Top Dupe CH 056 Appearances Part 2

Although it was just a VCR, it was essentially Gu Xiaowei’s variety show debut!

This needed to be taken seriously, carefully filmed, and interesting questions asked. Who knows, it might even trend on social media when the show airs.

"Service?" Luo Yu was stunned.

"Yes, is Teacher Gu busy right now? I remember he was supposed to be filming a movie, right? Wasn't it with Director Sheng? If he’s willing to take time out to record a VCR, we need to..."

Luo Yu became more embarrassed, "He... he’s not that busy..."

Just then, Gu Xiaowei’s WeChat popped up: [Still taking long? I want to go eat pork stomach and chicken with you.]

"Well..." Luo Yu considered how to describe the current situation.

He could sense that if the director knew Gu Xiaowei was in his room, the director’s enthusiasm would be overwhelming.

Mick saw Luo Yu’s troubled look and sneered, "Is it that you want to find Gu Xiaowei, but he’s ignoring you?"

Luo Yu sighed, covering his forehead and said, "Alright, he’s in my room. We originally planned to go eat pork stomach and chicken tonight... He came because he’s interested in filming outdoor variety shows and wants to check it out... Does the director mind?"

After Luo Yu finished speaking, Mick fell silent, but the director’s mouth could hold an egg.

"He’s in your room? In our hotel?" the director asked.

"Yes."

"Then we definitely need to visit, say hello, and check if Teacher Gu is comfortable here and if he has any other requests!"

The director put his arm around Luo Yu’s shoulder, and they walked out together.

Mick was stunned on the spot. If Gu Xiaowei was giving face because of Jiang Yinchuan, there was no need for him to follow Luo Yu to the crew or stay in his room. It clearly showed their close relationship!

Besides, Gu Xiaowei’s friends were all actors like Cheng Fei, who were dedicated to acting and didn’t seek fame. What made Luo Yu catch Gu Xiaowei’s eye?

Mick wanted to follow but felt it was inappropriate. He could only take a deep breath and return to his own room.

Luo Yu brought Xu Mu to his room and knocked on the door, saying loudly, "Director and I are coming in."

To his surprise, Gu Xiaowei opened the door proactively, "Back already? Did you finalize everything?"

When Xu Mu saw Gu Xiaowei, he was thinking about how to greet him, knowing that Gu Xiaowei was usually a bit distant in daily life, but Gu Xiaowei was the one who extended his hand first.

"Hello, Director Xu, I came to the hotel with my senior brother just to have a look. I hope it hasn't caused any trouble for your work."

Xu Mu was taken aback. Who said that Gu Xiaowei was cold? He was clearly very polite!

Although he considered himself a significant figure in variety shows, Gu Xiaowei didn’t care about variety shows at all. He only worked with directors like Lin Yue, Xu Han, and Sheng Yunlan, so it was no surprise if Gu Xiaowei didn’t know who he was.

But even though Xu Mu was just standing at the door, Gu Xiaowei already knew his surname and took the initiative to greet him. Compared to some young stars who become arrogant after gaining a bit of fame, Xu Mu appreciated Gu Xiaowei’s demeanor more.

Xu Mu walked in, and Gu Xiaowei invited him to sit on the sofa and even poured him a cup of tea, acting very properly and gracefully.

"It's our fault for not arranging things properly. We should have arranged a room for you when Teacher Gu arrived."

Gu Xiaowei shook his head and looked at Luo Yu, saying, "No need to go through all that trouble. I stayed with my senior brother when we were filming before. It’s convenient for discussing roles."

"Discussing roles... Are you filming the same movie?"

This was news not only to Xu Mu but also to Luo Yu.

"Yes, a movie," Gu Xiaowei answered simply, "but it’s not confirmed yet."

Xu Mu looked at Luo Yu differently now. Being able to act in the same movie as Gu Xiaowei? That must be Sheng Yunlan’s “Beast and Rose.”

Gu Xiaowei was reserved in his words, saying "not confirmed yet," but since he came to the variety show with Luo Yu simply to discuss roles, it seemed like an official announcement was just around the corner.

"Regarding the VCR, if Teacher Gu doesn’t mind, I’ll have a photographer come over tonight to shoot. I’ll send the questions to you beforehand, and Teacher Luo will ask them. We’ll design the VCR as a chat format, is that okay?"

"Of course," Gu Xiaowei nodded.

Not only Xu Mu but also Luo Yu was surprised by how readily Gu Xiaowei agreed.

"Thank you, Teacher Gu. How about having dinner together tonight?"

Gu Xiaowei pointed to the street opposite the hotel, "I need to discuss a few things with my senior brother, so it might be inconvenient to have dinner together. If you don’t mind, we’ll start recording the VCR at 8 p.m. tonight. Is that okay with you?"

Xu Mu agreed, and the VCR recording was settled. Moreover, inviting Gu Xiaowei to dinner with so many people might make him tired with all the socializing.

"Alright, I’ll send the questions for the VCR to you for confirmation later."

"Good," Gu Xiaowei checked his watch, "If Director Xu doesn’t mind, Luo Yu and I will head out for dinner now."

"Sure. The pig’s stomach and chicken at the restaurant across the street is quite good. If you go there, I’ll have the program team book a private room for you. There are many fans around here because of the show, so a private room would help avoid disturbances."

Gu Xiaowei looked at Director Xu and shook hands with him again, "Thank you for your consideration, Director Xu."

Luo Yu observed Gu Xiaowei speaking politely to Xu Mu. Although he was generally well-mannered, being so courteous to Xu Mu was likely to make a good impression on the director.

After Xu Mu left, Lu Yu sat down opposite Gu Xiaowei and said, "I feel you really take care of me... It’s just... too unreasonable."

Gu Xiaowei just happened to bend down to pick up the teacup from the table and leaned forward slightly, looking into Luo Yu’s eyes, "It's such a small thing, yet you feel it is so unreasonable?"

"Is this really just a small thing? You took care of me when I was drunk; you supported me when I was criticized online; you accompanied me to choose clothes and took photos for me... And now you’re acting as my driver to a variety show. Even boyfriends don’t take care of their girlfriends like this."

Gu Xiaowei leaned in closer, and even his long eyelashes were clearly visible. This was probably Gu Xiaowei’s talent—when he looked at someone, it was hard for that person to look away.

"Senior Brother, you’re so smart. Can’t you guess why?" Gu Xiaowei asked.

Luo Yu’s throat bobbed  involuntarily, and his heart began to beat faster. In his past life, he thought he had seen it all and could remain indifferent to life and death.

But when Gu Xiaowei looked at him like that, with eyes that held a silent defiance and a light not suppressed or hidden by the world, gently but persistently illuminating Luo Yu’s heart, who was accustomed to being misunderstood and coldly treated, it made his heart race.

"Why?" Luo Yu asked.

"You can ask me during the VCR recording. I’ll give you the answer."

Gu Xiaowei stood up, shook out his coat, and draped it over his shoulders, his entire demeanor exuding an alpha presence.

He put his hands in his pockets and walked to the door, turning to look at Luo Yu still sitting in his place. He smiled lightly, "Let’s go, I’m really hungry."

Luo Yu quickly stood up. Just as he reached the door, Gu Xiaowei pressed down on his shoulder and said with a smile, "Aren’t you going to wear your coat?"

"Ah, oh..." Luo Yu hurriedly turned to get his coat, putting it on and adjusting the collar as he followed Gu Xiaowei.

In the hallway, they happened to run into two crew members.

Gu Xiaowei, with his hands in his pockets and little expression on his face, walked straight to the elevator, turning back to say, "In my eyes, you’re already so beautiful that fish sink and geese fall, and even the moon hides and flowers feel ashamed. No need to fuss over the collar." (TN: both idioms emphasize unparalleled beauty, likening it to something that transcends the natural world)

The two staff members stood there stunned, as if questioning their own ears.

Luo Yu quickened his pace to catch up with Gu Xiaowei and tapped him on the back, "That’s enough. I don’t remember any of your dramas having lines like that."

As the elevator doors closed and it was just the two of them inside, Gu Xiaowei leaned toward Luo Yu’s ear and whispered, "Have you seen all of my dramas and movies? Otherwise, how would you be sure there aren’t any lines like that?"

Luo Yu shifted slightly away, "I admit defeat, I surrender."

"Senior Brother, how did you lose? Did your heart race?" Gu Xiaowei’s gaze carried a hint of teasing.

They reached the first floor, and Luo Yu quickly exited the elevator, "The heart that doesn’t race is dead."

With any breath left in them, how could anyone’s heart not race when encountering someone like Gu Xiaowei?

Gu Xiaowei looked at Luo Yu’s retreating figure, his lips curving into a subtle smile.

And the two staff members in the hallway woke up from their daze as the elevator doors closed.

"Oh my god! I saw Gu Xiaowei! There were rumors that he was coming to our show’s recording site, and I thought Director Xu was just bragging!"

"Gu Xiaowei hasn’t done variety shows in all these years... Could our show be the first?"

"Did you hear what he just said? 'Fish sink and geese fall'? 'The moon hides and flowers feel ashamed?'"

"He seemed to be joking with Luo Yu! Oh my god, I follow him on Weibo, and the person he interacts with the most recently is Luo Yu! I didn’t expect him to be so... so down-to-earth when interacting with Luo Yu!"

"But using 'fish sink and geese fall,' 'the moon hides and flowers feel ashamed' to describe him isn’t wrong. I used to think Luo Yu was very handsome but just another pretty face in the entertainment industry. But starting this year, Luo Yu seems like he’s been remade, looking even better and more charismatic."

"Shh, keep it down. Don’t let He Mu hear. They don’t get along."

"Got it, got it. Just admiring in secret. But Luo Yu’s figure when he walked past me was really great, with long legs and such grace!"

Meanwhile, He Mu had called Mick and another group member, Liu Songtao, to his room to strategize about how to win tomorrow’s game.