Country Love: Xie Dajiao, 37, is pregnant!

As darkness fell, all the lights in the Ivory Mountain Hot Spring Resort came on.

Lin Chen sat on the sofa in his office, leaned back, pinched his temples with his fingers, and looked completely helpless.

The autumn harvest is all done, and everything at the resort is going smoothly without any mishaps. The resort's profits are also much better than before.

Wang Dana said he was going back to Benxi to take care of some business, but it's been so long and there's still no definite news about his return. He sighed, took out his phone, found Wang Dana's number, and dialed it. As soon as the call connected, Lin Chen quickly said:

"Grandpa, didn't you say you'd be back soon? The autumn harvest is all over, why aren't you back yet?"

Meanwhile, Wang Dana was sweating profusely while eating at an old hot pot restaurant in Benxi that had been open for over ten years.

Inside the private room, the copper pot was bubbling away, and the red broth in the divided pot was boiling and splashing with oil. Slices of mutton, fresh tripe, wide rice noodles, and frozen tofu were laid out on the table, steaming hot.

Wang Dana and Wang Musheng were enjoying a hot pot of meat, taking bites of meat and sips of wine, thoroughly enjoying their meal.

Hearing the phone ring on the table, Wang Dana picked it up and saw that it was Lin Chen. He quickly put his finger to his lips and shushed Wang Musheng, waving his other hand repeatedly to signal him to be quiet.

Wang Musheng had just picked up a piece of tripe with his chopsticks and was about to put it in his mouth when he saw this and immediately stopped, stubbornly holding back from eating it.

Wang Dana cleared his throat, deliberately making his voice hoarse, pretending to be exhausted after several days of work, and answered the phone:

"Xiao Chen, I'm out of ideas. The project that Mu Sheng is in charge of has run into problems. I have to stay here and keep an eye on it, otherwise the losses will be huge. You'll have to work hard and keep an eye on things at the resort. Sigh, what do you suggest we do?"

Lin Chen's tone immediately became a little nervous on the other end of the phone:

"Huh? There's a problem with the project? Is it serious? Don't even mention my older brother, you come up here and start yelling at me without warning. You're not a kid anymore, everyone has pride."

Wang Dana glanced at Wang Musheng across from him out of the corner of his eye, suppressing a laugh, his mouth still drooping:

"Okay, I understand. Don't worry, I won't have any major problems here. Alright, I'm going to get back to you now. If you're bored at the resort, why don't you go for a soak in the hot springs? They just opened a new spa, why don't you try it? Pick up Xiaomei and the others. Don't call me unless it's absolutely necessary."

Before Lin Chen could say anything more, he quickly hung up the phone. His previous tired look vanished, and he immediately burst into laughter, picked up his chopsticks, and continued to cook lamb slices in the pot with great enthusiasm.

"Hahaha, this Xiao Chen, if you don't pull some tricks on him, you really can't handle him. He'd better just stay quietly in the manor!"

Wang Musheng had just slurped up a mouthful of noodles, chewing them noisily, when he heard this, he rolled his eyes, swallowed with difficulty, and said irritably:

"You're just making up lies to fool my brother! And next time, could you please not say I made a mistake on a project? You've completely ruined the image of me that he considers great and capable!"

Wang Dana picked up a piece of mutton with his chopsticks, threw it directly into his bowl, and glared at him:

"Can't you just eat your food? Even eating won't shut you up! Who else should I criticize if not you? Do you think someone as wise and powerful as me would make a mistake?"

Wang Musheng glared at him, too lazy to argue with him about this pointless argument, and pointed in his direction:

"Bring me that sesame paste!"

Back at the resort, Lin Chen listened to the busy tone on the phone, sighed helplessly, threw the phone on the table, and shouted towards the door:

"Little Li!"

Within two seconds, Secretary Li gently pushed open the door and entered, clutching a folder in her hand. She stood beside the sofa, waiting for instructions.

"Brother Chen, what's wrong?"

"Are there any rooms left at the hot spring? I'd like to soak for a while and relax."

Secretary Li paused for a moment, then glanced instinctively out the window. It was completely dark outside. She then began to advise:

"Hey Chen, how about we go for a soak during the day tomorrow? It's already dark now, and we can arrange for a masseuse to give you a massage during the day. That would be so relaxing."

Lin Chen waved his hand, stood up, and straightened his back:

"No need, I'll just soak for a bit and then go to sleep."

"Okay, I'll make the arrangements."

Secretary Li nodded, turned around, closed the door, and walked away with a clatter of her high heels.

……

Lin Chen was soaking in the hot spring. Steam rose up and the green plants by the pool were shrouded in mist, so much so that the edges of the leaves were not visible.

Lin Chen leaned against the pool wall, tilted his head back, and closed his eyes to rest. The water was just above his chest, and he felt completely relaxed. This stuff really relieved his fatigue.

There were four or five waiters standing nearby, some carrying iced drinks, some stacking towels, and others holding fruit platters, all lined up in a straight row.

Liu Da Nao was squatting on the steps by the pool, holding a glass of red wine, and he offered it forward:

"Mr. Lin, how's the water temperature? I opened a bottle of wine for you, it's good stuff."

Lin Chen was stunned when he opened his eyes and saw this scene:

"Old Liu, what are you doing? I just wanted to soak in a hot spring to relax, but you have a bunch of people standing here like they're being punished. It makes me feel uncomfortable."

"Then the service must be top-notch."

Liu Da Nao chuckled:

"You've finally come all this way to relax in the hot springs, so you have to be treated to the highest standards."

"Come on, give me a break."

Lin Chen waved his hand:

"Let them go do what they need to do. I want to have some peace and quiet. Are you going to take a bath? If so, come down and chat for a bit."

"I'm not coming."

Liu Da Nao Tou shook his head:

"I haven't even soaked in it yet. I can't catch my breath if I go in. Fine, I'll make them leave."

Liu Da Nao nodded, then turned to Lin Chen and said:

"President Lin, I'm going downstairs now. A group of guests came from Shenyang to discuss a monthly subscription for an annual meeting. They said they were introduced by my friend. I had them all leave, and left Xiao Li here to look after things so no one will bother you."

After saying that, he waved his hand and led a group of people away in a hurry. The once noisy poolside became quiet in an instant, with only the sound of water gently lapping against the pool wall remaining.

Lin Chen breathed a sigh of relief and leaned back against the pool wall. He had only closed his eyes for five minutes when the surrounding lights dimmed, leaving only a ring of ambient lights. Then he heard a splash beside him, and someone was swimming towards him. The water rippled gently against his arm.

He opened his eyes and saw that it was Secretary Li, who had just emerged from the water and was only two steps away from him.

She was wearing a black two-piece swimsuit, her hair was completely wet, strands of it clung to her face, and water droplets dripped down her chin. Usually she wears a shirt and is completely covered up, but looking at her now, this young lady has quite a good figure.

Her face was flushed from the heat, her eyes were a little evasive, but she was determined to stare straight at him.

"Why did you come down?" Lin Chen asked, raising an eyebrow.

Xiao Li clung to the stone steps by the pool, his fingers tracing the surface of the water. He seemed a little embarrassed, his voice soft and lacking his usual cheerfulness.

"I'll stay with you for a while, it's no fun making it by yourself."

"Why would you want to keep me company?"

Lin Chen chuckled, leaned closer to the pool wall, and teased her on purpose:

"I'm a married man, aren't you afraid people will gossip?"

"If you don't tell Sister Xiaomei and the others, how will anyone know?"

Xiao Li leaned forward; the water was up to his chest.

"Brother Chen, actually... I've liked you ever since the first time you came to the manor to help deal with Boss Liu. I've never thought about any title or status, and I don't need you to be with me every day. I just hope you can think of me when you come up the mountain and spend some time with me occasionally."

Lin Chen was stunned for a moment, not expecting this girl to be so direct.

Lin Chen stared at her, and the girl blushed even more, but she didn't look away, meeting his gaze directly.

"What, are you trying to become my lover?" he teased deliberately.

Xiao Li bit his lip, nodded seriously, his voice not loud, but quite clear:

"It's definitely too late for you to be my wife. I know you have many people around you, and you won't miss me. I'm not the kind of person who wants to be outstanding. Just... when you come over, just remember me. I'll always be your secretary."

After she finished speaking, she moved closer, the steam carrying her fragrance. The pool was shrouded in mist, but the girl's eyes were bright. Lin Chen's wine glass, which he had just raised, stopped in mid-air.