Ch 72: The World’s Number One Resort

“Your eye injury isn’t serious. Just rest for a couple of days,” Xie Yunshu suggested, pouring a glass of water for Wang Wenhua. The bruise around his eye looked severe but was actually just some minor swelling.

“It’s not about how bad the injury is. Am I just supposed to take a hit for nothing?” Wang Wenhua replied, his voice slightly gloomy as he took the glass. The injury wasn’t too bad, but it was certainly embarrassing.

After speaking, Wang Wenhua glanced at Zhou Yuanyuan and Zhuang Yingying, who were staring at the ground, seemingly deep in thought. Wang Wenhua felt a twinge of irritation.

“Was it you who hit him?” Xie Yunshu returned to his seat and looked at Zhou Yuanyuan. The Blue Sea Management Office wasn’t a government or judicial body, but as an official institution, the Great Tang Resort aimed to mediate guest disputes fairly.

“I hit him,” Zhou Yuanyuan admitted, lifting her head slightly. She wasn’t sure why she had punched him, but at that moment, it was her instinctive reaction.

“Mr. Wang, Ms. Zhou, how would you like to resolve this?” Xie Yunshu didn’t ask for the reason behind the altercation; instead, he directly sought a solution.

Zhou Yuanyuan turned to Wang Wenhua.

“Why are you looking at me? Do you think staring will make me drop the matter?” Wang Wenhua grumbled, his right eye still aching.

“It was wrong of me to hit you, but… I apologize, Mr. Wang. We’ll cover the medical expenses, but it will have to wait until the 10th of next month at the earliest,” Zhou Yuanyuan replied, trying to justify her actions. But at this point, she just wanted to move on from the incident quickly.

She glanced at Xie Yunshu. He still looked as composed as before, his long hair tied up high, adding a touch of elegance to his demeanor. Zhou Yuanyuan felt a bit humiliated; she hadn’t wanted to meet him under such circumstances.

“Medical expenses? Do you think I need your compensation?” Wang Wenhua scoffed.

“Mr. Wang, then how would you like to resolve this?” Zhou Yuanyuan took a deep breath and repeated the question Xie Yunshu had just asked.

“Resolve it? Simple. Pick up every bill on the floor,” Wang Wenhua demanded. He had been a businessman for years and knew exactly how to press someone’s weak spot.

Zhou Yuanyuan’s face turned pale. Her pride had already taken a severe hit.

“Brother Wang, Yuanyuan didn’t mean it…” Zhuang Yingying finally snapped out of her daze. She hadn’t expected that a momentary lapse in judgment would lead to this outcome.

“Hmph.” Wang Wenhua took a couple of sips of water. After what had happened, he no longer had any romantic interest.

Wang Wenhua’s words hung in the air, creating an awkward silence.

“Mr. Wang, Ms. Zhou, you’re here to have a good time. How about this: the Great Tang Resort will gift each of you a ticket to the [Fruit Kingdom] for fruit picking. Let’s put this matter to rest. How does that sound?” Xie Yunshu glanced at both of them before making his suggestion.

[Fruit Kingdom] was a primary scenic area that, in addition to cooperating with foreign trade, also served as a public attraction for visitors.

Tang Huai and Xie Yunshu had discussed turning [Fruit Kingdom] into a self-service fruit-picking zone. The ticket price would be 300 USD per hour, allowing guests to pick and eat as much fruit as they wanted within the Fruit Kingdom area, with strict rules against any form of waste.

After much consideration, Tang Huai had planned to officially open [Fruit Kingdom] the next day, coinciding with the grand opening of the thrilling racing area. It would be a double celebration for good fortune.

The conflict between Wang Wenhua and Zhou Yuanyuan was unrelated to the Great Tang Resort. However, since they were part of the first batch of tourists under the resort’s collaboration with Chinese travel agencies, Xie Yunshu, as an intelligent AI, decided to handle the matter lightly and amicably, following the Chinese tradition of seeking auspicious resolutions.

Of course, this would only apply to the first group of guests.

As the resort’s deputy manager, Xie Yunshu had the authority to grant up to ten complimentary passes each month.

“Manager Xie, this matter has nothing to do with the resort,” Wang Wenhua replied, taken aback. He had never heard of a fruit-picking ticket, but based on the resort’s other prices, it was likely worth at least a hundred dollars.

The dispute between him and Zhou Yuanyuan wasn’t about money, but Xie Yunshu’s proposal made it hard for him to continue arguing.

“Hmph, let’s consider this matter settled for now,” Wang Wenhua said with a somewhat conflicted expression before turning to Zhou Yuanyuan.

“Boss Wang, the hard-boiled eggs are back,” called one of his assistants as they approached.

“Let’s go back inside…” Wang Wenhua grumbled.

At that moment, Wang Wenhua’s two assistants returned. He placed a white egg on his eye and spoke as he walked. His right eye was covered with a large bruise, and he would have to wear sunglasses for the foreseeable future.

He couldn’t help but feel frustrated; he had really made a fuss for nothing.

With the help of his assistants, Wang Wenhua left, ignoring the fruit-picking ticket offered by the Great Tang Resort.

“Manager Xie, thank you…” After Wang Wenhua departed, the Blue Sea Management Office suddenly fell silent. Zhou Yuanyuan, holding onto Zhuang Yingying, approached Xie Yunshu and hesitantly began to speak.

She looked rather disheveled and wasn’t sure what to say.

“Tomorrow, the [Fruit Kingdom] officially opens. This is a paper commemorative ticket.” Xie Yunshu handed the ticket on the table to the two of them.

Zhou Yuanyuan glanced at it—[Fruit Kingdom] was priced at 300 USD per person.

“Thank you, but no,” Zhou Yuanyuan quickly intervened.

Zhuang Yingying had just reached out to accept the ticket when Zhou Yuanyuan snatched it up and slammed it back on the table.

Pulling Zhuang Yingying with her, Zhou Yuanyuan quickly left. Staying there any longer would only further erode what little dignity she had left.

Xie Yunshu looked at the tickets on the table, slightly puzzled. Wang Wenhua and Zhou Yuanyuan were just a small episode on Sora Island. He put the two tickets away, not thinking much of it.

The Blue Sea Management Office was now empty. Xie Yunshu resumed drafting the development plan for the Great Tang Resort.

As an intelligent AI, Xie Yunshu’s primary function was to assist in Sora Island’s development. His parameters would be upgraded as the island evolved. When Sora Island eventually became the world’s top resort destination, Xie Yunshu could upgrade to an advanced AI, or even beyond.

Xie Yunshu’s goal was the same as Tang Huai’s.

…

“Yuanyuan, I just…”

“It’s over. I’m a bit tired; I’m going to sleep.”

While Xie Yunshu was working on the resort’s development plan, Zhou Yuanyuan and Zhuang Yingying trudged back to the Blue Sea Treehouse. As they arrived, Zhuang Yingying was ready to apologize, but Zhou Yuanyuan simply collapsed onto the bed.

She didn’t want to talk or think about anything.

The words that Zhuang Yingying had been about to say were swallowed back, and a heavy silence filled the treehouse.

For the next two days, Zhou Yuanyuan and Zhuang Yingying stayed inside the treehouse, not stepping out, while other resort guests, after experiencing the thrilling racing event, went to explore the [Fruit Kingdom].

“Isn’t this the same as what the Delicious Restaurant serves?”

“Oh my gosh, it’s Sora pineapples! And we can just eat them freely?”

“Do we just swipe our cards to get in? I can’t wait…”

The tourists got off Bus Route 9, feeling an immense sense of joy as they laid eyes on the [Fruit Kingdom]. At the very front, there was a three-meter-tall wooden sign that read “Fruit Kingdom.”

The group was situated on higher ground, looking down. The entire [Fruit Kingdom] was divided into neat sections: the apple area, the banana area, the pineapple area, the lemon area… Each section was arranged as if measured with a ruler, perfectly orderly.

It was astonishing how these plants grew so precisely within their assigned zones.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! Today marks the official opening of the [Fruit Kingdom]. The fee is 300 USD per hour. You’ll find a detailed introduction to the [Fruit Kingdom] beside you. As a token of appreciation, you can collect a commemorative version of the ticket when you make your purchase,” Tang Huai announced as he approached the tourists snapping photos of the scene.

“Three hundred dollars per hour, and no waste or discarding is allowed…” After Tang Huai finished speaking, the crowd walked over to the notice board. Following yesterday’s mishap at the thrilling race event, they now understood that Sora Island’s notice boards were not just for show.

“Manager Tang, is this the same fruit from the Delicious Restaurant?” After reading through the board, some people eagerly asked.

The food at the Delicious Restaurant was delectable and exquisite, and they had dined there multiple times during their stay. After enjoying the delicious dishes, they had praised them without reservation. Moreover, they had unlocked the achievement of receiving “Aunt Miley’s fruit gifts.”

Aunt Miley’s fruit gifts were mostly apples and grapes. The guests had sampled them casually, but to their surprise, every piece of fruit was fresh and delicious, far surpassing the imported fruits they had tasted back home.

However, Aunt Miley’s complimentary fruits were scarce, leaving them wanting more. Their hearts felt like they were being scratched by a cat—restless and eager!

Some visitors even went back to order more food from the restaurant, all in hopes of receiving more of Aunt Miley’s fruit. It was the ultimate case of buying the box for the pearl inside.

The fruits at the Delicious Restaurant had left a lasting impression, and they had assumed they were imported. But now, standing in front of the Fruit Kingdom, they had a delightful suspicion…

The crowd looked at Tang Huai with burning anticipation.

“Yes, these are the specialties of Sora Island, Sora fruits,” Tang Huai confirmed with a smile, glancing around.

“Really? Ahhh!”

“Three hundred dollars an hour? That’s a steal!”

“Manager Tang, can we go in now?”

Upon receiving Tang Huai’s confirmation, the crowd erupted in excitement. If someone had told them a week ago that they’d pay 1,800 yuan for an all-you-can-eat fruit experience, they would have thought it was madness.

But after the gaming experiences and dining at the Delicious Restaurant over the past few days, three hundred dollars… seemed like an absolute bargain.

The group reviewed the Fruit Kingdom’s notice board once more and, full of enthusiasm, headed to the payment area.

The Fruit Kingdom, here they come!

Sweet and delicious kiwis, juicy and crunchy pears, purple grapes the size of longans… In the next hour, the visitors felt like they had entered a fruit paradise.

The fruits in the Fruit Kingdom were all organic and pollution-free. However, to accommodate guests who were more particular, Tang Huai had placed three automatic washing taps in each fruit area. Additionally, there were several system-managed trash bins and Sora’s cleaning staff.

The air in the Fruit Kingdom was fresh, and the environment was spotless. The guests’ Sora cards had time reminders, and even if they exceeded their time, the system would deduct fees based on the extra duration.

These measures ensured that both the resort’s and the visitors’ interests were protected.

The group had a total of seven days for their trip, and while the Snow Village and Bianjing Ancient City had captivated them, it was the thrilling race and Fruit Kingdom that provided the biggest surprises. Seven days just weren’t enough!

On the morning of the seventh day, the Great Tang No. 1 ship stood docked at Sora Port like a sentry. Thanks to recent developments, Alang’s experience had reached 31,200 points, still 70,000 short of the intermediate level.

Alang greeted and sent off guests with utmost care.

“Manager Tang, if Great Tang Resort develops new areas, be sure to update Douyin!”

“Aunt Miley’s grilled fish was so delicious, I’ll really miss it…”

…

At this moment, the tourists were dragging their suitcases and lining up to board the ship. Tang Huai came over to say goodbye. Upon seeing him, everyone expressed their reluctance to leave. Although the prices at the Great Tang Resort were high, the activities were worth every penny, making it a perfect travel experience.

“See you again,” Tang Huai chatted with the group for a while, waving them off.

“Toot, toot—”

“See you again!”

The whistle of the Great Tang No. 1 echoed as the tourists waved goodbye. Tang Huai watched them until ten minutes later, when the Great Tang No. 1 sailed out of sight of Sora Island.

With the tourists gone, the island was left with only a scattered few—seven or eight visitors. Compared to its previous bustle, the island suddenly felt quiet.

Tang Huai returned to the Island Master’s courtyard to start preparing for the Sora fruit business.

…

While Tang Huai was planning Sora Island’s business, in the economy class of the Great Tang No. 1, Zhou Yuanyuan put down her suitcase. Zhuang Yingying sat across from her. For the past two days, they had both avoided discussing what had happened.

“Ninety-three thousand yuan… This time, we made a good profit. The live stream audience should stabilize at about thirty thousand in the future…” Zhou Yuanyuan took out her phone, breaking the slightly awkward silence between them.

“Jie.”

As Zhou Yuanyuan was analyzing their live streaming prospects, Zhuang Yingying bit her lip and suddenly interrupted.

“What is it?” Zhou Yuanyuan was taken aback.

“Jie I want to leave our partnership and start my own live stream… Two separate streams might be better than one,” Zhuang Yingying said directly. She felt her words were a bit cold, so she added a follow-up.

“Alright, we’ll split the profits when we get back,” Zhou Yuanyuan replied absentmindedly. Half a minute later, while Zhuang Yingying was still explaining, Zhou Yuanyuan had already lost the interest to listen.

Their relationship had soured.

☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️