79: Chapter 79 The Gathering and the Trip Promise

May 2, 2025, Friday, Sunny, 18 ~ 30℃.

The weather was as good as ever.

When the sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, Qiao Yichen had just returned from his run.

He changed out of his sweat-soaked sportswear and took a shower.

The warm water washed over his skin, gradually shaking off the morning chill.

After drying his hair, he finally picked up his phone to check the time—8:40.

On the screen lay a message Liu Yanran had sent twenty minutes prior:

“Driving back now, I should arrive before noon.”

He replied with, “Okay, drive safely,” put his phone aside, and continued drying his hair.

The morning hours could not be wasted.

He opened his computer and first pulled up the materials for the beauty and fashion window—a three-day window from May 3rd to the 5th, which someone had already booked yesterday.

The client sent over the copy and images; he needed to check the formatting and upload everything to the backend by today.

Halfway through, his phone vibrated.

Lin Wei: “Are you there? Are you there?”

Lin Wei: “I listed the new products overnight. Can you take a look and see if the layout is okay?”

Lin Wei: “Image.jpg”

Lin Wei: “Image 2.jpg”

Qiao Yichen tapped the images, zoomed in to look, and typed a reply: “The lighting on the third picture is a bit dark, but the rest is fine.”

Lin Wei replied instantly: “Got it, I’ll adjust it again.”

He put down his phone and continued with the task at hand.

After finalizing the beauty and fashion materials, he opened the window for the digital and automotive content—someone had inquired yesterday, but the offer was too low, nearly a third less than his expectation.

He replied, “The price isn't suitable,” and the other party didn't follow up.

There was also a general entertainment content window, spanning four days, which hadn't received any inquiries.

He stared at the screen for a few seconds and sent a message to Wang Xiao: “Brother Wang, this general entertainment window might be hard for me to push. How about you ask someone else?”

Wang Xiao replied quickly: “Sure, I’ll pass it to others to try.”

Qiao Yichen: “Thanks for the trouble.”

Wang Xiao: “Don't mention it.”

After finishing all this, it was almost eleven o’clock.

He opened the images Lin Wei had sent again, adjusted the two concerning the lighting, and sent them back. Lin Wei didn't reply instantly this time; she was probably busy.

His phone vibrated again.

Liu Yanran: “Arrived.”

Qiao Yichen stood up, grabbed his jacket, and walked out.

With the spare key Liu Yanran had given him, he opened the door directly. She was leaning on the sofa, eyes closed.

Hearing the movement, she opened her eyes and smiled at him.

Although they had only been apart for one day, Qiao Yichen felt as if a long time had passed.

He walked over, sat down by the sofa, reached out, and pulled her into his embrace.

Liu Yanran leaned in naturally, nestling completely into his arms.

The two of them just lay there quietly for a while.

“How long was the drive?” he asked, looking down.

“A little over two hours,” Liu Yanran replied with her eyes closed. “It was fine, not too tiring.”

Qiao Yichen rested his chin on her head, his fingers gently twirling the strands of her hair that hung down: “What do you want for lunch?”

Liu Yanran shook her head, her voice lazy: “I don't have much appetite.”

“Then we’ll wait until you do.”

“Mm.”

She lifted her head and pecked him lightly on the cheek.

Qiao Yichen was momentarily stunned, then he laughed.

He tightened his arm around her, pulling her closer to his chest, his tone laced with amusement:

“How were Mom and Dad when you went back yesterday?”

“They’re both doing great,” Liu Yanran pulled slightly out of his embrace, took out her phone, swiped a few times, and then held it up in front of him. “Look.”

The screen showed her mother’s Moments—several photos from dinner yesterday: Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs, Braised Pork Belly, Stir-fried Seasonal Vegetables, Steamed Fish, filling the entire table, steaming hot.

Liu Yanran shook the phone slightly, a hint of pride in her eyes: “I made all of this.”

Qiao Yichen looked closely at the photos, then down at her, surprise in his eyes.

He had known her for so long and had never seen her cook, let alone expected her culinary skills to look so professional.

He tightened his arm around her again, as if trying to merge her into his embrace.

“I didn't realize our Ms. Liu was so virtuous,” he looked down at her, the corner of his mouth curved up. “Such great cooking. Will I ever have the chance to taste your skills someday?”

Liu Yanran looked up at him, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, a playful smile forming on her lips:

“That depends on Mr. Qiao’s performance.”

Qiao Yichen smiled and leaned down to press a kiss on her forehead.

The sunlight outside streamed in, landing on the sofa, landing on both of them.

...

The afternoon sunlight slanted through the gaps in the curtains, falling onto the sofa.

The two of them had fallen asleep at some point.

Qiao Yichen was lying on his side, one arm being used as a pillow by Liu Yanran, who was curled up completely in his embrace.

The phone on the coffee table suddenly vibrated.

Buzz buzz buzz—

Liu Yanran stirred, frowning as she opened her eyes.

She reached out, grabbed the phone, glanced at the screen, and answered it, her voice still carrying the lingering languor of just waking up:

“Hello?”

The voice on the other end was Lin Wei’s booming tone: “Hello! We’re on our way, what about you guys?”

Liu Yanran paused, her mind not yet fully clear: “What?”

“Shopping!” Lin Wei’s voice was indignant. “The weather is so nice today, it would be a waste not to go out! Hubin Yintai, let’s go!”

Liu Yanran said, “Oh.”

“By the way,” Lin Wei suddenly lowered her voice, though she couldn't suppress her gossipy excitement, “Is Qiao Yichen there with you?”

Liu Yanran looked down at the person currently resting on her lap and replied calmly: “He is.”

There was a second of silence on the other end, followed by Su Qing’s voice—clearly spoken close to the phone:

“Oh, are you two lovebirds already getting mushy so quickly?”

Liu Yanran didn't respond and directly hung up the call.

Qiao Yichen was woken up by her movement. He opened his eyes and looked at her: “Who was it?”

“Lin Wei,” Liu Yanran put down the phone. “She’s asking us to go shopping.”

Qiao Yichen sat up and rubbed his eyes.

The two washed up briefly and headed out.

Around four o’clock, the four of them met at Hubin Yintai.

Lin Wei waved at them from a distance. As they approached, her gaze swept over the couple with a knowing smile.

Su Qing stood beside her, a smile also playing on her lips.

“Let’s go, let’s go,” Lin Wei hooked her arm through Liu Yanran’s. “I need to browse properly today.”

The group wandered through the mall for over an hour.

Lin Wei tried on several dresses and finally bought one.

Su Qing bought a pair of shoes.

Liu Yanran picked out two summer tops.

Qiao Yichen bought nothing; he was responsible for carrying the bags.

As night fell, the four of them left the mall and headed straight for the Shanwaishan Restaurant.

Qiao Yichen had reserved a small private room in advance. After giving the name, the waiter led them inside.

The room wasn't large but was elegant.

It had wooden tables and chairs, warm yellow lighting, and a landscape painting hanging on the wall.

The waiter handed over the menus. Lin Wei took one, looked at it briefly, and started ordering:

“Eight Treasure Fish Head King, Beggar’s Chicken.”

After placing her orders, she passed the menu to Liu Yanran.

Liu Yanran flipped through it: “Fish Broth, Stir-fried Seasonal Vegetables.”

Su Qing took the menu next: “longjing shrimp, Soy Sauce Duck.”

Qiao Yichen added the final items: “Fermented Rice Balls, Osmanthus Candied Lotus Root.”

The waiter noted the dishes and withdrew.

The dishes were served one after another.

The Eight Treasure Fish Head King was presented in a huge clay pot, steaming hot.

The Beggar’s Chicken was wrapped in lotus leaves; the aroma wafted out when unwrapped.

The longjing shrimp were crystal clear, and the soy sauce duck was glossy.

The four began to eat.

After eating for a while, Qiao Yichen took out his phone and tapped a few times.

Lin Wei’s phone vibrated. She looked down; it was a message from Qiao Yichen: “The matter we discussed yesterday can start now.”

She looked up and winked at Qiao Yichen, then looked towards Su Qing and exchanged a meaningful glance.

Su Qing nodded slightly.

Liu Yanran was picking up a piece of Beggar’s Chicken. She caught the brief exchange between the two out of the corner of her eye but didn't think much of it.

Qiao Yichen put down his phone, ladled a bowl of Fish Broth, and placed it gently in front of Liu Yanran.

“Yanran,” he asked, “How many days of vacation are left? Do you have any plans?”

Liu Yanran thought for a moment and shook her head: “I don’t know. Maybe just lie around for a few days.”

Qiao Yichen looked at her, his tone casual: “I actually have an idea. How about we go to Mogan Mountain for a couple of days?”

Liu Yanran paused slightly: “Why suddenly want to go there?”

Qiao Yichen said: “We still have three days left in the holiday. It’s too late for anywhere far. Mogan Mountain is close, and the environment is good, suitable for relaxing a bit.”

After he finished speaking, his gaze swept almost imperceptibly over Su Qing.

Su Qing immediately chimed in: “It’s really a good idea. It’s rare to have such a long break during the May Day Holiday to get some fresh air. We won't have another chance to rest until the Mid-Autumn Festival or National Day.”

Lin Wei followed suit, putting down her chopsticks and sighing: “I’m exhausted lately. We really should relax properly.”

Liu Yanran looked at the three of them, her gaze moving from Su Qing’s face to Lin Wei’s, and then back to Qiao Yichen’s.

She put down her chopsticks, leaned back in her chair, and the corner of her mouth curved up:

“When did you all conspire?”

Lin Wei burst out laughing and immediately betrayed her teammate: “Last night! Qiao Yichen suggested it, he wanted to take you out somewhere fun.”

Liu Yanran looked toward Qiao Yichen.

Qiao Yichen smiled and did not deny it.

Lin Wei added from the side: “The rooms are already booked. We check in tomorrow night.”

Liu Yanran, unable to resist his gaze, smiled slightly, then looked at Lin Wei and Su Qing with a hint of helplessness in her eyes.

She turned back to Qiao Yichen: “Why didn’t you just tell me directly?”

Qiao Yichen reached out and took her hand, his voice low: “I wanted to give you a surprise.”

“Aww—” Su Qing couldn't take it, covering her eyes with her hand. “Can you guys stop showing off your affection? Are you letting anyone eat here?”

Lin Wei laughed so hard she couldn't straighten up.

Liu Yanran’s earlobes turned slightly red, and she said nothing.

After the meal, the group began finalizing the details.

“We leave tomorrow morning,” Qiao Yichen said. “Just pack a few changes of clothes. I booked us in to check in at noon on the 3rd and check out on the 5th.”

Lin Wei nodded: “Sounds good, we’ll get up early tomorrow.”

Su Qing: “Whose car are we taking?”

Liu Yanran: “Let’s take mine.”

Once the four had agreed, they stood up and walked out.

They exited the restaurant into the deep night.

“See you tomorrow then,” Lin Wei waved at them, pulling Su Qing in another direction.

Qiao Yichen and Liu Yanran stood still, watching the two walk away before turning toward the parking lot.