Chapter 8.1: Paper Airplane

　　The moment the production crew’s message came through, Gu Panqiu stepped out of the bedroom, draped in a long, dark blue cardigan that skimmed his calves. Holding Jiujiu’s hand, he stood in the corner.

　　Jiujiu sat obediently on his little stool, hugging the carrot-shaped toy the director had given him. The moment the room grew crowded, he shrank back behind Gu Panqiu, peeking out from the safety of his legs with wide, curious eyes.

　　Smiling brightly, the director passed out pink slips of paper to each guest. “Write a message to the person you like, fold it into a paper airplane, and toss it to the guest with their back turned to you. If you don’t have anyone in mind yet, feel free to skip this round—no pressure!”

　　One by one, the guests slipped on their blindfolds and took their positions with their backs to one another.

　　However, Gu Panqiu ended up standing far too close to the sidelines. Though his eyes were covered, he could vaguely sense paper airplanes were being tossed his way—and not just one or two, at that.

　　He mulled over it for quite some time. Could it be Shen Yao? Or that campus heartthrob who bought Jiujiu milk tea…? So it wasn’t something the production crew arranged after all.

　　Even though he knew Shen Yao did not want to give him the time of day, Luo Siqi could not help but scribble a note: Brother, you’re really cool. And I like cool people.

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　　Gu Panqiu returned to the bedroom clutching three paper airplanes, his eyes brimming with disbelief.

　　The director teased, “Three paper airplanes already in the first round. Any guesses who they’re from?”

　　Propping his chin on his hand, Gu Panqiu mused, “Chris and the fitness coach looked like they had a thing going on yesterday. And Yang Chen seemed to be hitting it off with the lawyer. I’ve got a good guess who sent two of those paper planes… but the third? No clue.”

　　“Alright, let’s see what’s written on the paper airplanes.”

　　Gu Panqiu unfolded the first paper airplane. Inside, it read: Brother, your eyes are so beautiful, as they’re hiding all the stars in the sky. I got your signal, so here I come!

　　The director challenged, “Take a guess, who do you think wrote this?”

　　“Someone who calls me ‘Brother’…” Gu Panqiu muttered under his breath. When did I ever give him a signal? He guessed, “Li Zhu?”

　　With that, Gu Panqiu unfolded the second paper airplane.

　　This one read: I like how serious you look when you’re cooking, and how sexy you look in an apron. I confess your little tricks have me completely ensnared.

　　Gu Panqiu burst into laughter. “Hahaha???”

　　“This paper airplane’s from Shen Yao,” the director revealed with a grin.

　　Gu Panqiu pursed his lips ever so slightly, then replied with unhurried ease, “Who knew Teacher Shen could be so cheesy?”

　　The director had heard from her industry friends that Gu Panqiu was a bona fide love-crazed fool. For years, she did not know who he was smitten with, but no matter how coldly the other person ignored him, he threw himself into unrequited love with the single-minded devotion of a lovesick simp.

　　As she watched Gu Panqiu handle everything with effortless grace and a calm expression, a sudden realization struck her: the entertainment industry was rife with misinformation.

　　“Let’s take a look at the last one,” the director suggested. “If you can’t guess it, I’m more than happy to reveal the answer.”

　　Gu Panqiu unfolded the paper airplane and found a single line written on it: Baby, are you trying to seduce me?

　　A smile played on Gu Panqiu’s lips, but beneath it, a chill ran down his spine. Who on earth is this now?

　　The director chuckled when she saw it. “He’s calling you ‘baby’? Is that something you’re into?”

　　Gu Panqiu was quick to shake his head with a cheerful glint in his eyes. “We’ve only just met. If he’s already calling me that, I don’t think I can handle it.”

　　“He says you’re seducing him,” the director noted with an amused smirk. “Do you think you’re doing that to anyone?”

　　Gu Panqiu blinked, clearly confused. “As a diligent single father, I’m either taking care of my baby or eating. I’m innocent, I swear!”

　　His voice trailed off softly, sounding more like a playful pout than genuine fury.

　　Out of the four male guests, three threw their paper airplanes at Gu Panqiu—something that genuinely surprised the director. After all, no script would dare to include a scene like this. But at that moment, she suddenly grasped the peculiar charm Gu Panqiu possessed.

　　“Can you guess who it’s from?”

　　“Hmm… let me see…”

　　Gu Panqiu racked his brain, sifting through all sorts of possibilities. From what he could tell, Chris and the fitness coach definitely had feelings for each other since they had even shared a kiss at the bar. So, that meant it was probably not Fei Yang.

　　But the lawyer was a different story. An overseas-educated elite who could cook and had a way with words. Just yesterday, a crowd had been circling him, drawn by his effortless charm.

　　Though Zhang Yiming claimed to be honest, the way he navigated through the crowd with ease gave off the unmistakable vibe of a seasoned player.

　　“Is it Zhang Yiming?” 

　　Gu Panqiu caught the director’s smile and immediately knew he had guessed right.

　　“Did I really get it? Honestly, I was just guessing.”

　　“You did. Since you didn’t toss your paper airplane earlier, here’s another chance. If there’s someone among these three you want to get to know better, you can enjoy a candlelit dinner with him.”

　　Smiling brightly, Gu Panqiu asked, “Is the dinner going to be extravagant?”

　　“Absolutely. We’ve brought in a chef from the Empire Hotel,” the director answered. “But just so you know, this is simply a chance to spend some time together, not a fast track to becoming a couple.”

　　“Thanks, but no thanks.” Gu Panqiu shook his head gently. “I just don’t think any of them is quite right for me.”

　　“Oh? Then what’s your type?”

　　Gu Panqiu paused to consider the question. For some reason, an image came to mind: Fu Yue watching the dolphins with little Jiujiu perched on his shoulders.

　　He would not say he liked Fu Yue romantically, but rather, he found the man… intriguing.

　　Whether dressed in an overcoat or a suit, Fu Yue always wore his clothes impeccably, every button fastened all the way to the collar.

　　On the surface, he looked the picture of composure, yet the smallest provocation could set him off. Also, his whole countenance practically screamed Don’t bother me. And yet, the man kept a stash of chocolates in his car and did not hesitate to shield a stray kitten with his umbrella on a snowy day.

　　Gu Panqiu could not help but wonder: how would such a self-restrained man react if someone dared to flirt with him? 

　　No matter how cold he acted, surely he would have some kind of reaction… right?

　　Gu Panqiu’s eyes curved into a gentle smile as he tilted his slender neck and looked directly into the camera.

　　“Me? I like honest men,” Gu Panqiu shared. “Like I told you before, someone who’s family-oriented and knows how to take care of people. So anyone who can’t cook is out of luck.”

　　“Zhang Yiming’s a good cook,” the director hinted. “Does that count as knowing how to take care of someone?”

　　Gu Panqiu smiled. “Not quite. Real care means being there for someone emotionally, not just their day-to-day needs.”

　　Though they had missed out on a fancy dinner, Gu Panqiu whipped up a pot of udon carbonara for Jiujiu and himself, loading it with cheese and heaps of ham.

　　“Is it tasty?” Gu Panqiu questioned. “Careful, it’s still hot.”

　　Jiujiu nodded eagerly, and the little bib around his neck looked as if it were blooming like a sunflower. “Daddy, it’s so yummy!” he chirped with glee.