It was time for bed.
The two children, Ye Xin and Lu’er, were completely worn out by a daytime series of novel activities and games. They slept head-to-head, squeezed into a spacious tent, covered with soft blankets, breathing evenly, and fast asleep with lingering satisfied smiles on their little faces.
Ye Chen carefully checked the tent stakes, then gently zipped up the tent, leaving just a tiny gap for ventilation. She turned around to give Lu Ling, who was standing nearby, a gentle yet slightly helpless smile: “These two little ones played way too hard, ran out of batteries, and fell right asleep together.” Her tone was full of maternal doting.
Lu Ling nodded, her gaze softening as she looked at the children’s peaceful sleeping faces. She always made efficient decisions quickly: “Mmm. Separating them might wake them up, so let them sleep like this. It is safer.” Rationally evaluating the current situation, this was undoubtedly the optimal solution.
Then, a practical problem presented itself. The equipment had been prepared by Ye Chen, who had obviously only planned for two tents, one for Lu Ling and her daughter, and one for Ye Chen and her daughter.
Ye Chen instinctively touched the back of her neck, one of her rare, slightly awkward micro-movements. Her usually calm and steady tone carried a hint of a faint ripple, practical and proper: “If you do not mind, we can share the empty tent next door tonight, is that alright?”
Lu Ling quickly weighed the current situation: the night was growing deeper, mountain chill was rising, and fussing over redistributing tents would only disturb the children’s rest. Ye Chen’s proposal was the safest choice at the moment. Deep down, she felt absolutely no anticipated repulsion toward this sudden close proximity.
“Alright,” she replied, her speed quicker than she expected, and her voice a bit softer. She offered a faint smile to dissolve the delicate shyness welling up inside her: “Special circumstances, taking care of each other is only natural. Thank you for the suggestion.”
Their gazes met briefly.
Ye Chen’s line of sight immediately dropped to the grass beside them by instinct, avoiding Lu Ling’s smile. Her expression remained mostly devoid of extra emotion, cool and calm, except for a slight pause in her fingertips and an unnoticeable moment of stiffness throughout her body.
She did not understand where this subtle discomfort came from. It was clearly just an ordinary response and a temporary accommodation, yet when meeting Lu Ling’s soft eyebrows and eyes, her usual relaxed state inexplicably lost its rhythm.
The night was quiet, and the camp’s evening breeze was cool. The air was tangled with a layer of quiet ambiguity, an adult’s restrained sense of propriety. Only Ye Chen herself failed to notice that this abnormal panic occurred exclusively toward Lu Ling.
(Inside the tent)
Lying side by side in their sleeping bags, the breathable mesh of the tent let in a hazy starlight mixed with the faint glow of distant bonfire embers. Within the narrow space, each other’s soft breathing and the subtle rustle of friction against fabric were clearly audible.
“Well, I am going to sleep first,” Ye Chen’s voice sounded exceptionally deep and gentle in the dark, maintaining a deliberate calmness as if afraid of disturbing the tranquility or the person beside her.
“Good night, Ye Chen,” Lu Ling replied, her voice stripped of all the day’s sharpness, leaving only a soft lightness she herself had not noticed.
Outside the tent was the wilderness silence and bursts of insect chirping, while inside, two entirely different auras quietly merged. Lu Ling’s mind was still subconsciously calculating Monday’s work schedule, but her chaotic thoughts gradually drifted away, her rational mind invaded by inexplicable emotions.
Her nose was filled with a clean and warm scent, mixed with the fragrance of fabrics dried by the sun, along with the crisp, unique aroma of Ye Chen herself, resembling a light fruit fragrance or perhaps forest grass. This scent was completely different from the expensive perfumes she usually wore, yet it steadily smoothed out her long-tensed nerves, wrapping her entire body in the gentle night.
It seemed she did not dislike this close proximity. This realization surprised even Lu Ling herself. She always valued personal boundaries, but Ye Chen’s approach did not trigger any discomfort or defense mechanisms. On the contrary, realizing that Ye Chen maintained her habitual alertness even while resting, her ears slightly twitching to catch any subtle unusual movement outside the tent like a silent and loyal guardian, an unprecedented sense of comfort and safety quietly enveloped her.
This feeling of being meticulously protected without being overly disturbed precisely met a deep-seated need within her heart. Ye Chen’s protection was action-oriented, silent yet reliable, just like her person, unostentatious yet always landing on the most practical ground.
In the pitch black, Lu Ling turned her head ever so slightly, and through the dim light filtering into the tent, she vaguely outlined the quiet profile of the person beside her. A faint curiosity and appreciation, one she had not yet fully understood, dropped a tiny pebble into her typically goal-oriented and orderly lake of the heart, rippling circles that were hard to calm.
She flattened out her back again and closed her eyes. This time, Monday’s work checklist did not immediately occupy her brain. Her body and mind, after a long hiatus, immersed themselves in a special atmosphere woven from pure peace and subtle emotional palpitations brought by the person beside her, slowly drifting into sleep.
As for Ye Chen, only after confirming that everything around was safe and hearing Lu Ling’s breathing gradually steady and lengthen did she truly relax. She remained completely oblivious to the waves in Lu Ling’s heart earlier, simply silently guarding this quiet and beautiful night composed of starlight, silence, and the peaceful slumber of the person beside her.
(The next morning)
Sunlight woke the camp. The children were the first to crawl out of the tents full of vitality, excitedly sharing fun stories of sharing a bed last night.
Ye Chen was already up, using the portable stove she brought to quietly prepare a simple breakfast of heated milk, bread, and fried eggs, her movements skilled and efficient. “Good morning, you can eat breakfast as soon as you wash up,” she said to Lu Ling, who crawled out of the tent, her tone as natural as a daily routine.
Lu Ling looked at the scene before her, the steaming breakfast in the morning light, the laughing children, and that gentle figure quietly packing up the stove. Her habitually tense nerves completely relaxed at this moment.
They finished breakfast quietly, then tacitly packed up the camp gear together. Their words remained few, but a tacit understanding spontaneously arose in their movements. Lu Ling handed over the folded tables and chairs, and Ye Chen naturally took them to tie them down; after Ye Chen cleaned the grill, Lu Ling had already unfolded her garbage bag and waited nearby.
Everything was packed properly, and the equipment was loaded back into Ye Chen’s rugged and reliable SUV.
“Children, we are going home,” Ye Chen used these words to put a period on this camping trip.
She turned to look at Lu Ling, her gaze soft in the morning light: “Thank you both for coming.”
Lu Ling shook her head lightly and said sincerely: “I should be the one thanking you. This camping trip was very pleasant, and we gained a lot.” She paused and added, “It has been a long time since Jinyu had this much fun.” (Note: Jinyu is Lu’er’s formal given name, usually used at home.)
“Xin Xin also loves making friends with Jinyu.” Ye Chen paused briefly, taking the opportunity to put forward an idea: “If you do not mind, we can set aside a day or two each week moving forward for Xin Xin to go to your house after school so the two children can do homework together. Supervising each other will make learning efficiency higher. During leisure times, we can also arrange outdoor practices, such as visiting the zoo to observe animal habits, or visiting science museums and history museums to broaden their horizons.”
This proposal exceeded Lu Ling’s expectations. In the past, she might have declined under the pretext of hindering studies, but the efficiency, practical education, and vision expansion mentioned by Ye Chen happened to align with her educational philosophy. Rapidly weighing the pros and cons, she nodded immediately, her tone recovering its usual calm and clarity: “This proposal is very valuable. Studying in pairs allows mutual Q&A and creates a positive atmosphere, which is indeed more efficient.”
Leaning slightly forward, she earnestly discussed the plan: “Compared to studying alone, mutual assistance between two people works better. The practical significance of places like zoos and museums far exceeds mere entertainment. Knowledge outside textbooks naturally requires firsthand experience. We can refine the specific schedule and itinerary later.”
Beside them, Lu’er’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, and Lu Ling’s voice softened unconsciously.
Listening to her well-organized analysis, a shallow smile blossomed in the depths of Ye Chen’s eyes. Winning sincere recognition from the other party was far more comforting than polite pleasantries.
“Alright,” Ye Chen’s voice was gentle and steady, “Let the two children discuss study time themselves, and we can finalize the theme for outdoor activities when we get back.”
Both parties waved goodbye. Ye Chen took Ye Xin by the hand toward the SUV, while Lu Ling led Lu’er toward her sedan.
Lu’er sat in the car, leaning against the window and looking toward Ye Xin with full anticipation: “Mom, can Xin Xin really come over to play often from now on?”
“Of course she can.” Lu Ling fastened her seatbelt, looking at her daughter’s bounding appearance with a soft heart. She started the car and slowly pulled away from the campsite.
Through the rearview mirror, she saw that the black SUV was still parked in place, evidently yielding the right of way for them to go first. The driver’s side window was half down, an arm resting casually on the window frame, and the soft morning light outlined Ye Chen’s sharp profile and long hair.
The child’s casual remark from last night resurfaced in her mind. Lu Ling’s cheeks felt slightly warm, and she quickly withdrew her gaze to focus on the road ahead, though her heartbeat quietly missed a beat.
(Inside the black jeep)
Watching the tail lights of the sedan disappear at the end of the tree-lined path, Ye Chen rolled up the window and started the vehicle. Only the steady hum of the engine remained inside the cabin.
Driving for a bit, Ye Chen seemed to remember something and casually asked her daughter: “Honey, Lu’er’s mom works at a hotel, right? Which department?”
Ye Xin raised her head, her little face filled with disbelief: “Mom! You talked to Aunt Lu for so long, and you missed so many chances to ask?”
Ye Chen looked straight ahead, her expression still calm, just replying indifferently: “Mmm, didn’t think to ask.” Her social style was always direct and efficient, seeming unconcerned with other people’s social status, focusing more on the vibe the person gave off.
Recalling it, Ye Xin wore a thoughtful expression on her little face: “Lu’er said her mom manages a hotel group, so sometimes she needs to go to the hotel on weekends to make sure everything runs smoothly.”
“Manages a hotel?” Ye Chen repeated, her tone still casual. But the next second, a critical piece of information seemed to instantly strike her nerve endings: Lu Ling, the Luhai Group, that iconic glass skyscraper in downtown. These dots rapidly connected in her mind.
Her hand, which had been steadily gripping the steering wheel, tightened almost imperceptibly. She quickly turned her head to look at her daughter, her tone carrying a rare and nearly unbelievable surprise: “Wait… Luhai Group? That seventy-story glass building downtown… is Aunt Lu’s?”
At that time, after finishing a hotel delivery and preparing to leave, Ye Chen’s gaze had unintentionally swept over an internal bulletin board on the side of the lobby, where a security department recruitment notice was posted with quite generous compensation. Thinking of Ye Xin’s increasing educational expenses, such a stable and developmental position undoubtedly held considerable attraction for her. She submitted her resume that very day, only to realize that when she was about to leave after submission, she would share an elevator thriller with the company’s president, Lu Ling.
Thinking of this, a trace of subtle embarrassment welled up in Ye Chen’s heart. A moment ago, she was still discussing parenting and study plans on equal footing with the other party, and now she realized that the helmsman of the company where she had originally submitted her resume was right before her eyes.
“It really is a coincidence,” she said in an unnatural tone, “Mom previously submitted a resume to this company.”
She had just discussed parenting insights with Lu Ling from the posture of an educator, only to realize a moment later that she might become an employee under the other party’s command. This status gap made the tips of her ears burn slightly.
“Good thing she does not know I submitted a resume,” she muttered lowly, as if comforting herself.
Ye Chen did not know that Lu Ling not only knew about this matter, but had even specifically instructed the personnel department to keep an eye out for her resume, though it had never surfaced.
Ye Xin widened her eyes, both surprised and delighted: “Such a coincidence!”
Previously, she only vaguely felt that Lu Ling had an extraordinary aura unlike ordinary people, but she never expected her business empire to be so vast. This made Lu Ling’s willingness to attend this simple camping trip today, along with that brief elevator encounter and the peaceful conversation about education just now, all appear even more special.
The cabin fell silent again. Morning light filtered through the car window, casting alternating light and shadow onto Ye Chen’s calm profile as she quietly pondered this string of coincidences.
The black SUV smoothly merged into the city’s traffic, carrying the mother and daughter, each harboring their own thoughts, toward home. The intersection between a hotel president and a delivery rider single mother, hidden pasts, and quietly sprouting feelings, this story had only just peeled back the tip of the iceberg.