The happiness of fifty million is unparalleled. As Qiao Shu stepped out of the teahouse, his footsteps were buoyant.
He held his phone and typed away.
Qiao Shu: Yu Yu, I’m about to become a millionaire! (His excitement was evident as he rubbed his hands together like a little piggy.)
Unfortunately, Jiang Jiayu, whom he could share this news with, was busy filming and had no time to reply.
But Qiao Shu wasn’t disheartened.
He decided to treat himself a bit before officially becoming a millionaire. He bought two slices of cake: a mango mille-feuille and a strawberry mousse. And to top it off, he ordered a large cup of matcha latte!
Emerging from the cake shop, Qiao Shu felt the sky was bluer, the sunlight warmer, and the air fresher.
Happily sipping his milk tea, carrying the cake box, and holding his phone for a selfie, he posted on WeChat Moments:
Qiao Shu: Happiness is so simple.
After posting, Qiao Shu opened his map app, ready to take the bus home. Nowadays, his fame isn’t high, and he can wear a mask while walking without worrying about being recognized.
After all, he had few fans.
And of course, the key was saving money by taking the bus.
After all, the precursor to a millionaire was just a poor guy.
Qiao Shu: QAQ
As he opened the map, preparing to search for the bus route, he suddenly noticed a familiar icon.
The Ankang Private Hospital? Isn’t that the hospital where he was hospitalized for injuries not long ago? And it’s so close to here?
“Thank you,” a pleasant male voice echoed in his ears.
Qiao Shu thought, “Why not go over? Maybe we’ll run into each other.”
And just like that, he set off.
Following the map app’s arrow, Qiao Shu carried his cake and sipped his milk tea, his steps light.
A good mood might even bring good luck.
In less than ten minutes of wandering around the hospital’s activity area, Qiao Shu was lucky enough to find his target.
Today, he could hear Mr. Gu’s voice! Qiao Shu’s beautiful eyes sparkled with joy.
Even happier now.
Qiao Shu briskly circled the central flowerbed, and when he looked up, he saw Mr. Gu’s gaze also on him.
In that instant, his heart soared.
“Mr. Gu, we meet again,” Qiao Shu happily greeted, pulling down his mask.
The wheelchair gradually approached and finally stopped in front of Qiao Shu.
Suppressing the inexplicable feeling in his heart, Gu Chenyan replied, “We meet again.”
‘Ah, the ears are pregnant! It’s been a while since I heard it, but Mr. Gu’s voice seems even more pleasant now!’
Qiao Shu suppressed the urge to rub his ears and asked, “How is Mr. Gu’s recovery?”
Gu Chenyan replied, “Very good.”
As he looked at the uncontainable joy on Qiao Shu’s face, his own mood seemed to brighten as well.
Rarely, he inquired, “Why are you here?”
Qiao Shu shook his head with a smile, “I was buying cake nearby and noticed that the cake shop is quite close to here. So, I thought I’d come and try my luck.”
“Today, luck is on my side—I ran into Mr. Gu.”
Gu Chenyan blinked, “Ran into me?”
Qiao Shu nodded, “Yes, yes.”
He lifted the cake box in his hand and asked happily, “Can you eat these now, Mr. Gu?”
The joy and anticipation in Qiao Shu’s eyes were evident.
For some inexplicable reason, Gu Chenyan, who didn’t usually enjoy sweets, didn’t refuse, “I can.”
Qiao Shu visibly brightened, “Then let’s eat together, Mr. Gu.”
There were several stone tables in the activity area.
The two of them casually picked one, and Qiao Shu sat down, placing the cake box on the stone table. With deft hands, he opened the box.
He handed a disposable small spoon to Gu Chenyan and another one to Chen Wenyuan. Just as Chen Wenyuan was about to take it, he suddenly noticed Gu Chenyan’s gaze fixed on that spoon.
Startled, Chen Wenyuan snapped back to reality and swiftly pulled his hand back, taking out his phone. “I apologize, there’s something urgent I need to attend to. Young Master Qiao, could you please look after Mr. Gu?”
Qiao Shu blinked and retrieved the spoon. “Certainly.”
Chen Wenyuan nodded gratefully and then hurried away. If he didn’t leave now, he’d be caught in the crossfire of Mr. Gu’s intense gaze!
Qiao Shu turned back to Gu Chenyan. “Mr. Gu, this one is mango mille-feuille, and this one is strawberry mousse. Which one do you prefer?”
Gu Chenyan asked, “Which one do you like?”
Qiao Shu was very honest. “I like both.”
Gu Chenyan: “…”
Gu Chenyan looked at the two small cakes and finally chose the mango mille-feuille, which should not be overly sweet.
The slightly tangy and sweet taste was more palatable than Gu Chenyan had imagined. He swallowed the mille-feuille in his mouth and looked across at Qiao Shu.
In the golden sunlight, Qiao Shu squinted his eyes, savoring the delicious food in his mouth.
Gu Chenyan’s hand holding the spoon paused. He glanced at the strawberry mousse in front of Qiao Shu and suddenly felt an urge to take a bite.
It seemed quite delicious.
Qiao Shu swallowed the tasty morsel with satisfaction and looked up at Gu Chenyan, asking, “Mr. Gu, is it delicious?”
Gu Chenyan’s head was still wrapped in bandages, hiding his expression. All that could be seen were his dark eyes.
He withdrew his gaze and nodded, “Not bad.”
Qiao Shu chuckled, “I also think this cake shop is good. Eating improves my mood.”
He continued, “When you’re happy, eating sweets can elevate your joy. And when you’re sad, having something sweet can make the sadness a little less bitter.”
Gu Chenyan heard this perspective for the first time.
Curious, he asked, “Is that so?”
Qiao Shu enthusiastically nodded, “Mr. Gu, you should try it sometime!”
Gu Chenyan agreed, “Okay.”
The two sat quietly, enjoying their small cakes. Occasionally, Gu Chenyan would glance up at the joyful Qiao Shu.
After finishing, Qiao Shu proactively tidied up the table, disposing of the items in a nearby trash bin.
He sat back down at the stone table and asked with concern, “Are you thirsty?”
Gu Chenyan replied, “Do you want water?”
Qiao Shu shook his head, “No, I was worried that eating cake might make you thirsty.”
Gu Chenyan stated, “I’m not thirsty.”
Qiao Shu smiled, “Alright.”
The two fell into silence once again.
Qiao Shu pondered to find a topic to engage in conversation and perhaps hear more of Mr. Gu’s voice. However, he realized that given their current relationship—more like passing acquaintances—many topics wouldn’t be suitable.
Unexpectedly, Gu Chenyan asked, “Are you happy today?”
“Ah?”
Qiao Shu scratched his ear. “You noticed?”
Gu Chenyan nodded, “Yes.”
Qiao Shu chuckled, “Something good happened today.” He thought for a moment and added, “Something that could make my life better.”
Gu Chenyan responded solemnly, “Congratulations.”
Quite earnestly.
Qiao Shu burst into laughter. Mr. Gu being so serious was a bit adorable.
Gu Chenyan’s eyes were puzzled.
Qiao Shu quickly responded, “Thank you.”
He joked, “Mr. Gu, you’re the first person today to congratulate me.”
Gu Chenyan replied, “And you’re the first person to share cake with me. Thank you.”
He paused and then, under Qiao Shu’s gaze, the corners of his lips curved slightly. He said, “It’s sweet and brings a bit of happiness—a very nice experience.”
Qiao Shu, feeling inexplicably excited, asked, “Really?”
Gu Chenyan affirmed, “Yes.”
Qiao Shu grinned, “Then next time, I’ll treat you again.”
Gu Chenyan nodded, “Okay.”
Their conversation didn’t last long because Chen Wenyuan returned.
He hurried over to Gu Chenyan, bent down near his ear, and whispered, “Gu Yan and the others are on their way here.”
Gu Chenyan looked at Qiao Shu.
Qiao Shu blinked in confusion.
Two seconds later, Gu Chenyan said, “I apologize, but I need to go.”
Qiao Shu was momentarily stunned.
But he quickly regained his composure and waved his hand, “No need to apologize. I’ve already disturbed you today. Take care and recover soon.”
Gu Chenyan replied, “Alright.”
Qiao Shu waved his hand, “See you next time.”
Gu Chenyan replied, “Until next time.”
The wheelchair was turned around a corner, and suddenly, Gu Chenyan said, “Stop.”
He turned his head, looking at Qiao Shu who hadn’t left yet.
Qiao Shu looked puzzled. “Mr. Gu, is there something you need?”
Gu Chenyan gazed at Qiao Shu.
In the warm yellow sunlight, the young man’s features were delicate and attractive, exuding vitality. At first glance, he was utterly endearing.
Every time he saw him, he smiled with genuine happiness.
“Qiao Shu, do you have someone you like?” Gu Chenyan suddenly asked.
“Huh?”
Qiao Shu’s ears flushed: Ah, how could Mr. Gu call my name for the first time and make it sound so pleasing! This is unacceptable!
After a few seconds of excitement, Qiao Shu felt puzzled. Gu Chenyan had just asked if he liked someone? Why was he suddenly asking this?
Gu Chenyan looked at him, waiting earnestly for an answer.
Qiao Shu rubbed his slightly heated ears and shook his head honestly. “No.”
Gu Chenyan lowered his gaze: So that was just an excuse.
Qiao Shu said, “Mr. Gu?”
Gu Chenyan raised his eyes and then said solemnly to Qiao Shu, “Qiao Shu, see you next time.”
Qiao Shu’s ears twitched, but he quickly regained his composure and smiled brightly, “Mr. Gu, until next time.”
…
After dealing with Gu Yan and a few directors who came to inquire about his condition, Gu Chenyan propped himself up from the bed. He addressed Assistant Chen.
Chen Wenyuan replied, “Yes, sir.”
Gu Chenyan unexpectedly said, “Before my grandfather passed away, he always wanted me to get married.”
Before mentioning the Qiao family, Grandfather Gu had urged Gu Chenyan to marry more than once. He even arranged blind dates for him during his birthday banquet.
Chen Wenyuan was puzzled by Gu Chenyan suddenly bringing up this topic. Maintaining his stoic demeanor as an assistant, he answered, “Yes.”
Gu Chenyan continued, “Father hopes I’ll marry Qiao Shu.”
Chen Wenyuan remained baffled. “Yes.”
Gu Chenyan added, “I have a good impression of Qiao Shu. Finding a pleasant and compatible partner in life is challenging. Sometimes, the probability can even be zero when luck is against you.” Rarely, he asked Chen Wenyuan in an inquisitive tone, “Should I seize this opportunity?”
Chen Wenyuan was inwardly shocked.
He hadn’t guessed wrong! Mr. Gu indeed had feelings for Young Master Qiao.
His heart raced, but he maintained a calm exterior, about to answer with a resounding “yes.”
Gu Chenyan continued, “Qiao Shu doesn’t have anyone he likes.”
“Neither do I.”
“I have some favorable impressions of him.”
“He seems to have a favorable impression of me too.”
Chen Wenyuan: So!
Gu Chenyan added, “So, I should make an effort.” He looked at Chen Wenyuan. “Contact Secretary Wu. Put the contract matters on hold for now. Ask him to get in touch with Qiao Shu again and arrange a formal meeting time.”
He paused. “Based on Qiao Shu’s availability.”
Internally astonished, Chen Wenyuan calmly accepted the task.
Meanwhile…
Back in his apartment, Qiao Shu, having finished dinner and a shower, happily typed away on his phone, chatting with Jiang Jiayu who was still on set.
Jiang Jiayu: Hmph, heartless millionaire Qiao Qiao is eating alone! (Pig gets angry1pouting pig emoji)
Qiao Shu: Pets your head
Qiao Shu: Kind-hearted millionaire Qiao Qiao is patiently waiting for Yu Yu to finish filming and have hotpot together. (Pig is the cutest2Adorable pig emoji)
Jiang Jiayu: Good (Pig drools)
Qiao Shu: Also, kind-hearted millionaire Qiao Qiao is truly becoming a millionaire Qiao Qiao now (Pig is proud3Proud pig emoji).
Jiang Jiayu: !!!
Jiang Jiayu: Did you win the lottery or get a big production deal? (Pig, please take care of me4Pouting pig emoji, seeking sponsorship)
Qiao Shu: Neither (Pig is proud5Proud pig emoji).
Jiang Jiayu: From today on, adorable Yu Yu is Millionaire Qiao Qiao’s leg accessory (The rich woman is hungry for food6Hungry rich lady emoji).
Qiao Shu: No problem (Big Bear pats his chest7Bear emoji patting chest).
Unbeknownst to the confidently assured Qiao Shu, he had transformed from a fifty-millionaire to a billionaire in the afternoon. Furthermore, shortly after leaving the hospital, the nearly-acquired one billion was intercepted.
In the dark of night, Qiao Shu lay on his bed, his sleeping face adorned with a silly smile. In his dream, he was a happy fifty-millionaire.
⌈Weekend chapters: 2⌉ ⌊Progress: 1/2 ⌋
