Jing Shun had never really been talented when it came to naming things.
Back when he had adopted a dog on set during filming, he had simply kept the name used in the script. Now, having once again become a “dog dad,” he had spent the past two days filtering through countless possible names for the puppy—yet still hadn’t found a single one he was satisfied with.
In the end, he could only temporarily call it “Dog Baby” or simply “Baby.”
Fortunately, the local Tussah dog breed was naturally intelligent and quick to understand humans. In just two days, Dog Baby had already learned how to go to the toilet in a fixed spot, shake hands, sit, and other basic commands.
At the moment, Jing Shun was free and idly teasing the dog in the outer room of his bedroom.
“Dog Baby! Sit!”
Dog Baby immediately sat down obediently, then lifted its head and responded, “Awoo!”
Jing Shun was instantly charmed. “Mm~ who’s the most well-behaved little dog in the world?”
Dog Baby answered enthusiastically, “Woof!”
“….”
Chi Gui had just reached the doorway when he heard the human-and-dog “cross-species conversation,” and the corner of his mouth unconsciously curved slightly.
Jing Shun noticed him. “Mr. Chi?”
Dog Baby also turned around, staring warily at the nearly 1.9-meter-tall Chi Gui. Despite its tiny size, it bravely positioned itself in front of Jing Shun and charged forward.
“—Woof!”
So fierce!
Though completely harmless.
Chi Gui stood at the door, lowering his gaze slightly as he regarded it from a short distance.
Seeing that its intimidation tactic had no effect on the suddenly appeared “enemy,” the puppy raised its head and continued barking fiercely—only to overexert itself and flop over onto its back.
“….”
Chi Gui raised an eyebrow slightly.
The scene was too adorable for Jing Shun to hold back. He laughed softly. “Alright, come back here.”
Realizing it couldn’t beat this giant opponent, Dog Baby immediately retreated in grievance, clinging to Jing Shun’s leg and whining softly.
Jing Shun scooped it onto his lap to comfort it. “Alright, alright, stop barking. I’ll mix your dog food with goat milk later, okay?”
Dog Baby rubbed against his palm and quickly quieted down.
Chi Gui observed the scene. “It listens to you quite well.”
A hint of pride appeared in Jing Shun’s eyes. “Mm, it’s very well-behaved. Easy to teach.”
Then, remembering the puppy’s earlier barking at Chi Gui, he explained, “Mr. Chi, puppies are just a bit naughty when they’re young. It was just playing with you earlier—don’t mind it.”
Chi Gui looked at the puppy curled up in Jing Shun’s arms and shifted his gaze slightly. “…I’m not petty enough to argue with a dog. Can I come in?”
Jing Shun quickly nodded. “Of course.”
Chi Gui stepped inside and directly took out a black box from his coat pocket.
“For you. Open it.”
“For me?”
Jing Shun took the heavy box and opened it with some hesitation.
Inside the black velvet box lay a dark blue wristwatch. It didn’t look like a common commercial brand.
Jing SHun froze slightly. “A watch?”
Chi Gui replied, “I had it custom-made overseas. It’s a monitoring smartwatch.”
The watch was developed by a private R&D team and combined multiple advanced health-monitoring functions available on the market, capable of collecting precise real-time biometric data down to the second.
It also included basic location tracking.
As long as the user granted permission, it could monitor continuously, send real-time data to a designated guardian’s phone, and automatically trigger emergency alerts and location tracking in case of danger.
It even had hidden functions—such as a concealed camera embedded in the side dial for covert recording if necessary.
Chi Gui briefly explained its functions. “From today onward, you must wear this at all times. This is the punishment I mentioned last time.”
He was referring to Jing Shun’s earlier violation of their agreement—acting independently and injuring Chi Sheng during the banquet.
“….”
Jing Shun remembered, but didn’t immediately respond.
He stared at the watch, and what surfaced in his mind was his previous life.
Back then, Chi Sheng had installed surveillance throughout the house under the excuse of “for your own good,” claiming it was to monitor his safety.
In reality, every moment of his embarrassment and weakness had been recorded—and later used as material to mock him.
A long silence followed.
Chi Gui saw the hesitation and resistance in his eyes. His tone softened slightly instead of forcing the issue. “The Chi family is complicated. Internal conflicts never stop. Now that you’re living under the same roof as me, it’s inevitable that someone will target you.”
“Since we’ve signed an agreement, I’m responsible for your safety and health.”
“And I also don’t want a repeat of what happened when you went out to confront someone behind my back.”
“….”
Jing Shun remained silent.
Chi Gui exhaled slightly, a trace of helplessness in his brows. “Forget it. If you really don’t like it—”
“Okay.”
Jing Shun interrupted before he could take it back. “I’ll wear it.”
They were under a contract anyway, and he was playing the role of Chi Gui’s “partner.” Naturally, he needed to be reachable at all times.
He fastened the watch onto his left wrist. “Like this?”
Chi Gui stepped closer. “You need to set the permissions. It requires your consent.”
“Okay.”
Jing Shun followed instructions. Strangely, it didn’t feel as uncomfortable as he had expected.
Although it was called a “punishment,” it wasn’t malicious in intent, and everything required his own permission.
Most importantly—it was Chi Gui, not Chi Sheng.
The tension in his heart slowly eased.
He looked at the watch dial. “So my health data will be transmitted to you in real time? And location too?”
“Mm. It has my contact. You can reach me anytime.”
“Okay.”
After a few steps, he granted authorization.
A mechanical voice sounded:
“Face recognition confirmed. Real-time monitoring enabled. Data will be sent to guardian ‘S’.”
Guardian?
Jing Shun paused slightly.
Since turning eighteen and learning his parents had divorced, he no longer had a “guardian.”
Even with his disability, he had never asked anyone to take responsibility for his safety.
Though this was just wording from a device, it still triggered something in him.
If anything happened again in the future… at least Chi Gui would know.
His heart tightened slightly. He subconsciously called the man’s full name.
“Chi Gui, I—”
Zzzzt.
A phone vibration interrupted him.
He quickly corrected himself. “Mr. Chi, your phone is ringing.”
Chi Gui answered. “Hello?”
On the other end, Chen Yiming reported, “Sir, someone is here at the gate asking for Young Master Jing.”
Jing Shun heard it too. “Someone’s looking for me?”
Chi Gui repeated calmly, “Who is it?”
“Mr. Yu Xiuzhu.”
Jing Shun was surprised. “Brother Yu?”
He had told Yu Xiuzhu his address, but he hadn’t expected him to come so quickly.
The Chi residence had strict security; outsiders usually couldn’t enter easily.
Yu Xiuzhu, unable to enter, happened to meet Chen Yiming returning from an errand, which led to the call.
Ten minutes later, Yu Xiuzhu arrived.
“Brother Yu,” Jing Shun greeted.
“Mm.”
Yu Xiuzhu nodded. After recognizing Chi Gui in the room, he politely said, “Director Chi, this is our first meeting. I kept calling Xiaoxun but couldn’t reach him, so I came unannounced. I apologize for the intrusion.”
Chi Gui nodded slightly. “Guests are welcome. Please sit.”
“Brother Yu, my phone was on silent while charging, so I didn’t hear your calls,” Jing Shun explained. Then he guessed, “Is this about the show?”
Yu Xiuzhu nodded, glancing uncertainly at Chi Gui.
Jing Shun understood the hint. “Brother Yu, I have to report my outings to Mr. Chi now. Just say it directly.”
Chi Gui caught the key words. “What show?”
“….”
Report?
What exactly was going on between these two?
Yu Xiuzhu was puzzled but didn’t press further. He got straight to the point.
“Xiaoxun, I’ve already spoken to the production team. They’re very willing to have you participate.”
He handed over a draft contract. “Take a look? The appearance fee is quite reasonable.”
Jing Shun’s eyes lit up. “They agreed?”
Chi Gui leaned down slightly. “Would it be convenient for me to take a look too?”
“….”
The distance between the two of them suddenly shortened.
Jing Shun felt that if he tilted his head slightly, he could almost touch Chi Gui’s shoulder. The familiar tea scent on the other man’s clothes slowly lingered around him, wrapping him up bit by bit, gradually intruding into what should have been a safe boundary.
Unconsciously, Jing Shun tightened his grip on the edge of the contract and pushed it slightly toward the side. “Mm.”
Yu Xiu Zhu hadn’t expected Chi Gui to care about this, so after thinking for a moment, he handed over a backup copy of the contract. “I have a duplicate here.”
Chi Gui didn’t even look up. “No need.”
“……”
Yu Xiu Zhu was left deflated and could only continue explaining, “The observer segment requires four major recording sessions in total, and each session involves watching two episodes of the main program.”
The whole season consists of eight main episodes.
Jing Shun suddenly thought of his upcoming surgery. “Brother Yu, has the recording schedule been confirmed?”
“The first and second rounds are next week. After that, there’s a half-month break. I’ve confirmed it already—it won’t conflict with your surgery.”
Yu Xiu Zhu easily eased his concerns. “I know you’ll need recovery time after the operation, so I specifically discussed it with the production team.”
“You can skip the third recording round. As for the fourth, the date isn’t finalized yet—we’ll see later.”
Hearing the arrangement, Jing Shun finally relaxed.
This way, it wouldn’t interfere with his surgery and recovery, while also meeting his need to earn income.
Chi Gui quickly glanced through the draft contract and straightened up. “This show sounds familiar?”
Chen Yi Ming had already noticed the program name on the backup copy. “Sir, a subsidiary investment company under the Chi Group has employees participating in the recording. Manager Yue mentioned it during the quarterly meeting—you approved it.”
Jing Shun was surprised. “The production team also reached out to the Chi Group?”
Yu Xiu Zhu had read the full proposal. “I heard SeaVision invited employees from Chi Finance, Xiaomai Technology, Baichuan Film & Television, and Yuguo Media to participate.”
The reality show is filmed across various company headquarters, while the observer segment is recorded in Hai City.
Yu Xiu Zhu didn’t waste time. “Xiao Jing, the production team is in a hurry. They’ll announce the full lineup next week, so we need to give them an answer today.”
That was exactly why he came in person.
“Brother Yu, since they’re giving me this opportunity, of course I want to join.”
Jing Shun stated his position without hesitation, but then looked toward Chi Gui. “Mr. Chi, I—”
Chi Gui met his questioning gaze. “Are you sure you can handle the recording schedule?”
“I’ve already considered that. Yes, I can. I want to do it.”
No one understood better than him what he wanted.
Even if it wasn’t acting but just a variety show, this was still the opportunity he had dreamed of in his previous life.
Chi Gui didn’t object. “Mm, got it.”
The response came too easily, making Jing Shun unsure. “You’re not against it?”
“I don’t object to your normal work and social activities.”
Chi Gui had never intended to restrict Jing Shun’s freedom or confine him here. They signed an agreement, not a contract of servitude.
Hearing their exchange, Yu Xiu Zhu seized the moment. “Xiao Jing, the production team needs personal promotional photos today. It’s still early—why don’t you come with me and shoot them now?”
Jing Shun hadn’t expected things to move so quickly, but he agreed. “Okay.”
…
After the matter was settled, Yu Xiu Zhu left first.
Jing Shun briefly prepared to go out, but before he could leave the outer hall, he was stopped by Gou Bao.
“Awwooo! Awwoo!”
The puppy bounced around anxiously as if reminding him of something. “Wuff!”
Jing Shun saw the empty dog bowl and immediately understood. He quickly mixed the milk powder and poured in the softened kibble.
The puppy stared at him eagerly, tail spinning like a little propeller.
Jing Shun softened instantly and picked up the tiny pup. “Baby, be good. I’m going out later. Stay home, eat well, and sleep, okay? Don’t make trouble.”
“Aw~”
The puppy licked his chin.
At that moment, Chi Gui’s voice came from behind. “Jing Shun, Mr. Yu is waiting for you in the car.”
Jing Shun froze and realized Chi Gui was still in the outer hall.
He quickly put the puppy down, set the softened food on the floor, and stood up. “Baby, eat up. Be good at home!”
“Mm-mm-mm~”
The puppy happily dug into its food.
After settling his little “kid,” Jing Shun rolled his wheelchair toward the door. “Mr. Chi, I’m heading out now. I might not be back for dinner.”
Chi Gui glanced at the watch on his wrist. “Mm, got it.”
Soon, Jing Shun took the elevator downstairs.
Chi Gui didn’t return to his room immediately. Instead, he walked over to the puppy eating happily.
The puppy sensed movement behind it, turned around warily, and sniffed at the trouser leg of the newcomer.
This scent… dangerous.
It couldn’t win.
So it quickly switched to obedient mode and wagged its tail.
Chi Gui looked down at the tiny thing, remembering how Jing Shun had just been calling and cuddling it. “He calls you… Baby?”
“Aw!” the puppy responded enthusiastically.
Chi Gui frowned slightly and lightly nudged the food bowl with his shoe. “Bad name. Not nice.”
The puppy saw its bowl get kicked and immediately snapped out of its act, barking fiercely.
“Wuff!”
Baby good!
Human bad!!
Human very bad!!!