The next morning.
As Gu Heng came down the stairs, he heard a familiar, sweet voice from the kitchen. His brow relaxed, and he quickened his pace.
He looked over as Ai Xuan came out of the kitchen and asked with a smile, “What are you doing up so early?”
“You’re always the one waiting for me. Today it’s my turn to wait for you.” Ai Xuan’s voice was soft and warm, and she seemed to be in a good mood.
The corners of Gu Heng’s eyes crinkled slightly as he sat down across from her.
“Good thing I don’t make a habit of sleeping in,” Ai Xuan said. “Otherwise, who knows how long you’d have to wait?”
He woke early and always waited downstairs to have breakfast with her. He never sent a maid up to wake her. He simply sat there until she came down, without a trace of impatience. Once she joined him, they’d eat together, and he’d often ask if she’d slept well.
Gu Heng just smiled and let her have her say.
Just knowing she was under the same roof as him was enough to make him happy.
A maid served Ai Xuan a bowl of congee. Ai Xuan looked across the table and asked, “Are you feeling better today?”
“Mm.” Gu Heng nodded. “I’m fine now.”
“I boiled some herbs for you. Drink some in a bit, and you’ll get better faster.” Ai Xuan went on to explain, “I used to get sick a lot as a kid, and my grandpa on my mother’s side would make this for me. Even after I grew up, I’d still drink it whenever I went back to visit. It helps strengthen your immune system.”
Her grandfather had since passed away, but she still remembered the recipe. It only called for a few herbs.
Gu Heng paused with his spoon halfway to his mouth. Ai Xuan was already on her feet and heading into the kitchen to pour the medicine. The maid didn’t dare let her handle it herself. She quickly stepped in, brought the bowl out, and set it on the dining table.
“It doesn’t taste bad. It’s just a little bitter,” Ai Xuan reassured him.
“Is this what you got up so early to do?” Gu Heng looked at the steam rising from the bowl, his heart fluttering.
“Mm. So you have to drink it all. Don’t let my efforts go to waste.” She broke into a smile and picked up a translucent shrimp dumpling with her chopsticks.
Compared with everything he’d done for her, this was barely anything.
He’d saved her life and stayed by her side all this time. The least she could do was show some concern in return. She had a heart, after all, and she wanted to stay on good terms with him, too.
When Gu Heng finished breakfast, he drank the entire bowl of medicine right in front of her, without questioning it or leaving a single drop.
Looking at the empty bowl, Ai Xuan suddenly remembered making the same remedy for Jin Yan. He’d been sick, so she’d rushed over to his place and insisted on staying all night to look after him.
He’d been too proud to appreciate it and would only take Western medicine.
“I asked Secretary Pei to find a nutritionist and an assistant to go with you to Xuzhou. That way, you won’t have to diet. You’ll need to keep your strength up while you’re filming.”
His words brought Ai Xuan back to the present. She gently declined. “I’ve already found an assistant. I don’t need a nutritionist. I’ve handled this before.”
Gu Heng lowered his gaze and pressed his thin lips together. He let the matter drop.
Seeing his reaction, Ai Xuan felt bad. “Are you free tomorrow? My flight’s at three in the afternoon. Could you take me to the airport?”
The filming location was so far away that she might not be back for several months. After spending so much time together, day and night, it felt a little heartless to just up and leave.
“Of course.” The corners of Gu Heng’s mouth lifted in a smile, happy to do as she asked.
He’d always hated the taste of Chinese herbal medicine. When he was a child, the smell of herbs had filled the house. He’d watched his mother drink bowl after bowl, but it hadn’t helped at all. She’d only grown thinner until she was skin and bones.
The bowl he’d just finished had been bitter and astringent. Somehow, it had tasted good while he was drinking it.
As Ai Xuan went upstairs, Gu Heng saw the maid tipping out the spent herbs. His gaze settled on them, and something flickered in his eyes.
Even though it was already summer, the weather in City A was still a little cold. It had rained a couple of days earlier, and the nights were even chillier.
Without a change in expression, Gu Heng took a cold shower. By the next day, he looked thoroughly ill.
Ai Xuan took his temperature. It was already thirty-nine degrees Celsius, a high fever. Alarmed, she checked again with the back of her hand. He was burning up. She hurried to find her phone and call Doctor Zhang.
“Weren’t you already feeling better? How did you end up with a fever?” She was beside herself with worry. “Did you get cold because you didn’t pull the covers up properly last night?”
“Cough, cough, cough.” Gu Heng’s eyelids were heavy, and his pale lips barely moved. “I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“You’re running a high fever!” Ai Xuan’s brows drew together, her stomach twisting with worry.
She’d meant to pack her luggage, but now she couldn’t bring herself to think about it. When Doctor Zhang arrived, she stepped aside to let him through.
Doctor Zhang took Gu Heng’s temperature first and then began examining him. Gu Heng looked ill and listless, but his expression remained perfectly calm. He even cast Doctor Zhang an indifferent glance.
“The Third Young Master has always been in good health, but I’m afraid he needs some time to recover.” Doctor Zhang was speaking to Ai Xuan, and his tone grew more serious as he went on. “First, he’ll need an injection to bring down the fever. Then he’ll have to be watched closely. If the fever rises any further, it could be dangerous. He might even end up with pneumonia.”
The part about watching him closely was the important bit.
Seeing how worried and anxious Ai Xuan looked, Doctor Zhang kept his face even sterner and stressed how serious it was.
Ai Xuan trusted Doctor Zhang completely. She urged him to give Gu Heng the injection and fretted helplessly at his side.
The assistant was holding the three large IV bottles and one small one that Doctor Zhang had prescribed. Looking puzzled, the assistant was about to ask a question when Doctor Zhang silenced them with a look. The assistant quickly lowered their head and got back to work.
The IV was dripping very slowly. At this rate, it would take at least five or six hours to finish.
Ai Xuan sat beside the bed while Gu Heng lay there, looking listless. He still checked the time every now and then. “It should be done before two,” he said, his voice low and slightly hoarse. “Go pack your things first, then take a nap. I’ll take you to the airport later.”
He’d only wanted a little more of her attention and a couple more bowls of the medicine she made. He hadn’t meant to make her stay.
“I’ve already messaged the director. I’m not going today.” Seeing how ill he looked, Ai Xuan knew she couldn’t leave.
“You don’t have to worry about me,” Gu Heng said.
“Doctor Zhang said you need to be watched closely, and here you are acting like it’s nothing. Who was it who kept telling me to listen to the doctor? You can’t be careless with your health.” She threw his own words back at him.
He covered his mouth and coughed twice more, his breathing growing a little uneven.
“Do you want some water?” She was already on her feet to pour him a glass as she asked.
Gu Heng propped himself up. Ai Xuan helped him sit up, tucked a pillow behind his back, and handed him the water. Then she sat by the bed and kept watch over him, glancing at the IV bottle from time to time.
“You don’t have to sit here watching me. I’m hardly seriously ill.” Gu Heng told her to go back to her room and rest. “Go pack your luggage. Once you’re done, you can still make it to the airport. You already told the director you’d be there today, so go.”
“Didn’t you do the same for me?” Ai Xuan blurted out. “I was still stuck in bed for days after I woke up, and you came to keep me company and talk to me every day. This is nothing in comparison.”
The mood in the room shifted slightly as soon as she said it. She lowered her eyes and folded her slender, fair hands in her lap, her voice subdued.
She’d been weak after the accident, and her right hand had been dislocated. Night after night, Gu Heng had stayed up with her. He’d even kept vigil at her bedside before she regained consciousness. What she was doing for him now hardly compared.
Gu Heng went still, caught off guard. Then something stirred in him.
Neither of them had ever crossed that line. He’d always been there as a friend, and after hearing her say that, he didn’t know how to answer.
Back then, all he’d wanted was for her to get better soon. Every time he saw her pale, bloodless face, he felt utterly helpless. He’d been terrified something might happen to her, and he’d treasured every moment he got to spend with her.
“I asked Sister Wang to make some congee. I’ll go get you a bowl.” Sensing the change in the mood, Ai Xuan headed for the door.
Gu Heng waited until she was out of sight before letting the tenderness fade from his gaze.
Meanwhile.
Lu Yuchen, the production’s credited director, scowled the moment he saw Ai Xuan’s message. He turned to the assistant director. “Ai Xuan says she can’t make it today. What’s going on? Is she pulling rank on me?”
Cold sweat broke out on the assistant director’s forehead. He looked at the spoiled heir and forced himself to explain on Ai Xuan’s behalf. “She said a friend of hers is sick. Something must’ve come up. She’s always punctual and has a good reputation. There’s no rush on our end, so let her come a little later…”
“I don’t care what her reason is. Tell her to get her ass here tonight,” Lu Yuchen cut in. Then he added casually, “If she doesn’t show up tonight, we’ll recast the female lead.”
“Young Master Lu, she couldn’t be a better fit for the female lead. She has the acting skills to carry the role, and she approached us herself. She must have a good reason.” The assistant director kept trying to make a case for Ai Xuan.
Things came up at the last minute for actors all the time. Arriving on set a couple of days late was perfectly normal. Unfortunately, Ai Xuan had to deal with Lu Yuchen, a young master who was notoriously hard to please.
Lu Yuchen gave a contemptuous snort. He was about to say something when his phone rang, and he answered it.
It was Ai Xuan. She’d called personally to apologize and explain, but before she could finish, Lu Yuchen said coldly, “If I don’t see you tonight, don’t bother coming at all. Whether taking this role is beneath you is hardly my concern. I took you on because I thought you were good enough. I’m the one doing you a favor here.”
Ai Xuan had navigated the industry with ease over the years. Aside from the business with Jin Yan, she’d rarely been the subject of rumors or scandals. That was partly because she was popular and partly because she got along well with people.
She knew when to stand her ground and when to yield. She spoke apologetically. “My friend really does need someone with him right now. He’s still not out of danger. Please make an exception for me, Young Master Lu. Even if I went over there now, I’d still be worried about him. You have my word, Young Master Lu. I’ve accepted this role, and I’ll give it everything I have. I’m grateful you gave me this opportunity, and I really do want to work with you.”
“You and I aren’t partners,” Lu Yuchen cut in arrogantly. “My family isn’t short on money. I’m just doing this for fun. If you piss me off, don’t bother showing up.”
He was in a bad mood today, and as far as he was concerned, this actress was putting on airs with him. Who did she think she was? People usually went out of their way to flatter him.
“You’ve made quite a few films in your years in the entertainment industry, Young Master Lu. Even if you’re doing it for fun, I’m sure you still want to do it well. I believe I’m better suited to the female lead than anyone else, so I hope you’ll give us both a chance.” Ai Xuan stayed calm and patient. “You have a good eye, Young Master Lu. I think this project has real promise, and I’d love to be part of it. I’ll definitely be there the day after tomorrow and apologize to you in person.”
Lu Yuchen was a well-known rich heir in the industry. He had no other hobbies to speak of. He liked directing, and he had the resources to do it.
He’d already made dozens of terrible movies. Two had been pulled from theaters as soon as they opened because of the backlash. Lu Yuchen was terrible at it but couldn’t get enough of it. By now, none of the other wealthy heirs in his circle would invest in his movies. This production was an expensive undertaking, and the budget really was limited. Ai Xuan had only decided to give it a shot after hearing that the production had brought in a new crew and producer.
Ai Xuan had struck a chord with Lu Yuchen. He wanted to become a renowned director. The actresses in the industry were all the same. What good were pretty faces? They couldn’t act, and thanks to them, every movie he made turned out terrible and everyone laughed at him.
“If you don’t show up tomorrow, don’t ever bother coming.” Lu Yuchen threw out one last threat and hung up.
The assistant director was so anxious that he couldn’t help speaking up. “Ai Xuan’s hard to book. She brings her own audience. With a little marketing, we’re sure to make a fortune.”
They’d lost money every time before. Getting Ai Xuan on board was already an enormous stroke of luck.
At that, Lu Yuchen’s face fell again. Who did he think he was looking down on?!
His phone rang again. He answered it irritably. “Who is it?!”
The instant the caller spoke, his expression changed. He mellowed like a cat being stroked and then looked a little startled and flattered.
The assistant director watched Lu Yuchen hang up, beaming and looking rather pleased with himself. Now he was even more baffled.
Lu Yuchen slipped his phone into his pocket and gave the assistant director a sidelong glance. “Put off the start of filming for now. I’m heading back to City A. I’ll be back in a few days.”
The assistant director grew anxious. “Young Master Lu, are we still going to start filming?”
“We’ll talk about it later.” Lu Yuchen brushed him off. “I’m going back to unwind for a few days.”
“…”
The assistant director was sure this would be another lousy film. Working for this spoiled rich kid paid well, but he’d already taken so much abuse from netizens that he dreaded it. His reputation in the industry was practically in ruins.
What a headache.