A ray of morning light shone through the crack in the curtains.

Gu Miao sleepily opened his eyes and found his arms empty, but there was still a lingering warmth.

He thought it was just an illusion from last night, so he put on his slippers and went downstairs.

The winter morning sun was warm and shining through the dining room window. There was a transparent glass vase on the table with a bunch of blooming peonies, still covered in dewdrops.

He heard a few soft sounds coming from the nearby kitchen.

Gu Miao hurried over.

The girl's back was facing the sun, exuding a gentle and warm aura.

In the winter, a small flower bloomed in Gu Miao's heart, swaying gracefully in the icy wind.

He couldn't help but walk up and wrap his arms around the girl's waist. 

"Why don't you sleep a little longer?" He leaned his head on the girl's shoulder and whispered.

Cheng Chu smiled, "Don't you have a press conference today? I'll make breakfast for you when I get up."

She awkwardly picked up the spatula and flipped the eggs in the pan, a hint of annoyance in her voice, "Why did you wake up so soon? I haven't finished yet."

Gu Miao reached out and took the spatula, whispering, "I'll do it. You sit at the table and wait for me."

"I've never done it before, I want to try. You go wait for me over there and give me a chance to show off." The girl smiled sweetly.

This time, Gu Miao didn't resist. 

He handed her the spatula and lowered the heat a little, saying, "Use less oil, or it will splash on you." 

"Okay, okay, I got it," Cheng Chu patted him on the back and urged, "Go sit outside and let me work my magic."

This time, he obediently kept his mouth shut, but he kept turning his head back several times on the way out.

Fortunately, although Cheng Chu was pampered, she was not clumsy. In just a few minutes, she had prepared a nutritious breakfast of fried eggs, sausages, milk, and bread.

The girl carried a white porcelain plate and ran over, offering it to him with a charming smile. She asked eagerly, "How is it? Does it smell good?"

He looked up, his black eyes shining in the sunlight, and his voice as gentle as the moon in the night sky. "It smells great, Chuchu is really amazing."

"Then try it quickly." The girl's eyes were full of anticipation as she blinked and looked at him without blinking. 

Gu Miao's Adam's apple bobbed as he took a bite of the fried egg and exclaimed, "Delicious."

He spoke with such sincerity, despite barely having chewed the food, that Cheng Chu couldn't help but be pleased. Her bright peach blossom eyes curved into crescents, whether it was genuine or not.

"It seems like I have a talent for cooking. I can cook for you often in the future," she said, propping up her chin with her hand and looking expectant.

Gu Miao's heart tightened, and his blood seemed to be infused with a stimulant, flowing recklessly through his veins. But he still restrained himself and said, "Once is enough. I like cooking, so I'll cook for you."

Under the morning light, Gu Miao lowered his gaze. The girl's fingers were slender and translucent, with round and cute nails, perhaps due to her piano playing. Such hands shouldn't be used for cooking. The girl's smiling eyes curved even more, shining like scattered crystals.

"Well then, I feel like you really do cook much better than me," she said, knowing that Gu Miao was reluctant to let her cook.

They ate breakfast quickly, and Gu Miao went upstairs to change his clothes.

The dark suit fit him well, making him look tall and handsome.

"I'll help you tie your tie," Cheng Chu said warmly.

Gu Miao's fingertips hesitated, and he handed over the tie as instructed.

"Lower your head a bit," the girl said softly, lifting her gaze.

His heart trembled, and a glimmer of light shone in his dark eyes as he obediently lowered his head.

The girl lowered her eyes, her long lashes trembling slightly, like dandelion seeds floating in the spring breeze, a few strands gently falling on Gu Miao's heart.

It was ticklish, yet warm like spring. 

"Okay." 

The girl's slender, white fingers straightened his collar, her voice gentle as can be.

Gu Miao lowered his gaze, trembling fingertips, his eyes inexplicably hot.

The warm sunlight outside the window shone through the French doors, casting a cozy glow on everything.

He looked at the girl before him, her pitch-black eyes like a deep pool stirred by gentle ripples.

This seemed to be the life he had always dreamed of.

The room was quiet, and he could hear his heart beating faster and faster, filled with a surge of love that almost drowned him like a rushing tide.

The villa was peaceful, and as he opened the door, the birds in the trees outside chirped and chattered.

Gu Miao lowered his head and gently kissed the girl's lips.

"I'm leaving." 

The girl wrapped her arms around his neck, her rosy lips touching his cheek as she whispered, "Then I'll wait for you to come home."

Today's weather was beautiful.

The employees at the company noticed that Chief Gu, who usually loved working overtime, had been leaving on time these past few days.

In the afternoon, Gu Miao received a call from Cheng Chu.

Lost in his work, he frowned instinctively at the sound of the phone ringing. 

But as soon as he saw the caller ID on his phone screen, a smile spread across his face.

He quickly answered the phone, his deep voice filled with tenderness. "Chuchu."

The girl's clear voice came through the phone, "Miao Ge, I ordered takeout for you guys. There's cake and coffee, but I got you hot cocoa instead since you have a sensitive stomach and can't drink coffee."

Gu Miao's heart warmed. "Okay, thank you."

The girl seemed to have something else on her mind and hung up after only a few words. The office had a wide view, overlooking the vast river through the large floor-to-ceiling windows.

As the sun set, even though it was a cold winter day, his heart was immersed in the warm spring water, making his whole body feel soft and relaxed.

The takeout arrived quickly.

Putting down the phone, Gu Miao walked out of the office.

Looking at the long line, he finally realized that when Cheng Chu said "you guys," he meant everyone in the company.

He had originally thought it was just for him.

Gu Zong pursed his lips and silently lined up at the back of the queue.

"Thank you, Chief Gu."

Several employees holding coffee and cake passed by and quickly thanked him.

The employees still in line quickly realized and hurriedly stepped aside, making way for him.

With a serious face, Gu Miao walked forward. On the table were many cakes of different flavors, cut into small triangles and neatly wrapped in plastic film. 

"Where's the hot cocoa?" 

Gu Miao searched around but couldn't find the hot cocoa that Cheng Chu had specially ordered for him. He quickly pulled over a nearby employee and asked. 

The employee he pulled over stiffened and trembled as he replied, "Just now, it seems like it was taken by Chief Jiang." 

He tentatively looked up and saw Gu Miao's cold face, causing him to shiver involuntarily. 

"Well, um, we still have caramel macchiato here. Would you like to have that instead?" 

He stammered. 

Gu Miao replied in a flat tone, "No need, you guys can divide it among yourselves and get back to work after finishing it." 

He understood that he had just taken office not long ago, and Cheng Chu was helping him build his influence. 

The people next to him watched Gu Miao's departing figure and breathed a sigh of relief. 

"Hey, why is Mr. Gu so obsessed with this hot cocoa?" 

"Who knows, he drinks coffee all the time." 

"Look, he's heading towards Mr. Jiang's office. Could he be going to get that hot cocoa?" 

"I don't think so. Is one cup of hot cocoa really worth it?" 

"True, he's probably just going to talk about work." 

Meanwhile, on the other side, Mr. Gu, who went to "talk about work," stood in front of Jiang's desk with his dark eyes lowered, staring coldly at him. 

Jiang leaned back in his chair, lifted his hand holding the hot cocoa, and smiled, "Thank you, Mr. Gu. You're so thoughtful, knowing that I don't like coffee and specially ordered hot cocoa for me." 

He chuckled a few times, "Old Gu, you're someone who appears cold but has a warm heart." 

With tightly pursed lips, Gu Miao looked at the man in front of him with a face full of satisfaction, suppressing the grievances in his heart.

That was ordered for him by Chuchu!

But after all, they had been colleagues for several years, and it wouldn't be good to get angry at him over a cup of hot cocoa. He could only swallow the bitterness in his heart and give him a cold glance.

"It's good that you like it."

With that, Gu Miao pushed the door and left.

As the evening sun set in the west, since finishing the previous work, Gu Miao had been leaving work on time every day.

After giving some instructions to his secretary, he was about to take the elevator when his phone vibrated.

"I've booked a restaurant and I'm waiting for you downstairs at your company. If you still have work to do, take your time, no rush."

How could he not be in a hurry! 

Gu Miao's eyes lit up and he strode onto the elevator.

The front desk area on the first floor was very large, but it was only a few meters away from the elevator. As soon as the elevator doors opened, Gu Miao saw Cheng Chu and...Jiang Xing sitting in the waiting area.

Jiang Xing was one of the most popular executives in the company. 

He loved to dress up, had an easy-going personality, and was humorous, making him very popular among the company's young ladies.

Gu Miao didn't know what was said, but Cheng Chu was covering her mouth and laughing.

Gu Miao shook his head and walked over, calling out softly, "Chuchu."

Cheng Chu only noticed Gu Miao behind her and quickly turned around, smiling and responding, "You're off work already? It's so early today."

"Yeah, things have been a bit easier lately." He gently took the girl's soft little hand. "Let's go eat."

"Chief Jiang, we're leaving now." Cheng Chu waved to Jiang Xing beside them.

Jiang Xing's eyes widened as he looked back and forth between the two, finally settling on their intertwined hands with a look of surprise and uncertainty. "Are you, you, his girlfriend?" 

Cheng Chu nodded, "Yes." 

Jiang Xing was now filled with regret. Who would have thought that the beautiful woman he struck up a conversation with outside the company building would turn out to be Gu Miao's girlfriend. 

In the winter, the cold wind swept in through the automatic doors opening and closing at the entrance of the company. 

Jiang Xing forced a smile and said, "Well, you two should go ahead then, hehehe." 

With his back turned to Cheng Chu, Gu Miao's dark eyes coldly scanned him, but his tone towards Cheng Chu was gentle, "Let's go, what do you want to eat tonight?" 

Cheng Chu was pulled along by him for two steps, "How about hotpot?" 

"Whatever you want," Gu Miao said. 

The two of them got on the elevator and went to the underground parking lot. 

Cheng Chu sat in the passenger seat and smiled, "I feel like you have a good relationship with Chief Jiang, don't be jealous, we're just chatting."

"Mhmm." Gu Miao leaned over, his hot breath brushing against her ear.

"Click," he helped Cheng Chu fasten her seatbelt and then muttered, "He drank my hot cocoa today."

That was the one you specifically bought for me!

He pursed his lips, his dark eyes revealing a hint of grievance as he added, "Now I have nothing to drink."

"Pfft," Cheng Chu couldn't help but laugh, "Our Chief Gu is so stingy, it's just one cup of hot cocoa, next time I'll order a few more."

He's not stingy!

Being laughed at by the girl, Gu Miao felt even more frustrated. He sat with his eyes downcast, his trembling eyelashes sweeping across Cheng Chu's heart like a small fan, one after another. 

Her smile deepened in her peach blossom eyes, almost overflowing with joy.

"Come here," she beckoned to Gu Miao with a crooked finger.

Although he looked aggrieved, he moved towards her honestly, almost immediately.

"As compensation," Cheng Chu "smacked" a kiss on the man's cold, stern face.

The parking lot was quiet.

Gu Miao's body paused for a moment, then slowly turned a light shade of pink.

"How about this, are you not angry anymore?" Cheng Chu asked with a smile.

A glimmer of light shone in his dark eyes as he softly replied, "Mm."

This was much sweeter than hot cocoa.

Author's note: 

Gu Miao: Well, it seems like not drinking hot cocoa isn't such a big deal after all.