The Lingering Sounds of Blooming Flowers - CH 6

Chapter 6

When they were close to the guest house, Lu Chenfeng saw two couples taking photos in the front yard. Some luggages was next to them, they were guests who just checked out.

The girls who were posing sharply caught Lin Chaosheng and called out “Owner Lin” in unison. Lin Chaosheng held the bike with one hand and waved at them.

“Xiao Jian said that you went out shopping, we thought that we would miss you,” one of the girls had a camera hanging on her neck and spoke excitedly, “We would like to take a group photo with you.”

Lin Chaosheng wouldn’t turn down a guest’s request but he replied modestly, “No problem, it’s my honor. But I’m afraid that I’m not too photogenic.”

The handsome boy standing to her replied without a second thought, “I definitely won’t tell you that my girlfriend picked this guest house because she said ‘the owner looks too handsome’.”

Lin Chaosheng looked at the boy and complimented, “Your girlfriend surely has a good taste.”

He praised three people at once and Lu Chenfeng admired his art of language. After Lin Chaosheng pushed his bike back to the yard and came back, the girl finished setting the camera’s focal length and angle and passed it to Lu Chenfeng.

The tourists stood in a line at the front of the entrance, Lin Chaosheng picked the furthest side and Lu Chenfeng took a picture with their order. The composition was great, the lighting was just fine. There were others in the photo but he couldn’t take his off Lin Chaosheng.

After sending these tourists away, Lin Chaosheng opened the mailbox embedded in the outer wall and took out letters and postcards he hadn’t checked this week. They entered the front lobby, Jian Yi took the mushrooms to the kitchen and Lin Chaosheng asked, “Are you hungry now?”

Lu Chenfeng replied honestly, “I can probably eat two bowls of rice right now.”

They laughed and sat down by a table on the right side of the bookshelf. Lin Chaosheng tidied up the stack of postcards and put them in a wooden box on the first level of the shelf along with the letters. Lu Chenfeng asked, “Are these all from your guests?”

“Yes,” Lin Chaosheng closed the lid and put it back, “I get a few every month.”

Lu Chenfeng, “How long has it been since you opened this place?”

Lin Chaosheng, “Almost two years.”

Lu Chenfeng nodded, “I didn’t think you were this popular.”

Lin Chaosheng looked up and raised an eyebrow, “You ‘didn’t think’?”

It was just a casual conversation but Lin Chaosheng was ‘serious’. Lu Chenfeng stayed silent at how much Lin Chaosheng emphasized these words and rubbed his forehead awkwardly as he tried to explain for himself, “I didn’t mean that……”, “I wanted to say……”, “What I actually tried to say was that……”

Lin Chaosheng fixed his gaze on him and his eyes were gentle and warm.

Lu Chenfeng was at a loss for words and eventually admitted it with a bitter laugh, “You are right, that was my bad.”

When Jian Yi came over with food, Lin Chaosheng was still smiling and it was his first time seeing his boss smile so happily.

The small bowl placed in front of Lin Chaosheng was full of vegetables and he always had tea. Judging from his diet alone, it was so plain that it didn’t look like a young man’s diet in modern society.

Lu Chenfeng complimented Jian Yi’s cooking before continuing the conversation, “Why did you want to open a guest house?”

Lin Chaosheng swallowed down a piece of boiled turnip and asked back, “Why did you want to ask that?”

“Because you look like you are younger than me,” Lu Chenfeng always ate quickly. He put down his spoon and took a sip of the tea, “It’s rare for young people to get away from society and decide to live a life far from it.”

There was still more than half of the food left in Lin Chaosheng’s bowl but he was already full. He wiped his mouth and looked up to meet Lu Chenfeng’s eyes.

Lu Chenfeng couldn’t tell what his eyes were hiding; it seemed like his eyes wanted to tell him something. He thought that Lin Chaosheng’s glance looked too sincere and blazing, but he looked down when Lu Chenfeng was eager to understand it.

Lin Chaosheng smiled gently and asked his question sincerely, “I’m enjoying an early life of retirement.”

Lu Chenfeng blinked a few times and shook his head helplessly. He didn’t think he was getting an answer like this, but Lin Chaosheng was joking again.

“Mr. Lu,” Lin Chaosheng stopped his joke and sounded genuine, “I hope you have a happy day at Beautiful Dusk.”

Lu Chenfeng didn’t deny it, “Of course.”

Lin Chaosheng picked up the bowls on the table and left him with the last words, “I wish you a safe and smooth trip.”

The light was turned off and the room was brightly lit from the afternoon sun. Lu Chenfeng sat on the bed with his luggage by his feet, he turned his room key in his hands repetitively.

The curtains swayed with the breeze. A seagull landed on the fence on the balcony and Lu Chenfeng didn’t know why he was hesitating. A long time later, until the light became dimmer and dimmer, he finally pulled his luggage and walked towards the door.

It was four in the afternoon. Two guests were at the reception to check out, and a few staff were busy with their work. Jian Yi was still checking the damaged and paid items in the room, Lu Chenfeng sat down on the couch before the French window and planned to enjoy the mountains and seas a little more.

But he didn’t expect to see Lin Chaosheng again.

There weren’t any tourists on the viewing platform and Lu Chenfeng could see everything clearly. The sun was a warm orange, Lin Chaosheng sat on a stool quietly. He sat up straight with a thick jacket wrapping himself up tightly.

Sea breeze swept lightly across his hair and his bright eyes seemed to be a pool of clear water, his lips curved up into a shallow smile. He was too quiet; Lu Chenfeng didn’t know where he was looking.

Lu Chenfeng frowned slightly.

The sunset always brought a melancholic feeling, but it was warm. Lin Chaosheng looked alone, but he was also free.

Lu Chenfeng suddenly wanted to try the dish Lin Chaosheng was the best at. He never had pineapple fried rice before; was it nice? Was it sweet?

“Mr. Lu?” Jian Yi’s voice sounded next to him. Lu Chenfeng jolted back from his thoughts and nodded towards him.

“We’ve finished checking out,” Jian Yi stretched out his hand for the room key, “Thank you for picking Beautiful Dusk.”

Lu Chenfeng followed Jian Yi back to the reception. A few steps made him change his mind, “Sorry for the bother, I want to stay for another week.”

“Another week?!” Jian Yi’s glasses almost flipped off his nose. He quickly pushed it up and pressed his chest to calm down. He finally realized this: no wonder his boss did everything himself! He was trying to develop a potential guest! No wonder he gave this man VIP treatments, he definitely has a sharp eye! It was the first time a guest decided to stay for a week since the opening of the guest house, he finally saw a God of Wealth in real life!

Jian Yi was scared that Lu Chenfeng would change his mind and stuttered, “Are…… Are you sure?”

Lu Chenfeng didn’t change his idea, “Yes, I’m sure.”

Jian Yi swallowed excitedly, “I’ll change to a single bed room for you. You are staying here for a week and it’ll be much cheaper.”

Lu Chenfeng refused his offer, “It’s okay, I’ll stay in my old room.”

A week in the ocean view room?! Jian Yi quickly clicked on his calculator and showed him the price, “VIP guests can have five percent off, this is the fee for a week. I’ll ask my boss, you’ll probably get a bigger discount.”

“It’s fine,” Lu Chenfeng didn’t want anyone to disturb Lin Chaosheng for no reason and passed his bank card to Jian Yi, “I’ll pay this price.”

The sky turned navy blue and the lights by the shore all lit up. The temperature outside grew colder and Lin Chaosheng breathed out longly. He looked down and got off the stool, ready to head back to his room.

He turned to the door that led to the front lobby. A familiar person sat in the chair a few meters away from him, his hand forgot to push the handle until Lin Chaosheng looked up slightly.

He looked at Lu Chenfeng and slowly opened the door. Warm air from Lu Chenfeng’s side engulfed him and Lin Chaosheng smiled, “You didn’t leave?”

Lu Chenfeng looked down, “I have other businesses so I probably have to stay for a few more days.”