Jia steadied on her feet and curtly said, "Thanks for the help."
"Thanks for not screaming my na. I thought I was done for," Bai Caishen adjusted his shades again before anybody would notice him.
"If you were that cognizant of covering your identity, then I believe you wouldn’t have wanted the unwanted attention."
"I appreciate your quick thinking and thoughtfulness."
Jia couldn’t believe her luck that soon after reaching Tianjin, she would already cross paths with the very actor she was here for.
Is this the chance to take his autograph for Aunt?
She figured it wasn’t. It would only look suspicious in this public place. She dropped the idea.
"Congratulations on the last season."
Bai Caishen genuinely looked surprised. "You watch the drama?"
She smiled and shook her head. "I watched one episode or rather I was made to. I am not much of an entertainnt person."
"Well then I sincerely hope that you liked it despite your disinterest."
"I did. You are a great actor. You are very on point with your expressions, especially with your gaze. It feels like..." she gave it a thought, "you are peering through the fictional world into the real world of your spectators."
Bai Caishen stared at her. "Is that so?"
"Yes. That’s what I felt. Congratulations once again."
Jia expected to see Bai Caishen in a happy mood towards the achievent and ending of his popular drama. But strangely enough, his gaze didn’t hold the vigor and cheer.
He said, "Thank you. It was nice talking to you. I guess I should leave before anybody really figures out it’s ."
"Yeah, I need to get going too. See you later."
She left with with limp on her right leg. Bai Caishen turned and started walking in the opposite direction. Then he stopped.
See you later? She said like she was sure she would et again.
Strange.
—
Jia rested her luggage against the wall and placed her carry on bag on the bed reaching her hotel room.
Her jaw dropped to see how luxurious the room was. It was a Queen suite with a bed as large to comfortably fit in a family of five. There was a small staircase to an upper floor where the spacious balcony was. The exquisite floor to ceiling windows gave an enthralling view of Tianjin with the breathtaking Hai river in sight. The curtains, tables, cupboard - everything scread of only money, money and just more money. It looked more like a personal condo rather than a hotel room.
"How much does one night here even cost?" Jia asked herself, her throat becoming dry.
She shuddered thinking about the bill.
"Well this is originally Aunt’s booking. Of course it would be this rich..."
Jia felt guilty for enjoying her stay in such a grandiose Queens’ suite when she couldn’t even afford it.
"I-I should think about paying back. Staying here free of cost will haunt in my dreams forever."
She checked her bank balance and sweat dripped from her forehead. She thought about it and dialed her number.
"Jia!" Her radiant voice chirped from the other end. "You reached the hotel?"
"Yes, Aunt."
"Great! I am so happy you agreed for the trip~ I cannot wait to get Bai Caishen’s autograph, hoho."
She cleared her throat. "Aunt if I may ask sothing."
"Sure, dear. Ask anything. Oh wait before that. Did you like your suite?"
"Actually, it’s about that only. Can you-"
A sharp gasp escaped from the lips. "Is the Queens’ suite too small for you? It’s not comfortable? I cannot believe it. That’s the most extravagant suite they have there and yet it’s so disappointing. I didn’t expect this from the hotel."
Jia stared at the number to check if she was talking to the right person.
She thinks this suite is disappointing? What is her definition of satisfaction then?
"Worry not, dear! I will imdiately book you into another hotel."
"No! Wait, no, no! I am not talking about changing my booking. It’s the opposite. I thought if you could downgrade my room. This is too luxurious for -"
"Preposterous!"
"..."
Yang Bingqing’s shock laced voice almost tore through Jia’s eardrums. "No way you would be staying in a downgraded or cheaper room. You should have the best suite possible!"
"Aunt, it’s just too...I am not really used to it. Plus this was originally booked for you but I ca here instead. So you can simply switch to a-"
"No way!" Her nostrils flared at the other side. "You will get the best suite and the best service possible."
Jia didn’t know what to say. She was touched by her gesture but at the sa ti, it also left behind a feeling in her heart which she didn’t want to linger.
"Aunt..." her voice lowered. "If you are being nice to because you hope that Mingshen and I could get together in the future then, please don’t. I really don’t want to give you any false hopes. I cannot enjoy this luxury based on that notion. Mingshen and I are just not possible."
Yang Bingqing chuckled. "Who is even thinking about that idiot? Can I not do things for you just because I like you?"
Her eyes widened. "But I don’t think I did anything for you to like so much."
"Hm? Well, let’s just say that you remind of my younger days~"
Jia blinked.
"FYI. I am still young, okay?"
"..."
"So don’t overthink. Yes, it’s true that I would be the happiest if you could beco my daughter-in-law. But that’s not the only intention behind my actions. At a simpler level, I just like you. Who wouldn’t?"
Jia trembled. Her cheeks ached with a dull pain as her eyes grew wetter. She hoarsely said, "Thanks Aunt..."
But I...really wish you wouldn’t spoil like this.
"Good! So now enjoy your stay and don’t think of unnecessary things~ And let know if you get to et Bai Caishen, okay?" She squealed. "Cheng is calling . I will hang up. Have fun!"
"Actually I already t-"
But she had already cut the call.
Jia released a sigh. She stood in silence with Yang Bingqing’s words reverberating in her ears.
"It feels nice..."
—
Jia stepped out of the bathroom after a long, relaxing hot shower. Wearing her casual shirt and jeans, she started drying her hair. She slled her hand with the soap’s flowery fragrance calming her mind.
A Queens’ suite’s anities are on a different level, aren’t they? She wondered.
Suddenly, a loud music blasted from the next room, making her almost stumble. She stared at the wall, shell-shocked.
Who is playing such loud music?
Jia shrugged and spent so more ti drying her hair yet even after that, the music didn’t stop.
Oh co on! I want to have a nice nap now!
Exasperated, she grabbed her stick again and walked towards the neighbor’s suite. She rang the doorbell. "Hello? Please can you lower the volu? It’s too loud."
There wasn’t any answer, but the music ca to a stop. Jia sighed in relief.
Great that he listened. Now back to-
The door opened just then and a half-naked figure with light steam still wafting off his moist skin appeared in the doorway.
Jia automatically looked up. It was then that she figured how a person felt when they are zapped by lightning.
The tempting devil stood right before her with a smile and gaze that was up to no good. "What’s the problem with the music, Spicy~?"
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