Top Dupe CH 091 I Won't Unlock With You Part 1

[Did you notice? Did you notice! Every time Brother Gu and Senior Brother are together, he acts like a kid! Awsl!] (TN: awsl=“ah, I'm dying”)

The corners of Luo Yu’s mouth lifted high as he read these comments. In the past, he might have tried to deny it out of embarrassment, but now he felt a bold, open happiness.

He glanced at Gu Xiaowei, moved closer to him, and held up his phone, "Teacher Gu, the vast majority of netizens are suggesting that we should be locked together for life!"

Gu Xiaowei, unhurriedly swallowing his food, responded, "Aren't we already locked together?"

Yan Jun, who was sitting with his back to Luo Yu, turned around with an exasperated expression and said, "Can you guys take it down a notch? I’ve barely had a bite of this beef stew, and I’m already stuffed from your dog food!"

"But seriously, Teacher Gu and Teacher Luo are a perfect match. Just put you two in the same frame, and there’s drama!" a camera assistant added.

"By the way, in tonight's episode, is Bai Ying really getting killed off? Isn’t there any suspense or ambiguity?" another crew member asked.

Luo Yu shook his head, "No spoilers. Watch tonight, and you’ll find out."

He looked at Gu Xiaowei, about to say something when Gu Xiaowei lowered his voice and said, "I won’t watch tonight’s two episodes with you."

"Huh? Why..." Luo Yu started to speak, but upon seeing Gu Xiaowei's expression, he understood.

Bai Ying's death was going to hurt not only the audience but also Yan Ye.

Looking back at that scene, Gu Xiaowei might recall the heartbreak of looking across the street at Bai Ying, lifeless.

It was a pain that felt like being suspended in mid-air, torn apart from hope to despair.

Suddenly, Luo Yu felt that the beef stew didn’t taste as good.

Gu Xiaowei’s voice sounded beside him, “Eat your meal.”

"En?"

“This time, Wen Yuchi will stay with Lu Pingfeng until the end, right?”

Luo Yu looked into Gu Xiaowei’s eyes, realizing just how gentle he truly was.

"Yes, thinking like that makes it less painful. I won’t unlock with you either.”

After saying this, Luo Yu gave Gu Xiaowei a light pat on the shoulder before continuing to eat. Suddenly, the beef stew tasted good again.

Next to him, Gu Xiaowei remained expressionless for a while, his chopsticks wandering back and forth in the now-empty compartment, making Luo Yu feel a little exasperated.

“Do you really like stir-fried eggs and mushrooms that much? Here, take mine.”

With that, Luo Yu transferred an entire portion of stir-fried eggs and mushrooms over to Gu Xiaowei.

Gu Xiaowei’s chopsticks hesitated for a moment, but then he replied, "Thank you," and put a piece into his mouth.

Even Xiao Qin, watching, nearly dropped her piece of beef in surprise.

Just after finishing his meal, Luo Yu received a call from Sister Cui.

"Hello, Sister Cui. What's up?"

"Well, just now the editor-in-chief of ALPHA called personally. They’re very interested in doing a feature with you and Teacher Gu. I told them you're both filming right now. Whether or not Gu Xiaowei would agree, there’s no way you can just leave halfway through the movie to shoot a magazine feature, right?"

"Yeah, exactly," Luo Yu nodded in agreement, not particularly interested in fashion shoots himself.

"So they said they’d wait until after you wrap this movie. The fan demand online is too strong."

"Shooting pictures... I don’t have that kind of on-camera charm. Let’s just forget it." Luo Yu scratched his nose.

Sister Cui, however, patiently persuaded him, "You know, after tonight’s episode airs, fans are bound to shed rivers of tears. The impact of Bai Ying’s storyline will last until the end. Even if you’re not driven by personal gain, I hope you can capitalize on the role’s popularity. Bai Ying’s character is your first big comeback. ALPHA’s sales are solid, and their editor-in-chief personally invited you. If you prove you can sell a magazine, it’ll be a concrete achievement to show to other producers. Great scripts and teams don’t just fall into your lap; you need the numbers to back you up."

Understanding her logic, Luo Yu nodded.

"Ask for Teacher Gu's opinion. The editor said if they couldn’t convince him, they’d rely on you."

“I... don’t think I have that kind of influence.”

“Really? If you don’t, why does Teacher Gu keep taking photos with you? Or shooting a vlog for ‘Counterattack’’s official promotions? Just yesterday, Meng Yu and I posted those pictures of you two as the vlog teaser. Meng Yu even said he’s never seen Gu Xiaowei so 'attached' to anyone."

Luo Yu’s neck and ears turned red, though he responded calmly, “Sister Cui, this isn’t ‘attached,’ this is a kindred spirit connection!”

“Haha, just as long as it’s not a fishy collusion, villains sharing vile habits together!”

“I can assure you, Teacher Gu smells good,” Luo Yu said, bantering with Sister Cui.

Just then, Gu Xiaowei came over, “What’s going on?”

Luo Yu quickly hung up the phone, "Oh, nothing. Just the editor of ALPHA calling Sister Cui, hoping you and I can make some time after the filming for a feature."

“Sure. As long as our schedules match up,” Gu Xiaowei replied.

“What? Did you just say ‘sure’?”

“Or should I have said ‘not sure’?” Gu tilted his face slightly, his smile looking... somewhat mischievous.

Just as Luo Yu leaned closer to examine that smile, Gu Xiaowei had already hidden it away.

"But you refused before."

“That was because they wanted to come during filming. Director Sheng wouldn’t be happy about actors taking on extra work during shoots.”

“So after filming, it’s okay?”

“En, it’d be a good promo for the movie.”

With that, Gu Xiaowei started packing up his lunch box.

The film crew staff quickly came over, "Teacher Gu, please go rest, we’ll handle things here."

"Alright, thank you." Gu Xiaowei reached out a hand to Luo Yu, "Are you not taking a nap this afternoon?"

"Nap! Nap! Nap! Coming!" 

Luo Yu hurried forward, thinking he might be able to grab Gu Xiaowei's hand, but unexpectedly, Gu Xiaowei just turned away.

Damn you, Gu Xiaowei!

So, Luo Yu got into his own van first and shut the door before Gu Xiaowei could get in.

Just as he was about to roll up the window, Gu Xiaowei’s hand reached in from outside, grabbing Luo Yu’s hand with his long arm, "I lent my van to Xiao Qin for a nap."

"I know." Luo Yu squinted and smiled, "You can still sleep on a table."

Just then, Driver Jiang came back and remotely unlocked the van with a click, "Oh, Teacher Gu’s here for a nap?"

"Yes, thank you, Driver Jiang." With that, Gu Xiaowei pulled the door open with a whoosh.

Luo Yu, occupying the seat by the window, crossed his arms and pretended to sleep with his eyes closed.

In the next moment, Gu Xiaowei lifted Luo Yu up and moved him over to make room.

"What the heck! Gu Xiaowei, I’m telling you..."

If you dare lift me like that again, I don’t care how skilled you are in combat, I’ll just go for it!

"What?" Gu Xiaowei lowered his head, but Luo Yu clearly saw him smiling.

"You did that on purpose, didn’t you?"

"On purpose for what?" Gu Xiaowei sat beside Luo Yu, rolled up the window, and closed his eyes.

Luo Yu felt like Gu Xiaowei had been doing it on purpose from the moment he reached out his hand.

But he had no reason to be mad—have you ever seen two bros holding hands for a nap? If Cheng Fei was asked, he’d probably say it gave him goosebumps.

Luo Yu turned his face away and tried to grab some sleep.

After half an hour, Ye Shengyi tapped on the van door, calling out, "Gentlemen, the afternoon scene is about to start! Time to get up for makeup!"

Luo Yu was actually awake but responded with a couple of faint "mhm"s, refusing to fully wake up.

Gu Xiaowei sat up first, patting his shoulder, "Wake up."

After Gu Xiaowei got out of the van, Luo Yu finally stepped out, looking sleepy.

Gu Xiaowei turned around to see Luo Yu yawning and about to stumble. He quickly stepped forward to support him, but Luo Yu grabbed the roof of the van and pulled himself back.

Gu Xiaowei’s hand hung in midair.

Luo Yu laughed, "Hahaha, I don’t need your help."

With that, he jumped down with energy and walked past Gu Xiaowei.

Gu Xiaowei watched Luo Yu’s back, frowning, realizing that when he had invited Luo Yu for a nap, he’d reached out his hand, only to withdraw it when Luo Yu got closer.

"Ah..." Gu Xiaowei lowered his head, remembering that he’d seen a staff member behind Luo Yu about to call his name, thinking the director was looking for him, so he withdrew his hand.

It wasn’t to avoid suspicion, nor to mess with Luo Yu.

But then, Gu Xiaowei smiled, his grin growing wider.

He lingered by the van door until Driver Jiang reminded him, "Teacher Gu, aren’t you going to get your makeup touched up?"

"I’m going." Gu Xiaowei quickly followed Luo Yu.

The first scene of the afternoon was Captain Zhao sending someone to find Lu Pingfeng’s agent, only to discover that his agent, Ai Lin, was already dead in her house.

The crime scene was set in a second-floor villa. The crew had slightly modified a guest room on the second floor to create the script's atmosphere.

The space fell silent as Sheng Yunlan sat by the monitor, watching the screen intently.

Wen Yuchi, carrying a toolbox, followed the old forensic doctor into the room, immediately smelling the strong scent of blood.

The other officers covered their noses and stepped back in unison, leaving space for the two forensic doctors.

On the wall in front of them, Lu Pingfeng’s agent Ai Lin hung, her head drooping, dressed in a white dress. Blood was smeared on the surrounding walls, yet her white dress was spotless.

Wen Yuchi walked in front, laying down stepping boards as he moved, with the old forensic doctor following behind.

When Wen Yuchi reached the wall, he set down his toolbox, pulled out a camera, and began taking pictures of the corpse.

Frowning as he looked at the camera screen, he muttered, "This looks like a painting."

The old forensic doctor adjusted his reading glasses, "She was the agent of that famous painter, but I don’t know which of his works it resembles."

Wen Yuchi sighed, "It always feels like the only way to prevent these cases is to convince that painter to stop painting. His fans are just too fanatical."

Just as Wen Yuchi climbed a ladder to get a better look at Ai Lin’s face, the captain’s call came through.

"Does the body have any other distinguishing features besides being hung on the wall?"

Wen Yuchi lifted her chin and looked, "There’s a bloodstain on the left side from the wing of her nose to the earlobe."

"I see," Captain Zhao responded.

Wen Yuchi paused, then whispered, "Another lead we barely found, only to hit a dead end."

"But she must have known or been involved in something to end up dead," Captain Zhao said.

Wen Yuchi looked up at Ai Lin’s body, and the camera angle slowly shifted, with the entire frame rotating lightly, plunging back into darkness.

Once the scene was over, with no reshoots needed, the crew quickly rearranged the set for the next scene, where Captain Zhao, following Ai Lin’s death, visits Lu Pingfeng again.

Lu Pingfeng’s studio had been prepared, as usual, with limited space, so anyone not essential was asked to leave.

Even Luo Yu could only sit by Sheng Yunlan and watch the performance on the monitor.

Captain Zhao and his officers arrived at Lu Pingfeng’s studio.

At that moment, he was perched on a step ladder, holding a palette in his left hand and a brush in his right, applying strokes on the wall.

"Ai Lin is dead," Captain Zhao said coldly.

"Oh? Is that so." Lu Pingfeng turned, looking down at Captain Zhao from above, his expression detached, like a god in a painting, with no surprise, as if his connection to his agent was negligible.

He methodically put away his brushes and climbed down, "How did she die?"

"Like your painting Song of the Evening," Captain Zhao said coolly.

"Song of the Evening? That’s very interesting," Lu Pingfeng’s brows knitted.

"Interesting? That’s the first time I’ve heard that. Do you think death is something interesting?"

"No, I mean it’s interesting that her death scene imitates Song of the Evening..."

"Don’t play games. What’s distinctive about Song of the Evening?"

"There are two versions of the Song of the Evening. The first was displayed in many exhibitions and printed in numerous art books for the public. But it was accidentally burned in transit four years ago, leaving only a third of it left. The collector sought me out and paid double for a new one." Lu Pingfeng explained.

Captain Zhao squinted, "How does the first version differ from the second?"

Lu Pingfeng gestured to his cheek, a chilling smile flickering on his cool face, "The petals of the white rose in the painting have a bloodstain."

Captain Zhao's pupils dilated, recalling Wen Yuchi's report, "Ai Lin has a bloodstain on her face, from her left nostril to her earlobe."