Chapter 103: Arriving at the Hotel
Playing Dance Dance Revolution, especially in two-player mode, did require effort if you wanted a high score.
But if the goal was simply to enhance friendship between friends, or for couples with different skill levels to strengthen their bond, then it was better not to be too focused on the score.
One method was to choose songs with low difficulty, so even if someone made mistakes, the negative feedback could be controlled within a certain range. When they got bored, they could gradually increase the difficulty or switch to a different game.
Another method was even simpler: regardless of the song, just have fun.
As the prelude started, Jiang Xue, holding the white cat that had come over to rub against her, looked at the two on the Dance Dance Revolution machine with Xiao Luohan.
Watching others play arcade games was also a form of entertainment.
Then they saw that while Jiang Mei was still stepping on the buttons in anticipation, Xie Xitong had already started dancing.
—She was truly dancing, improvising to the music, but her feet were stepping randomly.
But Jiang Mei seemed completely oblivious, focusing on hitting the arrows on her own side.
She even took Xie Xitong’s hand when the song required arm movements.
Jiang Xue stared, dumbfounded.
As far as she could remember, Xie Xitong hadn’t liked moving around much when playing Dance Dance Revolution with her before, even missing a beat from time to time, but she had still followed the arrows.
Now, was she… taking advantage of the fact that she wouldn’t be judged no matter how badly she played, deliberately messing with her older sister?
Lost in thought, Jiang Xue didn’t notice that Xiao Luohan had already figured it out.
So this was the “correct way” for couples to play Dance Dance Revolution?
It was kind of A-Xi and Mei-jiejie to demonstrate.
However, she and Jiang Xue probably couldn’t replicate this.
Jiang Xue cared about the score and rating, and Xiao Luohan cared about Jiang Xue’s wishes, so neither of them could “mess around” like A-Xi, they would only strive for a higher score.
…Wait, she seemed to have discovered a blind spot they had overlooked.
So she asked Jiang Xue, “Can I also play Dance Dance Revolution like A-Xi?”
Jiang Xue paused, then blurted out, “Of course! You can play however you want.”
Her guess confirmed, Xiao Luohan sighed softly, a little helpless.
Compared to speculating silently, it was indeed better to ask directly.
Seeing that Jiang Mei and Xie Xitong still had some time left, she leaned closer to Jiang Xue’s ear. “If you’re ever unsure about something, especially something related to me, but you’re afraid of offending me, whether it’s other people’s opinions or your own thoughts, please tell me.”
“For example… if you’re not sure if I want a high score, or just want to play with you, you should ask me.”
This was something Jiang Xue had taught her in the first place.
She had taught her to speak her mind, and if she felt offended or uncomfortable, to tell her immediately, without worrying about hurting their feelings or friendship—people who cared about each other would only value the other person’s needs and find solutions together.
Jiang Xue finally understood what she had overlooked!
She was used to guessing what people close to her were thinking and then acting in a way she thought was most respectful.
Her older sister and A-Xi were “true acquaintances” she had known for many years. Compared to them, she and Xiao Luo hadn’t known each other long enough to understand each other’s thoughts and needs without asking.
Repeated crises could indeed bring people closer in a short time, but to live together as family or lovers for a long time, they had to spend time understanding each other’s subtle nuances.
Having just confirmed their relationship, yet overlooking such an important matter, after hearing Xiao Luohan’s words, Jiang Xue felt a cold sweat on her back.
She instinctively wanted to apologize, but before speaking, she recalled Xiao Luo’s words, which didn’t sound accusatory. After some thought, she asked tentatively, “Then, you just want to have fun now, right?”
“Yes, I plan to play like A-Xi,” Xiao Luohan replied, catching the word “now” and not mentioning the previous topic.
There was no rush. She had also spent a lot of time learning to speak her mind, after many attempts and trials.
So when the song ended, and Jiang Mei and Xie Xitong got off the machine to rest, they saw the two also randomly choose a song and start dancing freely, each on their own pad.
Xie Xitong, holding the white cat, leaned against the sofa and sent a message to Jiang Mei: 【Did the matchmaking work?】
【Sword: Yes, it worked this time.】
This meant that if they encountered a similar situation next time, these two would probably make the same mistake a few more times.
Hearing Xie Xitong sigh softly, Jiang Mei continued typing: 【That’s how relationships are, push and pull, and lovey-dovey. The people involved are confused, and the onlookers are anxious.】
【XiXi Xixi (Winter Break Version): Mei-jiejie, you sound like you’ve been in a relationship.】
【Sword: I’ve only seen it.】
“Oh, you even bothered explaining to A-Xi,” Xiao Linghan’s voice echoed in Jiang Mei’s mind. “If it were me, I would just laugh it off and send her a smiling emoji. How do you type that again…”
Jiang Mei typed “^^” into the input box with a deadpan expression.
“Yes, that’s the one!”
“If it’s not true, then it’s not true. There’s no need to create a hypothetical enemy for her,” Jiang Mei said, pressing the delete key and looking at the two on the Dance Dance Revolution machine. “Studies are more important.”
After clarifying things, Jiang Xue and Xiao Luohan became much more relaxed.
They had both been nervously staring at the screen, watching the arrows and the score, even memorizing the number and location of their mistakes. Now, Xiao Luohan was completely improvising, and Jiang Xue was casually stepping on the arrows, even going over to Xiao Luohan’s side and spinning around with her before returning to her own pad.
“I think we should install DJ lights in your home gym,” Xie Xitong whispered. “They seem to enjoy dancing to the music.”
Jiang Mei: …
She opened a shopping app and actually started searching for indoor DJ lights.
After playing Dance Dance Revolution, and after Xiao Luohan finished her medicine, the four went to another area to play horse racing.
The sensors on the seats were regularly replaced, and the feedback was timely, the simulated horse neighs and tilting during turns quite realistic.
But compared to real horses, it was still far from enough. At least Jiang Mei and Xiao Luohan weren’t satisfied.
“I’ll take you to the racetrack next long holiday,” Jiang Mei promised, adding this to her calendar.
“This is actually the condition for my sister accompanying us to the amusement park and helping us watch the cat,” Jiang Xue whispered to Xiao Luohan. “But the racetrack my sister usually goes to is very nice, with beautiful and gentle horses. It’s enjoyable whether you’re riding or just watching.”
Although Xiao Luohan grew up in ancient times, where horses were the main mode of transportation, due to her frail health, she had rarely ridden a horse herself, only carriages. She had already been looking forward to it when Jiang Mei mentioned it, and now her eyes lit up.
It wasn’t time to leave for the hotel yet, but all four were tired—Jiang Mei’s consciousness had slept well, but her body was exhausted from the strenuous activity.
In the end, they unanimously decided to take the forest-themed sightseeing train, which would conveniently drop them off near the parking lot.
Each car had twelve seats, four seats per section, and pets were allowed.
The train looked quite retro, with large windows, decorated inside and out with colorful artificial flowers and plants. But because the staff cleaned it diligently, there was hardly any dust, and everything, from the cars to the artificial plants, sparkled.
The four sat in two rows of two. A few minutes later, they heard a cheerful whistle, and then the train started chugging slowly along the tracks, passing by each attraction at a steady pace, accompanied by soothing classical piano music from the speakers on the roof.
Considering Xiao Luohan’s weak constitution and sensitivity to the cold, even though the train was moving slowly, Jiang Xue still closed all the windows in their compartment.
After sitting for a while, Xiao Luohan said, “This feels a bit like riding the subway.”
“I’ll take you on the high-speed rail next time, that’s even more similar,” Jiang Xue chuckled. “Speaking of which, the high-speed rail gradually ‘evolved’ from these retro trains.”
Xiao Luohan curiously asked about the “evolutionary history” of trains.
This was also a topic Jiang Xue was interested in. As she explained enthusiastically, Jiang Mei and Xie Xitong just listened, neither interrupting nor adding anything.
There were also colorful wrapped candies on the table in the train car, but to prevent inconsiderate people from taking too many, there was only a small plate, and the flavors were made with relatively cheap “fruit flavoring.”
But Xiao Luohan still took two, unwrapped them, and tasted them.
She was very curious about this world and could only experience a small part of it during her daily life at home and at school. Every time she went out, she wanted to try new and unfamiliar things.
As they enjoyed the gentle breeze, nearing the parking lot, a faint plum blossom fragrance and moist air wafted towards them.
—The sky had become overcast, and it was about to rain.
But as Xiao Luohan looked at the gloomy sky, the fear that should have arisen in her heart was suppressed by a sense of joy and peace.
Both she and her elder sister had started their new lives in a good world.
“The hotel has underground parking. It’s just a short walk to the elevator, so you don’t have to worry about getting rained on,” Jiang Mei said, fastening her seatbelt, after everyone and the cat were in the red sports car. “You can take a nap on the way, no need to rush with your makeup—I’ve booked a preparation room upstairs.”
These words were specifically for the two birthday girls.
Xiao Luohan leaned against Jiang Xue and closed her eyes, a piece of chocolate Jiang Xue had just unwrapped in her mouth. She truly needed to recover her energy.
Jiang Xue was also tired, but she had something more important to confirm. While waiting at a red light, she took out her phone and sent a message to Cheng Shizhu.
【Yu Xue: How are the preparations going?】
【Spring&Love: Don’t worry, Second Miss! Mom and I made it. The design is the one you drew, and we adjusted the ingredients and proportions according to your preferences. It’s perfect for the occasion~】
Jiang Xue replied with an “OK” and then leaned against Xiao Luohan, falling asleep.
When she woke up, the car had already arrived near the hotel. Opening her eyes, she saw Xiao Luohan holding her phone, taking pictures of the tall buildings outside the window.
The hotel where they were holding their coming-of-age party was thirty stories tall, and just looking up at it from below made her feel dizzy.
“There are dresses available in the preparation room. If you want to change, there’s still time, and the heat packs are in the drawer,” Jiang Mei said after parking the car. “Although we booked a non-smoking room, it’s inevitable that your clothes will smell of alcohol.”
She paused deliberately. “Xiao Luo is not allowed to drink, and A-Xue… you decide for yourself.”
