最佳契合 (Perfect Match) – 十九瑶
Chapter 73
There is a saying that says there’s misfortune in fortune, and there’s fortune in misfortune.
Just the day before, Olive Inn had tens of thousands of bad reviews; the average score was so low that not even rooms could be reserved. However, the OTA platform discovered the issue and removed the damaging negative reviews in batches just one day after they appeared. As soon as the average score returned to 4.6, the rooms were once again available for booking.
Reservations began rolling in as soon as the doors opened, and they were fully booked until February of next year, not even taking into consideration the occasional small booking.
“Are we famous?”
Cheng Xiu excitedly held his phone, and a new request came after a while. Dai Xiao was not as happy as him, and he felt a little guilty, “It’s not great to be famous; it comes with the cost of He An’s problems.”
“You weren’t the one who gave me problems, so what’s wrong with it? The inn is well-known, so at least my suffering wasn’t in vain.” He An responded with a laugh, “This is good. There are over a dozen interviews with magazines and media outlets. I won’t have to defend myself from them anymore.”
Liubailiu purred happily as he licked the can of salmon.
Olive Inn turned a disaster into a blessing, becoming the most popular accommodation in Luotan Town. Whenever there were rankings or guides on the Internet, they would be listed along with an accurate depiction of Xie Yan’s wrongdoing.
Of course, it also comes with a lot of problems.
A lot of people thought that Olive Inn and Cranberry Pastry House were new places to go to, so they crowded there and caused so much ruckus that the doors were almost broken. Xie Yan’s admirers were also present. They were mad but didn’t want to cause problems in public, so they did nasty things behind the scenes, like pulling some flower seedlings, scraping a wall, or scattering dead cockroaches all over the place.
The noise irritated the ducks, and they refused to swim over. Linglan couldn’t see them that early in the morning, and her eyebrows drooped in total sadness and disappointment.
Getting some quiet time outside is hard because of how loud the inn is.
He An took Linglan for a walk as usual, and many people stopped to talk to him along the way. Locals in the small town were mostly friendly and sincere, so they were only interested in the facts of the rumors and asked how he and Zheng Feiluan knew each other. But if they kept talking every three steps, he wouldn’t be able to walk comfortably, let alone go for a stroll.
After less than three days, He An could no longer stay at home and felt anxious to go outside.
Zheng Feiluan did get some good things out of it.
Everyone could tell that he and He An were perfect for each other the moment the pheromone report came out. With so many people watching them in the inn, they couldn’t go their separate ways, so he slept in He An’s room every night for a few days in a row.
When he goes to bed, his beloved lays next to him, slightly hot to the touch and with a seductive face. In the middle of the night, he would reach out to take his hand and lean into his body like a kitten as he sneaked a kiss without the other person realizing it.
But he can’t be touched at all.
Zheng Feiluan gritted his teeth through the pain in his groin, his back was damp with hot sweat. He couldn’t do anything but grip the bed sheet tightly as he breathed slowly to put out the raging fire.
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“Feiluan, let’s find a place to lay low.”
Later that night, He An bathed Linglan, patted her dry, and tucked her into bed. He casually mentioned this as he covered her with prickly heat powder.
“Are the noises making you anxious?” Zheng Feiluan asked.
“Mm-hmm.”
“Then let’s find a safe place.”
Zheng Feiluan thought the same thing, but he didn’t know how to bring it up.
He thinks that the Xie Yan problem is still not fully settled. Posting the compatibility report online was the last option. It resolved the urgent problem but also created a dangerous hidden risk. Because everyone knows that the best way to terrorize an alpha is to catch the omega that is a perfect match for him.
It’s fine for now since he wasn’t the CEO of Jiusheng. However, things will get very dangerous for He An after he goes back to Jiusheng or starts another business in the future.
It’s not safe, even now.
Luotan Town was crowded with new faces, and assigning bodyguards was a hassle. Zheng Feiluan was extremely worried about letting He An and his daughter stay in this highly visible position for a long period of time, as they had recently been forced into the spotlight.
He asked, “Is there a specific place you’d like to go? I’ll take care of everything.”
He An grinned and said, “I was hoping you’d use this chance to convince me to go back to Yuanjiang, but it seems you’re not…” He pointed to the end of the bed and asked, “Bring me a pair of shorts.”
“It would be best to take you back to Yuanjiang, but you won’t agree, right?”
Zheng Feiluan took out a pair of watermelon green shorts from the clothing storage box, but Linglan ignored them and shook her head, so she had to switch them for a pair of candy pink shorts.
He An skillfully put on Linglan’s pants and smiled, “Whether I return to Yuanjiang or not will depend on who invites me.”
Zheng Feiluan’s eyes lit up as he asked, “Will you say yes if my dad asks you?”
He An lowered his eyes and said in a soft voice, “Actually, Uncle Yan Ning has already asked me. He told me that we could go to his house for safety until Luotan Town is quiet again.”
“So do you agree?” Zheng Feiluan started to feel tense.
“Well, I like that house on West Gardenia Street.” He An politely added, “Linglan appears to like it too.”
Zheng Feiluan slammed his fist into the bed with excitement and almost bowed down to kiss Yan Ning.
It has been a long road for him. A year ago, he was stuck in his “self-worth,” and couldn’t figure out how he felt about He An. Now, he can sleep in the same bed with He An, and every time he runs into a problem, Yan Ning will always be there to help him.
Does it really matter where He An lives if he wants to go back to Yuanjiang?
Opportunity knocks when you least expect it.
Whether they’re temporarily living on Gardenia West Street or in the Riverside Mansion, He An will eventually return to the small nest that only belongs to them.
“Give me another shirt, please.” He An said.
Within seconds, Zheng Feiluan found a set of dinosaur pajamas and gave them to him.
After putting on her clothes, Linglan turned into a cute, clean, and sweet baby. Crawling back and forth on the bed, she grabbed the fallen plush dolls and set them against the wall in an orderly way.
They should all sleep together as a family.
He An sat down on the bed and put his hands on his knees, “Then there’s Cheng Xiu’s matter. About going back, he…”
“Don’t stress over this. Jiusheng will put him in a better position.” Zheng Feiluan replied.
“I didn’t mean that.” He abruptly shook his head. “Cheng Xiu told me that he put off going back to Yuanjiang for now.”
“For what reason?”
“Because… if the three of us leave and he leaves too, Dai Xiao will be the only one left in the inn. Since things are going so well at the moment, Dai Xiao will be too busy managing it, so he needs to stay and help.”
Zheng Feiluan arched an eyebrow and asked, “Isn’t that a simple problem to solve? It doesn’t cost much to work in Luotan Town. We can hire skilled workers for CN¥4,000 per month. Dai Xiao needs two workers: one like you, who is good at accounting and talking to people, and the other like Cheng Xiu…”
“I don’t think you get it.” He An waved his hand and smiled, “It’s not enough to be just like him. It has to be him.”
“What do you mean?” Zheng Feiluan was stunned.
He has over ten years of experience in the field. Regardless of all the changes, inns and hotels stay pretty much the same. Is there anything that he doesn’t understand?
He An ignored him, yawned, put his hand over his mouth, opened the blanket, and laid down while waving at Linglan. After setting the doll down, Linglan staggered over and threw herself affectionately at He An.
“Dad!”
“Yes!”
They were squished together and tickling each other’s armpits and foot soles. They made so much noise that the blanket got messed up.
Zheng Feiluan immediately stopped thinking about Cheng Xiu after seeing this heartfelt scene. He turned off the desk lamp, followed the faint scent of milk and flowers through the darkness, and hugged the dad and daughter.
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In early October, rain persisted in the north during the late autumn.
When the plane touched down in Yuanjiang, it was getting close to sunset. It was dark outside, it was pouring rain, and the wind whistling could be heard as soon as they crossed the boarding bridge.
They were picked up by a car sent by Yan Ning, and the driver, following his instructions, got a thick cashmere coat ready. This was put on by Zheng Feiluan himself. He then helped He An get into the car and buckled Linglan in the child seat.
The vehicle entered the city without a hitch, and the long street felt slightly crowded due to the rain. People were rushing by, some jogging and others holding umbrellas, as they made their way through the enormous skyscraper jungle. He An looked calmly out the window as Linglan dozed off, his fingers lightly touching the horn buttons on his chest, as if he were filled with some unknown anxiety or fear.
Zheng Feiluan scooped up his hand, placed it on his lips, and planted a soft kiss on it.
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Yan Ning’s residence is at No. 12 West Gardenia Street.
Elegant and simple brick walls, curvy wooden walks, and golden ginkgo leaves all over the ground.
Yan Ning was at the door early, dressed in a stylish wool jacket and shirt. In his left hand, he held a beagle wearing a top hat, and in his right, he held a paper windmill that looked exactly like the one Linglan had lost before.
Mrs. Zhou stood by with an umbrella, looking forward to it as well.
The car pulled up in front of the courtyard, and Zheng Feiluan got out with Linglan in his arms. It had been a while since she saw Yan Ning, but she wasn’t shy at all. She happily called him “grandpa,” then threw herself into Yan Ning’s arms and wouldn’t let go. She displayed her white baby teeth as she was so happy when she got the lost paper windmill back.
The beagle excitedly wagged its tail, taking the initiative to express its kind nature to He An.
“What’s its name?” He An asked.
“His name’s Patton.” Mrs. Zhou answered cheerfully, “He’s a young male dog. He just turned two, and he’s full of energy.”
He An poked Linglan’s cheek and told her, “You have a dog brother now.”
Linglan waved the paper windmill at Patton with a big smile.
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As they made their way along the courtyard path, they passed ginkgo trees, red maples, and white sand before pushing the door open to get into the house.
After walking down the hallway, you’ll see a nice set of built-in closets. Next is a split-level living room with a big floor-to-ceiling window that lets in a lot of light and gives you a view of the garden.
Further inside, there is a private teahouse with lots of space and nicely laid out tea mats. Inside, there is a small, beautiful white stone courtyard with green bamboo growing up the wall and clear water splashing over the water, which scares wildlife. The glass roof above is half open, most likely due to the rain, and the autumn mist drifts in, making the courtyard damp like fog.
Yan Ning started, “This is where the kids usually come and hang out.”
He then guided He An out of the tea room and onto a hallway that surrounded the garden and was just two feet wide. The hallway led to the study, which had soft chairs and cushions and a much more modern look.
“The study is connected to the garden because I like to read while hearing the rain. You are welcome to relax here whenever you want. I will ask Mrs. Zhou to add some pillows later.”
“Th-thank you…”
He An was genuinely flattered.
Yan Ning set up a bedroom on the second floor for him and Linglan. It was a cozy suite complete with a private bathroom, closet, and storage area. Autumn and winter clothes for the father and daughter had already been being hung, and toys and daily essentials were nicely arranged. The terrace faced south, overlooking the red maple and ginkgo trees, and the autumn scenery was viewable as soon as the window was opened.
“What do you think?” Yan Ning cautiously asked.
He An was very thankful and gave a strong nod, saying, “I like it.”
Mrs. Zhou cheerfully stated, “Ah-Ning1When referring to a person, adding the syllable “Ah-” before their name was and still is commonly used to create a nickname that shows how close and familiar we are with them. only comes to stay three or four days a week, but I’m always on duty here. Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.”
He An replied, “Okay, thank you.”
This made Yan Ning smile and say, “This place was empty before, so I only stayed here for three or four days. Staying here all week is definitely possible now that there are more people, and the atmosphere’s energetic.”
“Then the master will be lovesick at home.” Mrs. Zhou reminded him.
“Don’t worry, he’s used to it.”
Yan Ning reached out and fixed his glasses’ gold-rimmed frame. His smile was still gentle and warm.
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For thirty years, Zheng Feiluan has lived a fancy life, but he still has some of the traits of a young master at heart. For the six months he spent in Luotan Town, where he received no support whatsoever, he managed to act reasonably well. As soon as he got back to Yuanjiang, he became like the young master he used to be.
The sky was getting darker. He ate dinner with Yan Ning and He An, then sat in the living room and spent some time playing with the dog. He was tired, so he instructed Mrs. Zhou, “Get the water for the bath ready at 40 degrees, add bath salts, and burn a stick of incense.”
Mrs. Zhou quickly answered, “Young Master, you can’t take a bath here.”
“Why?” Zheng Feiluan scowled bitterly.
“Because the madam didn’t set up a room for you.”
“I don’t need a room.” With an air of casual confidence, Zheng Feiluan replied, “I can just sleep at He An’s place.”
“Feiluan, I don’t remember offering to let you sleep here.” Yan Ning spoke out of the blue.
He was reading poems while sitting in a rocking chair by the window. With a subtle motion of his fingers, he lifted his chin and looked at Zheng Feiluan with a composed expression, saying, “You’re already past 30 this year. Is it appropriate for you to live in your elderly parents’ home?”
Zheng Feiluan was shocked and stood up straight in a daze.
“No, that isn’t… Dad, what are you saying?”
He could sleep in the same bed with He An in Luotan Town yesterday, but when he returned to Yuanjiang today, he was kicked out?
What happened to the father and son being in agreement?
He quickly glanced over at He An, hoping that He An could say a word on his behalf. But the second their gazes locked, He An averted his eyes and focused on watching Linglan toss the ball for the dog to chase.
Zheng Feiluan: “…..”
He finally got it.
This explains why He An was so eager to go back to Yuanjiang and “lay low for a while.” Have they been plotting something behind his back and wanted to go into hiding with him?
“He An…”
He knew he had been tricked, so Zheng Feiluan got up and went to He An to beg for mercy.
Yan Ning cleared his throat and said, “Feiluan, your long vacation should be over soon now that you’re back. There have been some problems for your brother lately. You know what to do, so go back to Jiusheng and help him. I’ll look after He An, so you won’t have to drop by regularly.”
He then gave Mrs. Zhou a playful wink.
Mrs. Zhou knew what he meant, took Zheng Feiluan’s windbreaker, raised his arms and shook it open, and politely drove the guest away, “Young Master, please put on your coat right away. It’s raining and freezing outside. If you go out later, you’ll be cold.”
Zheng Feiluan was about to argue further when he realized that his jacket was already around him, like a fishing net.
“Wait…”
“Hurry now. Go home and rest as quickly as possible. You must be quite tired after taking a plane and a car today.” Politely expressing her worry, Mrs. Zhou pushed him toward the front door.
Then Zheng Feiluan said, “I’m not tired!”
Mrs. Zhou shrugged and said, “That means the Young Madam and the Young Lady are tired and need to rest.”
Zheng Feiluan almost crumbled, “My house by the river has been unoccupied for more than half a year; where do you want me to go back?”
“You are welcome to go back to the lakefront villa. The master just missed you. You can tell him about what you’ve learned and thought about over the last six months, as well as the trouble you created a few days ago. That should be more than enough to last the entire night.”
After every word from Mrs. Zhou, Zheng Feiluan would be pushed closer to the door, and eventually he would be brutally tossed out.
“Good night, Young Master.”
Zheng Feiluan looked blankly at the door as it closed one centimeter in front of his face. Before the door shut, the last thing he saw was He An grinning at him while turning around and laying his chin on the back of the couch.
It rained very hard, and it was dark and wet in the courtyard.
In the very first night that Zheng Feiluan set foot in Yuanjiang, his dream of having a happy family immediately came crashing down.
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Biggest thanks to Lolilu for the generous support she’s given me. I’m truly grateful I have at least one person who supports what I do here. I hope my translation makes you enjoy the story even more. Again, thank you so much for all your help and support until now! ☺♥
Translated and edited by janemoyu (07/02/24)
