After eating, the director briefly explained the next segment of the shoot: heading up the mountain to find a local flower known as the Twin-Stalk Bloom, or the “Flower of Love.”
This flower is incredibly rare, blooming only during this specific season. Traditionally, local youths search for it when they have someone special in mind; finding one and gifting it is a way to prove both one’s devotion and one’s perseverance.
If the recipient reciprocates the feeling, they accept the flower. If not, they heartlessly pluck one of the twin blooms and toss it back to the giver.
The group began their ascent: guests, camera crew, and local guides leading the way. The mountain air was crisp, and the scenery along the path was breathtaking. Everyone was equipped with water canteens, trekking poles, and walkie-talkies.
Qiqi, feeling inspired, burst into song. Her voice was truly remarkable, her high notes nearly touching the sky. Tu Yiyi listened, thinking that if Qiqi knew the “Lion’s Roar” technique, she could probably shake Mount Everest to its foundations.
The group chatted and laughed as they climbed, posing for various shots. Gu Xiaofeng, however, remained quiet, hiking with her head down, radiating a sense of detachment that felt out of step with the lively atmosphere. When the cameras pointed her way, she would offer a polite smile—but it was merely polite.
During a break, Xiao Yuan glanced at Gu Xiaofeng, who was sitting alone on a rock, and thought, Sister Gu is still Sister Gu.
Although she had been more talkative on camera lately, whenever they were off-duty and the lenses were away, she reverted to being the “Cool Goddess” Gu Xiaofeng. Xiao Yuan suddenly remembered something and scanned the main crowd nearby.
Good grief, she thought. Since when did Tu Yiyi get so close to the pop diva Qiqi?
The two were leaning on each other’s shoulders, giggling for the cameras. Qiqi even puckered her lips as if to kiss Yiyi, who laughed and dodged away.
Unbelievable! Xiao Yuan shook her head. Tu Yiyi is really something else.
First it was Gu Xiaofeng, then Lin Ai, and now Qiqi. Xiao Yuan had finally found someone who seemed to get along with Sister Gu, but it turned out this person was a total “player.” She couldn’t help but feel a little bad for Xiaofeng.
Gu Xiaofeng seemed oblivious to the commotion. She sat alone, feeling the wind on her face and gazing at the mountain view. Reaching instinctively for the canteen at her waist, her hand met empty air.
She then remembered that at the start of the climb, Tu Yiyi had volunteered to carry it. “Hiking is very tiring for you humans. Leave it with me, I’ll give it to you whenever you want a drink.”
“Whenever? Xiaofeng repeated the word in her mind. She slowly retracted her hand, her lips curling into a self-mocking smile.
“Cao-cao, here!” Tu Yiyi appeared out of nowhere, holding out the canteen with a bright, beaming smile.
That damn smile again!
Gu Xiaofeng turned her head away. “I’m not thirsty, thank you.
“But I saw you reaching for your waist just now.
An inexplicable spark of irritation flared up in Xiaofeng’s heart. I said I’m not thirsty!
Her voice was ice-cold, devoid of any warmth. It was a version of Gu Xiaofeng that Tu Yiyi had never seen. Yiyi froze, her hand still holding the canteen in mid-air. Her lips trembled slightly. “Cao-cao… what’s wrong?
“I told you before: ‘Fang Cao’ is just a character. A character in a movie. She isn’t a living person.” Gu Xiaofeng didn’t even look up as she stood abruptly. “So, please stop calling me Cao-cao.
Tu Yiyi was left at a loss by this sudden coldness.Then vwhat should I call you?
“Whatever you want!” After throwing those words out, Gu Xiaofeng turned and waved to the rest of the group. Let’s keep going.
The group resumed the climb. Tu Yiyi followed closely behind Xiaofeng, slowing down when she slowed and speeding up when she sped up. Xiaofeng acted as if she didn’t notice and continued walking alone at the front.
Qiqi, who had stayed up all night and spent the last hour singing and dancing, finally hit a wall. “I can’t I can’t do i Yiyi, give your sister a hand.”
The helpful Tu Yiyi was about to turn back to assist her, but she caught a slight pause in Gu Xiaofeng’s silhouette ahead. She had a strange intuition: if she went to help Qiqi now, “Cao-cao” wouldn’t speak to her for the rest of the day.
No, no, Qiqi. I can’t help you.
Qiqi panted, Why… why not?
I just can’t. Don’t ask.
“You… you ‘ho before bros’ little Qiqi cut herself off just in time. This was being filmed, after all! She didn’t want to upset Gu Xiaofeng or offend Tang Shala, the head of Tang Huan and the most notoriously difficult “vixen” in the industry.
By the time they reached the halfway point, the group stopped to rest again Qiqi collapsed on the ground I’m dead I can’t go on I’m done.
Gu Xiaofeng looked around the clearing and realized that Tu Yiyi was gone.