Gu Fanzhou didn’t even need to think to guess that this was Xie Zhuangqiu’s doing. Recently, because of establishing his studio, he had made such a huge stir in Xingxing Entertainment and poached a few experienced people. Xie Zhuangqiu had caught wind of it and made this move, which meant either retaliation or a warning. Everything was within Gu Fanzhou’s expectations.
He had no interest in seeking out Xie Zhuangqiu. There were no misunderstandings between Gu Fanzhou and the other man, nor was there any possibility of a compromise, so naturally, there was nothing to talk about.
Before the car even drove downstairs to the Xingxing Entertainment building, Gu Fanzhou received a call from public relations, asking him what on earth was going on.
“Nothing is going on. Someone is just making something out of nothing. Do what you’re supposed to do,” Gu Fanzhou leisurely straightened his cuffs. “The previous videos should all be archived.”
This call didn’t even last very long. With just a few words from Gu Fanzhou, the other person understood and began to take action. Yu Zhifu obviously saw the Weibo trending search as well, stating that he would post a statement to prove that the casting for Peach Blossoms Unseen had no backroom dealings, telling Gu Fanzhou not to worry.
“Brother, are we still heading back now?” Hearing the content of the phone call just moments ago, the assistant quickly guessed the identity of the person on the other end.
“Go back,” Gu Fanzhou put his phone back into his jacket pocket. “Wouldn’t it be a shame not to see Xie Zhuangqiu’s incompetent look when he finds out he can’t threaten me?”
Although Xie Zhuangqiu was certainly no ordinary person to be able to manage Xingxing Entertainment and keep its profits growing, this kind of harmless trending search without any solid proof was undoubtedly just a small warning from him.
However, Gu Fanzhou himself clearly didn’t buy into this routine. He dismissed the so-called warning as nothing more than a fly buzzing past his eyes.
When Gu Fanzhou arrived at Xingxing, public relations had already reacted swiftly, posting Xian Sui’s audition video for Peach Blossoms Unseen on Weibo. Anyone with clear eyesight could understand at a glance whether an acting level like this actually required under-the-table deals.
Yu Zhifu’s side quickly reposted the Weibo post, stating that the casting of Jian Shuyu was decided through consultation between himself and Gu Fanzhou.
“How strange,” said a staff member, muttering to themselves while staring at the computer screen when Gu Fanzhou arrived at the PR department. “This film isn’t even releasing domestically, yet inexplicably it’s gotten a few extra trending searches. Who knows who stands to benefit from this.”
Gu Fanzhou didn’t pay much attention to it. He asked PR about the current situation; the negative public opinion had decreased a lot, and now the most discussed topic was actually Xian Sui’s audition video, which was pushed to the trending list not long after.
“Is that so? Of all the public relations tactics in the world, they specifically picked this video to put up,” Xie Zhuangqiu appeared behind Gu Fanzhou out of nowhere. “Anyone who didn’t know better would think someone was deliberately trying to prop someone up into the limelight.”
“If Mr. Xie intends to make a fuss about this again, please go right ahead.”
“I have no interest in playing these childish games again either,” Xie Zhuangqiu let out a malicious chuckle before quickly and abruptly disappearing from Gu Fanzhou’s sight. “Next time, it won’t be as simple as random candid photos like this.”
Only then did the assistant dare to step forward. “Brother, did he mean that he has more explosive photos in his hands?”
“It’s not necessarily photos.” Gu Fanzhou unconsciously tapped his knuckles on the desk. Reaching such a state of hostility with Xie Zhuangqiu certainly didn’t happen overnight. When he first started acting, his father was wholeheartedly enjoying life with his new wife, and naturally never thought to help him in his career. Gu Fanzhou had to grope and stumble his way through on his own, and carelessly fell into one of Xie Zhuangqiu’s traps.
He had participated in filming a movie invested in by Xie Zhuangqiu. Back in his early days before he became famous, he agreed to it immediately whenever he got an opportunity, never expecting that this movie would be exposed as a tool for capital money laundering.
Before filming started, Gu Fanzhou immediately made an excuse to leave the crew, while Xie Zhuangqiu attempted to pin this blame on Gu Fanzhou. Of course, it ultimately ended hastily due to insufficient evidence, and the real mastermind behind the scenes has still not been revealed to this day.
To prove his innocence, Gu Fanzhou had entrusted friends around him and tried to find clues himself, finally grasping the evidence of Xie Zhuangqiu’s illegal transactions.
“Brother Gu,” the assistant operated his phone a few times, seeming to have received a new message. “An agent contacted me, knowing that you want to rent a studio space, and said they have a good recommendation. Do you want to go take a look?”
“No need, I already have a choice.”
“How come I didn’t hear you mention that, Brother Gu? Where is it that we’re renting?”
“It’s not renting, it’s buying,” Gu Fanzhou smiled with deep meaning. “Right here.”
“Brother Xian Sui,” as soon as Xian Sui arrived on the set and walked out of the dressing room after changing his clothes, he saw his assistant running over with a smartphone in hand and handing it to him. “I knew you hadn’t looked at Weibo for a long time again, Brother. You’re trending again.”
Xian Sui really didn’t care much about online opinions. If he weren’t an idol to his fans, he would probably be too lazy to even post on Weibo. At this moment, unable to restrain his curiosity, he leaned close to the phone screen and discovered that it was a clip of his audition that had been posted online, sparking heated discussions.
This acting really hits the right spot, and it’s even a performance without props. Is he really a newcomer? Please allow me to call him my wife! He’s both gorgeous and talented!
Although he was curious about who would suddenly upload this clip, judging from the general sentiment in the comment section, this ultimately couldn’t be considered a bad thing. Xian Sui opened his personal profile and found that his follower count had increased quite a bit.
It wasn’t until filming was about to begin that the assistant returned to the side with his phone. Xian Sui’s scene began inside his residence. He leaned against the table smoking a women’s cigarette, and just as he exhaled a puff of smoke, a knock came from outside the door.
Jian Shuyu had just woken up from bed not long ago, and his clothes were still disheveled, but without caring much, he directly got up to open the door. Fu Minglou was standing right outside. “Nobody else would come to Shuyu’s place anyway.”
Fu Minglou closed the door behind him and naturally leaned in to kiss Jian Shuyu’s lips. “Smoking?”
“Just lit one. Want a puff?” Seeing that Fu Minglou had no intention of refusing, Jian Shuyu took a drag of the cigarette and passed the smoke into Fu Minglou’s mouth.
In an instant, cigarette smoke filled the air as Fu Minglou fastened the cloth frog buttons on Jian Shuyu’s clothes. “How did you end up in such a state?”
“Just woke up, that’s all.” Jian Shuyu extinguished the cigarette in his hand and turned around to serve some food to Fu Minglou. They were all simple side dishes, paired with a bowl of light white congee. “You didn’t say you were coming, so I didn’t prepare anything nice.”
“I eat too much rich meat and fish at the Fu family residence; these are quite good.” Fu Minglou didn’t despise the plain meal at all. On the contrary, he ate with great relish, prompting Jian Shuyu to let out a soft laugh involuntarily. “It seems Young Master Fu is a fool, not eating good dishes and running over to Shuyu’s place instead.”
“Why are you still calling me Young Master Fu?”
“Minglou,” Jian Shuyu laughed even harder. “I just never thought you cared about such formalities. I’m just used to calling you that.”
“It looks like you need to learn to call me by my name more often.”
In just this short while, Jian Shuyu was made to call him Minglou countless times. Once the bowls and plates were empty, Fu Minglou stated the real purpose of his visit today, inviting Jian Shuyu to get into his car and go out of the city to relax. “There’s no one outside the city who recognizes you or me, so we won’t run into any acquaintances.”
“Since you’ve opened your mouth, how could I refuse?” Jian Shuyu quickly changed into a dress worn by ordinary families’ daughters. Fu Minglou still turned his face away to avoid looking at him, which once again made him unable to help but chuckle softly.
The car drove all the way toward the outskirts of the city. Outside was a small county town, and the streets were equally lively.
As soon as Fu Minglou got out of the car, he took Jian Shuyu’s hand. Clearly having kissed countless times, this single small action on the street inexplicably made him feel nervous.
Jian Shuyu noticed his awkward situation and deliberately breathed into his ear, “Where is Minglou taking Shuyu?”
“Right here.” Fu Minglou feigned calmness, pushed open the door, and walked into the department store, turning his head to ask Jian Shuyu what he liked.
Jian Shuyu suddenly stopped in front of a set of displayed men’s suits, his gaze lingering on it for a long time. Fu Minglou noticed his action and asked if he wanted someone to have the suit packed up.
“I just thought of the past.” Jian Shuyu’s hand gently touched the suit fabric. “Before the war, my father was a businessman. He wore Western-style suits like this to go everywhere and talk business, and I was still a spoiled young master in the household.”
Fu Minglou’s gaze was fixed on Jian Shuyu. He hadn’t expected the other man to have such a past. In the end, he still had the store clerk pack up the clothes.
“Minglou,” Jian Shuyu suddenly gave a bitter smile. “Sometimes, I suddenly can’t remember who I am.”
“Bringing up past events will only add unnecessary sorrow.” Fu Minglou cupped Jian Shuyu’s palm to his lips. “You are my lover.”
Jian Shuyu forced the corners of his mouth into a smile, following Fu Minglou as they walked down the main street again, buying some snacks and watching a movie, before taking the car back home in the evening.
Fu Minglou leaned over to kiss him. “Don’t overthink things.”
Jian Shuyu sat in the passenger seat, still holding the suit Fu Minglou had bought for him. His gaze lingered on the street view outside the car window, and his thoughts were always weighed down by a layer of ash.
He suddenly wanted to smoke a cigarette, but when he felt around in his bag, it was completely empty.
Fu Minglou drove the car to the alley entrance in front of Jian Shuyu’s house. He sensed Jian Shuyu’s mood, yet never knew how to coax a smile out of him.
Jian Shuyu got out of the car and didn’t pull out a pack of cigarettes until he returned inside the house. He drew one out, lit it, and placed it between his lips.
Fu Minglou’s car stayed parked outside for a good long while before he could bear to drive away. He turned the car around and headed in the direction of the Fu family mansion. As soon as he got out of the car and stepped inside, he saw that Old Master Fu was already sitting in the living room, as if waiting specifically for him to appear.
“Minglou,” Old Master Fu raised his teacup to his lips and took a sip. “How is it that you’re nowhere to be seen all day long?”
Logically speaking, after this part of the scene, Fu Minglou’s soldier friend would appear to rescue him. But for some reason, they waited endlessly for the actor to take his place, forcing this scene to be interrupted right here.
With much difficulty, the staff managed to contact the other party. It was said that he had suffered a traffic accident on his way over and needed to recuperate for a long time, so now they probably had to temporarily replace the actor.
Yu Zhifu contacted a suitable candidate who currently had an open schedule and had him come directly to the set for an audition. Unexpectedly, after two or three phone calls, the actor was locked down. “Hold on, the newcomer is rushing over right now.”
“What kind of person is he? Is he reliable?” Upon hearing this, the assistant director on the side couldn’t help asking.
“There shouldn’t be a problem. He’s my junior from back when I was in the theater academy, Cheng Lian. Just call him Little Cheng later.”
Hearing this name, Xian Sui was abruptly startled.
Cheng Lian was the name of the protagonist shou in the original novel.