Chapter 96: Meddlesome

After saying that, Qin Yiren realized everyone was looking at her with surprised expressions. She quickly tried to explain, “What I meant was, even if you’re dating, staying together might not be appropriate. It’s better to be cautious.”

The atmosphere seemed to grow even more uncomfortable. She spoke up weakly, “What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”

“Yiren, didn’t you know they’re married? They have a marriage certificate!” Zhu Shiliang reminded her.

“What?” Qin Yiren was stunned for a moment, then angrily turned to Mi Xue’er, “Why did you lead me to believe they were just dating?”

Facing Qin Yiren’s questioning, Mi Xue’er looked innocent. “I didn’t say anything wrong. Aren’t they a couple?”

“You!…” Qin Yiren was momentarily at a loss for words. After taking a few deep breaths, she finally said, “I’m sorry, I misunderstood!”

Qin Yiren understood the term “couple” typically meant an unmarried man and woman in a romantic relationship. Since Mi Xue’er had indeed used it to describe Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an, Qin Yiren couldn’t outright accuse her of lying. After all, the term “couple” could be ambiguous.

She felt relieved that she hadn’t said or done anything overly inappropriate or irreversible.

Qin Yiren’s explanation seemed acceptable, and the others laughed, saying she was quite traditional and appeared to be a decent person.

She apologized to Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an, but they simply smiled, nodded, and returned to their room.

That’s right, these two had no idea about Qin Yiren’s little schemes and only felt that this girl was overly enthusiastic. Well, she was so enthusiastic that it made people feel like she was meddlesome and nosy.

After Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an got into the elevator, the others who had finished checking in followed. They agreed to settle into their rooms and then meet for dinner at the restaurant.

Their rooms were on different floors. Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an’s room was on the 6th floor, room 623.

After entering the room, they first checked it for hidden cameras and listening devices. Finding it quite clean, they pulled open the curtains, revealing a view of lush green trees.

“The view is not bad!” Shen Yanming exclaimed, quite satisfied with the accommodation.

Bi Qiao’an smiled and took out bedsheets and quilt covers from the suitcase, replacing the hotel’s set entirely. After changing the bedding, the two freshened up in the bathroom, changed into their pajamas, and took a nap on the bed.

They slept until sunset and were awakened by a phone call. After answering and changing clothes, Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an headed to the Qingli Mountain Hotel’s buffet restaurant.

Upon arrival, they found the restaurant packed and had to wait for a table. Peeking inside, their mouths watered at the sight of the abundant spread – meats of all kinds, fruits, cakes, drinks, vegetables…

Eager to indulge in such a feast, they swallowed their saliva and resolved to wait. Alas, they had no choice. They, like those already enjoying the food inside, hadn’t experienced such plenty in a long time.

Even with money, food was strictly rationed. Monthly supplies were limited, allowing them to eat enough, but never in a way comparable to their previous lifestyle.

Who knew that Qingli Mountain would be a magical place, allowing them to eat to their heart’s content without restrictions?

So, they waited outside for nearly half an hour before finally being ushered into the restaurant.

The dazzling array of food and the noisy crowd created the illusion of a return to their former lavish and prosperous lives.

With the restaurant bustling, groups were forced to sit separately in small clusters of two or three.

Bi Qiao’an sat in her seat, waiting for Shen Yanming to return with food. He knew her tastes intimately. After a quick survey of the offerings, he returned with two plates piled high. “Try these and see what you like. I can always get more,” he said.

Bi Qiao’an nodded. Sampling the garlic vermicelli, steamed scallops, poached shrimp, pepper beef, and sweet and sour pork, she offered her verdict after a few bites of each: “The lamb skewers smell amazing! They’re perfectly roasted.”

Shen Yanming put down his chopsticks, ready to join the queue, but Bi Qiao’an stopped him. “I’ll go. You finish eating.”

And so, Bi Qiao’an joined the line for lamb skewers. True to its popularity, the stall had a strict limit of ten skewers per person. She waited patiently for nearly ten minutes before reaching the front. With her skewers secured, she also gathered some cakes and fruits to round out their meal.

Returning to their table, her hands laden with food, she offered half the lamb skewers to Shen Yanming. “Eat these while they’re hot and fresh,” she urged.

Shen Yanming accepted them without hesitation.

After Bi Qiao’an finished everything on her plate, she felt full. She stood up, poured herself a glass of ginger ale, and waited for Shen Yanming to return with his food.

Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an weren’t particularly hungry, so they finished eating quickly. The others, however, were a different story.

They hadn’t experienced such carefree dining in a long time. It was rare to encounter a place without restrictions, so they were eagerly filling their plates.

Observing that their colleagues and friends were still enjoying the food, Shen Yanming excused himself and left the group with Bi Qiao’an.

After escorting Bi Qiao’an back to their room, Shen Yanming departed, saying he wanted to explore Qingli Mountain.

Once Shen Yanming left, Bi Qiao’an carefully checked the room once more, finding nothing unusual. She made sure the door was locked.

Bi Qiao’an drew the curtains closed, turned off the lights, and climbed into bed, tucking herself completely under the covers. Then, she retrieved a doll about her size from her mysterious space and vanished inside.

Alone in the space, the silence was overwhelming. Without anyone to keep her company, Bi Qiao’an felt a sense of emptiness.

She got up, walked to the storage area, and grabbed a few oversized coats and men’s pants. After tossing them in a bag, she headed toward the mobile villa by the waterfall in the planting area.

The mobile villa purchased from Europa hadn’t been used since its initial placement in the space. However, once the spaces merged, Bi Qiao’an had moved it next to the waterfall. Shen Yanming had reconnected the water and electricity, making it quite convenient.

Bi Qiao’an quickly rinsed the clothes in the washing machine and hung them to dry on the balcony. It was still early, so she collected all the ripe strawberries and plump wheat stalks into the storage area. Afterward, she sowed fresh seeds.

Tired and sleepy, Bi Qiao’an left the space and fell asleep within minutes.

Shen Yanming didn’t return to the room until nearly midnight. He moved quietly, using the faint light from his phone to navigate the darkness. Seeing Bi Qiao’an fast asleep, he changed into his pajamas and lifted the corner of the covers…

The next day, Bi Qiao’an woke to sweltering heat. Even with temperatures in the thirties, it shouldn’t be this bad—and the scenic area was pleasantly cool at night. But alas, there was a furnace beside her… how distressing!

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