Before bed, Zhang Yuxi finished telling the children a story. She explained that she and Lin Feng had something to take care of and would be back in two or three days.

The children already understood that adults had their own work to do. For instance, Zhang Yuxi went to her job, and Lin Feng would sometimes work in his study. They had no concept of how long two or three days was. They just worried if Zhang Yuxi and Lin Feng would really come back.

Zhang Yuxi smiled. "Of course we'll be back. This is our home."

"All my treasures are here. If Mommy doesn't come back, where else would I go?" she said, picking up her sensitive third daughter and kissing her little cheek.

"As soon as Mommy's done, I'll come right back to you! It won't take too long!"

The little girl hugged Zhang Yuxi's neck and said softly, "Mommy, I don't want you to go!"

Her words melted Zhang Yuxi's heart, and she kissed her again. The girl's arms tightened as if she were afraid of losing her mother.

"You have to come back really fast! I'll cry because I miss you! I'll be so sad!"

Zhang Yuxi showered her daughter with kisses and promised, "Okay, Mommy will definitely come back as fast as I can. Trust me!"

Her daughter nodded. "I trust you, Mommy!"

The playful second daughter trotted over, wanting kisses too.

Zhang Yuxi hugged her and said, "Mommy and Daddy have to go take care of some things tomorrow. Will you be a good girl at home?"

The little girl tilted her head. "What things?"

Zhang Yuxi pretended to think for a moment, her expression turning serious. "Something very important!"

Isn't maintaining our relationship as a couple a very important matter?

The eldest child came closer and said loudly, "Mommy, you and Daddy have to come back soon! I'll be waiting for you at home!"

Zhang Yuxi nodded. "Okay!"

The fourth child was busy playing with his Ultraman figures, not the least bit sad. He was already looking forward to the toys Lin Feng and Zhang Yuxi would bring back for him.

He only added at the end, "Mommy and Daddy, come back soon!"

***

「The next day.」

Lin Feng made breakfast for the children before they woke up. He and Zhang Yuxi took the luggage they had packed the night before and caught the earliest bus.

When they arrived at the station, the hotel's shuttle service was already waiting for them.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. and Mrs. Lin?"

Lin Feng held Zhang Yuxi's hand with one hand and the suitcase with the other. "Yes, that's us."

"I'm Xiao Chen, and I'll be assisting you," the staff member said, taking the suitcase from Lin Feng. "Please follow me, the car is this way."

About half an hour later, they arrived at the hot spring hotel. Being winter, it was quite crowded.

Lin Feng had managed to book a super-luxurious king-size suite. The service and accommodation fee for one night was over 1,500 yuan and included a private hot spring. This way, they wouldn't have to share the large public pools.

Lin Feng went to the front desk to register and, after completing the check-in, received the room key. The two of them took the elevator to the top floor.

For some reason, Zhang Yuxi felt a thrill of happiness bubbling up inside her. Perhaps it was because even though she and Lin Feng were like an old married couple and parents to four children, they rarely had any time to themselves to just enjoy life.

Lin Feng glanced at her and smiled.

He opened the door to a very large, lavishly decorated room. In one corner, a hot spring pool the size of their king-size bed was already steaming. He opened the floor-to-ceiling windows, which led out to a cantilevered balcony. In the distance, the mountains were shrouded in mist, a layer of unmelted snow visible on their peaks. Below, several beautifully arranged public hot spring pools were already occupied, despite the early hour. The billowing steam made it hard to see clearly.

Lin Feng turned on the air conditioner and began unpacking. They had only brought a few jackets and one change of clothes each.

"Honey, come in and take off your jacket."

Zhang Yuxi closed the sliding door, flopped dramatically onto the bed, and watched Lin Feng with a wide grin.

Lin Feng smiled back. "Are you hungry?"

She thought for a moment. "A little."

A room service menu was on the bedside table. Lin Feng dialed the number listed. The kitchen promised to deliver their order within half an hour.

Lin Feng sat on the sofa while Zhang Yuxi lay down, resting her head on his lap as he looked through the hotel brochure.

"Honey, I'm already starting to miss the kids. Do you think they're awake yet?"

"They're awake," he replied calmly.

"Do you think they'll look for us when they find we're gone? Will they cry?"

Lin Feng sighed and bent down to kiss her. "Since we're here to have fun, let's try not to think about the kids for a while. We have to trust Mom and the others to take good care of them."

Zhang Yuxi turned to look up at him. "Honey, do you miss them?"

"Of course," he said, surprised. "But I also know that these next two days belong to us."

Just as he finished speaking, there was a knock on the door. It had to be their food.

Zhang Yuxi sat up, surprised. "That was fast!"

Lin Feng got up and opened the door to find a staff member with a food cart. The employee wheeled it in, placed the dishes on the table, and said, "Please enjoy your meal. Just give us a call when you're ready for us to clear the table. Thank you."

After the staff member left, Zhang Yuxi eagerly lifted the lids. The portions were generous, and the colors were beautiful. She just wondered how it would taste.

"After we eat, let's go for a walk downstairs," Lin Feng suggested.

"Okay!" Zhang Yuxi agreed.

She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but even though the food was delicious, it never seemed quite as good as what her husband cooked.

After their meal, Lin Feng called the front desk to have the dishes cleared. A staff member arrived in less than ten minutes. They were remarkably efficient.

Lin Feng took Zhang Yuxi's hand. "Come on, let's go for a walk."

The hotel had guest rooms, a restaurant, a lounge, KTV, conference rooms, hot spring pools, massage services, and rooms for mahjong and cards. There were outdoor co-ed pools as well as separate indoor pools for men and women. For guests in pricey rooms like theirs, a private hot spring was the main draw.

As Lin Feng led her through the lobby, they saw many more people checking in.

After they had strolled around for a bit, Lin Feng reflected that he hadn't been to a hot spring since he was in middle school, when he'd gone with his parents, Lin Dashan and his wife, over a decade ago. Compared to other hotels, this one's atmosphere was excellent. Zhang Yuxi, who had been to her fair share of hot spring hotels, was also very satisfied.

Back in the room, the couple looked at each other with a silent, mutual understanding.

Without a word, Lin Feng went to draw the curtains.

Zhang Yuxi headed for the bathroom.

Lin Feng raised an eyebrow and knocked on the bathroom door. "Honey, you forgot your body wash. Do you need me to bring it in?"

There was no response.

"Okay, I'm coming in!"

He tried the handle. It was locked from the inside.

Locked. From. The. Inside!

This hotel design is really puzzling! It's a king suite, so why put a lock on the bathroom door? What's the point?