Doctor Gu’s Orange Cat Boyfriend - Chapter 32

When his fingertips gently brushed against the fifth pair of hands.

 

A familiar warmth radiated from the point of contact.

 

These hands were warm, dry, and sharply defined, the fingertips bearing faint calluses from years of gripping pens and turning pages.

 

Lin Mucí slid the back of his hand over the palm again and again, slowly.

 

No doubt about it, these were Dr. Gu’s hands.

 

It had to be him.

 

“This is the one!”

 

Lin Mucí’s voice was unwavering.

 

“Let’s reveal the answer… Congratulations, Mr. Lin! Absolutely correct!”

 

The entire venue erupted in applause and cheers more fervent than any previous round.

 

Su Wanqing stomped her foot excitedly, shouting, “I knew it! I knew it! The touch of soulmates never fails! Chaoyu and Mucí are locked in!”

 

Lin Mucí removed the blindfold, his cheeks burning.

 

He tried to pull his hand back, only to find Gu Chaoyu hadn’t let go immediately.

 

Instead, the other man gently stroked the back of his hand with his thumb.

 

The touch was light, carrying a hint of ticklishness.

 

Gu Chaoyu leaned closer, murmuring in a voice only he could hear, ” 

I knew you’d find me. Mucí, you’re amazing!”

 

【Lin Muci: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

The restaurant manager personally took the stage to present their prizes.

 

A black-gold card and an exquisitely designed gift certificate.

 

“Congratulations! This is our hotel’s Super VIP Card, granting you a 20% discount on all future visits. Additionally, this is a gift certificate for our most exclusive ‘Starlit Sanctuary’ couples’ spa package!”

 

The manager enthusiastically explained, “Our Starry Sky SPA is a private sanctuary designed exclusively for couples and partners. It helps partners relax and deepen their bond! Wishing you both a delightful experience!”

 

【Couple? Partners?】

 

【But we’re not yet?】

 

【But we should be soon, right?!!】

 

After stepping down from the stage, Su Wanqing snatched the spa voucher, flipping it over and over with eyes sparkling, grinning from ear to ear.

 

“Heaven is on our side! Heaven is on our side! Brother, this is the perfect chance to deepen your bond with Dr. Gu! We absolutely must go! Tomorrow!”

 

Lin Mucí felt so embarrassed he wanted to cover her mouth.

 

Just then, Zhou Yang approached Su Wanqing.

 

He looked at her, unusually without his usual argumentative tone, and spoke sincerely:

 

“Actually… the answer you wrote for the final question in the first round is also the thing I regret most.”

 

Su Wanqing’s body stiffened. She didn’t turn around, but her grip on the spa voucher tightened involuntarily.

 

Amidst the clamor and cheers, Gu Chaoyu shoved the black-gold “Super VIP” card into Lin Mucí’s hand.

 

Then, he leaned close to Lin Mucí’s ear and whispered each word in that irresistibly husky voice:

 

“I’m very satisfied with our chemistry today.”

 

“But…”

 

“Regarding my ideal type, you only got half right.”

 

“Besides being kind, adorable, and full of passion and energy… Lastly, he absolutely must be a web novel writer!”

 

【What did he say?】

 

【His my ideal type must also be a web novel writer?】

 

【What… what does he mean?】

 

【What on earth does he mean?!】

 

【In his life, I should be the only one who fits that description, right?!】

 

Lin Mucí felt as if he were floating on a cloud, his feet padded with cotton, light as a feather, utterly unreal.

 

He couldn’t even recall how he made his way back to his room.

 

The surrounding clamor with Su Wanqing and Zhou Yang’s tugging, the host’s voice, everyhing faded into a blurry background hum.

 

In his world, only Gu Chaoyu’s whispered words remained.

 

“Beep…”

 

The sound of the keycard swiping open the smart door snapped Lin Mucí back to reality.

 

Gu Chaoyu pushed the door open, stepping aside to let him enter first.

 

Only the warm light in the entryway illuminated the room, stretching their shadows long and intertwined.

 

An ambiguous atmosphere fermented in the quiet air.

 

Lin Mucí stood in the center of the room, his emotions unable to settle for a long time.

 

He could feel Gu Chaoyu’s gaze upon him.

 

【Ask! Or don’t ask!】

 

【This moment is perfect timing, perfect place, perfect people!】

 

【What if… what if I’m just overthinking? What if he was just joking?】

 

【Impossible! He’s not the type to joke like that!】

 

【He’s already hinted this much! If I don’t ask now, I’m a complete idiot!】

 

【Go for it, Lin Mucí! Happiness is right before your eyes! This chance won’t come again!】

 

After an internal battle, Lin Mucí abruptly turned around.

 

He looked at Gu Chaoyu, summoning the greatest courage he’d ever mustered in his life,

 

“Gu Chaoyu.”

 

For the first time, he called his name without any formal title.

 

Gu Chaoyu’s body seemed to stiffen for a moment. He didn’t respond, only watching Lin Mucí quietly, waiting for him to continue.

 

“You…” Lin Mucí took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and asked loudly as if throwing caution to the wind, “Do you like me?”

 

The moment the words left his mouth, Lin Mucí felt all the strength drain from his body.

 

He nervously clutched the hem of his shirt, unable to meet Gu Chaoyu’s eyes, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it would leap out of his throat.

 

【Way to go, Lin Mucí! You finally said it! If you hadn’t asked, you’d have burst from holding it in!!】

 

【How will he respond?】

 

【Will he say “yes”?】

 

【Or will he say “you’re overthinking it”?】

 

【If he denies it, we won’t even be able to stay friends, right?】

 

Time seemed to stretch infinitely in that moment.

 

Every silent second was torture.

 

Just as Lin Mucí was about to drown in his own wild thoughts, a soft chuckle laced with a hint of resignation and affection echoed through the room.

 

Lin Mucí snapped his head up.

 

He found Gu Chaoyu gazing at him tenderly, smiling as he took slow, deliberate steps toward him.

 

He stopped before Lin Mucí.

 

Then, he raised his hand, using the warm pad of his finger to gently ruffle Lin Mucí’s slightly disheveled hair, saying with indulgence:

 

“You just figured it out?”

 

“You little idiot.”

 

Receiving confirmation, Lin Mucí exploded—yes, you read that right, fireworks burst in his mind!

 

【Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!】

 

【He admitted it! He really admitted it!】

 

【He said I finally figured it out!】

 

【He even called me… silly little thing!】

 

【Oh my god! What an utterly doting nickname! I’m done for! I died on the spot! Ascended right then and there!】

 

Overwhelmed by immense joy, Lin Mucí stood dumbstruck in place, his lips curving upward uncontrollably. He felt himself melting completely within Gu Chaoyu’s tenderness.

 

Happy!

 

Happy beyond measure!

 

After the wave of immense happiness, a hint of doubt quietly surfaced.