Chapter 145: Entering Jibei City

Chapter 145: Entering Jinan City

After a hearty dinner, the International Hotel, officially renamed the Medicinal Cuisine Grand Hotel, was fully on track. Over the next three days, Xu Yun and the others were kept quite busy. First, they had Qin Wan'er use her connections to legally change the hotel's name. Then, they had Lü Feng commission a brand-new signboard, and replaced all the tableware and interior amenities with brand-new ones.

After that, Xiaofei and a few others went to the original medicinal cuisine restaurant to handle publicity. Naturally, the old branch would remain untouched, but promoting the brand-new Medicinal Cuisine Grand Hotel was of the utmost importance.

With the medicinal cuisine restaurant operating smoothly, the day for Xu Yun and Tang Jiu to leave finally arrived. It truly felt as though the two of them were a match made in heaven. Though it was currently said to be a mere pretense, what would happen once they actually arrived at the Tang family estate?

Ruan Qingshuang had never once asked how many days Xu Yun would be staying in Jinan City, but the trip weighed heavily on her mind like a knot that could not be untied. After all, the temptations of the outside world were simply too great, and she truly worried that Xu Yun might never return. Ruan Qingshuang was well aware of Tang Jiu's immense wealth; if Xu Yun went with her, the Tang family might offer an even higher price to keep him by their side.

She could live without a grand hotel and without vast fortunes, but she could not live without Guo Guo and Xu Yun. Without them, whatever she possessed would lose all meaning.

When Guo Guo returned home and announced that her vacation had begun, it meant they would be departing immediately. A faint layer of melancholy settled over Ruan Qingshuang's face.

Being the clever little spirit that she was, Guo Guo naturally caught the troubled expression on Ruan Qingshuang's face and immediately snuggled up to her. "Mom, don't worry! With Guo Guo around, I will definitely bring Dad back!"

A flicker of gentle comfort touched Ruan Qingshuang's face. "What if you end up living much more comfortably at Sister Xiao Jiu's house and don't want to come back?" Ruan Qingshuang offered a faint, bitter smile. In her heart, she truly believed that Xu Yun and Tang Jiu were destined for each other.

"No matter how big or comfortable Sister Xiao Jiu's house is, it can't compare to the happiness of being by Mom's side," Guo Guo declared. Then, lowering her voice mysteriously, she added, "Mom, even though Sister Xiao Jiu and I are good friends, I won't let her steal Dad away from you, hehe! First come, first served. Even if she likes Dad too, she has to wait behind Mom!"

Xu Yun's only remaining concern was that the Azure Ghost might suddenly make an appearance. However, Qian Feng had assured him that even if the Azure Ghost now knew his three top experts had been crippled, he certainly couldn't just walk away from Suzhou and Hangzhou to come here. If he really had that kind of free time, he wouldn't have retreated prematurely that day.

Qian Long Qian Feng and Silver Dragon Fan Shuang'er had been directly arranged by Xu Yun to move into the hotel. With the two of them secretly guarding the premises, Xu Yun had nothing to fear.

Over in Suzhou and Hangzhou, the three experts still hadn't returned, and the Azure Ghost's sixth sense was already telling him that something must have gone wrong over here in Hedong.

Consequently, the Azure Ghost dared not act rashly. After all, even a joint effort by his three top experts had ended in total failure; he wouldn't dare make any reckless moves either. Moreover, the pressure from above was mounting fiercely, yet he had still failed to completely pacify Suzhou and Hangzhou, and several of his top fighters were nowhere to be found. He found himself even less able to leave Suzhou and Hangzhou behind.

The superiors had already issued an ultimatum to the Azure Ghost: he must completely pacify Suzhou and Hangzhou within a month, or else his head might be impossible to keep. Burning with rage, the Azure Ghost smashed almost everything in his room that could be broken, yet still found no release for his fury. He swore an oath that he would never forgive that bastard Xu Yun who had caused him so much trouble.

Xu Yun sneezed heavily twice. How could he possibly know who was cursing him?

After dinner, everyone turned in for the night. The suites on the top floor of the Medicinal Cuisine Grand Hotel were strictly closed to the outside; only their own people stayed there. Since Tang Jiu had given the hotel away for free, naturally they didn't care about a few spare rooms.

Late at night, faint pacing noises echoed down the corridor. Although the floor was covered with thick carpet and the walker's footsteps were extremely light, Xu Yun could still clearly tell who it was.

Xu Yun sat up and opened the door, startling Ruan Qingshuang and making her jump.

Xu Yun smiled faintly. "Sister Shuang, I can't sleep either. Care to chat for a bit?"

A blush crept onto Ruan Qingshuang's face, but she finally gritted her teeth and nodded, following Xu Yun into the room. Once inside, she appeared exceptionally restrained. She had never felt this way back at the medicinal cuisine restaurant, but now she somehow felt as though this place wasn't truly her home.

"Sister Shuang, don't worry. This time going to Jinan, Qiu Yan and I will keep an eye on Guo Guo. She definitely won't cause any trouble," Xu Yun said. "You don't need to worry."

After a long silence, Ruan Qingshuang finally spoke up. "Xu Yun, that's not what I'm worried about. I'm wondering... what should I do if you guys don't come back? I can live without the hotel, without everything else, but I cannot live without you guys..."

"Sister Shuang, I'm just your employee. Hehe, unless you fire me, I'm certainly not going anywhere." Xu Yun smiled gently. "I believe Guo Guo isn't that kind of person either. How could she ever leave the mother she loves most?"

"Xu Yun, I'm afraid of being alone. When I'm by myself, I feel so helpless and lonely. I'm afraid that once you all leave, none of you will return, and I'll be left all alone guarding this hotel. I'd rather our big family live bustling and lively lives in that tiny little medicinal cuisine restaurant... I never used to imagine having so many people around me. If I had never possessed it, that would be one thing, but you know, once a person has tasted having something, they become terrified of losing it. I'm afraid of losing Guo Guo, afraid of losing you, afraid of losing everyone... I don't want that lonely feeling of the past anymore. I've had enough of it, truly enough..." As she spoke, the corners of Ruan Qingshuang's eyes grew red and moist.

At a time like this, as a real man, Xu Yun naturally had to offer a warm embrace. He reached out and pulled Ruan Qingshuang directly into his arms, lowering his voice. "No one is leaving, and you won't lose anyone, Sister Shuang. I'm not that kind of person, and Guo Guo isn't either. Just think of this as us going to Jinan City to unwind, and me taking Guo Guo out to clear her mind."

"Will you really come back?" Ruan Qingshuang rested against Xu Yun's chest. That warmth gave her endless strength—this was a man's embrace, as vast as the ocean, instilling an inexplicable sense of security just by leaning against it. Ruan Qingshuang indulged herself fully in the safety Xu Yun provided, not wanting to leave for even a second.

"Sister Shuang, Guo Guo still holds shares for me. How could someone as stingy as me not come back?" Xu Yun grinned. The feeling of holding a beauty in his arms was truly different; sitting on the edge of the bed made him feel a restless urge stirring within.

In this time and place, it was the absolute moment for a man and a woman to surrender their hearts and affection. How could Ruan Qingshuang possibly refuse in an atmosphere like this? She was never one who was good at turning people down to begin with, especially when facing the man she loved. If Xu Yun took even the slightest initiative, she would undoubtedly yield halfway and be won over.

Xu Yun only needed to lower his head slightly, and those delicate, red, soft lips could be taken directly into his mouth...

Lower by one centimeter, then another centimeter... Just as Xu Yun was about to taste that exquisite sweetness, Ruan Qingshuang suddenly spoke. "Xu Yun."

Xu Yun took a deep breath to steady himself. "What is it, Sister Shuang?"

"I have an idea. When the hotel earns enough to clear a hundred million, shall we return the principal and interest to Tang Jiu? You know I don't like taking other people's things," Ruan Qingshuang said softly.

Xu Yun nodded. He knew very well that Ruan Qingshuang didn't want Tang Jiu using this as leverage to constantly make him help her with things. "Alright. I don't like owing others either. Heh, a hundred million isn't that much; we'll reach it soon enough."

Ruan Qingshuang nodded. She still hadn't pulled away from Xu Yun's embrace; that tenderness made her reluctant to leave. She simply rested quietly against Xu Yun's chest, feeling the rise and fall of the man's breathing. That sensation remained unforgettable to her for a very, very long time.

Xu Yun didn't move either, allowing Ruan Qingshuang to quietly close her eyes in his arms and drift peacefully to sleep. And just like that, Xu Yun sat still the entire night without moving a single inch, terrified that any motion might wake Ruan Qingshuang.

It wasn't until the early hours of the next morning, when Guo Guo woke up and started searching everywhere for her mother, that Ruan Qingshuang finally stirred from Xu Yun's arms.

Ruan Qingshuang's pretty face flushed slightly. She hadn't expected Xu Yun to let her sleep the entire night without waking her, nor had she imagined that he wouldn't do a single thing all night, simply letting her rest peacefully against his chest.

"We're doomed. If Guo Guo finds out you were in my room last night, heaven knows what she'll think," Xu Yun chuckled wryly.

Blushing, Ruan Qingshuang said, "Guo Guo seeing us wouldn't matter so much; I'm just afraid Tang Jiu might feel uncomfortable if she saw..."

"Uh..." Xu Yun looked awkward. "She should be fine, right?"

Ruan Qingshuang finally gathered her courage and opened the door, only to find Guo Guo already waiting outside. "Um... I came over to Xu Yun's room early this morning to discuss something. What is Guo Guo looking for Mom for?"

"Oh? You only came this morning?" Guo Guo's eyes rolled around craftily. "Mom, I couldn't find you at all last night, you know! Isn't it a bit too 'early' for you to come to Dad's room now? Hehe, even if you came here last night, it doesn't matter. Since we're going to be separated for a little while soon, it's totally understandable for you and Dad to have some lingering affection."

Being teased so ruthlessly by a seven-year-old child left Ruan Qingshuang utterly embarrassed. "What does a little kid know? Stop talking nonsense."

Xu Yun promptly scooped Guo Guo up into his arms. "Let's go! Time for breakfast, and once we've eaten, we hit the road."

During breakfast, no one brought up the events of the previous night. As they were leaving, Tang Jiu simply said "Thank you" to Ruan Qingshuang, though the true meaning behind her gratitude remained a mystery.

Ruan Qingshuang and Qin Wan'er stood watching as the four of them got into the car. Xu Yun drove, Tang Jiu sat in the front passenger seat, and Qiu Yan sat in the back with Guo Guo. The distance from Hedong City to Jinan City was neither particularly long nor short—a six-hour drive spanning six hundred kilometers that would take at least four hours.

Due to some morning fog, the group waited near the highway entrance until past ten in the morning before setting off. They stopped halfway at a rest area to grab a bite and stretch their legs, and by the time they reached Jinan City, it was already close to four o'clock in the afternoon.

As the car rolled off the highway and entered Jinan City, a dark cloud gathered over Tang Jiu's face. She knew she was bound to face numerous difficulties, and right now, only Xu Yun could help her.

[PS: Desperately begging for all kinds of support! Thank you everyone~ The Mid-Autumn Festival holiday is over, time to get back to whatever you're supposed to be doing, right? Heh~ Hope everyone enjoys going back to work and school!]