"Oh my, you're at it again... Be careful, or you'll end up taking another cold shower tonight."
Noticing that Gu Junxing wanted to kiss her again, Nian Suian pushed him away gently. Taking cold showers in the dead of winter - this man really never learns from his mistakes.
"I'm willing to take cold showers," Gu Junxing said in a husky voice as he lowered his head again.
From her lips to her earlobe, then to her neck, and further...
"Gu Junxing... don't... mmm..."
Nian Suian, like a snowball, had completely melted into a puddle, powerless to refuse anything.
"Stop... Gu Junxing..."
Nian Suian wasn't made of wood; she had feelings too. If Gu Junxing wanted to take cold showers, he could do that by himself - she certainly didn't want to join him.
She didn't realize that calling his name in such a passionate, soft voice would only make it harder for him to stop.
Finally, Gu Junxing realized this wasn't the appropriate place and forced himself to stop, preparing to take another cold shower like the night before.
Before getting off the bed, he gave Nian Suian one more passionate kiss, as if channeling all his unused energy into that kiss.
The kiss left Nian Suian dazed for quite a while, and she only came to her senses when she heard the water running in the bathroom.
Blushing, she propped herself up and grabbed the half-empty bottle of mineral water from the bedside table, drinking it all in one go.
The cold water traveling down her throat to her stomach finally helped cool down some of the heat she was feeling.
After lying back down, she felt tired and soon became drowsy.
Before falling asleep, Nian Suian suddenly wondered why she was so exhausted when they hadn't really done anything... and whether what she'd read in books was true or not.
Gu Junxing spent quite a long time in the bathroom today. The cold water not only failed to solve his problem but made him feel even worse, forcing him to resort to other methods.
By the time he finished, took another shower, and came out, Nian Suian was already asleep.
After Gu Junxing lay down, it wasn't long before Nian Suian, who had been facing away from him, unconsciously rolled into his arms.
Her innocent, unaware state made him feel both sweet and helpless.
"What am I going to do with you?"
The next day, Nian Suian woke up late, and Gu Junxing was already gone from the room.
She checked her phone and saw his message telling her not to forget breakfast and that he'd come back to pick her up at noon.
Nian Suian replied that she was already awake and ordered breakfast for herself.
Gu Junxing must have been busy because he didn't respond further.
It was already ten o'clock after she finished breakfast. Not knowing exactly when Gu Junxing would arrive, she didn't waste time and took out her makeup to get ready.
As luck would have it, she decided to do full makeup today to look more formal, which took quite a bit of time. Just as she finished getting dressed, Gu Junxing walked in.
Nian Suian instinctively checked her phone - eleven-thirty.
"I'm ready, we can go."
"Hey! Don't kiss me, I just finished my makeup." Nian Suian reflexively held him back when she saw him lean in, worried he'd mess up her makeup.
Gu Junxing chuckled and reached out to pull a strand of hair that was tucked in her collar.
Only then did Nian Suian realize she had misunderstood his intention.
"Is it time? Can we go now?"
"Let's go."
Nian Suian walked arm in arm with Gu Junxing downstairs. In front of the hotel, Assistant Li had already brought the car around and was waiting for them.
"Thank you for your hard work, Assistant Li."
"It's no trouble at all, madam!"
Nian Suian found herself wondering who had a higher salary between Assistant Li and Butler Su.
After getting in the car, Nian Suian asked, "How many people will be joining us for lunch?"
"I'm not sure. Since you're coming along, they might bring their partners... male or female. Perhaps around ten people."
After getting out of the car, they saw a building resembling a Suzhou-style garden. As soon as Gu Junxing's car arrived, someone came out to greet them.
"Mr. Gu, Mrs. Gu, our Boss Xia has already arrived. Please follow me."
They nodded slightly and followed him inside.
The scenery inside matched Nian Suian's expectations - flowing water, artificial mountains, and covered corridors, truly garden-style architecture.
After several twists and turns, their guide finally stopped. Nian Suian thought that without someone leading the way, one would definitely get lost in this place.
"Mr. Gu, Mrs. Gu."
A young woman came out to greet them, "Mrs. Gu is truly as beautiful as they say. No wonder Mr. Gu can't stop thinking about home when he's away."
"Suian, this is Boss Xia."
"We're having a private meal, no need for formalities. Just call me Ningzhuo."
She smiled at Nian Suian as she finished speaking.
Xia Ningzhuo wore a dark suit, red lipstick, and black hair casually tied up at the back of her head.
Stylish, handsome, and capable.
She thought to herself, being a spouse is a state of being, regardless of gender!
After entering, Nian Suian noticed another person inside - a young man in a wheelchair.
"Mr. and Mrs. Gu, please forgive me for not greeting you at the door."
The man's complexion was somewhat pale, and he appeared rather frail.
Xia Ningzhuo walked to his side and introduced him to the couple, "This is my husband, Tan Ting."
"Hello, Mr. Tan."
Xia Ningzhuo invited them to sit down, then pushed Tan Ting's wheelchair to the table before taking her seat beside him.
Nian Suian noticed that the table was lower than usual, presumably arranged specifically to accommodate Tan Ting.
Shortly after they sat down, more people arrived. This time, Xia Ningzhuo didn't go out to greet them but stood up from her seat to welcome them.
"Boss Wen, Boss Xie..."
Everyone exchanged pleasantries.
Nian Suian hadn't expected to encounter a familiar face here again...
The man who had "teased" Gu Junxing in the elevator - Gu Junxing's face darkened as soon as he saw him.
Once or twice might be coincidence, but this was the third time - truly an unfortunate fate.
"What a coincidence, we meet again." The man came in, smiling at Gu Junxing and Nian Suian.
"You know each other?" Xia Ningzhuo asked in surprise.
"Yes, we've met by chance before. Let me introduce myself, I'm Xia Ningyue, her brother."
Seeing Gu Junxing's displeased expression, Xia Ningzhuo understood immediately, guessing that her brother must have acted up again. If she had known when he said he wanted to join, she wouldn't have let him come.
However, Xia Ningyue knew the nature of this occasion and behaved himself throughout the meal, not making any more "shocking" remarks.
Aliali: 67467efbc4f3f33ac45e4cd7But Nian Suian had relaxed too soon...
"Let me toast to Mr. Gu. I hope you'll visit more often..."
"That's kind of you, Mr. Xia, but I don't drink alcohol. Please, help yourself." Gu Junxing remained seated after speaking.
The atmosphere became awkward for a moment, and others quickly tried to smooth things over.
"Young Mr. Xia is right, Mr. Gu should come more often. We should continue our cooperation!"
"Yes, indeed..."
Xia Ningzhuo also smiled and said, "Indeed, Mr. Gu, our cooperation has been very pleasant, and I look forward to our next collaboration."
Gu Junxing smiled and raised his teacup.
"I truly don't drink alcohol, so please allow me to toast everyone with tea instead."
As for Xia Ningyue, he drank his alcohol and went back to eating, as if the awkward moment had never happened.