I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

Gu Yan carried her out of the private room. The corridor was quiet, with only his footsteps and Shu Zi's occasional mumbles.

Once inside the elevator, Gu Yan slightly adjusted his position while holding her, making her more comfortable.

Shu Zi groggily snuggled against his chest, her voice heavy with sleep: "...Are we home yet?"

Not yet, soon.

Gu Yan glanced down at her, his voice very soft, "Go to sleep, I'll wake you when we get there."

Shu Zi hummed in agreement and then fell silent, her breathing gradually becoming even and long.

The elevator reached the first floor, and Gu Yan carried her through the lobby to the car parked by the roadside.

The driver had already opened the back door and was waiting.

Gu Yan bent down and carefully placed her in the back seat, supporting her back to help her stay upright before withdrawing his hand, closing the car door, and then walking around to the other side to get into the car.

The car drove smoothly into the night.

Shu Zi leaned back in her seat, her head unconsciously tilting towards Gu Yan.

Gu Yan glanced at her, then gently pulled her head to his shoulder.

In her sleep, Shu Zi unconsciously nuzzled his shoulder, a slight smile curving her lips, as if she were having a sweet dream.

The car drove towards the Park Hyatt Yunqi, with lights flashing past the windows one by one, and the car was quiet and peaceful inside.

The car came to a smooth stop in front of the house. Gu Yan got out of the car first, then bent down and gently lifted Shu Zi out of the back seat.

Shu Zi hummed softly in her half-awake state, her arms naturally wrapping around his neck, and her head burying itself deeper into his shoulder.

Gu Yan carried her through the entrance hall, up the stairs, and straight to her room.

He gently pushed the door open with his knee, walked to the bedside, bent down and put her on the bed.

Shu Zi's body had just touched the bed when she suddenly opened her eyes and reached out to grab his collar.

Gu Yan was pulled down slightly by her, and looked down at her: "What's wrong?"

Shu Zi looked at him with hazy, drunken eyes, her voice soft, tinged with a hint of coquettish dissatisfaction:

"...You haven't kissed me yet."

Gu Yan paused for a moment, then chuckled softly.

He braced himself on one side of her, leaned down, gently supported the back of her neck with the other hand, and kissed her.

Shu Zi gently closed her eyes when he kissed her, and slowly loosened her grip on his collar.

When the kiss ended, Gu Yan slowly pulled away, his forehead pressed against hers, his nose brushing against hers, his voice low and husky:

"Baby, are you satisfied now?"

Shu Zi didn't open her eyes, but the corners of her mouth curved up, and she nodded gently.

"...Hmm, I'm satisfied."

Gu Yan smiled and was about to straighten up when Shu Zi tugged at his sleeve again, muttering something with her eyes closed:

"...But I haven't taken a shower yet."

Gu Yan paused, looking down at her, who was so sleepy she could barely keep her eyes open but was still trying her best, and couldn't help but smile.

"Even in this state, you're still thinking about taking a bath?"

Shu Zi frowned and gently tugged at the hem of his shirt.

"I can't sleep without washing..."

Gu Yan looked at her, gave a helpless laugh, leaned down, and whispered to coax her:

"Then lie down for a while, I'll get you a hot towel to wipe you down, okay?"

Shu Zi shook her head, her expression stubborn, and repeated herself:

"Oh no... I need to take a shower."

Gu Yan looked down at her, raising an eyebrow: "Are you sure you can stand still?"

Shu Zi tried to sit up by supporting herself on the edge of the bed, but she wobbled halfway up and fell back into the pillow.

She paused for two seconds, then looked at him defiantly: "Help me up."

Gu Yan looked at her "I don't care, I'm going to wash it" expression, remained silent for a moment, and finally sighed in resignation.

He bent down, put one hand under her back and the other hand under her knees, and lifted her off the bed again, heading straight for the bathroom.

He sat down on the edge of the bathtub, letting her sit comfortably on his lap, and then reached out to turn on the tap to adjust the water temperature.

The heat gradually rose, filling the entire space with a misty haze.

He looked down at the person in his arms and said in a low voice:

"Take off your clothes yourself. I'll turn my back and wait for you. Call me when you're done washing; I'll be right at the door."

Shu Zi leaned on his shoulder, nodded, and softly hummed in agreement.

Gu Yan gently placed her on the edge of the bathtub, making sure she was seated firmly before letting go of her, turning his back to her, and closing the bathroom door.

A moment later, a rustling sound came from inside, followed by the sound of water.

Gu Yan leaned against the wall outside the door, glanced down at his watch, and waited quietly.

About twenty minutes later, the sound of water stopped. After a while, Shu Zi's indistinct voice came from inside:

"...I'm done washing."

Gu Yan raised his hand and knocked on the door: "May I come in?"

There was a moment of silence inside, then a muffled "hmm" came from inside.

Gu Yan pushed open the door, and a wave of heat rushed out.

Shu Zi had already put on her bathrobe and was sitting on the edge of the bathtub, her hair wet and draped over her shoulders, her face flushed from the heat.

She looked up at him, her eyes still hazy with lingering drunkenness, and she looked limp and listless.

Gu Yan walked over, not rushing to pick her up, but first taking a hairdryer from the shelf, plugging it in, then sitting down on the edge of the bathtub and patting his legs:

"come over."

Shu Zi glanced at him, then obediently moved over, leaned her back against his chest, and tilted her head against him.

Gu Yan first tested the air temperature with the back of his hand, adjusted it to a suitable temperature, and then gathered her hair to begin drying it.

His fingers ran through her wet hair, very gently, occasionally massaging her scalp lightly with his fingertips.

Shu Zi sat obediently, letting him do as he pleased, occasionally letting out a comfortable hum.

The warm air whirred, mixed with the white noise of the hairdryer, filling the entire bathroom.

Shu Zi leaned against him, feeling drowsy from the warm air and gentle massage. Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and she slumped into his arms.

Gu Yan glanced down at her and, seeing that she was almost asleep, turned off the hairdryer.

The bathroom fell silent.

He put the hairdryer aside, gently brushed her half-dry hair aside to make sure it was almost dry, and then whispered:

"Okay, go to sleep."

Shu Zi mumbled an "Mmm" in her sleep, agreeing verbally but remaining motionless in his arms.

Gu Yan smiled and simply scooped her up.

Shu Zi naturally wrapped her legs around his waist, put her arms around his neck, and buried her face in his shoulder, like a koala clinging to him.

He carried Shuzi towards her room.

After taking only two steps, Shu Zi suddenly spoke, her voice filled with drowsiness and a touch of coquettish stubbornness:

"Gu Yan, sleep with me."