"A jacuzzi... do we have one upstairs?" Yasushi's voice echoed with curiosity, a hint of longing seeping through his words.
Jingliu and Yasushi had wandered into a new room, a cavernous space that served as the designated jacuzzi area in their sprawling underground home. This room could easily rival the combined size of an ordinary living and dining room, yet it felt more expansive, almost boundless. Dominating the center was an enormous jacuzzi, its edges adorned with vending machines that dispensed a variety of foods and drinks, but intriguingly, required no money.
A large flat-screen TV graced one wall, its voice control mechanism promising a seamless, almost magical manipulation of channels, volume, and other functions with just a spoken command.
"I think we do, but we can double-check with Yinhaie later," Jingliu responded thoughtfully. "We've been exploring this complex home for the last two hours. It's probably wise to head back up soon and grab some lunch. There's still much left to see — the top of the house, the back garden... there's no end to the discoveries here."
"True... wanna take a dip?" Yasushi inquired, his eyes shifting towards Jingliu, whose cheeks turned a soft shade of crimson as she shook her head.
"Hmm. We don't have the right clothes for it, nor towels, so it makes sense," he reasoned, his gaze wandering until it landed on a neatly arranged rack brimming with towels and swimwear. "Actually, we—"
Before Yasushi could finish his thought, Jingliu grasped his wrist with a surprising firmness and led him away. This unexpected reaction puzzled Yasushi. They had already shared a bath together, so her sudden reticence struck him as odd. Could it be the expansive space of the jacuzzi? Unlike the confined bath where he could only catch glimpses of her back and head, the jacuzzi offered a panorama of potential viewing angles and indulgences.
Jingliu's grip remained resolute as they navigated back to the elevator. The soft hum of the lift accompanied their silence as they ascended to the main floor. They proceeded to the dining room, where the air was filled with the faint aroma of prepared meals. Carefully, they retrieved the lunch that Yinhaie had graciously provided, the simple act of unwrapping the food bringing a sense of normalcy and routine back into their day.
As they began to eat their food in a companionable silence, the room seemed to wrap itself around them, every glance revealing a new detail, a subtle nuance of their surroundings. The ambient sounds of the house, the gentle hum of hidden machinery and the distant echo of water in the pipes, became a backdrop to their meal. Occasionally, their eyes would meet, but words felt unnecessary, almost intrusive in that moment of shared solitude.
When the last morsel had been consumed and the Styrofoam lunchboxes discarded, they found themselves instinctively reaching for each other's hands. The simple act of touching brought a reassuring sense of connection as they made their way back to the entrance hallway.
"Upstairs... we should probably check out the master bedrooms. Yinhaie mentioned there were two of them," Yasushi suggested, his voice breaking the silence with a gentle certainty.
Jingliu nodded in agreement, and they ascended the stairs together, each step taken with a deliberate slowness, as if they were savoring the journey itself. The second floor unfolded before them, revealing long hallways and rooms yet to be explored. They knew that above them lay two more floors and, at the very top, a rooftop terrace that promised a view of the world outside.
"Did Yinhaie mention what floor the master bedrooms were on?" Yasushi's question hung in the air as they walked down a particularly long hallway, its walls adorned with abstract art that seemed to shift and change with the light.
Jingliu paused, her gaze thoughtful. "I don't think she did," she finally replied, her voice soft. "But we have time. We can explore and find them ourselves."
"I would assume it's on the third floor, but let's check the other rooms on the second floor first," Jingliu suggested, her tone filled with an understated determination.
With a mutual nod, they embarked on their exploration of the second floor, methodically investigating each room, allowing their curiosity to guide them. Each door they opened revealed a new fragment of their home's character. Some rooms stood empty, their potential waiting to be realized, while others were already purposed spaces, echoing the structure of the underground quarters they had previously explored.
They wandered into an entertainment room, its walls adorned with a massive screen and plush seating. Next came another dining room, stately and grand, followed by a gaming room replete with consoles and colorful paraphernalia. A series of offices hinted at the house's potential for serious endeavors, while numerous storage rooms lined the halls, each one a cavernous space filled with possibilities.
As they meandered through the labyrinthine layout, they discovered a luxurious bath, a sleek shower, and an immaculately tiled toilet, adding to their growing appreciation of the house's intricate design. These discoveries were interspersed with empty rooms, blank canvases waiting for their creative touch to breathe life into them.
Finally, having explored the majority of the second floor, they ascended another staircase, their steps echoing in the quiet as they climbed. The third floor greeted them with a noticeable shift in its configuration.
Unlike the sprawling expanse below, this floor was more concentrated, featuring only five doors, each one hinting at a significant space beyond. At the far end of the hallway, another staircase beckoned, leading up to the rooftop terrace that promised a panoramic view and perhaps a moment of respite.
"...wait, didn't Yinhaie mention that there were two master bedrooms? They wouldn't both be on the same floor, would they?" Yasushi's voice broke the silence, his question hanging in the air like a puzzle waiting to be solved.
Jingliu paused, considering his words. "Perhaps one is on the rooftop terrace, or maybe we overlooked it on the ground floor of the house?"
"Hmm, well, we didn't really explore the ground floor thoroughly," Yasushi mused as they started walking down the hallway. "But if one of the master bedrooms is on the roof, that's rather unusual. Unless they constructed a glass bedroom up there... which would be quite peculiar."
As they speculated, they reached the first door. Opening it, they were greeted by an astonishing sight: an enormous closet. The room seemed almost endless, divided into sections meticulously designed to store shoes, pants, shirts, and a myriad of other clothing items. Yasushi was left speechless by the sheer scale and organization of it all.
Jingliu, noticing his amazement, remarked, "I had something similar back in China. It was connected to my bedroom. Perhaps the master bedroom here has a similar setup?" Her words trailed off as she closed the door, her thoughts evidently elsewhere.
They went down the hallway and looked through the other doors, one room was empty, the next was a room that looked to be designed as a future office space, the next another entertainment room but smaller and finally, the reached the last door of the floor, the seemingly, master bedroom.
Once they stepped inside, it was much larger than Yasushi anticipated, he even thought some kind of trickery was happening, or some kind of magic being used to make the inside bigger. In the middle of the room, was the bed, it was an extra-large king size bed, beside it were two bedside tables and around the room were extra LED lights in front of the bed was a ceiling-mounted flatscreen TV, on both sides were two doors which led to unknown places.
"Left?" Jingliu's voice carried a hint of curiosity, to which Yasushi nodded in agreement. Together, they approached the door, anticipation building with each step. Upon opening it, they were greeted by the sight of an expansive bathroom, complete with a toilet, bath, and shower, the space exuding a sense of luxurious functionality.
"I suppose that explains why there wasn't a toilet or bathroom in the other rooms on this floor," Yasushi observed, stepping into the room and taking in its vastness. "This is integrated with the bedroom. It's spacious too, likely the size of a master bedroom in an ordinary house."
As he marveled at the bathroom's size, he turned to find that Jingliu was no longer beside him. Surprised, he quickly exited the bathroom and saw her walking towards the other door. He hastened to catch up with her, curiosity piqued by what lay beyond the next threshold.
Jingliu, with a quiet resolve, grasped the knob and turned it, revealing a walk-in closet, just as she had described earlier. The closet stretched before them, a realm of storage possibilities, with ample space to house an extensive wardrobe.
"It can... fit a lot in it," Jingliu remarked, her voice tinged with satisfaction as she turned to face Yasushi. "Let's stay in the same room. You can have the left side of the closet, and I'll take the right."
"Well, I was already expecting something like this to happen, so why not?" Yasushi replied with a hint of nonchalance in his voice. He reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone to inform Yinhaie of their decision. His fingers danced across the screen, crafting a message that explained their situation and specified where their belongings should be moved.
The brief flurry of digital communication concluded with Yinhaie's prompt agreement. Satisfied, Yasushi slipped his phone back into his pocket. "That should do it," he said, his voice imbued with a sense of completion. "Let's head to the rooftop terrace now."
+-+
Upon reaching the rooftop terrace, Yasushi and Jingliu were greeted by an astonishing sight. A sprawling garden sprawled out before them, verdant and meticulously arranged. Nestled amidst the greenery was a small glass room, its transparency offering a glimpse into a cozy interior. Nearby, a firepit surrounded by benches and chairs beckoned, inviting leisurely conversations under the stars. A large TV sat atop a sturdy table, its presence hinting at countless nights of open-air entertainment.
The terrace was not merely a scenic overlook; it was a veritable oasis. Vending machines stood strategically placed around the rooftop, offering an array of snacks and beverages. A small jacuzzi, complemented by a showering area and a toilet, added a touch of luxury, making the terrace feel like a self-contained retreat.
"It's like a mini-house up here... first the underground, and now this. What on earth were the homeowners thinking?" Yasushi murmured, his voice tinged with awe and bewilderment at the sheer extravagance of it all.
"I like it," Jingliu replied with a serene smile. "We can probably come up here to relax. There's even a small bed in that glass room..."
She pointed towards the glass structure, and Yasushi, following her gaze, noticed the bed inside. A closer inspection revealed a quaint "bedroom" of sorts, complete with other miscellaneous items that hinted at comfort and serenity.
The rooftop terrace, with its myriad features, felt like a sanctuary above the city, a place where they could escape the demands of the world below. The juxtaposition of the lush garden, the firepit, the jacuzzi, and the glass room created a harmonious blend of nature and luxury, making it an ideal spot for reflection and relaxation.
"I suppose... we can relax here until Yinhaie arrives later," Yasushi remarked, his tone a mix of contemplation and quiet anticipation. He gently tugged Jingliu towards the glass room, their steps in harmony as they moved across the terrace.
Upon entering the glass room, they were met with a surprising and delightful sight. It felt as though an entire room had been meticulously transplanted from the interior of a luxurious home to this elevated sanctuary. It had all the essential furnishings — comfortable seating, a cozy bed, and even a small table. While it lacked a large wardrobe, a series of elegant cabinets provided ample storage, maintaining the room's air of refined simplicity.
"There are books here too," Jingliu observed, her eyes lighting up with the discovery. "Let's do as you suggested," she continued, her voice filled with a sudden burst of excitement as she hopped onto the bed, kicking off her shoes with a carefree abandon.
Yasushi couldn't help but chuckle at her spontaneous joy. He joined her on the bed, a sense of contentment washing over him as he closed his eyes. The day's exploration had been exhilarating yet exhausting, and this moment of rest felt well-deserved. As he lay there, he was acutely aware of the contrast between his life and Jingliu's, the disparities between middle-class modesty and the opulence of the ultra-rich unfolding before him in vivid detail.
+-+
"Lord Yasushi, before you go, may I ask... do you like your new home?" Yinhaie's voice broke the serene silence, her smile warm and genuine as she addressed Yasushi.
Hours had drifted by since their initial exploration, and now, having shared a sumptuous dinner together, Yasushi, Jingliu, and Yinhaie found themselves at the cusp of night. Yasushi and Jingliu were poised to retire to their room when Yinhaie's question halted them by the doorway, her curiosity evident.
"Yeah, it's nice. A bit too big for my liking, but I can probably get used to it in due time," Yasushi replied, his gaze fixed on her, his tone a mix of sincerity and contemplation. The house was indeed vast, an opulent labyrinth that still felt somewhat foreign, yet he could sense the potential for it to become a true home.
Yinhaie's smile widened, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. "That's good to hear. I have some plans for us tomorrow, so please try to wake up before eight in the morning. We'll have breakfast at seven, so ideally you should be awake by six," she explained, her tone both firm and caring.
"A plan?" Yasushi echoed, his head tilting slightly in confusion. The idea of having a structured plan in the midst of such an unfamiliar environment piqued his curiosity further.
"It's a surprise, but rest assured, it's just a small outing," Yinhaie replied, her voice imbued with a mixture of mystery and reassurance. Yasushi responded with a nod, his curiosity piqued but tempered by trust, and with that, he and Jingliu made their way towards their bedroom.
As they walked through the softly lit corridors, Yasushi turned to Jingliu, his brow furrowed in contemplation. "Do you have any idea what it might be?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, the question hanging in the air between them.
Jingliu shook her head gently, her expression thoughtful. "Yinhaie can be a bit spontaneous at times, but she usually has our best interests at heart," she replied, her tone soothing and confident.
Yasushi nodded in agreement, comforted by her words. They continued down the hallway, their footsteps quiet against the polished floors, until they finally reached their bedroom. The room was a sanctuary, inviting and serene, a perfect end to their eventful day.
With a sense of contentment, they turned off all the lights and slipped into the bed, the soft sheets enveloping them in warmth. As they settled in, the day's exhaustion quickly took over, and their eyes began to close, sleep beckoning them into its peaceful embrace.
Just as Yasushi was on the cusp of sleep, he felt a gentle, unexpected pressure on his cheek. His eyes flew open in surprise. Turning his head, he saw Jingliu's face close to his, her eyes already closed but a soft smile playing on her lips, her cheeks tinged with a delicate flush.
The brief, tender kiss had caught him off guard, and for a moment, he lay there, his mind racing with unspoken questions. Why had she kissed him on the cheek? What prompted this sudden gesture of affection? He considered waking her to ask, but seeing the serene expression on her face, he decided against it. There would be time for questions later.
He sighed softly, placing his head back on the pillow, attempting to quiet his swirling thoughts. The feel of Jingliu's kiss lingered on his skin, a gentle reminder of the unexpected moments of intimacy that colored their relationship. As sleep finally claimed him, his mind was a tapestry of emotions and thoughts, woven together by the day's events and the quiet, tender kiss that had closed it.
In the stillness of the night, with the world outside their window hushed and peaceful, Yasushi drifted into a deep sleep, his dreams mingling with the reality of Jingliu's closeness. The future was an open book, and tonight, he had just turned another intriguing page.