The follow-up filming for “Lucky Sky Green” was only three and a half days. Time was tight, and the schedule was rushed.

Ever since returning to the crew, Gu Qichi had been pulling all-nighters.

An ordinary actor would absolutely never do such a thankless task. Fortunately, Gu Qichi was long accustomed to Lin Shuangyi’s style and this kind of shooting mode. He quickly adjusted his state and re-entered the character.

However, Lin Shuangyi’s expression had been somewhat unpredictable these past two days.

His gaze constantly shifted back and forth between Gu Qichi and Chen Xu.

Nothing else, these two people were just too strange.

Recently, Chen Xu came to the set every day to watch Gu Qichi act. As a singer, he clearly knew nothing about acting, yet he watched with relish, never missing a single scene.

His purpose couldn’t be more obvious: he was here for Gu Qichi.

Lin Shuangyi had a bit of a headache. He actually knew Chen Xu. Both were in the same circle, so it was impossible not to know each other. Moreover, Chen Xu was his junior at school…

Lin Shuangyi couldn’t help but think of the scene when Chen Xu first came to him to discuss cooperation.

The young man was dressed in punk rock style, a low-brimmed cap covering the upper half of his face, making it impossible to see the emotions in his eyes clearly.

“I want to sing the character theme song for Shen Qingye. I can write the lyrics and compose the music myself, but I want to sing it with Gu Qichi.”

As soon as Chen Xu saw him, without even exchanging pleasantries or chatting about recent developments, he concisely stated his request.

Leaving Lin Shuangyi dumbfounded.

But Chen Xu was indeed talented and had clearly expressed that he was a fan of Gu Qichi. Only then did Lin Shuangyi quickly process the contract and invite him to start writing lyrics and composing music.

Just that he didn’t expect Chen Xu would go to pick up Gu Qichi at the airport, and then send him a WeChat message in the early morning: “Brother Lin, I want Gu Qichi’s contact information.”

Not only did Lin Shuangyi not give it to him, but he also found time to find a restaurant to have a heart-to-heart talk with Chen Xu.

He counted as half an elder to Chen Xu. With Song Zhian’s incident just happening, Chen Xu rushing up right after was tantamount to seeking death.

“Xiao Xu, I’m not lecturing you, but have you taken a fancy to Gu Qichi?”

Chen Xu neither shook his head nor nodded, but Lin Shuangyi knew clearly in his heart; his guess was pretty close.

Living for almost thirty years, this was the first time Lin Shuangyi pulled a kid aside to speak so earnestly: “Chen Xu, listen to my advice. Don’t set your sights on Gu Qichi.”

“He looks easy to talk to and has a good personality, but in reality, he is the coldest kind of person. You can’t catch him. Besides, didn’t you see what he was wearing on his hand when you picked him up at the airport?”

It was a wedding ring!

“For the sake of our families’ friendship over so many years, Brother will give you the bottom line: Gu Qichi is already married and very loving with his partner. You can’t intervene.”

Besides, if you really dare to intervene, that kid Bo Yu might play you to death.

Hearing what he said, Chen Xu’s fingers hanging under the table suddenly tightened. His thin lips were also pressed tight. After a long while, he pulled the corner of his lips into a pale smile: “Brother Lin, I know. I just want to know if he has lived well these years.”

Lin Shuangyi sized him up frequently and asked indirectly for a long time. Chen Xu refused to say more, only insisting he had no improper thoughts about Gu Qichi. Only then did Lin Shuangyi give him Gu Qichi’s contact information.

…

Today was Gu Qichi’s last scene, and also the wrap scene for the entire “Lucky Sky Green” crew.

Gu Qichi was called by the makeup artist to change into his costume. Chen Xu popped up from somewhere and sat beside Lin Shuangyi, his eyes still fixed tightly on the direction Gu Qichi left.

“Stop looking, he’s gone.” Seeing him like this, Lin Shuangyi frowned and couldn’t help speaking again: “Did you not listen to what I said that day? The one in Gu Qichi’s family isn’t someone to be messed with.”

If you insist on provoking Bo Yu, don’t blame me for not warning you.

Chen Xu withdrew his gaze, looked at Lin Shuangyi’s face, and smiled helplessly. “Brother Lin, I know. I won’t destroy his family, nor will I tell anyone else.”

“Don’t worry, he still hasn’t accepted my friend request.”

In the distance, Gu Qichi had changed into court attire, and his hair accessories and makeup had also changed.

Obviously, all the extras were wearing this court attire and the same hair crown, but Gu Qichi managed to wear the court attire with a completely different feeling.

His spine was straight, standing like a green pine, moving like a flying crane. As his clothes fluttered in the wind, he exuded the gentlemanly air of a bright moon and gentle breeze.

Shen Qingye, who was not forced into the palace, was completely different. No longer feminine and ghostly, he instead highlighted his original vitality and sharpness.

He was as beautiful as a newly unsheathed sharp sword, the sword light cold, capable of easily cutting down everything in this world for his monarch.

Gu Qichi curled his lips and turned to look at Lin Shuangyi. Seeing Chen Xu beside him, his smile remained unchanged.

“Director Lin, is this the last scene left?”

Looking at Gu Qichi’s face, Lin Shuangyi nodded with emotion. “Yes, just this last one left. After shooting this, we wrap up.”

Shen Qingye would stay here forever, but Gu Qichi would not.

He would step into a broader world and welcome a better life.

The camera started, focusing on Gu Qichi’s face. The field of view gradually widened, pulling back to include the entire main hall.

High walls and red tiles, golden dragons coiling pillars, jade cups and glazed tiles—none could compare to the high spirits of Shen Qingye, the Vice Minister of Revenue, shining like the sun. He stepped into the court step by step, finally becoming a generation of loyal ministers.

Lucky sky green, lucky sky green, lucky to have the sky turn green (clear up), returning my brightness and moonlight.

“Cut!”

With Lin Shuangyi’s loud shout, the shot ended here. Cheers rose one after another from near to far, and everyone’s faces held unstoppable smiles.

This time for the wrap-up, Lin Shuangyi didn’t send Gu Qichi roses or lilies, but asked his assistant to buy a large bouquet of sunflowers.

The blooming sunflowers were as bright as the morning sun, their golden petals fiery and vigorous, signaling new life.

Lin Shuangyi hugged Gu Qichi and joked: “‘Strive! Actor!’ pitted you quite a bit. Since you were pitted, you should get some remuneration back. After the show ends, I want to see you appear in Director Jiang An’s movie.”

“Otherwise, you’ll have wasted one of my recommendation quotas.”

Gu Qichi hugged him back and thanked him sincerely: “Director Lin, thank you.”

He would definitely get Jiang An’s movie.

……

On the second day after wrapping up, Gu Qichi and Chen Xu went to the recording studio together to record Shen Qingye’s personal insert song “Floating Light Leaping Gold.”

There was still no communication between the two. Aside from necessary work-related questions and answers, Gu Qichi didn’t spare a glance for Chen Xu from beginning to end.

Even Luo Qianqian could tell that Teacher Gu seemed to dislike Chen Xu.

Actually, it couldn’t be called dislike. Gu Qichi’s attitude toward Chen Xu was more like rejection and avoidance.

Yes, avoidance.

Luo Qianqian held Gu Qichi’s coat, looking at Gu Qichi in the recording studio, a faint confusion between her brows.

Clearly, during the last recording of “Travel with Dad,” Gu Qichi’s attitude toward Chen Xu was still normal. She didn’t know what exactly Chen Xu said to Gu Qichi after getting off the RV that day to force him to this extent.

……

Even though he didn’t really want to continue cooperating with Chen Xu, Gu Qichi had to admit that Chen Xu was truly talented, not the kind of fake genius packaged by an agency.

The moment before boarding the plane, Gu Qichi opened his coat. The cold winter wind poured in unceremoniously, chilling his stomach. Gu Qichi pulled his clothes tighter and looked up at the sky.

The sky was cloudless. The sun hung high in the sky, piercing his eyes, a burning heat spreading in his eyes.

In recent days, he always intermittently dreamed of many scenes he had never seen before.

Most began with that dim alley and ended with Zhou Yuan’s beating.

There was a silver nameplate on that alley, with several characters clearly engraved on it—

No. 198 Qingshui Lane.

It was the place Chen Xu asked him about.

Gu Qichi’s fingers curled, feeling only absurdity.

He had transmigrated for too long, so long that he had now forgotten his memories before transmigrating into the book, and forgotten exactly how many times he had been reborn.

Only that every time started with returning to the Gu family and ended with life fading away in that fire.

During the time when his will was most worn down, he often doubted the reality of this world, or rather, doubted the reality of his own existence.

No one could understand his helplessness and despair at that time.

Because compared to a person, he was more like a cloud of ethereal consciousness, or a soul wandering in “Gu Qichi’s” body.

Maybe he himself didn’t exist; he was fake, abandoned by this book world.

But now it seemed things weren’t as he thought. He was still himself, a truly existing person.

Whether it was Bo Yu, Gu Yuning, or Song Zhian, they were all real people, not paper figures without consciousness.

But the fragmented memories appearing in his body one after another recently were undoubtedly reminding him of something, or telling him something clearly. Gu Qichi couldn’t figure it out.

Or rather, he didn’t want to figure it out.

Before the age of 16, everything in this body was “Gu Qichi’s” memory.

If the memories returned, would the person return too?

If it was really as he guessed, then what about Bo Yu? What should he do himself?

Gu Qichi didn’t dare to imagine.

Someone behind him passed by and accidentally bumped into him. Gu Qichi suddenly came back to his senses.

His gaze fixed on a somewhat ethereal spot of light. Gu Qichi blinked very lightly, and in the last moment before his phone signal was blocked, he tapped open Chen Xu’s friend request.

[Sun]: Senior, I am Chen Xu.

Gu Qichi frowned very slightly, then accepted the friend request.

A new WeChat message popped up at the top of the phone.

[Bo Yu]: Wife, when are you coming back to Dongcheng?

Bo Yu had an extra amount of work recently. When Gu Qichi video called him, the documents on the desk were piled so high they almost covered half his face.

Under the light, the fatigue on the man’s face was hard to hide, but he was still processing those documents.

Gu Qichi felt a bit of heartache for him at the time, telling him to sleep early and process them when he woke up tomorrow. But Bo Yu guiltily looked away, coughed lightly, and only said that as the end of the year approached, tasks were tighter.

He added that he might have to attend a multinational conference again recently and told Gu Qichi to eat on time.

He obviously already knew about his stomach trouble from Lin Shuangyi.

Gu Qichi lowered his eyes and sent him the time. Bo Yu replied very quickly.

[Bo Yu]: After leaving the airport, stay safe. I’ll have Bai Heng pick you up.

Gu Qichi originally wanted to reply something more, but the stewardess’s voice reminding passengers to turn off their phones came from overhead. In the rush, Gu Qichi only had time to reply with a “Good.”

……

……

……

On the morning of the second day back in Dongcheng, he had to go record “Strive! Actor!” again.

The clips filmed by the four groups previously were also projected online yesterday. Voting would be counted until 12 noon today, deciding the stay or leave of these sixteen actors and the opportunity to choose the second performance clip.

The program team originally stipulated that three actors would be eliminated in this episode. However, because the incident caused by Lou Shao last week was too big, the officials had no choice but to release the full recording of Gu Qichi’s group. The public favorability of Lou Shao and Xiao Meng dropped to the lowest instantly, with curses everywhere.

So, two of the three elimination spots were actually already predetermined.

Lou Shao retired from the industry again and didn’t come to the program team at all. Only Xiao Meng was left alone, awkwardly fiddling with his hands, not knowing what to say to Gu Qichi.

Fifteen people sat below. The big screen simultaneously played the performance clips of the four groups, as well as the scores obtained from their respective mentors.

Everyone appeared harmonious on the surface, discussing back and forth, cheering each other on, hoping their teammates who fought side by side could stay. In reality, they wished the others would get out of the variety show recording sooner to make room for themselves.

After all, “Strive! Actor!” was a hit variety show now, and no one wanted to let go of this cake in front of them.

Various agencies also showed their magical powers like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea. It was unknown how much money was spent just on buying water armies (paid posters) and faking votes.

Like Gu Yuning, who bought marketing accounts early to guide the topic of his exquisite acting skills, hoping to gain more attention and votes.

Wen Xi also contacted some media in advance. She didn’t exaggerate anything, just added a few tags about Gu Qichi’s acting skills, yet the response was the best among this group.

Making her a bit confused.

For the past half year, Gu Qichi’s luck had been extraordinarily good. Without her spending much money or lowering her face to beg people, Gu Qichi climbed onto the hot search several times just by relying on himself.

The quantity and speed of attracting fans were even more terrifying, leaving his peers in the dust.

Plus, with the change in equity of Supreme Entertainment, being directly acquired by the Bo Group. Listening to the leadership, the one above intended to cultivate Gu Qichi. Supreme Entertainment’s good resources in the future would probably all tilt toward Gu Qichi.

Wen Xi thought this year was definitely Gu Qichi’s lucky year.

As soon as twelve o’clock arrived, the host went on stage. Wen Che quietly approached Gu Qichi and whispered, “Brother Qichi, who do you think will be eliminated this time?”

Gu Qichi calmly glanced at the people sitting next to him. Those with calm expressions like Gu Yuning definitely knew in advance that they could stay. Those college students who came with Wen Che had faces full of anxiety. Without an agency to support them, their prospects were naturally grim.

But saying too much leads to errors. Gu Qichi shook his head and only whispered, “I don’t know, let’s wait for the host to read the list.”

Wen Che glanced at the loading screen and the host reciting polite remarks, then leaned closer to Gu Qichi unwillingly, his drooping puppy eyes looking particularly innocent.

Tugging at Gu Qichi’s sleeve like a spoiled child, his voice deep and hoarse: “Brother, do you think I will be eliminated?”

“Walking through the swords and shadows of the last episode, carefree in the Jianghu, we saw proud and uninhibited swordsmen, appreciated the heroic posture of heroines, and there are even more diverse and challenging roles worth our aftertaste together. Today, let us watch the audience favorite ranking together—”

The screen scrolled and was replaced by sixteen names. Lou Shao’s name was last and mosaiced out. Everyone knew clearly who was there; they glanced hurriedly and looked away.

Probably because Lou Shao’s elimination was a consensus, the host started announcing the votes from the twelfth place.

Gu Qichi didn’t focus on this. Sensing Wen Che tugging his sleeve, he frowned imperceptibly.

That day when Bo Yu came back, he tormented him for a long time. Coupled with doing some random things, adding it all up, Gu Qichi was tormented until almost dawn before being let go. From head to toe, he was forcefully branded by Bo Yu.

So much so that the next day, there wasn’t a good piece of flesh on his whole body, looking truly somewhat miserable.

The other party mentioned Wen Che twice last night and insisted Gu Qichi say who was better looking between him and Wen Che, and where exactly was better looking. If he didn’t say it, Bo Yu would keep grinding him with bad intentions.

Gu Qichi couldn’t take it at all. He was driven to collapse by Bo Yu, his calves cramping a bit.

After forcing himself to say a few sentences, Bo Yu still refused to let him go, pulling those few thin strings like he was possessed, torturing Gu Qichi until he cried.

Gu Qichi rarely cried usually; he could even be said to have a tear-less constitution.

His few tears were all given to Bo Yu. Every time, he would be rendered muddled by the other party, pupils dilating. So once he started crying, he couldn’t stop. The ends of his eyes were red and watery, his whole body looked like it was fished out of water, his eyes damp.

He wanted to escape.

But before he could crawl far, he was ruthlessly pulled back by Bo Yu.

Although Bo Yu was a CEO who sat in an office all year round, he never skipped his daily workouts. His muscles were tight and good-looking. Compared to the little bit on Gu Qichi, he appeared extremely powerful.

There was a height difference between the two, and their body sizes were even more disparate. Bo Yu could easily pull Gu Qichi into his arms.

Gu Qichi didn’t have enough strength. Even if he used strength to scratch Bo Yu, it wasn’t much different from A-Ci scratching him with paws. It didn’t look like resistance, but more like playful fighting between young lovers.

In the end, Gu Qichi cried until his voice was hoarse, hugging Bo Yu, whimpering and sobbing softly, trembling as he called out a few times begging for mercy.

He was like a kitten born not long ago, voice low and small. If one didn’t listen carefully, one couldn’t hear it at all.

Bo Yu leaned down, getting extremely close, to hear what Gu Qichi was mumbling softly—

He said: “Hubby, hug me.”

Maybe he was silly; Gu Qichi forgot a very important thing.

No man could tolerate his partner acting spoiled at this time. Not only would it not evoke his pity, but it would also invite intensified treatment.

After getting up the next day, Gu Qichi felt like his whole body fell apart. While Bo Yu wasn’t by his side, he immediately messaged Luo Qianqian.

The problem must lie with Wen Che.

It was also on that day that Gu Qichi learned he and Wen Che had a CP Super Topic, which was frying hot and getting out of hand.

…

Gaze falling back on Wen Che’s face, Gu Qichi sighed helplessly and slowly pulled his sleeve back.

The host on stage happened to read Wen Che’s name:

“Eighth place, 567,890 votes, congratulations Wen Che.”

The camera swept over, landing on Wen Che and him. Gu Qichi imperceptibly moved a little further to the side.

Maintaining an appropriate distance from Wen Che.

He looked after Wen Che previously, firstly because the other was one of the few people he knew in the program group. Furthermore, he was young; clearly at the age where he should enjoy life just starting university, but burdened by family, he had to work part-time outside. Because of lack of money, sometimes he didn’t even have money to eat.

Gu Qichi inevitably softened his heart, thinking of taking care of him a bit more, always bringing some food made by the auntie for him.

But that was the limit.

He wouldn’t have any more or closer relationships with Wen Che.

Because it was inappropriate.

The host on stage hadn’t finished reading. He dragged his tone very long. To create suspense, the recording studio played tense music.

More and more people seemed infected by the music; the scene was a silent breath-holding.

Even Gu Yuning was a bit nervous. Although he knew he was definitely in the front row, he wasn’t sure if he was first.

The host read four names in succession, stopping at the top three positions.

“Third place, 973,455 votes, let us congratulate Su Ming!”

There was actually no suspense here. The ones with the highest heat were firstly Gu Yuning, the popular traffic star, and secondly Gu Qichi, who took the “black-red” route (famous for controversy) and stirred up a storm of IQ on the internet.

First and second would inevitably be produced between the two of them.

For a moment, the atmosphere was even quieter than before. If not for the music still circling overhead, Gu Qichi suspected one could hear a pin drop inside.

Wen Che also stared nervously at the host on stage, glancing at Gu Qichi beside him from time to time.

Gu Yuning lowered his eyelashes, trying hard to control his expression, forcing himself not to look at Gu Qichi.

But it was somewhat unbearable. Before long, a layer of fine sweat oozed from his palms, sticking clammily to his fingertips.

On the contrary, Gu Qichi leaned carelessly against the seat, his expression relaxed and lazy. Not like a contestant waiting for results, but rather like a successful mentor.

Noble and aloof.

The camera focused on both their faces. The projected big screen showed their avatars, with a huge “VS” subtitle added in the middle.

“Hiss, why am I so nervous.”

“Of course, this is the Battle of Mount Tian-Gu (Sky/Gu).”

“Guess who is first.”

“I guess Gu Qichi.”

“I guess Gu Yuning. Gu Yuning has way more traffic and die-hard fans than Gu Qichi.”

Under the public gaze, the host’s lips curled into a smile. He didn’t continue reading but turned to face the four mentors on the stage.

Tone gentle: “I think compared to the actors offstage, the mentors on stage are also very curious about this result.”

“So, I would like to invite a mentor to help me announce it. At the same time, the first place in this vote will have priority in choosing a mentor and role allocation for the film.”

The biggest star invited to the program group was Jiang An. The new director wasn’t stupid either. They spent so much money to invite Jiang An, naturally they had to make full use of him. After all, wool comes from the sheep’s back.

So the host followed the script given by the director and smiled at Jiang An: “Then let us invite Director Jiang An to announce for us, whose home the laurel of first place will fall into. Next, let us wait and see.”

The moment he heard Jiang An’s name, Gu Yuning sat up straight, his eyes full of burning light.

From the beginning, he came to this show to perform in front of Jiang An, thereby getting a chance to cooperate with him.

Gu Qichi also restrained his expression, adjusted his sitting posture, and was no longer as lackadaisical as before.

“The first place in this period, the votes can be said to be far ahead. With 1,314,521 votes, he successfully won the championship.”

“Let us congratulate—Gu—”

Gu Yuning clenched his fists.

Jiang An dragged out his tone, smiled, and then continued:

“Gu Qichi!”