The sun beat down from a cloudless sky, golden sand stretching endlessly beneath swaying coconut palms. The ocean sparkled a brilliant, deep blue; its waves lapped rhythmically at the shore. Along the beach, young men ran bare-chested, each stride pulsing with raw, primal energy that seemed to fill the air itself.
Gu Panqiu held Jiujiu’s hand as they watched the competition. The waves lapped at his feet, sending shivers up his legs. Grinning, he called out to the contestants, “You can do it!”
Mimicking him, Jiujiu hugged a starfish he had just found and yelled, “You can do iiiiit!”
There were six contestants in total: four tops and two bottoms.
From the very start, Yang Chen found himself lagging behind. Lu Yao, though not the tallest, had the quickest stride, his legs moving in a blur as his hair whipped wildly in the wind.
Shen Yao surged ahead with an impressive presence, currently holding first place. Determined to win the right to date his crush, Lu Yao paid no mind to his windblown hair and pushed himself to the limit, overtaking Shen Yao in a burst of sheer grit.
Just as he started to laugh triumphantly, he was startled by a violent black whirlwind that stormed up from behind.
It was Fu Yue.
With his long legs and muscles honed by years of training beneath that tailored suit, he vaulted over the hurdles with ridiculous ease. His thighs tightened with each stride, the fabric of his trousers tracing out a graceful yet powerful line.
Gu Panqiu’s gaze flicked lower, then lingered on Fu Yue’s waist and hips. So it’s true, CEO Fu’s physique is something else entirely.
In a flash, Fu Yue shot past Lu Yao, who was running out of steam, having sprinted too fast. Gasping for air and choking on dust, Lu Yao was nearly in tears as his prize slipped away before his eyes.
Then Fu Yue picked up even more speed, surging past Shen Yao as well. Shen Yao gawked in disbelief and shouted over the rush of wind, “Fu Yue, how can you run like that in those clothes?!”
Lagging hopelessly at the back, Zhang Yiming finally gave up, stopping in the middle of the track. He watched in shock as the black whirlwind tore through the finish line. “That was… CEO Fu?”
Fu Yue stood at the finish line, glancing down at his shirt that was now damp with sweat. His expression remained cool and detached, as if unfazed by the exertion.
The fabric was a little sheer to begin with, and the sweat made it cling more, teasingly revealing the contours of his chest.
The director practically bounced with excitement. “CEO Fu! Congratulations on coming in first!”
Jiujiu clapped his little hands. “Uncle Sharky is so awesome!”
Thirsty from the run, Fu Yue was about to look for water when a bottle slid into view.
He glanced up to find Gu Panqiu beaming at him. “Thank you,” he responded, accepting the bottle with a nod of appreciation.
Then he twisted off the cap and drained it in one long gulp.
At that moment, Lu Yao and Shen Yao crossed the finish line, muttering curses under their breath. Lu Yao turned to Shen Yao, breathless but triumphant. “At least I beat you!”
Shen Yao gave a cold snort. “As if there’s any difference. You’re no better than me.”
Lu Yao wanted to fire back, but the thought of his sunny-boy persona stopped him short. Instead, he bit back the retort and turned to the camera with a radiant grin.
The director turned to Lu Yao and asked, “Do you have anything to say?”
Lu Yao smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. He knew Fu Yue would never go out with him. “Congratulations, Fu Yue… and wow, your legs really are long.”
“What about you, Teacher Shen?”
Shen Yao let out a helpless sigh. “I never knew Fu Yue could run this fast. I couldn’t keep up at all.”
The director slung a flower garland over Fu Yue’s shoulders and gushed excitedly, “CEO Fu, you won today’s obstacle race! Is there someone you want to take on a date?”
Fu Yue’s gaze swept across the crowd of guests, as he knew he had to choose someone. Lu Yao watched him with a flicker of hope, despite knowing it was impossible.
He did not want to pick Lu Yao, yet a sudden, inexplicable surge of possessiveness gripped him—he could not bear the thought of Gu Panqiu and Jiujiu going on a date with any other men on the show.
Fu Yue looked toward Gu Panqiu, who was picking shells with Jiujiu not far away, and spoke in a low, resonant voice, “Gu Panqiu.”
From afar, Gu Panqiu blinked in surprise. “Huh? Me?”
In that instant, Lu Yao’s face went pale as if struck by lightning. Seeing Gu Panqiu staring at Fu Yue in confusion, he literally wanted to smash that minx to pieces with his palm. Follow the newest chapters on novelping.com.
Around them, the other tops’ faces fell. Their beloved Qiuqiu had been taken by someone else, and their hearts had shattered on the spot.
The director could not hold back anymore and squealed, “Ahhhhhhh! Alright, the production crew will send you two off on a date! Pick a representative to draw a card and see what you’ll be doing this afternoon!”
Gu Panqiu came over with a faint, teasing smile as he met Fu Yue’s gaze. “Fu Yue,” he murmured, “you draw. I’ll go along with whatever you decide.”
Fu Yue shot him a quick glance before drawing a card.
On it were the words: Congratulations! You’ve won a “Pretend Lover for a Day” date!
Below, the list reads:
1. Walk hand in hand across the glass skywalk with your date.
2. Visit the zoo on the island with your date.
3. Indulge in a lavish seafood feast with your date.
4. Spend the night in a presidential suite with your date.
Gu Panqiu leaned in to take a closer look. “But… I’m not great with heights.”
Fu Yue looked at the director. “Is the glass skywalk really that high?”
The director nodded. “Mm-hm, it is a bit high… and it’s transparent, too. Tell you what, we’ll drive you over to take a look first. If it feels like too much, you can just head straight to the pool.”
Fu Yue turned to the director. “Can’t we swap for another card?”
She shook his head. “They’re all the same, really.”
Fu Yue’s gaze shifted to Gu Panqiu. “Will you be all right?”
Gu Panqiu gave a slight nod and stepped up beside him. “As long as I’m not alone, I’ll be fine.”
Taking Jiujiu’s little hand in his, Fu Yue and Gu Panqiu made their way toward the production crew’s van.
Lu Yao sank into the sand, every ounce of hope draining from him. As he stared at the scene before him, it was as if his heart had withered and died.
Shen Yao found him amusing and playfully kicked him. “You really like Fu Yue that much?”
Lu Yao kicked wildly in the sand. “What do you think?! I’ve liked him forever!”
“Like the song goes,” Shen Yao said with a grin, “‘If my love won’t be yours, then back to me it goes.’ So stop being so hung up on it.”
Lu Yao snorted, rolling his eyes. “And how’s that working out for you? Gu Panqiu hasn’t exactly thrown himself at you, either.”
Shen Yao smiled dreamily. “He’ll come around eventually. He just hasn’t realized it yet.”
Meanwhile, Jiujiu did not quite understand the rules of the game. Feeling a little carsick, he leaned against Fu Yue and dozed off for a short while. When he finally opened his eyes, he found himself in the heart of a dense mountain range, surrounded by towering trees and the soft rustle of leaves. A flock of tiny birds darted across the sky above him.
“Wow,” Jiujiu whispered, eyes wide. Gu Panqiu scooped him up and asked softly, “Do you like the little birds?”
Jiujiu nodded enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “I like all little animals!”
Fu Yue watched Gu Panqiu and Jiujiu with a bemused smile, an unexpected warmth swelling in his chest. For a moment, he felt as if he were on an outing with his own wife and child.
He walked to the edge of the glass skywalk and peered down. Even his own knees felt weak—if he found it unnerving, then Gu Panqiu, with his fear of heights, would never stand a chance.
Turning to Gu Panqiu, he suggested, “Why don’t you cover your eyes?”
Gu Panqiu lowered his lashes with feigned innocence and whispered, “But if I cover them… how am I supposed to walk?”
After a moment of contemplation, Fu Yue proposed, “I’ll carry you across first. Then I’ll come back for Jiujiu.”
Obediently, Gu Panqiu tied a strip of black silk over his eyes. He stood there waiting, his figure so slender and fragile it looked as though the slightest breeze might carry him away.
Fu Yue lifted him with ease, carrying him on his back as he walked with steady, unhurried steps. The whole way, they remained silent.
Halfway through, Gu Panqiu leaned closer to his ear amidst the whistling wind. “So tall.”
Fu Yue mistook the tremor in his voice for fear. “It is,” he reassured, “but it’ll be over soon.”
Fu Yue was momentarily taken aback, warmth creeping into his cheeks. Quickening his pace, he carried Gu Panqiu across the glass walkway, then tugged off the blindfold.
What greeted him were Gu Panqiu’s sparkling eyes that were brimming with laughter and his radiant smile, which was even more refreshing than the sea breeze.
Fu Yue froze, then turned aside to light a cigarette. “You didn’t…”
“I didn’t what?” Gu Panqiu questioned, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Can I borrow a light? I want to smoke too.”
Shielding the flame against the wind, Fu Yue lit it for him. Gu Panqiu leaned in with a cigarette between his lips, then lifted his gaze to the seascape ahead, smoke curling lazily between his fingers. “So, what was it you were about to say just now?”
Fu Yue’s heart pounded, but his tone remained icy. “You didn’t put on your pheromone today.”
Omega pheromone… Just how much does Fu Yue like this whole Omega thing?
Gu Panqiu burst out laughing. “So it turns out that CEO Fu has a thing for cedarwood, huh? I was in such a rush this morning, I forgot to spray.”
Fu Yue scoffed, feigning indifference. “I never said I liked it.”
He flicked the cigarette butt into the trash, then headed back to grab Jiujiu.
Without his daddy nearby, Jiujiu stood alone beside the staff, fear flickering in his wide eyes. His curly hair clung to his cheeks, giving him the look of a sweet, well-behaved doll.
Jiujiu’s eyes lit up when he saw Fu Yue coming, as if a guardian angel had appeared to save him. Before Fu Yue even reached the bridge, Jiujiu’s arms flung wide, desperate for a hug.
“Can’t wait, huh?” Fu Yue smiled as he scooped the little one into his arms. The little body pressed against him was warm and soft, carrying the gentle scent of milk.
The little guy pressed close to Fu Yue’s ear. “Uncle Sharky, I’m gonna tell you a secret!”
Fu Yue hummed in acknowledgment, a half-smile tugging at his lips. “Oh? You’ve got a little secret?”
“Uh-huh,” Jiujiu whispered softly. “Daddy’s not scared of heights… and I’m not scared either.”
Fu Yue blinked in surprise. Once again, the sly little fox Gu Panqiu had pulled one over on him.
Now he was even more certain: he really was Jiujiu’s father, and Gu Panqiu, who had given him a child, was completely smitten, going so far as to use little schemes to win his attention.
Fu Yue did not mind these playful schemes. On the contrary, he found himself liking the way Gu Panqiu acted all cute for him.
Before the child came over, Gu Panqiu stubbed out his cigarette. He did not mind smoking on camera, but he was not about to risk his little one’s lungs.
As he watched Fu Yue approach with his little one in his arms, Gu Panqiu radiated a gentle warmth, as if he were waiting for the whole family to come together.
“Scared?”
Gu Panqiu took the little one’s hand and crouched down, fixing the collar of his preppy style shirt.
Jiujiu giggled, “Nope! I’ve got Uncle Sharky!”
Rising to his feet, Gu Panqiu moved to Fu Yue’s side and deftly straightened the collar that Jiujiu had just mussed.
He lifted his eyes and questioned gently, “CEO Fu, why did you pick me for the date just now?”
Fu Yue’s eyes lingered on Gu Panqiu’s long lashes, but he gave no reply.
As though he had not teased Fu Yue enough, Gu Panqiu’s lips curved into a smile that never quite reached his eyes. “Why do you always wear such a long face? You look a bit intimidating,” he remarked. “We’re on a date, remember? The card clearly says ‘Pretend Lover,’ and right now, you’re my lover.”
Just when Gu Panqiu thought Fu Yue would stay silent, Fu Yue scooped Jiujiu into his arms and said in a low, steady voice, “Qiuqiu, you’ve changed a lot. I want to get to know you all over again.”
The author has something to say:
He’s been wearing smart casual trousers, not the kind you’d wear to the office!
I know you’re all itching to see a wardrobe malfunction (*￣︶￣), but nope, no way, totally not happening! This is the ultimate tug-of-war between Never-Takes-Them-Off Fu and Seductive Qiuqiu!