I’m not leaving.
I’m not going back.
Every time Shan Yu said something like this, Chen Jian would feel very at ease.
But after the brief joy, he would also feel that he was very…
He really did like hearing Shan Yu say that. Although he knew very well that this was Shan Yu’s attitude, it wasn’t necessarily the reality.
But he still wanted to hear those words.
But this time, the feeling was subtly different.
Chen Jian was silent.
He looked at the phone that Shan Yu had once again tossed to the edge of the sofa crack. He leaned over first to grab the phone and place it on the coffee table, wanting to say something.
I’m pretty selfish.
But he didn’t have the courage to say it out loud.
If he spoke now, what he would probably say would still be… That’s not what I meant.
But that was exactly what he meant. When Shan Yu said, “I’m not going back,” the joy in that instant was very real.
He selfishly hoped Shan Yu would never leave.
He wanted to hold onto that sense of security and stability that he could only feel when Shan Yu was by his side.
Shan Yu said he had hesitated.
He actually hadn’t hesitated. He was just… a little afraid of this version of himself.
Like an insatiable glutton.
“Those are two different things,” Chen Jian said softly.
“Then you…” Shan Yu leaned back on the sofa and thought for a moment, then turned to look at him. “Do you want to go back with me?”
“No,” Chen Jian answered without even thinking.
“Whoa,” Shan Yu was a little surprised. “So decisive again?”
“It’s not appropriate,” Chen Jian turned to look at him. “You’re going home after several years. It’s better not to be so sudden.”
Shan Yu started laughing. “Actually, no matter what I do, they wouldn’t be surprised.”
“You don’t actually have superpowers,” Chen Jian said.
“Isn’t that a rumor you started about me?” Shan Yu clicked his tongue. “And now you’re debunking it.”
Chen Jian smiled.
“If I go back before the New Year, I’ll be back here for the New Year,” Shan Yu said. “When you go see your dad for the New Year, will you take me?”
Chen Jian was stunned, looking at him without speaking.
“Your boss has nowhere to go for the New Year,” Shan Yu said.
“What kind of boss has nowhere to go for the New Year?” Chen Jian said. “That’s a pretty pathetic situation.”
“Your boss,” Shan Yu said. “When you get your bonus, remember to get your ears checked.”
Chen Jian started laughing. After a moment, he nodded. “Okay.”
“Okay what?” Shan Yu asked.
“I’ll take you for the New Year,” Chen Jian said.
Shan Yu didn’t speak. He raised his hand and gently touched his face, his fingertips slowly tracing from the corner of his eye to his ear, then circling around the side of his neck to the back.
When his warm palm pressed against the nape of his neck, Shan Yu kissed him, pushing him on the chest and pressing him down onto the sofa.
Chen Jian closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around Shan Yu, his hands touched his back, and he tightened his grip forcefully.
The management office didn’t give a specific time for the visit, but they did call to notify them on the day the officials were coming.
And what was rare was that Da Li also called Chen Jian, asking if Dayin had also received the notification.
Although he hadn’t contacted them when the management office first gave notice, at least he wasn’t keeping it a secret anymore. After all, he hadn’t informed Da Li either, so this time it was Da Li and the others taking the initiative to show goodwill.
After Shan Yu had talked with the other bosses on the night of the bonfire festival, everyone had probably decided to at least maintain the appearance of a community of shared interests.
Anyway, whether it was playing tricks or being shameless, they couldn’t necessarily outplay Shan Yu.
“Should we stand at the door to welcome them?” Sanbing asked.
Ever since receiving the notification, he had already run back and forth between the intersection and the inn four or five times. Even though Chen Erhu had already sent Lao Si to the station to keep an eye out, he was still very nervous.
“Don’t be too theatrical,” Sun Nana said, sitting on a chair next to the front desk, a pen spinning rapidly between her fingertips. “Don’t be so flattered (chǎnmèi); it’ll make people look down on you.”
“What mei?” Sanbing was stunned.
“Chǎnmèi!” Hu Pan was tying her explosive hair up on top of her head. Although Dayin didn’t care about employee image, if officials were coming, it was better to be a bit more low-key. “The ‘xiàn’ in ‘xiànr’ (dumpling filling) changed to the character with the ‘speech’ radical, that chǎnmèi!”
“So it’s pronounced chǎnmèi?” Sanbing had a revelation. “I’ve always just said xiànmèi.”
“Then don’t be so ‘filling-mei’,” Chen Jian said. “I’m going to the office. Let me know as soon as there’s news. Don’t all crowd around here. Go back to what you’re supposed to be doing. What if the officials suddenly come for a surprise inspection and see your work ethic? You’ll get a zero straight away.”
“Get to work—” Lao Wu shouted, heading towards the courtyard. “Guard against officials sneaking in—”
“Why don’t you just go stand on the road and shout it!” Chen Jian said.
Shan Yu didn’t choose to buy a ticket and escape before the officials arrived. He chose to welcome the officials’ visit with his employees.
Of course, it was also possible that tickets were tight before the New Year, and business class seats were hard to buy.
When Chen Jian entered the office, Shan Yu had already changed his jacket and was looking at the computer, appearing to be working seriously. But when Chen Jian saw the jacket he was wearing, he was a little shocked. “You’re wearing this?”
“Mm,” Shan Yu nodded and closed the computer. “Take the computer to the conference room in a bit. If the officials want to know more, I’ll go to the conference room to present to them. If it’s not needed this time, I’ll find another opportunity to submit it.”
“Present what?” Chen Jian asked.
“Breaking the Ice for the Town’s Tourism from the Perspective of B&B Development,” Shan Yu said, picking up the computer and walking over. “Just wrote a little something.”
Chen Jian was stunned for a good five seconds before asking again, “You wrote it?”
“What else do you think I do sitting in the office all day?” Shan Yu said, placing the computer in his hands and walking towards the office door. “Of course, there’s also an English version that your Brother Lang helped write.”
Chen Jian watched Shan Yu’s back, and the complex emotions welling up in his heart all got stuck in his throat in that instant, making his nose sting.
Shan Yu had already walked out before he managed to choke out a sentence, “You’re just wearing my old jacket!”
Not only was he wearing Chen Jian’s old jacket, but he was also wearing a very plain pair of cargo pants.
“Is there a problem with this jacket?” Shan Yu turned around and spread his arms to show it off. “It makes me look like a good boss who’s ready to go into the mountains to inspect projects at any time.”
“Don’t you have new ones?” Chen Jian walked over and tugged at the clothes, lowering his voice. “This hole isn’t even patched.”
“A boss who gets things done doesn’t care about so many details,” Shan Yu said. “The boss of Dayin is low-key and down-to-earth, wholeheartedly devoted to revitalizing the tourism industry of Red Leaf Town…”
“Damn,” Chen Jian couldn’t help but let out a curse of sincere admiration.
“Let’s go, let’s go downstairs and wait,” Shan Yu said, flicking his chin with his hand and walking towards the elevator.
“Shouldn’t a boss who’s focused on work be fighting in his office until the moment the officials arrive?” Chen Jian followed him.
“That would be too fake,” Shan Yu said. “You can’t overact.”
When the management office’s car turned into the town from the station, Lao Si notified Chen Jian via walkie-talkie.
“They’ve arrived, just one car,” Lao Si said, sounding like a spy, his voice exceptionally calm and composed. “Can’t see how many people there are. Should I follow?”
“Holy crap, this walkie-talkie really works from that far?” Sanbing was shocked at the side.
“What would you follow for?” Chen Jian said into the walkie-talkie. “Just come back.”
“Shouldn’t we keep them under surveillance?” Lao Si said.
“…Why don’t you just go up and assassinate the officials!” Chen Jian was speechless.
“Then give me a sniper…” Lao Si said.
“Come back!” Chen Jian said.
The first stop of the officials’ tour of the inns was Dayin. As Chen Jian guided the car to park in the courtyard, he saw Da Li and the others smoking in the pavilion inside.
It seemed they were all taking this seriously.
Three people got out of the car. Chen Jian knew Old Ding from the management office and the driver. The last man to get out must be the official. He looked to be in his late thirties, not yet forty, and didn’t quite fit Chen Jian’s impression of an “official.” You couldn’t even really tell he was an official.
Old Ding had mentioned before that he was the new Director Lu from the city.
Chen Jian looked back at the front hall. Shan Yu wasn’t waiting at the door from the beginning. Instead, he walked out briskly from inside at the same time these people got out of the car.
Unlike his usual lazy demeanor, Shan Yu walked these few steps… with great spirit.
“Welcome, leaders,” Chen Jian said. “It must have been a tiring journey.”
“It was fine, it was fine,” Old Ding smiled and turned to introduce Director Lu. “This is Chen Jian, the manager of Dayin that I mentioned before.”
“Director Lu, thank you for your hard work,” Chen Jian greeted him, then glanced at Shan Yu. “This is our boss, Shan Yu.”
“Director Lu,” Shan Yu came forward at this point and extended his hand, shaking hands with Director Lu.
“Boss Shan is very young,” Director Lu said, looking at Shan Yu, seeming a bit surprised.
“This is the youngest inn in town,” Old Ding introduced. “But the town as a whole is quite young…”
“Let’s talk as we walk,” Director Lu said, pointing to the garden. “Let’s take a stroll outside first.”
“This way, please,” Shan Yu said, walking towards the path leading to the garden. “Guests usually like to hang out around here too.”
Chen Jian followed beside Shan Yu, listening to him introduce the garden to Director Lu.
He was mentally calculating whether to ask them to stay for a meal, what to eat…
“Before the bonfire festival, did you guys hold a small-scale event here?” Director Lu asked.
“Yes, it was a trial run. After all, the weather is cold, so we weren’t sure what the guests’ needs were,” Shan Yu said. “For the bonfire festival, we could then make some targeted adjustments… Director Lu knows about this?”
“Mm, I saw some pictures posted by guests before,” Director Lu nodded. When he saw the doghouse by the wall, he asked another question, “Do you have a dog?”
“It’s a stray we picked up. We’re a pet-friendly inn, and some guests like dogs, so we kept it,” Shan Yu said.
Director Lu stopped in front of the doghouse.
“Director Lu likes dogs,” Old Ding said with a smile. “He has several at home.”
“Mm,” Director Lu smiled.
“Mushroom,” Shan Yu whistled.
At this very moment, the most relaxed employee in all of Dayin, Mushroom, poked half his head out of the doghouse, looking like he hadn’t woken up yet.
Director Lu bent down.
Chen Jian was shocked to see him pull out a small-sized chew stick from his pocket and hold it out to Mushroom’s mouth.
Mushroom happily took the chew stick and retreated back into his kennel.
…He really does like dogs, to carry this stuff with him.
After touring the garden, the group entered the house through the back door. Chen Erhu walked down the corridor with a tablet. When he saw them, he bowed politely. “Good afternoon.”
This was arranged by Sun Nana beforehand. To avoid walking like a thug, Chen Erhu had even rehearsed it twice. The effect now looked pretty good, quite natural.
“This is our employee in charge of fire safety,” Shan Yu said. “He checks everything every day.”
“Good safety awareness,” Old Ding nodded.
Director Lu stopped in front of the photo wall in the corridor. Old Ding immediately followed and looked at the photos, introducing them to him.
Shan Yu added a few words from time to time.
Chen Jian looked at Shan Yu. This person usually couldn’t be found all day even if he didn’t eat, and he dodged trouble faster than anyone. But he was actually very clear about everything happening at the inn.
“Who wrote the words?” Director Lu’s focus was a bit off. He pointed to the various titles on the photo wall and asked.
“Me,” Shan Yu said.
Director Lu turned to look at Shan Yu. “Very well written.”
“I practiced for a while before. It’s okay,” Shan Yu said.
Shan Yu’s state today was different from usual; he had the look of a young and promising boss. Chen Jian had thought he would say something like “Director Lu, you flatter me,” but he didn’t expect him to just own it.
Not humble at all.
Director Lu went upstairs for another look. Sun Nana, in her capacity as the guest room supervisor, met them on the second floor and continued the introduction.
Today, she wasn’t dressed too glamorously. Her shoes were still small heels, since she couldn’t walk without heels, but she had changed into a well-fitting casual blazer and a pair of pants. Her whole demeanor was elegant and at ease.
This was a scene her ex-husband probably couldn’t imagine.
In the middle of this, Hu Pan walked down the stairs quickly with a tray, also bowing politely to everyone. “Good afternoon.”
The coordination of the staff on site was quite perfect.
The tour itself wasn’t the main point. Director Lu would chat with Shan Yu from time to time about his thoughts on the inn and the town’s tourism.
Shan Yu’s answers must have been very satisfactory to him. When they returned to the first floor, Old Ding reminded him to mind the time, as there were still several other inns to visit.
“No rush,” Director Lu said. “If there’s not enough time, we can go another day.”
“Then Director Lu, shall we sit in the coffee shop?” Shan Yu asked.
“Let’s not disturb the guests,” Director Lu said.
“Then the conference room,” Chen Jian said.
After leading them into the conference room, Chen Jian came out again and went to the coffee shop.
“How’s it going, how’s it going?” Hu Pan followed him.
“It’s going smoothly,” Chen Jian said. “Let’s make a few cups of coffee.”
“Okay,” Hu Pan immediately started making coffee, then glanced towards the conference room. “That Director Lu is so young.”
“Yeah, I thought he’d be an old man,” Chen Jian said.
“For the town’s tourism to take off, we need younger leaders who aren’t old-fashioned and are bold,” Sun Nana said, coming over and leaning against the bar. “If a real old man came, I wouldn’t even want to act.”
“You acted great just now,” Chen Jian said.
“I studied with Panpan for a long time before, on how to introduce our features,” Sun Nana said, slowly unwrapping a piece of candy. “I originally wanted her to do the introduction, but she wouldn’t.”
“I didn’t dare. I was afraid I’d revert to my true self if I got anxious,” Hu Pan said.
Chen Jian started laughing. “Your true self is pretty cute too.”
When he entered the conference room with a few cups of coffee, Director Lu was looking at Shan Yu’s presentation on breaking the ice for the town’s tourism on the computer. He looked very serious, seemingly quite touched.
Chen Jian placed the coffee on the table and stood behind him, also looking at the computer screen.
But he couldn’t see clearly.
He just felt that the layout was very nice.
“You must have encountered a lot of difficulties when communicating with the villagers for the bonfire festival, right?” Director Lu asked.
“The villagers have their own ideas, so there were bound to be some frictions in the early stages,” Shan Yu said. “But our manager is a local. The successful hosting of the bonfire festival this time was largely thanks to him…”
Boss, keep your bragging in check!
“Is that so?” Director Lu turned his head. “Little Chen doesn’t look like a local.”
“Mm, most of the employees at our inn are local,” Chen Jian smiled.
“This is the advantage of hiring local employees. It not only solves employment issues but is also beneficial for business,” Old Ding added. “They have a better understanding of the local customs and are more familiar with some of the tourism resources.”
“I’ve been following this event since the early stages of its promotion. Looking at it this way…” Director Lu leaned back in his chair. “Dayin has been too low-key.”
“As long as we can get things done,” Shan Yu said. “If the town develops, all the businesses will have a chance to develop.”
“If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can bring them up. This kind of work shouldn’t all be done by the businesses anyway,” Director Lu said, taking out his phone. “Send me a copy of this.”
“Okay,” Shan Yu also took out his phone. “I’ll scan you.”
Chen Jian watched Shan Yu unlock his phone, then open WeChat. And then he saw the chat list with only “Chen Yu Luo Yan” on it.
Boss! Are you sleepwalking?!
Just as Shan Yu opened the QR code scanner, Chen Jian quickly reached out, tapped the ‘X’ on his screen to close it, and said in a low voice, “Not this one.”
“…Oh.” Only then did Shan Yu react, exiting that WeChat account and opening his main one.
“Just use your work account to add me,” Director Lu smiled.
This was very hard to answer.
There was no work at all on his work account, only the eight different ways to sing one song.
After scanning the code and adding Director Lu as a friend, Shan Yu sent the document over.
Director Lu chatted for a few more minutes, and after finishing his coffee, he finally stood up and said to Old Ding, “No need to go to the other places. Seeing one representative one is enough.”
“Okay,” Old Ding nodded and immediately agreed. “Dayin is indeed very representative and has a lot of ideas.”
“Director Lu, please stay for a meal before you go,” Chen Jian said. “It’s getting late.”
“It’s fine, no need to trouble you,” Director Lu said. “I can just eat when I get back. I still have to walk the dogs; they’ve been holding it in all day.”
This reason was very convincing.
Chen Jian breathed a sigh of relief.
Everyone saw the official off to his car together, then watched the official’s car leave together, and then demurely returned to the house.
“Ah!” Hu Pan threw her hands up. “That went pretty smoothly, right!”
“Yes,” Shan Yu smiled.
“Damn, when I was walking over just now, my coordination was all off…” Chen Erhu said. “Nana said I had to walk properly, and it was really uncomfortable for me.”
“Let’s get something good for dinner later,” Shan Yu said. “To calm our nerves.”
“Mm,” Chen Jian replied.
“Let Sanbing and the others go buy it,” Shan Yu said. “Manager, come with me for a moment.”
“Oh,” Chen Jian said, following him into the elevator.
After the elevator doors closed, Shan Yu let out a long sigh of relief.
“What’s wrong?” Chen Jian looked at him.
“Headache.” Shan Yu came over and leaned against him, wrapping his arms around his waist and resting his chin on his shoulder.
Although the two of them were standing in an elevator that could stop at any moment for a guest to enter, Chen Jian still quickly hugged Shan Yu back. “Why do you have a headache?”
“Nervous,” Shan Yu said.
“…You get nervous?” Chen Jian was very shocked.
“What’s so surprising? Am I some kind of born social butterfly?” Shan Yu said.
I always thought you were.
But thinking about it carefully, Shan Yu’s usual style was to run away whenever trouble arose… It couldn’t be ruled out that he really didn’t like handling these things…
“Should you take a painkiller first in a bit?” Chen Jian raised his hand and gently rubbed his head.
“Mm,” Shan Yu responded.
“And then take a nap?” Chen Jian asked.
“Can’t sleep,” Shan Yu said in a muffled voice.
“Then should I give you a massage?” Chen Jian asked again.
“Mm,” Shan Yu nodded.
