He laughed.
His deep, masculine laugh reverberated around her, giving her b.u.t.terflies on her belly, "Let"s just walk around the area for now, we will stay here for a week anyway, we have plenty of time to soak in hot spring. We only have a while to spend before dinner anyway."
They decided to walk around the garden and the surrounding area.
Shao Yan tried to remember the few places that she wanted to explore more the next few days, as they walked and chatted; while flirting with each other every now and then.
"It"s only one hour left for dinner, let"s go back so you can freshen up first?" He said with his palm covering the small of her back.
Shao Yan contemplated for a second, and then she nodded, "Alright, let"s do that. I can feel that I am a little tired now."
Li Xiqing grabbed hold of her hand, and slowly walk beside her, "Let"s walk slowly, we don"t have to rush, we still have plenty of time."
Shao Yan looked up at him, she leaned her head to his upper arm and gave a little rub, "Xiqing, you pampered me so much. I"m scared I will be even more greedy than now."
She could feel that he was chuckling albeit softly, as she could feel his body is shaking with amus.e.m.e.nt.
"Be greedier, it"s normal. I want you to be the greediest! The super greediest of them all!"
Li Xiqing was about to break out in laughter but Shao Yan had pinched his arm, making him distracted and soft chuckles escaped instead.
"Shameless, aren"t you?" She mumbled, but he could still hear her.
"Of course, haven"t I tell you? It"s my middle name," he spread his five fingers in front of him, moving from left to right really slow, "Daniel Shameless Li," and then he turned his head to Shao Yan and winked at her, "isn"t it VERY appropriate?"
Shao Yan couldn"t help but have a good laugh at him mocking himself.
"Yes yes yes, luckily your thick skin grow a handsome face," she patted his cheek, "my dear, you"re the most shameless, congratulations!" And she tiptoed and circled both arms around his neck to peck his cheek.
Li Xiqing pursed his lips in amus.e.m.e.nt, and then he draped one arm over her shoulder. Her arm reflexively went behind his back and circled him as well.
The couple kept bantering back and forth in jokes along the way back to their room.
As they were walking back, they would encounter a few guests who are also staying in the same ryokan. Most of them were local j.a.panese, but there were also a few International tourists, similar to themselves, who found out about this place from either their local friends or online bloggers.
Shao Yan tried to listen in on their conversations, but other than praises to the natural hot springs, all of them shared the same impression; that this place was unrivaled.
When they arrived at their room, Shao Yan found out that the room was just as stunning as the rest of the architecture outside.
As she entered, she saw the tatami seating with low table at the center of the living area.
Four cus.h.i.+on chairs surrounded the wooden table, with a white porcelain teapot sat in the middle; facing a sliding doors that showcased a view of the fiery autumn leaves outside.
To her right side was the sleeping area. Shao Yan walked over to see that two sets of white, fluffy futons were spread out in the middle, and there was a small balcony attached to the room.
A structure was built in the corner of the balcony. When she walked closer to see what it was, gradually the structure made of stone came to her view, it was a hot tub.
"If you are feeling shy to soak downstairs in the public hot springs, you can do it here. Private and secluded," she heard Li Xiqing voice came from behind her.
As she turned around to look at him, he had walked over to stand beside her. His eyes were also looking at the oval shape stone tub.
Shao Yan was about to say something, but Li Xiqing had turned to her. He lifted up his left hand and brushed her hair down, to her cheek. With his index fingers, he caressed her cheek bone, and then she saw his face gradually got closer to her.
It was only a soft peck on her lips. He slowly let her go and stared into her eyes.
His eyesight slowly lowered, going back to her lips, and then he kissed her again.
His tongue easily slipped in and danced with hers for a while. Her hand reflexively grabbed onto the front of his s.h.i.+rt, as he circled another arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
"I miss you," he whispered, "so much. I don"t like being separated from you, Yan Yan."
Li Xiqing brushed her hair again, and this time, with both hands, he cupped her face, and deepened their kiss.
Shao Yan was leaning on him, her body was missing his st.u.r.dy muscles touching her soft skin.
She missed him so much.
Shao Yan circled both arms around his waist and also pulled him closer, while seductively circling her tongue to dominate him. She sighed happily when she was awarded with his groan.
Li Xiqing slowly let her go, with his forehead still leaning on hers, and hoa.r.s.ely whispered, "Go take a shower first, we will have dinner soon."
The ryokan had provided four sets of casual kimono for them to put on, each two sets for Shao Yan and Li Xiqing. The first set was in light blue and white colors; meant to be worn for the hot spring area. The other two sets were in yellow and red colors. These were suitable for day to day wear within the ryokan area.
All of them were placed on a simple rattan basket; a paper laid on top of them was the instructions on how to put on the kimono.
As she stepped into the bathroom, her eyesight automatically drawn to the basket. Shao Yan read the instructions twice and decided to put on a kimono for dinner.