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

Gu Yan paused for a moment: "Where should we film?"

"It's not in this city, it's in the next city, I guess I'll have to stay there for a while."

He was silent for a moment, then his hand slid off her shoulder and instead wrapped around her waist, his chin resting gently on her shoulder, his voice low:

"How long will it take?"

Shu Zi was encircled from behind by him, and she leaned back in a relaxed manner:

"At least two months, depending on the filming schedule."

Gu Yanhuan tightened his grip on her waist. "Mmm."

Shu Zi felt his movement, her heart softened, and she turned her head to rub her cheek against his hair, teasing him on purpose:

"What's wrong? You're reluctant to part with me?"

Gu Yan didn't deny it, and just hummed in agreement.

Shu Zi curved her lips into a smile and reached out to place her hand on the back of his arm that was wrapped around her waist:

"Don't worry, I'll video call you every day after filming, so I won't leave you alone at home."

Gu Yan was silent for a few seconds before speaking, his voice even lower than before: "Could I visit the set?"

Shu Zi couldn't help but laugh, "I haven't even left yet, and I'm already thinking about visiting the set."

She turned around to face him, reached out and cupped his face in her hands, her voice tinged with laughter:

"Mr. Gu, are your employees aware that you're so clingy?"

Ignoring her concerns, Gu Yan looked at her and asked again, "Can you go?"

Seeing his serious expression, Shu Zi lost all interest in teasing him and nodded.

"Yes, of course you can. You can come whenever you want. The crew can't stop you anyway."

Gu Yan smiled with satisfaction, pulled her closer to him, rested his chin on the top of her head, and held her quietly for a while without saying anything more.

Shu Zi didn't say anything more. She leaned against him, listening to his steady heartbeat, and slowly relaxed, feeling sleepy little by little.

After a while, Gu Yan's voice came from above, low and languid: "Sleepy?"

Shu Zi gave a muffled "hmm," her eyelids already drooping.

Gu Yan glanced down at her: "Shall we go to sleep?"

Shu Zi yawned, propped herself up from his embrace, and rubbed her eyes:

"No, I haven't showered yet."

Gu Yan looked at her, her eyes almost closed from sleep, raised an eyebrow, leaned closer to her ear, and lowered his voice:

"Shall I help you wash?"

Shu Zi's drowsiness was half dispelled by his words, and she turned her head to look at him warily:

"You'll wash it for me? Will you even be able to finish?"

Gu Yan replied calmly, "It depends on the situation; we'll try to keep it under two hours."

Shu Zi slapped him on the chest: "Get lost!"

Gu Yan chuckled, ignoring her "get lost" instruction, and reached out to pull her up from the sofa.

Caught off guard, Shu Zi gasped softly and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck: "What are you doing!"

Gu Yan carried her up the stairs, saying, "I'll help you take a bath."

Shu Zi hesitated for a moment, then said, "I can wash myself!"

"I knew you would."

Gu Yan didn't stop walking. He glanced down at her, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

"But I'm worried you might fall asleep while showering, which wouldn't be safe."

Shu Zi glared at him: "You're the one who's insecure!"

Gu Yan didn't refute, he just chuckled.

Shu Zi angrily punched his shoulder, but he didn't even flinch at the punch. He carried her all the way up to the second floor, into the bathroom, and then put her down.

He reached out and turned on the shower for her, tested the water temperature, then straightened up, looked at her, and said with a smile:

"Should I help you take it off?"

Shu Zi glared at him, her ears turning bright red: "...Screw you taking your clothes off! I can do it myself, you get out!"

Gu Yan didn't move, leaning against the side and raising an eyebrow at her: "Really, you don't need any help?"

"Need not!"

"Sure?"

"Sure!"

Gu Yan clicked his tongue, seemingly quite regretful.

Shu Zi: "..."

Enraged, she punched him again: "Gu Yan! Are you getting out of here or not?!"

Gu Yan smiled, raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, turned and walked out of the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

The bathroom finally quieted down.

Shuzi stood under the showerhead, the hot water washing over her skin and taking away the day's fatigue.

She took a relaxing shower, turned off the tap, and reached for a towel when she suddenly stopped.

She didn't bring her pajamas.

Shu Zi: "..."

She stood in the bathroom wrapped in a bath towel, staring at the empty pajamas hooks on the shelf. After a couple of seconds of silence, she gritted her teeth and cursed:

"...Gu Yan, you did this on purpose, you bastard!"

She took a deep breath, opened the door a crack, peeked out, and called out, "Gu Yan!"

His unhurried voice came from inside the room, tinged with a knowing smile: "What?"

Shu Zi gritted her teeth: "Pajamas! I didn't bring any pajamas!"

Gu Yan walked to the bathroom door and looked at her, with only half her face showing and her ears turning red. He smiled slightly.

He reached out and took her nightgown from the coat rack, handing it to her.

Shu Zi reached out to take it, but he didn't let go. Instead, he took a step forward and leaned half his body into the doorway.

Shu Zi subconsciously took half a step back. The bath towel was slightly soaked by the steam and clung to her skin. The red marks below her collarbone, which had not completely faded, were faintly visible in the steam.

Gu Yan's gaze slowly slid across her face, landing on the marks. His eyes darkened, and his voice lowered slightly:

"Baby, are you done with your bath?"

Shu Zi stared at him warily: "I'm done washing, the clothes have been delivered, you can leave now."

Gu Yan took another half step forward, encircling her between himself and the wall, lowered his head, and his lips lightly brushed against her earlobe:

"But I haven't washed yet."

Shu Zi reached out and pressed against his chest: "Then go wash up, I'm not stopping you."

Gu Yan chuckled softly, his breath brushing against her ear: "Together?"

Shu Zi gave him a push: "Sister Wen said I can't stay up late."

Gu Yan didn't pull away, but pressed his forehead against hers, coaxing her softly, "Baby, just once."

Shu Zi opened her mouth, intending to refuse, but when she met his eyes and remembered that she was about to join the film crew, her words softened.

"Just this once, you can't—"

Before he could finish speaking, he lowered his head and sealed her lips with his.

The nightgown in her hand silently slipped to the ground, and the bath towel was gently pulled open as well.

Between a few moments of passionate kissing, he whispered, "Just once, I promise."

Amidst the warm, misty air, the sound of water mingled with subtle noises, rippling intermittently through the humid atmosphere.

……

After an unknown amount of time, the sound of water finally stopped.

Gu Yan wrapped her in a bath towel, dried her off carefully, and then put a clean nightgown on her before picking her up and carrying her out of the bathroom.