The day Strive! Actor! was recorded happened to be the release day for Gu Qichi’s “First Snow” shoot with Youth magazine.

Since the variety show was promoted and filmed in Dongcheng, Gu Qichi didn’t have to fly around for once. However, Bo Yu had to rush back to Country Y the very next day due to some unexpected incidents, so they didn’t get to spend any intimate time together.

The program recording started at 10:00 AM. As Gu Qichi was a newcomer with lower status, his appearance was scheduled for later, giving him a much looser timeline compared to the others.

Wen Xi and Luo Qianqian came to pick him up at 7:00 AM. They rang the doorbell for ages without Gu Qichi hearing it. It was Ah Ci who heard the noise, scurried into Gu Qichi’s room, and head-butted him until he woke up.

Gu Qichi walked out bleary-eyed, his hair sticking up, dragging his slippers.

Wen Xi was carrying bags big and small. As soon as the door opened, she started nagging: “Chichi, I’ve told you so many times, don’t stay up late. Did you play games again yesterday?”

Gu Qichi felt a bit guilty for being caught. When he returned, he found the latest game console in the living room. with Bo Yu not around, he used gaming to kill time and unknowingly slept late these past two days.

Who knew he would be nagged not only by Bo Yu but also by Wen Xi? He suddenly regretted giving Wen Xi that game console.

Gu Qichi’s gaze darted around. When it landed on the soup dumplings and soy milk in Wen Xi’s hands, he smoothly changed the subject: “Sister Wen Xi, what food are you holding?”

Wen Xi entered and looked around. Seeing Bo Yu wasn’t there, she breathed a sigh of relief. Handing the breakfast to Gu Qichi, she didn’t forget to complain: “Xiao Chi baby, eat quickly. You have good skin, so makeup will save time. We just need to be there before 8:30.”

“But since you’re still considered a newcomer and your status isn’t as high as the other teachers, it’s best to be there and ready before filming starts. Otherwise, the production team might edit things maliciously and create a bad persona for you.”

After a quick wash, Gu Qichi took a sip of soy milk. It was still too hot, so he blew on it and smiled: “Don’t worry, Sister Wen, I know what I’m doing.”

Ah Ci jumped down gracefully from the spiral staircase on the second floor. She had been fed quite well by Bo Yu recently, looking a bit rounder. Her blue-tinted pupils narrowed as if just recognizing Wen Xi, then she walked with elegant cat steps to Wen Xi’s feet and swept her tail against her ankle. The meaning was clear: Look at me!

Wen Xi looked down, intending to discuss the production team’s scripts and personas with Gu Qichi, but her gaze was captured by the decorations on Ah Ci’s head and tail.

A beautiful ruby headpiece designed for cats. As a fellow female, Wen Xi instantly understood what Ah Ci was saying—

Woman, look at my gems and beautiful clothes.
See them? I am the most beautiful.

Wen Xi’s mouth twitched. She picked up the cat decisively and stroked her back: “Xiao Chi baby, what is she wearing on her head? It’s so flashy.”

Gu Qichi turned his head and handed a soy milk to Luo Qianqian: “Qianqian, Sister Wen Xi, you guys eat some too.”

After they took it, Gu Qichi explained: “Bo Yu bought them for her. He said she looks good wearing them…”

The gems were real. Bo Yu had bought them at an auction. Gu Qichi didn’t know where Bo Yu got the idea to deck a cat out in jewelry. Just in the last two days, she had already lost three gems. When Gu Qichi brought it up during a video call, intending to lecture Bo Yu on his extravagance, the man cheerfully blocked his words with a single sentence—

Bo Yu: “Didn’t you want me to pursue you? Why won’t you leave me even this little opportunity?”

It sounded like he was on a busy street, surrounded by the noise of people coming and going. At the time, Gu Qichi was lecturing Ah Ci to eat less to prevent health issues from obesity. Bo Yu’s smiling voice came through the speaker, mixed with static:

“Don’t Wen Xi and Luo Qianqian say Ah Ci is the daughter you raised? If I don’t bribe your precious daughter, how will she be willing to hand you over to me?”

Gu Qichi’s hand, kneading the silver shaded cat’s neck, paused. He was speechless.

Ah Ci was rolling around and acting cute right under his nose, silver fur flying everywhere and sticking to him. Her round, moist cat eyes stared at him beseechingly, trying every way to escape the punishment of skipping dinner.

Gu Qichi was helpless. He patted her back, added half a portion of cat food, and put in two cat treats.

He didn’t forget to remind her: “Just this once.”

Ah Ci was happily licking the treat, ignoring whatever he said.

Thinking back to this, Gu Qichi paused holding his soy milk, coughed uncomfortably, and covered up: “They’re just fake glass and plastic, not worth much money.”

Wen Xi bit into a soup dumpling. The hot soup scalded her tongue, making her recoil. Fanning her mouth with her hand, she remembered she still had an important question for Gu Qichi.

She glanced at him, seeing he was in a good mood, and asked carefully: “Xiao Chi baby, I told you before that Gu Yuning is also in this program group. Do you really not mind?”

Not expecting this question, Gu Qichi smiled, his amber eyes clear: “Sister Wen Xi, don’t worry, I really don’t mind. Besides, even if Gu Yuning dares to provoke me now, I won’t make it easy for him.”

Luo Qianqian, who hadn’t been able to get a word in, nodded briskly: “Don’t worry, Sister Wen Xi. With me guarding Teacher Gu, I absolutely won’t let those ridiculous rumors happen to him again.”

Wen Xi finally relaxed, but soon remembered another matter. If she didn’t tattle to Gu Qichi, she wouldn’t feel right. taking advantage of Bo Yu’s absence, she started her complaint: “Xiao Chi baby, do you know how excessive your plastic husband is?!”

“Last time I called you, during the Youth shoot, he actually told me, ‘Ms. Wen, Gu Qichi is my marriage partner. It might be inappropriate for you to call him baby again.'”

Wen Xi slapped the table in anger, grabbed a dumpling, and bit into it fiercely as if eating Bo Yu’s flesh, her cheeks puffed out roundly: “I’ve never seen such a petty man. Aren’t you two just in a business marriage? You live your lives separately. Where does he get off making so many demands…”

Gu Qichi turned his head, handed the soy milk in front of Wen Xi to her, and said gently: “Sister Wen Xi, eat slowly, don’t choke.”

After Wen Xi swallowed the soy milk and bun, Gu Qichi finally explained: “Sister Wen Xi, Bo Yu and I…”

He paused, considering his wording, then continued: “We aren’t a plastic couple. We like each other…”

“He is currently pursuing me.”

Wen Xi: “?”

Wen Xi: “!”

Wen Xi’s voice trembled: “Xiao Chi baby, say that again. Did you just say you two like each other?”

Luo Qianqian was also shaking, excited to the point of taking flight, forcing herself not to scream “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.” She originally thought Gu Qichi and Bo Yu had a transactional business marriage interwoven with benefits and perhaps some affection, but she didn’t expect them to be playing the ‘love after marriage’ trope.

But what to do? It seemed even more shippable now!

Which couple starts pursuing each other after getting married?

Oh, it turns out it’s her couple.

Luo Qianqian’s auntie smile was extremely obvious, the corners of her lips curled high. She screamed internally and tried to comfort herself—

Don’t panic, don’t be surprised. This is just a trick of the cunning couple. Nothing to get excited about.

…

When they arrived at the program’s makeup room, it was exactly 8:20 AM. Since many artists had professional makeup teams and private rooms, they didn’t need the makeup artists provided by the show, leaving the public makeup room sparse.

Gu Qichi wasn’t picky about these things. However, most guests were big names or veterans who had been in the industry for years and prepared their own clothes. They were dressed glamorously and didn’t need the program’s costumes.

Gu Qichi simply grabbed a random outfit from his closet—winter clothes Bo Yu had bought for him while he was away.

The makeup artist was visibly stunned upon seeing him, raising an eyebrow, but quickly recovered her professional composure. She asked calmly: “Which actor are you?”

“Gu Qichi.”

“Gu Qichi?” The makeup artist frowned slightly, repeating the name. After confirming she hadn’t heard of him, she looked him over a few more times, unable to suppress her curiosity.

Logically speaking, someone who looked like this shouldn’t be nameless in the entertainment industry.

Gu Qichi simply nodded, lowering his brow without saying much.

His face was indeed beautiful, almost excessively so. For ordinary people, the burning, intense gazes he attracted were normal. He was long accustomed to intentional or unintentional scrutiny and could ignore it completely.

Looking at his face in the mirror, the makeup artist silently praised him. After thinking for a while, she decided on his styling and asked: “Your hair is a bit long. Can I curl it?”

Wen Xi sent the important points for today’s magazine release and the copywriting to be reposted. distracted, Gu Qichi glanced at himself in the mirror and said gently: “Do as you see fit.”

Seeing he had no demands, the makeup artist felt much better and moved briskly.

Wen Xi’s messages popped up at the top.

[Sister Wen]: The Youth release is at 9:00 AM today. Don’t forget to repost the official Weibo.

[Sister Wen]: I have some finished photos and behind-the-scenes videos from Su Yun. No major issues. Pick the ones you like and post them to interact with your fans. Your Weibo is gathering dust.

[Sister Wen]: Copy: Thank you Youth. It was a pleasure to spend the first snow of the year with you. The first snow is beautiful and pure. I hope, like the first snow, I remain true to my original intention, clear all the way.

[Sister Wen]: [Image] [Image] [Image] [Image] [Image] [Image] [Image]

[Sister Wen]: Remember to post after reposting the official magazine post. Interact more. Your fans are starving.

Gu Qichi’s eyes curved as his fingers flew across the keyboard.

[Xiao Chi Baby]: I know, Sister Wen. Don’t worry.

Soon it was 9:00 AM. Gu Qichi opened the Weibo app that was gathering mold. After logging in, he was startled by the climbing numbers of DMs, likes, and comments.

The makeup artist, sharp-eyed, teased: “Young man, you have quite a few fans.”

Gu Qichi pursed his lips: “Only a very small amount.”

But the follower count was much higher than last time, reaching just over two million—all active fans gained recently.

Gu Qichi clicked his tongue but remembered Wen Xi’s task. He copied the text from WeChat, clicked on Youth‘s official Weibo, and reposted.

@Gu Qichi: Copy: Thank you Youth. It was a pleasure to spend the first snow of the year with you. The first snow is beautiful and pure. I hope, like the first snow, I remain true to my original intention, clear all the way. // @Youth Official: In this magazine interview, @Gu Qichi shares his understanding of the first snow…

Immediately after reposting, Gu Qichi selected a few saved photos, cleverly avoiding the skirt outfit and choosing the crane suit and another Chinese-style suit.

@Gu Qichi: First snow might be the start of everything anew. It is rebirth, and also a challenge to the impossible. Very happy to welcome the first innocence of this winter with everyone. [Image] [Image] [Image]

After posting, Gu Qichi switched back to WeChat and glanced at his chat with Bo Yu. There was an eight-hour time difference with Country Y. Bo Yu had likely just fallen asleep and, being busy with work, wouldn’t see the magazine or the skirt outfit.

Unfortunately, the cover chosen by Youth wasn’t the main outfit but the high-slit skirt.

Gu Qichi hadn’t checked the results after the shoot because he was photogenic regardless.

But seeing the official image, he felt it was somewhat wondrous.

Wearing that skirt didn’t make him look effeminate. On the contrary, the lavender suit fabric was stiff, broadening his shoulder-to-head ratio. The pale color of the skirt emphasized his pale skin.

Between the high white lace stockings and the slit skirt, three fingers’ width of skin was exposed. The skin was delicate, and the tiny diamonds on the white lace sparkled under the camera lights.

His leg was exposed boldly, yet his gaze was cold, devoid of any旖旎 desire. Abstinent and noble, yet somehow… more erotic.

It was a desire to drag the flower on the high ridge down from the altar at all costs, to tempt him into depravity.

To broaden Gu Qichi’s recognition in the fashion world, and with the Xing Tianqing payment received, Wen Xi gritted her teeth, bought two trending topics, and hired a batch of water armies to boost the data.

Initially crawling pitifully at the bottom, it suddenly shot forward like a bamboo shoot after rain.

Several other topics appeared along with it.

#Gu Qichi Snow Atmosphere Blockbuster#, #Gu Qichi High Slit Skirt#, #Gu Qichi Slippery Hands Copy Paste Wrong Copy#, #Gu Qichi *Youth* Magazine Cover#, #Gu Qichi God of Beauty Descends#

Wen Xi was the first to notice something wrong. The moment the trending topic shot up, she frantically messaged Gu Qichi:

[Sister Wen]: Xiao Chi! You pasted two extra words!

[Sister Wen]: Delete it quickly!

Gu Qichi looked incredulously at his Weibo post. He hadn’t expected to make such a rookie mistake. He deleted it instantly and reposted.

Countless comments had already flooded the new repost.

It was very lively.

Half were Gu Yuning’s fans attacking, a quarter were Gu Qichi’s active fans fighting back, and the rest were Shen Qingye book fans and clueless passersby watching the show. The comment section was a hodgepodge.

[Chi Bao’s Sycamore]: Wifey is so hot! Hsss hsss! [Lick Screen] [Lick Screen]

[Please Gu Qichi Top Me Frontally]: So beautiful! Truly a miracle like the golden ratio of Venus, beauty from a Tai Chi fairyland! My drool flows from the source of the Yangtze, the Tanggula Mountains, all the way down. Soul leaving the body, internal organs trembling for you! Gu Qichi! You are my god! [Lick Screen] [CP]

[Lovely Smile Beautiful Eyes]: God: Let me check the current beauty level of humanity. God: Hi, how come I ran into a colleague here!

[Gu Qichi’s Puppy]: Chichi baby!!! [Tears] (Knocks away other puppies) (Crawls and rolls) (Beaten black and blue) (Runs to Chichi baby with teary eyes!)

[What kind of silicone plastic face is this]: No way, making such a low-level mistake like copying the prompt “Copy:”, truly disgusting [Vomit]

[gqc why don’t you die]: Seeing you again, truly bad luck. Please go reincarnate quickly [Vomit] [Discomfort]

[Wifey So Hot]: Where did the bad luck thing upstairs come from? No one forced you to look. If you love looking, look. If not, get lost. [Finger Heart] [Naughty]

[Like Shen Qingye (Winter Break CNY Version)]: @Lin Shuangyi Lin Shuangyi!!! With such a beautiful face, if your crew doesn’t give him nice clothes to wear, I’ll kill your whole family!!! Don’t ruin my Shen Qingye!

[AKA Grassland Bandit]: Pure passerby, came to see the man who can handle Shen Qingye. Have to say, he has some skills.

[Party Announced Over]: Please stop harassing my wife in the comments. This causes great trouble for me and my wife Gu Qichi. We live very happily and lovingly. Welcome everyone’s blessings.

[Rebirth from Cocoon]: Fortunately, he’s playing Shen Qingye. At least the looks pass. Damn, even non-fans have to save two pictures.

[Clouds Know My Intent]: Non-fan, saving pictures fiercely. Dying of beauty!

In just a few minutes, these trending topics with Gu Qichi’s tag rocketed to the front row. He dominated eight of the top ten spots.

#Gu Qichi Wifey So Hot# topped the list.

Luo Qianqian sighed in amazement at the speed while saving images. Indeed, when her Teacher Gu didn’t come out, it was quiet, but once he did, he inevitably stirred up a storm of blood.

Another Weibo post soon appeared on the square. Lin Shuangyi saw it and reposted Gu Qichi’s post:

@Lin Shuangyi: The Chosen Shen Qingye // @Gu Qichi: Thank you Youth…

Followed by Teacher Wen Shi:

@Actor Wen Shi: // @Lin Shuangyi: The Chosen Shen Qingye // @Gu Qichi: Thank you Youth…

Gu Qichi himself was busy with makeup and naturally didn’t know how lively Weibo had become.

Luo Qianqian had prepared eight alt accounts to help him fight back against Gu Yuning’s anti-fans, but none had as much firepower as Lin Shuangyi alone.

[Happy Is Enough]: What, are you his sugar daddy? Rushing to lick him like this?
Lin Shuangyi: You can kneel and lick me. I can make you a dead pig. [Cute]

[Colorful Clouds Scatter Easily]: Lin Shuangyi! Are there any Shen Qingye stills! I’m dying of greed. [Tears]
Lin Shuangyi: Yes, but not giving them. Gu Qichi is damn beautiful, Shen Qingye himself, no different from being carved out of the book.

[Shen Dugong]: Really? I don’t believe it.
Lin Shuangyi: Really, but no photos. Wait for the wrap special.

[Thousand Years]: Heard Gu Yuning was originally set to play Shen Qingye. Why the change? And you dare say you’re not his sugar daddy. [Vomit]
Lin Shuangyi: Never chose him. Not dating. Don’t leech. Stay away. [Cute]

Luo Qianqian watched in awe.

But the tag #Gu Qichi Wifey So Hot# had already exploded, breaking out of the circle on a small scale. In less than an hour, views reached 140 million and were increasing at an astonishing rate.

The water army Wen Xi bought messaged her again: “Still boost?” “Need help with anti-black?”

Wen Xi glanced at Lin Shuangyi and Gu Qichi’s fans fighting bravely in the square. For the first time in her life, she felt things were surreal. She pinched her brow and gave up: “Whatever.”

“He’ll break out on his own anyway.”

“Oh no, wait, on his beauty.”

Too many passersby flooded the square, expressing amazement:

[Don’t Leave Me]: Wtf is this little brother a newbie? How can he be this beautiful?
[Cheezo Grape]: Sister, he is indeed a newbie. You can follow @Gu Qichi. Our Chi Bao really killed it with his looks.
[Bear Battle]: Three minutes! I want all this man’s information!

Because so many passersby clicked in, Gu Yuning’s fans, jumping up and down trying to knock Gu Qichi down, looked particularly wretched, like clowns, unworthy of attention.

Youth also gained unprecedented popularity. Su Yun stood before the computer, watching the technical staff analyze the search index for Gu Qichi and Youth. It was an explosive growth, directly breaking Youth‘s three-year high and jumping to the top.

Holding coffee, Su Yun couldn’t hide the thick smile on her face. She put her arm around her female assistant’s shoulder and teased: “Finally, we can relax at the end of the year. We’ll probably break the projected sales and reach a new peak.”

“I told you, Gu Qichi will definitely be popular. I really found a treasure this time.”

…

Gu Qichi was putting on makeup seriously in the public makeup room, unaware of the storm on Weibo.

But even if he didn’t care, someone else always would.

In a private styling room nearby, Gu Yuning was getting his hair and makeup done. Seeing Gu Qichi’s trending topic rush to the headline, he nearly ground his teeth to dust.

Ever since Gu Qichi married Bo Yu, nothing had gone right for him. First, the role in Xing Tianqing was revoked, then the Youth magazine cover was snatched, he lost several endorsements, and even though Gu Yuan’an threw money at him, he lost many resources.

Intense hatred spread through every part of his body. Gu Yuning gripped his phone tightly, wishing he could swallow Gu Qichi alive.

Without Xing Tianqing, he had to circle around in another IP-adapted ancient idol drama. But during filming, Gu Yuning held onto his anger. The script wasn’t on the same level as Xing Tianqing, and the director’s level was miles apart.

When he auditioned, Lin Shuangyi seemed satisfied, and they were about to sign the contract. But he was suddenly replaced by Gu Qichi, who then stayed at the top of the trending list for so long with Shen Qingye.

Back then, he had spent a lot of money to get himself into the top five trending spots.

Gu Qichi did nothing and climbed steadily to first place.

Even worse, Lin Shuangyi publicly said “Don’t come near” under Gu Qichi’s tag, undoubtedly slapping Gu Yuning in the face.

His makeup was almost done, and as one of the first guests to appear, he had to hold his temper.

Gu Yuning took a deep breath and turned to ask his agent: “Did you buy the trending topic for my magazine?”

His agent frowned: “Bought it. It was originally eighth, but now it might be difficult. Probably dropping to around fifteenth.”

Gu Yuning couldn’t control his voice and shrieked: “How can it be so low?! I clearly sent you so much money!”

His agent was impatient, too lazy to deal with the young master but forced to cope, so he explained: “The top ten are dominated by this Gu Qichi. We can’t push through.”

After missing Youth, Gu Yuning negotiated a cover with a quasi-first-tier magazine, far higher in status than Youth. The photographer was top-tier, perfectly amplifying all his advantages.

He intended to make Su Yun open her eyes and see who was truly worth choosing, purposely selecting the same release time. He never expected Gu Qichi to crush him.

Thinking of this, Gu Yuning’s lips trembled, and he said cruelly: “Throw money. Ask my brother to send you money. Smash it into the top ten. I don’t believe I can’t beat him. He was clearly always my defeated opponent…”

When Gu Yuning’s release time came, the trending spot his agent bought kicked in.

Indeed, money smashed him into the top ten, but the position was extremely awkward.

The bottom three of the top ten were arranged like this:

#Gu Qichi God of Desire#
#Lin Shuangyi says Gu Yuning stay away#
#Gu Yuning Pure Desire#

The scene was subtly awkward and hilarious. Gu Yuning’s fans obviously noticed this too. To prevent their brother from losing to Gu Qichi, they frantically boosted data in the square, but to no avail.

This money-bought trending spot didn’t last long and soon fell.

It seemed even more pale and powerless.

Gu Yuning’s magazine shoot was actually quite good. With a top photographer and Louis Vuitton haute couture, he looked like a graceful little prince. But compared to Gu Qichi’s absolutely magnificent face, he was crushed to nothing.

A pitiful little white flower by the roadside could not compare to a graceful, national beauty like the peony.

Gu Yuning didn’t understand this at all.

Seeing Gu Qichi’s tag floating at number one, Gu Yuning could no longer hold back and said viciously:

“Where are the photos I asked the private investigator to take of Gu Qichi?”