Mu Fu stirred groggily from her sleep, pulled from her dreams by a wave of heat beside her. Still dazed and a little annoyed at being woken, she turned her head toward the source of warmth—and found herself staring at Zhi Jiu’s face.
“Mmm…” Her gaze was still a bit unfocused as she reached up to lazily ruffle her hair. It took a moment before her mind began to clear.
Zhi Jiu, whose sleep was always light, had only dozed off to keep her company. The moment she stirred, he was already awake.
“You’re up? Dinner’s ready,” he said, his voice low and slightly husky.
“What time is it?” Mu Fu asked, still lost in that half-asleep haze, unsure of where in the day they even were.
Zhi Jiu glanced at his phone. “Six forty-five.”
“So late? I can’t believe I slept that long!” she said in surprise—even though it had only been two hours.
Zhi Jiu chuckled and gently tousled her hair. “Did you sleep enough? Want to rest a bit more?”
But whatever sleepiness was left had already been scattered by his touch. She shook her head. “No, I should get up. Wait—you said dinner’s ready?” she finally registered what he had said earlier.
“Yeah, it was done earlier, but I’ll need to reheat it now. It’s probably gone cold.”
Mu Fu shot him a playful glare. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”
“You looked exhausted,” he replied simply. “I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“Fair enough. I really am tired—hungry and tired.” She sighed, then added with a sly grin, “I don’t feel like walking. Right now, I just want my knight to carry me.” Stretching her arms toward him with a playful glint in her eye, she locked eyes with him, mischief dancing in her gaze.
Zhi Jiu’s lips curled into a smile. He stepped forward and effortlessly scooped her up into his arms. “As you command, my queen.”
Mu Fu’s expression softened with sweetness. She was genuinely exhausted. Between the big move earlier in the day and everything else that happened in the afternoon, her legs were aching, her body sore. Even her waist still throbbed with a dull, swollen ache—probably from Zhi Jiu holding her too tightly.
Mu Fu reached back and rubbed her waist.
Zhi Jiu, who had been quietly watching her the whole time, immediately noticed. Softly, his voice tinged with embarrassment, he asked, “Does it still hurt?” His ears were bright red.
Mu Fu pouted, lips a delicate pink. “It does. My legs are sore too.”
Zhi Jiu offered, “Want me to give you a massage after dinner?”
“You know how to?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I used to be a trainee, remember? I danced a lot and my body would always ache, so I picked up massage skills on my own.” He smiled, warm and sunny like a ray of light.
Mu Fu blinked at him, her eyes gentle. “Then you’ll have to give me one later.”
“Alright.”
On the other side of the house, the production team was watching the feed. They didn’t seem shocked at the closeness between the two. After all, Mu Fu had spent the whole afternoon moving in and unpacking—it was only natural for her to be exhausted. Earlier in the day, Zhi Jiu had turned off the camera in the stargazing room, likely to let them rest in private. The show allowed guests to switch off cameras during downtime to respect their privacy. And really, even if this intimacy was just for the show, no one cared. The crew had seen enough screen couples to know the difference between real and pretend. As long as the ratings stayed high, all was well.
They headed downstairs together. Zhi Jiu originally wanted Mu Fu to wait in the living room while he reheated the food, but she insisted on joining him in the dining room. With her big sparkling eyes looking up at him, pitiful and sweet, he couldn’t bring himself to say no.
Now, Mu Fu was resting her chin on her hands at the table, quietly watching Zhi Jiu move around the kitchen. Sensing her gaze, Zhi Jiu turned and flashed her a soft smile, his eyes full of spring warmth.
Looking at his handsome, focused face as he busied himself, Mu Fu’s heart fluttered. He looked just like a delicious piece of cake—sweet, soft, and tempting. Now she was craving cake again.
After dinner, Mu Fu suggested, “Why don’t we take a little walk to help with digestion?” The day was almost over anyway, and they hadn’t explored outside yet.
Zhi Jiu nodded. “Alright.”
This part of the villa complex was fairly remote—the house they stayed in stood alone. To even glimpse another building, you’d have to walk a solid ten minutes. So beyond the faint glow cast by the streetlights, everything else was cloaked in darkness. A gentle night breeze drifted through the air, carrying the subtle, nostalgic scent of summer.
They strolled side by side, neither speaking. But the silence wasn’t awkward—it was comforting, peaceful. A quiet kind of romance settled between them as they took in the night.
After a while, Mu Fu surrendered to the mosquitoes that ruled the mountain air. Her exposed arms and legs had become a buffet, leaving behind a trail of itchy red welts. She glanced over and saw that Zhi Jiu hadn’t gotten a single bite. The unfairness of it all made her grumble.
“Why don’t the mosquitoes like you?”
Zhi Jiu thought for a moment. “Maybe… your blood smells sweeter than mine?”
Mu Fu huffed and shot him a dramatic side-eye.
Back at the villa, Zhi Jiu took the initiative to dab floral mosquito repellent onto her skin.
“Wait, a little more right here,” she said, pointing at a fresh bite. Zhi Jiu followed her directions carefully, misting the spot she indicated. “Anywhere else?”
“Hmm… I think that’s all.” Honestly, she’d sprayed so much of it on herself that everything but her face was now thoroughly covered.
“Want me to give you a massage?” There was a gentle sincerity in his voice. No teasing, no hidden intentions—just genuine care.
“Okay.” Mu Fu nodded and laid down obediently, even tying up her shiny hair so it wouldn’t get in the way.
Zhi Jiu’s hands moved with practiced ease, applying just the right amount of pressure. Mu Fu let out a contented sigh and closed her eyes, like a lazy cat basking in a patch of sun.
As he worked, Zhi Jiu kept his focus steady, his movements calm and methodical. But the softness of her skin beneath his fingers started to unravel something within him. His mind drifted somewhere he knew it shouldn’t. He shook his head sharply, trying to clear it.
What the hell is wrong with me? he scolded himself. She’s exhausted. And here I am… thinking about that?
“Mmm… that spot really hurts.” Mu Fu’s soft cry pulled Zhi Jiu’s attention back to the moment.
He was currently massaging her shoulders. Hearing her complaint, he didn’t stop—instead, he kept working her muscles with careful, gentle pressure. “If it hurts here, it means there’s something wrong. Bear with it. I’m not pressing too hard,” he said in a low, calming voice.
Mu Fu knew he wasn’t wrong… but still, it was really painful. Her brows knitted together, and her face twisted with discomfort. “Can I request to skip this part?” she murmured hopefully.
“No.” Zhi Jiu shot her down instantly, without even a pause.
She let out a long sigh and stared up at the ceiling like it held the answer to her suffering. At that moment, all she wanted was for time to fast-forward and release her from this earthly torment.
By the end of the massage, both of them had a light sheen of sweat. Zhi Jiu, from the effort—and Mu Fu, from the pain. The little teardrops clinging to the corners of her eyes said it all.
“Is it over?” she sniffled, her voice still tinged with tears.
Zhi Jiu chuckled softly, “Yeah.” He leaned in close, his gaze fixed on her face. Her expression was just too cute—it was impossible not to tease her a little.
Mu Fu gave him a fierce glare, cheeks puffed in protest, then turned her head sharply to the side.
“Alright, go get cleaned up and rest early tonight,” he said, sounding more like a big brother than a younger man. Mu Fu might technically be older than him, but right now, she looked like a tired little girl in need of comfort. Seeing the weariness on her face, his heart ached a little.
Mu Fu wanted to wash up too. Her skin felt sticky and uncomfortable from the sweat. “Okay,” she nodded.
Once she grabbed her change of clothes and headed into the bathroom, Zhi Jiu returned to his room.
About thirty minutes later, Mu Fu emerged from her shower. The scent of fresh soap lingered around her, and her hair—still damp from washing—glistened with little drops of water.
She walked over and gave a soft knock on Zhi Jiu’s door.
“Come in,” came his voice.
“I’m done,” she said, opening the door with a simple twist of the handle—it hadn’t been locked.
“Alright, I’ll go in a bit,” Zhi Jiu replied. Then, noticing the damp strands of hair still clinging to her shoulders, he added, “Come here for a second.”
“Hm? What is it?” Mu Fu asked as she stepped closer, puzzled.
“I’ll dry your hair for you first,” he said. “It’s still wet. How am I supposed to go take a shower knowing you might catch a cold?” He rummaged through his luggage and, just as he remembered, pulled out a hairdryer.
Hearing that, Mu Fu’s face lit up with a bright, heartfelt smile. Without another word, she sat down on the edge of the bed, obedient and sweet. Zhi Jiu couldn’t help but smile back as he took in the view of her radiant face, so soft and lovely under the warm light.
The low hum of the hairdryer filled the room, bringing a cozy domestic vibe. For a fleeting moment, Zhi Jiu felt like they’d been living together for ages—like an old married couple, peaceful and content.
While Zhi Jiu was off showering, Mu Fu opened her phone and began ordering food. After all, they were going to the stargazing room soon—how could you go without a proper late-night snack? She browsed for ages, only to realize the location was so remote that regular delivery drivers couldn’t reach it. In the end, she paid extra to have the shop send someone out directly.
Before long, Zhi Jiu returned, drying his hair with a towel.
“I ordered crayfish and stir-fried snails. Do you eat that kind of stuff?” Mu Fu asked casually.
Zhi Jiu looked at her with a warm expression. “Are you hungry?”
“Not really,” she replied, “But since we’re going to the stargazing room, I thought… why not have a little midnight feast?”
He caught her meaning right away. “I can make crayfish too, you know. If you want, I’ll cook some for you tomorrow.”
Her eyes lit up as she tugged playfully at the hem of his shirt. “Seriously?”
Zhi Jiu nodded, “Mm.”
Mu Fu blinked. She’d always heard that singers had to protect their voices. But Zhi Jiu seemed so used to eating things like spicy crayfish—it was like second nature to him. She glanced at him a few more times, then finally asked, “Don’t you need to take care of your voice?”
Zhi Jiu replied, “I’ll just have the garlic-flavored one.”
Mu Fu went quiet. Her mind had been entirely fixated on the spicy kind and she completely forgot there were other options. But then the thought of getting to enjoy another delicious meal tomorrow made her eyes light up. “Then I’ll help you cook tomorrow!”
Zhi Jiu looked at her and said softly, “Alright.” His eyes were full of affection.
They waited in the living room for a while until finally, there was a knock at the door — the food had arrived.
“I’ll get it,” Zhi Jiu said, standing up.
“Okay.”
He checked the address and the order list in his hands. Everything was correct. “Thank you,” he said politely to the delivery guy.
The delivery guy had already noticed the brightly lit, eye-catching house when he first arrived. As he walked in, he also spotted the cameras installed around the property. Figuring this might be a filming location, he responded enthusiastically, “No problem at all — happy to help! If you like the food, be sure to leave us a good review! Our place is called ‘Midnight Kitchen.’”
Zhi Jiu understood the hint and didn’t interrupt. He waited patiently for him to finish before offering a warm smile. “I will.”
When he returned with the food, Mu Fu looked up. “What was that? I thought I heard you two chatting. Is something wrong with the order?”
He chuckled. “No, nothing’s wrong. He just asked us to leave a good review.”
Mu Fu nodded. “Well, let’s see if it deserves one after we try it.”
Zhi Jiu glanced down at the bags in his hands. “Everything’s here. Let’s head upstairs.”
“Sure, give me a sec — I’ll grab a cup of water.”
But Zhi Jiu stopped her. “No need. I’ll bring the whole kettle up. This stuff’s probably gonna make us really thirsty.”
“Good idea.”
The stargazing room had wooden floors, softened by a thick, fluffy rug. It was perfectly fine to sit right down on it. A cozy bed sat in the corner, along with a low little table — just the right size for setting out their food. They’d sit on the carpet to eat. Sitting on the bed might risk spilling something, and the carpet would be much easier to clean.
Once everything was arranged, Zhi Jiu went downstairs to bring up the kettle filled with cooled boiled water.
Axolotl Translations 
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