Top Dupe CH 080 Who'll Put Down Whom, It’s Still Uncertain Part 1

"Feeling better?" Luo Yu didn't turn to look at Nie Yangchen.

"I've thought it through. You and Gu Xiaowei are not my enemies," Nie Yangchen said.

"Then who is?" Luo Yu replied half-jokingly, though they both understood the answer without saying it.

"Anyone who tries to leave me with no choices is the one I really want to defeat," Nie Yangchen answered.

"You still have a long way to go."

Nie Yangchen laughed, his gaze shifting from being unfocused to steady. "I'll start walking my own path from now on, drawing nourishment from you and Gu Xiaowei."

Hearing this, Luo Yu chuckled, "Thanks for putting me and Gu Xiaowei on the same level; I'm truly flattered."

"Because you're the first one to make Ou Junhao want something he can't have."

Though Nie Yangchen's mouth still bore the bruise from being hit by Gu Xiaowei, the cold smile on his face added a layer of icy determination. Luo Yu smiled back, knowing that impenetrable fortresses are often breached from within. 

He uncharitably wished for Ou Junhao—may you suffer while I enjoy a sunny day.

The second scene of the day began, and all cast and crew took their places.

The scene's backdrop was set after the body of college student Xie Yan was discovered, having once modeled for Lu Pingfeng. Police Captain Zhao Sicheng was there to investigate the case.

This would also be the first direct confrontation of acting skills between Yan Jun and Gu Xiaowei, drawing a crowd of onlookers.

A familiar clapper sound echoed through the villa, signaling everyone to be quiet.

Zhao Sicheng walked up to the transparent coffee table in the living room, accompanied by two police officers and Uncle He.

Seeing the pastries on the table, Zhao Sicheng squinted at Uncle He and asked, "Uncle He, does Mr. Lu have important guests today?"

Uncle He smiled, "You are the only guests Mr. Lu has today."

"Ah… that really is unexpected," Zhao Sicheng said, tugging at the corner of his mouth, not enjoying the compliment.

After half a minute, Lu Pingfeng emerged from the studio, dressed in a loose sweater, and sat down on the couch next to Zhao Sicheng.

"You've been visiting me more and more often, Captain Zhao," Lu Pingfeng remarked.

Zhao Sicheng politely smiled and leaned forward, resting his hand on his knee. "That's only because there have been more cases involving imitations of your famous paintings, hasn't there? These reporters today are relentless; we arrive at a crime scene and they're already setting up cameras across the street. I assume Mr. Lu knows why I'm here?"

Lu Pingfeng replied coolly, "Because the victim was the model for my painting 'Sunset and Thorns.' Her death closely resembles the theme of that painting. But I met several guests yesterday afternoon, so I have ample alibis. I'm afraid, Captain Zhao, your suspicions of me are misplaced."

Zhao Sicheng frowned, raising his eyes to meet Lu Pingfeng's, a force in his gaze as if trying to pin Lu Pingfeng in place. "Wait a moment; I didn't tell you the time of the victim's death. How do you know it was yesterday afternoon?"

Lu Pingfeng's voice remained calm, but his deep-set eyes felt like a chilling well to Zhao Sicheng, making him feel less like a living being and more like an inanimate object.

"Because the backdrop of that painting is dusk; otherwise, it wouldn’t be called 'Sunset and Thorns.' If the murderer was imitating my work to kill, how could they overlook the element of sunset? If the victim had died in the morning or at noon, it wouldn’t qualify as imitating my painting."

Zhao Sicheng was momentarily thrown off, unable to find a flaw in Lu Pingfeng's logic.

"Mr. Lu, we need the names and contact information of your guests from yesterday afternoon to verify your alibi. Also, we require access to over six months of surveillance footage from here, as well as a list of all the works you have completed, are currently working on, or have yet to finish. Here are the relevant documents; please confirm."

Lu Pingfeng turned to Uncle He and said, "Provide Captain Zhao everything he needs. As for the works, let Ai Lin handle it; she should have a clearer record than I do."

"Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Lu." Zhao Sicheng glanced at the pastry tower again and added, "Mr. Lu, you don't need to prepare so many pastries next time. We have official duties and no time to enjoy afternoon tea with you."

Lu Pingfeng didn’t seem offended, merely asking, "It's a pity I couldn't chat with the knowledgeable forensic doctor today."

Just as he turned away, Zhao Sicheng suddenly spoke up, "Mr. Lu, do you know who sent dead mice and cockroaches to the police station?"

"Your forensic doctor, Dr. Wen, thinks they're my enthusiastic fans."

Zhao Sicheng narrowed his eyes, taking slow steps toward Lu Pingfeng. "There’s been a twisted personality test circulating online—two sisters see a handsome man at a relative's funeral. The next day, the younger sister dies, the reason being..."

"The elder sister killed the younger to meet that man at the funeral."

"How did you hear about this story, Mr. Lu, when you seem nearly isolated from the internet?" Zhao Sicheng asked with a smile.

"My psychiatrist told me."

This response caught Zhao Sicheng off guard, leaving him unsure of how to continue.

"You’re worried that I planned or killed that female model just to see the forensic doctor again. But I haven’t seen that model since the painting was finished. How could she know I once sent a gift to the forensic doctor?"

Zhao Sicheng paused. If Lu Pingfeng was telling the truth about never having seen the woman after… and his instincts told him Lu Pingfeng was indeed being truthful, then why did that woman target Dr. Wen with threatening gifts of dead mice and cockroaches? That warranted further investigation.

"And even if, for argument's sake, I did kill her to see the forensic doctor again, at least the forensic doctor is safe."

In that moment, Lu Pingfeng's gaze transcended Zhao Sicheng, as if piercing through the very space itself, looking into a certain someone’s heart.

It felt like an ancient forest, dark and fathomless, where, for reasons beyond comprehension, a wildfire suddenly erupted, roaring and surging.

Then came a long silence that stretched for several dozen seconds.

"Good—very good! You must maintain this state all day," Sheng Yunlan stood up, applauding Gu Xiaowei and Yan Jun.

Yan Jun waved his hand and then patted his own chest. "I can’t do this. I can't take it anymore. Every time I act opposite Gu Xiaowei, I deeply understand that saying—when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."

"Not at all! Brother Yan's portrayal of the police captain is very impressive. I always feel like you’ll put handcuffs on our great artist any second now—'You have the right to remain silent, but anything you say will be used against you in a court of law!'" Luo Yu called out loudly.

Yan Jun walked over, and Luo Yu quickly offered him the small stool. While Yan Jun reviewed the playback, he quietly said, "Xiao Luo, I truly admire you."

"What do you admire me for?" Luo Yu tilted his head, asking from the side.

"Gu Xiaowei's aura is incredibly impactful. The moment my emotions slip, I forget my lines or the performance itself. I watched your audition scene with him… God, you catch his cues without any effort," Yan Jun said gloomily.

"Maybe… we’re somewhat familiar with each other? So I'm not afraid of him," Luo Yu supported his chin, smiling at Yan Jun.

Luo Yu felt fearless and undeterred at the moment, after all, he was a brave warrior who wanted to sleep with Gu Xiaowei!

Unbeknownst to him, someone had crouched down beside him, mirroring his posture. However, while Luo Yu was propping his head up to look at Yan Jun, the other person was resting his chin on his hand, gazing at Luo Yu.

“What are you thinking about?”

A cool voice sounded in Luo Yu's ear, causing his heart to tremble, and he nearly lost his balance, teetering toward Yan Jun.

Yan Jun hurried to catch Luo Yu, but before he could touch his shoulder, he was pulled away by Gu Xiaowei, who was crouching on the other side.

Luo Yu turned his head and met Gu Xiaowei's eyes, feeling inexplicably guilty. Just now, when asked what he was “thinking,” he thought… about you.

“Just now, Brother Yan praised me for always catching your lines. So, I was just reminiscing,” Luo Yu said with a smile.

Gu Xiaowei gripped Luo Yu’s shoulder and directly pulled him up.

At that moment, the script supervisor shouted through a megaphone that they were going to retake a shot.

Only then did Gu Xiaowei let go of Luo Yu and nod his chin toward Yan Jun, indicating that they should go and retake the scene together.

After Gu Xiaowei walked away, Luo Yu exhaled a sigh of relief.

Once the shot was completed, the staff members could finally relax a little.

Only a few days into filming, the progress was steady. The main actors were reliable, with no random laughter or forgotten lines. Just watching the scene, one could feel the tension between the characters.

The next scene was about to begin in the living room of this villa, but the set needed minor adjustments.

Gu Xiaowei walked toward Luo Yu's direction, glancing at Nie Yangchen, who was standing beside him.

Nie Yangchen lightly touched the place where he had been hit and smiled faintly before walking away.

“What did he say?” Gu Xiaowei took his thermos and paused, twisting the lid halfway before stopping without looking up at Luo Yu.

“He said he would draw on your acting skills, surpass you, and leave you eating dust.” Luo Yu replied nonchalantly.

Of course, there was some truth in the nonsense, like the part about drawing on acting skills.

Gu Xiaowei completely twisted the lid off and took a big gulp of coffee. Luo Yu frowned at the sight, thinking to himself, "Are you okay, buddy?"

“He doesn’t have that opportunity,” Gu Xiaowei handed the cup back to Luo Yu.

“Fine, I’ll wait for you to put him down,” Luo Yu said, leaning closer to Gu Xiaowei as he took the cup, speaking softly.

Gu Xiaowei raised his eyes, coincidentally meeting Luo Yu’s playful smile.

Over the years, Luo Yu had gradually shed his youthful appearance. His brows and eyes exuded a naturally gentle charm, giving him a pure and sincere masculinity.

Yet at this moment, the slight moisture in those peach blossom eyes made Gu Xiaowei’s throat constrict.

Ever since the director said that the villa's space was limited, and that unrelated personnel, including assistants, were not allowed inside during indoor filming, Luo Yu felt he had truly become Gu Xiaowei’s personal assistant, handling everything from serving thermos cups to taking care of scripts and jackets.

Wait, isn’t there more that an assistant can do?

Luo Yu placed the cup and script on a small chair beside him and reached up to gently tug at Gu Xiaowei’s collar.

He thought Gu Xiaowei might question what he intended to do with a glance, but instead, Gu Xiaowei leaned in closer, slightly lowering his head toward him.

In that instant, the cool scent of aftershave collided with Luo Yu’s sense of smell, releasing a subtle warmth that prompted an urge to retreat.

However, Luo Yu still pretended to be calm as he smoothed Gu Xiaowei’s collar. When his hand moved toward the back of Gu Xiaowei’s neck, he unexpectedly felt as though he was hugging him and expressing affection.

Luo Yu’s heart raced a beat faster. He didn’t dare look into Gu Xiaowei’s eyes, instead letting his gaze fall down to Gu Xiaowei’s lips.

His lips weren’t thin; they often tightened slightly from concentration or seriousness, like a string that couldn’t be loosened. Yet at this moment, Luo Yu’s gaze lingered on the slight opening between Gu Xiaowei’s lips, breeding endless imagination.

Would this man one day fall, obsessively and madly pursuing another person?

Luo Yu subtly steadied his breathing, quickly shifting his gaze downward to collide with Gu Xiaowei’s sharply defined jawline, which revealed a sense of coldness and an irresistible authority. Luo Yu’s gaze dropped further, landing on the Adam’s apple.