes dared not meet Li Younan's, instead staring intently at the back of the passenger seat, her voice soft and quick, trembling slightly: "Brother Li… um…"

She took a breath, speaking so quickly as if afraid she'd regret it, "I...I could...just...just...take...a tiny corner on that bed?"

She glanced quickly at Li Younan, then immediately lowered her head, twisting her fingers tightly around the wet pillowcase. "I have a sleeping bag, I'll just curl up on the side! It definitely... definitely won't take up any space! As soon as the rain stops... I'll leave right away!"

Seeing her like this, the sense of superiority she had felt in her spiritual tent had long been washed away by the downpour, leaving only the most instinctive desire for dryness and warmth. Because of the girl's reserve and the awkwardness of just meeting her, she was twisted into this pitiful state.

“Sure,” Li Younan said, trying to sound casual. “There’s plenty of space, take whatever you like.”

"Really?!" She suddenly looked up, her eyes instantly lighting up. Her forced composure vanished, replaced by a silly smile. "Thank you, Brother Li!"

She acted almost immediately.

"Wait a moment……"

"?"

"Don't bring your sleeping bag and pillow over, they're wet and you can't sleep in them anymore. Just put them on the passenger side floor mat, I have some new ones here."

Because the drawer had enough storage space, Li Younan had two unused sleeping bags and several inflatable pillows. One sleeping bag was for winter and wasn't suitable, while the other was a thinner type.

Li Younan took out the sleeping bag and handed her a few disposable bath towels. Zhizhi took them, dried her wet hair, took off her sandals, and dried her feet. "But I don't need these... I'll leave as soon as the rain stops..."

"It's still quite cold," Li Younan said casually.

"Well... thank you."

Her jacket got wet from the rain, but luckily she was wearing a tank top underneath, so her skirt wasn't very wet. She took off her jacket, folded it neatly, and placed it on her sandals.

Then, she carefully walked around the seat and climbed onto the large bed in the back seat.

She really only chose that tiny corner closest to the window, shrinking herself down to the smallest possible size.

She tucked herself into her sleeping bag, leaving only her bright eyes showing, and whispered, "I'm all ready! Brother Li, you should get some rest!"

Li Younan reached out and snapped the camping light off.

The car was plunged into darkness instantly, with only the dashboard emitting a faint light. The sound of raindrops hitting the roof was amplified and became the only background noise.

Li Younan could see her silhouette curled up in the dark corner, small and motionless, like a small animal that had finally found a dry burrow, its taut body lines slowly relaxing in the darkness.

Li Younan felt at ease, experiencing a sense of satisfaction as if he had done a good deed.

Great, another good deed done today.

……

Sunlight streamed through the car window screens, carrying the unique clarity of the day after the rain.

The dampness inside the car had lessened considerably, leaving only the cool, moist scent of grass and earth.

Li Younan opened his eyes and saw that in the small corner that belonged to Zhizhi, the sleeping bag was folded into a neat square.

As I opened the car door, the fresh morning air rushed in, crisp and sweet, while the distant mountains appeared lush and verdant after being washed clean.

Zhizhi was squatting next to her battered tent, carefully shaking off the water droplets from the tent fabric.

She had changed into clean clothes, and her hair was tied back into a neat high ponytail. The sunlight shone on her profile, and the panic from last night had vanished without a trace. She had regained her slightly stubborn demeanor.

"Good morning, Brother Li." Hearing the noise, she turned around, a smile on her face, a little embarrassed. "Thank you for last night..."

"It's nothing." Li Younan stretched a bit. "The rain was really heavy."

“Yes,” she stood up, looking at her soaking wet, collapsed, and mud-splattered “soul” tent. Her face scrunched up for a moment, but quickly relaxed, with a defiant air of “what the heck!” “Let’s dry it off while the sun is shining!”

It's much faster when two people work together. Take down the tent, shake off the water, and spread the wet fabric and frame separately on the grass to dry.

After packing up, Li Younan took a sip of water and gazed at the distant, misty mountain silhouettes: "Next, I'm planning to visit Huangshan. Are you a local?"

Li Younan's original plan was that if Zhizhi was a local, he could ask her some questions.

"Huangshan?" Zhizhi was struggling to stuff the half-dry tent fabric into the storage bag when she heard this and suddenly looked up. "I'm going too!"

"You're going too?" Li Younan was a little surprised.

“Mmm!” She nodded vigorously, stuffed the last bit of tent fabric into the bag, tightened the opening, and clapped her hands. “I’m not a local, I’m traveling too, and I’m going there soon! And…” She paused, “I’ll treat you to dinner! I have to! Last night… and the tent thing, you went to so much trouble.”

Before Li Younan could even offer a polite remark, she quickly added, her words carrying an undeniable air of declaration: "Brother Li, don't let my appearance fool you..."

She pointed to the disheveled tent, her face flushing slightly, but she immediately raised her head again. "I'm really good at climbing mountains! I have a lot of experience with climbing equipment and route planning. I can be your guide! You won't regret it."

Li Younan remained silent.

“Brother Li, even though you’re a guy,” she deliberately emphasized the word “guy,” “don’t disbelieve me, when it comes to mountain climbing, you might not be able to… beat me!”

(End of this chapter)