“You say it.”
Wen Chu paused for a moment.
“I’m very grateful that you gave me this opportunity. I’m really excited, and I want to be in front of the camera, to show myself. But I can’t lie to you—my Substitute Actress Contract still has two years left.”
“I will try my best to fight for this audition opportunity with the company, but whether they will let me audition is all unknown.”
Director Tang was stunned.
“You signed a ten-year Substitute Actress Contract, with no other perks? Like, if a suitable role comes up, you could get out of the Substitute Actress role and try for new opportunities?”
Wen Chu shook her head.
Tang’s expression immediately turned serious.
“So you’re bound by this contract, and Shu Mei doesn’t plan to help you develop your career?”
Wen Chu didn’t want to badmouth Shu Mei outside, so she just said, “There are no perks in the contract. I don’t know if Sister Shu Mei is willing or not, so I said I’d try to fight for it.”
Tang tapped the table, recalling Shu Mei’s expression the night before and Qi Yuan’s attitude. Any actor would not want a stand-in so similar to themselves competing on the same stage.
He realized how serious the problem was and looked at Wen Chu.
“Two years left on the contract?”
Wen Chu nodded.
Tang’s face was full of regret.
“Wen Chu, the ‘Wind and Moon Night’ can’t wait, and neither can I wait two years. If you’re tied up by this contract, you have to resolve that issue first before coming back to talk to me about an audition.”
Wen Chu’s hand clenched the skirt resting on her lap, unconsciously, finely, a faint numb pain blossoming. She had guessed it all along, hadn’t she?
She whispered, “I know.”
Tang shook his head, no longer as warm as before. This world was just that realistic. He took another sip of coffee and called over the waiter.
“Check, please.”
Wen Chu suddenly came back to her senses and immediately went to take the bill.
“Director Tang, I’ll get it.”
Tang had already taken the bill and handed it to the waiter. Wen Chu didn’t snatch it from him.
After Tang paid, he said to Wen Chu, “Let me know as soon as you have news.”
Wen Chu nodded while standing.
Tang shook his head softly, knowing there probably wouldn’t be any result. What company would give up a shining star actor to support an unknown like her?
Especially Qi Yuan’s company, which had no shortage of talented actors. With Qi Yuan’s status, she wouldn’t let go, and Wen Chu had no way to break through.
Qi Yuan even lied to him about it being only a two-year contract. He could verify it easily, but he thought there’d at least be some other opportunities in the contract.
He felt regret but was helpless, and he wouldn’t waste more time on Wen Chu.
Wen Chu watched him leave, clearly seeing the change in Tang’s attitude.
Tears welled up and spilled down before she could wipe them. She sat back down and took a tissue from her bag, pressing it over her eyes, trying to hold back the tears.
But the tissue was still soaked, and the crumpled paper in her hand grew heavier—that was the weight of her tears.
She sat in the café for over half an hour, her eyes swollen and red, before finally standing to leave. She didn’t take a taxi but slowly walked down the café street.
This city, both international and culturally rich, was the cradle of so many dreams. Her parents were so proud when she got accepted here, but after so many years, she even felt shy to go home.
After wandering around, Uncle Chen came to pick Wen Chu up. Her emotions were composed now, though she was a little tired.
Uncle Chen drove through a few wide streets and suddenly saw a towering building not far ahead—the Gu Group.
He looked back at Wen Chu and smiled.
“Since we’re near the Group and it’s almost noon, Miss Wen, would you like to have lunch with Gu Shao at the Gu Group?”
Wen Chu was lost in thought, gazing outside, and indeed saw the words “Gu Group” on the building.
She missed Gu Cheng’s gentleness a little.
Softly, she said, “Okay.”
Uncle Chen smiled kindly, turned the steering wheel, and headed for the Gu Group’s underground parking garage.
After getting out, he accompanied Wen Chu upstairs.
This skyscraper was naturally one of Jing City’s landmarks, with floors high enough to be intimidating. When they reached the 82nd floor, Wen Chu got out of the elevator and headed toward Gu Cheng’s office.
She had been here a few times, once or twice with Gu Cheng himself, other times bringing him a coat or documents, and once carrying coffee for him.
People passing by recognized her and greeted her, while those who didn’t recognize her still looked her way—mostly because she was beautiful.
After she passed, some whispered among themselves, covering their mouths:
“Gu General Manager’s girlfriend?”
“Yes, isn’t she stunning?”
“Truly beautiful. I heard she graduated from the Film Academy. So, she’s an actress?”
“Seems like she works behind the scenes at some company. Not sure exactly, but since she’s not acting, and still managed to stay in a big company’s back office, she must be capable.”
“That makes sense.”
“They’ve been together a long time, right?”
“Over four years. Gu General Manager must be loyal.”
“Definitely devoted.”
They talked quietly while Wen Chu lowered her gaze, pretending not to hear, especially at the bit about working behind the scenes. Being a stand-in who has to stay in the shadows isn’t exactly glorious.
Gu Cheng never publicly mentioned her profession. Some people just knew she was with Qi Yuan’s company and assumed she was a behind-the-scenes worker.
She recalled the day she asked Gu Cheng if he had expectations for marriage.
He answered but didn’t continue.
Now, thinking back, if they truly planned to marry, then being a Substitute Actress wouldn’t be something presentable at their social level.
There was no one in Gu Cheng’s office.
But when Gu Cheng’s secretary heard Wen Chu had arrived, he hurried to open the door for her. Smiling, he said, “Gu Shao is in a meeting. Please rest in his office for a while. There’s a lounge nearby; I can take you there.”
The conference room not far away was full of people. Wen Chu said, “No need. I’ll wait for him on the sofa. You go ahead and attend to your duties. Don’t worry about me.”
Secretary Li smiled.
“Alright, would you like a latte? I’ll bring one for you.”
“Thank you.”
Wen Chu entered and sat on the sofa. On the table were some magazines. She picked one up and flipped through it, accidentally coming across a photo of Qi Yuan.
Her fingers paused, then she pressed the magazine beneath the others—she didn’t want to see Qi Yuan’s face right now.
Secretary Li brought in the coffee and also a mousse cake—Wen Chu’s favorite. He probably went down to the café downstairs to buy it for her.
Wen Chu thanked him.
Secretary Li left, and she was left alone in the office. She picked up the tablet on the desk and unlocked it—her birthday was the password.
The lock screen was a photo of herself.
Waiting there, Wen Chu grew a little sleepy. Eyes tired from crying felt heavier than usual. She rested her head on the sofa armrest, thinking she’d just nap a little.
Gu Cheng pushed the door open and saw her dozing on the sofa, soft hair falling down, already asleep.
He walked over, grabbed her wrist, and bent down to pick her up. Wen Chu, drowsy, smelled his familiar scent and breath, clinging to his neck. She opened her eyes, tears shimmering, and said, “You finished your meeting?”
“Mm, just finished.”
Gu Cheng saw she was awake and propped himself up on the armrest, quietly asking, “Still sleepy?”
Wen Chu shook her head and looked at his brows and eyes tenderly.
“I’m just a little tired. I didn’t sleep after wrapping the morning shoot.”
“I know.”
He lowered his head and kissed her forehead gently. Wen Chu closed her eyes, feeling the softness of his lips, then opened them and said, “I went to see Director Tang.”
Gu Cheng paused and looked down, locking eyes with her.
“How did it go?”
Wen Chu smiled lightly, shaking her head slightly, saying nothing about the result or the process—they both knew the chances were slim. Seeing her like this, Gu Cheng held her hand tighter.
He asked, “What do you want to eat?”
Wen Chu said, “Anything is fine. I just ate a piece of cake.”
“Let’s go downstairs for noodles.”
Gu Cheng decided.
“Okay.”
She was pulled up, and the two took the private elevator down. Inevitably, they ran into some company employees, so in the Gu Group’s private noodle shop, many employees saw Gu Shao bringing his beautiful girlfriend for noodles.
After eating, Gu Cheng sent Wen Chu home and then headed to the company.
Wen Chu had planned to rest well once home, but her emotions were unsettled. She curled up on the sofa and opened the WeChat of the company’s top executives.
She wanted to bypass Qi Yuan and Shu Mei, reaching higher ups to fight for herself.
At that moment, a Hot Search popped up on Wei Bo—a push notification.
It was about Qi Yuan and Gu Cheng.
Wen Chu was stunned and quickly clicked it open.
The Hot Search title read: #Qi Yuan and Gu Group’s Gu Shao Atmosphere Photo#
The picture was the one taken that day at Mingshan Bar’s counter. The photographer’s angle was from where she and Xi Ning had stood.
The person knew how to capture the perfect shot and mood.
In the entire photo, others were blurred, but only Qi Yuan and Gu Cheng were sharp, their gazes locked.
You could vaguely feel Gu Cheng’s casual and faint tenderness.
Qi Yuan wore a knee-length apricot-colored dress and high heels, radiating a commanding presence. The two looked very well matched in this photo.
The photographer was very skilled.
Wen Chu pressed her lips tightly and glanced at the comments below.
“I told you, Yuan belongs with a rich young master like this. No way she’s involved with Fang Yi.”
“This is literally a masterpiece.”
“So touching. I feel like I’m watching a novel with the main leads having faces now.”
“Ahhh, you two should be together!”
Xi Ning: “Did you see the Hot Search?”
Wen Chu tightly gripped her phone and replied, “Yeah, just saw it.”
Xi Ning sneered, “If I hadn’t witnessed it myself, I’d have been fooled by the Hot Search.”
Wen Chu had seen it with her own eyes too, but she still couldn’t help looking at the Wei Bo photo. At that moment, she too felt a fleeting sense of how well matched they seemed.
Leaning back in her chair, Wen Chu stared at the Hot Search on Wei Bo. At the same time, she refreshed her WeChat Moments.
Qi Yuan didn’t care much about being on Hot Search. Her Moments were open, and she often posted updates that outside fans didn’t know about.
Qi Yuan posted a video with the caption: “Saw the Hot Search and remembered the many photos and videos I have with Gu Shao.”
Wen Chu’s heart tightened at these words, and she pressed play.
The video showed a mountain road where a heavy motorcycle race was taking place.
Gu Cheng was young then, dressed in black pants and a black T-shirt, his long legs straddling the bike.
Gu Ci and others laughed, “Come on, everyone invite your girl to ride.”
Gu Cheng started the heavy bike, twisted the throttle, and headed straight toward Qi Yuan and a few others chatting by the roadside.
The camera followed them. Gu Cheng took off his helmet and handed it to Qi Yuan.
Qi Yuan was also dressed in black, her long hair straight and draped over her shoulders.
She raised an eyebrow as she accepted the helmet, and the others around them immediately cheered.
The camera circled around Gu Cheng. Qi Yuan got on the bike. He looked at her sideways, speaking with a gentle warmth in his eyes. Qi Yuan tapped his head and pushed his arm playfully.
Wen Chu couldn’t bear to watch any further.
She was someone who understood love, who had loved before, and she knew what the tenderness in Gu Cheng’s eyes meant.
She recalled the dance eight years ago at the ball, when Gu Cheng invited Qi Yuan to dance, the tenderness in his eyes then, and now seeing this video.
Even a fool could see Gu Cheng’s special feelings for Qi Yuan.
It wasn’t just about the close relationship between their two families; it was his own feelings. He had liked Qi Yuan, he must have liked Qi Yuan.
Tears poured down Wen Chu’s cheeks, heavy and hot.
Among so many girls, he targeted Qi Yuan with singular focus—this was a unique kind of love.
Wen Chu had never thought about this. She had always assumed it was just close family ties, that his kindness toward Qi Yuan was nothing more.
She never considered the other reason.
Now, in this video, she glimpsed more—Gu Cheng’s past feelings.
He had liked Qi Yuan.
Wen Chu trembled all over.
She saw Gu Ci’s comment below: “Hey, you still have these videos?”
Gu Ci: “My brother was so innocent back then.”
Qi Yuan: “Indeed, matured now.”
Wen Chu pressed her lips tight, threw down the phone, hugged her knees, and looked out at the scenery.
The sky was very blue, white clouds floating, but she only felt a layer of gray clouds gathering above, ready to rain at any moment.