Hearing that the Kangqiao Mountain Villa was good last time, Chen Jiaojiao clamored to experience it too.
Coincidentally, Zhan Beijue's unused membership card from last time meant they didn't need to pay.
Zhou Jinbei asked Jiang Nanfang to bring the children along, so everyone could spend the weekend together.
The children were taken by the staff to a dedicated children's play area, while the three adults went to soak in the hot springs.
Unexpectedly, on the way back to their rooms wrapped in bath towels, Chen Jiaojiao ran into an acquaintance.
It was the same lady who had told her yesterday about the planned Universal Studios in Nancheng.
Beside her was a woman of similar age, tall and slender. Though her makeup was light, she exuded an air of elegance.
Seeing a client, Chen Jiaojiao naturally went to greet her.
After exchanging pleasantries and a few polite words, Chen Jiaojiao suggested treating them to dinner that evening.
"Mrs. Wang, you've always looked after my business, and I'm truly grateful."
"But you're busy, and I haven't found a suitable opportunity to thank you properly. Since we've met today, you must give me a chance."
"Bring your friend along, let's have a girls' night. We can eat, play, and relax together, how about it?"
Chen Jiaojiao was beautiful, had a fiery personality, and a sweet tongue. Mrs. Wang had always admired her.
Seeing her eagerness, Mrs. Wang asked her friend if she minded. The woman smiled faintly and said she didn't, so Mrs. Wang agreed.
On the way back to their rooms, Chen Jiaojiao briefed them on Mrs. Wang's background, then added that the woman beside her seemed to have recently moved to Nancheng with her husband and hadn't yet signed up for their services.
"Since she has a good relationship with Mrs. Wang, she's likely a potential client. We need to make a good impression tonight."
Zhou Jinbei casually asked, "What does her husband do?"
Chen Jiaojiao suddenly lowered her voice and looked around conspiratorially.
"He's quite influential. They say he ousted the previous two-term, highly favored head of the XX Bureau, and is now the number one in our Nancheng XX Bureau. He has considerable backing."
Zhou Jinbei's eyes twitched. Now she understood Chen Jiaojiao's caution.
"No wonder she has such a different aura and appears so low-key. So she's the bureau chief's wife. This is my first time dealing with such important people; you're making me nervous."
The three returned to their rooms, applied exquisite makeup, and changed their clothes.
Jiang Nanfang was in charge of booking the room and selecting dishes for the weekend, while Chen Jiaojiao went to invite the guests.
After some hustle and waiting, the two ladies, elegant and composed, arrived at the private room's entrance.
Jiang Nanfang and Zhou Jinbei went out to greet them, and the five stood at the doorway talking.
Unexpectedly, after just a few words, they encountered another acquaintance.
No, it should be a group of acquaintances.
Zhan Beijue was walking side-by-side with a middle-aged man at the front of the group, talking as they walked.
Behind them followed two equally tall men.
Behind the men, two young and beautiful women trailed.
As they passed by their private room's door, Zhou Jinbei was quite surprised to see Zhan Beijue.
After all, she was Zhan Beijue's special assistant, and all his schedules were arranged by her.
Last week, he had mentioned feeling unwell, suffering from headaches, so Zhou Jinbei had scheduled this weekend for him to rest.
Therefore, she absolutely did not expect to encounter him here.
Such a group of tall men approaching with imposing presence naturally drew everyone's attention.
The five women consciously moved aside, forming a line and watching them.
Naturally, five beautiful and elegant women standing in a line also caught the attention of the men opposite.
Zhan Beijue and the middle-aged man glanced over. Seeing it was them, they first appeared surprised, then smiled calmly.
The man took a couple of steps forward and addressed one of the women.
"You said you were out with friends, but it turns out you came here."
The bureau chief's wife, whom they had just been discussing behind their backs, walked out with a smile, met the man, and they clasped hands.
"I didn't expect to see you here either. I thought you were always in the office working and it must be quite boring. I didn't expect you to be so leisurely."
The man smiled at her.
"Leisurely where? I miss you when we're apart for even a day. I didn't expect to run into you like this. You wouldn't have been waiting for me here on purpose, would you?"
"Dream on," the woman playfully hit his arm.
"I would never check up on you in this life. With the public keeping an eye on you, I doubt you'd dare to step out of line."
After saying this, they looked at each other and smiled, a sweet aura spreading among everyone.
The people present were all intelligent and, seeing their interaction, instantly understood.
They were a married couple.
He was the newly appointed bureau chief they had heard about.
Chen Jiaojiao quickly stepped forward and shook hands with the man.
"Bureau Chief Gao, it's a true honor to meet you here today. I've heard so much about you."
Meanwhile, Zhan Beijue also walked over and extended his hand to the woman.
"Mrs. Gao."
He held Mrs. Gao's beautiful hand, and she looked at him with a smile, like a mother showing concern for her son.
"I've long heard that President Zhan is young, handsome, and capable. Indeed, seeing you is better than hearing about you a hundred times."
"You flatter me, Mrs. Gao."
This was the first time Jiang Nanfang had heard Zhan Beijue praise someone so effusively.
"I've also heard that Mrs. Gao and the Bureau Chief have had a relationship like that for decades, a widely celebrated tale in the circle. Seeing you today, you truly are a perfect match."
After a round of mutual compliments, Zhan Beijue stepped back, and the others came forward to greet them.
It turned out the other two men following behind were Lu Mingzhe's father, Deputy Director Lu, and the director of their office.
Both were involved in land management.
Thus, Jiang Nanfang thought, Zhan Beijue was likely here to discuss land acquisition for the Universal Studios project.
Since Lu Mingzhe's divorce from Chen Jiaojiao, Director Lu hadn't seen Chen Jiaojiao.
Recalling Lu Mingzhe's recent state and looking at Chen Jiaojiao, he felt a mix of emotions.
He proactively greeted Chen Jiaojiao.
Chen Jiaojiao looked embarrassed.
"I'm doing well, just been a bit busy and haven't had time to visit you and... Please don't blame me."
In short, they were all acquaintances.
Except for Jiang Nanfang, everyone else knew each other.
As they spoke, Mrs. Wang suggested they all share a table.
They could chat and catch up, and it would prevent Mrs. Gao and her husband from being separated.
Everyone agreed. A crowd of people swarmed into the private room, and the two accompanying girls also followed.
Jiang Nanfang had booked a room for five people, so it was medium-sized and didn't have many chairs.
With the eleven people now, it was a bit cramped.
No one minded. As they talked, they pulled up chairs, sat down, and began chatting.
She calculated the number of people and signaled Zhou Jinbei to go find a waiter to add chairs.
As they were exchanging signals, Zhan Beijue's gaze fell upon them.
He stood at the doorway, with the two young and beautiful women beside him.
First, he surveyed everyone seated, then his gaze landed on Jiang Nanfang.
"The private room isn't particularly large. Those who aren't essential don't need to come in."