Chapter 402 - 397: Night, Lawn, Tent

Chapter 402: Chapter 397: Night, Lawn, Tent

As evening fell, dozens of camping tents dotted the vast green lawn. Several hundred people, grouped by their respective departments, gathered for a lively barbecue.

Jiang Xia and Lin Yanwan made the rounds, and while they were checking in on everyone, their enthusiastic employees fed them until they were stuffed.

After eating and drinking their fill, the two strolled hand-in-hand along the tranquil lakeshore. While there were plenty of other activities to try, it was already getting dark. Horseback riding, boating, or even riding scooters down the winding roads were no longer safe.

Most importantly, the resort staff for those activities had already gone home for the day.

Lin Yanwan took photos everywhere with her digital camera. Her lens captured not only the beautiful scenery of Jinhai Lake but also the beaming smiles on her employees’ faces and the glistening, golden-brown meat skewers.

"Are you planning to make a video about this team-building event?" Jiang Xia asked with a smile.

"Mhm, I’m just gathering some footage first. I’ll edit it when we get back. Who knows, maybe it could even become a promotional video," Lin Yanwan said, nodding as she reviewed the shots she had just taken.

"A promotional video for Jinhai Lake? In that case, we should ask the owner here for an advertising fee."

Putting everything else aside, with their current online popularity, a video from them would almost certainly drive a lot of traffic here.

"Think we could actually get it?" A grin spread across Lin Yanwan’s face.

"We can try. If that doesn’t work, we can at least get a discount when we check out, right?"

Chatting and laughing, the two gradually wandered away from the employees’ camping area. The air was filled with the chirping of insects and birds, a fragrant breeze brushed against their faces, and a deep sense of peace settled over them.

Jiang Xia spread his arms, taking a deep breath of the fresh, rich air and letting the gentle breeze of nature soothe him.

After spending so much time in the bustling Imperial Capital, an occasional trip to a scenic resort like this brought an indescribable sense of relief, as if he could empty his mind and escape into the mountains. His entire being, from body to soul, felt completely relaxed.

"Ahh, it feels so good to be out in nature," he said, slowly exhaling as if releasing all his recent fatigue.

"Of course. Why else do you think so many rich people prefer villas in more secluded environments?" Lin Yanwan said with a laugh.

"They’re quiet, peaceful, and have good air. Living in an environment like this for a long time, a person will probably get sick less in their lifetime."

"Isn’t that the truth?"

Lin Yanwan sat down on the grass and looked up at the darkening sky, where a star or two had begun to twinkle.

"Honey, do you remember when we climbed Mount Tai?" she asked, suddenly turning her head.

Jiang Xia’s mind drifted for a moment. Climbing Mount Tai... that had been in their past life, a few years after they got married. It was the last happy trip they took together before the frequent arguments started.

"I remember," he said softly.

They had climbed Mount Tai overnight to see the sunrise. Lin Yanwan had been so exhausted she fell fast asleep in his arms. Feeling sorry for his wife, he hadn’t woken her up, a decision she had nagged him about countless times afterward.

"If we get the chance, I’d like to go again," Lin Yanwan said, her voice growing distant as she lay back, pillowing her head on her hands.

"Okay."

"What if I fall asleep again?" she asked with a bright smile.

Jiang Xia lay down beside her and smiled. "This time, even if you’re dead tired, I’ll make sure to wake you up."

Lin Yanwan turned on her side to look into his eyes. Breathing in the fragrance of grass, earth, and lake water, she gently kissed his lips.

Before they knew it, night had fallen. The moon overhead cast a faint glow, and the lake before them shimmered with reflected light.

Face flushed red, Lin Yanwan straightened her slightly disheveled clothes. Her eyes darted toward the distant lights as she scrambled off him in a fluster.

She shot Jiang Xia an annoyed glare. The guy had no sense of time or place; he’d almost devoured her right out here in the open.

’What if someone had suddenly walked by, or what if there was a hidden camera somewhere? How could I ever show my face again?’

Jiang Xia looked sheepish. He admitted to himself it had been a bit thoughtless. He’d originally wanted to pull his wife into the woods to "talk about life," but he was worried the small grove might not be safe at night, so he had given up on the idea.

’Looks like for anything in the great outdoors, we’ll have to take a private road trip and find a quiet, secluded, and peaceful spot.’

"Hmph, let’s go back! I could just kill you!"

"Ahem, as for that request... you can bite me when we get back."

Lin Yanwan knew he was just being ridiculous, but arguing with a shameless guy over whether "bite" meant *bite* or... *bite* was a pointless endeavor.

So, the best approach was to simply ignore him and see how long he’d keep it up.

Hand in hand, they retraced their steps. They saw their employees sitting in small groups, chatting about everything under the sun. Some were eating barbecue while watching an outdoor movie.

The atmosphere was harmonious and pleasant.

Li Weiya and Zhou Lu were huddled together, chatting about the company’s future. On the table in front of them were fruit, red wine, and a few plates of barbecue.

The two of them had often talked privately even before they were colleagues. Now that they both worked for Jiang Xia, their relationship had grown even closer.

Jiang Xia found a few of the team leads and reminded them to ensure their staff’s safety, forbidding anyone from swimming in the lake without proper precautions. Then, he pulled his wife back to the "stargazing room" they had booked in advance.

It was called a "stargazing room," but it was actually a tent set up by the resort with a large viewing window. It faced south, flanked by bends in the lake on the east and west, with a mountain to the north. In the daytime, you could see a mountain covered in maple leaves—a true, unbeatable lake-view room.

The tent’s interior was spacious, over thirty square meters. It not only had a king-sized bed but also towels and bathrobes, air conditioning, a private bathroom, hotel toiletries, and 24-hour instant hot water. Its comfort was on par with some high-quality hotels.

Lying on the soft, large bed, they could see the calm surface of the lake through the glass window.

Jiang Xia turned his head and saw his wife undressing. Recalling the lingering warmth from their time on the grass, he reached out, pulled her into his arms, and buried his head in the crook of her neck, deeply inhaling her scent.

"Ah! What are you doing—" Lin Yanwan let out a soft cry. Feeling Jiang Xia’s kisses land on her skin, she protested coyly, "I’ve been sweating all day, I haven’t even showered yet!"

"Mmm, let’s shower together."

With that, Jiang Xia skillfully stripped off his clothes and carried her into the bathroom in his arms.

Their silhouettes were faintly visible on the frosted glass. Lin Yanwan stared quietly at the swaying water outside, a muffled whimper escaping her throat.

◇

「The next day.」

Jiang Xia awoke slowly to the fragrance of flowers and the chirping of insects. He pulled open the curtains, and the early morning sunlight streamed through the glass into the tent. It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day.

Many of the employees were already up and about outside. After freshening up, the young couple walked out to the terrace. They sat under a parasol, ordered coffee and sandwiches from the resort staff, and enjoyed the quiet, pleasant morning, breathing in the fresh lake breeze as a new day began.