Apart from building numerous scenic structures on a hill, Xuhai Resort also constructed several high-rise buildings, making full use of the land.
Seeing the elevator stop on the fifth floor, Jaden ran up the stairs without hesitation.
Upon reaching the fifth floor, he found it was the massage area, coincidentally where he had intended to go earlier.
However, Jaden had no interest in a massage now. He looked around, wondering where Sherry might be.
Did he have to search each room?
Spotting a staff member at the reception desk, Jaden quickly approached, "Hello, a group of people just came up. Where are they?"
"Uh... yes, a few guests came up. They split into two groups, women to the left, men to the right. Are you with them?" the staff member replied politely.
"Yes, which room is the woman in? My wife forgot something, and I need to bring it to her," Jaden lied.
"Room 832, but sir, you can't go there. It's a women's area. I can take it for you," the staff member offered.
"Men aren't allowed? Never mind, I'll wait," Jaden frowned.
"Alright, would you like something to drink? The masseuses are all busy, so if you want a massage, you might have to wait," the staff member smiled.
"No, I'll just sit here. Let me know when a masseuse is available," Jaden said, taking a seat by the door. He picked up a magazine, using its cover to hide his face.
As he pretended to read, Jaden realized he needed to confirm if Sherry was there without her noticing. Otherwise, he couldn't explain his presence.
Pretending to read the magazine, he found the time passing slowly.
Occasionally, guests came up, but left when told there were no available masseuses. Some masseuses walked back and forth, seemingly busy.
The longer he waited, the more restless Jaden became.
He worried that if Sherry saw him, she'd recognize him despite the magazine. They knew each other too well.
When the staff member at the reception left, Jaden seized the opportunity, quickly heading to the women's area.
He just needed to confirm if Sherry was there, then leave immediately.
Room 832 wasn't hard to find, just around a corner.
But as he turned the corner, a masseuse walked towards him, head down.
Panicking, Jaden remembered the warning about men not being allowed. If caught, he'd be in serious trouble.
With no place to hide, he pressed himself against the wall, barely breathing.
Fortunately, the masseuse was engrossed in her phone, not looking up. She walked past Jaden without noticing him.
Once the masseuse passed, Jaden sighed in relief and found room 832.
He hesitated, wondering if he should enter. Intruding into the women's area was risky.
Noticing the door slightly ajar, unlike the tightly closed doors he'd seen, he wondered if the masseuse had left it open for convenience.
If so, it made things easier for Jaden. He could peek inside and leave unnoticed.
After a moment's hesitation, Jaden pushed the door open, peeking through the narrow gap. Seeing no masseuse inside, he felt more confident.
He quickly slipped into the room, gently closing the door behind him.
The room was a typical massage room, tastefully decorated with an attached bathroom.
A faint scent of women's skincare products lingered.
In the center was a large massage table, with a nearly naked woman lying face down, a towel covering her modesty.
The woman had a great figure and smooth skin, her hair wrapped in a towel.
Jaden nervously examined her back, but couldn't tell if she was Sherry. The similar build wasn't enough, and her wrapped hair made identification harder.
Feeling panicked, Jaden realized this wasn't a place for a man, especially with a naked woman present. If caught, he'd be in serious trouble.
He looked around for any belongings that might confirm her identity, but found only a bathrobe.
Did he need to make her turn around to confirm her identity?
How could he do that? If she wasn't Sherry, what then?
Even if she was, how would he explain his presence?
Realizing his rashness, Jaden decided to leave. But as he took a step, the woman on the table grabbed his wrist.
"You're back? Continue massaging my back," she said, her voice muffled by her position, making it hard to tell if she was Sherry.
Jaden, caught, stood frozen, unable to break free.