The chill on his body was driven away. Gu Qichi gathered the suit jacket draped over him and wanted to take it off to hand it back to Bo Yu.

The other man was only wearing a thin shirt, which was even more outrageous than his own attire.

Dongcheng had a typical northern climate. The usual winter temperatures were already several degrees below zero, and after a snowfall, the temperature plummeted drastically, directly dropping to a dozen degrees below zero.

Even if Bo Yu was a man of iron, he probably couldn’t withstand such an ordeal.

The moment Gu Qichi moved, Bo Yu clamped down on his hand.

The space between the man’s brows was filled with helplessness. He sighed, and kissed the center of Gu Qichi’s forehead with heartache: “I’m not cold. You keep wearing it, otherwise you’ll catch a cold tomorrow.”

Ji Zhaozhao, who only reached the bend of their knees, blinked her eyes and reached out to tug at Bo Yu’s pant leg.

Ji Zhaozhao: “Uncle, it’s so cold~ I’ll give my xiu scarf to Chi-chi~”

The little radish wasn’t tall, and her whole body was bundled up into a ball. Her small hands tremblingly tried to untie the scarf around her neck, but after fiddling for a long while, she still couldn’t succeed.

It was a bit comical, making it impossible not to smile.

Gu Qichi’s gaze shifted down to her. Amber ripples of warm, gentle light spread in his eyes. He patted her head, his tone slow and unhurried:

“Zhaozhao, no need. We’re going home right away. Once we’re home, it won’t be cold anymore.”

He bent down and helped her adjust the scarf around her neck. Just as he stood back up, the woman who had been standing not far away walked over and stopped beside them.

The woman in front of them had her hair permed into large French waves. Her temperament was outstanding, demure and elegant. Her facial features were about fifty percent similar to Bo Yu’s, but the lines of her face were much softer, possessing a very unique Eastern beauty.

Bo Song extended her hand, a smile brewing in her eyes: “Hello, I am Bo Yu’s older sister, Bo Song.”

Gu Qichi was still being held in Bo Yu’s embrace, and he felt a little embarrassed being seen like this by the man’s biological sister. He tried to push Bo Yu away to get out of his arms, but unexpectedly, the moment he moved, Bo Yu’s arm tightened its hold.

He looked up at Bo Yu.

The other man had a look of absolute justification on his face, and his tone was perfectly steady, showing not a hint of embarrassment: “We can just shake hands like this. My sister doesn’t care about these things.”

Just as Gu Qichi belatedly began to feel a bit flushed and annoyed, Bo Yu loosened his hold slightly and turned him around. Gu Qichi was still in his embrace, but enough space had been left for him to face Bo Song: “Sis, don’t scare him.”

Speaking up to here, Bo Yu actually became displeased. His brows furrowed, his gaze sweeping over Gu Qichi’s thin formal wear, and his tone grew a little impatient: “He rushed out in a hurry and didn’t dress properly. After saying hello, I’m taking him home. Otherwise, he’ll catch a cold.”

Ji Zhaozhao’s inner monologue: Uncle is so clingy to Chi-chi! Not well-behaved at all. Uncle is a naughty big kid.

Bo Song also raised an eyebrow, rolling her eyes at him in exasperation: “It’s not like I eat people.”

Gu Qichi couldn’t break free, nor could he out-stubborn Bo Yu, so he had no choice but to maintain this awkward posture and shake Bo Song’s hand: “Hello, I am Bo Yu’s…”

He pressed his lips together. His face, already red from being frozen outdoors for a long time, surged with an even deeper heat. Somewhat uncomfortably, he continued:
“I am Bo Yu’s spouse.”

The hand shackling Bo Yu’s waist tightened even further.

Bo Song shot Bo Yu a glance. Seeing his thoroughly whipped, worthless appearance, she remained quiet for a moment before a teasing smile hooked the corners of her lips. She quietly swept her gaze over Gu Qichi’s face.

The interest in her eyes grew stronger.

She casually withdrew her hand and spoke in a joking tone: “Alright, take your precious darling and go back. Hiding him so tightly, it’s not like anyone is going to snatch him from you. Bring Xiao Chi over to the old mansion for a stroll someday; Mom has been missing you a lot recently too.”

Just as her voice fell, Ji Zhaozhao, who had been completely silent by their feet, suddenly jumped up and hugged Gu Qichi’s thigh. Her tone was sincere, her expression serious.

Ji Zhaozhao: “Chi-chi, don’t want Uncle anymore! Take Zhaozhao back with you. Zhaozhao is obedient, Zhaozhao isn’t clingy.”
Ji Zhaozhao: “Chi-chi Daddy can be Zhaozhao’s wife.”

Daddy said that Mommy is his favorite person, and only your favorite person can be your wife.
Well, Zhaozhao’s favorite person is Chi-chi Daddy, so Chi-chi Daddy can be Zhaozhao’s wife too!~

The scene instantly became a bit awkward. The smile on Bo Song’s lips froze as she stared at her idiot cub.

Ji Zhaozhao remained completely oblivious to the impending danger, still shaking her head back and forth as she hugged Gu Qichi and laughed: “Zhaozhao likes Chi-chi the most!”

Bo Yu’s face turned even uglier.

On the internet, Gu Qichi’s tens of thousands of fans screamed “Wife is so hot” and “Wife, top me” right in his face every single day to provoke him.
In real life, petty villains like Wen Che and Song Zhian emerged in an endless stream, coveting the Gu Qichi by his side.
And even now, his little niece was actually hugging his wife, instigating Gu Qichi to dump him.

Bo Yu’s resentment and sour jealousy were immense enough to pierce the heavens.

Bo Song: “Ahem, Xiao Chi’s ears are frozen red. Bo Yu, how are you taking care of people? Hurry up and take him home!”

As she spoke, she didn’t forget to pry the little koala hanging onto Gu Qichi off, glaring at Ji Zhaozhao with an expression of ‘hating iron for not becoming steel’.

When Gu Qichi got into the car, he could still hear Bo Song’s voice educating Ji Zhaozhao.

Bo Song: “Do you even know what a wife is?! And you want to make your aunt-in-law your wife?!”
Ji Zhaozhao: “Daddy said a wife is the person you like!”
She felt a little wronged, and her voice unconsciously grew louder: “Can I not like Chi-chi?! Why can’t Chi-chi be my wife?!”

Hearing this, Gu Qichi’s head—which had been turned to watch the show—was forcefully turned back around. He met Bo Yu’s eyes.

Bo Yu’s entire state of being had been a bit restless and volatile today. Ever since he received Luo Qianqian’s message, his heartbeat hadn’t settled down once.

So much so that, for the first time in his life, his words to Gu Qichi carried a hint of warning: “Stop looking, look at me, Gu Qichi.”
“If you look at her again, I’ll fuck you to death tonight.”
“I’ll let you know the consequences of making mistakes tonight.”

His tone was ruthless, his eyes pitch-black, like a bottomless pool of water, inexplicably making one tremble with fear.

Gu Qichi’s heart trembled. Drowning in his gaze, not only was he not afraid, but he actively courted death by leaning in and kissing the corner of Bo Yu’s lips.
He said gently: “Okay.”

The veins on Bo Yu’s forehead throbbed repeatedly; he wanted to crush the recklessly bold Gu Qichi right now.

But while he said those words in the car, Bo Yu ultimately didn’t really intend to do anything to him.
Gu Qichi’s health was poor. Not only had he been blown by the cold wind all night, but he was also covered in snow.
If he really did something tonight, Gu Qichi might end up with a high fever tomorrow, unconscious and sent straight to the hospital.

A real man never rushes for just one moment.

When the two arrived home, the auntie had already boiled ginger soup to drive away the cold, and had also made a plate of stir-fried beef, sautéed shrimp, and a dish of three-delicacy dumplings. Steaming hot, they exuded a white mist in the cold winter day.

Gu Qichi didn’t even have time to sit at the dining table to eat before he was cleanly and decisively carried upstairs by Bo Yu.

When Bo Yu stripped off that layer of haute couture formal wear, Gu Qichi’s eyelashes fluttered, and he docilely allowed the other man to do as he pleased.

Who knew that after waiting a long while, the anticipated event still hadn’t arrived?

Not only that, but Bo Yu even covered his body with a thick, fluffy blanket.

Gu Qichi kept his eyes open, looking at him in bewilderment.

Bo Yu reached out to check the temperature of his forehead; it was still normal, with no signs of a fever.
But he still wasn’t at ease. He got up, went downstairs, and fetched the medical kit.

The mercury thermometer’s scale reached 37 degrees Celsius—a middling number that was a bit dangerous.
He took it again, and the temperature had risen further.
The scale stopped at 37.3°C.

Bo Yu’s brows were furrowed so tightly they could crush a fly, his jawline taut. The coldness radiating from his body permeated the room, inch by inch occupying the narrow, confined space.

Looking at his face, Gu Qichi belatedly shrank his feet back a little.
He might have misjudged Bo Yu’s mood.

Bo Yu’s originally stable emotions completely collapsed upon seeing Gu Qichi’s gradually rising body temperature. Those suppressed, lingering fears from the aftermath of the incident were like bubbling magma, boiling over and burning a ragged hole right through his heart.

Pain and sourness spread along the edges of the festering wound, dissolving into every part of his body. His limbs and bones were all paralyzed by the agony, blood gurgling outward.

Why hadn’t he gone with Gu Qichi? Why did he let Gu Qichi suffer Gu Yuning’s anger? Why hadn’t he moved faster to crush the Gu family…

He stood up and went to the bathroom to run the hot water.

…

After returning home, Gu Qichi’s hands and feet gradually warmed up, and the chill in his body was mostly driven away.

Holding a cup of hot water in his hands, he stared blankly at Bo Yu’s back as he ran the water.

After seeing him, Bo Yu hadn’t asked him anything.
He hadn’t asked him why he hit someone, he hadn’t asked him why he ran around wildly in the snow, and he certainly hadn’t asked him why he cried when looking at Ji Zhaozhao.

It really wasn’t like Bo Yu’s usual reaction.
He felt a little lost in thought.

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Bo Yu’s voice again.
“The water is drawn. Shower first, then eat after you’re done.”

Under the bathroom lights, the boiling steam from the hot water condensed into a water mist in the air, a pervasive whiteness spreading out.

Bo Yu stood up straight. His slightly bent back straightened, his spine pushing up a faint, indistinct curve against his shirt. His shirt sleeves were rolled up above his elbows, the muscle lines of his forearms smooth and powerful. His gaze was somewhat cool, but the moment it landed on Gu Qichi, it instantly warmed up again.

“You wash first. I’ll wait for you outside.”

In the next second, the man’s back vanished from his sight, accompanied by the bathroom door clicking shut.
He hadn’t said a single romantic or suggestive word.

As if the person who had said those words in the car just now wasn’t him at all.

Gu Qichi stared blankly in the direction Bo Yu had left.
Actually, for a split second, he had really wanted to pull him back and ask him to accompany him.

By the time Gu Qichi finished his shower and came out, Bo Yu was still sitting on the bed.
Hearing the noise, he raised his eyes and cast a glance over, then turned around to find a thick set of pajamas and handed it to Gu Qichi.

Gu Qichi didn’t put it on. His hair wasn’t blow-dried yet, and water droplets soaked his fair neck, trailing down in a damp path.

He grabbed Bo Yu’s sleeve.
And then opened his mouth to ask him: “Are you not going to fuck me anymore?”

Bo Yu started frowning again. He directly picked the person up horizontally and placed him on the large bed. “No. You have a fever.”

After taking a shower, Gu Qichi’s face was flushed completely red from the bathroom’s steam, and his entire body exuded a damp heat.

“But, I heard that it feels even better when you have a fever…” Gu Qichi responded quietly.

In an instant, a heavy, indestructible chain made of black iron abruptly appeared in Bo Yu’s mind. It pierced straight through his bleeding heart, the dark red blood soaking the pitch-black chain, gleaming with a cold, dark light.
This chain swayed gently in the air, forcefully tugging his heart tight again and again. Bo Yu was like a helpless prisoner, his eyes fixed on the direction it swayed.

On the other end, Gu Qichi’s fair, white hands were wrapped in the complex, heavy chains, completely unaware of what he was doing.

Bo Yu’s voice was hoarse. He closed his eyes: “Gu Qichi, I said it, you have a fever. You are sick.”

Gu Qichi abruptly interrupted him. His hand moved from Bo Yu’s sleeve to interlock with his five fingers, his gaze somewhat hazy.
“Bo Yu, I want to tell you a story.”

Bo Yu paused. Sensing that Gu Qichi’s tone wasn’t quite right, he stopped his futile resistance and straightforwardly pulled him into his embrace.
He used a lot of strength, but his movements were very gentle.

Gu Qichi lay in his embrace, closed his eyes, and began to speak on his own: “Once upon a time, there was a little cloth doll. He was trapped in a place he didn’t like.”
“That place was cold and dark. No one kept him company, and no one could talk to him. It was always just him, all alone.”
“He hated it there.”

“Every year, the little doll would meet a little girl, and the little girl would always fall into danger at the exact same time. The little doll thought, since no one liked him and no one wished for him to exist, it would be better to use himself to trade the little girl out.”
“Because, in this world, at least someone truly cared about the little girl.”

“The little doll was a cloth doll, stitched together from fabric stitch by stitch. He couldn’t touch water, and he especially couldn’t encounter fire.”

Speaking up to here, his tone grew somewhat strained, and his voice began to stumble slightly.

“But every single time, he was burned to death by the fire. The fabric was gone, the cotton inside disappeared too; it all turned to ashes in the fire.”

Bo Yu listened to his narration quietly, his large hand gently patting his back. It was the comfort every person craved most when they were young.

“And then what happened?” Bo Yu asked him.

Tears streamed from the corners of Gu Qichi’s eyes. He turned his head to kiss Bo Yu.

“Later, the little cloth doll met another little person. That person was fierce to everyone else, but treated the little cloth doll very well.”
“He rescued the little cloth doll.”
“This time, the little cloth doll is perfectly whole and complete.”

The kisses trailed from Bo Yu’s cheek to his lips. Their warm breaths intertwined, the tips of their noses pressed together. Gu Qichi clumsily pecked at Bo Yu’s lips.
His kissing technique wasn’t very skilled, because in most situations, Bo Yu was the one taking the initiative; he was always the one forced to receive.

“Bo Yu, I want to do it.”

Gu Qichi spoke while kissing him.
Like a succubus luring an innocent human to fall into the abyss.

Bo Yu’s throat tightened. His large hands circled Gu Qichi’s waist; his two hands could perfectly encircle his waist completely.

“No, baby.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, his voice deadly hoarse. Maintaining the very last scraps of his rationality, he tried hard to stop Gu Qichi: “Baby, be obedient. You haven’t eaten today yet, you’ll definitely get sick tomorrow.”

Gu Qichi acted as if he hadn’t heard a thing.

He continued to stubbornly, clumsily kiss Bo Yu’s lips, yet he just couldn’t get the hang of it. Finally, he took a bite right on the mole he usually loved to bite the most.

Bo Yu’s jawline abruptly tightened; his facial features were sharp and stern.
Amidst the mottled interplay of light and shadow, Bo Yu’s eyelashes lowered, concealing most of the emotions in his eyes, making the expression on his face impossible to read clearly.

Gu Qichi leaned right up to Bo Yu’s ear and whispered something softly—

“Bo Yu, I want you to…”

The string in Bo Yu’s mind named rationality completely snapped, utterly routed and destroyed.

Gu Qichi leaned down again.

…

The Silver Shaded cat (A-Ci) was incredibly well-behaved the entire night today. Not only did she not eagerly rush up to steal Gu Qichi’s attention, but she was utterly quiet, not causing a single bit of trouble.
It was just that the entire villa was completely empty; her figure couldn’t be seen in the living room or on the stairs.
Who knew where she had run off to.

If it were any other time, Bo Yu definitely would have grown suspicious and pulled up the surveillance footage to check A-Ci’s movement path, just to prevent this cat from doing something that would cause a mental breakdown.
To tell the truth, this cat of Gu Qichi’s really wasn’t easy to raise. Today she’d knock over a large antique porcelain vase, tomorrow she’d chew up an authentic scroll by a master painter.
She was quite good at picking, too. She always picked the precious treasures Bo Yu had meticulously collected. Lined up in a row, the prices were enough to make anyone click their tongue.

But tonight, Bo Yu simply had no mind left to pay attention to her.

His soul and spirit had been entirely hooked away. He was both maddened and ruthless, on the verge of losing his mind.

During this time, A-Ci silently climbed up to a very familiar cabinet.
This cabinet was specially used to store snacks. Bo Yu rarely ate them, so naturally, he hadn’t noticed that the Silver Shaded cat had already masterfully grasped the trick to opening the cabinet.

With three quick swipes of her paws, A-Ci popped the cabinet door open. Her round cat eyes glowed in the dark.

The Silver Shaded cat carried out her favorite lollipop in her mouth.

And savored it carefully.

---

Author’s Note:
Chi-chi: “…”
Bo Yu: “?”
Bo Yu: “!”
Bo Yu: “!!!”
Bo Yu, a domineering CEO whose soul is completely captivated by his wife~
Chi-Baby: I just like being cherished by Bo Yu, being loved by Bo Yu. I just like seeing him completely captivated and crazy for me. (Doge Head)