In the afternoon, Zhou Yuwen took Zheng Yanyan and Lu Lin around Zhouzhuang for sightseeing. By evening, they made a detour to Kunshan’s city center before eventually eting up with Su Qing and the others.
Though Su Qing had been sulking after Zhou Yuwen’s earlier reprimand and refrained from provoking Zheng Yanyan further, Zheng Yanyan wasn’t so restrained. On the way back to Suzhou, she sat in the front seat, constantly chatting with Zhou Yuwen, recounting all the beautiful places he had taken her.
“Zhou Yuwen, it feels like you’ve been everywhere!” she exclaid, glancing smugly at Su Qing through the rearview mirror, only to find Su Qing staring thoughtfully out the window, seemingly indifferent.
Zheng Yanyan felt disappointed.
In reality, Su Qing heard every word but found it laughable. The places Zheng Yanyan gushed about? Zhou Yuwen had visited most of them with her in the past.
By the ti they arrived back at the hotel, it was nearly 8 p.m. After a long day of exploring Zhouzhuang, everyone was exhausted.
“I logged over 20,000 steps on WeChat today!” Zheng Yanyan told Shen Yu proudly.
“Really? I only got a little over 10,000. How co you’ve got so many?” Shen Yu asked, curious.
“I toured the Lingering Garden this morning!”
This was Zheng Yanyan’s first trip since starting college, and she was thrilled, having taken countless photos.
After parking the car, they all grabbed their luggage and headed to the hotel lobby to check in.
Though Chang Hao was responsible for booking the hotel, as a student himself, he had opted for a modest city-thed luxury hotel. While not officially rated, its facilities were modern and stylish. The lobby featured a small bar and a reading corner, adding a touch of sophistication.
As Zhou Yuwen and the girls entered, they noticed a group of classmates gathered around a conference table. The first to spot them was Li Qiang.
“Hey, Old Zhou! We thought you weren’t coming back tonight!”
The group included familiar faces like Chang Hao, Li Qiang, Jiang Chao, and Gu Yaoyao. Chang Hao quickly stood up to greet Zhou Yuwen, intending to assist with his room booking.
Since Chang Hao had arranged the reservations, he was puzzled when the front desk inford him that no standard rooms were available.
“I asked you to hold two rooms earlier, didn’t I?” he inquired.
“Apologies, but we had mbers reserve those rooms,” the receptionist explained hesitantly.
Chang Hao frowned, ready to argue, but Zhou Yuwen waved it off. “Do you have any suites available?”
“Yes,” the receptionist replied.
The hotel had an eighth-floor viewing suite with two bedrooms, a spacious living room, and a large balcony designed for parties or gatherings. However, it ca at a premium price of 2,800 yuan per night during weekends.
Without hesitation, Zhou Yuwen handed over his card. “We’ll take it for two nights.”
The receptionist was montarily surprised, having assud Zhou Yuwen was just another student. Around him, others exchanged glances. Chang Hao, about to argue earlier, realized money could resolve disputes far more efficiently.
Li Qiang, who had been watching quietly, felt a mix of admiration and ambition. He thought, “One day, I’ll be like Zhou Yuwen.”
Gu Yaoyao and her roommates, who had to share cramped rooms on a tight budget, couldn’t help but envy the luxurious choice.
anwhile, Zheng Yanyan, accustod to wealth, thought nothing of it. Standing beside Zhou Yuwen, she looked every bit the pampered princess, casually asking the receptionist, “The bathtub works, right?”
“Yes, it’s cleaned daily, and we also provide single-use bath bags if needed,” the receptionist assured her.
Satisfied, Zheng Yanyan smiled.
After paynt and ID registration, Li Qiang eagerly offered to help with their luggage.
“Old Zhou, let
carry those for you!” he volunteered enthusiastically.
Zhou Yuwen didn’t object. “Sure, thanks.”
“Not a problem! Ladies, let
help you with those bags!” Li Qiang grinned.
Chang Hao, more reserved, quietly carried a few bags himself.
In the elevator, exhausted from the day, Zheng Yanyan leaned against Zhou Yuwen, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I need a good bath when we get to the room. I’m all sweaty,” she murmured, even lifting her wrist to let Zhou Yuwen sll.
“You still sll great,” Zhou Yuwen said with a smile.
“Hmph, I’ll sll even better after my bath,” she teased.
“Then go take one,” Zhou Yuwen said, turning to the receptionist. “How many bathrooms are in the suite?”
“Each bedroom has an en-suite,” she replied.
Nodding, Zhou Yuwen led the group to their suite.
The spacious viewing suite featured a large living area with modern furnishings, a minibar, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views of the city lights. The luxurious setup imdiately chard Zheng Yanyan.
“Wow, hubby! This place is amazing!” she exclaid, darting from room to room in excitent.
She even marveled at the Dyson hairdryer in the bathroom.
After explaining the suite’s features, the receptionist wished them a pleasant stay. Zhou Yuwen turned to the girls. “You all freshen up. I’m heading downstairs with Chang Hao and Li Qiang.”
Su Qing, still feeling slighted, asked, “Why downstairs?”
Earlier, seeing Zhou Yuwen pampering Zheng Yanyan, she couldn’t help but feel jealous. After all, he had never taken her to such a luxurious place in their previous life.
Zhou Yuwen brushed off her question, leaving with the guys while the girls settled in.
In the quiet of the room, Zhou Yuwen had just finished a quick shower. Wrapped in only a towel, he realized he’d forgotten his change of clothes and called Zheng Yanyan to bring them down.
After a few rings, it was Lu Lin who answered.
“Where’s Yanyan?” Zhou Yuwen asked.
“She’s in the shower. What’s up?”
“Can you bring my clothes to 302?”
“Got it.”
A short while later, Lu Lin arrived, carrying his pajamas. When Zhou Yuwen opened the door, still clad only in his towel, she raised an eyebrow and sighed. “Do you have an exhibitionist streak or sothing?”
Zhou Yuwen smirked. “And you? Don’t you sleep naked every night?”
“...That’s different! I’m at ho when I do that,” she retorted, montarily flustered.
The room was a standard boutique hotel setup: two beds, a TV, an L-shaped couch, and a high-top table with chairs. Zhou Yuwen changed into his cobalt blue pajamas while Lu Lin surveyed the decor, leaning casually against the table.
“Where did Chang Hao and Li Qiang go?” she asked.
“They went downstairs to play Werewolf,” Zhou Yuwen replied, buttoning his shirt.
After a mont’s pause, he gestured for her to co over. “Co here.”
Though Lu Lin wasn’t one to openly show affection, she complied, sitting on his lap with her usual reserved deanor.
“What now?” she asked.
“What do you think?” Zhou Yuwen teased.
Lu Lin rolled her eyes but leaned in to kiss him, their lips eting in a slow, intimate exchange. As the kiss deepened, Zhou Yuwen’s hand slid under her shirt, caressing her back.
“Sorry I haven’t spent much ti with you on this trip,” he murmured.
“Why would I be upset? I’m not even your ex-girlfriend—just a stand-in,” Lu Lin said lightly.
Zhou Yuwen chuckled. “Whoever heard of a stand-in being this beautiful?”
Their ti together was limited, so they kept things brief. A few stolen kisses and gentle touches sufficed. Though the atmosphere was ripe for more, Zhou Yuwen refrained; this wasn’t the place for anything beyond a mont of tenderness.
Instead, he held Lu Lin close, stroking her hair. “Once things settle down, I’ll take you on a trip, just the two of us.”
Lu Lin, now calr, rested against his chest. “That’s not necessary. As long as you think about , I’m content.”
“You’re always the most understanding,” Zhou Yuwen said, smiling.
Lu Lin glanced up mischievously. “How many ‘understandings’ do you have?”
“Hmm?” Zhou Yuwen began to respond, but before he could answer, the door opened abruptly.
Chang Hao, who had gone to the front desk to fetch an extra toothbrush for Zhou Yuwen, entered without knocking.
“Hey, I just realized—” He froze mid-sentence.
On the couch, Zhou Yuwen sat with Lu Lin nestled in his arms, her expression turning to one of mild annoyance while Zhou Yuwen remained calm, almost amused.
Chang Hao’s jaw dropped, processing the scene. “Uh… I… I just ca to bring a toothbrush,” he stamred, holding it up like a peace offering.
The room fell silent for a mont.
Zhou Yuwen finally broke it with a chuckle. “Thanks, just leave it on the table.”
Chang Hao placed the toothbrush down, avoiding eye contact, and quickly excused himself.
As the door closed behind him, Lu Lin sighed, hiding her face against Zhou Yuwen’s chest. “That was embarrassing.”
“He didn’t see much,” Zhou Yuwen reassured her, stroking her back. “You’re overthinking it.”
Lu Lin muttered sothing under her breath but didn’t argue further, relaxing once more in his embrace. Zhou Yuwen, ever the opportunist, took the mont to kiss the top of her head.
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