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

Gu Yan glanced down at the hands wrapped around his waist, chuckled softly, put down the noodles in his hand, turned off the stove, and turned around.

With one hand supporting her waist and the other tucking her legs in, he gently lifted her up and carried her to the edge of the bed.

Shu Zi gasped softly at his sudden action, then laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck without letting go.

Gu Yan glanced down at her, a slight smile playing on his lips:

"Let go, I'll go get the hairdryer."

"don't want."

Shu Zi wrapped her arms around his neck, looked up at him, her eyes were wet, and her voice was soft and sticky, "Hold me for a while before you go."

Gu Yan was wrapped around the neck by her, and in this position, he bent over and looked down at her.

She had just finished showering; her skin was fair with a rosy glow, and tiny water droplets still clung to her eyelashes. Her eyes held a hint of coquetry and dependence.

He looked at her for a few seconds, then reached out and cupped the back of her head, lowered his head and kissed her.

Shu Zi leaned back slightly from his kiss, her fingers unconsciously gripping the fabric on his shoulder, letting out a muffled nasal sound.

After a long while, Gu Yan slowly stepped back, his forehead pressed against hers, his breathing slightly unsteady.

"...Baby, can I go get the hairdryer now?"

Shu Zi's ears turned bright red, and she replied softly, "...Okay."

Gu Yan chuckled softly, pecked her lips again, then straightened up, turned and went into the bathroom to get the hairdryer.

The hairdryer hummed, and warm air brushed against Shuzi's long hair.

Gu Yan stood in front of her, half-encircling her, his fingers running through her hair, blowing on it strand by strand, his movements unhurried and calm.

Shu Zi sat obediently, but her hands started to wander.

She first pretended to touch his waist casually, then secretly slipped her fingertips under the hem of his shirt and gently traced the lines of his firm abdominal muscles.

Gu Yan paused for a moment. The airflow from the hairdryer remained the same, but his breathing became heavier.

"Be good, stop fooling around."

His voice was lower and hoarser than before, but he didn't actually stop her.

Shu Zi ignored her and deliberately drew a circle on his abs with her fingertip.

Gu Yan looked down at her, his voice filled with a helpless smile: "Baby, you'll never finish blowing like this."

Shu Zi raised her head and looked at him innocently, but then poked his abs with her finger, suppressing a laugh and pretending that she hadn't done anything.

Gu Yan looked at her deliberately mischievous expression, said nothing, but turned off the hair dryer and put it aside. He then took her still mischievous hand, leaned down and kissed her.

Shu Zi leaned back as he kissed her, her fingers slipping from his grasp and climbing onto his shoulder.

Gu Yan took the opportunity to pull her onto his lap, sat down on the edge of the bed, and kissed her from the corner of her lips to her ear, his breath hot:

"Intentional?"

Shu Zi blinked, trying to play dumb: "What do you mean, intentionally?"

Gu Yan was amused by her expression and gently bit her earlobe.

"She's still acting up during her period, always causing me trouble."

Shu Zi, having been seen through by him, stopped pretending and leaned into his arms with a smile: "Anyway, you can't do anything to me."

Gu Yan looked down at her confident and fearless expression, chuckled helplessly, reached out and pulled her closer to him, resting his chin on the top of her head:

"Okay, you're good."

Shu Zi nestled against his chest, laughing even harder.

Gu Yan didn't say anything more, but simply picked up the hair dryer again and turned it on.

The warm breeze brushed against her hair again, but this time, his movements were a little slower than before.

After her hair was completely dry, Gu Yan put away the hairdryer and casually smoothed the hair on her shoulder.

"Okay, sit and wait a bit, I'll go cook the noodles."

Shu Zi nodded obediently, sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed, and watched him turn and walk into the small kitchen.

The water boiled, the noodles were put into the pot, and the steam rose up, blurring the outline of his profile.

Shu Zi rested her chin on her hand, looking at him from half a room away, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved up.

Not long after, Gu Yan came out carrying a steaming bowl of noodles and placed it on the small table.

The soup base was clear, with two poached eggs nestled on top and a sprinkle of bright green scallions.

Shu Zi walked over and sat down. She glanced down, picked up her chopsticks, blew on a piece of noodles, and put it in her mouth.

She chewed a couple of times, then looked up at him, her eyes shining: "Delicious."

Gu Yan sat down opposite her, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Then eat more."

Not long after, the doorbell rang.

Gu Yan got up to open the door. Wu Qiwei stood at the door, holding a tote bag, and said a few words in a low voice.

Gu Yan took the bag, nodded, his expression unchanged, and simply replied, "I understand," before closing the door.

He walked back and put the bag aside.

Shu Zi looked up at him: "What is it?"

"Change of clothes."

Shu Zi said "Oh," and continued eating her noodles without asking any more questions.

After she finished the last sip of soup, she put down the bowl and sighed contentedly.

Gu extended his hand to take the empty bowl, got up to wash it, dried his hands, and came back.

Shu Zi had already stood up from the table and walked to the window to stretch her limbs.

Gu Yan walked behind her, reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, gently rested his chin on her shoulder, and hugged her quietly for a while.

"Are you tired?" he asked.

"I'm tired." She leaned against him, her voice softening.

He released her: "I'm going to take a shower, you go to sleep first."

Shu Zi turned around and tugged at his sleeve: "Then hurry up."

Gu Yan looked down at her and placed a kiss on her forehead: "Mmm, soon."

Gu Yan turned and walked into the bathroom, and soon the sound of water could be heard.

Shu Zi climbed into bed, burrowed under the covers, fluffed up the pillows, and lay on her side for a while.

Sleepiness slowly crept in, and her eyelids began to droop, but she still stayed awake.

The bathroom door opened, and Gu Yan walked out, his half-dry hair hanging down in front of his forehead.

He saw that she was still awake, walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed: "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Shu Zi moved aside to make room for him: "Wait for you."

Gu Yan smiled slightly, lifted the blanket and lay down, reaching out to pull her into his arms.

Shu Zi leaned closer, rested her head on his arm, buried her face in his chest, and smelled his familiar scent, which made her slowly relax.

Gu Yan's hand naturally landed on her abdomen, his palm pressed against her pajamas, rubbing it gently.

Shu Zi felt the warmth of his palm, and the vague discomfort in her body was gradually dissipated, making her feel much more comfortable.

She buried her face deeper into his chest, closed her eyes, and asked sleepily, "When are you leaving?"

"Early the day after tomorrow."

She hummed in agreement and didn't speak again; her breathing gradually calmed down.

Gu Yan looked down at the person who was already asleep in his arms, and reached out to turn off the light.

In the darkness, he tightened his arms around her waist, softened his movements, rested his chin on the top of her head, and closed his eyes.