“Then I’ll wear it without an undershirt. You really don’t mind?” Luo Yu asked.

“Not at all.”

Luo Yu cheerfully put on the sweater. “Should I change into a pair of pants?”

“No need, it feels natural as if you’re at home.”

“Won’t it look inappropriate?”

“No, I’ll take a picture and show you.”

“Okay.”

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

Luo Yu didn’t strike a posed look but simply stood there smiling at Gu Xiaowei, then took a photo sitting on the edge of the bed, and another with one foot on the table, hugging his knee.

Gu Xiaowei took several shots, and Luo Yu immediately went over to check them.

The sweater suited Luo Yu well. Although he thought the pajama pants would look awkward, since Gu Xiaowei’s pants were silk, the combination of the sweater’s coziness and the silk’s elegance made it surprisingly fitting for him.

“I feel like you’ve made me look like a cover model for a magazine,” Luo Yu sincerely complimented.

“Hmm.” Gu Xiaowei turned his face, his breath just grazing Luo Yu’s ear. “Senior Brother has a unique charm.”

“What unique charm?” Luo Yu asked, curious about Gu Xiaowei’s way of complimenting.

“Having seen thousands of mountains and seas, you are the final chapter of my aesthetic.”

Luo Yu paused, then smiled, recognizing this line from the theme song of “Beast and Rose”. 

He was about to ask Gu Xiaowei how he knew this song, since it was released after the film, but stopped short. It would be odd if Gu Xiaowei had heard the song through some other channel, and Luo Yu knew the lyrics ahead of time.

“Teacher Gu should go out and see if the vast world is really not as beautiful as me.” Luo Yu laughed. “But thank you! It’s still because of your good taste. Remember to send me the photos; I’d like to post them on Weibo.”

“Sure.”

Luo Yu returned the sweater to Gu Xiaowei, who continued packing. Luo Yu then changed back into his own clothes and returned the silk pajamas.

“Shall I help you tidy up the things in the bathroom?”

“Sure. Just put everything in the toiletries bag,” Gu Xiaowei said.

Luo Yu walked in and said while packing, “You’re really quite independent. I heard many actors need several assistants to help pack when they leave a set.”

“I don’t like others touching my things,” Gu Xiaowei said.

Luo Yu paused. “Then why did you let Fang Qin stay in your room when you came to find me for the scenes?”

“To be precise, Fang Qin slept on the bed linens provided here, and I slept on the ones I brought with me,” Gu Xiaowei answered.

Luo Yu turned around and walked over to touch the bed linens. He had wondered why Gu Xiaowei’s linens were softer and felt better than those in his own room; now he realized it was because they were his own.

“But I slept on…”

Gu Xiaowei zipped up the first suitcase and replied, “You’re not ‘just anyone.’”

“Well… I just wore your sweater close to my skin…”

“I’ve worn your pajamas close to my skin as well. Is there a problem?” Gu Xiaowei countered.

Luo Yu answered, “Of course not,” feeling warm inside, as although Gu Xiaowei didn’t directly say it, every word implied “you are my own person.”

Soon, Luo Yu’s phone vibrated with a message from Gu Xiaowei, who had sent the photos.

Luo Yu looked at them and saw that they needed almost no retouching. They looked natural and had a good quality. He didn’t think much and posted them in a grid on Weibo with the caption: [Everyone needs a team member with both great taste and shooting skills!]

In less than a minute, comments had exceeded five hundred.

Comments flooded in: “Finally, not another selfie from gege,” “Today’s photos are so alluring,” “This lighting, this neckline, this room… I’m drooling,” “Gege’s gaze makes my heart race! Obsessed and crazy for you!”

Luo Yu touched his nose and asked Gu Xiaowei, “Wait, your photography style is quite serious? How did they spot anything inappropriate?”

Gu Xiaowei imitated Luo Yu’s tone, “Senior Brother, you transcend the desires of the world.”

Luo Yu laughed helplessly. “That line is my copyright and can only be used for you.”

Before long, keen-eyed fans zoomed in on Luo Yu’s eyes and vaguely identified the photographer!

Luo Yu’s comments section exploded.

[Oh my God, how does the photographer in Luo Yu’s eyes look so much like Gu Xiaowei?]

[God! Tell me this is Teacher Gu? The one who’s always serious and expressionless when not filming? He actually took pictures with his phone?]

[Luo Yu—you must have saved the universe in your past life! Quickly confess who the photographer is!]

Luo Yu stared at the comments in shock. “Do they have the eyes of the Monkey King? How did they think to zoom in on my eyes to find the photographer? I also zoomed in and only saw a silhouette. How did they recognize you from that?”

“Don’t know,” Gu Xiaowei replied.

“Well… what to do? I’ll set this Weibo post to private,” Luo Yu decided, not wanting the matter to ferment online.

His casual Weibo post inadvertently rubbed off on Gu Xiaowei’s traffic.

In the thirty seconds of hesitation, Luo Yu’s anti-fans arrived, with various scornful comments starting to explode.

[Luo Yu is addicted to riding on others’ popularity? First it was He Mu, now it’s Gu Xiaowei! No shame!]

[No wonder the industry’s lowest! I zoomed in dozens of times and still didn’t recognize it as Gu Xiaowei. How did others figure it out?]

[My gege isn’t anyone’s photographer! My gege is unique. I’m taking him away immediately!]

Even He Mu, who was idle at home with no schedule, nearly blew his sheet mask off in anger when he saw Luo Yu’s Weibo. 

Initially annoyed by how Luo Yu’s photos were both classy and seductive, He Mu then lost it seeing comments guessing the photographer was Gu Xiaowei. 

How dare Luo Yu ride on Gu Xiaowei’s popularity!

Their drama had wrapped up ages ago!

He Mu wanted to tear into Luo Yu himself, but remembering his agent’s strict warnings and warnings of zero tolerance from Chairman Ou, he could only hope Gu Xiaowei’s fans would deal with Luo Yu.

Unexpectedly, Gu Xiaowei’s long-quiet Weibo suddenly had activity!

Not only did he retweet Luo Yu’s grid photos, but he also captioned it [My debut photography work].

Gu Xiaowei’s fans went wild, celebrating his debut as a photographer and began analyzing the composition and lighting of the photos, praising Luo Yu’s godly looks.

#MyDebutPhotographyWork# soared to trending.

At first, netizens didn’t know what was happening. Once they clicked through, they realized Gu Xiaowei had taken the grid photos of Luo Yu.

Several fashion magazines even retweeted and liked the photos.

Many passersby asked who the handsome guy in the photos was, noting his makeup-free look but still exuding elegance and a languid, pure charm. Several fashion magazines inquired about the model in the photos.

Gu Xiaowei’s retweet made the anti-fans of Luo Yu look embarrassed and retreat quickly.

He Mu was so furious he almost threw his phone out the window. He never expected that even after their drama had wrapped up, Gu Xiaowei would still be in touch with Luo Yu and personally take photos for him!

Luo Yu looked at his rapidly increasing Weibo followers and couldn’t help but ask, “Why do you keep giving me traffic? If this continues, I’m going to get spoiled by you…”

“Get spoiled how?” Gu Xiaowei asked.

“Just being picky about roles, not striving for more, and lying flat waiting for you to put me on the hot search.”

“I’d like that too, but are you willing?” Gu Xiaowei’s voice carried a hint of teasing.

“Why does it feel like your words are a bit strange?” Luo Yu squinted, thinking it over.

“This is the first time I’ve taken such serious photos for someone, and I can be seen in the reflection of your eyes, it counts as a joint photo for us. It’s quite meaningful; I don’t want you to delete it,” Gu Xiaowei said.

“Right, we took a photo together. It’s not like we did anything wrong, so it’s fine to show it openly,” Luo Yu smiled.

“Senior Brother, are you helping me with the stuff in the bathroom?”

“Yes! Yes!”

Luo Yu picked up a black bottle from the sink. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be aftershave.

“Gu Xiaowei, what brand of aftershave do you use? It smells really nice.”

“Anka’s. I think the scent is called ‘pure color’.” Gu Xiaowei paused.

Luo Yu turned the bottle to read the label and instinctively read aloud, “Under the name of abstinence, performing acts of temptation…”

Gu Xiaowei’s expression darkened.

Then Luo Yu suddenly burst out laughing, as if he had discovered a treasure, and crouched beside Gu Xiaowei. “This line really suits you!”

Gu Xiaowei raised an eyebrow slightly and asked with a calm expression, “Have I… tempted you?”

Luo Yu nudged him with his shoulder, “Your very existence is a temptation to the world, okay?”

Luo Yu was never stingy with praise towards Gu Xiaowei.

But Gu Xiaowei quietly said, “I don’t want to tempt the world; being able to hold on to one person is enough.”

Luo Yu rested his chin on his hand, his eyes full of laughter. “Our Teacher Gu is so innocent… it’s just…”

“Just what?”

As Gu Xiaowei turned his face, Luo Yu’s finger hooked onto his shirt collar. “The higher you button up, the more people want to tear it open.”

“Do you want to, Senior Brother?” Gu Xiaowei asked, looking into Luo Yu’s eyes.

His eyelashes were slightly lowered, with a gentle yet passionate gaze, restrained yet hinting at uncontrollable madness.

Luo Yu lost his balance, propping himself on the ground and sitting back.

Gu Xiaowei turned his face, leaned close to Luo Yu, his breath close, and pressed his hand on the back of Luo Yu’s head. “You see, if you can’t handle my lines, don’t come over and stir things up.”

At that moment, Luo Yu’s heart raced as if a tiny spark had fallen into a peaceful field, nearly setting it ablaze.

“I won’t help you with romantic scenes again. You’re clearly a master at this!” Luo Yu stood up in annoyance, pressing the bottle of aftershave into the bag.

Gu Xiaowei, however, answered calmly, “Maybe later you’ll need my help with romantic scenes, Senior Brother.”

“Don’t make me laugh.”

There would absolutely, absolutely, absolutely never be such a day.

Luo Yu turned his back to Gu Xiaowei and exhaled. It seemed he had been deceived by Gu Xiaowei from his previous life, thinking he was all serious and aloof! This guy was clearly quite good at flirting when he was younger!

When all the clothes were packed, Luo Yu helped Gu Xiaowei fold the bed linens and covers.

As they pushed three large suitcases out, Xiao Qin and Ah Yan were waiting for them.

All the luggage was loaded into an SUV, and Xiao Qin and Ah Yan got into the car.

Just as Luo Yu was about to climb in, Gu Xiaowei grabbed him by the collar.

“Senior Brother, you’re in the same car as me.”

“Huh?”

When Luo Yu turned around, he saw Gu Xiaowei sitting in the driver’s seat of a Mercedes, leaning out of the window. “Aren’t you still owing me a meal?”

Luo Yu was surprised at how serious he was about that promise. He ducked his head, smiling, and sat down next to him.

“What do you want to eat? Should I book a private room for you?”

After all, Gu Xiaowei attracted attention wherever he went.

“Can we go to a place near your place? We can cook together,” Gu Xiaowei suggested.

“Actually… I also wanted to cook for you,” Luo Yu said with a smile, surprised at how their thoughts aligned. “That way, we won’t worry about being photographed or disturbed and can talk freely.”

“Then after we go back, let’s buy groceries at a supermarket near your place.”

“You? Can you buy groceries?” Luo Yu was surprised.

With Gu Xiaowei’s fame, wouldn’t going to the supermarket cause a stir? He should have a personal assistant to handle these things, right?

Luo Yu wondered if he could even distinguish between Chinese cabbage and baby bok choy.

Gu Xiaowei replied, “Not only can I buy them, but I can also cook.”

Luo Yu laughed again. “Yes, little Classmate Gu is so impressive.”

He took out his phone to check and saw a message from Sister Cui, mostly about work.

Luo Yu then casually scrolled through the trending topics and froze. “Gu Xiaowei, why are you trending again?”

#GuXiaoweiPrincessCarry# was brightly displayed at the top of the trending list.

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

Gu Xiaowei, who was driving, appeared indifferent. His influence was something others in the industry could only dream of, but he acted as if it were nothing.

Luo Yu curiously tapped on it and found a short video—Gu Xiaowei, with a calm expression, was carrying someone in his arms, while Xiao Qin was holding a black umbrella that just managed to cover the person in Gu Xiaowei’s arms, revealing only a hint of their shoes.

The protection was actually quite thorough.

If you would like to show some ♡  then please consider supporting this translator! ლ(⌒εー)ლ

“Xiao Qin really knows our tastes. Every time, she orders exactly the dishes I want to eat,” Luo Yu said, breaking his chopsticks and taking a bite of the chili pepper chicken.

Gu Xiaowei, however, rested his chopsticks and looked over. “Senior Brother, shouldn’t you tell me about Jiang Yunxie?”

“Jiang… Jiang Yunxie… he’s been taken in, hasn’t he? Haha…”

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

For some reason, under Gu Xiaowei’s gaze, Luo Yu felt guilty.

Even though this guy was eight or nine months younger than him.

“Was his liquor any good?” Gu Xiaowei asked again.

“Of course his liquor wasn’t good…” Luo Yu said slowly, feeling like he was being caught in a lie.

How did Gu Xiaowei know about this? When he came to pick him up, they didn’t talk about it on the way, which meant he had just found out.

“I saw you drinking quite happily,” Gu Xiaowei’s gaze sharpened, making Luo Yu even more uneasy.

Who had told Gu Xiaowei? The news was well managed by Jiang Yinchuan, keeping it unrelated to him in the public eye.

Could it be Xie Chang? No, no, Xie Shang wouldn’t discuss this with anyone else.

“How did you know?” Luo Yu asked quietly.

“First, tell me, do you know what kind of person Jiang Yunxie is?” Gu Xiaowei asked.

“Uh… he shouldn’t be interested in someone like me,” Luo Yu thought back to Wen Zhilan, who had been by Jiang Yunxie’s side that day.

“Jiang Yunxie isn’t blind,” Gu Xiaowei said coldly.

Luo Yu suddenly didn’t know whether to be grateful for Gu Xiaowei’s recognition or not.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t suffer any losses that day. He didn’t even touch a single strand of my hair.”

“Alright, Senior Brother, tell me the truth so I can judge if you really didn’t suffer any losses.”

“I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you—just stop looking at me like that, like you’re interrogating a criminal!”

Luo Yu didn’t explicitly explain how he knew Jiang Yunxie was plotting against him and Jiang Yinchuan, just mentioned that someone had tipped him off, then described the situation at the scene, including how Jiang Yunxie was at a loss when he pretended to be sick, painting a vivid picture.

But Gu Xiaowei didn’t seem to relax. Instead, his frown deepened, and by the time Luo Yu finished, a bone-chilling coldness had filled his eyes.

“Hu Wei actually dared to set you up like that?”

“Well, he’s locked up now,” Luo Yu said, picking up some minced pork eggplant.

“Since Jiang Yinchuan didn’t drink the spiked tea, why did Jiang Yunxie still insist on drinking with you? He still wanted to get you drunk. Did you ever think about why?” Gu Xiaowei asked.

“Take down one first, then find a way to take down Jiang Yinchuan. If a cup of tea didn’t work, he’d serve Jiang Yinchuan a bowl of soup,” Luo Yu said, picking up some garlic-stir-fried water spinach.

Dude, can we stop talking about Jiang Yunxie? There’s so much good food here, discussing this scumbag is just asking for indigestion.

“Jiang Yunxie wasn’t planning on giving you to Jiang Yinchuan for free. If he got you drunk, he’d take you home himself.”

As Gu Xiaowei said this, Luo Yu nearly became the first actor to choke to death on garlic-stir-fried water spinach.

“Me? He’s interested in me? Impossible!” Luo Yu stood up, spun in a circle in front of Gu Xiaowei. “Aren’t I manly? My fists are tough enough—I could knock him out with one punch! Besides, he likes those bright and stunning types… Am I bright and stunning?”

Gu Xiaowei coldly replied, “You’re more than bright and stunning—you’re absolutely breathtaking.”

Luo Yu couldn’t take it anymore and shoved him a big piece of rib. “Enough. I’ll call you ‘big brother,’ just stop, okay? Anyway, whether Jiang Yunxie likes bright and stunning types or absolutely breathtaking ones, now he’s got nothing but tears behind bars. Hu Wei is done for as well.”

“Thanks to Hu Wei, Zhuque Media is also facing widespread criticism,” Gu Xiaowei said.

“Yeah, it’ll be tough for them to operate for a long time,” Luo Yu smiled. “I wonder who Bo Wenyuan is begging for help now? Hey, wait, you still haven’t told me how you knew I went to Jiang Yunxie’s dinner.”

Gu Xiaowei closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. “I read Xie Chang’s lips when she was talking to you, and combined with the recent headlines, I figured it out.”

Luo Yu immediately showed an expression of admiration, “So you can read lips too? That’s really amazing.”

“Eat,” Gu Xiaowei said softly. “After you finish eating, take a good look at the movie script Director Lin gave you.”

Luo Yu paused, “What did you just say? A movie script?”

His two TV dramas hadn’t even aired yet, and now Lin Yue was giving him a movie script?

This was something countless actors dreamed of—getting a chance to appear on the big screen.

“The movie is called ‘Beast and Rose’. Director Lin recommended me to play the male lead, a modern painter named Lu Pingfeng.”

Luo Yu froze, “What did you say? ‘Beast and Rose’?”

“It sounds like a romance, but it’s actually a suspense film.”

“I… I know it’s a suspense film. I want to ask you, have you read the script? Do you… do you want to play Lu Pingfeng?” Luo Yu asked cautiously.

Gu Xiaowei looked over seriously, “I really like this character. But I would prefer if you could play the role of the forensic assistant, Wen Yuchi.”

Luo Yu was stunned.

In his previous life, Gu Xiaowei played the male lead in this movie, while the role of forensic assistant Wen Yuchi was directly given to He Mu without an audition, as Dijun Media was one of the investors.

The entire story revolves around a modern painter named Lu Pingfeng.

His style is filled with decay, struggle, and cold death, making his works highly appealing to collectors due to their strong visual impact and emotional resonance.

However, some psychologists speculated that Lu Pingfeng had antisocial personality traits and a strong criminal inclination, which added a layer of mystery to his paintings, causing their value to skyrocket and making them highly sought after.

After Lu Pingfeng’s latest painting was auctioned for an eight-figure sum, a series of murders occurred, with the victims’ final forms resembling Lu Pingfeng’s previous paintings, making him the prime suspect.

Forensic assistant Wen Yuchi, through his analysis of the victims’ bodies, worked with Lu Pingfeng to unravel the truth.

In his past life, Luo Yu had a deep impression of Gu Xiaowei’s performance in this film. He vividly portrayed Lu Pingfeng’s gloominess and self-doubt, restraint and indulgence, and the fine line between reality and madness.

When Luo Yu first saw Lu Pingfeng on screen, his immediate reaction was that this man was a wandering soul who appreciated death, seemingly in control of everything, but actually waiting for a ray of light to shine through.

On the other hand, He Mu’s portrayal of Wen Yuchi was much like his previous performances in school dramas—always smiling brightly, steadfast in his belief that Lu Pingfeng was not the killer, and constantly using his expertise to prove Lu Pingfeng’s innocence. He tried his best to present a clean and determined image.

But unfortunately, in Luo Yu’s view, He Mu’s performance was too superficial, reminiscent of the old trope of a kind and strong female lead saving the male lead, lacking depth and failing to match Gu Xiaowei’s acting.

Simply put, Gu Xiaowei had already sunk to the depths of the ocean, while He Mu was still floating on the surface.

Because his co-star wasn’t on the same level, Gu Xiaowei had to carry the performance himself.

After the film was completed, Gu Xiaowei took over two years off, reportedly due to difficulty in coming out of character, requiring extensive psychological counseling and therapy.

It was during Gu Xiaowei’s recovery that Luo Yu restarted his career in stage plays.

Both of them had gone through very challenging times.

“Alright, I will study this script carefully,” Luo Yu said.

“You can take a look at it first. The screenwriter is Xia Tan. Her movie scripts are always very dynamic in terms of character interactions. But she mentioned to me that she’s not satisfied with this version of the story. So, for now, just use the structure as a reference. When it comes time for the actual audition, you should receive the latest version of the script.”

Luo Yu frowned, “Are you sure there will still be an audition? Dijun Media will probably invest, and at that point, they’ll just cast… cast whoever they want to promote from their company.”

Gu Xiaowei looked at Luo Yu, his brow slightly furrowed, “Where did you hear that? I only heard that Honghe Film and Television is still looking for partners. The company I’m with, Xinghan Films, will be investing in this movie. Dijun Media is still in negotiations, but Honghe Film and Television may not agree to their terms. After all, Honghe Film and Television took a huge hit when Jiang Yunxie’s scandal caused their stock to plummet. They may not be able to accept Dijun Media’s revenue-sharing demands.”

Luo Yu was taken aback. He had only changed Jiang Yunxie’s fate, yet so many things seemed to be shifting, including the possibility that the crucial supporting role of Wen Yuchi might no longer belong to He Mu.

If a more talented actor took on the role, it might actually be a good thing for Gu Xiaowei.

After they finished lunch, Gu Xiaowei took Luo Yu to chat with Director Lin and Screenwriter Hua.

Perhaps because Luo Yu had a history of skipping auditions, Lin Yue repeatedly urged him to make sure he attended the audition if he received an invitation.

“Even though Director Sheng Yunlan is very well-known, and the first thought is that he’ll cast famous actors for important roles in his films, that’s not always the case. Any good director cares more about whether an actor fits the role, especially on the big screen. Having box office appeal is one thing, but any strengths or flaws in an actor’s performance are magnified on the big screen. So, screen presence is crucial,” Lin Yue said seriously.

“Director Lin, trust me. I’ll give this opportunity my all.”

“Good.” Lin Yue finally relaxed and patted Luo Yu on the shoulder. He really treated Luo Yu like both a mentor and a friend.

They talked about many scripts and characters, from historical dramas to modern detective stories, from powerful officials to ordinary people. Luo Yu had many ideas and concepts that aligned with Lin Yue’s. Lin Yue kept unscrewing and screwing back his thermos, talking the whole time without even remembering to take a sip of tea.

When they returned to the room, Gu Xiaowei began packing his luggage.

He had been living there for almost three months, spanning two seasons. He had three large pieces of luggage, which was considered minimal for an actor entering a film set.

As Gu Xiaowei started taking clothes out of the wardrobe, Luo Yu curiously walked over and began taking them one by one.

“All your clothes have a great texture but are very understated,” Luo Yu thought to himself, admiring Gu Xiaowei’s sense of style.

Most of these were casual clothes, not ones styled by a designer.

“Do you like them?” Gu Xiaowei’s voice suddenly sounded close to his ear.

He moved closer, and although there was still some distance between them, it felt as if he was about to brush against Luo Yu’s cheek. Through the air, Luo Yu caught the scent of his aftershave, crisp and cool like frost in the snow.

His other hand reached around Luo Yu’s shoulder, as if to pull him into an embrace.

Before Luo Yu could react, Gu Xiaowei’s hand grabbed the tie hanging on the rack and began adjusting it.

“I really like your style,” Luo Yu said.

“Do you want to try it on?” Gu Xiaowei asked again.

“Haven’t you already cleaned this?”

“It doesn’t matter. I really want to see you in this sweater.” Gu Xiaowei picked one up and lightly pressed it against Luo Yu.

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

“This one?” Luo Yu looked down at it. It was one of the warmer-toned pieces in Gu Xiaowei’s wardrobe, which piqued Luo Yu’s interest. “Since you want to see it, I’ll try it on for you.”

With that, Luo Yu turned around and took off his pajamas. Just as he was about to find the undershirt Xiao Qin had brought back, freshly dried, Gu Xiaowei said, “The neckline on this one is pretty wide, so the undershirt might show.”

If you would like to show some ♡  then please consider supporting this translator! ლ(⌒εー)ლ

“I’m not drunk… I still remember the lyrics… Husband and wife… Returning home together…”

Luo Yu’s shoulder was supported by Gu Xiaowei as he tilted his head and smiled at him.

“Why are you so serious… It’s not fun at all…”

After saying that, Luo Yu leaned towards Gu Xiaowei, and when his head slumped into Gu Xiaowei’s chest, Gu Xiaowei froze.

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

His whole body tensed up, as if the release of even one breath would expose some hidden intentions.

Lin Yue sighed helplessly, “This Xiao Luo drinking, really, he’s bad at it but still eager! He doesn’t even consider who he’s up against. Did he really think he could outdrink Lao Chen?”

“It’s fine, Director Lin, Screenwriter Hua, you two can head back. I’ll take care of him.” Gu Xiaowei propped Luo Yu’s head on his shoulder.

“Well, alright. You should get some rest too. I was going to talk to Xiao Luo about that movie script…” Lin Yue shook his head in resignation. As he left, he even tapped Luo Yu’s head with his thermos.

And just like that, the wrap-up party dispersed. Many actors would be leaving tomorrow.

Xiao Qin ran over, “Oh no, Brother Luo got drunk! Let me help him!”

“How can you manage to support him?”

Brother Long and Fang Qin came over.

“Do you want us to carry him?” Fang Qin asked.

“He’s not that heavy! I can carry him myself!” Brother Long was about to grab Luo Yu’s arm.

Gu Xiaowei raised his hand to stop him and said, “I’ll do it. Thank you. It’s late, so you should all get some rest.”

Brother Long was about to comment on how lucky Luo Yu was, estimating that Gu Xiaowei would personally carry him. If someone took a photo of this, it would definitely trend online.

“Xiao Qin, open the umbrella.”

Xiao Qin suddenly understood and opened a black umbrella.

Gu Xiaowei draped his own coat over Luo Yu and, in the next moment, lifted him up in his arms.

Xiao Qin, Brother Long, and Fang Qin were all stunned.

Wow, this wasn’t just a trending moment; this was a viral sensation in the making!

Gu Xiaowei took steady strides, carrying Luo Yu as if the wind couldn’t sway him.

Xiao Qin jogged alongside, using the umbrella to shield them.

Gu Xiaowei said calmly, “Just cover Luo Yu.”

“Oh, okay!” Xiao Qin thought, even if this black umbrella could cover Brother Luo’s face, it couldn’t cover his long legs!

When they reached the door, Xiao Qin swiped the room card, and the warm air greeted them.

Gu Xiaowei walked in sideways, carefully placed Luo Yu on the bed, and pulled over a pillow to prop him up, preventing him from choking if he felt like throwing up after drinking.

Xiao Qin stepped forward to help take off Luo Yu’s shoes, but Gu Xiaowei held his ankle and said, “It’s fine, you can go back now. I’ll take care of it.”

“Well… If you need anything, just send me a WeChat message, Brother Gu.”

“Mm. Let me know you’re safe when you’re back in your room,” Gu Xiaowei said.

“Brother Gu, what are you worried about? My room is just below yours. But Brother Luo should be the one to be careful—he looks like the drunk concubine; who wouldn’t be moved by that?” Xiao Qin joked, half-seriously. “But maybe it’s because you’re here that he dared to challenge Coordinator Chen to a drinking match.”

Gu Xiaowei’s tightly furrowed brow gradually relaxed at Xiao Qin’s last remark.

He took off Luo Yu’s jacket, changed him into his own pajamas, removed his shoes and socks, and tucked his legs into the blanket.

“Mm…” Luo Yu murmured, stubbornly kicking off the blanket.

Fortunately, the room was warm, so Gu Xiaowei didn’t force him to stay covered. Instead, he took a damp towel and gently wiped Luo Yu’s face and neck.

When Gu Xiaowei’s fingers brushed from Luo Yu’s palm to his fingertips, his heart inexplicably skipped a beat. Almost as if compelled by some invisible force, he held Luo Yu’s fingers and brought them to his ear, gently touching them—as if finally placing a plucked flower in his hair.

“Hot… So hot…” Luo Yu mumbled as he started to squirm, tugging at the collar of his pajama top.

Gu Xiaowei, who was used to buttoning his pajamas up to the top, found that the shirt was a bit large on Luo Yu. The collar was pulled to one side, revealing the hollow of his left collarbone.

Gu Xiaowei braced his hands on either side of Luo Yu, lowering his head and closing his eyes, unmoving. He ignored Luo Yu’s struggles as if he were silently retaliating against the other’s obliviousness—disrupting everything without a care.

He lowered his head into the crook of Luo Yu’s neck, whispering softly, “Do you know what you’re like? And you still dared to go to Jiang Yunxie’s dinner party alone?”

Luo Yu struggled, pushing him away, “Thirsty… I want water…”

It’s common to feel parched after drinking. Gu Xiaowei straightened up, looking at Luo Yu in the dim light, seeing a side of him he couldn’t usually witness—like a shimmering piece of glass, reflecting all the colors that Gu Xiaowei had buried deep within himself.

Gu Xiaowei turned away to pour a glass of cool water, but his mind was still held captive by the person behind him. Every slight movement from Luo Yu sparked endless imaginings.

It wasn’t until the water overflowed onto Gu Xiaowei’s hand that he snapped back to reality.

Luo Yu had already kicked off the blanket entirely, and the hem of his pajama top had ridden up, revealing the taut lines of his waist.

Gu Xiaowei sighed deeply, turning his head away before quickly returning to pull down Luo Yu’s top.

“Senior Brother, drink some water.”

Gu Xiaowei half-supported Luo Yu, holding the back of his head to lift him, pressing the glass to his lips. But Luo Yu wouldn’t drink on his own. As soon as Gu Xiaowei managed to get a bit of water into him, he choked.

“Cough, cough, cough…”

Gu Xiaowei could only pat his shoulder, saying, “Take it slow.”

He tried to give Luo Yu a little more water, but Luo Yu tilted to the side and choked again, tears welling up in the corners of his eyes.

At that moment, some repressed, secretive thoughts surged forward, searching for a reason to indulge.

Gu Xiaowei’s fingertips brushed against Luo Yu’s lips without hesitation, decisively slipping into the space between them.

When Luo Yu’s teeth grazed and bit down on his finger, the unique sensation of pain shattered his remaining rationality.

What began as a gentle drizzle turned into a torrential downpour of affection.

He didn’t care if this was playing with fire—despite thinking that in his heart, anyone who touched Luo Yu was unforgivable. But once his deeply ingrained possessiveness found an opening, it rushed toward the light, even if it meant everything else withering and dying. He still wanted to drag Luo Yu into this storm, into the abyss.

Luo Yu, mistaking Gu Xiaowei for a source of water, sought comfort continuously. But gradually, he realized that this source was taking from him rather than giving. He struggled to break free, only to be swept into an overwhelming wildfire.

When Luo Yu’s hand slipped from Gu Xiaowei’s collar, Gu Xiaowei suddenly realized something and quickly let go, catching Luo Yu’s head as he did so. “Luo Yu… Luo Yu?”

As he leaned closer, he could hear Luo Yu’s faint breathing.

The other had fallen asleep, deeply asleep.

He lay there with his head tilted back, looking as innocent as a child, as if all of Gu Xiaowei’s emotions were nothing more than his own folly.

Gu Xiaowei slowly lowered him back onto the pillow, suddenly finding his own cautiousness a bit laughable.

Even today in the car, when he told Luo Yu that he cared about every little detail in front of him, from the strands of his hair to a loose thread on his coat, he could only end with a joke or a tease to cover it up.

“What’s there to hide? I’m never going to let anyone else have you.”

Gu Xiaowei sat by the bed for a long time, watching him with a tilted face. 

It wasn’t until Luo Yu started to snore lightly that Gu Xiaowei slowly moved closer, lying down beside him, gently pulling him into his arms with an air of absolute possession.

Luo Yu slept as if the world had turned dark and stormy. When he moved his eyes, his temples throbbed. Upon opening his eyes, he saw a face so strikingly handsome that it took him by surprise.

“Oh god…”

He recoiled, hitting the wall behind him.

“No matter whether you’re looking to ask heaven or earth, you should first ask yourself how much you can handle before challenging Coordinator Chen to a drinking match.”

Gu Xiaowei’s icy voice cut through the morning air—no, wait, it was the afternoon—sharpening Luo Yu’s senses as he woke from his hangover.

Luo Yu shifted and discovered that his pillow had long been pulled behind him, and he had slept all night on Gu Xiaowei’s arm.

“Is your arm okay?” Luo Yu sat up, concerned. “Isn’t it numb?”

“Numb. I can’t feel a thing.” Gu Xiaowei remained motionless.

“You could have just pushed me away!”

Feeling both guilty and embarrassed, Luo Yu sat cross-legged beside him, massaging Gu Xiaowei’s arm.

“Is it feeling better?”

“No.”

“Not even a hint of blood flow?” Luo Yu asked cautiously.

“No.”

“Is my head really that heavy?”

“Why don’t you let me sleep on your arm for a whole night and find out?” Gu Xiaowei said.

Luo Yu pressed a finger on his head. “Who do you want to sleep with? Why don’t you go tell that to the paparazzi?”

“Sure, I’ll take you to the top of the trending searches,” Gu Xiaowei replied.

“Let’s skip that trending search, shall we? Once it’s up there, it might never come down,” Luo Yu said, laughing as he looked at Gu Xiaowei.

At that moment, there was a knock at the door, and Xiao Qin’s voice called out, “Brother Gu, are you awake? It’s almost two o’clock. Want to eat?”

“Coming! Coming!”

Luo Yu patted Gu Xiaowei’s shoulder. “Stop pretending. I’ve been massaging you for so long; it must be fine by now.”

“Oh.” Gu Xiaowei responded, then suddenly reached out his other hand, hooking it around Luo Yu’s waist to pull himself up.

In that moment of closeness, Luo Yu felt a rare sense of aggression in Gu Xiaowei’s gaze, as if he had locked onto something. But as soon as he turned to open the door for Xiao Qin, that feeling dissipated.

“Thank you. Have you eaten?” Gu Xiaowei asked.

“I have! I can’t go hungry,” Xiao Qin said with a cheerful grin.

Luo Yu ruffled his hair and walked over to greet Xiao Qin.

But Xiao Qin stood on tiptoe, staring at the left side of Luo Yu’s neck.

“What’s wrong?” Luo Yu asked, touching his neck.

“Brother Luo… did Coordinator Chen pinch you last night when you were drunk?”

Xiao Qin placed her hand on the spot, trying out different angles, but none seemed to match.

“Really? I’ll go check.”

Luo Yu, wearing slippers, walked into the bathroom and looked at his neck in the mirror.

There were indeed two marks.

Slightly bruised.

“If I hit something, it wouldn’t be here,” Luo Yu said to the mirror, studying the marks.

He gestured left and right, trying to figure out how the pinching marks appeared.

Could it be that he was so restless in his drunken state that he made Gu Xiaowei so mad he almost wanted to strangle him?

Xiao Qin helped Gu Xiaowei unpack the food he brought. “Brother Gu, I think Brother Luo looks especially good in your pajamas.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, because they look oversized on him. And combined with Brother Luo’s innocent expression when he heard about the marks on his neck, it makes him look really… alluring.”

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

Gu Xiaowei lightly tapped Xiao Qin on the head.

“Okay, okay, I know. Your senior brother is not for me to think such things. You guys eat.”

Luo Yu studied the marks for a long time but couldn’t figure them out. He graciously let it go, knowing that no matter who pinched him, he wasn’t going to return the favor. After brushing his teeth and washing his face, he returned to the table.

If you would like to show some ♡  then please consider supporting this translator! ლ(⌒εー)ლ

After five minutes of silence in the car, Gu Xiaowei spoke again. “Director Lin said he wants to have a good talk with you tonight. But I see you didn’t bring any change of clothes. You don’t mind wearing mine, do you? For undergarments, Ah Yan has some disposable underwear.”

“I don’t mind.” Luo Yu replied, “Seems like there’ll be good food and drink tonight.”

“Good. We’ll head back to B City together tomorrow morning.”

“Okay.”

“Tonight is the wrap party for the crew.”

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

Luo Yu laughed, knowing Gu Xiaowei was reminding him not to forget his promise to treat him to a meal.

“Got it. I’ll treat you once we’re back in B City!” Luo Yu said loudly.

Back at the set of “Counterattack,” Luo Yu felt a sense of returning home.

Hua Xingyun, the screenwriter, dressed thickly and looking like a pumpkin, ran over and hugged him.

“Ah! My little Luo! My Bai Ying! You’re back!”

At that moment, Luo Yu felt like he was the filling inside a pumpkin pie.

Upon hearing the news, Xie Chang also ran over. “Brother Luo’s here? Where is he?”

“Here! Here!” Luo Yu smiled and waved at her.

Luo Yu was bundled up warmly, while Xie Chang, wearing only a woolen dress and boots, ran over without concern for the cold. Luo Yu marveled at how young people are so robust, not fearing the chill at all.

Xie Chang hesitated to speak, and Luo Yu knew she must have heard about Jiang Yunxie’s incident. So, he asked the crew for a cup of hot coffee and walked to the side with her.

“I didn’t dare let Brother Gu know. My agent secretly told me. I heard Jiang Yunxie got in trouble because he targeted you?”

“Yes.”

“Did he…” Xie Chang seemed worried, fearing she might hurt Luo Yu with her question.

“I’m fine. Maybe ten years ago, he could have gotten me. But now, can a slippery old eel like me be caught by him?” Luo Yu joked.

“Old eel?” Xie Chang laughed softly, feeling relieved. “You were just a high school student ten years ago!”

Luo Yu smiled. “But now, Honghe Film and Television is under internal and external investigation. People like Jiang Yunxie won’t dare to act recklessly anymore.”

“Yeah, just seeing Jiang Yunxie in the company was enough to annoy me. Today, my agent slipped and told me you almost fell into his trap… Thinking it over, I feel it’s my fault. Jiang Yunxie had improper intentions toward me but was stopped by Jiang Hui. He must have been upset and, knowing I recommended you to the higher-ups, took it out on you! Honghe Film and Television has many issues; I shouldn’t have meddled…” Xie Chang felt extremely guilty.

Luo Yu, looking at the little sister who wanted to repay his kindness, comforted her. “How can that be meddling? You heard I terminated my contract with Zhuque Media and worried I couldn’t stand up to Dijun Media alone. You thought being signed under Honghe Film and Television would give me more protection. Besides, no matter which company you sign with, you’ll encounter bad people. Honghe Film and Television has Jiang Yunxie, but even the industry-standard Xinghan Pictures can’t guarantee everyone there is virtuous, right?”

“Yes.” Xie Chang nodded, “But I really have to thank you, Brother Luo. You’re like that butterfly in the butterfly effect, flapping its wings and causing a big stir in the industry. Now everyone is paying attention to Jiang Yunxie’s news, and many of his bad associates have been exposed because of his case. Thanks to you, we’ve cleared out a huge tumor.”

“This way, every time you go back to Honghe Film and Television, you won’t have to worry about seeing the person you hate the most!”

“That’s right!” Xie Chang made a thumbs-up gesture.

The wrap party started at seven in the evening. The crew set up several large round tables and even hired a chef to cook on-site, so everyone could eat hot meals.

At the main table sat Lin Yue, Hua Xingyun, stunt coordinator Chen, and other key members of the crew, along with the lead actors and the veteran actor who played Bai Zhongxing.

Luo Yu had just sat down at Brother Long’s table when Brother Long handed him half a bottle of beer, looking very experienced. “Just wait, in less than ten minutes, the director’s table will call you over. So let’s down a bottle first, bro!”

Luo Yu laughed, thinking that since he wasn’t the main character, it would take a while before the director’s table called him over. He threw his arm around Brother Long’s shoulder and they chatted about their recent experiences.

Brother Long sighed, saying that although he had no trouble getting roles at the film base, he still felt a lack of belonging. Fang Qin also mentioned that after this drama wrapped up, as he hadn’t signed with any film company, he was unsure about his future.

“Guys, don’t be so down. The more we act, the more opportunities we have to hit a wall, but also the more chances we have to meet someone who appreciates us. Soon, there will be flowers and applause.” Luo Yu clinked his bottle with each of them.

“So Luo Yu, you have to take good care of yourself. Every time we see news about you online, not about all that nonsense, but about your acting being recognized by more and more people, I genuinely feel happy, like I’m making it myself.”

Luo Yu hugged Brother Long, “We’ll all make it. Though the alley is deep, our shouts are loud.”

At that moment, Coordinator Chen’s voice called out, “Luo Yu! What are you hiding over there for? Come here! Tell everyone what roles you’ve taken and how they’re going!”

Brother Long quickly patted Luo Yu on the back, “Go quickly! I knew the director would remember you!”

Luo Yu nodded, “We’ll talk later.”

As Luo Yu walked over, Gu Xiaowei moved aside, leaving a space between himself and Director Lin. 

“Sit here, Senior Brother.”

Everyone was sitting on plastic chairs, so it wasn’t too crowded when Luo Yu sat down.

Coordinator Chen joked, “Luo Yu, other people switch their acting skills after a drama, but you switch your face. When you played Bai Ying, that ambiguous antihero vibe was amazing. Now that your hair is cut, you look so clean and neat! I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“That’s because he later played a corporate executive, going for a sophisticated look.” Hua Xingyun said while sipping his drink.

Lin Yue also spoke up, “Xu Han told me that among the actors under thirty he’s met, he was most satisfied with Gu Xiaowei before. Now, there’s another one, you.”

“Hahaha,” Hua Xingyun laughed, “So our little Luo is one of the two actors Director Xu has liked among all the ones he usually finds annoying.”

Laughter erupted again because Hua Xingyun’s imitation of Director Xu’s expression was spot on.

This was a wrap party, not just a drinking session, so everyone had their preferred beverages in front of them. 

For example, Screenwriter Hua had a small cup of wine, Director Lin and Gu Xiaowei drank tea, Xie Chang drank coconut juice, and Coordinator Chen and the cinematographer drank beer.

Luo Yu wanted to toast Director Lin and Screenwriter Hua, but he couldn’t find a cup.

Gu Xiaowei pushed his own cup over to Luo Yu, “If Senior Brother doesn’t mind…”

But before he even finished saying “you can use mine,” Luo Yu stood up, holding that cup of tea, and said to Director Lin and Screenwriter Hua, “Director Lin, Screenwriter Hua, thank you for creating Bai Ying and giving me the opportunity to showcase myself. I toast to you with this cup, though it’s only tea, the sentiment is sincere.”

Director Lin and Screenwriter Hua didn’t believe in “feelings are drunk out of,” they cared more about whether the opportunity they gave was well used and appreciated.

“Act well. There are more good roles waiting for you.” Director Lin’s words were a hint.

This meant that regardless of whether Luo Yu planned to go solo or rely on a big backer, he was on Director Lin’s list of actor choices.

“Yes, act well. I’m already thinking about the eunuch role you wanted!”

Screenwriter Hua’s words made everyone laugh. During the two months after Luo Yu left, every time they talked about him, the eunuch joke came up.

“Haha, if there’s really such a role, Screenwriter Hua has to write a concubine for me to play. I have to see Brother Luo’s eunuch with my own eyes!”

“Then Screenwriter Hua must write an emperor role for Xiao Gu?”

Coordinator Chen suddenly said, “Little Luo, you’re using Gu Xiaowei’s tea to toast Director Lin and Screenwriter Hua, isn’t it like… isn’t it like…”

“Like what?” Screenwriter Hua asked.

“Like a bride offering tea to her in-laws!”

As soon as he said that, everyone at the table burst into laughter.

Xie Chang also laughed so hard she had to cover her mouth, “This is before ‘Counterattack’ has even aired! Once it airs, you two will have so many fans you won’t be able to count them all!”

Luo Yu blinked and laughed.

The atmosphere at the table was harmonious, and Coordinator Chen, in high spirits, invited Luo Yu to play an embroidered uniform guard in his next drama where he would be the martial arts director.

“Let me tell you… with your looks! And those skills! Once you wear the flying fish python robe and appear, all the girls will scream!” Coordinator Chen was a bit tipsy, but his eagerness showed he’d wanted Luo Yu for this role for a long time.

Director Lin nodded, “The drama Coordinator Chen mentioned should be directed by Director Chen Kan. You should get in touch. His works are very much worth learning from.”

“Okay, I’ll remember that.”

After drinking a bottle of beer, Coordinator Chen was ready for a second round with Luo Yu.

Director Lin patted Luo Yu on the shoulder and whispered, “I also sent you a script. It’s still in its infancy. After reading it, tell me which character interests you the most and see if we think the same.”

“Okay.”

With Director Lin’s words, Luo Yu was quite interested.

After several rounds of drinks, everyone at the table was somewhat drunk, except for those who only drank tea or juice.

The cinematographer started singing, and for some reason, everyone joined in.

It began with “Mu Guiying Takes Command,” attracting attention from other tables.

When it was Xie Chang’s turn, she said regretfully, “I’m tone-deaf. The only song I can manage is ‘The Heavenly Match’… The birds in the trees are in pairs…”

But after singing this line, she couldn’t continue and tilted her head, looking like she was thinking hard, with question marks floating around her head.

A flush had appeared on Luo Yu’s cheeks, his half-closed eyes seemingly misted over with alcohol intoxication.

Supporting his chin, he sang the next line for Xie Chang, “Green water and green hills with a smile!”

He turned his head, leaning close to Gu Xiaowei’s face. Gu Xiaowei, still sitting properly, tightened his grip on the teacup as Luo Yu approached.

“Pluck a flower casually…”

Luo Yu’s eyes had a thin layer of mist, shimmering with light, as if willingly sinking and unable to come out.

Gu Xiaowei held his breath, feeling something tighten around his throat, keeping his unknown thoughts and impulses locked inside.

Luo Yu’s hand swayed over and touched Gu Xiaowei’s ear.

“And place it in my wife’s hair…”

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

Luo Yu didn’t use the Huangmei opera tune but sang in his own voice.

The drawn-out notes, clear tone, and lazy quality seemed to pull Gu Xiaowei from the clouds to the earth.

That invisible flower, placed in Gu Xiaowei’s hair, also grew wildly in his heart.

Gu Xiaowei exhaled quietly, “Senior Brother, you’re drunk.”

If you would like to show some ♡  then please consider supporting this translator! ლ(⌒εー)ლ

Jiang Yinchuan was sharp in his words, but never exaggerated.

“I don’t want anything. I just want to take back my mother’s shares and start my own company.”

Old Mr. Jiang sighed deeply and said in a low voice, “It’s not necessary. Your brother is no longer capable of rejoining the company’s management. In the future…”

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

“In the future, every penny I earn still has to support him? Yet he will still think I ruined him and will do everything to drag me down. This is the big picture you want. Also, I suggest you thoroughly investigate the company’s internal accounts. If I separate and start my own company, at least I still bear the Jiang name. With my ability, without these backstabbers dragging me down, I can still manage to hold on to half of the Jiang family’s assets. If I wait any longer, I might end up bankrupt myself. I can’t single-handedly carry a collapsing building while surrounded by people trying to destroy me.”

Just as old Mr. Jiang was about to say something, Jiang Yinchuan turned and left without hesitation.

“Grandpa, I still bear the Jiang name and call you grandpa. If you still want to maintain that shattered big picture, I can find another way. With my ability, I can at least become a legitimate CEO at Dijun Media without the ‘vice’ title, right?”

Old Mr. Jiang frowned and sat back in his seat, his face cold and stern.

A minute later, he turned to make a phone call, “Old friend, I’m afraid I’m both deaf and blind now. I need you to send someone over to conduct an internal audit and make things clear for me.”

A week later, Jiang Hui came to visit his father, intending to ask for his help to resolve Jiang Yunxie’s current situation. But as soon as he entered old Mr. Jiang’s office, he felt a heavy atmosphere.

Old Mr. Jiang was seated at his desk, his expression so cold it made Jiang Hui shudder.

Several senior members of the company’s board were also present, all with very grim expressions.

“Dad… why are Uncle Chen and Uncle Zhang here…”

Jiang Hui was about to greet them when old Mr. Jiang slammed an audit report, thicker than a brick, onto Jiang Hui’s forehead.

“Jiang Hui! You’re really something! Do you think you’re King You of Zhou playing with beacon towers? Using our Honghe Film and Television’s resources to please your wife and your precious son! Do you know how much Jiang Yunxie has squandered on projects in just three years? Does he come here to indulge in luxury and be pampered? In these three short years, twelve senior agents under him have left! All of them were initially trained and promoted by you! Didn’t you feel any pain when they left? And all these messy projects, a TV drama with an investment of five billion that barely recovers half of its cost! The online reviews are terrible! If it weren’t for Yin Chuan’s quality projects upholding our reputation… Honghe Film and Television would be a laughing stock!”

Old Mr. Jiang was trembling with anger.

Jiang Hui stepped forward, trying to support his father, but was pushed away.

“Three years! The only actors from Honghe Film and Television worth mentioning are the new generation starlet Xie Chang and the award-winning actress Xia Yun, both of whom were signed by Yin Chuan. It’s his meticulous resource management that prevented them from appearing in those reputation-damaging bad dramas! And what about Jiang Yunxie? He even wants to interfere with our only two assets! Who does he think he is?”

Jiang Hui initially thought the board members would help calm things down, but they all remained silent. Jiang Hui suddenly realized these board members had long been dissatisfied with him.

“When you told me Gu Xiaowei refused Honghe Film and Television’s conditions and chose Xinghan Pictures, I finally saw that contract today! Who were you trying to fool with that contract? When I handed over the power to you, what did you promise me? To select the best talents and ensure our actors remained in the top tier! Now, looking again, the top-tier talents have all gone to Xinghan Pictures! Honghe Film and Television is turning into a resource pool for your son’s love life!”

Hearing this, Jiang Hui was stunned and instinctively defended, “I have educated Yun Xie and scolded him… but he needs time to learn and improve…”

“His improvement should not be at the expense of Honghe Film and Television’s collapse! It should not be built on shareholders’ losses! I’ve discussed this with my old friends, and we all support Yin Chuan! Honghe Film and Television, with its chronic illnesses, is a burden for him! I would rather let him fly freely! He will get his mother’s shares back! If he fails, I, as his grandfather, will support him! If he succeeds, it will carve out a path for our Jiang family!”

“Dad… what do you mean?”

“With the stock price plummeting, do you think it’s only Jiang Yunxie’s fault? You should take responsibility and step down from the board. Among your uncles and brothers, there are plenty who can take this position!”

Jiang Hui staggered back, his heart icy cold, feeling like his world had been emptied.

Half a month later, the changes in Honghe Film and Television shareholders shocked the industry.

Jiang Hui resigned as chairman due to the stock price drop and three consecutive years of underperformance. He was replaced by Mr. Jiang Hong.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yinchuan, the vice president of Honghe Film and Television, started his own company, Yinchuan Film and Culture Co., Ltd.

Public records showed that two senior board members from Honghe Film and Television, who supported his mother, were also part of this new company. Jiang Yinchuan personally held over 50% of the shares, making it independent from Honghe Film and Television, with its own management and decision-making.

Luo Yu looked at the related information and stretched lazily towards the sunlight outside the window.

Today was the wrap-up day for “Counterattack,” with the official announcement scheduled for the afternoon. However, Gu Xiaowei had already posted on his social media in the morning.

Xiao Qin mentioned that her Brother Gu had posted on social media as much in the past few days as he had in the past three years combined.

Ah Yan wondered who Gu Xiaowei’s posts were meant for.

Lin Yue commented that it was the first time he had seen Gu Xiaowei so eager to wrap up, practically rushing home.

Luo Yu put on his coat, hat, mask, and scarf, wrapping himself tightly, and headed to the underground parking garage.

He had finally bought a car, though despite driving long distances in his previous life, this was his first time driving in this life. But… for some unknown reason, the car stalled midway. Luo Yu struggled for a while but couldn’t get it started again.

Luo Yu put up a sign, leaned against the car door, and posted a selfie with the caption: [Stuck on the road, anyone coming to rescue me?]

Soon, Cheng Fei replied: [At least say which road you’re stuck on! Did you call a tow truck? I’ll send someone to pick you up!]

Luo Yu replied with a smile: [Called the tow truck already. I’ll enjoy the scenery for a while longer, bro, you go back to filming!]

Next, Xie Chang, Brother Long, and Fang Qin all messaged him, asking where he was stuck. Luo Yu had to reassure them one by one, saying help was on the way.

Luo Yu hadn’t expected so many friends to care about him.

Finally, he received a message from that person, a short voice message. When Luo Yu played it, the voice felt like it was brushing his ear: [Send me your location.]

At that moment, Gu Xiaowei had already wrapped up filming, Xiao Qin was holding the flowers given by the crew, and the behind-the-scenes team was frantically taking his wrap-up photos.

Several actors were still finishing their scenes. Despite these being minor wrap-up details, Lin Yue was personally overseeing them.

Gu Xiaowei approached Director Lin Yue and whispered, “Luo Yu is here, I’ll go pick him up.”

Lin Yue’s spirits lifted, and he whispered back, “Go ahead. Ask him if he brought a change of clothes? We need to have a good chat tonight; he probably won’t be able to go back.”

Gu Xiaowei smiled faintly, “Even if he didn’t, it’s not a problem.”

Luo Yu was taking numerous scenic photos by the roadside, preparing to make a short video, when a black Mercedes stopped opposite him, and the horn sounded.

Luo Yu turned his head and saw Gu Xiaowei stepping out of the car with his long legs.

The two looked at each other across the road, just like in “Counterattack,” where Yan Ye stood at the convenience store entrance and looked at Bai Ying across the street.

“Gu Xiaowei—long time no see!” Luo Yu smiled and waved at him.

Gu Xiaowei walked over, and Luo Yu thought he would shake hands with him, but instead, Gu Xiaowei hugged him tightly. “Luo Yu, long time no see.”

At that moment, Luo Yu felt relieved. He was sure that Gu Xiaowei, who usually struggled to get out of his roles, had managed to step out of his role this time.

“Here you go.” Gu Xiaowei took a small tin box from his pocket and handed it to Luo Yu.

“Cough drops? For me?” Luo Yu was about to say his throat was fine, but when he opened the lid, he found it was filled with milk candies, the kind he loved as a kid. “Where did you find these?”

“At a small supermarket near the film studio,” Gu Xiaowei said.

Luo Yu unwrapped one and put it in his mouth. The rich milk flavor was just as sweet but not overpowering. “Hmm! It still tastes like childhood! How did you know I like these?”

“I didn’t actually know if you liked them. I just saw them and thought you might want to try them,” Gu Xiaowei replied.

In the drama, Yan Ye couldn’t find the chocolate Bai Ying mentioned in the convenience store. But now, without Luo Yu saying anything, Gu Xiaowei had found the taste he had been craving.

The towing company finally arrived and towed Luo Yu’s car away.

Luo Yu got into Gu Xiaowei’s car, propping his head up and looking at Gu Xiaowei’s profile.

“Senior Brother, staring at me like that can easily cause a traffic accident,” Gu Xiaowei said.

“You’re really funny. It’s not like I have laser eyes that can shoot through your head,” Luo Yu said, simulating laser beams with his fingers and playfully poking at Gu Xiaowei.

Gu Xiaowei skillfully turned the steering wheel, and the car merged onto a side road, then spiraled downward.

“Being stared at by you makes my heart flutter.”

Luo Yu almost choked on his next breath, leaning closer to Gu Xiaowei in surprise. “Why would your heart flutter?”

“I start to wonder if my hairstyle is neat enough, whether the makeup still on my face looks heavy to you, and if this coat, which I wore the night I visited you, seems unoriginal to you.”

Luo Yu’s emotions were stirred, feeling as if he had taken a sip of aged wine despite knowing he couldn’t hold his liquor well. He knew his quickening heartbeat and warming blood were due to that small sip, yet he couldn’t help wanting to prove something deep down.

Gu Xiaowei’s profile was still sharp and handsome, giving no hint of what he felt when he said those words.

“I also wonder if saying that makes you overthink. How was my acting?”

Gu Xiaowei glanced at Luo Yu, a slight smile of triumph on his lips from successfully teasing him.

Oh, Gu Xiaowei wouldn’t easily move on from their acting duel until he got a definitive answer.

Reciprocity was a principle Luo Yu lived by.

“How could that be? You’re Gu Xiaowei, existing above the mundane aesthetics of the world,” Luo Yu said softly, his expression casual and voice languid.

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

Gu Xiaowei’s fingers slightly twitched on the steering wheel. He glanced at Luo Yu through the right side mirror, taking the opportunity to observe him.

The wind blew through Luo Yu’s hair as he slightly closed his eyes and lifted his chin, his features exuding a clear elegance and unyielding resilience. He possessed a reserved pride that easily stirred worldly thoughts.

If you would like to show some ♡  then please consider supporting this translator! ლ(⌒εー)ლ

He had studied abroad in his early years, handling exams, passports, and school on his own without bothering Jiang Hui at all. Since childhood, he’d been strong in problem-solving and self-care.

“Alright then, Jiang Yinchuan, are you okay with spicy? I go all out with the spicy hot pot base, or should I tone it down a bit?” Luo Yu inquired.

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

“Two-thirds spicy,” Jiang Yinchuan suggested.

Jiang Yinchuan didn’t feel offended hearing his name directly; he actually felt comfortable. Compared to the industry people’s sarcastic “Vice President Jiang”, Luo Yu made him feel at ease.

As the hot pot heated up, Luo Yu handed Jiang Yinchuan two cans of beer. “This is all the ingredients I have. I don’t think either of us are big eaters… If it’s not enough, we can get more.”

Jiang Yinchuan glanced at Luo Yu. His demeanor was natural, showing no overt deference. Instead, he treated him like an ordinary person dining together.

“Hurry up, fish out the beef before it gets overcooked. I want to put in all the pork blood,” Luo Yu ordered unabashedly.

“Oh, let me help,” Jiang Yinchuan offered.

“These stuffed fish balls are delicious. Once they float up, you can try them,” Luo Yu remarked.

“Haha, I used to love these when I was in school,” Jiang Yinchuan recalled.

Suddenly, Jiang Yinchuan felt like he’d returned to his student days, sitting across from a classmate. There was no exchange of interests or deceitful scheming; instead, there was simple companionship.

“Why are you so daring? Daring enough to oppose Jiang Yunxie. I saw you switch that glass of wine; weren’t you afraid I’d expose you on the spot?” Jiang Yinchuan asked.

“Because when I warned you about the tampering with the Longjing tea, you knew Jiang Yunxie’s real target wasn’t me but you,” Luo Yu replied.

“What if I told the police that you and Hu Wei conspired against Jiang Yunxie to protect Honghe Film and Television?” Jiang Yinchuan inquired.

“You wouldn’t,” Luo Yu said confidently.

“Why wouldn’t I?” Jiang Yinchuan pressed.

“Because you understand Jiang Yunxie’s style—anyone  attractive, and he’ll put a notch on his bedpost. I suppose I’m somewhat attractive, right?” Luo Yu touched his face.

Jiang Yinchuan chuckled at his narcissistic gesture.

Luo Yu continued, “You and Jiang Yunxie are known not to get along in the industry. But when you attended this dinner, didn’t you have a thought to warn me? From the moment you sat down, you didn’t want me to drink that glass of wine because you were also afraid it might be tainted. And now that he’s targeting you this time, if you don’t resist, there won’t be another chance this good—’Man proposes, God disposes.'”

Jiang Yinchuan looked down and smiled. He’d wanted to find someone to confide in about his mother’s situation, how his father had legitimized his mistress, and how he’d fought alone in Honghe Film and Television to his current position. He wanted… to gain his father’s recognition a thousandfold or more compared to Jiang Yunxie. But the more outstanding he became, the more distant his father grew.

However, when Luo Yu calmly discussed Jiang Yunxie’s twisted intentions, Jiang Yinchuan suddenly realized that Luo Yu’s past five years hadn’t been easy either—smeared by public opinion, suppressed by capital, yet he hadn’t left the entertainment circle and was even improving his situation. It was quite a feat.

He couldn’t compare his own hardships to Luo Yu’s… At least in front of outsiders, he was still quite the illustrious Vice President Jiang.

“Luo Yu, I’m a bit tired. I don’t want to keep helping that mentally challenged father-son duo through thick and thin. Even if I sacrifice myself, they would even find it troublesome.”

Jiang Yinchuan took a deep breath, just opening a bottle of beer when Luo Yu clinked glass with him.

Deep in his mind, that tightly wound string reverbated along with the sound.

“Have you seen a play where Mr. Yang Chen played the emperor, called…”

Jiang Yinchuan paused, “‘The Reversal’?”

“Yes, exactly, ‘The Reversal’,” nodded Luo Yu.

“It’s my favorite play. Later, when Mr. Yang Chen’s health declined, he stopped playing the emperor, and it lost some of its flavor.”

Jiang Yinchuan had always loved stage dramas, often buying tickets to watch. He never expected Luo Yu had also seen “The Reversal”.

Luo Yu smiled. In his previous life, he played the lead in “The Reversal”, and Jiang Yinchuan was a frequent guest.

“There’s a prince in it, very talented and beloved by the people. But his foolish father insists on passing the throne to his youngest son. With the mad favoritism of his father, the younger son eagerly schemed against his elder brother.”

“I remember,” Jiang Yinchuan said.

“Then let me give you my favorite line from it.”

Leaning on his chin, Luo Yu had a slightly tipsy and lazy expression. Despite seeming like he might slump over at any moment, his eyes held an indescribable power, suddenly firming Jiang Yinchuan’s wavering heart.

“If you feel you were meant to be the price over son of heaven, then ride out boldly, conquer mountains and seas, and aim your sword at the nation!”

Jiang Yinchuan’s heart warmed faintly, as if he had something to look forward to again.

This was a line spoken by the prince’s tutor in the play, pulling him to the highest tower of the palace to gaze beyond the walls at distant mountains.

It was also Jiang Yinchuan’s favorite line.

With his hand on the beer bottle, Luo Yu lifted it and pointed at him.

“Who else in this world, besides yourself, would willingly sacrifice heart and soul to sketch out the grand landscape for you?”

Jiang Yinchuan thought of his father and all the efforts he had made over the years, all the passion misplaced.

“If someone wants to be your deity, show them your abilities that far surpass the plaster statues worshiped as reality and illusion. This temple, you can protect for them, or tear down to create something new!”

Jiang Yinchuan’s hesitation and confusion were swept away.

Yes, the wealth and status of the Jiang family, he could maintain it for Jiang Hui, or dismantle it and forge his own path, live his life the way he wanted!

Luo Yu stood up with his beer. “Here’s to clarity and decisiveness!”

“Here’s to… rebirth!”

At that moment, Jiang Yinchuan realized how absurd it was that he cared so much about Jiang Hui’s opinion. The Jiang family was not some noble dynasty; why did he feel obligated to stay?

Those who had schemed against him, exploited his efforts, those vermin and petty individuals, he would send them packing. He would sharply expose their hypocrisy. This time, he would be true to himself and let those who thought they could control him through blood relationship suffer a crushing defeat.

Their beer bottles clinked together, and only when they tilted their heads back did they realize both bottles were already empty.

That kindred spirit, that tacit understanding, Jiang Yinchuan hadn’t felt it in a long time.

“Hahaha…”

“Is there more beer?”

“No more. Jiang Yinchuan, you’ve had two bottles already… if you drink more, you’ll develop a beer belly!”

Luoyp Yu hiccupped, half-sleeping on the table.

This guy really couldn’t hold his alcohol.

“Hey hey hey!” Jiang Yinchuan knocked on the table. “If you can’t handle alcohol that well, how did you manage to drink a large glass of wine that night and still act?”

“I… I poured some out…” Luo Yu reached out and waved. “I poured some into my sweater…”

Only then did Jiang Yinchuan remember that night Luo Yu wore a dark sweater with long sleeves that partly covered his hands.

This guy didn’t seem clueless about handling social situations. Quite cunning, huh?

“Hey, Dijun Media wanted to sign you. I understand why you refused them. But what about Xinghan Pictures? And Yuanjing Films? They’re all good opportunities, yet you haven’t signed with any. Are you waiting to hike up your price after ‘Counterattack’?”

Jiang Yinchuan lightly tapped Luo Yu’s head with the beer bottle.

“I’m waiting for you…”

“Waiting for me?” Jiang Yinchuan was puzzled.

But Honghe Film and Television did offer Luo Yu a contract, and he wasn’t interested, right?

Wait… He wasn’t waiting for Honghe Film and Television!

At that moment, Jiang Yinchuan felt ecstatic, as if he had returned to the summers of his youth, ready to break free from all constraints. What was a small Jiang family in this industry? He would leave his mark as Jiang Yinchuan.

“Up you go—” Jiang Yinchuan lifted the sleeping Luo Yu and carried him into the room, covering him with a blanket.

Closing the bedroom door, Jiang Yinchuan pointed at the sleeping Luo Yu and said with some exasperation, “Don’t you know you’re quite attractive? Do you know you’re some bad men’s favorite dish? We’ve only met a few times! You brought me home! Got drunk with me! Be more careful, Luo Yu!”

After saying that, the sleeping person didn’t even furrow his brows, his words clearly a waste of breath.

Jiang Yinchuan cleaned up the hot pot stand and left after closing the door.

When the cold wind blew, it felt like there was a layer of ice on his face but warmth remained in his body.

It seemed that there was a brother-in-arms beside him, and he was no longer fighting alone.

Taking advantage of that slight tipsiness, he took a taxi to a villa. Looking up, the study on the second floor of the villa was still lit.

The housekeeper led him upstairs, where an elderly man in a cotton and linen Chinese-style tunic was admiring calligraphy and paintings—he was Jiang Yinchuan’s grandfather, Jiang Zhentao.

Although the old man had already retired and delegated power to Jiang Hui, he still held significant authority within the board of directors.

Standing at the study’s entrance, his heart and mind churned, unsure how to express his thoughts for a moment.

“I was still thinking, at what stage you would come to find me,” Old Mr. Jiang spoke up.

Jiang Yinchuan’s face showed no indignation, after all, he had no expectations left for this family.

“Because Grandpa always wants me to see the bigger picture, to think of calming things down and maintaining family harmony. Nothing should override the interests of the Jiang family.”

Old Mr. Jiang nodded slowly and put away the painting. “I know you’ve been wronged, and I also know that Jiang Yunxie is far from your equal. If you come to tell me what he has done to you, since it touches the bottom line of the Jiang family, even if your father can’t bear to raise a hand against him, I will still drive him out of the game. But what you did this time was extreme, and it ruined his future. After all, he is surnamed Jiang.”

“Grandpa, are you addled?” Jiang Yinchuan opened the recording on his phone and played all the words Jiang Yunxie said that night.

There was no expression on old Mr. Jiang’s face, but he smiled slightly, as if watching a child’s temper tantrum.

“Are you threatening me by playing this recording?”

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

“I’m not threatening you, I’m helping you see the bigger picture. Others… Jiang Hui, Jiang Hui’s wife, Jiang Hui’s beloved son keep messing up the big picture, but they expect me alone to dedicate myself to it. Are you dissatisfied that the Jiang family isn’t falling fast enough?”

“What do you want?” Grandpa Jiang frowned. It was the first time he had heard “the Jiang family isn’t falling fast enough” from this grandson’s mouth.

If you would like to show some ♡  then please consider supporting this translator! ლ(⌒εー)ლ