The Gentle, Sickly Beauty Is Won Over By The Loyal Big Shot - Chapter 17

Gu Han wiped his tears with a tissue and nodded. “Alright.”

“Come here, President Gu,” Qi Ran said, reaching out his hand toward him. “I want a hug. You’re so far away, I can’t reach you to kiss you.”

“Ranran, wait a moment. Let me have the doctor remove your oxygen tube first,” Gu Han said, taking Qi Ran’s hand and pressing a light kiss to his knuckles. “They said once you woke up, these things could be taken away.”

As Gu Han was about to press the call button, Qi Ran called out to him, “President Gu.”

“Hmm?” Gu Han stopped. “What is it?”

Qi Ran paused for a moment before asking, “What did you just call me?”

“Oh,” Gu Han felt a bit embarrassed and gave a small smile. “I didn’t ask for your permission before calling you that. I’m sorry if I overstepped.”

“President Gu, I like it when you call me that. That’s my childhood nickname,” Qi Ran said. “You might not know this, but I’m not originally from the Litian Special District. I moved here for university. Back when I had a good relationship with my parents, they loved me very much. For the first nineteen years of my life, I was ‘Ranran.’ They were always so gentle when they called my name. But after I came here and decided to stay for work, they said I was disobedient and wouldn’t follow their arrangements. Our phone calls became cold, and they started calling me ‘Qi Ran.’ It’s been so many years since I’ve heard anyone call me Ranran.”

As Qi Ran spoke, a complex look appeared in his eyes, a mix of loneliness, hazy warmth, and above all, nostalgia.

Gu Han didn’t know how to comfort him with words, so he simply held his hand tightly. Sometimes, silence and presence are better than potentially ill-timed words.

Qi Ran remained quiet for a while before continuing, “Actually, I really miss the time when my parents still loved me and called me by my nickname so tenderly. But my life belongs to me. I stayed in Litian to make something of myself. I went from having nothing to owning my own house, my favorite car, status, and even a dog I love. Yet, there was always a void in my heart. I felt like I didn’t truly belong to Litian, but I didn’t belong to my hometown anymore either. There was no one who truly understood or loved me. Even in my own house, I felt like I was drifting. But hearing you call me that just now… it felt like that void was suddenly filled. It’s like today is the first day I actually feel a sense of belonging in Litian. Thank you, President Gu.”

As he spoke, Qi Ran realized that while he had lived in Litian for a long time and was used to the lifestyle, “habit” and “belonging” were two different things. Habit is just living; belonging is making peace with one’s roots. He hadn’t just found a home in Litian, he had let go of the conflict with his parents. Who was right or wrong didn’t matter anymore. Time doesn’t flow backward, and one must always move forward.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Qi Ran noticed Gu Han gazing at him deeply. He thought Gu Han’s eyes were beautiful, dark and filled with such tenderness.

Qi Ran curled his lips into a smile and reached up to stroke Gu Han’s cheek.

“If you like it,” Gu Han whispered, kissing Qi Ran’s fingertips, “I will always call you that. I will always stay by your side. I’m honored that I can make you feel warm.”

“I do like it,” Qi Ran reached out again. “President Gu, let me hug you.”

Worried that Qi Ran was still too weak for big movements, Gu Han leaned over cautiously and let himself be held lightly in Qi Ran’s arms.

Being so close, their faces almost touching, Qi Ran could feel Gu Han’s warm breath and that faint, sweet scent of butter popcorn that he loved so much. He felt shy again, his cheeks heating up instantly.

Qi Ran took a deep breath, tilted his chin up slightly, and pressed a soft kiss against the corner of Gu Han’s eye.

Gu Han was reluctant to leave the embrace and stayed there for a long time before sitting up. He noticed Qi Ran was blushing again, so shy, so cute. He figured that after their confession, they were each other’s first loves.

Gu Han recalled how timid Qi Ran looked when he first helped him into the car. He could sense that every move Qi Ran made now was fueled by gathered courage, overcoming his shyness and fear to respond to Gu Han’s love with his whole heart.

Gu Han thought to himself: Qi Ran is the one person in this life he could never bear to disappoint, just so he could keep seeing that look of pure love and tenderness in his eyes.

“President Gu,” Qi Ran pinched Gu Han’s cheek, “What are you thinking about?”

Gu Han snapped back to reality, placing his hand over Qi Ran’s and rubbing it gently. “Nothing.”

“President Gu, when can I be discharged?” Qi Ran asked softly. “I miss my dog. He doesn’t like dog food, I want to go back and cook for him. And my bedroom is very big, we can sleep in the same bed again.”

“I’ll ask the doctor in a bit. If your condition is stable, we’ll go home to recover.” Gu Han smiled. “This will be my first time staying at someone else’s house.”

“Will you like it?” Qi Ran asked worriedly. “My house definitely isn’t as nice as yours.”

“How could a house chosen by your taste not be good? I’ll like it,” Gu Han said. “Wherever you are is home. I’ll love it no matter where it is.”

Just then, the attending physician knocked on the door to check on Qi Ran and remove the oxygen tube. When Gu Han asked about the discharge, the doctor said, “The patient is doing well. You can stay for two more days of IV fluids to stabilize, or you can leave tomorrow. It’s up to you.”

Gu Han wanted Qi Ran to stay for the fluids, but Qi Ran wanted to go home. The doctor chimed in, “Actually, leaving now or later doesn’t make a huge difference. If you go home early, you just need to be very careful with care, bed rest for at least two days and strict attention to diet. If you stay longer, you won’t need bed rest and can go back to a normal routine immediately.”

Seeing Qi Ran looking at him with piteous, pleading eyes, Gu Han’s heart melted again. He gave in. “Alright, we’ll be discharged tomorrow.”

Since the decision was made, the doctor removed the IV catheter from Qi Ran’s arm, gave them some instructions, and left.

Once the door closed, Qi Ran hugged Gu Han’s arm and shook it playfully. “President Gu is the best.”

“I really can’t do anything with you,” Gu Han said, his eyes full of doting affection. “I can’t bear to see you unhappy. I always go soft-hearted.”

“Let’s sleep,” Qi Ran said happily, his sickly complexion seemingly improving by the minute. “President Gu, I really want to go home.”

“Yes, home,” Gu Han tested the waters softly. “So… will Ranran’s home always have me in it from now on?”

“Yes!” Qi Ran took Gu Han’s hand. “Going home means going to our home.”

Gu Han squeezed Qi Ran’s slightly cold hand and kissed it fervently twice, his joy written all over his face. He finally had a place in Qi Ran’s heart.

Qi Ran urged him softly, “President Gu, let’s sleep quickly. I can’t wait to go home!”

That night, Qi Ran still kept a bit of distance and didn’t sleep directly in Gu Han’s arms. Gu Han respected his space as always, watching over him until late at night when Qi Ran was fast asleep before settling down himself.

Just as Gu Han was about to sleep, Yu Shen sent a message: “President Gu, you haven’t updated me on your progress with Qi Ran in a while. Is everything okay?”

Gu Han’s arm was being used as a pillow by Qi Ran, so he had to place the phone on the bed and type with one hand: “Progress is fast. We’ve decided to move in together. I didn’t message because of Qi Ran’s health. He had a gastroscopy today and vomited terribly, even the anesthetic. There was stomach acid everywhere. When he fainted in my arms, I felt like my heart stopped. I wasn’t in the mood to text.”

Yu Shen: “How is he now?”

Gu Han: “He’s fine. The doctor gave him an injection and some IV fluids. I can’t remember the names of the meds, but he’s okay now.”

Yu Shen: “That’s good. Since you’re moving so fast, did you confess?”

Gu Han: “Not yet. Qi Ran is too shy. I want to wait a bit longer.” Gu Han then asked: “By the way, why did you have me wear pajamas to see Zhou Cheng last time?”

Yu Shen: “Theoretically, only lovers aren’t bothered by what the other wears. It was a way to use your status to warn Zhou Cheng. If you were dressed in a formal suit, you’d look too distant from Qi Ran. The ‘intimidation’ factor would be weaker.”

Gu Han realized: “You kid, you really have some ideas.”

Yu Shen: “So, I guess you don’t need me anymore? Sigh, my Porsche…”

Gu Han: “I still need you! Oh, I forgot to mention. Zhou Cheng is planning to send Qi Ran to my place, and in two days he’ll take him back to Ruihao to resign. Remember that ‘good idea’ you mentioned? Be ready to use it.”

Yu Shen replied with an OK emoji, ending the conversation.

The next morning, Qi Ran woke up early. Gu Han was still asleep. Qi Ran helped tuck the blanket around Gu Han, but then a streak of mischief hit him, and he squeezed himself into Gu Han’s arms.

Gu Han woke up with a start, but his expression softened instantly when he realized it was Qi Ran acting spoiled. He pulled him close and closed his eyes again. His voice was raspy from sleep. “Ranran… why are you up so early?”

“Mhm,” Qi Ran felt so warm in Gu Han’s arms. Today, he felt especially attached to his warmth and presence, pressing his body completely against Gu Han’s. “I’m just so happy, President Gu. We’re going home today.”

“Yes,” Gu Han murmured, kissing Qi Ran’s forehead while half-asleep. “Be a good baby and let me sleep a little longer. I’m afraid I’ll be drowsy while driving, which is dangerous.”

“President Gu,” Qi Ran lightly pinched Gu Han’s cheek, “You’re so cute when you’re not fully awake.”

“I’m not cute. My Ranran is the cutest.” Gu Han fumbled to catch Qi Ran’s hand, kissed it, and then locked him in a tight embrace with his muscular arms, stopping his mischief. He coaxed him, “Good baby, let me sleep a bit more. I feel a little dizzy.”

Hearing that Gu Han was dizzy, Qi Ran figured he must be unwell. Gu Han’s complexion hadn’t been great since last night, likely from staying up to care for him. Qi Ran stopped teasing and stayed quiet in his arms, watching him fall back into a deep sleep.

Gu Han didn’t wake up again until after 9:00 AM. In the VIP wing, no one comes to rush you for discharge procedures. Unlike general wards that start pestering you at 7:00 AM, this hospital-sanatorium allows VIPs to stay as long as they like.

“Baby, have you been waiting long?” Gu Han stretched. “Go change your clothes, little baby. Let’s go home.”

“President Gu, are you still dizzy?” Qi Ran asked worriedly. “If you’re uncomfortable, let’s call a doctor.”

“I’m fine, baby. I was just sleep-deprived then.” Gu Han felt much better now. He helped Qi Ran out of bed. “Go wash up first. I’ll go downstairs to buy breakfast, and we can take it home.”

Gu Han put on his suit jacket. Before leaving, he gave Qi Ran a morning kiss, though not on the lips. He knew Qi Ran might not be ready for that yet, so a kiss on the cheek was the perfect blend of intimacy and respect.

As Gu Han closed the door and waited for the elevator, a thought suddenly struck him. He stood there in shock, whispering to himself:

“Wait… this morning, was Qi Ran sleeping in my arms? Did… did he voluntarily let me hold him? Was that real?”