Chapter 49 - I’ve got this Celebrity’s back (9)
Chapter 49: I’ve got this Celebrity’s back (9)
That night, Gu Xi personally took in the red wine and milk placed outside the door.
“Strange. Their service isn’t usually so bad…”
Lu Qingzhou had just taken a shower. Gu Xi put down the tray and took out the hair dryer to blow-dry his hair. Still unable to understand what possibly could have happened, Gu Xi shook his head.
Business has probably been going too good recently and the owner must have gotten complacent.
He will have to have a word with him later.
Having been taken around to play around for the entire day, Lu Qingzhou was feeling a little sleepy after taking a bath. He was so tired that he swayed as soon as he was taken into the other’s embrace. He raised his head only when he heard his voice. His black eyes revealed a soft and sleepy light.
His dissatisfaction with the owner lasted less than half a minute. Gu Xi couldn’t help but curve his lips into a smile. He rubbed the head leaning against his shoulder and placed a kiss on his forehead. “It’s nothing. Drink the milk and then go to sleep.”
The milk has been left outside the door for a long time and had gotten a bit cold. Gu Xi wasn’t in any hurry to let Lu Qingzhou drink it. He tucked the other into the laid bedding and took out a small clay pot from the closet and set it up, carefully boiling the milk for the little paparazzo.
Lu Qingzhou lay on the tatami for a while, then quietly rolled over.
His movements were extremely light, but Gu Xi still turned around as though he had eyes behind his back. He smiled warmly, “Not used to it?”
He had just sensed that there was something wrong with his movement and as expected, Lu Qingzhou hadn’t fallen asleep.
And he had obviously been so sleepy when he was blow-drying his hair for him too. He was so sleepy that he almost fell into his glass of milk.
Lu Qingzhou blinked and looked up at him.
The dim light shone through the translucent screen paper, covering the other in a layer of soft light. Gu Xi had simply taken a cold shower and his short hair, left to dry in the air, was already half dry. With a bathrobe draped on him, he willfully sat sideways, bringing that excessively handsome face close to his. It unexpectedly had a deceptively confident and refined quality.
Lu Qingzhou couldn’t help pursing the corners of his lips. He shook his head and raised his hand to touch the camera.
It wasn’t that he wasn’t used to it. He was just suddenly unable to sleep.
He had been so happy playing these past two days that he near forgot that Gu Xi had to return to the set to film. He also almost forgot about how it will be dawn in ten hours or so. He couldn’t tell what actually the matter was but he suddenly felt unwilling to give this up.
It was good to take a photo. When they really can’t see each other, he would miss him a little less while he retouches the pictures.
Lu Qingzhou propped himself up on the tatami mat and concentrated on reaching for the camera. Just as he was about to reach the strap of the holster, he was suddenly picked up and encircled into the other’s embrace.
Gu Xi’s arm firmly encircled the other against his chest. He looked down at him. Under the light, his eyes were suffused with a soft and warm color. “You don’t want to sleep and have this be over, do you?”
Lu Qingzhou’s ears went red. He gave no reply but he raised his arms and hugged him.
His heart went soft with that hug. Gu Xi grasped his hand, bowed his head and kissed his lips.
This time he had found an excuse to run out but starting tomorrow, he will have to stay at the hotel reserved by the crew. Although, given his skills, it was completely possible for the little paparazzo to climb the window to find him but at the moment, with Lu Qingzhou’s prudent professionalism, he would definitely try his best to help him avoid rousing any suspicion.
But he didn’t want to avoid rousing any suspicion.
Playing outside these past two days, no matter how concealed their itinerary was, they still inevitably ran into some old boss/owner acquaintances. Having the other constantly by his side, he finally gradually realized something.
He was the only one his little paparazzo didn’t consider as an outsider.
Lu Qingzhou was completely relaxed when he was with him. He was not standoffish. He loved to laugh and when he sees something interesting, he would pull him to look as well. He would take pictures openly at every turn. If he was not careful, he would even startle him with some unexpected scenarios.
As soon as there were too many people though, Lu Qingzhou would turn quiet. Although you couldn’t see much of a difference on his face, his whole body would turn tense.
Once he goes back on set, they couldn’t stay together all the time. He wouldn’t be able to have him under his watch to protect him. He couldn’t always know what the other person was doing, where he was staying, whether he was sweltering under the sun again, lowering the brim of his hat to avoid strangers.
When he returns amongst the cast and crew, he will be stared at by countless pairs of eyes and he would need to be cautious in everything. When the two wanted to meet, they would need to hide, avoiding other’s eyes and ears. It would be almost impossible for them to stay together at night.
Thinking of these, Gu Xi also found himself unable to sleep.
The small clay pot was meant to be used to warm sake. After a while, the milk poured into it started bubbling.
Gu Xi turned off the fire with one hand and stirred slowly with a spoon. He suddenly realized that the figure in his arms hadn’t moved for a while. He looked down and couldn’t help being surprised.
Although the little paparazzo had trouble sleeping on an unfamiliar bed, he had no trouble sleeping in his arms. Although he had been reluctant to sleep just now, after being held for a while, he actually fell asleep in his arms.
It would be great if I could bring him into the crew.
It hadn’t been long since he drove away the company’s agent and assistant. No matter who he brought with him now, he would be bullied and oppressed. Gu Xi was not willing to let Lu Qingzhou suffer this grievance but he was also unwilling to not have him by his side.
What a dilemma.
He has to think of a way to change the status quo. He couldn’t bear to just muddle along like this.
Once he can prevent his little paparazzo from ever being wronged, he was going to take him back to sign his life over to him.
The milk has almost boiled dry. Gu Xi tightened his hold and looked at Lu Qingzhou, who was sleeping soundly in his arms. He combed his fingertips through the soft blow-dried short hair, slowly rubbing his head. In the end, he didn’t have the heart to wake him up.
He poured the milk for himself and also took a drink of the red wine. Then, he went into bed with the other in his arms and soon, he too fell sound asleep.
*
Early the next morning, in order to get to the set on time, Film Emperor Gu got up early and quietly led the little paparazzo out.
He couldn’t see clearly as he fumbled his way in the dark. Film Emperor Gu accidentally kicked the complimentary medicine box that had mysteriously appeared at the door.
The medicine box was exquisite and could be easily stuffed into his bag. It must have been prepared early on.
Unexpectedly, the boss knew that he was going to be filming some fighting scenes today. Gu Xi finally changed his opinion of their service and added a positive comment. After breakfast, he led Lu Qingzhou into the car.
He still hasn’t figured a way out of his dilemma so for now, they could only follow the agreed upon plan. The two deliberately separated. Gu Xi entered the set first and after some time Lu Qingzhou will.
As soon as Gu Xi entered the preparation area, he felt that the atmosphere was not right.
The statement made by the crew can only give a pretense that everything was going fine. Everyone who was on the set that day, a little less than half the cast, had been caught off guard by his counterattack and they were all holding back their anger. In addition, his absence happened to be on the two hottest days. It was not surprising that no one was pleased to see him.
Gu Xi was not surprised and regardless of the scowls and cold stares directed at him by the group headed by Zhou Tong, he simply minded his own business and entered the set, walking into his own dressing room.
He hadn’t gotten far however, before Li Renyi quickly walked up to him.
“Teacher Gu——how’s your condition? Were you able to rest well? Our investor is here. After watching your scene, he wanted like to talk with you. Come here with me…”
In the past, Li Renyi was worried that Zhou Tong and the other had a bad relationship with him. Although his attitude was respectful, he was always alienated. This time, they were a lot more cordial but Gu Xi, on the contrary, somewhat did not conform. However, as before, he still retained his composure, raised his eyebrows and allowed himself to be dragged away by him.
Watching him walk away, Zhou Tong’s expression turned dark and finally, he couldn’t hold back. He slammed the script in his hand to the ground.
“Brother Zhou, Brother Zhou.”
The assistant hurriedly came forward and picked up the script. He carefully tried to placate him, “Don’t be angry, his acting skills are outdated. Nowadays, people look at faces and like aloof and cold characters. How could anyone like what he does—— ”
“What do you know!”
Hearing his words to comfort him, Zhou Tong’s expression became graver and he sternly reprimanded the assistant.
Gu Xi had a good time performing by himself to his heart’s content and then he went off to have fun for a couple of day, leaving them with no end of trouble.
In the past, in order to show consideration for them, as per the company’s instructions, Gu Xi had held back his acting skills and kept them a secret. At best, he could get into his role a bit more than they could. Who knew that just half a day of them not being around, without an agent to watch over him, and Gu Xi actually managed to stab them so ferociously.
It wouldn’t be too obvious if people were to watch the scenes separately. However, these past two days, the crew hurried to rush out the promotional trailer and had pieced together their scenes. It was practically a public condemnation.
Even he himself couldn’t bear to watch it. Lord knows how many people would laugh at him once it’s released.
Following the path of being a ‘traffic‘ celebrity, it was not uncommon to be laughed at by the crowd. But this was where the money was at and if you ignore the mockery, it will be like the wind past your ears. He himself planned to put up with it as such but Li Renyi seemed to have suddenly been enlightened. Though he still treated them respectfully, he was absolutely insisted on having them reshoot these last few scenes, saying that these were the final finishing touches and he didn’t want to leave any regrets.
He was beside himself with anger. The assistant had just said those things but even he knew that such words could only comfort him at best and no one would actually believe them.
Since his debut, he has been busy picking up endorsements and taking on one idol drama after the other. Where would he have had the time to practice his acting skills? There were a few actors who had received professional training that gritted their teeth and kept up but for some of them, they couldn’t even think of any way.
Originally, he wanted to be tough and suppress the crew once more but this idea was crushed by the agency, for fear that he would provoke public anger once again. If that happens he might never be able to wash his reputation clean of being a mega-star that puts on airs. Zhou Tong also didn’t know who could possibly be backing him but Li Renyi, this trembling bag of cowardice, unexpectedly began to spout polite banalities like a needle concealed in silk floss; things like “we can take it slow if it’s difficult for you” and “We should also seek perfection. Better to have nothing than a shoddy option.”
If things drag on like this, he was afraid that the drama wouldn’t be finished by the end of the month. His next drama was about to start and if the schedule really clashes, he was afraid he will have no choice but to grit his teeth and shoot both at the same time.
“His days are numbered. Hasn’t President Fang already arranged everything? After a couple of days, when the time comes, he will be taught to behave. We just have to watch and see…”
The assistant handed him a cigarette and lowered his voice to comfort him. “He’s someone who’s about to suffer a major setback. Please don’t lower yourself to his level.”
The angry look in Zhou Tong’s eyes finally calmed somewhat but he still said coldly, “But I can’t swallow this anger.”
On the one hand, he had unsuccessfully dug a pit for someone and got himself stuck there instead. He suffered through being reprimanded by the agency. On the other hand, the original arrangement had been disrupted by this unexpected disaster. He couldn’t help but get angry when he saw Gu Xi now. Not to mention, he was supposed to perform opposite him in a while.
His face kept swinging from cloudy to sunny and his assistant kept feeling jumpy. He put on a smile and tried to comfort him in a low voice, all the while racking his brains, trying to think of some way. Suddenly from out the corner of his eye, he saw a figure and his eyes brightened. “Brother Zhou, Brother Zhou, look— —”
Zhou Tong looked up impatiently. His expression suddenly turned focused. “Is it him?”
The assistant took out his phone, found the statement the crew issued and showed it to him. He nodded firmly. “Absolutely, there can be no mistake.”
It was the one who supported Gu Xi in the photo.
The photo attached below the crew’s statement caused an uproar on the Internet. The main reason was that, in the photo, Gu Xi truly looked overly fatigued. It was enough to easily cause even passersby to feel indignant.
But after a closer look, it was not difficult to see that Gu Xi’s condition at the time hadn’t been that critical. It was just that the crew member who had ran up to help him was almost hugging him, making it look like the situation was especially grave.
The first impression has already been formed and disputing it further would only be in vain. It will only further arouse the netizens’ urge to defend against this injustice. They could only grit their teeth and swallow down this unspoken grievance.
Although this matter didn’t necessarily warrant finding someone to settle accounts with, the assistant has been, intentionally or unintentionally, been paying attention to the crew members during these past two days. He hadn’t expected that he would actually find him.
Zhou Tong now needed to find someone to take his anger out on and this little crew member just happened to walk right up to the muzzle of a gun. He can only blame his own bad luck.
The assistant was only looking to put out the fire as soon as possible. He looked around and came up with an idea. He leaned in close and said a few words.
It would be a serious loss of face if it were to get out that a currently popular celebrity was making things difficult for some no-name crew member. Naturally, Zhou Tong would not make a move in person. As long as he did things well and manages to satisfy Zhou Tong, what was the dismissal of one crew member?
“Just do it. Remember to time it well. Wait for when Gu Xi’s about to return to raise a racket.”
Zhou Tong raised his eyebrows and sneered, “Don’t they all say that he’s amiable and approachable? I’d like to see how he reacts when the person who helped him gets stepped on right in front of him…”