The June wind brought with it the unique warmth of early summer, blowing away the tired dust that had accumulated in the city for a week.
Friday afternoon sunlight slanted through the tall French windows, casting long golden spots on the mirror-like dark marble floor.
Ye Qingliu stood in front of the window, his short black hair outlined with a circle of light gold by the sunlight, and his gray-blue eyes looked at the city lights gradually lighting up outside the window, like two pieces of ice sinking in deep water, clear but without any temperature.
His slender fingers unconsciously stroked the cold glass surface. His wrist with smooth lines and clear wrist bones was exposed at the cuffs. He was wearing a silver watch with a simple design but obviously worth a lot of money.
"elder brother!"
A clear, silvery voice shattered the quiet of the study. Hua Jinyue swooped in like a sweet, fragrant whirlwind, her shoulder-length, slightly curly hair dancing with her movements.
She rushed to Ye Qingliu in a few steps, hugged one of his arms very naturally, and raised her face which was as sweet as the most exquisite doll in the window.
Her big eyes were filled with undisguised joy: "Weekend! Weekend! Hot Spring Resort! I've packed everything!"
The almost stagnant sense of alienation around Ye Qingliu melted away the moment his sister pounced on him.
He lowered his head, a genuine warmth spreading in his gray-blue eyes, and the corners of his lips curved upwards slightly.
He raised his hand and rubbed the top of Hua Jinyue's head, his action filled with habitual doting: "Okay, I understand. If Jinyue wants to go, then go."
His voice was low and pleasant, and it sounded like the most beautiful promise to Hua Jinyue.
She immediately rubbed her brother's arm with satisfaction, her voice so sweet it could drip honey: "Brother is the best!"
Then he remembered something and added, "Sister Nako has packed up too. She said she'll be coming to see us soon."
"Okay," Ye Qingliu agreed, his gaze casting towards the door. Bai Zhiye was standing there quietly, wearing a well-tailored off-white dress, her temperament as calm as water.
She nodded slightly at Ye Qingliu, with a faint smile on her lips. Her eyes were gentle but contained a certainty that could not be ignored.
Ye Qingliu stretched out his hand to her. Bai Zhiye then walked over and gently placed her hand in his palm.
He closed his fingers, holding onto the coolness and stability.
"Let's go," Ye Qingliu said. Holding his girlfriend's hand and letting his sister hold him with the other, the three of them walked out of the overly quiet study together.
Hua Jinyue chattered about the benefits of the villa's hot springs, Bai Zhiye occasionally responded softly, and Ye Qingliu listened silently, with a soft tranquility in his gray-blue eyes.
Downstairs, a sleek, luxurious black business car was already waiting. The driver respectfully opened the door.
The neon lights of the city formed a blurry band of light outside the speeding car window and were eventually left behind.
As the car drove onto the mountain road, the hustle and bustle and dust of the city in the air were gradually replaced by the freshness and moisture unique to the mountains and forests.
The halo of the street lamps meandered along the winding mountain road like a glowing ribbon, pulling them deep into the valley.
"Clear stream!"
As soon as the car stopped in front of the brightly lit main building of the hot spring resort, a smiling voice came over.
Ning Xiwan, who had just returned from abroad, stood under the brightly lit porch. She was wearing a neatly tailored smoky gray casual suit. Her long hair was loosely tied up, with a few strands of hair hanging on her cheeks, adding a touch of gentleness to her quiet face.
Next to her stood Duan Shuce, who was tall and straight, wearing a simple dark T-shirt and trousers, with a pair of frameless glasses on his nose. His eyes behind the lenses were sharp and calm.
As soon as Ye Qingliu stepped out of the car, Ning Xiwan hurried up to him with an undisguised friendly smile on her face.
She stretched out her hand, her target clear—pointing directly at Ye Qingliu's short black hair that looked very nice to the touch.
"Sister Wan." Ye Qingliu subconsciously tilted his head slightly. The movement was extremely subtle, with a little bit of helplessness that was hard to detect, but he did not completely avoid it after all.
Ning Xiwan's hand landed on the top of his head as she wished, rubbing it twice with light force, her tone as intimate as if she was teasing her own child: "Tsk, it's been so long, I heard you were in trouble and you didn't tell me."
Duan Shuce stood aside, pushed his glasses, and raised the corners of his mouth in a very shallow arc.
"Sister Wan." Ye Qingliu called out again, the helplessness in his voice was more obvious, but his gray-blue eyes reflected the warm yellow light from the porch, which strangely softened his elegant temperament.
"Sister Xiwan! Brother Duan!" Hua Jinyue cheered and jumped out of the car from the other side, flying towards Ning Xiwan like a happy little bird.
Bai Zhiye also smiled and got out of the car, nodding politely to Ning Xiwan and Duan Shuce: "Sister Ning, Shuce."
"Jinyue baby!" Ning Xiwan let go of Ye Qingliu's hair, smiled and hugged Hua Jinyue, then nodded to Bai Zhiye, "Naizi is here too, how great."
As the pleasantries were throbbing, a car whirred past the entrance of the villa. A black sedan, its lines equally understated yet imbued with class, drove in.
The car door opened, and Chao Youye got out first. He was tall, wearing a simple black shirt and trousers, which made his skin look like cold jade.
His face was well-defined, his eyebrows were deep but expressionless, his thin lips were habitually pursed, and he looked like an unsheathed, cold knife.
After getting out of the car, he did not move immediately. Instead, he turned sideways, put one hand on the top of the door frame, and reached into the car with the other hand.
Mu Xinrong came out holding his hand. In stark contrast to Chao Youye's coldness and hardness, Mu Xinrong was like a warm little sun.
He has short, soft light chestnut hair, round, bright eyes, and a natural smile.
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