Jiang Beicheng wasn't particularly interested in churches, starry skies... or those travel elements, but Li Xingying liked them, and she even wanted to shoot video footage, so Jiang Beicheng would still drive her there.
He couldn't just say that because someone had kept him company at night and made him happy, he could pull up his pants during the day and pretend nothing happened, ignoring her. Jiang Beicheng wasn't the type to freeload like that.
On the way to the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo, they passed by another stunning lake on New Zealand's South Island: Lake Pukaki.
It was just around dinnertime in the late afternoon, so Jiang Beicheng pulled the car over.
Lake Pukaki is most famous not for its turquoise waters, but for the breathtaking fields of lupins along the road and the freshwater-farmed salmon.
Lupins bloom around November, so it wasn't the season for flower viewing right now.
Jiang Beicheng walked into a restaurant by the lake, rented a set of lure fishing rods for 10 New Zealand dollars, and went to fish for salmon. Tonight, they'd dine at the most beautiful restaurant by the lake.
He found a good spot and cast two lines.
Luck was on his side—the second cast hooked a one-and-a-half-pound salmon.
There was an additional fee for the caught salmon: 35 New Zealand dollars per kilogram, which was equivalent to eighty or ninety RMB per jin (0,5 kg), and processing came with extra charges.
Everyone knew that labor in Australia and New Zealand was the most expensive in the world.
"You're really good at fishing too, Mr. Jiang?" Li Xingying sat nearby, admiring Jiang Beicheng's form as she said.
"In those two years in the UK, I often went fishing in Norway with friends," Jiang Beicheng replied while casting. "In the Arctic region, the salmon in the sea are easier to catch than freshwater ones.
The fish are like idiots—they bite at anything.
You could do it if you went."
Jiang Beicheng was telling the truth. Norway is a fisherman's paradise, with its superior geography and ocean currents bringing in plenty of bait, attracting schools of fish.
Fishing in the northern fjords is really like picking up fish—even a complete beginner could reel in a big cod.
Every time Li Xingying heard Jiang Beicheng talk about his past life or the world outside, she felt both envious and yearning. "Mr. Jiang, have you seen the Northern Lights in Norway?"
"I see them every time I go fishing there."
As they were chatting, another salmon bit.
Jiang Beicheng played it out, tiring the fish, while Li Xingying grabbed the net from the ground to help.
"Over two jin (1kg)," Jiang Beicheng estimated. "Almost four jin (2kg) in total—the two of us should have enough to eat."
"I can't eat that much," Li Xingying said as she walked with Jiang Beicheng back to the restaurant. "Mr. Jiang, next time you go fishing in Norway, can you take me with you?"
"You're my travel buddy—I have to take you," Jiang Beicheng laughed, handing the two fish to the server and instructing, "Smoke the bigger one, sashimi for the smaller."
"OK, sir, please wait a moment." The server took the fish to the kitchen for the chef to prepare.
Jiang Beicheng paid thirty New Zealand dollars for processing. The sashimi and smoked preparations were handled by two different chefs, so the fees varied.
That came to about one hundred forty or fifty RMB.
The food was on the table in just over ten minutes. No wonder their labor costs were so high.
"Wow~ It's much more delicate than the salmon I've had before," Li Xingying said, tasting it.
"The land is vast with few people, the environment is good, the water quality is excellent, so the quality of what's farmed is top-notch," Jiang Beicheng explained.
"This smoked one is delicious too."
When they encounter good food, girls can't control their appetites.
"Enough? Or should I go cast a couple more lines?" Jiang Beicheng teased.
"Hahaha, Mr. Jiang, don't make fun of me."
Li Xingying lightly patted her own face. "Slap in the face—I just said I couldn't eat much."
"Actually, in front of me, you can be a bit more genuine," Jiang Beicheng said straightforwardly.
"Mm-hmm, I get it, Mr. Jiang."
Li Xingying nodded. She understood what he meant.
Everyone wears a mask in social interactions—even couples put on some pretense. Only after marriage do people show their true selves.
She was still putting on a little act in front of Jiang Beicheng, trying to make herself seem better, more attractive, to leave a deeper impression on him.
That mindset wasn't wrong, but Mr. Jiang seemed to prefer something more real, so she might as well drop the mask entirely.
After all, Mr. Jiang wouldn't nitpick or argue over the little things in life with her.
When two people are together, as long as they're both happy and share the same goals, that's what matters.
After dinner, Jiang Beicheng glanced at the time. "Heading over now should be perfect for stargazing with you."
"Mm-hmm." Li Xingying got in the car and continued the self-drive with Jiang Beicheng.
Around 8:30 PM, they arrived at the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo.
A fairy-tale world in a girl's heart.
There were a ton of tourists there to see the stars.
"Brother Jiang, Sister Li." As soon as they got out of the car, a lively figure popped out from the crowd of tourists. Wu Keqing ran over with a smile. "Why'd you guys take so long to get here? I've already finished taking photos.
Brother Jiang, I sent you WeChat messages—you didn't reply."
Jiang Beicheng pulled out his phone and checked—sure enough, there were several messages.
"I don't really look at my phone when I'm driving."
"Brother Jiang really is pursuing the freedom of the soul, unlike us—we're tied down by trivial matters every day, can't put the phone down," Wu Keqing flattered.
This girl had a pretty sharp tongue.
In the workplace, at least she wouldn't have to worry about being isolated by colleagues or suppressed by bosses.
"I'll set up the tent and canopy—you go take photos," Jiang Beicheng said to Li Xingying.
"Brother Jiang, let me help you. I've already taken my photos, and the bus probably won't leave for a while," Wu Keqing offered eagerly.
After setting up the tent and canopy, Jiang Beicheng brought out a portable stove and a moka pot. "Coffee?"
"Sure." The young girl's straightforward personality showed—no hesitation, no pretense.
Jiang Beicheng actually liked her personality.
"Brother Jiang, have you booked your flight back? Want to travel together?" Wu Keqing asked, holding her coffee cup.
"I've arranged a private jet—it'll pick us up on the way back," Jiang Beicheng said honestly.
"A private jet? Direct flight?"
Jiang Beicheng nodded. "Direct."
Wu Keqing pouted. "That's way too comfy.
I have to fly from Queenstown to Auckland, then from Auckland to Guangzhou, and then from Guangzhou back to Jiangnan City.
Oh man~
So tiring and such a hassle."
She stared at Jiang Beicheng with obvious envy.
From yesterday's interactions, Wu Keqing had already guessed that Brother Jiang was wealthy.
Compared to that, wage earners like her could only envy.
But suddenly, an idea struck her like a lightbulb. "Brother Jiang, hehe.
Could I hitch a ride on your plane?
I won't freeload.
From Queenstown back to Jiangnan City, a ticket would cost six or seven thousand. I'll give you the six or seven thousand, and you just save me a seat on the private jet."
Jiang Beicheng nearly choked on his coffee. This girl really knew how to calculate.
Her mind was sharp.
"I thought you were going to say we'd split the charter cost," Jiang Beicheng said, amused by her clever head.
Wu Keqing looked troubled. "Even if I sold myself, I couldn't afford to split it."
Jiang Beicheng shook his head with a laugh. "You're undervaluing yourself too much."
"Hehehe!" Wu Keqing probed again. "How about adding a meal? You pick whatever to eat?"
This fellow townsman was too amusing.
She'd brought him a lot of fun these past couple of days.
Mainly, she was polite too—calling him "Brother Jiang" in such an endearing way that it was pleasant to hear.
"Forget the ticket money. Just treat me to a meal when we're back in Jiangnan," Jiang Beicheng said.
Wu Keqing lit up instantly. "Hahaha, thanks Brother Jiang—you're the best."
She quickly grabbed the bean grinder from the table to grind beans for Jiang Beicheng. "Brother Jiang, you rest. I'll do it—I have more strength."