Chapter 192 - Sofa

(Thanks to the book friend "Snowflake Crimson" for becoming the Hall Master, a special acknowledgment with extra updates!)

Li Yan thought for a moment, worried she might think they couldn’t afford or were unwilling to spend the money. He then asked, "Are there any suites with a separate living room?" Even if there’s only one room, a suite with a separate living room would be somewhat better.

"I’m sorry, there aren’t any left." The receptionist smiled apologetically and kindly reminded, "Actually, some rooms were just checked into not long ago. Maybe after a little while, this one will also be taken..."

She had no reason to lie since making business was a priority. Her words hinted that the guest rooms weren’t initially fully booked, but it’s now late, and many like them just checked in. Thinking back to the crowd earlier, it’s likely many people didn’t want to leave, and if even a five-star hotel is almost full, other nearby hotels might be even worse.

The four of them exchanged looks, each weighing the situation in their minds. If they went to inquire at other hotels, it would not only be tiresome but also time-consuming. If there were rooms, it would be fine, but if not, coming back here, this room might also be gone.

Li Yan saw that they didn’t seem to know what decision to make, realizing they all had concerns. If it were just one person with him, sharing a double room would be fine, but with others around, it was inconvenient. As the only man, he ought to make the decision, or soon Wen Qianyi would have to.

"One room it is, let’s take it." He immediately swiped his card for the deposit, then took his ID card and asked one of them to also register with another ID.

Lately, hotels were required to register all staying guests. But since they had already registered two people, the receptionist couldn’t ask further. Perhaps they’d manage one night, or perhaps they’d leave for somewhere else later. Since the guest room was spacious enough with an option for an extra bed, even that wouldn’t solve the accommodation issue for four people. Seeing they weren’t bringing it up, and it being this late, she chose not to hassle further.

Arriving at the elevator, Qiao Huanxuan and Bai Jie came over too.

"Just one room? How are we going to sleep?" Without others around, Zhang Yurong, who couldn’t speak earlier, voiced the difficulty.

"Only one room left?" Qiao Huanxuan was a bit surprised. How could it be such a coincidence?

Li Yan chuckled, "We didn’t plan for an overnight stay. I suppose many are in the same situation, which led to many last-minute check-ins. If we delay any longer, this room might be gone too."

"How do you fit in one room?" As they entered the elevator, Wen Qianyi joked, "We can squeeze together, but Li Yan, you can’t squeeze in with us, right?"

Li Yan was a bit flustered; four people and two beds, how to squeeze? Sharing a bed with anyone would provoke suspicion and discontent from the other two.

He pressed the elevator button and outlined his plan, "Wouldn’t that be inappropriate... Even if none of you mind, I can’t share a bed with you, and the floor isn’t ideal either. I’ll escort you up, then check other hotels or small inns for availability later."

Zhang Yurong, Hai Fu, and Wen Qianyi all felt this was the only solution. Otherwise, even if he slept on the floor, the situation would still be inappropriate.

The elevator arrived, they stepped out, and together found the guest room. Although not as large as the sea-view suite where Qiao Huanxuan was staying, this hotel had a unique design—all rooms were sea-view rooms, and this double room also faced the sea, covering fifty square meters. But once six people entered, it felt quite cramped.

"Anyway, it’s just for one night; you girls try to make do."

After listening to Li Yan, the women either stood or sat, their eyes focused on him.

"And what about you?" Wen Qianyi smiled, "Searching again is troublesome, small inns might not be safe, you’re not planning to spend the night in the hotel’s sauna or massage area, are you?"

"..." Li Yan was speechless. She had thought of ideas he hadn’t!

Wen Qianyi was just teasing Li Yan, but her words caught the other women’s attention. Whether Zhang Yurong, Hai Fu, or Qiao Huanxuan, they all realized the seriousness. If he went to another hotel, or to a sauna or massage area, with nobody watching, who knew what he might do? If he ended up being tempted by a lady of the night...

Qiao Huanxuan and Bai Jie had come up together since she thought as company leaders, it wasn’t suitable to interject, but now she felt it didn’t matter and immediately said, "Let’s do this! I’m staying in a classic sea-view suite with a separate living room; let Li Yan crash on my sofa for the night! Anyway, it’s just a few hours until morning."

This proposal seemed appropriate. Hai Fu and Zhang Yurong are familiar, so squeezing onto one bed wouldn’t be an issue, Wen Qianyi could use the other bed. Qiao Huanxuan and Bai Jie would share, and Li Yan could sleep on her sofa, which basically solved the problem. Li Yan also thought this arrangement worked but... he glanced at Zhang Yurong.

He needed his wife’s approval!

The story of his first love had been shared with her before. Yurong was aware he’d once spent the night on Qiao Huanxuan’s sofa and knew about Qiao Huanxuan’s deep feelings for him, so allowing him to go was an issue. If Yurong was unwilling, he didn’t want to cause a rift.

Wen Qianyi and Hai Fu, upon hearing Qiao Huanxuan, thought it was feasible and were asking which floor her suite was on.

Zhang Yurong was internally conflicted. Though she trusted Li Yan not to seek out a lady in these conditions, she knew men can’t resist temptation, and it’s best not to give him an opportunity. To her, Qiao Huanxuan was like a secondary rival because they’d only met once, and given Li Yan had clarified their past, she didn’t feel as threatened as she did by Yu Xiaodi.

But now, to let her husband stay with his first love was somewhat unsettling. Even without raising her head, she could feel Li Yan’s gaze urging her decision. This made her feel slightly better, as he still respected her greatly.

"Alright then, further searching is a hassle; it’s late, no need to bother more." Zhang Yurong echoed, hinting to Li Yan to join Qiao Huanxuan. She conscientiously considered that now wasn’t just Qiao Huanxuan, but also her classmate Bai Jie present, which negated any possibility of past scenarios happening tonight. She wouldn’t resort to unnecessary pettiness.

Receiving Yurong’s consent, Li Yan felt relieved too. After chatting briefly as night drew on, they exited the room.

Inside the elevator, they reached the suite’s floor. With a hint of excitement and thrill, Qiao Huanxuan went to open the door.

Once inside the suite, Bai Jie first praised the luxurious room, then looked at them both, smiling mysteriously, "Should I leave now to find another place to spend the night?"

"What are you saying?" Qiao Huanxuan was embarrassed, though she thought it would be best, real life couldn’t brush Bai Jie away like that.

"Class Leader, you wouldn’t kick me out, right?"

"Haha, I’m here for the sofa!" Li Yan settled onto the sofa, steering away from her teasing. He genuinely had no intentions tonight—his wife, lover, and cherished ones were here, along with an old schoolmate; who dared think otherwise? Not fearing exposure?

Bai Jie wasn’t Qiao Huanxuan’s close confidante; she was proud, somewhat vain, but mostly unsuccessful, always feeling overshadowed by Qiao Huanxuan. Still, they’d been friends for over ten years, staying in touch and considered good friends. Despite Qiao Huanxuan’s good façade, Bai Jie was aware of her deep feelings for Li Yan.

This time, Li Yan didn’t lust after her looks but helped her fulfill a dream of acting in a film as a schoolmate, for which Bai Jie was grateful. How their relationship progressed was something she intended to ’probe’ tonight, yet seeing Qiao Huanxuan’s true happiness was enough for assurance.

"Haha, won’t mess with you now. Rest assured, I’ll keep secrets, for those three women and others as well. This sofa for me tonight, or chose between both for the sofa! I’m off to shower." Bai Jie said, taking the lead for the bath.

With sudden quietness, they were left, exchanging no words, and in the ensuing silence, they embraced each other.

"Huanxuan, I..." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"No need to explain; you have your life, accommodating me makes me feel pressured." Qiao Huanxuan smiled slightly, happy to remove the burden of past affectionate tensions.

"Um," Li Yan nodded. Their three-way relationship couldn’t be disclosed yet; it’d be too shocking for her.

"Kiss me!" Qiao Huanxuan closed her eyes.

"Huh?!" Li Yan glanced at the bathroom, "Now?"

(Three updates seeking monthly passes) (To be continued, for more, please visit www.qidian.com for more Chapters, support the author and the legitimate reading!)