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

Suddenly suspended in mid-air, the feeling of weightlessness made Shu Zi gasp, and most of her remaining sleepiness was startled away.

She instinctively reached out and, in her panic, tightly wrapped her arms around Gu Yan's neck, pressing herself against his chest without any gap between them.

"Gu Yan, you..." She looked up and met his jawline, which was so close to hers.

She could clearly feel his heartbeat from his chest and his body temperature through his clothes.

Gu Yan tightened his arms, pulling her closer into his embrace, adjusting them to a more comfortable and... closer position.

"Don't move, or you'll fall."

His voice was lower than usual, with a hint of hoarseness. He looked straight ahead without looking down at her. He turned around with her in his arms and slammed the car door shut with his heel.

Shu Zi froze in his arms, her cheek pressed against his warm chest through the thin fabric of her clothes, her ears involuntarily burning.

This position... is too close.

But this clarity didn't last long before drowsiness swept over them again.

She buried her face in his chest, his cool, pleasant scent filling her nostrils. Her mind grew increasingly hazy, and she murmured softly, "Gu Yan..."

"Um."

"You smell so good..." She unconsciously rubbed against him.

Gu Yan paused almost imperceptibly, his Adam's apple bobbing heavily. The arm supporting her legs tightened slightly, and his voice was deep and almost hoarse: "Don't move."

"Oh," Shu Zi mumbled in response, obediently remaining still, her breathing gradually becoming even and long.

Gu Yan carried her through the living room and went straight up to the second floor.

He carefully placed her on the soft bed. As soon as Shu Zi touched the pillow, she automatically curled up in the quilt and became a comfortable ball.

Gu Yanli stood by the bedside, not leaving immediately.

He looked down at her peaceful sleeping face, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

After a long while, he let out a very soft breath, bent down, helped her take off her shoes, pulled the quilt over her carefully, and covered her up to her chin.

His fingertips stopped just before touching her cheek, then curled back.

"Goodnight, Nuonuo." The deep, breathy voice fell into the silent air, almost inaudible.

Back on the first floor, he unbuttoned his suit jacket, casually draped it over the armrest of the sofa, walked to the island, poured himself a glass of ice water, and gulped down most of it.

His Adam's apple bobbed rapidly a few times before he managed to suppress the inexplicable heat rising in his heart.

The phone screen lit up; it was a message from Wu Qiwei about the progress of private contacts between several minority shareholders of Tomato Media, and about a luxury brand endorsement that Fang Yutong had recently been approached to, but the brand seemed hesitant.

Gu Yan glanced at it and replied briefly: "Keep an eye on it, cut off the endorsement."

He put down his phone and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.

The villa area is quiet at night, with ground lights in the courtyard outlining the contours of the grass and trees, while the city lights shine brightly in the distance.

He recalled what He Yuzhuo had said that evening.

"Are you really planning to keep hiding like this forever?"

Tibetan?

A faint smile curved at the corners of Gu Yan's lips.

He never intended to hide; he was just afraid that if he pressed too hard, he would scare away the cat that had finally gotten a little closer but was still bewildered and wary.

He had planned to wait for her to gradually notice and get used to his presence.

But some of his thoughts seemed to have slipped out of his control...

the next day.

Shu Zi slept until she naturally woke up, stretched out in bed, and slept contentedly.

She looked down at the clothes she was still wearing yesterday and fell into deep thought.

Hmm... how did she get up here yesterday?

Forget it, whatever.

There's no one else but Gu Yan who could bring her up here.

She took a shower first, and then went downstairs.

Downstairs, Gu Yan was already sitting by the island, with a tablet in front of him and a cup of black coffee beside him.

He had changed into a light gray cotton T-shirt. Hearing the noise, he looked up and said, "Good morning."

Good morning.

Shu Zi yawned and walked over, naturally sitting down on the bar stool, resting her chin on her crossed arms, and looked at Gu Yan, "What do you want to eat? I woke up hungry."

Gu Yan pushed the fried sunny-side-up egg and bacon in front of her, and then handed her milk and toast spread with strawberry jam.

Shu Zi swallowed hard, picked up the toast, took a big bite, and squinted her eyes in satisfaction: "Delicious~"

After finishing her meal, Shu Zi first asked Gu Yan to take her to the mall to buy some gifts before returning to the Gu family home.

Noon, at the Gu family's old house.

As soon as the car entered the courtyard and before it had come to a complete stop, a gentle woman in a light purple cheongsam quickly came out to greet us, her face full of smiles.

"Nuonuo, Ayan, you've finally arrived!"

As soon as Shu Zi got out of the car, she rushed over to her, exclaiming, "Aunt Xia! I missed you so much!"

She affectionately hugged Xia Yun's arm and rubbed against it.

Xia Yun smiled broadly, her eyes barely closing as she gently patted Shu Zi's hand.

"Oh my, my Nuonuo, let Aunt Xia take a look. Have you lost weight again? Is work very tiring? That lousy show, if you're not happy doing it, we won't go anymore. Come home, Aunt Xia will take care of you!"

"Mom." Gu Yan parked the car and walked over, calling out with a hint of helplessness.

"What are you yelling about? Get out of here! Can't you see your dad's busy in the kitchen? Go help him!"

Xia Yun waved her hand dismissively at her son, then turned to Shu Zi with a loving expression:

"Nuonuo, come quick! Your Uncle Gu is really going all out today. He started cooking that pot of ribs early this morning and won't let anyone touch it."

Shu Zi was being pulled inside by Xia Yun, and upon hearing this, her eyes lit up even more:

"Really? I've been craving Uncle Gu's sweet and sour pork ribs! Aunt Xia, I bought you and Uncle Gu a gift!"

She handed over the bag in her hand as if it were a treasure.

"Oh dear, you're already here, why did you bring a gift? You silly child!" Xia Yun scolded playfully, but her eyes were full of joy.

She took the bag and glanced at it, then exclaimed with delight, "These beads are of such high quality! Nuonuo has such a good eye! Much better than Ayan!"

"Mom, I'm still here." Gu Yan's voice came softly from behind. He had already taken off his coat and was rolling up his sleeves.

"So what if I said something wrong?"

Xia Yun pulled Shu Zi to sit down on the sofa and eagerly tried on the pearl necklace. "Nuonuo, quickly help Aunt Xia see if it looks good?"

"You look beautiful! It suits your temperament perfectly! You look like a fairy!" Shu Zi said sweetly.

At this moment, Gu Danchen, wearing an apron, came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of bright red and fragrant sweet and sour pork ribs.

Seeing Shuzi in the living room, his face immediately lit up with a smile: "Nuonuo's here! Quick, quick, wash your hands and get ready to eat! Uncle's ribs today are cooked to perfection!"

"Uncle Gu!"

Shu Zi immediately stood up, ran to Gu Danchen's side, took a deep breath, and exclaimed in exaggerated delight, "It smells so good! Just smelling it makes me want to eat three bowls of rice!"

"Hahaha, then eat more! Look how skinny you are!"

Gu Danchen, beaming with delight, directed Gu Yan, who was standing nearby, "What are you all standing there for? Set the table! Don't you have any manners at all!"

Gu Yan: "..."

The meal was plentiful, and most of the dishes were Shuzi's favorites.

Gu Danchen kept putting food on Shu Zi's plate, especially the mountain of spare ribs:

"Eat more, this is so flavorful! Did you not eat well on the show? Those boxed lunches aren't very nutritious!"

Xia Yun carefully removed the fish bones and placed the fish meat into Shu Zi's bowl:

"Nuonuo, try this fish, it's very fresh. No matter how busy you are at work, you must eat on time, okay?"

Shu Zi's bowl was piled high with food, and she ate until her cheeks were bulging, nodding repeatedly.

"Mmm, Uncle Gu's ribs are the best in the world! Aunt Xia, you should try some too! Wow! This fish is so fresh!"

Gu Yan sat down next to her, silently served her a bowl of soup and let it cool, then quietly put the green peppers she didn't like into his own bowl.