Sharing the Dorm with the Enemy from Previous Life

Sharing A Room (2)

The hot spring resort that they visited this time paid a high price for the land that had a hot spring on it. They even hired a famous architect to design the resort and spent several years building the supporting facilities, bringing in several large trucks from outside just for the various exotic stones and rockeries.

Even for someone like Ruan Qingmu, who had seen the world in his previous life, his eyes could not help but light up once he arrived at the place.

The natural scenery on the road was rougher. Still, as they drove along the mountainous road and into the village, the view along the roadside began to show ingenuity everywhere. Dense forests of bamboo, pine, and cypress, green hills surrounded by clouds in the distance, and snow-capped peaks that looked like they were covered in gold when the sun shone on them.

The vehicle drove for a few more minutes before reaching the car park. The group got out of the car while the bodyguards and Uncle Yan carried their respective suitcases and went into the lobby.

As soon as they entered, a person on the sofa in the lobby sitting area stood up. It was none other than Wei Qinglian. Two girls of a similar age sat beside her: one was Xiao-Siquan and the other was Uncle Yan’s daughter.

As soon as Xiao Siquan saw Qin Yuan, she ran over happily, her pretty small face full of excitement. “Gege! Gege, you’re here!”

Qin Yuan smiled and stroked her head. “Xiao-Quan’s clothes are really beautiful.”

The lobby was warm enough for Wei Qinglian to take off her coat and reveal her slim cashmere dress. She wore a piece of fine turquoise jade on her chest and had earrings and bracelets made of the same material on her ears and wrists. They were simple in style but blindingly green in color and looked increasingly expensive against her well-maintained skin.

She greeted them with a smile and warmly took Mu Wanli’s hand. “Is this Xiao-Ruan’s mother? Hello. I’ve heard Zhufeng mention you several times. I finally got the chance to meet you today.”

She turned her head to look at Ruan Qingmu and her expression became even more enthusiastic. “This must be Xiao-Yuan’s closest friend. I can see he’s smart from the intelligence in his eyes. I also heard his grades are on the level of the honors class. So amazing.”

No mother in the world would not like to listen to someone praising her child. Even if Mu Wanli did not like her, she could not help but smile at these words. “You’re too kind. This kid is only a bit smart. He didn’t like to study in the past. He is finally a bit more sensible now.”

Ruan Qingmu put his hands in his trouser pockets and looked at Wei Qinglian with a smile. “Hello, aunty*.”

*T/N: The aunty Ruan Qingmu used () is different from the usual aunty. People generally associate this word with the image of a middle-aged rural woman with ordinary or even rustic clothes and appearance, with a fat body and rough skin.

Wei Qinglian: “…”

Qin Yuan was on the side, barely being able to hold back his laughter, and hurried to lower his head, pretending not to hear.

Wei Qinglian could barely maintain her smile, but she was secretly annoyed: This child and Qin Yuan were close, so he must have heard many bad things about her privately. His face was devious, his eyebrows sharp, and the way he looked at her was contemptuous.

Qin Zhufeng finished the check-in procedures and came over, happy to see the group exchanging pleasantries. “Come, come. Everyone must have been tired from the journey. The secretary had booked two family suites and a standard room. Qinglian and I will take the children to the suite with four rooms and two halls. Xiao-Ruan’s mother and the others will stay in the other suite. How about that?”

Those who came to play were wealthy people who were not short of money and the deal was not about quantity. There were about seven or eight Huizhou-style buildings on the hill, with just a few suites in each building, built along the mountain, ensuring that each room had an excellent view.

Qin Yuan spoke rather indifferently. “I will stay in the same suite with Ruan Qingmu and the others. There are too many people on dad’s side.”

Qin Zhufeng froze. It was a rare occasion to see his son at the Spring Festival and he wanted to take the opportunity to have a long chat with him in the evening, so it was more convenient to stay in a family suite. But looking at his son and Ruan Qingmu standing side by side, he couldn’t find it in himself to stop them.

Never mind. People of the same age should enjoy being together. None of them wanted to be around parents who they had little in common with.

“Okay. Xiao-Yuan will stay with Xiao-Ruan. Anyway, we’re neighbors.” Qin Zhufeng nodded his head.  “Everyone can rest for a while. We will change out of our traveling clothes and come down to the restaurant at six o’clock.”

Mu Wanli quickly nodded. “Okay. Then, see you guys in a bit.”

As the two families walked together toward the mountain residence at the back, Wei Qinglian glanced at Mu Wanli’s clothes, which were clean and tidy, but saw that she didn’t have any jewelry on her and nothing she had on was an expensive brand.

She smiled and asked, “Where does Xiao-Ruan’s mother work?”

Mu Wanli waved her hand. “We have a massage parlor, working ourselves to death there.”

“So amazing.” Wei Qinglian’s face was full of envy. “It must not be easy to manage. The massage parlor I frequently go to costs several thousand yuan a year. It must be easy to make money, right?”

Mu Wanli glanced over at her. “It’s not that big and doesn’t make much too much money.”

“Then, it must be because Mr. Ruan is so capable that Mrs. Ruan doesn’t feel troubled.”

Mu Wanli’s face was indifferent. “My husband has been dead for many years. I run the massage parlor alone. Besides, it’s only a tiny store in a residential building. I depend on the neighbors to help me. Therefore, my business isn’t that big.”

Wei Qinglian looked at her in astonishment and exclaimed, “Aiya. It’s so hard for you. Is Mrs. Ruan still alone now?”

Mu Wanli smiled. “Call me Mu-jie. It’s a little hard, but it’s not too bad. Who doesn’t have a hard time living in this world?”

Wei Qinglian’s pretty face was full of surprise and she couldn’t hide the pity she was feeling for the woman before her. “Mu-jie is so beautiful. If you have the chance, you should hurry up and find a man knowing cold and warm* to marry and your life won’t be as hard. It’s no good to be alone, after all…”

*T/N: Knowing cold and warm: careful and considerate.