After posting that message, Chen Hao not only received much sharper criticism from netizens than Chi Li, but even his teachers and co-hosts sent him private messages with criticism and suggestions.
Looking at those words, Chen Hao squatted down, holding his head in his hands.
He had no energy left for reflection; only one thought occupied his mind—
These people must have been Chi Li.
The live stream ended at 10 PM.
After taking a shower, Chi Li nestled on the sofa to watch a movie.
I didn't hear a knock on the door until 11:30.
He reflexively stood up and ran a few steps toward the door, then, as if remembering something, deliberately slowed down.
... Don't appear too eager, or someone might get too cocky.
He lingered at the door until the second knock sounded, then Chi Li pressed the doorknob and opened the door.
As soon as the door opened, the person waiting outside rushed in and pulled him into their arms.
Caught off guard, Chi Li let out a low cry as the immense force propelled her forward, her nose slamming hard against Shen Xunye's firm, warm chest.
The familiar, clean, and crisp scent, mixed with the cool air from outside, instantly overwhelmed him.
"Baby..." Shen Xunye's voice was hoarse from overuse, "I miss you so much."
Chi Li gave a soft "oh," her fingertips tracing the hem of the other person's clothes.
Shen Xunye didn't mind his coldness; she simply buried her face in his soft hair and took a deep breath.
It was as if I wanted to inhale that familiar, sweet scent into my lungs, dispelling the dust of the journey and the lingering pain of separation.
The hug lasted a long time.
It took so long that Chi Li began to doubt whether Shen Xunye had actually fallen asleep before he slowly loosened his grip on his arm.
He straightened up slightly, his hands still loosely wrapped around Chi Li's waist, and looked down at the person in his arms.
Chi Li also looked up at him. Her cheeks were flushed from the impact and her emotional excitement, and her eyes were a little moist.
I don't know if it was because it hurt from the impact, or for some other reason.
Shen Xunye's gaze was deep, and then, without any warning, he lowered his head and kissed her.
The kiss carried the thirst of separation, the weariness of travel, and a long-suppressed, almost ferocious plunder.
"Mmm...!" Chi Li groaned softly as he kissed her.
Unconsciously, her hands gripped Shen Xunye's shirt, and she leaned back slightly, unable to withstand the intense kiss, but was firmly supported by the arms around her waist.
He closed his eyes, his thick eyelashes trembling slightly.
Passive yet gradually drawn in, responding to this long-awaited reunion... well, a kiss that could be considered a long-awaited reunion.
Their lips and tongues intertwined, igniting an even deeper level of desire.
Shen Xunye buried his head in Chi Li's neck, swaying back and forth, kissing and biting, occasionally sticking out his tongue, like a dog guarding its food, impatiently wanting to leave its mark on Chi Li.
Chi Li ran her fingers through his hair, then closed them tightly, breathing heavily as she said, "... Don't... don't leave a mark."
Shen Xunye gripped the scruff of Chi Li's neck and gently ground his teeth. "I know what I'm doing..."
He hasn't eaten all day, so what's wrong with him having a good meal?
"... Um."
Chi Li also wanted to indulge him, so she tacitly approved of his actions, which were a bit more excessive than usual.
By the time Shen Xunye said he was half full and could rest for a while, it was already 1 a. m.
Unable to find his pajamas, Chi Li sat on the sofa and placed his two bare, smooth, and straight legs on Shen Xunye's lap.
"Is running a company fun?" Chi Li asked lazily.
"Not as fun as you." Shen Xunye grabbed Chi Li's calf and said nonchalantly.
Chi Li kicked him directly, her eyes flashing with anger, making her look extremely beautiful. "Say that again? I'd rather play with you."
"... Hmm." Shen Xunye groaned and leaned closer to Chi Li. "Then tell me, is Chestnut more fun, or am I more fun?"
Chestnut is the name of the dog that Chi Li was holding that afternoon.
" Chestnut doesn't bite and is obedient, it's a good dog." Chi Li didn't mince words in the comparison, "You bite, and you're disobedient, you won't stop when I tell you to, you're a bad dog... So, where do you get the courage to compare yourself to Chestnut?"
"Am I that bad?" Shen Xunye asked innocently. "... But anyway, whether I'm a good dog or a bad dog, I'm still your dog. You can't just abandon me."
"A dog that bites..." Chi Li bent her leg, placing her foot on Shen Xunye's firm thigh. "Even at home, it needs to be on a leash."
"Of course." Shen Xunye didn't refute, a dark glint in his eyes. "Then may I ask Master to put it on for me personally?"
Chi Li: "... Tsk."
He was a little lost for words.
Shen Xunye was even more shameless than he had imagined.
"... Master." Shen Xunye, without batting an eye, scooped Chi Li up and pulled her onto his lap. "Time to feed the dogs."
"?" Chi Li quickly covered his dog mouth. "Didn't you just eat?"
"A vicious dog eats more than a good dog," Shen Xunye said with a smile, slowly moving Chi Li's hand away. "However, vicious dogs do have one advantage..."
Chi Li subconsciously replied, "What's good?"
"That means that when the owner is unwilling to provide food, the child can forage for themselves."
Chi Li's pupils contracted, and he hurriedly reached out to grab Shen Xunye's head, which was nestled against his chest, but he was still a step too late.
... Once a vicious dog enters a feeding state, it's unlikely to stop until it's full.
The next day, early morning.
Chi Li tidied herself up quickly and went downstairs to have breakfast in the restaurant.
The new assistant stood to the side and went over his schedule for the day.
Chi Li nodded and asked, "What's your name?"
"My Qin Jian," Qin Jian quickly replied. "I'm 31 years old. I was originally one of Ms. Shen Wei's assistants, but the young master temporarily transferred me to work for you. I have no prior experience as an artist's assistant, so please feel free to point out any shortcomings in my work."
"Did Shen Xunye choose you personally?" Chi Li asked again.
Qin Jian: "Yes. The young master personally went to Miss Shen Wei's office, summoned the entire assistant team, and then selected from among them."
Chi Li felt something was off, so she pressed on, "What are his criteria for selecting people?"
"Hmm..." Qin Jian thought for a moment, remembering Shen Wei's instructions, and decided to answer honestly. "A woman, or a married man."
Chi Li: "..."
"However, Ms. Shen Wei felt that the workload of an artist's assistant was very heavy, and she was worried that the women might not be able to handle it, so she only allowed the young master to choose married men," Qin Jian added. "It's quite a coincidence, I'm the only married man in the assistant team."
Chi Li couldn't help but ask with concern, "Did you do it voluntarily?"