Chapter 27: Qingyan, Help Me
Jiang Su had slept very soundly, his exhaustion finally overcome.
The next morning, he was awakened by Huo Qingyan.
“Jiang Su.”
As soon as Jiang Su opened his eyes, he was met with the man’s deep and profound gaze.
“What time is it?” Jiang Su’s voice was unusually hoarse when he spoke.
Huo Qingyan had a faint smile playing on his lips: “Eight o’clock. Time to get up. I’ll be waiting downstairs.”
The hot spring resort was in the suburbs, a four-hour drive from the city.
So they needed to get up early and leave.
…
When Jiang Su went downstairs, Huo Qingyan was standing by the living room window, on a phone call.
He didn’t disturb Huo Qingyan, but went straight to the kitchen and made a quick and easy Western breakfast.
Huo Qingyan had lived abroad for many years and was used to eating Western breakfasts.
After Jiang Su finished making breakfast and brought it out, he found Huo Qingyan was no longer in the living room.
Soon, he saw Huo Qingyan coming down the stairs, holding Jiang Su’s scarf and woolen hat.
“It snowed this morning at the hot spring resort. Put these on when we go out later.” Huo Qingyan handed the hat and scarf to Jiang Su.
Jiang Su took the warm scarf and hat, his eyes shining as he looked at Huo Qingyan: “Thank you.”
Huo Qingyan nodded without much expression in response.
But Jiang Su was already very satisfied.
He suppressed the urge to smile, forcing his upturned lips downwards before sitting opposite Huo Qingyan to eat breakfast.
…
The hot spring resort was a Huo family property.
It was built on a hillside near the summit, in a location with natural hot springs.
Due to its high altitude, it started snowing every year in early winter.
It wasn’t open to the public; mostly family and friends would stay for a few days, or it was used to entertain important guests.
Jiang Su had wanted to go there for a long time.
Therefore, he was exceptionally enthusiastic.
He carried his suitcase and walked ahead, his steps brisk and energetic.
Huo Qingyan followed behind, frowning as he watched Jiang Su put the luggage in the trunk: “Why did you bring so much stuff?”
“It’s all necessary,” Jiang Su explained.
Huo Qingyan said coldly, “I’ve already instructed Zhou Fu to make arrangements. You don’t need to bring so much.”
Jiang Su tilted his head: “What if I need it? There aren’t any staff there to help…”
Huo Qingyan disliked crowds and had already instructed the hot spring resort to temporarily send the staff away. He didn’t want to argue with Jiang Su over such a small matter.
After putting the suitcase in the car and closing the trunk, he went to the driver’s seat.
Jiang Su smiled, his lips pressed together, and got into the passenger seat.
He had just fastened his seatbelt when his phone rang.
The ringtone was unusually jarring in the quiet car, causing Huo Qingyan to glance at him.
Jiang Su looked at the screen and explained, “It’s Grandma calling.”
Then, he answered the phone: “Grandma.”
“Xiao Qi, have you guys left yet?” Grandma’s voice sounded strong and energetic.
Jiang Su adjusted his seatbelt: “We’re just about to leave.”
Grandma continued, “Give the phone to Qingyan. I want to talk to him for a bit.”
Jiang Su secretly glanced at Huo Qingyan and said softly to his grandmother, “Wait a moment.”
He covered the phone and looked at Huo Qingyan, considering how to broach the subject. He couldn’t refuse Grandma’s request. And he couldn’t force Huo Qingyan to talk to her if he didn’t want to.
Huo Qingyan felt Jiang Su’s gaze and turned to look over: “What is it?”
With a casual glance, Huo Qingyan saw, through the gap in Jiang Su’s fingers covering the phone screen, that the call was still connected. Combined with Jiang Su’s hesitant and careful expression, he understood what was happening.
Huo Qingyan stopped the car, which he had just started, and reached for the phone: “Give it to me.”
Jiang Su, surprised by his compliance, handed him the phone, whispering, “Grandma wants to talk to you for a bit.”
“Mm,” Huo Qingyan responded, putting the phone to his ear: “Grandma.”
His expression remained as indifferent as usual, but Jiang Su, who knew him well, could hear that his tone was significantly softer.
Huo Qingyan came from a prominent family; his appearance, temperament, abilities, and demeanor were all impeccable. Except… he didn’t love him.
Jiang Su sadly lowered his eyes.
Not loving him wasn’t a big deal, really. At least, Huo Qingyan’s attitude toward his grandmother was quite good.
Grandma said kindly, “Qingyan, I heard it’s snowing at the hot spring resort. Be careful on the road, drive slowly.” Her words were so warm that Huo Qingyan felt a momentary illusion that she was his own grandmother.
Huo Qingyan’s eyes flickered: “Mm, I know.”
Grandma continued, “Xiao Qi is a bit… impetuous. Keep an eye on him, don’t let him get into too much trouble. Thank you for your trouble.”
Impetuous?
Huo Qingyan couldn’t help but turn to look at Jiang Su beside him.
Jiang Su was looking out the window, his profile gentle and calm, not at all matching the description “impetuous.”
But Huo Qingyan still replied, “Mm.”
After that, Grandma spoke to Jiang Su for a couple of sentences before hanging up.
Jiang Su put his phone back in his pocket and murmured, “Elderly people always worry a lot.”
Huo Qingyan looked straight ahead: “Mm.”
Jiang Su quietly observed Huo Qingyan for a moment longer, noticing the absence of any impatience or anger in his expression, and finally relaxed.
…
Huo Qingyan didn’t talk much, so Jiang Su tried to find topics to chat with him to prevent boredom during the drive. Even though Huo Qingyan didn’t respond much, Jiang Su felt particularly content. This seemed to be the first time he had spent such a long time in the same space as Huo Qingyan.
As the car climbed halfway up the mountain, the snow on the roadside became thicker, and snowflakes danced in the air.
Jiang Su said with excitement, “It’s really snowing! It wasn’t snowing at the foot of the mountain.”
Huo Qingyan didn’t see what was so exciting about it. He knew it would be snowing here before they left. So he didn’t respond.
The higher they went, the thicker the snow became, and Huo Qingyan slowed down.
They arrived at the hot spring resort half an hour later than expected.
After putting their things away, Jiang Su checked the time; it was already two in the afternoon.
He found Huo Qingyan in the corridor: “Are you hungry? I’ll go see what’s in the kitchen to eat.”
Huo Qingyan looked away from the distant snow-capped peaks: “Let’s go together.”
Jiang Su froze: “Ah?”
Huo Qingyan had already started walking towards the kitchen.
When Jiang Su caught up, Huo Qingyan had already opened the refrigerator and was looking at the full shelves of ingredients, his brow furrowed.
Jiang Su chuckled: “Let me do it. See what dishes you want to eat.”
Huo Qingyan casually pointed to two items.
Jiang Su took them out, and was about to speak when the ringing of a phone interrupted him.
It was Huo Qingyan’s phone.
Huo Qingyan took out his phone in front of him. Jiang Su unintentionally glanced and saw a familiar name: Lin Siyue.
Jiang Su’s hand on the refrigerator door tightened suddenly.
When Huo Qingyan pressed the answer button, he accidentally hit speakerphone.
Lin Siyue’s terrified voice came from the phone: “Qingyan, save me!”