In the suburban area of A City, near the development zone where Bichen is located, there’s a local tourist attraction: a mountain called Hengxiu Mountain.

It’s neither towering nor elegant, just… very ordinary.

The scenery isn’t anything special, and all the attractions are man-made.

Many people from the city who go on day trips or spring outings often choose to visit Hengxiu Mountain.

There’s a developer in A City who has bought a piece of land on the mountain and created a high-end summer resort area.

Although it’s not large, it focuses on being refined and upscale. It’s a good choice for a quick one- or two-day trip to relax.

Yin Yao and Shang Xinglu had their room booked there.

Since it wasn’t far, and there weren’t many good restaurants in the development area where Bichen was located, the three of them decided to drive to the resort area on Hengxiu Mountain – Hengxiu Villa.

They weren’t locals of A City, and on top of that, they weren’t familiar with the suburban roads.

But in today’s world, they had the great tool of civilization—mobile phones—and the navigation function in them.

Yin Yao, following the navigation, drove up the mountain.

Since the season was transitioning into winter, it was already getting dark early, and since the resort had only been open for less than a year, the area was still quiet, with nothing but lights along the road.

By sheer coincidence, at a T-junction, they came across a “No entry, road under construction ahead” sign, blocking the road straight ahead.

And that road was exactly the one the navigation had directed them to.

But this road was blocked.

Yin Yao had no choice but to take a different road, and the voice from the navigation system changed to “You have deviated from the route,” then after a while, “Recalculating the route.”

However, this new route wasn’t planned well.

The previous mountain road had signs of being carefully repaired, but the detour they were on was getting more and more rundown, with the road becoming rough and filled with potholes.

Yin Yao felt uncertain.

Shang Xinglu was also… a bit scared.

She had recently developed a real fear of the dark, not just a fake fear.

And Shen Wang…

Shen Wang, who had skipped meals, was suffering from low blood sugar and was so car sick that he felt like he was going to faint.

At this point, he could only escape into sleep to avoid facing the situation.

Yin Yao tried to comfort Shang Xinglu, saying, “It’s fine, we’ll be back on track after this detour. We’ll get there soon.”

As she spoke, sure enough, the road ahead seemed to smooth out, and Yin Yao sighed in relief.

A few minutes later, the three of them arrived back at the “No entry, road under construction ahead” sign.

Yin Yao: “…”

Shang Xinglu: “…”

Yin Yao smiled and said, “I’ll try another road this time. Louise, don’t worry, we’ll be there soon.”

With the sweet voice of the navigation system guiding them, Yin Yao’s car traveled up the mountain road in the dark. After a few more minutes…

They were once again back at the “No entry, road under construction ahead” sign.

Yin Yao: “…”

Shang Xinglu: “…”

Yin Yao raised her smile again, “I’m not great with directions. This time, I’m sure we’ll make it…”

Shang Xinglu forced a smile, one that looked worse than crying. “Hmm, no rush. The weather is nice, and we still have enough gas. You can take your time…”

The next second.

Splash splash—

It was the sound of rain.

To add an adjective, it was the sound of a torrential downpour—ah!

Yin Yao: “…”

Yin Yao glanced at the fuel gauge, “…Uh, we don’t have much gas left.”

Shang Xinglu: “…”

She couldn’t help but cover her face.

Dad, save me!!!

At this moment, an old, dilapidated tricycle drove past in front of Yin Yao’s car.

No, it didn’t just drive past. It stopped, and the driver inside was sizing them up through the window.

Shang Xinglu instantly felt a chill down her spine.

The last time she had been stranded in the suburbs, right before her eyes, a driver and a bodyguard had died, and Lin Heng had been severely injured.

She had to wait a long time before rescuers arrived.

This time…

Never mind that she, once brave, had now become timid. Just the setting—a dark mountain road, a dilapidated truck, and an old driver…

Wasn’t this the kind of scene favored by low-budget horror films?!

Was she really going to be turned into a human meal???

Not just Shang Xinglu, but the surrounding environment had even made Yin Yao, who was normally calm, feel a bit uneasy.

At that moment, both of them turned to look at the only adult male in the car, the expected horror film victim.

…Shen Wang was still sound asleep, leaning against the window.

Yin Yao: “…”

Shang Xinglu: “…”

Yin Yao couldn’t help but throw a tissue box at him, while Shang Xinglu just blurted out, “Shen Wang, are you a pig?!”

Pig… Ah, no, Shen Wang woke up.

It took him half a minute to understand the situation.

Then, pig—ah no, Shen Wang, snorted coldly.

Yin Yao thought he would definitely make some sarcastic remarks like “You can’t even drive this short road?” or “Aren’t you supposed to be so great?”

But to her surprise, Shen Wang said nothing.

He got out of the car, braving the rain, and walked toward the truck. After talking to the driver for a few words, he quickly returned.

Shen Wang said, “I just asked about the road. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you how to go.”

His voice was calm, and his attitude steady. This calm demeanor immediately reassured the two women who had been frightened.

Yin Yao couldn’t help but look at Shen Wang again, thinking, it’s rare that he didn’t lose his temper.

At this point, Shen Wang said, “Just drive straight ahead.”

Yin Yao: “But there’s a sign…”

Before she could finish, she saw the truck driver get out of the truck and move the sign aside.

Yin Yao: “…”

Shang Xinglu: “…”

Shen Wang: “That guy just came down from the mountain and is waiting for the team to come fix the road. It hasn’t started yet. He told us to hurry up and pass.”

After calmly saying this, Shen Wang finally couldn’t hold back.

Shen Wang added, “And you’re saying it’s me? You two are the real pigs, huh?”

Yin Yao gave him an eye roll.

And Shang Xinglu…

Shang Xinglu was quite displeased, “Why can’t I be a mushroom? Or a penguin?”

Shen Wang: “Is there a difference?”

Shang Xinglu: “Of course! Mushrooms and penguins are both cute, and I’m cute too!”

Shen Wang: “…………”

What a shameless person.

About ten more minutes passed before they finally arrived.

They had a meal, then proceeded with checking in.

The receptionist smiled and asked, “Do you have a reservation?”

Yin Yao said, “I do.”

Shen Wang said, “I don’t.”

The receptionist continued smiling, “Sorry, we can’t check you in without a reservation. We’re hosting a large conference, and the rooms are very limited. Apart from the reserved rooms, all rooms are fully booked for the night. Miss, could you please provide your ID?”

Yin Yao calmly handed over her ID.

Shen Wang: “……”

Shen Wang, holding onto his composure, said, “I know hotels usually reserve a few extra rooms. Just charge me extra.”

The receptionist’s expression showed difficulty, “Sorry, sir, there really aren’t any rooms left.”

“What about the presidential suite?”

The presidential suite is usually the last to go, so it’s often available.

The receptionist replied, “That one’s the most popular, and it’s already been taken.”

Shen Wang: “…………”

Yin Yao raised an eyebrow calmly and said, “Congratulations, Mr. Shen… looks like you’ll be sleeping on the streets? I can lend you my car key.”

Just after saying that, Yin Yao changed her mind.

She said in front of Louise, “Louise, there are no rooms. Looks like the three of us will have to squeeze into one for the night.”

Shen Wang, still shocked by Yin Yao’s response, continued to listen as Yin Yao added, “Well, here’s how we’ll divide it. Mr. Shen gets one bed, Louise and I share one. Louise, you won’t mind sharing a bed with me, right?”

Shang Xinglu: “Not at all.”

Yin Yao: “That’s good. Though it might be a little tight.”

Shen Wang gritted his teeth, “…You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”

Yin Yao smiled, “How could I? I’m just being considerate. If Mr. Shen isn’t happy with it, you’re welcome to sleep in the car at any time.”

She jingled her car key for emphasis.

“Miss Shang? Miss Shang, what are you doing here?” A surprised and joyful male voice suddenly sounded.

It sounded quite familiar.

Shang Xinglu turned around and saw Assistant Yuan… or rather, Yuan the Assistant.

Assistant Yuan was really a good assistant.

What made him particularly good was that he supported Lin Heng’s work entirely, and since Lin Heng was basically married to his job, Assistant Yuan essentially supported Lin Heng’s “marriage” to work.

So, his presence here meant that Lin Heng was also here.

Sure enough, the next moment, Lin Heng walked through the door.

It was a cool night in the mountains, and he was wearing a black long coat, making him look refined and aloof.

He gave off an impression of being untouchable, with someone holding an umbrella beside him so that his shoulder wasn’t even wet.

He saw Shang Xinglu, glanced at her, then shifted his gaze to the people around her.

It was always so lively.

Even if Lin Heng had his own thoughts, he wouldn’t show them in front of others.

Lin Heng asked plainly, “What’s going on?”

Although it was just one sentence, Shang Xinglu suddenly furrowed her brow.

…Something felt off.

Was Lin Heng… angry?

Once she had that thought, Shang Xinglu didn’t want to think further. She shrank her neck and began to play coy.

Yin Yao briefly recapped the situation they had encountered, and Lin Heng immediately made a decision.

Lin Heng said, “I have a suite. Louise, you should come with me.”

Yin Yao: “That’s not going to work. I’m not familiar with Mr. Shen, and we’re both unmarried. It wouldn’t be appropriate for a man and woman to share a room. How about this: Louise and I share a room, and Mr. Shen and Mr. Lin can make do?”

Shen Wang: “I don’t want to.”

Lin Heng didn’t speak, but it was clear his refusal was even more definite.

He clearly didn’t care where Shen Wang would sleep tonight—driving back was a good option.

At this point, Assistant Yuan spoke up, “How about this? I’ll go to a colleague’s room, and Mr. Shen can use mine?”

That sounded like a good solution.

Lin Heng grabbed Shang Xinglu’s hand and was about to take her away.

Just in time, he had something he wanted to talk to Louise about.

However, Shen Wang blocked his way.

He said, “Mr. Lin, after all, Louise is divorced from you. Isn’t it a little inappropriate for her to spend the night in your room?”

Shen Wang had given up on trying to make things work. If he wasn’t going to get a room, then Lin Heng shouldn’t have it easy either.

As fellow exes, why did Lin Heng get to take Louise away immediately?

Lin Heng ignored Shen Wang’s provocation.

He turned to Shang Xinglu, who, as usual, said nothing, pretending she wasn’t there. Lin Heng couldn’t help but frown slightly.

Lin Heng said, “What do you think? You choose.”

Shang Xinglu looked up.

At that moment, they realized Shang Xinglu had been playing on her phone the entire time.

…Or rather, she had been using her phone to book a car.

The location was remote, and getting a ride wasn’t easy. Shang Xinglu simply upped the price until she got a car.

The initial panic had passed, and she was now calm.

Because, after all, only a child makes a choice.

Shang Xinglu said, “Since there aren’t enough rooms, you all should rest well. I’m heading back now.”

That was enough for her.