Chapter 117: Bring Your Towel When Bathing in the Hot Spring.
Dongshan is a town.
Likely due to the laziness of those naming places, mountains often get named after their cardinal direction. Hence, there’s a Dongshan Park in the port city. Chi Shen's destination this time is also called Dongshan, but he's heading to a county beneath the mountain known as Dongshan Town.
Zhong Jingsong provided a brief overview of Dongshan Town. It's not affluent and mainly agricultural. The town boasts a renowned hot spring, around which tourism has been growing in recent years. However, being a couple of hours drive from the city, it hasn’t seen an influx of visitors, leaving the tourism sector in a somewhat stagnant state.
Dongshan Hot Spring Resort was established five years ago. It enjoys a good influx of tourists during the peak season but goes nearly dormant during the off-peak. Most staff members are local farmers, making it a mutual arrangement as the off-peak season corresponds with their busiest farming period.
Noting Chi Shen's disinterest, Zhong Jingsong didn't elaborate further. He simply told Chi Shen to contact him if needed, to which Chi Shen nodded and then took out Old Master Zhong's notebook.
As he was about to open it, he noticed the travel magazine on the seat beside him move. Ji Xingchen reached out from the shadows and grabbed it.
The Zhong family indeed purchased extra plane tickets using the identities of others who didn’t board, leaving several seats vacant.
The seat beside Chi Shen was one such empty spot. Ji Xingchen naturally took it, reading a magazine as if he were any other passenger on a business trip. With their group surrounding him, his appearance didn't incite any panic or screams. Some even sighed when they saw him.
To die young is indeed a lamentable fate.
But Ji Xingchen didn't seem to see it that way. Without a hint of emotion, he quickly passed the magazine to Chi Shen. It featured an interview with a young entrepreneur.
The whole page was essentially a promotion for Dongshan Hot Spring, discussing how the entrepreneur discovered it, its therapeutic effects, and his subsequent decision to invest. However, this "young entrepreneur" was actually a second-generation wealthy individual, seemingly sent to this place by his father.
In other words, the East Mountain Hot Springs Resort they are heading to this time is actually owned by this second-generation wealthy individual.
Chi Shen quickly glanced at the profile of this young affluent man: Jiang Haotian, a graduate from a prestigious university, originally from East Mountain Town, hence his return to develop the tourism industry there.
After reading, Chi Shen pinched the bridge of his nose and tossed the notebook to Zhong Yi beside him, saying, "Tired. I'll take a nap."
Zhong Yi seemed puzzled by Chi Shen's sudden fatigue and the abrupt passing of the notebook, but he nodded anyway, "Rest up. I'll wake you when we arrive."
Observing Chi Shen drift off to sleep, Zhong Yi glanced at the notebook in his hand, realizing that Chi Shen might have wanted him to review the notes as well.
However, he had already read what his grandfather wrote in it. Still, since Chi Shen handed it to him, he decided to go over it once again.
Just as he began to flip through the notebook, he suddenly heard Chi Shen's voice: "Memorize it."
Zhong Yi was momentarily taken aback. Looking up, he saw Chi Shen squinting one eye, smiling at him. Noticing that his point was taken, Chi Shen closed his eyes and resumed his nap.
——
Upon landing, they didn't head straight for East Mountain Town but instead took a moment to discuss their strategy.
"According to previous intel, if we were to investigate in our police capacities, we wouldn't uncover much," Gui Lian said in the hotel room, delightfully puffing on a fragrant cigarette.
Since Chi Shen was accompanied by several "companions" who weren't human, the Zhong family had prepared offerings for them. Unlike the gory offerings from the Bai family, the Zhongs provided common offerings like incense, paper money, and some chicken, duck, and fruits. The ghosts seemed quite pleased.
However, the Zhong family was evidently unaccustomed to holding meetings with ghosts. Their expressions were uneasy. Some older members glared at Chi Shen, wanting to voice their disapproval but were silenced by a look from Zhong Jingsong.
The meeting continued in this eerie atmosphere.
Zhong Jingsong then validated Gui Lian's thoughts: "They have a high counter-surveillance awareness, which is why we previously investigated undercover as tourists."
Upon hearing this, Chi Shen inquired, "Can we still book that hotel now?"
"We've temporarily suspended operations at the East Mountain Hot Springs Resort, so bookings shouldn't be available," replied Zhong Jingsong.
"Let's come up with a reason to reopen it, then book two rooms for us," Chi Shen suggested with a smile.
Zhong Yi promptly interjected, "I'll go too. I haven't shown my face to them, so I can pose as a tourist to investigate."
Zhong Jingsong pondered for a moment, "Reopening the hotel is feasible... but regular tourists might book rooms, which could place them in danger."
"I don't see it as a problem," Chi Shen said with a smile. "We just need to deter the general public from booking the hotel."
The next day, Chi Shen got up and headed straight to the mall.
For a hot spring dip, one would need towels and swimsuits. Since he hadn't brought any with him, he had planned to buy them upon arrival. Now was the time to purchase those essentials.
However, before he had made a full round of the mall, he overheard people discussing: "Have you heard about the disappearance at East Mountain Hot Springs?"
"They couldn’t find the missing person, just declared them untraceable, and then reopened the hot springs. They must've been bribed, right?"
"Possibly, but with the reopening, who'd dare to go now?"
"The police even released a statement claiming it's unrelated to East Mountain Hot Springs. Isn't that just turning a blind eye?"
Amidst these whispers, Chi Shen had already chosen a swimsuit and had even picked one out for Ji Xingchen. Under Ji Xingchen's silent gaze, he cheerfully proceeded to checkout.
The cashier, an older woman, chatted with him as she rang up his items, "Young man, buying a swimsuit in the dead of winter? Planning on visiting a hot spring?"
Chi Shen responded with a polite smile, "The hot springs at East Mountain are quite famous."
The lady's expression shifted upon hearing this. After glancing around, she lowered her voice and whispered to Chi Shen, "Young man, you seem smart and good-looking. Let me give you some advice: don't go to the hot springs in East Mountain. Rumor has it they're using people to make 'human buns'!"
The smile on Chi Shen's face remained unchanged, but the ghosts accompanying him reacted differently. Gui Lian felt like his face was splitting, asking Chi Shen in confusion, "What on earth did the Zhong family advertise?"
Ji Xingchen adjusted his glasses, remarking calmly, "It seems we're getting the desired effect."
After purchasing the swimsuits and towels, Chi Shen didn't linger. He set out for East Mountain Hot Springs that very afternoon.
Accompanying him, besides Zhong Yi, was an uncle-aged man from the Zhong family, Zhong Jingzhu. They intended to stay at the East Mountain Hot Springs Resort together with Chi Shen to investigate the hotel.
In the car, the two were already reviewing the details of their hotel stay, their atmosphere tense and focused. In contrast, on Chi Shen's side...
He turned on Bai Wan's tablet and began searching:
How to have the most relaxing hot spring experience.
The best drinks to enjoy while in a hot spring.
Optimal duration for a hot spring soak.
……
As he watched, Chi Shen yawned and soon fell asleep.
Chapter 117: Bring Your Towel When Bathing in the Hot Spring.
Dongshan is a town.
Likely due to the laziness of those naming places, mountains often get named after their cardinal direction. Hence, there’s a Dongshan Park in the port city. Chi Shen's destination this time is also called Dongshan, but he's heading to a county beneath the mountain known as Dongshan Town.
Zhong Jingsong provided a brief overview of Dongshan Town. It's not affluent and mainly agricultural. The town boasts a renowned hot spring, around which tourism has been growing in recent years. However, being a couple of hours drive from the city, it hasn’t seen an influx of visitors, leaving the tourism sector in a somewhat stagnant state.
Dongshan Hot Spring Resort was established five years ago. It enjoys a good influx of tourists during the peak season but goes nearly dormant during the off-peak. Most staff members are local farmers, making it a mutual arrangement as the off-peak season corresponds with their busiest farming period.
Noting Chi Shen's disinterest, Zhong Jingsong didn't elaborate further. He simply told Chi Shen to contact him if needed, to which Chi Shen nodded and then took out Old Master Zhong's notebook.
As he was about to open it, he noticed the travel magazine on the seat beside him move. Ji Xingchen reached out from the shadows and grabbed it.
The Zhong family indeed purchased extra plane tickets using the identities of others who didn’t board, leaving several seats vacant.
The seat beside Chi Shen was one such empty spot. Ji Xingchen naturally took it, reading a magazine as if he were any other passenger on a business trip. With their group surrounding him, his appearance didn't incite any panic or screams. Some even sighed when they saw him.
To die young is indeed a lamentable fate.
But Ji Xingchen didn't seem to see it that way. Without a hint of emotion, he quickly passed the magazine to Chi Shen. It featured an interview with a young entrepreneur.
The whole page was essentially a promotion for Dongshan Hot Spring, discussing how the entrepreneur discovered it, its therapeutic effects, and his subsequent decision to invest. However, this "young entrepreneur" was actually a second-generation wealthy individual, seemingly sent to this place by his father.
In other words, the East Mountain Hot Springs Resort they are heading to this time is actually owned by this second-generation wealthy individual.
Chi Shen quickly glanced at the profile of this young affluent man: Jiang Haotian, a graduate from a prestigious university, originally from East Mountain Town, hence his return to develop the tourism industry there.
After reading, Chi Shen pinched the bridge of his nose and tossed the notebook to Zhong Yi beside him, saying, "Tired. I'll take a nap."
Zhong Yi seemed puzzled by Chi Shen's sudden fatigue and the abrupt passing of the notebook, but he nodded anyway, "Rest up. I'll wake you when we arrive."
Observing Chi Shen drift off to sleep, Zhong Yi glanced at the notebook in his hand, realizing that Chi Shen might have wanted him to review the notes as well.
However, he had already read what his grandfather wrote in it. Still, since Chi Shen handed it to him, he decided to go over it once again.
Just as he began to flip through the notebook, he suddenly heard Chi Shen's voice: "Memorize it."
Zhong Yi was momentarily taken aback. Looking up, he saw Chi Shen squinting one eye, smiling at him. Noticing that his point was taken, Chi Shen closed his eyes and resumed his nap.
——
Upon landing, they didn't head straight for East Mountain Town but instead took a moment to discuss their strategy.
"According to previous intel, if we were to investigate in our police capacities, we wouldn't uncover much," Gui Lian said in the hotel room, delightfully puffing on a fragrant cigarette.
Since Chi Shen was accompanied by several "companions" who weren't human, the Zhong family had prepared offerings for them. Unlike the gory offerings from the Bai family, the Zhongs provided common offerings like incense, paper money, and some chicken, duck, and fruits. The ghosts seemed quite pleased.
However, the Zhong family was evidently unaccustomed to holding meetings with ghosts. Their expressions were uneasy. Some older members glared at Chi Shen, wanting to voice their disapproval but were silenced by a look from Zhong Jingsong.
The meeting continued in this eerie atmosphere.
Zhong Jingsong then validated Gui Lian's thoughts: "They have a high counter-surveillance awareness, which is why we previously investigated undercover as tourists."
Upon hearing this, Chi Shen inquired, "Can we still book that hotel now?"
"We've temporarily suspended operations at the East Mountain Hot Springs Resort, so bookings shouldn't be available," replied Zhong Jingsong.
"Let's come up with a reason to reopen it, then book two rooms for us," Chi Shen suggested with a smile.
Zhong Yi promptly interjected, "I'll go too. I haven't shown my face to them, so I can pose as a tourist to investigate."
Zhong Jingsong pondered for a moment, "Reopening the hotel is feasible... but regular tourists might book rooms, which could place them in danger."
"I don't see it as a problem," Chi Shen said with a smile. "We just need to deter the general public from booking the hotel."
The next day, Chi Shen got up and headed straight to the mall.
For a hot spring dip, one would need towels and swimsuits. Since he hadn't brought any with him, he had planned to buy them upon arrival. Now was the time to purchase those essentials.
However, before he had made a full round of the mall, he overheard people discussing: "Have you heard about the disappearance at East Mountain Hot Springs?"
"They couldn’t find the missing person, just declared them untraceable, and then reopened the hot springs. They must've been bribed, right?"
"Possibly, but with the reopening, who'd dare to go now?"
"The police even released a statement claiming it's unrelated to East Mountain Hot Springs. Isn't that just turning a blind eye?"
Amidst these whispers, Chi Shen had already chosen a swimsuit and had even picked one out for Ji Xingchen. Under Ji Xingchen's silent gaze, he cheerfully proceeded to checkout.
The cashier, an older woman, chatted with him as she rang up his items, "Young man, buying a swimsuit in the dead of winter? Planning on visiting a hot spring?"
Chi Shen responded with a polite smile, "The hot springs at East Mountain are quite famous."
The lady's expression shifted upon hearing this. After glancing around, she lowered her voice and whispered to Chi Shen, "Young man, you seem smart and good-looking. Let me give you some advice: don't go to the hot springs in East Mountain. Rumor has it they're using people to make 'human buns'!"
The smile on Chi Shen's face remained unchanged, but the ghosts accompanying him reacted differently. Gui Lian felt like his face was splitting, asking Chi Shen in confusion, "What on earth did the Zhong family advertise?"
Ji Xingchen adjusted his glasses, remarking calmly, "It seems we're getting the desired effect."
After purchasing the swimsuits and towels, Chi Shen didn't linger. He set out for East Mountain Hot Springs that very afternoon.
Accompanying him, besides Zhong Yi, was an uncle-aged man from the Zhong family, Zhong Jingzhu. They intended to stay at the East Mountain Hot Springs Resort together with Chi Shen to investigate the hotel.
In the car, the two were already reviewing the details of their hotel stay, their atmosphere tense and focused. In contrast, on Chi Shen's side...
He turned on Bai Wan's tablet and began searching:
How to have the most relaxing hot spring experience.
The best drinks to enjoy while in a hot spring.
Optimal duration for a hot spring soak.
……
As he watched, Chi Shen yawned and soon fell asleep.
