Finally, we arrived in Yunnan. As soon as we stepped out of the airport, we found that the sky had already grown dark. Mimi flagged down a taxi, and we headed straight for the hotel.
The scenery outside the car window rolled backward continuously like a moving scroll. I quietly gazed out, my attention captivated by the tranquil town.
Ancient streets, rustic architecture, and bustling crowds wove together a vibrant scene full of everyday life.
Sitting beside me, Mimi spoke with great enthusiasm about various interesting experiences she had previously had in Yunnan, drawing me into one wonderful story after another.
Time slipped away unnoticed. After a long drive, the car finally came to a gentle stop. I stretched, loosened my somewhat stiff body, and pushed open the car door to step outside.
“Hello, welcome to Xi’ian Hotel!” The moment we stepped through the hotel entrance, a group of staff members in neat uniforms rushed forward with bright, warm smiles on their faces, chorusing a polite greeting.
Mimi handed her suitcase over to a staff member and pulled me toward the hotel front desk.
The front desk receptionist maintained a professional smile throughout, asking softly, “Hello, ma’am, do you have a reservation?”
“Xi Yumi.” Mimi’s lips curved up slightly into a charming smile as she gazed steadily at the receptionist.
Hearing the name, the receptionist was slightly startled, but quickly recovered her professional composure and politely requested, “Please show your ID card.”
Just then, a woman in professional attire who appeared to be a hotel manager hurried over to the front desk, offering a slightly apologetic explanation: “Eldest Miss, I’m terribly sorry. This employee is new and isn’t familiar with all the specific details yet. Your exclusive suite is already prepared; please rest assured and enjoy your stay. Here are your room cards.” With that, she handed over two room cards.
Standing off to the side, I was completely dumbfounded by everything unfolding before my eyes. I stared wide-eyed, blankly gazing at the massive scale of the hotel. Eldest Miss? A silent gasp of astonishment echoed in my mind: This is the resort Mom was talking about?
“It’s fine. Thank you for your hard work,” Mimi said as she picked up the room cards and pulled me toward the elevators.
Entering the room, I was struck with shock all over again. The luxurious decor, dazzling lights, and enormous transparent floor-to-ceiling windows were breathtaking enough, but what made it even more delightful was a private balcony offering a direct view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain!
“Sister, how is it? Do you like it?” Mimi asked with a smile.
“This… this is way too luxurious!” I widened my eyes in sheer disbelief, asking, “Mimi, is this really your family’s resort???”
A trace of shyness bloomed across Mimi’s face as she nodded lightly, answering with a hint of embarrassment, “Well, my family only used to run one resort in Liaocheng, but as the business grew bigger and bigger, we gradually opened hotels in various places.”
Hearing this, I couldn’t help feeling immensely shocked, blurting out, “Good grief, is this you unmasking yourself as a wealthy heiress?”
Mimi was amused by my reaction, letting out a soft chuckle as she playfully complained, “Sister~”
Before her voice even faded, she grabbed my hand without hesitation and walked briskly toward the balcony. Taken aback, I let her lead the way regardless.
Once we stopped, she pointed off into the distance: “Sister, look!”
Following the direction of her finger, amidst the thick, ink-like darkness of the night, a majestic and imposing mountain peak loomed faintly under the hazy moonlight. “It’s so beautiful,” I murmured in heartfelt admiration, gazing at the distant snow-capped mountain.
“Tomorrow, we’ll go all the way up to the peak to take a look! But for tonight, Sister, you should get some good rest. After flying for so long, you definitely need a good night’s sleep.” Mimi turned around, her large, watery eyes looking at me affectionately.
I nodded with a smile.
As the night grew deeper, I washed up and tucked myself into the comfortable, spacious bed. Turning my head to look through the floor-to-ceiling glass window, I could still make out the majestic snow mountain, standing like a guardian angel to keep me company as I drifted off to sleep.
Easter Egg
(Xi Yumi and Yan Moyi’s Graduation Trip in 2013)
“The hotel here lets you see the peak of the snow mountain. It’s super gorgeous!” Yan Moyi excitedly pulled Xi Yumi into the hotel lobby.
“Sorry, we’re fully booked for tonight.”
“Sorry, there are no vacant rooms left.”
“Sorry…”
“Sorry…”
Hotel after hotel was packed to capacity, leaving the two of them disappointed and forced to stay at a hotel much further away.
“Dad, let’s open a hotel at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain next year.” After the graduation trip, Xi Yumi made a suggestion to her father.