Hearing the commotion outside the door, Pei Huaishe sat up abruptly from the bed.
Because he moved too quickly, a wave of dizziness washed over him, turning his vision pitch black and nearly causing him to tumble back down.
Lifting a hand to press his knuckles against his brow, Pei Huaishe rubbed gently until he finally regained his bearings.
The knocking outside hadn’t stopped.
Gu Minghe had been standing at the door knocking for quite a while.
For a moment, Pei Huaishe’s ostrich mentality took over once again, and he dared not face it.
He hadn’t expected Gu Minghe to track him down so quickly.
Fortunately, his previous fingerprint lock had broken, and when Pei Huaishe replaced it with a new one, all the fingerprints had been re-registered from scratch, leaving Gu Minghe unable to get inside.
“Pei Huaishe, I know you’re living here. You’re sick right now, open the door and let me come in and check on you, alright?”
Gu Minghe softened his tone, as if fearing he might startle the person inside. His voice was gentle, yet one could still detect a hint of urgency beneath it.
Wobbling weakly to his feet, Pei Huaishe drifted unsteadily toward the door, instinctively wanting to open it for Gu Minghe.
It wasn’t until his hand closed around the doorknob that a sudden memory struck him. Shivering all over, he yanked his hand back in a flash.
No, he couldn’t meet with Gu Minghe.
He couldn’t get too close to Gu Minghe.
Staggering backward, Pei Huaishe accidentally slammed his lower back against the shoe cabinet behind him. Letting out a soft groan of pain, he quickly clutched his waist and doubled over, his complexion turning deathly pale in an instant.
“Pei Huaishe, what’s wrong? Did you bump into something?”
Hearing the disturbance from within, Gu Minghe’s expression shifted, and his knocking grew frantic and fierce.
Pei Huaishe remained silent for a long time.
Leaning against the wall and waiting for the wave to pass, he finally spoke in a trembling, slightly breathless voice, “Gu Minghe, go back. I don’t want to see you right now.”
His breathing was erratic, his voice hoarse, and his words cruelly devoid of warmth.
Outside the door, silence stretched for a long while.
It grew so quiet that Pei Huaishe assumed Gu Minghe had already left. A brief, stifled chuckle escaped him, and a dull ache pinched at his heart.
He was clearly the one who told Gu Minghe to leave, yet now that the man was truly gone, sorrow and distress washed over him all over again.
Sniffling, Pei Huaishe fought back the tears threatening to spill.
Teardrops welled up in his eyes, reddening the corners and making him look frail and pitiful.
As he got up to return to his bedroom, Gu Minghe’s steady, calm voice sounded from outside the door once more.
“You don’t want to see me, do you want to see Gu Yanchen instead?”
Pei Huaishe paused in his tracks.
“If it were Gu Yanchen, would you be willing to open the door and let him in?” Gu Minghe’s tone was level, devoid of any fluctuation, as if being locked out by Pei Huaishe wasn’t a matter of great consequence.
Pei Huaishe shook his head. He wanted to say no, it’s not like that, but in the end he could only bite down hard on his lip and let out a soft whimper.
“Stop crying. I’ll make him come see you.”
Gu Minghe placed the food container and a bag of medicine he had brought down by the doorway. “I’ve left the food and medicine out here for you. Make sure to come out and get them in a bit. You shouldn’t take the medicine on an empty stomach, so remember to eat first. I’m leaving now.”
Following a brief rustling sound came the sound of Gu Minghe’s retreating footsteps.
Tense from head to toe, Pei Huaishe could no longer hold back his tears, which streamed down and wet his entire face. After waiting for a long time, he crept to the door and looked through the video doorbell to confirm that the corridor was completely empty, finally verifying that Gu Minghe had truly gone.
An empty, desolate feeling hung in his chest, indescribable in its weight.
Opening the door, Pei Huaishe brought inside the items Gu Minghe had left behind.
Gu Minghe had prepared Pei Huaishe’s favorite home-cooked dishes and simmered chicken soup, which was still piping hot.
Pei Huaishe’s stomach was growling with hunger. He would have been fine otherwise, but the moment he caught the fragrant aroma of the food, he couldn’t resist.
Picking up his chopsticks, he ate slowly, one bite at a time.
Knowing that Gu Minghe had cooked this for him made him cherish every mouthful.
With his small appetite, even though he felt quite full, he still hadn’t finished the overflowing food container.
Unwilling to let any go to waste, he forced himself to eat until he was on the verge of throwing up before finally stopping.
He carefully placed the leftover food into the refrigerator.
This was cooked for him by his husband, and who knew when he would get to eat it again in the future, he couldn’t afford to waste a single bit.
Next, he pulled out the full bag of medicine Gu Minghe had bought him.
Not knowing precisely what illness he had, Gu Minghe had simply brought a selection of everything based on his past experience caring for him.
There were fever reducers, cold medicine, painkillers, and anti-bloating pills. Sorting through the assortment, Pei Huaishe picked out a box of fever pills and obediently swallowed his medicine.
After eating and taking his medicine, Pei Huaishe felt his energy improve somewhat compared to before.
He lay on the sofa playing games for a bit until drowsiness overtook him under the influence of the medication.
Yawning, his eyelids drooping heavily, just as he was drifting off to sleep, the doorbell rang once more.
He snapped awake in an instant.
Thinking Gu Minghe had returned, he found instead that the visitor at the door was none other than Gu Yanchen.
Checking the video doorbell to confirm that only Gu Yanchen stood outside, Pei Huaishe finally unlocked the door.
“Big Brother, why are you here?”
Gu Yanchen stepped inside to change his shoes. Seeing Pei Huaishe looking unwell with red-rimmed eyes, pale and thoroughly haggard, his eyes filled with worry. “Minghe told me you were sick, and he asked me to come check on you. How are you feeling, are you doing better?”
He had only been out of sight for a few days, yet how had he managed to wear himself down to this state?
No wonder Gu Yanchen had looked like the sky was falling when Gu Minghe reached out to him earlier.
So Gu Minghe was the one who had sent Gu Yanchen over.
The lingering ache in Pei Huaishe’s chest eased just a fraction upon realizing Gu Minghe was looking out for him.
“I just took some medicine, I’m much better now.”
Gu Yanchen clearly didn’t believe him.
Retrieving a thermometer, he made Pei Huaishe take his temperature and discovered he was still running a fever. When he asked how many days the fever had lasted and learned it had been three or four days, he grew angry enough to scold him.
“Pei Huaishe, are you still a child? You’re this old and still don’t know how to take care of yourself. I’m not Gu Minghe—I won’t pamper and indulge you in everything. Get up right now, change your clothes, and come with me to the hospital.”
Pei Huaishe obediently stood up, not daring to throw the slightest temper in front of Gu Yanchen.
Ever since childhood, Gu Yanchen had treated him like an older brother. While very good to him, he also maintained a strict, imposing authority.
Back when he and Gu Minghe pulled pranks as kids and got caught by Gu Yanchen, both of them would be forced to stand facing the wall together.
Once their legs grew tired from standing, Gu Minghe would let him climb onto his back and even massage his feet for him when bedtime rolled around.
Thinking of Gu Minghe sent a wave of sweetness through Pei Huaishe’s heart.
This was why he could never understand why the Pei Huaishe in the book had fallen in love with Gu Yanchen.
Gu Yanchen was far too stern; he could only ever be an older brother, never a husband.
Dragooned by Gu Yanchen to the hospital, Pei Huaishe was pinned down to receive an IV drip.
Because of work obligations, Gu Yanchen couldn’t stay to keep him company, merely asking before he left: “What on earth happened between you and Minghe? Why did you suddenly demand a divorce and avoid him like the plague? Did Minghe bully you?”
Pei Huaishe shook his head. “No, it was my own fault. It has nothing to do with him.”
Gu Yanchen sighed. “Forget it, I’m not getting involved in whatever’s going on between the two of you. I don’t have the bandwidth to manage you right now anyway.”
He still had his own messy ledger with Su Jin to settle.
After Gu Yanchen left, Pei Huaishe sat alone on the long bench in the hospital corridor, enduring his IV drip in solitude.
Whenever he fell ill in the past, Gu Minghe was always right by his side.
Pei Huaishe was naturally delicate and terrified of injections; every time, Gu Minghe had to coax him through it. Today, however, Gu Yanchen was the one accompanying him, and Gu Yanchen didn’t coddle him the way Gu Minghe did. A single cold glance from Gu Yanchen had been enough to make Pei Huaishe swallow his fear and obediently extend his arm.
The moment the needle pierced his skin, Pei Huaishe realized that injections didn’t actually hurt all that much.
He had only ever thought it terrifying because he was accustomed to acting spoiled and crying out in pain to Gu Minghe.
Lost in these thoughts, Pei Huaishe tilted his head and drifted off to sleep with his eyes closed.
He failed to notice a tall figure standing quietly at the far end of the corridor, gazing steadily in his direction without leaving.
“Nurse, his saline bag is empty. It’s time to change the medicine.”
Gu Minghe called over a nurse to swap out the IV bag for Pei Huaishe.
Still fast asleep, Pei Huaishe remained entirely unaware of Gu Minghe’s presence.
When he woke up again, the pole that had previously held three bottles of medication now held only the final one, which was nearly finished.
He wondered with a start: Who changed my medicine?
As the final bottle emptied and the nurse removed the needle, Pei Huaishe couldn’t help asking.
The nurse smiled and said, “Didn’t your brother ask me to help change it for you?”
Brother?
Gu Yanchen?
Pondering it over, Pei Huaishe figured it must have been him.
Gu Yanchen probably circled back midway.
After finishing his treatment at the hospital, Pei Huaishe’s fever finally broke. Following a few more days of rest at home, the day for the official recording of the show arrived.
Let’s Fall in Love! was a dating reality show focusing on gay romance, broadcast live from start to finish via the Fruit TV app.
Having already aired two successful seasons, it enjoyed immense popularity nationwide, so the premiere of season three instantly captured the attention of the entire internet.
Viewers flooded the livestream room to speculate on the lineup of guests for this season.
Even before the broadcast officially began, tens of thousands of viewers were already camping out in the livestream chat.
Didn’t they say recording starts at 10? Why hasn’t it started yet? What is the production team doing?
So slow! Does anyone have any insider info on the guest lineup they can share?
I heard the guests invited this time are super dramatic and full of talking points! Apparently, one of the hottest CP couples online right now is coming on together!
This comment instantly piqued everyone’s curiosity, and viewers began guessing who it could be.
Aren’t the hottest CP couple right now Gu Yanchen and Su Jin? Are they actually coming on a dating show?
I heard it’s them too!
If they’re really on it, I’m definitely tuning in!
Seeing the names Gu Yanchen and Su Jin, everyone’s anticipation skyrocketed.
At that moment, the previously silent livestream screen finally stirred.
The location for the heart-signal cabin this time was chosen as a seaside villa. A luxury black car pulled up at the entrance of the villa area, and the camera zoomed in on the person stepping out.
First to come into view were a pair of long legs encased in suit trousers. Wearing a camel-colored casual suit, a tall man emerged from the vehicle. His expression was stern and cold, a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his high-bridged nose. His gaze was composed and piercing, exuding the powerful aura of someone born to command.
Ahhh, it’s Gu Yanchen, it really is him! Does that mean the rumor that Su Jin is participating is true too?!
We get to ship the Leopard and Cat couple on a reality show again!
Gu Yanchen was the first to arrive at the cabin. Pulling his luggage inside and seeing that no one else had arrived yet, he casually chose a seat on the sofa.
Soon, the second guest made his entrance.
When Su Jin appeared on screen wearing an off-white sweater and khaki trousers, countless fans flooded the chat with bullet comments.
Ahhh, Mommy has arrived!
Xiaojin’s outfit today is so gentle, still looking gorgeous as ever!
Remember to call Su Jin “wife” when you see him~
So President Gu came onto a dating show to chase his wife? Otherwise, I can’t wrap my head around why the CEO of the Gu Corporation would need a dating show to find a partner!
It must be because Gu Yanchen had too many scandals lately and broke Su Jin’s heart, so Su Jin came on a dating show. President Gu’s crematorium-style wife-chasing arc is guaranteed~
Love to see it!
It’s all that little homewrecker Pei Huaishe’s fault! If he hadn’t inserted himself between the Gu-Su couple, Leopard and Cat wouldn’t have fallen out!
Seeing the chat pivot naturally back to cursing Pei Huaishe, someone chimed in, “Can we not mention him? An internet celebrity trying to chase clout all the way here—how unlucky!”
Right as they spoke, the third guest made his appearance.
The car door opened, revealing a pair of slender, straight legs. Although autumn winds blew chilly, it wasn’t yet freezing winter weather; still, most people felt compelled to add long sleeves and trousers. This guest, however, defied convention by wearing shorts with bare legs.
Smooth, flawless long legs were abruptly exposed to everyone’s view. The skin was white as snow, and the knees carried a natural pink hue, resembling a peeled lychee without a single patch of dullness.
Seemingly reacting to the sudden brush of cold autumn wind, the owner of those legs shivered. As the camera panned further up, it captured a slender, snowy waist, a silver belly chain dangling and swaying slightly with his movements—a sight dry-mouth-inducing enough to make anyone dizzy.
Netizens immediately lost their composure in the chat.
Such straight, slender legs, such a soft waist—I bet this is an absolute stunner!
Back off everyone, stop blocking my screen-licking!
That waist chain is an absolute stroke of genius!
Dressed so seductively, is he here to seduce me?
Wait, isn’t this third male guest freezing cold?
Not only was the young man wearing shorts on his lower half, but his upper half sported a pink-and-white striped cropped knit top that exposed both his navel and his shoulders, revealing his pristine porcelain collarbones and rounded, pinkish shoulders.
He was dressed in a style that screamed seductive sweetness, prioritizing fashion over warmth entirely.
Holy crap, isn’t this male guest trying a bit too hard? Don’t tell me he’s an all-show-no-substance catfish!
Is he planning to go all out on this dating show?
So seductive, I love it.
Netizens were hooked by the camera angles, burning with impatience to see the third male guest’s true appearance.
Refusing to string viewers along any further, the camera panned upward and locked onto his face.
It was a face so breathtakingly gorgeous it made one’s heartbeat skip a beat. His face was no larger than a palm, featuring delicate, three-dimensional features and a pair of affectionate, lingering peach-blossom eyes that hooked the soul. He bit down gently on his rosy lips, brows furrowing slightly as if enduring some discomfort.
The next second, the young man sneezed into the camera, then wrapped his arms around himself, shivering all over as goosebumps broke out across his snow-white skin.
He rubbed his arms until he felt slightly better, then sluggishly stepped out of the car.
That breathtakingly pretty yet sickly pale face was finally exposed clearly to view.
It was Pei Huaishe.