The private hot-spring villa was indeed just as quiet and secluded as Qin Yu had described.
It had its own private courtyard, designed in an antique style. A cobblestone path led to an open-air hot spring pool shrouded in rising steam. Bamboo fencing cleverly surrounded the area, ensuring privacy without obstructing the view of the night sky.
Wen Yu put their luggage away with minimal fuss.
Gu Huaizhi seemed to have genuinely come here to relax. He did not even look at his phone anymore. Instead, he stood by the window, gazing at the scenery outside with interest.
“Go soak,” he said, nodding toward the hot spring pool. He himself walked over to a lounge chair in the courtyard and sat down, closing his eyes as if he had no intention of getting into the water with her.
Wen Yu was more than happy with that arrangement.
She changed into the swimsuit she had brought and wrapped herself in a thick bathrobe before carefully stepping into the hot spring.
The warm water instantly enveloped her body, driving away the chill of the mountains and the tension she had carried for days. She could not help but let out a soft, comfortable sigh.
Wen Yu sank deep into the soothing spring water, leaving only her head above the surface.
The billowing steam was like a veil of white gauze, blurring the jagged artificial rocks and carefully cultivated bamboo surrounding the pool.
She did not know when Gu Huaizhi had gotten into the hot spring as well.
She secretly lifted her eyes and saw him leaning against the side of the pool.
His eyes were closed, and his sharply defined profile looked almost unreal through the hazy steam. Droplets of water slid down the clean line of his jaw and fell onto his solid chest.
Beside him sat a white jade wine flask containing the fine liquor treasured by the owner of the resort. He had already drunk nearly half of it by himself.
Wen Yu frowned.
Did this man not know that he had a bad stomach? He was always drinking.
However, he had never liked other people interfering in his affairs. Not wanting to upset him, Wen Yu could only pretend she had not noticed.
As evening deepened, a cool mountain breeze swept through the courtyard, stirring the bamboo leaves and filling the air with a soft rustling sound.
Wen Yu felt that she had soaked long enough and was just about to quietly get out so she would not disturb him.
Just then, Gu Huaizhi suddenly moved.
He opened his eyes. Deep within those dark eyes was an emotion Wen Yu could not understand.
He stood up, sending ripples through the water, and walked straight toward her.
Wen Yu instinctively retreated until her back touched the slightly cool wall of the pool.
Gu Huaizhi said nothing. He simply invaded her personal space with an unmistakable forcefulness, causing the warm water to ripple around them.
He wrapped his arms around her from behind, his strong arms encircling her waist and holding her firmly against him.
His chin rested against the top of her damp hair. His breath carried the crisp scent of alcohol, brushing against her ear and the side of her neck and sending a fine shiver through her.
“Are you cold?” he asked in a low voice, his tone raspier than usual.
Wen Yu shook her head, though her body stiffened slightly because of the way he was holding her.
He rarely held her like this—from behind.
Most of the time, he preferred facing her, where he could clearly see her expression. It satisfied his need for control.
His palm radiated heat as it slowly caressed the delicate skin around her waist, carrying an unmistakably possessive quality.
Wen Yu held her breath and tried to relax, obediently leaning into his embrace.
“Half a month left…”
At his words, Wen Yu’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.
He had never mentioned it, and neither had she. She had assumed their silence was an unspoken understanding.
He paused, as though weighing his words. After a moment, he finally spoke slowly.
“…Wen Yu, do you think you’ll miss me?”
Wen Yu froze completely, her mind going blank for an instant.
Miss him?
What was she supposed to miss?
The five-year relationship they had been forced to keep hidden?
Or the occasional tenderness he bestowed upon her as though it were a favor?
And what about him?
Would he miss her?
She did not dare ask. She was afraid the answer would disappoint her.
A trace of bitter self-mockery surfaced in her heart.
It seemed Gu Huaizhi really was drunk tonight. Otherwise, why would he ask such a meaningless question?
Wen Yu lowered her lashes, concealing every emotion in her eyes.
She did not answer. She did not even know how she was supposed to answer.
Was she really supposed to say, “President Gu, I’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time”?
If she actually said that, the consequences would be serious.
Her silence seemed to anger him—or perhaps it only intensified the nameless fire burning inside him.
Gu Huaizhi’s arms suddenly tightened, squeezing her until it became difficult to breathe.
He stopped waiting for her answer. Instead, he abruptly turned her around, forcing her to face him.
Water splashed everywhere.
Through the hazy steam, Wen Yu met his eyes.
They were no longer calm and unreadable. Dark desire churned within them.
He lowered his head and kissed her fiercely, his movements carrying an irresistible force that swallowed every sound she might have made.
Wen Yu could only passively endure it, like a small boat drifting on the sea, rising and falling with his rhythm.
She could feel his urgency. His hands moved over her body with a roughness that left a faint, aching sensation against her delicate skin.
Tonight, Gu Huaizhi was like a trapped beast, releasing his desire in the most primal way.
Wen Yu found it difficult to endure and softly called out, “Pres… President Gu.”
Gu Huaizhi looked at her alluring face, then lowered his head and silenced her with another kiss, cutting off whatever she had been about to say.
He swept her into his arms and carried her out of the hot spring.
Once they left the pool, the cool breeze swept over them. Wen Yu shivered and instinctively burrowed closer into Gu Huaizhi’s arms.
He lowered his eyes and glanced at her. His arms tightened around her as he strode steadily toward the villa beside them.
He kicked open the bedroom door, then shut it behind them with a loud bang.
Her swimsuit was quickly removed and tossed aside.
He laid her on the bed, and before she could react, he followed her down, pulling the white quilt over them both.
Wrapped in its warmth, Wen Yu still trembled slightly from the chill she had felt outside. Her body instinctively moved closer to Gu Huaizhi, seeking more of his warmth.
Gu Huaizhi did not disappoint her. He used his own body heat to warm her.
Only after she had stopped trembling from the cold did he continue.
Later, Wen Yu was certainly no longer cold. Her body had even begun to perspire.
Moonlight filtered through the bamboo leaves outside the window, casting mottled shadows across the room.
Inside the villa, beneath the raised quilt, intimate sounds and soft, breathless murmurs came one after another.
Qin Yu stood outside the bedroom door. His hand was raised to knock, but he stopped halfway.
He awkwardly rubbed his nose, then glanced helplessly at the closed door before turning and walking away.
Back at the estate’s restaurant, everyone noticed that Qin Yu had returned alone. Gu Huaizhi was nowhere to be seen.
Lu Chen asked, “Where’s Brother Huai?”
Qin Yu replied, “He’s busy.”
Lu Chen nodded. “Oh.”
Everyone else: “?”
What kind of riddle were these two speaking in?
Gu Huaizhi had come here to relax, so what could he possibly be busy with?
Fatty spoke up. “Then you can bring his pretty secretary over first!”
Qin Yu answered calmly, “She’s busy too.”
“…”
Lu Chen waved a hand and said, “All right, they probably won’t be able to eat for a while. Let’s eat first.”
Only then did everyone understand what was going on.
So that was the kind of “busy” they were talking about.
They exchanged knowing looks and continued eating and chatting merrily.