Top Dupe CH 048 Supermarket Part 1
This should have happened after the wrap party last night.
Since the wrap party was only attended by people from the crew, Luo Yu believed that they wouldn’t leak the video online. The most likely scenario is that the video was taken by someone else while Gu Xiaowei was on his way back to his room.
The gossip among netizens is relentless—who is the person being held in Gu Xiaowei's arms? Many people zoomed in on the video to try to guess the person's identity from the exposed shoes, but unfortunately, they clearly weren’t even high heels.
Some speculated that it might be a leaked film shot, but this was quickly disproved due to the background in the video. Others guessed it might be the female lead from the show, but observant sleuths noted that on that day, Xie Chang was wearing high-heeled boots.
Gu Xiaowei’s fans were extremely excited because it was the first time they saw Gu Xiaowei's princess carry. Luo Yu swallowed nervously, looking at the shoes in the video and then at his own, getting a bad premonition.
He looked over at Gu Xiaowei and asked, “Um… can you tell me… how did I end up in your room after getting drunk yesterday?”
“I carried you back.”
Gu Xiaowei happened to turn a corner, and Luo Yu saw a faint smile on his lips, but it disappeared once the car hit the straight road.
“You could have carried me on your back or shouldered me; why did you choose to carry me in your arms?”
“It’s easier for you to vomit if I shoulder you, and carrying you on my back might result in you vomiting on my shoulder unexpectedly. So, carrying you with my arms is the safest.”
“Heh, your reasoning is so logical, I can’t refute it.”
Luo Yu thought to himself that if someone ever exposed him hiding behind the black umbrella… it’s him, it's really him!
...But it wouldn’t be such a big deal.
Thinking this way, Luo Yu felt a bit more relieved.
“Can’t tell you’re quite strong. Despite me being a tall, broad-shouldered guy, you managed to make it seem like a feather-light experience when you were carrying me?”
Gu Xiaowei glanced at Luo Yu, who was squinting and enjoying the breeze with a relaxed smile, obviously not taking the princess carry seriously.
“Heartless.”
Gu Xiaowei said this lightly, but with a hint of gritted teeth.
They drove into the city, and Luo Yu put on a mask and sunglasses, pulling down the brim of his hat so he couldn’t be recognized. On the other hand, Gu Xiaowei was nonchalant, not even bothering with glasses, and went straight through the fast lane tollbooth.
Lu Yu gently poked Gu Xiaowei on the waist, “I say, aren’t you afraid of paparazzi tailing you with your face exposed like this?”
Gu Xiaowei replied calmly, “I’m not ugly, so why worry about paparazzi?”
“Alright, you win.” Luo Yu continued to wrap himself up.
“Senior Brother, where do you usually buy groceries?” Gu Xiaowei asked.
“At the nearby Good Bowl Supermarket. The items there are cheap and practical, and it’s quite large. If you want, you can drop me off at the supermarket entrance, and I’ll buy groceries while you wait at my place,” Luo Yu said.
“Let’s go together.”
“Together?” Lu Yu laughed, “Are you trying to destroy my beloved Good Bowl Supermarket? If you go, whether it’s passersby or fans, they’ll all be after you, and you still think of buying groceries? Oh, are you trying to emulate those ancient beauties who ride around in empty carriages, returning home with a full load of fresh fruits and vegetables?”
“I… haven’t been to a supermarket in a long time,” Gu Xiaowei said.
Luo Yu was moved by this.
“If that’s the case… you definitely won’t be able to go to the supermarket like this,” Luo Yu thought for a moment, “Park the car in the corner of the supermarket’s underground garage, and I’ll see if I can mitigate your overly noticeable traits.”
“Okay.”
Luo Yu looked at Gu Xiaowei again, thinking… why is this guy so obedient?
Fortunately, it wasn’t the weekend, and the supermarket wasn’t crowded when they arrived, and there were plenty of empty spaces in the underground garage.
Gu Xiaowei parked the car in the corner, and Luo Yu pulled out his backpack, first finding a mask and handing it to him, “Put this on quickly.”
“Alright.”
Luo Yu then pulled out a pair of non-prescription glasses and put them on Gu Xiaowei’s nose.
Gu Xiaowei gently closed his eyes, his eyelashes like black feathers. Even in the dimly lit garage, Luo Yu couldn’t help but admire how good-looking Gu Xiaowei was, as if heaven had blessed him with good looks.
“You still stand out quite a bit like this,” Luo Yu sighed, feeling it was hopeless to salvage the situation, “Unless you wrap yourself up like a mummy, there’s no way to cover it up.”
“Or you can just wait in the car,” Luo Yu suggested.
Unexpectedly, Gu Xiaowei raised his hand, hooked his fingers upward, removed Luo Yu’s hat, and accidentally lifted a few strands of his hair in the process.
Luo Yu instinctively leaned back, feeling Gu Xiaowei’s knuckles brush against his forehead.
Gu Xiaowei put the hat on his own head, lowered the brim, and said, “This should make me less conspicuous.”
After saying this, he reached out to smooth down Luo Yu’s disheveled hair, then, before Luo Yu could speak, he opened the car door, stepped out with long legs, and walked away.
This guy must have been cooped up for too long; going to the supermarket felt like a vacation.
Luo Yu was stunned for a second, closed his eyes, and sighed deeply. At this point, he could only go along with it.
He stuffed his hands in his pockets, watching Gu Xiaowei’s back, sighing that even if Gu Xiaowei covered himself from head to toe, his figure was still striking—just the back view was enough to impress.
They entered the supermarket, Gu Xiaowei pushing a cart, with Luo Yu walking in front, one hand gripping the edge of the cart. Gu Xiaowei followed Luo Yu’s lead, pushing the cart in the direction of his strength, and they moved in sync.
Luo Yu silently rejoiced that the supermarket wasn’t crowded.
They first went to the vegetable aisle, Luo Yu picked out lettuce and arugula, and then turned to Gu Xiaowei, “What about you? Is there anything you want to eat?”
“I’m fine with anything.”
“Then let’s pick out some meat and fresh produce; we’ve already got enough vegetables.”
“Mm, okay.”
Luo Yu couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a vague gaze on him, but when he looked around, he couldn’t find the source.
They arrived at the refrigerated section, where Gu Xiaowei was examining beef rolls, lamb rolls, and other hotpot ingredients. Even though they weren’t having hotpot tonight, Gu Xiaowei was very curious, picking up each item, inspecting the ingredients and expiration dates, then putting them back.
His entire face was hidden, only his eyes visible. Luo Yu hadn’t realized how the brim of the hat obscured his brow bone and the mask covered his mouth and nose. With only his eyes visible, Gu Xiaowei didn’t seem distant at all; instead, his eyes and the depth of his eye sockets conveyed a deep, affectionate vibe.
“I’m planning to make braised spare ribs tonight, and I like to add some bean paste for flavor. How about you? Are you used to this taste?”
Luo Yu brought a jar of bean paste to Gu Xiaowei, holding it up to his nose, indicating he should smell it.
Gu Xiaowei rested one hand on the cart and adjusted his mask slightly to expose his nose, turning his face slightly to smell the jar of bean paste.
“I think this flavor is quite good,” Gu Xiaowei answered.
When he straightened up, his nose seemed to lightly brush against Luo Yu’s fingertips. It was very light and a bit ticklish.
“Then let’s go with that,” Luo Yu said as he put the doubanjiang (bean paste) into the cart. Looking up, he saw that Gu Xiaowei hadn’t pulled up his mask but was instead examining the packaging date on a box of frozen red shrimp.
“Please cover up that face,” Luo Yu said, lifting Gu Xiaowei’s mask up and pinching it on his nose bridge.
“So what if they see it?” Gu Xiaowei asked.
“Oh, are you being cocky because there aren’t many people in the supermarket?” Luo Yu laughed. “If you’re seen, then let’s marry you off with drums and gongs.”
“Then hurry up and buy some drums and gongs.”
“Huh?”
“Since you’ve seen my face, you need to come marry me to the sound of drums and gongs,” Gu Xiaowei said.
Luo Yu was momentarily speechless and gave a thumbs-up, “Wow, you’re really something.”
He couldn’t even imagine how Gu Xiaowei would behave when he first fell in love, his flirtatiousness coming so naturally and effortlessly.
“Am I really something?” Gu Xiaowei asked, resting an arm on Luo Yu’s shoulder and giving him a slight push away from the freezer. “Aren’t we supposed to be buying ribs? Let’s go buy some.”
“Okay.”
At the rib section, Luo Yu bent his head to choose packaged ribs. He noticed that Gu Xiaowei’s arm wrapped around his shoulder, and a hand was blocking his profile.
“What’s wrong?” Luo Yu’s first reaction was that they were being photographed.
“Nothing. Have you chosen the ribs?” Gu Xiaowei asked.
“Yeah, if we’re being photographed, let’s go back.”
“How about we buy some potatoes and beef as well?” Gu Xiaowei asked.
His tone was calm, showing no annoyance at being followed by paparazzi. Their attention didn’t affect his interest in shopping.
“Sure. Do you prefer curry flavor or braised?”
“Braised,” Gu Xiaowei said, taking off his hat and placing it on Luo Yu’s head, also adjusting the brim downwards.
“Hey, if you’re not afraid of being photographed, I’m not afraid either.”
“I don’t want that,” Gu Xiaowei replied.
“Don’t want what?”
Gu Xiaowei didn’t answer but instead took the packaged beef and put it into the cart, heading towards the checkout.
Luo Yu watched Gu Xiaowei, whose air of keeping people at bay was growing stronger. He suddenly understood why Gu Xiaowei didn’t care about being followed—those who were following him didn’t dare to show themselves or get close. Since they couldn’t take any unflattering photos, Gu Xiaowei simply ignored them.
The checkout was self-service. Luo Yu scanned items one by one while Gu Xiaowei stood beside him, occasionally raising his hand to block from the side.
This meant he knew who was following and from which direction.
Luo Yu was a bit curious, and as he peeked in that direction, he was gently pushed back.
“What’s so curious? Once ‘Counterattack’ airs, you’ll get to enjoy this ‘treatment’ too.”
Luo Yu packed the items, and Gu Xiaowei said, “Let’s take the elevator down.”
In such a small elevator, if the paparazzi dared to come in, it would be a trap. Luo Yu guessed they wouldn’t be that bold.
As expected, only the two of them entered the elevator, and they returned to the car safely, not feeling any following presence, and arrived back at Luo Yu’s neighborhood.
This was Gu Xiaowei’s first visit to Luo Yu’s home. Fortunately, the living room was tidy. Luo Yu took a pair of slippers out of the shoe cabinet.
“My humble abode, don’t mind it, Teacher Gu.”
Gu Xiaowei looked around, “It’s quite nice.”
“Then make yourself comfortable and watch some TV. I’ll cook.”
“I’ll help you,” Gu Xiaowei said, taking off his jacket and rolling up the sleeves of his sweater to reveal his well-defined forearms.
Luo Yu didn’t hesitate and smiled, “Great, then could you please help with washing the vegetables?”
“Sure.”
Gu Xiaowei took the apron that Luo Yu handed him and put it on without any disdain, skillfully washing the lettuce and arugula in no time.
Luo Yu had already started cooking the ribs, while Gu Xiaowei was cutting potatoes next to him.
Just as Luo Yu put the beef and chopped potatoes into the stew pot, his phone rang.
“Sister Cui, what’s up?” Luo Yu asked while flipping the ribs.
“Be honest with me. Did you go to the supermarket today?” Sister Cui’s voice had a hint of excitement.
“Yes, I bought some groceries. I’m cooking dinner tonight.”
“Who are you cooking with?” Sister Cui asked again.
“With…”
Before Luo Yu could finish his sentence, Gu Xiaowei took over the spatula, “You go to the living room. I’ll keep an eye on the fire.”
“Oh, okay, thanks.”