Gu Qichen looked at Qin He indifferently, his gaze falling on her lower abdomen, as if he understood her inner turmoil.
"In a few days, we'll draft a contract first. I'll have Yu Jing book a flight ticket, and then I'll go over to sign it."
Qin He looked up at Gu Qichen, her brows furrowed in confusion. This man seemed to be able to see through her thoughts.
"Thank you," Qin He said softly.
Gu Qichen paused slightly, his deep eyes glinting with a faint light. He turned his head to look at Qin He.
From his angle, he could only see Qin He's profile, bathed in the golden light of the sunset. Her eyes were remarkably clear.
"With me, you never need to say thank you."
Qin He smiled but said nothing.
As they chatted about the specifics of the contract signing, they had walked quite a distance up the mountain without realizing it. By the time Qin He came to her senses, she could see the mountain villa in the distance.
She was tired now, sitting on a large rock by the roadside, massaging her legs listlessly.
"I'll call Di Shishi to pick us up. This mountain road is wide enough for a car."
Gu Qichen glanced at the distant mountain villa.
His brows furrowed. Perhaps it was because the time spent with her was too pleasant, he had unknowingly led her so far.
Gu Qichen looked at Qin He's belly with concern.
Carrying her on his back would definitely not be convenient.
"I'll carry you back."
Qin He's temples were beaded with a light sweat. "No, it's too far."
Let alone Gu Qichen, even those who were professionally trained in fitness might not be able to walk that far.
The mountain looked close but was a long way to walk, and she was now quite heavy.
Gu Qichen frowned, looking at the sky. Although the sunset was beautiful, the sky was already darkening.
Night on the mountain always came quickly, and the mountain wind had become a bit colder.
He took off his jacket, walked up to Qin He, and draped it over her.
Qin He intended to say it wasn't necessary, but the next second, she was being lifted into his arms.
This wasn't the first time Gu Qichen had carried her, yet Qin He's heart still pounded fiercely. She wrapped one arm around his neck, her brows slightly furrowed, and lowered her eyes.
The crescent moon gradually rose, hanging in the dark blue sky.
Time seemed to grow silent. Qin He could only hear Gu Qichen's breathing, which gradually became more pronounced and heavy.
Half an hour later, they finally reached the entrance of the villa.
Along the way, the two had only rested once.
Qin He pursed her lips and looked at Gu Qichen's hands.
His arms were clearly overexerted and somewhat stiff.
They entered the villa, and Liu Xing'an was already sitting in the living room. Seeing them return, he immediately stood up.
"Where did you two go? You were gone for so long."
"We went for a walk in the mountains," Qin He said with a smile.
Liu Xing'an glanced at Qin He, who was still wearing Gu Qichen's jacket.
"Dinner will be served soon, so don't wander off again."
Half an hour later, Di Shishi also returned, bringing three rabbits.
The maid who accompanied her back was full of admiration and astonishment.
"This is the first time I've ever seen someone catch the wild rabbits here. These rabbits are quite cunning. Without a bow and arrow or something similar, they're impossible to catch. Miss Di is truly amazing."
Liu Xing'an also enthusiastically looked at the rabbits.
"I've lived here for so long and set up many traps, but I couldn't catch those rabbits. You little girl have some skills."
Di Shishi was quite proud, raising her chin. "If I hadn't been afraid of catching all of them so you wouldn't have anything to eat, I could have caught a few more."
Gu Qichen's gaze swept over Di Shishi and landed on the rabbits on the ground.
The three rabbits had no obvious wounds, but they were all dead, clearly killed with a single blow.
His eyes flickered as he looked at Qin He.
Qin He had already sensed something was wrong and guiltily avoided his gaze.
Di Shishi had gotten carried away catching rabbits and forgotten to conceal her skills.
Liu Xing'an didn't think much of it and excitedly asked a maid to prepare the rabbits for roasting for dinner.
During dinner, Madam Liu, having rested, came downstairs. The five of them ate together.
After dinner, Qin He checked the time. It was past eight o'clock in the mountains, and it was already very dark.
She intended to take her leave, but Madam Liu pulled her back, asking Liu Xing'an about his recent work situation with concern.
Liu Xing'an, meanwhile, was discussing going for a hot spring soak with Gu Qichen.
After some delay, the sky outside grew even darker.
Madam Liu frowned. "He'er, you shouldn't go back tonight. It's so late, and although the mountain roads here are well-maintained, many places can be dangerous if you can't see clearly."
Di Shishi volunteered.
"Madam, please don't worry. Even if my eyes were covered, I could still safely escort her down the mountain!"
Hearing this, Madam Liu became even more worried, and even Liu Xing'an and Gu Qichen looked over.
"If you say that, I'm even less likely to let you drive away."
Madam Liu insisted that Qin He stay the night.
Qin He looked at Di Shishi.
Di Shishi shrugged, her casual attitude obvious.
Qin He thought for a moment. If she stayed overnight, she would have to call home.
But if she told Qin Yun that she was staying at Gu Qichen's mountain villa...
She had no doubt that even at midnight, her brother would drive up the mountain and drag her away.
Qin He took out her phone and sent a message to Xu Wanwan.
[Wanwan, if my brother asks you, tell him I'm staying with you at the Xu family tonight.]
Xu Wanwan replied with lightning speed: [Where are you actually staying?]
Qin He typed: [I came to visit my godmother today. It's late now, and it's inconvenient to travel on the mountain roads, so I plan to stay with my godmother for the night.]
Xu Wanwan: [Just this? You can just tell your brother directly. I thought you finally found a new man, and it got me excited for nothing.]
Qin He was a little speechless, but since Xu Wanwan had agreed, she replied to Madam Liu.
"Godmother, don't worry, I'll stay tonight and leave tomorrow morning."
Madam Liu immediately became happy and instructed a maid to tidy up a room for Qin He.
Liu Xing'an, meanwhile, pulled Gu Qichen aside, a mischievous smile on his face. "Young man Gu, you came with my disciple's car. My disciple isn't going back, so I don't suppose you'll walk down the mountain in the middle of the night either. Why don't you stay as well?"
Gu Qichen nodded. "Then I'll be imposing."
"Since you're staying, come with me for a hot spring soak. We can have a good chat."
Watching Gu Qichen being led away by Liu Xing'an,
Di Shishi said excitedly, "Qin He, let's go soak in the hot springs too. We won't be able to sleep at this hour anyway."
Qin He hesitated. "I don't know how many hot springs there are here..."
A maid nearby immediately stepped forward. "Miss Qin. There are several hot springs in the backyard. I can lead you and Miss Di to another one."
Seeing Di Shishi's enthusiasm, Qin He agreed.
The two first went to the room Madam Liu had prepared for them, changed into clothes suitable for hot spring bathing, and then, led by the maid, headed towards the hot springs.