Qiao Shu was taken aback.
He blinked in bewilderment and said, “I wasn’t angry, I…”
Gu Chenyan interrupted: “Qiao Shu.”
“I’m sorry,” Gu Chenyan continued.
“Huh?” Qiao Shu was surprised.
“Recently, I’ve been busy and neglected you, I…” Gu Chenyan started.
“Gu Chenyan,” Qiao Shu interrupted him, bending down to hug the man sitting on the chair. “I’m not mad at you and you haven’t neglected me.”
Qiao Shu furrowed his brows. Gu Chenyan always finished work so late. Even though he could have slept in the company’s lounge, yet, every night, he returned to the small villa and embraced Qiao Shu, who was asleep. Qiao Shu knew all this, even though he hadn’t seen Gu Chenyan while awake.
He chuckled, “Besides, if we’re keeping score, when I was filming outside a while back, we were separated by several provinces. Shouldn’t you be even angrier with me?”
“Can we drop the anger?” he continued. “Besides, why would I be angry? Adults have to work.”
Although he said this, he still felt lonely when not seeing each other, felt disappointed when waiting late at night, and felt lost when waking up without seeing him.
Suddenly, Qiao Shu asked, “Gu Chenyan, can I ask you a question?”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm?”
Qiao Shu: “Are you…?” He swallowed nervously, “Are you very concerned about me?”
“Why are you afraid that I’ll get angry and leave?”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm.”
“I care about you.”
“Why?” He tilted his head, pondered for a moment, and finally, under Qiao Shu’s nervous gaze, he said, “There’s no specific reason.”
“I’m just afraid that you’ll feel disappointed and angry if you wake up and don’t see me. I know you’ve been waiting for me to come home and sleep these days. Aunt Lan told me.”
It’s just that he’s been busy with work these days. Not only can he not accompany Qiao Shu for meals, but he also works until the early hours of the morning. By the time he returns home, Qiao Shu is already asleep, and in the morning, he leaves early.
Gu Chenyan held Qiao Shu’s face, “Can you wait for me a few more days?”
Qiao Shu: “No!”
Gu Chenyan looked surprised.
Qiao Shu smiled, cupping Gu Chenyan’s face and leaning in, planting a firm kiss on his lips, making a sound as they separated, “I’ll accompany you to work.”
Gu Chenyan: “What about your audition and other…”
Qiao Shu: “Cancelled. The ‘White Bone Record’ crew disbanded, and I’ve completed my other notices. Sister Qiong gave me other scripts, so these days I just need to focus on reading scripts and preparing for the ones I like.”
“Can I accompany you to work?”
“It won’t disturb you. I’m quiet when I read scripts.”
Gu Chenyan: “Okay.”
Qiao Shu: “It’s settled! Now…”
“Quickly finish your pork stomach soup. Drinking coffee in the morning is bad for your stomach. You need to take care of yourself.”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm.”
Gu Chenyan obediently started drinking the soup.
Qiao Shu sat beside him, propping his chin up and watching. Gradually, the smile in his eyes grew stronger.
Gu Chenyan admitted to caring about him.
Qiao Shu felt that their relationship was becoming more harmonious, with Gu Chenyan becoming more attentive and gentle towards him.
So…
Qiao Shu scratched his temple. Could he schedule his confession to Gu Chenyan?
Nervous!
After a rare nap in the afternoon, Qiao Shu felt particularly energetic at night. He accompanied Gu Chenyan to work until dawn, and then they went home together.
This time, Qiao Shu finally hugged Gu Chenyan in a state of wakefulness and fell asleep together.
After that, Qiao Shu accompanied Gu Chenyan on a trip to the neighboring city for some work. He had already decided on the script he wanted to shoot. While Gu Chenyan was working, Qiao Shu found a quiet place to silently contemplate his role and prepare for the upcoming audition.
Back in Haicheng, within two days, Gu Chenyan announced that his busy work had come to an end. He gave himself a two-day break to compensate Qiao Shu.
Gu Chenyan: “Are you free lately?”
Qiao Shu: “Yes.”
The audition was scheduled for a week later, and Qiao Shu was almost ready. With no recent notices to rush, Qiao Shu was in a very relaxed state.
Gu Chenyan: “Do you want to go somewhere?”
Qiao Shu: “Huh?”
“Where to?”
Gu Chenyan: “Do you have any places you want to go?”
Qiao Shu: “What about you?”
Gu Chenyan: “Wherever you go, I’ll go.”
Qiao Shu smiled and said, “Then I need to think carefully.” He tugged at Gu Chenyan’s pajamas. “Just the two of us, right?”
Gu Chenyan: “Yes.”
Qiao Shu was satisfied.
But right now, he didn’t want to think about this issue because it was already late.
Qiao Shu licked his lips. “Gu Chenyan, can I think about it again tomorrow?”
Gu Chenyan looked puzzled but replied, “Sure.”
By now, the two of them were lying in bed. Qiao Shu looked at Gu Chenyan and quietly shifted closer to him, and his little hand also tentatively reached out under the covers.
Gu Chenyan’s body tensed.
He stared at Qiao Shu.
Qiao Shu didn’t say anything, just looked at Gu Chenyan with shy eyes.
“Qiao Shu.”
With a change in his gaze and a huskiness in his voice, in just a short time, Gu Chenyan reached out and held Qiao Shu’s slender waist. “It’s very late.”
Qiao Shu nodded softly. “Hmm.”
“Should I turn off the light?”
Gu Chenyan: “No need.”
His other hand caressed the corner of Qiao Shu’s eye, his touch gentle. “Haven’t seen this for a long time.”
“I want to see.”
“It’s very beautiful.”
Qiao Shu’s eyelashes trembled uncontrollably, and he shyly bit his lip. “Okay.”
“Qiao Qiao listens to brother Gu.”
The shadows on the wall gradually drew closer until they finally merged.
The probing leg of Qiao Shu was grabbed by a distinct knuckle and lifted. The bells on his ankle jingled.
Ding
Ding
…
That night, as wished by Gu Chenyan, Qiao Shu cried softly while holding him, and colorful flowers bloomed at the corners of his eyes.
Very beautiful.
Extremely beautiful.
So beautiful that it almost overwhelmed Gu Chenyan.
The temperature in March had warmed up.
Qiao Shu put on the latest spring outfit prepared by Gu Chenyan, admiring himself in the mirror for a while until he was satisfied. When Gu Chenyan went downstairs to prepare things, Qiao Shu blushed as he quietly slipped something into his little backpack.
The weather has been nice recently, and Qiao Shu and the others plan to watch the sunrise this time.
The sunrise spot was recommended by Gu Chenyan, on a small island where the sunrise is said to be particularly beautiful, and there’s also a lively bonfire party at night.
When Gu Chenyan finished loading the small suitcase containing their clothes, the tent, and other items onto the car, Qiao Shu was ready with his things and came downstairs.
Gu Chenyan: “Have you got everything you need?”
Qiao Shu: “Yeah.”
“Let’s go.”
They drove to the harbor, getting ready to take a yacht to the island.
There were many beautiful and handsome yachts moored at the harbor. Qiao Shu looked at them with some envy. Although he was wealthy now, with the shares he owned in the Gu Group paying him dividends every month, which amounted to a substantial sum of money, Qiao Shu, who had been a commoner for a long time, was still reluctant to buy expensive things like yachts and sports cars.
He was content with just looking and admiring.
Gu Chenyan: “Do you like them?”
Qiao Shu nodded with a smile. “Yeah, they look really cool.” He shifted his gaze back to Gu Chenyan. “Back when I was in middle school, I used to fantasize about sailing a yacht myself and even pestered my dad to take me for an experience. In the end, my dad took me to a small boat on the river in the countryside.”
He gestured with his index finger, “It’s that kind of long one, all made of tin, with a motor at the bow. I sat at the bow, and the boatman was teaching me how to steer. The boat went ‘tutu’ as it moved. At that time, I felt so cool, like I was the coolest kid on the river.”
There was a slight change in Gu Chenyan’s eyes.
After Qiao Shu finished speaking, he became enthusiastic. He hugged Gu Chenyan’s arm and said with a smile, “Next time, I’ll take you for that experience too? There should still be boats like that now.”
Gu Chenyan: “Okay.”
Qiao Shu: “We can also cast nets to catch fish on the boat. Once, my dad and I caught nearly twenty pounds of fish, big and small. When we got home, my mom steamed them all for me. I even wanted to keep some as pets, which annoyed my mom for a while.”
“What about you? What did you do when you were a kid?” After sharing a bit of his silly childhood, Qiao Shu eagerly looked at Gu Chenyan.
Gu Chenyan: “Me?”
Qiao Shu: “Yeah.”
Gu Chenyan thought for a moment. “Not much, I was studying most of the time.”
Qiao Shu: “Huh? Studying?”
Gu Chenyan: “Yeah, my grandfather hired many tutors for me, so I didn’t have much time to play when I was young.”
Gu Chenyan: “Once, Yanqing dragged me out to play. We caught some grasshoppers outside, but they died after just a couple of days.”
Qiao Shu: “Oh? And then?”
Gu Chenyan was puzzled, “There’s no ‘and then’.”
Qiao Shu: “…”
As they spoke, they arrived at their destination.
Gu Chenyan: “Here we are.”
Qiao Shu stopped in his tracks. Following Gu Chenyan’s gaze, he saw a white, somewhat cute luxury yacht.
“Huh?” Qiao Shu’s gaze paused at the side of the yacht, where there was a super cute little cake pattern painted, soft and adorable, just like the censored image on his Weibo, and also like the little cake lantern they won on Lantern Festival.
Next to the little cake on the hull, four characters were written in a very cute font.
【Little Cake】
Gu Chenyan: “Do you like it?”
Upon hearing this, Qiao Shu looked at Gu Chenyan, and a guess rose in his mind.
Gu Chenyan: “It’s for you. If you want to drive it, I’ll teach you later?”
Qiao Shu licked his lips, “Gu Chenyan.”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm?”
Qiao Shu: “Why did you suddenly give this to me?”
Gu Chenyan: “Because I wanted to give it to you.”
“Last Valentine’s Day, I didn’t prepare a gift. While playing mahjong, I heard Fang Zhouyou talking about yachts, so I thought of getting one for you too. I originally planned to bring you to see it sometime, and now it’s just right. We can use it for our sunrise sea trip.”
He looked at Qiao Shu, “Do you like it?”
Qiao Shu smiled, “I love it.”
“Little Cake? Did you come up with the name yourself?”
Gu Chenyan: “Yes. If you don’t like it, we can have it changed.”
Qiao Shu quickly refused, “No need, no need.” He smiled sweetly, “I really like it.”
The two boarded the yacht, and the staff following them helped move their belongings onto the yacht.
Qiao Shu bounced around happily on the yacht, pulling Gu Chenyan along excitedly like a child playing an adventure game, exploring every corner of the yacht.
Qiao Shu: “Gu Chenyan, I love it so much!”
“Suddenly, my childhood dream has come true!”
Gu Chenyan watched Qiao Shu’s joy with a smile in his eyes. He hadn’t expected the gift to be so perfectly timed.
As the yacht sailed on the sea, Gu Chenyan half embraced Qiao Shu and taught him how to steer.
Gu Chenyan: “Do you want to try it yourself?”
Qiao Shu hesitated.
After a while, he couldn’t resist the temptation and coquettishly said, “Gu Chenyan, I’m a little scared.”
“So you need to hold onto me.”
Gu Chenyan: “Okay.”
Qiao Shu: “Then I’ll give it a try.”
Qiao Shu is naturally talented in this aspect. Although Gu Chenyan has only taught him for a short while, he has a good memory and remembers everything. It’s just that he’s a bit timid when driving a yacht for the first time.
But whenever he makes a mistake, Gu Chenyan, who is hugging him, will timely and carefully remind him.
Gradually, Qiao Shu loosened up.
After nearly two hours of sailing, the yacht finally arrived at the island. The staff came up to help them with their luggage.
Qiao Shu hesitantly tugged on Gu Chenyan’s clothes.
Gu Chenyan: “What’s wrong?”
Qiao Shu whispered, “I just saw that there are rooms on board, and they are all cleaned up.”
“So…”
“So can we not sleep in the tent tonight and sleep here instead?” He coquettishly said, “I want to sleep on Little Cake.”
Gu Chenyan chuckled.
He reached up to pat Qiao Shu’s head, “Sure. Qiao Shu, as long as it’s what you want, it’s all good.”
Qiao Shu pursed his lips and smiled happily.
He felt a bit embarrassed about it. After all, it was him who suggested sleeping in the tent, and he suddenly dragged Gu Chenyan to the city to buy one.
The luggage was eventually left on the yacht. Since it was still early in the day, Gu Chenyan took Qiao Shu to stroll around the island.
The beach on the island had fine, white sand, and the sea was mesmerizingly blue. At a glance, it looked like a painting.
Qiao Shu also saw that in this weather, some people unafraid of the cold were only wearing swimming trunks and swimming in the sea. There were also many girls wearing bikinis and draped in veils happily taking photos.
Qiao Shu: “Shall we go down and take a walk too?”
Gu Chenyan: “Sure.”
The two of them took off their shoes and socks, rolled up their pants legs, and held hands as they stepped onto the beach, leaving a row of parallel footprints in the sand.
Qiao Shu glanced back, a smile spreading across his face, “Gu Chenyan.”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm?”
Qiao Shu: “Have you ever heard this saying?”
“The most romantic thing in the world is to walk hand in hand with you on the beach, leaving our parallel footprints behind.”
Gu Chenyan: “I hadn’t heard it before.”
“But I’ve heard it now.”
Qiao Shu laughed.
His Mr. Gu, ah.
It was already evening, with the setting sun casting its afterglow on the beach. Qiao Shu held Gu Chenyan’s hand and spun around in place, then mysteriously said, “But I have something even more romantic.”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm?”
Qiao Shu: “Bend down a little.”
Gu Chenyan crouched down a bit.
Qiao Shu giggled and leaped onto Gu Chenyan’s back, wrapping his legs around Gu Chenyan’s waist and firmly encircling Gu Chenyan’s neck with his hands.
“Mr. Gu, do you know?”
Gu Chenyan straightened up, chuckling. “I know.”
Qiao Shu: “Mr. Gu, tell me.”
Gu Chenyan: “Carrying my Little Mr. Qiao on my back for a lifetime.”
Qiao Shu: “Is Little Mr. Qiao heavy?”
Gu Chenyan: “Not at all.”
Qiao Shu: “Will you get tired?” He said, “Mr. Gu, have you thought it through? A lifetime is very long.”
Gu Chenyan: “I won’t get tired.”
“Not tired at all for a lifetime.”
He carried Qiao Shu on his back, walking slowly along the beach, leaving behind a row of slightly deeper footprints.
Gu Chenyan carried Qiao Shu on his back for over half an hour under the beach until it got dark, before finally leaving with Qiao Shu still on his back.
Qiao Shu: “Ah! So much sand. My socks won’t fit anymore.”
“Eh?”
“Gu Chenyan…”
Gu Chenyan: “Hold on tight.”
Qiao Shu leaned on Gu Chenyan’s shoulder for support, feeling unsteady.
Gu Chenyan squatted in front of him, his eyes gentle. He reached out and held Qiao Shu’s soft white feet, lifting them slightly, then carefully patting away the sand from Qiao Shu’s feet.
The man’s warm back and his slightly cold feet.
Qiao Shu bit his lip.
It felt itchy, itching in his heart.
He felt his cheeks under the mask heating up, knowing without looking that his face had turned red.
The sand between his toes was gently separated, one by one.
Finally, Gu Chenyan placed Qiao Shu’s feet on his knee and reached into his pocket for a packet of wet wipes.
The wet wipe passed over Qiao Shu’s soles, wiping away the last speck of sand, leaving them clean.
Gu Chenyan: “All done.”
He took Qiao Shu’s socks and carefully put them on, then helped Qiao Shu into his shoes, tying the laces.
Gu Chenyan: “The other foot.”
Qiao Shu: “Hmm.”
Both feet were cleaned thoroughly, and Qiao Shu didn’t feel any sand in his shoes.
No sand on his feet.
Because there was no sand on them.
Qiao Shu: “Let me help you.”
Gu Chenyan: “No need.”
Gu Chenyan avoided Qiao Shu’s hand and casually patted his own feet, then put on socks and shoes. “Are you hungry?”
Qiao Shu: “Not really. Are yours clean now? Shall I help you pat them?”
Gu Chenyan: “They’re clean. Shall we wash up and then eat?”
Qiao Shu: “Okay.”
Qiao Shu reached for Gu Chenyan’s hand.
Gu Chenyan dodged: “My hands are dirty.”
Qiao Shu: “…”
He snatched Gu Chenyan’s hand discontentedly, turning his face to him and intertwining their fingers tightly. “Hmph. If you don’t mind my dirty feet, why should I mind your hands?”
“And we’ll wash our hands later.”
Gu Chenyan chuckled.
Qiao Shu glared at him, but couldn’t resist for long as he looked at that ridiculously handsome face. After a moment, he leaned in and bit Gu Chenyan lightly: “That’s your punishment.”
“Do you accept it?”
Gu Chenyan: “I do. I’m sorry.”
Qiao Shu shook their hands together and said satisfactorily, “From now on, you have to hold my hand whenever we walk.”
Gu Chenyan: “Okay.”
Qiao Shu: “Being stubborn is for puppies.”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm.”
After finishing dinner, the two retraced their steps back to the yacht. The night sky above the sea was filled with beautiful stars. Qiao Shu eagerly grabbed a lounge chair and went outside.
He lay on the chair, watching the stars above, and contentedly held Gu Chenyan’s hand.
Ah-choo!
A gust of sea wind blew, causing Qiao Shu to shiver and sneeze.
Gu Chenyan turned his head and then got up from the chair. “It’s windy. Shall we go inside?”
Qiao Shu pouted and shook his head. “No.”
“The stars are so beautiful. I want to watch a little longer.” He turned to Gu Chenyan. “Can we watch a bit longer, please?”
Gu Chenyan: “Do you like stars?”
Qiao Shu: “Yeah.”
“It’s rare to see so many stars usually. I need to see more.”
Gu Chenyan rubbed Qiao Shu’s head. “Should we go inside and watch?”
Qiao Shu: “Huh?”
Gu Chenyan: “You can see them from inside too.”
Guided by Gu Chenyan, Qiao Shu returned to the room. While he was still puzzled, Gu Chenyan pressed a button on the wall.
“Wow!”
Commoner Qiao Shu widened his eyes in surprise. The ceiling of the room slowly changed color, eventually becoming transparent, revealing the beautiful starry sky outside.
His eyes sparkled as he looked at Gu Chenyan.
Gu Chenyan walked over and rubbed Qiao Shu’s head. “There’s no wind here. Can we watch from here?”
Qiao Shu nodded eagerly. “Okay.”
He happily jumped onto the bed, exclaimed with excitement, then settled down. “Come watch with me, Gu Chenyan.”
Gu Chenyan: “I’ll go take a shower.”
Gu Chenyan went into the bathroom with his pajamas, while Qiao Shu continued to watch the stars. When Gu Chenyan came out, Qiao Shu was still watching.
Gu Chenyan: “It’s getting late. Would you like to shower?”
Qiao Shu: “Sure.”
Gu Chenyan: “I’ll get your clothes for you.”
Gu Chenyan fetched clothes for Qiao Shu, then turned and asked, “Is your travel skincare in the backpack?”
Qiao Shu got up. “Hmm.”
Gu Chenyan took Qiao Shu’s backpack from the side and unzipped it. He immediately saw the skincare and other items neatly packed by Qiao Shu. He reached in and took out a small pouch.
Something fell out.
Gu Chenyan bent down to pick it up, and as he did, he subconsciously glanced at it and froze.
Qiao Shu, wearing his shoes, walked over. “Give it to me…” His legs stiffened.
Gu Chenyan looked at Qiao Shu, holding the item.
“I, I…” Qiao Shu’s face turned red as he tried to explain, but he stumbled over his words.
Gu Chenyan remained calm. “Why did you bring this? Wanted to try it out?”
Qiao Shu remained silent.
Qiao Shu blushed intensely, his eyelashes trembling. Ahh! How could he explain this? Should he tell the truth? That he brought the condom for the convenience of engaging in tent play with Gu Chenyan?
Ah!
If they had already done it, it wouldn’t be a big deal. But the problem was that they hadn’t done anything yet, and he got caught!
Disastrous!
Qiao Shu, you’re going to lose face over this.
Gu Chenyan calmly put away the item, then walked over to ruffle Qiao Shu’s hair. “Go take a shower.”
Qiao Shu: “Oh, okay.”
The bathroom door closed, but seconds later, it was opened again, and Qiao Shu stuck his head out from inside.
His face was extremely red.
Qiao Shu: “Gu Chenyan.”
“Um, um…”
“Actually, I wanted to use it for you in the tent!” After saying this, Qiao Shu quickly slammed the bathroom door shut with a “bang.”
Outside the door, Gu Chenyan paused for a moment, then chuckled softly.
That night, Qiao Shu’s tent play didn’t quite succeed, but he ended up experiencing yacht play and stargazing play under the sky with Gu Chenyan instead.
Though he knew no one could see, Qiao Shu could still see countless twinkling stars above him when he opened his eyes, as if they were watching him, making him curl his toes shyly.
He blushed like a ripe tomato.
The night was long and the stars in the sky were bright.
Of course, the bells rang loudly.
Author’s Note:
Gu Chenyan: Don’t rush me, I’m working hard.
Thanks to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated me with nutrient solution from 23:57:24 on 2021-02-15 to 23:58:33 on 2021-02-16~
Thanks to the little angels who threw grenades: Fei Xiao, Shen Ciyu (1 each);
Thanks to the little angels who irrigated me with nutrient solution: Moji (30 bottles), Shen Ciyu (10 bottles), Jing Xi (5 bottles), Xiaoyingying (2 bottles), Have you had candied haws today, Zi Zi (1 bottle).
Thank you all very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!
⌈Weekend chapters: 0⌉ ⌊Progress: 1/2 ⌋
