It remained quiet and still, maintaining its rhythmic rise and fall. A primal desire invaded Luo Yu’s brain along with his gaze, as if it had seized all his capacity for thought.

“If you really enjoy fixing my collar, there are dozens of shirts in the dressing room. I can put each one on for you,” Gu Xiaowei said, looking down at Luo Yu’s fingers.

“I’m just curious—what do those assistants pull at every time they fix collars? Isn’t it just supposed to sit nicely on the neck?” Luo Yu looked up and met Gu Xiaowei’s gaze, which had shifted from cold indifference to a hint of amusement.

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He was teasing him.

“Alright, I’ve experienced what it feels like to fix a collar. You may take your leave now.” Luo Yu playfully patted the back of his hand on Gu Xiaowei’s chest.

He had intended to take advantage of this guy but ended up feeling guilty instead.

The next scene featured Gu Xiaowei opposite Nie Yangchen. He passed the thermos back to Luo Yu, who shook it, twisted the lid off, and found it empty.

“You didn’t leave a single drop for me?”

“Who asked you to lie?” Gu Xiaowei shot him a glance.

“What lie did I tell?”

“Did Nie Yangchen really say he would leave me eating dust behind him?”

Gu Xiaowei’s tone was cold, but his eyes were slightly raised, carrying a hint of amusement.

Luo Yu suddenly remembered that Gu Xiaowei could read lips. He had previously guessed from his chat with Xie Chang that Jiang Yunxie had laid out a trap for him.

“He didn’t say it, but I’m sure that’s what he’s thinking.” Luo Yu replied without changing his expression.

“Oh, then let’s see who ends up being put down first.”

Gu Xiaowei turned and walked away.

Luo Yu mentally lit a candle for Nie Yangchen, sighing, “Who told you to provoke us first?”

The next scene featured Captain Zhao leaving the villa shortly after, and Mr. Zhuang, a major collector, sent his secretary Qin Lin to visit Lu Pingfeng again to discuss collections.

The staff adjusted the lighting in the villa, and after confirming the scene, another “click” was heard as all the actors plunged back into character.

Qin Lin walked into the living room of the villa with his professional smile. The curtains had been drawn, leaving only the cold light from the overhead chandelier in the room, as if a box that had once been opened was suddenly closed again.

However, if it were Pandora’s box, closing it might not be a bad thing.

At this moment, Lu Pingfeng sat coldly on the sofa, his arms spread across the backrest, slightly leaning back as if lost in thought while looking at the chandelier. The elegant stretch of his arms and the long lines of his legs made anyone watching this scene marvel—Lu Pingfeng’s very existence was art.

“If you came to talk about that redback spider painting, you can leave now,” Lu Pingfeng said.

His voice was chilling; in this spacious villa, it sounded like crushed ice clinking in a glass.

Qin Lin smiled nonchalantly, glancing down at the pastry tower on the glass coffee table. The pastries were neatly arranged, clearly untouched.

It seemed that the guest Lu Pingfeng had been waiting for had not arrived.

“I’m not here to discuss that redback spider painting. Mr. Zhuang heard that you recently copied the ‘Goddess of Light’ specimen, and he wants to collect your work.”

“It’s not a work; it’s just a copy of the specimen,” Lu Pingfeng replied.

“But Mr. Zhuang is very interested in it. It’s different from the specimen because your technique and the intent to gift it to someone give this painting vitality. It is the only piece among your many works that depicts a biological corpse theme yet does not signify death. Moreover… you still cannot send this copy to the intended recipient, just like this neglected pastry tower.”

Qin Lin gently persuaded Lu Pingfeng.

Finally straightening his back, Lu Pingfeng looked at him.

Unlike Qin Lin’s politeness, Lu Pingfeng’s gaze held an air of oppression, as if the bright space was gradually sinking into darkness, with him at the center of it all.

“Since Mr. Zhuang knows it exists for someone else, yet still wants it—to pay a high price for something he can never possess in spirit, that doesn’t align with Mr. Zhuang’s consumption philosophy. Unless… Qin Lin, you didn’t tell him this specimen copy is meant for someone else.”

Lu Pingfeng leaned on his knee with one elbow, and his slightly mocking smile carried an irresistible aggressiveness, as if he aimed to tear apart all the veils of hypocrisy to reveal the truth.

Qin Lin’s smile subtly faded, “Mr. Lu, it’s just that rarity is valuable. This is your first specimen copy, which is extraordinary for all collectors.”

Lu Pingfeng slowly shook his head, “It’s you who enjoys watching beautiful things stripped of their spiritual freedom, their shells pierced by cold nails, unable to struggle. This is the perfection frozen by death. And my copy proves that this perfection can be replicated.”

Qin Lin’s fingertips slightly curled.

“Mr. Lu, I’m just a secretary to a collector; I can never influence my boss’s decisions.”

Lu Pingfeng remained seated, his unchanged posture giving Qin Lin a sense of oppressive pressure, as if he were being forced to retreat from this space.

This man was like an elegant mirror, unmoved by anything, reflecting the shadows deep within him, ever-present like death.

All of Qin Lin’s explanations and justifications were futile before Lu Pingfeng.

“If my friend continues to refuse to accept it, it will have only one ending—destruction. Only he can possess it; Mr. Zhuang cannot, and neither can you.”

After speaking, Lu Pingfeng slowly leaned forward, took the teacup from the table, and walked into the painting studio.

Qin Lin’s suppressed nerves finally awakened, and he let out a deep breath.

At that moment, Uncle He came to the coffee table and took away the pastry tower.

“Cut—”

The scene ended, and Nie Yangchen gently shook his shoulder, finally returning to himself from the character of Qin Lin.

Just now, Gu Xiaowei’s presence was too oppressive; both his gaze and lines made Nie Yangchen feel as if his own value had been completely overturned, expelled from this world, losing his sense of self.

Nie Yangchen took a deep breath and looked in Gu Xiaowei’s direction. How did this guy manage to emit such a presence at such a young age?

What had he experienced? How was he able to so thoroughly restore the highly complex character of Lu Pingfeng?

Nie Yangchen looked towards Gu Xiaowei, who calmly walked over to the director, reviewing the performance just now.

Sheng Yunlan stroked his chin while watching the final shot of Lu Pingfeng, saying, “The presence is too strong, leaving little space for the other actors to perform.”

This meant that Gu Xiaowei had completely overwhelmed Nie Yangchen, making his Qin Lin seem too weak, removing the sense of confrontation between the two characters.

“Then let’s start over from the last line,” Gu Xiaowei said without any defense.

Sheng Yunlan narrowed his eyes and shook his head, “No, this is good. For Lu Pingfeng, Qin Lin isn’t his opponent. Since he isn’t an opponent, let’s elevate the stakes and let the audience compare Lu Pingfeng’s attitude towards Wen Yuchi and Qin Lin.”

Hearing this, Nie Yangchen sighed helplessly, “So I’ve become the contrast for Wen Yuchi?”

“A contrast can learn well from comparison,” Gu Xiaowei said flatly.

Nie Yangchen touched the corner of his mouth, which had been hit, feeling that Gu Xiaowei’s suppression of him just now was intentional.

Ah ha… could it be that rivals become particularly hostile when they meet?

Nie Yangchen looked over at Luo Yu and silently asked him, “What did you say to him?”

Luo Yu shrugged nonchalantly, as if it had nothing to do with him.

Nie Yangchen thought to himself, damn… could it be that Gu Xiaowei, with all his illustrious reputation, would actually fall for Luo Yu’s trickery and beauty trap?

No, no, if anyone should be blamed, it should be himself; why did he provoke Luo Yu that night?

After every scene, Gu Xiaowei had only two directions to go: one was to check the filming effects with the director, and the other was to return to Luo Yu’s side.

At this moment, Luo Yu was chatting and laughing with Yan Jun, holding a paper cup filled with coffee.

Gu Xiaowei walked over and heard that these two were actually talking about him.

“The first time I saw Teacher Gu, he wasn’t this famous yet, but he was wearing a black suit all over, looking stern, not at all like someone attending a celebration, but more like…” Yan Jun caught sight of Gu Xiaowei and pursed his lips, falling silent.

Luo Yu, however, was completely unaware that Gu Xiaowei was standing behind him, and finished the next sentence, “Like he was going to a funeral, right? Sometimes I think he would look that way even at his wedding; would his father-in-law dare to give him the bride’s hand?”

“Or you could just give your hand to me.”

Luo Yu turned around and caught sight of him, instantly breaking into a smile, changing the subject faster than flipping a book page. “Teacher Gu, you’ve worked hard, right? Here, this is the coffee I just snagged for you. It’s supposed to be coconut latte flavored; hurry and soothe your throat. The next scene is with you and me!”

Yan Jun paused for a moment; Luo Yu’s expression really resembled that of an assistant trying to flatter a big star, his smile and demeanor strikingly vivid.

Gu Xiaowei did not take the paper cup but said, “Aren’t you going to drink it?”

“This was snatched for you.”

“Is it too sweet for you, so you don’t like it? And since Yan Jun’s assistant brought it, you felt awkward refusing it.”

Luo Yu wondered how Gu Xiaowei could have noticed his movements over here when he was with the director just a moment ago.

“It’s okay; I can drink it all in one go.” Luo Yu raised his hand, making a gesture of “don’t say anymore.”

But Gu Xiaowei took the paper cup, “I’ll drink it. I asked Xiao Qin to brew you some Pu’er tea; it’ll be sent over shortly.”

Luo Yu smiled, “Thanks!”

The last scene of the day was when Luo Yu, playing the forensic doctor Wen Yuchi, came to thank Lu Pingfeng for the butterfly specimen he had gifted.

At first, the staff intended to follow the director’s orders and leave the villa, but once Gu Xiaowei and Luo Yu started their scene, everyone coincidentally returned.

The staff maintaining order on set nervously approached Director Sheng, whispering, “Director, everyone really wants to watch this scene… I’ve tried to persuade them for a while, but no one wants to leave. How about you…?”

How about you step in to say something?

Sheng Yunlan’s expression did not change, “Just make sure they don’t enter the frame. They probably couldn’t help it after watching ‘Counterattack’ yesterday and seeing Gu Xiaowei and Luo Yu act together.”

“Indeed. The impact of ‘Counterattack’ is too strong.”

Sheng Yunlan took the loudspeaker and said to everyone, “Those who want to watch should be aware; if they get caught on camera, we’ll have to redo it! No one wants to waste time repeating scenes tonight, right?”

“What’s going on tonight?” The cinematographer, who was familiar with Sheng Yunlan, joked.

“Doesn’t everyone want to finish before eight o’clock to go back and watch TV?”

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As soon as Sheng Yunlan finished speaking, the onlooking actors and staff retreated a good distance away. The cinematographer made an “OK” gesture, and Sheng Yunlan put down the loudspeaker in satisfaction.

Luo Yu took a deep breath, intending to adjust his collar, but suddenly realized he was wearing an ordinary round-neck casual shirt, and the movement of raising his hands to his collar felt a bit awkward.

However, Gu Xiaowei came over leisurely, stopping in front of him, saying, “If you want, I can help you adjust your collar.”

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“Feeling better?” Luo Yu didn’t turn to look at Nie Yangchen.

“I’ve thought it through. You and Gu Xiaowei are not my enemies,” Nie Yangchen said.

“Then who is?” Luo Yu replied half-jokingly, though they both understood the answer without saying it.

“Anyone who tries to leave me with no choices is the one I really want to defeat,” Nie Yangchen answered.

“You still have a long way to go.”

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Nie Yangchen laughed, his gaze shifting from being unfocused to steady. “I’ll start walking my own path from now on, drawing nourishment from you and Gu Xiaowei.”

Hearing this, Luo Yu chuckled, “Thanks for putting me and Gu Xiaowei on the same level; I’m truly flattered.”

“Because you’re the first one to make Ou Junhao want something he can’t have.”

Though Nie Yangchen’s mouth still bore the bruise from being hit by Gu Xiaowei, the cold smile on his face added a layer of icy determination. Luo Yu smiled back, knowing that impenetrable fortresses are often breached from within. 

He uncharitably wished for Ou Junhao—may you suffer while I enjoy a sunny day.

The second scene of the day began, and all cast and crew took their places.

The scene’s backdrop was set after the body of college student Xie Yan was discovered, having once modeled for Lu Pingfeng. Police Captain Zhao Sicheng was there to investigate the case.

This would also be the first direct confrontation of acting skills between Yan Jun and Gu Xiaowei, drawing a crowd of onlookers.

A familiar clapper sound echoed through the villa, signaling everyone to be quiet.

Zhao Sicheng walked up to the transparent coffee table in the living room, accompanied by two police officers and Uncle He.

Seeing the pastries on the table, Zhao Sicheng squinted at Uncle He and asked, “Uncle He, does Mr. Lu have important guests today?”

Uncle He smiled, “You are the only guests Mr. Lu has today.”

“Ah… that really is unexpected,” Zhao Sicheng said, tugging at the corner of his mouth, not enjoying the compliment.

After half a minute, Lu Pingfeng emerged from the studio, dressed in a loose sweater, and sat down on the couch next to Zhao Sicheng.

“You’ve been visiting me more and more often, Captain Zhao,” Lu Pingfeng remarked.

Zhao Sicheng politely smiled and leaned forward, resting his hand on his knee. “That’s only because there have been more cases involving imitations of your famous paintings, hasn’t there? These reporters today are relentless; we arrive at a crime scene and they’re already setting up cameras across the street. I assume Mr. Lu knows why I’m here?”

Lu Pingfeng replied coolly, “Because the victim was the model for my painting ‘Sunset and Thorns.’ Her death closely resembles the theme of that painting. But I met several guests yesterday afternoon, so I have ample alibis. I’m afraid, Captain Zhao, your suspicions of me are misplaced.”

Zhao Sicheng frowned, raising his eyes to meet Lu Pingfeng’s, a force in his gaze as if trying to pin Lu Pingfeng in place. “Wait a moment; I didn’t tell you the time of the victim’s death. How do you know it was yesterday afternoon?”

Lu Pingfeng’s voice remained calm, but his deep-set eyes felt like a chilling well to Zhao Sicheng, making him feel less like a living being and more like an inanimate object.

“Because the backdrop of that painting is dusk; otherwise, it wouldn’t be called ‘Sunset and Thorns.’ If the murderer was imitating my work to kill, how could they overlook the element of sunset? If the victim had died in the morning or at noon, it wouldn’t qualify as imitating my painting.”

Zhao Sicheng was momentarily thrown off, unable to find a flaw in Lu Pingfeng’s logic.

“Mr. Lu, we need the names and contact information of your guests from yesterday afternoon to verify your alibi. Also, we require access to over six months of surveillance footage from here, as well as a list of all the works you have completed, are currently working on, or have yet to finish. Here are the relevant documents; please confirm.”

Lu Pingfeng turned to Uncle He and said, “Provide Captain Zhao everything he needs. As for the works, let Ai Lin handle it; she should have a clearer record than I do.”

“Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Lu.” Zhao Sicheng glanced at the pastry tower again and added, “Mr. Lu, you don’t need to prepare so many pastries next time. We have official duties and no time to enjoy afternoon tea with you.”

Lu Pingfeng didn’t seem offended, merely asking, “It’s a pity I couldn’t chat with the knowledgeable forensic doctor today.”

Just as he turned away, Zhao Sicheng suddenly spoke up, “Mr. Lu, do you know who sent dead mice and cockroaches to the police station?”

“Your forensic doctor, Dr. Wen, thinks they’re my enthusiastic fans.”

Zhao Sicheng narrowed his eyes, taking slow steps toward Lu Pingfeng. “There’s been a twisted personality test circulating online—two sisters see a handsome man at a relative’s funeral. The next day, the younger sister dies, the reason being…”

“The elder sister killed the younger to meet that man at the funeral.”

“How did you hear about this story, Mr. Lu, when you seem nearly isolated from the internet?” Zhao Sicheng asked with a smile.

“My psychiatrist told me.”

This response caught Zhao Sicheng off guard, leaving him unsure of how to continue.

“You’re worried that I planned or killed that female model just to see the forensic doctor again. But I haven’t seen that model since the painting was finished. How could she know I once sent a gift to the forensic doctor?”

Zhao Sicheng paused. If Lu Pingfeng was telling the truth about never having seen the woman after… and his instincts told him Lu Pingfeng was indeed being truthful, then why did that woman target Dr. Wen with threatening gifts of dead mice and cockroaches? That warranted further investigation.

“And even if, for argument’s sake, I did kill her to see the forensic doctor again, at least the forensic doctor is safe.”

In that moment, Lu Pingfeng’s gaze transcended Zhao Sicheng, as if piercing through the very space itself, looking into a certain someone’s heart.

It felt like an ancient forest, dark and fathomless, where, for reasons beyond comprehension, a wildfire suddenly erupted, roaring and surging.

Then came a long silence that stretched for several dozen seconds.

“Good—very good! You must maintain this state all day,” Sheng Yunlan stood up, applauding Gu Xiaowei and Yan Jun.

Yan Jun waved his hand and then patted his own chest. “I can’t do this. I can’t take it anymore. Every time I act opposite Gu Xiaowei, I deeply understand that saying—when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”

“Not at all! Brother Yan’s portrayal of the police captain is very impressive. I always feel like you’ll put handcuffs on our great artist any second now—’You have the right to remain silent, but anything you say will be used against you in a court of law!'” Luo Yu called out loudly.

Yan Jun walked over, and Luo Yu quickly offered him the small stool. While Yan Jun reviewed the playback, he quietly said, “Xiao Luo, I truly admire you.”

“What do you admire me for?” Luo Yu tilted his head, asking from the side.

“Gu Xiaowei’s aura is incredibly impactful. The moment my emotions slip, I forget my lines or the performance itself. I watched your audition scene with him… God, you catch his cues without any effort,” Yan Jun said gloomily.

“Maybe… we’re somewhat familiar with each other? So I’m not afraid of him,” Luo Yu supported his chin, smiling at Yan Jun.

Luo Yu felt fearless and undeterred at the moment, after all, he was a brave warrior who wanted to sleep with Gu Xiaowei!

Unbeknownst to him, someone had crouched down beside him, mirroring his posture. However, while Luo Yu was propping his head up to look at Yan Jun, the other person was resting his chin on his hand, gazing at Luo Yu.

“What are you thinking about?”

A cool voice sounded in Luo Yu’s ear, causing his heart to tremble, and he nearly lost his balance, teetering toward Yan Jun.

Yan Jun hurried to catch Luo Yu, but before he could touch his shoulder, he was pulled away by Gu Xiaowei, who was crouching on the other side.

Luo Yu turned his head and met Gu Xiaowei’s eyes, feeling inexplicably guilty. Just now, when asked what he was “thinking,” he thought… about you.

“Just now, Brother Yan praised me for always catching your lines. So, I was just reminiscing,” Luo Yu said with a smile.

Gu Xiaowei gripped Luo Yu’s shoulder and directly pulled him up.

At that moment, the script supervisor shouted through a megaphone that they were going to retake a shot.

Only then did Gu Xiaowei let go of Luo Yu and nod his chin toward Yan Jun, indicating that they should go and retake the scene together.

After Gu Xiaowei walked away, Luo Yu exhaled a sigh of relief.

Once the shot was completed, the staff members could finally relax a little.

Only a few days into filming, the progress was steady. The main actors were reliable, with no random laughter or forgotten lines. Just watching the scene, one could feel the tension between the characters.

The next scene was about to begin in the living room of this villa, but the set needed minor adjustments.

Gu Xiaowei walked toward Luo Yu’s direction, glancing at Nie Yangchen, who was standing beside him.

Nie Yangchen lightly touched the place where he had been hit and smiled faintly before walking away.

“What did he say?” Gu Xiaowei took his thermos and paused, twisting the lid halfway before stopping without looking up at Luo Yu.

“He said he would draw on your acting skills, surpass you, and leave you eating dust.” Luo Yu replied nonchalantly.

Of course, there was some truth in the nonsense, like the part about drawing on acting skills.

Gu Xiaowei completely twisted the lid off and took a big gulp of coffee. Luo Yu frowned at the sight, thinking to himself, “Are you okay, buddy?”

“He doesn’t have that opportunity,” Gu Xiaowei handed the cup back to Luo Yu.

“Fine, I’ll wait for you to put him down,” Luo Yu said, leaning closer to Gu Xiaowei as he took the cup, speaking softly.

Gu Xiaowei raised his eyes, coincidentally meeting Luo Yu’s playful smile.

Over the years, Luo Yu had gradually shed his youthful appearance. His brows and eyes exuded a naturally gentle charm, giving him a pure and sincere masculinity.

Yet at this moment, the slight moisture in those peach blossom eyes made Gu Xiaowei’s throat constrict.

Ever since the director said that the villa’s space was limited, and that unrelated personnel, including assistants, were not allowed inside during indoor filming, Luo Yu felt he had truly become Gu Xiaowei’s personal assistant, handling everything from serving thermos cups to taking care of scripts and jackets.

Wait, isn’t there more that an assistant can do?

Luo Yu placed the cup and script on a small chair beside him and reached up to gently tug at Gu Xiaowei’s collar.

He thought Gu Xiaowei might question what he intended to do with a glance, but instead, Gu Xiaowei leaned in closer, slightly lowering his head toward him.

In that instant, the cool scent of aftershave collided with Luo Yu’s sense of smell, releasing a subtle warmth that prompted an urge to retreat.

However, Luo Yu still pretended to be calm as he smoothed Gu Xiaowei’s collar. When his hand moved toward the back of Gu Xiaowei’s neck, he unexpectedly felt as though he was hugging him and expressing affection.

Luo Yu’s heart raced a beat faster. He didn’t dare look into Gu Xiaowei’s eyes, instead letting his gaze fall down to Gu Xiaowei’s lips.

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His lips weren’t thin; they often tightened slightly from concentration or seriousness, like a string that couldn’t be loosened. Yet at this moment, Luo Yu’s gaze lingered on the slight opening between Gu Xiaowei’s lips, breeding endless imagination.

Would this man one day fall, obsessively and madly pursuing another person?

Luo Yu subtly steadied his breathing, quickly shifting his gaze downward to collide with Gu Xiaowei’s sharply defined jawline, which revealed a sense of coldness and an irresistible authority. Luo Yu’s gaze dropped further, landing on the Adam’s apple.

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Nie Yangchen’s gaze darkened, his jaw clenched tightly; he had to gain his own voice. 

Breaking free from the constraints of popularity and speaking through ability was one thing, but freeing himself from Ou Juntao’s control was another. Otherwise, he would forever be a puppet on Ou Juntao’s strings.

Today’s filming was still intense. The crew planned to use all the locations the resort could provide because the villas here had excellent lighting, creating very textured visuals. 

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The villa’s third floor, originally Lu Pingfeng’s bedroom and a huge terrace, had been transformed by the crew in just one day into the murder scene of the film’s second victim. 

Transparent sunlight fell onto the terrace, where a young girl in a white tulle dress and a rose crown bent backward as if dancing. The sunlight coated her upturned eyelashes with a faint golden hue, while countless swords pierced her body, splattering the fabric of her dress with glaring red, like flowers blooming from hell. 

The girl’s expression was one of pain, her large eyes wide open. Even before her death, she had struggled with all her might, but fate showed her no mercy. 

The first scene of the day featured Wen Yuchi, played by Luo Yu, following his mentor to the scene for evidence collection and a preliminary autopsy. 

Ye Shengyi had done Luo Yu’s makeup in a very everyday style. He wore a casual shirt and, donning a hairnet and shoe covers, approached the entrance of the terrace. 

His mentor had already entered the scene with a box in hand. 

Unrelated staff members cleared out; they had to finish this scene quickly. Otherwise, the actress playing the corpse would have a very hard time. Additionally, if they had to reshoot, all the props on the actress would need to be readjusted, and she had to maintain a bent posture the entire time. 

Thus, every actor, including extras, was extremely focused. 

As the cue was called, the camera moved in, giving Wen Yuchi a close-up. 

His face bore a calm and objective expression as he pulled on gloves from the toolbox, slightly adjusting the fingertips afterward. His fingers were long, and the action of flicking the edges of the gloves had a cold sensuality to it. 

“Professor, I’m here,” Wen Yuchi said, bending over as he approached with the box. 

To avoid disturbing the bloodstains at the scene, they laid down a board on the floor. Wen Yuchi carefully stepped on it, inching closer to the beautiful corpse. 

At that moment, a gust of wind blew, lifting the victim’s tulle dress, intertwining the red madness with the white purity, creating a depth and indulgence in the sunlight. 

As the tulle fell, Wen Yuchi’s brow and eyes became visible. 

He bent over, wearing a hairnet and mask, only his warm and bright eyes showing, like fireflies flying into the morning light on a dark night. 

This moment of tenderness seemed like fate’s final compensation to the victim. 

Following the protocol, Wen Yuchi completed the initial evidence collection. 

He and his mentor recorded the angles of each sword strike, estimating the resulting damage. 

Detective Zhao Sicheng of the criminal police team approached the officer collecting evidence, saying, “We’ve confirmed the victim’s name is Xie Yan, a freshman at the Academy of Fine Arts.” 

Wen Yuchi lifted his eyes, looking into the victim’s eyes as if engaging in a silent conversation. “She studies fine arts? I think her posture looks more like that of a dance student.” 

Zhao Sicheng glanced at the information he had and replied, “She indeed studied dance, and because of that, she was a model for our great painter Lu Pingfeng half a year ago. Lu Pingfeng used her as a prototype for a painting titled ‘Sunset and Thorns.’ This painting sold for forty-six million at a Christie’s auction three months after it was completed.” 

Wen Yuchi furrowed his brow. “I thought a painter’s works… only become valuable after they pass away.” 

Wen Yuchi lowered his eyes, taking pictures of the victim’s face. Suddenly, he remembered something and turned to Zhao Sicheng, asking, “What’s that painting ‘Sunset and Thorns’ like?” 

Zhao Sicheng searched online for a long time before finally finding a not-very-clear photo. He held it up against the victim for comparison, revealing a look of surprise. 

“This can’t just be called imitation; it’s exactly the same.” 

“Is it?” Luo Yu stood up and walked over to Detective Zhao. 

The painting used some bright tones but emanated a sense of despair, as if the beautiful things in the world were polluted and destroyed. 

The woman in the painting was only in a bent-over position, her face unrecognizable, but one could faintly see her fear and cries for help. 

“I don’t understand why some people like to collect such paintings. Don’t you think staring at them for too long could make you mentally unwell?” Zhao Sicheng asked. 

“Because those who truly have dark hearts can feel vitality in such images. Look at the muscles in the woman’s legs and arms in this painting; she is clearly exerting herself. She is struggling to rise up from the suffocating thorns.” 

“Perhaps you forensic experts see it differently than we ordinary people. I feel the despair of the image; you see the struggle of the body.” 

“And the unwillingness of the soul to fall.” Wen Yuchi looked at the victim. “Though we haven’t started the formal autopsy, both my mentor and I believe the murderer avoided all the vital areas that could cause immediate death, allowing her to experience pain and the arrival of death. Until the final strike, which pierced multiple organs, causing massive bleeding.” 

Zhao Sicheng gritted his teeth. “What a beast.” 

Wen Yuchi’s brows knitted together, his gaze seeming to pierce through that poor girl into the depths of hell. “Maybe a group of beasts.” 

At this moment, Gu Xiaowei and Nie Yangchen sat on either side of Director Sheng, watching Wen Yuchi in the monitor. 

His clear features seemed to be soaked in bright red blood, extending a powerful beauty, like a pure rose amidst decaying grass and mud, out of place yet piercing deep into the soul. 

This scene concluded smoothly, and Luo Yu walked over to help the actress playing the victim sit up. 

The actress revealed a shy expression, relieved that she could get up without having to maintain the bent posture the entire time. She hadn’t expected someone would notice the props making it difficult for her to get up and come over to help her. 

“Thank you, Teacher Luo.” 

“Not at all; you’ve worked hard too. When I took pictures for evidence, your expression didn’t change even once; you didn’t even blink. If you had moved a bit, we would have had to reshoot. We should thank your endurance,” Luo Yu said. 

The actor playing Zhao Sicheng, Yan Jun, also came over to thank her. “You contributed the most to our successful take! Tell the director to give you an extra chicken leg for lunch.” 

The actress laughed, “I have to maintain my figure; the chicken leg is for Teacher Luo. I watched ‘Counterattack’ yesterday, and Bai Ying is just too charming. Everyone says they watched ‘Counterattack’ once for Teacher Gu, twice for Teacher Luo, and three times for the two of you.” 

Mentioning ‘Counterattack’ opened Yan Jun’s floodgates. “You don’t know; my wife got obsessed with you after watching ‘Counterattack’ yesterday. In the middle of the night, she messaged me on WeChat, asking if Bai Ying is a complete villain and if he’s really beyond redemption.” 

Luo Yu chuckled. “Haha, no spoilers! Otherwise, Director Lin and Screenwriter Hua will come for my life with a giant knife!” 

Yan Jun glanced over at Director Sheng, tilting his chin. “Let’s go check how that take we just filmed turned out.” 

So the two of them walked towards Director Sheng together. 

Seeing Luo Yu and the others arrive, Nie Yangchen stood up, but Gu Xiaowei remained seated, seemingly wanting to watch the director’s playback. 

Yan Jun sat down, and since Gu Xiaowei wouldn’t give up his spot, Luo Yu had to stand behind him, resting his hands on Gu Xiaowei’s shoulders as he leaned in to watch. 

The director happened to replay the scene where the corpse’s tulle dress was blown up by the wind and then fell down, and Luo Yu’s eyes appeared on the screen. 

Time seemed as if it froze for him at that moment, and withered life gained a fleeting vitality from that glance. 

Just as Gu Xiaowei instinctively leaned forward to catch that image, Luo Yu suddenly leaned down, wrapping his arms around Gu Xiaowei’s shoulders. 

He was half-embraced by Luo Yu, and Luo Yu’s complaining voice sounded in his ear. “Are you a little tyrant? Hogging this chair and not letting anyone else sit! When it’s your turn to act, I’ll block the view so you have to stand and watch the playback!” 

“Don’t fuss.” Gu Xiaowei said softly. 

Luo Yu lowered his head; no one saw the corner of his mouth curl up. “Nuh-uh.” 

Just two syllables, and warm breath brushed against Gu Xiaowei’s neck. His hand resting on his knee tightened and relaxed, his breath still caught in his throat, suspended in between. 

After watching the entire playback, Sheng Yunlan said to Luo Yu and Yan Jun, “Let’s film the two parts with dense lines again, and keep one take.”

“Okay.” Luo Yu nodded. Just as he was about to remove his hand from Gu Xiaowei’s shoulder, the latter suddenly raised his hand and clasped Luo Yu’s wrist.

His palm was very warm, and his fingers didn’t apply much pressure, yet they kept Luo Yu in place.

“For the line ‘the soul’s unwillingness to fall,’ I think your delivery can be a bit colder. You are a forensic doctor; you don’t believe in the existence of souls—when the body perishes, the soul has nothing to cling to,” Gu Xiaowei said.

After he finished, Sheng Yunlan nodded in agreement. “Right, this line is a comment on that painting, not on the deceased. You wouldn’t care much about something that has never had life or thought throughout. Because without life, dissection holds no meaning.”

Luo Yu thought for a moment and nodded, saying, “That makes sense. Thank you for your advice, Teacher Gu!” He whispered the latter part into Gu Xiaowei’s ear.

Before Gu Xiaowei could raise his head, Luo Yu had already returned to the terrace.

The staff helped the female actress return to her previous position, and Luo Yu adjusted his emotions before recording two more takes with Yan Jun.

After an unknown amount of time, Gu Xiaowei finally raised his hand and touched his ear.

People came and went around them, the noise of conversations rising and falling, yet no one noticed that Gu Xiaowei’s neck and ears had turned red.

After this scene ended, the crew began preparing for the next transition.

Gu Xiaowei sat in the courtyard with the script, and Luo Yu came up behind him, bending down so that his chin was about half a fist away from Gu Xiaowei’s shoulder. Gu Xiaowei kept his eyes lowered and didn’t notice Luo Yu’s shadow on the script.

“Teacher Gu, you’re holding the script upside down.”

Luo Yu’s voice broke through the air, brushing against Gu Xiaowei’s ear.

Gu Xiaowei instinctively turned his head, but not expecting Luo Yu to be so close, his lips accidentally brushed against Luo Yu’s ear.

However, Luo Yu seemed unaffected, remaining still at that angle.

“I never hold my script upside down,” Gu Xiaowei replied.

Luo Yu shrugged and resignedly said, “Alright, alright, the only one who holds the script upside down is me; the only one who is distracted is me. Teacher Gu is always focused.”

Whether Gu Xiaowei had actually been attentive to the script, Luo Yu really didn’t know; the guy hadn’t even changed his expression, while his own ears were now very warm.

“It wasn’t intentional; you got too close,” Gu Xiaowei slowly replied.

Luo Yu laughed, “You didn’t say it just now; now you’re explaining. Was it intentional or not?”

Gu Xiaowei looked up and into Luo Yu’s eyes. “Your ears turned red; that’s why I thought you minded.”

The sunlight was so bright that all those repressed little thoughts seemed ready to spring forth, full of anticipation and anxiety. If only Gu Xiaowei’s expression didn’t look so indifferent.

“It’s my ear that made the mistake; I got too close to you. I’ll be careful next time…” Luo Yu apologized without any spirit.

“Next time, be careful, and absolutely don’t change. Right?” 

Luo Yu was momentarily stunned, looking at Gu Xiaowei, who had already lowered his head again, his serious focus on the script was infuriating.

However… several minutes passed, and Gu Xiaowei hadn’t turned to the next page of the script.

Luo Yu suddenly felt a bit regretful, thinking he had been too cautious; he should have pressed his ear closer to see if this guy truly didn’t mind or was just pretending to be serious.

A staff member came to notify them that the next scene was almost ready.

Brother Yan came over to touch up Gu Xiaowei’s makeup. Gu Xiaowei set the script aside, closed his eyes, and tilted his head back.

“Teacher Gu’s eyelashes are actually very long and curled upward, just like…” Luo Yu rested his chin on his hand, pondering, as if there were no words to describe the delicate beauty within Gu Xiaowei’s cold exterior.

“Just like the spider lily, beautiful yet unattainable?” Ye Shengyi, who was carrying a makeup kit and was about to help Luo Yu with his makeup, chimed in.

Luo Yu tilted his head and asked, “Have you been reading some old webnovels recently?”

Ye Shengyi scratched his head of purple hair. “I have so little romantic imagination; I use the rest to do your makeup! Brother Luo, adding to your charm is my greatest romance.”

The cameraman and lighting technician standing in the corner of the courtyard couldn’t help but laugh.

Brother Yan also couldn’t contain himself and nearly spilled the eye shadow while touching up Gu Xiaowei, “I remember that the flower ‘spider lily’ has the meaning of ‘the devil’s tenderness’? How does that fit Teacher Gu?”

Ye Shengyi, upon hearing this, also became interested, putting down the script and taking out his phone to look it up. “The spider lily has other interpretations, like ‘omen of death’ and ‘summon of hell.’ Although it doesn’t suit our Teacher Gu, it’s quite fitting for Lu Pingfeng, the death painter.”

Gu Xiaowei’s expression darkened.

Yet Luo Yu seemed to understand his mood at that moment; Ye Shengyi’s words represented the public’s perception of Lu Pingfeng. Even Lu Pingfeng himself might feel similarly.

His existence was solely to describe death.

“Hey, Gu Xiaowei.” Luo Yu softly called out his name.

“Hmm?” Gu Xiaowei opened his eyes and turned his head.

“In Sanskrit, the spider lily is called Manjusaka.”

“I know.”

“In the ‘Lotus Sutra,’ it is one of the four flowers of heaven, also interpreted as one of the auspicious signs from heaven; those who see this flower will have their evils removed.”

Luo Yu’s intention was to convey that while Lu Pingfeng was interpreted by the world in a biased and dark way, he, like the Manjusaka, also had a neglected side of holiness and purity that was often overlooked.

“It’s really just a type of Amaryllidaceae plant. Plants of this nature share the same characteristics—flowers bloom and leaves fall at different times, and flowers and leaves never meet. Perhaps because of this characteristic, along with the vibrant red color being too alluring, people have assigned it many meanings.”

Watching Gu Xiaowei’s serious expression, Luo Yu’s brows lifted slightly.

He was truly being foolish to think that Gu Xiaowei would be unhappy about being compared to the spider lily.

At that moment, a staff member came to inform them that the next scene was ready.

Gu Xiaowei got up and glanced back at Luo Yu. “For Lu Pingfeng, Wen Yuchi is more like the spider lily—an allure from another world, a tenderness given by fate.”

Luo Yu smiled slightly; he felt that in some respects, he might truly lack the talent compared to Gu Xiaowei.

The two returned to the villa together, preparing for the next scene, which depicted Wen Yuchi following his mentor to perform an autopsy on a deceased female student. At the same time, he discovered that the fingerprints of the female student matched those of the person who had sent dead mice and other macabre gifts to Wen Yuchi. Wen Yuchi lowered his head, looking at the female student, and sighed, saying, “What an unexpected gain.”

Meanwhile, Captain Zhao Sicheng of the criminal police team was once again visiting Lu Pingfeng.

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Unlike the last visit, a tower of pastries was placed on the glass coffee table in Lu Pingfeng’s villa living room, and the aroma of red velvet cake and chocolate mousse wafted through the air, adding a touch of warmth to the whole space.

Luo Yu didn’t need to appear in this scene for now; he held Gu Xiaowei’s thermos in his left hand and rolled up their scripts in his right, watching from the side.

At some point Nie Yangchen had also come to stand beside him, as if seeing Gu Xiaowei from Luo Yu’s position was different from seeing him from another angle.

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In the next moment, Luo Yu suddenly elbowed Gu Xiaowei’s shoulder, forcing him to tense every muscle to resist. At the same time, Luo Yu changed his direction of attack and struck between Gu Xiaowei’s upper arm and forearm. 

Instinctively, Gu Xiaowei let go of Luo Yu. 

Then, taking advantage of the force from leaning against the statue, Luo Yu raised his left leg to trap Gu Xiaowei and, with a powerful twist of his waist, pushed him to the side. 

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Gu Xiaowei was caught off guard and staggered a step, but by the time he regained his composure, Luo Yu had already jumped down from the statue. 

“You said I wouldn’t find my way back to the villa; that might be possible. You said I would be dealt with by Nie Yangchen—are you looking down on me!” 

After saying that, Luo Yu walked toward a small path. 

Gu Xiaowei’s voice rang out, “That way leads to the Blue Lake.” 

The impact wasn’t great, but the insult was quite strong. That chilly tone seemed to say, “Don’t you know yourself? Can you really get back on your own?” 

The Blue Lake is the one next to the resort, reportedly being developed for diving projects. During the day, the water is clear and bright, but at night, it becomes eerily quiet. 

Luo Yu, lacking any backbone, turned around and followed Gu Xiaowei. 

He then realized that this guy must have rushed out as well; he was still wearing his silk pajamas, with casual shoes on his feet. The shoelaces were noticeably loose, suggesting he had just slipped them on to head out. Over his pajamas, he wore a dark gray sweater, probably something he often wore at home while going through scripts. 

Luo Yu’s exit from his room was very quiet, and Gu Xiaowei must have followed him after hearing the sound of the villa door because there was some distance between them, so Luo Yu hadn’t noticed him. 

“Hey, what if the director sees Nie Yangchen’s lip injury tomorrow and says you did it?” Luo Yu didn’t want the other to remain silent all the way. 

Because Gu Xiaowei’s voice is genuinely pleasant. He liked listening to it, so he wanted to hear more. Otherwise, it would be a waste of Gu Xiaowei’s beautiful voice. 

“Then I’ll say he intended to do something wrong in the middle of the night.” 

“Oh, so you are the hero?” Luo Yu asked with a laugh. 

“Otherwise do you think I robbed him?” Gu Xiaowei retorted. 

“It was not much different from a robbery,” Luo Yu said, laughing as he walked ahead of him. 

Gu Xiaowei sighed from behind, “It’s to the right, not the left.” 

Luo Yu hurriedly stepped back, deciding to obediently follow Gu Xiaowei again. 

They returned to the villa, and it was already three-thirty in the morning. 

“If you can’t sleep, we can rehearse,” Gu Xiaowei said to Luo Yu before entering his room. 

Gu Xiaowei could notice that Luo Yu had gone out at midnight, which meant he wasn’t sleeping either. 

“I don’t want to,” Luo Yu chuckled lightly, turning back and saying, “If you can’t sleep… you can draw me.” 

Just as you said I could imagine everything about you, I also allow you to think of me more when you can’t sleep. 

Gu Xiaowei paused briefly, looking at Luo Yu with a hint of suspicion in his eyes. 

This made Luo Yu feel a bit frustrated; perhaps because he had never been in a relationship, and his previous words came off as narcissistic and silly? 

“Or you can leave the door unlocked. If I can’t sleep in half an hour, I’ll really come to rehearse with you.” Luo Yu found a way to salvage himself. 

“Ha.” Gu Xiaowei laughed coldly, apparently thinking Luo Yu’s sleep quality was much better than he imagined. 

Luo Yu returned to his room, lay down on the bed, and when his head hit the pillow, he thought of many things. 

In this life, Gu Xiaowei felt very close, while in the previous life, Gu Xiaowei had a sense of distance. 

But even when he was far away, he once slept against his shoulder after drinking two cans of beer. 

Wait… Xiao Qin seemed to have said that Gu Xiaowei had a good tolerance for alcohol. 

Alcohol tolerance shouldn’t change between lives. 

Suddenly, Luo Yu had a certain thought; blood rushed to his heart, making his heart tremble, almost causing him to sit up and think wildly. 

He covered his heart and told himself to stop thinking; he had teased that guy several times, yet he remained unaffected. It was completely a waste of effort and feelings. 

Rest, just take a break. 

Once he regained his energy, he could properly boil water to catch a frog tomorrow. 

He absolutely had to make him jump. 

Gu Xiaowei closed the door and paused while locking it. 

Two seconds later, his hand dropped, and he turned around, leaning against the bedroom door, tilting his head back and letting out a deep sigh. 

He leaned against the door for a long time; Luo Yu’s casual remark, “If I can’t sleep in half an hour, I’ll really come to rehearse with you,” left him with a sense of anticipation. 

He could even imagine how Luo Yu looked, sleeping with his profile nestled in the pillow. 

If he knew that he wanted to kiss him in the shadow of that statue, to possess his breath and heartbeat under the gaze of the gods, igniting those rebellious myths, and that he was the only aesthetic that constituted his world… would Luo Yu flee from his world? 

The sky gradually lightened, and the shadows were slowly dispelled, revealing large patches of roses blooming in vibrant colors. 

The phone rang, and Luo Yu, with his eyes closed, fumbled around for a while before reluctantly sitting up. 

Downstairs, the sound of Ye Shengyi coming down in slippers indicated that breakfast had been delivered by the resort. 

Next came the sounds of Xiao Qin, Brother Yan, and Ye Shengyi washing up and chatting. 

Luo Yu opened his eyes, swaying slightly as he opened the door. It was indeed torture to get up after only three hours of sleep. 

As soon as he opened the bathroom door, he saw Gu Xiaowei bending over the sink, washing his face with water.

His legs are really long.

He had been dead tired, but upon seeing him, that restless feeling in his heart stirred again, and Luo Yu felt a bit guilty.

He didn’t say anything and just kept looking at him until Gu Xiaowei straightened up and wiped his face dry.

“Have you been standing behind me this whole time?” Gu Xiaowei asked, looking at Luo Yu in the mirror.

“I just suddenly remembered that you had a movie last year, and the poster showed your back. The lines were really nice… Was that real, or was it photoshopped?”

Gu Xiaowei turned to look at him and said in a calm tone, “Haven’t you tried it yourself? If it’s real or photoshopped, how would you not know?”

Luo Yu was taken aback, “I… What have I tried?”

“Squatting while princess carrying you. Otherwise, what do you think I meant by trying?” Gu Xiaowei’s eyebrows slightly raised.

Luo Yu’s heartstrings also lifted.

He had once lifted him up from the edge of the swimming pool and could easily grip his waist to place him on the statue.

In front of Luo Yu, Gu Xiaowei unexpectedly held an absolute advantage in strength.

Luo Yu decided to go find a personal trainer; Gu Xiaowei’s physical prowess was too intimidating.

If he really was overstepping, one day when things blew up, and Gu Xiaowei shouted, “I see you as a brother, but you want to sleep with me,” he would have to defend himself, and it would be best if he had some sort of countermeasure… Luo Yu suddenly felt he was being very positive and optimistic.

“I’m done with the bathroom.”

Gu Xiaowei sidled past Luo Yu, who was standing at the door, as if he was carefully trying not to brush against him.

Luo Yu walked to the sink to brush his teeth and wash his face.

Thinking about the serious expression on Gu Xiaowei’s face just now, Luo Yu felt a bit annoyed. If he had known, he might as well have lifted his shirt and said he wanted to admire his abs; maybe he would have blushed a little.

When they arrived at the villa where they were shooting, they saw the assistant director talking to Nie Yangchen.

“What’s going on with you? One side of your face is all swollen! Even the most skilled makeup artist can’t reduce that swelling! Did you really slip and fall in the bathroom?”

Yan Jun, who played Zhao Sicheng, passed by and couldn’t help but chime in, “Looks like you got punched, right?”

Brother Yan, are you not planning to spare him any face?

Nie Yangchen’s acting was genuinely good. He touched his cheek with a lamenting expression, “I also feel like it hurts as if I was punched… But the problem is, in this semi-closed resort, the only people who could have hit me are the crew. Want to take a bet on who hit me?”

Yan Jun laughed, just as he was about to joke with Nie Yangchen when Gu Xiaowei, dressed in a black trench coat, walked between them.

“I did it.”

After those three words dropped, Yan Jun looked at Gu Xiaowei’s back in shock, “What…? Gu Xiaowei hit you? Why? When and where did he hit you?”

The assistant director was also stunned, “Didn’t you say you fell in the bathroom?”

Luo Yu raised the corners of his mouth in a smile, eager to see how Nie Yangchen would handle this.

“Well, it’s not a big deal. I couldn’t sleep at night and went out for a smoke, and I saw Teacher Gu and his lover taking a walk. I couldn’t help but crack a joke, and that’s how I got hit.”

The assistant director and Yan Jun went silent for two seconds, looking at Nie Yangchen’s expression, and they felt that he was just talking nonsense.

“Hehe, who is Teacher Gu’s lover?” the assistant director asked irritably.

It was clear that no one believed Nie Yangchen’s tall tale.

“You’ll have to ask Teacher Luo about that, right?” Nie Yangchen deliberately looked at Luo Yu, passing the buck to him.

When the assistant director and Yan Jun looked over, Luo Yu remained calm.

“Gu Xiaowei currently has no lover. However, I’m quite clear about who your lover is, Nie Yangchen,” Luo Yu said with a smile, his eyes narrowing.

Nie Yangchen’s expression remained calm as he teased back, “Oh, who is my lover then?”

“Hermaphroditus, the beautiful Greek god whose beauty is unrelated to gender.” After saying this, Luo Yu walked past Nie Yangchen, “You have such unique taste; it’s probably embarrassing to tell the assistant director, right?”

The assistant director and Yan Jun exchanged glances, puzzled.

“Herm… Herm what is that?” the assistant director frowned and asked.

“A Greek god! What kind of god is that? I’ve never heard of it!” Yan Jun looked confused; he only knew Zeus, Apollo, and Athena from Greek mythology.

Nie Yangchen quickly retreated, “That’s a statue in the resort.”

“Oh… no wonder. There are so many European-style statues here; I don’t know who they’re all modeled after,” the assistant director thought for a moment and then shouted, “You need to ice that face quickly!”

Nie Yangchen quickly followed Luo Yu, whispering, “You seem to be able to walk alright; it seems Gu Xiaowei didn’t go crazy last night. I took a hit for nothing.”

Luo Yu stopped and calmly said, “Last night, you were venting your emotions onto me and Teacher Gu because you were forced to break up, weren’t you?”

Nie Yangchen’s gaze darkened, and his voice grew cold, “Don’t worry; I’m not that despicable. I won’t go around spreading your business. After all, Teacher Gu has laid the groundwork for your brotherly bond, open and public. No one would believe me anyway.”

“So, you’re very jealous that our mutual care and affection are also open and honest, right?” Luo Yu asked.

Nie Yangchen fell silent.

“Nie Yangchen, if one wants to have the freedom to indulge, they must first have the ability to clean up the aftermath. It’s the same for you, and it is the same for me and Teacher Gu.”

Having said that, Luo Yu walked towards Gu Xiaowei.

At that moment, Nie Yangchen seemed to understand what Luo Yu meant.

By choosing Dijun Media, he chose the path of capital marketing, so he had to follow Ou Juntao’s arrangements. Breaking up with his lover was the price he had to pay.

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

And Luo Yu, having been suppressed all the way, began to rise up starting from Bai Ying. Nie Yangchen had only watched two episodes of “Counterattack” to feel Luo Yu’s mature and tension-filled acting skills.

He didn’t market his persona, nor did he have ambitions for gaining traffic. When he paved the way for his acting career with one role after another, even if one day he really ended up with Gu Xiaowei and everyone knew about it, he would still have the strength to stand in the industry based on his acting skills and reputation, continuing forward.

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Luo Yu was not interested in other people’s affairs, and since Nie Yangchen was his colleague in the same crew, he had no intention of making things awkward for him. However, Nie Yangchen stepped closer, “That’s right, this is my jealousy. Gu Xiaowei can use every acting role to openly express all his ambitions, gradually getting closer to you. Meanwhile, I am constrained by Ou Juntao’s demands, forced to stay hidden. But Gu Xiaowei can act recklessly… Ah, no, he is still cautious. He fears that you might discover his little thoughts and avoid him.”

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

Luo Yu’s heart raced, nearly leaping from his throat. 

Why would Nie Yangchen think of this? He had only watched two episodes of “Counterattack” and had only been filming with them for two days.

Moreover, Director Lin and Screenwriter Hua, along with many actors, didn’t seem to have this thought. Why did Nie Yangchen come to such a conclusion?

“You’re confusing me,” Luo Yu said, controlling his expression to appear steadfast and unyielding.

“Don’t believe me? Then let me verify.” Nie Yangchen smiled and suddenly leaned closer to Luo Yu, the angle almost resembling a kiss.

Luo Yu’s nerves tensed, reacting instinctively; he raised his elbow to press against Nie Yangchen’s chest. But before he could exert any force, a fist swung in from the side, striking Nie Yangchen directly in the face.

Nie Yangchen fell to the ground, the impact sending him sliding across the floor.

Luo Yu stood frozen; he hadn’t thrown that punch.

And they still had filming tomorrow. If he were to hit someone, it wouldn’t be Nie Yangchen’s face.

He saw a figure storm past him, and the next moment, Nie Yangchen was yanked up by his collar, just as a second punch was about to come down!

What the hell!

“Gu Xiaowei—” Luo Yu rushed forward, wrapping his arms around Gu Xiaowei from behind, trying to pull him back.

Nie Yangchen’s lip was already split, but he looked unconcerned, watching his opponent with a provocatively obvious expression, seemingly eager for a second punch to land.

“You… you… listen to me! If you smash his face to the point where makeup can’t cover it, how are you going to explain it to the director?”

Damn, Gu Xiaowei was so strong; Luo Yu couldn’t even pull his arms back!

“Then I’ll aim for a place where makeup doesn’t need to cover.”

Gu Xiaowei radiated a chilling aura; his voice and expression held no warmth, abandoning all restraint and decorum. With one kick, Nie Yangchen would be done for.

Luo Yu made a quick decision and hoisted Gu Xiaowei up by the waist, shouting at Nie Yangchen, “Get lost already—”

Nie Yangchen leisurely climbed to his feet, shrugging at Luo Yu, “Look, I didn’t do anything to you; I just got a little closer—why does he want to hit me?”

—Because of jealousy.

“Because you’re asking for it,” Luo Yu shot a cold glare at Nie Yangchen.

Luo Yu was generally seen as gentle and tolerant, lacking an aggressive aura, but in this moment, his gaze was sharp, slicing through the space like a string, tightly gripping Nie Yangchen’s throat, cutting off his blood flow and thoughts.

The warning and pressure made Nie Yangchen inhale.

“Aren’t you leaving yet?”

Just those four words made Nie Yangchen experience what it felt like to flee in panic for the first time.

Once Nie Yangchen left, Luo Yu finally let go of Gu Xiaowei.

Gu Xiaowei’s expression was completely cold, his gaze as if it were going to freeze Luo Yu in place.

“How did you suddenly appear?” Luo Yu asked.

“Can’t you figure it out?” Gu Xiaowei countered, looking into Luo Yu’s eyes.

“So… since I left the villa, you’ve actually been following me?”

Luo Yu didn’t feel angry about being followed; after all, he was just out for a walk, not doing anything wrong. 

And it was understandable that Gu Xiaowei was worried about him, following from a distance at this late hour.

But how did Gu Xiaowei manage to do this without him noticing at all?

“Otherwise, would you come back by dawn?” Gu Xiaowei asked again, his voice lowered by an octave.

Luo Yu felt as if he were a child wandering outside after school, unaware that his father was following closely behind, observing whether he was buying snacks or giving candy to a girl.

“I thought you were asleep, so I didn’t call you,” Luo Yu said, walking over and placing a hand on his shoulder, trying to persuade him gently, “Okay, okay, no more being upset. I couldn’t sleep and came out for a walk in the middle of the night. If you quietly follow me like that, I might think you’re a bad person and kick you, don’t underestimate my turning kick; it’s enough to send you to the hospital.”

“You really know what a bad person is?” Gu Xiaowei tilted his head, looking at Luo Yu.

The gloom that belonged to Lu Pingfeng permeated the air.

“After living this long, how could I not know what a bad person is? Plus, with you following me, worrying I’ll get lost or be bullied by Nie Yangchen, does it matter whether there are bad people or not?”

“Maybe a bad person is someone who makes you let your guard down the most. Like me.”

“Okay, okay, okay, you’re a bad person. Show me how bad you are…”

Before Luo Yu could finish, his wrist was grabbed by Gu Xiaowei, causing him to stumble and almost crash into him.

But Gu Xiaowei didn’t turn; instead, he pulled Luo Yu backward step by step until they reached the ambiguous statue.

“Wait, Gu Xiaowei! It’s really late; let’s go back!” Luo Yu looked into Gu Xiaowei’s eyes, feeling no ripple, yet sensing thousands of nerves were being pulled, even this distance that was neither far nor near was a torment. He would rather engage in a childish fight with him… or simply lean against his chest and hold him tight.

In that moment of impulse, Luo Yu’s heart raced, hearing Nie Yangchen’s words—Gu Xiaowei could use any acting role to openly express all his ambitions, inching closer to you.

This was not merely temptation, but rather shattering all reasonable excuses, revealing a maddening truth.

Suddenly, Luo Yu felt his waist being gripped; he knew Gu Xiaowei was very strong, but being lifted off the ground made him panic. He instinctively reached for Gu Xiaowei’s shoulder, but Gu Xiaowei coldly pressed him against the curve of the statue’s back, “Do you know who Nie Yangchen was with last night?”

Such a Gu Xiaowei didn’t scare Luo Yu at all. No matter how forceful he appeared, he always restrained his strength, not causing Luo Yu any pain, as if putting on a show of power to frighten him.

The more he acted this way, the more Luo Yu wanted to draw closer to him.

“Someone beside him. I can’t remember exactly who,” Luo Yu replied.

“It was a man,” Gu Xiaowei said.

Luo Yu opened his mouth, momentarily stunned, searching his memory for the people around Nie Yangchen.

His makeup artist hadn’t changed, but his assistant seemed to be absent today. He vaguely remembered that it was a pleasant looking, organized person.

If Nie Yangchen liked his assistant and it was a man, then it would explain why Ou Juntao was so anxious to force Nie Yangchen to break up with him. Because Dijun Media’s marketing strategy was to fill fans with fantasies about their artists. Once it was revealed that Nie Yangchen and his assistant were in a romantic relationship, the fantasy atmosphere created by Dijun Media would be completely shattered.

“Since he likes men, how can you be sure you’re not his type?” Gu Xiaowei leaned even closer, “You don’t look better than that man? Aren’t you more likely to ignite Nie Yangchen’s desire for conquest?”

The moonlight illuminated Gu Xiaowei’s deep amber eyes, allowing Luo Yu to see the tightly restrained emotion within, as if once it surged forth, it would completely destroy him.

This was jealousy.

And possessiveness.

This was what Nie Yangchen intentionally approached him to prove.

Luo Yu could not describe the feeling at this moment; it felt as if he had been splashed with strong liquor, igniting an insatiable fire that even the vastness of the world could not contain.

He had already been reborn once, and Gu Xiaowei was the most important person in his life, his only recognized rival and comrade.

He couldn’t easily ask that question because he didn’t know if it was Lu Pingfeng crossing the line with Wen Yuchi or Gu Xiaowei suddenly losing control after scheming for him.

But so what?

This man made his heart race, not just once, but countless times… in the moments he unconsciously ignored and deliberately suppressed, it had happened countless times.

Suddenly recalling, Gu Xiaowei had recognized him in the elevator while he wore a mask, tying up his loose hair for him; that night in the studio city, he had hand fed him mint candy and sent him trending on Weibo; every straightforward show of support and share, along with every “Senior Brother” he had uttered… all seemed like subtle yet blatant declarations of love.

Damn… what kind of man is so eager to take pictures of his senior brother and post them on his Weibo, as if… showing off his affection? 

The more he thought about it, the faster Luo Yu’s heart raced. 

He probably wouldn’t have a chance to be reborn again; his fate had already changed a lot, and what truly changed was his relationship with Gu Xiaowei. 

In the previous life, they admired each other but seemed to have an insurmountable boundary between them, and in this life… Luo Yu hoped to be reckless and fearless, wanting what he desired. 

Alright, Gu Xiaowei… If I’m being overly delusional, then it’s your fault. I will pull you into my world and make you mine. 

But if all your approaches are cautious, then I’ll let you know that we’re both addicted to each other. 

To bully you is the price for your temptation. 

I’ve never cared for flowers or applause, but I love acting, whether it’s in TV dramas, movies, or stage plays. 

But you are different, Gu Xiaowei. With you, I can’t make mistakes, because once you retreat back into your world, the distinction between you and me will be clear, and that kind of regret cannot be compensated for, no matter what achievements I attain. 

So this time, we won’t compare who acts more passionately, but rather who makes the other absolutely dependent on him. 

“Luo Yu, what are you thinking?” Gu Xiaowei’s voice was cold. 

Luo Yu looked up at the statue’s face and slowly asked, “Do you know who this statue is?” 

“En?” 

“The most famous hermaphrodite deity in Greek mythology is probably Hermaphroditus. He was originally the illegitimate child of Hermes and Aphrodite.” Luo Yu lowered his head and leaned closer to Gu Xiaowei bit by bit. 

The closer he got, the more forcefully Gu Xiaowei gripped his waist. 

“In the Louvre, there’s also a statue of him. It is said to look delicate and smooth, with an enchanting figure.” 

Luo Yu gazed at Gu Xiaowei, whose breathing was steady. The oppressive feeling from earlier had eased, and his eyes even carried a hint of mockery, as if he could see right through Luo Yu. 

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

“I’ve seen that statue. From the back, it looks like a woman with a beautiful curve, but when you go to the other side, it resembles a man more. It’s a work by the famous Italian sculptor Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini.” Gu Xiaowei, still holding Luo Yu’s waist, slightly pulled back the distance between them. He wasn’t embarrassed or shy but was deliberately making sure Luo Yu looked him in the eye clearly, “Senior Brother, are you discussing this statue with me to divert the topic from your dangerously reckless night outings?” 

Luo Yu’s heart skipped a beat; he had finally managed to steer the conversation toward something suggestive, and Gu Xiaowei ruthlessly turned it back. 

Ha, Nie Yangchen, I believe you like a fool. 

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Even in the brightly lit Dijun Media building, several staff members working overtime propped their phones in front of them and put on Bluetooth headsets to watch “Counterattack,” and even their workgroup was also discussing it.

[Truly no one compares to Lin Yue! My head is filled with thoughts of Yan Ye and Bai Ying!]

[Oh my God, will we get fired for shipping them here?]

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

[Don’t say that; our big big big boss might be shipping them too, right?]

[Hahaha, you’re too cheeky!]

The “big big big boss” they were referring to was Ou Juntao. As the employees speculated, Ou Juntao was watching “Counterattack” in his living room, with a huge projection screen that rivaled movie screen quality. Every time Bai Ying smiled or lifted his gaze, he felt his heart being tugged painfully. He used to think Luo Yu was pure and bright, while Bai Ying was completely the opposite. Especially in the scene where he “blew smoke,” Ou Juntao felt like his heart was about to be pulled from his chest, and he even immaturely fantasized about being in Yan Ye’s place.

After the first two episodes of “Counterattack” aired, He Mu thought the Luo Yu fans among his assistants would quiet down, but to his surprise, they formed a small chat group to secretly discuss things late into the night. They all thought He Mu didn’t know, but his life assistant would occasionally pull out her phone to look at it with a face full of delighted auntie smiles, making He Mu sure it was related to Luo Yu.

He was almost driven mad, feeling that Luo Yu was eroding everything he had, from his resources to his team.

The people who relied on him for their salaries were actually fawning over his rival!

His tens of millions in endorsements were put on hold, and the other party said they were considering other candidates, with Luo Yu being one of them.

The idol drama male lead role he had long wanted was also paused for discussion. The production team remained silent, and when he inquired with their staff, he found out that they were considering Luo Yu. However, Luo Yu had received too many scripts and they didn’t know when Luo Yu’s team could begin evaluating theirs. They had to wait for a clear answer from Luo Yu’s side before they could give He Mu a definite answer.

He Mu’s sense of fear escalated continuously because… he realized he had unknowingly become Luo Yu’s “backup.”

Was he going to start picking up Luo Yu’s leftovers?

He didn’t want to! He really didn’t want to! He called his agent and insisted that he must secure that idol drama male lead role, even if the pay was half of what it was now.

But the agent’s reply was that what the other party cared about was not the pay, but the ratings appeal. From the previous “Burn, Little Cosmos” to the first two episodes of “Counterattack,” it was evident from online discussions that Luo Yu could carry it better than He Mu. Now the focus of the production team was entirely on Luo Yu; either the ratings after “Counterattack” would drop, causing them to lower Luo Yu’s rating, or Luo Yu would take the initiative to give up the role. Otherwise, it would be very difficult for He Mu to land this idol drama.

He Mu was so angry that he couldn’t even sleep. He called Gao He, who immediately hung up, saying he was busy socializing.

However, Luo Yu hardly slept at all that night.

Back in his room, he studied the script, thinking about how to bring out the charm of the character Wen Yuchi. But the more he deliberately thought about it, the more mediocre it became.

Wen Yuchi’s allure to Lu Pingfeng was not due to his appearance, nor was it a physical instinct, but rather a longing from deep within for something he had long been unable to fulfill.

It was like a key fitting into a lock; Wen Yuchi’s soul naturally matched Lu Pingfeng’s.

But how could he portray that feeling?

The entire villa was very quiet; Xiao Qin and the others must have already gone to sleep.

Luo Yu put down the script. As soon as he closed his eyes, he thought of Gu Xiaowei leaning over, his breath blowing into his eyes.

He turned over several times, took out his headphones to listen to music, and finally fell into a drowsy sleep.

His thoughts sank deeper and deeper, and when he opened his eyes again, he found himself sitting on the bed, watching “Counterattack” with Gu Xiaowei.

It was once again the scene of Bai Ying blowing smoke at Yan Ye, and Luo Yu instinctively lowered his head to cover his eyes. But this time, Gu Xiaowei’s hand reached over, grasping his wrist, forcefully moving his hand away.

This time, Luo Yu saw clearly the fire that burned in Gu Xiaowei’s eyes, boiling from the depths of an abyss. It took away all of Luo Yu’s retorts and breaths, sealing off his resistance and pushing him into a desperate situation, forcing him to surrender.

“En…”

Luo Yu jolted awake, trembling and gasping for breath, thin sweat covering his neck and back.

Outside, the bright moon still hung in the sky; it wasn’t time to get up yet.

Luo Yu picked up his phone and glanced at it. It was only two-thirty in the morning.

“What the hell…”

Luo Yu raised his hand to cover his eyes and, after two or three seconds, let out a muffled laugh.

Gu Xiaowei, oh Gu Xiaowei, if you knew what kind of dream I just had, would you be pleased with my imagination of you?

Luo Yu knew that he probably wouldn’t be able to sleep any longer, so he got up, put on his shoes and coat, and decided to go for a walk.

He gently closed his bedroom door and glanced at the door across from him where Gu Xiaowei was. He should be asleep by now.

But he wondered if this guy had ever suffered from insomnia.

Luo Yu carefully descended the stairs, trying to make no noise, and then left the villa.

Under the moonlit night, the resort was quiet and elegant, and the rose path was so deep it seemed to lead to a secret realm not of this world.

Luo Yu thought that although his sense of direction was average, he should be able to find his way by choosing a direction and walking down it.

The night breeze was cooler than in his room, finally dissipating the heat that had built up because of that dream.

Luo Yu walked down a certain rose path, and he didn’t know how long he had been walking when he unexpectedly arrived back at the western-style fountain. Luo Yu smiled helplessly.

—What a coincidence.

The night was cloudless, and the starlight and moonlight fell upon the statues beside the fountain, making them appear holy and compassionate.

Luo Yu walked around the fountain, remembering the couple who had rendezvoused there last night, wondering which statue they had chosen to be under…

He looked up and saw a handsome statue, embodying both masculine strength and feminine grace.

Luo Yu squinted, doubting whether he was seeing correctly. He approached to get a closer look. The statue’s muscular texture was full of tension, but its hands were raised above its head, and its face wore a dazed and entranced expression, making one’s heart inexplicably race.

He suddenly understood why that couple had chosen to meet at this statue, for its body lines and expression seemed to be drawn in by something, abandoning the self and completely surrendering to the control of desire.

“Who do you think this statue represents?”

A teasing voice emerged, and the air was tinged with the scent of burning herbs—someone was smoking.

Luo Yu turned around and saw Nie Yangchen.

His brows and eyes flickered in the dim light of the fire, his hair looking less gentle and polite than during the day’s filming, with some strands pushed back and a few falling over his brow, giving him a somewhat unrestrained look.

“Nie… Nie Yangchen? What are you doing here smoking so late?” Luo Yu asked.

Nie Yangchen exhaled the last puff of smoke and walked over to Luo Yu. “It’s mint-flavored and low in nicotine. You don’t have to worry about inhaling too much secondhand smoke.”

“Smoking is your choice.” Luo Yu was never good at chatting with people he wasn’t familiar with. If it were just about roles and acting, it might be fine, but tonight, Nie Yangchen seemed a bit out of character.

As Luo Yu turned to leave, Nie Yangchen suddenly spoke, “It was you last night, wasn’t it?”

“What do you mean by me?”

“Eavesdropping on my date. How did I do?” Nie Yangchen asked with a smile.

Luo Yu’s heart tightened. So it was Nie Yangchen sneaking off for a midnight tryst under the statue?

Avoiding trouble was better than asking for it. Since Nie Yangchen had no evidence, Luo Yu wouldn’t admit he was there last night.

Moreover, this fountain was a public place at the resort; it wasn’t his fault he had overheard anything in the middle of the night.

“I watched ‘Counterattack’ that you and Gu Xiaowei acted in. You performed so well that I couldn’t sleep. Just thinking about you pulling Gu Xiaowei over got me excited. Do you know you’ve pulled him down from his pedestal?” Nie Yangchen asked with a smile.

Mentioning Gu Xiaowei made Luo Yu frown at him. “Gu Xiaowei was never a god. He’s just an actor willing to immerse himself in different roles.”

Nie Yangchen lowered his eyes, his shoulders shaking with laughter. “When I mentioned a pedestal, I wasn’t talking about acting, but the fact that he hasn’t had any scandals or relationships for so many years.”

Luo Yu’s fingers lightly curled, suddenly alert.

“Well, you might be disappointed. I think in ten years, he’ll still be the same as he is now.”

“Are you really unable to feel it, or do you not dare to think about it?” Nie Yangchen placed the extinguished cigarette in the hand of the statue beside him and stepped closer to Luo Yu.

“What do you mean?” Luo Yu frowned, not retreating, but carefully examining Nie Yangchen’s eyes.

On the surface, those eyes appeared playful and mocking, but looking deeper revealed a conflict and unwillingness.

“Gu Xiaowei is tempting you,” Nie Yangchen said softly, but every word was clear.

Luo Yu’s breath caught in his throat, but years of acting experience kept his expression steady. He turned his face away and smiled dismissively, “Lu Pingfeng and Wen Yuchi are both tempting each other to explore their inner worlds; that’s the director’s and the script’s requirement.”

“Is that so? But why does Yan Ye’s gaze toward Bai Ying also carry possessiveness?” Nie Yangchen asked leisurely.

Luo Yu chuckled softly. “I don’t feel that at all. Nie Yangchen, I don’t know what’s up with you tonight, but we have filming tomorrow. You should get some sleep.”

“Then why aren’t you sleeping? Is Gu Xiaowei’s temptation working on you, making you unsure how to cover up your desires?” Nie Yangchen leaned against the statue, casually asking.

Luo Yu’s expression turned cold. “What do you want?”

Nie Yangchen looked into Luo Yu’s eyes and said, “Do you know your expression right now is strikingly similar to Gu Xiaowei’s? That kind of indifference toward everything, where reputation and interests don’t matter. I can’t help but wonder if you give him a little response, he might announce to the world right away.”

Luo Yu squinted his eyes and then chuckled lightly, “I understand now; you’re jealous.”

“You’re saying I’m jealous of your and Gu Xiaowei’s excellent acting?”

“No, you’re jealous that Gu Xiaowei and I can openly pull at each other in the scenes, whether tempting or being tempted, conquering or being conquered. The person you were with last night… it should have been your last time together, right? You broke up, didn’t you?” This time, Luo Yu didn’t back away but stepped closer to Nie Yangchen.

He stood there like an immovable rock, yet inch by inch, he seemed to delve into Nie Yangchen’s heart.

“That glimmer of surprise in your eyes confirms I guessed correctly.” Luo Yu took another step forward, “And this is the price you pay for choosing Dijun Media.”

Nie Yangchen’s pupils shook in that instant. He hadn’t said anything at all, so why did Luo Yu know?

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

“Your lover should be someone close to you, like an agent, makeup artist, or assistant. The company discovered your relationship, and Ou Juntao personally ordered you to end it. Because Dijun Media isn’t just nurturing you as an actor; they are positioning you against Gu Xiaowei, cultivating you as a top-tier actor—wanting both skill and popularity. Ou Juntao won’t tolerate anything that might cause you to lose fans, especially a relationship… and I suspect it’s not an ordinary relationship. Is the other person married?”

Luo Yu only observed Nie Yangchen for a second, and without waiting for a response, he stated the answer, “Your eyes don’t show panic, so the other person isn’t married.”

Nie Yangchen’s expression gradually grew cold, like the statues glistening with starry light.

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