Top Dupe CH 055 Burn, Little Cosmos Part 1

Sheng Yunlan glanced at the sight of her taking notes in a notebook, worried she might forget Luo Yu's earlier performance. He restrained the upward curve of his lips and said calmly, "The audition is not over yet. It’s like when we saw He Mu earlier—you thought he was impressive. Then, seeing Liang Shengqiu, you felt he was very suitable for Wen Yuchi. Now, having seen Luo Yu, you think he’s amazing, fearing that if you let this opportunity pass, you might not find another like him. Perhaps, in the upcoming auditions, there will be even more extraordinary performances."

The producer and the assistant director exchanged glances and shook their heads helplessly, unsure if Sheng Yunlan's high standards were genuine or if he was just acting composed.

Who knew that Gu Xiaowei, putting down his thermos, said, "None of you mentioned that Luo Yu was impressive just now."

Sheng Yunlan acted as if he hadn't heard and continued looking at the resume of the next auditionee.

The assistant director and producer paused for a moment and suddenly realized the implication of Gu Xiaowei’s words—since none of them had called Luo Yu impressive, it must be Sheng Yunlan’s personal opinion.

Well, even at this age, playing coy still happens.

As expected, with Luo Yu’s performance setting the bar so high, others really did seem “not cloud-like compared to Wushan.”

Finally, the audition was over. Xia Tan quickly said goodbye, saying she had script revisions to make, and left.

The assistant director stretched and noticed Sheng Yunlan was still looking at Luo Yu's resume.

Gu Xiaowei nodded to the assistant director and said, “The audition is over now, so I’ll head back.”

“Oh, Xiao Wei, you’ve had a long day. Go get some rest.”

Gu Xiaowei opened the door and walked toward the elevator, his pace quickening, the hem of his coat swaying with his strides.

Passing staff members couldn’t help but look in his direction, wondering what could make Gu Xiaowei so anxious.

At that moment, Luo Yu was in a small bookstore two streets away from the hotel.

The bookstore had narrow aisles and was packed with old books, including novels from thirty years ago priced at one yuan and ninety-eight cents each.

The shopkeeper was an elderly man with graying hair, wearing reading glasses, sitting at the counter near the entrance, reading a newspaper.

Luo Yu picked up a book and sat on a small plastic stool at the back of the store, reading.

After flipping through the book for over an hour, he looked around and still saw few customers.

No wonder he received a message from Gu Xiaowei when he left, asking him to wait in this little bookstore.

Luo Yu checked his phone and saw Gu Xiaowei’s first message: [The auditions should be ending soon. Can you wait for me to have a meal together?]

At that moment, Luo Yu recalled Gu Xiaowei’s last glance when he closed the audition room door—there was no expression, but the moisture in his eyes conveyed the purest anticipation.

It seemed this guy really liked his portrayal of Wen Yuchi.

Luo Yu smiled and replied: [Should I wait for you in the hotel’s underground parking lot?]

Gu Xiaowei responded: [The parking lot is too stuffy. Wait for me at the bookstore on Huaihua North Road. There aren’t many people there.]

So, Luo Yu clicked open the map, found the bookstore, and indeed, as Gu Xiaowei had said, there were no customers, and no media disturbances. He could easily find a spot to sit, hidden by the bookshelves.

To Luo Yu’s delight, he found a set of comics he had read as a child, and upon closer inspection, it turned out to be authentic original editions. He sat on the small stool, flipping through them, and time passed.

After an unknown period, someone entered the bookstore, quickly walked to the first row of bookshelves, found no one there, and proceeded to search the second and third rows until he finally spotted Luo Yu sitting on the small stool at the back.

Luo Yu’s long legs were folded, resting the book on his knees, deeply engrossed in reading until someone came in front of him, blocking his light.

“Hm?”

Luo Yu looked up and met Gu Xiaowei’s eyes.

They seemed to be flowing with intense emotions, as if they would flood to the ends of the world if not given a place to settle.

The next moment, Luo Yu was tightly embraced by Gu Xiaowei.

He could hear Gu Xiaowei’s breath, anxious and suppressed, like branches sprouting from his bones, wanting to merge into another’s breath and heartbeat.

Luo Yu raised his hand and gently patted his back, understanding why Gu Xiaowei was like this.

“Gu Xiaowei, do you still find Lu Pingfeng difficult to play?”

“If you are Wen Yuchi, then it’s not difficult.”

Luo Yu initially wanted to say that Gu Xiaowei should reconsider his excessive empathy with roles, but then realized that it wasn’t a flaw but an advantage that made him stand out as an actor.

“Were you also troubled by Lu Pingfeng’s doubts in the script these days?”

Gu Xiaowei didn’t let go of Luo Yu and continued to hold him. “Yes.”

The faint plum blossom scent still lingered, and Luo Yu suddenly thought that the scent on Gu Xiaowei’s hair had not dissipated after so long. He must have been wandering in the courtyard all night, pondering that unsolvable question—does Lu Pingfeng have a beast within him?

“Next time, if you encounter a role you can’t figure out, remember to come find me.”

Just as you encouraged me in my past life to boldly pursue what I wanted, and play the roles I desired.

“Okay,” Gu Xiaowei replied.

He seemed to be buried in Luo Yu’s neck, his warm breath seeping into Luo Yu’s blood, subtly warming his heart.

“Gu Xiaowei, are you... acting coy now?” Luo Yu asked, half-jokingly.

“Will you tell others?” Gu Xiaowei finally let go of Luo Yu and asked seriously.

“Tell whom? The marketing accounts don’t pay me.”

Luo Yu slowly stood up, carrying the set of now out-of-print comics, and went to the elderly shopkeeper. “Sir, how much for this set of books?”

The shopkeeper glanced at it and casually said, “Fifteen hundred.”

“Fifteen hundred? Aren’t they old books?”

The shopkeeper replied, “But they are also out-of-print books.”

Upon hearing “out-of-print,” Luo Yu felt the books weren’t so expensive after all.

After Luo Yu scanned the payment code, the shopkeeper took out a large piece of kraft paper from below the counter and wrapped the comics, advising, “These are very old books. Keep them well after you get home. In the future... they might not be available anymore.”

“Thank you.”

Gu Xiaowei’s car was parked in a small alley next to the bookstore. Luo Yu carried the books and got into his car.

“By the way, how did you know about this bookstore?”

“During a filming location search, we couldn’t find any bookstore with such a vintage and atmospheric feel. Later, a staff member mentioned this place. By the time we came to film, the bookstore was about to close down.”

“Close down? I sat inside for a long time and saw no customers. It isn’t closing down now, so why was it closing down back then?”

“The bookstore was originally run by an elderly couple. The old lady passed away, and the old man didn’t want to continue running it. But after our TV drama was filmed, more people started visiting. The old man changed his business approach, allowing people to consign old or out-of-print books there, many of which he had collected himself. He also allowed customers to read books in the store.”

“But now, with the internet so developed, digital books can be sold online.”

“That’s probably a sentiment toward old books,” Gu Xiaowei said, looking at Luo Yu. “Is there any better way to make you develop a desire to collect than letting you touch those old books yourself?”

Luo Yu smiled. “That’s true.”

“Do you want to have lunch together?” Gu Xiaowei asked.

“You asked me to wait for you, and now you don’t want to have lunch together? Are you asking for a beating?” Luo Yu said, half-joking.

“You can’t beat me.”

Luo Yu paused, feeling a competitive spark ignited by Gu Xiaowei’s casual tone.

“Gu Xiaowei, you’re usually so low-key and cautious. I didn’t expect you to be so boastful. You think I can’t beat you? How about we find a place to practice?”

The car happened to stop at an intersection. While waiting for the red light, Gu Xiaowei placed his hands on the steering wheel and looked at Luo Yu. “Are you sure?”

“What, I’m only a year older than you, and you think I’m too old?”

Gu Xiaowei shook his head, his voice soft as if worried about scaring Luo Yu. “I’m a seventh-degree black belt in sanda. And you?”

Luo Yu froze, wanting to say how many years he had trained in martial arts, but actually most of it had faded from his memory.

“I don’t have a rank, so let’s skip the fight. After all, we’ve been out of the film academy for many years. Reuniting and getting along well, how can we hurt our feelings with a fight?” Luo Yu said with a smile.

Gu Xiaowei’s lips curved up. “Senior Brother, you really can adapt to different situations.”

At that moment, Luo Yu’s phone rang, and the screen displayed the name "Sister Cui" on the screen.

"Sister Cui, is there something wrong?"

"I need to tell you that President Jiang has arranged a variety show appearance for you—‘Burn, Little Cosmos’. With ‘Counterattack’ nearing its countdown to airing, President Jiang hopes you can use this variety show to build up anticipation! Since it wasn't confirmed earlier to avoid affecting your audition mood, President Jiang didn't let you know. Now that the audition is over, the guest appearance has also been confirmed!"

"Ah? ‘Burn, Little Cosmos’? That sounds familiar." Luo Yu didn't follow variety shows much, and he could say he was entirely unaware of the popular shows on various platforms or TV stations.

Coincidentally, Gu Xiaowei was also a variety show noob, and he said, "Isn't that the animation from when we were kids?"

"What?"

"The one about the Saints."

"Oh oh oh!" Luo Yu's face lit up with realization.

Sister Cui on the other end nearly had a heart attack; she recognized Gu Xiaowei's voice. It seemed Luo Yu was waiting for Gu Xiaowei after the audition.

She didn't expect Gu Xiaowei to know about “Saint Seiya”. No, that's not the point!

“Saint Seiya” is an old relic from hundreds of years ago!

"It's not an animation! It's a variety show! An outdoor variety show! It was quite popular last year, but its popularity has started to decline this year. One of their regular guests injured their back while rock climbing in the last episode. The director is well-acquainted with President Jiang, so President Jiang suggested you be a guest star for one episode."

"Oh. But I don’t have much of a variety show sense, not funny or humorous, no jokes or interesting persona… If I go, I’ll probably end up with very few shots," Luo Yu doubted the usefulness of this variety show in heating up his upcoming drama.

Sister Cui said helplessly, "What variety sense? If you can win at those small games and competitions, great. If you can’t, just go with the flow. President Jiang isn’t expecting you to become famous through variety shows. Besides, the director will give President Jiang face and won’t cut all your scenes. The key is…"

"What’s the key?" Luo Yu squinted.

"He Mu is a regular on the show, signed for the whole season."

"…So the production team wants to see me, the ‘top star's dupe,’ compete with the top star He Mu?" Luo Yu said with a smile.

It seemed that the production team was eager to use the discord between him and He Mu to stir up publicity.

"Well… President Jiang also said…" Sister Cui felt the next words were a bit hot to handle.

"What did our President Jiang say? Is he telling me to seek revenge if I have grievances?" Luo Yu asked with a smile.

"Ah, it’s pretty close to that. President Jiang’s meaning is, 'No comparison, no truth.' He’s confident that you will outperform He Mu in every aspect in the show. He Mu is also exploring some film and TV resources after auditioning for ‘Beast and Rose’, which conflict with President Jiang’s future development plan for you. President Jiang’s idea is simple: since he once put the 'dupe' label on you, let He Mu experience the power of the 'top star's dupe.'"

President Jiang is someone who always seeks revenge. Especially since Luo Yu is now in the same boat with him, one steering the ship and the other raising the sail, President Jiang is determined to make up for the losses Luo Yu suffered from He Mu. Variety shows are He Mu’s safe zone, and if Luo Yu can make He Mu uncomfortable even there, He Mu’s paper tiger persona will be easily exposed. Without at least a try, President Jiang’s favorite Pu’er tea wouldn’t taste as good.

"But, what does my outshining He Mu have to do with President Jiang’s confidence?"

Gu Xiaowei next to him said, "It’s about vision."

"Ha… So if I win the role of Wen Yuchi, wouldn’t that prove President Jiang’s vision?" Luo Yu countered.

"Maybe he wants a comprehensive demonstration. Variety shows reflect an artist’s audience appeal." Sister Cui persuaded, "Not everyone is like Teacher Gu, whose upcoming works don’t need any promotion. Even good wine fears being sold deep in the alley."

"I also want to see you and He Mu go head-to-head to prove my vision," Gu Xiaowei said.

"Prove what aspect of your vision?"

Gu Xiaowei turned his head, looking out the window, indicating he refused to answer such an obvious question.

This was President Jiang’s first personally arranged appearance for Luo Yu. Although it was as a guest, Luo Yu believed President Jiang wouldn’t arrange an unworthy show.

From Sister Cui’s brief description, it was related to the outdoors, so he didn’t have to tell jokes or create a persona.

"Alright then."