Chapter 17: Blushing

　　He Bei sat in the observation room, a thousand thoughts running through his mind. “Qiuqiu is such a tease.”

　　The host beamed with delight. “This is Qiuqiu and CEO Fu’s first date on the show! And you know what? I noticed CEO Fu is actually quite good at this—he took the initiative to hug the little one and even bought water for Qiuqiu… But he’s just way too quiet. He needs to talk more if we’re going to really get to know him.”

　　He Bei chuckled heartily, “Hahahaha! It definitely takes a while for Fu Yue to warm up to someone, but the fact that he got a date with Qiuqiu… well, that at least shows he’s interested in Qiuqiu.”

　　“So far, it looks like Li Zhu, Shen Yao, and CEO Fu all have a thing for Qiuqiu. He’s really popular!” Wang Yuyu remarked. “Now, the remaining guests are moving onto the mutual-selection round. First up is Zhang Yiming—he picked Yang Chen to go on a date, and Yang Chen chose him in return.”

　　“Whoa, I didn’t see that coming.” Watching from the observation room, the girl group member Sisi frowned. “I just don’t understand Zhang Yiming at all. First, he sent Qiuqiu a paper airplane, then he went on a dinner date with Cui Hang, and now he’s going surfing with Yang Chen… So who does he actually like?”

　　He Bei let out a derisive laugh. “You girls just don’t understand bad boys.”

　　“Then care to enlighten us?”

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　　Lu Yao’s eyes widened in shock. “Uh… a-are you sure that’s for me?”

　　Luo Siqi’s eyes shone with admiration as he replied earnestly, “The way you ran just now was so cool! I really like you!”

　　For a moment, Lu Yao was speechless, utterly stunned by the unexpected confession. He had once been relentlessly pursued by Gu Panqiu, and now yet another Bottom was confessing to him.

　　Was it his fate… to be a Bottom doomed to attract only even weaker Bottoms?!

　　Off-camera, Lu Yao’s fingers trembled ever so slightly.

　　“Hahahahaha…”

　　He Bei broke into unrestrained laughter, joined almost instantly by the assistant director and cameraman watching from the observation room.

　　Meanwhile, Shen Yao failed spectacularly at keeping a straight face on camera; he turned aside, laughter spilling low from his throat as his shoulders shook.

　　As for the host, she could barely keep a straight face. “Lu Yao’s definitely got that cool vibe, but doesn’t Xiao Luo know he’s a Bottom?”

　　He Bei quickly added, “To be fair, there are some versatiles¹ It refers to those who can switch between a Top and Bottom role. in showbiz, so maybe that’s what Xiao Luo thinks Lu Yao is?”

　　“That’s possible,” the host agreed with a sigh. “But honestly, I can’t help feeling sorry for him… He’s always setting his sights on people who have zero interest in him. After finally letting go of Shen Yao, now he’s after Lu Yao?”

　　For a second, Lu Yao just stared blankly into the camera, his brain utterly blank. Then, clarity returned, and he recalled his persona as a sunny boy.

　　A radiant smile broke across his face as he turned to Luo Siqi. “Thank you, but I’m really sorry to say that I’m a pure Bottom.”

　　Luo Siqi’s expression fell, disappointment etched across his features. “But you haven’t even tried! How can you know it won’t work?”

　　Lu Yao’s hands trembled more noticeably now as he replied, “Actually, there’s already someone I like. I’m really sorry.”

　　Everyone in the observation room exchanged thoughtful glances as they had all picked up on it—Lu Yao clearly had a thing for his boss. What no one knew was whether they should call him out on it.

　　The host broke the silence. “I think… Lu Yao seems to have a thing for CEO Fu. He even tried to serve him some food at dinner, and when CEO Fu picked Qiuqiu for the date just now, he looked pretty upset. So, Jiacheng, as his teammate, you probably know him best. What’s he really like?”

　　Lu Yao’s groupmate, Huo Jiacheng, let out an awkward laugh. He just could not fathom why someone at the height of their fame—an ace and the top member of the popular line—would bother joining a dating reality show.

　　Sure, people like Gu Panqiu, a former member trying to claw back some attention after leaving the boy group, made sense. Even he himself had joined because his popularity was so-so.

　　But Lu Yao? The center of their boy group and the golden boy everyone adored…? He did not need the spotlight at all!

　　Chasing your boss for three f*cking years and still not giving up… isn’t that just pure delusion?!

　　Of course, Jiacheng could not exactly say he thought his groupmate was an idiot. So he kept on his polite smile and responded, “Lu Yao’s the type who always does things his own way, haha.”

　　Seeing that everyone seemed eager for him to continue, Huo Jiacheng quickly changed the topic. “Speaking of which… did Gu Panqiu really smoke on camera?”

　　“It’s pretty normal for guys to smoke,” He Bei jumped in to defend Qiuqiu. “But isn’t there a rule against it for boy groups?”

　　Huo Jiacheng nodded. “Yeah, our agency doesn’t allow us to smoke.”

　　He Bei chuckled, “There are so many things we can’t do. There’s a saying on Weibo: ‘If idols date, it’s basically a death sentence.’”

　　Upon hearing that, Huo Jiacheng fell silent, inwardly wishing Lu Yao luck.

　　The sea around the island shimmered in glassy blues, the wind carrying a mellow warmth.

　　Gu Panqiu, who loathed winter and all things cold, closed his eyes to the gentle caress of the breeze.

　　In Fu Yue’s arms, little Jiujiu was just as drowsy, letting out a tiny yawn as sleep crept in.

　　Gu Panqiu turned around and poked Jiujiu’s chubby cheek with a finger. “Fu Yue, you really shouldn’t carry him for so long; it must be tiring. Jiujiu, come down and stretch your legs a bit.”

　　Jiujiu nodded, his round cheeks puffing up a little. “Then I wanna hold hands with Daddy and Uncle Sharky! Daddy holds my left hand, and Uncle Sharky holds my right!”

　　Fu Yue gently set Jiujiu down on the ground and took the little boy’s tiny hand in his own.

　　Sandwiched between the two adults, Jiujiu kicked at the small stones along the mountain path, occasionally letting both feet lift off the ground in a brief, carefree leap.

　　The three of them together resembled… a perfect little family out for a day of adventure.

　　Fu Yue’s mind churned with thoughts, but his expression remained cold and unreadable.

　　He cast a quick glance at Gu Panqiu, who was basking in the sun like a languid cat, utterly at ease.

　　Gu Panqiu felt Fu Yue’s gaze on him. “Fu Yue, since you just said you wanted to get to know me, why don’t we introduce ourselves?”

　　Fu Yue nodded. “I’m Fu Yue, twenty-five years old, currently the CEO of Nova Entertainment’s Division Fou—”

　　Gu Panqiu stopped in his tracks, placing a finger to his lips in a playful “shh” gesture.

　　His eyes curved in a mischievous smile. “I want to hear something no one else knows. Tell me about your hobbies.” 

　　Fu Yue’s expression remained calm. “I don’t really have any particular hobbies.”

　　Gu Panqiu laughed, a lighthearted glimmer in his eyes. “Hmm… you must love chocolate, right?”

　　Fu Yue was momentarily taken aback; he had not expected Gu Panqiu to notice such a small detail about him. So he’s been observing me that closely?

　　“If that counts… I also happen to love animals,” Fu Yue shared, glancing at Gu Panqiu. “Stray cats, stray dogs—I try to help them whenever I can.”

　　Gu Panqiu was not prepared for Fu Yue’s intense gaze, and his heart skipped a beat.

　　He wondered what Fu Yue meant by that… Is he saying I’m like a stray cat or dog?

　　Gu Panqiu tilted his head. “So, if I were an animal… which would I be? A kitty or a puppy?”

　　A warm breeze brushed over Gu Panqiu’s pale face, lifting the dark curls of his hair. A small dimple played at the corner of his lips sweetly, like honey caught in sunlight. 

　　For a fleeting moment, Fu Yue found himself captivated. He pressed his lips together, a soft chuckle escaping him as he responded, “A kitten, for sure.”

　　Gu Panqiu could feel Fu Yue warming up to him, little by little. At first, he would not utter a single word, but now, he even asked him out himself. All in all, Fu Yue’s attitude had softened a lot.

　　Still, Gu Panqiu’s mind swirled with questions. There must be a reason behind the sudden appearance of Fu Yue, the CEO of Nova Entertainment, in this reality show.

　　Surely he could not possibly have anything to do with Jiujiu, could he?

　　Gu Panqiu looked over at Fu Yue. “You said I’ve changed a lot just now. Then tell me, what was I like before?”

　　A moment of silence hung between them as Fu Yue considered his response. The Qiuqiu before him now was good-tempered, even cute when he wanted to be.

　　But the old Qiuqiu…? He was stubborn as a mule, quick to snap, half-hearted at work, and known for having a terrible reputation—a Sultry Minx, people called him.

　　Fu Yue could sense that Gu Panqiu was trying to seduce him, but hell if he knew whether the man treated everyone this way. 

　　The thought sobered him slightly, bringing him back to reality.

　　Then, he gave a polite yet painfully honest summary in two words: “Beautiful Idiot.”

　　The word idiot was drawn out, just enough for Gu Panqiu to catch the hint—Fu Yue was subtly calling his old self an idiot.

　　“Idiot it is,” Gu Panqiu chuckled, his peach-blossom eyes curling in amusement. He gestured toward the zoo entrance not far ahead. “What a coincidence. I love animals too, and thanks to CEO Fu, I get to visit the zoo today.”

　　At the entrance, Fu Yue bought some fresh fruits and vegetables to feed the little animals and grabbed iced colas for Gu Panqiu and Jiujiu.

　　The sun beat down relentlessly. Gu Panqiu took his drink and crouched to wipe the sweat off Jiujiu’s flushed little face.

　　Jiujiu cradled the icy cola Fu Yue had handed him, taking a hearty gulp that made his eyes widen in delight. The cool sweetness fizzed on his tongue, and he beamed up at Fu Yue with an innocent eagerness. “Uncle, do I look cool in my overalls?”

　　Fu Yue could not resist pinching Jiujiu’s soft, chubby cheeks again. “Looking handsome, Jiujiu.”

　　At the zoo entrance, Jiujiu struck a pose with arms wide open. His laughter was sweet and infectious as he declared, “Uncle, you have to take lots of cool pictures of me later! I want to show them to Brother Yanyan!” 

　　Fu Yue pulled out his phone. “Of course.”

　　He snapped a photo of Jiujiu at the zoo entrance. Gu Panqiu leaned over to take a look, assuming the worst. After all, CEO Fu hardly ever went out for fun, so his photography skills must be terrible. But to his surprise, the shot was flawless—composition, lighting, everything.

　　“Whoa,” Gu Panqiu exclaimed. “I actually thought you’d take a standard tourist snapshot.”

　　Fu Yue’s mother was a notoriously picky celebrity. Go on a trip with her just once, and suddenly every photo you take is flawless.

　　Fu Yue shot Gu Panqiu a proud little glance. “Want me to take your picture?”

　　“Sure! I want some with Jiujiu too.” Grinning, Gu Panqiu held Jiujiu’s hand and stepped into the zoo.

　　Gu Panqiu scooped Jiujiu into his arms and moved to stand beside the ostrich. Feeling the warmth of the day, he turned his back to Fu Yue and undid the top two buttons of his shirt.

　　As he turned back, a gentle breeze ruffled his collar, revealing a glimpse of his beautifully sculpted collarbone. His skin was impossibly pale, and faint pink marks lingered where Jiujiu had touched him.

　　In that instant, the photo’s mood shifted.

　　As Fu Yue pressed the shutter, Gu Panqiu looked at him through the lens, offering a gentle smile.

　　Under the sunlight, the curls of Gu Panqiu’s hair and Jiujiu’s alike glowed with a warm, golden hue. Jiujiu’s wide, bright eyes sparkled as he made a victory sign next to Gu Panqiu’s cheek.

　　Gu Panqiu gazed at the camera with a lazy, seductive look, eyes irresistibly captivating in a way words could not.

　　Fu Yue stared at the photo, a faint blush creeping up his ears.

　　“Did it come out okay?” Gu Panqiu questioned softly.

　　“Yeah, it turned out well.”

　　Gu Panqiu held Jiujiu’s hand as they walked over. His eyes wandered from the photo to Fu Yue’s faintly reddened ears.

　　Fu Yue really is like a big, innocent puppy. Just a tiny tease, and the poor thing’s ears are already pink.