A deathly silence spread, and everyone looked at each other, not daring to even breathe loudly.

What did Gu Qichi mean by this?

Gu Yuning was suitable for Ye Zhong?

And was adept at “this kind of thing”…

In “Pale Moonlight”, Ye Zhong was an arrogant, domineering young master who committed all kinds of crimes. Relying on his parents’ doting and shielding, and wearing a beautiful skin, he did many bad things like oppressing teachers and bullying classmates.

So was Gu Qichi insinuating that Gu Yuning had also committed school bullying, or had bullied him?

Although the grievances between the two had not spread far and wide enough for everyone to know, everyone here was a shrewd person in the entertainment industry.

Long before appearing on the show, the agencies and agents had prepared basic information about the major contestants, and there was no shortage of gossip and scandals.

After all, only by knowing yourself and your enemy can you win every battle. Everyone had to handle interpersonal relationships well on the surface, dancing with long sleeves (being socially adept), exchanging pleasantries. But when the day of voting and elimination really came, how could they be as harmonious as on the surface? It would be good enough if the marketing accounts and water armies of various agencies didn’t strip a layer of skin off you when they all entered the fray together.

Moreover, the persona of an “old cadre” (staid veteran) in the entertainment industry had long been out of fashion. Almost everyone had three to five devices, internet speeds took off, and every time there was a slight movement on the hot search, everyone wished they could sit on the router to eat melons (gossip), afraid of missing even a bit of news, jumping up and down like the badger bounding around in Zhou Shuren’s (Lu Xun’s) article.

Except for newcomers like Wen Che who had just entered the circle, everyone didn’t say they knew the rumors about the two clearly, but they were pretty close, roughly the same.

It was said that when Gu Qichi and Gu Yuning were in the same [crew/place], Gu Qichi laid a cruel hand, not only throwing nails into the other’s shoes but also dripping glue into his contact lens case.

Gu Yuning was kind-hearted and soft, but he couldn’t stand the fact that there were always some righteous passersby in the crew who liked to fight against injustice. Braving all pressure, they righteously exposed Gu Qichi’s actions to everyone, quickly causing an overwhelming discussion on the Internet.

Gu Yuning’s fans almost wiped Gu Qichi out.

Logically speaking, this kind of behavior could be considered a criminal case. If Gu Qichi really did this kind of thing, he would inevitably suffer prison time, but in the end, it was left unsettled and just glossed over.

After this incident, Gu Yuning attracted fans, solidified fans, and abused fans (made them feel sorry for him) in a whole set of processes. It could be said that he broke out of the circle on a large scale once, successfully squeezed into the position of a third-tier traffic niche, and then became slightly popular with a supporting male role in a youth campus drama, rising to the second tier of traffic.

But at the same time, rumors spread in the entertainment industry that Gu Qichi was protected by a sugar daddy. Although the rumors were a bit outrageous, many passersby were successfully brainwashed and accepted the rumors as facts.

…

So, was Gu Qichi insinuating that Gu Yuning incited fans to cyberbully him back then?

Most of the people present thought so. A large number of inquiring gazes constantly fell on the two of them, almost writing “eating melons and watching the show” on their faces.

Only Gu Yuning knew what Gu Qichi was mocking.

Gu Qichi was mocking him for being just like Ye Zhong, clearly an adopted son, a fake, yet occupying everything that originally belonged to the real young master.

Moreover, after Gu Qichi returned to the Gu family back then, Gu Yuning often took his fox friends and dog friends (bad company) in school to ridicule Gu Qichi. It was no exaggeration to call it school bullying.

The chief director behind the camera held his breath, and the PD and producer were also sweating profusely, stopping their movements.

Even the four mentors turned their eyes to Gu Yuning.

Was this going to be a public tear-down at the recording scene?

Producer Wang swallowed his saliva. Although variety shows did need some gunpowder and explosive conflicts to increase the show’s ratings and online views, if the main wife and the little lover fought, which side should they favor in editing? It was hard for them to handle.

Gu Qichi paused for a long time before smiling faintly and explaining carelessly: “After all, Gu Yuning’s acting skills are very good. He will definitely shine when playing this kind of role.”

His tone was unhurried, his pitch steady, as if he wasn’t the one who said those ambiguous words just now.

Seeing this, the host hurriedly stepped forward to save the scene and took over the conversation: “It seems Qichi missed the chance with Director Jiang An this time. It’s a pity, but Mentor Han Hao’s strength should not be underestimated either, and ‘Yearning’ is even the white moonlight in a generation’s heart.”

“Looking forward to seeing the work of Qichi and Teacher Han’s cooperation.”

Gu Qichi nodded, took the nameplate belonging to Han Hao’s team, and walked slowly to the seats of Han Hao’s team.

When he walked in front of Han Hao, Gu Qichi reached out his hand, bowed, and said humbly: “Teacher Han, I am very happy to cooperate with you.”

Han Hao shook back, his smile bright and clear, and patted his shoulder: “I am also very happy to cooperate with you again.”

In the last “Travel with Dad” program, Han Hao was the first person to help Gu Qichi out of a predicament. In the subsequent variety show recordings and various game segments, Han Hao also took good care of Gu Qichi.

So Gu Qichi had a very good impression of Han Hao.

Furthermore, the script of “Yearning” was not inferior to “Pale Moonlight” at all, and was even more positive and uplifting than it.

But after experiencing this wave of insinuation from Gu Qichi, Gu Yuning looked at “Pale Moonlight” and Jiang An, feeling awkward no matter how he looked.

Among the participating contestants, he had the highest popularity and the biggest status. If he really acted in “Pale Moonlight”, his role must be the male protagonist Xia You…

But Xia You…

Should have been his original life…

While Gu Yuning was entangled and panicked, Gu Qichi sat in the audience seats with leisure, tilted his head to look at him, and pulled out a sarcastic smile on the corner of his lips.

When Gu Yuning participated in this variety show before, his purpose of wanting to connect with Jiang An was undisguised. From the first episode of the program, he pursued Director Jiang An relentlessly. They did cooperate a few times in between, but until the end of the program, Jiang An never invited Gu Yuning to participate in his new movie.

This time, perhaps because of him, Lin Shuangyi sold the copyright of “Pale Moonlight” to “Strive! Actor!”, invisibly helping Gu Qichi.

Didn’t Gu Yuning want to cooperate with Jiang An? He just wouldn’t let him have his way.

If the other party really wanted to brazenly act in “Pale Moonlight”, it would feel like eating shit, disgusted from the bottom of his heart.

Furthermore, didn’t Gu Yuning like to buy water armies and marketing accounts? He could also treat him with his own medicine, letting him taste what it felt like.

After Gu Qichi’s open confrontation just now, Gu Yuning almost crushed his teeth. When he heard the host call his name, he forced a smile, his expression ugly.

Choosing Jiang An, whether it was Xia You or Ye Zhong, felt like a blatant slap on his face. But if he didn’t choose Jiang An…

His hope of rushing to the first tier and participating in international movies would be shattered…

“Yuning’s popularity is also far ahead. I believe everyone present is also very interested in his choice.”

Holding the script, the host tried hard to liven up the atmosphere that had been stiffened by Gu Qichi just now: “Next, please tell us your answer—”

Gu Yuning took a deep breath, a confident and bright smile rippling on his face, but it looked somewhat fake in the camera. He bowed in the direction of Director Jiang An, his attitude very humble: “I have always liked Director Jiang An’s works since before college. Coming on this variety show this time, I also really hope to cooperate with Director Jiang An.”

He paused, and continued extremely unwillingly: “‘Pale Moonlight’ is also a very excellent work. Whether it is Xia You or Ye Zhong, both are challenging roles for me. I also hope to bring better works to everyone together with Director Jiang An.”

The rhetoric was high-sounding, pleasant to hear but hard to find anything new in it.

If this was said before Gu Qichi, perhaps it could have won some applause.

But now…

Everyone’s attention was focused more on the confusing relationship between Gu Yuning and Gu Qichi.

They couldn’t help but ponder Gu Qichi’s words just now—what exactly had Gu Yuning done?

Jiang An didn’t say much about Gu Yuning’s arrival, but visibly, his face fell.

Jiang An actually didn’t really want to pay attention to such a hypocritical person. Gu Yuning’s eyes revealed calculation, philistinism, and shrewdness, completely lacking the agility an actor should have.

Looking at Gu Qichi, who was sitting obediently in the corner braiding tassels, Jiang An sighed with some pity, regretting a bit that he didn’t choose “Yearning”.

The subsequent process was lackluster, with nothing new to pick out, nothing more than scenes of everyone choosing each other. Those who chose their favorite mentors and films were naturally happy and at ease, but those who didn’t get what they wanted couldn’t show any dissatisfaction in front of the camera. Even if they had to force it, they had to pretend.

It is worth mentioning that when it was Su Ming’s turn, he didn’t choose Jiang An, but turned his head to glance at Gu Qichi, and resolutely chose Han Hao.

When sitting in the audience seats, Su Ming extended his hand friendly and bowed to say to Gu Qichi:

“Teacher Gu, I like your performance very much. Your Drunken Immortal was really brilliant. I hope we can have a happy cooperation this time.”

With only an extremely depressed Gu Yuning around, Gu Qichi was somewhat surprised. He raised his eyebrows, calmly sized up Gu Yuning and Su Ming, then extended his hand: “Your performance style is also very special. Maybe this time we can spark something different.”

Even the fourth-place actress Yu Sheng, after thinking for a long time, still chose Han Hao without any hesitation.

For a moment, the formerly cold bench of Mentor Han Hao was crowded, while the popular favorite Jiang An was unattended.

Wen Che originally thought he could be grouped with Gu Qichi again, but unfortunately, the fifth and sixth places chose Yi Zhiyin and Jiang An respectively, and the seventh-place contestant ranked before him also went to Han Hao and Gu Qichi’s group.

This directly led to Han Hao’s group being full, and Wen Che lost the chance to be in the same group as Gu Qichi.

He had no choice but to watch Gu Qichi go far away from him with tears in his eyes.

While he hesitated among the remaining three mentors, Jiang An took the initiative to invite him at this time: “Wen Che, you can come and try ‘Pale Moonlight’.”

Thinking of Gu Qichi’s remarks just now, Wen Che also had a bit more inquiry and curiosity about Gu Yuning.

Weighing the pros and cons, he finally chose Jiang An.

By the time today’s selection segment ended, the program also stopped the first part of recording at 2 pm.

After everyone had lunch and took a short rest, they could go to the rehearsal room prepared by the program team.

Backstage.

In a dim corner, while everyone was concentrating on eating, Gu Yuning took the lead to block Gu Qichi on the way.

Sparse light penetrated from outside the window. The straight beams of light were divided into several segments by messy objects, projected mottledly on Gu Qichi’s face.

He folded his arms, leaning carelessly against the staff’s changing room, watching Gu Yuning’s flustered and exasperated appearance with leisure.

It was somewhat funny.

Gu Yuning was best at pretending, putting on a pitiful white lotus appearance. No matter what happened, his first reaction was always to play the victim.

They say crying children get candy. This saying is actually true. It was particularly verified on Gu Yuning and Gu Qichi.

“You have something to say?” Gu Qichi’s gaze was cold, scanning him condescendingly, his tone indescribably contemptuous.

What Gu Yuning hated most in his life was Gu Qichi’s face and the things he could easily obtain.

With a cold face, he stepped forward gritting his teeth, saying angrily: “Gu Qichi, what did you mean on stage just now?”

Seeing that he still wanted to touch him, Gu Qichi frowned and dodged neatly.

Instead, it made the lunging Gu Yuning almost fall flat on his face.

Gu Qichi dusted off his body. His facial contours were cut sharply and distinctly by light and shadow, like a god high above in ancient Greece, cold and noble, sacred and inviolable.

He laughed very lightly, but his tone carried threads of chill: “Gu Yuning, can’t understand human language? It means exactly what it says.”

“I am scolding you, scolding you for being a hypocritical villain. What you are most suitable for is these sneaky things.”

Provoked by these words, Gu Yuning could no longer maintain superficial peace, his whole face somewhat hideous.

How dare Gu Qichi?!

“Gu Qichi, what do you think you are? Didn’t you just climb up the high branch of Bo Yu?”

He mocked, his words frantic: “You are just a slut played by him. Without the Gu family, how could a person like him look at you?”

“I heard that he has been married to you for so long, but he hasn’t taken you back to the Bo family mansion, nor has he taken you to any banquets. Those who know think you are married to him; those who don’t know might think you are a little lover he keeps outside.”

Gu Qichi didn’t respond, just finding it funny, appreciating Gu Yuning’s hysterical appearance with great interest.

Gu Yuning continued, showing no sign of stopping: “You don’t know, right? The cooperation between the Gu family and the Bo family is this month. Once the two sides reach a cooperation and the land in the north of the city is developed, guess who will be the first person to be kicked out?”

The land in the north of the city?

Cooperation between Gu and Bo?

Gu Qichi’s fingertips resting on his forearm paused. He quickly reviewed it in his mind and felt somewhat familiar.

If he remembered correctly, the land in the north of the city that Gu Yuning just mentioned was now under his name. That thing seemed to be a wedding gift from Bo Yu.

With a hint of interest in his eyes, Gu Qichi glanced at the jumping Gu Yuning again.

Things seemed to become interesting.

Did Bo Yu prepare some surprise for him?

Gu Qichi took a step back and kicked a small low stool next to him. It happened to fall on Gu Yuning’s calf. When the other party struggled to get up, an obstacle suddenly appeared.

The other party didn’t notice and tripped directly, his elbow hitting the rough ground, scraping out traces of blood. His clean white shirt was also covered in dust, making him look wretched.

“I don’t know who will be kicked out in the future, but the person being kicked right now seems to be you.”

“My dear good brother.”

Gu Qichi raised his chin, his slender neck pulling out a crisp arc. His gaze was cold, contemptuous and disdainful, looking at Gu Yuning on the ground as if looking at a pile of garbage: “You can start praying on your knees before the Buddha every day from now on, to see when I will roll out of the Bo family.”

“But before that, you should probably repent for those things you have done, in case the Buddha not only doesn’t hear your prayers but also drags you into hell.”

…

Gu Qichi found a spare time before the script discussion in the afternoon and found a quiet corner to call Wen Xi.

“Sister Wen, I want you to help me check which marketing accounts Gu Yuning’s agency cooperates with frequently.”

Wen Xi was busy with something on her end and was surprised when she heard this: “Wait for me, I should have compiled statistics before.”

She got up to search. A rustling sound came from the phone receiver. Then Wen Xi opened a file of hers, skipped a few pages, found one of the pages, and said pleasantly: “I found it!”

“Heart to Heart Media, Black and White Media, True and Illusory Magazine, Hug All Night Media…”

These were sorted out by Wen Xi in the past two years. Originally, she wanted to help Gu Qichi find a lawyer to sue them, but at that time, Gu Qichi was cyberbullied by Gu Yuning’s fans too severely. Supreme Entertainment directly gave up on Gu Qichi and wanted to push him out directly as a stepping stone for Gu Yuning.

Wen Xi argued strongly to protect Gu Qichi at that time, but her words carried little weight, and she really had no ability to give Gu Qichi any good resources.

So much so that during that time, Gu Qichi was completely in a state of being shelved in the company.

Calling to heaven, no answer; calling to earth, no response.

When Wen Xi submitted the list to him, he also rejected it.

At that time, he probably had tendencies of depression. The overwhelming abuse left him powerless to fight back, and even more unable to respond, because no one would believe him.

Gu Qichi held Wen Xi’s hand at that time and smiled miserably. He said: “Sister Wen Xi, forget it. Can’t sue them all anyway, no need to waste effort.”

Wen Xi didn’t agree. She saved money on food and expenses to pay a sum of lawyer fees, and struggled with several media outlets that made the most noise for more than half a year before winning the lawsuit, making them issue apologies and compensation to Gu Qichi.

“Why did you suddenly think of asking for this?” Wen Xi asked him on the other end of the phone.

Gu Qichi roughly searched for the companies these marketing accounts belonged to, packaged them directly, and organized them for Bai Heng.

He didn’t have a suitable lawyer here, but it didn’t mean Bo Yu didn’t.

The top legal team in the country was enough to peel a layer of skin off Gu Yuning.

“Sister Wen Xi, I also want to look for the surveillance records of when they slandered me for intentionally hurting Gu Yuning back then.”

Back then, he wasn’t bailed out because of the Gu family, but because the police station didn’t find any fingerprints of Gu Qichi during the filing. Although there was sufficient motive for the crime, the surveillance video didn’t show Gu Qichi appearing next to Gu Yuning’s contact lens case at all, only his figure appeared in the changing room.

But the image was too blurry to see clearly what Gu Qichi did when he approached Gu Yuning’s shoes.

Gu Qichi was completely released without charge.

“Surveillance records are a bit difficult, but I still have a list of related personnel here. Do you want it?”

“I want it.”

The blood Gu Yuning sucked while lying on him back then, he would make the other party pay back bit by bit.