"I won't wear it," she responded matter-of-factly.

"Not wear it?" Dubian Che raised his voice slightly, "I trust you so much! I looked forward to this so much! And you deceive me?!"

"What's the rush?" Jiutiao Meijie glanced at him coldly, "There is another one."

"That's a relief," Dubian Che sighed.

After all the hassle, the sunlight on the veranda turned red, and the sea rippled slightly as the wind began to blow.

"Is there some time before dinner? How about a dip in the hot spring?" Dubian Che asked.

Jiutiao Meijie groaned as she stretched out her tired body from the day's walk.

She extended her slender, graceful arms, "Help me change clothes."

"I'd be delighted."

"Hm? What about the etiquette I just taught you?"

"..."

"The most beautiful geisha of Gion・Dubian, attending to a visitor from Tokyo as she changes."

Having assisted Jiutiao Meijie into her enticingly white bathrobe, Dubian Che finally managed to remove his own kimono.

Both of them put on slippers, Dubian Che carrying towels and clothes, headed to the hot spring exclusive to their room.

"The hot spring gushes from the mountain and flows continuously into the Pacific Ocean; it's very clean. Also, I had specifically asked the owner to clean it beforehand."

"Not bad."

"For our future trips, should I build a house in those places in advance, or buy a new one?"

"That would actually limit the joy of spontaneous travel. Like this time, having someone change everything on a whim is sufficient."

"As you wish."

The path to the private hot spring was lined with generations of flowers, ferns, and pine trees.

There was also a shallow stream, about as wide as a palm, with daffodils blooming along both sides.

The hot spring highlighted natural pleasures, its man-made traces were only the elegantly crafted stone lanterns on the ground.

They took off their clothes and entered the hot spring.

Their bodies submerged, with just their shoulders slightly emerging, they leaned against the edge of the hot spring, gazing at the sunset over the ocean.

The atmosphere was so comfortable and peaceful that it invited silence.

But precisely because it was so precious, Dubian Che could not help but sigh:

"I wish it could be like this forever."

Jiutiao Meijie gently moved closer, causing ripples in the hot spring as she nestled into Dubian Che's arms.

Steam rose, blending with the soft light, intertwining together.

It was a quiet dusk, aside from the flowing water of the hot spring, only the friction of leaves could be heard.

Reluctantly leaving the hot spring, they returned to their room.

After a phone call to the front desk, a server promptly brought dinner.

"My apologies."

Two female servers entered, both dressed in light green kimonos, perfect for spring.

They knelt at the table, arranging dishes at a steady pace.

Their movements were graceful; as each dish was served, one of them softly explained its origin.

Abalone from Izu, melon sweet soup from Shizuoka, early spring gravid goby fish from Lake Biwa, vegetables from a certain garden, lobster from somewhere, crabs caught at a specific time.

Their voices were gentle and comforting, reminiscent of rain tapping on glazed tiles.

As they placed the chopsticks and towels, they bowed slightly, holding them with both hands, respectfully laying them before the guests.

"Please enjoy your meal and let us know if you need anything."

They bowed slightly, retreated a few steps while knelt, then rose and walked towards the door.

Before leaving, they bowed once more to the guests, then gently closed the door.

The room returned to tranquility, and Dubian Che looked at Jiutiao Meijie.

"When is the geisha I ordered coming? If she doesn't arrive soon, I'll be unhappy," he said with a smile.

Jiutiao Meijie glanced at him irritably, put down the chopsticks she had just picked up, and walked into the bedroom.

Leaving Dubian Che alone; yet his heartbeat seemed to fill the entire room.

He took a bite of the food, then put down his chopsticks, sipped some tea, still not satisfied, and couldn't help but pour himself some sake.

After several swigs, the surging heat in him slightly abated, and he began to eat intermittently.

About ten minutes later, Jiutiao Meijie came out.

She pinned up her hair at the back of her head and wore a hairpin.

The style of her kimono was almost identical to the one Dubian Che wore before bathing.

The vivid red color, along with the geisha fan she held in her hand, did not make her look garish.

She walked slowly, the hem of her kimono trailing slightly, presenting an elegant sight.

In the bright yellow light of the room, she appeared like the most beautiful and esteemed woman in Daao.

Dubian Che watched her intently.

Jiutiao Meijie walked up to him and slowly knelt down, picking up a cup of sake, and gracefully poured it for Dubian Che while looking downward.

At the same time, she softly asked:

"Master, what kind of dance would you like to see?"

Dubian Che downed the sake in one gulp, trying to control his emotions.

"Is there one that portrays a woman unable to sleep alone, yearning for a man?"

"Yes," Jiutiao Meijie responded softly.

She set down the cup of sake, then elegantly and seductively stood up.

Dubian Che had to restrain himself from embracing her slender waist and pulling her into his arms by pouring himself another drink.

Jiutiao Meijie stepped back slightly, pinched her hairpin between her forefinger and thumb, and gently pulled it out.

Her beautiful black hair cascaded down like flowing water.

She opened her fan and began to sing and dance.

"Black—hair—"

Her singing was mournful and extended, full of lingering emotion.

Her figure was slender, her dance graceful, her posture elegant and coquettish, noble, and gorgeous.

Occasionally, she would cover her face with the sleeve of her kimono, casting glances at Dubian Che with her beautiful eyes.

"Come to me," Dubian Che said, after watching the dance and hearing the song.

Jiutiao Meijie swayed like a red rose blown by the spring breeze.

As she approached Dubian Che, she exclaimed "Oh!" and fell into his embrace.

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