Top Dupe CH 100 The Privilege Of Making You Burn

"Your reaction is so quick," Luo Yu said, doubting whether Gu Xiaowei was a habitual offender, "Have you been with someone before? Otherwise, how are you so skilled?"

In the previous second, there was no room for resistance, but in the next, he sprang into an upright pose?

"No experience. I’ve just imagined it a lot," Gu Xiaowei replied.

Luo Yu was momentarily stunned. "Why haven’t I thought about this?"

"Because you’re more upright than me," Gu Xiaowei said with full sincerity.

"..." Luo Yu was unwilling to admit defeat. He patted his shoulder. "You strangled me so hard earlier that my bones hurt. Massage it again."

"Alright." Gu Xiaowei leaned in closer to his ear and said, "Then don’t go for a spa treatment."

Luo Yu genuinely laughed at that, nearly choking on his laughter. Clearly, Gu Xiaowei had some misconceptions about "spa treatment."

"Do you feel this is real now?" Luo Yu asked.

"A little."

"Only a little?"

"Maybe you’ll regret it by tomorrow morning," Gu Xiaowei said casually.

Luo Yu chuckled. He wasn’t one of those young men addicted to applause and cheer. He knew what he wanted, the ways to get it, and what was worth pursuing and what should be let go.

"Then don’t make me regret it." Luo Yu patted Gu Xiaowei's hand lightly. "Let’s go, classmate Gu. Let’s go down and eat the two bowls of noodles that have turned into clumps."

"En."

They ended up sitting at the dining table. Luo Yu took a big bite of noodles, but because his tongue was numb, the food had no taste. Meanwhile, Gu Xiaowei’s lower lip was torn and hurt every time it touched the broth, but he was skilled at enduring pain, his expression completely neutral.

Luo Yu said with utmost seriousness, "I cooked these. Even if your stomach bursts and your lips split to the root of your ears, you’ll finish."

Gu Xiaowei gave a neutral response and took a big bite. His lower lip’s wound split further, and some noodles became tinged with faint pink. Luo Yu couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt.

At that moment, Ah Yan came by, preparing to pour water. His gaze landed on Gu Xiaowei and squinted.

"Brother Gu, you still haven’t removed your makeup, huh? Why do you look so... appealing this afternoon."

Luo Yu joined in the teasing. "Exactly. Looks like you hid to secretly use up a box of tissues."

Ah Yan immediately refuted, "If it were really Brother Gu, one box of tissues wouldn’t be enough. At least three!"

"Oh, so intense?" Luo Yu said with a grin, sipping the broth without a care.

"Wait! Brother Gu, your lip’s split! This is going to hurt when you remove makeup tonight!" Ah Yan exclaimed, placing his cup down and bustling into action. "We need to find some medicine to treat that. Who knows if Director Sheng will notice during close-up shots. If Director Sheng discovers this, he’ll definitely scold you!"

"It’s fine. It’ll heal by tonight."

With that, Gu Xiaowei stood, tidied the dishes on the table, and moved on.

"Tonight? Are you Wolverine? You heal that fast?" Luo Yu teased, reclining in his chair.

Gu Xiaowei didn’t respond but brushed his fingers against Luo Yu’s lower lip as he passed by—a clear sign of both warning and implied threat. Luo Yu’s heartstrings tightened as he closed his eyes, fearing that Gu Xiaowei would kiss him in front of everyone. Only when Gu Xiaowei entered the kitchen did Luo Yu begin to relax.

Luo Yu glanced at his phone: "Still a few hours to sleep. I need energy. Otherwise, I’ll doze off during night shoots."

"En," Gu Xiaowei responded softly.

Luo Yu went upstairs to his room, lay on his bed, and skimmed his script. His thoughts wandered to what had happened earlier. Not only Gu Xiaowei but even he himself found it surreal. 

After all that's Gu Xiaowei. In his previous life, they were such good partners, sharing everything with each other while respecting one another. They were irreplaceable in each other's hearts, yet Luo Yu really didn't think about it in any other way.

How did it turn out like this in this life?

Moreover... upon reflecting carefully, it seemed that Gu Xiaowei gradually grew closer to him, relying on him more obviously than in the previous life.

From their elevator encounter during the audition to the moments on set where Gu Xiaowei handed him a peppermint candy under the pretext of teaching him how to "rub off on popularity," to Gu Xiaowei always seeking him out to practice lines—everything felt planned, like Gu Xiaowei was playing the long game.

Before he knew it, his eyelids grew heavy, and the script slipped from his hand as he dozed off.

Someone entered his room, placing the script on the side and pulling him up, repositioning his head onto the pillow.

Luo Yu was about to open his eyes but then he heard "Senior Brother, it's me, just go back to sleep” and allowed himself to slip into dreams.

Gu Xiaowei lay beside him, staring at his sleeping face for a long moment before gently prodding his lower lip with a finger—as though ensuring he was real.

When the alarm rang, Luo Yu hadn’t slept enough. He groggily reached for his phone to silence it but instead touched a nose. A sharp pain bit into his finger.

"What the hell!" Luo Yu shot awake, seeing a red mark on his index finger. "You bit me hard on purpose, didn’t you?"

Gu Xiaowei sat up lazily, his hair sticking up from sleep and his face looking innocent yet smug. As if he had just finished rolling around in between the sheets.

"You shouldn’t have touched randomly," he said.

"It was an accident! I only touched your neck and above!" Luo Yu protested, trying to defend himself.

Gu Xiaowei raised an eyebrow. "Could it be you wanted to touch somewhere else?"

Clearly, Gu Xiaowei was making a reference to the thing that required "three boxes of tissues."

Luo Yu threw off the blanket, got up, and headed toward the bathroom. As he reached the door, he paused and mimicked a pose from Gu Xiaowei’s recent vlog shoot, turning his head dramatically and smirking. "Brother allows your willfulness."

With that, he boldly strode into the bathroom.

Brushing his teeth, he noticed Gu Xiaowei watching him from behind the door.

He struck this pose because, upon the first glance, he felt a strange itch in his heart. He couldn't understand how someone like Gu Xiaowei could look so serious, yet the photo turned out to be so sultry.

But what he didn't realize was that this side pose actually elongated his legs, and the lazy yet seductive smile was enough to spark a mental storm in anyone.

Luo Yu brushed his teeth and washed his face. When he looked up, he realized that Gu Xiaowei had been staring at him for quite a while.

"Are you a ghost? You're walking with no sound."

As Luo Yu passed by Gu Xiaowei, he lightly tapped his head before walking away.

After a while, Gu Xiaowei raised his hand to touch his forehead.

That evening, when they climbed the mountain toward that small hunting lodge, Luo Yu was walking ahead while Gu Xiaowei trailed behind, barely speaking. The only other discussion was between Luo Yu and Yan Jun about the plot.

"Captain Zhao has been gone for too long, and finally, I can appear when it's time to wrap things up," Yan Jun said half-jokingly.

"Hahaha, I finally waited for you before I die. Captain Zhao, after being a criminal detective for so many years, your brain is still not as sharp as mine as a forensic doctor."

"Well, isn't it because... there’s more than one criminal, and the case is full of confusion?" Yan Jun laughed, then turned around and glanced at Gu Xiaowei, whispering, "Teacher Gu seems very serious today. You two didn’t have any unpleasantness, did you? Is the CP my wife ships still going strong?"

"Ah?" Luo Yu turned around, confused, thinking to himself that today he almost became the first male actor to pass out because of a kiss. If Gu Xiaowei was still unhappy, Luo Yu wouldn't know how to ignite himself to light up his mood.

But just that one glance, meeting Gu Xiaowei's expression, Luo Yu was sure he had something on his mind.

This guy looked more determined than anyone, but in fact, he was more sensitive than anyone.

"Don’t worry. He’s adjusting his mood," Luo Yu assured, even though he could feel Gu Xiaowei’s tension.

Before long, Luo Yu stumbled, and as he fell, Gu Xiaowei grabbed his waist in one swift motion and lifted him, saving him from falling.

Everyone watched in awe. Gu Xiaowei’s reflexes were inhumanly sharp.

"Ah... that scared me to death..." The passing photographer's assistant, still shaken, said, "Teacher Gu's skills are really impressive! If Teacher Luo were to get injured, Director Sheng's hair would stand on end!"

"Hey, don't mention Director Sheng's hair—my own arm hairs are standing up!" Luo Yu gave Gu Xiaowei's hand a light pat on the back and discreetly pressed his fingers against Gu Xiaowei's, prompting him to let go.

The group continued climbing up. Seemingly to avoid detection, Gu Xiaowei moved ahead of Luo Yu.

At this moment, Nie Yangchen passed by Luo Yu with a knowing smile.

Luo Yu furrowed his brow in disdain and muttered, "You already have the face of a villain, and now you’re learning to smile like one. Really, how are you."

"Fine, I was going to teach you some practical skills, but it seems... you’re better suited for a 'pear blossoms with rain' kind of vibe."

After finishing speaking, Nie Yangchen started climbing upwards with large strides.

"What? What can you teach me? Don't go!"

What does "pear blossoms with rain" even mean?

Luo Yu quickly chased after him, grabbing the hem of Nie Yangchen's coat.

But Nie Yangchen, acting all protective if his chastity, lowered his voice and said, "Don't grab me like that! Do you even know what kind of person Gu Xiaowei is?"

"What about him? What's wrong?"

"Healthy waist, strong legs, good body!" Nie Yangchen tossed Luo Yu a look as if to warn him “don't get me into trouble”.

Luo Yu clicked his tongue, thinking: That guy still hasn’t let go of that punch. His praise didn’t seem very genuine.

They reached the location of the hunting lodge, where the crew was busy with final preparations. Director Sheng stood with his arms crossed, a stern expression on his face as the filming countdown approached.

Out of nowhere, he called Gu Xiaowei over. "What happened to your lip?" Sheng Yunlan’s voice was cold.

The entire set seemed to freeze at that question, and all eyes turned toward them. Even Yan Jun, who wasn’t particularly fond of gossip, cast a curious glance. Only Luo Yu pretended to be engrossed in the script.

"It was bit accidentally," Gu Xiaowei replied simply.

If anyone else had said that, it would have led to knowing glances and unspoken understanding. But this was Gu Xiaowei, and his lip's slight redness added a sensual allure—like an otherwise flawless porcelain piece cracked by a fine red line, strikingly beautiful in its imperfection.

Luo Yu perked his ears, half worried Sheng Yunlan would ask "how did it happen," but the conversation shifted instead.

"You’ll shoot a biting-the-lip scene later. Highlight the character’s psychological state. Can you grasp the emotion?"

Gu Xiaowei paused, lifting his gaze: "Because Wen Yuchi is dying. If we delay any further... he’ll truly be gone. There will no longer be anyone enjoying my paintings with red tea. In his eyes, my paintings are merely paintings—no extra interpretation, just things I see. This is the first time I’ve tried to save someone’s life. Pain can force me to suppress impulse and stay calm."

"Exactly the emotion we’re looking for," the director confirmed with a nod. "Go on."

The scene returned to the previous night’s final confrontation:

Wen Yuchi fell to the ground after being shot. In the distance, Ding Bing pointed a gun at Lu Pingfeng, while Lu Pingfeng’s gun was aimed at Qin Lin, and Qin Lin’s weapon was directed at Wen Yuchi.

The standoff lasted for several tense moments before the director called the cut. The scene captured the peak of this confrontation.

Backlit by the sun, Qin Lin’s expression was menacing yet cold, his voice coaxing, "You have no chance of winning. Wen Yuchi was shot in the lung. Can you really watch him suffer like this and die? You could give him peace... and everyone would benefit."

Lu Pingfeng didn’t waver. His voice remained steady, "The antidote is in the hunting lodge's basement. Move old Han’s body out of the way, and you’ll find a broken wooden box. The antidote is beneath that."

Qin Lin said mildly, "Ding Bing already has everything he could want. The antidote’s no longer necessary."

Lu Pingfeng spoke in the same calm tone, "If he died without using the antidote, Secretary Qin, wouldn't you be the ultimate winner in the end?"

At this moment, Ding Bing's resolve wavered as he held his gun.

"Ding Bing, you don't have much time left," Lu Pingfeng's voice dropped an octave, accompanied by a touch of sarcastic laughter.

It was this laugh that sent a sharp jolt through Ding Bing's mind. He took two steps back, retreating towards the hunting lodge.

"Ding Bing, they won't just hand over the antidote to you that easily!" Qin Lin shouted loudly, carefully observing Lu Pingfeng's expressions and movements.

He thought that Lu Pingfeng would take the opportunity to check on Wen Yuchi's condition, but Lu Pingfeng showed no signs of hesitation. Despite blocking Wen Yuchi's path, he remained as calm as ever—unconcerned by Wen Yuchi's life or death.

"Ding Bing, think carefully about your inheritance rules. Do they require the antidote?" Lu Pingfeng's smile grew colder.

Although he wasn't familiar with Ding Bing or Qin Lin, he had already unraveled all of their entangled interests and the subtle balance of power between them.

It was all merely human nature.

Hearing Lu Pingfeng's reminder, Ding Bing became even more certain that he needed the antidote.

"If there's no antidote in the basement, I'll kill you!"

Ding Bing entered the basement cautiously, step by step, making sure the entrance had no traps before carefully opening the door and descending.

Sure enough, old Han's body was still there. Ding Bing remained cautious, testing for traps with his gun before moving old Han's body.

He soon found a broken storage box and carefully moved it aside, uncovering a black container slightly larger than a capsule, with dried blood on it.

Ding Bing felt a rush of joy—this had to be it!

It was the perfect hiding spot. Who would guess that the antidote would be right beside a body? They had assumed the antidote was stolen when they found it missing from old Han's body.

Just as he picked up the container, he felt something pull sharply. A "click" sound was heard—the sound of a lighter igniting. Before he could react, fine powder began to pour down with a hiss, and he knew it was too late.

"Boom—!" The entire hunting lodge collapsed.

At the moment Qin Lin wavered, Lu Pingfeng's gun fired, and as Qin Lin pulled the trigger, his shoulder was hit. His shot grazed Lu Pingfeng's cheek.

In that moment, Qin Lin saw Lu Pingfeng biting his lower lip tightly, his gaze sharp and unwavering, a desperate gambler's final, resolute gamble.

It was the first time he had ever seen such a human expression on Lu Pingfeng's face.

Two more shots hit Qin Lin's hands, causing the gun to fall from his grip.

Crumpling to the ground, Qin Lin laughed weakly as he looked at Lu Pingfeng.

"How does it feel to kill someone... Great Artist?"

He thought Lu Pingfeng would spare another look at the hunting lodge or stand in front of him to deliver the final blow, watching him die.

But Lu Pingfeng didn't give him another glance. Instead, he turned swiftly to Wen Yuchi.

Wen Yuchi's situation was dire. Blood had filled his lungs, and his breathing was becoming harder by the moment.

Lu Pingfeng pulled Qin Lin up from the ground, "Call them to get us out of here."

"What if I don't? Will you kill me? Or torture me? Do you even get a sense of achievement or satisfaction from this?" Qin Lin laughed hoarsely.

Lu Pingfeng searched Qin Lin's body, as he was supposed to have communication tools as the observer sent by Zhuang Jie. However, after much searching, he found nothing.

"Hahaha... hahahahaha..." Qin Lin's laughter grew more arrogant. "You seem anxious. Even if I call someone, Wen Yuchi won't make it in time, will he? You should watch him suffer and die. This will be your lifelong inspiration."

Lu Pingfeng gave Qin Lin a cold look and took his dagger before heading to Wen Yuchi.

Qin Lin stared at Lu Pingfeng's figure. Backlit by the light, his tall form exuded an aura of cold detachment.

He bowed his head, enduring a torment that gnawed at his soul.

Qin Lin laughed, his grin growing increasingly manic. Then, with a voice filled with hysteria, he roared, "Yes, kill him—every second he holds on, it's excruciating for him… Let him be free! Let him be free!"

Wen Yuchi’s breathing grew increasingly labored, yet his eyes remained fixed on Lu Pingfeng. It wasn’t the resentment of a dying man but rather an expression of deep concern.

Lu Pingfeng knelt down, pressing his hand against Wen Yuchi’s wound. “I… can’t give you relief…”

He lowered his head in defeat, a rare sight for someone like him. When he raised his gaze again, tears slid silently down his face.

A silent storm seemed to descend upon the world, drenching only Lu Pingfeng.

This scene wasn’t in the script—neither the lines nor Lu Pingfeng’s reaction. Yet, for some reason, the director didn’t call for a cut. All eyes remained glued to Lu Pingfeng, mesmerized by the raw emotion in his expression.

Despite the length of the shoot, it was the first time Lu Pingfeng had shed tears. During the initial script reading, the cast and crew had agreed that Lu Pingfeng was a character whose emotions were enigmatic. No one could tell whether he was ignorant of or complicit in the string of murders surrounding his artwork. He wasn’t supposed to cry—this was a man seemingly devoid of fear or attachment. Yet now, his tears revealed a crack in that cold, lifeless façade, offering a glimpse of a real, vulnerable human within.

Without needing a close-up, his trembling posture as he gripped the knife evoked a powerful urge to reach out and comfort him.

The director stayed silent, the cameramen continued rolling, and the crew held their breath, unwilling to break the moment.

Meanwhile, Wen Yuchi, weak and struggling for breath, managed to lift his hand and gently touch Lu Pingfeng’s face. Despite his condition, his voice was steady and firm. “Do you see the emergency kit by my leg? Open it and check if there’s anything useful inside.”

That emergency kit had been taken by Wen Yuchi when he dragged Qin Lin out of the camp.

Lu Pingfeng's lips, already bloodied from biting, quickly opened the kit. Inside, there were anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, syringes, tools, and a piece of rubber tubing.

Upon grabbing the rubber tubing, Lu Pingfeng's eyes lit up with sudden clarity.

Wen Yuchi gripped Lu Pingfeng's hand firmly. "I have blood in my chest cavity. My lung is collapsing. You studied medicine at a medical school, didn't you? You must create a small incision between my ribs and use this tubing to create negative pressure, drawing the blood out so I can breathe. I need to survive—only then can I make it to rescue!"

"I've never studied medicine. I've only dissected corpses to observe death. I'm not a surgeon. I can't save you... I can only depict death... I..."

The hunting lodge was still burning, illuminating their shadows.

Wen Yuchi reached out, grabbing Lu Pingfeng's face, forcing him to face him. "I know. The creature you found hanging wasn't a rat but a cat. Its lungs were punctured, blood pooling in its chest, just like me. You saved it, performed the chest drainage on it. It could breathe again.”

“But it still died."

“It wasn’t your surgery that killed it; it was multiple organ ruptures. Lu Pingfeng, every second you hesitate, I move closer to death. Do you really want to see me die?”

Wen Yuchi tightened his grip on Lu Pingfeng’s hand.

The next moment, Lu Pingfeng decisively pinned Wen Yuchi down, using a lighter to sterilize the knife in his hand.

Lying paralyzed on the ground, Nie Yangchen chuckled weakly, “What are you planning to do… give our dear forensic doctor a taste of being dissected alive?”

Lu Pingfeng’s expression remained unchanged. Calmly, he unbuttoned Wen Yuchi’s shirt, locating the precise rib section, then picked up the rubber tube and prepared to make the incision.

At that moment, Qin Lin realized what was happening. He sneered and shouted, “You’re trying to save him? You actually want to save him? Hahaha, this is too ridiculous!

Are you a surgeon? Do you know exactly where to make the incision? How deep to cut? Are you sure that when you see his bleeding organs, you won’t become engrossed in admiring them?”

Ignoring him, Lu Pingfeng focused, inserting the rubber tubing through the wound.

“Did you feel his rib? Or was it his lung? Hahaha, was it still warm, or is it already turning cold?” Qin Lin’s voice echoed through the quiet mountain forest, as though trying to unlock someone’s heart.

Sweat beaded on Lu Pingfeng’s temple, his expression focused and icy.

When he inserted the other end of the tube into the water bottle, crimson blood began to flow steadily into it.

Gradually, Wen Yuchi’s tense expression softened into one of peace.

Lu Pingfeng, his hands covered in blood, hesitated for a moment as he reached out to touch Wen Yuchi’s cheek but stopped midway. Instead, he lowered his head and pressed his ear to Wen Yuchi’s chest, listening to his heartbeat.

"Thump... thump... thump..." the sound of a heartbeat, weak but steady.

"Is he dead? He is dead, isn't he?" Qin Lin struggled to move his body, awkwardly trying to get a better look.

But Lu Pingfeng didn't answer him. Instead, he did everything he could to keep Wen Yuchi warm.

Until the sound of a helicopter suddenly came from above, signaling that the rescue team had arrived.

The assistant director looked down at the script. He noted that Gu Xiaowei had deviated from the script by shedding tears. At first, he was worried that Sheng Yunlan would become furious, but unexpectedly, Sheng Yunlan let them continue performing this way.

Gu Xiaowei had deviated from the script, which was fine, but even Luo Yu had let go of his character. According to the script, Wen Yuchi should have lost consciousness, but instead, Luo Yu had suddenly sat up and interacted with Lu Pingfeng—essentially "resurrecting," which had nearly scared everyone.

But Sheng Yunlan remained silent and allowed them to continue improvising.

During the performance, Wen Yuchi mentioned the story about the cat. This part of the story wasn't meant to be here; it was supposed to be a discussion later, where Wen Yuchi questioned Lu Pingfeng about how he had learned chest drainage. Yet, Luo Yu's improvisation seamlessly connected to Gu Xiaowei's emotional state, allowing the two characters to truly resonate on a deeper emotional level.

It was then that the assistant director understood—this scene was actually a hallucination. Within this hallucination, Wen Yuchi had given Lu Pingfeng complete understanding and trust, allowing him to perform the nearly impossible chest drainage procedure.

Although the scene had officially ended, everyone remained deeply immersed in Lu Pingfeng's emotions.

Nie Yangchen, lying on the ground, relaxed his menacing expression and sighed, saying, "You two are so willful. Luckily, I've seen enough to know how to handle this, or else I wouldn't know how to go on."

Luo Yu raised his hand in Nie Yangchen's direction, giving him a thumbs-up to thank him for going along with the improvisation.

Gu Xiaowei knelt beside Luo Yu, his head lowered, silent. From this angle, no one could see his expression.

After a while, Luo Yu held Gu Xiaowei's hand with firm strength, pressing his fingers into his palm.

"Does it hurt?"

Gu Xiaowei didn't answer.

"Lu Pingfeng saved Wen Yuchi, and I'm fine too."

Lying beside him, Luo Yu could see that Gu Xiaowei was biting his lip. Luo Yu's hand reached over and gently covered Gu Xiaowei's mouth.

"Gu Xiaowei, stop biting. Maybe pain reminds you that you're not dreaming, but every time you hurt, it pains me too."

Luo Yu's voice was soft, meant only for the two of them. But for Gu Xiaowei, it was the most soothing and effective comfort.

"I thought... this time, I wouldn't be able to save you again."

"Again?" Luo Yu's heart skipped a beat. Was Gu Xiaowei referring to his role as Bai Ying?

Ignoring the other crew members' observations, Luo Yu sat up and hugged Gu Xiaowei tightly. He said nothing, only wanting Gu Xiaowei to feel his presence.

"Teacher Gu... is he alright?" The assistant director began to approach but was stopped by Sheng Yunlan.

"It's fine. The emotions are too heavy. Let it pass for a while. Give him some time."

The assistant director nodded and told all the staff, "Everyone take a break. Calm your emotions. This scene was excellent, and we've paid attention to every detail to make it as perfect as possible!"

Everyone understood. Some turned their backs to chat, while others drank water or smoked.

Luo Yu gently pushed Gu Xiaowei's hair away from his forehead and whispered, "The hardest part is over. From now on, Wen Yuchi's heart beats because of Lu Pingfeng, and his breath moves because of Lu Pingfeng."

"Do you know that feeling?" Gu Xiaowei looked up slowly. His voice was calm, much more rational than Luo Yu had expected. "I thought I could always stay at a distance, watching others struggle in the flames... but your presence, even the slightest warmth, set me ablaze."

"That's fine too. No matter how cold or distant you act, or how aloof you seem, I must have this privilege..." Luo Yu leaned in close to Gu Xiaowei's ear and whispered, "The privilege of making you burn."

With that, Luo Yu stood up and extended his hand toward Gu Xiaowei, pulling him up.

Today's filming went smoothly, with Gu Xiaowei and Luo Yu's improvisation adding depth to the scene. The director kept replaying the footage, focusing on the shot of Lu Pingfeng's tears. He remarked, "I once discussed with screenwriter Xia Tan how to represent Lu Pingfeng's underlying 'humanity.' I had proposed letting Lu Pingfeng cry, but I worried it would seem melodramatic and overly sentimental. A sociopathic person without human emotions crying for another person, it feels very much like romantic love."

Luo Yu's face flushed at the remark, though he knew the director was being analytical and not personal.

"And such a scene would be difficult to pair with dialogue. Xia Tan and I debated whether Lu Pingfeng should wipe away his tears and continue his surgery or delve into a more philosophical self-reflection."

Hearing this, Luo Yu agreed that Lu Pingfeng's tears would indeed be a very awkward element in the story.

"But Gu Xiaowei's tears were entirely unexpected, as if a tense string had suddenly snapped. Even I wondered how to contain this emotion, but you managed it with your 'hallucination.' Your performance was very timely. Lu Pingfeng, through his hallucination of Wen Yuchi's affirmation and trust, completed everything—reflecting his true inner desires."

Gu Xiaowei said mildly, "Most people impose labels on us, defining us by society's expectations. He needs to be seen as an independent individual, and Wen Yuchi represents his only direction."

Hearing this, Sheng Yunlan nodded in satisfaction and patted both Luo Yu and Gu Xiaowei on the shoulder, saying, "Tomorrow will be the final confrontation and resolution. It's up to you both now."

"Got it." Luo Yu flashed an OK gesture.

Gu Xiaowei nodded lightly.

On the way back after wrapping up, Gu Xiaowei remained quiet. The window was wide open, and the wind blew into the van, lifting his hair and exposing his forehead.

Suddenly, Luo Yu wrapped his arms around him from behind.

"Teacher Gu, Teacher Gu, in two days we'll be leaving here! What are your plans after the film wraps up?" Luo Yu's voice was warm with laughter.

Even Ah Yan and Xiao Qin, who hadn't really known what had happened, let out a breath of relief.

"Stay with you," Gu Xiaowei said, his voice short but clear.

Everyone in the van heard it.

Luo Yu's heart leaped. This was Gu Xiaowei's way of telling him that this wasn't a fleeting impulse.