Chapter 356: A Little Hardship Fee

“Bo Yanching is the most likely party to reach cooperation with us this time,” a neat voice rang out from behind.

The man sneered, “Nothing’s been decided; who says it’s his for the taking?”

The responder was taken aback, then quickly adjusted, “Understood.”

Bo Yanching and Nan Jiaojiao’s room was arranged on the fourth floor, Han Qi and another on the third floor, Hanks and his fiancée on the second floor.

The rooms were apartment suites, not only featuring spacious living rooms but also two bedrooms, an outdoor balcony, and a hot spring that flowed directly from the mountain into the pool.

Nan Jiaojiao also had a room here, which she had lived in since childhood, located on the fifth floor, next to her uncle’s.

This was just below the room of her uncle.

She was all too familiar with the views and the layout of the rooms here, not curious in the slightest but attracted instead by the rows of clothes on mobile racks in the living room.

“Did you prepare this?” She turned back to look at Bo Yanching.

The man washed two cups, filled them with warm water, and handed her one, “They were delivered early this morning.

You can go shopping if you want; the round trip by car is two hours, and I’ll accompany you.”

Nan Jiaojiao declined instantly, “I’m not going shopping.”

Bo Yanching looked at her teasingly, “Have a look.

Choose something you like to wear for the next few days.”

Nan Jiaojiao slowly circled around, nearly finishing her glass of water without making a choice.

“You pick for me; I’ll wear whatever you choose.”

Bo Yanching raised an eyebrow, lifted her into his arms, just as he sat down, Nan Jiaojiao slid out of his embrace and lay sideways on the sofa, head resting on his legs, and grabbed his hand to move to her temples, “Massage here.”

Bo Yanching put down the cup and massaged her forehead.

No one spoke, their breathing soft and gentle, he looked down at her closed eyes, seeing that she was indeed somewhat sleepy, so he lightened his touch, and pulled a lambswool blanket from by her feet to cover her.

Upon waking, Nan Jiaojiao found that Bo Yanching was still massaging her, now with only one hand while he held a phone with the other, its cold, white glow casting on his sharply defined face, which looked exceptionally aloof and solitary, almost too aloof to approach.

Nan Jiaojiao turned over and reached out to embrace him.

Bo Yanching noticed her and set aside his phone, leaning in so she could hold his neck.

He leaned in slightly and pecked her lips, his deep voice carrying a hint of playful elegance, “Woken up by hunger?”

Nan Jiaojiao chuckled, “I feel like eating a whole roasted lamb.”

“That lamb couldn’t even touch you today, and now you want to eat it, quite spiteful,” Bo Yanching said with a warm smile.

Nan Jiaojiao rolled her eyes playfully, not telling him that the sheep here were of two types, one for ornamental purposes and the other for dining.

The two she encountered in the afternoon were likely the same ones she had seen years ago on her return here.

“Let’s drop it, eat something else, our host will arrange something delicious.”

Bo Yanching lifted his gaze, “Already leaving?

My legs have been your pillow all afternoon; don’t I deserve some gratuity?”

Nan Jiaojiao leaned in and kissed him quickly before darting off to the bathroom to wash up.

The phone was ringing; Bo Yanching glanced at the caller ID, the smile in his eyes slowly fading.

When he answered the call, his voice had returned to its usual cool detachment, “Did you find out?”

Bo Yanching listened to the person on the other end, taking a couple of sips from the water that had long since turned cold.

“Is the news reliable?”

The other side responded.

He said one word, “Good.”

The dining room on the first floor was ready, and Han Qi kept glancing at his watch, almost in a frenzy, vowing that if Bo didn’t bring Nan Jiaojiao down in the next second, he would go upstairs and fetch her himself.