Chapter 47 - I’ve got this Celebrity’s back (7)
Gu Xi thought that this was anything but reassuring.
He became famous when he was still a teenager. When he embarked on his career, he had taken the serious drama route. In recent years, he has been forced by the situation to diversify into idol dramas but he still insisted on not being involved in any sex scenes. He had the seduction skills but no matter whether it was in a movie or out of it, he has never had any scenes where he was undressed.
A lot of meddlesome media outlets even speculated about whether he had any tattoos or other such embarrassing things. They were even betting on when his first on-screen strip show would be.
But his little paparazzo managed to strip him so easily.
The sound of the cicadas became more and more restless. Gu Xi’s Adam’s Apple bobbed and he suddenly felt a little thirsty.
As soon as this idea formed in his mind, the cold mung bean soup was sent to his lips. It even considerately had a straw inserted, so that he could drink it with a simple lean of his head.
He has no idea where Lu Qingzhou got the straw. It was colorful and when you pulled it out, you could bend it into a heart shape. It also shook when he used it to drink the mung bean soup.
Trying to divert his attention, Gu Xi propped up his body and took two mouthfuls of mung bean soup. In front of him were that pair of sleek black eyes that he had glimpsed before.
Gu Xi had worked with countless men and women in the entertainment industry, but none of them had eyes that were as good-looking as those. The smile he carried in his eyes was sweeter than the mung bean soup, tangling around his chest and drilling haphazardly into his heart.
The rubbing alcohol must have been too cold.
Gu Xi averted his eyes and couldn’t help shifting them back, sneakily casting glances at Lu Qingzhou’s body.
Seeing that Gu Xi still appeared dizzy, Lu Qingzhou decided to abandon following the instruction of the manual. When Gu Xi finished his mung bean soup, he helped him lie down and continued to wipe him down with alcohol.
The hand on his neck did not overstep its boundaries, not even by a fraction of an inch. It slowly went down along his arm and then went the other direction to rub against his palm. When Lu Qingzhou came across the bruises caused by his knocking against the props, he deliberately eased his strength. He carefully touched them with the back of his hand, applying safflower oil on them.
The places he had rubbed against should have felt cool when blown against with by the wind but Gu Xi felt hot instead.
The little paparazzo lowered his head and his black eyes were once again blocked under the brim of his hat. After wiping down one side, he took Gu Xi’s clothes to cover him. His manner was serious and professional, appearing to be deadly earnest.
Film Emperor Gu was also very decent. He was half-leaning against the reclining chair, head bowed, his palm continued to turn red.
The director came over and looked at Gu Xi anxiously. Seeing a very red Gu Xi, he turned pale with fright. “Teacher Gu, do you have a fever? Hurry, hurry to the hospital — ”
Heatstroke was not a serious matter and it was a common occurrence within the crew. But if you get heatstroke that turns to a high fever, it might be fatal. The crew was already in such a mess. If Gu Xi has any more incidents, Li Renyi can’t imagine that there would be any hope left for his career.
Heads immediately turned towards his voice and the crew gathered around him. Gu Xi frowned. He put on his clothes and sat up. He waved it away. “I’m fine. It’s just too much sun exposure.”
He was making such a fuss over nothing.
He was not the type to redden for no reason. How could it be that obvious? How could he possibly have a fever?
Lu Qingzhou had snuck into the set. As soon as there were many people around, he lowered the brim of his hat and stepped back. In the twinkling of an eye, he was blocked by the crowd.
Film Emperor Gu couldn’t see his little paparazzo. He felt a little upset being surrounded like this. He used his arm to prop himself up. He was about to get up and the frightened Li Renyi immediately pushed him to sit back down. “Teacher Gu, is there anything you want? We’ll get it for you. You just rest for a while.”
He wanted his paparazzo.
Film Emperor Gu was not happy. Although he didn’t lash out, his expression did turn cold and indifferent.
Thinking that Gu Xi might be feeling dizzy from being surrounded by so many people, Li Renyi began to shoo them away. He squatted beside the reclining chair and said in a kindly manner, “Teacher Gu, do you still feel unwell? If you feel unwell, please tell us. No need to bear it on your own… ”
Gu Xi was fundamentally healthy. Now that he has managed to relax for a while, he hasn’t felt unwell for quite some time now. It was just that he was loathe to give up having Lu Qingzhou carefully rub him down with alcohol.
He originally thought Lu Qingzhou could rub a little lower.
It was a rare thing having his clothes taken off and unexpectedly, he only had his arms wiped down. Film Emperor Gu, who had completely forgotten himself and had turned completely red, felt disappointed. He looked around a couple of times as the crowd scattered, but he can’t find any trace of Lu Qingzhou.
The little paparazzo was unfamiliar to the crew so he needed to avoid people. With so many people surrounding him, he would be in trouble if he were found out.
Rationally, he understood the situation but his heart still felt anxious for no reason. Gu Xi’s lips pursed into a tense line and the furrow between his brows grew tighter. It frightened Li Renyi so much, he almost prostrated himself on the spot. Suddenly, the mobile phone next to the reclining chair, chimed.
Gu Xi vaguely remembered leaving his phone in the dressing room before he came out. He had no idea how it got here.
Gu Xi picked up his mobile phone and pressed on it to light up the screen. His eyes suddenly lit up.
A notification for a short message from Qingzhou was displayed on the screen. As before, he was still very taciturn. It was a very short message, it didn’t even take up half the display.
Qingzhou: I’m going to enjoy the air conditioner. ^ – ^
The little paparazzo was in his car, making use of his air conditioner.
Fil Emperor Gu, exposed under the scorching sun, was instantly resplendent. He quickly typed out a reply, “Relax for a while. Turn the temperature a bit lower. There’s a blanket in the back seat. Pull down the window shade and remember to open the window. Don’t worry about the gas consumption. ”
He should add a refrigerator to the car tomorrow. And It was better to change the seat covers to ones that were more comfortable. The air freshener was one that his assistant had casually bought. He should change it to one that he liked.
Despite having his mind filled with such things, he didn’t forget to advise Lu Qingshou. After sending out the message, Gu Xi finally put away his mobile phone, feeling perfectly content. He was so energetic that he felt he could shoot another 50 scenes.
Li Renyi didn’t know what method Gu Xi used to adjust his mood. He looked up fearfully at Gu Xi, who had instantly turned radiant with joy. He couldn’t help but admire him from the bottom of his heart.
He was able to adjust his mood so quickly. He was worthy of being a Film Emperor level actor.
“How many more solo scenes do I have? Are the sets enough? Can we finish it all together?”
Gu Xi was in a good mood. Using the heart-shaped straw, he sipped his mung bean soup. He flipped through the script and asked it casually.
I don’t know which brand of cosmetics Lu Qingzhou used. He had evidently perspired a lot but his makeup hadn’t been smudged. As long as he reapplies a bit of powder, he could definitely go on. Gu Xi has seen the following script. He wasn’t the main actor. He had just finished shooting his core scenes. He didn’t have any lines in the remaining scenes. It would better to shoot them all at once.
If he finishes shooting early, Lu Qingzhou wouldn’t have to wear such thick clothes and sneak into the set.
It was of little importance to Gu Xi but Li Renyi didn’t dare let him move about any more. “Don’t. Don’t, Teacher Gu. Just take a rest. Just rest. We’ll just while the afternoon away…”
“Let’s take advantage of today’s shooting. I want to take a holiday for the next couple of days so I won’t be coming to disturb here.”
Gu Xi knocked the script twice against the palm of his hand. He kept a casual expression. By his calculations, he would, at the very least, still need to come over here for a few days.
The matter today had attracted a lot of attention and the follow-up would be quite troublesome.
Zhou Tong and several others flung things about and left. One, was because the director couldn’t maintain control over the set and had spoiled and exalted these popular celebrities. Their temperaments were naturally like boats that rose with the tide. Another reason was that Lu Qingzhou’s photo hadn’t been taken clearly and not everyone came to the set today. As long as the crew gives them face, everyone could find some excuse and say that they hadn’t been at the set today. But if they didn’t leave quickly and the paparazzi manages to catch a photo of them, in the face of such damning evidence, they would lose this chance to wipe the blood off the floor.
Being able to survive in this circle meant that you weren’t a fool. And even if you were slow on the uptake, there would naturally be people around who would remind you. Anyone who didn’t leave immediately must have something wrong with their head.
Standing in Zhou Tong’s shoes, they needed to leave. Standing in the shoes of the crew, they were undoubtedly pitted by this move. Gu Xi was aiming at the group working behind the scenes, he had no intention of involving the crew and letting them suffer a setback. No matter what, managing to delay the progress of the shoot by half an afternoon was good enough.
As for the days to follow, Gu Xi reckoned that no one would want to see him again so soon. It was no doubt reasonable to take a holiday at this point.
Li Renyi hadn’t expected that Gu Xi would take the initiative to help himself out of this predicament. He was so moved that he began to stumble over his words. He said, stammering, “We can shoot everything. Teacher Gu, you’ve helped us a lot. I don’t know how to thank you…”
Film Emperor Gu, who has already planning out in his mind what to eat and where to play with Lu Qingzhou for the next two days, was in a very good mood. He didn’t care at all about his thanks. He waved his hand and prepared for the next few scenes.
With no one being a hindrance on the set, Gu Xi managed to finish at lightning speed.
Recently, there were a ton of idol dramas, none of which were really of high quality. Gu Xi was at just the right age and his face has blossomed from his baby-face features of his younger years. His facial features were prominent and distinct. He so handsome and with such a domineering air that others within the same scene melts into the background.
Previously, the directors of serious dramas would frown when they looked at his face. Gu Xi originally simply intended to disguise himself and spoil his features. However, he was blocked by the company but instead of giving him any resources, he was forced to hold his nose and accept these idol dramas.
Gu Xi had to abandon the veteran actors he had grown accustomed to. Now, he had to show consideration for the crew, the producers, the juniors of the agency, these teens idols who were still on the rise. Every time, he would be asked to restrain his acting skills. Restrain it more, restrain it more, until even the viewers couldn’t help but doubt that Film Emperor Gu’s performances were declining, now lacking the intensity they once had. The fans though did not seem to mind terribly.
At that moment, Film Emperor Gu, who whenever he could not make a good performance, would hide himself in the bathroom and be furious; would grit his teeth and wrestle with the script; would study films day and night and sharpen his acting skills to the highest they would go; after speedily shooting several scenes in a row, suddenly didn’t feel like waiting upon others any longer.
Li Renyi hadn’t thought that far ahead. He just thought that his performances had improved by quite a bit. After the scenes, he would repeatedly shower him with praise. Seeing that the time was almost done, he ordered the crew to start packing up and personally carried Gu Xi’s backpack. It seemed that he wanted to personally see him to the door.
Gu Xi didn’t let him see him off. He took the backpack and carried it in his hand. “I’ll take two days off. Can the crew arrange it?”
“Yes, yes. You can rest assured and have a good rest. It’s been really hard for you today. Go home and take good care of yourself…”
Those people will have to come back to shoot tomorrow, if Gu Xi were to come as well, it would be very troublesome. Li Renyi nodded quickly and summoned up his courage: “The crew – the crew will make a statement today. Teacher Gu, you can rest assured, though we will leave them with face, we will assuredly do our utmost to commend you.”
In the entertainment industry, it was always seven parts fake and only three parts real. It was just a statement, nothing more. Gu Xi didn’t actually mind very much but he nevertheless nodded politely and said his thanks.
His mind has long strayed from the matters on set.
Lu Qingzhou should still be obediently enjoying the air conditioning in the car, but hadn’t sent him any messages lest he disturb him. Gu Xi took advantage of the end of shooting to send a few messages. Lu Qingshou replied very quickly, but as always, it was just a few words. The messages only told him to pay attention to apply sunscreen and to not overwork himself against to the point of getting heatstroke.
Thinking of that hand touching his neck and sliding all the way down his arm, Gu Xi stroked his mobile phone with his fingertips. He looked down but his lips ticked up.
When he drives back, maybe he’ll get the chance to suddenly get heatstroke again.
To surprise Lu Qingzhou, Gu Xi didn’t tell him that he had already finished shooting. He said goodbye to the crew and walked out happily.
Today’s situation was special. The crew has closed off the passage for the actors. Wearing a mask and sunglasses, in full battle array, Gu Xi successfully avoided the cameras of a group of reporters and paparazzi, snuck into the parking lot and found his car.
The car wasn’t turned off. The window was open a slit and the shades were pulled down.
He really had strictly carried out his instructions.
Gu Xi couldn’t help the corners of his lips from ticking up. He bent his fingers to knock on the window and felt around for the spare key in his pocket. With a smile on his face, he gently opened the car door.
Seeing the situation in the car, Gu Xi suddenly stopped.
He immediately lightened his steps. He slowly got into the car and closed the door.
With the shades pulled down, it was very dim inside the car. His little paparazzo was wrapped in a blanket, curled up in the back seat and sleeping soundly.
He had been busy taking care of Gu Xi last night and today, he’d been running around all day. It would be a wonder if he weren’t tired.
Gu Xi couldn’t help raising his hand to gently rub his hair. He then placed the back of his hand against his forehead. Seeing that Lu Qingzhou stirred but didn’t wake up, he became more daring. He simply moved to sit down and took the other into his arms.
This time, it was quite a big movement. Lu Qingzhou raised his hand to rub his eyes but Gu Xi held it instead. He lowered his head, a smile on his lips. “Sleepy?”
There was a familiar scent in the car. Lu Qingzhou slept so soundly and was still a little muddleheaded. Leaning against his chest, he nodded.
Gu Xi looked down at him. He could not help his lips from rising into a gentle arc. He wrapped the blanket tightly around him and with a warm smile, said, “sleep.”
Receiving Film Emperor Gu’s simple and clear instruction, Lu Qingzhou nodded obediently. Maybe he was a little chilled by the air conditioner, he pushed deeper into his arms and buried most of his face in the plush blanket.
So well-behaved.
Gu Xi has just been bathing in the summer heat and now, he couldn’t move his hand because of the chill absorbed by his body. He gathered the person in his arms, turned up the temperature of the air conditioner a little and turned on his mobile phone.
He had no idea who was diligently pushing online traffic for him. The hot search that had been withdrawn three times before was still lying under the search box.
In the morning, he had been pushed out and targeted and in the afternoon, he had come to the rescue and saved the scene. In one day, the comments about him on the Internet had done a complete 180 degree turn. Even the black material about him from the previous days were thrown into a suspicious light.
No one mentioned about him getting heatstroke.
Gu Xi was not surprised. After all, the people against him behind the scenes were very persistent. In the past two days, he suddenly began to fight back. At first, he might have caught them by surprise but after they’ve managed to react, they would immediately start to control the comments.
Now that the entire online community was standing by him, if they interference too much, it will only backfire on them. They were sure to wait a couple of day for the heat to die down. At present, since nothing could be done, even if they did try to think up ways to suppress his positive news, Gu Xi wouldn’t expend too much effort.
For example, under the control of the forces working behind the scenes, even if paparazzi managed to take pictures of something that was beneficial to him, they probably wouldn’t be able to send it out.
In any case, it wasn’t such a big deal, it wasn’t necessary for him to make an earth-shattering announcement about it.
Now that he had his little paparazzo with him, Film Emperor Gu felt that he had everything he needed. He contentedly wrapped the other up into a ball and coaxed him to sleep. He himself wasn’t in any hurry to move. He lay completely relaxed. He closed his eyes and leaned back against the back seat.
Both of them were very tired. Gu Xi only intended to take a short nap. When he woke up, he found that it was really dark inside the car.
The little paparazzo was still asleep in his arms, his soft bangs gently rubbed against his jaw, his breathing was deep and even. His clean breath swept across his neck, exposed as it was by the couple of undone buttons on his neckline. It squeezed between the seams of his clothes.
Gu Xi looked down at him. The tips of his hair brushed against the side of his lips. Gu Xi raised his hand to gently push aside his fine hair.
When he pulled the shades up, it was already dark outside. He must have slept for at least two hours. Gu Xi knew it was time to see what the situation online was like, but he didn’t want to move his eyes. He just lowered his head and looked at Lu Qingzhou’s unguarded sleeping face and he felt his heart run faster.
According to most scripts, now would be the time to steal a kiss.
Gu Xi gently touched his cheek with the palm of his hand. A warmth rose from within his heart. After a while, seeing that Lu Qingzhou didn’t wake up, he quietly lowered his head and closed in, holding his breath.
The screen of his mobile phone suddenly lighted up accompanied by a buzz.
Lu Qingzhou was awakened from his too comfortable sleep. He raised his hand and rubbed his eyes. Seeing Gu Xi gnashing his teeth at his lighted up phone, he couldn’t help worrying. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing…”
And according to most scripts, any attempt to steal a kiss would be interrupted.
It’s normal.
Film Emperor Gu took a few deep breaths to comfort himself. While keeping the other in his arms, he checked his phone. It was a hot topic push notification.
He wasn’t interested in any hot topics at this time. Gu Xi was about to swipe it off, but Lu Qingzhou held his wrist, raised his hand and tapped on it.
The cool palm around his wrist made Gu Xi think of when he had wiped him down with alcohol. The tips of his ears, hidden in shadow, turned red. He opened his arms and held his little paparazzo tight, simply handing his phone over.
Lu Qingzhou blinked and looked up at him, a smile in his eyes. He opened the push notification.
It was a statement from the crew of ‘The Fall’ about the photos that were exposed today.
Gu Xi’s eyes hadn’t moved away from him. He was still thinking about their posture and positioning when he tried to steal a kiss. Only when Lu Qingzhou pulled at his sleeve, did he finally reluctantly move his eyes and read the statement with him.
They hadn’t been able to prepare a sunshade that morning because his performance was scheduled for that afternoon. Today, he came early to see the film set ahead of time. In the afternoon, all of the scenes were his and so the others left early, making the set look deserted. There were no actors who refused to perform out of anger.
It was a very standard official statement and few people would actually believe it. But according to convention, as long as those fans were given an excuse to deceive themselves, the public relations crisis was averted and everything was fine.
Gu Xi had expected that it would be like this, but he didn’t care much. He scrolled down mindlessly and then suddenly, he saw something that made his eyebrows rise.
Li Renyi hadn’t given him a dud check. After this statement, the crew, for the first time, praised Film Emperor Gu’s professionalism and dedication without reservation. They even included a candid shot of him suffering from heatstroke at the end.
The photo had been taken at just the right time, when he had lost all strength and was about to tip over. Although the picture was a little fuzzy, the angle was just right. Gu Xi was able to recognize the figure holding him with a single glance.
Lu Qingzhou, leaning in his arms, quickly switched to professional mode and reviewed the contents of the entire statement from beginning to end.
Gu Xi moved his arm and looked at those focused black eyes. He was distracted for a moment and a soft smile appeared in his eyes. He suddenly had a better impression of Li Renyi.
He and his little paparazzo, were now more or less on the same piece of news.