Top Dupe CH 097 Thank You To Fan GXW

"Ah, I knew it was just my illusion…" Luo Yu gave an awkward laugh. Receiving over a hundred birthday packages from fans made him feel famous, but that was nothing compared to Gu Xiaowei, who was standing beside him.

"You’re definitely famous. And you've been famous for a long time now," Gu Xiaowei said.

The sense of unreality grew stronger.

"Haha... hahaha... Teacher Gu, you’re really good at this..."

"Brother Gu isn’t joking. Brother Luo, you’re really very famous now!" Xiao Qin immediately chimed in. "Look at this Weibo post. Your fans rented a space on the LED screen at S City's central square to wish you a happy birthday! They even edited a clip from your previous dramas to include! And when they play this clip, so many people stop to watch. The whole thing was captured by fans and posted online!"

Xiao Yezi also got excited, "And there's more! There’s an advertisement in B City's subway station too! Wow, your fans really go all out for you!"

"I’ll add one more—K Station’s homepage was completely taken over by your video clip today. K Station even made a birthday feature for you. Definitely famous," Ah Yan said with a smile.

At first, Luo Yu was flattered, but as he calmed down, his heart ached. "I’m just celebrating my birthday. Everyone wishing me happy birthday on Weibo is enough of a gesture. These ad spaces must have cost a lot. I need to contact Sister Cui and thank the fans, and return the money for the ad spaces."

Sister Cui had already anticipated this and took care of everything, including telling him: [Do you know who paid for your birthday LED space in the central square?]

Luo Yu asked with a chuckle: [Who?]

Sister Cui: [Xie Chang, Ai Cheng, and the Free idol group.]

Luo Yu: [Aren’t they artists themselves? Why would they fan me?]

Sister Cui: [Female artists also fangirl. Didn’t you send Ai Cheng and her friends signed photos last time? This LED birthday feature was their return gift to you.]

Luo Yu laughed: [This return gift is too extravagant! After I finish filming, I’ll invite them to a meal!]

Sister Cui: [That might make another hot search: #LuoYuAndNGirlsDate.]

Luo Yu glanced at Gu Xiaowei’s direction, [Then I’ll invite Teacher Gu too and see what kind of story they’ll come up with!]

Sister Cui: [Then it’s just the female stars of the entertainment industry having their own shipping moments.]

"I’m dying of curiosity! Let’s open the gifts first. Remember, we need to record a video for Sister Cui to thank the fans properly!"

Ye Shengyi set up Luo Yu’s phone on the coffee table in the living room. Ah Yan went to grab a fill light, and Xiao Qin picked out a few less controversial gifts based on her experience.

This gave Luo Yu the illusion that he and Gu Xiaowei were part of the same team, working seamlessly together.

"Let’s begin." Gu Xiaowei sat down beside the coffee table and tapped on the phone.

"Right away!" Luo Yu changed into a loose hoodie, sat cross-legged on a cushion, his back resting on the couch.

Gu Xiaowei handed him the first package. Luo Yu took it and hesitated, leaning closer to whisper, "What if it accidentally captured you?"

"What?" Gu Xiaowei asked.

"Your hand," Luo Yu muttered.

Gu Xiaowei raised his hand and looked at it. "There’s nothing identifiable on my hand. It should be fine."

Luo Yu shook his head. This guy didn’t know how many luxury brands tried designing rings for Gu Xiaowei’s fingers.

Xiao Qin couldn't help but interject, "It doesn’t matter if Brother Gu’s face is captured. You’re already in the same crew—showing up together indicates the lead actors' amicable relationship. You could even mention ‘Beast and Rose’ with your fans!"

"Yeah! Fans would love that!"

"Senior Brother, just be generous and let your junior brother join the frame!" Ah Yan added in support.

Luo Yu thought the same, glancing at Gu Xiaowei. Gu Xiaowei raised his chin, "Let’s start."

"Actually, you’re secretly comparing, aren’t you, wondering how my birthday gifts differ from yours?" Luo Yu teased with a smile.

Gu Xiaowei tugged at Luo Yu's hood, causing him to lean back and fall onto Gu Xiaowei's arm unexpectedly.

Gu Xiaowei leaned toward the camera and said, "Dear fans, considering this is Teacher Luo Yu’s first time unboxing fan gifts, I’ll supervise."

After sitting back properly, Luo Yu laughed, pretending his fast-paced heartbeat was fine through his acting.

"Thanks to the fan 'Yi Xiao Xingxing' for the birthday gift. Let’s see what it is."

Opening the box, it was a hand-knitted brown wool hat, accompanied by a letter. Luo Yu read it carefully and expressed his gratitude before putting the hat on. It had some elasticity, looking slightly out of shape but cozy.

Gu Xiaowei chuckled, "This hat’s very stylish. Thank you 'Yi Xiao Xingxing.' Since there’s no mirror, Luo Yu doesn’t know how to wear it properly. Everyone, please wait."

Gu Xiaowei adjusted the hat, pulling on both sides, making it look fashionable and much better.

"Perfect," Gu Xiaowei concluded.

Next, Luo Yu unboxed a small plush rabbit, thanking 'Xiao Hong Hua' for the adorable gift. “Thank you to the fan ‘Xiao Hong Hua’ for the plush bunny,” Luo Yu said as he lowered his gaze, his fingers tracing from the base of the bunny’s ear to the tip. “So cute.”

“This is a hand warmer,” Gu Xiaowei said, propping his chin in his hand as he gazed at Luo Yu. Neither of them noticed that the camera was perfectly capturing Gu Xiaowei’s nose and chin in the frame.

When Luo Yu lowered his head and smiled at him, their noses were almost touching, the moment framed delicately within the shot.

“Huh? A hand warmer… Oh, there’s a little box inside. It must hold the charging cable. Where do I put my hands in…?”

Gu Xiaowei’s hand reappeared in the frame. He grabbed the bunny plush’s front paws and pulled them apart. The stuffed toy suddenly unfolded like a sleeve. Gu Xiaowei then guided Luo Yu’s hands into the warm, plush compartment.

“There, like that.”

Luo Yu moved his hands slightly inside the hand warmer, but Gu Xiaowei suddenly tightened his grip, his fingers threading firmly between Luo Yu’s and giving a sudden squeeze.

“Ah, ouch!” Luo Yu flinched slightly.

Gu Xiaowei chuckled quietly, his voice low and rich, like a faint vibration brushing against the ears, sending a warm, ticklish sensation to the heart.

“Does it hurt?”

“Of course it does. Don’t you know how strong your grip is?” Luo Yu raised an eyebrow, his tone full of mock reproach.

Gu Xiaowei passed him another box. “Next gift. The fans are waiting.”

“Alright, alright. Thank you, Xiao Hong Hua, for this adorable bunny hand warmer! It’s getting cold, so I’ll definitely keep it with me.”

Still smiling, Luo Yu opened the third gift box, revealing a handmade gingerbread cookie shaped like a chibi version of his own face.

"Hahaha, this is too cute! What should I do? I just can't bear to eat it!" Luo Yu showed the gingerbread to all the fans at close range.

"I'll check the expiration date, hmm... it needs to be eaten by the night after tomorrow," Gu Xiaowei said calmly.

"Am I supposed to eat myself? That’s... too weird, isn’t it?"

"No problem, I’ll eat it."

"..." Luo Yu immediately hid the gingerbread behind his back. "Nope. I’ll prepare a frame and put it in there as a keepsake!"

"I’ll make you a gingerbread on my birthday too, so it’ll be even, alright?"

Luo Yu gave him a skeptical look.

"You’ll make me a gingerbread to eat? Oh no, so many fans heard that... On your birthday, I might end up with too many gingerbreads to eat now."

Gu Xiaowei smiled lightly and whispered, shaping his words with his lips: You can just lick each one.

"What? I didn’t catch that," Luo Yu leaned in closer. "What can I do?"

"Take some stomach medicine, and you can eat a few more."

"No no no, you definitely didn’t mean that."

"I did mean that." Gu Xiaowei’s face showed no emotion. Luo Yu couldn’t get anything out of him and had to give up.

Gu Xiaowei handed him another gift box as if he were a robotic tool without emotion. Luo Yu opened it, searched inside, and finally pulled out a small box. Inside were a pair of sterling silver cufflinks.

The design was very simple, the engraved pattern on the face resembling roses, intricately carved.

Luo Yu compared them to his own sleeves and said, "I feel like these cufflinks are very expensive."

"They’re not that expensive."

"Do you recognize this brand?" Luo Yu asked.

"I know the person who gave them to you," Gu Xiaowei answered.

"Wait, you know this person?" Luo Yu’s curiosity made him flip the box to check the gift sender. His mind wandered. Could it be Cheng Fei? But Cheng Fei was a straightforward guy and never gave gifts. Treating someone to a meal would be more in line with his personality.

"The box doesn’t have any cards or notes. This fan is a bit reserved," Luo Yu noted. He looked at the sender’s name—three letters: GXW. "Thank you, uh, from fan GXW for these cufflinks!"

From the other side, laughter could be heard. Xiao Qin covered her mouth as her shoulders shook, while Ye Shengyi looked at Luo Yu with an expression as if he were watching his own silly son.

Ah Yan silently mouthed to Luo Yu: "That’s Brother Gu!"

Of course! Gu Xiaowei’s initials were GXW.

Luo Yu's heart leapt as he cautiously asked, "Is this you?"

"En."

Luo Yu clutched the cufflinks in his hand, unwilling to let them go. "Since they’re from Classmate Gu, should I change into a proper shirt to show them off?"

"What do you think?" Gu Xiaowei lowered his head with a small smile.

It felt like he was radiating gentleness, and Luo Yu thought it would be sinful not to show these cufflinks properly.

"Wait here, I’ll be right back!"

He stood up and ran upstairs.

In the dressing room, he rummaged for his shirts and found that his and Gu Xiaowei’s shirts and suits were hanging in the same section. A feeling tugged at his heartstrings as he pulled the one closest to him. He changed into it.

The shirt fit slightly loosely at the shoulders and sleeves, but it didn’t look out of place when worn.

He wasn’t very confident about his sense of style, so he casually grabbed a suit jacket to wear over it and dashed back downstairs.

"I’m back!"

He didn’t change his pants, pairing the suit jacket and shirt with casual trousers. The mix created a fashionable contrast that looked intentional, especially with his long legs. Gu Xiaowei watched him as he came down the stairs.

"Slow down," Gu Xiaowei advised.

"My ankle’s fine now," Luo Yu said, sitting beside Gu Xiaowei and waving at the camera. "Hello, I’ve changed into a blazer and shirt to show you guys!"

As he lowered his head to adjust the cufflinks, Gu Xiaowei said, "I’ll do it for you."

"Alright!" Luo Yu didn’t refuse, extending his hand toward Gu Xiaowei.

Even though Gu Xiaowei might not recognize the shirt at first glance, Luo Yu's sleeve was noticeably longer, which likely gave it away. But Gu Xiaowei appeared to focus on every detail as he elegantly adjusted the cufflinks, carefully locking the buttons into place.

Ye Shengyi suddenly broke the silence with a casual comment: "Brother Luo, I don’t remember you having this shirt or suit."

Luo Yu’s heart skipped a beat. Ye Shengyi, you silly boy, you’ve almost ruined this! Don't think I won't deduct your pay! 

Ah Yan nudged Ye Shengyi with his elbow and Ye Shengyi instantly shut up.

Xiao Qin’s eyes widened with excitement at her ship.

But Luo Yu maintained his composure and utilized his acting skills. He tilted his head and said, "Ah? This isn’t mine?"

"It’s okay. It’s probably mine," Gu Xiaowei said, calmly taking his other hand. "In your mind, all shirts and suits probably look the same, just a different color, right?"

"This... don’t expose my flaws in front of the fans."

With the cufflinks adjusted, Gu Xiaowei let go of Luo Yu’s hand. Luo Yu proudly displayed the cufflinks for the camera.

"This is a birthday gift from Teacher Gu! A pair of sterling silver cufflinks! Recently, Teacher Gu has been focusing on improving my sense of style and artistic sensibilities. He’s shown me there are other ways to dress besides hoodies, sweatpants, and sneakers."

"Like what?" Gu Xiaowei asked.

"I can also wear a baseball cap and sunglasses," Luo Yu said with a hopeful, good-student look toward Gu Xiaowei.

"...Don’t let people think I trained your fashion sense when you leave the house."

Everyone watching burst into laughter.

After recording a few more takes, Luo Yu sent the video to Sister Cui. Soon afterward, Gu Xiaowei received a call from Meng Yu.

"So, are you now his assistant?" Meng Yu teased.

"Oh, today’s his birthday."

"Sister Cui asked if your original voice and appearance could be retained for this video?"

"Isn’t it okay?" Gu Xiaowei asked.

"You’re so straightforward, not even taking appearance fees?" Meng Yu joked.

"We don’t have a script."

Meng Yu laughed, "You’re going all out with this! You’re making your fans swoon. If you keep this up, they’ll turn into full-blown sugar addicts!"

“En.” Gu Xiaowei responded lightly.

"You're being way too upfront. I'm worried that if you keep feeding this 'brotherly bond' narrative, one day, when you make an official announcement, your fans will still be shipping the bromance," Meng Yu tested the waters with a comment.

"What they choose to ship is their business."

Meng Yu gave a helpless laugh. "As long as you're happy."

A few hours later, after both teams confirmed there were no issues with the video content, Cui Zhuxin uploaded the birthday gift unboxing video online.

It went viral within minutes. Fans were so excited that they celebrated online like they had won a lottery.

The video had initial introductions followed by the gift opening with Gu Xiaowei briefly appearing. The scene of him pulling Luo Yu’s hoodie attracted instant comments.

[Brother Gu is so sweet to spend Luo Yu's birthday with him! Sweetest unboxing duo ever!]

[Seeing Brother Gu pull Luo Yu’s hoodie, I just—ahhh!]

[Was he intentionally pulling Luo Yu closer?]

[They better not breakup! Even if it’s not love, their friendship better last forever!]

For their fans, even the brotherly bond was sweet, as it was rare in the entertainment industry to find friendships that could withstand admiration without being tainted by interests. Some fans even worried that if they started shipping romantic feelings, the two might avoid public interactions in the future, leading to fewer opportunities for shippy moments. Thus, they were all very restrained.

Many fans even deliberately expressed blessings such as "may your friendship last forever" or "the bond of loyalty never fades"—terrified that the shipper fan base's enthusiasm would frighten the two into never sharing the screen again.

When Luo Yu put on his knitted hat, a flood of comments appeared, including:

[Only top-tier looks could pull off an '80s hat style like this.]

[Haha, senior brother is too cute—he’s got the head concussion effect.]

[Senior brother's head is really round.]

[My grandfather used to wear knitted hats like this too.]

When Gu Xiaowei adjusted Luo Yu's hat for him, the comments went into an absolute frenzy once again:

[Teacher Gu is the fashion wizard for Senior Brother!]

[Teacher Gu’s hands turn ordinary into magic!]

[Ahhh, at first, the hat looked handsome, but Brother Gu made it extremely handsome!]

[Brother Luo, from now on, whenever you put on clothes or a hat, let Brother Gu check it over first!]

[This vibe is absolutely insane! Lock it, lock it, lock it! I swallowed the key~]

...

When Luo Yu opened his second gift and touched the plush rabbit's ear, fans collectively swooned. They expressed that his tenderness was so overwhelming that it tugged at their hearts, as if Luo Yu were patting their own heads.