Both sons went into their rooms to make phone calls, leaving Song Mian and Chu Jiangmin bewildered.

Song Mian glanced at Chu Jiangmin and murmured, “What’s going on? Didn’t these two love playing in the water when they were little? Now that we’re taking them to a hot spring resort, they don’t seem excited at all.”

It was hard not to feel disappointed. Song Mian had started planning this trip a month in advance, researching nearby getaway spots in Huaishi. She had consulted colleagues and travel agencies before finally deciding on the hot spring. Even though the last-minute booking made tickets significantly more expensive, and winter was peak season for hot spring resorts—making everything from drinks to meals costly—she still gritted her teeth and went ahead with it.

It had been ages since the family had gone on a trip together. Though it wasn’t far, she was still looking forward to it.

Chu Jiangmin put an arm around Song Mian and took the tickets, trying to comfort her. “Maybe they’ve made plans to study with their classmates. Both kids are so diligent; they don’t want to fall behind.”

Song Mian shook her head. “I think they’ve grown up and don’t enjoy going out with their parents anymore.”

She couldn’t quite swallow her disappointment, so she went to her room to call Tang Lingmei.

When Song Mian lamented to Tang Lingmei, the latter couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “You’re doing well already. Now, even if I ask Shen Hongfang to go buy a bottle of soy sauce with me, he won’t agree, let alone go out for a trip.”

Song Mian lowered her voice. “When have you ever wanted to take Shen Hongfang out? Isn’t he always studying?”

Tang Lingmei had fallen on harder times compared to before, and talking about her child seemed to drain her energy.

After a long silence, she sighed. “Raising a child feels more like raising a nemesis.”

Song Mian sighed along with her.

Meanwhile, Chu Xingning, whose room was right next to his parents’, could faintly hear Song Mian’s voice through the thin walls, though not clearly enough to make out the words. He, too, kept his voice low to avoid being overheard.

“Pei Jiang.”

On the other end of the phone, the boy’s voice was cheerful. Chu Xingning could hear him leap onto his bed, landing heavily on the mattress.

“Brother rarely calls me first. It’s always me who calls you.”

Chu Xingning felt a pang of guilt, instinctively squeezing his fingers, his breathing quickening.

Pei Jiang paused for a moment before cautiously asking, “Is there something you need?”

“Pei Jiang, I might not be able to meet you tomorrow. My parents suddenly decided to take me and my brother to a hot spring resort for my birthday—two days, one night.”

Lowering his head guiltily, Chu Xingning’s eyelashes cast a faint shadow over his eyes, his expression tinged with melancholy.

Pei Jiang fell silent.

Chu Xingning tried to console him. “When I come back, I’ll spend time with you, okay? I’ll bring you a gift. Be good and don’t be sad.”

Always the one being chased and doted on, Chu Xingning had never imagined he’d one day find himself comforting someone else. Surprisingly, it wasn’t something he needed to learn—when it came to someone who mattered, it came naturally.

Finally, Pei Jiang murmured, his voice laced with grievance, “So the only reason Brother called me was to tell me this.”

Chu Xingning quickly explained, “I’ve just been too busy studying, and you know how our high school blocks phone signals. I promise I’ll call you first from now on.”

In truth, Pei Jiang had always been so enthusiastic that Chu Xingning rarely got the chance to take the initiative. Pei Jiang’s calls were always perfectly timed, coming right after school let out at noon and in the evening.

Pei Jiang sniffled, his voice heavy with emotion. “But it’s such an important day, and I want to be by your side.”

Chu Xingning hesitated, torn between feelings of obligation and practicality. For a moment, he even considered telling his parents he couldn’t go.

But it wasn’t realistic. He couldn’t think of a valid reason, and it would only arouse their suspicion.

His parents trusted him so much because he’d always been obedient, never letting his emotions get swayed by the many people who’d pursued him over the years.

Yet, if Song Mian began to harbor doubts, spending so much time under the same roof would eventually reveal the truth.

Chu Xingning furrowed his brow, resting his head on his desk. “How about next time? When I’m in college, I’ll come back to spend your birthday with you.”

Pei Jiang pouted. “No way! Next time is a whole year away. What if something comes up for you again?”

Chu Xingning asked patiently, “Then what should we do?”

Pei Jiang suggested in a small voice, “Why don’t you send me the address? I’ll sneak over to see you. After all, it’s a hot spring resort—you won’t all be together the whole time.”

Chu Xingning immediately rejected the idea. “Absolutely not. You’re not even an adult yet. I wouldn’t feel comfortable letting you go alone, and your parents wouldn’t agree either.”

Pei Jiang’s voice was soft but determined. “Don’t worry, Brother. I won’t go alone. I’ll bring an adult friend with me.”

“What adult friend?” Chu Xingning’s tone turned wary. Pei Jiang was so innocent and sweet—it was easy to imagine people taking advantage of him. The mention of an “adult friend” instantly raised his guard.

Pei Jiang said, “It’s my cousin. His parents don’t really care about him, and he doesn’t have much to do. I’ll just drag him along—he’ll definitely agree.”

Chu Xingning asked curiously, “Are you close with your cousin?”

Pei Jiang shook his head. “Not really.”

“Then why would he help you?”

“Because… my cousin is a glutton. As long as I treat him to food, he’ll do anything.”

Chu Xingning nodded doubtfully. “Oh.”

“Let me go see Brother. Your parents don’t know me anyway. I just want to be able to watch you from afar.”

Chu Xingning’s heart raced. Pei Jiang’s suggestion was bold and thrilling. Meeting him right under his parents’ noses? He found himself looking forward to it.

Being young and easily swayed by the one he cared about, Chu Xingning didn’t think too much and blurted out, “Alright, I’ll send you the address.”

After hanging up, Pei Jiang smiled slyly.

The bit about his cousin coming along was complete nonsense.

He did have a cousin, but there wasn’t an ounce of familial affection between them.

For every important day in his brother’s life, he had to be there.

He wanted to leave his mark on every turning point in Chu Xingning’s memories. He wanted to be the most important person in his brother’s life.

He loved his brother so much and just wanted to have a little more of him.

“Xiao Jiang, Madam sent over the VIP concert tickets you requested, and arrangements with Teacher Ji’s team have been made. You’ll be able to visit backstage for photos and autographs.”

The butler handed Pei Jiang a gold-embossed envelope, elegantly sealed with wax stamped with the character “Ji.”

This was the signature style of the music legend, who only used such elaborate packaging when gifting tickets to influential figures in the industry.

The envelope’s edges were rigid, uncreased, and carefully packed with cork framing during shipping. The sender had paid a high guarantee fee to ensure it arrived flawless, so as not to dampen the recipient’s mood.

In the lower right corner, the envelope bore an inscription written in pen:

*For Madam Shen Lan.*

Pei Jiang glanced at it, his gaze briefly flickering over the envelope before losing interest entirely.

“I don’t want the tickets anymore,” he said indifferently.

The butler froze. “But weren’t you in such a hurry for them just a few days ago? They were sent by air courier and arrived within half a day.”

Not only had the butler been running in circles trying to secure them, but even the courier service was exhausted by the VIP-level urgency of the request.

Pei Jiang tilted his head mischievously, without a trace of guilt. “That was a few days ago.”

The butler shook his head, pitying the wasted tickets. Out of respect for Madam Shen Lan, the singer’s studio had gone to great lengths to deliver them, and the two parties had even shared a friendly interaction on Weibo that trended briefly.

Who would have thought the tickets would be dismissed so easily?

But Pei Jiang’s capriciousness was nothing new, and his family indulged him regardless of what he did. The butler could only take the tickets back.

Such valuable tickets couldn’t be given away lightly. At the very least, they could be kept as collectibles. The butler resigned himself to contacting Madam Shen Lan’s team for a diplomatic explanation.

Pei Jiang’s phone buzzed. After checking it, he called out to the butler.

“Book me a room at the hot spring resort for this Saturday. Nothing too fancy—just something ordinary.”

The butler asked cautiously, “Are you planning a two-day vacation? Are you going with classmates or by yourself? Should I arrange for someone to accompany you?”

Pei Jiang gave him a disbelieving look. “I’m asking for a budget room—do you think I’d bring a helper? I’m going alone. Just pack me a pair of swim trunks and a few clothes, all from affordable brands. Nothing over 1,000 yuan per item.”

The butler paused, hesitating. “Is this some sort of school-organized retreat? A back-to-basics experience?”

Pei Jiang waved dismissively. “Don’t worry about the details. Just get it done.”

Chu Tao’s room was far from his parents’, making it relatively safer.

He didn’t draw the curtains. Outside, the howling wind slipped through the cracks of the glass windows, trying to sneak indoors.

The room’s heater clashed directly with the cold air, leaving a thin layer of condensation on the windows. Chu Tao lay on his bed, staring at the blurred night sky.

“Jiang She.”

“Don’t you mean ‘hubby’?” Jiang She quipped, seizing the chance to tease.

Chu Tao chuckled knowingly, paused briefly, then said seriously, “Our plan has been disrupted. My mom just pulled out two tickets to the hot spring resort and said she wants to take me and my brother there for my birthday.”

Jiang She frowned slightly. “So sudden?”

Despite the unexpected change, he stayed composed. He didn’t want Chu Tao to feel pressured, even though he felt a tinge of disappointment. “You should just go with your parents. It’s rare for them to plan an outing for you.”

Chu Tao blinked, his bright, peach blossom eyes sparkling like stars in the night, exuding a gentle light in the darkness.

“I thought you’d cry.”

Jiang She laughed softly. “What are you talking about? When have you ever seen me cry?”

Chu Tao thought for a moment and realized he hadn’t.

No matter how tough things got, Jiang She never cried. Unlike Chu Tao, who had once hidden in the bathroom crying after being excluded by his new classmates—only to be caught by Jiang She. It was embarrassing.

“What if I cry, though?” Having already lost face once, Chu Tao was now comfortable showing vulnerability.

He wanted to be with Jiang She and see him on his birthday.

Jiang She swallowed hard, his voice hoarse. “You can’t cry over this. If you’re going to cry, it’ll be because I made you cry.”

Chu Tao licked his lips with the tip of his tongue, looked up, and tapped his fingers rhythmically on the blanket.

“I want…you to sneak over to see me tomorrow.”

Jiang She grinned and pressed his phone closer to his ear. “Send me the address. I’ll book a room now.”

“Right away.” Chu Tao pulled up the resort’s address on his phone and quickly sent it to Jiang She.

Jiang She asked, “Where will your family stay?”

Chu Tao replied, “Obviously, my brother and I will share a room, and my parents will have another.”

Jiang She ventured, “Should I book a couple’s suite?”

Chu Tao smiled with curved eyes. “Yeah, my brother won’t bother me. I’ll sneak out at night.”

“Then we can snuggle up and watch a movie in bed. It might not be as big as a theater, but at least it’ll just be the two of us.”

“Think about what you want to watch first. But you’ll have to handle lunch and dinner on your own—I can’t sneak away, or my parents will get suspicious.”

“Most hot spring resorts have buffets, right? They’re usually pretty average.”

“I wouldn’t know, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll eat whatever.”

“I’ll check the reviews. Should I bring some snacks with me?”

“No need to go to that trouble—just bring yourself.”

…

The two chatted casually for a long time. Finally, Jiang She murmured, “I feel like biting you.”

Chu Tao’s eyelashes fluttered. “What a coincidence, me too.”

—

Song Mian didn’t expect both boys to be in such good moods after their phone calls.

Chu Xingning was the first to come out of his room, asking directly, “Mom, where are my swim trunks?”

Song Mian hadn’t taken them swimming for years and had stored the trunks on the top shelf of the closet.

“You don’t need to worry. I’ll pack the clothes and bring everything you need.”

Chu Xingning nodded. “Alright, then I’ll order some snacks. I’ll have them delivered tomorrow morning, just in case the hotel food isn’t good.”

Song Mian, catching his enthusiasm, responded, “Just get what you two like. Your dad and I don’t eat snacks.”

Chu Xingning sat on the sofa, browsing snacks on his phone, while Song Mian busied herself packing.

Chu Jiangnian helped her and tried to reason, “It’s just one night. Don’t pack too much—most of it won’t be needed.”

As Song Mian continued packing, Chu Tao emerged from his room.

Chu Xingning glanced at Chu Tao and shook his phone. “I ordered you some fruit jelly.”

Chu Tao nodded, then went to Song Mian’s room. “Mom, am I still using the same swim trunks as before?”

Song Mian nodded. “Yeah, the ones we bought for the beach.”

Chu Tao hesitated. “Won’t they be too small now?” He had grown significantly taller in the past two years, especially after his alpha differentiation. Now over 1.8 meters, he was slightly taller than Chu Xingning.

Song Mian took out the swim trunks, scrutinized them, and hesitated. “They should still fit; they’re stretchy. If not, we’ll buy a new pair at the resort.”

Chu Tao frowned. “Wouldn’t that be expensive?”

Song Mian handed him the trunks. “Why don’t you try them on first and see?”

Chu Tao took the trunks, stretched them out, and went back to his room.

After trying them on, he realized that what used to feel loose now fit snugly.

While not uncomfortable, it felt slightly embarrassing since the contours were quite visible. But given the late hour, buying a new pair wasn’t feasible, nor was it necessary for just one trip.

Chu Tao thought, *At worst, I’ll wrap myself in a towel while on land. No one will notice once I’m in the water.*

That night, everyone went to bed early. After a tiring week, Chu Tao and Chu Xingning relished the chance to catch up on sleep and didn’t wake up until ten the next morning.

By the time they finished getting ready, it was almost eleven.

Song Mian double-checked the luggage and documents, including the suppressant pills, and after lunch, the family drove to the hot spring resort.

The trip from the city center to the resort took two hours.

Traffic in the city was heavy, and the mountain roads were challenging.

The mountain air was crisp and dry. While not all the trees were green, a few tall pines were dusted with light frost.

Chu Tao and Chu Xingning admired the scenic mountain road, finally feeling the joy of getting away.

The colder the air, the more inviting the hot springs would feel.

The resort was bustling with cars. After some effort, Chu Jiangnian found a parking spot. The family, bundled in their winter coats, dragged their luggage to the hotel lobby to check in.

Thick curtains covered the lobby entrance. Once inside, they were greeted by warm, moist air that quickly banished the cold from their skin.

The spacious lobby had plenty of sofas for guests to rest on.

Chu Tao and Chu Xingning sat on one of the sofas while Song Mian and Chu Jiangnian handled the check-in.

Chu Tao took the opportunity to text Jiang She, who was already on his way.

To avoid suspicion, they had staggered their arrival times, with Jiang She planning to get there around 3 or 4 p.m.

Given that Song Mian and Chu Jiangnian were quite familiar with Jiang She, any accidental encounter would likely blow his cover. To ensure everything went smoothly, Chu Tao stayed in constant contact with him.

Chu Xingning was far more relaxed than Chu Tao. After all, their parents didn’t know Pei Jiang, and Pei Jiang had already checked in and was staying in his room.

He received a message from Pei Jiang, letting him know the room number. Pei Jiang mentioned that his cousin had gone off to explore on his own. The two had only traveled together and wouldn’t be staying in the same room or interfering with each other.

Feeling reassured that everything was going smoothly, Chu Xingning now only needed to find an excuse to slip away and meet Pei Jiang to keep him company.

Song Mian returned with the room keys and said, “Your dad and I are in 402, and you two are in 403. Let’s drop off our things in the rooms first, then take a walk around the resort and snap some photos. The scenery here is beautiful, and there are plenty of activities to enjoy. After it gets dark, we’ll head to the hot springs. The buffet is open from 8 PM to midnight, so there’s no rush.”

They had deliberately eaten a large lunch so they could play longer and eat later in the evening.

Chu Xingning felt a bit disappointed. He had hoped they’d go straight to the hot springs so he could use the opportunity to meet Pei Jiang, but now his mom wanted to take photos.

Song Mian loved photographing her sons. Since both were good-looking, the pictures always turned out like professional portraits. To her, taking photos was a way to preserve memories, something warm and nostalgic to look back on in the future.

However, Chu Tao and Chu Xingning weren’t fond of being photographed. Boys typically didn’t enjoy being in front of a camera, especially when they had to fake smiles, which felt awkward.

Chu Tao frowned. “Are we going to keep taking pictures until it’s dark?”

Song Mian replied, “Just casually! The scenery here is gorgeous—designed like a Suzhou-style garden. I’ve wanted to come here for ages.”

Chu Tao sighed. “Alright.”

He could only text Jiang She to let him know he’d have to wait a little longer.

The four of them went upstairs to their rooms. Chu Tao and Chu Xingning sat on their beds, scrolling on their phones.

Chu Xingning messaged Pei Jiang, suggesting he could hang out in the entertainment area or have a drink in the lobby while waiting. Meanwhile, Chu Tao told Jiang She they were going to the garden for photos and urged him not to go there and risk being seen.

After sending their messages, neither brother bothered unpacking much. They simply opened the windows to air out the room before grabbing their key cards and heading out.

Song Mian had changed into a photo-ready outfit and, brimming with excitement, led Chu Jiangnian and the boys to the garden behind the hotel.

The mountain garden was connected to various hot spring pools, and following the garden path would eventually lead to the sprawling hot spring area.

From a distance, the outdoor hot springs were already bustling with people. It seemed the resort had deliberately decorated the area, with piles of snow surrounding each hot spring. Against the white, snowy backdrop, the hot springs exuded wisps of steam.

“This is pretty nice. The weather in the mountains is cold enough to keep the snow from melting,” Chu Tao murmured.

Song Mian, thrilled, exclaimed, “Let’s finish taking pictures quickly so we can go play!”

Chu Jiangnian sighed. “Didn’t you just say you were only going to the indoor hot springs?”

Song Mian, who disliked the cold, usually preferred indoor hot springs, which were warmer and divided into Omega and Alpha pools. The indoor area also featured tropical banana trees around the pools. After soaking, guests could relax in various sauna rooms.

But now she declared, “I’m doing both—outdoor today, indoor tomorrow!”

Chu Tao turned to Chu Xingning and asked, “Brother, which one are you going to first?”

Chu Xingning, preoccupied with Pei Jiang, figured it didn’t matter. Since Pei Jiang hadn’t differentiated yet, he could use the indoor Omega pool. As long as he could separate from their parents, he’d be fine.

“I’ll decide later. What about you?”

Chu Tao blinked. “Me? Outdoor—I love snow.”

—

The driver had just dropped Jiang She off at the resort and enthusiastically offered, “Young Master Jiang, let me handle your check-in.”

Jiang She shook his head. “No need to trouble yourself. I can manage, and you should head back. My dad might need you.”

To show his importance, Jiang She’s father had assigned his personal driver to him and even informed the resort owner of his son’s arrival. Jiang She’s room key came with special privileges, granting him access to any of the resort’s services without extra charges.

“Alright, I’ll pick you up tomorrow at noon.”

“Thank you, Uncle.”

With a simple backpack, Jiang She made his way to the front desk to check in.

The receptionist, recognizing his name, smiled knowingly and quickly prepared his room key and buffet vouchers, handing them over without any delays.

As Jiang She was about to head to the elevator, he glanced around casually and spotted Pei Jiang lounging in the lobby, sipping coffee in apparent boredom.

Jiang She froze for a moment.

Pei Jiang also looked up, equally startled.

Jiang She stopped in his tracks, his gaze narrowing as he scrutinized Pei Jiang.

Pei Jiang gripped his coffee cup tightly, feeling a headache coming on.

Finally, Jiang She spoke, his tone cold. “You can’t even greet me?”

Pei Jiang pressed his teeth against his lower lip and forced a smile that lacked any warmth. “What a coincidence, Cousin.”