The Hanging Garden

When choosing a place to visit, Gu Yan had actually considered many options.

He thought about where to take Leng Qingqiu.

He considered amusement parks, movie theaters, and even shopping malls.

But in the end, he dismissed all of them.

If it were just Leng Ling'er, she would definitely enjoy these lively, crowded places.

But... for Leng Qingqiu, it was different.

Gu Yan knew that even if she didn’t care where he took her, deep down, he understood that she was a girl who preferred tranquility.

So...

An hour later.

The car stopped at the foot of the mountain.

"We're here," Gu Yan said softly, then got out of the car and walked to the passenger side to open the door for Leng Qingqiu.

Are we here?

As Gu Yan held her hand to help her out of the car, she couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy.

But when she used her senses to feel the surroundings, she was stunned.

Because...

This place had almost no trace of human life.

Why? Where is this?

"Huh? Brother-in-law, why did you bring us to the mountains?" Leng Ling'er exclaimed as she got out of the car and realized they were at the base of a mountain.

"You’ll understand soon," Gu Yan replied with a hint of annoyance.

The next moment.

"Young Master, Miss Leng."

Several men in suits and ties approached.

At the same time, an open-top sightseeing vehicle arrived.

The leader was the garden manager, dressed in a neat uniform, exuding a professional and amiable demeanor.

He looked at Gu Yan with a flattering smile: "Mr. Gu, the cable car has been prepared for you. Today, the entire garden is reserved exclusively for you and..."

He glanced at Leng Qingqiu, who had her eyes closed: "...your beloved."

When someone referred to her as Gu Yan’s beloved, Leng Qingqiu’s heart stirred slightly.

Gu Yan nodded: "Thank you, I appreciate it."

With that, he tightened his grip on Leng Qingqiu’s hand: "Let’s go, Qingqiu. You’ll be pleasantly surprised."

Suppressing her doubts, Leng Qingqiu nodded: "Okay."

During the ride on the sightseeing vehicle, Leng Ling'er leaned out to take in the scenery.

The air was fresh, and the surroundings were lush with greenery.

In the distance, she could see two cable car lines leading up into the sky.

Curious, she asked: "Brother-in-law, where exactly are we?"

Brother-in-law... oh! So this is Young Master Gu’s sister-in-law!

The garden manager silently noted the striking appearance of this young girl with golden hair.

Gu Yan didn’t keep them in suspense. He turned to the garden manager and said: "Manager Zhang, why don’t you introduce this place?"

"Yes! Of course!" Manager Zhang replied nervously, then turned on his microphone and began his explanation.

Before becoming the manager, he had been a tour guide here, so explaining was second nature to him.

"Esteemed guests, welcome to Qili Garden, also known as the 'Garden in the Sky.'"

"Right now, we are at the outer base of Qili Garden."

"This area is covered in lush greenery, and its exclusivity and privacy are ensured by a dedicated cable car route."

"The cable car starts at the reception area at the foot of the mountain."

At this point, Manager Zhang glanced at Gu Yan with a flattering smile: "Normally, this place is a retreat for the elite and influential."

"But today, Mr. Gu has reserved the entire garden, so... it’s open exclusively for the three of you!"

"Throughout Qili Garden, there are call buttons. If you need any service, just press the button, and a dedicated staff member will arrive within five minutes!"

Leng Ling'er listened in awe.

Qili Garden?!

So this is that Qili Garden?

She often browsed the internet and knew that this was a private nature retreat built by a few wealthy individuals.

Back then, she and Bai Qionglan had mocked and criticized how the rich knew how to have fun.

But now, looking at it...

Huh?

It turns out I’m the rich one?

Soon.

They arrived at the cable car station.

The cable car was designed for utmost comfort, with luxurious interiors and large glass windows offering panoramic views of the mountain scenery.

The plush seats and heating system ensured a comfortable ride.

"I wish you all a pleasant journey."

"The cable car is about to ascend. I won’t disturb you further."

Manager Zhang closed the cable car door, waved, and started the ride.

The sensation of ascending began.

The cable car rose steadily into the sky.

"Wow!"

"It’s so beautiful!"

Leng Ling'er pressed her face against the window, exclaiming in amazement.

"Ling'er, be careful," Leng Qingqiu reminded her, feeling that her sister was being too reckless.

Gu Yan sat beside Leng Qingqiu, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, and surprisingly defended Ling'er: "Don’t worry, it’s just the three of us here."

"Qingqiu, what’s wrong? You seem a bit upset."

"Is your chest feeling tight? Do you need your dear husband to massage it for you?"

As he spoke, Gu Yan reached out toward Leng Qingqiu’s chest.

But before he could fulfill his mischievous intent.

*Slap!*

Leng Qingqiu swatted his hand away in annoyance: "Be serious!"

"Ouch... Qingqiu, you’re so rough..." Gu Yan pretended to be in pain, then leaned his body against hers again.

"You!"

Leng Qingqiu pushed him away, but like sticky candy, he leaned back again.

After a few back-and-forths, she couldn’t help but laugh in frustration.

Finally.

She sighed: "You’re being too flashy."

"After today, all the major families in Jianghai will know..."

"That you, the heir of the Gu Family, Young Master Gu..."

"Reserved Qili Garden for a woman."

"The family annual meeting is coming up. Have you considered what will happen then... Mmm!"

Before she could finish.

Leng Qingqiu was physically interrupted.

Leng Ling'er covered her eyes but peeked through her fingers. How bold these two are...

A few minutes later.

.

Their lips parted.

*Pop~*

"You! What are you doing! Interrupting someone when they’re talking!"

Leng Qingqiu quickly covered her mouth with her arm, scolding him in embarrassment.

How infuriating!

She didn’t want to, but her body didn’t push him away in time.

And her senses had even heightened slightly.

How annoying! Doesn’t this make it seem like I was looking forward to this too?!

Hearing this.

Gu Yan took a deep breath and spoke seriously: "This is my answer, Qingqiu!"

"I don’t care what others think, say, or do. I don’t care about what my future holds!"

"I just want to be with you, loving you for a lifetime!"

"Because to me... that’s what matters most."

Leng Qingqiu’s heart skipped a beat.

[The other me, the furnace did say that, you know.]

Shut up, Little Cold... You don’t understand anything...

And didn’t you say you wouldn’t interfere with us?!

[Hehe.]

Little Cold went silent.

On the surface.

Leng Qingqiu snorted lightly and turned her head away: "Do whatever you want. I don’t care anymore."

Gu Yan’s high-profile actions would undoubtedly provoke dissatisfaction from certain families.

It seems I’ll have to keep an eye on things.

Gu Yan, sensing that Leng Qingqiu was no longer angry, leaned in again: "Qingqiu, my Qingqiu, since you’re not mad anymore, can we kiss again?"

"Who said I’m not mad anymore?"

"Ling'er is still here, don’t... Mmm..."

Leng Ling'er shivered in the corner.

...

....

The cable car passed through layers of clouds, as if entering a mysterious ocean world.

As the altitude increased, the cable car finally arrived at the exclusive platform of Qili Garden.