Chapter 32

The next morning at eight o'clock, the "Super Cute" live stream room lit up on time.

Viewers who had been waiting all night flooded in, and the live chat was filled with comments:

Here it comes! Let me see what happened last night!

[Jiang Jiang tried on clothes for half an hour before ending her live stream yesterday! Something's definitely going on!]

[A cake! I saw the cake box! Yesterday was Jiang Jiang's birthday, right?!]

Where's Teacher Gu? Let me see how this contract couple celebrated their birthday last night!

In the video, Qiuqiu is already sitting obediently at the dining table drinking milk, with a knowing smile on her little face.

But Jiang Xueru and Gu Qingyue, who had just confessed their feelings to each other last night and should theoretically be all lovey-dovey, seemed a little stiff at this moment.

Jiang Xueru was frying eggs in the kitchen, her back straight as if she were standing at attention.

Gu Qingyue was setting the table, her movements as mechanical as a robot.

"Mom, the eggs are going to burn," Qiuqiu kindly reminded her.

"Huh? Oh!" Jiang Xueru hurriedly turned off the stove, her ears turning red.

Gu Qingyue immediately handed over a plate: "Use this."

"Thanks."

Jiang Xueru took it, and her fingertips accidentally touched his hand. Both of them pulled their hands back as if they had been electrocuted.

The air was filled with an atmosphere that was both sickeningly sweet and incredibly awkward.

The live stream chat instantly went wild:

What's going on here?

What did I miss? They seemed normal yesterday. Today they look like two middle school students caught dating by their homeroom teacher.

Wait a minute, do contract couples really need to be this shy? It's just touching hands!

I smell something wrong...

[That smile on Qiuqiu's face! She definitely knows something!]

Qiuqiu definitely knows.

She sipped her milk slowly, her big eyes darting between her parents, her heart filled with joy.

Oh my, adults falling in love is so cute, like two little bears who stole some honey but are pretending nothing happened.

But she's such a sweetheart, she wouldn't expose him in the live stream!

Qiuqiu asked in a deliberately innocent tone, "Dad, why are your ears so red?"

Gu Qingyue: "..."

He coughed tactically: "...It's hot."

It was an October morning, and the room temperature was 22 degrees Celsius.

Jiang Xueru suppressed a laugh and served the fried eggs to the table.

Gu Qingyue pulled out a chair for her, his movements as natural as if he had done it a thousand times, but in reality, this was the first time he had ever done it.

"Thank you," Jiang Xueru said softly, her skirt accidentally catching on the chair leg as she sat down.

Gu Qingyue immediately squatted down and carefully helped her pull out the hem of her skirt.

When they stood up, their faces were very close, close enough that they could feel each other's breath.

Time stood still for three seconds.

Gu Qingyue's Adam's apple bobbed.

Jiang Xueru's eyelashes trembled.

Then, the two of them jumped back at the same time, one looking to the left and the other to the right, their faces getting redder than the other.

Live Stream Room:

【Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!】

This is absolutely not a contractual marriage! Absolutely!

[That distance! That look in your eyes! If you say there was no emotion in it, I'll eat my keyboard on live stream!]

So what exactly happened yesterday?! I'm so worried!

【Qiuqiu, my darling, say something! You know, right?】

Qiuqiu, of course, didn't say anything.

She simply ate her fried egg with a smile, keeping her accomplishments hidden.

Breakfast was an eventful affair.

When Jiang Xueru went to get the pepper powder for the third time, Gu Qingyue also reached out, and their hands met above the spice bottle.

This time, Gu Qingyue didn't dodge.

He gently took Jiang Xueru's hand, placed the pepper shaker in her hand, and then quickly let go, as fast as if nothing had happened, but the redness at the base of his ears had already spread to his neck.

Jiang Xueru held the bottle, which still retained his body heat, her heart pounding like a drum.

The live stream room has gone crazy:

He shook hands! He shook hands!

[Even though it only lasted 0.5 seconds, I saw it!]

These two are definitely up to something today!

[Any tech-savvy folks out there who can analyze their micro-expressions? I get the feeling they're dating!]

[Upstairs, no analysis needed, anyone can see they're dating...]

After the meal, Jiang Xueru cleared the dishes, and Gu Qingyue helped her.

The two huddled together in front of the sink, their arms occasionally touching, each touch feeling like an electric current.

"I...I'll wash it," Jiang Xueru said.

"I'll help you," Gu Qingyue said.

Then the two stood side by side in front of the sink, one washing the dishes and the other rinsing them, working together seamlessly, but neither daring to look at the other the entire time.

Qiuqiu leaned against the back of the sofa and looked at it, then shook her head.

Adults are really something. They clearly like each other to death, so why do they become even more shy after confirming their relationship?

However, it's also quite cute.

She decided to help.

"Mom and Dad!"

Qiuqiu jumped off the sofa, ran between the two of them, and took one of their hands in each hand. "Shall we go to the amusement park today?"

Jiang Xueru and Gu Qingyue were both stunned.

"Yesterday was Mom's birthday, so we're celebrating it today! Qiuqiu wants to ride the carousel!"

Last time I went to the amusement park, I didn't enjoy the second half of the trip because of Fang Yi's cheating scandal.

The two looked at each other and saw in each other's eyes that it seemed like a possibility.

"Okay." Gu Qingyue nodded first.

“Then, I’ll go change my clothes,” Jiang Xueru said.

“I’ll go too,” Gu Qingyue followed.

The two went upstairs one after the other, their steps stiff as if they were marching in formation.

Live Stream Room:

[Amusement park! Yay!]

[I'm going to watch the live stream all day! I refuse to believe I won't see the clues!]

I bet five cents there will be progress today!

Upstairs, Jiang Xueru was picking out clothes in the dressing room.

She picked up a dress, put it down, and then picked up another one.

It was just a trip to an amusement park, but it felt like picking out a gown for a red carpet event.

Gu Qingyue's voice came from outside the door: "Do you need...do you need me to give you some advice?"

Jiang Xueru's hand trembled, and her skirt fell to the ground: "No need!"

There was a few seconds of silence outside the door, then Gu Qingyue's voice rang out again, tinged with laughter: "You look good in anything."

Jiang Xueru's face flushed red.

She covered her face and squatted on the ground, her inner voice screaming: How could Gu Qingyue be so good! He wasn't like this before!

Gu Qingyue, standing outside the door, regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth. Had he been too frivolous? Had he scared her?

He leaned against the wall and rubbed his hair in frustration.

The two stood on opposite sides of the door, one blushing and the other annoyed, yet both couldn't help but smile.

Silly.

But it's incredibly sweet.

It was an hour later when they finally changed their clothes and came downstairs.

The viewers in the live stream had been waiting impatiently, but they instantly perked up again when the two appeared.

Jiang Xueru wore a pale yellow dress that accentuated her fair skin, and her long hair was loosely tied up.

Gu Qingyue wore a light blue shirt with beige trousers, looking refreshing and gentle.

Most importantly, when the two stood together, the invisible aura completely changed.

It used to be "we know each other but aren't close," now it's "we're very close and have a secret."

Qiuqiu was already waiting at the door with her little backpack on. When she saw her parents, her eyes lit up: "Mom and Dad look so good today!"

Gu Qingyue naturally took Jiang Xueru's hand: "Let's go."

Jiang Xueru blushed, but did not break free.

When the three of them left, the live stream chat was so full of comments that the screen was no longer visible.

On the way to the amusement park, Gu Qingyue drove, and Jiang Xueru sat in the passenger seat.

While waiting at a red light, Gu Qingyue naturally reached out to help her tidy up her hair that was being pressed down by the seatbelt.

The movements were gentle, and the gaze was focused.

Jiang Xueru looked at him, and her heart skipped a beat.

Live Stream Room:

I'm gone.

[That look! That movement! Who would believe there's no emotion in it?!]

So what exactly happened yesterday!?

I'm so anxious! I'm so anxious!

There were very few people in the amusement park on a weekday morning, and the two big stars also took off their heavy disguises. Since it was an outdoor live broadcast, the production team arranged for a few more staff members to come over.

Qiuqiu was like a happy little bird, pulling the two of them around, wanting to ride every ride on the carousel, bumper cars, and toy train.

When it was time to ride the bumper cars, Qiuqiu was too scared to ride anymore.

But Qiuqiu is bad at the game but has a strong addiction to it. She can't play by herself, but she wants to watch her parents play.

So the two of them had no choice but to entrust Qiuqiu to the staff and go on stage.

Jiang Xueru drove, and Gu Qingyue sat beside her.

During a sharp turn, Jiang Xueru lost her balance and swayed towards Gu Qingyue. Gu Qingyue immediately reached out and put his arm around her shoulder, protecting her in his arms.

After the car crash ended, Jiang Xueru was still leaning against him, and both of them were stunned.

"Are you alright?" Gu Qingyue asked, her voice a little hoarse.

“…It’s nothing,” Jiang Xueru said softly, without moving.

Gu Qingyue didn't let go either.

And so, in the noisy amusement park, amidst the screaming laughter of the surrounding children, they quietly embraced for a few seconds.

Until Qiuqiu shouted from the side, "A car is coming! Get out of the way!"

The two hurriedly separated, their faces as red as tomatoes.

The live stream viewers are going crazy!

[Hug! Hug! Hug!]

[Even though it was only three seconds, I took a screenshot!]

These two are definitely dating! I swear on my ten years of experience shipping couples!

So what exactly happened on my birthday yesterday?!

After playing all morning, Gu Qingyue's phone rang while she was having lunch at the amusement park restaurant.

It's Xiao Song.

Gu Qingyue then suddenly remembered.

—Oh, right! The real big gift he prepared for Xue Ru hasn't been delivered yet!

I was so overwhelmed by sweetness yesterday that I completely forgot about this!

He answered the phone and walked to the side.

"Boss! The gift is ready! We can deliver it anytime!"

Gu Qingyue couldn't help but smile: "Hmm. Well done."

Xiao Song keenly sensed that her boss was in a very good mood: "Boss, did your birthday go well yesterday?"

Gu Qingyue turned to look at Jiang Xueru, who was wiping Qiuqiu's mouth, her eyes filled with tenderness: "It went very smoothly."

Wow! So—

"So I'm a married man now."

Gu Qingyue's tone was filled with undisguised pride, "From now on, you need to report in advance if you have to work overtime."

Xiao Song: "......"

So you used to work overtime until 3 a.m. because you didn't have to report it?

Gu Qingyue suddenly thought of something, "By the way, can you help me think of something? What should we do when we're in a relationship? I mean, besides our daily interactions, what kind of rituals or special occasions do we need?"

Xiao Song was silent for three seconds on the other end of the phone.

Boss, you're a man who's almost thirty, and you're asking me, a twenty-five-year-old single guy, how to date?

But as a top assistant, Xiao Song still dutifully offered advice: "Go on a date! Watch a movie, have dinner, send flowers... Oh, and by the way, couples should have their own nicknames!"

Gu Qingyue carefully wrote it down: "Anything else?"

"Also, express your love often! Don't keep it bottled up inside!"

Gu Qingyue nodded, "I know how to do that."

After all, I just expressed that last night.

After hanging up the phone, Gu Qingyue returned to his seat. Jiang Xueru looked up at him and asked, "Work?"

"No." Gu Qingyue sat down and naturally took her hand.

"It's about the gift."

Jiang Xueru blinked. "Haven't the bracelet already been given away?"

"That was a birthday present." Gu Qingyue looked at her with gentle eyes.

"There's another gift, a gift to celebrate us being together."

Jiang Xueru was stunned: "There's more?"

Gu Qingyue laughed, "You'll find out later."

He kept it a secret, but the certainty and tenderness in his eyes warmed Jiang Xueru's heart.

She suddenly thought, "That's fine."

Holding hands like this, accompanying Qiuqiu, we lived a simple yet happy life.

As for what role was snatched away or what power struggles occurred in the entertainment industry, none of that seems to matter anymore.

She has something more precious to protect.

Halfway through lunch, Jiang Xueru's phone rang.

It is Yu Ling.

She answered: "Hello?"

Yu Ling's voice trembled with excitement, "Jiang Jiang! Have you checked Weibo?! Have you checked the forums?!"

"What's wrong?"

"Ye Sisi, she's finished!"

Jiang Xueru paused, then looked at Gu Qingyue.

Gu Qingyue smiled slightly at her and nodded.

She suddenly understood.

So this was the gift he was talking about.