Void Jigsaw Puzzle

Dong Xingwen didn't understand the intention of Fan Ting's question, but she replied, "Yes! We have two customers who have booked to play the 'Rapids Rafting' ride today."

Guo Ling calmly asked, "What do 'downstream' and 'forge ahead against the current' mean?"

Fan Ting glanced at him, as if to say, "Didn't I tell you this just now in the car?"

Guo Ling ignored him and kept looking at Dong Xingwen.

Dong Xingwen smoothed her slightly curly hair and said, "Since you are Xiaoting's friend, and she just mentioned the cross-river tunnel, I assume you already know the secret of our store."

"Yeah." Guo Ling did not comment.

"Our river tunnel is transparent, meaning you can see the river water as you walk through it, as if you were actually there. The current in a large river is very fast, so the whole scene is dynamic and visually impactful. In addition to providing some private massage rooms with river views in the tunnel, we've also capitalized on some guests' love of excitement by creating an openable and closed valve in the center of the tunnel. Guests can change into their underwater clothing and equipment in our shop, or simply bring their own, and then go out and play in the river..."

"Since the river flows so fast, won't the water flow into the tunnel after you open the valve?" Guo Ling couldn't help asking.

"I'm just calling it a 'valve'. It's actually a room with two valves, like a pendant, placed outside the tunnel. The first valve directly connects the room to the tunnel, while the second connects the room to the outside world, that is, the river. Generally speaking, our guests enter the room through the first door. The room contains various swimming suits and equipment. After they've changed, the first door closes and the second door opens..."

"I understand." Guo Ling nodded: "It's like a buffer zone."

"Yes. Because the water flows so quickly, the experience of being swept downstream by the river after exiting the second valve is called 'downstreaming.' Some regular customers, seeking even greater excitement, prefer to enter our shop directly through the valve entrance rather than through the main entrance. They'll arrange a launch point with us in advance. They'll don their gear and jump into the water, then grab the mechanical arm extending from the valve room—it's actually an extendable pole with simple grips on its surface for climbing. Guests climb back up the arm to the room, having to overcome the rapidly flowing water. Hence the name 'whitewater rafting.'"

"So... the 'Rapids' ride can be experienced on its own, or it can be combined with the 'Downstream' ride. After all, just 'downstream' isn't enough; you have to get back to the valve room, otherwise you won't be able to get back to the tunnel. And no matter which ride you choose, that robotic arm is crucial; it's the key to retaining guests and preventing them from being swept away by the river."

"Brother Guo is amazing! However, no matter which project the client is in, while holding onto our robotic arm, they also need to tie a strong rope around their waist. The other end of the rope is tied to the starting point of the robotic arm, where the second valve is located, to provide sufficient protection." Dong Xingwen praised with familiarity, "After such a back and forth, the client's energy will be greatly exhausted, and they are more likely to order a full-body recovery massage package here."

"You guys are really good at this. I've finally seen it today!"

After being asked this question by Guo Ling, Dong Xingwen became more interested in talking and she introduced Guo Ling a lot about the store.

Guo Ling felt he had a pretty good idea of ​​what was going on, so he asked, "You mentioned earlier that two people went on the rapids today. Were they a man and a woman? Their ages... were about the same as mine."

Fan Ting also held her breath and looked at Dong Xingwen intently.

Dong Xingwen said doubtfully, "A man and a woman? No! They were two men, quite young and handsome, and their families were quite wealthy. After experiencing the services, they topped up their account, which was very straightforward. Then they left without any massage."

Fan Ting couldn't help but ask, "Two young men? Are you sure?"

"What nonsense am I telling you? After they completed the project, they entered the tunnel through the valve, changed out of their equipment, and put on their daily clothes. One of them was wearing a red leather jacket and the other a bright blue windbreaker. They were very conspicuous."

Guo Ling asked again, "Did they leave from the other side?"

"Yes, they left that way... But, Xiaoting, it turns out you didn't come here to see us today?" Dong Xingwen finally reacted and looked at Fan Ting.

Fan Ting apologized, "I'm sorry, Sister Dong, we did come here today to look for someone, but it looks like the person we're looking for isn't here. Well...we won't bother you for now. You guys are busy. Next time I'll definitely make a special trip to see you, and we can get together again."

Seeing Fan Ting's listless look, Dong Xingwen pursed her lips and smiled: "Okay, we are all good sisters, why are we so formal? Do you want to tell me the appearance of the man and woman you are looking for? We have a lot of customers here, and I have met all kinds of people. I can help you keep an eye out for them."

"Sister Dong is the best!" Fan Ting hugged her and described what Zhu Tong's parents looked like.

Dong Xingwen asked the two girls at the front desk to write it down.

After Fan Ting finished her description, Guo Ling said, "Boss Dong, I have a request. Could you please show us around this cross-river tunnel? And then, we can leave from the other side?"

Dong Xingwen looked at his watch, a look of embarrassment on his face. "I have a meeting upstairs in ten minutes. My boss asked me to. I'm afraid I can't show you around properly. How about letting Xiaoting show you around? She's worked here for a while, so she's pretty familiar with everyone."

"If it's convenient..."

"Convenient, what's inconvenient?"

After saying that, Dong Xingwen said to Fan Ting, "Then you can take your friends for a walk. I'll be leaving now."

"Okay, Sister Dong, you go ahead and do your work!"

After saying that, Fan Ting winked at Guo Ling, greeted the two young ladies at the front desk, and walked towards the back of the room.

Guo Ling also nodded slightly at them and followed them with big strides.

Although the store's front is small, it has a different world inside.

After passing through the still low-key reception area, you enter a patio.

Seeing that there were no familiar faces around, Fan Ting asked softly, "You asked Sister Dong those questions just now. You clearly asked me in the car. Why did you ask them again? Didn't you understand at the time?"

"Of course not. I just wanted to judge whether she was an accomplice. Now it seems that she is obviously not."

"You, don't be suspicious of all women just because your wife ran away."

After being together for so long, Fan Ting has already known Guo Ling's experience and teases him about it from time to time.

"..."