The beef jerky was packed in a large sealed bag by Aunt Lan, filled to the brim, fearing that Qiao Shu might get hungry during the recording.
Inside the car, Qiao Shu held a bag of beef jerky with bright eyes. He opened the sealed bag and took a piece of beef jerky, offering it to Gu Chenyan, “Want some?”
Gu Chenyan shook his head.
Qiao Shu then swiftly put it into his mouth. After tasting it, his eyes lit up even brighter. He happily pushed the bag forward to share the beef jerky with others in the car.
“It’s so delicious,” Qiao Shu ate with delight, “Aunt Lan really understands me.” He tilted his head back to promote it to Gu Chenyan, “Aren’t you going to eat? It’s really delicious.”
Gu Chenyan replied, “I don’t like to eat too much in the morning.”
“Oh,” Qiao Shu sighed disappointedly, then decisively set the bag of beef jerky aside, “Then I won’t eat now either. We’ll eat together later.”
Qiao Shu snuggled up to Gu Chenyan.
He couldn’t help but let out a tired yawn.
Gu Chenyan rubbed Qiao Shu’s head, “Do you want to sleep a little longer?”
Gu Chenyan: “We still have an hour of driving.”
Qiao Shu: “Oh?”
Qiao Shu blinked, feeling sleepy again. He let out another big yawn, “Hmm.”
Qiao Shu: “I’ll sleep a little longer. Remember to wake me up when we arrive.”
Gu Chenyan: “Okay.”
Qiao Shu naturally bent his legs and placed them on the seat. He leaned his entire body against Gu Chenyan, finally resting his head on Gu Chenyan’s thigh.
He wrapped his arms around Gu Chenyan’s waist, affectionately nuzzling against Gu Chenyan’s abdomen. He took a deep breath and contentedly closed his eyes.
Gu Chenyan lowered his head to look at him.
His eyes were gentle.
【Qiao Shu yawning is always so adorable.】
【Ah! Qiao Shu, are you really sleeping on Gu Chenyan like this in public, right before everyone’s eyes?】
【Did Qiao Shu just nuzzle him a moment ago?】
【Gu Chenyan’s composure is really extraordinary. Being nuzzled like that and still holding it together!】
【Jump on him, Gu Chenyan!】
【Camera, be sensible! Zoom in a bit. I want to see Qiao Shu’s sleeping face and Gu Chenyan’s waist!!!】
【The way Gu Chenyan looks at Qiao Shu is like he’s actually wearing a soft light filter. Ahhh, I’m melting!】
【While other live streams chat and joke around, we’re here watching someone sleep, and I still can’t bear to leave. Ahhh, sleeping Qiao Shu is too cute! Mommy loves you, Qiao Shu!】
【Ahhhh, I’ve officially seen Qiao Shu and Gu Chenyan sleeping together. Rounding off, I’m one of those people now!】
【Sisters, rounding off looks good!】
【Gu Chenyan, just make a move already (dog emoji)】
…
Gu Chenyan did indeed move, but it wasn’t the colorful movement that fans wanted. He supported Qiao Shu’s head with one hand and opened the laptop on the small table in front of him with the other, using this leisure time in the car to handle business matters.
The director sitting in front hesitated to speak. While other live streams were lively, his live stream was unusually quiet, with one working and the other sleeping.
Yet he still didn’t dare to speak up and disturb them.
Glancing at the continuously increasing number of viewers in the live stream, the director felt slightly reassured.
At least people were watching even when they were sleeping.
The car was about to reach its destination soon.
Gu Chenyan closed the laptop and gently coaxed Qiao Shu to wake up, “We’ve arrived.”
Gu Chenyan: “Little Mr. Qiao, wake up.”
Qiao Shu’s eyelashes flickered: “Hmm.”
Gu Chenyan lifted Qiao Shu with one hand, leaning close to his ear, and whispered softly, “Be good. The live stream audience is watching.”
Qiao Shu: “!!!”
Instantly awake.
Qiao Shu suddenly climbed out of Gu Chenyan’s embrace, scratching his head shyly.
Gu Chenyan lightly chuckled and pinched the back of his neck.
The director, seeing this, hastily interjected, “Qiao Qiao is awake. Do you want to greet the fans?”
Qiao Shu: “Okay.”
He leaned towards the camera and smiled, “Hello, everyone.”
【Boss Gu waking up Qiao Qiao is always so gentle!】
【Qiao Qiao, what did Boss Gu just say to you? Did he say he wanted to kiss you awake?】
【Ah ah ah ah ah Qiao Qiao is so cute!】
【Qiao Qiao, did you sleep well?】
【Did you sleep soundly?】
【Is Boss Gu’s embrace comfortable?】
【Qiao Qiao, you just snored a little. So adorable. Melting Mommy’s heart.】
Cough, cough Qiao Shu automatically ignored some questions.
Qiao Shu: “Mm-hmm. Slept well.”
Qiao Shu: “Quite soundly.”
Qiao Shu: “Can you guess?”
“Huh? Did I snore?” Qiao Shu felt a bit embarrassed. “I shouldn’t, right? I never snored before.”
【We all heard it!】
Qiao Shu: “…”
“Then it must have been a fluke.” He turned to ask Gu Chenyan, “Did I really snore just now?”
He widened his eyes.
Gu Chenyan chuckled, “No.”
Qiao Shu immediately laughed happily and turned back to boast to the fans, “See, I told you I don’t snore. You’re all so naughty.”
After interacting with the fans for a while, the car stopped in an old district of Haicheng.
The director temporarily turned off the livestream.
Qiao Shu and Gu Chenyan got out of the car.
Of course, when getting out of the car, Qiao Shu still remembered his bag of beef jerky. He held the beef jerky in one hand and held Gu Chenyan’s hand in the other while Gu Chenyan pulled the suitcase with his other hand. The two followed the director to their destination.
Behind them, Gu Chenyan’s personal assistant, as well as Qiao Shu’s agent and assistant, also got out of the car behind them.
Before long, the director led Qiao Shu and Gu Chenyan to a semi-new, semi-old house.
The house was quite spacious, with retro decoration and a large courtyard.
The director opened the door.
This time, there were a total of eight participants in the variety show “Working People, Working Spirit”. Apart from Qiao Shu, Gu Chenyan, Jiang Jiayu, and Chu Chisheng, there was also a pair of sisters. The one with long curly hair was named Lu Yiyi, and the one with black straight hair was named Lu Jian.
In addition, there was a male artist born from a talent show, handsome and cute, named Xiao Bai.
The last one was Zhou Yanqing.
In the courtyard.
At this moment, all the artists except Qiao Shu and Gu Chenyan had already arrived. Jiang Jiayu was standing somewhat nervously beside Chu Chisheng, with a slight distance between them.
Zhou Yanqing casually leaned his elbow on Chu Chisheng’s shoulder, chatting casually while occasionally glancing towards the gate.
The sisters and Xiao Bai on the side also occasionally cast their gazes towards the gate.
Finally, the door was pushed open.
In an instant, everyone’s gaze converged on the gate. They looked at Qiao Shu and noticed his hand being held. They followed the hand up.
Finally: “!!!”
Boss Gu actually came!
To be precise, the ones shocked were only the three; Lu Yiyi, Lu Jian, and Xiao Bai.
While Jiang Jiayu and the other two who already knew that Gu Chenyan would also participate in this variety show remained very calm.
Qiao Shu was slightly surprised when he saw Zhou Yanqing. He didn’t expect Zhou Yanqing to participate in this variety show.
But he quickly calmed down.
He and Gu Chenyan were also participating. The plot in the book could only be considered as part of the reference now.
As the group entered the courtyard, everyone began to introduce themselves. Because Gu Chenyan was present, both the sisters and Xiao Bai were nervous during their introductions.
When it was Xiao Bai’s turn to introduce himself, Qiao Shu couldn’t help but stare at him for a few more glances.
For good reason.
Xiao Bai was the cannon fodder in the plot of this variety show in the book. He liked Chu Chisheng, or strictly speaking, he wanted to leverage Chu Chisheng’s position as a popular actor in this variety show to gain fame. However, he found that Chu Chisheng treated Jiang Jiayu differently and didn’t pay attention to him. This made him jealous. He tried to trip Jiang Jiayu up several times behind the scenes, hoping to embarrass Jiang Jiayu on the show. However, he failed every time and exposed his ugly face.
Gu Chenyan: “What are you looking at?”
Qiao Shu came back to his senses: “Nothing.” After a moment, he tiptoed to Gu Chenyan’s ear and whispered, “This Xiao Bai likes Actor Chu. I need to keep an eye on him for Yu Yu.”
The live stream had resumed at this point.
【Ah, Qiao Qiao, what secrets are you whispering to Boss Gu? Speak up for us to hear!】
【Qiao Qiao is making Boss Gu angry by looking at others haha】
【Probably coaxing Boss Gu.】
【Aww! The way Qiao Qiao tiptoed to whisper in Boss Gu’s ear is too cute!】
【Who is Qiao Qiao looking at?】
【It’s Xiao Bai. He looks pretty good.】
The chief director held the microphone and briefed everyone on the background plot of this variety show.
Qiao Shu and the other seven are laborers struggling in Haicheng. Because they live together in a shared accommodation, they are familiar with each other. After the May Day holiday, they saw people around them returning from trips, with happy smiles on their faces, which made them envious and eager to go on a trip themselves.
So the eight of them sat together chatting, imagining their future travels. Suddenly, someone suggested the idea of budget travel.
The chief director: “You guys plan to travel and work at the same time. However, at the moment, you have just paid half a year’s rent and utilities, and your wallets are tight. Each of you only has five hundred yuan left, not enough for round-trip transportation, let alone accommodation for the day. So you decide to set up your stalls for the last day today, earn enough for accommodation, and depart tomorrow.”
Xiao Bai raised his hand.
Chief director: “Any questions?”
Xiao Bai: “Director, what do you mean by each household? It’s not each person?”
The director remained composed: “That’s right, and that’s exactly what I’m about to explain. There are a total of eight guests this time, and we will let you form teams freely, two people per team, forming a ‘family’.”
Chief director: “Now you can start choosing your teammates. Remember, once you’ve chosen your teammate, you can’t change.”
Originally, the director had planned for teams to be arranged by drawing lots. But with Gu Chenyan also joining, he was afraid that Gu Chenyan and Qiao Shu might not end up on the same team through random drawing. So he changed it to free team selection.
Anyway, it was more or less the same.
Qiao Shu held Gu Chenyan’s hand and looked up at him with a smile. “We’ll definitely be on the same team.”
Gu Chenyan: “Mm.”
The others quickly formed teams as well. Chu Chisheng promptly stood beside Jiang Jiayu, while the sisters remained still.
In the end, only Zhou Yanqing and Xiao Bai were left facing each other.
Zhou Yanqing: “…”
Xiao Bai: “…”
They locked eyes for a moment.
Xiao Bai took the initiative: “Senior Zhou, shall we team up?”
Zhou Yanqing nodded indifferently.
After forming their teams, the staff brought out a box and asked one person from each team to draw lots.
Chief director: “These are your identity cards. Whatever identity you draw, you must play that role without objection. Of course, to increase the fun, the role on the identity card will only last for one day.”
Chief director: “Come and draw.”
Qiao Shu excitedly rubbed his hands. “Gu Chenyan, do you want to draw or should I?”
Gu Chenyan: “You draw.”
Qiao Shu immediately flashed a big smile. “Alright.” He patted his chest, making a promise, “Don’t worry. I’ll definitely draw us a good identity!”
Gu Chenyan ruffled his hair. “Alright.”
Gu Chenyan: “I trust you.”
Qiao Shu enthusiastically let go of Gu Chenyan’s hand to draw the identity card. He reached into the box, rummaged around in the somewhat empty box, and then randomly grabbed a piece of paper.
Without looking at it first, he returned to Gu Chenyan’s side and placed the piece of paper in Gu Chenyan’s hand. “I’ve drawn it. You open it.”
He nervously stared at the piece of paper.
Gu Chenyan chuckled. With Qiao Shu’s anxious gaze, he slowly unfolded the paper.
Qiao Shu: “What is it? What is it?”
The words on the paper were revealed.
Gu Chenyan was momentarily stunned.
Qiao Shu: “What is it?”
Gu Chenyan handed the paper to Qiao Shu.
Qiao Shu looked closely at it, then froze: “Father and son?”
He blinked.
Zhou Yanqing, who was standing beside them at some point, leaned his head towards Qiao Shu, then also froze, but soon burst into laughter.
“Hahaha!”
Zhou Yanqing laughed uncontrollably, clutching his stomach. “This suits you guys quite well, hahaha.”
“Father and son, hahaha.”
Qiao Shu: “…”
Jiang Jiayu, blushing, approached them at this moment. He tugged at Qiao Shu’s sleeve and whispered, “Qiao Qiao, what role did you draw?”
Qiao Shu: “…”
Feeling a bit embarrassed.
So Qiao Shu asked back, “What about you?”
Jiang Jiayu: “…”
His face turned red, and he stuttered for a while without being able to speak.
Qiao Shu: “…”
Seeing Jiang Jiayu’s extremely shy appearance, Qiao Shu immediately thought of the plot in the book.
So Qiao Shu suddenly felt unashamed.
He suppressed his laughter and deliberately asked, “Yu Yu, what did you draw? Why is your face so red?”
Jiang Jiayu: “…”
“Husband and wife.” Chu Chisheng walked over at some point, shamelessly revealing the role they had drawn.
“Hahahaha—”
This string of laughter came from Zhou Yanqing: “Husband and wife hahaha, who’s the husband and who’s the wife?”
Chu Chisheng looked at Jiang Jiayu.
Jiang Jiayu lowered his head, wishing he could bury himself in the ground right now.
Qiao Shu couldn’t help but laugh too.
And he was a bit excited.
Hahaha! Jiang Jiayu in women’s clothing! He couldn’t wait to see it live, hahaha!
A treat for the fans.
Before Qiao Shu could get too excited for a few more seconds, Zhou Yanqing changed the subject again, “You two drew father and son, so who’s the father and who’s the son? Come on, call out ‘dad’ for me to hear.”
“Hahahaha!”
Qiao Shu: “…”
You can be quiet!
This time it was Qiao Shu’s turn to shyly steal glances at Gu Chenyan.
Father and son?
Who’s the father and who’s the son?
Calling Gu Chenyan “dad”?
Ah ah ah ah! So embarrassing! The production team is really good at stirring things up!
Would Gu Chenyan call him “dad”?
Ah ah ah ah ah!
Qiao Shu, you’re so daring! He couldn’t help but raise his hand to cover his nose.
A bit exhilarating!
What’s going on?
Zhou Yanqing was still instigating: “Hurry up, make a decision. Who’s the father and who’s the son?”
“Hehe!”
“I want to hear you call ‘dad’.”
“Exciting!”
Gu Chenyan lifted his head and gave Zhou Yanqing a cool glance, causing Zhou Yanqing to instinctively fall silent out of fear.
Qiao Shu: “…”
He looked at Gu Chenyan.
Gu Chenyan happened to be looking down at him.
Qiao Shu’s throat moved slightly, feeling a bit tempted to speak up, “Or should I be…” dad?
Gu Chenyan: “I’m the father.”
Gu Chenyan: “You’re the son.”
Qiao Shu: “…”
Qiao Shu: “Alright.”
Chief director: “Identity cards are drawn. Everyone gather over here and announce the roles you’ve drawn.”
Qiao Shu: “…”
Qiao Shu and Gu Chenyan drew father and son, Jiang Jiayu and Chu Chisheng drew husband and wife, Zhou Yanqing and Xiao Bai drew siblings, and the sisters drew Uncle and nephew/niece.
As soon as the roles were announced, the live broadcast room exploded.
【Father and son? Is it the father and son I’m thinking of?】
【Ah ah ah! The production team is indeed up to something! Hurry up! I’ll give you guys a chicken leg!】
【Hahaha, can I really hear Qiao Qiao calling Boss Gu ‘dad’? OMG, what kind of ethical program is this? Hahaha!】
【I’m dying of laughter, how’s the father-son dynamic?】
【I’m so excited! Qiao Qiao, quickly call Daddy Gu. Daddy Gu will take good care of you.】
【Blood gushing out, covering my nose as I run like crazy, ah ah ah! How did I suddenly end up in Haicheng?】
【So exhilarating!】
Director: “Alright, that’s it for today’s live broadcast. Thank you all for watching. See you in the next episode.”
The live broadcast room went black.
【?????????】
【????????????】
Screens full of question marks.
【You’re going to show us this when I’ve already taken my pants off? I haven’t even heard Qiao Qiao call Boss Gu ‘dad’ yet!】
【People are doing things? I’ve already boarded the high-speed train, and you’re stopping halfway?】
【Production team, come out! Come out! Continue the broadcast for me!】
【Sob, my Qiao Qiao hasn’t even started calling Dad yet!!!!】
【I also want to hear my Yu Yu call Film Emperor Chu ‘husband’.】
【Ah ah ah! Program team, come out quickly, or I’ll come and blow you up with dynamite!】
…
The wails, accusations, and threats in the live broadcast room were all ignored by the production team. The next content couldn’t be continued live, otherwise, the effect of this program would be greatly compromised.
The director calmly picked up the megaphone: “Alright, now that everyone has received their roles, please quickly decide on the characters you’ll be playing, then go to the makeup room on the side to get your makeup done. The makeup artists are already in place.”
Qiao Shu walked with small steps led by Gu Chenyan.
Qiao Shu bit his lip, occasionally looking up at Gu Chenyan. After a glance, he would lower his head, then lift it again for another look, before lowering it again.
Repeating this cycle.
Meanwhile, his mouth moved from time to time.
Gu Chenyan: “Watch the steps. Be careful.”
Qiao Shu: “Eh?”
Qiao Shu didn’t see the steps and accidentally kicked them, causing him to lose control and fall forward.
Qiao Shu: “Ah!”
Qiao Shu exclaimed in panic, instinctively covering his stomach with one hand and closing his eyes in fear.
Qiao Shu: “Gu Chenyan—”
His waist was embraced by an arm, and Qiao Shu’s weightless body was carried into the familiar embrace.
Gu Chenyan: “It’s okay.”
“Don’t be afraid.” Gu Chenyan held Qiao Shu gently, soothing him with soft words, while his big hand patted Qiao Shu’s back repeatedly.
Qiao Shu opened his eyes.
He saw the gentle gaze of Gu Chenyan, and the fear in his eyes dissipated.
Qiao Shu: “That scared me.”
“Qiao Qiao, are you okay?” Jiang Jiayu heard the sound and immediately ran forward nervously, no longer shy.
Qiao Shu steadied himself with Gu Chenyan’s support.
“I’m fine.” He shook his head, guiltily touching his nose. “My husband is here.”
He tilted his head back and gave Gu Chenyan a pleasing smile.
Gu Chenyan helplessly pinched his nose. “Next time, pay attention while walking.”
Qiao Shu: “Mm-hmm.”
Seeing that Qiao Shu was okay, Jiang Jiayu also breathed a sigh of relief. He glared at Qiao Shu. “Be careful!”
Jiang Jiayu: “You’re not alone now.”
Qiao Shu: “…”
Qiao Shu: “I understand.”
Gu Chenyan was here, so Jiang Jiayu didn’t say much. He glanced around, then left with a meaningful look.
Chu Chisheng followed suit.
Zhou Yanqing had been in the makeup room early. When he heard the commotion and came out to check, he saw Qiao Shu being securely held by Gu Chenyan. He didn’t pay much attention and returned to the makeup room.
Now, only Qiao Shu and Gu Chenyan were left in the courtyard.
“Scared?” Gu Chenyan asked.
Qiao Shu obediently shook his head. “Not really.” He pinched his fingers and gestured. “Just a little bit. I stopped being scared when you held me.”
Gu Chenyan flicked his nose.
Qiao Shu covered his nose, looking pitifully at Gu Chenyan.
“What were you thinking just now?” Gu Chenyan inquired.
With his ears turning red, Qiao Shu’s eyes darted around nervously. “N-nothing?”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm?”
“Ah, it’s getting late. We should go in for makeup, or we won’t have enough time.” Qiao Shu nervously urged Gu Chenyan up the stairs. “Quick, let’s go.”
“You…” Gu Chenyan chuckled.
“Mr. Gu~” Qiao Shu pleaded.
Gu Chenyan relented. “Let’s go.”
The makeup artist was already waiting.
They reported the roles they were playing, and the makeup artist swiftly started working on their faces with tools.
There wasn’t much makeup involved.
It was just to prevent them from being recognized by fans. Different skin tones were applied to their faces, and slight adjustments were made to their facial shapes and eyes.
Qiao Shu’s fair skin was slightly darkened, with a few freckles added around the eyes, and his eyebrows thickened a bit.
As for Gu Chenyan, some wrinkles were drawn at the corners of his eyes, a bit of stubble was added around his mouth, and his skin tone was darkened by two shades.
After the makeup was done, Qiao Shu couldn’t help but laugh when he looked at Gu Chenyan.
Gu Chenyan: “…”
It was his first time wearing makeup, especially this kind of makeup that resembled plastic surgery. He felt somewhat uncomfortable.
“Am I ugly?” Gu Chenyan asked.
Qiao Shu stifled a laugh. “Not at all! You’re still very handsome, Uncle Handsome! It’s just a bit hard to recognize you.”
Gu Chenyan looked at him. “Hard to recognize?”
Qiao Shu: “…”
Mr. Gu seemed a bit touchy.
Qiao Shu struggled to hold back his laughter. “How could that be? No matter what you look like, Mr. Gu, Little Mr. Qiao will always recognize you.”
Qiao Shu: “Mr. Gu is indeed the husband of Little Mr. Qiao”
Gu Chenyan nodded in satisfaction.
“I can recognize you too,” he said, looking at Qiao Shu, tapping lightly on the freckles under Qiao Shu’s eyes. “Little Mr. Qiao looks cute like this.”
After the makeup was done, they went to collect the costumes for their respective roles. It was neither cold nor hot in May. When asked about Qiao Shu’s clothing size, the staff jokingly handed him a set of blue and white striped school uniform.
“School uniform?” Qiao Shu blinked.
The staff joked, “Since you’re younger, Dad can spoil you a bit more.”
Qiao Shu: “…”
Gu Chenyan, in all seriousness, nodded. “Yes.”
Gu Chenyan received a set of very ordinary uncle clothes. They were new but made to look old, giving the appearance of having been worn for a long time.
They went their separate ways to change clothes.
Soon enough, Qiao Shu walked out wearing the school uniform.
Gu Chenyan had already changed and was waiting outside. When he saw Qiao Shu coming out, he walked over.
“Looks good,” Gu Chenyan remarked.
Qiao Shu smiled. “Really?” He tilted his head and asked, “Do I look youthful?”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm.”
Gu Chenyan: “Just like the Little Mr. Qiao I imagined from our school days.”
Qiao Shu smiled happily.
After laughing for a while, he pouted deliberately. “Where’s the resemblance? I didn’t have freckles back then.”
Gu Chenyan: “Equally cute.”
Qiao Shu: “…”
Ah!
Mr. Gu!
Qiao Shu’s pants were a bit too long. Gu Chenyan naturally squatted down to roll up the cuffs for him. Qiao Shu lowered his head to look at the man squatting in front of him. Feeling a flutter in his heart, he suddenly blurted out, “Dad.”
