Jiang Mo had requested three days off in advance. Combined with the weekend, it gave them exactly five days for a getaway.
As a boss, Gu Ye had a flexible work schedule, while Li Zheng was just waiting for the word to pack up and go.
"Sis, we're only going for five days. Do you really need to bring such a huge suitcase?" Li Zheng, who had come over to stay the night before, asked as he eyed the packed luggage in the corner.
Before Jiang Mo could even reply, Gu Ye chimed in. "Girls need a lot of things when they travel. Like the sunscreen and facial towels your sister packed—we'll be mooching off her once we're there."
Jiang Mo, meanwhile, was mentally going over her checklist to ensure nothing was left behind. Hidden inside the suitcase were a few props she had prepared for her proposal.
After a final check, she gave her orders. "Alright, everyone get to bed early tonight. We can't afford to run late tomorrow."
The flight from Jiangcheng took a little over three hours.
The trio touched down at the airport at two in the afternoon, and a private car sent by the hotel was already waiting to pick them up.
The hotel wasn't far from the coastline, boasting an absolutely stunning environment. As soon as they checked in, Jiang Mo changed into a maxi dress she had bought specifically for this vacation.
Then, looking thoroughly frustrated, she complained to Gu Ye, "I told you I'd gained weight and you didn't believe me. I just looked in the mirror while changing, and my tummy is sticking out."
"No way, let me see," Gu Ye said, reaching out to pat her stomach. He rubbed it gently a couple of times and blinked. "It's just a tiny bit round. You probably just haven't digested that airplane meal yet."
Jiang Mo took a deep breath. She could practically faint at that excuse. "Come closer," she told him.
Gu Ye didn't know what she was up to, but he obediently leaned in.
Jiang Mo reached out and felt his abdomen. Yep, the abs were still there.
Jealousy flared within her. "This isn't fair. You've been binge-eating and drinking right alongside me every single day. How come your body hasn't changed at all while the numbers on my scale keep going up?"
Gu Ye covered her hand, which was still resting against his abs, and let out two soft coughs. "Maybe it's because I burn it all off with my frequent nighttime workouts? After all, that kind of stuff takes a lot of stamina."
"It's broad daylight and you're already being indecent," Jiang Mo said, pulling her hand back. "Whatever. I'll just worry about losing weight after we get back."
They had booked a suite. When Li Zheng walked out of his room and caught the couple flirting, he remained completely unfazed—a far cry from the awkwardness and discomfort he used to feel.
He had also changed his clothes and slipped on a pair of sunglasses, striking a cool pose as he stood there. "So, when are we heading out to explore?"
"I'm all set. We can head down right now," Jiang Mo replied, putting on her own sun hat and sunglasses.
It was the off-season for the island, so it wasn't too crowded. The weather was absolutely perfect, with brilliant blue skies and a gentle, refreshing breeze.
The three of them spent the day sightseeing, eating, and having fun in complete, leisurely comfort.
"If only my sister didn't have to work, we could have stayed here for a few more days," Li Zheng sighed wistfully.
He almost suggested to Gu Ye that the two of them could stay behind and hang out a little longer, but knowing that Gu Ye only had eyes for his sister, he quickly scrapped the idea.
Jiang Mo enjoyed three days of blissful relaxation. Realizing they only had two days left before heading home, she began to finalize her plans for the proposal.
Phase one: a romantic candlelit dinner by the sea, complete with a live violinist playing in the background.
Phase two: after returning from the restaurant, she would play a video she had painstakingly put together, present him with a bouquet of flowers, pull out the ring, and pop the question.
She had already made reservations at the restaurant and communicated all her requests to the staff.
As for the daunting task of decorating the hotel suite, she passed that responsibility onto her younger brother.
Li Zheng was completely dumbfounded when he heard his mission. "Wow, you kept that well hidden, sis. So the whole point of this vacation was actually for you to propose?"
Jiang Mo nodded. "You could say that."
"You city folks sure know how to do romance. Traveling all this way just to propose—I'm just a country boy, I don't get it," Li Zheng teased. "So tomorrow, my job is just to stay here and decorate the room?"
"Spot on. Don't let me down, little bro," Jiang Mo said, patting him on the shoulder.
When the afternoon of the next day rolled around, Jiang Mo and Gu Ye were getting ready to head out for dinner, but Li Zheng made no move to join them.
"Are you not coming out to eat with us?" Gu Ye asked him.
Li Zheng quickly fabricated an excuse. "I'm not hungry. You guys go ahead."
The moment they left, he immediately got to work.
The restaurant was situated right by the ocean, where the faint, soothing sound of crashing waves could be heard. The couple took their seats, soaking in the quiet, delightful atmosphere.
After a spread of exquisite dishes was served, the waitstaff brought out a small, elegant black swan cake.
Gu Ye looked surprised. "Why the cake? Is today a special occasion?"
He couldn't recall it being an anniversary of any sort.
"I'm just in a good mood and felt like having some dessert," Jiang Mo replied cryptically. "Besides, who knows? Maybe this day will become a special anniversary in the future."
Gu Ye pondered for a moment, looking at Jiang Mo's radiant smile. "Did something wonderful happen recently that you haven't told me about?"
"Not at all, I'm just incredibly happy to be on vacation with you," Jiang Mo answered ambiguously. She gazed across the table at Gu Ye, thinking about how she could never get tired of looking at that handsome face. "What am I going to do? I just love you so much."
That caught Gu Ye completely off guard. Usually, Jiang Mo was a bit more reserved when it came to expressing her feelings.
He glanced around, then leaned across the table and planted a kiss on her lips. "A reward for you."
Right on cue, a young woman with a violin approached their table. She offered a warm smile and began to play.
The melody was a song that both of them absolutely loved.
They listened quietly until the performance ended. However, Gu Ye couldn't shake the feeling that there was something inexplicably odd about the whole setup.
But dinner concluded without any further surprises, and the couple took a car back to their hotel.
Meanwhile, back at the hotel, Li Zheng was frantically blowing up balloons, arranging candles, and scattering rose petals—all while constantly texting his sister for updates on their dinner progress.
Needless to say, it was a race against the clock to get everything perfectly set up before the two of them returned.
