But Luo Yu realized that this person was himself.

The perspective of the painting was of Gu Xiaowei covering his mouth, restraining him, holding him tightly, hidden in the shadows of the roses, observing him.

A kind of unprecedented heat surged through Luo Yu’s vision and into his brain, as if it was about to draw out all the impulses he had never noticed within himself.

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

His breathing knotted in his throat, stuck halfway, and for a moment, Luo Yu had the urge to go to the room across, kick open the door, grab the other person by the collar, and confront him with fierce eyes, demanding, “What exactly were you thinking when you drew this?”

But there was no need to go over; Luo Yu could already imagine Gu Xiaowei’s answer.

He would tilt his head, look at him with his deep eyes, and the calmer his gaze, the more obsessive it would become.

—”Of course, I was thinking of you.”

Luo Yu took a deep breath, opened the drawer, and put the drawing away.

After drying his hair and lying in bed, Luo Yu turned on his side. He was sure his heartbeat was a bit faster than usual.

The night had already grown deep. Apart from the distant sound of insects chirping outside the window, everything was so quiet that it felt unreal.

Yet the quieter it was, the more he felt bewitched, as if under a spell. He reached out, opened the drawer, and pulled the paper out again.

He didn’t turn on the light, but in this dim light, looking at the drawing gave him a different feeling.

His hair, his eyelashes were depicted delicately and softly, and in his lowered eyes, there seemed to be an infinite lake rippling. It was beautiful, like a rose blooming in the thorny thicket of the deep night, making one want to hide him layer upon layer, away from the stings of the world’s thorns.

Luo Yu’s fingers brushed the strokes on the paper. This was drawn by Gu Xiaowei while he was taking a bath, done only in a matter of minutes.

He must have observed him very carefully; his every movement, even the angle of his neck or the lowering of his eyes, had been captured in Gu Xiaowei’s gaze. Otherwise, how could he have remembered what he looked like at that moment?

Luo Yu didn’t know what this strange feeling was. He didn’t find Gu Xiaowei scary. On the contrary, there was a sense of pride in occupying the other’s gaze, and even… he wanted to occupy his entire world.

“Hah…” Luo Yu covered his eyes.

Did Wen Yuchi also have similar thoughts about Lu Pingfeng?

This movie… is driving him mad.

When the alarm went off the next morning, Luo Yu rubbed his eyes and heard the cheerful chirping of birds outside the window. Only then did he remember he wasn’t in his apartment but at a resort where the film crew was staying.

He stretched and got out of bed, and the first thing he did was head to the bathroom.

As soon as he opened the door, he bumped into Gu Xiaowei.

“Morning,” Luo Yu raised his hand in greeting.

In the morning, Gu Xiaowei’s voice was very gentle. “Morning. Are you headed to the bathroom?”

“Yeah.”

“Go ahead then.”

The bathroom was separated into wet and dry areas, so Luo Yu could close the frosted glass door while using the toilet, and Gu Xiaowei was washing up outside.

“I didn’t realize you’re so good at drawing. It doesn’t seem like something you learned in just a few weeks,” Luo Yu said, trying to cover the sound of his business.

“When we were kids, didn’t our parents make us learn some sort of skill? Like calligraphy, piano, or painting,” Gu Xiaowei replied.

Luo Yu opened the door and, while washing his hands, asked, “How long did you learn?”

“From elementary school until middle school. Later, my parents thought I wasn’t going to pursue an artistic career, so they told me to focus on academics instead.”

“That’s such a shame. You’re really good at it.”

Gu Xiaowei dried his face, standing to the side while Luo Yu brushed his teeth. “Do you like it?”

Even though he wasn’t standing close, Luo Yu could feel Gu Xiaowei’s presence, like a cold pine tree on a cliff, where a breeze could cause frost and snow crystals to fall.

“I do.” Luo Yu, though with his head still lowered, turned his face slightly to look at him.

Wen Yuchi would never say something he didn’t mean to Lu Pingfeng, and Luo Yu would be just as honest with Gu Xiaowei.

I like your drawing.

I enjoy being the focus of your attention.

Gu Xiaowei stood there, seemingly surprised that Luo Yu had so directly said he liked it.

It was as if the expectation that Luo Yu would avoid or reject him had been let down, but another, more intense desire surged within him.

With his eyes closed, Luo Yu stretched out his hand to grab a face towel, but after fumbling around for a while, he still couldn’t find the box.

Gu Xiaowei pulled one out for him and placed it in his hand.

“Thanks.”

After drying his face, Luo Yu looked up at Gu Xiaowei and lightly tapped his chest.

“If you draw for someone else, I might get jealous.”

With that, Luo Yu walked out the door.

From downstairs, Ye Shengyi’s voice came: “Brother Luo! The crew sent over breakfast! After breakfast, it’s time for makeup!”

“Alright, coming!”

After a while, Gu Xiaowei, who was still standing in the same spot, lifted a hand to cover the spot where Luo Yu had tapped him. His fingers slowly tightened, and the fabric wrinkled into the shape of a rose.

The crew’s breakfast was delivered by the resort’s staff, a test run for the service they’d later offer guests.

“Wow—this breakfast spread is so rich! There’s Chinese and Western options!” Ye Shengyi excitedly exclaimed.

Luo Yu sat down too. “We probably won’t get this kind of treatment again.”

Gu Xiaowei pulled out the chair next to Luo Yu and sat down. He didn’t eat much.

Luo Yu knew it was because he didn’t want to eat too much and risk affecting his performance, and although Luo Yu also wanted to indulge himself, sitting next to such a disciplined person made him put down the extra dim sum he had wanted to eat.

To his surprise, Gu Xiaowei picked it up and placed it on Luo Yu’s plate, softly saying, “Eat it.”

“I’ve already eaten a lot. And I haven’t been exercising much lately.”

“When Director Sheng is in the zone, he can shoot for an entire day without eating or drinking.”

Luo Yu propped his chopsticks and looked at him, “What about you? Why don’t you eat more?”

Gu Xiaowei replied, “I need to lose a little more weight. Otherwise, I won’t look sickly enough.”

Luo Yu knew it was the director’s request but still felt a little distressed for him.

“Then I won’t eat either…”

The next second, Gu Xiaowei stuffed the dim sum into Luo Yu’s mouth.

“Eat. This is the resort’s test-run breakfast. They might not maintain this level of service later.”

In other words, if you like it, eat more while you can.

After breakfast, they arrived at the villa where the first scene would be filmed.

Sheng Yunlan glanced at all the actors’ makeup, and he was most satisfied with Luo Yu’s.

“The makeup isn’t too strong, but it highlights your features well. Your makeup artist is good.”

Hearing Sheng Yunlan’s praise, Ye Shengyi proudly smoothed his hair; purple luck was not just an empty reputation.

The next moment, Luo Yu roughly ruffled at his hair.

The villa had been redecorated to meet the needs of filming.

It was said that the decor wouldn’t be taken down afterward and would remain as a tourist attraction at the resort.

Inside the villa, the cameras were already set up. Due to limited space, unrelated staff were asked to leave.

When reading the script, Luo Yu had guessed from Lu Pingfeng’s character that his house wouldn’t feel very lived-in. But when he stepped into the villa for the first time, he felt no trace of warmth. For example, the silver-gray sofa was high-quality but lacking any cushions or throw pillows.

The tempered glass coffee table was empty, so clear you could see the bottom. Not a speck of dust or a single magazine was in sight.

And on the surrounding walls hung piano-black frames, but instead of paintings, they held photographs.

A stag with its throat bitten, withered flowers growing from cracks in a ruined wall under the scorching sun, the wrinkled, dying face of an old man…

All in black and white, leaving one feeling gloomy.

Even the light from the crystal chandelier overhead was cold, making the whole space seem lifeless.

The first scene to be shot here was the one where Yan Jun, playing Captain Zhao Sicheng, leads a team to meet the famous painter Lu Pingfeng.

The director called for the lights to be turned off, plunging the space into darkness. The empty coffee table, like an altar, waited in the cold for its sacrifice.

It wasn’t time for Luo Yu to appear yet. He stood outside, holding his script in his left hand and a thermos in his right.

The actors were getting into position. Gu Xiaowei, dressed in a black sweater and casual pants, walked to the sofa and sat down.

His face was gloomy and cold, and his deep eyes exuded a mysterious aura, like a rose blooming in the dark night, untouched by the moonlight.

“Teacher Gu really suits this kind of morbid yet elegant role.”

Luo Yu turned his face and saw Nie Yangchen standing right beside him, gazing at Gu Xiaowei.

“What suits him is a role that appears morbid and elegant, but is actually wild and intense. Like poison, yet can also be redemption,” Luo Yu said calmly.

Nie Yangchen frowned, dismissively saying, “But in the script, Lu Pingfeng is the one being redeemed.”

Luo Yu lifted his chin slightly, “Wait until the director adjusts the lighting, then you’ll understand.”

The staff on set approached the window of the villa and pulled back the heavy curtains. Bright morning light immediately angled into the space, softening the eerie photography works with a gentle glow.

Sitting on the sofa was Gu Xiaowei, half of his face bathed in sunlight, with dust particles dancing like scattered diamonds in the air. His eyelashes were long, interwoven with the shadows on his eyelids, like wild sunflowers growing freely.

The other half of his face was submerged in shadow, like an unknown deity of the underworld, drawing in followers who would lose themselves to him in despair.

Nie Yangchen was stunned. This was probably what Luo Yu meant by both poison and redemption.

—Gu Xiaowei naturally exuded an aura that commanded worship.

Once the script supervisor confirmed that Yan Jun was in position, the clapperboard was struck, and everyone on set felt a jolt in their hearts. The first scene of the film officially began.

Yan Jun, who played Zhao Sicheng, the captain of the criminal police force, arrived in a sharp uniform, followed by two officers, and stood in front of Lu Pingfeng.

The butler spoke, “Sir, this is Captain Zhao Sicheng from the criminal police force. They’re here to ask you about… the murder case that caused quite a stir online yesterday.”

Lu Pingfeng turned to look at Zhao Sicheng, his lips curving into a perfectly calculated arc, and his entire demeanor softened.

He stood up and gestured for Zhao Sicheng to sit on the sofa opposite him. As his palm turned upward and his wrist emerged from his sleeve, there was a crisp, sharp line that unconsciously drew everyone’s gaze.

“Hello, Captain Zhao. I’m sorry, I don’t follow online news, so I’m not sure which murder case you’re referring to.”

His voice was like ice crushed in a glass, cold and distant, yet because of its soft and gentle tone, it gave off a cultured impression.

Zhao Sicheng and his team sat down, displaying an objective, business-like demeanor.

Meanwhile, one of his officers opened a notebook and took out a pen, ready to record.

The butler brought a tray over, placing several cups of tea on the coffee table. As the warm steam swirled upwards, the living room finally gained a hint of warmth.

“A murder occurred yesterday afternoon. The arrangement of the victim’s body happened to resemble one of your paintings. According to procedure, we need to ask you some questions.”

Lu Pingfeng’s face showed no signs of surprise, nor did he display sympathy or regret. He didn’t even bother to feign such expressions; instead, he calmly asked, “Which painting?”

“‘Mayfly.'”

“Ah. That was a piece I created a long time ago.” Lu Pingfeng’s expression remained serene, the part of him illuminated by the morning light resembling an angelic statue in a cathedral, possessing a pure and tranquil beauty.

However, when he lowered his head and smiled faintly, there was a hint of cold irony in the curve of his lips.

“Perhaps the killer is one of your crazed fans or a blind follower, someone who seeks to deeply understand the meaning behind your work, your creative intentions. They might have sent you letters, expressing their admiration in various ways. Do you recall any fans or collectors like that?” Zhao Sicheng asked.

Lu Pingfeng smiled and shook his head. It was clearly a polite smile, yet it didn’t come across as false; in fact, there was a kind of transcendent vitality to it.

“Most people only see the mayfly’s brief life, pitying its short existence. But how many can live like a mayfly, using their entire life to reproduce? Even if it’s driven by instinct, it burns its life away madly—for the sake of continuation, to live and die for it.”

One of Lu Pingfeng’s hands rested on his knee, while the other picked up a teacup and saucer, handing it to Zhao Sicheng. It was a gesture of courteous temptation; if you follow him into the abyss, you’ll see the most fundamental truths.

“Thank you.” Zhao Sicheng’s throat moved as he accepted the tea.

Lu Pingfeng smiled lightly, a restrained expression, yet it hinted at an unruly defiance.

“If that person truly understood the meaning of ‘Mayfly,’ they wouldn’t have used it to stage a murder scene.” Lu Pingfeng said.

Zhao Sicheng took a sip of tea and asked, “May I ask where you were yesterday afternoon between 2:00 and 4:00?”

This question was as direct as labeling Lu Pingfeng a suspect.

Lu Pingfeng didn’t rush to explain, nor did he protest the police’s suspicions. He simply answered calmly, “I was in my studio.”

“Can anyone vouch for you?”

Lu Pingfeng looked at the butler next to him, “Uncle He can vouch for me.”

“Ah, yes. Housekeeper Qin was also cleaning at the time, and she saw Sir,” Uncle He said.

“Please leave Ms. Qin’s contact information with us. Besides the housekeeper and cleaning staff, is there anyone else who can verify your whereabouts?”

Lu Pingfeng lifted his chin, his gaze landing on the surveillance camera on the ceiling.

“My agent suggested I install cameras in my home after a sketch was stolen from my studio.”

“We’d like to review the footage from that afternoon, if possible. Also, may we take a look at your studio?”

“Of course.” Lu Pingfeng stood up, “After all, if I refused, Captain Zhao might show up next time with a search warrant.”

A few seconds later, the sound of “cut” rang out, and the first scene wrapped smoothly without any significant hiccups.

Sitting in front of the monitor, Sheng Yunlan folded his arms and nodded, his eyes narrowed.

The crew members watching were all in awe of Gu Xiaowei’s acting. If they hadn’t been present on set, they wouldn’t have been able to feel the intensity of his commanding presence.

Nie Yangchen, watching from the side, was surprised.

Many had sung Gu Xiaowei’s praises for his acting, but Nie Yangchen had always thought it was three parts post-production, and another three parts the cinematography.

But in just this short scene, every glance, even the subtle angle of Gu Xiaowei’s cold yet courteous smile, seemed as though it had been rehearsed thousands of times, presented in the most perfect way.

Nie Yangchen couldn’t help but imagine himself in Gu Xiaowei’s place. How would he portray Lu Pingfeng? The more he thought about it, the more a chill and inexplicable fear rose in his heart. How could anyone really bring such a Lu Pingfeng to life?

Gentle, yet complex, and as cold as purity.

Gu Xiaowei left the sofa and walked toward Luo Yu.

He stepped out of the morning light streaming through the window, his entire being exuding a cold detachment from all things.

But as Luo Yu extended a thermos toward him, the closer Gu Xiaowei came, the more warmth seemed to envelop him, until the cold dissolved and he stood in front of Luo Yu.

He took the thermos, unscrewed the lid, and poured some coffee into the cup lid, taking two sips.

The rich aroma spread between the two of them.

“Smells good. Did you grind it yourself?” Luo Yu asked with a smile.

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

Everyone on set instinctively kept their distance from Gu Xiaowei, allowing him to fully immerse in the role of Lu Pingfeng. But Luo Yu was the only one who chatted with him as if he were still Gu Xiaowei.

“Mm. Do you want some?” Gu Xiaowei asked.

Even his voice had softened, as if it could melt a hole in someone’s heart, sending warm steam into that cavity, wrapping around their every breath.

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Gu Xiaowei obediently leaned into Luo Yu’s embrace, murmuring, “But in the script, Wen Yuchi never hugged Lu Pingfeng. How would he know what Wen Yuchi’s breath and heartbeat felt like?”

Luo Yu laughed and let go of Gu Xiaowei, turning around to keep walking. As he walked, he tapped his forehead with his fingers. “Maybe Lu Pingfeng imagined it? Sometimes, imagination is far more enchanting than reality. The more you imagine, the more reluctant you are to let go.”

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

Gu Xiaowei lowered his gaze, his faint smile like a crack that allowed moonlight to spill in. “Maybe he imagined more than just breathing and heartbeats.”

“What?” Luo Yu turned back to look at him.

In that moment, he seemed like a fawn lost in the deep forest, looking back into the dense woods, his eyes full of life, the only light—waiting to be captured.

Gu Xiaowei’s lips barely curved, offering a gentle yet calm smile. “Nothing.”

When Luo Yu turned around, a thin frost covered Gu Xiaowei’s eyes, as if endless darkness was spreading silently and carefully from behind him, chasing after Luo Yu’s figure.

They kept walking forward until they reached a vast expanse of climbing roses. The roses spread along the trellis, forming a winding corridor. Their branches cascaded down like a vast sea, hiding the sky. Moonlight fell directly on them, casting mysterious shadows on the buds, as if they were the hands of a siren, while the blooms facing the moon were bold and passionate.

Light and dark intertwined, with hidden temptation and overt exuberance tangled together.

Luo Yu had never seen such a sight; it was far more spectacular than when viewed from the window.

Under the spinning trellis, there were dark shadows, with only a few stars falling through the gaps, forming tiny specks of light on the ground.

Luo Yu walked inside, and Gu Xiaowei silently followed behind him.

Once inside, you couldn’t see anything, but in the dark and quiet, Luo Yu could hear Gu Xiaowei’s footsteps more clearly. His silence made Luo Yu feel an invisible force constantly hovering over him.

Ahead, they reached the center of the rose corridor. There was a large fountain, in a Western style, but it wasn’t running, and the European statues surrounding it stood in various poses under the unfiltered moonlight, as if reaching for something in the void.

Luo Yu vaguely heard a strange sound, as if someone was leaning against the statue opposite the fountain.

Just as he was about to move closer, a hand reached from behind, covering his mouth. A familiar and distinctive scent filled Luo Yu’s nose.

It was Gu Xiaowei’s aftershave, PURE COLOUR.

—“Under the name of abstinence, performing acts of temptation.”

For some reason, Luo Yu suddenly remembered the words on that bottle of aftershave.

“Mmph…” Luo Yu tried to pry Gu Xiaowei’s hand away.

But Gu Xiaowei leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Shh—”

That sound sent a shock through Luo Yu’s auditory nerves, straight into his brain. His entire body stiffened as if he’d been electrocuted.

He was practically trapped in Gu Xiaowei’s embrace, the other’s cheek nearly touching his. His heart raced, and Luo Yu turned his head away. As he gradually adjusted to Gu Xiaowei’s overwhelming presence, he could finally make out the sound on the other side of the fountain.

Oh my God, someone’s having a secret meeting here!

Realizing why Gu Xiaowei had pulled him back, Luo Yu’s face flushed crimson.

If something must be blamed then blame the roses for stirring such carnal thoughts.

They couldn’t just stay and eavesdrop, could they?

Luo Yu awkwardly turned his head, searching for Gu Xiaowei’s gaze. When he looked up, he realized the other had been watching him the entire time.

All of his embarrassment and surprise had been seen.

Was it his imagination, or did it seem like Gu Xiaowei was smiling? That smile blended into the shadows of the roses, but upon closer inspection, it seemed he wasn’t smiling at all.

Luo Yu lifted his hand and patted the back of Gu Xiaowei’s, signaling him to let go.

Gu Xiaowei’s hand slid down, his fingers brushing past Luo Yu’s lips. For a moment, his heartbeat surged inexplicably. Luo Yu held his breath for a long time before exhaling slowly.

The sounds from across the fountain became clearer, perhaps because the stillness had drawn them too deeply in.

Luo Yu gestured to Gu Xiaowei, signaling it was time to leave; he couldn’t stay there any longer.

After carefully taking three or four steps forward, he turned back to find Gu Xiaowei still standing there.

There was no light. He seemed to blend into the climbing roses, as if something was pulling him into the dark.

Luo Yu suddenly felt a bit panicked. He couldn’t leave him behind, so he went back and reached out to pull Gu Xiaowei.

Gu Xiaowei extended his hand and firmly grasped his wrist.

Feeling the warmth and strength from Gu Xiaowei’s palm, Luo Yu’s throat moved, the sound of his swallowing all too obvious. He could only reassure himself that the couple on the other side of the fountain were making far more noise than he was.

With his head lowered, Luo Yu carefully pulled Gu Xiaowei forward.

At first, he pulled him along completely, but Gu Xiaowei’s palm was too warm, making Luo Yu inexplicably flustered. He loosened his grip, but as his fingers slipped away, Gu Xiaowei’s fingers curled, hooking onto Luo Yu’s.

The multitude of tangled emotions tightened, and Luo Yu paused for a moment. He wanted to turn around, but was inexplicably afraid of Gu Xiaowei’s gaze.

Perhaps it was because they had stumbled upon such an awkward situation—too embarrassing to handle.

Then again, this resort was perfect for romance, so it wasn’t surprising that a couple from the crew couldn’t resist.

Who could have guessed that their evening walk would lead them to such a remote spot?

After walking for an unknown distance and no longer hearing the sounds of that couple, Luo Yu finally let out a breath.

“Why are you so nervous?” Gu Xiaowei’s voice sounded, carrying a faint huskiness that was rarely present in his usually clear tone.

“Aren’t you nervous? How embarrassing would it be if they had caught us?” Luo Yu slowly turned around and looked at him.

Gu Xiaowei tilted his head slightly, “Wouldn’t they be the ones embarrassed?”

Luo Yu remained silent, because he could vaguely sense the rebelliousness hidden beneath Gu Xiaowei’s typically reserved exterior.

He wasn’t as serious as Luo Yu had imagined.

Being stared at by those deep eyes, Luo Yu’s heart began to beat faster again.

After a long pause, Gu Xiaowei said, “Let’s go back.”

A feeling of relief surged in Luo Yu’s chest. 

“Okay.”

Luo Yu wanted to leave quickly, but he noticed that Gu Xiaowei was walking at a leisurely pace.

“Have you ever fantasized about doing something wild in a deserted place?” Gu Xiaowei’s voice came from behind him.

Even though there was some distance between them and Gu Xiaowei’s presence wasn’t physically overwhelming, Luo Yu still felt the heat creeping up his back.

“No.”

“Well, you can think about it today.”

After saying that, Gu Xiaowei walked ahead.

“I won’t.”

“Really?” Gu Xiaowei turned slightly, and Luo Yu caught a glimpse of a fleeting smile on his lips.

The sea of climbing roses grew farther and farther away, their drooping branches like heavy, wild fantasies.

No matter how much one represses their thoughts, given the chance, they will always find a way to emerge.

Luo Yu returned to his room, closing the door behind him. Through the door, he could hear the sound of Gu Xiaowei washing up.

The quieter it got, the louder the sound of water became.

Gu Xiaowei’s earlier question—”Have you ever fantasized about doing something wild in a deserted place?”—kept repeating in his mind.

His calm tone was filled with endless temptation.

Gu Xiaowei was doing this on purpose, pulling Luo Yu into a contradictory, heart-fluttering whorl of emotion.

Cautious and resistant, yet unable to suppress the desire to get closer—perhaps this was how Lu Pingfeng first imagined Wen Yuchi.

But… Luo Yu couldn’t let Lu Pingfeng lead him by the nose. That wouldn’t make him Wen Yuchi.

Luo Yu sat alone by the window, staring at the vast rose field in the distance, suddenly recalling the awkward moment he and Gu Xiaowei had stumbled upon earlier. Even though they only heard the sounds and saw nothing, his heart still raced.

It almost felt like… it had been them having a rendezvous.

Unknowingly, the sound of the water stopped.

Two knocks came at the door, causing Luo Yu’s heart to skip a beat, pulling him back to reality.

“I’m done. You can use the bathroom now.” Gu Xiaowei’s voice came from the other side of the door, polite yet carrying a tone unfamiliar to him.

Because Gu Xiaowei hadn’t called him “senior brother.” Although they’d left school for a long while now, and the title “senior brother” might seem more fitting for a school drama, it had always been a shared understanding between them—an expression of trust and closeness only they understood.

The script pages on the desk fluttered as the wind blew through the room, and at that moment, Luo Yu seemed to realize something.

Gu Xiaowei’s behavior mirrored Lu Pingfeng’s probing of Wen Yuchi.

Testing whether Wen Yuchi would doubt or fear him, whether he would confine him to a dark place and speculate wildly like everyone else.

“This guy really gets into character fast.” Luo Yu smiled wryly.

He stood up, opened the door with a calm grace, and sure enough, saw Gu Xiaowei with a towel draped over his shoulder. His damp bangs half-covered his eyes, with a drop of water clinging to one strand of hair.

He wore loose sleepwear, which accentuated his broad shoulders, making it seem as though he could envelop Luo Yu entirely.

Since Gu Xiaowei was in character, Luo Yu had to embody Wen Yuchi—calmly accepting everything about Lu Pingfeng, never retreating from his eccentricities but instead confidently stepping into Lu Pingfeng’s dark, enigmatic world.

Luo Yu raised a hand and brushed Gu Xiaowei’s damp hair aside, allowing the water drop to slide down his finger and settle in his palm.

Gu Xiaowei’s gaze was deep, giving Luo Yu the illusion that at any moment, he might move closer, step by step into his room, pushing Luo Yu back until there was no escape.

The scent of the sea salt men’s body wash lingered in the air.

In actuality, Luo Yu didn’t retreat. Instead, he softly said, “It’s still quite chilly. You should dry your hair.”

Gu Xiaowei remained still, as if searching for any hint of discomfort or hesitation in Luo Yu’s eyes, but Luo Yu’s expression was gentle and composed.

After a long moment, Gu Xiaowei quietly replied, “Okay.”

He then returned to his room but didn’t close the door, leaving it open as if signaling a candid invitation, suggesting there were no secrets between them.

Luo Yu gathered his things into a waterproof bag and left the door open as he headed to the bathroom.

The lingering steam hadn’t fully dissipated yet, and the air smelled exactly like Gu Xiaowei had, giving Luo Yu the sense that the entire space, including himself, had been marked by Gu Xiaowei’s presence.

Luo Yu turned on the hot water and casually used the same shampoo and body wash Gu Xiaowei had left behind.

Why, you ask? Because Gu Xiaowei’s stuff was good.

After all, they’d already shared sleepwear, so why fuss over sharing body wash?

After finishing his shower, Luo Yu glanced at Gu Xiaowei’s room. The door was now shut. Gu Xiaowei was very disciplined; with filming starting tomorrow, he probably went to bed early to stay in top shape.

Luo Yu entered his room, drying his hair while looking for the hairdryer. As he turned around, he noticed a piece of paper had appeared on his bedside table.

It must have been left by Gu Xiaowei.

Luo Yu picked it up, and as soon as he turned it over, his scattered thoughts seemed to tighten under an invisible force.

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

The paper showed a side profile of a person, with youthful bangs giving off an air of innocence. The person’s eyes were slightly lowered, revealing a sense of shyness and uncertainty.

Below the nose, a hand covered their mouth, and because their head was tilted forward, the back of their neck was exposed, even the delicate contours of their ear were drawn with remarkable detail.

With just a few strokes, it captured a desire—both to protect the fragility of the person in the drawing, and to recklessly destroy and possess them.

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After everyone had settled in, Director Sheng Yunlan organized a script reading session for the entire cast. 

It was during this session that Luo Yu met the other actors in the film. 

Yan Jun, who played the role of the police captain, had a stern and rugged face. After only reading just a few lines of dialogue, he fully embodied the experienced and decisive nature of a police captain. However, once he put down the script, his entire demeanor changed, becoming gentle and kind. He had just become a father, with a six-month-old daughter, and was a doting father through and through. Whenever the script was not being discussed, he would be showing off videos of his daughter to the people on either side of him.

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

“Look at my daughter! Isn’t she cute? Isn’t she beautiful? Look at her big eyes, don’t they look like mine?”

“Yes, yes, she looks like you. All the beautiful parts resemble you,” Luo Yu could already guess what he was going to say next.

“Well, not everything looks like me. Her little chin looks like my wife’s, and her double eyelids too. Most of her good looks come from my wife. My wife is really beautiful.”

“Yes, sister-in-law is a rare beauty,” Luo Yu agreed.

Sitting across from Luo Yu was Nie Yangchen, who played the role of a personal assistant to a collector. Speaking of Nie Yangchen, he was the man who had “abandoned” Jiang Yinchuan. Nie Yangchen had graduated from drama school and had formal acting training. He had gained some fame after playing the younger version of the lead character in a popular political drama.

As Luo Yu held his script, he observed Nie Yangchen. 

Tsk, just as expected, Jiang Yinchuan’s taste wasn’t bad. A man—no, an actor—who could make Ou Juntao and Jiang Yinchuan fight for his attention had to be top-tier in both looks and acting skills.

Nie Yangchen had slanted, sharp eyebrows, but his eyes, gently contoured, softened the coldness brought by his strong brow bone. The height of his nose added a touch of elegance to his features, while his well-defined jawline promised a sharper, more masculine look with age.

Yes, a timeless appearance that wouldn’t easily go out of style.

Nie Yangchen noticed Luo Yu looking at him and smiled graciously, “Brother Luo, you’re staring at me like that—it’s making me shy.”

“What’s there to be shy about when you look this handsome?” Luo Yu replied with a smile.

“I’m no match for you, Brother Luo. Even Chairman Ou said you’ve got a model-perfect face,” Nie Yangchen said.

Luo Yu shook his head. “I wouldn’t dare to accept such praise, especially with Teacher Gu sitting right here.”

After saying this, Luo Yu realized that Gu Xiaowei hadn’t spoken at all during the entire session. He turned his head and saw Gu Xiaowei staring down at the script, his long lashes casting shadows like dark raven wings.

Luo Yu immediately stopped talking and pretended to focus on his script, though he hadn’t really taken in a single word.

“Your script is upside down,” Gu Xiaowei suddenly said.

Luo Yu instinctively thought Gu Xiaowei was joking with him—after all, cry wolf too many times and people stop believing you. But when he looked down, he awkwardly realized that his script really was upside down.

He quickly flipped it right side up.

After introducing the key actors to one another, Director Sheng Yunlan discussed some specific details with the cast.

When the reading session ended, Luo Yu went to the bathroom and happened to run into Nie Yangchen. 

The two stood side by side washing their hands, and Luo Yu noticed that Nie Yangchen was about the same height as him, with a similarly broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted, long-legged build.

“A lot of people praise your acting, Brother Luo,” Nie Yangchen said with a smile. “Before I joined the crew, my agent told me that many people auditioned for Wen Yuchi’s role, but you were the only one who could really stand toe-to-toe with Teacher Gu.”

“Is that the reason you declined Jiang Yinchuan’s offer?” Luo Yu asked while washing his hands.

“Oh?” Nie Yangchen looked at Luo Yu with interest.

“Because you don’t want to be second best. You want to be the best,” Luo Yu said as he dried his hands and walked out of the bathroom.

“You’re quite confident, Brother Luo,” Nie Yangchen replied with a smile.

“I’m not confident; I just understand Ou Juntao’s tactics all too well,” Luo Yu said as he walked away.

Nie Yangchen paused for a moment after hearing Luo Yu’s words.

“Brother Luo, you never agreed to Chairman Ou’s offer. How can you be so sure his promises aren’t real?” Nie Yangchen asked coldly.

Luo Yu stopped but didn’t turn back. “I know the pressure of rejecting him, and I can imagine the price of following him—you’d have to satisfy his absolute need for control.”

With that, Luo Yu left, leaving Nie Yangchen to ponder his words.

Despite Luo Yu’s impressive looks and acting skills, he had been overshadowed by He Mu for five years and unable to produce a standout work. It seemed that this was all due to Ou Juntao’s influence. Even under such constraints, Luo Yu still managed to carve out a path for himself and even establish a connection with Jiang Yinchuan. He was no ordinary person.

Thinking of this, Nie Yangchen clenched his fist as he watched Luo Yu’s retreating figure. What would the cost be for him, having chosen to follow Ou Juntao?

When Luo Yu reached the bathroom exit, he found Gu Xiaowei standing outside, leaning against the wall and looking at his phone. It was unclear how long he had been waiting.

“Let’s go,” Gu Xiaowei said, tilting his chin slightly.

Luo Yu suddenly felt like he was back in school, when a close friend would wait for him outside the bathroom, and they would walk back to the dormitory together.

“I was thinking of taking a walk around the resort. Once filming starts, I probably won’t have the chance,” Luo Yu said.

“I’ll join you,” Gu Xiaowei replied.

“You’ll come with me?”

“Otherwise, by tomorrow morning, you’d still be wandering around, lost,” Gu Xiaowei said.

“My sense of direction isn’t that bad!”

“Do people who end up in other crews’ sets, becoming their son-in-law, really have the right to say they have a good sense of direction?” Gu Xiaowei asked.

Luo Yu rubbed the tip of his nose and resigned himself to following behind Gu Xiaowei. He was probably the only one in the entire crew who had the privilege of Gu Xiaowei accompanying him on a walk around the resort.

The resort was large, and after leaving the villa where the director’s team was staying, they walked down the road.

Gu Xiaowei wasn’t wrong about Luo Yu’s sense of direction, as Luo Yu had no idea where they were headed.

“Where are you taking me?” Luo Yu asked.

Gu Xiaowei led them further into more remote parts of the resort, where some areas hadn’t yet been developed. Since their film crew was the only people staying here, certain parts of the resort didn’t even have streetlights on.

Gu Xiaowei continued walking ahead without answering.

“Did I do something to annoy you, Teacher Gu?” Luo Yu quickly caught up and leaned closer to see his expression.

“You didn’t annoy me,” Gu Xiaowei said, continuing to walk.

This straight-faced attitude was supposed to mean he wasn’t annoyed?

Luo Yu laughed and, without warning, bent down to pick Gu Xiaowei up, planning to hoist him over his shoulder and question him about his grievances. But before he could, Gu Xiaowei wrapped his arm around Luo Yu’s shoulders and pressed his head against his chest.

“Now you’ve really annoyed me,” Gu Xiaowei said, turning his head slightly.

Luo Yu couldn’t understand how this guy could be so strong. He pushed against him, but his head remained firmly pressed into Gu Xiaowei’s chest, and he was starting to suffocate.

Luo Yu tried to pinch Gu Xiaowei’s waist, but the latter simply tensed his muscles, and Luo Yu couldn’t get a grip.

“Did Nie Yangchen’s praise of your ‘model face’ make you happy?” Gu Xiaowei’s voice resonated through his chest like distant thunder, both far away and right next to Luo Yu’s ear.

“We don’t make a living as actors based on our looks alone!” Luo Yu finally realized why Gu Xiaowei was upset—it was because of the mutual compliments he and Nie Yangchen had exchanged.

Luo Yu understood the cause of Gu Xiaowei’s annoyance, but he still didn’t understand why Gu Xiaowei was so upset.

“Complimenting me with words someone else used—you’re really half-hearted, Senior Brother.”

Those last two words were spoken very close to Luo Yu’s ear, and it made him feel unbearably ticklish.

Oh, so it was because Nie Yangchen complimented his ‘model face,’ and Luo Yu responded by saying he wasn’t worthy because Gu Xiaowei was there, which Gu Xiaowei took as using someone else’s praise to compliment him?

“You’re upset about that? You’re trying to suffocate me over that? Are you serious?” Luo Yu exclaimed.

Gu Xiaowei lowered his gaze, watching the crown of Luo Yu’s head.

Luo Yu hadn’t cut his hair for a while to match Wen Yuchi’s image. As he struggled, his hair stirred slightly, and the ends brushed against Gu Xiaowei’s lips.

“I suggest you find a new way to flatter me,” Gu Xiaowei said.

“You… you… your face is carved into my heart!” Luo Yu suddenly recalled some lines from a variety show and used them, “You’re literally the lover in my dreams!”

To catch his breath, he’d already abandoned his dignity.

Anyway, Gu Xiaowei was as childish as an elementary school kid, so neither of them was more mature than the other.

“Oh, so how many dream lovers does Senior Brother have?” Gu Xiaowei drawled, his drawn-out tone like a hook.

Luo Yu was going crazy. The general public thought Gu Xiaowei was too uptight, but where was the seriousness in this guy? He was clearly a master at flirting. Who could handle this scoundrel whispering nonsense in such a serious tone?

“Just one! Only one!”

“Which one?” Gu Xiaowei asked casually, but Luo Yu was already sweating.

“You! You’re one of a kind! Absolutely exclusive! It’s you in reality, it’s you in dreams, it’s you, you, all you!” Luo Yu anxiously patted Gu Xiaowei.

What was he waiting for? Let me breathe!

Gu Xiaowei finally let go. Luo Yu stumbled backward, almost falling to the ground. His cheeks were flushed, and a strand of hair, damp with sweat, clung to his forehead.

“Are you trying to suffocate me? I’m setting rules with you—no more dangerous stunts like that! Do you even know how strong you are? If I don’t die from suffocation, you’ll strangle me to death.”

Gu Xiaowei silently stared at Luo Yu. The sky had completely darkened, and the distant red glow had disappeared into the night.

The cold light from the streetlamps fell on the rose trellises lining the path. The once bright red flowers drooped, as though about to bleed black.

Gu Xiaowei’s face was expressionless. He glanced at the wilting roses in the shadows and quietly asked, “Have you ever thought, maybe Lu Pingfeng also wanted to strangle Wen Yuchi countless times, to the point where death became the ultimate form of possession—that dying in his arms meant owning him?”

Luo Yu stood there, suddenly struck by the illusion that the roses, like black flames, were gloomily burning in Gu Xiaowei’s blood and bones.

Maybe it wasn’t just that he was too deep into character and couldn’t escape the role of Lu Pingfeng. Perhaps, deep down, Gu Xiaowei’s soul harbored the same obsession and madness as Lu Pingfeng.

Luo Yu’s heart pounded wildly, but he kept his face calm as he walked over and cupped Gu Xiaowei’s head.

Gu Xiaowei’s lips curved into a subtle smile, the shadow of the roses falling on the corners of his mouth. No one could imagine how beguiling he was at that moment.

“Senior Brother, do you want to take revenge on me?”

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

“I just want to discuss why Lu Pingfeng never really tried to kill Wen Yuchi.”

After saying that, Gu Xiaowei gave up resisting, even displaying an obedient docility. Luo Yu pressed his head against his chest.

“Can you hear it? Just like how I enjoyed hearing the sound of your heart earlier, maybe Lu Pingfeng felt the same.”

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Back in the car, Luo Yu waved goodbye through the window, and the girls, as if prearranged, called out in unison to say goodbye.

“Jiang Chenyun—good luck—”

“Li Jingshan—good luck—”

…

“Bai Ying—good luck—”

“Huo Haoyan—good luck—”

“Wen Yuchi—good luck—”

Hearing their cheers, Luo Yu’s eyes welled up.

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

Jiang Chenyun was the senior brother he played in ‘Plum Blossom Rain’, and Li Jingshan was the countryside student he portrayed in another drama.

These roles, which he thought no one cared about, were still remembered by so many people.

He would keep walking down this path.

Please believe that the best version of me is yet to come.

Sitting in the van, Luo Yu opened their letters and slowly read them, sometimes smiling and sometimes feeling emotional.

It wasn’t long before photos of Luo Yu giving flowers to his fans surfaced online. The girls who were there in person all remarked how gentle, elegant, and genuine he was.

Luo Yu’s van drove for over two hours before finally arriving at the movie’s filming location—Rose Manor Resort.

It was a resort scheduled to open to the public in about six months, said to be landscaped with various types of rose family plants. The resort featured villas and cottages, nestled against a famous mountain shrouded in mist, with a crystal-clear lake at its base, where you could see your reflection even while boating.

Ye Shengyi leaned out of the window, admiring the bright red rose trellises in the distance, exclaiming, “Wow, I’ve never seen such a fancy resort!”

“Because the word ‘rose’ is in the movie’s title, and Director Sheng likes to use colors and symbolism. Plus, famous painter Lu Pingfeng’s home is a villa, so they chose this as the filming location.” Luo Yu patted Ye Shengyi on the head.

His purple hair was surprisingly soft.

“Do we get to stay here, too?” Ye Shengyi asked.

“Yes, for part of the time. The resort is sponsoring the film, so once it’s released, a lot of people will probably come here for vacation. The production team has already sent out the accommodation arrangements. Let’s drop off our luggage first; the official shoot starts the day after tomorrow.”

Luo Yu replied.

“I can’t even imagine what it’s like to stay here—feels like becoming a millionaire!”

“Thousand feet large mansions, but at night, all you need is three feet of bed space. After two days, you might even find the villa too big, inconvenient to walk around in.” Luo Yu chuckled.

Typically, movie shoots wouldn’t have such luxurious accommodations, but this was a special case due to the unique filming location and the resort’s sponsorship from the resort.

Master Jiang drove the van to the villa arranged by the production team for accommodation.

Ye Shengyi looked up and said, “This villa has three floors… are just the three of us staying here?”

“Of course not. That would be too luxurious.”

Luo Yu walked around to the back of the car and had just moved one suitcase when the villa door opened.

Gu Xiaowei and Brother Yan walked out.

“You finally arrived! If you hadn’t come, we would have been too embarrassed to pick rooms!” Brother Yan carried two suitcases by himself.

Ye Shengyi was stunned: “So… are we living with Brother Gu?”

Gu Xiaowei took the suitcase from Luo Yu’s hand, said “Yes” and went inside.

With more people, things were more efficient. Master Jiang hadn’t been at the door for even a minute, and all the luggage was already inside.

This villa was quite large. The first floor was the living area with a living room, dining room, and kitchen, plus a small garden in the back.

The second floor had three rooms, and the third floor had two rooms plus a large terrace.

“I think this arrangement is quite good,” Brother Yan said. “Brother Gu and Luo Yu will live upstairs, and the second floor will be for the rest of us. Xiao Qin is a girl, so she needs a separate room. The remaining two rooms…”

“I’ll share a room with you. We’re both makeup artists, so our habits are quite similar,” Ye Shengyi said.

“Then I’ll share a room with Brother Gu’s driver. We know each other anyway,” Master Jiang said.

The rooms were quickly assigned, and everyone started to unpack.

The two rooms upstairs were connected rooms, sharing a bathroom and a walk-in closet, one room larger and one smaller.

This arrangement was probably meant for families with children, making it easier for parents to look after them.

“I’ll take the smaller room! The view from that room overlooks the rose garden. It’s so beautiful,” Luo Yu said.

“Alright.” Gu Xiaowei didn’t refuse.

Luo Yu opened his suitcase, took out the clothes that suited Wen Yuchi’s character, and put them in the room’s wardrobe, while less used clothes went into the walk-in closet.

When he walked in, he saw Gu Xiaowei hanging clothes as well. Gu Xiaowei still liked to organize things himself.

Luo Yu smiled. “I didn’t expect the crew to arrange for us to stay together.”

Gu Xiaowei came over, took Luo Yu’s suitcase, and hung up his clothes neatly. “It was my request.”

“Huh?”

“Since you and I are the streamlined type of team, we’ll definitely be grouped with others. Rather than that, it’s better to live together so we can practice lines together—our scenes together are quite a few.” Gu Xiaowei said. “And this is also Director Sheng’s wish.”

“Oh, that makes sense. Your request is both reasonable and convenient.”

Gu Xiaowei lowered his head to adjust the collar of Luo Yu’s windbreaker. His fingers were slender, and as they bent, Luo Yu suddenly had an illusion—that he wasn’t adjusting the collar but caressing his neck.

His throat tightened, and just as he was about to take a small step back, Gu Xiaowei reached out his hand again. “The next piece.”

“Oh… this one.”

Gu Xiaowei tilted his head as if thinking about something. “The clothes you brought this time don’t quite match your personal taste.”

Luo Yu felt a bit awkward. “I know my taste is quite simple—always casual clothes and sweatpants. These were chosen by Boss Jiang for me.”

“Our body types are similar; you can wear mine too,” Gu Xiaowei said.

Soon, the clothes were sorted out, and they started arranging toiletries.

Luo Yu then remembered the bouquet of flowers and hurriedly thanked him. “Thank you for ordering those flowers. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know how to thank the fans when I saw them.”

“Once you have more experience, you’ll be prepared in advance,” Gu Xiaowei said.

Luo Yu found a decorative vase in the room and put the white roses Gu Xiaowei had given him inside.

“Thank you for the flower.”

“Giving you the flower was to apologize,” Gu Xiaowei said, leaning against Luo Yu’s room door.

“Apologize? What are you apologizing for? I have more to thank you for,” Luo Yu said with a smile.

“I really want to interact with you more, to practice lines with you… and I want you to look at me. Maybe when I become Lu Pingfeng, you might be frightened,” Gu Xiaowei said seriously.

Luo Yu was taken aback. He hadn’t forgotten how deeply Gu Xiaowei immersed himself in this role.

“Lu Pingfeng isn’t a scary person. You won’t scare me,” Luo Yu lightly tapped Gu Xiaowei’s chest with his fist.

Before his hand could pull back, Gu Xiaowei grabbed it.

Gu Xiaowei’s fingers gripped his wrist with more force than Luo Yu had imagined. Luo Yu could feel the warmth of his palm.

It seemed like a gentle warmth but had an underlying scalding heat.

Luo Yu tried to pull back a bit, but Gu Xiaowei remained unmoved. He just looked at Luo Yu, his gaze seemingly gentle, but the longer they locked eyes, the more Luo Yu felt that Gu Xiaowei’s eyes were like a reversed abyss, enveloping everything.

He was using this method to claim Luo Yu’s pulse.

“Maybe what’s frightening isn’t Lu Pingfeng, but me.”

A sense of dangerous premonition surged in Luo Yu’s heart, yet he felt like a puppet on strings, gently drawn step by step closer.

Footsteps were heard on the stairs.

“Brother Gu, I brought your box up! It’s all painting supplies, right? Will it fit in the room?” Brother Yan asked.

Gu Xiaowei finally let go, a gentle smile on his lips, and turned to walk towards Brother Yan. “The room is big enough. Place it by the bay window.”

After Gu Xiaowei left, Luo Yu let out a breath.

His heart felt like it was gripped in the other’s hand, with breathing and heartbeat being controlled at that moment.

This kind of aggression was something Gu Xiaowei hadn’t shown before.

Was this a trait of Lu Pingfeng?

Luo Yu closed his eyes, recalling the script. It didn’t seem like Lu Pingfeng from the script, because Lu Pingfeng had a detached aloofness.

He watched the battlefield surrounding his paintings with an indifferent attitude, observing each person’s destruction. Even when attracted to Wen Yuchi, he appeared as an observer, without showing the kind of heart-stopping possessiveness that had just been displayed.

“Brother Gu, is it okay to just place the easel here?” Brother Yan’s voice sounded.

“Sure, thank you.”

“Brother Gu, who is the painting of?”

“You’ll know who it is once I finish the painting,” Gu Xiaowei said.

Gu Xiaowei didn’t close the door, which allowed Luo Yu to hear their conversation clearly.

Gu Xiaowei seemed very normal talking with Brother Yan. Was his behavior earlier intentional?

Luo Yu knew that Gu Xiaowei had learned to paint specifically for playing Lu Pingfeng. So what were his paintings like?

Curious, Luo Yu went to Gu Xiaowei’s door and lightly knocked. “Did you bring a lot of painting supplies? I can help you organize them.”

Gu Xiaowei turned towards him, the curtains were drawn back, and the bright light fell on his face, giving it an almost ascetic flawlessness. When he looked at Luo Yu, the smile on his lips was like the soft boundary where the starry night meets dawn, making it hard for Luo Yu to connect him to the person who had just held his wrist.

“You just want to see what I’ve painted but pretend to offer help.”

Luo Yu didn’t feel embarrassed at being called out and walked directly to his side. “Well—if I were good at tidying up, the housework industry would disappear.”

On the bay window seat were Gu Xiaowei’s painting supplies: paints, palettes, several drawing boards, pencil holders, and so on.

Seeing Luo Yu come in, Brother Yan said, “I’ll go check on how Xiao Yezi is doing,” and left.

Luo Yu also saw a sketchbook. He lifted his chin. “Can I take a look?”

“Go ahead. If you don’t, you won’t be at ease,” Gu Xiaowei said.

“I’m not uneasy about anything.” Luo Yu opened the sketchbook. The drawings were quite ordinary: a mother pulling a child with a backpack to school, a dog clinging to its owner’s calf, students riding bikes.

Gu Xiaowei’s drawing skills were much better than Luo Yu had imagined. The lines were clean and decisive, capturing the characteristics of each image with a unique charm.

“Your drawings are really good.” Luo Yu looked down, as if he were seeing not just the sketches but the mental state of Gu Xiaowei.

“Are you reassured now?” Gu Xiaowei asked.

His eyes revealed understanding, as if he already knew all of Luo Yu’s thoughts.

With a slight sigh, Luo Yu said honestly, “Alright, I was a bit worried about you. I thought that with all the preparation you’ve done for the role of Lu Pingfeng, from painting to mindset, I wondered if I would see dead nightingales, scarred withered roses, broken-winged butterflies—after all, Lu Pingfeng is best at depicting death. He sees every person and every beautiful thing as their end.”

Gu Xiaowei stood up, lowered his gaze, as if trying to discern Luo Yu’s expression at that moment. “But Wen Yuchi is the starting point for Lu Pingfeng, the beginning, and also a rebirth. So, I have never understood what kind of feeling this is.”

His gaze was typical of Gu Xiaowei—reserved and flat, yet imbued with an elusive extremity and persistence.

Luo Yu knew that Gu Xiaowei was adjusting himself. Once he found the right entry point, he would infinitely approach Lu Pingfeng—who had no reverence for life, immersed in a fascination with death—but Wen Yuchi existed outside Lu Pingfeng’s comprehension of life and death.

Therefore, Luo Yu could not retreat. If he stepped back, he would lose the essence of Wen Yuchi. Only by truly becoming Wen Yuchi could he pull Gu Xiaowei out of the paradox of life and death.

Luo Yu’s fingers gently traced the lines Gu Xiaowei had left on the paper, as if sensing the force with which he had drawn.

Gu Xiaowei came to Luo Yu’s side and gazed at his profile. “Lu Pingfeng observes everyone around him like a bystander—his students, his agent, the collectors of his paintings, even the police investigating him. Only with Wen Yuchi, Lu Pingfeng is no longer a bystander; he wants to become a part of Wen Yuchi’s life.”

Luo Yu looked up into Gu Xiaowei’s eyes, neither retreating due to the other’s proximity nor fearing the immeasurable darkness in his gaze.

Gu Xiaowei moved a bit closer. “So why is that? Is Wen Yuchi Lu Pingfeng’s savior?”

“No.”

Gu Xiaowei asked again, “Then why Wen Yuchi, when there are so many bright and strong people in the world?”

Luo Yu leaned back, the back of his head hitting the wall. Only then did he realize that he was cornered by Gu Xiaowei.

Despite the other’s hands being casually stuffed in his pockets, with paths of retreat on either side, Luo Yu felt there was no choice but to face him.

As a wisp of cloud passed across the sky, the sunlight was obscured, and the room suddenly darkened.

Gu Xiaowei’s features fell into the shadow of the backlight, all gentility and restraint seemingly retreating like a tide, and his cold face was touched by a layer of hidden desire. Luo Yu suddenly felt a sense of precariousness, as if he were suspended in mid-air.

“See, this is the unequal obsession between Lu Pingfeng and Wen Yuchi.”

Gu Xiaowei suddenly stepped back.

Fresh air rushed in, and Luo Yu’s fingers clenched and then relaxed.

Sunlight streamed back in, falling on Gu Xiaowei’s shoulder, and reality and illusion peeled away into alluring hues.

Luo Yu realized that he was trying too hard to maintain his rationality. If he couldn’t immerse himself as deeply as Gu Xiaowei, he wouldn’t grasp his essence.

Unequal obsession.

So, what exactly is Lu Pingfeng’s obsession with Wen Yuchi?

Luo Yu had always arrogantly thought that he understood Wen Yuchi well enough, but when facing Gu Xiaowei, he realized he was too aloof, always thinking about saving Gu Xiaowei, being both arrogant and self-satisfied, without truly immersing himself.

“Don’t worry, the closer you get to Lu Pingfeng, the more I will become Wen Yuchi.”

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

Neither of them could abandon the other to independently understand their roles.

When he looked back, Luo Yu saw the unfinished oil painting on Gu Xiaowei’s easel—boldly colored in large areas, bright and vivid, but upon closer inspection, it revealed the outline of a person, though still indistinct.

This might be how Lu Pingfeng sees Wen Yuchi—not a concrete image, but a passionate, unrestrained emotion.

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This feeling was confirmed when Luo Yu completed the black card task while doing a one-handed handstand.

As Luo Yu did the one-handed handstand, one side of his T-shirt slid down, revealing his waistline and abs. He looked strong, but not so exaggerated as to be off-putting. After landing, he even cued Mick, giving him some screen time too.

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

Previously, fans had hyped up He Mu’s one-handed handstand as unmatched. But in this episode, not only did Luo Yu succeed, Mick did it too, causing He Mu to lose a key marketing point.

He Mu was even more displeased to realize that his presence on the checker board was less noticeable than Jiang Muxing, who was just rolling dice.

Before, when Jiang Muxing was teamed with him, He Mu’s fans had criticized him as “useless” and “weak.” But in this episode, he became a “lucky charm,” and people even made memes of his rolling the dice with the caption, “Xingxing blesses you with this roll.” These memes quickly spread online.

When the show aired the part where He Mu drank the “hell drink,” he thought he’d win sympathy from fans by enduring pain for the show, maybe even boosting his dedicated image by wrecking his stomach for the sake of entertainment.

But to his dismay, all the audience comments were things like: “Finally, no more He Mu’s invincible halo,” “If He Mu keeps winning, I’m quitting this show,” “This is the biggest highlight of the episode, other than Luo Yu,” and “Whenever He Mu appears, I want to skip ahead, but this part? I’m savoring every second!”

What? What do these viewers mean?

Isn’t he the one who’s been carrying half the show’s ratings?

He Mu was gnashing his teeth in anger, while the show’s directors felt like they had found the secret to boosting viewership.

They were watching the online discussions and drinking beer while munching on duck necks.

Xu Mu sighed, “I realize the audience has become resistant to He Mu being unbeatable in the games. How about we bring in new guests next time, to keep beating He Mu and continue this face-slapping trend!”

The assistant director shook his head. “Where are you going to find a guest more handsome than Luo Yu? That vault jump, that princess carry, that one-handed handstand—it’s too cool. No one else could pull that off.”

The head of the photography team suggested, “Why not tell the higher-ups to sign Luo Yu as a regular guest for the next quarter? Every time he appears, it’s a trending topic. Just wait for the horseback riding segment later; people are already dying to see him in riding gear!”

“Why?”

“Because they want to strip…”

“Stop, stop, we’re a serious show!”

Xu Mu sighed again. “The higher-ups wanted to sign him too after seeing the footage, but his agent politely declined. According to Cui Zhuxin, Luo Yu prefers acting, and acting requires focus. Once he’s on set, there’s no way he can step out to film variety shows. If he can’t give something his all, he’d rather not do it at all.”

“What a shame. He probably only came this time to promote ‘Counterattack’. Hopefully, when ‘Storm’ airs, we can invite him back.”

“Don’t be so pessimistic. I heard the network is considering casting Luo Yu and Gu Xiaowei in the fencing champion unit. If that deal goes through, we might be able to get both of them on the show together!”

At this point, the show reached its final segment, the horseback riding competition.

Luo Yu rode around the track, once again becoming the focus, especially when he reined in the horse, the hooves kicking up dirt. The scene was shot in full view, and the replay zoomed in, making it even more imposing.

In an instant, He Mu’s “graceful” horseback scene didn’t seem so special anymore.

During the flag-snatching competition, Luo Yu grabbed everyone’s flags and sped to the finish line, leaving the audience in a frenzy.

[This is absolute domination!]

[Those flags he grabbed? He was grabbing our hearts!]

[Li Shengyu and Jiang Muxing completely trusted Luo Yu! I’m so moved!]

[Hahaha, Mick and Old Liu teaming up to surround Xingxing is hilarious! Xingxing didn’t have a flag at all!]

Sitting on the couch, holding her phone while watching the show, Xiao Qin stomped her feet in excitement. “So cool! So cool! Brother Luo is the best!”

Unable to contain her excitement, she ran over to Gu Xiaowei. “Brother Gu! Brother Gu, did you see Brother Luo riding the horse? Brother Gu…”

At that moment, Gu Xiaowei was sitting on the sofa, holding a sketchbook in his hands. As soon as Xiao Qin approached, he closed it.

“What’s up?” Gu Xiaowei’s hand rested on the sketchbook as he looked at Xiao Qin.

Xiao Qin handed her phone over. “Brother Luo looked so cool riding that horse! Look at how he snatched He Mu’s flag!”

“I know. I was there.” Gu Xiaowei said.

“Come on, look again… The editing made him look even cooler! Now I just want to wait for Brother Luo’s solo cut!”

Gu Xiaowei gave a faint smile. “I can’t look at him right now.”

“Why?”

Gu Xiaowei didn’t answer. Xiao Qin, disappointed, turned and left.

After a long pause, Gu Xiaowei exhaled deeply and closed his eyes.

Because seeing Luo Yu stirred his heart, how could he immerse himself fully into the character of Lu Pingfeng?

The attention brought to Luo Yu by this show lasted well into the night.

Suddenly, many cut videos of Luo Yu appeared on video platforms, not just from “Burn, Little Cosmos”, but from “Plum Blossom Rain” as well. Although the old footage had a nostalgic vibe compared to today’s high-quality visuals, some people edited Luo Yu’s cuts with stylish filters, instantly creating the right atmosphere.

In just one night, Luo Yu’s cut videos dominated the homepage of a certain website.

At first, He Mu’s fans flocked to these videos to defend his title as “national school heartthrob,” but they were quickly overwhelmed by a wave of newly converted fans.

[I’m part of the nation too, so why don’t I think He Mu is the heartthrob?]

[Luo Yu was the school heartthrob years before He Mu!]

[Fine, fine, He Mu is the heartthrob, and Luo Yu is the male god. Let’s just agree not to cross paths, okay?]

…

Not only that, but the same ink art sneakers Luo Yu wore on the show sold out overnight on Pinnacle Sports’ website. Although the number sold didn’t compare to top influencers’ live-stream sales, Luo Yu never once mentioned the brand of his shoes. Fans dug it up themselves.

Luo Yu’s one-handed handstand and princess carry while wearing those sneakers left a lasting impression. Some people even analyzed his whole outfit, concluding that all the brands Luo Yu wore were pretty down-to-earth. Yet, with his good looks and great physique, everything looked amazing on him. He was a natural clothes hanger.

It wasn’t until right before bed that Luo Yu noticed two missed calls from Sister Cui. Thinking it must be work-related, he quickly called her back.

“Sister Cui, I saw you called twice. My phone was on silent, so I missed them.”

“You’ve gone viral on ‘Burn, Little Cosmos’! Your Weibo followers have passed four million!”

“Huh? Really? But ‘Burn, Little Cosmos’ is just an outdoor variety show, and most people are watching it for He Mu, right?”

“He Mu’s influence on the ratings has been declining for a while. You should thank those three who recorded the VCRs for you. Especially Gu Xiaowei—even though recording a VCR doesn’t count as participating in the variety show, just the fact that he agreed to record it made a lot of people curious about what he’d say. Now fans are saying you’re a saint in the entertainment industry. You’ve helped fulfill Xie Chang’s dream, carried Gu Xiaowei into film school, and made Cheng Fei admit he was wrong. You’re basically a living Buddha!”

Hearing that, Luo Yu covered his eyes. “I’m more like a clay Buddha. I could barely help myself, let alone cross a river. But now, it’s everyone who is willing to build a bridge for me to cross the road.”

“I’ve got more good news. Do you know Han Yang? After watching this episode, he was blown away by your vaulting and flag-snatching skills on horseback. He said he’s got a double-lead series and wants you to play one of the leads!”

“Han Yang? I remember he was at the filming that day. Isn’t that double-lead drama…” Luo Yu recalled that the network had intended to push two newcomers in that drama, but one of them got involved in a messy fan scandal, and the show was never aired.

As for the script itself, Luo Yu had no idea.

“Han Yang said he wasn’t satisfied with the script and is still refining it. He told you to focus on filming ‘Beast and Rose’ for now, and he’ll show you the script once it’s ready.”

“Alright.”

“Also, there’s Producer Liang from M Channel. He said if you’ve confirmed your schedule to play Xiang Chao, the two weeks of special training will be taught by Xiang Chao himself!”

Luo Yu froze for a full three seconds, doubting his ears, “Who did you say? Who will teach me?”

“Xiang Chao! Olympic champion Xiang Chao!”

“Yes, yes, yes! I’ll do it!”

Sister Cui laughed heartily. If Xiang Chao were to teach Luo Yu fencing, Luo Yu probably wouldn’t even ask for payment.

“Xiang Chao approved of you after watching the trailers for ‘Burn, Little Cosmos’ and ‘Counterattack’!”

“Hopefully, after ‘Counterattack’ airs, he’ll appreciate me even more.”

“The day after tomorrow, you’re joining the crew. Tomorrow, you better pack everything up. Luckily, Xiao Yezi is joining the crew with you, and your scene partner is still Teacher Gu. He can take care of you a bit.”

Luo Yu found that a bit odd. “Gu Xiaowei is younger than me. How are you sure he’ll be taking care of me and not the other way around?”

“He just seems more mature than you.”

“Then you don’t know about his competitiveness.” Luo Yu smiled.

Thankfully, there were no romantic scenes in this movie. If Gu Xiaowei challenged him in acting depth, Luo Yu wouldn’t be able to handle it.

The filming duration was quite long, so Luo Yu prepared three suitcases, packing his clothes and daily necessities.

Ye Shengyi was also in the studio, packing clothes that suited the movie’s plot. When he arrived at Luo Yu’s apartment to meet him, the moment the door opened, Luo Yu noticed his purple hair.

“You… dyed it back?”

“Yes, I did.” Ye Shengyi nodded. “It’s your first movie, Brother Luo, so my hairstyle has to be auspicious to match.”

“There’s really no need… for it to be this purple…”

This was so purple it was almost red, brother!

“There are a lot of people on set, so with this color, you’ll spot me in one glance—high recognition, convenient.”

“Well, that does seem like a valid reason.” Luo Yu laughed.

Once all the luggage was loaded into the van, Ye Shengyi exhaled with his hands on his hips. “Brother Luo, good thing you bought this van, or with your little Polo, we’d have to stuff the luggage under the seats, and the two of us would be squeezed into the trunk.”

Luo Yu rubbed his nose. “That’s true…”

Suddenly, Ye Shengyi’s phone flashed with a call from an unknown number. “Hello! No, I’m not buying a house! No loans! No—what? Oh, oh, okay, I’ll be right there!”

“What’s up?”

“Brother Luo, just wait for me here, I’ll be right back!”

Ye Shengyi’s expression hinted at something mysterious, and then he ran off.

“What is that kid up to?”

Luo Yu sat in the van, playing on his phone while waiting for him. The driver was Master Jiang, the same person who had driven Luo Yu back from the film base before, so they were somewhat acquainted, and chatting with him didn’t feel awkward at all.

A few minutes later, Ye Shengyi came running back with a large bouquet of flowers, excitedly throwing it into Luo Yu’s arms as soon as he opened the door.

“For you!”

“For me? You ordered flowers for me? This many?” Luo Yu looked down and noticed that each rose in the huge bouquet was individually wrapped, with one white rose standing out among the many red ones.

“There are too many people outside waiting for you.” Ye Shengyi grinned.

“Ah? Waiting for me? Who?”

“You can ask Brother Gu. He ordered these for you but had them delivered under my name so you wouldn’t have trouble accepting them.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Yu immediately called Gu Xiaowei.

“Hey, why did you suddenly send me so many flowers?”

As Master Jiang drove out of the neighborhood, they saw two or three dozen girls standing on the side, some holding posters of Bai Ying, some holding signs with his character from “Plum Blossom Rain”, and some waving envelopes and bouquets.

“Do you see them?” Gu Xiaowei’s voice came from the other end of the line, snapping Luo Yu back to reality.

“Yes… I see them. How did you know?”

“When I passed by your neighborhood on my way to the set, I saw them. So I quickly ordered flowers for these girls, but the white one is for you—congratulating us on being in the same crew again.”

Gu Xiaowei’s voice had a unique magnetism, as if it traveled along Luo Yu’s auditory nerves deep into his subconscious, making it hard to grasp and even harder to hold onto.

“Thanks. See you later.”

“En, see you later.”

After hanging up, Luo Yu asked Master Jiang to stop the van on the side of the road. He opened the door and stepped out.

“Hello, everyone.” Luo Yu, holding the large bouquet, approached the girls.

They instantly became excited.

“Luo Yu! It’s Luo Yu!” one girl exclaimed, shoving a large bundle of teddy bear dolls into Luo Yu’s arms.

Luo Yu accepted the teddy bears with a smile, “Thank you.” Then he handed her a rose, saying, “Wishing you all the best and more beauty.”

“I watched your ‘Plum Blossom Rain’, and you were just so handsome in ‘Burn, Little Cosmos’!”

“Aside from being handsome, don’t I have any other virtues?” Luo Yu joked lightly.

“You’re especially gentlemanly, very gentle, a total heartthrob!”

Luo Yu laughed and distributed the roses to everyone.

“Valuable gifts I can’t accept, but letters are fine!”

One of the girls suddenly pulled out a box of letters. “These are from the girls in my chat group! We loved you in ‘Plum Blossom Rain’, and now that you’re getting even more recognition, we’re all so happy!”

Luo Yu accepted the letters. He had been in a career slump for so long that receiving so many letters before even airing his new roles made him realize he wasn’t as alone as he thought. No matter how cold his heart felt, there was still a flame burning.

“I have to join the crew soon, so I can’t take photos with everyone individually. How about we take a group photo?” Luo Yu asked with a smile.

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

“Yes!” the girls answered in unison.

Ye Shengyi got out of the car to help. He was about to take the gifts from Luo Yu, but Luo Yu insisted on holding them for the group photo.

“Don’t worry, everyone is in the frame! One, two, three—” Ye Shengyi made an OK gesture.

Luo Yu expected them to say “cheese,” but instead, they shouted, “Luo Yu—good luck—!”

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