Chapter 233: Relax, Relax

The plan to go to Hangzhou was quickly finalized. Jiang Ran had Douzi book the hotel and tickets, with the dates set for next Friday through Sunday.

Wednesday night, while the two were packing luggage, the children felt a bit reluctant.

"How many days are dad and mom going?" An'an asked, hugging Su Ruan's leg.

"Three days," Su Ruan crouched down, "An'an and big brother must listen to grandpa, grandma, and Great-grandmother at home, okay?"

"Okay." An'an nodded, but her eyes were a bit red, "I'll miss dad and mom."

Jinjin stayed silent, but also stood nearby, tightly holding mom's hand.

Jiang Ran lifted his son: "Jinjin is a man now; you must take good care of your sister. When dad and mom return, I'll bring you something tasty."

"Mm." Jinjin nodded seriously, "I will."

Li Huijuan watched nearby, smiling, "You can go without worry; the kids are with us. You also need your own time—relax, relax."

Thursday night, the two prepared their luggage: a small suitcase, a few changes of clothes, toiletries, and the sketchbook Su Ruan insisted on bringing.

"Really not bringing work?" Jiang Ran asked.

"Really not." Su Ruan laughed, "Just three days, think of nothing, just have fun."

"Then that's fine."

Friday morning, the two got up quietly, afraid of waking the children.

But when they left, they found Jinjin and An'an already awake, sitting in the living room waiting for them.

"Why are you up so early?" Su Ruan asked, surprised.

"To see dad and mom off," An'an said.

Jinjin whispered, "Be careful on the road."

Su Ruan felt warm inside, crouched and hugged the children, "Thank you, darlings. Dad and mom will miss you."

"Come back early," An'an planted a kiss on mom's cheek.

"Okay."

After saying goodbye to family, the two took a taxi to the train station. The autumn morning was a bit chilly, but the sunlight was fine.

"It's been a long time," Su Ruan leaned on his shoulder, "just the two of us."

"From now on, let's do this often," Jiang Ran squeezed her hand, "at least twice a year, just the two of us."

On the train, the two sat side by side. Outside, the scenery shifted from city to fields, then to the water towns of the Jiangnan region.

"So beautiful," Su Ruan said, looking at the view, "completely different from the north."

"Indeed," Jiang Ran also observed, "the north is grand, the south is graceful. Each has its own charms."

Three hours later, the train arrived in Hangzhou.

After exiting the station, they took a taxi to the hotel.

The hotel was right by West Lake; opening the window revealed the lake view.

"So pretty," Su Ruan stood by the window, "West Lake is even more beautiful than on TV."

"I'll take you sightseeing this afternoon," Jiang Ran embraced her from behind, "for now, rest a bit; the ride made us tired."

The two had a simple lunch at the hotel, rested a while, and set off for West Lake at two p. m.

Autumn West Lake was beautiful.

The lake surface was like a mirror, reflecting blue sky, white clouds, and distant hills.

The willows on the shore still held green, yet already carried the scent of autumn.

The two walked slowly along the lakeshore.

Su Ruan took photos with her camera, while Jiang Ran held her hand, pointing out the scenery.

"Look, that's the Broken Bridge," Jiang Ran said, pointing afar, "the place where the White Lady and Xu Xi'an are said to have met."

"So beautiful," Su Ruan snapped a few photos, "the story is beautiful, the scenery too."

Tired, they sat on a bench by the lake. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling the ground.

"Jiang Ran," Su Ruan called softly.

"Mm?"

"If we hadn't come to Hangzhou, what would we be doing now?"

"We'd be in a meeting at work, or at home with the kids," Jiang Ran laughed, "but I think this is better."

"Me too," Su Ruan leaned on his shoulder, "occasionally leaving the familiar setting, seeing life from another angle, is nice."

They sat a while longer, then continued walking. At dusk, they found a small lakeside restaurant for dinner.

The dishes were authentic Hangzhou cuisine: West Lake vinegar fish, Longjing shrimp, Dongpo pork, and Song sister's fish soup.

"So tasty," Su Ruan tasted the fish, "completely different from the flavor back home."

"If you like it, have more," Jiang Ran served her, "tomorrow I'll take you to try other places; Hangzhou has plenty of good food."

After the meal, they strolled by the lake again. Nighttime West Lake was even more beautiful, lights dotted the water, reflecting like stars falling into the water.

"Let's go back when we're tired," Jiang Ran said, "we still need to go to Lingyin Temple tomorrow."

"Okay."

Back at the hotel, both were tired. After washing up, they lay in bed but couldn't sleep.

"Jiang Ran," Su Ruan turned sideways.

"Mm?"

"Thank you for bringing me here."

"Nonsense," Jiang Ran pulled her into his arms, "I should thank you for being willing to stay with me."

That night, the two fell asleep embraced.

Although it was just an ordinary hotel double bed, having each other nearby made it especially warm.

The next day, the two of them went to Lingyin Temple.

The temple was built in the mountains, and the surroundings were tranquil.

The incense offerings were abundant, but it wasn't noisy.

The two followed the crowd slowly, visited the Mahavira Hall and the Medicine Buddha Hall, and also went to Feilai Peak.

"So quiet," Su Ruan said softly, "it's a completely different world from outside."

"Indeed," Jiang Ran lowered his voice, "here, the heart becomes calm."

They stayed in the temple for a morning. At noon they ate at the temple's vegetarian restaurant; although it was all vegetarian dishes, the taste was excellent.

"I didn't expect vegetarian food could be so tasty," Su Ruan sighed.

"The temple's vegetarian meals are meticulous," Jiang Ran said, "the ingredients are fresh, and the preparation is refined."

After the meal, the two slowly descended the mountain. In the afternoon they went to Xixi Wetland, taking a boat to glide through the waterway. The autumn wetland was beautiful, with golden reeds and flocks of waterbirds.

"So beautiful," Su Ruan said, looking out the window, "like a painting."

"Then sketch it," Jiang Ran said, "didn't you bring a sketchbook?"

"That's right."

When the boat docked, the two found a quiet spot to sit. Su Ruan took out her sketchbook and quickly sketched the wetland scenery. Jiang Ran sat beside her, watching silently.

After half an hour, a vivid sketch was finished. Su Ruan handed the drawing to Jiang Ran, "How is it?"

"Nice," Jiang Ran praised sincerely, "my daughter‑in‑law's drawings are beautiful no matter what she draws."

"Stop it," Su Ruan's face flushed, "you only know how to say flattering things."

"Speak truthfully."

In the evening, the two went to He Fang Street. The streets were antique and fragrant, with various small shops on both sides selling Hangzhou specialties and Handicraft items.

"Let's buy some gifts for the kids," Jiang Ran said.

"Okay."

They bought An'an a silk folding fan, Jinjin a set of the Four Treasures of the Study, Li Huijuan a silk scarf, Jiang Jianguo a box of Longjing Tea, and Jiang Nainai a string of Buddhist Beads.

"That's a lot of buying," Su Ruan laughed, "the suitcase can't even hold it all."

"It's rare to come once," Jiang Ran said confidently, "and bringing gifts for the family makes them happy."

The two shopped until nightfall, then took a taxi back to the hotel. Dinner was settled at a restaurant near the hotel, serving authentic Hangzhou cuisine.

"We'll leave tomorrow afternoon," Su Ruan said with some reluctance, "time really flies."

"We'll come again later," Jiang Ran grasped her hand, "or go to other places. Our China is so vast, there are many places we haven't visited yet."