Chapter 30 – Competing for Attention and Jealousy

After Cheng Yichi came out, Bai Ruyu happened to walk in holding a cup of honey water: “Drink this first.”

Cheng Yichi obediently took the honey water, sipping it slowly. It was a bit hot, but the warmth in his palms felt just right, also serving to warm his hands.

He teased, “Ruyu, marry me.”

Bai Ruyu smiled at him, smoothing Cheng Yichi’s hair: “Want to sleep a bit more after finishing?”

Cheng Yichi shook his head and took his phone from the bedside table.

Last night had been a blur—he couldn’t even remember who he’d texted or how many messages he’d received.

Sure enough, after seeing he’d texted Duan Qingsi, Cheng Yichi felt relieved and checked his inbox—

Six messages.

Well, he was used to it by now.

The first one was subtle: “The strawberries were delicious.” He initially guessed it was from Li Yi, but then reconsidered—Li Yi wouldn’t use such refined and understated phrasing. It felt more like Gu Zeqin’s style.

The second one was amusing. Cheng Yichi couldn’t help but laugh after reading it. He almost wondered if it was meant to pair with the first: “Were the strawberries good?” Clearly, Wei Buyan had been thoroughly provoked yesterday. Though Cheng Yichi wasn’t sure what he’d done wrong, seeing Wei Buyan so hung up on it—even sending this as a bedtime text—made him decide to check in on him later.

The third message read, “May you live a hundred years without sorrow, filled with joy.” Cheng Yichi pursed his lips. He could tell this was from Duan Qingsi. He… seemed genuinely concerned. Ever since that truth-or-dare game, Qingsi-ge had been worrying about him. Cheng Yichi made a mental note to talk to him soon and ease his mind.

The fourth was likely from Li Yi, written playfully: “I hope to see the flowers bloom with you.” They’d only planted flowers once. After looking it up, Cheng Yichi found the variety was notoriously delicate—not impossible to grow, but close to it. He’d already resigned himself to buying replacements, holding little hope for actual blooms.

The fifth was a complaint from Qi Jing, dripping with grievance: “The show’s crew is so mean. I wanted to game with you, gege.” Cheng Yichi always saw Qi Jing as young, like a kid prone to acting spoiled—something he didn’t mind indulging. Maybe it was habit. With the older participants and Li Yi, Cheng Yichi sometimes felt awkward about their affections, but with Jiang Heng and Qi Jing, he only saw them as little brothers. Reciprocating their feelings just didn’t feel right.

The sixth message left Cheng Yichi puzzled for a moment. It was anonymous, just two words: “Fortunate.” Fortunate to meet? Fortunate to be together? Unable to decipher it, he quietly bookmarked the text. Still, with few guests left, he had a rough idea who it might be.

The results aligned with his expectations. Cheng Yichi felt grateful—the show’s guests were all good people. Even those who’d openly expressed interest never pressured him, allowing him to feel completely at ease. Even the flirty texts never crossed the line.

He kept wanting to give them all gifts to thank them for their kindness.

—

By the time he dawdled downstairs past seven to make breakfast, Gu Zeqin was already up and about to leave. Dressed sharply in a suit, he paused at the sight of Cheng Yichi: “Did you sleep well last night?”

“It’s been good.” Cheng Yichi smiled and nodded. “Ruyu has been taking good care of me.”

Gu Zichen hesitated. He hadn’t slept much last night. Even after changing the sheets and bedding, just the thought of being in the same room Cheng Yichi had stayed in kept him awake all night. His skin remained flushed and feverish as he tossed and turned, unable to stop thinking about Cheng Yichi. By morning, his pent-up energy had even stirred certain urges, forcing him to take a cold shower before heading to work. Now his eyes were bloodshot, making him look unusually vulnerable.

“Didn’t sleep well last night?” Cheng Yichi noticed immediately, frowning.

Gu Zichen shook his head. “It’s nothing.”

“How can it be nothing? You’re a doctor—you need proper rest!” Cheng Yichi insisted. “Wait here for me.”

And so Gu Zichen obediently waited by the door.

Soon, Cheng Yichi returned with his heated eye mask and pressed it into Gu Zichen’s hands. “Take this. Use it during your lunch break—it should help you feel better.”

Holding the warm eye mask, Gu Zichen felt his heart swell. He gazed down at Cheng Yichi, then suddenly, impulsively, stepped forward and pulled him into a loose embrace, breathing in the faint floral scent that filled his arms.

“Thank you,” he murmured, pressing a light kiss to the crown of Cheng Yichi’s head before stepping back, his eyes lingering. “Thank you, Yichi.”

Cheng Yichi rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “I’m just glad I could help!”

“See you later.”

As Gu Zichen turned to leave, he glanced back to see Cheng Yichi still watching him from the doorway. He waved and smiled. “See you.”

For the first time, this little house he’d only lived in for a few days began to feel like home.

—

After all, everyone still had work to return to. Cheng Yichi resumed his side gig—something he hadn’t done in a while. Thankfully, the show’s producers had at least blurred out details about it during broadcasts, leaving viewers wildly curious. No one would have guessed he was still taking Didi rides.

When he returned, the kitchen was already filled with the rich aroma of grilled lamb chops—Fang Yunshi was busy cooking. Qi Jing, who had just woken up, shuffled downstairs hugging a pillow, yawning. His sleep schedule was completely out of sync with everyone else’s, but the moment he spotted Cheng Yichi, his eyes lit up. He practically pounced on him. “Bro, you smell amazing!”

“That’s the lamb chops, not me,” Cheng Yichi chuckled, tapping Qi Jing’s forehead.

Look at that big ol’ Qi Puppy! What’s he doing, squishing our wifey like that?!

Did Qi Puppy just bury his whole face in wifey’s neck?!

Silly wifey, he totally means you smell good!

“I don’t care,” Qi Jing insisted, nuzzling against Cheng Yichi like an overgrown puppy. “You smell so good, bro. I wanna eat you up.”

Cheng Yichi sighed and ruffled Qi Jing’s hair, smiling gratefully as Bai Ruyu handed him a glass of water.

“What the—?” Qi Jing suddenly found himself yanked backward. He angrily shook free and turned to see Li Yi. Unable to resist, he sneered under his breath when Cheng Yichi wasn’t looking. “Weakling.”

Ignoring the provocation, Li Yi simply said, “He’s tired. Stop clinging to him.”

Bai Ruyu just smiled gently and sat beside Cheng Yichi, massaging his shoulders. “You’ve worked hard.”

Wait, is Bai Beauty acting kinda… competitive?

Whoa, you’re right! It’s like they’re all vying for attention!

Honestly, I’ve always thought Bai Beauty and wifey would make a great pair, lol.

Nooo! Who’d top who?! The horror!

Of course it’s the wife! That White Beauty is so cunning, the wife definitely can’t outplay him!

[Hehe, what to do then? Wife, you’ll just have to be “played with” later, wuwuwu.

How could Cheng Yichi know what they were talking about?

He would only turn around sincerely and say to Bai Ruyu, “Ruyu, you’re so kind.”