"Sir, is this your first time flying?" The beautiful flight attendant's voice was sweet as she meticulously explained the details and necessary precautions to the pair.

Wang Guan listened closely, and the tension in his nerves indeed eased somewhat.

A short while later, the cabin passengers gradually filled up, most seats now occupied. At this time, a flight attendant stood at the front holding something resembling a small backpack.

"Good day, esteemed passengers, and welcome aboard the... flight," a voice announced over the in-cabin broadcast. "Next, please pay close attention as we demonstrate the wearing of your life vest..."

Wang Guan paid extra careful attention to every word of the explanation.

"Rumble... roar..."

Shortly after, the plane took off. Even with earplugs in, Wang Guan could feel the dreadful tremor and vibration as the fuselage scraped against the air, terrifying like thunder. Fortunately, this lasted only a short time. Once the aircraft reached cruising altitude, it leveled out, and barely any turbulence was felt.

"I told you it would be fine," Yu Feibai said calmly, clearly experienced. "If you're still worried, just close your eyes and rest for two hours; we’ll be in Shudu."

"Got it," Wang Guan nodded. Yu Feibai was the expert on this, so he would certainly listen to him.

Two hours—not too long, not too short. Wang Guan rested his eyes, and in his hazy state, he heard the flight attendant's sweet voice, signaling that the plane was about to land at Shudu Airport.

After circling briefly, another roar sounded, and the plane landed safely.

With the assistance of a host of beautiful flight attendants, Wang Guan and Yu Feibai successfully disembarked, collected their luggage, and stepped into the vast, luxurious Shudu Airport. Outside the terminal, buses, coaches, and taxis flowed like a river, creating a bustling scene.

His feet on solid ground, seeing the lively spectacle, and hearing the familiar yet unfamiliar local dialect (Chuanpu) gave Wang Guan a very distinct sensation.

"This is Shudu," Wang Guan looked all around, filled with curiosity.

Established as a market in one year, a town in two, and a capital in three. This was the ancient description of Shudu's founding. In China’s immense historical map, Shudu is the only city whose site and name have never changed since its establishment.

During the Western Han Dynasty, Shudu’s brocade industry was already highly developed, leading to the establishment of the Brocade Official (Jinguan), hence the city was also called Jinguan City, or Jin City.

In the Tang Dynasty, Shudu’s commerce flourished, rivaling Yangzhou, leading to the saying, "Yangzhou first, Yizhou (Shudu) second." Du Fu’s famous lines, "The window frames the eternal snow of the Western Hills; the door awaits the ships from the distant Eastern Sea," vividly depicted the prosperity of Shudu at that time as a critical town on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and a center for southwest economy and culture, swarming with merchants and traffic.

When the period of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms arrived, Meng Chang, the Emperor of Later Shu, favored the hibiscus flower and ordered the populace to plant hibiscus trees along the city walls. When the flowers bloomed, Shudu appeared as a forty-li stretch of embroidery, earning it the name Hibiscus City.

Naturally, other laudatory titles such as the Land of Abundance, Jiangnan of Shu, and Suzhou/Hangzhou of Shu were widely known praises.

Perhaps ancient prosperity did not signify much now. However, Shudu remaining the regional central city for all the southwestern provinces was proof enough of its enduring status and the fruits of its economic development.

"This is the outskirts of Shudu; it’s still a bit of a distance from the urban area," Yu Feibai remarked, casually hailing a taxi that immediately slowed to a stop before them.

"Let's get in," Yu Feibai smiled. "First, we'll head to Tianfu Square and find a hotel to settle in."

"You're the local; you handle the arrangements. I'm just tagging along for the free food and drink," Wang Guan laughed, slipping easily into the back seat of the cab.

"Don't worry, I’ll make sure you feel right at home," Yu Feibai chuckled, getting into the front passenger seat and giving the address.

The taxi driver nodded, stepped on the gas, and the car sped away in a flash.

Before long, the two got out in front of the Huangcheng Xiyu Hotel near Tianfu Square. It was past six in the evening, and the sky was already a dull, fading gray.

However, the entire city was ablaze with lights, illuminating the road as if it were daytime.

Having spent at least half the day traveling—by plane and by car—both men were somewhat tired and had lost the enthusiasm to sightsee Shudu's night view. They went straight into the Huangcheng Xiyu Hotel and booked a suite for their stay.

After settling in, Wang Guan dialed Gao Dequan’s mobile phone to report their situation.

"You've arrived? Settled in the hotel... good, that's excellent. Since you're there, make sure to enjoy yourselves. You can visit historical sites like Du Fu Thatched Cottage, Wuhou Shrine, Qingyang Palace, Wenshu Monastery, and others to soak in the cultural atmosphere."

Wang Guan figured Gao Dequan must have been there before, or he wouldn't have been so detailed in his suggestions.

Finally, Gao Dequan added, "By the way, being away from home comes with inconveniences. I have a few good friends in Shudu, all from the inner circle. I'll text you their numbers shortly. If you have time, you should visit them. I'll give them a heads-up so they can look after you."

"Thank you, Uncle De."

Wang Guan was genuinely pleased. Being in an unfamiliar place made one feel slightly uneasy; having someone to look out for them was certainly for the best.

"...Alright, that's it then. Bye." After a short chat, they ended the call. Wang Guan checked his phone bill—dozens of yuan gone just like that. Highway robbery.

After a hot shower in the suite and resting for an hour or two, Yu Feibai was fully energized again, cheerfully beckoning, "Wang Guan, come on, let's go try some authentic local delicacies and, while we’re at it, give our eyes a treat."

"A treat for the eyes? What do you mean?" Wang Guan asked, slightly confused.

"Tsk, stop pretending," Yu Feibai gave a smile that only men would understand. "You’ve seen plenty of soft girls in Ceramics City; now that we’re in Shu, of course, we're going to check out the spicy ones!"

"Let's go!" Wang Guan immediately stood up.

Youthful attraction was human nature; there was nothing to be ashamed of.

"Heh heh, that's more like it," Yu Feibai grinned broadly, his face full of anticipation. "The girls here—their delicate skin, their graceful figures, their gentle voices—a dazzling array, blossoming before your eyes, dizzying you, making your face flush and your heart race until your mouth involuntarily waters."

"Hey, hey, don't exaggerate. Watch your manners in public," Wang Guan whispered.

"What's there to be afraid of? Looking at beautiful women isn't illegal. If you don't look at them, they might even get annoyed with you," Yu Feibai replied smoothly. "Besides, I'm purely appreciating the beauty in the world; I don't have any base intentions."

"That’s easy to say, but you have to prove it," Wang Guan chuckled lightly. "Just make sure you don't actually drool, or I’ll pretend I don't know you."

"Am I that kind of person?" Yu Feibai scoffed.

.............................

Thanks to book friends "0313 Tianwang" and "Pang Liang" for their rewards. Also, readers, please stop rushing updates. I'm currently stuck on the plot, and even writing six thousand characters is a struggle, let alone nine thousand or twelve thousand.

Finally, please add this to your collections and recommend it. Your support is much appreciated. C