Chapter 11: Should We Go to the Hot Springs?

It was truly heartbreaking.

Even Ji Lingfeng knew that the legendary, soul-stirring romance between Liang Youjia and Du Ruanruan was something no outsider could ever penetrate. Yet, she had been kept in the dark for so long. Liang Youjia had treated her like a fool, deceiving her by claiming Du Ruanruan was merely a friend.

As Xianyu pondered this, her eyes grew sour and acidic. A gust of sea breeze blew over, making her eyes sting so much she could hardly keep them open.

"Are you crying?"

She had been silent for a while, and Ji Lingfeng, sensitive to her mood, pulled out a tissue and handed it to her.

"No."

Though she denied it, she took the tissue from his hand.

"Are you heading back?"

"Yes. I’m going that way; let me give you a ride."

Xianyu said thank you once more.

"You’re being far too polite, Little Yu."

Xianyu forced a smile. "It’s only right to thank you."

She had come here with Liang Youjia. Now that he had left early with Du Ruanruan, she would have been stranded on this cruise ship had Ji Lingfeng not offered to take her back.

After getting off the ship, Ji Lingfeng didn’t insist on escorting her further. Xianyu bid him farewell and walked step by step across the soft sand. Her tight-fitting black lace dress outlined her graceful waist and shapely hips.

To be honest, in all his years, Ji Lingfeng had rarely seen a beauty as breathtaking as Xianyu. For Liang Youjia to keep her imprisoned like a canary—it was truly a waste of such a heaven-sent treasure.

***

Back in her hotel room, Xianyu removed her makeup and collapsed into the soft bed.

Liang Youjia returned near dusk. He gripped her waist, kissing her deeply, his fingers working at the buttons of her dress. Xianyu shuddered as she opened her eyes, immediately meeting the man’s scorching, phoenix-like gaze. Seeing her wake up so suddenly, Liang Youjia did not restrain himself; instead, he grew even more intense.

"We can't," Xianyu said, pressing her hand against his.

"We won't," Liang Youjia replied. He took a brief moment to pull away from her fragrant, soft lips, then lifted her hips to shift his position. He slid underneath her.

This was even more startling. Liang Youjia interlaced his fingers with hers. "I’m just quenching my thirst."

His chest heaved, radiating heat. Something firm pressed against the back of her thigh, and her cheeks flushed a deep, burning red.

"Did you get enough to eat at lunch?"

Xianyu’s heart skipped a heavy beat. His voice was flat, making it impossible to tell if he was jealous. Yet, she found herself indulging in self-deception, hoping his words carried a hint of jealousy toward Ji Lingfeng.

"I ate well."

"That kid Ji Lingfeng has quite a talent for grilling fish." Liang Youjia smoothed her hair, his tone gentle. "What do you think of him?"

Ruan’s heart tightened. She didn’t understand his motive. After a moment of silence, she replied objectively, "Mr. Ji is a good person."

Liang Youjia chuckled softly. "He likes you."

Xianyu gripped his fingers, suddenly turning her face to look at him, her eyes shimmering with moisture. "A-You, are you going to abandon me?"

Xianyu knew he planned to cast her into hell on the third of September. Her choice to bury her head in the sand was merely to fulfill her grandmother’s wish and to satisfy her own greed. Was it all coming to an end so soon?

"Silly girl, what are you imagining?" Liang Youjia cupped her face, pressed his forehead against hers, and kissed her tenderly.

As their eyes met, his gaze—filled with the brilliance of a galaxy—overflowed with tenderness and love. Where could she see any sign of disgust?

"I told you, Ruanruan is just my friend. She’s spoiled, so I’ve been a bit kinder to her. Don’t overthink it."

Xianyu lowered her eyes and smiled, enduring the pain of a knife being plunged in and pulled out, pretending she didn't care. "Of course, I understand."

"Where do you want to go next time? I’ll make time to accompany you."

Xianyu stretched in his arms. "No need. I’m lazy; I’ll just stay at the hotel."

With Du Ruanruan and Liang’s mother both here, she risked running into them if she went out.

Liang Youjia teased her, calling her a "little lazy pig." "Since you’ve come all this way, you should enjoy yourself. How about we go to the hot springs?"

Xianyu was tempted. She carefully probed, "Just the two of us?"

"Otherwise, who else would be with us? Are we playing a threesome?"

Xianyu pecked his chin. "That sounds lovely."

She was delicate, like a soft piece of cotton candy, making Liang Youjia unable to keep his hands off her.

However, Liang Youjia broke his promise.

The hot spring suite he had booked—a spot that had been hard to secure—was misty, with white rose petals scattered across the red carpet. She walked in barefoot, the room decorated in a tatami style. Moving forward, she slid open the glass door.

Underneath a mahogany pavilion lay a circular hot spring, steam curling upward in a dreamlike, ethereal display.

Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door.

Xianyu’s eyes brightened. The person knocking was a handsome man over six feet tall. Seeing him, Xianyu’s eyes dimmed instantly.

"Miss Xian, this is the package you reserved." The attendant pushed a small cart inside, carrying two sets of swimwear—one for a woman and one for a man—along with some fruit platters and snacks.

Xianyu thought of how Liang Youjia had spoken as if they were going to have a romantic soak together; now, it felt like an ironic mockery.

Xianyu said politely, "Alright, thank you for your trouble."

Faced with such a shy, bashful beauty, the attendant was flattered. "You’re welcome. I hope you have a pleasant experience tonight."

The attendant left. Xianyu was in a foul mood. She took off her shoes and sat on the tatami, looking at the two sets of swimwear, unable to muster any interest at all.

Just at that moment, a significant commotion erupted from next door.

"Go easy, A-You..."

Xianyu’s back stiffened. It felt as if the blood in her body had suddenly stopped flowing.