Shu Mei was a little scared, then smiled.
“Young Master Gu, you rest. I’ll go see if Qi Yuan needs any help.”
She said, quickly leaving.
She had touched a reverse scale, but also obtained a bit of verification.
The smile at the corner of her lips only grew.
Jiang Ran saw Wen Chu coming to the set in the middle of the night and raised his eyebrows.
Qi Yuan, however, breathed a sigh of relief.
Her state was poor. During the day, she thought she could settle the role with Director Tang on the spot.
Who knew Director Tang just arranged a meeting to talk about the filming process of the female knight-errant?
She felt irritated listening to Director Tang praise Wen Chu.
Later, she saw a casual screenshot on Director Tang’s tablet. That screenshot came from a [Bu Luo] article questioning her acting skills—a deleted article, yet visible on Director Tang’s tablet.
What did that mean?
He had read that article.
This Bu Luo—she would continue suing until it disappeared completely.
She glanced sideways at Wen Chu, stepped out of the camera, picked up a cigarette, and went to the rest area.
Looking up, she saw Gu Cheng reclining on a chair opposite, catching some sleep.
“He accompanied your Substitute Actress here.”
Shu Mei opened her thermos and handed it to her.
Inside was ginseng water.
Qi Yuan took it, her gaze still on Gu Cheng.
A pair of limited-edition black pants paired with a black top, legs so long there was nowhere to put them.
Anyone passing by had to carefully go around.
The four major families of Jing City—the Shen Family, Wen Family, Xiao Family, and Gu Family—were like a web, tightly netting the sky of Jing City.
Yet, their relationships were all good.
Children born into these families knew well the rule of shared honor and shared loss.
This was also the reason why no matter how long the Qi Family struggled, they still couldn’t break in.
“Ah, so handsome.”
“Keep your voice down, you fangirl.”
“With looks like that, who wouldn’t stare?”
“The problem is, he’s so good to Teacher Wen, even comes along for night shoots.”
Several girls whispered behind her.
Every word entered Qi Yuan’s ears as she sipped the ginseng water.
She picked up her phone, glanced at it, then suddenly clutched it tightly, her expression turning ugly.
The girls kept chatting.
“The young master of a big family, so devoted.”
At the top of her phone screen, Yixian pushed open the bar door.
Beside him was a girl in a long dress.
The two exchanged a smile.
Qi Yuan put down the thermos with a bang.
It wasn’t loud, but the girls heard it.
Realizing they’d talked too much, they immediately escaped to do their own work.
Under the lights.
The Deputy Director explained the scene.
Wen Chu, in a flower-like pink dress, listened attentively.
Over the years with Qi Yuan, she had learned a lot, especially about on-set scene explanations.
When the Director finished and left, Jiang Ran smiled at Wen Chu and greeted her gently.
“Teacher Wen, we meet again.”
Jiang Ran wore a dark blue official robe, his features gentle as jade.
Wen Chu looked up and smiled softly in return.
“Teacher Jiang, sorry to trouble you again.”
Acting alongside a Substitute Actress really tested Jiang Ran’s skills, making things even more difficult for him.
Jiang Ran shook his head lightly and smiled.
“No trouble. All for the drama.”
Wen Chu returned the smile.
The Director signaled them to rehearse first, to find the right camera angles.
Jiang Ran extended his hand in polite invitation.
Wen Chu walked forward.
The camera captured their figures from behind as they walked onto the bridge.
In this scene, Jiang Ran’s character suspects Qi Yuan’s character is not just an ordinary Lady Official’s Daughter—she has another identity.
Jiang Ran’s gaze fell on Wen Chu’s profile, filled with probing and hidden admiration.
The scenery above and below the bridge was beautiful, and the atmosphere was perfectly constructed.
Gu Cheng, awakened by the noise, looked at the two inside the frame.
It was past four in the morning.
Several major scenes had to be done by Qi Yuan herself.
Wen Chu’s part was finished. She lifted her dress to go change, then, yawning, was pulled outside by Gu Cheng.
Halfway, she remembered her lipstick was left behind.
She said to Gu Cheng, “I’ll go get my lipstick. It’s in the Makeup Room.”
Gu Cheng replied, “Get it next time.”
“No, there are too many people in the Makeup Room.”
Wen Chu handed her things to Gu Cheng.
He took them naturally, his voice low and husky.
“Hurry up, come back soon.”
“Mm.”
Gu Cheng held Wen Chu’s small jacket and bag, took out the car keys, and walked out.
He started the car in advance—the sky was still dark, and the headlights illuminated the way.
Gu Cheng soon spotted Qi Yuan.
She was on the phone, cigarette between her fingers.
Feeling tired, Gu Cheng nodded at her, then went to the car, placing Wen Chu’s jacket and bag inside.
He stepped back a little, preparing to get into the Driver’s Seat.
The car hood was knocked.
Gu Cheng stepped back and looked up.
Qi Yuan spread her hands.
“Where’s the cigarette?”
Gu Cheng raised an eyebrow, realizing, then walked to the trunk.
He opened it with a swipe, took out two boxes of cigarettes, and returned to hand them to Qi Yuan.
Qi Yuan caught them.
“Aren’t you going to tell me to smoke less?”
Gu Cheng put his hands in his pockets, his back to the light.
“I can’t stop you. Do as you like.”
Qi Yuan laughed at his words, her features dazzling.
Wen Chu walked out holding her lipstick.
From a distance, she saw Gu Cheng handing cigarettes to Qi Yuan and overheard their conversation.
Her steps paused subconsciously.
The car lights shone directly on the two of them.
She seemed to remember the scene of them dancing together eight years ago.
What kind of expression did Gu Cheng have then?
Gentle?
How could it be gentle?
Wen Chu was startled by her own thoughts.
Then she remembered what Xi Ning said—your family has always treated Qi Yuan well.
” Wen Chu. “
Gu Cheng turned and saw her, calling out.
Wen Chu snapped back and walked over.
He took her hand.
“Did you get it?”
She looked up and nodded.
“Got it.”
Gu Cheng put her in the Co-Driver’s Seat.
He bent over and fastened her seatbelt.
Through the window, Wen Chu saw Qi Yuan carrying the two boxes of cigarettes.
Qi Yuan’s gaze drifted over to them, then she turned and walked back to the set.
Wen Chu smelled the scent of sandalwood on Gu Cheng, gazing at his close profile.
She lifted her hand and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Gu Cheng, about to leave after fastening her seatbelt, was suddenly hugged.
He lowered his eyes and smiled.
“What are you doing?”
Wen Chu didn’t answer.
She had a light sheen of sweat, but mingled with her scent, it became fragrant.
Gu Cheng wrapped his arms around her waist, his nose brushing her neck, and kissed her ear.
Wen Chu trembled.
Gu Cheng whispered, “Sleepy?”
Only then did Wen Chu answer.
“A little.”
He sucked gently at her neck.
“A little means you can’t sleep even at home. You can catch up in the car.”
He hinted.
Wen Chu’s ears turned red.
She didn’t respond, just released him.
Gu Cheng smiled at her, then left the Co-Driver’s Seat.
Back home, she was pressed onto the soft bed.
Gu Cheng gripped her waist and covered her lips, swallowing all her soft sounds.
Her fingers dug into his shoulders.
The light-colored sheets were stained with water.
He pressed his body down, kissing along her neck.
Her other hand clutched the sheets, twisting them into a ball.
Gu Cheng’s fingers slid over her waist, making her whole body tremble.
He laughed, biting her ear, whispering.
Wen Chu was so embarrassed she pushed at him.
But he was unmovable—solid as a wall.
He held her, scooped her up, and carried her into the bathroom.
And everywhere they passed was wet.
By dawn, Wen Chu finally fell asleep from exhaustion.
Gu Cheng had no time to sleep.
He pulled the blanket over her, kissed her forehead, got up, dressed, and went to the company.
In the kitchen, he left a note for the Auntie, instructing her to cook for Wen Chu and not to disturb her sleep.
The Auntie received the note and moved even more lightly.
The entire penthouse was quiet as if no one was there.
When Wen Chu woke up, it was almost noon.
She wore soft pajamas, yawning, looking languid.
Staying up late for filming, especially during the first half of the night, had completely flipped her biological clock.
She sat at the island, slowly drinking soup and eating.
The Auntie treated her like her own daughter, coaxing her to eat more.
Wen Chu, not wanting to refuse her kindness, drank another bowl of soup.
The Auntie smiled.
“What dessert do you want this afternoon?”
Wen Chu thought for a moment.
“You decide, Auntie.”
“Then I’ll handle it. You rest well.”
“Okay.”
After finishing, Wen Chu returned to the living room.
The script for this drama was still scattered on the sofa.
She sat on the carpet, moved the script over, and flipped through it.
She stretched and did some planks.
Her phone lay on the coffee table with a message from Shu Mei.
Shu Mei: Wen Chu, there’s a night shoot tonight.
She glanced at it but didn’t reply, continuing her planks while reading the script.
This drama was related to scientific research, with many literary scenes but also plenty of action.
Qi Yuan’s character was a woman disguised as a man, skilled in martial arts, so there were many fight scenes.
But in today’s dramas, stunt doubles weren’t always needed for action.
With the martial arts instructor on set, after a few days of learning, actors could go on camera.
Some actors, with more experience, handled action scenes easily.
Qi Yuan was one of those with experience—after all, she had already played a female knight-errant before.
So, the action scenes in this drama remained unchanged.
These scenes fell to Wen Chu.
The next few scenes were all action.
Sweat beaded on Wen Chu’s forehead, dropping onto the script and blurring the words.
Qingping leapt up, dodging Rong Ye’s gaze.
Qingping was the role played by Qi Yuan, while Rong Ye was Jiang Ran’s character.
This was the scene Wen Chu would stand in for tonight.
The life of a Substitute Actress was like this—the character had a name and story, but she would always be called Teacher Wen.
No matter how many roles she played, she was never truly part of the character.
Finishing her plank, Wen Chu pushed the script aside, sweat dripping.
She changed position—every posture allowed her to train and read the script simultaneously.
Clouds parted.
By afternoon, sunlight streamed in.
Drowsy, Wen Chu fell asleep in the living room.
At around four in the afternoon, Gu Cheng returned home.
He saw Wen Chu asleep, sprawled across the coffee table, her long dress trailing, hair scattered.
Sunlight fell on her brows—she slept soundly.
Gu Cheng draped his jacket on the sofa, squatted down, and looked at her.
Wen Chu’s features were beautiful, especially at this moment.
Gu Cheng stared, dazed, for a while, then stood up, bent over, and carried her into the master bedroom.