Evening, at the Yun Ding Apartments.
Gu Chengyu had returned home early. Having changed into dark gray lounge pants and a black T-shirt, he was leaning back on the living room sofa.
While waiting for his girl to come home, he was using a secondary account on Weibo to like comments praising her.
Close to seven o'clock, the door opened and Su Qianqian walked in.
She kicked off her little leather shoes and, still in her socks, threw herself toward the man on the sofa.
Gu Chengyu had put down his tablet the moment she entered, expertly opening his arms to catch her completely and draw her into his embrace.
"Why are you so late?" He lowered his head, his chin nuzzling against her soft hair. Catching the faint scent of hospital antiseptic on her, his brows furrowed slightly.
Had she been to the hospital?
Su Qianqian found the most comfortable position in his arms, nestling into him all soft and pliant. Her voice carried a note of weariness. "Weiwei had a fever, I stayed with her at the hospital for a long time..."
As she spoke, she felt how wonderfully warm he was.
She slightly lifted her two chilly little feet, hooking her left foot against her right, and her right against her left, deftly peeling off her socks.
Then, she directly slipped her bare little feet under the hem of his T-shirt, pressing them against his firm, scorching abs.
"Mmm..." Gu Chengyu tensed from the cold, a low groan escaping his throat.
But he didn't push her away. Instead, he adjusted his posture, letting her little feet nestle more comfortably against him.
At the same time, his large hand covered them, gently kneading her slender ankles and the tops of her feet to warm her up.
As he caressed them, he couldn't help but muse.
If only she didn't get all fussy after he kissed her delicate feet, forbidding him from kissing her lips afterward, he'd really like to lower his head right now and give those tender little feet a few good, affectionate kisses.
Su Qianqian closed her eyes, enjoying his attentive care, her voice soft and sweet.
"I didn't really do anything, just watched Weiwei get her IV, but it feels more exhausting than a whole day of acting classes."
"Ah~ Taking care of a sick person really isn't easy."
Hearing this, Gu Chengyu's brows knitted together again.
His free hand reached up to feel her forehead, checking her temperature, then touched her cheek and palm, only relaxing slightly after confirming she wasn't feverish.
His tone was uncharacteristically serious. "Weren't you just saying how tough she was a couple days ago, wearing so little and being all eager to try it yourself? Now you see the consequence?"
"Qin Yuwei brought that on herself. Doesn't know to add clothes when it gets cold, choosing style over warmth. She deserves the misery."
"You're not allowed to copy her, understand?"
"Mhmm, mhmm." Su Qianqian nodded her little head obediently. She didn't want any shots, so she better listen.
Gu Chengyu pinched the tip of her nose and continued his lecturing. "Also, next time she gets sick, let Fang Qing take care of her. You are not to accompany her to the hospital again."
"What if you catch it? Your constitution is already weaker than most, you can't handle the strain."
As he spoke, he remembered how miserable she was the last time she fell ill.
He immediately tightened his arms around the girl, resting his chin on the crown of her head. His voice lowered, carrying a note of obsessive seriousness.
"To me, no one else matters. You are the most important."
"So, you have to stay perfectly well for me. Not a single thing can go wrong."
Su Qianqian felt her heart melt into a sweet, syrupy pool from his stream of nagging, and her weariness seemed to dissipate quite a bit.
She lifted her head from his chest, blinking her dewy almond-shaped eyes, and cooed softly, "I know, A-Yu is the best, he cares for me the most..."
She reached out her slender, pale arms to wrap around his neck, actively tilting her little face up to plant a light kiss on his jawline.
"I'll listen to A-Yu. I'll wear more from now on, and I won't just run off to the hospital anymore, okay?"
Gu Chengyu's temper completely dissolved at her adorable, coquettish display, his heart turning to mush.
He lowered his head, capturing those two delicate, rosy lips, teasing and tangling with them until she was breathless before reluctantly letting go.
"My good Qianqian," he murmured hoarsely.
Gu Chengyu stroked her back with his large hand, helping her catch her breath.
He suddenly remembered something and spoke slowly.
"That tender green little dress from before, the one I accidentally ruined by biting and tugging... The brand sent over quite a few new styles today. They're all hanging in the walk-in closet."
"I originally wanted to wait for you to come back and coax you into trying each one on for me to see."
He paused, sighed, his tone tinged with regret. "But let's forget it for now. We'll save them for spring, then you can wear them for me."
After all, even though the apartment was very warm indoors, he was afraid she might catch a chill and didn't dare risk it.
His more amorous thoughts faded a little.
Su Qianqian, listening while resting her head on his chest, had an idea pop into her head.
She lifted her little face, propping her chin on his firm chest, blinking her dewy almond-shaped eyes. Her voice was soft, sweet, and carried a hint of grievance.
"A-Yu, I'd forgotten all about the new clothes until you mentioned them. That sky-blue set I wore to Nanwan, do you remember it?"
