LHKE Ch 5

On Friday afternoon, Lu Changxu went downstairs to Shen Li’s apartment to pick him up, and then they headed to the Fengchun Villa to join the rest of the group.

There were nine people in total, with three cars: Lu Changxu drove one, Lu Changting drove another, and Fu Jiashu drove the third. Fu Jiashu’s car was the most lively, with Chen Xingye and Xiao Yao, along with Fu Jiashu’s younger brother, Fu Qingshan, who had just graduated from university last year and was an actor with a busy schedule. After finishing a recent project, Fu Jiashu dragged him out for a two-day break.

Lu Changxu and Lu Changting brought along their two younger sisters, Lu Changyin and Lu Changge, both in their early twenties, pretty and obedient, always calling their older brothers. The men would have gladly teamed up to “steal” their sisters. Originally, the two young women were supposed to follow Lu Changting’s car, but right before departure, Lu Changxu had a word with them, and they decided to ride in Lu Changxu’s car instead. Shen Li, not wanting to stay with the two young women, switched to Lu Changting’s car.

The three-hour journey felt long, especially on a drowsy afternoon, and Shen Li tried hard to find topics to chat about with Lu Changting.

“Are both Miss Lu’s your sisters?” Shen Li referred to Lu Changxu as “Lu Shao,” which seemed somewhat formal, as if he were reminding himself of something.

“Changge is my cousin,” Lu Changting explained. “Changxu and Changyin are from my grandfather’s side, and Changge is from my third grandfather’s side.”

“My grandfather is second in the line…” Lu Changting paused and added, “Doesn’t that sound a bit complicated?”

“It’s fine,” Shen Li said, “I understand.”

Having managed a bar for years and deliberately mingling with the Lu family, Shen Li probably had some understanding of their complicated relations.

The Lu family had four brothers. By order of seniority, Lu Changxu and Lu Changyin’s grandfather was the eldest, Lu Changting’s grandfather was the second, and Lu Changge’s grandfather was the third, also known as the previous head of the Lu family, Lu Sanye.

“I thought with so many Lu family siblings, it would be very lively.”

“It is,” Lu Changting said. “Some are too young to bring along, as it wouldn’t be much fun.”

Relationships and ages vary, so it’s best to bring along those who are close and of similar age for more enjoyment.

In fact, Lu Changxu hadn’t planned to bring Lu Changyin and Lu Changge. Two young girls with a group of men wouldn’t have been very fun, but they insisted on coming when they heard about the vacation villa. They clung to his arms, making it hard to refuse.

As they chatted idly, time flew by. The sky gradually darkened, the sunset faded, and a few stars peeked out. The three cars arrived at the villa’s base.

The villa’s standalone houses were prepared for VIP guests, and Lu Changxu had arranged everything in advance, so they could check in immediately.

Shen Li took out his hiking backpack from the trunk and naturally carried Lu Changting’s suitcase in as well.

Lu Changxu saw this and smiled knowingly.

“Let’s assign the rooms,” he said, while calculating something, “The two rooms on the third floor are reserved for the two young ladies. Is that okay with you?”

“Just arrange it as you see fit, I’m fine with whatever.” Chen Xingye, with only a light backpack, sat on the sofa, unwilling to move. “You guys pick first, just leave me a place to sleep.”

“The sofa is yours,” Xiao Yao said generously.

Lu Changxu continued, “The first floor has two rooms, the second floor has four rooms, and one is a twin room.”

“I’ll share a room with Qingshan,” Fu Jiashu said.

“Then you and Qingshan will take the twin room on the second floor. I’ll take one room, and Xingye and Xiao Yao will take one room each,” Lu Changxu said with a smile. “Changting and Boss Shen will stay on the first floor, one room each. Is that alright?”

Before Lu Changting and Shen Li could refuse, Lu Changxu made other arrangements: “The swimming pool is on the third floor. If you want to have fun, make sure to let the two young ladies know in advance, so you don’t scare them.”

“I don’t swim,” Chen Xingye said, waving his hand. “I want the hot springs, not the pool.”

“The hot springs are on the first floor.”

“Then I’ll stay on the first floor.” Chen Xingye eagerly went to find the hot springs and became more determined to stay on the first floor when he saw the hot springs and lounge chairs outside the two rooms.

Lu Changxu raised his eyebrows. “The second floor has an entertainment room with a mahjong table, pool table, wine cabinet, and a separate bath and shower.”

Chen Xingye hesitated, “Then I’ll choose the second floor after all…”

Lu Changxu’s arrangements were reasonable, but his intentions were quite obvious—he wanted to place Lu Changting and Shen Li on the same floor.

And the hot springs…

Lu Changting glanced at Shen Li, thinking how perceptive Shen Li was and wondered if he could see through such subtle intentions.

Shen Li felt fortunate just to be included, and didn’t expect such continued luck, especially being assigned to the same floor as Lu Changting, in the adjacent room. He was overwhelmed with a mix of disbelief, joy, and nervousness, completely unaware that Lu Changxu had arranged this on purpose.

Fearing his feelings might be revealed, he was trying hard to control himself and dared not look at Lu Changting.

Seeing Shen Li’s reaction, Lu Changting had to speak up, “You should ask Shen Li…”

“I’m fine with whatever,” Shen Li said softly.

Lu Changxu smiled, “Then it’s settled.”

After the long journey, everyone was tired. After dinner, they went to their rooms to rest.

Lu Changting lay on his bed after a shower, feeling a bit uneasy about having Shen Li just one wall away.

They had chatted happily in the car, with Shen Li always finding topics he liked, showing good manners and avoiding awkwardness. Lu Changting saw Shen Li as a potential friend, but Lu Changxu was actively trying to matchmake them, which made him feel uncomfortable when alone with Shen Li.

What if Shen Li felt offended, or if he really developed feelings for him?

Lying there with a lot on his mind, Lu Changting couldn’t sleep. He checked the time on his phone—it was close to midnight.

After two hours of trying to fall asleep, he still couldn’t.

Sighing, Lu Changting sat up, turned on the wall lamp, and got out of bed. He noticed a faint light outside the door, seeping through the gap in the curtains, casting a slanting glow on the floor. He casually pulled back the curtains, opened the sliding door, and stepped outside.

The hot springs were right outside the room, with two large pools emitting steam. The night was misty, and the cool moonlight reflected on the water’s surface, shimmering.

There was someone in the pool.

A young man lay by the edge of the pool with his eyes closed, his profile resting on his arm, as if he were asleep.

Lu Changting’s gaze followed his pale back down to the waist hidden in the mist, feeling as if the handsome young man was like a mermaid, drawn to the bustling world, sneaking ashore in the middle of the night to enjoy a touch of earthly warmth.

Cool water trickled down his throat as he swallowed hard, but Lu Changting still felt parched.

He hastily looked away, his heart racing. It felt like a heavy summer rainstorm, chaotic and torrential, with him as the pedestrian desperately trying to avoid the rain, running in a panic, soaked to the bone despite his efforts.

He wanted to turn back to his room immediately but hesitated, wondering how long Shen Li had been soaking and if he had fallen asleep. His feet felt like lead as he hesitantly moved towards Shen Li.

Shen Li heard the sound and opened his eyes, his dark eyes reflecting the clear moonlight.

He was stunned for a moment, then submerged himself in the water, causing a splash.

Lu Changting halted, not daring to proceed: “Shen Li!”

After a few seconds, a small head appeared above the water… The young man lifted his hand to wipe the hair from his forehead and clear the water from his face.

Lu Changting felt a bit relieved: “Did I scare you… Sorry…”

Shen Li, who had instinctively ducked into the water, now had a flushed face and red ears. Fortunately, they were still a few steps apart, the night was dim, and the steam from the hot springs obscured things, so it wasn’t too clear.

“Mr. Lu, you… haven’t gone to bed yet?” Shen Li thought Lu Changting was already asleep and had come out to the hot springs to relax since he himself had been unable to sleep.

“No,” Lu Changting replied, trying to sound calm as he took a sip of water. “I can’t sleep.”

Shen Li said, “Oh,” and then felt that his response was too brief, so he added, “Me too.”

After a moment of silence, Lu Changting said, “You should get out after a while. It’s late.”

Shen Li replied, “Oh” again. His mind was a jumbled mess of thoughts like “He saw me,” “How long did he watch me,” and “Why hasn’t he gone back to his room,” making him feel confused.

After a few more seconds, since Lu Changting didn’t leave, Shen Li’s face flushed again, feeling embarrassed. He took a deep breath, mentally prepared himself, and decided to get out of the pool, thinking that it would be the same whether he stayed or left. He resolutely climbed out of the pool using the steps.

He didn’t dare look at Lu Changting, trying to convince himself, “He didn’t see me,” and “We’re all men, nothing to be shy about,” then wrapped himself in a towel, covering himself completely, and finally relaxed a bit.

Lu Changting was completely stunned.

He was fixated on Shen Li’s legs, watching the long, straight legs as they climbed out of the pool—legs, not a fish tail.

The moonlight was gentle, casting a moon-white glow over the young man’s skin. The red string on his wrist was wet, slightly darkened, and had slid down a little, with water droplets rolling down his hand.

When Shen Li wrapped himself in the towel, Lu Changting realized how rude his behavior had been. He hurriedly looked away, not daring to look again.

“Get some rest,” he said, turning around and walking back to his room.

Shen Li suddenly called out to him: “Mr. Lu—”

“Happy birthday.”

The time on his phone had already passed seven minutes past midnight.

Lu Changting was momentarily stunned, then turned back. Their gazes met, sparking an unspoken warmth.

“Thank you,” he said. “Actually, you can call me by my name.”

“Lu… Lu Changting.” Shen Li’s heart felt like it was being scorched by a blazing fire. “Happy birthday.”

He repeated it, as if addressing the air from years ago, across an unreachable distance, slowly and earnestly saying those words, “Happy birthday.”

He quietly added “Xiao Gege” in his mind.

Lu Changting smiled, his tone unexpectedly gentle and soft: “Go back and get some sleep. Good night.”

Shen Li’s face reddened again: “Good night.”

Sweet dreams.