NOVEL NEXT Chapter 351: It's No Fun If I Say It
There's still more than a week to go before the Spring Festival, and the feeling of holiday is becoming more vivid on the streets.
The biting cold wind, flurries of snow sweeping down, is altogether distinct from the dry chill of Beijing. Harbin's cold carries a damp, bone-penetrating sensation.
Just arriving at the hotel entrance, Liu Zhiya shivered from the freeze, tightly wrapping herself in her down jacket.
However, she did unlock many of her first experiences in life.
First time entering the airport VIP lounge, first time sitting in business class, and first time staying in the same hotel with Chen Cheng and a woman other than her own sister.
Tong Jialu brought three large and small suitcases, and the doorman helped to take them from her. Seeing this, the lightly-packed Chen Cheng said, "Did you really bring so much?"
Tong Jialu smiled brightly and said, "Oh, they're all necessary things~"
"Brother Cheng," Liu Zhiya came over, dragging a carry-on suitcase.
Chen Cheng glanced at her, "Let's go inside, it's warm there."
The three of them walked into the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton, just as Chen Cheng had said, the opulent lobby is as warm as spring, forming a stark contrast to the snowy and icy world outside.
"Xiao Ya, give me your ID card." Tong Jialu took a step ahead, "Brother Cheng, yours too."
They both handed her their IDs, and she passed them to the receptionist, "Hello, I've reserved two rooms under the surname Tong."
The attendant took the ID cards, skillfully operating the computer, "Hello Miss Tong, welcome to the Harbin Ritz-Carlton."
"I see here that you've booked two executive suites, correct?"
Tong Jialu nodded, "Yes."
"Please wait a moment."
After confirming the information, the attendant handed the room cards back to Tong Jialu, "Miss Tong, here are your room cards, the executive suites are on the 35th and 36th floors. Would you like me to assist with your luggage?"
"Please send mine and the lady's behind me to the 35th floor, and the gentleman's to the 36th floor." She pointed.
"Okay, Miss Tong. Have a pleasant stay!"
Tong Jialu returned, handing one of the room cards to Chen Cheng, "Brother Cheng, the room card."
"Let's go rest first, this flight made my back ache." Chen Cheng started towards the elevator, "We'll eat dinner in the room. This is a good chance for me to contact Zhang Qiming."
Tong Jialu followed closely behind, while Liu Zhiya felt a bit uneasy, "Sister Xiao Lu."
"What's up?"
"Shouldn't we get the luggage?"
Tong Jialu chuckled, "It'll be delivered upstairs, let's go."
"Oh, I see."
"Haven't you stayed in a hotel like this before? Brother Cheng mentioned you travel often for competitions?" Tong Jialu asked curiously.
"Not this luxurious one..."
Tong Jialu raised her eyebrows, "Did Brother Cheng never take you to such a place?"
"He..." Liu Zhiya looked at the figure ahead, "He always reserved a room first and then called me over."
Tong Jialu understood roughly, "No worries, there's always a first time."
"Ah? Oh..."
In the beginning, both girls ended up with Chen Cheng like gifts delivered to his doorstep.
As for Tong Jialu, her feelings towards Chen Cheng were simple: as long as Chen Cheng was happy, her days went well. She didn't care how many women he had around him.
On the other hand, Liu Zhiya, despite having a similar experience to Tong Jialu, even worse, was still in school and deep inside considered Chen Cheng as her boyfriend.
"Hey? What are you two spacing out for?" Chen Cheng looked back.
"Coming." Tong Jialu smiled gently, "Let's go."
The three stepped into the elevator, the cabin slowly rising, Liu Zhiya appeared calm, but inside, tumultuous chaos reigned.
She sneaked a glance at Chen Cheng, her thoughts drifting back to the bits and pieces of knowing him.
She recalled those hastily ended meetings before, each time orchestrated by Chen Cheng, allowing her just to savor their fleeting moments together.
But this time, spending the night in this luxury hotel, it left her both excited and uneasy.
Excited for having more time to be with Chen Cheng, but uneasy about the fact that Tong Jialu had booked two rooms, wondering whose room Chen Cheng would stay in.
Glancing towards Tong Jialu, she remained calm and collected.
Away from Beijing, she naturally slipped her arm through Chen Cheng's, resting her head on his broad shoulder, carrying an air of allure.
"Ding-dong," the elevator doors opened.
Tong Jialu was about to let go, but Chen Cheng unexpectedly took out the 35th-floor room card, holding it out to Liu Zhiya, "Xiao Ya, you stay on this floor."
"Huh? Me?"
Chen Cheng nodded, "You head in and rest a bit, it was a tiring journey."
Liu Zhiya's heart sank sharply, and she rigidly accepted the room card. Her fingertip brushed against Chen Cheng's warm hand, quickly pulling back as if shocked.
"Oh..."
She responded quietly, trying hard to hide the huge disappointment in her heart.
She had originally thought that Chen Cheng would let her stay on the 36th floor, closer to him.
She even fantasized that maybe... maybe tonight, she could truly have him.
Yet reality struck her hard.
35th floor, the same as Tong Jialu, she knew all too well what that meant.
She forced a smile and said to Chen Cheng, "Alright, Brother Cheng. I'll go to the room first."
"Call me if you need anything." Chen Cheng glanced at the room number on the 36th floor, "I'm in 369003."
"Okay..."
Liu Zhiya walked out of the elevator, and as the cabin doors closed, she felt as if her soul had been drawn out, murmuring, "Why didn't Brother Cheng choose me... Is it something wrong with me?"
In the elevator, Tong Jialu then said, "Brother Cheng, I thought you'd stay in the same room with her."
Chen Cheng tilted his delicate chin, chuckling, "Isn't that your arrangement?"
"Me?" Tong Jialu pretended not to know.
"From booking two rooms to having the staff send luggage," Chen Cheng pointed out Tong Jialu's intentions, "Wasn't this all leading Xiao Ya to actively come to me?"