Chapter 36

Chapter Thirty-Six

After a tiring day, everyone had just settled into their tents when Xu Ze's snoring echoed across the beach.

Lu Yan lay awake, his mind heavy with thoughts, his eyes shone like obsidian in the dark.

Just as he was about to turn over, Gu Xu suddenly reached out and pulled his head close, moving even nearer to him.

Gu Xu tilted his face up, brushing his lips against Lu Yan's forehead twice, and whispered softly, "Stay still, go to sleep."

Lately, Lu Yan had been staying at Gu Xu's place often. He was a restless sleeper, and every time he woke up, he found Gu Xu's hand gripping him or wrapped around him, afraid he might fall off the bed.

Sensing something, Gu Xu half-opened his drowsy eyes and asked in a hoarse voice, "Is the noise bothering you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, another thunderous snore erupted from the next tent.

Gu Xu frowned, ready to get up, but Lu Yan reached out and hugged his waist.

"No, go back to sleep."

After a pause, Gu Xu ruffled Lu Yan's hair, saying gently, "If you can't sleep, let me know."

His voice was soft, tinged with tiredness and affection, making Lu Yan's ears warm as he nodded vaguely.

Gu Xu's steady breathing brushed Lu Yan's cheek, instantly calming his heart.

Meanwhile, in another tent, Xu Ze's snoring was thunderous, completely unaware he had dodged a bullet.

The four of them slept soundly until morning.

Xu Ze was pulled up by Wu Xiaoxiang, his hair messy, he yawned as he stepped out of the tent, asking the three who were already up and ready, "Why are you guys up so early?"

Lu Yan ignored him, turning to Wu Xiaoxiang, "How did you sleep last night?"

Wu Xiaoxiang looked awful, "Not well."

Xu Ze asked, "Why?"

Lu Yan scoffed, "Your snoring was like a rock concert."

"..." Xu Ze looked at Wu Xiaoxiang for confirmation, only to receive a fierce glare in return. Realizing the truth, Xu Ze quickly followed Lu Yan, saying, "No, Xiao Yan, I really don't usually snore!"

Gu Xu stood by Lu Yan, and as Xu Ze tried to approach, he didn't take off his earpiece or shy away from the camera, simply giving Xu Ze a cold look and saying, "Get lost."

Xu Ze wanted to retort but remembered his father's warning before the show: "Don't mess with Gu Xu, no matter what." He could only glare at Gu Xu, as if to say 'I'm not scared,' before sheepishly heading off to wash up.

The camera guy quickly zoomed in for several close-ups.

As Xu Ze wiped his face with a towel, he asked, "Didn't you say something would happen at night?"

Wu Xiaoxiang replied, "You were out cold, not even a ghost could wake you."

"..." Xu Ze put down the towel and meekly responded, "If a ghost really came, it would have been useful."

Lu Yan noticed the two camera guys packing up and asked, "Is the shoot over?"

"Yes," the camera guy said with a helpless expression, turning off the camera. "We had a lot of activities planned, but something went wrong... I'm not sure if this episode can be edited well."

Lu Yan: "What went wrong?"

"...Among these three groups, only your two groups stayed in the small tents for the night," the camera guy explained. "One group walked all day without finding any supplies. After the crew provided them with a tent, they were too tired to sleep and ended up sleeping in the crew's large tent. The actor playing the big boss role said he was bitten by a bug and went to the hospital before it got dark."

After finishing, the camera guy muttered, "Sigh, the less famous they are, the more drama they stir up."

Lu Yan just smiled silently.

The group packed up and returned to City B. Since the episode didn’t go very well, the crew called a meeting right away upon their return.

In the crew's vehicle, Lu Yan sat with his legs casually crossed, propped on Gu Xu’s lap, in an intimate posture: "Aren't we going to the company?"

Gu Xu replied, "The company won't collapse without me for a few days."

The crew passed out boxed lunches and bread. Lu Yan took a bite of the pineapple bun and offered it to Gu Xu: "It tastes good."

Then he asked the reality show staff sitting in front, "Hey, where’d you get this bread?"

When the staff turned around, they caught Gu Xu staring at the bread for a while before taking a bite from the same spot Lu Yan had eaten from.

The staff: "...Bro Yan, I’ll get you the bakery’s address later."

Lu Yan smiled: "Okay, thank you."

The staff turned back and just happened to make eye contact with the camera guy who had been following Lu Yan yesterday.

The camera guy calmly glanced at the two sitting in the back row, completely unfazed.

There were seven guests, but only five remained for the meeting.

The director looked worn out, likely drained from the chaos. He sighed and explained, "One person didn't find any supplies yesterday and walked all day. He quit, saying the show was too exhausting. Also, Lin Qing said he was bitten by a bug and went home to rest."

The three remained silent, and another person, who hadn't interacted with the others, didn't speak either. Xu Ze said, "No big deal. We’ll just shoot with five."

The director thought to himself, "I’d love to, but the camera guy said you guys aren't giving us any material to work with. What are we even supposed to air?"

The director: "Well... I’m reaching out to others to see if anyone can fill in. Lin Qing said he can return for the filming the day after tomorrow, so we’re just short one person."

Lu Yan: "Any candidates?"

"Yes," the director pulled out a list from his side and handed it to Lu Yan. "These are some rising stars who’ve been getting attention lately. We plan to choose from them."

Lu Yan glanced through the list, and Yun Anqing's name stood out. He pointed at the name and smiled, "This one’s not bad."

"Yeah, I think he’s a solid choice," the director nodded and handed the list to his assistant. "Reach out to him. If he's available, confirm it and have him come for the filming the day after tomorrow."

Once the list was sorted out, the director finally got to the main point: "Actually, the reason I gathered everyone here today is to discuss the show's topic engagement. Is there anything you’d rather steer clear of when it comes to creating hype?"

"For example, personas, conflicts..."

Lu Yan interrupted, "Why don't you tell us about the crew's plans?"

"Our plan..." the director chuckled awkwardly, "We're actually planning to create some CPs."

Gu Xu, sitting next to Lu Yan, tilted his head and whispered, "What's a CP?"

Lu Yan: "Couple, it's a duo that makes fans think they're a married couple or in a romantic relationship."

Wu Xiaoxiang asked, "But all the guests are male. How are we supposed to create CPs?"

Xu Ze rolled his eyes at him: "Are you kidding? It’s about creating a bromance between male characters, playing up the gay subtext, understand?"

Not receiving any refusal, the director immediately smiled: "Yes, we’ll clarify it right after the show ends, and it definitely won’t affect any of you."

Xu Ze pretended to think deeply for a few seconds: "Hmm, well, I actually know about your tactics. Without any hype, it’s tough for everyone, so I’ll try to cooperate."

The director nodded hurriedly: "Thank you, Mr. Xu. What about Xiao Yan and Gu Xu?"

After saying that, he added: "Is Xiao Xiang on board?"

Wu Xiaoxiang’s agent, afraid that Wu Xiaoxiang might say something wrong, had been waiting in the show’s office early in the morning. Now standing beside him, he immediately responded without waiting for Wu Xiaoxiang to answer: "No problem! Xiao Xiang is all in!"

Now, playing up a bromance not only keeps female fans but also attracts fujoshi fans. Usually, it’s hard to find someone to promote a bromance with.

Wu Xiaoxiang didn’t say anything more. As long as the pay is right, he doesn’t mind how it’s spun.

Lu Yan shrugged: "Gu Xu and I are on board."

And with that, the matter was settled. The director got the result he wanted and happily wrapped up the meeting.

After the meeting, Lu Yan and Gu Xu left immediately, and the little celebrity also left. Wu Xiaoxiang stood aside, listening to his agent.

Once most people had left, Xu Ze stood up, cleared his throat: "So, director."

Director: "What’s up, Mr. Xu?"

Xu Ze: "Lu Yan is about to release a new movie, and I have high hopes for him."

He said this, and the director should understand, right?

"?" The director looked puzzled, replying blankly, "...Me too."

Assuming the director got the hint, Xu Ze turned back satisfied, about to leave the meeting room. Seeing Wu Xiaoxiang standing silently at the door, he suddenly paused.

Seeing Xu Ze stop, the director asked again: "Mr. Xu, anything else?"

"Well," Xu Ze turned around, lowering his voice, "Wu Xiaoxiang... he’s pretty solid, hardworking—give him more screen time."

"Will do," the director finally understood, "Mr. Xu’s really looking out for the newbies."

Xu Ze walked out of the meeting room with a smile, giving Wu Xiaoxiang a pat on the shoulder as he left: "Hey, see you the day after tomorrow!"

He was thrilled—he was about to be paired up with Xiao Yan on the show!

-

Xu Fei was waiting in the car. The two got in, and Xu Fei asked: "Mr. Gu, heading back to the apartment or the office?"

Gu Xu: "Drop Xiao Yan off at his place first."

"Are you going back to the company?" Lu Yan asked, teasing, "Didn’t you say the company could survive without you for a few days?"

Xu Fei carefully glanced in the rearview mirror. Lu Yan had a smile on his face, looking incredibly handsome.

With what he just said, Xu Fei immediately imagined a palace drama of "Lu Daji, the femme fatale, egging on Gu, the neglectful king, to shirk his duties."

Gu Xu smiled: "Go back and see if there are any documents to handle, then I won’t need to go to the company tomorrow."

In Xu Fei’s heart, his boss, though not the cold CEO type, really didn’t match the image of someone who smiles with just a few words recently.

The power of love!

Lu Yan: "Then I'll go to the company with you, and we can hit the supermarket together this afternoon? We’re out of groceries at home."

Gu Xu chuckled: "Alright."

When they arrived at the company, the office secretary rushed over to Gu Xu as soon as she saw him: "Mr. Gu, there's a guest here to see you. She doesn't have an appointment, so..."

Before the secretary could finish, the door to the reception room opened.

A middle-aged woman stepped out, and upon spotting Gu Xu, she hurried over with a smile: "Gu Xu, you're back! I came to B City to visit Qing'er and brought you some food! I stopped by your place, but Mrs. Lu said you’ve moved out, so I got your company address from Qing'er!"

After saying this, she gave the secretary a dirty look: "I told her, I’ve known you since you were a kid and helped you out plenty—we’re close! But she still wouldn’t let me into your office!"