Grab The Heroine and Run Away Ch. 78.1
The massive luxury cruise ship resembled a whale, gliding silently into the deep night.
On the extremely spacious deck, over a dozen girls chattered excitedly.
“Are we going now?”
“I, I didn’t bring anything!”
“I’ve never been abroad before, aah!”
“Are we really going to the Blue Nation? For real?”
Laurel nervously tugged at her sleeve. “This is so sudden.”
Xu Heran noticed that Xin Nuo suddenly furrowed her brows. Then, she turned her head and looked in the direction she had come from. Subconsciously, Xu Heran followed her gaze. The park at night was adorned with lights, and further in the distance, the city’s bustling streets formed a tableau against the dark blue backdrop. It was like a frozen scene, deeply imprinted in the eyes of those who admired the view.
She didn’t know what Xin Nuo was thinking, but her own gaze was inevitably drawn back from the beautiful night, landing on the silhouette of the girl. She was even more beautiful than the night, a scenery that intoxicated Xu Heran.
“Don’t worry, everyone. Your managers and assistants have already packed your luggage this morning, including your passports, which are all safely placed in your rooms. From now on, please enjoy this vacation to the fullest!” Director Liu raised his hand.
“Let’s have hotpot!”
“Oh, right,” Director Liu added suddenly. “Please have the four teams sit separately. We’ll provide food using the ingredients you all obtained upon reaching the final destination.”
Jiang Qiong took a deep breath. “Since we’re having a meal, what about the rule that ingredients can’t be repeated?”
Director Liu smiled faintly. “Of course we’ll use it. Otherwise, it wouldn’t do justice to everyone’s hard work throughout the day, right?”
Everyone: “…”
Knew it would be like this! You dog director!!
Xu Heran and Xin Nuo sat at a separate table. They had a butter pot and a bone broth pot, with fifteen types of ingredients. This left the teams with only a single pot or even just plain water envious.
“Why do we only have cilantro and garlic! And why is there spring onion? Why is spring onion even considered an ingredient? I refuse!” Sun Lingxi shouted, “Give me some meat to soothe the taste buds!”
“Please, just once—”
The girls shouted.
The cameras faithfully recorded their wretched state, and the onlooking crew members watched them with gleeful smiles.
“I don’t care, since we’re already here.” Jiang Xiaoqiong, full of courage, stood up and charged toward the victorious team’s table in the middle, grabbed a plate of beef, and made a run for it.
“Bark, bark!” Xu Heran was furious.
The remaining teams exchanged glances and then stood up one by one.
A new round of battle began anew, and the deck echoed with laughter and playfulness. As the sound of the ferry faded, it drifted farther away…
After the recording ended, the crew began to pack up. Xu Heran dashed toward Xu Shan, embracing the old man’s arm.
“Grandpa, did you come to celebrate my birthday?”
Xu Shan smiled warmly. “Turning eighteen, you should celebrate your birthday well.”
Xu Heran chuckled. “And what about Xu Junran?”
“Your mother went to catch him.”
That makes sense.
Xu Heran nodded, then turned back and waved at Xin Nuo, who sat at the table. After seeing Xu Shan back to his room, she returned to the deck.
The cruise ship was quite spacious; it was a birthday gift Xu Heran’s grandfather had given to her grandmother one year. The two of them intended to travel around the world on it when they were in the mood. For the most part, it remained unused, but now it was being operated according to the designated route to accommodate passengers.
When Xu Heran returned, only a few people were left on the deck. Besides Xin Nuo sitting there, gazing softly at the distant sea, the other girls excitedly rushed to the railing, capturing photos of the moment.
Xin Nuo had followed her throughout the day. Her hair, which had been hastily tied up since the early morning, was now let loose, swaying with the sea breeze. Her beautiful profile seemed blurred in the night, nearly melting into the darkness.
Xu Heran didn’t quite know what she was thinking either. She walked over and suddenly covered Xin Nuo’s eyes.
“I guess someone’s thinking about me?” Xu Heran said with a smile.
Xin Nuo curled her lips and held onto her fingers. “Tired? Want to go back and rest?”
Xu Heran took her hand and suggested she might even carry her back.
“Don’t be silly, so many people are watching,” Xin Nuo whispered and gave Xu Heran’s back a gentle push.
“What, does that matter?”
Xin Nuo declined the offer to be carried. Xu Heran held her hand instead, and the two of them walked leisurely, taking a stroll.
“Just now, Sister Cui had a chat with me,” Xin Nuo began.
Xu Heran was taken aback. “Sister Cui is here too?”
Xin Nuo nodded. “Not only Sister Cui, but most of the company’s employees are here. Sister Cui said that this trip to Blue Nation is a company perk.”
“No wonder, even with our three groups combined, we wouldn’t need such a large cruise ship,” Xu Heran said with a smile.
This cruise ship could accommodate nearly ten thousand people, and getting a ticket during the travel season was a challenge.
Inside the cruise ship was opulent and resplendent, akin to a mobile castle on the sea.
Exiting the elevator, Xin Nuo was greeted by a huge crystal chandelier hanging down. She sighed suddenly, causing Xu Heran to pause.
“What’s wrong?” Xu Heran turned her head and lifted her hand, wanting to pinch Xin Nuo’s chin. “Look at me.”
“Don’t want to,” Xin Nuo purposely lowered her head.
“Tell me, what’s bothering you? Did you not eat enough?” Xu Heran’s tone grew gentler. “Are you unhappy even after winning the game?”
Xin Nuo remained silent. It wasn’t until they reached their room that the girl with black hair suddenly looked up and gazed at Xu Heran.
Her delicate brows furrowed, a trace of displeasure flashed through her pitch-black eyes.
“It was too sudden. The gift I ordered for you hasn’t arrived yet.”
Xu Heran’s eyes slowly widened. “Is it because of this that you’re unhappy?”
The girl who was looking at her raised an eyebrow and locked her eyes onto Xu Heran’s gaze.
“Just about this matter?”
Xu Heran: “…”
“Not… not that meaning. For the gift, whatever you give me, I’ll like it!” Xu Heran quickly explained, “Being able to go with you to the place where I grew up since childhood, that’s the best gift for me!”
Xin Nuo: “Hmph!”
The more she explained, the unhappier Xin Nuo became. She even hugged her arms in front of Xu Heran and leaned against the door.
“Being with you to Blue Nation, it’s not just me.” Xin Nuo’s tone was faint. “I’m representing the rest of the six from SGS. Happy early birthday.”
Xu Heran: “…”
“Do you want me to represent FYU too and wish you with Sugar Fruit?”
Xu Heran licked her lips, looking at Xin Nuo’s increasingly displeased expression. She calmly said, “But you’re different from the others.”
Xin Nuo was taken aback.
“Even if everyone in the world is on this ship right now, none of them are you. No one is you, no one can replace you. Only you can give me a different feeling, you know that, right?”
Xu Heran’s arm leaned against the door frame, and she lowered her head to speak softly. “Hmm, Nuo Nuo?”
The black-haired girl’s eyelashes trembled slightly as she looked away. Her gaze landed on Xu Heran’s chest. They were still wearing the clothes provided by the production team, clean and neat in color, with cute symbols embroidered on the front.
On Xu Heran’s clothing, there was a white pearl with a blue-purple eye embroidered on it, smiling at Xin Nuo.
“…” Xin Nuo’s ears turned slightly red. She let go of her arms and stood up.
Xu Heran straightened up as well.
“Don’t be unhappy, want to sleep together tonight?”
“No.” Xin Nuo responded without thinking, “I want to rest early today, you’re not allowed to come find me.”
Xu Heran shrugged in disappointment. “Alright then.”
“How about I wake you up early tomorrow to watch the sunrise?”
Xin Nuo shot her a stern look. “No!”
Watching the sunrise meant having to wake up very early.
Xu Heran smiled and suddenly raised her hand, cupping Xin Nuo’s cheeks. “Okay, sleep well. I’ll bring breakfast for you. Goodnight.”
The girl with blue-purple eyes lowered her head, and her nose brushed against Xin Nuo’s. Their gazes met.
In her jet-black eyes, a hint of mist slowly rose, obscuring the bright light. When Xu Heran let go of her hand, Xin Nuo trembled as she opened the door, calmly said goodbye to Xu Heran, and closed the door.
“Creak.”
Once the door was closed and the gentle gaze that seemed to melt her away was no longer in her sight, Xin Nuo suddenly covered her face. Her skin belatedly felt her heartbeat, and it suddenly turned red.
Where did she learn that from…
Pressing her face, the soft light in her eyes looked towards the door that seemed to shut tightly, as if it could shield her from the inexplicable crisis in her heart.
Xu Heran.
Please be a well-behaved, obedient little pearl.
“Xu Pearl!” Jiang Qiong stepped out of the elevator and shouted at Xu Heran standing in front of the door. “Are you just standing there?”
Xu Heran snapped out of it and turned her head.
“Where did the ice cream come from?” She smiled and asked.
Jiang Qiong handed her one, “I got it from the restaurant. Sister Cui said that for this trip, besides the things we buy from the store, the company covers all other expenses. Oh, by the way, there’s a whole floor on this cruise ship with luxury brand stores. It’s quite an experience!”
“Thanks.” Xu Heran held onto the ice cream and took a couple of steps back, using her room key to open the door behind her. Jiang Qiong followed her in.
“Hehe, friend, you’re turning eighteen~” Dog Woof-Woof made a gesture at Xu Heran, “Unfortunately, the gift I prepared for you is at home. I didn’t bring it up here in such a rush.”
Xu Heran was looking down at the luggage her assistant was arranging for her. When she heard this, her hand froze, and her eyes narrowed as she looked at Jiang Qiong with a hint of hostility.
“You’re not planning to give me some weird thing again, are you?”
Jiang Qiong retorted, “What’s with ‘weird’? Aren’t the gifts I give you the most thoughtful ones?”
“Or is it that you simply don’t want…” Jiang Qiong sized up Xu Heran, “Joking~”
“My friend, love isn’t something you just say~”
Xu Heran felt like Dog Woof-Woof was truly out of control and quickly got rid of it.
“Get out, get out,” Xu Heran shooed Jiang Qiong away, “My innocent ears can’t be contaminated by Dog Woof-Woof!”
“Did I hit the nail on the head and make you embarrassed?” Jiang Qiong, expelled from the room, stood at the door and said to Xu Heran, “Don’t be shy, I understand everything, you’ve grown up!”
“Don’t lecture me with such a condescending tone. May I ask why, with your wealth of experience, you’re still a lonely Dog Woof-Woof?” Xu Heran smiled gently, countering Jiang Qiong’s question.
Jiang Qiong widened her eyes, her ice cream in her mouth froze for a moment, and she shivered.
Woof-Woof Team locked eyes across the space, and sparks flew.
“That’s because I don’t want to!” Dog Woof-Woof frustratedly exclaimed, “If I wanted to find someone, I’d have them wrapped around my arms within minutes!”
“Wow~” Xu Heran intentionally elongated her voice, “That’s impressive.”
“Live demonstration, or you’re just getting angry from embarrassment!”
Jiang Qiong really got angry from embarrassment. She lifted her ice cream and exclaimed loudly, “Your ‘liquid’ this year—”
“Snap.”
Xin Nuo’s door opened, and upon hearing Xu Heran’s voice, Xin Nuo raised her eyes and looked at the suddenly stiffened duo.
“I heard some commotion outside, what’s this about, some ‘night’?”
Xu Heran: “…”
Jiang Qiong: “…”
Jiang Qiong’s eyes were comically wide, and she took a deep breath, repeatedly making eye contact with Xu Heran.
“Nothing, you misheard,” Xu Heran said calmly, “Dog Woof-Woof is just talking nonsense all day, those in the know, know.”
Jiang Qiong: “￥…&#&#*”
“Hmm?” Xin Nuo frowned.
“Oh, right!” Jiang Qiong bit her lower lip and smiled at Xin Nuo, “You misheard.”
Xin Nuo’s skeptical gaze shifted from Jiang Qiong to Xu Heran. At that moment, Jian Yueyin came out of the elevator, holding a bag and greeting them with a smile.
“Turns out there’s a music store on the cruise ship. I saw a nice guitar there. Since we’re employees of Universal, we can buy it at an internal price, which is very affordable.” Jian Yueyin invited them, “Want to go shopping?”
Jiang Qiong whispered, “We can just browse without buying.”
“Lack of ambition.”
Xu Heran said, “Give me a moment to shower, today’s winner pays.”
Jiang Qiong immediately smiled, “I forgive you, friend, the Woof-Woof partnership lives on!”
Jian Yueyin shook her head, “Lack of ambition.”
“Are you going?” Xu Heran asked Xin Nuo.
For some reason, as soon as her gaze met Xin Nuo’s, the girl quickly looked away.
“I’m not going, you two have fun.”
“Goodnight,” Jian Yueyin said with a smile, “See you tomorrow.”
Xu Heran: “Goodnight.”
“Yep.”
The three of them waved at Xin Nuo with smiles. After the door closed, Jiang Xiaoqiong immediately imitated Xu Heran’s tone, “Goodnight.”
“Tsk tsk tsk, when will you be this gentle with us?”
Jian Yueyin patted her shoulder, “When you’re reincarnated into the body of a Miss named Xin Nuo.”
Jiang Qiong giggled.
Xu Heran: “Wait for me.”
After Xu Heran finished freshening up, they all went to explore the cruise ship with friends, returning late at night. Jiang Qiong pulled Xu Heran to deliberately lag behind.
“Shrink,” Xu Heran whispered.
Jiang Qiong looked mysterious, scanned the empty corridor, and quickly took out two boxes from her pocket, stuffing them into Xu Heran’s arms.
“I can only help you up to this point!”
After saying that, Jiang Qiong dashed back to her room with an excited smile.
Xu Heran: “???”
Perplexed, she lowered her head and saw what was in her arms—
Boom!
Little Pearl took a deep breath, blushing, put the two long boxes in her pocket, and pretended to calmly open the door.
“…Woof-Woof.”
Good friends.
Director Liu said it was a vacation, and the few days on the cruise ship truly didn’t “torture” them. A group of girls ate, slept, and played, exhilarated beyond measure.
It wasn’t until 5 AM on May 31st, when the sea fog enveloped, that the cruise ship entered the harbor.
When the sun pierced through the clouds at 10 AM, the staff knocked on everyone’s doors and handed a delicate, fairy tale-style invitation letter to the half-asleep crowd.
Xu Heran yawned, opened the invitation letter.
“Welcome to your fantasy journey. Here, you will embark on an unforgettable adventure. Please pack your belongings and embark on this unknown journey!”
“It’s starting again.” Xu Heran placed the invitation letter on the table, went to freshen up, and when she left her room, she saw the costume designer holding a set of blue and purple formal dress.
“What’s this?” Xu Heran said in surprise.
The costume designer smiled, “This is your outfit for today.”
Xu Heran: “???”
“Do I have to wear this?” Xu Heran frowned at this fairy tale-inspired costume.
The same conversation happened in different rooms. Forced to change clothes and put on makeup, the girls were led off the cruise ship one by one by the staff.
At the harbor, a table was set up, and the director stood behind it, handing a mission envelope to Xu Heran.
“Find the Fox’s Cake Room. The victor will receive a hint for the next level. The location is in this place.”
“Just me?” Xu Heran took the backpack from the director’s hands and asked.
The director didn’t reply, “Please.”
After she left in the car, the next girl, wearing a blue and white princess dress, approached.
“This is your mission.”
Xin Nuo opened the envelope and, upon reading the mission, blinked in surprise.
“Got it.”
“I’m off.” The girl with black hair waved at the camera, “Wait for me, okay?”
Sitting in the car, Xu Heran arrived at a cake workshop in the city. As soon as she entered, the kind-faced shopkeeper approached with a smile, exclaiming, “Why are you so beautiful?” and shook hands with Xu Heran.
“Your mission is to decorate the cake within five minutes. After approval from the judge, you may proceed!” After the director assigned the task, the cake shop owner led a blonde, blue-eyed little girl over.
“This is the fair and just judge for today.”
“Hello, you’re really cute.” Xu Heran crouched down, smiling and complimenting her.
The little girl bashfully hid behind her mother and in a sweet voice said, “Princess.”
“I’m a princess, and you are too. You’re a little princess.”
While Xu Heran was bonding with the judge, FYU’s Lin Ran walked in.
“Sister Ran!”
Xu Heran greeted Lin Ran, and Luo Xi from Shu Guo Tang got off the car and entered the cake shop.
“Among you three, only two can pass the test,” the director said.
“What happens if we lose?” Xu Heran asked.
The director smiled but didn’t answer.
Thinking about Director Liu’s usual punishments, Xu Heran fell silent and rolled up her sleeves.
“Let’s begin!”
The three stood in front of the table, wearing hats and aprons, and started decorating small cakes. After five minutes, the timer went off, and the little judge made her appearance.
“Sister, did you do well?” Xu Heran asked with a smile.
Blushing, the little girl nodded.
“Did Sister win or not?”
Blushing, the little girl shook her head.
Lin Ran and Luo Xi laughed at her.
Xu Heran: “… Why not?”
The little girl’s voice remained sweet, “I want to play with my sister.”
In the first round, Luo Xi won and immediately headed to the next location after receiving the clue.
In the second round, the production team brought in cakes twice the size of the previous ones, and this time, they had ten minutes to decorate. Xu Heran earnestly drew Alice on the cake, but the one dancing with Alice was a round, white pearl.
“So cute!” Xu Heran asked the little girl.
“Cute!”
“So, did Sister win?”
Little girl nodded.
Xu Heran immediately breathed a sigh of relief and waved at Lin Ran.
“I’ll go first!”
Lin Ran smiled, “Go for it.”
The second location was on the other side of the city. The task was to perform a scene from a fairy tale with a passerby. Xu Heran waited for a while but didn’t see Xin Nuo, so she had to complete the task with a child before rushing to the third location.
“Is Director Liu making a documentary? Pearl, are you taking a tour of Blue Nation?” Xu Heran asked the accompanying director with a smile.
The next location was a nearby park. Xu Heran chose to walk there. In a foreign country, although her outstanding appearance and “strange” attire attracted attention, no one knew she was a popular member of the Chinese SGS group. Passersby only gave her curious looks or took out their phones to record, but no one approached to disturb her.
When Xu Heran arrived at the small park, she saw Xin Nuo sitting on a bench, basking in the sun with her head tilted back.
“Alice!”
Xu Heran ran over with a smile, reached Xin Nuo’s back, and pinched the bow on her head.
“Alice, where’s your rabbit?”
Xin Nuo chuckled, grabbed Xu Heran’s finger, tilted her head back, and looked at the radiant Xu Heran standing in the sunlight.
“No rabbit, but there’s a little pearl.”
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Sinensis
Proofreader: Ruu
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