When the Side Character Gets a System and Travels through Difference Worlds-Chapter 58: Chi Mo 12

Before getting on the small boats, everyone had to form groups. Gao Jing’s eyes darted around. "Let’s be fair about it and play a hand game to decide."

If Chi Mo still ended up grouped with Xu Jike this way, there was nothing Gao Jing could do. But in front of the cameras, Xu Jike probably wouldn’t dare to do anything too drastic.

Tan You had no objection. ’If that’s what happens, I’ll just have to accept it. It’s just a boat ride, and a cameraman will be with us. I’ll just pretend the person across from me doesn’t exist.’

There were only three small boats for all the guests, so one group would inevitably have three people. Tan You’s luck was especially good; in the first round of the hand game, she was grouped with Zhou Wenwen and Shi Lei.

Thus, the three of them logically took one boat. Gao Jing was paired with Xiang Zhe, which meant Lin Meng and Xu Jike were automatically grouped together. Seeing these pairings, the corners of Tan You’s mouth curled up slightly.

Zhou Wenwen squeezed Tan You’s hand, signaling her to tone it down. Even though Chi Mo was not very expressive, it was easy for others to tell what she was thinking. Her feelings were almost always reflected in her eyes; whether she was annoyed or happy, it was clear at a glance.

Tan You quickly schooled her expression. ’But what can I do? I’m just so happy!’ Her ponytail swung back and forth with her delight. Zhou Wenwen shook her head with a smile. ’Chi Mo is such a contradiction,’ she thought.

’She acts so calmly and steadily, with a maturity that seems beyond her years. But emotionally, she comes off as a little naive, almost like a young girl.’

’Then again, she’s only twenty-seven. For her, that short-lived marriage was probably just like a fleeting romance. She never really experienced many of life’s hardships, so her words and actions still have a hint of child-like innocence.’

Tan You, of course, had no idea Zhou Wenwen saw her this way. She considered herself quite mature. ’In the past, people always described me as dull, introverted, and quiet,’ she mused, ’but no one ever called me childish.’

After settling into the small boat with Zhou Wenwen and Shi Lei, it began to drift downstream. Tan You gazed at the scenery on both banks, becoming lost in thought. She was contemplating choreography. She had once seen someone dance on a snowy, icy mountain, and she’d found it incredibly beautiful at the time.

’I want to recreate that scene now, but I want to do it even better. I’ll make it more difficult, with more graceful movements. After all, Chi Mo is a professional dancer; she ought to be able to do better.’

As she was watching the scenery, she unknowingly became part of the scenery for others. Especially when the sunlight shone down, the golden rays catching her face, it seemed to frame her in a halo of light, making her look exceptionally ethereal.

Zhou Wenwen remarked softly, "Every time I look at her, I wonder how anyone could have the heart to hurt such a beautiful woman."

Shi Lei said calmly, "The world is full of people who are blind to what they have. Not everyone knows how to cherish things."

"It’s a common human failing. People don’t know how to treasure something once they have it. But for some people, once you let them go, you never get a chance to win them back."

Zhou Wenwen glanced at him. "Perhaps. I just hope she’ll always be alright and never have to feel heartbroken again."

Shi Lei looked curious. "It’s strange. I always thought that among women..."

He trailed off, but Zhou Wenwen understood what he was implying. Gazing at the river’s surface, she said, "I find it strange, too. It’s inevitable for women to make comparisons when they’re together. But for some reason, when we’re with her, we don’t think about any of that. Maybe it’s because she can see the real us."

Tan You finally finished running through the dance in her head. Snapping back to reality, she looked at the others. "What were you two talking about?"

Zhou Wenwen smiled. "We were just saying how beautiful it is here. I’d like to bring my daughter to see it one day."

"That would be lovely. How wonderful, to be able to travel with your child." Tan You squinted slightly. "I hope I can take my parents traveling one day, too."

She was talking about her biological parents. Although they had all sorts of flaws, Tan You didn’t truly resent them; it was more like she just grumbled about them. She knew they hadn’t had it easy. ’Since I can’t cut them out of my life completely, I guess I’ll just have to love them and complain about them at the same time. Humans are complicated, emotional creatures, after all.’

Their boat had set off first, with Xu Jike and Lin Meng’s following behind. Lin Meng noticed Xu Jike’s gaze was constantly fixed on Chi Mo, but she didn’t react.

’I’m not interested in Xu Jike, and he’s obviously got his sights set on Chi Mo. There’s no way I’m starting a conversation with him. I’ll just treat this like we’re strangers sharing a boat for a tour. With scenery this beautiful, who needs to look at some guy?’

As their boat rounded a bend in the river, Tan You suddenly smiled. "After we finish filming this episode, I’m planning to visit S City. How about I take your little girl to an amusement park while I’m there?"

Of course, Zhou Wenwen wouldn’t refuse. "That would be great! Gao Jing is in S City too, we can all get together. Come to think of it, out of everyone here, you’re the only one who lives in N City."

Tan You said, "It’s not far from S City, only a two-hour trip. My work schedule is pretty flexible, so if I miss you guys, I can just come visit. It’s really convenient."

Zhou Wenwen thought about it but didn’t press the issue. ’We’re all adults with our own responsibilities,’ she thought. ’It’s not so easy to just pick up and go wherever you please.’

’Being able to up and leave at a moment’s notice might seem carefree, but it’s precisely these attachments that make you feel like you’re truly living in this world.’

To put it bluntly, this show was a hybrid of a travel program and a dating show. The days were for sightseeing and fun, and it only took on the feel of a dating show during meals or the heart-to-heart chats at night.

It had been decided that Chi Mo would cook dinner that night. As soon as they returned to the guesthouse, Zhou Wenwen and Lin Meng joined her. Xu Jike wanted to help, but unfortunately, he was useless in the kitchen and would only get in the way. In the end, Zhou Wenwen tactfully persuaded him to leave.

Lin Meng slammed a knife down on the cutting board. "It’s a good thing you’re so patient."

’If Xu Jike hadn’t left then,’ Lin Meng thought, ’I don’t think I could’ve held back my temper.’

Zhou Wenwen chuckled. "No need to get angry, it’s not worth upsetting yourself over. We were talking this morning—after this shoot is over, Momo is going to S City. Should we all get together then?"

"Sure!" Lin Meng replied. "But I’ll probably only be free in the evenings, since I have to work during the day. A lot of work has piled up at the office since I took time off for the show. I’ll have to put in a lot of overtime when I get back."

Zhou Wenwen sighed. "Me too. I had to trade classes with my colleagues. Luckily, winter break isn’t far off. I’ll be completely free then."

"I envy you teachers," Tan You said. "I once dreamed of becoming a teacher myself."

She had wanted to be a math teacher like Teacher Shi. But later, Tan You realized she didn’t have much patience for others, and that dream eventually fizzled out.

"But you teach people how to dance now, don’t you?" Zhou Wenwen said. "That makes you a teacher, too."

"That’s true," Tan You said. "I teach classical dance to children part-time. When I hear the little girls call my name in their sweet, high-pitched voices, it just makes me so happy."