Top Dupe CH 057 A Promise Is A Promise Part 2

"You encountered... the casting couch?" Luo Yu thought that with Gu Xiaowei's aura, no one would dare to think of him that way.

"It depends on how you look at it. At the time, a Xinghan Pictures executive wanted to make me one of his 'showpieces' in his cabinet. I refused. His temperament was as tough as Ou Juntao's, and he wanted to cut off all my resources and freeze me out at Xinghan Pictures," Gu Xiaowei leaned back in his chair, speaking as if it were someone else's story.

"Xinghan Pictures... is supposed to be a model company in the industry. It seems that any place can hide filth. What happened after that? How did you get rid of him?"

"I endured it for about a year. During that time, I actively sought out auditions with directors like Lin Yue and Xu Han. Whenever I passed an audition, he would start pressuring me, using all sorts of methods to prevent me from joining those projects. He also invited me to attend various banquets and business events with him, just to see if I had learned to be more 'compliant.' Later, I heard he was planning to hire online trolls to smear my reputation. But fortunately, my parents are both university professors with a spotless reputation, and I myself have never done anything against public morals. All my educational qualifications are legitimate. As for smearing me with rumors of improper relationships... Sorry, he couldn’t do that either because there were none."

Gu Xiaowei's personal life was indeed quite dull.

Luo Yu pressed the corner of his eye, "So... it’s always the same old tricks..."

"But I'm not one to just sit back and take a beating. Everyone in this world has enemies, especially in a place like Xinghan Pictures, where fame and fortune are at stake. So I visited the current chairman of Xinghan Pictures, Wang Qiao. Together, we exposed that executive’s improper contracts, cost-shifting, and extramarital affairs, successfully removing him from Xinghan Pictures."

Gu Xiaowei spoke calmly, but Luo Yu could imagine it was a fierce battle with no visible gun smoke.

This was probably just three or four years ago when Gu Xiaowei had just graduated from university, yet he already had such courage and determination.

If there's no path, you create one. Even if the opponent is strong, you find an opportunity to bring them down. If all else fails, you go all out, even if it means crashing into the mountain, shattering your body, and leaving blood on the battlefield, just to carve out your own space.

"In the future... I won’t avoid things anymore," Luo Yu muttered to himself.

Gu Xiaowei smiled lightly, "Then you’d better keep your word."

After they finished eating, they found that the seven or eight tables outside were already full of customers, and the pots were nearly dry, but no one was in a hurry to leave.

Some people were obviously holding their phones, recording them.

Gu Xiaowei was used to scenes like this. He didn't even bother wearing a hat, just a mask, as he walked alongside Luo Yu.

Perhaps because both of them had an air of "not seeing anyone in their eyes," neither the customers in the shop nor the fans outside approached or came near.

Just as they were about to cross the street, a fan suddenly shouted.

"Luo Yu—I like you—"

Luo Yu was taken aback for a moment, then turned to see a girl in a wool coat, her glasses fogged up from her breath.

He had thought she was waiting for Gu Xiaowei, but it turned out she was waiting for him.

"Thank you," Luo Yu took off his mask and smiled, waving at her.

"Looking forward to more of your great work!"

"Sure. You should also live well and achieve your own dreams!" Luo Yu made a pinky promise gesture to her.

Gu Xiaowei patiently waited by the roadside for Luo Yu.

The girl watched them enter the hotel, then turned around and hugged her friend.

"He specifically took off his mask and smiled at me! He was so gentle!"

"I saw! I saw! And didn’t you notice that Gu Xiaowei was next to him?"

"Really? I only saw Luo Yu!"

After they entered the elevator, Luo Yu felt a bit emotional, "Ever since I finished ‘Plum Blossom Rain’, no fan has ever stopped me to say they liked me again. You’re pretty patient, waiting for me to finish talking with that fan."

“Because I understand her feelings. I respect my senior brother who entered the entertainment industry. I thought he would be ambitious and driven. I watched him from behind, hoping to see him climb higher and higher. Even if he didn’t stand out more than others, he should at least become a shining star. But instead, he hid himself away. He wallowed in the criticisms of others and never stood tall. Finally, one day, he suddenly reappeared, not only acting well but also improving more and more. His future path is becoming clearer. If it were me… I would also say to him—I've always admired you, please continue to let me see you."

Luo Yu’s eyes inexplicably stung, and he looked up, a little worried that tears would fall.

The word "admire" was too heavy; the past Luo Yu was too terrible. He felt he didn’t deserve anyone’s admiration.

Especially not from someone like Gu Xiaowei.

“Promise?” Gu Xiaowei extended his pinky finger towards him.

“Promise!” Luo Yu immediately hooked his pinky around Gu Xiaowei's.

Gu Xiaowei's finger was strong, causing Luo Yu's finger to ache slightly, but it also cleared his mind.

They returned to the room. Luo Yu took off his coat, hung it in the closet, and then took Gu Xiaowei's coat to hang it beside his.

“We agreed on eight o'clock, and now it's seven-thirty… Director Xu has sent over the questions. Take a look to see if there’s anything inconvenient to answer.”

Luo Yu originally intended to hand him his phone, but Gu Xiaowei leaned down close to him, reviewing the questions in that position.

“There's nothing inconvenient,” he said softly, his breath lightly brushing past Luo Yu's ear.

For a moment, Luo Yu wished he could stay like this.

“That’s good. Too bad Sister Cui hasn't sent over our luggage yet. Do you need makeup?” Luo Yu asked half-jokingly.

“You’ll do me?” Gu Xiaowei asked, seemingly casually.

“Why not? I’ll do you.”

As soon as he said that, Luo Yu suddenly felt something was off. He lifted his leg and lightly bumped Gu Xiaowei's back with his knee, “Hey, you tricked me.”

“How could this be considered tricking? Didn’t you agree willingly?” Gu Xiaowei’s face was serious, as if the only one who had his mind in the gutter was Luo Yu.

Luo Yu glanced at him from left to right, unable to resist saying, “Actually, you really do look good like this. Your skin tone is almost the same as foundation, your eye contours are distinct, your cheekbones are well-defined, and your jawline is sharp. I can’t find anywhere that needs makeup.”

Gu Xiaowei nodded and smiled. When he looked up again, it seemed as though all the light had sunk into his eyes, deeper than the night itself, “Then I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Luo Yu wanted to say that, to him, Gu Xiaowei was the embodiment of all the world's praise.

But such words could only be kept in his heart.

If he said it as a joke, it wouldn’t seem serious enough. But if he said it too seriously, it would feel too awkward and cheesy.

At that moment, the doorbell rang, and Director Xu's voice came through.

“Are both teachers here? May we come in?”

“Sure, I’m coming.” Luo Yu quickly went to open the door.

Unexpectedly, for just recording a VCR, Xu Mu had brought along a dedicated filming team.

“Teacher Gu, may I do your makeup?” A young man with a makeup box approached Gu Xiaowei.

Gu Xiaowei handed him a bottle of mineral water and said softly, “No need, this is just a VCR. If there’s too much makeup, it’ll look too deliberate.”

Xu Mu immediately nodded, “That’s true, that's true. We brought the makeup artist just in case.”

After all, many celebrities are particular about their image, even for behind-the-scenes footage.

Since the room lighting wasn’t great, two staff members held reflectors near Gu Xiaowei to brighten his face.

Luo Yu curiously leaned toward the camera. Gu Xiaowei, wearing a dark sweater, sat on the sofa with one leg crossed, his hands resting on his knees. Despite it being the classic pose of a domineering CEO in a drama, Gu Xiaowei made it look natural, exuding an inherent grace and poise.

“Um, Teacher Gu, you can start. No need to hold back; say whatever you want. We’ll edit it, and the final version will be sent to you for confirmation,” Xu Mu said.

Gu Xiaowei glanced at Luo Yu, a faint smile softening his features, making the entire space feel warmer.

“Hello everyone, I’m Gu Xiaowei. Today, I’ve been invited by my senior brother, Luo Yu, to record a VCR for his first variety show, ‘Burn, Little Cosmos’.

But now, he’s hiding behind the camera, watching me. I don’t know what to say—should I talk about the embarrassing moments he had while filming ‘Counterattack’?”

Still watching him from behind the camera, Luo Yu thought carefully and said with certainty, “I didn’t have any embarrassing moments.”

“Oh, really? Does almost entering the wrong set and ending up as the neighboring drama's son-in-law count?” Gu Xiaowei placed one hand on the sofa, leaning towards Luo Yu. At that moment, he seemed more alive than ever.

Everyone was a little surprised; who knew Gu Xiaowei could chat so casually?

“How is that embarrassing… It was Fang Qin who led me to the wrong set… It wasn’t just me.”

Gu Xiaowei continued, “Then what about the whole crew knowing you dreamt of playing a eunuch? You packed your suitcase early to get that role. While others wished the director would give them more scenes, you were eager to play a eunuch, leaving the director and screenwriter puzzled by your eagerness to leave.”

Luo Yu quickly explained, “It’s just because I hadn’t played one before, so I wanted to gain some experience!”

“Hmm—then how about I rehearse with you later, so you can fully indulge in playing a eunuch, from tonight until tomorrow morning?” Gu Xiaowei’s voice carried even more amusement.

"You just want to play the emperor, don't you?" Luo Yu couldn't help but laugh as he retorted.

After just a few exchanges, everyone's impression of Gu Xiaowei completely changed.

All that talk about him being a socially awkward, cold, and arrogant person—those were just rumors!

Gu Xiaowei can joke! And Gu Xiaowei can smile gently!

"Are you going to ask the questions the production team prepared or not? If not—I'll just improvise," Gu Xiaowei added.

Luo Yu was genuinely afraid of his "improvisation" and quickly took out his phone. "I'll ask! I'll ask now. You... you have to answer truthfully, no improvising!"

"Okay." Gu Xiaowei returned to his previous sitting posture, but this time he seemed much more relaxed.

"The first question, what was the first work of mine that you watched?"

After asking, Luo Yu felt a bit embarrassed. So far, the performance he was most satisfied with was his role as Bai Ying in “Counterattack.” But that show hasn't aired yet, so it hasn't been tested by the audience.

As for his debut work, “Plum Blossom Rain,” it's an old school drama, and because of his character's "school heartthrob" persona, he was often compared to He Mu, even leading to some ongoing disputes.

Gu Xiaowei looked at Luo Yu beside the camera and slowly said, "‘Plum Blossom Rain.’ That show made me think for a long time."

It really was ‘Plum Blossom Rain’?

"Think about what?"

"You portrayed a school heartthrob who was gentle, tolerant, humorous, and graceful. Why didn't the female lead like you? Why did she go for the wild and unruly male lead instead?"

"That's a question for the screenwriter. Maybe... perhaps... someone dangerous is more alluring than someone gentle, tolerant, humorous, and graceful."

Maybe it's just that... people prefer the bad boys over the good ones.

"Oh..." Gu Xiaowei lowered his eyes, seriously contemplating. "I originally planned to be gentle, tolerant, humorous, and graceful towards you, but now it seems that being a bit more dangerous might be better."

The director's eyes lit up—there's chemistry! There's chemistry! What does Gu Xiaowei mean by "being a bit more dangerous"?

Luo Yu burst out laughing.

"You're not dangerous enough? You're about to play a dangerous artist soon. Everyone, please support Mr. Gu's upcoming movie, ‘Beast and Rose’!"

Only then did the director realize that Gu Xiaowei was actually promoting his new movie. But Luo Yu had a great rapport with him, immediately understanding his intent and picking up the conversation.

Probably because Gu Xiaowei really treated this VCR recording like a chat, Luo Yu relaxed as well, and the two began to have a genuine conversation across the screen.

"Hold on, we need to get back to ‘Plum Blossom Rain.’ As per the program's request, please give your feedback on my performance in ‘Plum Blossom Rain’."

Luo Yu wasn’t even nervous during auditions, but asking Gu Xiaowei to critique his debut performance felt like going back to his art exams at the film academy, with Gu Xiaowei sitting opposite him as the judge.

To be honest, Teacher Gu really does have the demeanor of a professor. If given the chance, he could play a role like a school principal or a teacher.

But if Gu Xiaowei played a school principal, acting out scenes with students like "you skip class, I track you down, walking all the paths students want to take, leaving them nowhere to escape," that would be pretty intense.

However, Luo Yu was more curious about how Gu Xiaowei would evaluate his unpolished acting skills back then.

Gu Xiaowei lowered his head slightly, and in that moment, there was a tender quality. "You portrayed the school heartthrob I imagined, embodying all the beauty that youth should have, without the artificiality of some idol dramas where characters are overly crafted to please the audience. It was so real, it felt as if you were right in front of me."