Honey, Open The Door. I Want To Give You The Room Key - Chapter 48

Liu Yu sent Lou Qingshuang home, and the two said goodnight to each other. Liu Yu walked into the rainy night holding a large black umbrella, while Lou Qingshuang rested in her own home.

The next day, Lou Qingshuang officially entered vacation mode.

Changing into a white short-sleeved shirt and jeans, topped with a black sun hat, she looked youthful and radiant. She left Lushi together with Bai Wan.

“We can vacation for half a month this time. I really need to just lie down properly,” Bai Wan said, her face full of joy as she looked at the road ahead.

“It’s true, we can finally sleep in,” Lou Qingshuang agreed, stretching contentedly.

“If you hadn’t taken this vacation, I would have been terrified,” Bai Wan complained with a pained expression as she looked at the relaxed Lou Qingshuang.

“Why?” Lou Qingshuang didn’t understand.

“If you’re always working overtime, do you think I’d have the heart to take a break?” Bai Wan felt like she could weep just mentioning it. “My overtime was forced!”

Watching her friend’s exaggerated agony, Lou Qingshuang couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “I did it for the good of the company. The hype was so good during that period; we had to seize the opportunity. It directly multiplied our performance several times over.”

“If it weren’t for the fact that the money in the bank account made me happy, I really would have run away from home,” Bai Wan grumbled.

Once Lou Qingshuang threw herself into work, her life became a straight line between two points. If she didn’t need to go home to sleep, she probably would have lived at the office.

“This time, I’m going to rest well for these two weeks. Unless it’s something as big as the company going bankrupt, no one is getting me out of that vacation villa,” Bai Wan said, her face full of anticipation for the days ahead.

“Alright,” Lou Qingshuang agreed, leaning back in the passenger seat in a relaxed posture.

The two drove for four hours before arriving at a mountain villa used for recuperation.

The temperature in the mountains was low, and the climate was cool and comfortable. The forest leaves were a lush emerald green, and the streams trickled nearby.

Bai Wan drove the car to the villa area where staff members were waiting. Shen Qiao stood at the parking lot, eagerly awaiting her daughter’s arrival. Usually, Qingshuang would only visit for an afternoon; this time, she could stay for half a month.

As they stepped out of the car, they were greeted by the fresh, moist air. Bai Wan closed her eyes and took a deep breath, sighing, “Now this is a place for a vacation.”

“Let’s go. The villas have already been cleaned. You two each have your own building, so you can lounge however you like,” Shen Qiao said with a smile, pulling Bai Wan along.

“Thank you, Auntie Shen!” Bai Wan swung Shen Qiao’s hand happily. Aunt Wu helped Lou Qingshuang with her things.

Lou Qingshuang gazed at the verdant mountain forest, and the pressure in her heart eased significantly. She had come here to recover from the stress of launching new products.

“It’s very nice here and there aren’t many people. The staff are very dedicated, and the security is high. I even got a dog recently to keep me and Aunt Wu company,” Shen Qiao shared her recent activities with her daughter and Bai Wan.

“My heart isn’t so fragile anymore, and it feels much more comfortable to move around. I don’t have to be constantly on edge,” Shen Qiao said, her face bright with a smile.

Hearing her mother mention her heart made Lou Qingshuang think of Liu Yu.

“That’s great, Auntie. Maybe after more recovery, there won’t be any difference between you and a normal person. Then we can take you traveling everywhere,” Bai Wan said. She stole a glance at Lou Qingshuang, worried the topic might trigger her friend and lead to more “overtime madness.”

Ever since Lou Qingshuang paid Liu Yu back, she had worked so hard that Bai Wan was practically traumatized by it.

The group went to Shen Qiao’s villa. The remaining luggage would be brought in by the staff.

Lou Qingshuang entered the small villa where Shen Qiao lived. It was a beautiful, tidy European-style building, well-maintained and full of the traces of daily life. Aunt Wu had clearly taken excellent care of her. The three villas were connected, with Lou Qingshuang’s being the one in the middle.

“You must be tired from driving. Go settle in and get some rest. Come over later for dinner,” Shen Qiao said after they had chatted for half an hour, starting to usher them out to rest.

“Okay, Mom. We’ll come back for dinner later,” Lou Qingshuang agreed.

“Auntie Shen, Aunt Wu, see you later!” Bai Wan waved playfully and pulled Lou Qingshuang outside.

The two walked out of the villa and onto a stone path. Everything around them was fresh.

“This feels so good. It’s so quiet here,” Bai Wan stretched lazily.

“There are too many complicated things at the company. In the future, once we’ve earned enough money, we can buy a little villa like this and just stay here,” Lou Qingshuang said, looking at the blue sky.

“Forget it. This sanatorium has people to maintain it. If it were just the two of us in the mountains, it would be creepy,” Bai Wan shuddered at the thought.

“Who said I was taking you? I’ll go by myself,” Lou Qingshuang teased, nudging Bai Wan.

“Hey! If you don’t take me, who are you going to take? Liu Yu?” Bai Wan winked, retaliating with her own teasing.

“Hmph. What about your older Alpha? Don’t want her anymore?” Lou Qingshuang countered.

“Her…” Bai Wan scratched her head. She still didn’t know how to handle her feelings for Shang Qing. Shang Qing was constantly asking for a formal status, chasing her everywhere and leaving Bai Wan with an awkward smile.

“Don’t talk about me. How was your date with Liu Yu yesterday?” Bai Wan asked.

Lou Qingshuang recalled the dance from the night before and the dinner they shared. “It was quite good. We ate at the Yunmeng Restaurant.”

“Everyone’s talking about who booked out Yunmeng yesterday. Turns out it was Liu Yu,” Bai Wan blinked. “That’s such a grand gesture, it’s enviable. Was it really romantic?”

“It was… quite romantic,” Lou Qingshuang thought of the roses that seemed casual but were carefully arranged, and the coordination of the lights. The atmosphere was indeed pleasing; it was the kind of feeling that made one relax unconsciously.

“She’s putting effort into chasing you. But you should also guard your heart; don’t let it fall again,” Bai Wan said earnestly to her friend.

Even though she “shipped” Liu Yu and Qingshuang, Liu Yu’s status was too high. If Qingshuang gave her whole heart and Liu Yu pulled away, Qingshuang would be left utterly broken.

Lou Qingshuang looked at the green grass on the ground. “Naturally.”

Liu Yu was a difficult person to get close to. When you moved toward her, she wanted to retreat; when you retreated, she would move forward. Lou Qingshuang had felt it six months ago. Liu Yu’s heart had retreated—likely because she remembered something when Lou Qingshuang’s mother was sick. So she had backed off and let her go.

Yet, Lou Qingshuang knew deep down that with Liu Yu’s personality, she couldn’t truly let go either. It was a twisted, fearful personality—the kind where you had to wait for her to poke her head out of her shell like a tortoise.

A faint smile appeared in Lou Qingshuang’s eyes. She didn’t have a desperate desire to be with Liu Yu right now; instead, she was letting things take their natural course. This made her more capable of handling Liu Yu’s charm.

Every time Lou Qingshuang thought of Liu Yu’s face, she would daze off for a moment. Liu Yu also knew exactly how attractive she was and frequently displayed that charm. But Qingshuang wanted to see more than just that side of her.

Liu Yu needs to reveal her inner self. She needs to let me see her heart, Lou Qingshuang thought, her eyelashes fluttering as she watched a cat lazily rolling over on the lawn.

“We’re at the villa. See you this afternoon, Qingshuang. I need a good nap; I got up too early today,” Bai Wan yawned and headed toward her villa.

Lou Qingshuang also yawned. She had set out at 7:00 AM and was indeed sleepy. She entered her small courtyard and found her luggage already placed at the door.

Walking inside, she saw the fresh sheets Aunt Wu had changed for her. “Having Aunt Wu is true happiness.” Lou Qingshuang touched the clean blankets that smelled of sunlight and lay down, feeling incredibly comfortable. The soft, relaxing bedding lulled her to sleep almost instantly.

After the two had been playing in the mountains for several days, Bai Wan finally replied to Shang Qing’s message.

I am vacationing at a sanatorium in Anshi.

As soon as Shang Qing saw the message, she prepared to take a vacation she hadn’t used in a long time—and brought Liu Yu along.

“I don’t have time lately. You go,” Liu Yu declined, as she had a lot of work on her hands.

“Leave some free time for yourself! Don’t be such a workaholic. At least do something different with Lou Qingshuang so she sees you aren’t just an unchanging robot,” Shang Qing urged.

Liu Yu, dressed in a white silk shirt, leaned back in her chair and considered Shang Qing’s words. Her skin was snow-white and beautiful, her features deep and three-dimensional. In the sunlight, Liu Yu looked so fair she seemed to glow.

She looked toward the sunlight, and the cold, stern aura around her dissipated significantly.

“Alright,” Liu Yu agreed.

That night, Bai Wan saw a familiar car drive into the sanatorium. She felt her head begin to ache again.

“How did she chase me all the way here?” Bai Wan covered her forehead.

“What?” Lou Qingshuang, wearing a long dress with a light gauzy shawl over her shoulders, didn’t catch what she said.

“Shang Qing is here,” Bai Wan pointed at Shang Qing, who was getting out of the car and acting cool while waving at her.

Lou Qingshuang, however, saw Liu Yu sleeping in the car. She raised an eyebrow. She actually chased us here?

Surprisingly, Shang Qing didn’t immediately cling to them. She waved and went straight to the villa Liu Yu had booked.

When Liu Yu got out of the car, Lou Qingshuang raised her hand to greet her. Liu Yu took off her sunglasses and walked toward the two of them.

“Want to have dinner together tonight?” Liu Yu was wearing a casual but expensive white short-sleeved shirt—a famous luxury brand collaboration.

“Why are you here?” Lou Qingshuang didn’t answer but asked a question instead.

“I wanted to take a break, so I came,” Liu Yu said with a smile.

It was the first time Lou Qingshuang had seen Liu Yu out of professional attire. The white shirt softened her aura, making her look much younger and more energetic. Lou Qingshuang sized her up; even in a casual posture, Liu Yu was elegant, composed, and immensely charming.

When Lou Qingshuang’s gaze finished its sweep and landed on Liu Yu’s face, the latter was looking at her with a half-smile. Liu Yu lowered her voice and asked, “Satisfied?”

“It’s average,” Lou Qingshuang turned her head and walked away, her ears turning red beneath her hair.

Bai Wan and Shang Qing talked for a while, and Shang Qing came back looking dejected.

“Let’s go. We’ll head back and rest. We’ll leave here tomorrow,” Shang Qing said, crestfallen.

“A conflict?” Liu Yu asked.

“She said she needs freedom and space, and that I can’t keep sticking to her,” Shang Qing’s brows slumped.

“Then we’ll leave tomorrow afternoon. I have dinner at Su Hua’s house tomorrow night, and I’m going abroad the day after,” Liu Yu briefly explained her schedule. She hadn’t intended to come, but since Shang Qing had asked for help, she obliged.

Shang Qing looked at Liu Yu piteously.

I will leave tomorrow. I won’t disturb you. Lou Qingshuang’s phone vibrated. She opened it to find a message from Liu Yu.

No disturbance. Lou Qingshuang replied with only two words.

Liu Yu looked at her phone and chuckled. Unlike Shang Qing’s gloom, she looked quite relaxed.

The mountain night was cool with a steady breeze. The area was planted with trees and herbs that repelled insects, so there were fewer pests at night.

Liu Yu didn’t have her bodyguards follow her and went for a stroll alone. The night lights were bright, and she happened to run into Shen Qiao.

Shen Qiao was stunned for a moment before realizing this was the young woman from the ambulance—the one who had saved her. She had even said she wanted to treat her to a meal.

Dressed in a light shawl, Shen Qiao quietly observed Liu Yu’s leisurely pace. This child’s posture was truly beautiful. Looking into those deep, beautiful eyes, Shen Qiao realized Liu Yu had noticed her and proactively stepped forward.

“Hello,” Shen Qiao looked at Liu Yu gently.

Liu Yu, looking at Shen Qiao—who resembled Lou Qingshuang—nodded a bit formally. “Hello.”

“Do you have time? We could take a walk together,” Shen Qiao invited.

“I do.”

“Then let’s walk,” Shen Qiao smiled and took a step forward.

Liu Yu walked beside her. “How is your recovery going, Auntie?”

“Wonderful. The doctor you introduced is very responsible. It’s the first time I’ve felt my heart be so healthy and strong. Truly, thank you so much,” Shen Qiao thanked her sincerely.

“That’s good,” Liu Yu said with a smile.

“This heart must have been very expensive,” Shen Qiao said softly.

“Indeed. It is the best heart available at this stage,” Liu Yu said directly.

“What did Qingshuang promise you?” Shen Qiao knew very well that her daughter didn’t have enough money to pay for such a heart yet.

Liu Yu looked at Shen Qiao with a serious gaze. “She paid a large sum to the hospital, which is why she’s been working so hard lately.”

Shen Qiao looked into Liu Yu’s eyes—they were serious, determined, and offered a sense of security. She seemed much more grounded than Shen Yue. If she could be with Qingshuang, it would probably be very good.

“Thank you.” Having received her answer, Shen Qiao felt a weight lift from her heart. She didn’t want her daughter doing things she didn’t like for her sake.

“Will you come to our house for dinner tomorrow? I’ll cook personally to thank you. I have some signature dishes you’ll surely like,” Shen Qiao invited.

“I have to leave tomorrow evening to keep an appointment back home. Besides, I have a friend with me,” Liu Yu didn’t refuse but explained her plans.

“Then come for a simple lunch tomorrow. Bring your friend along. I don’t cook for just anyone,” Shen Qiao said with a friendly smile.

“Alright. Thank you for the invitation, Auntie. We will be there on time tomorrow at noon,” Liu Yu agreed.

“It’s getting dark, and we’ve reached my villa. Our walk ends here for today,” Shen Qiao stood at her gate and bid Liu Yu goodbye.

“Goodbye then, Auntie.” Liu Yu watched her go inside.

As Liu Yu was leaving, she saw Lou Qingshuang walking toward her carrying some things. “Why are you here?” Lou Qingshuang looked Liu Yu up and down.

“I met your mother while walking. She invited me to dinner tomorrow. Do you mind?” Liu Yu walked over. The two stood under a streetlamp.

Lou Qingshuang looked at Liu Yu’s pinned-up hair and her cool, calm face. There was a quiet smile on that face. “I don’t mind.”

“Come over early tomorrow,” Lou Qingshuang retracted her gaze.

“Okay.” Liu Yu noticed a mosquito approaching Lou Qingshuang and waved her hand to shoo it away. “Go inside. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.” Lou Qingshuang took two bottles of fruit milk from her bag and handed them to Liu Yu. “You can drink these if you get hungry at night.”

The leaves rustled in the wind. Liu Yu felt the sudden weight in her hand. Her fingertips brushed over the bottles of fruit milk, and she looked at the radiant face before her, answering softly, “Okay.”

“I’m going in.” Lou Qingshuang waved casually and pushed open the gate to her villa.

Liu Yu watched her dress disappear behind the door, then looked down at the milk in her hand with a shallow smile.

She carried the milk back to her villa. When she arrived, Shang Qing was playing video games. Liu Yu looked at her milk and, resigned, shared one bottle of the fruit milk Lou Qingshuang had made by hand.

“Drink it while it’s fresh,” Liu Yu placed the fruit milk on the coffee table. She sipped her own; it wasn’t overly sweet, mixed with diced mango and sago. The texture and flavor were just right.