Thanks to that trending search, Gu Qichi’s popularity surged like never before. Although the war between fans and anti-fans remained fierce, he was no longer being cursed into oblivion as he had been in the past; there was now an inkling of an even match.

Wen Xi had been in high spirits these past two days, walking through the company with her chest puffed out. For good reason—in just a few days, three magazine covers, two variety shows, and four scripts had come knocking. Previously, that would have been Gu Qichi’s entire workload for a year. It was hard for Wen Xi not to be excited. She had a gut feeling that Gu Qichi’s “infamous-but-popular” era was ending. From today on, he would embark on the path to becoming a true superstar, just as she had planned for him years ago.

Naturally, her success drew resentment from others.

While Wen Xi was leisurely sipping coffee in the office, she heard Ada, sitting three desks away, mutter with her arms crossed. Ada’s eyes drifted over with an air of feigned indifference, her words dripping with sarcasm that everyone knew was directed at Wen Xi.

“Some people think they’ve snagged a golden treasure, when in reality, it’s just a pile of scrap metal.”

“Glamorous on the outside, but who knows how rotten it is on the inside.”

Wen Xi’s hand paused on her coffee cup. She leaned back in her chair, her gaze as provocative as it could be.

“Still better than those ‘crooked melons and split dates’ under your wing. One eye bigger than the other, twisted mouths, slanted eyes, and failed plastic surgeries… anyone would think you have a fetish for collecting ugly people.”

At this, Wen Xi’s lips curled into a smile. Her Dior 999 lipstick was a vibrant, aggressive crimson. She exuded the energy of that famous old saying: As long as I am alive, you shall remain nothing but concubines.

She picked up her phone. The lock screen was Gu Qichi’s costume photo in red robes—his features were dense and beautiful, looking as if they could steal one’s soul.

“Some people should spend less time talking trash and more time washing their eyes. After all, looking at those ugly things too much will lower your aesthetic standards. Unlike me—staring at our Teacher Gu’s face every day not only improves my taste but purifies my soul.”

“Alas, what a pity. Yesterday, without spending a single cent, our Little Gu reached number one on the trending searches with 240 million views just by relying on his face.”

“Now that I think about it, not everyone has that kind of luck.”

Wen Xi and Ada were long-time rivals. Usually, they met with fake smiles, and Ada would often use her artists’ success to trample on Wen Xi before leaving haughtily. Having a rare chance to make Ada suffer, Wen Xi wasn’t about to let it go. Having said her piece, she stood up and walked away with a graceful smile.

“Chief Editor Su, is it? Regarding that magazine shoot you mentioned, we are interested. You can coordinate the specific timing with me~”

Hearing this, Ada nearly ground her back teeth to dust. She had produced top stars before—the one who participated in Travel with Dad before Gu Qichi, the “unlucky ghost” mentioned in the comments who ended up in jail. That idiot hadn’t just ruined himself; he’d dragged her down with him. After his fall, her resources plummeted, and even that variety show was handed to Wen Xi.

Otherwise, how could Gu Qichi have gained traction or hooked up with Lin Shuangyi?

Thinking of this, Ada grew increasingly unbalanced. She crushed the paper cup in her hand until it deformed, and the scalding water spilled onto the webbing of her thumb, making her hiss in pain.

Ada grumbled to the person beside her, “Hmph, Wen Xi probably doesn’t know yet—Zhishang Entertainment has a new owner. The new gold mine is the Second Young Master of the Bo family. That man hates social climbers like Gu Qichi the most. If he finds out Gu Qichi has a sugar daddy, he’ll be the first one the company blacklists.”

“Then we’ll see how smug Wen Xi can be.”

---

Despite President Bo’s repeated interference, the crew of Xing Tian Qing had to resume filming.

Relying on the additional investment from Bo Yu, Lin Shuangyi had upgraded to a full set of high-end equipment. Even the marketing and PR were outsourced to a more expensive firm, showing a “hit or bust” determination.

When Wen Xi received Gu Qichi’s new address, her eyes widened. Stepping into this neighborhood, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, she was left speechless. Luo Qianqian followed closely behind her, strictly adhering to the survival mantra of see less, hear less, do more.

The moment they opened the door, they saw Gu Qichi quietly sitting at the kitchen island petting a cat. It was a Silver Shaded British Shorthair, uncommonly chubby, sprawling across the counter and shamelessly acting spoiled. Tufts of silver fur clung to Gu Qichi’s pajama pants.

As Gu Qichi scratched the soft fur under its chin and the scruff of its neck, the cat looked absolutely blissful, purring loudly and nodding off.

Bo Yu wasn’t home. Bo Group was recently involved in a financing deal—a major project, apparently—and President Bo was so busy his feet barely touched the ground. Gu Qichi hadn’t seen him for several days. Consequently, the villa felt empty. Aside from the housekeeper who let them in, only Gu Qichi was there.

Hearing the commotion, Gu Qichi turned around. His hair was soft and fluffy. Even without a drop of makeup, his features were breathtakingly vivid.

Wen Xi was once again struck by his beauty.

Shuffling toward the island, Wen Xi felt a bit constrained. The housekeeper, being perceptive, went to the kitchen to prepare fruit and snacks, leaving them to talk.

Wen Xi spoke tentatively, “Little Chi, honey… did you win the lottery? Why did you suddenly move?”

Gu Qichi picked up the cat, A-Ci, from the counter and let her settle on his lap before speaking slowly: “No. This house belongs to my marriage partner.”

Luo Qianqian: “!”

Wen Xi: “!”

Wen Xi shrieked, “You got married that fast? It hasn’t even been a month! What if he treats you badly?!”

Luo Qianqian was still immersed in the joy of her secret “ship” becoming canon, but at Wen Xi’s scream, she immediately nodded. Exactly! Teacher Gu is so beautiful. What if that man is just lusting after him?

Shipping is precious, but a paycheck is higher; Luo Qianqian quickly aligned herself with her boss.

The housekeeper returned with washed and cut fruit—massive cherries and emerald-green grapes—filling the table before stepping away. Wen Xi and Luo Qianqian’s eyes widened again.

Gu Qichi thought for a moment, unsure how to explain his nuanced relationship with Bo Yu. If he said they “clicked” because of a one-night stand, Wen Xi would definitely lecture him. He decided to find an excuse.

“The Gu family was pushing hard, and… I’m quite satisfied with him.”

While Wen Xi was still fuming, Luo Qianqian couldn’t wait to ask the question she was dying to know, her tone bubbling with excitement:

“Teacher Gu, is it the gentleman we saw last time? Is he like a CEO out of a romance novel?”

Luo Qianqian’s inner thoughts: Sorry Boss, but they look so good together, I can’t stop shipping them!

Gu Qichi hesitated for once, staring blankly at a cherry. If he remembered correctly, Bo Yu’s character in the original novel was that of a gloomy, violent villain—ruthless, cold-hearted, with a streak of madness capable of turning the world upside down. Clearly, Bo Yu embodied this persona perfectly, as evidenced by the Gu family’s reaction and the rumors he’d heard.

Most people’s first reaction to such a “mad-dog villain” would be fear. For someone like Wen Xi, who protected him like a mother hen, her reaction to Bo Yu’s true identity would be to demand a divorce and tell him to run as far away as possible.

Gu Qichi frowned slightly before smoothing his expression. To avoid unnecessary trouble—like Wen Xi trying to flee the country with him and Bo Yu turning the city upside down to hunt them down—the “beauty” found the scenario a bit too much to imagine.

So, while the housekeeper’s back was turned, Gu Qichi said earnestly, dealing a fatal blow to Luo Qianqian’s fantasies: “He’s not a ‘CEO.’ He’s just a very ordinary nouveau riche.”

He paused, then added, “From a professional perspective, Qianqian, you should stop reading those…”

He quickly pulled up his phone and searched for the titles a girl like her might like. The screen displayed: Devouring Love: The CEO’s Regret, Genius Baby at Five: Dummy Mommy on the Run, The King’s Woman: 99 Days of Passion, His Little Runaway Wife…

Luo Qianqian wanted to bury her head in the sand, but she wouldn’t give up. Even if he’s nouveau riche, he has the face! He and Gu Qichi are a perfect match!

---

The flight to Hengdian was at 3:00 PM. Gu Qichi’s luggage had been packed since yesterday. He was just waiting for Wen Xi and Luo Qianqian to take him away.

Only… he glanced toward the entryway.

Though Bo Yu had been busy, they had maintained a faint stream of WeChat messages. More accurately, it was Bo Yu’s one-sided output and Gu Qichi’s selective replies. And even that had stopped three days ago.

Strangely enough, Gu Qichi and Bo Yu were in a “cold war,” initiated by Bo Yu. The reason was somewhat laughable. Gu Qichi had strictly forbidden Bo Yu from visiting the set, claiming it would disrupt the schedule and affect his work.

Gu Qichi remembered the standoff. When Lin Shuangyi sent the schedule, Bo Yu, as the lead investor and legal husband, received it immediately. The schedule was detailed, including a note: Actors must stay with the crew for the entire duration; no leave allowed without a special reason.

This last rule infuriated Bo Yu. It meant he wouldn’t see Gu Qichi for two whole months. To Bo Yu, this was unacceptable. Gu Qichi had caught him typing a message to Lin Shuangyi, offering to “re-invest” to “upgrade sets” (read: buy his way onto the set).

Gu Qichi, fresh from the shower with wet hair and damp skin, had snatched the phone away. The sight of him—flushed from the heat and incredibly beautiful—made Bo Yu’s heart skip a beat, his mind wandering to “not-so-innocent” thoughts. But reality was harsh. Gu Qichi deleted the text and changed it to four words: Shoot as soon as possible.

Bo Yu had pouted, his sharp, oppressive features radiating displeasure. In the business world, this expression meant someone was about to be ruined. But Gu Qichi didn’t care.

“Bo Yu, this is my job. You can’t use your influence to interfere.”

“Two months is too long,” Bo Yu tried to negotiate. “I won’t interfere, but I want to visit…”

“No.”

Gu Qichi’s refusal was blunt. “You’re the biggest investor. Your presence would distract everyone and slow down the shoot. So, no visiting.”

Bo Yu was so frustrated he crumpled the financial newspaper in his hand. He even tried to play the “Safety” card and the “Contract” card, quoting their marriage agreement about “maintaining the relationship.”

Gu Qichi had simply told him to “cool off” and went to sleep in the guest room to let him “adjust” to being alone. Bo Yu, being a “gentleman” in his own twisted way, wouldn’t let Gu Qichi sleep in a room without A/C, so he had driven off to a bar in a huff.

---

At the airport, Gu Qichi walked with a leisurely pace. Suddenly, a pair of black leather shoes appeared in his vision, and a hand pressed down on his head. He knew that hand well.

Wen Xi and Luo Qianqian turned back to see a cold, noble-looking man standing before Gu Qichi. Wen Xi crossed her arms, annoyed by this “nouveau riche” from the Gu family’s arrangement. Luo Qianqian, however, stepped back to give the “couple” space.

Bo Yu looked tired; he had rushed from a meeting. “Gu Qichi,” he rasped, looking wronged. “Do you really not want to see me?”

Gu Qichi smiled inwardly. He’s the one who threw a tantrum, and now he’s the one acting pitiful.

Bo Yu grabbed his wrist, then frowned at his bare finger. “Where is the ring I gave you? Did you take it off?” His tone was peak displeasure.

Gu Qichi sighed and pulled a silver chain from under his shirt. Hanging from it was the ring with a massive blue diamond. “It’s not convenient for moving luggage. Besides, with a diamond this big, someone would try to steal it.”

Bo Yu’s mood lightened slightly. He interlaced his fingers with Gu Qichi’s in a firm grip. “You’re married. You should wear it. I won’t visit, but you must wear the ring so people know you’re taken.”

He began listing “demands”: Stay in touch every day. Don’t disappear. No kiss scenes. No intimate scenes.

Gu Qichi’s temple throbbed. “Bo Yu, I’m playing a eunuch. Where would the intimate scenes come from?”

Bo Yu went silent. Seeing his distress, Gu Qichi let go of his luggage and pulled the man into a brief embrace, patting his back. “Don’t worry. I’ll do what I promised.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

In the busy airport, amidst the crowds, Bo Yu leaned down close to Gu Qichi’s ear, his warm breath grazing the skin.

“Then… can I have a kiss?”