Zai Zai is indeed growing up diligently.
After more than three months, Qiao Shu’s belly has a slight bulge.
This detail is something Gu Chenyan pays close attention to every day. He is most clear in his heart about Qiao Shu’s changes. Although the changes day by day are subtle, he diligently observes them.
Because his little husband is working hard to nurture their child.
Gu Chenyan shows a smile. “Hmm. Little Mr. Qiao is great, and Zai Zai is great too.”
Qiao Shu smiled. With one hand holding Gu Chenyan’s hand and the other gently placed on his belly, his eyes brighten as he happily imagines, “I wonder how many months it will take for Zai Zai to start moving. I can’t wait to touch his little hands.”
Qiao Shu: “Tiny Zai Zai, tiny little hands. Surely very cute!”
Qiao Shu: “Our Zai Zai must be the cutest Zai Zai in the world!”
Gu Chenyan: “Twenty weeks.”
Qiao Shu: “Hmm?”
Gu Chenyan thought for a moment and corrected, “More accurately, around 18-20 weeks, our Zai Zai will start saying hello to us.”
Qiao Shu’s eyes light up.
He calculates, “Isn’t that soon?”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm.”
Qiao Shu joyfully strokes his belly and whispers to the little one, “Zai Zai, oh Zai Zai, you must grow up quickly to greet Daddy and your father soon.”
He looks at Gu Chenyan.
Gu Chenyan’s eyes are full of tender smiles.
While changing his pajamas, Qiao Shu suddenly asks, “Mr. Gu, when did you secretly catch up on classes?”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm?”
Soon he realizes.
He chuckles lightly, his slender fingers tidying Qiao Shu’s collar meticulously. “After discovering the reason for Little Mr. Qiao’s increased appetite.”
Qiao Shu smiles, “So Mr. Gu has been working hard so early.”
Gu Chenyan lowers his head to kiss his forehead. “What do you want for breakfast? Shall we go out or do you want me to cook?”
Qiao Shu asks, “Is it still breakfast time at this hour?” It’s already past ten.
Gu Chenyan: “Yes, I asked this morning.”
The two head downstairs.
The landlady stops them to draw cards; they haven’t drawn their identity cards for today yet.
Qiao Shu eagerly rubs his hands together.
Then he draws a brother card.
He holds the card and shakes it in front of Gu Chenyan, looking up with a sweet smile. “Today, we’re brothers.”
Qiao Shu: “Hello, Big Brother Gu.”
Gu Chenyan plays along, “Hello, little brother.”
Qiao Shu can’t help but laugh.
It’s already late at this time, so they skip the makeup step altogether and just put on masks and hats before heading out. Before leaving, Gu Chenyan goes to the hotel kitchen to fetch two boiled eggs and a bag of freshly steamed milk.
These were prepared by his assistant.
The eggs are specially brought from a farmhouse, and the milk is freshly ordered.
The pregnant husband needs to replenish his nutrition every day.
Qiao Shu: “What did you have for breakfast?” Gu Chenyan must have woken up earlier than him.
Gu Chenyan: “Soup dumplings.”
Qiao Shu licked his lips. “Is it delicious?”
Gu Chenyan: “It’s not bad.”
Qiao Shu: “Then I’ll have soup dumplings too.”
Gu Chenyan: “Okay.”
Having visited the soup dumpling shop in the morning, Gu Chenyan knew the way well. He took Qiao Shu to the shop and they sat down. Gu Chenyan ordered two baskets of soup dumplings for them.
There were only the two of them in the breakfast shop at this hour. The owner didn’t seem to be a fan of celebrities, so Qiao Shu didn’t bother to keep his mask on while having breakfast.
He held the bag of fresh milk, too lazy to use a cup. He simply bit the bag and sucked the milk, while Gu Chenyan peeled the eggs carefully and fed them to Qiao Shu bit by bit.
Qiao Shu obediently ate, speaking intermittently, “Where are we going to play later?”
He frowned, “I forgot to check the travel guide.”
Gu Chenyan: “I have it here.”
Gu Chenyan: “After we finish eating, we’ll look at it together.”
Qiao Shu: “Okay.”
After finishing their meal, Gu Chenyan opened the travel guide on his phone for Qiao Shu to see.
Qiao Shu looked at it and his eyes lit up. “Let’s go here!”
Gu Chenyan looked at where he pointed.
Qiao Shu was excited. “There are many Hanfu shops here. The guide says these Hanfu can be rented, and they also offer photography and editing services.”
Qiao Shu: “Let’s go there!”
Qiao Shu: “I want to wear ancient costumes with you.”
Gu Chenyan: “Okay.”
Knowing that Gu Chenyan could earn money, Qiao Shu wasn’t as worried about spending money as he was yesterday. They took a taxi there and found a Hanfu shop to enter.
When they came out, they were already wearing a set of Hanfu.
Qiao Shu wore a light apricot-colored cross-collar gown with wide sleeves inside, and a light apricot-colored overshirt of the same color adorned with candle dragon embroidery, exuding a noble air. He held a folding fan in his hand. If not for his short hair and the mask on his face, he would have looked like a nobleman from ancient times.
On the other hand, Gu Chenyan wore the same style of Hanfu as Qiao Shu, but in sapphire blue.
The two stood tall and straight with extraordinary temperament, attracting a lot of attention as they walked among the crowd.
The owner of the Hanfu shop was a young lady. Seeing the two not wearing wigs or makeup and still wearing masks, she lamented inwardly. With such perfect figures and outstanding temperament, they would look extremely handsome if they showed their faces!
They didn’t opt for photography services.
Hand in hand, the two strolled leisurely nearby.
When they reached a secluded spot behind a rockery, Qiao Shu looked at the man beside him dressed handsomely in sapphire blue ancient attire, almost suffocatingly attractive. His eyes flickered, and with a slight movement of his fingers, he elegantly twirled the folding fan. Holding the fan handle, he raised his hand and lightly lifted Gu Chenyan’s chin, carefully examining him up and down, then raised his eyebrows and smiled, “What a handsome young gentleman.”
Qiao Shu: “Today, let this young master enjoy your company.”
Gu Chenyan chuckled softly. “Yes, young master.”
Qiao Shu nodded in satisfaction. “The young master likes you being so obedient and handsome.”
He lifted his chin slightly.
Qiao Shu: “I shall reward you with a kiss.”
Qiao Shu: “Come and take it yourself.”
Gu Chenyan chuckled softly.
He took a step forward, approaching Qiao Shu, then leaned down, his slender fingers pinching Qiao Shu’s chin.
Qiao Shu blinked.
His breath became heavy with nervousness.
Gu Chenyan lightly tapped his chin with his fingers. “Young master, you seem nervous.”
Qiao Shu: “…”
He grumbled, “How could the young master be nervous!”
Qiao Shu: “Hurry up!”
Gu Chenyan chuckled softly. “Sure.”
He pulled down the mask on his face, and Qiao Shu’s eyes widened instantly!
Gu Chenyan in ancient costume was really deadly!
“Wow!”
Qiao Shu exclaimed excitedly. Before Gu Chenyan could react, Qiao Shu couldn’t wait to pull down the mask on Gu Chenyan’s face, and then he bounced and jumped onto him.
Qiao Shu: “Brother, you’re so handsome!”
He kissed him eagerly.
Gu Chenyan only managed to hold Qiao Shu’s buttocks and stabilize him.
The two took many photos in the scenic area, especially Qiao Shu.
Every one of them featured Gu Chenyan.
Whether looking up or down, looking at him or the scenery, some were candid shots, and some had Gu Chenyan posing. Gu Chenyan was always very cooperative.
Qiao Shu got really into it.
In the afternoon, Qiao Shu even dragged Gu Chenyan to buy a kite, which was a cartoon auspicious ox. Qiao Shu liked it very much at first sight.
“Oxie, oxie, oxie.” Qiao Shu laughed and waved the kite, “Isn’t it cute?”
“If our Zai Zai is born, it will also be an ox!”
“Little oxie.”
Qiao Shu placed the kite in front of his belly and introduced it to the baby inside, “Zai Zai, this is your zodiac sign, the cutest little ox in the world~”
The two arrived at a spacious lawn where some people were flying kites. Qiao Shu found an empty spot and handed the ox kite to Gu Chenyan.
The ox kite quickly took off.
Qiao Shu and Gu Chenyan held the kite string together while sitting on the grass.
Qiao Shu leaned against Gu Chenyan’s shoulder, his face full of relaxed smiles. “Brother, shall we bring Zai Zai out to fly kites in the future?”
Gu Chenyan turned his head.
His eyes softened. “Okay.”
Qiao Shu: “By then we can make kites ourselves.” He proudly patted his chest. “I can do it!”
Gu Chenyan chuckled. “So talented?”
Qiao Shu: “Of course. I used to be first in my handicraft class at school!”
Gu Chenyan: “Impressive, Little Mr. Qiao.”
Qiao Shu: “Hehe.”
After a while.
Qiao Shu looked up. “Brother, I’m a little thirsty.”
Gu Chenyan had brought a water bottle before leaving. But after changing into Hanfu, his backpack was left at the Hanfu shop, so he only had his phone and some loose change on him.
Gu Chenyan looked around and saw a snack cart not far away. “Wait for me here. I’ll go buy some water.”
Qiao Shu: “Okay.”
Good boy.
Gu Chenyan ruffled Qiao Shu’s head and handed him the kite string. Gu Chenyan got up and quickly strode toward the direction of the snack cart with his long legs.
Qiao Shu held the kite string with one hand and propped his chin with the other, watching Gu Chenyan’s slender and attractive figure gradually move away, revealing a sweet smile.
Sweet and sticky.
Not far away.
The two who had been following Qiao Shu for the morning finally saw him alone. Unable to restrain themselves, they quietly approached him. One of them was pulling out a sharp folding fruit knife from his pocket as he walked.
Qiao Shu had all his attention focused on Gu Chenyan and completely failed to notice someone sneaking up behind him, intending harm. His guard was completely down.
The person got closer and closer to Qiao Shu.
Just about twenty meters away.
Suddenly!
Two very tall men rushed out from the side. They swiftly subdued the man holding the fruit knife, one of them ruthlessly breaking the man’s wrist and disarming him, while the other covered the man’s mouth expressionlessly, preventing him from making any noise.
Qiao Shu heard a muffled grunt.
Instinctively, he turned his head to look, seeing the two tall and strong men helping a slightly shorter man walk away from the lawn.
He glanced at them.
Then he casually turned his head back, continuing to prop his chin and focus on Gu Chenyan’s direction.
Over there, Gu Chenyan had bought bottled water and was on his way back after paying. After taking a few steps, his phone rang, and Gu Chenyan answered the call.
On the other end of the phone was one of the assistants Gu Chenyan had brought with him this time. “Mr. Gu, we’ve caught the person. He was just wielding a fruit knife, intending to harm Madam.”
Assistant: “Don’t worry. Madam hasn’t been hurt.”
The assistant’s voice trembled with lingering fear.
They had long noticed this person was following them. But they didn’t know his intentions and didn’t dare to act rashly, so they kept a close watch on him.
Who would have thought that he actually had a knife on him and intended to harm Madam?
Fortunately, they had brought along quite a few people this time, including bodyguards. Or else…
The assistant wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
His heart was still pounding rapidly. This person was incredibly audacious!
To dare to wield a knife against Madam!
Madam was Mr. Gu’s most cherished treasure, held in the palm of his hand and treasured like a gem.
You’re finished!
The assistant couldn’t help but feel sorry for the person who had orchestrated this from behind the scenes.
Serves you right!
Gu Chenyan’s footsteps halted.
His heart suddenly felt like it was gripped by a giant hand, making his breath catch in his throat.
He immediately looked in Qiao Shu’s direction. He saw Qiao Shu sitting on the lawn, propping his head with one hand and smiling sweetly at him. His tightly gripped heart finally found some relief.
Then, in the blink of an eye, his eyes shot out a cold glint. “Find out.”
The assistant on the other end trembled, hastily saying, “Mr. Gu, you can rest assured.”
After hanging up the phone,
The cold glint in Gu Chenyan’s eyes still hadn’t dissipated. He stared intently at Qiao Shu, while Qiao Shu, who had been keeping an eye on Gu Chenyan’s every move nearby, noticed this gaze and quickly waved happily at Gu Chenyan.
Seeing this, Gu Chenyan quickly ran toward Qiao Shu.
“Why run?” Qiao Shu stood up from the lawn, holding the kite string. “I’m not in a hurry.”
He paused. “Is it because I waved at you?”
Qiao Shu: “Silly Mr. Gu.”
Qiao Shu: “I was just saying hello to you.”
Qiao Shu raised his hand, wanting to tidy up Gu Chenyan’s slightly messy hair.
As soon as he touched Gu Chenyan’s hair, he suddenly felt a force on his back, and then Gu Chenyan tightly hugged him.
The air was filled with the scent of masculinity, familiar and comforting. Qiao Shu leaned his head against Gu Chenyan’s shoulder, then looked up and smiled. “What’s up, brother? Suddenly so affectionate.”
Gu Chenyan: “Just wanted to hug you.”
Qiao Shu blinked.
Then he quietly allowed Gu Chenyan to hold him.
After a while, Gu Chenyan let go of Qiao Shu. He kissed Qiao Shu’s forehead, then bent down to unscrew the bottle of mineral water and handed it to Qiao Shu’s lips. Qiao Shu obediently opened his mouth, letting Gu Chenyan feed him water slowly.
Gu Chenyan: “Take it slow.”
Qiao Shu nodded.
Gu Chenyan: “Do you want more?”
Qiao Shu: “Yes, please.”
Gu Chenyan continued to feed him.
Qiao Shu: “That’s enough.”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm.”
He withdrew his hand, then lifted his other idle hand and gently wiped away the water droplets from the corner of Qiao Shu’s lips. Then he tilted his head back and took several sips from the bottle himself, his sexy Adam’s apple moving up and down as he swallowed.
Qiao Shu licked his lips, his gaze following the movement of Gu Chenyan’s swallowing throat.
Then he couldn’t help but reach out.
Gu Chenyan held his hand, his eyes deepening. “Little Mr. Qiao.”
Gu Chenyan: “I won’t…”
He lowered his head, leaning close to Qiao Shu’s ear. “Be able to resist.”
Qiao Shu blushed.
His eyes flickered with guilt.
In a low voice, he said, “I couldn’t resist a long time ago.”
Seeing Gu Chenyan in Hanfu for the first time.
Gu Chenyan didn’t hear clearly: “Hmm?”
Qiao Shu shook his head in a panic.
He cleared his throat and changed the subject. “Where should we go later?”
Gu Chenyan asked, “Where would Little Mr. Qiao like to go?”
Qiao Shu thought for a moment. “I’m feeling a bit lazy. I don’t want to move. Can we just stay here and continue flying kites?”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm.”
The May sun was warm and gentle.
The two sat back on the lawn with Qiao Shu comfortably leaning against Gu Chenyan’s chest, half-closed eyes lazily watching the kites flying in the sky.
He occasionally pulled on the string.
Qiao Shu: “Gu Chenyan.”
Gu Chenyan lowered his head, his gaze tenderly fixed on his little husband. “Yes?”
Qiao Shu tilted his head slightly.
He grinned at Gu Chenyan, showing his teeth. “Just wanted to call your name.”
Gu Chenyan chuckled and ruffled Qiao Shu’s hair.
Qiao Shu: “The sun feels so warm.”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm.”
Qiao Shu: “Just like you, Mr. Gu.”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm?”
Qiao Shu smiled but didn’t say anything.
He used to think he was unlucky. Orphaned as a youth with bleak prospects, he had to smile bravely and not let his deceased parents worry from above.
Even when he first transmigrated, he still felt unlucky. Why else would he lose his life saving someone? Although he was given a second chance through transmigration, he found himself in a strange world, among strangers, and with the identity of cannon fodder…
All of this made him anxious and uneasy.
He could only strive to adapt.
Strive to smile.
Until he chose to marry Gu Chenyan.
Qiao Shu felt like all the luck from his first twenty years had been saved up for this moment.
He fell in love with Gu Chenyan.
And Gu Chenyan fell in love with him.
They were deeply in love with each other.
Now they even had a baby on the way.
Qiao Shu rubbed his belly and laughed. “Mr. Gu, you’re the most handsome.”
Under the warm sun, it was easy to feel drowsy. Qiao Shu yawned.
Gu Chenyan: “Feeling sleepy?”
Qiao Shu: “Hmm.”
Qiao Shu: “It’s so comfortable.”
Gu Chenyan: “Want to go back and sleep?”
Qiao Shu shook his head. “I want to continue sunbathing.”
The phone rang.
Gu Chenyan ruffled Qiao Shu’s head and then answered the call.
The assistant on the other end got straight to the point. “Mr. Gu, we’ve found out.”
Assistant: “It’s Yan Nini.”
Assistant: “Yan Nini gave him one hundred thousand and provided the address of the hotel where we were staying, asking him to find an opportunity to scratch Madam’s face.”
Gu Chenyan’s eyelids twitched.
Assistant: “Mr. Gu, should we take this person directly to the police station?”
Gu Chenyan: “Take him to the Haicheng police station.”
The assistant asked cautiously, “And what about Yan Nini, Mr. Gu? How do you plan to deal with her?”
Gu Chenyan: “Handle it according to the law.”
The assistant’s heart trembled. “Understood.”
Haicheng.
The Yan family.
Yan Nini, who was still unaware of everything happening in the ancient city, climbed out of the indoor swimming pool. Wrapped in a towel, she lay down on a lounge chair with a smile on her face.
That poor actor must be agonizingly looking at himself in the mirror right now.
She smirked, imagining the pitiful sight of Qiao Shu being abandoned by Gu Chenyan after disfigurement, and laughed gleefully, “Trying to compete with me?”
Yan Nini: “Next lifetime, maybe.”
Ancient city.
Qiao Shu looked up and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Gu Chenyan ruffled Qiao Shu’s hair, and Qiao Shu squinted comfortably. “Something happened.”
Gu Chenyan: “It’s been resolved.”
Gu Chenyan: “I’ll tell you tonight.”
Qiao Shu knew Gu Chenyan didn’t want to spoil his mood for sightseeing, so he gladly accepted. “Okay.”
Gu Chenyan: “Good boy.”
Qiao Shu pouted and smiled, “Is there a reward for being good?”
Gu Chenyan lowered his head.
Gently, he kissed Qiao Shu’s lips.
But ultimately, they couldn’t indulge in outdoor activities today, as Chen Wenyuan called shortly after.
Chen Wenyuan: “Sir, the Yan family has made a move.”
Gu Chenyan remained calm, his expression unchanged: “Understood. What about the other three families?”
Chen Wenyuan: “They haven’t made any moves.”
Gu Chenyan chuckled softly, his voice filled with indifference. “No need to fear.”
“Not urgent.”
“Wait for me to come back.”
Chen Wenyuan: “Sir, when will you be back?”
Gu Chenyan looked at Qiao Shu. “In a couple of days. For now, let them taste a little sweetness.”
After the old man’s death, the Yan family had been restless, testing the waters multiple times. Last time, they even absurdly wanted him to become a son-in-law of the Yan family.
Gu Chenyan never took them seriously.
The Yan family wanted to claim the title of the richest in Haicheng, but Gu Chenyan wasn’t afraid. In the business world, he relied on real skills.
Fighting and competing were part of their jungle law.
But this time, Gu Chenyan was truly angry.
The Yan family’s previous actions had upset Qiao Shu. He had warned them, but they still didn’t behave. This time, they even condoned Yan Nini’s hiring of someone to harm others.
Gu Chenyan didn’t believe that Yan Nini’s actions were unknown to Mr. Yan.
He reached out and tugged on the kite string.
His gaze was gentle yet extremely cold: Since they dared to target Qiao Shu, there was no need for him to be too polite.
If the Yan family wanted something, then let them taste the bitterness of not getting anything at all.
Qiao Shu listened attentively the whole time, worried and puzzled. “Is it the Yan family again?”
Gu Chenyan: “Hmm.”
Gu Chenyan: “Don’t worry.”
Qiao Shu: “Are you going back to the company?”
Gu Chenyan: “Not yet. I’ll accompany you to finish recording this program.”
Qiao Shu bit his lip.
Then he said, “You don’t need to accompany me. Business matters are more important.”
Gu Chenyan sighed. “Little Mr. Qiao.”
Qiao Shu: “Hmm.”
Gu Chenyan: “You are more important.”
Gu Chenyan: “Don’t worry, the Yan family is not worth fearing. Trust me.”
Only then did Qiao Shu smile. “Hmm.”
Qiao Shu: “Mr. Gu is the best!”
They didn’t stay to continue recording “Working People, Working Spirit” for long.
Not long after, the program director urgently called them, asking them to quickly evacuate from the scenic area and disguise themselves.
Yesterday’s hot search exposed their variety show format and also revealed their recording location. Early this morning, countless fans came to the ancient city to chase after stars.
Jiang Jiayu and Chu Chisheng were unlucky. They were performing outside, and Chu Chisheng’s voice was recognized by the fervent fans. Immediately, they excitedly shouted Chu Chisheng’s name in the street and then found themselves being chased by fans from all over the street.
The program staff following behind didn’t even have time to react. Jiang Jiayu and Chu Chisheng were quickly surrounded by a dense crowd.
By the time the program staff managed to get them out, Chu Chisheng’s clothes were in disarray, and there were several scratch marks on his arms. Jiang Jiayu, on the other hand, was well-protected by Chu Chisheng and didn’t suffer any injuries, just some disheveled clothing.
Even the hotel arranged by the program staff had been discovered by fans.
With such an incident, the program naturally couldn’t continue recording. The program team immediately notified all the guests to be cautious, to hide well, and advised them not to return to the hotel as it was no longer safe.
Upon receiving the news, Qiao Shu had to pack up the Ox Kite and hastily leave the scenic area with Gu Chenyan.
They didn’t even have time to change out of their Hanfu outfits.
On the way, Qiao Shu made a call to Jiang Jiayu to confirm that he was okay and had found a safe hotel to stay in, before finally feeling relieved.
The assistant quickly booked a presidential suite for them in a five-star hotel in the city. The assistant went to the mall to buy some clean clothes, returned the Hanfu outfits they had worn, and retrieved their belongings.
The next day.
The program team was notified that the program’s recording would temporarily halt, and the chief director personally came to apologize to them, expressing regret and informing them that the subsequent recording of the program would await further notice.
With the rhythm disrupted, the program team needed to redevelop the recording plan.
Qiao Shu and the others quickly evacuated from the ancient city.
