"We need to go downstairs for dinner, are you ready?"

Shao Yan put her cup down on the coffee table and then she stood up. She just turned around to walk to him, but her steps faltered when she saw him.

'WOW'

Was all she could think of in her head.

Her man looked so much more handsome in this traditional clothes more than any other men she had ever seen in the past.

Li Xiqing walked over to her; still oblivious of his own charm that had rendered her immobile. His whole demeanor matched the regal standing of feudal warrior, with his tall physique and chiseled jaw, Li Xiqing looked like an emperor who just stepped out of a scroll painting looking for his empress.

Shao Yan slowly recovered herself when Li Xiqing extended his hand and touched her wrist, "En, let's go, I am starving."

He grabbed her hand, and then together, they walked out to the dining room.

Unbeknownst to each of them, each heart beat so hard as they were so nervous when they saw each other a few seconds ago, just like a new blossoming devotion. Hearts were squeezed tight, anxious to roam free and showered each other with everlasting adoration.

Even though it was the second s.h.i.+ft, but the dining room was packed.

Everyone had been a.s.signed their own seats. As Li Xiqing quoted their room number, they were quickly escorted to their table. They were seated next to other couples. Shao Yan gave a nod to convey her greetings to them, and they also nodded back.

There was no menu available, as it was already prefixed. 

After they were settled down, a woman in light purple kimono came over with a cart, and started to place their food on the table.

She started to mention the food and ingredients one by one.

When she was done, she looked at Shao Yan and Li Xiqing, "From all of these, is there anything that you can't eat due to allergies? We will take them away."

Shao Yan looked at Li Xiqing while shaking her head, and then Li Xiqing replied her, "We are fine, thank you."

The woman gave a slight bow, and then left the couple alone to enjoy their meal.

After meal and tea, Shao Yan suggested, "Xiqing, let's walk to the koi garden to digest our food for a while. And then after that, let's soak in the hot spring. Alright?"

He chuckled, and then he put the tea cup back on the table, "You won't give up, will you? You will definitely try the hot spring no matter what I say, right? It's just has to be today," he shook his head helplessly, "alright! Let's go."

Li Xiqing pushed his chair slightly backwards and stepped to the side, to let Shao Yan walked in front of him.

Hand in hand, they started to walk out to the garden.

"So why did you want to invest in this place to begin with?"

Shao Yan tugged their linked hands, she was walking in front of him, dragging him with her as she explored the stone path in the koi garden.

He kept her close even though she was in front of him, "I was reading on a lot of places to take you, and then I stumbled upon this place. Axel saw I was looking at the website, and we started talking."

When she started to pick up her speed, Li Xiqing held on to his hold, and pulled her to a stop, "Don't rush, let's go back and change to the hot spring kimono first. Have you decided which spring you want to try?"

Shao Yan now walking beside him, "Yes, the Rainbow Spring. At this time of the right, being up on the hills will too cold for me, but being by the stream will be very nice."

Li Xiqing paused his steps, "It's a mixed gender pool, don't forget to bring your towel alright. I don't want any other men to l.u.s.t over your body."

He circled his arms around her waist and pulled her roughly to his embrace, "This is mine."

Shao Yan b.u.mped into his chest and heard his rough voice on her ears, she tilted her head to the side, and slowly grinned at him, "I am repeating the same words to you."

She ran her fingers on his chest, down to his tummy, and circled her arms around him; placing both hands on his b.u.t.t.

Shao Yan pressed her hands to bring his waist to glue onto hers, "This is mine, too!"

After they changed into the blue and white kimono for hot spring area, Shao Yan also carried the small bag that the ryokan had provided to store their personal belongings. She put their room key, extra hair tie and few towels inside the bag before they headed downstairs again.

When they arrived at the front of the mixed gender pool, one of the ryokan employees gave out a paper that remind them of the rules and regulation again.

She also directed each of them to the shower area for separate genders.

Before entering the hot spring pool, it was the right etiquette for everyone to thoroughly clean their body and hair with soap. This was to avoid any germs or dirt to contaminate the pool as it was shared with other people.

"I'll see you inside. Remember don't forget the towel, to cover your body, alright?" Li Xiqing reminded her again before they entered the respective shower area to clean themselves.

She nodded, "I'll see you soon."

Shao Yan entered the shower area, and started to undress herself. Carrying only two towels inside, she started to wash all over her body and her hair. Other than her, there were two other women who were also showering. Shao Yan chose the spot further away from them, and started to pour water all over herself.

When she was done, Shao Yan tied her hair properly, making sure that none would fall over her shoulder into the water. She used a bigger towel to cover her body before she stepped out to the hot spring pool.