The price differences among global luxury hotels aren't actually that great. Marriott, Hilton, InterContinental, Accor... these international hotel groups have very stable and mature pricing systems.
At most, the differences are in room types.
Kalin Boutique Hotel is the best hotel that could be booked on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown for Jiang Beicheng.
Even the premium lake-view suite is just over 10,000 per night.
For someone of Jiang Beicheng's spending level, a few tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions are all effortless.
No matter which country he goes to, the consumption level is about the same.
Only ordinary people like Li Xingying would agonize over budgets between a few thousand and tens of thousands, thinking that spending in New Zealand is several times higher than back home.
But this time, following Jiang Beicheng out, she didn't have to worry about budgets or expenses at all.
When she learned the chartered flight cost 880,000, her mindset had completely shifted to one of pure enjoyment.
Nothing to worry about—Young Master Jiang foots the bill, no big deal.
After checking into the premium lake-view suite at Kalin Boutique Hotel, the hotel butler had already prepared afternoon tea in the courtyard.
She lounged in a chair, facing the lake and snow-capped mountains, sipping coffee and tasting the pastries.
Freedom made tangible.
"I think I'm starting to get a little bit of what Young Master Jiang means by emptying the soul," Li Xingying said, squinting her eyes and sniffing the scent of the breeze with her nose.
"What do you smell?"
"The smell of money," Li Xingying laughed. "Sure enough, budget travel isn't freedom—financial freedom is the real deal."
Jiang Beicheng smiled. "From a certain perspective, money really can buy the freedom you want.
You need to work harder, Little Li."
"Chasing right after Teacher Jiang's footsteps," Li Xingying tilted her head, leaning in to give him a kiss.
Jiang Beicheng lightly tapped her lips.
She beamed like a flower in bloom.
In her heart, their relationship was no different from that of a normal couple.
Just enjoy it fully.
As for titles or labels, Young Master Jiang can give them if he wants.
Who says you have to officially be boyfriend and girlfriend to call it dating?
Even the law only regulates marriage.
"I'm going to take a shower, then accompany Young Master Jiang to dinner," Li Xingying said as she stood up.
Jiang Beicheng: "I'll take you to a special restaurant."
"Looking forward to it," Li Xingying turned back and gave Jiang Beicheng a smile.
Women are emotional creatures. Even career women who've been in politics and business for years might not always control their emotions and expressions perfectly, let alone a girl like Li Xingying.
Her happiness was written all over her face.
It suddenly made Jiang Beicheng feel a bit of that university romance vibe.
A young girl's smile is the most lingering.
After half a cup of coffee, Jiang Beicheng went inside, changed into swim trunks, and swam a few laps in the hotel's outdoor pool.
After swimming, he rinsed off and returned to the room.
Little Li had also finished her shower and gotten dressed.
She wore a gray nizi coat, with a white high-neck knit sweater and black shorts underneath.
Paired with black stockings and high heels, showing off her long legs.
Jiang Beicheng quite liked it—women should be like that, boldly displaying their beauty.
From Jiang Beicheng's gaze, Li Xingying could tell he appreciated her. She smiled slightly and gracefully linked her arm with his as they headed out.
The hotel offered dinner service, but it lacked some atmosphere.
The restaurant Jiang Beicheng took Li Xingying to was Queenstown's most famous mountaintop cable car restaurant.
A 180-degree panoramic view restaurant overlooking Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, with distant views of the Southern Alps and Mount Cook.
They took the Skyline Gondola up to the viewing platform just as the sun was setting.
The golden sunlight reflected on the lake, beautiful like an oil painting.
"I never even dreamed of having dinner in a view like this," Li Xingying said, turning back to Jiang Beicheng.
Her tone had become a bit more affectionate.
Thankful for Jiang Beicheng's gift, giving her the chance to enjoy this scenery.
"The world is so big—don't jump to conclusions," Jiang Beicheng said, raising his juice glass to clink with Li Xingying's.
"I hope there will be more opportunities in the future to accompany Young Master Jiang and enjoy dinners like this," Li Xingying confessed sincerely.
Jiang Beicheng smiled, stood up, and walked toward the resident singer in the restaurant.
The singer was a British uncle, wearing a hunting shirt, a cowboy hat, with a thick beard, strumming a guitar and singing slow love songs.
His voice was full of world-weariness, very immersive.
"Hey! Uncle, 'Trying My Best,' OK?" Jiang Beicheng went over and requested a song.
"Trying My Best?"
"Yeah!"
"OK!" The uncle nodded.
Jiang Beicheng placed a 100 NZD tip on his workstation.
"Thanks!"
The uncle sang the very healing song in his gravelly voice.
Jiang Beicheng returned to his seat, and Li Xingying asked curiously, "Do you listen to English songs often?"
Jiang Beicheng shook his head. "Not much, but there are two lines in this song that stuck with me.
'I try my best to make it better. I try my best, but every day is so hard. I hold my breath until I can speak my mind.'
For the two months after my father left, I listened to this song every day."
Li Xingying looked at Jiang Beicheng, reached out, and held his hand, offering comfort.
Actually, her own life in the past half year had been similar to those lyrics.
At this moment, she felt like she was empathizing with Jiang Beicheng.
She really wanted to embrace him.
Kiss, touch... anything, to comfort each other.
"Very good!"
After the uncle finished, Jiang Beicheng turned back and gave the British uncle a thumbs up.
"Thanks again for the tip, sir," the British uncle smiled and stood up. "Do you want to hear a Chinese song?"
"Of course!" Jiang Beicheng replied with a smile.
He hadn't expected this uncle to sing Chinese songs too.
At this point, the Chinese people in the restaurant started clapping.
"Welcome my old buddy, Charlie," the British uncle called his friend up.
Charlie pulled out an accordion and walked to the center of the restaurant with lively dance steps.
As soon as Jiang Beicheng heard the intro to this song, his genes awakened.
He stood up and extended a hand to Li Xingying, inviting her to dance.
Li Xingying smiled brightly, took Jiang Beicheng's hand, and joined him in the center of the restaurant.
The Chinese tourists also started cheering, dancing along to the rhythm.
"Young friends come to meet today
Rowing little boats as the warm breeze gently blows
Flowers fragrant, birds singing
Spring scenery intoxicates
Songs and laughter swirl around the colorful clouds
... Ah~
Dear friends..."
The song "Young Friends Come to Meet" is very famous abroad, performed in multiple theaters overseas, even in the Vienna Golden Hall.
Foreign singers love this song too.
Its upbeat rhythm and simple, easy-to-understand lyrics bring joy and pleasure.
"I think I don't have the dancing gene!" Li Xingying laughed awkwardly.
Jiang Beicheng twisted his waist a bit and bumped her hip.
Li Xingying couldn't stop laughing.
She just danced along haphazardly.
There were people in the restaurant dancing even worse, more comically, but everyone was immersed in the cheerful atmosphere, boldly expressing themselves—no one cared how well you danced.
Looking around, every face was smiling.
Even the foreigners got caught up, joining in the dance.
Dinner turned into a joyful party.
...
"This night will be unforgettable."
On the way back to the hotel, Li Xingying was still savoring the dinner at the mountaintop cable car restaurant.
Jiang Beicheng tilted his head and smiled slightly: "This night is still long—the time just for the two of us is only beginning."
Li Xingying smiled, didn't respond, knowing what Jiang Beicheng meant. Actually, she wanted it too.
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Dear readers,
If you happen to notice any errors, typos, or inconsistencies in the text, please don't hesitate to leave a comment. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and will help me improve the story. Together, we can make it as polished and enjoyable as possible!
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