Early the next morning, Fu Xiuyuan drove Gu Nian'an to the filming location.
Sitting in the driver's seat, Fu Xiuyuan turned to remind the young man, "Although our relationship is contractual, we're still legally husbands for these three years. If there's anything you can't resolve, don't hesitate to come to me."
Looking at Fu Xiuyuan gazing at him so earnestly, Gu Nian'an felt warmth in his heart and couldn't help smiling. "Don't worry. I'll take care of myself."
At that, Fu Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow slightly and looked Gu Nian'an up and down, his eyes full of disbelief.
Gu Nian'an gave a sheepish smile, then turned and headed toward the filming location.
Everyone was already waiting inside, chatting. When they saw Gu Nian'an push open the door and enter, they all froze for a moment.
Yun Bingxia's eyes lit up. She jogged over and said happily, "Gu Gu! You're all better!" She kept looking the young man over as she laughed.
Seeing him back, Ji Yaozhi also spoke up. "If you don't feel well, say something. Don't endure it alone. You really scared us this time."
Gu Nian'an laughed sheepishly, rubbing his fingers together in slight awkwardness.
"I honestly didn't feel anything. I fell asleep when I got back. How was I supposed to know I'd have a fever the next day?" Embarrassment flashed in his eyes when he finished. Even he felt a little guilty.
Seeing the young man's guilty look, Mu Chen smiled. He walked over, pulled him to the sofa, and sat him down, reassuring him, "It's all right. What matters is that you're back."
With someone smoothing things over for him, Gu Nian'an shot Mu Chen a grateful look.
Mu Chen smiled, unbothered.
Looking around, Gu Nian'an suddenly noticed someone was missing and asked in confusion, "Where's Songqing? Why haven't I seen him?"
At the mention of Yu Songqing, Ji Baiwei and Ji Yaozhi exchanged a glance, a hint of hesitation in their eyes.
Ji Baiwei glanced at everyone present. After considering her words for a moment, she said gently, "Well, something came up in Songqing's family, and he had to hurry back to handle it. He paid the penalty for breaching the contract and withdrew."
Hearing that, Gu Nian'an knew he shouldn't ask any further and offered a casual acknowledgment.
Everyone gathered together, chatting on and off in a harmonious atmosphere. Before they knew it, evening had arrived, and the production crew came over with cameras.
Filming resumed.
[Why don't I see Yu Songqing?]
[Yu Songqing withdrew. You didn't know?]
[What's going on? Why did Yu Songqing withdraw?]
[Yu Songqing's studio already posted on Weibo. He has some family matters to deal with and can't participate in the rest of filming.]
[What a shame. I still wanted to watch the Qing-An ship.]
[Same.]
[Wifey's out of the hospital. Lick, lick.]
[Licking everything will only hurt you!]
A crew member came over carrying a box, set it on the table, and told everyone, "Since both teams reached the summit at the same time in the last game, our production team has decided that everyone will receive this surprise together."
Everyone looked at the box expectantly.
The crew member opened the box and lifted out a kitten. It was black all over except for its four snow-white paws, and its eyes were as deep blue as the sea.
Its tail drooped down, and a few tiny whiskers framed its mouth. It looked around in confusion, then tilted its head up to look at the person holding it.
"From now on, we'll leave this kitten in everyone's care."
The moment Yun Bingxia saw the kitten, she wanted nothing more than to race over and scoop it up.
As soon as the crew member put the kitten on the table, Yun Bingxia jogged over and gathered it into her arms. It gave her a puzzled "meow."
Yun Bingxia beamed with delight. She lifted the kitten like Simba being held up in The Lion King and exclaimed excitedly to everyone, "Look! Look! It's so cute! So cute!"
[What's this! A kitty! Let me get a whiff!]
[So cute! Black clouds treading on snow!]
[Watching them raise a cat together is going to be so fun.]
[Xiaxia's so cute too.]
[Agreed, agreed.]
Ji Baiwei walked over and stroked the kitten's head, finding it adorable too.
Ji Yaozhi, meanwhile, sat motionless on the sofa with a stiff expression and an utterly gloomy look in his eyes. There was no other reason: he was allergic to cat fur.
Ji Baiwei turned to look at the rigid Ji Yaozhi and burst out laughing. She knew how much the boy loved cats, but unfortunately, his allergy to cat fur had always kept him from having one.
Looking at the adorable kitten over there, Ji Yaozhi gritted his teeth. Why did I have to be allergic!
[Hahahahaha I'm half-dead from laughing.]
[What's going on here? Why does Ji Yaozhi look so fierce?]
[I'm dying hahahaha. Ji Yaozhi loves cats, but he's allergic to cat fur, so he can't keep one hahahaha.]
[Production crew, you really know how to stir things up.]
[Hahaha, oh man hahaha. Isn't this going to drive him crazy? A cat wandering around him every day, and he can't even touch it hahahaha.]
[Am I the only one worried about what happens if this cat runs around everywhere and triggers Ji Yaozhi's allergies?]
[The production crew arranges for someone to clean every day, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem, right?]
Mu Chen also watched the two of them fuss over the kitten with a smile. Thinking Gu Nian'an would probably like the kitten too, he turned to look at him.
Seeing him sitting with his head lowered without a word, Mu Chen walked over. But when he saw the expression on the young man's face clearly, he froze on the spot.
Gu Nian'an's gaze was unfocused, his eyes utterly blank.
Mu Chen bent down slightly and gently patted his shoulder, asking reassuringly, "Nian'an, are you all right? Are you feeling unwell again?"
The sudden touch on his shoulder pulled Gu Nian'an out of his memories. He looked up and saw Mu Chen's worried expression.
He then forced a smile and said softly, "N-no, I'm fine. I just remembered something."
Seeing that he didn't want to explain, Mu Chen didn't press him. He sat down beside Gu Nian'an and silently kept him company.
[What's wrong? Does Baby An not like cats?]
[Doesn't look like it. Maybe he remembered something upsetting.]
[Best Actor Mu and our baby are so close.]
[Gentle older best actor x shy, well-behaved pretty face. Any creators feeding this ship? Food, please, I'm hungry.]
[Same here.]
After thoroughly petting the cat, Yun Bingxia turned and brought it over to Gu Nian'an. "Gu Gu, pet it too. It's so cute." As she spoke, she tried to place the kitten's paw on Gu Nian'an's hand.
Gu Nian'an's pupils abruptly contracted, and he jerked aside. Unfortunately, he moved straight into Mu Chen, colliding right into his arms.
Looking at the person in his arms, Mu Chen lowered his eyes slightly to hide the look in them and steadied him.
Yun Bingxia immediately felt guilty. Oh no. Gu Gu might be afraid of cats and was too embarrassed to say it. I've messed up again. She hurried to apologize.
But Gu Nian'an spoke first. "Sorry, Xia. I'm feeling a little unwell. I'll go upstairs and rest. You guys... have fun."
With that, he turned and ran upstairs.
Ji Baiwei and Ji Yaozhi exchanged a glance, worry lurking in both their eyes.
Standing there, Yun Bingxia stroked the kitten's head in slight embarrassment and whispered, "Mimi, I think I did something wrong again."
Mu Chen stood and reassured her, "Don't blame yourself. I noticed Nian'an wasn't quite right as soon as the kitten was brought out. He's probably still feeling a little unwell. He should be fine after some rest."
Remembering his blank gaze, Mu Chen's expression shifted repeatedly, but in the end, he only shook his head and casually stroked the kitten's head. So cute.
Just then, the kitten in the young woman's arms rubbed against her hand and meowed several times, as though comforting her.
Yun Bingxia cheered up again. "Oh, I see. Then I'll buy Gu Gu something nice to eat tomorrow to help him recover."
She happily went back to petting the cat.
[What's with Gu Nian'an? Why such a big reaction?]
[Wondering the same.]
[Why treat our Xiaxia like that? Kind of a turnoff.]
[To the person above, Gu Nian'an froze as soon as the cat was brought out, and then his expression got really strange. He probably has some trauma. It wasn't intentional.]
[Agreed. Our baby's eyes didn't look like he hated cats. More like he was sad?]
[Only the person involved knows what actually happened. Sigh, no point saying more. Let's just watch the show.]
Before you continue