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Zhou Jingxing, in high spirits, went with Zhang Jin and Sun Qian to the reserved private room on the second floor. There, Zhang Yang, as the host and an old classmate of Shen and Zhao, warmly prepared a table of dishes to entertain them.
When Zhou Jingxing and his group entered, the three old classmates were sitting together chatting, and the atmosphere seemed quite warm. Upon seeing them enter, all three politely stood up to greet them.
Unlike his two classmates who had outstanding looks, Zhang Yang was an ordinary-looking fat boy with a very good personality and a smile on his face.
After exchanging pleasantries, the guests and hosts took their seats. Zhou Jingxing, quick-witted and agile, grabbed a seat to the left of Chen Zhou, completely unaware that Zhao Xin, standing beside him, frowned and glanced at him.
Zhang Yang smiled and raised his glass, "Welcome everyone! You must be good friends with Shen Zhou, right? I was so happy when Shen Zhou told me he was bringing some friends over. It's fate that we met here. Come on, let's have a drink!"
Zhou Jingxing didn't find the meal unpleasant, partly because of Chen Zhou, and partly because Zhang Yang was incredibly considerate and warm-hearted. He wasn't overly enthusiastic, making the group of new acquaintances feel awkward, nor was he so focused on catching up with old classmates that he neglected the others.
Zhang Yang also paid attention to the recent online developments. He couldn't help but ask Zhou Jingxing many questions about cultural relic restoration, and Zhou Jingxing answered them one by one.
"So, those restored porcelain pieces we see in the museum, were they all pieced together by you?"
"Yes, entirely manual."
Zhang Yang was amazed and asked curiously, "Some porcelain pieces are only left with a few fragments, yet you can still repair them into a complete item. How do you do that?"
"There are references during the restoration process. For those highly damaged fragments, we will refer to similar pieces from the same period, preferably from the same kiln, before starting the restoration."
Zhou Jingxing also cited a few items he had recently restored as examples to illustrate his point. "Look at this blue and white brush washer. Although only two pieces remain, there is a brush washer from the same period and kiln in the city museum in City A. So, I had a reference for the restoration and was able to work with a clear objective." As he spoke, he showed Zhang Yang a photo of that brush washer.
The others at the table listened with great interest, and Zhang Yang repeatedly praised the performance. Zhou Jingxing secretly glanced at Chen Zhou and was delighted to see that he was also listening attentively.
Today's performance was quite a credit to him.
Zhou Jingxing was very proud. He wanted Shen Zhou to want to be by his side at all times to show him off, so he was determined to be the kind of man among his peers who was handsome, had a hot body, and could change his temperament all the time. He had to be outstanding at work and also be able to control the situation. When accompanying him to meet his male friends, he had to be charming and have eyes only for him.
Zhou Jingxing looked at Chen Zhou, and when their eyes met, he immediately gave him a docile smile. Zhao Xin, who had been secretly observing him, noticed this change. Zhao Xin's face darkened, and he said quietly, "Aren't restored artifacts supposed to be kept secret? Jingxing, are you sure it's alright to show them to us like this?"
Zhao Xin smiled slightly at Zhou Jingxing, and Zhou Jingxing read the unspoken message in his eyes: What are you showing off for!
Zhou Jingxing lowered his eyes. "These cultural relics are not classified, and you are all friends I trust. Of course I believe you won't spread them." After saying that, he quickly looked up at Chen Zhou, his expression even showing a hint of grievance.
Brother, look at him.
Shen Zhou felt that Zhou Jingxing was like a little dog that had lost a fight outside and was now wagging its tail and begging for mercy from its owner.
If anyone else had shown such an expression, Chen Zhou would have completely ignored it, and might even have glared at them. However, when facing Zhou Jingxing, Chen Zhou softened.
Zhang Yang is quite shrewd; he immediately smiled and smoothed things over, "Of course not, we're all family here, hahaha." He then asked Zhao Xin, "I heard you had some neck and shoulder problems at the last gathering, are you feeling better now? I know a really good chiropractor, do you want me to recommend him to you?"
Zhao Xin smiled and said, "It's all better now. Chen Zhou took my cervical spondylosis more seriously than I did. He specially arranged for an old Chinese medicine doctor to come to my acupuncture sessions and accompanied me every time. By the way, Jing Xing, you guys who work at desks are prone to cervical spondylosis, right? Do you need me to recommend this Chinese medicine doctor to you?"
Looking at Zhao Xin's ambiguous, sarcastic expression, Zhou Jingxing cursed a thousand times in his heart. He smiled lightly and said, "No, I'm fine. I'm not weak for now. Ah, I mean, I don't need it."
Zhao Xin's expression immediately changed. Just as he was about to say something, Shen Zhou suddenly spoke up. He said to Zhou Jingxing, "I think you're just relying on your youth. How can you not have neck problems after being a 'smartphone addict' for so long? If you need it in the future, I can help you make an appointment with this doctor. It's good to be prepared."
Zhou Jingxing was overjoyed. He looked at Shenzhou eagerly, his tone affectionate, "Okay, I'll do whatever you say. Thank you for caring about me so much."
Shen Zhou smiled at him, his demeanor serene and upright. "You're welcome. It's only right for friends to help each other. I've recommended this TCM doctor to my other colleagues and friends, and they all say the treatment is quite effective."
Zhou Jingxing realized that he had given him a polite but firm rebuff.
Zhao Xin's expression softened slightly; it seemed that Zhou Jingxing was still the only one enthusiastic about it.
Shen Zhou then brought up the topic of traditional Chinese medicine treatments, and the others, who had been watching the commotion for a while, followed suit. The welcoming banquet finally came to a successful conclusion in a relatively harmonious atmosphere.
In the afternoon, the group arranged to go for a hot spring bath. It was the weekend, and Zhang Yang, as the hotel owner, was quite busy. He asked the group for leave and told them that he had specially reserved an outdoor pool for them to play in.
When Zhou Jingxing changed into his swimsuit and arrived at the pool, Sun Qian and Zhang Jin were already there. Sun Qian was extremely excited; she had long heard that the hot springs here were beautiful, but unfortunately, as a teacher, she was too busy to find the time to experience them.
She sank into the pool and sighed comfortably, "It's so much better to come out and play~ You guys have no idea how difficult high school students are these days! If they're dogs, high school students are beagles, full of energy and causing all sorts of trouble, always barking like crazy."
Zhang Jin sat down beside her, smiling as he looked at her. "If students are dogs, then what are you, the teacher? A zookeeper?"
Sun Qian complained bitterly, "I wish I were a zookeeper. Kids these days are more fragile than glass. I have to be careful with every word I say, afraid of saying the wrong thing."
At this moment, Chen Zhou walked over and asked Sun Qian with a smile, "Do you have a dog? I heard you talking about beagles. I have a client who owns a beagle, and I heard it's very destructive."
"No, but if I could, I'd like to have a cat, a chubby one, so comforting. Chenzhou, what kind of pet do you like?"
Zhou Jingxing listened intently, preparing to raise a pet according to Shen Zhou's preferences, hoping to use this opportunity to have more contact with him.
Chen Zhou smiled and said, "I'm used to living alone, so I haven't thought about getting a pet. But I see that my friend's dog is quite cute. However, dogs need companionship, and I don't have that much time to keep a dog right now."
"If you like it, go ahead and keep it. I'll walk it for you, and you just need to play with it occasionally, how about that?"
It was Zhao Xin. He walked over with a smile and looked at Chen Zhou. "What breed do you like? Something docile? How about I buy a Golden Retriever and we raise it together?"
Shen Zhou refused him without hesitation, "No need. I'm used to being alone and have never thought about getting a pet."
Zhou Jingxing quickly grasped the key phrase: "alone?" Had Shen Zhou never lived with Zhao Xin?
Zhao Xin chuckled awkwardly, "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."
Chen Zhou frowned, wanting to say something but ultimately said nothing.
At this moment, Sun Qian gave Zhou Jingxing a wink, and Zhou Jingxing immediately remembered that Sun Qian had given him a brief analysis before they came. Since Shen Zhou and Zhao Xin were currently arguing, this was the perfect opportunity for Zhou Jingxing!
Men are visual creatures, so Zhou Jingxing should make good use of his advantage—his good looks—to seduce Chen Zhou's heart.
Although Zhou Jingxing is an engineering student, he has never neglected to exercise. There is a provincial wetland park near the Provincial Museum, and Zhou Jingxing goes to the park to run 10 kilometers at least three days a week.
His long-term running habit has allowed him to maintain a good physique. Although he doesn't have the large muscles that come from deliberately building them in the gym, his muscles are firm and powerful, with smooth and natural lines.
In Sun Qian's plan, Zhou Jingxing would show off his physique to Shen Zhou, and it would be even better if he could find an opportunity to get close to him.
However, she specifically emphasized the importance of moderation and not being too lewd. Zhou Jingxing humbly inquired, "What level constitutes lewdness?"
After thinking for a while, Sun Qian replied, "It's hard to say exactly how much... Just do your best, and I'll remind you if you go too far."
Zhou Jing walked up to Chen Zhou, took off his bathrobe with a "cool" snap, tossed it aside, walked to the edge of the hot spring pool, and jumped in with a standard entry posture. He planned to swim out of the water with a beautiful stroke and show Chen Zhou his style as the Little White Dragon in the Waves.
The next second he crashed into a rock at the bottom of the pool.
it hurts!
Zhou Jingxing covered his aching nose and stood up abruptly; the hot spring water barely reached his upper thighs.
Huh? The hot spring pool is so shallow?
Sun Qian and Zhang Jin covered their faces, unable to bear looking at him any longer. This was too foolish! Who jumps into a hot spring pool?!
Shen Zhou was also stunned. It took him a long time to react before he hurriedly came over and anxiously asked Zhou Jingxing, "Are you alright? Did you get hurt?"
Zhou Jingxing was so embarrassed he wanted to die. His ears turned bright red, and he waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "It's okay, it's okay."
Shen Zhou was clearly uneasy. He turned Zhou Jingxing's face over to examine it closely, and under his gaze, Zhou Jingxing's face went from half-ripe to fully ripe.
"There's no bleeding, so the bones should be fine. Just be careful next time!" Shen Zhou said, releasing his face.
Seeing this, Zhao Xin almost ground his teeth to powder. He took a deep breath, took off his sunglasses, whistled at Chen Zhou with a smile, then took off his bathrobe, casually tossed his hair, and walked towards Chen Zhou.
"Chenzhou, I feel a bit tightness in my chest. I wonder if it's because it's too hot here. Can you take a look and see if my heart is beating too fast?" Zhao Xin said, taking Chenzhou's hand and placing it on his chest muscles, which he had worked hard to build at the gym. He also gave Chenzhou a loving smile. "Is it a little fast?"
If time could turn back, Sun Qian would film this scene and tell Zhou Jingxing; this level of behavior is what you call lewd.
Hmm.
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