Chapter 35: Courage

The night was heavy. The bright moon’s glow couldn’t compare to the myriad lights of the city below.

Gu Yu’s heart felt just as oppressive, a weight of stifled frustration. Why should she tell the story just because Jiang Bomu wanted to hear it? It had, after all, been hours since she’d asked!

“You said if I wanted to tell it, you’d listen,” Gu Yu said, lifting her chin slightly, a petulant tone creeping in. “But now I don’t want to talk about it. You can go back.”

Jiang Bomu looked at her calmly and nodded. “Alright.”

She just agreed, like that?

Gu Yu was stunned. By the time she snapped out of it, Jiang Bomu was already at the door. She blurted out, “Aren’t you going to ask if I’m even a little bit okay?”

The voice was so pathetically aggrieved. Jiang Bomu felt an involuntary softening in her heart. Her hand on the doorknob stilled. She asked, “Did you take your medicine?”

“Yes.”

“Has your fever gone down?”

Gu Yu sounded even more wronged. “I can’t read the thermometer.”

She complained, “You left in such a hurry this morning, you didn’t even wait for me to finish taking my temperature.”

Jiang Bomu instantly remembered that accidental kiss from the morning. She’d spent the entire day deliberately ignoring it, and now, suddenly brought up, the side of her face previously touched by those lips grew scorching hot.

She closed her eyes. When she opened them, clarity had returned. She turned and walked toward the bed.

“We’ll take it now. I’m not leaving.”

Satisfied, Gu Yu put the thermometer in place and then looked up to find Jiang Bomu’s eyes fixed on the TV.

On the screen, the ditzy female lead played by Lin Sijia was acting cute, her performance a study in formulaic embarrassment. But Jiang Bomu watched very intently, the shifting light of the screen playing across her face like a dream, like an illusion.

Was her ex-girlfriend that good-looking?

—Though she wasn’t sure if she even was an ex-girlfriend. Should she call her an ex-whatever-she-was? Whatever. She’d just use that term.

Gu Yu pouted, about to do something to distract Jiang Bomu, but unexpectedly, Jiang Bomu spoke first. “Where’s the remote?”

“Huh?” Gu Yu blinked, not catching on for a second.

“I didn’t realize her acting had gotten this cringey,” Jiang Bomu said, frowning as she searched for it. “All her natural spark is gone.”

A smile tugged at the corner of Gu Yu’s lips. So, she hadn’t been keeping tabs on Lin Sijia for a long time, then?

She helped search, finally locating the remote under the pillow. She switched to a cheerful variety show. Bursts of laughter occasionally filled the room, and the atmosphere lightened considerably.

“Did your filming go smoothly today?” Gu Yu asked, making conversation.

“Fine.”

Gu Yu waited for a follow-up—something like who else visited the set, or who the director yelled at. But nothing. She sighed, defeated. When would she ever get Jiang Bomu to actively share her life?

“There was this one scene, though,” Jiang Bomu said, seeming to struggle with the words. “I had to shoot it three times before we got it right.”

Wait, that was fast!

Gu Yu perked up, encouraging eagerly, “What happened next? I want to hear!”

“You want to hear it, but now I don’t want to tell it,” Jiang Bomu retorted in kind. “Once I see your temperature, I’ll head back.”

Gu Yu: “…”

So petty!

She pulled out the thermometer, her displeasure clear on her face.

Jiang Bomu pretended not to see. She looked at the thermometer carefully and breathed a sigh of relief. “Normal. Just rest well tomorrow, too.”

“No way. I’m going to the set tomorrow,” Gu Yu said stubbornly. “No work, no pay. I need to earn money to support my goddess.”

Jiang Bomu looked up, her gaze fixing on Gu Yu. She said, stressing each word, “Fine. Go.”

Wait, why wasn’t this going according to her plan?!

Gu Yu’s original plan had been to keep Jiang Bomu here a bit longer. Now she’d shot herself in the foot. She had to tough it out. “Fine, I will.”

“Gu Yu,” Jiang Bomu said her full name, disappointment flooding her face. “Why are you gambling with your health like this?”

She couldn’t tell if her distress was worry about Gu Yu’s body or the irritation from hearing “earn money to support my goddess.” The surge of emotion had overridden everything. She only regretted it the moment the words left her mouth.

But spilled water can’t be gathered.

Gu Yu flared up, too. “It’s my body. Who are you to me? Why do you get to manage me?”

Since Lin Sijia’s set visit, she hadn’t had a single moment of peace. Jiang Bomu’s attitude was ambiguous, except for that one “We’re quits” during dinner.

Yet Lin Sijia was still like an unkillable cockroach, on set even today. Furious but helpless, Gu Yu would’ve stormed the set herself if she didn’t care about her health.

The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. Gu Yu’s eyes slowly reddened. Her voice hitched as she spoke. “You never tell me anything when I ask. You always treat me like a little sister. I don’t want to be your little sister!”

Jiang Bomu’s voice softened. “Xunxun, what kind of relationship do you want with me?”

Gu Yu’s words got stuck. She turned her face away and muttered, “It’s not like just wishing for it will make it happen.”

She sniffled, and suddenly a wave of dizziness hit her. She quickly sat down. Even propping herself on the bed felt insecure, so she just lay flat.

A body weakened by illness couldn’t withstand the aftermath of emotional upheaval.

Jiang Bomu abandoned the conversation, her concern overriding everything else. “Are you feeling unwell?”

She leaned over and felt Gu Yu’s forehead. Still normal. But she didn’t dare leave now. Gently, she offered, “Let me stay with you tonight, okay?”

Gu Yu was still sulking and didn’t want to talk to her. But she also felt acting this way was too childish. With a cold face, she grunted, “Whatever.”

Oh god, that sounded even more childish!

She cursed the fact that this wasn’t a WeChat message she could recall.

Jiang Bomu supervised Gu Yu as she took her medicine. Once she was sure Gu Yu would be okay for a short while, she returned to her own room to shower.

Gu Yu felt exhausted but didn’t feel like gaming. She sent Tao Tao a WeChat message. [Didn’t you come back with Jiang Bomu?]

Tao Tao replied cheerfully: [Of course I did! But I had something to do, so I came straight to my room, hehe~]

A day apart feels like three autumns. She was an assistant with keen perception; she wouldn’t dream of interrupting them.

Gu Yu sighed. Why did she have to be busy tonight of all nights?

She asked: [Yesterday, Jiang Bomu told Lin Sijia they were quits. Did she talk to you guys today?]

She had wanted to ask more tactfully, but figured there was nothing to hide. Tao Tao probably just thought she was nosy for gossip.

In another room, Tao Tao smiled a mysterious smile. Not even hiding it anymore!

She dutifully reported: [Nope, not at all. But Lin Sijia was watching Sister Mu film the whole time.]

Relieved, Gu Yu was about to reply when Tao Tao sent another voice message: “Speaking of filming, something kind of funny happened that concerns you.”

Just as that message finished, the next one played: “There’s a scene where Sister Mu was supposed to say the main character’s name, but she accidentally started saying ‘Gu Xun’! She froze up before she could even get the third syllable out. I was frozen too…”

There was more after that, but Gu Yu couldn’t hear a single word. Jiang Bomu had actually said her name while filming.

A possibility struck her. She quickly typed: [Was it the scene she had to re-shoot three times?]

Tao Tao replied, dejected: [Ah? Sister Mu already told you all about it…]

But then again, of course the lovebirds would share details of their day. Why had she, an outsider, felt the need to gossip! Tao Tao slapped her mouth. This is what you get for blabbing!

Biting her lip, Gu Yu typed back: [She mentioned it, but not everything.]

Tao Tao: [?]

Was this some new, avant-garde way of dating?

Deciding not to pry further, she changed the subject. [Is your health any better?]

[The fever’s gone.]

Gu Yu thought for a moment, then asked: [What time is the wrap tomorrow?]

[Three o’clock.]

By the time Jiang Bomu finished her shower, it was nearly 10 PM. Worried Gu Yu wasn’t taking good care of herself, she simply brought her hair dryer and skincare products over to Gu Yu’s room.

Gu Yu held her forehead. A simple fever. Was this level of fuss really necessary?

Still, it was concern. Gu Yu volunteered to dry Jiang Bomu’s hair.

“Weren’t you just giving me the cold shoulder?” Jiang Bomu said, a slight smile gracing her lips. “What’s changed in just an hour?”

Gu Yu switched the dryer on, raising her voice. “What was that? The wind’s too loud, I can’t hear you!”

Jiang Bomu: “…”

At 10:30, Gu Yu took her temperature again. Still normal. She yawned. “Can we sleep now?”

The fever reducer always made her drowsy. She’d been fighting to stay awake, and she could fall asleep the instant her head hit the pillow.

Jiang Bomu nodded, still hesitant.

She actually wanted to talk with Gu Yu a bit more. While showering, Gu Yu’s words had echoed in her ears. She’d thought a lot, reflected on herself.

She was used to burying her worries deep inside, waiting for the day they resolved themselves. So, facing Gu Yu’s warmth and enthusiasm, she hadn’t known what to do. She’d instinctively retreated into her shell. Even in the fleeting moments when she felt an impulse to speak, she no longer knew how to begin.

Like right now.

She gazed at the dim little lamp on the nightstand and let out a soft sigh.

She hoped tomorrow she would have the courage to be honest.

The next morning, Jiang Bomu left for the set. Gu Yu failed to get up. All her bold declarations yesterday about going to the set vanished like smoke. She slept in.

When she finally woke up, it was already 10 AM. She sat bolt upright in a panic. The wrap was at 3 PM today. Would she still have time to order flowers?

Frantic, she found a few pictures of bouquets she liked and contacted several florists. Some shop owners wanted the business, but they didn’t have the specific flowers she wanted. Luckily, one florist was well-stocked. After hearing her request, they immediately began preparing the materials and arranging the bouquet.

Two hours flew by in the chaos. Gu Yu was still running on an empty stomach. She ordered some takeout.

By 1:30 PM, she’d finished lunch. The florist also sent her a picture of the finished bouquet.

Gu Yu was very pleased. After transferring the payment, she told the shop owner to deliver it to the set before 3 PM.

The shop owner sent an excited voice message: “Wow! Are my flowers going to be given to some celebrity?!”

Gu Yu chuckled. Not just a celebrity, but the person she liked.

At 2:30, she arrived at the set by car.

“Teacher Gu, your timing is perfect. Sister Mu only has one last scene!” Tao Tao winked. “She might even wrap a little early.”

Wrap early? Gu Yu immediately tensed. The flowers she’d ordered weren’t here yet!

Without even greeting Jiang Bomu, she secretly messaged the florist, asking how much longer. The shop owner confidently guaranteed: [The courier said three o’clock sharp, not a minute off.]

Gu Yu: [Could you possibly move it up ten minutes? Thank you, boss!]

“Xunxun, who are you chatting with?” Jiang Bomu asked.

Gu Yu quickly stowed her phone, smiling. “No one, no one. Just checking the time. When are you shooting?”

Jiang Bomu stood up, casting a light, unreadable glance at her. “Now,” she said flatly.

Damn it!

Gu Yu watched her walk away, frantically urging the shop owner on her phone: [Faster, faster! She’s about to wrap!]

Shop owner: [OK, I’ll tell the courier to run some red lights.]

Gu Yu: [?]

No, absolutely not.

She politely declined that suggestion, her face a mask of anxiety as she assured them she could wait. She kept glancing at the entrance, pacing like an ant on a hot pan.

Jiang Bomu, still adjusting her costume and makeup, followed Gu Yu’s line of sight for a moment, then gently lowered her eyes.

“Action!”

At the director’s command, Jiang Bomu entered her character.

Gu Yu pressed her hands together in a silent prayer. Please, let them have to shoot another take.