Gu Yinglian said, “What ‘new favorite’ or ‘old favorite’? We really are just filming together. Besides, Ye Yansheng is such a big star; would she really be interested in me? Take what you see online with a grain of salt. You don’t actually believe it, do you?”
“I guess you’re right,” her friend replied. “But how is the filming going? I can’t believe you’re actually working with Ye Yansheng. I am officially jealous.”
“I just got lucky,” Gu Yinglian said. “My acting skills are being crushed into dust compared to hers.”
“Are you super busy right now? We haven’t hung out in forever. When can we all get together and have some fun?”
“I’m still very busy. It’ll probably have to wait a while.”
“Alright then. I’ll let you get back to work. Bye!”
“Okay, bye.”
Gu Yinglian hung up and quickly went online. Sure enough, the photo of her and Ye Yansheng was plastered all over Weibo. The comments were wild: some said it looked incredibly ambiguous, like the very picture of love; others said it was nothing, just a touch on the face and not a kiss; some even said, “My bestie and I do this all the time, blah blah blah.” The comments were split into two camps—those who saw something and those who didn’t. Some fans were even writing “scenario scripts” in the comments:
Ye Yansheng: What’s wrong? You look haggard. Didn’t sleep well last night?
Gu Yinglian: You tell me. I wonder who was tossing and turning all night…
Ye Yansheng: Didn’t you enjoy it when I was ‘tossing’ you?
Gu Yinglian: Who… who enjoyed it? You’re shameless…
Underneath the script was a sea of “screaming” emojis and flattery, with everyone claiming it was “totally like real love.”
Gu Yinglian couldn’t help but laugh. If she hadn’t been there herself, she would have believed the photo meant exactly what the fans said it did. The imagination of the internet was truly staggering.
Then it hit her—she didn’t hate it. In fact, she felt a little happy. Could it be… that I’ve actually developed feelings for her?
But the gap between them was so large. Was it even possible? And then there was public opinion; the sheer volume of public scorn could drown them… This kind of thing still wasn’t widely accepted. They could play up a “CP” (Couple) for marketing, but it couldn’t be real. Then again, there was nothing to market yet. Maybe it was just a passing whim for Ye Yansheng. With so many beauties surrounding her, why would she specifically fall for her?
Gu Yinglian put down her phone and patted her cheeks to wake herself up.
…
In the following days, Gu Yinglian continued as if nothing had happened, going to Ye Yansheng’s room to practice. After days of hard work, she could finally keep up with the rhythm.
Then came the night of the shoot.
It was a grand business gala scene, involving leads, supporting actors, and extras. It had to be filmed in several segments and from multiple angles. While the dance between Gu Yinglian and Ye Yansheng was a highlight, the director didn’t consider it the most important part. He had to manage the entire atmosphere—the networking, the polite pleasantries, and the business deals typical of a gala. Only after confirming the scene list and coordinating with the camera and lighting crews did he call for everyone to take their positions.
They filmed the exterior first, then the interior. One luxury car after another pulled up to the entrance of the mansion, and the people stepping out were all wealthy and powerful. The “vibe” was held firmly in place by a series of serious, high-status faces.
The entrance of the two leads, Ye Yansheng and Gu Yinglian, had to be particularly commanding. A black luxury car pulled up, and a valet opened the door. A pair of gold high heels appeared, followed by a woman in a red gown with an air of effortless elegance. Her long, slightly wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders, and a black blazer was draped over her back. She wore minimal jewelry—only a thin necklace around her throat.
This was the lead played by Ye Yansheng. She looked up at the mansion and stepped onto the stairs. At the entrance, roses were being handed out. Ye Yansheng glanced at them, picked one up, and brought it to her nose to catch the scent. The movement was so elegant and charming that everyone on set was momentarily dazed. She gave a soft laugh and walked inside with the rose.
Next, another luxury car arrived. A young girl in a black gown, looking like a princess, stepped out. Her hair was pulled up in an intricate style, and her black earrings and the black gemstone around her neck complemented her fair skin beautifully. She scanned the mansion with a cold, expressionless face. This was the “black-bellied” heiress played by Gu Yinglian. She followed inside, and the camera moved to the interior.
Ye Yansheng stood to the side, elegantly sipping red wine. She looked up to see Gu Yinglian enter. Gu Yinglian maintained her “ice queen” persona, saying nothing. When she encountered familiar faces, she merely gave a faint, polite nod.
Ye Yansheng watched the girl in the black tulle dress walk toward her. Her waist was tiny, accentuated by a black flower ornament that looked incredibly chic. Heh, like a black swan, Ye Yansheng thought, a smirk tugging at her lips.
Her gaze drifted toward Gu Yinglian throughout the evening. She looked stunning tonight. But with that V-neck… was it showing too much? Her arms and neck were all bare… Ye Yansheng thought it would be perfect if she only dressed like this for her eyes alone.
Before the formal part of the banquet began, the guests enjoyed themselves. When the waltz began, people flocked to the center of the floor. Ye Yansheng watched the crowd, then looked at Gu Yinglian. Gu Yinglian looked back. She appeared calm, but inside, she was a nervous wreck. She didn’t know when Ye Yansheng would come to invite her, so she just stood there waiting.
As the waltz neared its end, Ye Yansheng beckoned a waiter and whispered something. The waiter nodded and left. Then, holding a single rose, Ye Yansheng walked toward Gu Yinglian with a polite smile. Her red lips parted: “Miss Jin, may I have this dance?”
Gu Yinglian looked at her, gave a light laugh, and took the rose. “Of course, my President.”
Gu Yinglian pinned the rose to her chest and followed Ye Yansheng onto the floor. The prelude to the Tango began, and the people who had just finished the waltz got excited, grabbing their partners to continue. The crowd surrounded them, as if they were the true stars of the night.
Ye Yansheng smiled brightly. “Ready?”
Gu Yinglian smiled back. “Of course, my President.”
Ye Yansheng’s hand went to Gu Yinglian’s waist, leading her through turns and pivots. They moved like cats, their toes lightly probing, the rhythm shifting from slow to fast, steps alternating between lingering and sharp. The intense eye contact and the physical touch made their two souls seem to merge. Gu Yinglian looked at Ye Yansheng, becoming somewhat intoxicated by the moment, while Ye Yansheng was entranced by her beauty.
Soon, the other guests retreated to the sides, clearing a space for them. In the center of the stage, the pair of beauties danced, radiant and captivating.