The sound of knocking interrupted Gu Chenyan’s thoughts.
He furrowed his brows imperceptibly, then calmly said, “Come in.”
He picked up the coffee and took a sip.
Ba-dump! Ba-dump!
Qiao Shu abruptly opened the office door, laughing as he rushed in. “It’s me!”
Gu Chenyan: “…”
He nearly choked on his coffee. He managed to endure it without changing his expression, swallowing the bitter taste in his mouth.
Qiao Shu was oblivious.
He closed the office door, blocking out the outside world, and nervously walked to Gu Chenyan’s desk.
Qiao Shu: “Surprise?”
For this surprise today, Qiao Shu deliberately didn’t tell Gu Chenyan that he could wrap up his work today.
Arriving at the company just before Gu Chenyan’s clocking out time, he wanted to give Gu Chenyan a surprise on this special day.
Qiao Shu carefully hid the gift behind him, smiling sweetly, and said, “Mr. Gu, today your Little Mr. Qiao is here to pick you up after work.”
“Would you honor me?”
Qiao Shu: “Honey~”
Gu Chenyan calmly set down the coffee. “Hmm.”
He stood up and walked around the desk towards Qiao Shu. Qiao Shu, in order to hide the gift he was hiding in his back, also turned his body to face Gu Chenyan throughout the whole process.
Gu Chenyan raised his hand and ruffled Qiao Shu’s soft hair. “I…”
Qiao Shu: “Wait! Let me go first!”
“I have good news to tell you.” He tilted his head back to look at Gu Chenyan. “I’ve finished filming!”
“I also have something happy to share with you.” He bombarded him with the information, then stepped back, and took a deep breath. “Gu Chenyan!”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm?”
Qiao Shu: “Mr. Gu.”
“Brother Gu—”
Qiao Shu blushed, calling out each sweet nickname that belonged to the two of them.
“Honey~”
Gu Chenyan’s eyes flickered slightly.
After Qiao Shu finished calling out all the terms of endearment, his cheeks were burning, his eyes filled with shyness.
He carefully held out the beautifully wrapped gift box from behind and presented it to Gu Chenyan with both hands.
His eyelashes kept trembling.
“Gu Chenyan, happy birthday.”
“And also—”
“Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Gu Chenyan didn’t move.
He lowered his gaze to the gift in front of him, slightly surprised. Was today his birthday?
He never kept track of these dates, but Qiao Shu remembered and even prepared a gift for him.
Gu Chenyan’s throat bobbed, and a few seconds later, he accepted the gift under Qiao Shu’s expectant gaze.
“Thank you.”
Qiao Shu smiled.
“Quickly open it and see if you like it.” Qiao Shu nervously watched him.
He had prepared this gift for a long time.
Gu Chenyan placed the gift on the desk, carefully untied the bow on top, and then gingerly tore off the wrapping paper, revealing a beautiful box inside.
Qiao Shu took a deep breath.
Gu Chenyan glanced at Qiao Shu and continued to open the box.
He lifted the lid.
Qiao Shu bit his lip.
His gaze was fixed tightly on Gu Chenyan.
As Gu Chenyan saw what was inside, he paused slightly, then reached out and carefully took out the item from the box.
It was a gray knitted scarf.
The scarf is very beautiful.
Gu Chenyan saw at one end of the scarf, there were two little figures holding hands crocheted with fine yarn.
The figures looked somewhat familiar.
The ends of the threads were also tightly hidden, soft and warm to the touch.
Qiao Shu spoke up, “How is it? Do you like it?”
He looked eagerly.
Gu Chenyan shifted his gaze away from the scarf and looked at Qiao Shu, saying, “It’s very beautiful.”
Qiao Shu breathed a sigh of relief at his words, then broke into a big, radiant smile.
“As long as you like it.” Qiao Shu said cheerfully, pointing to the two little figures on top, proudly asking, “Do you think these two figures look familiar?”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm.”
“Hehe.”
Qiao Shu laughed and picked up the “Qiao Shu” plush toy from Gu Chenyan’s desk, shaking it in front of Gu Chenyan’s eyes.
“Mr. Gu, do you recognize it?”
Gu Chenyan paused for a moment.
Then he smiled.
Those were the two plush toys they had won together in the arcade in Yancheng.
“I recognize it.”
Gu Chenyan said, “It looks really good.”
Qiao Shu: “Of course.”
Qiao Shu’s eyes flickered, modestly taking credit, “I specially commissioned someone to design it for me, then had them send me a video. It took a long time to finish knitting.”
He definitely wanted Gu Chenyan to know that he personally made it.
That way, it would be more meaningful.
Qiao Shu had pondered over the idea of giving a gift for a long time.
Gu Chenyan was wealthy, handsome, had a car, and a house. Qiao Shu couldn’t afford to give him a house, and while he could afford a car, anything he gave wouldn’t be as good as what Gu Chenyan already had.
There were other options…
After much thought, Qiao Shu decided that a handmade gift would be more meaningful.
He thought for a long time and finally chose to knit a scarf, which would be useful for Gu Chenyan in the winter.
Of course, the scarf couldn’t be just any ordinary style; it had to be a bit different.
In the end, he chose to embroider the pair of plush toys representing them on one end of the scarf. In a sense, those toys were their token of love.
Qiao Shu had quietly prepared since the day before Gu Chenyan’s birthday, starting with the scarf. Knitting the scarf wasn’t difficult, but embroidering the pair of plush toys took Qiao Shu a lot of time and effort.
Gu Chenyan: “You knitted this?”
Qiao Shu nodded shyly.
Gu Chenyan: “It looks really good.”
“I really like it,” he said very seriously.
Qiao Shu fluttered his eyelashes. “Really?”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm.”
Qiao Shu: “Then, can I help you put it on?”
Gu Chenyan: “Sure.”
Gu Chenyan handed the scarf to Qiao Shu. Qiao Shu said, “Lower your head.”
Gu Chenyan obediently lowered his head.
Qiao Shu happily and sweetly wrapped the scarf carefully around Gu Chenyan’s neck.
Qiao Shu: “Look up.”
Gu Chenyan continued to cooperate.
Qiao Shu adjusted the part of the scarf hanging down in front of Gu Chenyan’s chest, revealing the two little dolls.
Qiao Shu: “All done!”
Gu Chenyan lowered his head and looked at it seriously, once again saying, “It looks really good.”
“It’s very warm.”
Qiao Shu smiled broadly.
After giving the gift, it was time to move on to the next step. So Qiao Shu asked, “Mr. Gu, have you finished your work?”
Gu Chenyan, who had originally planned to work overtime, replied without changing his expression, “Yes, I have.”
Qiao Shu’s eyes lit up. “Then, may I ask if Mr. Gu can accept a date invitation from Little Mr. Qiao?”
“Today is, is Valentine’s Day.”
“I want to go out on a date with you.”
“Is that okay?”
“It’s okay.”
Gu Chenyan’s heart softened.
He took a step forward and hugged Qiao Shu. “Qiao Shu, I’m sorry.”
Qiao Shu froze.
Gu Chenyan: “I didn’t know today was Valentine’s Day, I didn’t prepare.”
“Sorry.”
He chose to apologize for his oversight.
Qiao Shu: “…”
Qiao Shu chuckled, then hugged Gu Chenyan back. “There’s no need to apologize. Not everyone celebrates this holiday.”
Especially seeing how serious Gu Chenyan looked, and how busy he was with work, he didn’t seem like someone who would celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Qiao Shu continued, “And besides, I did prepare.”
“Would you be disappointed or upset?” Gu Chenyan stepped back, looking into Qiao Shu’s eyes. “I didn’t do well.”
Qiao Shu: “So, you won’t accompany me on a date now?”
Gu Chenyan: “No, I will.”
Qiao Shu: “Then I won’t be disappointed or upset, because, in the end, we still went out on a date, right?”
He reached out and hooked his pinky finger with Gu Chenyan’s, shaking it gently, with a sweet smile. “Let’s celebrate our Valentine’s Day.”
Gu Chenyan: “Qiao Shu.”
Qiao Shu blinked. “Hmm?”
Gu Chenyan: “You’re so sweet.”
Qiao Shu: “Hmm…”
Qiao Shu’s lips were suddenly kissed, he was startled for a moment, then closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around the man’s back.
Gu Chenyan was also very sweet.
Qiao Shu felt Gu Chenyan’s tongue and briefly wondered if it was sweeter than the sweetest candy he had ever eaten.
They kissed for a long time before stopping. Qiao Shu leaned against Gu Chenyan’s chest, breathing heavily.
Once Qiao Shu’s breathing had calmed down, he gently withdrew from Gu Chenyan’s embrace.
Gu Chenyan: “Let me tidy up. Will you wait for me?”
Qiao Shu: “Sure.”
After sitting back at his desk, Gu Chenyan sent out a few work instructions on the computer and organized some documents before standing up.
He took his coat from the side and walked to Qiao Shu, holding Qiao Shu’s hand. “Ready.”
Qiao Shu smiled. “Shall we go?”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm.”
“Hello, Mr. Gu, Mrs. Gu!”
As they walked out of the office, they were greeted with enthusiastic greetings. All the assistants and secretaries in the CEO’s office cast eager glances at them.
Qiao Shu: “…”
Gu Chenyan remained calm. He nodded to the crowd and said lightly, “Let’s go home.”
Assistants & Secretaries: Yeah!
The two then entered the exclusive elevator.
Qiao Shu looked at the man beside him. “Your company’s employees are so enthusiastic today.”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm.”
“Probably because it’s Valentine’s Day.”
Qiao Shu smiled.
Indeed, Valentine’s Day was a day that called for enthusiasm, just like his feelings for Gu Chenyan.
After they left, everyone in the CEO’s office finally let out their suppressed excitement, cheering aloud.
“Mrs. Gu is really amazing!”
“Ahhh! Did you notice that Madam’s lips are red?”
“Yes, yes, yes!”
“Hehehe! I just checked. Madam was in there for almost twenty minutes.”
“They definitely kissed. Madam’s face is all red, and there’s a bit of red at the corners of his eyes too.”
“You observed so carefully?”
“Mr. Gu has great lung capacity. Now I have a mental image.”
“And, and, Mr. Gu has an extra scarf around his neck, definitely a gift from Madam! Ah! So sweet!”
…
Qiao Shu, the person in question, was unaware of these discussions. At this moment, he was walking with Gu Chenyan towards the parking lot.
Gu Chenyan: “…”
“I’ll call the driver over.”
Qiao Shu: “No!” He looked up at Gu Chenyan, shook the hands they were holding, and whispered, “Today is Valentine’s Day and your birthday. Let’s celebrate together.”
“I’ll drive.”
In the end, it was Gu Chenyan who drove.
Qiao Shu had reserved a table at a steakhouse in advance, choosing a private booth for privacy.
Valentine’s Day at a steakhouse was one of the most popular dining spots, and reservations were booked well in advance. When Qiao Shu made the reservation, there were no available spots. But thanks to Zhou Yanqing’s help, they managed to secure this private booth.
They ordered a couple’s set meal.
Perhaps because it was Valentine’s Day, Qiao Shu felt that even eating steak gave off a hint of ambiguity.
Qiao Shu, who was lost in thought, took a sip of red wine.
Gu Chenyan: “What’s wrong?”
Qiao Shu: “Nothing, just suddenly felt a bit thirsty.”
Gu Chenyan: “Shall I get you a non-alcoholic drink? Drinking too much alcohol isn’t good for your health, no matter what kind of wine it is.”
Qiao Shu nodded.
Gu Chenyan ordered freshly squeezed orange juice, which Qiao Shu liked. Qiao Shu smiled.
Qiao Shu: “It’s your birthday today. Is there anywhere you want to go?”
Gu Chenyan paused.
Qiao Shu looked at him expectantly. “You can tell me, I’ll accompany you, or if you want to do something else, I’ll join you too.”
“Today, I’ll follow your lead.”
Gu Chenyan: “Follow my lead?”
Qiao Shu nodded. “Yes! It’s your birthday, so you have the final say today. We’ll only do things you like.”
This feeling was quite strange.
For as long as Gu Chenyan could remember, his birthday parties had always been disguised social gatherings. No one had ever told him that the birthday person had the most say, and everything could be arranged according to the birthday person’s preferences. He disliked those birthday parties filled with interests when he was young, but he had to accept them.
As he grew older, he stopped liking to celebrate his birthday. If no one reminded him, he might even forget about the day.
Gu Chenyan: “Okay.”
Qiao Shu: “Where do you want to go?”
Gu Chenyan: “Let me think.”
Finally, Gu Chenyan asked, “What do other couples do today?”
Qiao Shu: “Huh?”
He thought for a moment. “Having dinner, exchanging gifts, watching a movie, or just taking a walk together, and also—”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm?”
Qiao Shu looked at Gu Chenyan, his face turning slightly red, and whispered, “Going to a hotel or back home…”
“Th-those are pretty much it.”
Gu Chenyan understood.
Putting down his knife and fork, he said, “Qiao Shu, then tonight, let’s do all of these.”
Qiao Shu: “…”
“Okay.”
He said shyly.
After dinner and exchanging gifts, they should go watch a movie. But on Valentine’s Day, movie showings…
They were all sold out.
Qiao Shu hadn’t booked tickets in advance, and it was impossible to get them at the last minute.
He squeezed out of the crowd, feeling dejected. “Gu Chenyan, I couldn’t get tickets.”
So disappointed.
He had tried so hard to do something for Gu Chenyan, and now this mistake happened.
Stupid Qiao Shu!
On Valentine’s Day, why didn’t you buy movie tickets in advance? QAQ
Gu Chenyan rubbed Qiao Shu’s head, then held Qiao Shu’s hand again, and kissed his forehead. “It’s okay.”
“You can watch the movie anytime.”
Qiao Shu still felt a bit aggrieved. While it was true that movies could be watched anytime, Valentine’s Day wasn’t every day!
Gu Chenyan: “Shall we go for a stroll?”
Qiao Shu: “Hmm.”
They had to give up on the movie.
The two of them walked out of the cinema hand in hand.
Behind them.
Among the sweet couples coming and going, a girl suddenly exclaimed, “Wow!” She excitedly slapped her boyfriend’s arm. “Ah! That guy just now was so handsome and affectionate!”
“Ah, the kiss! The kiss!”
“Ah! It’s a pity, I couldn’t see his face clearly because of the mask, but he must be very handsome!”
Boyfriend: “…”
“I can give you a kiss too.”
Girl: “…Forget it, forget it. By the way, that guy looks so familiar.”
Boyfriend: “Isn’t every handsome guy familiar to you?”
Girl: “True, handsome guys are everywhere.”
Boyfriend: “Let’s go. Let’s watch the movie. It’s Valentine’s Day, and you’re still looking at other guys.”
…
After leaving the cinema, Qiao Shu blinked in confusion. “Where should we go for a stroll?”
Gu Chenyan thought for a moment. “There’s a pedestrian street on Anshan Road. Shall we go there?”
Qiao Shu, who wasn’t very familiar with Haicheng, nodded in agreement. After all, tonight he was going to listen to Gu Chenyan.
They drove there.
Valentine’s Day was bustling outside, and it took them quite a while to find a parking spot.
The pedestrian street was equally lively, with a variety of snacks and street games. Qiao Shu was excitedly looking around.
Gu Chenyan: “Do you like these?”
Qiao Shu nodded happily. “Yes, yes.”
Gu Chenyan was satisfied.
The aroma of snacks filled the air, and Qiao Shu couldn’t resist looking at them.
Although they already had dinner, Qiao Shu couldn’t resist the allure of the street food.
It was too tempting!
Gu Chenyan: “Want to eat? Shall I go buy some?”
Qiao Shu couldn’t resist nodding.
So as they walked, Qiao Shu pulled up his mask. It covered the middle of his face, leaving only his eyes and mouth exposed…
He didn’t care at all about this peculiar look. With skewers in his left hand, takoyaki in his right, and Gu Chenyan holding a plate of sizzling iron tofu for him…
Occasionally, passersby would give him a strange look and then glance at Gu Chenyan.
“You eat too.”
Qiao Shu paid no attention to his surroundings. It was Valentine’s Day and Gu Chenyan’s birthday, and he was in high spirits. He didn’t have time to think too much. He offered a skewer to Gu Chenyan’s mouth, blinking expectantly.
Gu Chenyan had never eaten these street foods before, and he didn’t particularly enjoy them, but he still opened his mouth and took a bite of the skewer Qiao Shu offered.
Hmm, it’s quite unique.
Gu Chenyan silently evaluated.
Qiao Shu asked excitedly, “How is it?”
Gu Chenyan: “Not bad.”
Qiao Shu happily suggested, “Try this octopus takoyaki. It’s delicious.” He skewered one and offered it to Gu Chenyan’s mouth. Seeing Gu Chenyan eat it, he continued, “When I was in school, I used to love buying these things to eat on the student street.”
Gu Chenyan looked at Qiao Shu.
Qiao Shu: “Next to our school was a snack street. Whenever I was bored, happy, or upset, I’d go there to eat. Eating solved everything.”
“I really miss our school now.”
Gu Chenyan: “Next time, I’ll accompany you to visit our school?”
Qiao Shu immediately agreed, “Sure!”
After saying this, Qiao Shu paused.
“…”
Where could he possibly go back to his old school, let alone go there with Gu Chenyan?
Gu Chenyan: “What’s wrong?”
Qiao Shu snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head, saying, “Nothing.”
“Shall we go over there and take a look?”
There were many shooting games on the roadside, like popping balloons. If you hit a certain number, you’d win a prize, and hitting all of them would get you a big stuffed animal.
Many couples were playing this game, with girlfriends wanting the stuffed animals and boyfriends wanting to impress.
Qiao Shu became interested, “I know how to play this. Should I win one for you to take home?”
Gu Chenyan: “Sure.”
With many people around, they had to wait their turn to play. Fortunately, there were many stalls here, so they didn’t have to wait long. As they waited, Qiao Shu finished eating all the snacks he bought.
Gu Chenyan used a handkerchief to wipe Qiao Shu’s mouth, then lowered the mask covering Qiao Shu’s nose, carefully wiping his hands clean.
“It’s done.”
Qiao Shu: “Wait for me. I’ll conquer this and give you the victory!”
Gu Chenyan chuckled.
Qiao Shu went to play.
He held the gun with a somewhat intimidating posture, initially giving everyone the impression that he was skilled. However, when he started shooting… his aim was just too off.
Out of ten shots, only half hit the target.
Qiao Shu: “…”
It was quite embarrassing.
But he refused to give up and played two more rounds. In the end, he returned to Gu Chenyan’s side with two lollipops given by the boss.
Qiao Shu mumbled, “I’m useless. I couldn’t conquer this.”
Gu Chenyan: “It’s okay.”
He glanced at the gaming area and saw a boy giving the big stuffed animal he won to his girlfriend, who smiled happily and kissed him affectionately.
Gu Chenyan: “I’ll do it for you.”
Qiao Shu blinked.
It was soon Gu Chenyan’s turn.
Gu Chenyan bent down, his expression serious as he held the gun with a standard grip.
Qiao Shu: So handsome!
He nervously watched, internally cheering Gu Chenyan on, feeling even more excited and nervous than when he was shooting himself.
Bang!
Qiao Shu looked over and noticed that one of the fixed balloons had popped! Ah! It popped!
Bang!
Another balloon burst!
One after another.
Finally, all the balloons were popped. Qiao Shu blinked, then happily skipped over to the board without balloons. He jumped onto Gu Chenyan’s body.
“Ah! You hit them all!”
“You’re amazing!”
“How are you so good!”
Gu Chenyan indulgently supported Qiao Shu’s buttocks and smiled, “Go pick one you like.”
Qiao Shu happily kissed Gu Chenyan on the cheek.
The kiss was loud and sticky.
Gu Chenyan was satisfied once again.
Amidst the surrounding laughter, there were a few suppressed screams mixed in.
Qiao Shu didn’t pay attention to any of that. After excitedly kissing Gu Chenyan, he jumped down and picked the biggest teddy bear from the stall.
Qiao Shu hugged the bear plush. Protected by Gu Chenyan, the two of them walked around the pedestrian street for a while longer before leaving.
In the car.
Qiao Shu sat in the passenger seat and the big teddy bear plush was placed on the back seat. He took off his mask and blinked his beautiful eyes that seemed to glow, looking at Gu Chenyan.
“Shall we not go back to Lanting tonight?”
Gu Chenyan: “Where do you want to go?”
Qiao Shu blushed, “Let’s go back to where we’ve been staying for the past few days.”
Gu Chenyan: “Okay.”
Qiao Shu had prepared a small cake there. Of course, the main reason was that he had ulterior motives tonight. With Aunt Lan and Uncle Zhou in Lanting, he felt embarrassed to act on his intentions there.
Cough, cough
All the lights in the house were turned off. Qiao Shu asked Gu Chenyan to wait in the living room for a while.
A few minutes later.
In the darkness, Gu Chenyan heard the sound of bells, one after another. He looked in the direction of the sound and saw Qiao Shu approaching, carrying the cake in the darkness.
The cake had lit candles on it. The warm glow of the candles flickered with Qiao Shu’s steps, illuminating him.
Qiao Shu had taken off his coat, now wearing only a simple outfit underneath.
He was barefoot, stepping on the ground with crisp bell sounds accompanying each step.
“Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you—” he sang this familiar birthday song as he walked towards Gu Chenyan.
As the song ended, Qiao Shu stopped in front of Gu Chenyan.
Qiao Shu said, “Make a wish quickly.”
“But this time, you can’t say it out loud.”
“Okay,” Gu Chenyan replied.
He closed his eyes and silently made a wish in his heart, then reopened them after a moment.
Qiao Shu: “Blow out the candles.”
Gu Chenyan blew out the candles.
The room fell into darkness once again, impossible to see anything.
In the darkness, Qiao Shu whispered, “Mr. Gu, please enjoy your birthday cake.”
The sound of bells rang out.
There was an added weight in Gu Chenyan’s arms, followed by a sweet kiss with the aroma of cake.
Author’s note:
Qiao Qiao: Wishing everyone a happy Valentine’s Day in advance
Thanks to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated me with nutrient solution from 23:55:12 to 23:58:04 on 2021-02-11 ~ 2021-02-12:
Thanks to the little angels who threw grenades: Fei Xiao 1;
Thanks to the little angels who threw mines: Forever Love Young Master Third Brother, Anai Nai, Little Ying Ying 1 each;
Thanks to the little angels who irrigated me with nutrient solution: A Ling 43 bottles; Wood Ya Wood 21 bottles; Redemption 8 bottles; Moonshadow Pingzong 6 bottles; Yingying Classmate, Goldfish Stupid 5 bottles; Demon, Qing Shi 3 bottles; 42900424 2 bottles; Zi Zi, Forget Machine, Mimi 1314 1 bottle;
Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!
⌈Weekend chapters: 0⌉ ⌊Progress: 1/2 ⌋
