Around noon the next day, as expected, Fang Yueshi arrived clicking along in her sky-high heels.
What Fang Yueshi hated most in life was that she was barely 1.6 meters tall even when rounding up, while Best Actress Gu stood at 1.72 meters, giving her that standout elegance that made her easily spotted in any crowd.
Best Actress Gu, feeling any better?
Mostly recovered.
This time, Gu Xiaofeng had truly frozen herself into a cold while filming on a foreign coast, braving the biting sea breeze in the early morning.
“I can tell. People usually say illness makes one look haggard, but look at you—supple skin, glowing complexion. You don’t look sick at all; instead, you look… tsk, tsk, like you’ve just been nourished by love! Hey, don’t glare at me! It’s just a joke… fine, fine, I’m the one being nourished by love every night, okay?”
Gu Xiaofeng retorted bluntly, “Finally, you’ve said something true.
Fang Yueshi rolled her eyes in annoyance.
The two had been sitting on the terrace, but the midday sun was a bit too piercing. Worried about tanning her hard-earned pale skin, Fang Yueshi shielded her eyes. “Let’s go inside. I’ll order takeout; it’s my treat today.”
Once inside, Fang Yueshi instinctively looked for alcohol. She was famous at Tang Huan for her high tolerance and loved a small drink with every meal.
“Where’s the wine, Movie Queen? I brought two cases over last time.”
“Finished,” Gu Xiaofeng said nonchalantly while sipping plain water. The water was slightly hot, warming her hands and making her whole body feel much more comfortable as she drank.
As it turned out, water really was the best drink.
The night before, just as she was about to sleep, a friend request had popped up on WeChat. Tushan Little Fox, with the note: Tu Yiyi
After she accepted, the Little Fox sent only one message: “Cao-cao, sick people need to rest early and drink plenty of hot water.”
Gu Xiaofeng replied instantly: Understood, thank you.
After that, the message seemed to vanish into the deep sea; the Little Fox never replied. Gu Xiaofeng stared at the silent screen, unsure of how to feel.
Was my reply too cold?
She re-read those three words repeatedly. They were ordinary and common—hardly a rejection…
Much later, the screen lit up in the darkness. Gu Xiaofeng grabbed it quickly, her heart inexplicably racing. Upon opening it, it felt like a bucket of ice water over her head.
Xu Yanzhe: At night, my body always misses you.
Gu Xiaofeng’s skin crawled with disgust. Not wanting to waste words on such a person, she threw the phone aside. She thought of the words her mother had said to her—each word like an icicle stabbing her heart.
Gu Xiaofeng stared at the ceiling, her body trembling slightly. She wasn’t surprised by Wang Baozhen’s words. A mother’s love had always been a luxury to her. Her mother would always hold her brother high, kissing and hugging him, always remembering to put on his thermal leggings when it got cold, always praising how “excellent” he was even if he only managed a bare passing grade on a test.
Over the years, Gu Xiaofeng had wondered time and again: If Wang Baozhen dislikes me so much, why did she give birth to me in the first place?
A moment later, the screen lit up again. Gu Xiaofeng ignored it, assuming it was more harassment from that pampered young master.
The next morning, however, she opened the message to find it was from the Little Fox. It was quite long:
Cao-cao, I really don’t ‘sneak around’ frequently. I only learned it from my older sisters and brothers three times. Really, only three times. Each time I only stole one chicken and never touched a dog. Please believe me.
Gu Xiaofeng smiled. Beyond the amusement, she felt something else stirring. She typed a reply: I believe you.
After sending it, she thought for a moment and added: Did you lose sleep last night because of this?
A moment later, a reply came
Cao-cao, I was just greeting everyone. There were a lot of people today and everyone was very enthusiastic with their greetings, so I couldn’t reply to you in time.
Because I hadn’t received your message, I was worried you doubted my honesty. My heart was uneasy, and I couldn’t sleep for a long time. Considering I had to wake up early to fulfill my duties as a receptionist at ZL, I decided to retire to bed to avoid being late. I fell asleep around 3:00 AM and slept peacefully.
Thank you for believing me.
The odd, pseudo-literary, and slightly “sour” tone of the message made the corners of Gu Xiaofeng’s mouth lift involuntarily. She found that when this Little Fox tried to be serious, she was a bit silly, yet very cute.
Fang Yueshi was shocked to hear the two cases of wine were gone. “Huh?! You finished both? I remember you don’t even like drinking; I only stored them here for myself!
“I hosted a guest.”
Fang Yueshi looked as if she’d heard the biggest news in the world. The high-and-mighty, shut-in Movie Queen actually hosted a guest?
Who?? Do I know them?”
You do,” Gu Xiaofeng put down her glass. The period-drama boss from next door.
What?!!” Fang Yueshi’s gossip sensors flared. What made you want to treat her to a meal? When did you two get ‘together’?
Gu Xiaofeng rolled her eyes. “It was just a meal. We’re neighbors; it was a friendly neighborly gesture. What’s wrong with that?
So what does her family do? What industry are they in?
Agriculture and livestock, I think.
When are you going to introduce me? I didn’t get a good look that night, but she seemed quite pretty.
You can see her just by walking into ZL.
???
She’s a receptionist at ZL.
???!!!
Just then, the phone lit up with a new message: Cao-cao, since you are just recovering, I asked Zhuo Jin to make a bowl of blood-nourishing congee. I’ll have it sent over at noon. Please don’t reject it.
Who is it? Why are you smiling so happily?
Gu Xiaofeng started, looking up. “Was I smiling?
Were you? I can smell the ‘stench of romance’ from here!” Fang Yueshi craned her neck to peek at the screen.
Gu Xiaofeng was quick, moving the phone away and glaring at her friend. “Boring!” Out of the corner of her eye, she checked the clock. Ten seconds until exactly 12:00.
“I won’t be joining you for lunch. Enjoy your takeout.
I specifically ordered high-end Japanese cuisine for you! The owner doesn’t even do takeout; he only did it as a favor to me. If you don’t eat it, I ordered for nothing!
“Then you should eat more of it.
Gu Xiaofeng, are you doing this on purpose? You know I’m managing my figure!
Ding-dong. The doorbell rang. Gu Xiaofeng checked her phone. 12:00 sharp.
The monitor showed Zhuo Jin, dressed in a sharp suit, carrying a food container. Gu Xiaofeng opened the door. Zhuo Jin bowed. Miss Gu, my lady instructed me to brew this congee for you. Where shall I put it?
Gu Xiaofeng thanked him and led him to the dining room. Fang Yueshi’s eyes went wide at the sight of Zhuo Jin. She pulled Xiaofeng aside and whispered, “Who is this?! He’s so handsome!
“The neighbor’s servant.
Fang Yueshi: The neighbor has a male servant this handsome? If he entered showbiz, he’d crush half the current idols.
“Miss Gu, please enjoy.” Zhuo Jin stood to the side, back straight as a spear, looking respectful. On the table sat steaming chicken congee and four delicate side dishes.
No wonder you won’t eat my takeout. Fine, this congee smells great, share some with me. Fang Yueshi sat down unceremoniously.
Before Gu Xiaofeng could speak, Zhuo Jin spoke up. His tone was polite, but his words were not. This congee was made specifically for Miss Gu. Without my lady’s permission, no one else may eat it.
Fang Yueshi: I can’t even have a bite of congee?
Gu Xiaofeng suppressed a smile at her friend’s expression. You’re managing your figure; you can’t have congee anyway. Wait for your sashimi.
As they spoke, the property manager delivered the takeout. Fang Yueshi sat across the table, teeth gnashing as she ate sashimi while watching Gu Xiaofeng eat the fragrant congee sip by sip. Somehow, the expensive fish and urchin felt inferior to that bowl of congee.
Watching Zhuo Jin stand there perfectly poised, Fang Yueshi tried to strike up a conversation. “What’s your name? What do you usually do? What’s your lady’s temper like…?
Zhuo Jin acted as if he hadn’t heard her. He turned to Gu Xiaofeng. Miss Gu, my lady ordered me to serve you. Do I need to answer this lady’s questions?
Gu Xiaofeng looked down with a smile. “Ignore her.”
“Hey! I just think this guy is handsome and has a great image.” Fang Yueshi threw a wink at Zhuo Jin. “Want to be a star? Want me to introduce you to some people?
Zhuo Jin looked to Gu Xiaofeng for instructions.
“You can answer those two questions,” Gu Xiaofeng said.
Zhuo Jin replied meticulously: “To the first question: I only wish to serve my lady; I have no other desires. To the second: If I wanted an introduction, why would I need you? Wouldn’t it be better to ask Miss Gu?”
Gu Xiaofeng’s hand holding the spoon trembled with suppressed laughter. Fang Yueshi was so frustrated she accidentally ate both portions of the Japanese sets.
Once Gu Xiaofeng finished, Zhuo Jin packed the containers and took his leave. Fang Yueshi watched him until he disappeared across the lawn into Villa No. 1.
Gu Xiaofeng handed her a napkin. “Wipe up, you’re drooling.”
Fang Yueshi wiped her mouth. “He’s weird, but he’s hot! How can you be so indifferent to a man like that? Are you even human?
Gu Xiaofeng snorted and ignored her.
I’ll say this, though—your neighbor is really good to you, sending congee over like that. If she were a man, you might as well just marry her.
Gu Xiaofeng looked down and remained silent. She sat down and turned on the TV. The news was reporting on ZL Company’s latest technological breakthroughs.
Watching the flawless and peerless CEO Lin Ai on screen, Fang Yueshi sighed. “This person must have been kissed by God. Looks, money, and brains. In terms of beauty, you’re probably the only one in the world who could challenge her.”
Gu Xiaofeng’s lips curved, but her mind drifted to Tu Yiyi’s face. She had seen countless beauties in the industry—seductive, vibrant, fresh, gentle, or heroic—but Tu Yiyi was unique. It was an indescribable purity and sweetness, white as snow and just as clean. When she smiled, her eyes lit up, and those slightly upturned corners of her eyes seemed capable of capturing a heart effortlessly.
In terms of beauty, Tu Yiyi could definitely hold her own against Lin Ai.