Chapter 80: The Journey to the Song Family

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the second day of the New Year's holiday. Song Wan-shuang finally freed herself from the endless work, and after spending the holiday at home, Jiang An took the family of four on a road trip to the capital, to attend the grand birthday celebration of the Song family patriarch.

Though she said nothing, Jiang An could clearly see that Song Wan-shuang’s feelings about this journey were complicated.

“La la la, la la la…”

A crisp childish voice rang out; little Xi Xi was happily humming along to the music, her tiny hands clutching the tiger’s front paws and swaying with the rhythm, while the tiger wore a helpless expression.

There were still several days left before Li’s birthday, so Jiang An wasn’t in a hurry. He didn’t opt for faster travel methods like a plane or high-speed rail, but chose to drive himself. This way, the family could spend more time together, meandering leisurely along the road.

Song Wan-shuang glanced back at Xi Xi, then smiled, “Xi Xi seems to have some talent for music. I’d like to send her to piano lessons. What do you think, An?”

Piano?

Jiang An was momentarily lost in thought before replying, “I agree, as long as she’s interested. We shouldn’t force her.”

Song Wan-shuang was less than satisfied with this answer. “No wonder they say daughters are their father’s little cotton-padded jacket. You’re just letting her do as she pleases, but we should do what’s best for her.”

“I’m only afraid that love, in the name of goodness, can harm,” Jiang An said with a smile. “My dear, you seem to still be thinking like an ordinary person. I am an immortal, and you and Xi Xi are to cultivate alongside me. We shouldn’t build our future lives with worldly perspectives. Wouldn’t it be better if she could grow up carefree and joyful?”

Song Wan-shuang was taken aback, then slapped her forehead and forced a smile. “I suppose I’ve been so busy lately that I forgot about all that.”

Jiang An laughed heartily and continued, “Wan-shuang, you actually have some of the power I’ve transferred to you within your body. Haven’t you noticed any changes?”

“Now that you mention it, yes! Lately, no matter how busy I am, I don’t really feel tired. I eat less and less, yet I’m full of energy, as if there’s endless strength in my body. Oh, and my eyesight—I used to be nearsighted, but now my vision is perfect again, and my hearing seems improved as well…” Song Wan-shuang said excitedly.

“Heh, that’s the result of my diligent cultivation every night,” Jiang An replied mischievously.

Song Wan-shuang shot him an admonishing look, cheeks reddening as she scolded softly, “Don’t say such things in front of the child!”

She turned, and happened to meet Xi Xi’s wide, blinking eyes brimming with curiosity. Suddenly, the little one looked up and clapped her hands, exclaiming, “Daddy, look! Such a long, long car—it’s like a big monster!”

Well, clearly a child’s attention span isn’t something you can count on.

The journey took fifteen hours in all, the car speeding along, and by the time they reached the area of the capital, Song Wan-shuang and Xi Xi were already fast asleep from exhaustion.

An hour later, following the navigation, Jiang An pulled up in front of a five-star hotel and gently woke Song Wan-shuang.

“Wan-shuang, we’ve arrived. Is this the place?”

Song Wan-shuang groggily awoke, tidying her hair as she looked around. The prominent sign, “Junming Grand Hotel,” caught her eye, and she nodded, “Yes, this is it. It’s one of the Song family properties and a guest reception point.”

Reception? So it seems that, to the Song family, Song Wan-shuang is merely a guest.

A cold smile flickered across Jiang An’s lips. “Alright, let’s go in—it’s late.”

They had set out just before noon the previous day, and now it was already early morning of the next day. Jiang An could drive for hours without fatigue, but little Xi Xi wouldn’t hold up as well.

Parking the car, Jiang An carried the sleeping Xi Xi in his arms, and with Song Wan-shuang beside him and luggage in tow, followed by the tiger, they walked into the hotel lobby.

The lobby was spacious and bright, resplendent with gold and jade, decorated to the highest standards. Anyone without confidence would feel uneasy stepping into such grandeur. As Jiang An and his family approached the front desk, the sharp-eyed manager immediately noticed Song Wan-shuang’s stunning appearance. She glanced down at her tablet to confirm, then turned to a receptionist and declared, “I’ll handle this guest personally.”

“Hello…”

Song Wan-shuang had barely begun to speak when the manager greeted her with a smile and a bow. “You must be Ms. Song Wan-shuang. Your room has been reserved and is ready for you.”

“Yes, thank you for your trouble.”

“It’s my honor to serve you. This way, please. I will personally show you to your room.”

The manager stepped from behind the desk and led them with utmost respect.

Soon, the group arrived at the presidential suite on the eighteenth floor. As she opened the door and helped with their luggage, the manager added, “Our hotel offers food service twenty-four hours a day. You must be exhausted from your journey; would you like to order a meal?”

But they had already eaten along the way, and with dawn approaching, what they needed most was sleep. Jiang An replied, “No need. We’ll wait for breakfast. Right now, sleep is what we need.”

“Very well. If you require anything, please call our service line,” the manager said with a nod and departed.

The presidential suite was exceedingly luxurious, with all imaginable amenities, more like a top-grade apartment. There were several bedrooms and bathrooms. Jiang An laid Xi Xi on the bed and tucked her in, while the tiger curled up on the blanket to rest. After closing the door, he found Song Wan-shuang unpacking.

Jiang An had always thought Song Wan-shuang’s waist was exquisite, her curves nothing short of devilish. He walked over and wrapped his arms around her slender waist from behind, whispering, “My dear, do you want to bathe?”

Song Wan-shuang enjoyed being embraced by Jiang An this way. She laughed, “I want to bathe and sleep at the same time—such a dilemma.”

“That’s easy. Let me show you the abilities of an immortal.”

Jiang An laughed, turned her around, formed a hand seal, and drew water elements from the air with his power. A visible orb of clear water formed in midair. With a gesture, it rushed to envelop Song Wan-shuang, transforming into a mist that surrounded her. After a few breaths, the mist vanished.

“Well? How does my cleansing spell compare to an ordinary bath?”

Song Wan-shuang spun around in delight, laughing, “Is this what magic is? It’s even better than bathing—I feel completely refreshed, as if every pore is spotless, and even the drowsiness has faded.”

Jiang An smiled and used the spell on himself as well, then said, “Alright, let’s sleep. Dawn is nearly here—you should get some rest.”

But Song Wan-shuang refused, her snow-white arms wrapping around his neck, her gaze seductive, breath fragrant. “An, don’t you think Xi Xi will feel lonely growing up alone?”

He understood her meaning immediately. Jiang An pecked her enticing lips, sweet as honey. “So, you want to give her a little brother or sister?”

“Preferably a brother,” Song Wan-shuang answered boldly, shedding her usual cool reserve.

A challenge, was it?

Jiang An was a man of action. With a sweep of his hand, he lifted her up and tossed her onto the bed. But before he could join her, he suddenly frowned and turned to see the huge wall-mounted LCD TV light up on its own, displaying a line of text.

“Esteemed guest, please arrive at the hotel lobby at nine o’clock tomorrow morning, then proceed together to Hui Shi Garden—Song.”

“Is this a message from the Song family? Together? Looks like there are others,” Song Wan-shuang observed.

“Such pretentiousness! Ignore it,” Jiang An scoffed, resuming his quest, pouncing onto Song Wan-shuang’s alluring form with a laugh. “My dear, it’s time for our lesson.”

But Song Wan-shuang flipped on top, straddling his waist, deftly unbuttoning her clothes to reveal her splendid figure. “Tonight, I’m taking the lead. Let’s ride!”

And so began the battle.

After dawn.

Song Wan-shuang clung to Jiang An like an octopus, sleeping on his chest, while he played with a lock of her hair, thinking, “Riding is fine, but in the end, the horse is unscathed while the rider is exhausted. Now you know, don’t you?”

He checked the time—it was eight fifty, almost time for the gathering. But Jiang An cared not a whit for the Song family’s schedule. He got up leisurely, ordered breakfast, and let his wife and daughter sleep a bit longer.

Meanwhile, in a side room off the hotel’s first-floor lobby, impatience was mounting.

As one of the top families in the nation, the Song family’s patriarch’s birthday celebration attracted countless hopeful guests—far more than could ever be invited. Only a handful of influential families, aside from the local powers and the Five Great Clans, had the honor of being invited, usually those with some ties to the Song family.

This Junming Grand Hotel was one of the Song family’s reception sites, specifically for guests from the east. Besides Jiang An’s family, there were representatives from five other families.

Eager to curry favor with the Song family, these five family representatives chose to stay at the hotel rather than their own properties in the capital, as if it were a great honor. The nine o’clock gathering time was not to be trifled with; all had arrived by eight thirty, only to be told that one guest was still missing. So they waited together, and as nine approached, there was still no sign of the absent party.

“Who is it? So disrespectful! Elder Qing, this is an affront to the Song family. I say we simply revoke their invitation,” an oily-haired young man suddenly slammed the table, addressing the elderly gentleman calmly sipping tea in the room.