334.
Gu Yiliang kept that solemn expression on his face all the way until I was settled into his hotel room.
He opened the mini fridge seriously, examined its contents seriously, and then turned to me—still with that same serious face—and asked, “There’s only mineral water, no honey tea. Is that okay?”

I quickly nodded and said it was fine, unable to stop myself from smiling. “Why are you taking all this so seriously?”

He shook his head, grabbed a bottle of water and a glass, set a little coaster in front of me, poured the water, cleared his throat, and said, “After all, now... our relationship is a bit different.”

I was stunned for a moment before understanding what he meant, and I thanked him several times.

 

335.
Yes, now we were an officially sanctioned CP, approved by both the company and by him. I got it.
But was this level of detail really worth stressing over so much that he smoked three cigarettes in a row?
What a true senior artist—passionate about his craft and with a strong sense of duty.

Anyway, since Gu Yiliang had decided to work seriously with me to market our fake relationship and help me improve my acting—something mutually beneficial—I of course had to do my part and fully support him so I wouldn’t let him down!
And I couldn’t let down dear Wei Yanzi either, who was eagerly waiting for his daily sugar fix!

 

336.
Gu Yiliang sat down across from me, took a moment to organize his thoughts, and said, “I’ve never tried this before… uh, so I’m not really used to the details… Is there anything I should know or be careful about?”

Not used to it? Really? He was being too modest. He’d just been chatting nonstop during our late dinner—wasn’t he the one who talked the most? Was that all just hot air?

Before I could respond, he asked a slightly awkward question: “Is this… is this something a boyfriend would do for you?”

The words “boyfriend” coming out of his mouth sounded as stiff as a robot’s. I actually felt kind of sorry for him.
I quickly shook my head. “No need, that would be too much. This is already fine, you’re doing great.”

He seemed a bit surprised, and the look he gave me... was it pity? And maybe a bit of sadness?

 

337.
He said: “...That’s it? That’s enough?”

I looked at him, confused. “It’s not good enough?”

He replied seriously: “I’ll try my best to improve.”

 

338.
Why was he suddenly so determined? I couldn’t keep up with his train of thought.
Still, I nodded vaguely, thinking how lucky our CP fans were to have someone this dedicated.
Such commitment—it was really a blessing!

Then he asked again: “As a boyfriend… is it okay?”

Why was he so hung up on that? Straight men really had no sense of moderation in this kind of situation!
Fine, I’d just have to make sure to manage his performance carefully when we were in front of the camera.

I nodded again. “Yeah, it’s fine.”

He let out a long breath, pulled himself together, then picked up a folder from a small basket near the table.
He opened it in front of me.
“As for the rest, I can’t help you much, but this is my schedule for the next six months. If there are any resources you’re interested in, let me know, and I’ll ask the company to assign them to you.”

Me: “?”

What was going on?
Was he rehearsing or something?
He was really getting into character fast!

After a brief pause, he began reading in a very serious tone: “Do you have enough money for your daily expenses? Is there anything you want to buy? I can get it for you.”

 

339.
I’d seen him recite lines with fluency and energy before, but this was the first time I’d heard him speak with such awkward delivery.

I stared at him, confused. “Did you get the script wrong?”

Him: “Huh?”

Me: “This doesn’t sound like a boyfriend at all—it’s more like… an adoptive father, isn’t it?”

He went quiet for a while, then said a bit shyly: “If you want to call it that… is it okay?”

 

340.
Who’s trying to take advantage of whom here?!
I slammed the table. “No way—I’m your dad!”

He choked, startled, and said: “...Why does it have to be so aggressive?”

 

341.
The cool breeze blew in from a window that hadn’t been properly shut, giving me a headache.
I had just raised my hand to press against my forehead when Gu Yiliang rushed over to close the window. Then, gently, he tossed me a blanket.

I held the soft blanket in my hands and suddenly didn’t feel like scolding him for not following the usual “rules.”
After a moment of silence, I said seriously, “You don’t need to be this formal—just let things happen naturally. This is a bit much. People might start getting suspicious.”

“Ah, I didn’t think it through,” he replied, nodding in understanding. “Then if you ever need anything, just tell me.”

What else could I possibly need? If you give even a little sweetness, the whole company will be riding that sugar high for six months.

I absentmindedly replied, “Alright, alright,” when I heard him hesitantly ask: “What about now?”

Now?
I glanced at the time, picked up the Lan Jue script he had left on the table. “Let’s rehearse—it’s been a few days already.”

He immediately relaxed, his body deflating into the chair. “Okay.”

 

342.
Carrying the hopes of our CP fans on my shoulders, I gave it my all—I had never been this serious before, not even in acting class back at school.
I could recite the lines, sure, but my emotions and expressions were always a bit off.
Either I got carried away and broke character, or I forced it too much and overacted.

Gu Yiliang kept reminding me how to adjust, and we rehearsed a short scene over and over—more than ten times—before it finally started to click.
He then encouraged me by saying I had natural instincts.

 

343.
After we finished running through the scene we were scheduled to shoot the next day, I took note of Gu Yiliang’s feedback and repeated it back to him.

He closed the script, placed a hand on my shoulder, and smiled in satisfaction. “Good, keep improving like this. After this scene, you’ll be able to start taking roles on your own without relying on others.”

He mumbled the last part under his breath, and since I was looking at my WeChat at the time, all I heard was something like “without others… role,” and figured he was still talking about the scene.
Without even looking up, I said, “You’re not ‘others.’”

His hand on my shoulder froze. After a long silence, he patted me slowly and softly replied, “…Hmm.”

344.
I waved my phone in front of him and said, “Xiao Chen is bugging me to go to bed. I’m heading out.”

He froze for a moment, then slowly nodded and asked, “Then… should I bring you breakfast tomorrow morning?”

“Huh? No, Xiao Chen will take care of it.”

“Then… during the break between scenes, I’ll go buy you a drink? Honey tea? Milk tea?”

“Huh? No, let Xiao Chen do that.”

“Then… tonight, I’ll drive you into the city to get grilled fish?”

“Huh? No, it’s too far. What if fans see us? Just ask Xiao Chen to order delivery.”

“Then…”

 

345.
He couldn’t go on, and looked at me with a slightly disappointed expression. “Then… why do you want me around at all?”

Me: ?
When did I ever say I needed you?

I looked at him, totally baffled. “But Xiao Chen’s here. I’m paying him a salary… And your time is valuable.”

He slapped the table with conviction. “Fine. I’ll take care of his salary. Just assume everything he does for you, I’m the one doing it.”

I was even more confused. “So… I should give you his salary, then?”

He looked a bit dazed. “What? No. That’s my job.”

 

346.
He… really was acting like a boyfriend.

I thought about it and figured he must just be really committed to his role—wanting to maintain our chemistry even off-camera so he could stay in character at any time.

So I should cooperate.

I slapped his shoulder playfully and said, “We’re not going to freeload off you, are we? As long as the sentiment’s there, that’s enough. Alright then, send me your assistant’s info so I can transfer the money.”

He looked at me again with that same pitying and pained expression, then pulled out his phone and sent a WeChat message.
A few moments later, he sent me a QR code.

I checked the assistant’s info—it was the same salary as Xiao Chen—and sent the money.

347.
When the Alipay notification chimed, I looked down to check.

It was a reply from Gu Yiliang’s assistant: “Payment received! Thank you, lady boss!!!”

Me: ??

 

Translator : DarNan