The Gentle, Sickly Beauty Is Won Over By The Loyal Big Shot - Chapter 10

“It’s nothing, I’m fine,” Qi Ran leaned into Gu Han’s embrace, trying his best to stand a bit straighter. However, his body lacked strength, he couldn’t stay upright no matter how hard he tried. As he struggled within Gu Han’s arms, he tried to reassure him: “I’m just a little dizzy, it’s nothing. Sorry, President Gu, I didn’t mean to… I just can’t stand up. My… my health is just too poor.”

“Dizzy and you still say you’re fine?” Gu Han leaned down and easily swept Qi Ran into a horizontal carry, completely suppressing his struggles. “In the future, if you feel unwell, tell me. I’ll take care of you. You don’t need to apologize for anything. You’re sick, you’re the one who should be most considerate of yourself, alright?”

Deep in Gu Han’s arms, Qi Ran listened to his words and nodded gently: “Alright.”

“Good boy,” Gu Han said, sitting on the bed while holding Qi Ran tightly in his arms, his palm slowly stroking Qi Ran’s back. “Our little Qi Ran is so good.”

Gu Han discovered that such intimate hugs always made Qi Ran feel at ease and secure. Consequently, Gu Han took every opportunity to hold him.

Internal Monologue: Gu Han, the “puppy” CEO, planned to pursue his “wife” even faster. If only he could speed things up a little more.

After staying in Gu Han’s arms for a long while, the dizziness eased slightly. Qi Ran took his phone out of his hospital gown pocket and looked up at Gu Han: “President Gu, do you want to see my puppy?”

“A puppy?” Gu Han’s eyes widened. “You haven’t fed it in so long, is it okay? Do you want me to go feed it for you?”

“It’s fine! My puppy is very smart. He can portion his own food and knows how to use the bathroom… oh, he even flushes the toilet.”

Qi Ran opened the surveillance footage. Looking at the puppy crouching in front of the camera, his eyes were full of tenderness. “Even though he can do everything and stays clean while I’m away, he can take care of himself perfectly, he still misses me.”

Gu Han leaned over and saw the puppy on the screen getting excited. Its little tail wagged frantically, and it let out whimpering, spoiled sounds, it had clearly recognized Qi Ran’s voice. Judging by its appearance, it looked like a Chinese Rural Dog. Gu Han recalled seeing bronze statues in museums carved by ancestors thousands of years ago that looked just like this. He hadn’t seen many in person, but based on the statues, he could guess its breed.

Qi Ran spoke softly to the dog: “Burger, Daddy is doing well out here, don’t worry. I’ve even met a very nice big brother. I’ll bring him back to meet you later, okay?”

In the video, the dog spun in a circle and then lay back down, chin to the floor, listening to Qi Ran’s voice. It quickly shifted into that posture.

Qi Ran laughed and said: “Good boy. Daddy will be home in a few days, just wait a bit longer. The dog food doesn’t taste good, does it? When Daddy gets back, I’ll cook you a proper meal, okay?”

The puppy whimpered, spun again, and lay down, its wet black nose sniffing at the camera lens.

Gu Han didn’t understand what the dog was doing and pointed at the screen: “Little Qi Ran, what does that posture mean?”

“It means he’s very willing to meet you, very willing to wait for me to come home, and he really wants the food I cook. Laying down and wagging his tail is his way of communicating,” Qi Ran’s smile was soft and sweet. “I taught him those moves. He’s very smart, he learns after just one try.”

“So well-behaved,” Gu Han added. “Why did you name him Burger?”

“Before he was a year old, his name was Bread because his fur is yellow and soft, and he was quite sturdy. His head is square and round like a loaf of bread, so I just picked that name. I heard that if you give a puppy a ‘crude’ name, they are easier to raise and won’t get sick as often.”

Qi Ran put his phone away and focused on telling the story: “I got him right after I graduated university. I didn’t have much money then and lived with him in a rented room. Back then, my health was a bit better. For lunch, I often ate my favorite beef burgers. On his first birthday, even though I prepared plenty of canned meat for him, he still stole my lunch. He wolfed it down so I wouldn’t find out, his mouth covered in grease. You probably don’t know, President Gu, but puppies are especially cute when they realize they’ve done something wrong. That was the first time he ever stole food, he’s usually very good. He must have just been too greedy for that burger. So, since I like burgers and he likes them too, his name has been Burger ever since.”

“So that’s how it is. You are so kind and gentle,” Gu Han was interested in everything about Qi Ran. “Little Qi Ran, do you still like eating burgers now?”

“I do, but I can’t eat them anymore,” Qi Ran, still leaning against Gu Han, spoke with a hint of regret. “My stomach condition is too severe. Meat is hard to digest, if I eat even a little, I vomit terribly.”

Gu Han touched Qi Ran’s stomach, his warm palm pressing against it to gently soothe the waves of spasms. He comforted him: “Little Qi Ran, once you’re better, I’ll accompany you to eat burgers every day.”

Qi Ran didn’t really hold out much hope, he had already grown accustomed to the pain. He replied with a casual smile: “Can I really get better?”

“Of course. It’s not that difficult. Recovering takes time and a good hospital. If the stomach issues are truly that bad, we’ll go to a specialist hospital,” Gu Han squeezed Qi Ran’s shoulder. “I will hire the best doctors for you.”

Qi Ran suddenly went silent. His watery, puppy like eyes stared straight at Gu Han. Gu Han didn’t know why Qi Ran was looking at him that way. He was dazed for a moment before it clicked: the conversation just now had almost explicitly laid out his intention to pursue a relationship. To find doctors and manage a recovery for someone you aren’t related to, unless you are extremely close, isn’t something a mere acquaintance does.

Gu Han suddenly became embarrassed. His face flushed, and he lowered his eyes, not daring to meet Qi Ran’s gaze. He felt that his current situation was exactly like the puppy Qi Ran described, guilty after realizing a mistake. He just wondered if, in Qi Ran’s eyes, he looked as “cute” as the puppy who stole the burger.

Gu Han’s concern had crossed the line repeatedly, and he had blushed several times due to physical contact. Qi Ran was now certain of Cheng Dan’s initial guess, from the moment Gu Han asked for his contact info, it was love at first sight, followed by a relentless pursuit.

In truth, Qi Ran liked Gu Han too. He couldn’t help but have frequent physical contact with him, and he didn’t resist his hugs or help. He was flirting with Gu Han almost “insanely.”

However, Qi Ran still needed to wait and see. He didn’t want to be the one to break the tension. Gu Han’s love was too intense, leaving Qi Ran somewhat bewildered. He didn’t know what Gu Han truly wanted from him. In Qi Ran’s eyes and based on his upbringing, a person like Gu Han usually married someone of equal social standing. Their social status was worlds apart. Qi Ran didn’t know the extent of Gu Han’s sincerity, and he didn’t dare to dive headfirst into the river of love without reservation.

At this moment, Gu Han was feeling extremely guilty, waiting for Qi Ran’s response. He imagined many possibilities: Qi Ran might ask what their relationship was, or he might reject him. He couldn’t read Qi Ran’s mind. Just as he was waiting, Qi Ran suddenly reached out and touched Gu Han’s chest.

“President Gu, your heart is beating so fast. Are you feeling unwell?”

Qi Ran already knew Gu Han’s feelings, he didn’t need to ask the questions Gu Han had rehearsed. His logic and consciousness wouldn’t allow him to reject Gu Han’s care. While he wanted to consider things further, the desire for their “ambiguous” spark was still burning hot. This relationship had been pushed forward passively. Qi Ran relied on Gu Han while simultaneously feeling terrified by the rapid progression. He could only try not to overthink Gu Han’s affectionate words to stay a bit more clear-headed.

Gu Han stared at the pale hand on his chest in a daze. This was the second time Qi Ran had initiated a touch. Gu Han almost wanted to say he was unwell just to beg for more of his beloved’s affection.

However, Gu Han exercised regularly, his cardiopulmonary function was incredibly good. This time, he was simply too shy. Facing someone he wanted to marry, tachycardia was a normal reaction. He couldn’t bring himself to lie about being sick. After thinking it over, Gu Han didn’t want to lie. Just as he was about to say he was fine, Qi Ran curled his fingertips and began rubbing Gu Han’s chest.

“My heart isn’t great either,” Qi Ran said. “When it feels uncomfortable, rubbing it like this helps a bit.”

“You’re already so tired, yet you’re still worrying about me,” Gu Han took Qi Ran’s hand and squeezed it gently in his palm. “You still have an IV needle in your hand. You just used strength, does it hurt?”

Qi Ran shook his head: “It doesn’t hurt.”

“Little Qi Ran has suffered too much. A bad stomach, a bad heart… how did you endure these days and nights?”

Gu Han prepared to coax Qi Ran to sleep in his arms, his voice becoming even gentler and softer: “In the future, tell me whenever you feel uncomfortable, okay?”

“Mm,” Qi Ran held Gu Han’s hand back. “But what if… what if I can’t see President Gu anymore in the future?”

“How could that happen? Even if we aren’t working together yet, if you message me, I’ll come to your house to take care of you.”

Gu Han decided to go all in. Since he couldn’t hide his feelings, he wouldn’t try to cover them up anymore. He went for the “straight ball” approach: “You can also live at my house. My house is very big and empty. Bring your puppy along, it’ll be lively.”

“I heard from Cheng Dan that President Gu is a germaphobe,” Qi Ran looked at Gu Han timidly. “Would President Gu dislike my puppy? Actually, my puppy is very clean and well-behaved.”

“I won’t,” Gu Han’s lips curled into a smile. “Because it’s your puppy.”

Qi Ran seemed to have a realization: “Oh, so it’s because President Gu doesn’t dislike me that you don’t dislike my dog?”

Gu Han smiled without a word, his eyes full of doting affection.

You little dummy, it’s called ‘loving the house and its crow’ (loving everything associated with you).

“Little Qi Ran, sleep for a while,” Gu Han put his arm around Qi Ran’s waist. “Sleep while sitting in my arms like this, so you won’t have acid reflux or stomach pain from lying down.”

Qi Ran nodded: “Okay.”

“Little Qi Ran, before you sleep,” Gu Han hesitated slightly, “Can I… ask you a question? It might, it might be a bit forward… well, I think it might be a bit offensive.”

“Offensive? I don’t think so. President Gu has always been very respectful toward me.”

Qi Ran pressed: “Then, I’d like to know what kind of question President Gu wants to ask, is that okay?”

Gu Han spoke plainly: “Regarding feelings.”

Qi Ran’s beautiful eyes widened: “Feelings?”

“Uh, Little Qi Ran, it’s just…” Gu Han stammered even more. “In your heart, what kind of feeling do you have for me?”