Chapter 29

Chapter Twenty-Nine

After they finished eating, the four of them walked side by side toward the set.

Yun Anqing whispered, "Is it alright for President Gu and Bro Yan to be out like this? There are paparazzi everywhere."

Shi Qing patted his head, "It's fine. Even if they snap photos, no one would dare to publish them."

Yun Anqing nodded, though he didn’t fully understand.

The four of them entered the set together, and Chen Jing had just arrived. Seeing their group, she frowned in disdain, "Are you all still kids? Bringing your whole crew along for filming?"

After a bit of small talk, Lu Yan and Shi Qing went into the changing room. The set was all prepared, and Chen Jing, with nothing else to do, started chatting with the two companions.

She said, "Qing, how’d you end up with Shi Qing? Must be tough, huh?"

Yun Anqing blushed, "Sister Qing’s great, and I’ve liked her since I was little."

"...You’d better not let her hear that," Chen Jing said, then turned to Gu Xu with a smile, "President Gu, you really go all out for your artists, finding time to visit the set despite your busy schedule."

Gu Xu replied, "It’s the least I can do."

The least he can do? What boss runs to the set every other day?

Chen Jing was about to say more when Lin Qing, fresh from changing, suddenly sat down beside them and softly called out, "Bro Xu."

Gu Xu glanced at him but stayed silent. The other two, sensing the awkwardness, one picked up the script, and the other fiddled with his phone.

Lin Qing continued, "My mom’s coming to visit the set in a few days. She heard you're here too and specifically asked me to ask if you'd like some grapes. She grew them herself—big and sweet."

Gu Xu replied, "No thanks."

When Lu Yan stepped out, he saw Lin Qing with his head tilted, looking pitiful. Shi Qing happened to come out of the next room at the same time. Seeing Lin Qing, she snorted.

Then she sauntered over and said sarcastically, "Well, well, Young Master Lin."

It took Lin Qing a second to realize she was talking to him, "...Are you calling me, Sister Qing?"

"Yes," Shi Qing said, "So, what’s next for Young Master Lin after this movie?"

Lin Qing glanced at Gu Xu with a smile, "I have a TV series and a regular spot on a variety show coming up soon."

"That many," Shi Qing feigned surprise, "Mind sharing some with our Qing?"

Lin Qing seemed to sense Shi Qing's hostility and awkwardly laughed, "Sister Qing, what are you talking about? I don’t understand..."

"What, not willing?" Shi Qing looked at him, "You’re not willing to use your own resources, so you take others' resources to do your own things?"

Only then did Lin Qing realize that the resources he had taken were Yun Anqing's.

Lin Qing looked embarrassed, "...That was a misunderstanding, Sister Qing."

Seeing Lu Yan standing behind, Chen Jing quickly interrupted, "Alright, everyone’s changed. Let’s start filming."

Seriously, the movie’s not done yet. If the actors start feuding now, how’s the filming supposed to go?

Shi Qing didn’t hide her disdain and rolled her eyes, standing next to Chen Jing to listen to her explain the scene.

Lin Qing, having been snubbed, couldn’t make a scene. He sat down next to Yun Anqing and said, "Anqing, I was wrong about that. That person begged me for a long time, and if I had known it was your resource, I definitely wouldn’t have helped him."

It sounded as if they had known each other previously. Yun Anqing, being an honest person, quickly said, "It's okay, it's okay. Mr. Gu has already agreed to help me sort it out..."

After apologizing, Lin Qing shot a cautious glance at Gu Xu, who tilted his head and didn’t even give him a look.

Gu Xu called out to Lu Yan by the dressing room entrance, "Come here."

Lu Yan walked over to him and asked, "You’re up so early. Want to head back to the hotel and catch some sleep?"

Gu Xu shook his head, "I’ll catch two of your scenes and then head straight to the airport."

"Alright."

"When do you wrap?"

Lu Yan thought for a moment, "Probably in a week or so."

"Come straight back after you wrap," Gu Xu said, suddenly standing up and walking behind Lu Yan. He parted his hair and asked, "Does it still hurt?"

"No, it doesn’t," Lu Yan smiled and dodged him, "It’s all medicinal, smells awful."

Their intimate conversation and gestures left no doubt about their relationship.

Lin Qing gritted his teeth and suddenly spoke up, "Brother Xu, are you still coming to my place for New Year’s next year?"

After asking, he probably felt it was a bit far-fetched—it was still over five months until the New Year—so he weakly added, "My mom brought it up on the phone yesterday, so I figured I’d ask..."

Chen Jing suddenly turned around and called out, "Lu Yan! Get over here!"

Lu Yan, "Be right there."

Just as Lu Yan was about to go over, Gu Xu suddenly grabbed his hand.

He turned around and smiled, "Sit by Chen Jing. I’ll be more visible in the shot."

Gu Xu also smiled, "Alright."

Lin Qing, ignored, turned pale and then flushed.

Lu Yan walked over to Shi Qing and adjusted his emotions.

Shi Qing whispered, "You can’t seriously miss that Lin Qing’s after your man, can you?"

Lu Yan chuckled lightly, "Do you really think Lin Qing’s a threat?"

The filming began. The first two scenes were Chen Zhong and Kui Ji’s farewell.

Gu Xu sat next to Chen Jing, watching the monitor together.

"War Song, Scene 328, Take one, Action!"

"My husband," Shi Qing entered the frame with two cups of wine, set them on the table, and said calmly, "The emperor treated you so badly before, and now, with the nation on the brink of collapse, he calls you back to fight for him. Is such a ruler worth dying for?"

Lu Yan took the wine cup and drank it in one gulp, "I promised my father I’d give my last drop of blood for Great Jing."

With that, he stood and reached for the armor beside him.

Shi Qing let out a sudden, desolate laugh, "What about me?"

Lu Yan didn’t respond or move. He stood with his back to Shi Qing, and in the frame, only his tall figure was visible. A closer look revealed he was trembling.

Shi Qing said, "Do you still remember, you also promised to keep me safe for life?"

At this moment, the nearby camera gave Lu Yan a close-up.

Gu Xu's heart skipped a beat.

In the frame, Lu Yan's eyes were red, tears welling up, he silently shed tears, each tear seemed to pierce Gu Xu's heart.

Gu Xu thought to himself, Lu Yan looks good when he's naked, good when he's indifferent, good when he smiles, and even when he cries, he looks so beautiful.

As if he was tailored perfectly to Gu Xu's tastes.

Lu Yan said, "If something happens to me, don't revert to your old life. I still have a house in the capital where you can live, the Emperor will no longer bother you, you... live well."

"Perfect! Cut!" Chen Jing didn't even look at the replay, "That's a wrap!"

Lu Yan came over to watch the replay, there were no spare chairs around, Gu Xu's chair was a long recliner, so he simply sat on the extra space on the long chair, leaned in, watching with keen interest.

Chen Jing: "Your crying scenes have improved a lot over the years."

Lu Yan: "How come you didn't compliment me last time?" He was referring to the time when Lin Qing couldn't cry.

Chen Jing: "Last time the scene lacked enough tragedy, maintain that emotional intensity, we'll adjust it later, first, let's shoot the battle death scene."

"Alright," Lu Yan said, then turned back and asked the person behind him, "It's almost ten, aren't you going to the airport?"

Gu Xu looked at his still slightly red eyes, his Adam's apple moved: "I'll go now, see me to the door."

Chen Jing waved her hand: "Go on, hurry back after you drop him off."

This scene didn't require armor, Lu Yan thought the sleeves were too long, so he folded them as he walked.

Gu Xu walked calmly by his side, when they reached a safe exit, he suddenly yanked hard, Lu Yan was taken by surprise and was pulled in, Gu Xu casually pushed, and the safety door slammed shut with a bang.

Lu Yan was pressed against the door, gazing up at him, bewildered, before he could speak, his lips were captured.

This kiss was different from the previous two, Gu Xu kissed him with deep, fierce passion, he kept sucking on Lu Yan's lips, his tongue skillfully entwined with Lu Yan's, the sound of their kisses echoed clearly in the hallway, stimulating both of their senses.

It wasn't until Lu Yan felt he was about to suffocate that Gu Xu let him go.

Lu Yan gasped for breath and laughed, "What's gotten into you, you've made my lips sore with your kisses."

Gu Xu also laughed: "A farewell kiss."

Then he lowered his head and kissed Lu Yan's nose.

Lu Yan pushed him away: "I have powder on."

"It's okay," Gu Xu leaned in again, this time directly sucking on it, and chuckled, "A four hundred thousand dollar nose."

"..."

After seeing Gu Xu off, Lu Yan returned to the set, ready to change into his armor, he noticed that most of the crew were sneaking looks at him.

Perplexed by the many gazes, Lu Yan asked the makeup artist beside him, "Is there something on my face?"

The makeup artist coughed lightly: "No..."

Chen Jing walked over with the script: "Why did you take so long..."

After speaking, he suddenly frowned and leaned closer, staring at Lu Yan for a moment, uncertainly asking, "Did you eat something spicy?"

"No..."

Lu Yan suddenly thought of something, walked into the makeup room, and sure enough, his lips were red and swollen, as if he had eaten a ton of spicy food.

Shi Qing saw him and said with a smirk, "I didn’t see that coming. I thought Mr. Gu was the reserved type, but turns out he’s more of a wild one."

*

Xu Fei, glancing through the rearview mirror, saw his boss smiling while reading documents and finally relaxed.

The bid for the land in Minghang failed, and it was taken by the elder Mr. Gu.

This was the first confrontation between Jiaming and the Gu Group, and Jiaming was completely outmatched, while the Gu Group won almost effortlessly.

He had thought his boss would be very discouraged, but as soon as the summary meeting ended, he was immediately asked to book a flight to J City.

And when he returned, he looked refreshed, even... glowing?

Xu Fei was pondering this when the person behind him spoke, "How did you handle Lin Qing’s issue with the Mingsheng manager?"

Xu Fei replied, "As you instructed, I told him to do his best to accommodate Young Master Lin’s requests."

"The 'do his best' in my words does not include taking resources from others," Gu Xu didn’t even look up, "Have the company create a resource plan for Lin Qing, and stick to it from now on."

"Yes," Xu Fei, who had been harassed by Lin Qing multiple times, couldn’t help but ask, "What if Young Master Lin demands more resources..."

Gu Xu: "Don’t engage with him."

Xu Fei nodded: "Okay."