Category Archives: In-Progress

Translations of Chinese Boy’s Love webnovels. Only the English translation belongs to me everything else belongs to the original author.

In-Progress, Top Dupe

Top Dupe CH 089 Toasting Bai Ying And Yan Ye Part 2

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Luckily, his agent noticed and quickly called for a break, pulling He Mu aside backstage, warning him not to lose his temper in front of the live audience. “Luo Yu is trending. Talking about his strengths will actually boost your visibility. You’ve been losing popularity lately, and your appearance fees are dropping. Can’t you feel the company’s shifting focus?”

He Mu felt a pang of shock and choked out, “Are you saying… Chairman Ou didn’t approve the additional marketing budget?”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

“Exactly. Every idol has a lifecycle, and to those higher up, you may be in a decline phase. So seize any chance for exposure, rather than counting on the company to buy you trending topics or resources. Understand?”

His agent’s gaze was ice-cold, piercing He Mu’s pride. Tears welled in his eyes.

“Take out your acting skills. Think of how Luo Yu performed face-to-face with you in ‘Burn, Little Cosmos’, without showing a hint of resentment or hostility. He stayed calm and effortlessly overshadowed you.”

Despite his resentment and stubbornness, He Mu knew his options were dwindling.

He took a deep breath, returned to the show set with a smile, and praised Luo Yu’s qualities, like his athleticism, build, and horseback riding skills—skills evident in the show, but they still made a good impression when highlighted by He Mu. The audience and guests were all pleased.

After struggling through the recording, the impact of Bai Ying’s trending continued to resonate.

He Mu checked his fan group, hoping for some sympathy, but found them urging restraint, advising not to provoke Luo Yu’s fans. Luo Yu’s fanbase was incredibly disciplined: they avoided direct insults, rarely swore, and didn’t attack other celebrities. When Luo Yu was criticized, they responded with clear evidence, reasoning calmly. Even the rare heated comments were quickly managed by other fans.

This courteous approach endeared them to neutral viewers, leaving He Mu’s fans with no way to rally against Luo Yu and risked seeming envious. With no extra funds from the company, He Mu’s agent dared not buy trolls to attack Luo Yu, fearing backlash from a misstep.

Seeing his fans’ excitement from his van window, He Mu regained some pride and decided to roll down the window to greet them.

Predictably, their cheers brought him a bit of long-lost joy.

But just then, someone shouted, “Look—is that Luo Yu?”

“Ahhh—Luo Yu? Where is he?”

“Did Luo Yu come?”

For a moment, He Mu was stunned. Luo Yu came? Where?

Then he realized—they’d mistaken him for Luo Yu because of his plastic surgery.

Feeling deeply humiliated, He Mu quickly rolled up the window, put on his sunglasses, and shouted, “Drive! Drive!”

He truly couldn’t bear hearing Luo Yu’s name anymore.

The gossip pages quickly picked up #HeMuMistakenForLuoYu#, fueling widespread interest. Because these two looked alike, after years of Luo Yu quietly carrying the “He Mu dupe” label, it was time to set things straight.

Cui Zhuxin, having borne this frustration for years, felt it was only fair to stand up for Luo Yu. Rather than hiring marketers, she simply posted a nine-picture collage on Luo Yu’s Weibo, showing photos from his childhood, junior high, high school, university, and early career, all of which proved his natural features. Her caption read: [Grateful for everyone who’s been by my side through the years.]

Luo Yu’s fans understood immediately: he was naturally handsome, handsome since childhood.

Digging into He Mu’s pre-idol competition show photos, netizens saw that while he had always been cute, his current refined look came after altering his eyes, nose, and chin to resemble Luo Yu. He had the look but not the spirit.

Previously, trolls claiming Luo Yu was a “dupe” of He Mu were shut down quickly; even casual fans called them out.

He Mu, panicked at the sight of these comparison posts, urgently contacted his agent to file complaints to quash the narrative.

That night, Luo Yu, hugging his knees, watched the latest episode side by side with Gu Xiaowei. He glanced at Gu Xiaowei and noticed something different about him.

In the past, Gu Xiaowei would always comment on each other’s acting, but tonight, his silence felt uncharacteristic to Luo Yu.

Gu Xiaowei sat with one leg crossed, the other knee bent, holding it with one arm, his chin resting on his knee. His whole demeanor was gloomy, his gaze on the screen, but his mind seemed elsewhere.

“Aren’t you going to say how I did in these two episodes?” Luo Yu stretched out his arm, gently poking Gu Xiaowei on the shoulder.

Gu Xiaowei didn’t answer directly but thought for a moment before speaking. “Do you know what I was thinking in that last scene, when I was sent to buy candy at the convenience store?”

“What were you thinking?”

“I thought that when I returned with the candy, you’d be smiling at me under the bright streetlights. But deep down, as I read the script, I knew that once I walked out of that store, I’d realize there would be no more Bai Ying in my life.”

Gu Xiaowei’s voice was calm throughout, yet it made Luo Yu’s heart ache.

“I was watching you from the car too. Watching you walk out from hell to the world of mortals, with all that human warmth around you. When I was a kid, I’d see this phrase in dramas and novels, that the protagonist is someone’s light—it always felt exaggerated and funny. But as I watched you from the car, I thought—there’s Gu Xiaowei; he’s really so bright.” Luo Yu tilted his face, his gaze falling on Gu Xiaowei.

I’m not talking about Yan Ye, I’m talking about Gu Xiaowei. Just Gu Xiaowei, do you understand?

“You’re not going to exit the stage early like Bai Ying, right?” Gu Xiaowei asked.

Luo Yu sensed a kind of attachment, rare for Gu Xiaowei to so openly show reluctance to part towards anyone or anything.

This special feeling gave Luo Yu an unparalleled sense of satisfaction.

He wanted Gu Xiaowei to long for him more, to depend on him more, so much that no one else could replace him.

“Absolutely not,” Luo Yu said.

“Tomorrow night, Bai Ying’s character will be saying goodbye to the audience. Have you thought about what you’ll say on Weibo?” Gu Xiaowei asked.

“I have. Have you prepared yourself to say goodbye to Bai Ying?” Luo Yu lifted his chin and asked with a smile.

“Yeah.” Gu Xiaowei nodded.

“So what are you planning to say?” Luo Yu moved a little closer to him.

“You’ll know when the time comes.” Gu Xiaowei lowered his eyes; his eyelashes were long, casting a gentle atmosphere.

“Still keeping secrets from me?”

“I’m going to sleep. We have scenes to shoot tomorrow.”

With that, Gu Xiaowei lifted the duvet and lay down.

Luo Yu glanced over at him. Gu Xiaowei had his back to him, only the back of his head visible, with soft black hair spilling onto the pillow.

This guy, after watching this episode, his mood was clearly back to the farewell scene between Bai Ying and Yan Ye.

Luo Yu reached out, initially wanting to touch his hair to comfort him, but some emotions must be walked through on one’s own. He lifted the duvet on the other side, turned off the bedside lamp with a click, and lay down.

After a few seconds, Gu Xiaowei turned his head and asked, “Aren’t you going back to your own room?”

Luo Yu closed his eyes; unless Gu Xiaowei explicitly kicked him out, he planned to sleep here, and he could find plenty of reasons to justify it.

“Did you forget? I had a nightmare last night. After watching the scene of myself gravely injured tonight, who knows if I’ll be haunted again. If you hear me, you can wake me up.”

Luo Yu waited a few seconds, and Gu Xiaowei didn’t react—he must have agreed.

As long as he wasn’t troubled, he was someone who fell asleep quickly. As he was drifting off, he felt Gu Xiaowei turn and gently pull up his duvet.

“Gu Xiaowei.”

“What?”

“That painting you put by the window—haven’t you finished it yet?” Luo Yu asked.

“Not yet.”

“What are you painting?”

“You’ll know when it’s done.”

Luo Yu felt a bit miffed. “Why do you have so many secrets?”

“You don’t have secrets?” Gu Xiaowei countered.

“I do.”

“What secrets?”

“It’s a secret, so why would I tell you?”

With that, Luo Yu turned away, hugging the duvet.

I like you, and I want to be with you in this life—is that a secret?

There might be an even bigger secret, like the fact that I was reborn. But maybe you wouldn’t care.

The next morning, because Luo Yu had slept with Gu Xiaowei, he hadn’t set an alarm.

After Gu Xiaowei finished washing up, he sat on the bed and patted Luo Yu’s shoulder. “Senior Brother, time to get up.”

“En…” Luo Yu waved off Gu Xiaowei’s hand. He was actually awake but wanted to see how Gu Xiaowei would handle getting a lazy person up.

“Senior Brother, if you’re late for the shoot, Director Sheng will give you a big latecomer’s ‘gift’ package.” Gu Xiaowei patted Luo Yu’s head gently.

That was gentler than a shoulder pat, and Luo Yu couldn’t resist that.

“What kind of ‘gift package’…” Luo Yu’s voice was nasally.

Gu Xiaowei leaned a little lower, his other hand propped on Luo Yu’s pillow. “He’ll put your name on the latecomers’ chalkboard for the whole crew to see, shout through a megaphone how many minutes you were late, and make you sit next to him in silence so you worry about what you did wrong, for the rest of the day.”

The first two weren’t too bad—Luo Yu had thick skin. But the last one… sitting on a stool all day would lead to back pain, and Director Sheng’s psychological torment wasn’t something everyone could endure; anyone with a shred of conscience would feel guilty. Luo Yu kept asking himself, am I a person with conscience?

In the few seconds Luo Yu hesitated, Gu Xiaowei suddenly pinched his nose. When Luo Yu opened his eyes, he saw the smile in Gu Xiaowei’s gaze. Seeing that this early in the morning was slightly too seductive.

Luo Yu thought, not good! Mornings are the most dangerous time!

He quickly pushed Gu Xiaowei away, threw off the duvet to avoid giving him a clearer look, and bolted back to his room.

Gu Xiaowei still sat on the bed, his arm suspended mid-air, reaching out to someone who wasn’t there. He looked down, picked up Luo Yu’s slippers, and went to his door.

“You’re not even wearing your slippers?” Gu Xiaowei knocked on the door, calling out.

Inside, Luo Yu was leaning against the door, feeling a surge of embarrassment, his face practically turning beet red.

“Are you planning to wash up without slippers?” Gu Xiaowei asked again.

With each knock, Luo Yu’s heart would skip a beat. “Just… just leave them outside! I’ll be out soon.”

Bro, stop torturing me!

Gu Xiaowei furrowed his brows, lifted his hand halfway, then stopped.

He bent down and placed the slippers outside.

Hearing silence outside, Luo Yu tilted his head back and exhaled a long breath.

“Senior Brother, hurry up with it, or else Ye Shengyi will finish off all the breakfast.”

Gu Xiaowei’s voice suddenly came through again, and Luo Yu felt as if he’d reached his limit.

So, this guy figured it out!

It wasn’t surprising he did. Back in the dorm days, waking up to see each other like this wasn’t unusual; it was always, “Haha, buddy’s in good health, huh?” It’s just that in front of Gu Xiaowei, he felt more self-conscious.

“Keep your observations to yourself if you have character!” Luo Yu said indignantly.

“Oh, I’ll remember that.”

As Gu Xiaowei turned away, there was a thump from the other side of the door—a protest from Luo Yu.

Smiling slightly, Gu Xiaowei returned to his room.

As he straightened the bed, his hand touched the spot where Luo Yu had slept. It was warm, still holding traces of that person’s warmth.

Gu Xiaowei gently rested his forehead on the pillow’s indentation.

Luo Yu wolfed down his breakfast and made it to the set just in time to avoid Director Sheng Yunlan’s “latecomer’s gift package.”

Ye Shengyi skillfully applied makeup for Luo Yu, and several staff members passing by gave him extra glances, some even chatting about the storyline.

“A lot of people in the crew are following ‘Counterattack’. Your fan base is also skyrocketing.” Ye Shengyi lowered his head, brushing Luo Yu’s eyebrows.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

“That’s the halo of Bai Ying’s character bringing fans my way. If the next project isn’t stellar, this popularity will quickly fade.”

Popularity is fleeting, and tastes shift every year or two. Ultimately, it’s the roles that matter.

“Well, um… Ai Cheng added me on WeChat last night.”

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Feline Mystique, In-Progress

Feline Mystique CH 018 Trainee Felix’s First Day

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The bright winter sun shone through the high glass windows of the Combat Division headquarters, casting streaks of light across the sprawling complex. It was a far cry from the cozy elegance of Felix’s home. The facility was a strange mix of efficiency and chaos: Regal Ones with fur of all colors and patterns sparred, snapped commands, or darted between combat zones. The air was thick with the sharp tang of sweat and the metallic shrieking of claws scraping against reinforced training mats.

Felix stepped through the entrance, his mask of stoicism betraying just a flicker of apprehension. His sleek black combat uniform, emblazoned with the gold insignia of the Combat Division, fit him snugly. Though the uniform made him look the part of a seasoned combatant, this was only his first day and there was still two weeks of training before he could truly join the ranks.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

His thoughts were interrupted by a buoyant voice.

“Ahhh! Felix Bloodstone! I knew you would look great in the combat uniforms!”

Felix turned to see a bubbly young recruit with wide blue eyes and soft caramel hair streaked with white, waving enthusiastically. Her fluffy ears twitched with excitement.

“Uh… hi?” Felix said, his voice unsure.

The girl clasped her hands in front of her chest, practically bouncing. “Omg, you don’t know how happy I was when I got accepted into the Combat Division! Everyone was so jealous when they learned I would not only be your coworker but also train with you as newbies! This is just amazing, isn’t it?!”

Felix barely had time to respond before another voice cut through the chatter.

“Pearlman, get a grip,” came Jax Flintcroft’s voice, dripping with irritation. He strode up, his signature cocky smirk in place. Behind him, his long blue tail flicked lazily.

“Don’t waste your breath fangirling over him,” Jax declared, his voice louder now, clearly intended to draw attention from the other recruits gathering nearby. “Bloodstone’s not all he’s cracked up to be.”

Ella turned to Jax with a pout. “Ugh! Haters begone! I’m tired of hearing you slander Felix—”

“Attention.” The sharp, gravelly voice of Sergeant Cain Flintstone cut through the room like a blade.

The recruits snapped to attention as the sergeant stepped forward. Flintstone was a tall, grizzled figure with a commanding presence, his gold eyes glinting with authority. The deep scar running across his jaw only added to his intimidating aura. Felix immediately recognized him as one of the combat officers who had arrived on the scene during the day of the choosing ceremony.

Flintstone surveyed the group with a scrutinizing gaze before speaking, giving Jax a warning look in particular that had Felix raise a brow in curiosity. “Welcome to the Combat Division trainee program. This will be the most grueling two weeks of your lives. Only the best make it through—”

“What happens if you don’t make it through?” That cocksure voice could only belong to Jax. And sure enough, Flintstone’s golden glare was trained on the smart aleck.

“—while the rest are relegated to logistics work or transferred to the Nurterer Division as combat instructors to little kits.” Flintstone’s glare lingered a moment longer, just enough to send the younger squirming.

Everyone else also stood up straighter, no one wanted to be relegated to desk work or worse—dealing with kittens who barely have their claws and teeth grown out.

“If any of you think this will be anything like the sparring games at the Ivory Sanctuary, you’re in for a rude awakening.”

Flintstone continued, “Here, you’ll learn to master fighting with your partial transformations—claws, tails, enhanced senses. These are not just tools; they’re extensions of your body and your life depends on mastering them. Today, we’ll start with assessment sparring. Pair up!”

Jax pointed challengingly at Felix, and the two became one of the faster ones to pair up—but not as fast as Ella and a tall black haired boy. The recruits gathered around the mat to watch the first match of the day: Ella Pearlman versus Theo Onyxwood. Felix stood at the edge of the group, arms crossed, eyes scanning the two recruits with focus as they stepped onto the mat.

Ella, with her soft caramel curls and bubbly demeanor, looked like she didn’t belong in the same ring as Theo. The tall boy was all sharp edges, his black hair slicked back, and his piercing copper eyes gleaming with an intensity that promised a brutal fight.

“Ella’s gonna get flattened,” someone muttered behind Felix, echoing the unspoken sentiment in the room.

Felix frowned. He wasn’t one to underestimate others, but Ella’s bubbly demeanor and almost dainty figure didn’t exactly scream “combat-ready.” Still, as the two squared off, he noticed something in her posture—a quiet confidence that hinted there might be more to her than met the eye.

Sergeant Flintstone raised a hand to silence the murmurs. “Pearlman. Onyxwood. Show me what you’ve got. Begin!”

The air shifted immediately as Theo lunged forward, his claws extending in a flash of gleaming obsidian. His movements were aggressive and precise, clearly honed from countless hours of practice. Ella barely dodged his first swipe, her body bending fluidly as she sidestepped, her caramel tail flicking like a dancer’s ribbon.

Theo pressed his advantage, his strikes relentless and fierce. Felix watched as Ella’s expression shifted, the sweet smile she’d worn earlier replaced by a sharp focus. She ducked under Theo’s claws and pivoted, her movements measured and deliberate.

Felix exhaled, surprised.

Ella retaliated with a sharp kick aimed at Theo’s side, forcing him to leap back. Instead of charging again, she stayed light on her feet, her tail swaying rhythmically as she circled him. Theo’s strikes were powerful but straightforward, relying on brute strength and speed. Ella, on the other hand, moved like she was playing chess, her every dodge and counter a calculated move designed to outwit her opponent.

“Is that all you’ve got, Pearlman!” Theo snarled, his frustration evident.

Ella tilted her head, a guileless smile returning to her blue eyes. “Is it my fault you’re such a brute?”

Theo growled and charged again, his tail whipping forward to trip her, but Ella sprang over it with surprising agility, landing lightly on her feet. She used the momentum to close the distance between them, her claws flashing as she struck at Theo’s exposed side. He twisted away just in time, but not before her claws grazed his shoulder.

The recruits around the mat murmured in surprise. Even Sergeant Flintstone’s golden eyes narrowed slightly, his expression betraying a flicker of approval.

Felix found himself studying Ella’s movements more closely. She wasn’t just quick; she was strategic. Every move she made seemed designed to exploit Theo’s aggressive tendencies, drawing him into overcommitting so she could strike where he was weakest.

As the match wore on, Theo’s frustration only grew, and his attacks became sloppier. Ella capitalized on his impatience, landing a sharp tail strike to his shin that sent him stumbling.

“Enough!” Flintstone barked, stepping forward as Theo regained his footing, panting heavily.

The recruits erupted in scattered applause as Ella straightened, brushing a strand of caramel hair from her face. Despite her narrow victory, she wasn’t even winded.

“Good work, Pearlman,” Flintstone said, his tone neutral but firm. He turned to Theo. “Onyxwood, control your temper. You’ve got power, but you’ll never win if you let your emotions rule you.”

Theo scowled but nodded, muttering a grudging “Yes, sir.”

Ella turned to the group with a bright smile, her bubbly sweetness snapping back into place as if she hadn’t just outmaneuvered a fierce opponent. “That was fun!”

Felix raised an eyebrow. For someone who came off as overly cheerful and fangirlish earlier, Ella had just proven she was far more than she appeared.

As she walked past him on her way to the sidelines, Ella caught Felix’s eye and made a fighting gesture at him, cheeks pinkening when they hadn’t even done so during her spar. “Your turn next, Felix. Fighting!”

Felix smiled stiffly in response. If Ella could fight like that, he had no doubt the rest of the recruits were just as skilled. The stakes were higher than he’d realized, and he couldn’t afford to falter.

He glanced at Jax, who was smirking confidently as he stepped toward the mat. No pressure, Felix, he thought grimly as he took his position. Just survive the first day.

Jax sauntered over to the other side of the mat, his smirk widening.

“Guess we’re doing this again, Bloodstone. Let’s settle things for real this time.”

Felix’s jaw tightened. Information he’d gleaned about the supposed spar at the Ivory Sanctuary resurfaced—ending in a draw, to the dismay of onlookers who’d expected Felix to trounce Jax. Most believed Felix had gone easy on him, to which Jax had somehow taken it as a personal insult.

“Fine,” Felix said simply, though his mind raced. How much of his body’s muscle memory would kick in?

As they took their positions, the other recruits gathered around the mat. Ella was practically vibrating with excitement. “Go, Felix! You’ve got this!”

“Shut up, Pearlman,” Theo snapped a few feet away but she ignored him. Clearly, even among the same crop of recruits, sides were inevitably being taken. Flintstone barked, “Begin!”

Jax lunged first, his blue claws gleaming as he aimed for Felix’s side. Felix sidestepped easily, his movements almost unnaturally smooth. Muscle memory guided him, and a strange hyperfocus state kicked in as though a switch had been flipped. The world seemed to slow, and he could track every movement of Jax’s strikes.

“Still playing defense?” Jax growled, displeasure flattening his ears. “Stop toying with me!”

If Felix had the wherewithal, he would protest how wrong this accusation was. He barely knew what he was doing, let alone have the mind to toy with his opponent! 

Instead, he was too busy avoiding each attack with calculated precision. He noticed the way Jax’s tail lashed aggressively, the subtle shifts in his footing. The muscle memory embedded in his body screamed for him to counter, but Felix hesitated, unsure of his ability to keep up the act.

Finally, with a hiss of annoyance Jax launched a sweeping tail attack aimed to unbalance him. Felix reacted instinctively. His own tail shot out—thick, muscular, and tipped with a diamond-shaped end—meeting Jax’s tail mid-swing with a sharp crack that echoed through the training hall.

The force of Felix’s counter sent Jax skidding backward, his claws digging into the mat for balance. Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Felix exhaled sharply, his tail coiling behind him in a controlled arc. He hadn’t even consciously used it; his body had done it on its own.

“Lucky shot,” Jax spat, though his confidence wavered.

Felix smirked faintly. “If you say so.”

The match escalated. Claws flashed and tails struck with lightning speed, the air around them filled with the sharp sounds of claws meeting claws and tails whipping through the air. Felix’s body moved with precision, but his mind struggled to keep up with the demands of manipulating his partial transformations. Each strike, block, and counter felt like walking a tightrope.

Toward the end of the match, Jax feigned a strike with his claws but quickly shifted, whipping his tail low in an attempt to trip Felix. Felix’s balance wavered, and panic flared.

Then, instinct took over again. Felix’s tail snapped to the side, anchoring him and counterbalancing his weight. He recovered just in time to block Jax’s follow-up strike with his claws, their impact sending sparks flying.

The match ended in a stalemate once again, both combatants panting and glaring at each other.

Flintstone clapped his hands once, signaling the end. “Enough!”

The recruits fell silent as Flintstone approached Felix and Jax. His gaze bore into them, making Felix feel as though the sergeant could see through his carefully maintained façade.

“Good effort from both of you,” Flintstone said gruffly. “But Bloodstone.”

Felix stiffened.

“You’re holding back.” Flintstone’s voice was like steel. “You’ve got potential, but hesitation will get you killed in the field. Learn to commit, or you’ll end up as another name on a casualty report.”

Felix nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. Flintstone’s critique stung, but it also sparked a fire within him. He couldn’t afford to let his inexperience—or his act—become a liability.

Flintstone shifted his gaze to Jax. “And you. You have the same problem as Onyxwood. Get a hold of your emotions and tone down that unwarranted overconfidence or I will do it for you.”

Jax muttered something under his breath but nodded.

As the recruits were dismissed for a short break, Felix let out a slow breath. He had survived the first sparring session, but he knew this was only the beginning. The real challenge lay ahead.

From the sidelines, Ella ran up to him, beaming. “You were awesome, Felix! You always look so strong and graceful when you’re fighting!”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Jax scowled but said nothing, stalking off toward the water station.

Felix managed a more natural smile for Ella’s benefit this time, but his thoughts were far from celebratory. He had a long way to go, and the weight of Sergeant Flintstone’s words hung heavily in his mind: Hesitation will get you killed.

AN: Any ideas which cat breeds are Jax, Ella and Theo? And Felix too while we’re at it? 😹

Hint: Ella has white streaked caramel hair with blue eyes. Jax has wild and thick blue hair with yellow eyes. Theo has sleek black hair with copper eyes. Felix is albino with silvery white hair and pale eyes that appear ruby red.

Worldbuilding detail: The last names of Regal Ones are jewel or precious mineral/stone inspired and usually reflect their hair (fur) or eye color. Cats of the same breed share a similar prefix ie: Flintstone and Flintcroft.

In-Progress, Top Dupe

Top Dupe CH 089 Toasting Bai Ying And Yan Ye Part 1

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“Then let me talk about Senior Brother,” Gu Xiaowei lowered his gaze, glancing at the porcelain cup by his hand. “The character of Yan Ye is the opposite of my own personality. I tend to be somewhat obsessive and serious, maybe even a bit boring, which doesn’t make me a popular person in real life.”

“Don’t say that; Brother Cheng still likes you. Give him a solid ‘bro’ certification sometime,” Luo Yu teased, prompting laughter from the others.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Gu Xiaowei shot Luo Yu a glance, smiled faintly, and continued, “But Yan Ye is different. He’s adaptable, never fixates on problems. To complete his undercover mission, he’s able to shift from being a disciplined, principled cop to someone flexible, unruly, even unconcerned with rules, fixated only on earning Bai Ying’s approval. For him, boundaries aren’t just words on paper or a list of rules to recite; they’re a moral line in his heart that judges right from wrong.”

Luo Yu listened intently, curious to understand how his portrayal of Bai Ying might have impacted Gu Xiaowei.

“At first, I hadn’t quite adapted to the shift, nor did I grasp the feeling of… offering the kingdom to win someone’s heart,” Gu Xiaowei confessed.

Hearing the phrase “offering the kingdom” made Luo Yu feel a bit embarrassed, as if he were the legendary Bao Si, and Gu Xiaowei was King You of Zhou lighting the warning beacons for his amusement. But deep down, an indescribable thrill arose.

Gu Xiaowei’s voice was smooth, drawing people into his thoughts. “But when I saw your portrayal of Bai Ying in the audition tape, I suddenly understood what Yan Ye wanted—absolute trust from Bai Ying. Bai Ying’s love and hate are too clear, too intense, a bias Yan Ye could never find in his cold, black-and-white world. Once he gains Bai Ying’s trust, Bai Ying will offer his wealth, connections, power, even his life, all in unwavering loyalty. This absolute devotion holds a fatal allure for Yan Ye.”

Gu Xiaowei looked at Luo Yu, his eyes calm yet stirring a power capable of turning Luo Yu’s world upside down.

It felt as though he wasn’t talking about Yan Ye desiring Bai Ying’s trust, but rather Gu Xiaowei longing for Luo Yu’s devotion.

“In the dark world of the drama, everyone else is chasing personal gains; only Bai Ying values trust above all. From the first moment Yan Ye sees Bai Ying, he knows others would betray him for their benefit, but Bai Ying would break the world to stand by him.”

Luo Yu raised his porcelain cup and smiled, “So really, Bai Ying is the one offering everything to win the other’s favor.”

“To Bai Ying,” Gu Xiaowei lifted his cup.

“To Yan Ye.”

They exchanged smiles, in complete understanding.

That evening, the drama’s episode aired with a scene where Bai Ying single-handedly fought the assassin Ah Bao. The clean, no-nonsense combat had the audience thrilled.

As Bai Ying’s knee strike flowed into a sweeping move, his fierce gaze held the screen. If not for the lack of a replay feature on TV, fans would have replayed that scene endlessly.

Once the episode streamed online an hour later, comments exploded. Many analyzed Bai Ying’s moves, noticing that most shots were wide-angle rather than close-ups, proving Luo Yu hadn’t used a stunt double. His actions were sharp and powerful, and fans were impressed with Luo Yu’s combat skills.

Especially the scene where Bai Ying kicked Ah Bao onto the beam, snapping his spine. It brought viewers an unmatched thrill.

[OMG, I could watch this fight a million times!]

[Luo Yu did it himself; I analyzed every frame. He didn’t use a double! Absolute legend!]

[So strong! This is a man worth Yan Ye’s loyalty!]

[He could just rely on his looks, but he’s all about skill! Luo Yu is a hidden gem!]

[If he starts doing action films, I’d book every seat!]

The fight sequence, though short, left the audience’s nerves on edge, lingering long after the scene ended.

Luo Yu’s fan base grew by hundreds of thousands overnight.

Even in the pre-show popularity polls, Luo Yu suddenly matched Gu Xiaowei!

Taking advantage of the hype, Meng Yu and Cui Zhuxin posted some vlog photos from earlier that day on Weibo.

One was of the two on bicycles beneath a rose trellis, with Gu Xiaowei’s hand above Luo Yu’s head, scattering rose petals.

[Is this really Teacher Gu? How did he pull off something so childish yet romantic?]

[Teacher Gu has never done idol dramas, right? But this is pure rom-com sweetness! I’m in love!]

[I can’t bear anyone else under Brother Gu’s petals, but for Luo Yu, I’ll make an exception!]

Another shot showed Gu Xiaowei lifting Luo Yu in a reed field, both of them leaning precariously, as if they’d tumble into the reeds together.

[Is that a smile from Brother Gu? Never seen him smile so tenderly! Clearly, the Senior Brother is special!]

[Yan Ye lifted Bai Ying in the show; Gu is lifting his senior brother in the reeds!]

[Lock these two in every film and drama till I’m in the ground!]

[Forget wandering in the woods; these two are tumbling through the reeds!]

Meng Yu captioned his post, “Clocking in with Bai Ying at Rose Valley Resort. See you tomorrow at noon on the official ‘Counterattack’ vlog.”

Cui Zhuxin’s caption read, “Clocking in with Yan Ye at Rose Valley Resort. See you tomorrow at noon on the official ‘Counterattack’ vlog.”

Bai Ying and Yan Ye fans practically turned into screaming chickens, and the comments flooded to over ten thousand within an hour, with “Counterattack”’s official account gaining tens of thousands of followers within minutes.

Jiang Yinchuan nearly choked on his tea when he saw their posts.

“Luo Yu, I could understand, but now even Gu Xiaowei is pulling these moves? Building up all this hype, how are we going to untangle them later?”

On second thought, what’s the point of untangling them? They’ll be together for “Beast and Rose” too.

And not just “Beast and Rose”, but the fencing part of that Olympics mini-series, too. Those two will be together for quite a while.

Jiang Yinchuan rubbed his chin, suddenly suspecting they might never need to untangle; together, they were ratings gold.

In the first episode aired tonight, the more audiences loved Bai Ying, the more worried they were for the next.

The second episode ended right at the scene where Bai Ying pulled over, sending Yan Ye into a convenience store.

Bai Ying sat alone in the car, face pale, sweat beading on his forehead and neck. Shakily, he undid the seatbelt that had held him so tightly, and exhaled deeply.

Luo Yu’s expression carried a haunting intensity, enveloping viewers in a gut-wrenching ache.

He’d looked so thrilled moments ago, talking to Yan Ye as if he’d survived a close call, but now every bit of him was fading away.

Strands of hair clung to his cheek, a fragile and broken aura piercing through, yet even within that frailty lay a resilient strength, refusing to bow.

The screen froze on his smile toward Yan Ye through the convenience store window.

A smile that held exhaustion, relief.

A calm resolve and a blessing.

The audience went wild, igniting frantic online discussions—did Bai Ying really die?

Fans of Bai Ying were distraught and loudly wailing; they were so enthralled by this character that they flooded the official account, begging not to let Bai Ying die. Everyone shared ideas:

Things like, “Make Bai Ying a state witness and put him under protection,” “Give Bai Ying an open ending,” and “Bai Ying knows so many of Bai Zhongxing’s secrets, they need his testimony to convict Bai Zhongxing”…

Some impassioned fans even declared that if the writer dared to kill off Bai Ying, they’d start mailing razor blades and boycott Hua Xingyun’s work forever.

The hashtag #BaiYing# quickly climbed the trending list, reaching the top spot after tonight’s second episode aired. The whole internet was buzzing over whether Bai Ying would live or die. The character created by Luo Yu had become the top “strong, beautiful, and tragic” figure in the last five years.

Following close behind were hashtags like #BaiYingFightScenes# and #GuXiaoweiAndLuoYuVlog#, turning tonight into a “Counterattack Night.” Even viewers who usually didn’t follow dramas found their curiosity piqued.

Initially, Luo Yu thought these trending tags were bought by the media team at Xinghan Films, but Sister Cui informed him that this drama had so many organic fans, and Bai Ying’s role was sparking an incredible amount of real-time discussion online. Li Qian did invest in some marketing; however, it was minimal—just enough to guide fans toward trending topics, barely worth mentioning. Now, their PR team was just monitoring the public mood; there was no need to stir up topics, as the fans were already intensely engaged.

On several streaming platforms, subscription rates multiplied in recent days, with viewers eager to catch replays online after the TV broadcast.

Hearing Li Qian’s words, Luo Yu still hadn’t realized he was a hit, only feeling relieved that he hadn’t let Director Lin or Screenwriter Hua down after they modified the script for him.

For the first time, Hua Xingyun’s inbox was overrun by drama fans—not just begging, but also threatening, using all sorts of coercion to try and keep Bai Ying alive.

But Hua Xingyun was helpless; it wasn’t his decision for Bai Ying to die—it was Director Lin’s idea!

Worried, Hua Xingyun called Director Lin, saying, “Director Lin, I’m really concerned! The audience loves Bai Ying so much. They’re all saying they’ll never watch my dramas again if I kill him off! What should I do? Will I lose my job?”

Lin Yue, overwhelmed by the unexpectedly high ratings for “Counterattack”, was busy handling the surge of projects now wanting him as a director.

“You won’t, you won’t. Believe me, for your next drama, if you cast Luo Yu again, viewers will just call you a scriptwriting genius. Just try not to kill off his character again.”

Lin Yue was the kind of director who moved on emotionally after completing a project. But in recent days, watching “Counterattack”, he found himself drawn back into the intense emotions through the performances of Gu Xiaowei and Luo Yu.

Hua Xingyun scratched his head and laughed, “Suddenly, I think Sheng Yunlan is extremely lucky. His film ‘Beast and Rose’ delves deep into human nature; even if it wins an international film award, I wouldn’t be surprised. But domestic audiences… with short videos taking over, it’s hard for them to appreciate complex plots. I was worried about his box office. But now, with Gu Xiaowei and Luo Yu, their chemistry brings any scene to life.”

Lin Yue nodded with a smile, “Yeah, it’s hard to imagine any other actors pulling off the same chemistry. Without that dynamic, it just wouldn’t be as compelling.”

Meanwhile, He Mu finally wrapped up recording a singer selection show. Stepping out of the TV building and into the van, he was greeted by a crowd of fans holding banners, shouting his name.

He Mu was long used to this and kept his head down, scrolling on his phone.

Opening Weibo, the first thing he saw was “Bai Ying,” and he practically tossed his phone aside. But he couldn’t resist picking it up again, curious about the audience’s opinion on Bai Ying. Was the trending topic positive or negative?

It turned out that any hashtag related to Luo Yu was better left unopened for He Mu’s peace of mind. The entire internet was genuinely praising Bai Ying, raving about Luo Yu’s acting. Every comment was rich in detail and engagement—clearly, not a bought trend.

Luo Yu… was genuinely famous.

Famous without needing to buy numbers.

Just one supporting role, and he was famous.

During the recording, he’d heard people talking about “Counterattack”, excitedly discussing Gu Xiaowei and Luo Yu’s scenes together. Even the program’s guests were buzzing. He Mu realized that all the black marks he’d tried to create for Luo Yu were overshadowed by the aura of Bai Ying.

The worst part was, he couldn’t even join in when others discussed Luo Yu, leaving him feeling isolated.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Adding to his frustration, the show’s producers kept bringing up “Counterattack” to capitalize on its popularity, even asking He Mu about working with Luo Yu on “Burn, Little Cosmos”. The audience, many of whom were Luo Yu fans, lit up at the mention.

Among the guests was Ai Cheng, who openly admitted to being a Luo Yu fan, eagerly asking He Mu to share stories about Luo Yu.

This was one of the most awkward moments of He Mu’s life. He barely restrained himself from storming off set.

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In-Progress, The Kingdom That Never Sleeps

The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 087 You Are A Good Person

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Tang Huang: “The printing bureau is quite familiar with us, so producing some paper and ink for these leaflets doesn’t cost much. At first, these flyers were only distributed in our own shop, Xixia Tower. Later, Shopkeeper Lu used his connections with Prince Jing’s Manor to get the flyers placed in their Qianli Tower. Now, they’re in many shops along Zhengyangmen Street.”

Tang Shen thought for a moment and said, “What do today’s flyers look like? Bring one here for me to see.”

Tang Huang quickly went back to her room and brought out a yellow, rough-textured piece of rice paper, handing it to Tang Shen.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Tang Shen carefully examined it, then smiled faintly. He hadn’t expected Tang Huang to make such effective use of supermarket-style flyers!

That’s right—these were essentially supermarket flyers.

After entrusting the management of Baibao Pavilion to Shopkeeper Lu and Tang Huang, Tang Shen had suggested they partner with a printing bureau to print supermarket-style flyers every three days and distribute them in shops all over Shengjing City.

It sounded simple, but it was an incredibly challenging task.

First, each customer entering Baibao Pavilion would receive a basket with a flyer inside. The flyer detailed that day’s discounted items and their prices. This part was straightforward. However, distributing the flyers outside the store to draw in customers was much harder.

Xixia Tower, being a Tang family business, easily allowed flyer distribution. But other shops—why would they freely promote Baibao Pavilion?

After much effort, Tang Huang and Shopkeeper Lu devised a strategy.

Customers who found a flyer in another shop, brought it to Baibao Pavilion, and wrote the shop’s name on the flyer would receive an extra discount. At the end of the month, Baibao Pavilion reimbursed those shops based on the number of flyers bearing their names.

The reimbursement wasn’t substantial per transaction but added up over time. For example, if someone saw a flyer in Zhang’s Bun Shop, came to Baibao Pavilion, and spent 50 copper coins, Baibao Pavilion would give Zhang’s Bun Shop 1 copper coin. If 100 people did this, Zhang’s Bun Shop would earn 100 coins.

More importantly, this was a risk-free arrangement for participating shops. All they had to do was accept Baibao Pavilion flyers and place them in their stores, incurring no cost yet earning money effortlessly.

Customers were equally incentivized by the additional discount, making them more likely to shop at Baibao Pavilion. Even if they didn’t find a flyer elsewhere, customers could still pick one up at Baibao Pavilion’s entrance for a discount.

When Tang Shen learned of this idea, he called his sister over to ask her about how she came up with the idea.

Tang Shen: “Why are we paying other shops money for nothing?”

Tang Huang: “If we don’t offer incentives, why would they distribute our flyers?”

Tang Shen: “But have you considered the possibility of losing money?”

Tang Huang, surprised, replied, “Losing money? Brother, what are you thinking? First, if a customer doesn’t see our flyer and come to Baibao Pavilion, we earn nothing. Second, the pricing and discounts are calculated in advance, factoring in all additional expenses.” The young lady smiled sweetly, “Do you think I’m a fool, or are you calling yourself one?”

Of course, Tang Shen understood her logic and the brilliance behind it but maintained a serious demeanor. “Is that so? Have you thought about customers colluding with shop owners? Customers could intentionally use a shop’s flyer to shop at Baibao Pavilion, and the shop could share part of the reimbursement with them.”

Tang Huang replied nonchalantly, “So what? All I know is that they’re shopping at Baibao Pavilion. Whatever schemes they come up with to split the rebates, it doesn’t concern us. If a customer who originally wouldn’t shop at Baibao Pavilion decides to visit, we’ve already profited.”

Tang Shen stared at his sister, making her uneasy.

“Brother, why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m wondering about the kind of man you’ll marry in the future.”

“You’re a fortune-teller now?”

“Not exactly. I’m just calculating how much it will cost me to support you if you are never able to marry.”

“…”

Thanks to Tang Huang’s innovative strategy, Baibao Pavilion’s business flourished. Customers who initially planned to shop at local stores would see the flyers and eagerly head to Zhengyangmen Street, drawn by the promise of additional discounts.

In just two months, nearly every alley in Shengjing City had at least two shops displaying Baibao Pavilion flyers.

Under the dim candlelight that evening, Tang Shen gazed at a flyer in his hand, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

The next morning at the guesthouse, a Liao guard, starting his shift, noticed a guesthouse worker delivering a stack of papers to the front desk. The worker took one for himself, leaned against the wall, and read it with great interest.

The Liao guard, intrigued but unable to speak Han language, swaggered over, shook his blade, and pointed at the paper. Intimidated, the worker handed him a flyer.

But even more baffled by the unfamiliar script, the guard took it to a Liao official, who, in turn, brought it to Yelü Qin.

By noon, Yelü Qin, accompanied by a few guards, discreetly visited Baibao Pavilion. Disguised in Song attire, he was astonished by the bustling store and its dazzling array of goods.

Upon returning to the guesthouse, Yelü Qin sought out the Third Prince, Yelü Han.

Yelü Qin: “Your Highness, the Song people may be different from what we’ve imagined.”

Yelü Han, just waking up, asked, “What do you mean by that, Han Office daren?”

Bowing, Yelü Qin explained, “Your Highness, although it is the duty of South Court officials like me to handle Liao-Song relations, I suspect the Grand Guardian and you were sent here to probe the Song’s strength and resources.”

Yelü Han was startled by how accurate Yelü Qin’s deductions were.

Yelü Qin observed the Third Prince’s expression and knew his guess was correct. He sighed inwardly—if it were another prince visiting the Song, would he have to waste so much effort? Yelü Qin continued, “I don’t know exactly what Your Highness and the Grand Guardian wish to uncover, but in my view, the fact that the Song Emperor hasn’t summoned us on the first day might not necessarily be a bad thing. They are waiting, and while they wait, we can use the opportunity to explore this Shengjing City!”

Recalling Yelü Yin’s words from the previous day, Yelü Han said, “But the Grand Guardian just said yesterday that this Shengjing of the Song is ours to inspect as we please in the future.”

Yelü Qin thought, fool! If conquering the Song were that easy, why hasn’t the Liao State succeeded in over a hundred years?

The truth was that even if the Liao defeated the Song, it would leave their empire weakened and vulnerable to neighboring enemies. 

Given that, why not periodically extort the Song instead? Without waging war, they could gain money and possibly territory.

This was the Liao’s current strategy. Their delegation had traveled thousands of miles to the Song because Youzhou had become difficult to capture, prompting them to negotiate with the Song Emperor for funds in exchange for withdrawing troops.

Yelü Qin added, “Today, I visited Zhengyangmen Street, the most bustling area in the Song capital. It is lined with shops and teeming with people, far surpassing the prosperity of our Zhongjing Dading Prefecture. Your Highness and the Grand Guardian should consider this. Understanding the Song’s wealth and strength is also a way to gather intelligence.”

In the afternoon, when Tang Shen arrived at the guesthouse with his entourage, he saw Yelü Han seated in the main chair, his expression haughty as he said, “What does it mean that the Song Emperor still hasn’t summoned us today?”

Tang Shen’s gaze swept across Yelü Han, Yelü Qin, and Yelü Yin before he calmly withdrew his eyes and bowed respectfully. “Your Highness, as a visiting envoy to our Song, you are entitled to be accompanied. I have been appointed by Meng daren of the Ministry of Rites to receive and attend to all of you. Today, I have arranged a banquet at the Qianli Tower to welcome Your Highness and the envoys. Your Highness may not know, but the Qianli Tower is…”

Tang Shen’s tone was measured, neither obsequious nor arrogant, patiently explaining.

After finishing, Tang Shen looked up at Yelü Han and asked, “What does Your Highness think?”

Yelü Han put on airs for a moment before exchanging a few words with Tang Shen and finally saying, “It’s not unacceptable.”

That day, Tang Shen successfully hosted the Liao delegation with a banquet at Qianli Tower in Shengjing.

The next day, Tang Shen devised a new itinerary, taking Yelü Han and his entourage horseback riding in the countryside and climbing Xuji Tower, a nine-story structure in the city’s north. This tower, built by Wang Zhen for Zhao Fu, was usually off-limits to commoners. However, Zhao Fu had specifically granted Tang Shen permission to bring the Liao delegation there, seemingly to let them witness the grand and magnificent prosperity of the Song dynasty from the top.

Over several days, Tang Shen handled every aspect of the delegation’s visit meticulously.

Li Jingde, however, was exhausted.

Returning to Qinzheng Hall, he removed his official cap and exclaimed, “This is more tiring than fighting a war! I never realized how hard it is to be a civil official. That Yelü Han is insufferable—every time I see him, I want to beat him up and kick him back to Liao. Tang daren, you’ve had it tough these past few days.”

Tang Shen replied earnestly, “You’re too kind, General. As a court official, it is my duty to serve the emperor and relieve his burdens. This is just part of my job.”

Li Jingde glanced at him and said, “You’re different from Wang Zifeng and Su Feiran. You’re a good person.”

Tang Shen smiled. “I’m just a minor fourth-rank official; I wouldn’t dare compare myself to my senior brother or Su daren.”

Li Jingde sighed, “Neither of them are good people. Don’t even mention that you are Wang Zifeng’s junior brother, I’d say this to Wang Zifeng’s face if I had to.”

Tang Shen thought, then why don’t you?

Li Jingde put his official cap back on and quietly slipped out of Qinzheng Hall.

That evening, Tang Shen visited the Minister Residence and wasted no time ratting out Li Jingde.

Little did General Li know, the “you’re different from them” Tang Shen had already spilled everything he said to Wang Zifeng.

Wang Zifeng sighed softly. “General Li seems to have misunderstood me.”

Tang Shen thought, I don’t think he misunderstood you at all. General Li may be simple and kind, but he’s not stupid.

Wang Zifeng said, “Little Junior Brother, it seems General Li likes you.”

Tang Shen replied, “…Perhaps because I’m good at talking?” Over the past few days, aside from hosting the Liao delegation, Tang Shen had also showered Li Jingde with flattery. After all, why not? Li Jingde was favored by the emperor. Having already offended Su Wenyun, Tang Shen saw no need to make another enemy. Instead, he sought to win over Li Jingde as an ally against Su Wenyun, should the need arise.

After drinking some tea, Wang Zifeng said, “You’ll have a lighter load tomorrow.”

Tang Shen was taken aback. “Senior Brother?”

Wang Zifeng smiled. “We can’t let Meng daren be idle. He earns his salary and should share the burden. If not, the censors might accuse him of dereliction. Don’t you agree, little Junior Brother?”

Tang Shen’s eyes widened. “Senior Brother, you…”

Wang Zifeng poured him more tea. “This is Biluochun from Gusu this year. You’ve always liked it. Have some more.”

Tang Shen: “…”

So even if he hadn’t tattled to Wang Zifeng today, his senior brother would still have known everything that transpired in Qinzheng Hall.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

What duty to the emperor, relieving his burdens, part of the job…

These were the exact words Tang Shen had said to Li Jingde that afternoon!

Tang Shen felt a sudden sense of relief. Thankfully, when he had once speculated about “Wang Zifeng being impotent,” he hadn’t voiced it to anyone. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

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In-Progress, Top Dupe

Top Dupe CH 088 You Did That On Purpose (Vlog Filming) Part 2

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By the lake, Brother Yan had already set up a small folding table with two folding chairs beside it. On the table was Gu Xiaowei’s thermos, filled with freshly brewed coffee, along with two little cups that Brother Yan had specially brought from the villa.

“Are you two ready to sit down and let our vlog move into the Q&A segment?” Brother Yan asked with a grin.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

“Coming!” Luo Yu immediately went over and plopped into the small chair, leaning back with such flair he almost tipped over.

Gu Xiaowei, passing by, caught him and pushed him forward. “Be careful. This chair doesn’t have a backrest.”

“Oh, I forgot.”

So they sat down, and Gu Xiaowei opened the thermos, pouring coffee into the two white porcelain cups.

Luo Yu tilted his head back to feel the sunlight, the air faintly tinged with the fragrance of roses.

The scene was so beautiful that Xiao Qin, who was still on a “wedding shoot” kick, began taking more photos from every angle.

Brother Yan held a phone with the topics that Li Qian had prepared for Yan Ye and Bai Ying’s characters.

“Brother Gu, Brother Luo, let’s talk about ‘Counterattack’. We’re curious: when you two first met because of this show, what were your first impressions of each other?” Brother Yan called out.

Luo Yu thought, This question sounds like something a matchmaker would ask after a blind date.

He looked at Gu Xiaowei, tilted his chin up, and said, “You first. What was your impression of me?”

Luo Yu didn’t have much interview experience, so he figured he’d listen to Gu Xiaowei’s “answer style” first.

In a normal interview, Gu Xiaowei would sit up straight and serious, but now he was relaxed, leaning his elbows on his knees with his chin in his hand, glancing at Luo Yu. “Aside from school, I think our first meeting for ‘Counterattack’ was in the elevator. You were going to the audition, still with shoulder-length hair.”

“This baffles me—I was wearing a mask back then, but somehow, you recognized me at a glance.”

“What’s so strange about that? I watched your performance at the school anniversary event, and I was front row for all your end-of-term performances every semester. I’ve watched your ‘Plum Blossom Rain’ countless times—I’m not that blind that I wouldn’t recognize you just because you wore a mask,” Gu Xiaowei replied.

Luo Yu didn’t know how to describe his feelings at that moment: surprised, a little incredulous.

“Hey, if that gets included in the vlog, people will think you’re my fanboy,” Luo Yu muttered, scratching his head, suddenly feeling shy as his ears turned red.

“I am,” Gu Xiaowei said, taking a sip of coffee.

“Are you really admitting that?”

“Why wouldn’t I? Who hasn’t been a fan at some point? Didn’t you used to like Xia Yun too?” Gu Xiaowei said.

In his previous life, Luo Yu had once dragged Gu Xiaowei to a late-night movie showing, choosing a screening with cozy sofa seats.

They had sat together, fully bundled up in masks and scarves, while the other couples on the sofas were huddling close, feeding each other popcorn, even passionately making out. Meanwhile, the two of them were earnestly watching the film.

Back then, Gu Xiaowei knew Luo Yu was a fan of Xia Yun, but in this life, Luo Yu hadn’t invited Gu Xiaowei to watch a Xia Yun film with him.

“How did you know I liked Xia Yun?” Luo Yu was stunned.

“There was a Xia Yun ad playing in the elevator. You stared at it so long that the floor passed by. Aren’t you her fanboy?” Gu Xiaowei asked.

Luo Yu shook his head, sighing, “In front of Teacher Gu’s powers of observation, there are no secrets. But…”

“But what?”

“I’m your fanboy too. I could rewatch your TV dramas and films countless times. I went to the cinema three times to see your film ‘Palace Gates’.”

“My performance in that film wasn’t that great,” Gu Xiaowei reflected earnestly.

A mischievous grin flickered on Luo Yu’s face, a glint of trouble in his eyes.

You’re the one offering this up; I’d be a fool not to take it. “There’s that one scene in the film—with scrolls of hanging paper everywhere. Every time the camera passed between those fluttering paper sheets, we’d catch your dazed expression. And that shot of your bare back was visually impactful too. Liking the former is just human nature; you always look so unattainable at events, so that palace artist’s romance was rare. And for the latter… I’ll admit I was a bit jealous. I always wanted to confirm whether that back of yours is special effects or real.”

Ye Shengyi, who was watching them, couldn’t help but reveal an ‘auntie smile’ along with the others.

This time, Gu Xiaowei’s ears didn’t turn red, and he looked calm, leaning toward Luo Yu and saying, “I don’t know who, when acting out romantic scenes with me, often ‘graciously admits defeat.’ As for whether my back is special effects or all-natural, hasn’t Senior Brother confirmed that several times?”

“Oh my god! When did you guys ever practice romantic scenes? What kind of romantic scenes?” Ye Shengyi was so excited he nearly dropped his phone.

“Nothing much, just during ‘Counterattack,’ I helped read the female lead’s lines and practiced a romantic scene with him.”

“And we teased each other’s romantic acting, so sometimes we’d compete a little.” Gu Xiaowei glanced sideways at Luo Yu, his expression clearly viewing him as a “coward.”

“Well… Mr. Gu’s romantic scenes are actually very delicate, famously…”

“You want to say I can even look at dogs with deep affection again?” Gu Xiaowei said coolly.

“No, no, no,” Luo Yu quickly waved his hands, full of survival instincts, “It’s that you can even look at me with deep affection!”

“Though, to be fair, who told Senior Brother to be a complete bachelor? Always able to woo yourself.” Gu Xiaowei shot him another glance.

Luo Yu thought to himself, failing to flirt back and even getting teased.

Sigh, not skilled enough yet—still need to practice.

Brother Yan seized the moment, “Then let’s talk about the blowing smoke scene! That scene has sparked intense discussion online; the first episode alone stirred up viewers’ emotions! Many viewers are curious about how you two felt while filming that scene!”

Gu Xiaowei looked at Luo Yu, gesturing for him to go ahead, “For that scene, I was completely in the dark. It was a conspiracy between Senior Brother and Director Lin.”

Mentioning this, Luo Yu’s words flowed, “I was called over by Director Lin to look at the freshly revised script by Screenwriter Hua; it was thrilling and fresh, making me incredibly nervous. I asked the director if we should discuss it with Teacher Gu, and the director said they wanted Teacher Gu’s most natural reaction.”

“In other words, you wanted to ‘scare’ me, right?” Gu Xiaowei raised his eyebrows, clearly saying, “I know you guys too well.”

“The one scared was me! A grown man, suddenly getting close to you; the moment I grabbed your collar, I worried you’d snap my wrist! The director demanded speed and precision. If my fist was off target or missed your mouth, wouldn’t I be blowing smoke in your face? If you pushed me away, the scene would have bombed. It was meant to be a sudden ambush, quick and intense, with no chance for a retake!” Luo Yu’s eyebrows rose high. Normally gentle in speech and demeanor, he came alive talking about that scene.

“Oh, thankfully it was you.” Gu Xiaowei smiled a bit.

“If it wasn’t me, you wouldn’t have managed to stay in character?” Luo Yu asked.

“If it wasn’t you, I’d have thrown them over my shoulder.” Gu Xiaowei said.

“Thank you for sparing me,” Luo Yu clasped his hands in gratitude.

The temporary host, Brother Yan, kept the conversation going, “So, for both of you, were there any dangerous or particularly cautious parts during filming?”

Luo Yu tilted his head, thinking carefully, “For me, it’s probably the action scenes. If I can’t stop in time, I might injure other actors. Also, Bai Ying’s character always appears well-dressed, often in dress pants. I’m constantly worried my pants will tear during scenes involving kicking.”

After he finished speaking, everyone laughed, and thinking about it, they realized how awkward Luo Yu must have felt.

“And what about you, Brother Gu? Do you also think fight scenes are dangerous?” Brother Yan asked.

Gu Xiaowei lowered his eyes, picked up his porcelain cup but put it down again.

“For me, the dangerous part was the underwater scenes,” Gu Xiaowei said.

“Underwater scenes? You mean the one where I was thrown into the sewer by the enemy, nearly drowning?”

“Yes. Your struggling in the water looked so… so real. Every time I watched from the top, I felt the urge to jump in and save you, afraid that a second’s delay might be too late.” Gu Xiaowei’s voice was slightly more somber.

“I can swim; my breathing is good too,” Luo Yu chuckled.

Gu Xiaowei looked at him, with a familiar depth in his eyes, “Sometimes, when danger comes, no matter what you can do, you can’t resist death.”

Luo Yu’s fingertips instinctively trembled, recalling his previous life’s plunge into the river, sinking with his van into the water.

The river engulfed him; knowing how to breathe and swim didn’t change the outcome.

“Especially when my character Yan Ye jumped in, and your Bai Ying character was almost losing consciousness… I couldn’t tell if it was acting or real, and I quickly supported you to the surface. I was afraid… something might truly happen. That’s a price I couldn’t bear,” Gu Xiaowei said.

Luo Yu’s heart warmed. He hadn’t realized it wasn’t just improv; Gu Xiaowei was genuinely worried, lifting him to ensure he wasn’t truly drowning.

“That scene was iconic! There are several edited versions of it online. It’s also the real beginning of mutual trust between Yan Ye and Bai Ying!” Xiao Qin, a member of the fan community, chimed in.

“Hahaha, tonight’s episode of ‘Counterattack’ will enter a high-energy part. If we keep talking, we’ll spoil it. How about you two evaluate each other’s acting skills?” Brother Yan suggested.

Tonight’s high-energy part would show Bai Ying sacrificing himself to save Yan Ye, so they couldn’t discuss it further.

Luo Yu took a deep breath, “Let me talk about Teacher Gu first. My vocabulary for compliments is limited, so I can only express my feelings in simple words.”

Gu Xiaowei looked at Luo Yu, his face expressionless, but his words almost made Luo Yu choke.

“How about I princess carry you while doing squats, to stimulate Senior Brother’s inspiration?”

This immediately brought up memories of their trending moment while filming “Burn, Little Cosmos”!

“No, no, no! No need!” Luo Yu quickly waved his hands, “I can do it!”

Xiao Qin and the others burst into laughter, joking about how many inside jokes Brother Gu and Brother Luo shared.

“Teacher Gu is an actor who deeply empathizes with his characters; every reaction, tone, and expression is shaped by the character. Acting with him makes me feel like I truly become Bai Ying, feeling his joys and sorrows, even his fierce struggle to escape the mire. He’s an actor who brings out the best in others.”

Luo Yu gestured to Gu Xiaowei to show he’d finished.

“Is that it?” Gu Xiaowei tilted his head, eyebrows raised, clearly dissatisfied.

Xiao Qin immediately picked up on Gu Xiaowei’s dissatisfaction, laughing, “Brother Luo, that evaluation sounds too formal, like you’re reciting an apology letter!”

Brother Yan joined in, “Exactly, this isn’t a parent-teacher meeting! Loosen up a bit!”

Luo Yu scratched his head in frustration, “Alright, alright, I’ll loosen up… Seeing Yan Ye fight for Bai Ying makes me feel accomplished, like I truly tamed a wolf. This wolf is wild but willing to hunt for me. Bai Ying, more perceptive than anyone, long sees through human nature, and everyone around him is there for benefits or power. Only Yan Ye’s wolfishness feels real, embodying the freedom he truly admires. For him, whether Yan Ye is an undercover cop or why he approached doesn’t matter. Bai Ying admires Yan Ye, wants to become Yan Ye, and he’ll do anything to fulfill Yan Ye’s journey, and in that way he fulfills himself.”

Luo Yu paused, looking at Gu Xiaowei, conveying not only Bai Ying’s view of Yan Ye but also his own feelings towards Gu Xiaowei.

Do you understand, Gu Xiaowei?

“Yan Ye is Bai Ying’s hope. If anyone else played the role, I wouldn’t feel such strong longing and desire. Gu Xiaowei’s Yan Ye is unique and irreplaceable. His performance forged a spiritual bond between Yan Ye and Bai Ying, giving them a fateful connection that resonates with the audience.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

A genuine smile finally appeared on Gu Xiaowei’s face, “I hope I’m also unique to Senior Brother.”

A breeze passed, bending the reeds, while the sea of roses swayed behind them, and Luo Yu’s heart rippled, unable to calm.

This guy… is he talking about “unique” acting skills, or something else? 

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In-Progress, The Kingdom That Never Sleeps

The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 086 Sons Of Great Song

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In ancient times without firearms, tigers and wolves were truly fearsome beasts. The gap between human physical capabilities and those of animals was immense. For instance, a tiger’s swipe could exert a force of nearly a ton, with reaction speeds three to four times faster than a human’s. Tales of ordinary people defeating tigers are mostly fictional and unlikely to have occurred in reality.

However, though Tang Shen said so, Li Jingde actually went along with it. The Third Prince of Liao, Yelü Han, burst into laughter, completely dismissing their words. He sneered, “Do all Song people boast like this? Even the best men of Liao dare not challenge a white-striped tiger. Song people are all talk—I have no respect for you!”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Just as Tang Shen was about to speak, Li Jingde, already understanding his intent, stepped forward and declared, “That’s because your Liao lacks real heroes!”

Yelü Han’s eyebrows shot up in fury. “A mere Song official dares to provoke me?”

Nearby, Yelü Qin of the Han Office frowned in displeasure. 

Before he could intervene, Yelü Han waved his hand, summoning his most trusted guard to teach Li Jingde a lesson. “Zhigulu, deal with this arrogant Song man.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

A burly Liao soldier stepped forward confidently. He strutted toward Li Jingde, who smiled in satisfaction. “I’ve been waiting for you.” The two locked eyes before roaring in unison. Zhigulu lunged, his feet pounding the ground with enough force to shake it, grabbing at Li Jingde’s belt.

Zhigulu gripped Li Jingde’s waist tightly and tried to lift him off the ground with all his might. But to his shock, Li Jingde remained immovable, his legs rooted like ancient pine trees.

Zhigulu realized too late: This man is a trained fighter.

Li Jingde grinned. “My turn!” Mirroring Zhigulu’s approach, he grabbed his opponent’s belt. With his powerful arms and tensed core, Li Jingde bellowed, lifting Zhigulu off the ground with brute strength.

Zhigulu cursed in Liao dialect—words Tang Shen didn’t understand, but Li Jingde did. Offended, Li Jingde flung him to the ground. Zhigulu scrambled to his feet, throwing a punch at Li Jingde, who dodged nimbly and countered with a sweeping kick. The two clashed fiercely.

In the courtyard of the guesthouse, the fight escalated. Li Jingde’s crushing punch to Zhigulu’s stomach sent the latter stumbling backward until he fell heavily, spitting blood. Furious, Yelü Han berated Zhigulu in Liao, calling him useless. He then ordered another guard to step in.

But Yelü Qin intervened in Liao, advising, “Your Highness, do not be provoked by these Song men. That six-rank official is no true civil official but likely a military one. We came as envoys, not to engage in petty fights with minor Song officials.”

Yelü Han protested, “But he attacked my man! Should we let it go?”

Yelü Qin replied, “Your Highness, beware of falling into a Song trap. Our mission is to meet the Song Emperor, not to quarrel with these small-time officials.”

Yelü Han’s anger simmered as he glared at Li Jingde, who smirked defiantly in the courtyard. Instantly fueled by rage, Yelü Han declared, “Yelü Qin says that we Liao people came to the Song as envoys and didn’t bring along any true Liao warriors. Well, you’re wrong about that. I am the true number one warrior here! My royal father personally bestowed upon me the title of General Stonebow!”

Yelü Qin cursed internally, thinking, how did we end up with such a reckless fool like you?

But he said aloud, “Your Highness, with your esteemed status, how could you compete with that Song official? What qualifications does he have?”

 Yelü Han responded, “You need not say any more.”

Yelü Qin had no intention of letting him fight Li Jingde. Just as he was about to speak up to stop him again, a Liao official with a face full of thick beard walked in from the backyard. The bearded man, upon seeing Yelü Qin, snorted disdainfully, gave him a sidelong glance, and couldn’t even be bothered to look at him further.

His presence alone shifted the atmosphere. The Liao delegation, initially humiliated by Zhigulu’s defeat, straightened their backs, emboldened by the newcomer’s arrival.

The bearded official stepped before Yelü Han and addressed him in Liao, “Your Highness, Yelü Qin is correct. Why should you lower yourself to spar with a Song man?”

Yelü Han hesitated, “But…”

“Your Highness.”

Yelü Han relented, “As the Grand Guardian says.” (TN: title for a very high official in ancient China)

After the envoys of the Liao State had privately reached an agreement, the bearded Liao official turned around and looked at Li Jingde. His gaze lingered on Li Jingde for a long time before finally shifting to Tang Shen. “You are the Song official assigned to receive us?”

Tang Shen, startled, stepped forward and saluted respectfully. “This lower official is Tang Shen. May I address you as the prince, Grand Guardian Yelü Yin?”

Yelü Yin snorted, acknowledging his identity.

Tang Shen continued politely, “Our Liao guests have just arrived in Song. After your long journey, this lower official would not dare disturb your rest. Today, I merely wish to extend my greetings. Tomorrow, I shall accompany you through the splendid capital of Shengjing to showcase our great Song’s prosperity.”

Yelü Yin smirked. “There will be plenty of time for sightseeing in the future.”

Though the comment seemed harmless, Tang Shen and Li Jingde knew better. The phrase had been uttered many times on the battlefield, a veiled threat implying, once our Liao cavalry conquers Song, we’ll enjoy all its beauty at leisure.

This blatant arrogance made Li Jingde clench his fists. Remaining composed, Tang Shen smiled and responded evenly, “We have a saying in Song: ‘One cannot see Mount Tai with a leaf in the way.’ If you don’t lift the leaf yourself, how will you ever witness our glorious mountains and rivers?”

Yelü Yin snorted dismissively and no longer bothered with Tang Shen.

The Song delegation turned and left the guesthouse together. On their way out, some Liao officials tried to provoke Tang Shen and the others, but a single glare from Li Jingde made them shrink back, pulling in their necks, too intimidated to act arrogant.

Apart from the Third Prince, Yelü Han, the strongest warrior among the Liao present was Zhigu Lu. Yet, under Li Jingde’s hand, he couldn’t even withstand a single move. If this mighty Song official were to go to Liao, he might very well be appointed the top warrior of the Liao State by the emperor himself.

On their first day in the Song capital, Tang Shen used Li Jingde to severely dampen the Liao people’s arrogance, forcing them into temporary submission.

After the Song delegation left, Yelü Yin shot a sideways glare at Yelü Qin and said coldly, “You’re just a Han Office official. Mind your own business. Do you think you can command the Third Prince? Do you think you can stop him from doing what he wants?”

Yelü Qin lowered his sinister eyes to the ground and replied submissively, “Understood. Thank you for the reminder, Grand Guardian.”

Yelü Yin didn’t spare him another glance and left with Yelü Han.

Once alone, Yelü Yin’s face darkened, and he addressed Yelü Han, “Third Prince, we came to the Song State for a reason. Others may not know why, but surely you do? Before we departed, the Grand Preceptor instructed us to find out how the Song people managed to hold out in Youzhou for so long—where their supplies and military provisions come from. Is it really connected to the official road they built two years ago, or is there another secret?”

Yelü Han defended himself, “Grand Guardian, how can we, proud sons of Liao, endure such humiliation?”

“And what about the Grand Preceptor’s orders? Are we to ignore them?”

At the mention of the “Grand Preceptor,” Yelü Han immediately fell silent. Bowing his head, he replied weakly, “I will follow your guidance, Grand Guardian.”

After parting ways with the Liao officials, Tang Shen didn’t return home. Instead, he went directly to the Ministry of Rites.

Minister Meng Lang wasn’t at the Qinzheng Hall today but was in the Rites Ministry. Upon meeting Meng Lang, Tang Shen recounted the events of the day but concealed Li Jingde’s identity, simply stating that he had brought along a Song guard who defeated the Liao officials.

After hearing this, Meng Lang said, “Yelü Yin is the Grand Guardian, a northern official. The Liao court is divided into northern and southern factions. The northern officials hold power in the court, while the southern officials handle dealings with the Han. From what you’ve said, it seems Yelü Yin indeed looks down on the southern officials, including Yelü Qin. However, the northern and southern courts have always been at odds.”

After a pause, Meng Lang chuckled, “Tang daren, you are truly a pillar of the nation. Every time the Liao people come to our Song State, they are arrogant and overbearing. Today might be the first time they’ve suffered a setback.”

Tang Shen bowed and replied, “Meng overpraises me; I am humbled and fearful.”

“What’s there to fear? Others might say you’re just the junior brother of Wang daren, but after today, Wang daren will likely be known as your senior brother!”

The excessive flattery inexplicably brought Tang Shen a small sense of satisfaction, making him wonder if the day would come when Wang Zifeng would have to sing his praises. But then Meng Lang quickly turned the tables, saying, “Tomorrow, this task will still be yours, Tang daren.”

Indeed, nothing in the world comes free, not even compliments.

Tang Shen sighed, realizing he couldn’t escape the assignment. He accepted the order and left.

Meng Lang assumed that Tang Shen would have no choice but to lean on Wang Zifeng to complete the task. What he didn’t expect was that Tang Shen, after leaving the Ministry of Rites, quietly made his way to Qinzheng Hall. There, he saluted Li Jingde, who was sitting in the courtyard enjoying a large slice of melon.

“General Li, your bravery and prowess is unparalleled. I deeply admire you. If not for your presence today, we Song officials would have been humiliated by those Liao people.”

Li Jingde tossed the melon rind aside and clapped his hands. “Those Liao brutes are nothing more than brawny fools. What’s there to fear?”

Tang Shen thought to himself, you’re not much better than they are.

“Will the general be coming again tomorrow?”

“Of course! Why wouldn’t I?”

Suppressing a smile, Tang Shen bowed and said, “I shall await the general’s arrival at Qinzheng Hall.”

Although with Li Jingde to hold the front, with his position as a second-rank marshal, covering any incident, Tang Shen couldn’t simply shirk his responsibilities entirely. After returning home, he pondered how best to handle the Liao delegation the next day.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

As he was thinking, Tang Huang knocked and entered, holding a ledger. He handed it to Tang Shen—it was the Tang family’s quarterly account book.

Tang Shen quickly reviewed it.

Tang Huang reported, “Brother, after sending out those flyers you suggested, our Baibao Pavilion’s business improved by another ten percent! Shopkeeper Lu was full of praise today.”

Tang Huang mimicked Shopkeeper Lu’s voice and tone, saying, “If the little boss didn’t serve as an official and focused on business instead, our Tang family’s trade would have already spanned the entire Song Empire!”

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