Chapter 51 Casper "Let's elope to the moon."...
The morning at the seaside comes earlier than anywhere else on earth. The rising sun begins to appear from the horizon, but its shadow is blocked by dark clouds blown by the wind.
Flocks of seagulls emerged from the mist on the sea surface, flapping their wings and whistling as they flew past in response to the ferry's whistle.
Qin Yonglian opened his eyes and turned on the lantern-shaped light next to the sleeping bag.
Compared to the brightness outside the tent, everything inside the tent is still shrouded in this gentle orange light.
Bai Ying had already woken up after hearing the sound. She had stayed in the man's warm embrace all night. Two flowers appeared on her cheeks. There was a bow tied around the end of her hair, which was the guy rope for hanging a tent.
At night, the girl's waist-length black hair fell behind her, and the few strands scattered on the light-colored sleeping bag were even more magical, like Coffee's little paws, rubbing Qin Yonglian from time to time.
While she was sleeping soundly, Qin Yonglian took advantage of the situation, found a piece of rope nearby, and carefully tied her hair.
"woke up?"
Qin Yonglian smiled and patted the other person's back through the sleeping bag like coaxing a baby.
Bai Ying coughed lightly, a little flustered. She had just been caught red-handed trying to peek at him from under her sleeping bag.
Last night their intimacy took many steps closer, just a little short of being inseparable.
The physical closeness actually made her feel belatedly shy the moment she woke up the next day.
But according to her careful observation, her boyfriend had not changed at all, except for the thin bangs falling between his eyebrows, and he still looked calm and composed when he woke up.
Seeing the girl's fixed gaze, Qin Yonglian moved closer, cupped her face with both hands, and examined her carefully before asking, "Is your throat uncomfortable? Did you catch a cold last night?"
"No, no." Bai Ying's face turned red and he cleared his throat.
"I was inexperienced and inconsiderate last night. I didn't know the limits. I'll be more careful next time."
Bai Ying blinked. Eh? Why does this person speak like he's reciting poetry?
"The temperature is low at night at the beach. I shouldn't have left you naked like this..."
Before he could finish his words, someone covered Qin Yonglian's mouth.
"Don't say that!" Bai Ying jumped out of the sleeping bag in a hurry.
The man's deep eyes curved into two wavy lines, and the hot air he exhaled hit the girl's palm.
Before Bai Ying could react, someone had already put his arms around her waist and switched to a new offensive and defensive position.
Qin Yonglian stretched out his arms, placed one hand on Bai Ying's ear, and looked down at her condescendingly, his eyes firm, yet revealing a hint of pride.
"What are you planning?" Bai Ying smelled something unusual.
“Thinking: I will listen to you, not talk, but do.”
As soon as the voice fell, the girl's cheeks and neck were covered with the man's dense kisses.
Bai Ying was blinded by the gentle kiss and let the other person's breath surround her.
The persistent buzz of the phone came from under the pillow.
Qin Yonglian reluctantly moved away from Bai Ying, his eyes regaining clarity, and whispered, "Answer the phone first."
Glancing at the caller, Bai Ying looked at Qin Yonglian before answering the call, "Brother Yuan?"
This sound reminded Qin Yonglian, who turned off the flight mode on his phone and put Qin Yuan's name on the top of the missed calls screen, which took up most of the screen.
Sure enough, Bai Ying put down the phone and passed on the message, "Brother Yuan said that he couldn't reach you all night, and he and Joyce were waiting for you at the apartment."
*** ***
After packing up their camping equipment, the two returned to the apartment just as the sun was high overhead.
As soon as Bai Ying entered the door, she saw a little girl in a pink denim overalls skirt and Coffee chasing the dust in the light.
The little girl, no more than eight or nine, giggled, ran a few steps, and stamped her feet, kicking up dust from the ground. In the sunlight, the dust was clearly visible, like mysterious little creatures floating in the air.
The kitten is at the age when it is most curious, and it just opens its paws and flaps at the air randomly.
The lively interaction between the man and the cat forms a sharp contrast with Andy and Tony Leung who are watching quietly on the side.
Bai Ying was also stunned for a moment, and didn't even want to destroy the simple happiness in front of her.
"See? This is Energetic Joyce."
Qin Yonglian leaned over and whispered into Bai Ying's ear.
On the way back, Bai Ying heard her boyfriend introduce Joyce as the daughter of Tan Ansen and celebrity model Qiao Yixin.
Qiao Yixin is a famous member of the Qin family. She was discovered by a scout at the age of 15 and made her debut. She was unstoppable and swept the major fashion week shows. She appeared on the covers of major magazines and endorsed countless luxury brands. However, she retired at the peak of her career and gave birth to a daughter and a son as an elderly mother.
Qin Yongzheng was only 3 years old, and the Qin Aiqiao in front of him was only 9 years old.
People outside say that Qiao is only interested in money, while Qin Ansen is only interested in happiness, and the couple each gets what they need.
After giving birth, Qiao Yixin gradually withdrew from the entertainment industry, but she never left the fashion circle, and got along well with other families.
Qin Yuan had just finished cleaning up the breakfast leftovers in the kitchen. When he saw Qin Yonglian coming back, he was obviously relieved.
This little princess is also a little monster when she makes trouble. Fortunately, the big monster who can subdue her returns in time.
Qin Yonglian cast a look that said "thank you for your hard work" and came to stand quietly beside Qin Aiqiao, trying to make his voice gentle: "Joyce, let's talk."
The little girl deliberately ignored the other person, took a few steps to walk around Qin Yonglian, ran straight to Bai Ying, and looked up at her seriously.
"Your braids are so beautiful." Qin Aiqiao held the end of her hair, a small bunch that looked like the tip of a brush, and showed it to her.
"My hair texture is like my mom's. It's very hard and the cuticles are tight. It's hard to open it up and it's hard to get a curl."
Ever since she could remember, Qin Aiqiao had often gone to hair salons with her mother, and she had memorized these terms imperceptibly.
"It really is!" Bai Ying was not a shy person, so she squatted down and took a closer look.
"Sister, can I touch your hair?" Qin Aiqiao said in a childish voice, rubbing her hands vigorously. "I played with Coffee, but I washed my hands."
The little girl has bright and lively eyes, especially her long eyelashes that look like butterfly wings. When she flutters at people, she can easily melt their hearts.
These two siblings have similar facial features but completely different personalities, yet they are both equally lovable.
Bai Ying suddenly had an idea and took up her long braid from behind and handed it to Qin Aiqiao, "Come on, touch it as you like, don't be shy."
Coffee, who was originally clinging to Qin Yonglian's calf and acting coquettishly, left his father and joined the more lively group chat on the other side after hearing the voice.
The two girls seemed to have a connection; they could chat happily as soon as they met. Qin Yonglian chuckled, shook his head, and followed Qin Yuan into the living room.
*** ***
Qin Aiqiao followed Qin Yuan on the first boat to South Cowes Island early in the morning. Although the little girl refused to directly communicate with Qin Yonglian why she came, she felt reassured when she saw her brother.
My mind relaxed, and as soon as my body touched the huge polar bear-shaped sofa, I sank into the softness and refused to come out.
In just a few seconds, Bai Ying discovered that the other party was already snoring like a kitten.
"Joyce?" Bai Ying called her softly.
"Let her sleep. If she doesn't sleep, she will turn into a panda." Qin Yonglian whispered.
"I heard the protest had been going on for two days, so I ran to the office before dawn to wait for Qin Yuan to pick her up."
"Protest? Struggle?" Bai Ying felt that these two words were very new to Qin Aiqiao.
Qin Yonglian covered his sister with a thin blanket and tucked it in carefully. "The little girl entered a rebellious phase early. She had a fight with her mother over dieting and ran away from home."
Qiao Yixin took a flight to Tokyo last night to attend Tokyo Fashion Week. As soon as she left, Joyce walked out the door right after her.
After Qin Aiqiao informed the bodyguards and nanny about this departure from home, she left openly, vowing to meet Qin Yonglian.
"Ah! She is so young, and she has to go on a diet? And run away from home?" Bai Ying found it a little unbelievable.
"Qiao Yixin, a model herself, imposed her own body-conscious standards on her daughter early on. Joyce, young and unable to understand, even debated with her mother about human rights and freedom."
These are the reasons and events that Qin Yuan reported to Qin Yonglian.
They know that children from such large families are more mature, persistent, and independent-minded than their peers.
The little girl was sleeping soundly. Qin Yonglian then took a closer look at her. Her face had lost a lot of baby fat compared to when they met at Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island on New Year's Eve.
"I've lost weight."
"Hmm?" Bai Ying followed Qin Yonglian's gaze.
"This is also a little gourmet who loves to eat. He is lively, vivid, innocent and cute."
Qin Yonglian laughed and said, "I'm very similar to you. I believe that if you sprinkle some salt on the universe, you can eat salt-baked little planets."
Bai Ying sighed softly, feeling a little sorry for the little girl. In the Bai family, although the family education was strict and rewards and punishments were used, no child had ever experienced hunger.
"When she wakes up, send her back." Qin Yonglian said.
"Will anyone take care of her when she gets home?"
Bai Ying heard Qin Yuan say that Qiao Yixin would not be able to return to Hong Kong until a week later.
"She has her own nanny and bodyguards, so there's no need to worry about her safety."
"But..." Bai Ying stared at him, "Leon, she likes you, even the child knows it. At this moment, who in this family can give her a sense of security?"
Coffee let out a soft meow, and the kitten slid onto the polar bear sofa next to the sleeping princess. The little girl and the cat looked particularly harmonious.
Qin Yonglian took a deep breath. Someone had transformed him into a soft-hearted and kind-hearted man who was willing to accept the situation.
"Then we have to take her with us. Yingying, you will have to work harder."
"Eh? Eh!"
Bai Ying's eyes lit up, and she leaned closer, rubbing his palms with both hands and asking, "Really? Really?"
"Yeah, that's what you think. I should always take on the responsibility of a brother." Qin Yonglian rubbed Bai Ying's head that was raised up to act coquettishly.
The girl's hair is soft and smooth, no wonder Qin Aiqiao can't let it go.
So Qin Aiqiao stayed in South Cowes Island for another day and night, asked for leave from school, and was taken to Chek Lap Kok Airport by Qin Yonglian and Bai Ying to fly to Japan early the next morning.
*** ***
The Aihe Hotel in Karuizawa, Japan has completed its upgrade and renovation and reopened to the public today.
As the head of the group, Qin Yonglian had to support his own hotel at the opening ceremony.
He originally planned to take Bai Ying to soak in the hot springs for two nights. Since Qiao Yixin was in Tokyo, which was only more than 100 kilometers away from Karuizawa, he planned to send Qin Aiqiao back by cross-city express.
The Karuizawa Aiwa Hotel is located in a valley at the foot of the mountain. It was purchased by Qin Yonglian from a family business that had been running the hotel for a century.
The upgraded hotel leads a new concept in holiday aesthetics, with every detail paying homage to the Edo period and is extremely exquisite.
The hotel is built on the mountain and has only 20 rooms, each of which is a Japanese-style suite.
Overlooking the beautiful valley, the hot spring water is directly drained from the mountain, and it is equipped with an open-air private hot spring and a garden terrace.
Industry veterans and several reporters were invited to the opening ceremony, which was simple yet grand.
At the celebratory reception after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Qin Yonglian announced that Aihe South Cowes Island would open on July 20 of the same year.
The reporter asked: "Does this date have any special significance?"
"I invite you to solve the puzzle yourself at that time." President Qin kept it a secret.
After finishing the interview, Qin Yonglian hurried back to his hotel room.
The hotel offers a quiet and comfortable environment, and considering the privacy of its guests, each suite is separated by plants and Japanese gardens, with tall and sturdy maple and sandalwood trees everywhere.
The lobby leads to the hotel room through several winding corridors and through the wooded paths. Qin Yonglian strode towards the room and couldn't help but think of the time when Qin Aiqiao begged to stay in the same room with Bai Ying.
After just two days of getting along, Bai Ying and Qin Aiqiao had already become familiar with each other.
There was no age gap between the two of them, they had endless things to talk about, and they seemed reluctant to part when checking in.
Qin Yonglian pinched the little girl's cheek and said, "Okay, you are a big kid now. It is not convenient for your brother to take care of you."
"I know you like Yingying too, but please give your girlfriend to me tonight. I like her so much!" Qin Aiqiao cupped her hands into a small trumpet and whispered to her brother in a soft voice.
"Milf." Qin Yonglian curled his lips and came to the conclusion.
The suite is decorated in traditional Japanese style and is designed as an open space that connects with nature.
As soon as you enter the door, you can see the geothermal hot springs bubbling in the cypress hot spring bath in the yard outside the window.
"Hmm? Joyce?"
Only the girls' laughter could be heard, but no one was in sight. Qin Yonglian knocked on the door and asked loudly, "Ladies, may I come in?"
"Leon! You're here at the right time! Come on, come on!" Qin Aiqiao's furry little head poked out from the windowsill.
Two ladies in bathrobes were squatting by the hot spring pool, fiddling with something. Qin Yonglian saw the edge of a bamboo basket floating in the spring.
"Boiled hot spring eggs?"
"Yes! Hot spring tamagoyaki! It's the most delicious when paired with soy sauce! It tastes completely different from the firewood-cooked egg." Bai Ying said excitedly, pulling Qin Aiqiao.
Qin Yonglian found it amusing that others came from afar to enjoy the hot springs, but his girlfriend only wanted to cook hot spring eggs.
So does his sister.
"Oh my Leon, why did the eggshell turn black? Did I boil it?" Qin Aiqiao exclaimed.
"Don't worry, it's not bad," Qin Yonglian explained. "The hot spring water is rich in iron and sulfur. The iron and hydrogen sulfide react chemically, and the eggshell turns black."
"This hot spring egg, with a water temperature of around 70 degrees Celsius, can kill the salmonella in the egg. It has higher nutritional value than hard-boiled eggs and is easier to digest."
Bai Ying taught Qin Aiqiao step by step, first shaking the egg, knocking a small hole in the egg, sucking out the tender and smooth yolk, and then continuing to eat the solidified egg white inside.
The three of them did not go out for dinner, but ate traditional Japanese cuisine at the hotel, using seasonal vegetables grown by the hotel itself.
The two girls at home made Qin Yonglian very worry-free. He just listened quietly to their passionate conversation and could feel the overflowing happiness from them.
Once people become simple, they will be happier than others.
Before they left, Qin Yonglian contacted Qiao Yixin and obtained the guardian's permission to bring the child to Japan.
It was not until the end of dinner that Qiao Yixin's secretary called to inform that Qiao Yixin had several events that required him to attend and could not rush to Karuizawa immediately, and that someone would come to pick him up the next day.
Although Qin Aiqiao was playing and laughing, his words became noticeably quieter after the phone call.
Bai Ying looked at Qin Yonglian and indicated that it was still early, so they should go out for a walk after dinner to help digest the food.
The hotel is hidden in the city, as if isolated from the world.
Listening carefully to the gurgling sound of the stream, the three of them walked slowly along the mountain path.
Bai Ying held hands with Qin Aiqiao and said, "You'll be able to see your mother tomorrow. I really envy you."
"Where is your mother?" Qin Aiqiao asked.
"She works far away. We can only see each other once a year. We are in different time zones. When I want to say good morning, she wants to say good night."
"It sounds like the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl."
"So I cherish every meeting and every phone call."
Bai Ying looked back at Qin Yonglian, who was silently following behind her, and continued, "My mother is a scholar. From time to time, I search her name online to see what new articles she has published recently. Even if I don't understand them, I will save them in a special folder."
After a long silence, Qin Aiqiao spoke up, her tone somewhat annoyed. "I also searched Mommy's name online, but she has no papers, only disgusting stories. I'm very sad. I don't know if it's true."
Bai Ying held the little girl's hand tightly and said, "You have to believe what you see with your own eyes."
"I don't want to talk to Mommy right now."
"Joyce, you're smart. You must know that running away won't solve the problem."
"What if what's written on the Internet is true?" the little girl was very upset.
"Will you always love her no matter what the truth is?
"Yes! Of course!" Qin Aiqiao blurted out.
"So what does it matter whether the online stories are true or false? Joyce, you love the person you see with your own eyes and the person you live with."
The little girl pouted and said nothing.
"You said you like reading reviews written by gourmet Yamadori. What if she's not the chubby, kind old man you imagined, but a young lady? Would you still like her?"
"Of course, I like Yamadori. She has unique ideas!"
"But her new show has hit a snag, so it's getting a lot of negative reviews."
"That's someone else's opinion, not mine. I like the story she told."
"Do you understand now?" Bai Ying gently tapped the little girl's head. "Trust your eyes."
The little girl touched the back of her head and laughed.
*** ***
After returning to the hotel, Qin Aiqiao began to miss her mother and ran into the house to call Qiao Yixin.
In the corridor outside the house, the tall man held his girlfriend's hand in silence.
"We're back from our walk together."
Bai Ying shook the hands they were holding.
Someone remained silent.
"We watched the sunset and the fiery clouds together."
The tall man finally said in a muffled voice: "I'm not looking at it. You are looking at the clouds, and I am looking at you."
"Leon, I feel like you're becoming less and less like you used to be."
Someone raised his eyes, and the big dog looked at Bai Ying, "I can't bear to let her go. My girlfriend is too cute, I don't want to give her to my sister."
Bai Ying: “…”
This look was so inexplicably cute that her heart melted. It turned out that he wanted to purr his fur.
Qin Yonglian was not sure who the third wheel was.
The only thing that is certain is that he accidentally made the same mistake again.
On the day of camping, I gave my girlfriend a stack of key review materials, and my carefully trained abdominal muscles became a decoration.
In the romantic hot spring resort hotel, I brought a little tail to completely divert my girlfriend's attention.
"It's all because my girlfriend is so cute." Someone continued to protest calmly.
The sky dyed red by the afterglow has faded into moonlight, and the evening breeze blows gently through the gaps between the leaves. Bai Ying looks up at Qin Yonglian in this background, her eyes warm and bright.
"Then let Joyce sleep alone, okay?" Bai Ying smiled gently, her eyes slightly raised, and she turned her head to look at Qin Aiqiao.
"That's a good idea. Let's sneak away quietly." Qin Yonglian pulled Bai Ying in, supporting her prank plan. "Let's elope to the moon."
Bai Ying was so happy that she coaxed her boyfriend, "Okay, hug me again."
*** ***
That night, a layer of fog rose in the valley forest outside the house. The lights were hidden in the fog, and the entire hotel was immersed in peace and tranquility.
After everyone returned to their rooms, only Qin Yonglian was left sitting alone at the head of the bed, looking at his phone.
Accustomed to the joyful chirping in his ears, Qin Yonglian found it difficult to adapt to the sudden silence for a while.
In the past twenty years, a book, a star, or even a leaf could allow him to spend his long life alone.
Is it difficult for him to go from extravagance to frugality?
Suddenly bored, I opened the [Boys Over Flowers F3] group:
Qin Yonglian uploaded a picture: [Hot Spring Maple Forest Scenery.jpg]
SoHot Su quickly responded: [!!! Karuizawa Aiwa? Is it reopening so soon? ]
Zhenyan: [Applause and congratulations.gif]
Tan Yonglian slowly sent a second picture: [The back view of Bai Ying and Tan Aiqiao walking hand in hand in the hotel backyard.jpg]
SoHot Su: [It seems Mr. Qin won't be able to use the detailed study materials for the 108 Forms I gave him tonight. 1024GB! What a waste!]
Zhen Yan: [Haha, no wonder Master Dugu didn't show off his affection tonight @覃永廉. 1024GB of study materials??? @SoHot苏]
Qin Yonglian: [One hundred and eight styles? Tsk! Not necessary.]
Zhenyan: [I agree with the above point. No matter how things change, they still follow the same principle. A thousand things change, but the principle remains the same. ]
SoHot Su: [Hey! I suspect you're driving, please be environmentally friendly!]
Qin Yonglian continues to submit: [Picture of green leaves and grass outside the window.jpg]
SoHot Su: [Hahaha, living together is fun, but now someone is alone in an empty room. Without the vertical heart radical, it can barely be considered fun.]
Zhenyan: [thumbs up.gif]
Qin Yonglian: [Friends End.jpg]
The phone buzzed, and Bai Ying opened it. A picture with Coffee's beautiful profile as the profile picture was flashing:
Qin Yonglian: [Hmm, I wish you a happy day today. I'll wish you a happy tomorrow tomorrow.]
-----------------------
The author has something to say: [Notes]
① “Sprinkle salt on the universe and bake the little planet with salt” is a sentence from an anonymous person on the Internet.
② From Xunzi: Confucianism: "No matter how many things are done, the principle is the same."
③From Wang Xiaobo’s work “Loving You is Like Loving Life”.
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