"The wooden cabins here are not easy to book. The only reason I managed to get one is because I know the manager. You probably won't be able to secure a reservation," Mark said with a laugh, a hint of pride in his tone. He seemed unconcerned about Jiang Chen's reaction, continuing to speak as if this was merely a small victory for him. His gaze swept over the group, lingering on Jiang Chen's face for a moment, as if trying to catch a glimpse of disappointment or envy in his expression. However, Jiang Chen's response surprised him.
"Not being able to book it is fine," Jiang Chen replied nonchalantly, his tone flat as if the matter had no impact on him. He shrugged and turned his gaze toward the distant mountains, seemingly indifferent to the issue of the cabin. His attitude left Mark feeling awkward, as if his carefully prepared boast had fallen flat.
"Senior, then could you help book another room?" Lin Jingzhu interjected, sensing the tension in the air. Her voice was soft and laced with a hint of pleading, her eyes filled with anticipation. She knew that Mark liked to show off in front of others, especially when it came to Jiang Chen, always wanting to one-up him. Not wanting the atmosphere to remain awkward, she took the initiative to ease the tension.
"The cabin halfway up the mountain is fully booked, but I can check for availability at the cabins by the foot of the mountain," Mark replied readily since Lin Jingzhu had spoken up. He smiled slightly, his tone confident as if this task was merely a small favor. His gaze lingered on Lin Jingzhu's face for a moment, revealing a trace of warmth in his eyes.
"Senior, how much is a room at Mountain Peak per night?" Zhou Xuemei suddenly asked, her voice bright and curious. Her question caught everyone's attention, especially those who longed for a stay at Mountain Peak.
"The regular price is about eighty thousand per night, but with added fees, it's quite normal for it to go up to one hundred thousand," Mark said casually, his tone light as if it were just pocket change. As soon as he finished speaking, gasps of disbelief echoed around them.
"One hundred thousand?!" Lin Jingzhu exclaimed involuntarily, her eyes wide in shock at the price. Coming from an ordinary family, she knew that Mountain Peak cabins were expensive but never expected them to be this exorbitant. Other students also displayed expressions of astonishment; clearly, this price exceeded their expectations.
"One hundred thousand is still manageable; Senior, I want to stay at Mountain Peak," Zhou Xuemei said calmly, her demeanor unruffled as if one hundred thousand was just a minor expense for her. Her attitude left Lin Jingzhu and the other students stunned.
"Zhou Xuemei, are you crazy? That's way too expensive and not worth it at all," Lin Jingzhu quickly advised. Although she knew Zhou Xuemei came from a well-off family, spending one hundred thousand for a single night was simply too extravagant. She didn't want Zhou Xuemei to make an impulsive and irrational decision.
"Zhou Xuemei, I know your family is well-off, but booking a room at Mountain Peak isn't just about having money; you also need status and connections. Do you know who owns Golden Coast Resort Hotel?" Mark interjected with a hint of disdain in his tone upon seeing Zhou Xuemei's calmness.
"No idea?" Everyone shook their heads curiously at Mark.
"It's owned by the Lin family from Hong Kong Island. The Lin family has often appeared in Hong Kong Island movies; even if you haven't heard of them directly, you must have heard of Azure Green Society. This area is all under their control and managed by Lin Shuang's daughter, Lin Rumei," Mark explained with evident pride in his voice. He clearly had some knowledge about Hong Kong Island and its wealthy families' backgrounds.
“Azure Green Society?” Jiang Chen furrowed his brow slightly upon hearing the name, as if it stirred some distant memory. He recalled hearing it in the news during his childhood, associated with some unsavory events.
“The Lin family must be up to no good, right?” Zhou Xuemei suddenly remarked, her tone dripping with disdain. Clearly, she held little regard for such wealthy families.
“Zhou Xuemei, you shouldn't say that carelessly,” Mark interjected quickly, his voice laced with warning. He clearly wanted to steer Zhou Xuemei away from this topic; after all, the Lin family wielded considerable power on Hong Kong Island, and gossip could lead to unnecessary trouble.
“I’m just speaking the truth,” Zhou Xuemei shrugged, seemingly unfazed by Mark's caution. Her attitude left Mark feeling helpless, but he chose not to press further.
“Alright, everyone, let’s not dwell on this. How about we check out the cabin at the foot of the mountain first?” Lin Jingzhu suggested, sensing the tension in the air and eager to lighten the mood. She didn’t want their trip to be marred by trivial matters.
“Yeah, let’s go take a look,” the other students chimed in, clearly not wanting to continue the conversation.
Mark nodded, though he felt a twinge of annoyance; he decided it was best to remain silent. He turned and led the way down toward the foot of the mountain, with everyone following suit. Jiang Chen lingered at the back, his gaze still fixed on the distant Mountain Peak as if lost in thought.
“Jiang Chen, what’s wrong?” Lin Jingzhu noticed Jiang Chen's unusual demeanor and walked over to him, speaking softly.
“Nothing much. I just feel like that cabin at the Mountain Peak isn’t as simple as it seems,” Jiang Chen replied lightly, his tone carrying an undercurrent of significance.
Lin Jingzhu paused for a moment, seemingly not grasping Jiang Chen's meaning. However, she didn’t press him further and quietly walked alongside him as they made their way down.
The cabin at the foot of the mountain wasn’t as luxurious as those atop Mountain Peak but had its own charm. Surrounded by lush greenery and filled with a faint floral fragrance in the air, it offered a refreshing atmosphere that lifted everyone's spirits. They quickly became enchanted by the scenery and began taking photos with their phones to capture the moment.
“This place is beautiful! It may not be as grand as Mountain Peak, but it has its own unique appeal,” Lin Jingzhu said with a smile, her mood evidently brightened.
"Yes, living here isn't too bad," Jiang Chen nodded, his gaze still fixed on the distant Mountain Peak, as if lost in thought.
"Jiang Chen, do you have any thoughts about the cabin on Mountain Peak?" Lin Jingzhu couldn't help but ask.
"Not much, just that some things might not be as simple as they seem," Jiang Chen replied lightly, his tone carrying a hint of depth.
Lin Jingzhu chose not to press further; she knew Jiang Chen was not one for many words, but whenever he spoke, it always provoked deep reflection. She quietly walked beside him, savoring the moment of tranquility.
Meanwhile, in the cabin on Mountain Peak, a man dressed in a black suit stood by the window, his cold gaze fixed on the crowd at the foot of the mountain. A slight smirk played at the corners of his mouth, revealing a hint of intrigue.
"It seems this time, our guests are rather interesting," he murmured to himself, his tone laced with amusement.
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