Chapter 1351: ARRIVAL AT THE RESORT
Chapter 1351: ARRIVAL AT THE RESORT
LUO YAN watched the scenery pass outside the car window. The road stretched ahead, flanked by bare trees and patches of lingering snow, under a pale winter blue sky. Every now and then, they passed small clusters of houses or empty fields. The quiet calm was a peaceful change from the city. He let his gaze drift and felt himself relax.
When they arrived at the airport, someone from the resort was already waiting for them. The resort had sent a chauffeur. Luo Yan had known about this service when he booked the reservation, and it was one of the reasons he had chosen the place. But experiencing it in person was still nice. So after collecting their luggage, they got into a sleek Mercedes-Benz and started the drive to the resort.
The resort he reserved was called Rissai Valley. This luxury villa resort, part of a renowned hotel brand known for exclusivity and high-end service, was nestled in a valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains, dense forests, and ancient villages. It features 87 villas, each meticulously designed with traditional architectural details and constructed using locally sourced materials. The villas were arranged across the hillside to look like a small village that had grown organically over time.
The photos he had seen on the website were all beautiful. He knew there was probably some embellishment for marketing purposes, but he was still charmed by what he saw. Before he could second guess himself, he had already started looking into how to make a reservation.
And here they were.
"Yan Yan, here."
Luo Yan turned his head at the sound of Shen Ji Yun’s voice and just in time to see him holding out a piece of tsampa. It was a small, hand rolled ball made from roasted barley flour and mixed with butter tea. He opened his mouth without thinking and bit into it. The texture was dense and a little crumbly, with a nutty flavor that had a hint of salt and sweetness underneath.
It was one of the complimentary snacks provided in the car, and he appreciated it more than he expected. The drive was over an hour long, so having snacks and drinks on hand was a nice touch. By now, it was well past lunch, and the little bites helped keep them satisfied until they reached the resort.
Luo Yan picked up another piece of tsampa from the box and carefully unwrapped the foil. He held it up in front of Shen Ji Yun’s mouth. "Brother Ji Yun, say ah..."
Shen Ji Yun looked at the brown snack, then at Luo Yan. A helpless smile tugged at his lips before he opened his mouth and let Luo Yan feed him.
Satisfied that he had fed his boyfriend, Luo Yan unwrapped another piece of tsampa and ate it himself. That was when he noticed the road had started to curve and climb, winding into the mountains.
The road wound upward, following the curve of the mountain. On one side, the rock face rose steep and dark, scattered with patches of ice. On the other, the land dropped away into a wide valley where the snow lay in uneven patches across the ground. In the distance, the peaks of the mountains tore at the sky, their pale slopes stark against the grey winter light. Dark green pines clung to the slopes, unmoving in the cold air. Luo Yan watched the view change with each turn, taking it all in as the car climbed higher.
It was beautiful. He leaned against Shen Ji Yun’s shoulder, reached for another snack, and let himself take in the view as the road carried them deeper into the mountains.
***
Luo Yan looked at the villa in front of them. The building was low and one-story, with a dark wooden exterior and a sloping roof that blended into the surrounding landscape. The front was lined with big windows that reflected the sky. A small stone path led from the driveway to the entrance, with a few shrubs and low plants lining the way. It looked private and quiet, tucked into the mountainside like some fairy tale cabin.
Shen Ji Yun’s outstretched hand drew his attention away. He hadn’t even noticed that the other had already stepped off the golf buggy that had brought them to their villa. He smiled and took Shen Ji Yun’s hand, letting him help him down.
The butler assigned to them, who had driven them from the main lobby in the golf buggy, walked ahead toward the villa. Yes, there was a butler. When they had checked in earlier, they had been told that the butler would take care of everything during their stay. Meals, activities, and any little requests. It was the kind of service that was always available but never in the way. Luo Yan had read about it when he made the booking, and seeing it in person, he could understand why people were impressed.
The butler, who had introduced himself as Mr. Du earlier in the lobby, unlocked the door. He pushed it open and stood aside, gesturing for them to enter. "Please, come in. Should you require anything at all during your stay, just give me a call. I’ll be available whenever you need me."
Luo Yan and Shen Ji Yun walked inside hand in hand. Mr. Du didn’t react at all, which Luo Yan appreciated. He smiled at the older man and thanked him, then turned his attention to the inside of the villa.
The spacious, open area featured floor-to-ceiling windows that provided abundant light. Warm, neutral walls complemented the dark wood floors, while simple, well-made furniture adorned the space. A low table, encircled by cushions, occupied the center of the living area. To the side, a small kitchen with a countertop and a few cabinets was visible.
The space felt open and airy, designed to feel private and comfortable. Even though Luo Yan hadn’t seen the rest of it yet, he was already sure he would love it.
He turned to Shen Ji Yun. "Isn’t this just perfect?"
Shen Ji Yun looked down at Luo Yan. He wanted to say that Luo Yan was the perfect one, but he just smiled back and said, "Yes."