Chapter 7: They’re Very Alike

At that moment, Shu Mei’s other phone rang.

She picked it up, her expression straightening in the next second, lips curving with a smile.

“Tang Director, hey… you want to meet our Qi Yuan?”

“Available, available. Recently, her main work is filming . Yes, she hasn’t taken other jobs. Let’s finish filming properly before taking on more. Haha, director, you’re flattering her.”

“Yes, our Qi Yuan is very dedicated.”

“Alright, alright, see you in an hour.”

After hanging up, Shu Mei said to the assistant beside her, “Have someone bring the car over.”

Then to the Costume Designer, “Come over and tidy up Qi Yuan.”

Qi Yuan had already heard the call.

She asked, “Is Tang Director in Jing City?”

“Yes, it’s rare for him to be here. It means you have fate. If the meeting goes well, you won’t have to wait.”

Shu Mei smoothed Qi Yuan’s hair.

An hour later, at Mingshan Club, Qi Yuan and Shu Mei walked inside.

The director was holding a tablet, watching that Sword-Dancing video. He smiled.

“Sit down.”

Shu Mei heard the familiar melody, leaned over to take a look.

“What is Tang Director watching?”

Tang Director smiled, paused the video, and looked at Qi Yuan with eyes full of appreciation.

“I’m still watching that Heroine Sword-Dancing video. Who knew I’d watch it so many times these days for inspiration?”

Shu Mei glanced at the frozen figure on the tablet. It was Wen Chu.

She smiled in praise.

“I’ve long heard Tang Director always perfects his works with great care. It’s true.”

Tang Director waved his hand, laughing.

“Filming is about being responsible for your work. I choose actors based on suitability, not popularity.”

He looked at Qi Yuan.

“I heard Teacher Qi injured her waist, but to complete such a difficult move despite it… I’m truly impressed.”

Qi Yuan smiled at Tang Director.

Tang Director picked up the tablet and turned it for them to see.

“This Sword-Dancing scene reminded me of so much. In my early years, I wanted to film a Jianghu Hero story, but in recent years, there haven’t been good works about Jianghu Heroes in the market. The Heroine broke the trend. I really like Qi Yuan’s performance in this segment. Very much.”

“To perform Sword-Dancing with such grandeur is exactly what I wanted in my heart.”

Qi Yuan looked at the figure on the tablet.

That back held a sword, and as the sword lowered, the sleeve fell too, half-covered but still revealing a hand gripping the blade.

That was Wen Chu.

Now Tang Director was holding Wen Chu’s video, praising it to her.

Qi Yuan’s eyes flickered. She remembered that day when Wen Chu had substituted for her to shoot this scene and received a full round of applause.

Qi Yuan bit down lightly, but kept her expression unchanged, smiling.

“Tang Director, as long as you like it, that’s enough. I didn’t expect such a result either. Truly lucky.”

“Hey, it’s not luck, it’s skill.”

Tang Director praised.

“You really performed well.”

Qi Yuan smiled, nodding.

Shu Mei saw Qi Yuan’s discomfort and quickly changed the topic.

When Gu Cheng returned home, it was already past one in the morning.

He quietly pushed open the Master Bedroom door.

The room was silent, only the sound of the air conditioner and humidifier filling the air with a faint scent of bath.

Wen Chu slept deeply under the covers, her hair spread softly across the pillow.

Gu Cheng unbuttoned his shirt, his large hand ruffling her hair, then headed to the bathroom.

The movement woke Wen Chu.

She opened her eyes sleepily, seeing his back as he took off his shirt outside the bathroom door.

Wide shoulders, narrow waist, a wildness in the lines under the light.

She watched him enter the bathroom.

Sleepiness returned, and she closed her eyes.

After some time, the bed shifted.

Gu Cheng had finished showering, and pulled her into his arms.

Wen Chu never slept deeply. When he hugged her, she woke up again.

For some reason, she buried her face in the pillow, slipping out of his embrace.

Gu Cheng noticed, grabbed her waist, and pulled her back.

“Did I wake you?”

Wen Chu pressed her eyes, not answering.

The scent of bath intertwined between them.

Gu Cheng’s palm was warm as he kissed her hair.

“You’re awake. I know.”

Wen Chu continued to pretend to sleep.

Gu Cheng propped himself up, burying his face at her neck, voice low and hoarse.

“Aren’t you going to touch my forehead and check for fever?”

Wen Chu then remembered his cold hadn’t gotten better.

She moved, looking back at him.

Gu Cheng’s eyes were gentle, a smile hidden in the dim light.

She gazed at him for a few seconds, palm pressing to his forehead.

Her voice was also hoarse.

“Why are you so late tonight?”

Gu Cheng kissed her brow.

“Zhou Yang came to Jing City. We had a business meeting.”

Wen Chu remembered that the Gu Family’s drone business had partnered with the Zhou Family of Licheng, and that Young Master Zhou was in the military industry.

All these people were connected in cooperation.

She made a sound in agreement.

Turning over, she returned to her previous position, and Gu Cheng wrapped her in his arms.

The room filled with scent.

The humidifier’s mist curled upward, and as they were about to fall asleep, Wen Chu’s phone on the bedside table suddenly rang.

Gu Cheng was sleepy, frowning slightly.

Wen Chu picked up the phone and answered.

On the other end was Shu Mei.

“Wen Chu, come to the set. Qi Yuan has several night scenes tonight that need you.”

Sleepiness faded from Wen Chu.

She glanced at the screen to confirm it was Shu Mei, finding it hard to believe.

She asked, “Weren’t Qi Yuan’s night scenes scheduled for tomorrow? Why change suddenly?”

Shu Mei raised an eyebrow.

“The schedule changed due to last-minute adjustments. Qi Yuan has a few ads to shoot next, so we moved things up. But do I need to explain so much? If I call you over, you come over.”

Wen Chu pressed her lips, gripping the phone tightly.

At that moment, a low, sleepy voice came from behind her.

“Tell her. Not going.”

The sound traveled through the phone.

Shu Mei heard it and lifted her eyebrows.

She didn’t respond to Gu Shao, but said to Wen Chu,

“You know Qi Yuan’s situation best. When you signed the contract, it was to help her share the burden.”

You know Qi Yuan’s situation best.

That recurring anxiety.

Several times, Qi Yuan had somatic symptoms.

Wen Chu had witnessed it.

She was silent for a few seconds before hanging up.

A few seconds later, she sat up, preparing to get out of bed.

Gu Cheng’s sleepiness faded.

He opened his eyes, sitting up.

His voice was hoarse.

“I’ll take you.”

Wen Chu looked back at him.

“I can go myself.”

Gu Cheng leaned against the headboard, woken up in the middle of sleep, a trace of frustration and aggression in his expression.

“It’s fine. I’ll drive you. Go get changed.”

“Alright.”

Wen Chu replied.

She changed clothes.

Gu Cheng changed too.

Fortunately, it was summer.

The Porsche pulled out, and Gu Cheng even ordered a coffee for Wen Chu.

She held it in her hands, sipping.

At the next Film Studio, the lights were bright everywhere, as if night didn’t exist.

Even at night, it felt like daytime.

Wen Chu walked into the set carrying her coffee.

Gu Cheng followed.

Wen Chu turned to look at him.

“Aren’t you going home to rest?”

Gu Cheng held her wrist, lowered his head to sip the coffee.

“I’ll keep you company. When you finish filming, we’ll go home and catch up on sleep.”

Wen Chu saw the sleepiness still between his brows.

She brushed her fingertip over his brow.

“You should sleep. Who knows how long the filming will last?”

“If you’re not here, I can’t sleep.”

Gu Cheng pulled her hand, walking deeper into the set.

Wen Chu paused at his words, then followed.

The Costume Designer was waiting for Wen Chu.

Seeing her arrive, she quickly pulled her into the dressing room, sneaking a glance at the man following behind.

Gu Cheng sat on the sofa in the dressing room, leaning back, spinning Wen Chu’s coffee between his fingers.

Wen Chu went into the changing room.

The Costume Designer helped her dress and fastened her belt.

She whispered, “Gu Shao is staying with you for your night shoot?”

Wen Chu smoothed her collar.

“Mm, he can’t sleep.”

The Costume Designer blinked, a trace of envy in her voice.

“So nice.”

After that, they hurried with makeup.

The makeup session wasn’t short, especially since Wen Chu had been called back suddenly.

Everyone outside was waiting.

The Costume Designer sped up.

Soon, the makeup was done.

Tonight’s costume was a pinkish hue.

With the makeup, it looked beautiful.

Gu Cheng looked up in the mirror, seeing Wen Chu’s appearance.

He couldn’t look away for a moment.

Wen Chu left the dressing room, lifting her skirt.

Gu Cheng yawned, covering his mouth as he followed.

On set, filming was in progress.

Qi Yuan was in the middle of a scene, wearing the same pinkish costume as Wen Chu, standing by the Artificial Lake, arms crossed, acting opposite Jiang Ran.

The Sub-director saw Wen Chu, as if seeing a lifeline, and hurried over to pull her in.

Gu Cheng sat in Wen Chu’s chair, holding the coffee cup, crossing his arms and leaning back, trying to get some rest.

Everyone saw him arrive.

Gu Shao of Jing City—who didn’t recognize him? Every time he showed up, it was in a luxury car.

People kept stealing glances.

Shu Mei hadn’t expected Gu Shao to come.

She recalled the low, faintly dangerous voice on the phone earlier.

Even now, it made her uneasy.

She smiled and walked over to Gu Cheng.

“Gu Shao, why are you here?”

Gu Cheng opened his eyes, seeing Shu Mei’s smiling face.

He wasn’t unfamiliar with Shu Mei.

Since Qi Yuan signed with their company, Shu Mei was often by Sister Qi Yuan’s side.

But that call tonight annoyed him.

His expression was calm.

“Accompanying Wen Chu.”

Shu Mei smiled, pretending not to hear the edge in his words.

“Night shoots are always tough. Qi Yuan took on a few ad shoots at the last minute, so the schedule got tight. The director arranged for others to switch times. We’re pushing through tonight.”

Gu Cheng didn’t respond, his gaze shifting to the center of the set.

Wen Chu stood beside Qi Yuan.

The Deputy Director was giving direction.

The Artificial Lake shimmered, lights reflecting off the water and the people.

Two figures in pinkish costumes stood out.

Shu Mei followed his gaze, smiling softly.

“They look very similar, don’t they?”

Gu Cheng’s fingers tightened on the coffee cup.

Veins surfaced on the back of his hand.

He lifted his gaze to Shu Mei, a chill in his eyes.