Chapter 376: Setting Up

Chapter 376 – Setting Up the Game

"Let’s drop the chatter—we’re here to have fun today. I’m a pretty experienced skier, so anyone who needs help can come to me. I’ll teach you," Lin Zhilu said confidently.

Ye Xiaoxiao pointed at the group behind her. "Except for Sister Hong, none of us can ski."

Lin Zhilu: "...Then what are you even doing here?!"

Bai Mengan flicked his forehead. "That’s the whole point of coming here—to learn."

Ye Xiaoxiao introduced everyone. Since they were all friends and about the same age, the mood quickly lightened.

During the introductions, Ye Xiaoxiao made a point of introducing Ye Changsheng.

Su Tong naturally noticed the handsome young man with a slightly cool demeanor.

He really was Xiao Xiao’s biological brother—their features had a lot in common.

Best of all, they were both exceptionally good-looking.

In fact, all the friends who came today, male or female, were gorgeous—a real treat for an art student’s eyes.

But Su Tong had to admit that Ye Changsheng’s vibe stood out to her the most.

He wore a long black down jacket, his proportions perfect, his refined features giving off a scholarly vibe.

He came off as distant when quiet, but was very polite when greeting others.

Looking at his flawless head-to-body ratio, Su Tong was dying to ask him to model for her.

After the introductions, Bai Mengan led everyone inside to settle in and drop off their luggage.

"I’ve booked rooms here in case we can’t make it back tonight. We’ll be here until the afternoon, and driving at night isn’t safe.

Having rooms means anyone who wants to rest can take a break."

The ski resort was far out in the suburbs of Beijing—over three hours’ drive from downtown. Bai Mengan’s arrangement was perfectly reasonable.

Ye Xiaoxiao hugged her. "You’re the absolute best."

Bai Mengan tilted her chin up proudly. "Of course. Who do you think I am?"

The rooms weren’t private—Ye Xiaoxiao shared one with Duan Hong and Su Tong.

As they unpacked, Ye Xiaoxiao whispered to Su Tong,

"So, what’d you think of my fourth brother?"

Su Tong’s face gave nothing away, though she could feel her heart racing.

"I saw him. You two really are siblings—both top-tier lookers."

Ye Xiaoxiao patted Su Tong’s shoulder. "Good. Lust is the first step to love.

But my fourth brother’s a total brick—you might need to make the first move."

Su Tong: "...Let’s not rush this. Don’t get ahead of yourself."

Ye Xiaoxiao stood up straight. "I'm not excited at all."

After stowing their luggage, Ye Xiaoxiao couldn’t wait to get to the slopes.

"Newbies like you should get an instructor."

Lin Zhilu was drained—he really shouldn't have come along.

Su Tong gave a small smile. "I know how to ski. I can teach you."

Ye Xiaoxiao had been to ski resorts with friends before, but after crashing into someone mid-slope, she hadn’t been back since.

Still, going for it was the best way to learn.

"Let’s get changed first, and show us the ropes once we’re geared up."

Lin Zhilu: "Whatever."

After changing, Ye Xiaoxiao hauled her skis over to the slope.

The place was expensive, so there was hardly anyone there.

Lin Zhilu and Su Tong showed everyone how to put on their skis, control their speed, and steer.

It sounded simple, but in practice, they could barely budge.

Once upright, Ye Xiaoxiao could only shuffle along.

But at least she was doing better than Zhang Kaining—who wasn’t really fat anymore, but still a klutz.

The fastest learners were Ye Changsheng and Qu Miao.

Ye Changsheng picked things up quickly.

And Qu Miao was smart and nimble.

Ye Xiaoxiao suspected she might have some secret trick for learning to ski so fast.

When Qu Miao heard that, she rolled her eyes.

"You're imagining things. There's no such trick."

"No way? I didn’t go to school much—you better not be lying to me."

Qu Miao: "You got into Jing University and you say you didn’t study much?"

"You wouldn't get it—it's just a meme reference."

Before she even finished speaking, Ye Xiaoxiao face-planted in the snow again.

Qu Miao just sighed and pulled her up.

To play wingman for Ye Changsheng and Su Tong, Ye Xiaoxiao tried hard to ski farther away, but her skills just weren’t up to more advanced moves.

Su Tong really was teaching Ye Changsheng, and his athletic ability blew her away.

In less than twenty minutes, Ye Changsheng was already skiing a good stretch without falling.

"Hey hotshot," Su Tong said as she skied over to him, "you're a natural."

Exercise gets the adrenaline pumping, and Ye Changsheng was feeling it now—more upbeat than usual.

"Thank you for teaching me."

Su Tong smiled faintly. She rarely tied her long hair into a ponytail, showing off her striking features.

"How about paying me back? How about being my model?"

Ye Changsheng was taken aback. "Model?"

"I'm an art major. I mostly do still lifes, but sometimes someone catches my eye and makes me want to try figure drawing."

"Oh, that kind of modeling," Ye Changsheng declined gently. "I don’t think I’d have time."

Su Tong didn’t push it. "I heard from Xiao Xiao that you study in Harbin. I graduated from Harbin Academy of Fine Arts and spend a few months there every year. I think we’ll have time to meet again."

Seeing how sincere she was, Ye Changsheng couldn’t bring himself to say no outright.

But he didn’t agree to be a model either—who knew what she might ask him to do?

Ye Changsheng had always been guarded.

"Then next time you come to Harbin, I’ll find a way to properly thank you."

Su Tong nodded with a smile. "Sure."

Then, without waiting for Ye Changsheng, she bent slightly and took off down the slope.

……

Meanwhile, another group showed up at the ski resort.

Zhang Dandan’s goal was to introduce He Jingxuan and Di Yu. She wasn’t really there to ski, so she hadn’t told everyone to prepare ski gear in advance. Those who wanted to ski could rent equipment from the club.

The place was well-kept and pretty nice.

Inside, they’d set up afternoon tea and finger foods.

They’d booked a private room for the banquet.

He Jingxuan was attending such an event for the first time. There weren’t many guests, but they were all important people.

And ever since Di Yu saw He Jingxuan, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

She was vibrant and confident, undeniably attractive, and had made sure to dress to impress.

Exactly his type.

Plus, Zhang Dandan had said she would introduce him to a few good girls this time.

Though their family backgrounds weren’t impressive, they were undoubtedly suitable for him.

After all, he just needed to marry someone to keep up appearances.

Di Yu already saw He Jingxuan as his next catch.

He Jingxuan, on the other hand, spotted a bunch of girls fawning over Di Yu the moment she walked into the banquet hall. She couldn’t help asking, "Who’s that?"

Hao Yanyan hid a smirk—the bait was working.

"Di Yu? He's the real deal—old money. He doesn’t usually show up at events like this, but maybe he’s doing Sister Dan a favor."