Chen Jiaojiao, having heard good things about Kangqiao Mountain Villa, insisted on experiencing it herself.
Coincidentally, Zhan Bei Jue's unused membership card from last time meant they didn't have to pay.
Zhou Jinbei suggested Jiang Nan Fang bring the children along, and they could all spend the weekend together.
The children were taken to a dedicated play area by the staff, while the three adults went to soak in the hot springs.
Unexpectedly, on their way back to the room wrapped in bath towels, Chen Jiaojiao ran into an acquaintance.
It was the same lady she had mentioned yesterday, the one who told her about the upcoming Universal Studios theme park 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 some small talk and pleasantries, Chen Jiaojiao invited them to dinner that evening.
"Mrs. Wang, you've always taken good care of 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, and let's consider it a girls' night out. We can eat, chat, 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 sincerity, Mrs. Wang turned to ask her friend if she minded. The woman smiled faintly and said she didn't, so Mrs. Wang agreed.
On the way back to the room, Chen Jiaojiao briefed them on Mrs. Wang's background. She then mentioned that the woman beside her seemed to have moved to Nancheng with her husband only recently and hadn't yet signed up with their establishment.
"Since she's on good terms with Mrs. Wang, she's likely a potential client. We need to make a good impression tonight."
Zhou Jinbei subconsciously asked, "What does her husband do?"
Chen Jiaojiao suddenly lowered her voice and furtively glanced around.
"He's quite influential. I heard he pushed out the previous head of the XX Bureau, who had served two terms and was highly popular. He's now the top official in our Nancheng XX Bureau. He has quite a background."
Zhou Jinbei's eyelids twitched. Now she understood Chen Jiaojiao's caution.
"No wonder she has a different aura and seems so low-key. So, she's the bureau chief's wife. This is my first time dealing with such a prominent figure; you're making me nervous."
The three returned to their room, applied exquisite makeup, and changed their clothes.
Jiang Nan Fang was responsible for booking the room and selecting dishes for the weekend, while Chen Jiaojiao went to extend the invitation.
After some fuss and waiting, the two ladies, impeccably dressed and composed, arrived at the private room's entrance.
Jiang Nan Fang and Zhou Jinbei went out to greet them, and the five stood at the doorway talking.
Unexpectedly, after only a few words, they encountered another acquaintance.
No, it should be a group of acquaintances.
Zhan Bei Jue walked at the front of the group with a middle-aged man, conversing as they walked.
Two equally tall men followed behind them.
Behind the man were two young, beautiful women.
As they passed their private room's entrance and saw Zhan Bei Jue, Zhou Jinbei was quite surprised.
After all, she was Zhan Bei Jue's special assistant, and all his schedules were arranged by her.
Last week, he had complained of feeling unwell and having headaches, so Zhou Jinbei had arranged for him to rest this weekend.
Therefore, she absolutely hadn't expected to see him here.
The imposing group of tall men naturally drew everyone's attention.
The five women consciously stepped aside, forming a line and watching them.
Naturally, the five beautiful and elegant women standing in a line also caught the attention of the men approaching.
Zhan Bei Jue and the middle-aged man cast their gazes over, and upon seeing them, they first showed surprise, then a faint smile.
The man took two steps forward and addressed one of the women.
"You said you were out with friends, and it turns out you came here."
The bureau chief's wife, who had just been discussed behind their backs, walked out with a smile, met the man, and they clasped hands.
"I didn't expect to run into you here either. I thought you were always in the office working and must be bored, but I didn't expect you to be so leisurely."
The man smiled at her.
"Where am I being leisurely? I miss you after being apart for a day. I didn't expect to meet like this. Could it be you were waiting for me here on purpose?"
"Dream on," the woman playfully punched his arm.
"I'll never check up on you. With the public keeping an eye on you, I doubt you'd dare to step out of line."
After speaking, they looked at each other and smiled, a sweet aura spreading among the crowd.
Everyone present was intelligent and, seeing them like this, immediately understood.
They were a 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."
Over there, Zhan Bei Jue also walked over and proactively shook hands with the woman.
"Mrs. Gao."
He held Mrs. Gao's beautiful hand, and she looked at him with a smile, like a mother doting on her son.
"I've long heard that President Zhan is young, handsome, and capable. Indeed, seeing you is better than hearing about you."
"You flatter me, Mrs. Gao."
This was the first time Jiang Nan Fang had heard Zhan Bei Jue flatter someone.
"I've also heard that Mrs. Gao and the Director have been in love for decades, a beautiful story in the circle. Seeing you today, you truly are a talented man and a beautiful woman."
After a round of mutual compliments, Zhan Bei Jue stepped back, and the others came forward to greet them.
It turned out that the other two men following behind were Lu Mingzhe's father, Deputy Director Lu, and the director of their office.
Both were in charge of land matters.
Jiang Nan Fang thought that Zhan Bei Jue must have brought them here to discuss the Universal Studios theme park land.
Since Lu Mingzhe's divorce from Chen Jiaojiao, Lu's father hadn't seen Chen Jiaojiao.
Thinking of Lu Mingzhe's recent state and looking at Chen Jiaojiao, he felt quite emotional.
He proactively greeted Chen Jiaojiao.
Chen Jiaojiao looked ashamed.
"I'm doing well, just a bit busy. I haven't had time to visit you and... please don't blame me."
In short, they were all acquaintances.
Except for Jiang Nan Fang, who had little interaction with these people, everyone else knew each other.
As they spoke, Mrs. Wang suggested they all sit at one table.
They could chat and catch up, and it would prevent Mrs. Gao and her husband from being separated.
Everyone agreed. The group, like a surging crowd, entered the private room, and even the two girls who had been following them went inside.
Jiang Nan Fang had booked a private room for five people, so it was only medium-sized, and there weren't enough chairs.
Now with eleven people in total, it was a bit cramped.
No one minded. They entered, pulled out chairs, sat down, and started 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 Bei Jue's gaze fell upon them.
He stood at the doorway, accompanied by the two young and beautiful women.
He first surveyed everyone who had sat down, then his gaze landed on Jiang Nan Fang.
"The private room isn't very large. Unnecessary personnel don't need to come in."