Chapter 23: Insomnia

The summer day was long and stiflingly hot. Fortunately, the green trees were lush and verdant, their dense shade blocking the sun. The fleeting green blur rushing past the window always lifted one’s spirits.

Gu Yu gazed out for a while, her eyelids growing heavy.

They were already on the way to the filming set. She had been excited initially, but she had slept too late yesterday and woken up too early today. She hadn’t slept enough and needed to catch up, so she simply leaned back in her seat to doze.

Light and shadow flickered, sometimes faint, sometimes intense, falling on her half-closed eyes. Sleep came and went, so she shifted direction, facing Jiang Bomu, who was also sitting in the back seat.

Whether it was her overly sensitive central nervous system or her heart playing tricks, the slightest disturbance made her want to open her eyes and see what the other was looking at, making it even harder to sleep.

After tossing for a while, she couldn’t fall asleep anyway. She secretly opened one eye just a sliver and stealthily observed Jiang Bomu.

Jiang Bomu was intently studying the script. Her long, curling lashes were lowered, veiling those cool, aloof eyes. Light and shadow danced across the bridge of her nose, adding a touch of warmth. Reading something amusing, the corner of her lips curved slightly, looking even gentler.

A moment later, her long fingers, holding a page, slowly turned it over—like a slow-motion shot with a soft-focus halo in a movie. Time stood peacefully still.

Gu Yu couldn’t bear to disrupt this atmosphere, yet she couldn’t help but lean in, intimately resting against her shoulder, as if she had also transformed from a mere bystander into a character in the film.

Jiang Bomu stiffened slightly, but didn’t refuse. Her gaze remained fixed on the text, scanning a line smoothly, yet registering nothing.

Gu Yu yawned and murmured, “Can I lean on your shoulder for a bit?”

Acting first, reporting after.

“Sleep,” Jiang Bomu’s voice was soft. “I’ll wake you when we arrive.”

Tao Tao in the front seat was playing on her phone. Hearing this, she looked back and said somewhat enviously, “Sister Mu, I want to lean on your shoulder too.”

How could that be allowed? Gu Yu was the first to refuse. She patted her own shoulder, smiling. “Here, you can borrow mine.”

“Leaning on Teacher Gu’s shoulder would be nice too. Maybe I could absorb some of your painting talent,” Tao Tao’s eyes lit up. “I’m coming over right now!”

She had seen the oil painting Gu Yu made today and was utterly stunned. She took photos from every angle, wanting to post on Weibo and her Moments. But since it couldn’t be revealed yet, she could only admire it in her album.

“Stop messing around. Let her sleep a while,” Jiang Bomu stopped them. “You should take a nap too. The next few days will be very busy.”

Every time they joined a set, the busiest person on the team was the celebrity assistant, needing to manage and look after matters big and small, unable to be distracted for a moment.

Tao Tao obediently agreed, put down her phone, and closed her eyes to rest.

The car, noisy moments ago, fell silent. Only the faint hum of the air conditioning remained, sending waves of cool, comfortable air.

Gu Yu claimed she didn’t want to sleep anymore and accompanied Jiang Bomu in reading the script.

The drama was adapted from a Jinjiang novel. It wasn’t a major production, and the male and female leads weren’t top-tier stars, but the novel was quite interesting. The adapted script was certainly not bad either. If the acting was solid, it could definitely generate significant buzz.

Gu Yu read with relish for a while, but suddenly the upright script was knocked down, landing with a “smack” at her feet.

Gu Yu looked up slightly and, sure enough, Jiang Bomu had fallen asleep leaning against the car window, her brow slightly furrowed, her sleep uneasy.

Tao Tao heard the noise and turned back. Gu Yu put her index finger to her lips, softly shushing her, signaling her not to speak. Tao Tao nodded and gestured for the driver to slow down.

The car’s speed quickly decreased, moving steadily along the wide road. Gu Yu slowly straightened up, moving away from Jiang Bomu’s shoulder without disturbing the sleeping woman.

She glanced at the script scattered on the floor but didn’t pick it up. Sleeping was so rare; she mustn’t wake her.

Jiang Bomu had been suffering from insomnia lately. Sleeping a bit in the car was good.

However, her sleeping posture wasn’t ideal. If they hit a speed bump or a red light, the car would jolt. Leaning on the window, she would definitely be woken. Gu Yu carefully wrapped her arm around her, letting her lean on her own shoulder.

Jiang Bomu stirred slightly. Gu Yu silently prayed, “Don’t wake up.” Thankfully, the person on her shoulder just nuzzled against her, her brow smoothing out bit by bit, looking utterly dependent.

Gu Yu’s heart swelled with joy, and she held her tighter.

Her phone vibrated. Gu Yu instinctively glanced at Jiang Bomu, who showed no reaction. Relieved, she switched it to silent and opened the message.

Tao Tao: [Teacher Gu is really amazing. I’ve been with Sister Mu for so many years, first time seeing her trust someone this much.]

For some reason, a creaky, hoarse voice surfaced in Gu Yu’s mind: “In all these years, it’s the first time I’ve seen the young master smile so happily.”

Blame those cheesy Mary Sue novels she read when she was young and naive! Gu Yu pushed the absurd thought aside and replied: [Mm-hmm~ I’m her destined one.]

Typing this line seriously, she smiled brightly. Tao Tao would definitely think she was joking, but she was secretly speaking her true feelings.

At exactly nine o’clock, the car entered Chang’an City.

This place boasted numerous historical sites and scenic spots, and finding authentically ancient-style sets wasn’t difficult. Hence, besides Hengdian, many production crews came here to film. One could encounter quite a few celebrities.

Gu Yu had come here with friends for her high school graduation trip, so she was very familiar with it. She occasionally glanced at the scenery flashing by outside the window, occasionally at the peacefully breathing Jiang Bomu. When they were about five minutes away from the destination, she finally gently patted Jiang Bomu’s shoulder.

Jiang Bomu was a light sleeper. Just one pat and she slowly awoke, looking around dazedly. Those usually distant eyes became exceptionally round and adorable.

Her hand was faster than her brain. Click. Gu Yu captured this moment.

Jiang Bomu immediately woke fully, straightened up, and glanced at her faintly, then at the picture that was completely different from her usual self. She didn’t say anything.

Gu Yu asked politely, “Sister, can I keep it?”

“Whatever you want.” Jiang Bomu didn’t care.

The destination was just ahead. Gu Yu put away her phone, satisfied.

Outside the car window was a dense crowd, standing orderly not far from the entrance. They held banners in one hand and waved small flags in the other, chanting something.

Without a doubt, they were Jiang Bomu’s fans.

Seeing fans chasing stars up close for the first time, Gu Yu was a bit excited, taking out her phone again to snap a photo. Just as her hand was raised, an unopened mask was tucked into the crook of her arm, and a black cap was placed on her head, its wide brim covering half her face.

Gu Yu looked back, confused. Why was she covered up even more securely than the big star?

“Grandma Qiao doesn’t want you appearing in the public eye,” Jiang Bomu paused. “And neither do I. So I have to protect you properly.”

Before Gu Yu could speak, she continued, “I’m getting out now. Keep your head down.”

Gu Yu obeyed, pretending to look down at her phone, her heart pounding.

She understood Grandma Qiao’s reason for not wanting her exposed, but what about Jiang Bomu? Why didn’t Jiang Bomu want it?

The next second, screams from outside the car surged in, wrapped in a wave of heat, quickly sealed off again.

Gu Yu looked up. Outside the one-way glass, the woman in the dark green camisole dress stood gracefully before the car, accompanied by Tao Tao. She waved to greet the fans, accepted heartfelt letters with both hands, signed autographs on postcards, and took photos with fans.

For seven years since her debut, she had always treated her fans this way, never changing.

After a long while, Jiang Bomu and Tao Tao finally got back in the car.

But they didn’t have much chance to talk. The car drove into the filming location. Before getting out, Jiang Bomu instructed the driver to take Gu Yu directly to the hotel where they’d be staying. The set was chaotic; there was a ton to do today, and she couldn’t look after Gu Yu.

Gu Yu wanted to stay with her, but she really was useless here, so she had no choice but to agree. Before leaving, she asked reluctantly, “When will you be back?”

Jiang Bomu looked at the girl whose eyes held only her, so endearing, so dependent. She stroked the girl’s soft long hair and smiled. “Soon. Xunxun, go wait for me at the hotel, okay?”

Her voice carried a gentle affection she didn’t even notice herself.

Beside them, Tao Tao blinked, her gaze darting between the two faces for a moment. She scratched her head. Why did they seem less like sisters and more like lovers?

Gu Yu was satisfied. She waved at them. Ten minutes later, she arrived at the hotel room, tidied up briefly, lay down, and didn’t want to get up again. But she wasn’t sleepy at all. Her mind was filled with the image of Jiang Bomu stroking her hair, making her grin foolishly nonstop.

Close to noon, Tao Tao messaged that the takeout had arrived. Gu Yu casually asked when she’d be back.

Around two, Tao Tao finally replied: [Probably not until evening. collapse.jpg]

Gu Yu mused. Seven o’clock was evening. Midnight was also evening. Five hours difference. Judging by the situation, it was likely the latter.

Traveling today had been tiring. Even though her sleepiness had long dissipated, she still couldn’t hold on and fell asleep. When she woke, it was already seven. She forced her heavy eyelids open and lit up her phone. WeChat was silent, only her parents had sent a few tourist photos.

Gu Yu showered them with gushing praise, making them happy, before looking up out the window. The streets were bustling with traffic, as prosperous as ever.

Her heart stirred gently. The person she liked was the most prosperous part of this city.

Close to ten o’clock, there was finally movement outside the door. Immediately after, WeChat’s top pinned contact showed a small red dot: [Asleep yet?]

Gu Yu quickly slipped on her slippers and went to open the door. Sure enough, Jiang Bomu was outside, still in her original outfit, though her brow couldn’t hide her fatigue. Seeing Gu Yu open the door, she smiled. “Adjusting okay?”

Gu Yu nodded and chatted briefly with her before urging her away: “Go to sleep quick.”

After such an exhausting day, nothing was more important than letting her rest well.

Jiang Bomu didn’t stand on ceremony, quickly turning towards room 701 opposite. Before closing the door, she softly said goodbye: “Good night.”

Before she could go in, Gu Yu spoke up: “Good night, Sister.”

Jiang Bomu looked back with a smile: “Good night, Xunxun.”

Gu Yu blinked gently and reminded her, “If you can’t sleep, remember to call me.”

“…Okay.”

Gu Yu had only said it casually, never expecting her to actually agree this time. She returned to her room with a joyful heart. But even past midnight, WeChat was quiet.

It had been over an hour; she must be asleep. Gu Yu felt a bit regretful, but more than that, she was relieved. Sleeping was good.

She had slept too long this afternoon and wasn’t sleepy at all. Bored, she scrolled through her phone. Staying up past two, she felt she couldn’t keep playing anymore. Just as she was about to put her phone on the foot of the bed, a WeChat message popped up.

sunset: [Asleep yet?]

Gu Yu’s breath hitched. Just as she opened it, the other side showed “The other party has recalled a message.”

As if worried whether their action was inappropriate.

Gu Yu didn’t hesitate to reply: [You can’t sleep?]

Seeming a little surprised by her instant reply, the other party responded after a moment: [Yeah.]

A bit embarrassed, yet wanting to go further. Gu Yu pondered for a moment, then cut straight to the point: [Sleep Therapist Xunxun is on standby!]

Giving the other no chance to hesitate, she quickly typed two words: [Open the door.]

The world fell silent for two seconds.

But Gu Yu felt like time had stopped for two hours. She didn’t even dare to breathe. Finally, a reply appeared in the chat window.

[Okay.]