The rolls-royce had been winding through the mountain road for more than five hours.
The farther they went, the more desolate it became.
Apart from a few cargo trucks on the main road,
private cars were almost non-existent.
Normally at Mid-Autumn Festival, the roads home would be packed with private cars, but this one showed no such scene.
Just then Jiang Cheng received a wechat from Jessica.
She was basically asking if he'd arrived yet.
Sending a message at this hour must have taken the time difference into account.
Jiang Cheng gave a perfunctory two-line reply.
After Jiang Cheng left, she couldn't help replaying every detail of the previous night.
Especially the moment Jiang Cheng had grinned wickedly and told her to crawl over.
Last night, eager to please him, she had knelt without hesitation and begun crawling toward him on hands and knees.
When she reached his legs she slowly looked up, giving him a seductive gaze.
While working hard she pleaded, "Can we change places later? I can't take much more these two days."
Seeing Jiang Cheng say nothing, Jessica lifted her head and met his eyes.
Before two seconds passed he pressed her back down without mercy.
A ruthless voice came from above: "Think you're qualified to bargain with me? Wherever I say is where it happens."
Compared with Jiang Cheng, Jessica was far more enthusiastic; even when he brushed her off she kept finding things to chat about… As night fell the car finally rolled into the small county town near Xia Meng's hometown.
Looking at the shabby, backward little town, Jiang Cheng felt a pang of emotion.
He had grown up in Chengdu and had never seen such a poor place—no high-rises at all, just two-story self-built houses.
Jiang Cheng had already contacted Xia Meng, and she sent him the address of a hotel.
When they pulled up to the Weinaiye Hotel, Xia Meng was glancing around anxiously.
Spotting the rolls-royce, Xia Meng waved happily at Jiang Cheng's car.
As Jiang Cheng stepped out she ran over and slipped her arm through his. "It's been hours—you must be tired."
At the ambiguous remark Jiang Cheng smirked. "I'm holding up fine."
After so many trysts, Xia Meng caught his meaning instantly; her face flamed and she whispered, "I meant the traffic jam."
Jiang Cheng pinched her cute cheek and, eyeing the hotel behind her, teased, "Still talking about cars? Checking in right now, hmm?"
Xia Meng glanced shyly at Wang Sheng and Xiali beside her and explained, "It's the best hotel I could find in town. I just had a look inside—it's clean enough. Make do for tonight. Tomorrow I'll take you to the village to meet Grandma."
"Why not go tonight?"
Xia Meng said apologetically, "It's too late; getting into the village would be hard, and we only have two rooms at home—there isn't space for everyone."
Reading her embarrassment, Jiang Cheng stretched lazily.
"Fine. We came in such a rush I didn't bring many gifts. Tomorrow we'll look around town and buy some things."
Taking the key-cards from Xia Meng, Jiang Cheng handed two to Wang Sheng and Xiali. "You two must be worn out after the long drive—go rest."
At his words Wang Sheng and Xiali smiled and nodded.
They had flown eighteen hours and then taken turns driving another six; exhaustion was written all over their faces.
Still, Wang Sheng dutifully lifted the luggage from the car and said, "Young master, give me the key and I'll carry your things up first."
Once Wang Sheng and Xiali left, Xia Meng waved dismissively. "There's no need to buy anything—just Grandma and me at home. We couldn't finish too much food."
"First visit, basic courtesy is a must. Let's go in and rest." He took Xia Meng's hand and headed into the hotel.
Jiang Cheng's fingers were long and well-defined, elegant and attractive.
It was the first time Xia Meng had felt him hold her hand so tightly.
Her heart began to race, palms growing damp.
"That eager for me? Already soaking wet?"
Flustered, Xia Meng let go. "I'm just a little hot, that's all."