Chapter 37
In early spring, Suzhou's air is warm, carrying the unique moisture of the Jiangnan region and the fresh scent of budding vegetation. With its pink walls and black tiles, small bridges and flowing water, even the breeze seems a bit gentler than in Tianjin.
Xia Wan took a day off, and with the weekend added in, she had three days to spare. When she and Jiang Yu walked out of the Suzhou train station side by side, they were no longer greeted by the clamor of the concrete jungle, but by the tranquility and elegance unique to this ancient water city.
The person sent by Party A to meet them at the exit was already waiting, respectfully accepting their luggage. A discreet black business car took them to their hotel. Located on the edge of the ancient city's protected area, the hotel is a boutique hotel renovated from an old house. Its white walls and black tiles, deep courtyards, and a breathtaking view at every step, blend seamlessly with the surrounding gardens.
"Do you like it here?" Jiang Yu turned his head and asked Xia Wan while checking in.
"Hmm!" Xia Wan looked around the exquisite and elegant hall and the courtyard faintly visible through the moon-shaped door, her eyes full of appreciation, "It's quiet in the midst of noise, very charming." She liked this kind of place that perfectly combined modern comfort with classical charm.
The front desk clerk handed over two room cards. Jiang Yu took them naturally and handed one to Xia Wan. His movements were smooth, without a hint of deliberate ambiguity, yet Xia Wan's heart skipped a beat. Although they were already in a relationship, this was indeed their first time...staying away from home together. She took the room card, her fingertips feeling slightly cool and her cheeks feeling a little warm.
Jiang Yu seemed to sense her slight nervousness. A knowing smile flashed across his deep eyes. His voice was low and gentle: "The room is next door. Let's take a break first. We'll go see Couple Garden in the afternoon. There's a welcoming banquet for the project in the evening. We just need to show up."
"Okay." Xia Wan breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a little amused at her own nervousness.
The room was a suite renovated from two separate courtyards. Xia Wan's window opened onto a small patio, a few bamboo stalks, a lily pad, and a tranquil, peaceful atmosphere. She put down her luggage, washed up, and changed into a comfortable cotton and linen dress. Just as she was done, there was a gentle knock on the door.
When I opened the door, Jiang Yu was standing outside. He had also changed into casual attire, a light linen shirt and dark trousers. He looked less serious at work and more casually elegant, which was particularly fitting against the backdrop of Jiangnan.
"Have you rested well?" he asked, his eyes fixed on her with undisguised admiration.
"Yeah." Xia Wan nodded, feeling a little embarrassed by his gaze.
"Let's go. Couple Garden is not far from here. Let's walk there." Jiang Yu stretched out his hand naturally.
Xia Wan placed her hand in his warm palm. Holding hands, they exited the hotel, merging into the lazy streets of Suzhou in the afternoon. The cobblestones, polished smooth by time, were lined with low-rise houses. Occasionally, an elderly man on a bicycle leisurely passed by. Sunlight filtered through the branches of the sycamore trees, casting dappled shadows. The air was filled with the delicate fragrance of unknown flowers and plants and the faint sweetness of tea.
There were no urgent work calls, no city noise. Just clasped hands, unhurried steps, and the shared tranquility of a southern spring day. Xia Wan's heart felt like it was soaked in warm spring water, a feeling of unprecedented relaxation and comfort.
Couple Garden is modest, yet it embodies the exquisite, ingenious, elegant, and graceful beauty of Suzhou gardens to the utmost. Winding corridors, delicate rockeries, and a pool of clear water reflecting pavilions and towers create a picturesque scene at every turn. Jiang Yu is clearly familiar with the area; he's no longer just a companion; he's become a knowledgeable and patient guide.
"Look at this plaque that reads 'Between Mountains and Waters,'" he said, pointing to a plaque on the waterside pavilion, his voice low and pleasant. "The calligraphy was written by Wen Zhengming, and the brushwork is free and unrestrained. The use of scenery here is wonderful, even including the Bao'en Temple Pagoda in the distance outside the garden."
"This 'Listening to the Oars Tower,'" he said, leading her up to the small building. "In the past, there was a river outside the garden. In the dead of night, you could hear the sound of oars, hence the name. Although you can't hear it now, the artistic conception remains."
"This wisteria," he said, pausing beneath a vine with twisted branches, still unflowered, with only tender leaves, "is said to be a hundred years old. When it blooms in April, it will cascade like a purple waterfall, a truly unique sight in the garden."
He explained the layout of buildings, the stories behind couplets, and the habits of flowers and trees. His explanations were professional yet not boring, brimming with a genuine appreciation for classical wisdom. Xia Wan followed him, listening intently, her eyes filled with admiration and... a growing love for the man beside her. She discovered that even without the halo of "General Manager Jiang," he still possessed such broad insights and a profound cultural heritage beyond his professional field.
The two of them wandered through the garden, stopping here and there. Jiang Yu would offer her a thermos of warm tea at just the right moment; he would snap a few photos of her with his phone while she concentrated on the scenery; and in crowded areas, he would quietly keep her by his side. This thoughtfulness was woven into every subtle gesture, as natural as breathing.
In the evening, an unexpected spring rain drizzled down, adding a touch of hazy poetry to the garden. Jiang Yu opened his umbrella, its broad canopy securely covering the two of them. Raindrops pattered against the canopy, making a soft rustling sound. Standing in the corridor, they gazed at the pavilions and waterside terraces bathed in the rain, the imagery of the misty Jiangnan region washing over them.
The space beneath the umbrella was small and intimate. Xia Wan could clearly smell the crisp scent of fir mixed with the refreshing scent of rain on his body, and feel the warmth of his body on her arm. She tilted her head slightly, looking at his well-defined jawline. The rain dampened a few strands of hair at his temples, softening his hard features.
Jiang Yu seemed to sense her gaze and lowered his head. Their eyes met, shrouded in the misty rain of Jiangnan. The world outside the umbrella was separated by a curtain of rain, leaving a small world under the umbrella. His eyes were deep, reflecting the lights under the corridor and her figure, and tender feelings surged in them. He said nothing, but his grip on the umbrella handle tightened slightly. His other arm, naturally and protectively, gently wrapped around her shoulders, drawing her closer to him.
Xia Wan didn't resist, leaning obediently against his warm chest, her cheek pressed against the fine fabric of his shirt, listening to the steady, strong beat of his heart. The sound of rain and heartbeat intertwined, composing the most moving spring love song. A profound sense of security and happiness enveloped her. In this moment, there was no heaviness of a decade's secret love, no shadow of the past, only the sweetness and tranquility of the present, cherished and protected.
At the project's welcoming banquet that evening, Jiang Yu, as expected, only made a brief appearance with Xia Wan. As a key partner, he was naturally surrounded by the crowd. However, he always kept Xia Wan by his side, introducing her to key figures with a clear sense of protection and respect. Xia Wan handled the situation gracefully, her professional background and calm demeanor endearing her to many present. Despite the lively atmosphere at the banquet, Jiang Yu remained sober, having only a few token drinks.
The banquet ended, and they returned to the hotel. The rain had stopped, and the air was exceptionally fresh. They stood for a while in the small courtyard of Xia Wan's room, watching the bright moonlight after the rain cast its rays over the bamboo leaves and water lilies.
"Are you tired?" Jiang Yu asked in a low voice.
"Not bad." Xia Wan shook her head and looked up at the starry sky. "The night sky in Sucheng seems to be brighter than that in Jinzhou."
"Yeah." Jiang Yu agreed, his eyes fixed on her radiant face in the moonlight. A day spent together, from strolling through the Couple Garden to cuddling under the umbrella, their intimacy quietly deepened amidst nature.
"Tomorrow," he began in a low voice, "I'll go to Wangshiyuan in the morning, and in the afternoon... there's a critical on-site consultation for the project, and I need to go there. It'll take about two or three hours. You can..."
"I'm going to the library." Xia Wan immediately responded with clear eyes, "I heard that the Ancient Books Department of the Suzhou Library has many rare books about the construction of Jiangnan gardens. I want to go and take a look." She didn't want to be a burden to him, and she also had her own interests.
Jiang Yu's eyes flashed with appreciation and a smile: "Okay. I'll pick you up after it's over. In the evening..." He paused, looked into her eyes, and made the most important invitation of the night: "Let's go see the Night Garden?"
The Night Garden of Wangshiyuan was the highlight of his trip and also a solemn response to her feelings.
Xia Wan's heartbeat quickened. Under the moonlight, her eyes shone like stars. She nodded vigorously, "Yes! Let's go see the Night Garden!"
"Okay." Jiang Yu's lips curved into a warm smile. He reached out, not to embrace her this time, but with extremely gentle touch, he used his fingertips to brush away a strand of hair that had been ruffled by the night wind from her forehead. The warmth from his fingertips was particularly clear in the cool night air.
"Good night, Xia Wan." His voice was low and gentle, carrying the tenderness of the night.
"Good night." Xia Wan responded softly, her cheeks slightly hot.
Jiang Yu looked at her deeply before turning and walking towards his room next door. The sound of his footsteps disappeared at the end of the corridor.
Xia Wan stood in the courtyard, the warmth of his touch still lingering on her fingertips. She looked up at the clear night sky of Sucheng, taking in the moist scent of flowers and plants. The corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up.
She began to look forward to tomorrow...
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