Chapter 12: Seductive Beauty

　　There were a total of four scripts prepared for today’s skit. Aside from the domineering CEO with his secretary and the Empire’s Alpha with his fragile Omega, Yang Chen and Zhang Yiming happened to draw the roles of a gluttonous vampire count and an even greedier, pure-hearted human boy.

　　Now, only Li Zhu and Cui Hang remained. They exchanged glances, then stepped forward to draw their lots.

　　Cui Hang glanced at the slip of paper and announced with mock gravity, “I’m the sickly beauty who coughs up blood and is on the verge of death.”

　　Li Zhu reeled in shock. “I-I’m the emperor who poisoned the beauty.”

　　The director clapped her hands with delight. “Alright, everyone’s drawn their lots! Quickly change into your costumes and get ready! We’ll start with the ABO group, followed by the CEO group, then the vampire group, and finish with the sickly beauty group.”

　　The afternoon sun streamed into the living room, bathing the carpet in a soft, fluffy glow.

　　Fu Yue had never read an ABO novel. After slipping into the silk pajamas the crew had prepared for him, he stood quietly by the living room’s floor-to-ceiling window, basking in the afternoon sun and waiting for Gu Panqiu to finish changing. Even then, he was still puzzling over the strange world setting he had just read, murmuring to himself, “Feed them until fully… satisfied?”

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　　“Have you… met your other dad?” Fu Yue inquired softly, watching Jiujiu’s expression closely. “Do you remember him?”

　　“I only have one daddy,” he mumbled, half-asleep.

　　Once his styling was done, Gu Panqiu stepped out and spotted them—an adult and a kid—sitting side by side on the balcony. They were whispering to each other about something, though what exactly remained a mystery.

　　“But when I’m bigger, maybe I can find my other daddy,” Jiujiu stated with all seriousness. “He got lost, so I’ll find him and bring him home when I grow up.”

　　The more Fu Yue looked at Jiujiu, the fonder he became. He reached out to straighten Jiujiu’s collar, a flicker of inexplicable guilt softening his gaze.

　　Sensing a shift in his emotions, Jiujiu looked up with wide, curious eyes. “Uncle, what’s wrong?”

　　Fu Yue shook his head. “It’s nothing.”

　　Resting his head against Fu Yue, Jiujiu stretched his little arms out and yawned adorably. “Then I want a hug, Uncle.”

　　Deep down, a warmth bloomed within Fu Yue. Although he had not wanted anything to do with Gu Panqiu, the thought that Jiujiu might really be his son did not seem so bad after all.

　　“Gu Panqiu, Jiujiu’s getting sleepy. Let’s not make him take part in the ABO thing with us,” Fu Yue pointed out. “The little one’s already yawned three times.”

　　“Alright.”

　　Gu Panqiu held Jiujiu’s small hand and led him back to the bedroom. He tucked the carrot-shaped pillow into Jiujiu’s arms and smiled down at him. “It’s time for a nap, Jiujiu. Dinner will be ready when you wake up.”

　　Shutting his eyes happily, Jiujiu piped up, “Then I want to eat the food Uncle Fu makes!”

　　Gu Panqiu smiled, eyes twinkling. “Okay.”

　　“CEO Fu, Qiuqiu, Xiao Luo, we’re all set to begin!” the director called. “Come on over to the master bedroom for this scene.”

　　Fu Yue rose to his feet, utterly incredulous. “…We’re going to film in the bedroom?”

　　He glanced back and saw Gu Panqiu toweling his damp curls. To Gu Panqiu, though, wet hair always looked sexier.

　　With a playful glint in his eyes, Gu Panqiu remarked, “The script has us as husbands, doesn’t it? So, isn’t it perfectly normal to shoot in the bedroom?”

　　Fu Yue could not be bothered to respond, though his gaze lingered more than once on that damp hair.

　　The bedroom curtains were drawn halfway, sunlight casting shifting shadows across the floor. In a deep blue silk robe, Gu Panqiu stood where light met darkness, his slender back tall and graceful against the contrast.

　　In the corner, Luo Siqi sat in a chair, a white lab coat draped over him. He held a stack of examination reports in his hands and a stethoscope dangling from his neck.

　　“Alright, everyone, we’re rolling! Action!” the director announced.

　　With a stoic expression, Luo Siqi recited, “It’s already your second child, Mr. Xiang, and you still don’t know how to care for an Omega? Your Omega needs your pheromones to feel at ease, so hug him more often.”

　　Xiao Luo delivered it like a rap, utterly devoid of feeling.

　　“Alright, I understand,” Fu Yue replied, nodding slightly. “Thanks for your hard work, Doctor.”

　　After the doctor left with his medical kit, Gu Panqiu cast a fragile and pitiful glance at Fu Yue.

　　He parted his lips slightly and let out a trembling “Husband?”

　　That single sound pulled Fu Yue into the moment despite himself. Stiffly, he recited the damned lines, “Liangliang, we’ve been married for over five years, our eldest is already five, and you’re carrying our second… Yet, you still don’t know how much I love you?”

　　Gu Panqiu moved with the lithe grace of a cat, slipping up to Fu Yue. Droplets of water clung to his hair, falling softly onto Fu Yue’s arm.

　　The scent that enveloped him was as sharp as winter air, and his skin was as white as snow. 

　　Though he exuded such chill, an inexplicable warmth surged through Fu Yue.

　　The faint scent lingering on Gu Panqiu teased Fu Yue’s senses, and for a fleeting moment, he was almost convinced that Gu Panqiu was an Omega that exuded pheromones.

　　Gu Panqiu looked at Fu Yue with gentle, endearing eyes and whispered, “You’re so fierce, Husband…”

　　All of a sudden, Fu Yue recalled the litter of white kittens he had encountered on that snowy day. Despite being nearly frozen and on the verge of losing consciousness, they still moved through the snow with a wobbly grace, leaving a trail of pawprints that looked like scattered plum blossoms.

　　Fu Yue calmed himself for a few seconds, barely restraining the urge to lean in and sneak a whiff of his scent.

　　“I’m willing to give you everything I have,” Fu Yue’s voice trembled with intensity. “I’d even give up my military rank to follow you to the countryside. But you have to trust me—don’t hide everything from me. You didn’t even tell me when you were feeling unwell from the pregnancy. Do you even consider me your husband?”

　　At this point in the script, Xiang Yu drew the trembling Ye Liang into his arms.

　　But Fu Yue did not hug Gu Panqiu. He kept his distance, not even letting their fingers brush. He watched Gu Panqiu in silence, wondering if anyone had cared for him while he was pregnant, and if it had been just as hard for him.

　　Gu Panqiu’s eyes arched ever so slightly. The more serious and restrained Fu Yue appeared, the more he longed to see him let loose.

　　He burrowed into Fu Yue’s embrace, resting his pointed chin against Fu Yue’s shoulder.

　　In that instant, Fu Yue felt as though a jolt of electricity had shot through him, and everyone present held their breath. Luo Siqi’s eyes widened in shock; he had not anticipated that Gu Panqiu would take the initiative like this.

　　Gu Panqiu’s wet locks clung to Fu Yue’s chest as he spoke with a hint of grievance, “Husband, if you love me, won’t you hug me? An Alpha is meant to soothe his Omega with pheromones, yet you hardly ever hold me.”

　　Fu Yue was thrown off guard. The body in his arms was slender, carrying with it a sweet, captivating scent.

　　In this scene, Fu Yue should have been the one to hug Gu Panqiu, but somehow Gu Panqiu slipped straight into his arms. And that line? He ad-libbed it on the spot.

　　Fu Ye was unsure whether it was because he had slept with Gu Panqiu that one time, or if Gu Panqiu was just irresistibly seductive today. Feeling the warmth in his arms, his thoughts began to run wild.

　　Still, he could not shake the feeling that Gu Panqiu was deliberately provoking him.

　　He tightened his grip slightly, effortlessly scooping Gu Panqiu onto the bedroom desk. Pulling him close, he wrapped his hands around Gu Panqiu’s slender waist. “What’s going through that head of yours? If I don’t love you, how did we end up with a second child?”

　　Gu Panqiu obediently leaned against his sturdy chest. “Husband…”

　　Fu Yue lowered his head, pretending to bite the gland at the nape of his neck.

　　“Cut!” The director exclaimed, barely containing her excitement. “You two really make a great pair!”

　　Fu Yue quickly wiped the water off his chest, the scent of cedar lingering on his skin. “Gu Panqiu, you’ve gotten me all wet!”

　　Gu Panqiu gave him a lazy sideways glance. “Wet with what?”

　　At that moment, Fu Yue sensed something was wrong—he had walked right into Gu Panqiu’s trap. Masking the turmoil in his heart, he responded coldly, “Finished? I’m leaving.”

　　The director’s eyes shone with admiration. “Ah! CEO Fu, the way you speak—it’s got that Alpha vibe!”

　　Fu Yue straightened his clothes and strode out with long, decisive steps. Once back in his bedroom, he lightly touched his cheek and realized his body was warmer than usual.

　　His mind kept replaying the image of Gu Panqiu’s glistening eyes and damp curls, along with the gentle voice and the fragrance that lingered in his embrace when he nestled in, seeking affection.

　　Adults could easily tell the difference between deliberate seduction and an accidental brush.

　　Even so, Fu Yu could not make sense of Gu Panqiu’s motives. After brooding on it, a troubling possibility took shape: was he merely searching for a way to get exposure, to the point where he was willing to barter his body for such opportunities?

　　The very idea sickened Fu Yue. His brows knit as he fought to drive the thought away.

　　Standing next to the director, Gu Panqiu watched the playback, taking in every detail.

　　The moment he slipped into Fu Yue’s arms, Fu Yue’s hands froze—unsure whether to rest on his narrow back or his slim waist. For a heartbeat, they hovered in midair before he finally wrapped his arms around the other tightly.

　　Gu Panqiu smiled, eyes glinting with satisfaction. “CEO Fu is quite the actor.”

　　The director practically radiated excitement. “Qiuqiu, you could totally star in a TV drama! I used to make those melodramatic shows myself, but when the market tanked, I switched over to directing variety shows.”

　　Gu Panqiu’s eyes widened in shock. “No wonder you arranged this segment…”

　　As Lu Yao descended from the second floor, he could not help but wonder what Gu Panqiu and Fu Yue had been filming. But the moment he watched the playback, his brows knitted in an instant.

　　As soon as he spotted Gu Panqiu enter the restroom, he hurried in after him and pulled the door shut.

　　Then, he pinned Gu Panqiu against the cold tiled wall. “Are you trying to get under my skin, Gu Panqiu?”

　　With a half-smile, Gu Panqiu pushed Lu Yao away. “And why would I want to do that?”

　　Lu Yao’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Why? You tell me why! You must be thinking that this new tactic of yours will get a rise out of me, aren’t you?”

　　Gu Panqiu let out a slow, deliberate “oh” before adding, “Did it get to you? Sorry about that.”

　　Anger flared in Lu Yao, and his hand shot out to strike. But before it could land, Gu Panqiu caught his raised hand, his eyes darkening instantly. “Lu Yao, you really are immature.”

　　Lu Yao’s face flushed with anger. “Who do you think you’re calling immature?”

　　“As you can see, I already have a son. How could I possibly still like you?” Gu Panqiu’s eyes curved like a crescent, but his tone was icy. “I’ve said it before that I still love my son’s father.”

　　Lu Yao jerked his wrist free, frowning. “Don’t ever pester me again. I’m not interested.”

　　Gu Panqiu washed his hands, his gaze softening. “Alright then, we’ll go our separate ways. Just don’t bother me, okay?”

　　Lu Yao mulled over Gu Panqiu’s words, growing more and more perplexed with each passing moment.

　　The Gu Panqiu before him was no longer the love-crazed fool who used to cling to him as if his life depended on it.

　　“Me bother you?” Lu Yao shot back. “What exactly do you mean by that?”

　　Gu Panqiu began to unfasten his belt, a mischievous glint in his eye. “I need to take a leak. Do you want to watch me, or should we have a contest to see who can pee the farthest? After all, you’re the perfect idol; I bet even your aim is flawless.”

　　Bang! Lu Yao slammed the door shut.

　　His company had assigned him the persona of a perfect genius rapper who was raised in luxury and free from worries. Yet deep down, he knew the truth: like Gu Panqiu, he was an orphan who had grown up in an orphanage.

　　Gu Panqiu walked up to the mirror, gazing at his reflection. A faint dimple appeared as he smiled, his eyes curving into gentle crescents.

　　He went back to his bedroom for a nap, but it was not long before Jiujiu woke him with little kisses. The little boy seemed really scared from a bad dream and ended up crawling into Gu Panqiu’s arms with a whimper. “Daddy, I dreamed you didn’t want me anymore… Waaaah!”

　　Patting his son’s tiny back, Gu Panqiu reassured, “I had dreams like this when I was little too. Don’t worry, they aren’t real, and Daddy’s not going anywhere.”

　　Tears welled up in Jiujiu’s eyes as he nodded. But in just five minutes, he had forgotten everything that bothered him and was happily bouncing while watching Peter Rabbit.

　　Gu Panqiu slipped on a cardigan and went upstairs to check out the other teams’ shoots. At first glance, he immediately spotted Shen Yao, who was impeccably dressed in a suit and gold-rimmed glasses.

　　Shen Yao stood in the corner, hugging a stack of files to his chest as he played the part of Lu Yao’s secretary.

　　Behind the desk, Lu Yao sat all business in his tailored suit, his expression one of barely concealed impatience.

　　“CEO Lu.” Shen Yao laid the file neatly on the desk. “These are the reports for today. Please review and sign them.”

　　Lu Yao went quiet for a few seconds, then quietly tugged off his tie. “I told you, when it’s just us, you have to call me ‘Husband.’” 

　　Upon hearing that, Shen Yao could no longer hold it in. He coughed a few times, then whispered, “Husband… but you’re still at work.”

　　With a flick of his arm, Lu Yao sent the files flying. “Come over here, we’ve got some serious work to do!”

　　As the most popular member of the boy group, Lu Yao had a six-pack that looked like perfectly molded chocolate, and not gonna lie, he was pretty handsome.

　　With his back to the camera, he ripped through his shirt in one swift motion. The director, the cameramen, and the onlookers all froze, stunned by the sight of his perfect physique.

　　Lu Yao shrugged out of his shirt and tossed it aside, all the while staring at Shen Yao. “Still not coming over?”

　　Shen Yao, his cute little wife who was a full head taller than him, strode up and draped his suit jacket over Lu Yao’s shoulders. “Don’t catch a chill, Husband.”

　　Standing at the doorway, Gu Panqiu watched with a gentle smile. In his eyes, it did not matter who Lu Yao was with; they always looked like a pair of inseparable buddies.

　　He was tapped on the shoulder out of the blue. Raising his eyes and glancing back, his gaze met Fu Yue’s.

　　Fu Yue’s thick, long eyelashes framed his deep-set eyes as he looked at Gu Panqiu. “My brother wants to video chat with your son. Are you free now?”