Ten days later, at night.
Yunding Apartment, living room.
The air was filled with a faint scent of orange blossom incense.
Su Qianqian wore a soft, creamy-white loungewear set, sinking comfortably into the wide, cozy sofa like a lazy cat.
She hugged a fluffy pillow in her arms, resting her chin on it, seemingly lost in thought. But her moist apricot eyes never blinked, fixed intently on the virtual screen floating before her.
It was the footage that System 007 had pulled up for her.
The screen was split in two.
On the left, in the Yunque private room, Shen Que and others were teasing, while Gu Chengyu put on a tough front, stubbornly insisting, "In half a month, Lin Shu will beg to reconcile."
On the right, the next day at a café, Lin Shu was carefully dressed up but sat there dazed and helpless.
Su Qianqian’s fingertips absentmindedly traced the plush fibers of her pillow.
Looking at Lin Shu’s lost and forlorn face, her soft pink lips curled into a sly little fox’s smile.
Lost, huh?
She could make sure Lin Shu wouldn’t feel that way anymore.
The faint sound of the door opening came from the entrance.
Su Qianqian immediately sprang up like a cheerful little bird, barefoot stepping onto the soft carpet, her footsteps light and quick as she hurried to greet him.
“Master Gu! You’re back!” Her voice was sweet and soft, brimming with unrestrained excitement.
Gu Chengyu had just taken off his suit jacket and casually hung it on the hallway cabinet.
He saw the girl quickly leap into view, tilting her small face up, eyes sparkling brightly.
“Mm,” he replied naturally, reaching out to ruffle her soft hair.
Su Qianqian took the chance to hug his arm, her little mouth chattering away: “Are you hungry? Auntie Zhang made bird’s nest soup and it’s still warm.”
“Today I practiced dancing, and the teacher said I’m fully qualified now.”
She lifted her face, proud and eager for praise. “The director even asked if I was ready for tomorrow’s flower queen dance scene, wondering if we needed to postpone.”
“I said no postponement, I’ll nail it in one take.”
Gu Chengyu was touched by her boundless energy, the corners of his lips lifting slightly as he let her cling to his arm while they walked back to the living room.
He lowered his gaze, watching the girl’s fair, joyful face and her eyes shining with an astonishing brightness.
His little girl was unusually talkative today, and unusually… excited?
Without a word, he let her lead him to sit down on the sofa.
Su Qianqian immediately nestled close to him, naturally leaning into his side, continuing, “Brother Wang even called me at noon, asking if I’m confident about tomorrow’s scenes. Newcomers can’t be nervous; I have to have camera presence…”
Gu Chengyu stretched out his long arm, pulling her even closer into his embrace.
His chin rested atop her fragrant hair, eyes closed, his nose filled with her sweet, soft scent as he listened to her babble about her day.
Those trivial things—bird’s nest soup, dance practice, Brother Wang, the new script—were ordinary on their own, but when spoken by this girl, they sounded so enchanting.
Until it seemed she had said all she could, and the living room was left with only the soft sound of her gentle breathing.
Gu Chengyu slowly opened his eyes, his phoenix-shaped eyes gleaming with a knowing, playful glint. He lowered his head and rubbed his chin gently against her forehead. "Finished talking? Hmm?"
Su Qianqian felt ticklish from his touch and shrank her neck slightly. Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink as she lifted her sparkling apricot-shaped eyes to look at him. Her gaze was a mix of being caught off guard and a little shy, yet tinged with hope. "...Yes, I’m done."
"You little liar."
Gu Chengyu chuckled softly and pinched her perky little nose. "After all that buildup, what exactly are you trying to say? Hmm? The truth finally revealed?"
Su Qianqian’s face turned even redder, like a blushing, ripe peach.
She fidgeted a little, tugging at the sleeve of his shirt with her small hand. Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying a hint of tentative curiosity. "Um… Gu Young Master, are you busy tomorrow afternoon?"
Gu Chengyu raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.
"Well, tomorrow afternoon, I’m going to film the entrance dance for the Flower Queen..."
Her voice grew softer as she spoke, but her eyes sparkled brightly as she sneakily glanced at him. "Would you like to come watch?"
Immediately after, she added quickly, "Just for a little while! I’ll leave right after filming! It won’t take up much of your time! Really! I promise!"
She tilted her delicate face up, looking at him with eyes full of hope and nervous anticipation.
Gu Chengyu’s heart started bubbling with warmth, melting completely inside.
He had already cleared his schedule for the entire afternoon.
How could he possibly miss the first role of his little girl’s life?
But seeing her so nervously hopeful, Gu Chengyu’s mischievous side kicked in again.
He deliberately frowned, showing a hint of difficulty and regret in his voice: "Tomorrow afternoon, huh..."
He dragged out the tone, watching the light in her eyes dim and her small mouth involuntarily pout, before slowly continuing, "Seems like... there’s a pretty important international conference..."
The sparkle in Su Qianqian’s eyes instantly vanished, and her little face drooped. The fingers holding onto his sleeve loosened, her voice low and disappointed. "Oh… I see… then I guess it’s fine..."
She lowered her head, long lashes drooping like a frostbitten eggplant.
Seeing her so pitifully upset, Gu Chengyu’s heart ached, and he almost burst out laughing.
He stifled his smile and reached out to lift her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
Her lips pouted even more—practically hanging like a little oil bottle.
"But you know..." He dragged out the words, looking into her eyes as a flicker of hope reignited. Calm and deliberate, he said, "It’s not completely impossible."
"Really?" Su Qianqian’s eyes lit up again.
"Mm." Gu Chengyu nodded, his thumb gently stroking the smooth skin of her jaw. His gaze was playful, his voice lowered and teasing, "But, my little actress, if you want to invite this important investor to visit your set, shouldn’t... there be some kind of reward?"
Su Qianqian’s little face instantly flushed bright red.
Of course, she knew exactly what kind of reward he meant—this naughty scoundrel!
"What kind of reward?" she whispered, already knowing the answer but asking anyway.
Gu Chengyu smiled softly, his long fingers tapping lightly on his thin lips, his gaze fixed intently on her, his intentions as clear as day.
Su Qianqian quickly glanced at him, then looked away as if his perfectly shaped lips had just burned her.
She bit her lower lip, shaking her small head like a rattle: "No! Tonight... absolutely not tonight!"
She recalled all those times in the dance studio, and every moment in the living room or master bedroom... her waist always ached the next day.
If he caused a ruckus tonight, how could she film tomorrow?
Yet, while she insisted no, she was like a brave yet shy little bird, inching closer on her own accord.
Not directly kissing his lips.
Her soft lips, carrying a sweet fragrance, like a delicate feather, first lightly landed on Gu Chengyu’s brow.
He blinked in surprise.
Then, that gentle touch moved to his high nose bridge.
Ticklish.
Next, his nose tip.
Then, like a dragonfly skimming the water, it swiftly brushed over his cheeks on both sides.
Finally, it touched his thin lips, restrained and fleeting, barely a brush.
Having done all this, Su Qianqian immediately shrank back like a startled rabbit, burying herself in the corner of the sofa, clutching a pillow, afraid he might rush over and tease her.
She looked up with big, bright, watery eyes, sparkling with a hint of mischief and shyness, softly mumbling, "Just this kind of kiss... no more! I’m afraid you’ll... lose control..."
Gu Chengyu was completely stunned.
He savored the light, tingling touches on his brow, nose bridge, nose tip, cheeks, and that brief, tender contact on his lips.
This string of shy pecks was like a small electric current, unexpectedly striking the softest part of his heart.
There was no deep, passionate kiss as he had imagined, but it softened him far more than any intense demand ever could.
He looked at the girl hiding behind the pillow, revealing a pair of clear apricot eyes.
Her lips were slightly pouted, wearing an innocent expression that said, "I did my best, I can’t do more."
His Qianqian, how could she be this adorable!!!
Gu Chengyu chuckled lowly, his chest vibrating with genuine joy.
With a long reach, he effortlessly scooped up the tiny figure curled in the corner, pillow and all, pulling her firmly into his embrace.
He lowered his head, resting his forehead against hers, his eyes filled with deep affection and delight, his voice gentle: "Silly girl..."
While savoring this intimacy that made his heart flutter, he couldn’t help but trace her delicate brows and eyes with his fingertips, as if he could never get enough.
How were her lashes so long? Like little fans.
How were her apricot eyes so bright? Like crushed starlight.
How was her cheek so soft? Like jiggly jelly.
How were her tender lips so tempting? Like rose petals.
No matter how much he looked, it was never enough.
Nestled in his arms, feeling his unabashedly doting gaze, Su Qianqian’s little anxieties melted away. She knew he would definitely come tomorrow.
She settled comfortably in his embrace, as if she had found a warm harbor.
“So… it’s a promise, right?” she whispered softly, her voice sweet and coaxing. “Tomorrow afternoon…”
“Mm,” Gu Chengyu replied.
He lowered his head, his gaze filled with tenderness and care, gently brushing her smooth forehead with his.
His time had long been set aside just for her.
And his eyes only wanted to rest upon her.
