Chapter Twelve: Checking Into the Hotel

The pleasant conversation made time fly by, and soon the announcement for the train’s arrival sounded. Upon hearing it, Chen Zhe and Wu Xiarong, who had been chatting happily, both stood up. They exchanged a glance and smiled at each other. After waving their goodbyes, each took their luggage and left the train.

Once they got into a taxi heading to the hotel, Chen Yuqi, who had been holding back her curiosity for the entire journey, finally couldn’t help herself. She nudged Chen Zhe with her elbow, her face alight with a mischievous smile. “You rascal, when did you become so capable? You managed to hit it off with a Korean girl so quickly! How come I never knew you had such skills?”

“Big sis, what nonsense are you talking about? Xiarong and I aren’t like that at all!” Chen Zhe’s previously excited expression crumbled instantly at his sister’s bizarre question. He stared at her with an exasperated, deadpan look.

“Don’t even try to deny it. I saw you two whispering to each other with my own eyes,” Chen Yuqi retorted. Feeling her dignity as an elder sister threatened by Chen Zhe’s incredulous look, she reached out and pinched his ear with a firm grip.

“Ouch, ouch, ouch! Sis, I was wrong, let go!” Once again subjected to his sister’s violent ear-pulling, Chen Zhe surrendered immediately, admitting fault without hesitation. He figured that regardless of who was right or wrong, the best strategy was to admit defeat and escape her clutches as quickly as possible.

“See? I even have proof! Don’t tell me you weren’t whispering!” She released his ear, then pulled out her phone to show him a photo. In the image, Chen Zhe and Wu Xiarong were clearly seen leaning close, engaged in a private conversation.

“You took a sneak photo of us!” The moment he saw the picture, Chen Zhe lunged for her phone, but Chen Yuqi was faster and pulled it out of reach.

“If you don’t explain your relationship with that girl, I’ll send the photo to mom and dad! And do you think I don’t have backups?” She shook her phone, smiling slyly as she fixed her gaze on her brother.

“You win! I’ll talk. We’re just friends who only met today!” Seeing that his sister had played the ultimate trump card—threatening to tell their parents—Chen Zhe surrendered with a sigh, raising his hands in defeat, and briefly explained how he’d met Xiarong.

“So, did you get her number?” As soon as Chen Yuqi heard the full story, her eyes sparkled with curiosity and the flame of gossip was instantly ignited.

“Yes, she gave me her personal number.” Though reluctant to admit it, Chen Zhe couldn’t withstand his sister’s intense, eager gaze, and finally confessed.

“Very good. That girl—her name is Wu Xiarong, and she’s an entertainer, right?” After calculating silently, Chen Yuqi confirmed the details with Chen Zhe.

“That’s right, Xiarong is indeed an entertainer. Why do you ask?” Chen Zhe looked at his sister in confusion, not sure what she was getting at.

“Oh, nothing. I’ll just ask your sister Sooyoung about her later.” Once she had confirmed Wu Xiarong’s name and profession, Chen Yuqi lost interest in her brother and started pondering, stroking her smooth chin as if she’d found a new toy.

“What! You’re going to ask Sooyoung about her too?” It took Chen Zhe a moment to process his sister’s words, and his exasperation grew, his voice rising in protest.

“By the way, once we’re at the hotel, I’ll help you get a SIM card so you can keep in touch with Wu Xiarong. It’s a pity, though—Sooyoung and I had already found a suitable girl for you.” Chen Yuqi ignored his complaints and diverted his attention with the mention of a SIM card, then casually dropped a bombshell.

“You two found someone for me? Who is it?” The SIM card was a minor detail, but the prospect of a match made his head spin, and he was completely distracted.

“That’s a secret. I’ll decide whether to set up a meeting after discussing it with Sooyoung.” She gave him a look of amused pity, deciding not to reveal the candidate’s identity just yet. Keeping him in suspense was half the fun.

“Hmph, if you won’t tell me, I’ll go ask Sooyoung myself.” Realizing his sister was toying with him, Chen Zhe decided to focus on Sooyoung, determined to find out from her.

“Sooyoung? Hah, if you can get anything out of her, I’ll admit defeat.” Chen Yuqi scoffed to herself at her brother’s naïveté. If he thought he could get the information from Choi Sooyoung, he was being hopelessly optimistic—her penchant for mischief rivaled her own.

———Inside the taxi———

Before long, the taxi carrying the siblings arrived at the Grand Hyatt Seoul. After unloading their luggage, they went to the front desk to check in and arranged to get a Korean SIM card for Chen Zhe.

“Excuse me, do you offer SIM card services here?” After checking in, Chen Yuqi, recalling that she hadn’t seen any vending machines for SIM cards at the entrance, asked the receptionist directly.

“Yes, ma’am. The executive suite service you booked includes a complimentary SIM card replacement. Would you like to use this service?” The receptionist smiled warmly, bowing slightly to the siblings as she explained that the SIM card service was already included in their booking.

“Yes, please. I’d like one for my brother,” Chen Yuqi replied without hesitation, stepping aside to let Chen Zhe stand forward.

“You must be Mr. Chen Zhe?” The receptionist glanced at him and asked as part of the standard registration procedure.

“Yes, that’s me.” Although he found such formalities a bit tedious, Chen Zhe understood it was necessary and cooperated fully.

“All done, Mr. Chen Zhe. Here is your SIM card—please keep it safe.” After a few more questions, the receptionist handed him the newly registered SIM card.

“Kamsahamnida!” Chen Zhe accepted the card and thanked her politely.

“All right, let’s go, you rascal!” Now that her brother had his SIM card, Chen Yuqi, her feet aching from standing, waved to him impatiently, eager to get to their room and rest.