Top Dupe CH 045 Senior Brother, You're Drunk Part 2

After five minutes of silence in the car, Gu Xiaowei spoke again. "Director Lin said he wants to have a good talk with you tonight. But I see you didn't bring any change of clothes. You don't mind wearing mine, do you? For undergarments, Ah Yan has some disposable underwear."

"I don't mind." Luo Yu replied, "Seems like there'll be good food and drink tonight."

"Good. We'll head back to B City together tomorrow morning."

"Okay."

"Tonight is the wrap party for the crew."

Luo Yu laughed, knowing Gu Xiaowei was reminding him not to forget his promise to treat him to a meal.

"Got it. I'll treat you once we're back in B City!" Luo Yu said loudly.

Back at the set of "Counterattack," Luo Yu felt a sense of returning home.

Hua Xingyun, the screenwriter, dressed thickly and looking like a pumpkin, ran over and hugged him.

"Ah! My little Luo! My Bai Ying! You're back!"

At that moment, Luo Yu felt like he was the filling inside a pumpkin pie.

Upon hearing the news, Xie Chang also ran over. "Brother Luo's here? Where is he?"

"Here! Here!" Luo Yu smiled and waved at her.

Luo Yu was bundled up warmly, while Xie Chang, wearing only a woolen dress and boots, ran over without concern for the cold. Luo Yu marveled at how young people are so robust, not fearing the chill at all.

Xie Chang hesitated to speak, and Luo Yu knew she must have heard about Jiang Yunxie's incident. So, he asked the crew for a cup of hot coffee and walked to the side with her.

"I didn't dare let Brother Gu know. My agent secretly told me. I heard Jiang Yunxie got in trouble because he targeted you?"

"Yes."

"Did he..." Xie Chang seemed worried, fearing she might hurt Luo Yu with her question.

"I'm fine. Maybe ten years ago, he could have gotten me. But now, can a slippery old eel like me be caught by him?" Luo Yu joked.

"Old eel?" Xie Chang laughed softly, feeling relieved. "You were just a high school student ten years ago!"

Luo Yu smiled. "But now, Honghe Film and Television is under internal and external investigation. People like Jiang Yunxie won't dare to act recklessly anymore."

"Yeah, just seeing Jiang Yunxie in the company was enough to annoy me. Today, my agent slipped and told me you almost fell into his trap... Thinking it over, I feel it’s my fault. Jiang Yunxie had improper intentions toward me but was stopped by Jiang Hui. He must have been upset and, knowing I recommended you to the higher-ups, took it out on you! Honghe Film and Television has many issues; I shouldn't have meddled..." Xie Chang felt extremely guilty.

Luo Yu, looking at the little sister who wanted to repay his kindness, comforted her. "How can that be meddling? You heard I terminated my contract with Zhuque Media and worried I couldn’t stand up to Dijun Media alone. You thought being signed under Honghe Film and Television would give me more protection. Besides, no matter which company you sign with, you'll encounter bad people. Honghe Film and Television has Jiang Yunxie, but even the industry-standard Xinghan Pictures can't guarantee everyone there is virtuous, right?"

"Yes." Xie Chang nodded, "But I really have to thank you, Brother Luo. You're like that butterfly in the butterfly effect, flapping its wings and causing a big stir in the industry. Now everyone is paying attention to Jiang Yunxie's news, and many of his bad associates have been exposed because of his case. Thanks to you, we've cleared out a huge tumor."

"This way, every time you go back to Honghe Film and Television, you won't have to worry about seeing the person you hate the most!"

"That's right!" Xie Chang made a thumbs-up gesture.

The wrap party started at seven in the evening. The crew set up several large round tables and even hired a chef to cook on-site, so everyone could eat hot meals.

At the main table sat Lin Yue, Hua Xingyun, stunt coordinator Chen, and other key members of the crew, along with the lead actors and the veteran actor who played Bai Zhongxing.

Luo Yu had just sat down at Brother Long's table when Brother Long handed him half a bottle of beer, looking very experienced. "Just wait, in less than ten minutes, the director's table will call you over. So let's down a bottle first, bro!"

Luo Yu laughed, thinking that since he wasn't the main character, it would take a while before the director's table called him over. He threw his arm around Brother Long's shoulder and they chatted about their recent experiences.

Brother Long sighed, saying that although he had no trouble getting roles at the film base, he still felt a lack of belonging. Fang Qin also mentioned that after this drama wrapped up, as he hadn't signed with any film company, he was unsure about his future.

"Guys, don't be so down. The more we act, the more opportunities we have to hit a wall, but also the more chances we have to meet someone who appreciates us. Soon, there will be flowers and applause." Luo Yu clinked his bottle with each of them.

"So Luo Yu, you have to take good care of yourself. Every time we see news about you online, not about all that nonsense, but about your acting being recognized by more and more people, I genuinely feel happy, like I'm making it myself."

Luo Yu hugged Brother Long, "We'll all make it. Though the alley is deep, our shouts are loud."

At that moment, Coordinator Chen's voice called out, "Luo Yu! What are you hiding over there for? Come here! Tell everyone what roles you've taken and how they're going!"

Brother Long quickly patted Luo Yu on the back, "Go quickly! I knew the director would remember you!"

Luo Yu nodded, "We'll talk later."

As Luo Yu walked over, Gu Xiaowei moved aside, leaving a space between himself and Director Lin. 

"Sit here, Senior Brother."

Everyone was sitting on plastic chairs, so it wasn't too crowded when Luo Yu sat down.

Coordinator Chen joked, "Luo Yu, other people switch their acting skills after a drama, but you switch your face. When you played Bai Ying, that ambiguous antihero vibe was amazing. Now that your hair is cut, you look so clean and neat! I almost didn't recognize you."

"That's because he later played a corporate executive, going for a sophisticated look." Hua Xingyun said while sipping his drink.

Lin Yue also spoke up, "Xu Han told me that among the actors under thirty he's met, he was most satisfied with Gu Xiaowei before. Now, there's another one, you."

"Hahaha," Hua Xingyun laughed, "So our little Luo is one of the two actors Director Xu has liked among all the ones he usually finds annoying."

Laughter erupted again because Hua Xingyun's imitation of Director Xu's expression was spot on.

This was a wrap party, not just a drinking session, so everyone had their preferred beverages in front of them. 

For example, Screenwriter Hua had a small cup of wine, Director Lin and Gu Xiaowei drank tea, Xie Chang drank coconut juice, and Coordinator Chen and the cinematographer drank beer.

Luo Yu wanted to toast Director Lin and Screenwriter Hua, but he couldn't find a cup.

Gu Xiaowei pushed his own cup over to Luo Yu, "If Senior Brother doesn't mind..."

But before he even finished saying "you can use mine," Luo Yu stood up, holding that cup of tea, and said to Director Lin and Screenwriter Hua, "Director Lin, Screenwriter Hua, thank you for creating Bai Ying and giving me the opportunity to showcase myself. I toast to you with this cup, though it's only tea, the sentiment is sincere."

Director Lin and Screenwriter Hua didn't believe in "feelings are drunk out of," they cared more about whether the opportunity they gave was well used and appreciated.

"Act well. There are more good roles waiting for you." Director Lin's words were a hint.

This meant that regardless of whether Luo Yu planned to go solo or rely on a big backer, he was on Director Lin's list of actor choices.

"Yes, act well. I'm already thinking about the eunuch role you wanted!"

Screenwriter Hua's words made everyone laugh. During the two months after Luo Yu left, every time they talked about him, the eunuch joke came up.

"Haha, if there's really such a role, Screenwriter Hua has to write a concubine for me to play. I have to see Brother Luo's eunuch with my own eyes!"

"Then Screenwriter Hua must write an emperor role for Xiao Gu?"

Coordinator Chen suddenly said, "Little Luo, you're using Gu Xiaowei's tea to toast Director Lin and Screenwriter Hua, isn't it like... isn't it like..."

"Like what?" Screenwriter Hua asked.

"Like a bride offering tea to her in-laws!"

As soon as he said that, everyone at the table burst into laughter.

Xie Chang also laughed so hard she had to cover her mouth, "This is before 'Counterattack' has even aired! Once it airs, you two will have so many fans you won't be able to count them all!"

Luo Yu blinked and laughed.

The atmosphere at the table was harmonious, and Coordinator Chen, in high spirits, invited Luo Yu to play an embroidered uniform guard in his next drama where he would be the martial arts director.

"Let me tell you... with your looks! And those skills! Once you wear the flying fish python robe and appear, all the girls will scream!" Coordinator Chen was a bit tipsy, but his eagerness showed he'd wanted Luo Yu for this role for a long time.

Director Lin nodded, "The drama Coordinator Chen mentioned should be directed by Director Chen Kan. You should get in touch. His works are very much worth learning from."

"Okay, I'll remember that."

After drinking a bottle of beer, Coordinator Chen was ready for a second round with Luo Yu.

Director Lin patted Luo Yu on the shoulder and whispered, "I also sent you a script. It's still in its infancy. After reading it, tell me which character interests you the most and see if we think the same."

"Okay."

With Director Lin's words, Luo Yu was quite interested.

After several rounds of drinks, everyone at the table was somewhat drunk, except for those who only drank tea or juice.

The cinematographer started singing, and for some reason, everyone joined in.

It began with "Mu Guiying Takes Command," attracting attention from other tables.

When it was Xie Chang's turn, she said regretfully, "I'm tone-deaf. The only song I can manage is 'The Heavenly Match'... The birds in the trees are in pairs..."

But after singing this line, she couldn't continue and tilted her head, looking like she was thinking hard, with question marks floating around her head.

A flush had appeared on Luo Yu's cheeks, his half-closed eyes seemingly misted over with alcohol intoxication.

Supporting his chin, he sang the next line for Xie Chang, "Green water and green hills with a smile!"

He turned his head, leaning close to Gu Xiaowei's face. Gu Xiaowei, still sitting properly, tightened his grip on the teacup as Luo Yu approached.

"Pluck a flower casually..."

Luo Yu's eyes had a thin layer of mist, shimmering with light, as if willingly sinking and unable to come out.

Gu Xiaowei held his breath, feeling something tighten around his throat, keeping his unknown thoughts and impulses locked inside.

Luo Yu's hand swayed over and touched Gu Xiaowei's ear.

“And place it in my wife's hair..."

Luo Yu didn't use the Huangmei opera tune but sang in his own voice.

The drawn-out notes, clear tone, and lazy quality seemed to pull Gu Xiaowei from the clouds to the earth.

That invisible flower, placed in Gu Xiaowei's hair, also grew wildly in his heart.

Gu Xiaowei exhaled quietly, "Senior Brother, you're drunk."