Chapter 7: Perfume

The moment she took the bouquet, Jiang Bomu paused, stunned.

She suspected her hearing was playing tricks on her and couldn’t help asking: “What did you call me?”

Facing her uncomprehending gaze, Gu Yu was so tense her palms were sweating, but her expression remained perfectly calm. She said evenly, “Jiang Bomu, of course.”

Jiang Bomu was just about to speak when the door opened. Tao Tao poked her head out and asked, “Why aren’t you coming in?”

The two tacitly fell silent, entering and changing their shoes.

Tao Tao placed the bouquet and two shopping bags in the living room. After they were done changing shoes, Gu Yu put the fruits, vegetables, and two fish into the fridge, then took most of the snacks to her room, leaving a small portion on the table to share.

Jiang Bomu touched none of it, naturally. Tao Tao also wanted to resist temptation but broke down in less than two minutes, pathetically poking a straw into a bottle of AD Calcium Milk.

Gu Yu munched on chips without any guilt and laughed, “You’re so slim, what are you afraid of? Want some chips too?”

Tao Tao immediately ducked away and wailed tragically, “There’s a comic convention in a few days! Don’t try to sabotage me!”

She looked enviously at the two opposite her—one bright and sunny, the other cool and elegant. Both were so slim and beautiful, and they even looked so well-matched. Startled by her own thought—Two girls being well-matched?!

It must be the after-effects of rewatching “Midsummer Youth” yesterday. Tao Tao quickly took a gulp of AD Calcium Milk to steady her nerves.

After some idle chat, she got down to business: “Miss Mu, there’s a TV drama that wants you for a cameo. Sister Fang said it’s perfect for you.”

The ‘Sister Fang’ she mentioned was Jiang Bomu’s agent, Qin Fang.

Since her debut, Jiang Bomu had consistently filmed two projects a year—one movie and one TV drama. She was a Box Office Queen and a Hit Drama Guarantee, a rare and successful star thriving in both film and television in the entertainment industry.

Moreover, she didn’t have billing obsession; she didn’t have to be the female lead. In her free time, she’d guest-star in a few dramas. As long as she was satisfied with a role, even if it only had ten lines, she would take it.

Thus, she’d collaborated with many directors, all of whom praised her highly.

Jiang Bomu asked, “Did you bring the script?”

Tao Tao quickly pulled it from her bag, explaining as Jiang Bomu looked at it, “It’s the role of a Courtesan Belle in a xianxia drama.”

Gu Yu’s interest was also piqued. She’d never seen Jiang Bomu play a Courtesan Belle before, so she glanced at it too.

It was about a courtesan possessed by a fox demon. She falls in love at first sight with the male lead who descended to the mortal realm to undergo tribulation, only to find a beautiful woman already by his side. A very clichéd setup.

But the following development wasn’t typical female rivalry. Instead, she became friends with the female lead. The Courtesan Belle promptly severed her emotional attachments and even helped smooth over many troubles for the male and female leads.

In the end, the fox demon refused the offer to ascend to godhood, bluntly stating she didn’t want to be bound by heavenly rules, and returned to Qingqiu, continuing to be the princess of Qingqiu Country.

Jiang Bomu was also very interested and asked, “When does filming start?”

“Twenty days from now, five days total for filming.”

“Alright, let Sister Fang negotiate it,” she put down the script. Seeing Tao Tao hesitating, she asked, “Anything else?”

Only then did Tao Tao hesitantly speak: “Sister Fang asked me to check if you’d like to appear as a flying guest on a few big trending variety shows, since you’re free anyway for this period…”

Jiang Bomu had never participated in variety shows and didn’t intend to start. She frowned slightly and said, “No. And there’s no need to bring this up again.”

Tao Tao left shortly after.

At eight o’clock, the two took a walk around the compound.

Yue’an Mansion covered a massive area, with top-tier greenery coverage. Lush trees and shrubbery were everywhere, showcasing vibrant life.

Under the streetlights, Gu Yu playfully stepped on Jiang Bomu’s shadow. Conversationally, she asked, “Why don’t you want to do variety shows?”

She’d heard variety shows brought quick money and maintained exposure. If the persona was good, they could attract fans—a win-win.

“Grandma Qiao told me that actors should focus on their work and maintain an air of mystery,” Jiang Bomu said, walking forward quietly. “I’ve always kept that in mind.”

“So that’s why you don’t even update Weibo often?”

She nodded slightly.

Gu Yu understood. She really wanted to tell all those fans: you haven’t followed the wrong person!

But during non-promotional periods, having no content to consume really did leave one starving. She hesitated before speaking: “Actually, you could post occasionally, just to nurture the relationship with your fans a bit.”

Gu Yu had dug through her Weibo history. When she’d just debuted, she’d occasionally post landscape photos or share her thoughts. But after a year or two, it gradually dwindled. Now it was purely an emotionless promotional machine. For fans, one selfie out of every thirty posts was a blessing earned from a past life, always exceeding a million in reposts, comments, and likes every time.

Jiang Bomu didn’t continue this topic, instead asking: “Why didn’t you call me ‘Sister’ earlier?”

Gu Yu decided to play dumb: “Is it not allowed to call you by your name?”

Her tone was light: “I’m seven years older than you.”

So what if she was seven years older, Gu Yu grumbled inwardly. Did being seven years older mandate being called Sister? Who made that rule?!

Thinking this, she didn’t dare say it out loud. Blinking innocently, she said, “I just thought using your name was more formal at that moment.”

Her voice lilted upwards, almost like a coquettish whine.

Jiang Bomu glanced at her, “That was an exception.”

She obediently agreed, but her heart sank. When would she ever be able to call her by name openly and legitimately?

Losing the mood to step on shadows, Gu Yu walked properly. After a while, they headed back.

The bouquet was still in the living room. Jiang Bomu changed her slippers, gathered the flowers in her arms, and said softly, “Thank you for the housewarming gift. Goodnight.”

She said goodnight!

Gu Yu’s heart dropped then soared. Floating on air, she returned to the guest bedroom. A while later, she received a WeChat message from her mom saying they were on a layover.

Getting to Switzerland was quite troublesome; they needed one transfer. The tickets showed they would arrive at 3 AM tonight. Just thinking about it exhausted Gu Yu. Once again she felt grateful she hadn’t gone this time.

She finished the commissioned artwork from noon. The client readily paid the remaining sum. After getting their consent, she watermarked it and posted it on Weibo. She received quite a few compliments, and there were also DMs for commissions.

Gu Yu thought it over and refused them all. She still had a few pending commissions, and in a few days, she might start teaching Jiang Bomu to paint. She wanted to focus on fostering their relationship; money could be earned later.

She specifically posted a Weibo stating she was temporarily not taking commissions. Soon, wails of “I’m too late!” filled the comments.

Gu Yu had fifty thousand followers, making her a blogger of some note. She replied to a few, when suddenly a unique comment caught her attention.

“I really like your art style, Teacher! If you could occasionally update your Weibo with drawings, it would be so healing!”

Draw her daily life?

Gu Yu felt a stir of interest. She wanted to remember every little thing that happened between her and Jiang Bomu, but she disliked keeping a diary. Drawing would be the best way.

She decisively replied to the fan: “Great idea!”

Next thing, she couldn’t help but start brainstorming character designs. Using a chibi art style, she drew herself and Jiang Bomu. To prevent anyone from recognizing Jiang Bomu and causing trouble, she specifically changed Jiang Bomu’s long straight black hair into big waves, using the unrelated word “rose” to represent her name.

But it wasn’t entirely unrelated, Gu Yu thought as she drew a rose beside her ear. Wasn’t she the most dazzling rose of all?

As for herself, her Weibo handle was Xunxun the Fish, so she’d be called Fish. Laughing, she drew a salted fish on the character’s clothes.

With the character settings done, inspiration struck Gu Yu almost instantly. In one breath, she drafted out a four-panel comic rough.

The more she looked, the more she liked it. She started refining it, and past midnight, she posted it on Weibo.

＠Xunxun the Fish: Tada! Freshly baked comic!

Although it was already past midnight, many people were still awake. Seeing the comic, fans poured in with a torrent of praise. Gu Yu was very pleased, until she scrolled to one comment, and the curve of her smile grew wider and wider.

“Cool aloof older woman x sunny younger girl, I’m shipping it so hard!”

Their intuition was spot on. She casually scrolled past, but her finger uncontrollably moved back upwards, giving that comment a ‘like’. After a second thought, she replied: “We’re just friends~”

But only temporarily. Sooner or later, they’d be girlfriends.

Probably because she woke early, Gu Yu was already quite sleepy. She’d originally planned to wait for her parents’ safe arrival notification, but she was just too tired. Yawning with teary eyes, she persisted in sending her parents a WeChat message before turning off her phone to sleep.

The next day, Gu Yu was woken by her alarm. Lifting her heavy eyelids, she checked WeChat. Her parents had arrived safely in Switzerland. Relieved, she closed her eyes and sent a voice message: “Okay, rest up well today, you can start enjoying tomorrow.”

Her voice got softer and softer. She let go of the button and sank heavily back into dreams.

When she woke again, it was already past ten in the morning.

Gu Yu had slept soundly. In that half-asleep, half-awake state, she glanced at the time and abruptly sat upright. Oh no, oh no! She’d missed breakfast time with Jiang Bomu!

Who would’ve thought that just yesterday she’d established the persona of an early bird, and today the persona was already shattered.

Dejected, Gu Yu stepped out, about to go wash up when she heard voices from the living room.

She poked her head out. Sure enough, it was Jiang Bomu and Tao Tao.

Jiang Bomu looked up and saw her immediately. She said flatly, “I saved you breakfast. Remember to eat it later.”

Gu Yu didn’t dare meet her eyes. Like a little wife who’d done wrong, she nodded, mumbled an affirmative, and dashed off to the bathroom to freshen up. When she came out, breakfast was already laid out on the table—two fried dough sticks, two buns, and a glass of milk.

Tao Tao said with a grin, “Didn’t know if Teacher Gu prefers meat or veggie fillings, so I bought both.”

Gu Yu wasn’t picky; she could eat either. She randomly picked one up, eating a bite of bun, drinking a mouthful of milk, her brows twisting into a pretzel.

Finally finishing, she was like a victorious general who’d just won a great battle. With a heroic, triumphant air, she took the empty glass before Jiang Bomu. “I finished it!”

Jiang Bomu glanced at it and said approvingly, “Very good.”

Gu Yu: “…?”

Sounded like praising a child.

“Here’s your reward, a bottle of perfume,” Jiang Bomu handed her an exquisite paper bag and said gently, “Open it and see?”

It was the housewarming gift!

Gu Yu’s heart pounded wildly. She took it and slowly unwrapped the packaging.

Un Jardin sur le Nil.

“Miss Mu asked me to buy it yesterday, but it was too late when I went, and the counter was closed. I went as soon as it opened today,” Tao Tao explained the backstory, then started laughing. “I can’t believe Teacher Gu slept this late. If I’d known, I’d have slept in too.”

Gu Yu flushed at her teasing.

Tao Tao stayed for another hour before leaving. Jiang Bomu set down the script in her hand and got up to prepare lunch.

Gu Yu went to help her prep, watching her busy figure and couldn’t help asking, “Why did you give me Un Jardin sur le Nil?”

Jiang Bomu raised her eyes and asked, “Don’t like the scent?”

“Of course not,” Gu Yu quickly explained. “I’m just curious why you picked this one for me.”

“Didn’t you say so yesterday? Whichever scent I thought suited you, I’d give it to you.”

She laughed softly, the whisper also carrying a lazy tone: “In my eyes, you are Un Jardin sur le Nil.”

An earnest, bright, young girl.