At three-thirty in the morning, Gu Panqiu emerged from a relaxing bath after a rigorous dance practice on the third floor. As he towel-dried his hair, he noticed a flood of unread messages on WeChat.
He began to reply to the messages from his fellow guests one by one.
Shen Yao had mentioned he was not great at chatting online, yet he often shared the songs he found enjoyable, surprising Gu Panqiu with his musical tastes. Meanwhile, Li Zhu was like a clock-in machine, sending cheerful greetings each day. “Good morning, Brother!” and “Good night, Brother!” were daily staples in their conversation, always accompanied by a few warm words.
His last exchange with Fu Yue was still lingering in his mind when suddenly, a new notification popped up. Fu Yue had forwarded him an email: his Solo audition application had been approved, with the time, place, and lineup for the second round clearly spelled out.
A dimple appeared at the corner of Gu Panqiu’s mouth as he beamed and sent a message: Thank you, my future boss!
Fu Yue: You’re still awake?
Gu Panqiu: You’re not asleep either.
Fu Yue: I was just about to. You should turn in early.
Gu Panqiu: Boss, are you worried about me?
Fu Yue: Close your eyes, and you can start dreaming right away.
The line made Gu Panqiu chuckle. He could not say whether he would dream that night or not, but he had a hunch that Fu Yue would be dreaming about him.
Today, he might have gone a little too far, but seeing how much Fu Yue cared for Jiujiu, he could not help but suspect that there was more between Fu Yue and the original host.
But from the way Fu Yue was acting now, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
Still, Fu Yue was the type to draw a clear line between his likes and dislikes. If ever he gave his heart away, his beloved would no doubt be on the receiving end of a rare, tender devotion.
Slightly curious, Gu Panqiu tapped open Fu Yue’s Moments, only to find it completely empty—no posts, no photos, nothing at all.
How am I supposed to get to know him better like this?
Gu Panqiu cupped his face in his hands, telling himself there was plenty of time to get to know Fu Yue, bit by bit. Just as he was about to drift off, a message appeared despite Do Not Disturb being on.
Huang Xu: Gu Panqiu, pigs might fly before you make a comeback. Don’t think having some big-name producer backing you will save you! You’re still toast!
With interest, Gu Panqiu checked the tag the original host had given Huang Xu: “Former Groupmate.”
On closer inspection, he realized that the original host had been ostracized by the other five members of his group. In his last chat with Huang Xu, not only had Huang Xu called him an idiot, but he had also mentioned that the others did not like him either.
Curious, Gu Panqiu looked up Huang Xu and discovered that he was the group’s leader and main vocalist—though not part of the popular line[1].
With unruffled politeness, Gu Panqiu sent a reply: Then let’s wait and see who’s going down first, me or you?
Late nights always had a way of catching up with him, as he could not get up the following morning. By the time the first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the curtains and fell on Gu Panqiu’s face, he remained motionless, cocooned in his blankets.
Jiujiu stretched out his little hands, trying to catch the golden sunlight that filtered through the curtains. He did not want it to wake his daddy, so he quietly scrambled off the bed and pulled the curtains closed.
Sitting at the edge of the bed, he waited for what felt like ages, but his daddy slept on. Bored, he decided to sneak out of the room, only to bump straight into Fu Yue’s leg as he was making coffee.
For his age, Jiujiu was on the smaller side. Clad in his little bear pajamas, Jiujiu looked like a fluffy, mini teddy bear, and his wide, innocent eyes only made him appear even more endearing.
The moment he realized it was Fu Yue, his courage surged. He wrapped his arms around Fu Yue’s pant leg and piped up, “Uncle Sharky, you’re up so early! My daddy’s still sleeping!”
Fu Yue bent down and scooped Jiujiu up with one arm, holding him close. Looking into the little one’s eyes, he answered, “Your daddy stayed up late last night, so he’ll be sleeping in a while longer.”
Jiujiu nodded, then tilted his head. “Uncle, how come you know Daddy stayed up so late?”
Fu Yue responded, “…I guessed.”
Jiujiu’s eyes were glued to the little birds outside the window, sparkling with curiosity. Taking advantage of the distraction, Fu Yue gently lifted the hem of Jiujiu’s pajama top, stealing a glance at the birthmark on his lower back.
Finally, there it was—a wing-shaped birthmark, almost identical to the one on his own lower back.
Jiujiu wiggled his little body and peeked up with curious eyes. “Uncle, are you gonna change my clothes? But my clothes are in the bedroom… I can’t change ‘em yet!”
“Alright, then we’ll leave it as is,” Fu Yue said softly, a hint of a smile in his voice. “Are you hungry?” Follow the newest chapters on novelping.com.
“I’m not hungry,” Jiujiu replied. “I haven’t washed my face or brushed my toofies.”
Children were little wonders who sprang to life the moment they felt love. Sensitive and fragile, they seemed to know instinctively when they could be playful and when they must behave themselves.
Jiujiu felt an instinctive closeness to Fu Yue. When he was held, he snuggled against Fu Yue’s chest, playfully tugging at his collar with his tiny hands. His face beamed with innocent delight.
Fu Yue glanced down at the obedient little boy in his arms and realized this was a perfect opportunity.
“Jiujiu, have you washed your face and brushed your teeth yet? Uncle can help you brush your teeth,” he suggested with a warm smile.
Jiujiu’s big, round eyes blinked hopefully. He wriggled a bit and asked, “Uncle, help me brush?”
“Mm-hm, Uncle will help you,” Fu Yue coaxed gently. “Okay?”
“Yes! My toothbrush is in the bedroom. Should we go get it?” Jiujiu clapped his tiny hands. “My toothpaste is strawberry-flavored. It smells so nice!”
“If we go back now, we might wake your dad. I’ve got a little toothbrush in my room. Want to come brush your teeth with me?”
Jiujiu shook his head, his little face serious. “Daddy says I can’t just go into other people’s rooms… I’ll wait outside for you, Uncle.”
He was not scared of Fu Yue or anything, but rather, he was just following what his daddy said.
Fu Yue ruffled the soft curls on Jiujiu’s head and gently set him at his bedroom door. “Alright.”
He felt in his bones that Jiujiu was his child.
But feelings were not enough. He needed proof—something concrete to confirm that Jiujiu was really his son.
Outside the door, Jiujiu waited for Fu Yue, still and quiet like a tiny brown bear.
When Fu Yue stepped into the room, he grabbed the cotton swabs he had prepared earlier and pushed the door open. Jiujiu turned his head to watch him, curiosity sparkling in his big eyes. What kind of toothbrush would Fu Yue bring?
But Fu Yue’s bedroom was right next to Gu Panqiu and Jiujiu’s. As he stepped out, Gu Panqiu, still in his silky pajamas and rubbing his sleepy eyes, pushed open his door and murmured, “Huh? Jiujiu, what are you doing out here?”
Jiujiu scampered happily over to his father, his little legs carrying him with an excited bounce. “Daddy! Uncle Sharky’s gonna help me brush my toofies!”
Gu Panqiu raised his head, his eyes arching into a smile as they settled on Fu Yue, who lounged against the doorway with a frosty nonchalance.
Fatigue clouded Fu Yue’s eyes, and the shadows beneath them hinted at a sleepless night.
Even so, his attire was impeccable as ever—a deep black V-neck shirt paired with tailored, straight-cut trousers, giving him an air of elegance that seemed to elevate his presence.
“You little rascal. You can brush your teeth yourself, but you still want Uncle to do it, huh?” Gu Panqiu yawned, crouched down to pinch Jiujiu’s cheeks, and scooped him up. “CEO Fu, we’re heading back to our room to wash up.”
With that, he carried the child inside and closed the door behind them.
Fu Yue stared at the closed door thoughtfully, the cotton swab in his fingers bent out of shape. He tossed it into the bin with a sigh and returned to his room.
Yawning, Gu Panqiu shut the door and squatted down, studying Jiujiu’s little nose curiously.
At his tender age, his nose bridge was still developing, yet it already stood impressively high for such a small child. His lashes were thick and curled, framing eyes that sparkled with innocence. Along with his fair hair and light-colored eyes, he had the faint look of a mixed-blood baby.
His bone structure was strikingly beautiful, though he did not resemble Gu Panqiu much. It was likely that he inherited genes from his other father.
Jiujiu noticed Gu Panqiu looking at him with his head tilted to one side. Suddenly shy, he whispered, “D-Daddy… am I handsome?”
Gu Panqiu could not help but chuckle at Jiujiu’s question. With a warm smile, he answered, “Absolutely handsome! You’re the most dashing bear prince in the whole forest. Now, my little bear prince, let’s wash your facey and brush those toofies because today we’re heading to the beach for some fun!”
“But… what’s fun on an island in winter?” Jiujiu wondered aloud, scrunching his little face.
Gu Panqiu reached out and gently tousled his hair. “We’re going to a very warm island.”
Today, the production crew had spared no expense, spending a full three and a half hours whisking all the guests to a sun-drenched island paradise.
The island was like spring all year round, and Gu Panqiu basked in the warmth of the sun, something he had not felt in ages. He stood under a parasol with a shirt draped loosely over his shoulders when Shen Yao suddenly appeared before him in just swim trunks, holding out a perfectly sliced mango. Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
The swim trunks hugged his athletic frame. Gu Panqiu’s eyes flicked over Shen Yao’s toned lower body before he murmured a quick thanks for the golden, juicy fruit.
Just then, Li Zhu came bounding over with a coconut in hand and an infectious smile. “Brother! Want some coconut juice?”
Gu Panqiu handed the mango to Jiujiu, who plopped down happily on the sand to enjoy it. Holding a coconut, he eyed the two men in front of him and teased, “You’re both dressed so lightly.”
Li Zhu gave Gu Panqiu a playful wink. “What, you haven’t heard? The competition’s about to start.”
The production crew had set up an obstacle race for today. The prize for the winner was not just bragging rights, but something far more tempting—a date with the person they liked. Even if that person did not return their feelings, it was still a rare chance to spend time together and put their best self forward.
Clad in swim trunks, Lu Yao stood among the burly men as if he belonged there. He was already rubbing his fists in anticipation, even swapping into a lighter pair of shoes. His gaze was riveted on Fu Yue, who strolled leisurely along the beach in his black shirt and trousers.
Fu Yue’s skin was pale as porcelain—so pale that he looked almost ethereal under the sun, like a vampire prince who had just stepped out of a Gothic castle.
As he drew closer, Gu Panqiu noticed the unique fabric of Fu Yue’s shirt. Sunlight caught it just so, making it shimmer as if countless shards of diamond lay woven into the threads.
Fu Yue finally came to a stop in front of Gu Panqiu. “Where’d you get that coconut?”
Gu Panqiu pointed toward Li Zhu, who was a few steps away. “Little Brother bought it.”
As Fu Yue stepped out from the shade of the umbrella, he seemed momentarily blinded by the bright sunlight, or perhaps it was the sight of the coconut in Gu Panqiu’s hands that caused the slight furrow in his brows.
Unable to resist the urge to mimic him, Gu Panqiu leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a playful whisper. “No sun! Stop! It’s too bright! The sunlight’s gonna kill me!”
Fu Yue shot him a sideways glance, and for a moment, Gu Panqiu was not sure if he was imagining it—today, Fu Yue’s gaze seemed slightly… complicated. It was no longer the gaze of someone looking at a fool.
Lu Yao was in the midst of an intense warm-up, raising his legs in a high-knee routine that showcased his determination. Watching his fervor, Shen Yao stretched beside him, a teasing grin on his face. “Hey, Lu Yao, are you really this competitive? Got a goal in mind?”
Already glistening with sweat from the exertion, Lu Yao shot back, “Can’t you tell who my goal is? I’ve definitely noticed yours.”
Shen Yao dropped into a deep squat, stretching his legs out. The two of them struck poses like heavyweight contestants in a beauty pageant. Their physiques were so impressive that Yang Chen, who had just jogged over, stood dumbstruck for a good long while.
“Oh wow! So handsome!” Yang Chen cupped his face, eyes sparkling. “What do I do, Brother Qiuqiu? I still like Brother Lawyer the most!”
Following Yang Chen’s gaze, Gu Panqiu saw the lawyer striding over with a surfboard. The full-body wetsuit hugged every curve, somehow making him look even hotter than he would in just swim trunks.
Cui Hang muttered under his breath, “Nobody’s that flirtatious.”
Zhang Yiming blew a playful kiss to the group gathered under the umbrella, causing Gu Panqiu to nearly choke on a sip of coconut water. He quickly patted Yang Chen on the back, trying to suppress his laughter. “Are you planning to join in, Chenchen?”
“Of course!” Yang Chen replied enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “If I win, maybe I’ll get a date with someone I like!”
The competition was moments away from starting. Gu Panqiu hung back and held Jiujiu’s hand, choosing to opt out.
He had assumed Fu Yue felt as indifferent as he did. But at the very last minute, Fu Yue appeared on the track—clad head to toe in black—cutting a striking figure against the sea of guests in colorful swim trunks.
Gu Panqiu’s eyes curved into a faint smile as he lifted his son and walked over to Fu Yue, taking in the well-built physique hidden beneath his tailored trousers and crisp shirt.
It was evident that Fu Yue was the most impressive of the bunch, yet he stubbornly refused to shed his layers.
With a hint of regret, he remarked, “Fu Yue, you’re not up to this.”
Fu Yue’s brows furrowed even deeper, and his voice was sharp as he shot back, “Who are you calling incapable?!”
The director raised a small red flag. “Contestants, ready… set… RUUUUN!”
Just as Gu Panqiu was about to tease Fu Yue further, the latter shot off like an arrow. Whoa, he’s fast!
The author has something to say:
Hehe, Fu Yue and Qiuqiu can celebrate their birthdays together from now on. Imagine, in the last second of February 14th, as the clock strikes midnight, they’ll blow out the candles together at the very first moment of February 15th. There’s just something wonderfully romantic about little moments like this.
[1] When you add “line” to “popular,” it refers to the popular members of the group, not just the single most popular member.You may also see other “___ line” terms, such as “98 line” that refers to idols born in 1998. While it started as a reference to birth years, the “line” suffix is now used more broadly, as in “maknae line” (referring to the youngest members of a group).