Chapter 227 - 169: Booking the Hotel’s Panoramic View for Jiang Silu

Chapter 227: Chapter 169: Booking the Hotel’s Panoramic View for Jiang Silu

Blushing, Wen Wan nodded. It was only when Jiang Sifan saw her expression that he finally realized what he’d said.

He hastily explained in embarrassment, "I’m so sorry, Wen Wan. I only said those things in the heat of the moment. I apologize."

Wen Wan shook her head. "It’s... it’s okay."

After she spoke, however, she felt a pang of disappointment.

’So the Class President only said that in the heat of the moment. He didn’t really mean it.’

Still, just hearing how much she meant to the Class President was enough to make Wen Wan feel content.

Next, Jiang Sifan said, "Alright, let’s hurry and reconcile the accounts. It’s a new month, so we need to get the books straight for our partner businesses. We’ve lost a lot of student partners, but I’m confident that as long as we maintain a good relationship with the shops we have left, our reputation will spread by word of mouth."

Wen Wan nodded in agreement. "Mhm, I think so too!"

And so, the two worked together, taking advantage of the weekend to quickly finish their work.

But as the afternoon wore on, Jiang Sifan kept glancing at his phone, clearly distracted.

Wen Wan asked curiously, "Class President, is something wrong?"

Jiang Sifan shook his head and explained, "It’s nothing."

But after a moment, he glanced at his phone again and finally couldn’t hold it in any longer. "My sister is going mountain climbing with my dad today."

"Oh, that’s nice," Wen Wan said, then immediately regretted it.

’Obviously, since Sifan is here, that means he isn’t going with them.’

Jiang Sifan treated Wen Wan as a confidante, so he explained, "I don’t know what to think of my father right now. When I think about how hard Mom had it all these years, raising us alone, I don’t want to forgive him. But lately, he’s been quietly doing so much for us, especially for me and my sister... it’s left me feeling conflicted."

"Luckily, my sister has always wanted a father to care for her. She’s always wanted to be cherished and treated like a little princess, just like other kids. So, him showing up now has filled that void she’s had in her heart all these years. That part, at least, is good."

Wen Wan could tell that Jiang Sifan seemed a little envious of how Jiang Silu and Uncle Lu were mending their relationship.

So, she offered, "Class President, if you want to reconcile with Uncle Lu, I can help."

Hearing this, Jiang Sifan quickly shook his head. "No, it’s fine. I still don’t even know how to act around him. Just let me take my time. Besides, I need to focus on making our startup a success, right?"

Wen Wan encouraged him, "Mhm! I know you can do it!"

「Meanwhile.」

At two in the afternoon, Jiang Silu was waiting right on time at the gates of Jinling University.

Before long, a luxury car pulled up in front of her.

Even though she had ridden in Lu Fan’s Rolls-Royce several times already, she still felt a little nervous and awkward every time she approached it.

It always felt a bit surreal, almost like a dream.

After she got in the car, Lu Fan asked, "Do you have everything you need?"

"I’ve got it all," Jiang Silu nodded.

Lu Fan remarked, "You know, this is my first time going to Huang Mountain, too. We can scout it out, just the two of us, and then we can bring your mom and brother along next time."

Jiang Silu blushed with a hint of embarrassment, but she still nodded. "Okay."

’Actually, I really hope we can make that wish come true someday.’

The drive to Huang Mountain wasn’t far, and they arrived in less than two hours.

The two of them stood at the foot of Huang Mountain.

Lu Fan glanced up at the cable car line disappearing into the clouds, then looked over at Jiang Silu with concern. "How about we just take the cable car all the way up? It’ll be faster. Our main goal is to see the sunrise, so there’s no need to wear ourselves out."

Jiang Silu hesitated for a moment before suggesting in a small voice, "I’d like to climb for a bit."

She looked at the stone steps winding up the mountain, a stubborn glint in her eyes, and gave an embarrassed smile. "We came all this way. It would feel like a waste not to climb at least a little."

Just then, Jiali’s voice reminded him, "The scenic area has three cable car lines, situated at key points along different hiking routes. You can indeed freely choose a combination of hiking and riding the cable car."

Lu Fan had planned on taking the cable car the whole way. After all, his daughter didn’t get much exercise, and he was worried the climb would be too strenuous for her.

But seeing the look on her face, he was suddenly reminded of a young Jiang Yixia. She had the same stubborn streak; once she made up her mind, nothing could change it.

"Alright, we’ll climb for a bit then," Lu Fan said, holding out his hand. "Here, let me take your backpack. Just tell me when you’re tired, and we can hop on the cable car anytime."

Jiang Silu nodded but didn’t hand her backpack over. "It’s okay, I can carry it myself. I’m worried you’ll get tired."

"Are you treating me like an old man? I’m only forty, you know," Lu Fan joked self-deprecatingly.

Jiang Silu stifled a laugh, then took the lead and started up the stone steps.

The first few hundred steps were easy enough, and Jiang Silu kept a brisk pace. Lu Fan followed behind, occasionally reminding her to slow down.

Sturdy pine trees lined both sides of the mountain path. Occasionally, a porter carrying a heavy load on a shoulder pole would pass them, calling out, "Make way, make way!"

After about twenty minutes of climbing, Jiang Silu’s pace began to slow.

Her breathing grew heavy, and fine beads of sweat dotted her forehead.

Lu Fan glanced at Chen He and gave him a nod.

Chen He immediately pulled a bottle of water from his bag.

Lu Fan took the water, unscrewed the cap, and handed it to Jiang Silu. "Take a break. There’s no rush."

Jiang Silu took the water and leaned against a tree, saying softly, "Thank you."

She tilted her head back to look at the seemingly endless stone steps above them and said suddenly, "When I was little, I used to dream that someone was taking me mountain climbing."