Chapter 212 - 210: The Plan Falls Through

Chapter 212: Chapter 210: The Plan Falls Through

At 8:40 PM, the plane landed safely.

Jiang Xia gazed at the jam-packed Capital International Airport, lost in thought for a moment. ’As expected of the Imperial Capital. It’s so much bigger and more bustling than Yu Du Airport.’

Following the crowd, the group exited the airport.

"Where are we going now?" Wang Ming asked, pulling his suitcase along.

"First, we’ll find a place to stay nearby, and then we’ll get something to eat," Jiang Xia said.

It was too late to go to the university, and it would be a hassle to do anything while dragging their suitcases around. The most sensible plan was to find a place to stay for the night and then head to their respective schools tomorrow.

Everyone nodded.

There were many hotels near the airport, with several billing themselves as star-rated. The prices were naturally a bit higher than in Yu Du, but since they were only staying for one night, it wouldn’t cost too much.

But when it came to choosing rooms, the group ran into a problem. If it had been Shen Ying with them instead of Chen Yao, they would have likely just gotten two double rooms—one for the besties and one for the best buds.

However, Chen Yao had no intention of sharing a room. She requested a king room for herself, and after grabbing her suitcase and key card, she headed upstairs.

The remaining three could figure out their own sleeping arrangements. Even if Jiang Xia and Lin Yanwan decided to roll in the sheets that night, it had nothing to do with her.

"We’ll take two more king rooms," Jiang Xia said, handing his ID to the receptionist.

"Why two rooms? Are you and Wang Ming sharing a bed?" Lin Yanwan asked, knowing full well what he was up to.

’Looks like Mom wasn’t wrong. It’s only the first day, and he’s already trying to use this as an excuse to climb into my bed.’

Jiang Xia blinked. "Babe, he’ll sleep by himself. We’ll share a room to save money."

Wang Ming was speechless.

Old Wang looked like he wanted to say something but held his tongue. He was too embarrassed to call his friend out.

’You trying to save money? My ass! Even the ghosts in the underworld can hear you scheming.’

’You probably wouldn’t know the first thing about self-control until you’ve used up every last condom in that box in a single night.’

"Saving money, is it? Fine," Lin Yanwan said with a sweet smile that vanished in less than a second, replaced by a cold expression. "I’ll get my own room. You two can share a bed or get separate ones. Figure it out yourselves."

She huffed softly. ’As if I don’t know what he’s thinking. I’m not that stupid.’

’Besides, aren’t you worried about hidden cameras in a place like a hotel?’

’If he wants to be intimate with me, he should at least pick a safe place.’

"Babe, I promise I won’t do anything."

Jiang Xia gave her his best puppy-dog eyes. ’Even if we don’t do anything... naughty, just holding her while we sleep would be enough.’

"No!"

Lin Yanwan refused flatly.

In her past life, he had also said he would just "rub up against her a little." And what happened next? A little rubbing turned into a lot more, and soon enough, he was inside her.

Back then, she had been young, naive, and so deeply in love. A few sweet nothings from the man she adored was all it took to completely win her over. As a result, her first time had hurt like hell.

’I’d be a fool to fall for that line again.’

Watching the two lovebirds exchange flirtatious glances, Wang Ming felt a pang in his chest. He felt like a useless third wheel, his status pitifully low.

He plopped down on a sofa in the lobby. "Just let me know what the final verdict is on the sleeping arrangements."

However, no one was paying him any attention.

Jiang Xia grabbed his wife’s hand, looking pitiful. ’Before, we had to sleep separately because my in-laws were watching. Now that we’re away from our parents, why can’t I even hold my wife while I sleep?’

"Babe, look into my sincere eyes. I swear to Elder Yue, I’ll just hold you, nothing more."

"Nope."

Lin Yanwan refused again. ’His hands are so restless. Once he’s holding me, they start to wander all over. No way I’m letting that happen.’

She ignored Jiang Xia completely and presented her ID to the receptionist. "Sir, don’t worry about them. Just give me one king room, please."

The receptionist nodded, registered her information, and handed back her ID.

"Your room is right next to your friend’s."

"Thank you." Lin Yanwan turned back, a wide grin spreading across her face as she looked at Jiang Xia. "Well, I’m heading up then. Are you two really going to share a bed?"

Jiang Xia’s face twitched. ’So much for my plan to sleep with my wife tonight.’ But there was no way he was going to share a bed with Old Wang.

’Two guys sharing a bed when they have other options? That’s just awful.’

"Sir, could you please change that king room to a twin room for me? Thank you."

"I’ll need to see your friend’s ID, please."

In the end, the four of them got three rooms. After stowing their luggage, they found that the amenities were quite nice. The rooms also had large, floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a sweeping view of the Imperial Capital’s glittering nightscape.

’The only downside,’ Jiang Xia thought, ’is that I can’t climb into my wife’s bed. So what’s the point of bringing all these condoms?’

"Should we go get something to eat now?" Wang Ming asked.

"Yeah, I’m getting hungry. Let’s go ask if they want to come."

Jiang Xia knocked on his wife’s door. Lin Yanwan opened it just a crack, eyeing him warily. She had to be on guard in case he decided to play dirty, force his way in, and then refuse to leave.

"What do you want? I’m telling you, don’t even think about getting any of your dirty ideas. I’m not going to agree to anything."

Jiang Xia was exasperated. "I just wanted to ask if you wanted to get something to eat."

"I’m not going. I’m still full from the airplane meal," Lin Yanwan said.

After spending several hours on a plane, all she wanted to do was take a shower and get a good night’s sleep.

"Alright. I’ll see if there’s anything good outside and bring some back for you later."

"You don’t have to."

"Okay then, Old Wang and I will go get a bite to eat. You get some rest. Oh, right, remember to check the bathroom carefully for any pinhole cameras," Jiang Xia reminded her.

’The last thing he wanted was to stumble across a secretly filmed video of his wife showering on some website one day.’

Lin Yanwan nodded. She was well aware of that precaution.

She closed the door. Wang Ming walked over. "Chen Yao says she’s not hungry, so she isn’t coming either."

"Fine by me. Let’s go check out the food in the Imperial Capital, just the two of us."

"Old Jiang, do you think this counts as a business trip?"

"What are you getting at?"

Wang Ming chuckled. "All expenses incurred while with the boss should be covered by the company, right?"

"You’re right, but we’re on break until the end of the month, which means I’m not your boss right now. We’re splitting all expenses. The twin room was 268, so you just owe me 130. I’ll bite the bullet and cover the extra 8 yuan," Jiang Xia said with a perfectly straight face.

"...One day, you’re going to be strung up on a lamppost!"

Jiang Xia burst out laughing. But all jokes aside, with a friendship as close as theirs, there was no way he would actually make Old Wang pay.

Not far from the hotel, they came across a street food area. Dozens of stalls stood in a long row, and as far as the eye could see, every single one had a sign proclaiming "Old Beijing" specialties and was swarmed with customers.