From a distance, the hotel looked as if it was nestled in the mountains. When they arrived at night, the hotel's lights were the only illumination on the entire mountain. If they had come in the morning, they might have felt like they were living in the clouds.
The hotel wasn't large, but each room had its own private hot spring bath. Their room was a suite with two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, plus a living room and kitchen. While cooking wasn't allowed in the kitchen, it had a microwave and refrigerator, making it feel like a home away from home.
Opening the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room led to a balcony, beyond which was the hot spring. Looking out from there, one could see the endless mountain scenery.
"This place is really amazing. I don't want to leave," Nian Suian sighed, feeling as if her soul was being purified just by staying here.
"You can stay longer if you'd like. Go back whenever you feel ready."
"We'll see in a couple of days."
"Alright, let's go eat now. Liu Jian said he's waiting for us."
The hotel's restaurant was on the top floor, surrounded by glass windows. No matter where you sat, you could enjoy the beautiful mountain views.
"So, are you satisfied?" Liu Jian asked.
Gu Junxing didn't answer, looking at Nian Suian instead.
"Very satisfied. It couldn't be better," she replied.
"That's great. Sister-in-law, feel free to stay here as long as you like, even for a year or more. This room is specially reserved for your family," Liu Jian explained. From the beginning, he had reserved rooms for his friends. For Gu Junxing's family, because Gu Zhijing was older now, he had initially reserved two separate rooms. But after talking with Gu Junxing, he changed it to a family suite.
Gu Junxing poured water for Nian Suian while saying, "She won't be able to stay here for a year. Just the lack of food delivery alone would drive her crazy before long."
Nian Suian chuckled, thinking how well he knew her. Although the mountains, water, and scenery were beautiful here, being far from the city meant that even with good food every day, she'd occasionally crave some junk food.
Gu Junxing had evolved from initially lecturing her and Gu Zhijing about eating barbecue as a midnight snack to now accepting it well. Sometimes when she wanted bubble tea, he'd even bring one home for her after work.
"Food delivery? That's nothing. We can just hire a runner. I'll cover the cost, no matter how much," Liu Jian said. In his view, anything that could be solved with money wasn't a problem.
"Cut it out. Stop trying to curry favor. If you were this generous with other girls, you wouldn't still be single," Gu Junxing teased him. What was he doing, trying to impress his wife?
Chen Shu, who had been quiet for a while, couldn't help but chime in, "Gu's right. Your problem is that you're too cautious. I heard your latest blind date fell through again?"
"What's this? Is today 'Criticize Liu Jian Day'?" Liu Jian said helplessly. He felt he was just being careful, not deceiving anyone. What was wrong with that?
"By the way, why haven't Old Qin and his wife arrived yet?" Gu Junxing asked.
"They said they had something to do and would come tomorrow morning."
Tonight's dinner was particularly rich, with dishes from land, sea, and air. While the three men talked, Nian Suian and Gu Zhijing focused on eating without interrupting.
"Zhijing..." Liu Jian just couldn't keep quiet, even while eating.
"Yes, Uncle Liu?" Gu Zhijing responded.
"I heard from your dad that you're afraid to sleep alone. What's that about? You're a big boy now, it's not good to be so timid."
Gu Zhijing was stunned. He looked at his father, thinking, "Is this how you ruin my reputation behind my back?"
Gu Junxing remained silent, quietly taking out his phone to transfer some money. This time, he was in the wrong.
Gu Zhijing glanced at the phone and slowly said, "Yes, Uncle Liu. I'm like this whenever I'm in an unfamiliar place. I get scared."
With money, everything could be smoothed over. From now on, he'd play the role of a daddy's boy.
The drive from the city to here took about two hours, and it was already late after dinner. Without further ado, they each returned to their rooms.
"Junxing, Suian..." Chen Shu called out to Gu Junxing and Nian Suian on their way back to the room.
Gu Junxing signaled to his son to go ahead.
"Chen Shu, what's the matter?" he asked.
"About Jiaojiao and her mother... I want to know who that man is who keeps appearing at the entrance of their apartment complex?"
Gu Junxing remained silent, standing to the side and looking at Nian Suian.
"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you that. It's her private matter. If you want to know, you should ask her yourself," Nian Suian replied.
This was Sheng Xia's business, and she couldn't disclose it to others casually. She had only told Gu Junxing earlier because she needed his help to find a lawyer, and Sheng Xia had agreed to it.
"Alright, that's all then. You two go and rest," Chen Shu said.
Back in their room, Nian Suian was still thinking about this.
"As Chen Shu's good friend, what do you think? Does he... have feelings for Xia?"
Although Nian Suian thought it wasn't normal to fall for someone after meeting only twice, Chen Shu's behavior was quite unusual.
"Chen Shu is acting a bit strange, but I think it's because of Jiaojiao," Gu Junxing replied.
"Does he like children that much?" Nian Suian was surprised. No matter how she looked at it, Chen Shu didn't seem like someone who liked children. It would be a miracle if he didn't scare them with his stern face.
"Sort of. Chen Shu had a younger sister, but she was born with a congenital disease. The family took great care of her until she was five or six, but still... Because of this, he might be projecting his feelings."
"I see... Don't worry, I'll definitely keep this a secret."
"It's not really a secret. Chen Shu has never tried to hide it, but we usually don't mention it in front of him to avoid upsetting him," Gu Junxing explained. He continued, "Chen Shu liking Jiaojiao is also a kind of fate. Maybe Jiaojiao reminds him of his sister. He doesn't like all children though. When Zhijing was little, he didn't like him."
Of course, this had to do with how annoying Gu Zhijing was as a child. Even he, as the father, found him irritating, let alone others.
Nian Suian frowned, "How can you, as a father, always criticize your own son? Hey, speaking of Zhijing, where is he?"
It didn't make sense that they had been talking for so long, yet there was no sign of Gu Zhijing.
"He's soaking in the hot spring," Gu Junxing gestured for Nian Suian to look out the window. The boy was already enjoying himself, drinking cola while soaking in the hot spring.
"Zhijing!" Nian Suian called out from the balcony.
"Is the hot spring comfortable? Aren't you cold now?"
No matter how warm the hot spring was, his head was still exposed to the air. Nian Suian was worried about him catching a cold.
"It's not cold at all. Come join me!" Gu Zhijing said, swimming a bit in the water.
"Okay!"
Nian Suian turned back and saw Gu Junxing still standing there. "Why are you still here? Go change and get in the water!"