Top Dupe CH 087 Did You Dream Of Me? Part 2

“Of course we’re eating,” Gu Xiaowei replied. “We’ll be down after we freshen up. Don’t wait for us.”

“Right, take your time! I just confirmed with the crew. Due to the weather, your scenes this afternoon have been rescheduled for tomorrow. They’ll be filming Zhao Sicheng and Agent Ai Lin’s storyline in the sunshine instead.”

Hearing that, Luo Yu felt no rush to get ready for the afternoon shoot.

“The sun is so nice today—shall we do something fun?” Gu Xiaowei suggested.

“What made you think of that?” Luo Yu asked curiously.

“‘Counterattack’ has held the top rating spot for days since airing, especially with the focus on Yan Ye and Bai Ying. Mr. Li suggested a joint activity with you. Since we’re filming, we can’t do anything complicated, but...”

At that, Luo Yu brightened up. “I’m game! What do you have in mind?”

“I mentioned to Sister Cui that I wanted to film a vlog with you. Going somewhere far is impractical, so how about we explore this resort?” Gu Xiaowei suggested.

“Sounds great! We haven’t really toured it during the day. Plus, introducing the place would be a nice way to thank the film's sponsor.”

Gu Xiaowei ruffled Luo Yu’s hair. “Then let’s freshen up and eat while the sunlight’s still good.”

Luo Yu covered his head, protesting, “I’m your senior brother! How can you just mess with my hair?”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Gu Xiaowei looked back with a smile. “Then why don’t you mess with mine?”

As he bent down to look for his slippers, Luo Yu pounced on him, clinging to his shoulders. His laughter echoed in Gu Xiaowei’s ear.

“I’m definitely going to mess with it! Watch as I turn your hair into a bird’s nest!”

Gu Xiaowei hooked an arm around Luo Yu’s legs and lifted him up effortlessly, carrying him out of the room and down the stairs, where the others were just about to start lunch. “Luo Yu and I are going out to film a casual vlog this afternoon—any volunteers for cameraman?”

“Me!”

“Me, me!”

“Count me in!”

Brother Yan, Xiao Qin, and Ye Shengyi all raised their hands simultaneously.

“Rock-paper-scissors it is, then,” Gu Xiaowei said, carrying Luo Yu back into their room and tossing him gently onto the bed. Leaning over him, he asked, “Still want to play?”

But his gaze held a hint of a threat.

Luo Yu quickly shook his head. “No more! Brushing teeth, washing up, lunch!”

“Good.”

Only then did Gu Xiaowei leave for his room.

As soon as he was gone, Luo Yu turned to the side, a smile tugging at his lips.

Downstairs, the rock-paper-scissors battle was intense, with Ye Shengyi ultimately winning and cheering, “I won—”

Brother Yan sighed, looking at his hand. “Teach a pupil, starve the master, huh?”

“No worries. Even if we’re not the cameraman, we can still make a cameo, right?” Xiao Qin added, bringing everyone’s spirits back up.

Luo Yu walked into the bathroom, and just as he squeezed the toothpaste in hand, he paused and looked at himself in the mirror.

The stubble on his chin was even more visible. He hadn’t shaved because the director wanted to show Wen Yuchi’s exhaustion from consecutive all-nighters.

But now, well-rested, Luo Yu looked far from exhausted. Instead, he only seemed a bit rugged, with a rebellious air. Trying on a cold stare, he admired himself from different angles.

“What are you staring at?” Gu Xiaowei’s voice sounded from behind.

“I think... I could totally play a wandering master swordsman type,” Luo Yu turned with a serious look. “You know, sword jn hand, poetry and wine, a free spirit... What do you think?”

Leaning against the bathroom door, Gu Xiaowei studied him seriously, then shook his head. “Not a good fit.”

“Why not?”

“It’d be prickly to kiss.”

Gu Xiaowei’s tone was completely matter-of-fact, which made Luo Yu grin mischievously. Taking the opportunity provided, he walked right up to Gu Xiaowei, rubbing his stubbly chin against him.

“Prickly? Teacher Gu, tell me if it’s prickly. Help me remember—do I have a kissing scene in this film? Who am I supposed to kiss? Who?”

Luo Yu continued to lean in with every word.

For once, there was a clear glint of humor in Gu Xiaowei’s eyes. Had he disliked the contact, he would’ve immediately stepped back, but he stayed put, allowing Luo Yu’s stubble to brush his cheek.

Not wanting to actually hurt him, Luo Yu pulled back slightly—only for Gu Xiaowei to grip the back of his head and press his chin firmly against his face.

“Hey! Did it hurt?” Luo Yu asked, pushing him away.

Covering Luo Yu’s chin with his palm, Gu Xiaowei stroked it lightly, murmuring, “Feels like a kiwi. Quite amusing.”

“Amusing? What’s so amusing about it? I grew this myself!”

“So, are you going to film the vlog with that... rustic hero look, Mr. Luo Yu?”

Luo Yu, seeing Gu Xiaowei’s devilish grin, muttered, “Fine! I’ll shave it off!”

As he applied shaving foam, reaching for his razor, Gu Xiaowei stepped in. “Let me.”

“No thanks; I grew it, I’ll shave it.” Luo Yu’s male pride had been slightly bruised by the “kiwi” comment.

“Let me do it—I want to experience this ‘hard-earned growth’ for myself.” Gu Xiaowei took the razor, and as Luo Yu tilted his head up, his Adam’s apple stretched in a graceful curve, making Gu Xiaowei want to hide it away.

Luo Yu was secretly delighted to have Gu Xiaowei so close, so he put on a pretense and patted his waist in a patronizing manner, “Fine, your chance to serve me. But if you fail, I’ll banish you to—hey! Gu Xiaowei, what are you doing?!”

Gu Xiaowei had just pinched his waist hard, making him almost jump.

“Your Majesty, where would you banish me?” Gu Xiaowei asked with a wicked grin.

Luo Yu tilted his chin obediently, covering his waist protectively. “Well, not to scrub chamber pots. Originally you could have slept by the head of my bed but now it is only at the foot of my bed.”

“Oh? Your Majesty doesn’t need my arm as a pillow?”

“Tch!”

The buzzing sound of the razor began, and Gu Xiaowei lowered his eyes, carefully shaving Luo Yu's chin from bottom to top, stroke by stroke. 

His pressure was just right; Luo Yu could feel the razor moving across without any hint of threat. Instead, he squinted his eyes, enjoying the sensation.

Gu Xiaowei looked at the person in front of him, his hand originally resting on Luo Yu's nape, but he couldn’t resist adjusting Luo Yu's chin higher, tilting it to a more kissable angle.

“Done yet?” Luo Yu asked, completely unguarded towards him.

“All done.” Gu Xiaowei’s dark gaze gradually brightened as he grabbed a face towel, dampening it to clean off the remaining lather on Luo Yu's chin.

I really want… to keep this person forever.

Luo Yu took the face towel, rubbed his chin in front of the mirror, and, satisfied, said, “So clean! I feel refreshed—no more worries about scratching my partner during a kiss!”

Gu Xiaowei chuckled, reaching for his aftershave on the shelf and handing it to Luo Yu. “Don’t forget to use this.”

“Got it.”

Luo Yu unscrewed the cap, and the scent of Pure Colour filled the air, making his heart inexplicably tense. The cool sensation of the aftershave on his face gave way to a gentle warmth, and the lingering scent around him felt as though he were wrapped up in Gu Xiaowei’s presence.

He placed the aftershave back on the shelf and smiled to himself.

After finishing his grooming, he walked into the wardrobe he shared with Gu Xiaowei, rubbing his chin as he pondered.

He’d never recorded a vlog before. Should he get Ye Shengyi to style him for a fashionable look, or keep it casual?

“What are you daydreaming about now?” Gu Xiaowei asked.

“Ah, my personal stylist, Mr. Gu Xiaowei, has arrived! Tell me, Teacher Gu, what should I wear to record a vlog today?”

“The usual three-piece.” Gu Xiaowei walked into the closet, grabbed a hoodie, and was about to turn away.

“My usual three-piece? What’s that?”

“Wide-shoulder white T-shirt, casual pants, and sneakers.”

“Might as well tell me to wear a grandpa tank, beach shorts, and flip-flops!”

“If you insist on that, once our vlog airs, there might be a shopping frenzy for twelve-yuan grandpa tanks with free shipping.”

With that, Gu Xiaowei pulled off his pajamas in front of Luo Yu, revealing his enviably fit physique.

Though they’d swum together before, Luo Yu’s gaze was still drawn to him, feeling like he’d been burned.

By the time he looked up again, Gu Xiaowei had already slipped on the hoodie and was now bending over to take off his pajama pants without a second thought.

Luo Yu felt trapped in the space, with Gu Xiaowei’s masculine presence blocking every exit.

Gu Xiaowei grabbed a pair of track pants and slipped them on with ease.

“What are you staring at?” Gu Xiaowei took a silver-and-black patterned cap and put it on Luo Yu’s head.

“Your legs are so long,” Luo Yu said.

Gu Xiaowei tapped the brim of the cap lightly. “Yours are more practical.”

When Luo Yu lifted the brim, Gu Xiaowei was already walking out.

“Why are mine more practical?”

Luo Yu ran through the script in his head, finding no part related to leg length.

He put on his T-shirt and casual pants, then headed downstairs for lunch with everyone.

“Brother Luo, you really scared me last night,” Ye Shengyi spoke up.

“Sorry. The scenes I've been working on have me on edge, and I had a nightmare.”

“You were calling Brother Gu’s name really loudly. I thought there was an intruder in your room!” Ye Shengyi said, biting into a chicken wing.

“If there was an intruder, I’d be screaming for help.”

Recalling the dream sent another chill down Luo Yu’s spine.

Next to him, Gu Xiaowei scooped some mapo tofu onto Luo Yu’s plate. “Whatever you dreamed of, it won’t happen in real life.”

Luo Yu muttered, “You’re quite confident.”

“Because I refuse to accept otherwise.”

“Refuse to accept?”

“I’m getting closer to my goal. I won’t accept defeat until I reach it.”

“And once you do, you’ll be content?” Luo Yu teased.

“When I reach it, I’ll want even more.” Gu Xiaowei replied.

“So what is your goal, Brother Gu? The Best Actor Yunwen Award?” Xiao Qin asked curiously.

“Or the Qilin Award?” Brother Yan chimed in.

“I’ll tell you once I get there.”

Luo Yu laughed. “Alright, even Teacher Gu has a thousand and one goals!”

“Now, let’s plan what to film for the vlog. This resort has beautiful scenery, but if you two just stroll around with no theme, fans might get bored,” Xiao Qin suggested.

“Mr. Li said to keep it simple. As long as Luo Yu and I appear together, fans of Yan Ye and Bai Ying will enjoy it. Just preparing a few questions should be enough.” Gu Xiaowei looked at Luo Yu. “You can ask anything you’d like.”

“Anything?” Luo Yu asked with a playful smile.

“The most you’ll ask is how old I was when I had my first crush or if I’ve had my first kiss. Or should I give you an official bio?” Gu Xiaowei teased.

“Are we having a job interview or a matchmaking session?” Luo Yu laughed even harder, thinking, if I asked you to marry me, could you promise not to hit me?