Gu Yu knew being an assistant was tiring, but she hadn’t expected it to be this tiring.
From ten o’clock onward, she and Tao Tao didn’t even have time for casual chat. Two pairs of eyes were fixed tightly on Jiang Bomu as she filmed. The moment the director called cut, they immediately rushed over with the umbrella, small fan, and water, leaving no personal time whatsoever.
Just two hours of filming, and Gu Yu’s legs were already trembling with exhaustion. She just wanted to sit down and rest.
Luckily, the crew soon distributed boxed lunches. She heaved a huge sigh of relief. Taking the boxed lunch, she almost wept. She had never smelled food so delicious!
Jiang Bomu’s next scene was at two. The three of them returned to the RV to rest.
The moment the car door closed, Gu Yu immediately collapsed ungracefully into the seat, unwilling to move a single finger anymore.
In contrast, Tao Tao was still helping Jiang Bomu arrange her skirt and hair, only sitting down after she was done. Full of energy, she smiled, “Teacher Gu, you look like you just finished an 800-meter sprint.”
“What 800 meters,” Gu Yu muttered, “Eight thousand meters wouldn’t be this exhausting.”
For a full two hours, she’d barely had a chance to properly watch Jiang Bomu act. All her beautiful fantasies had turned to dust. If she’d known, she might as well have just said she was here to visit the set for Grandma!
Jiang Bomu still gave the same advice. “If you really can’t handle it, go back to the hotel this afternoon.”
Her own lunch was a salad. She wasn’t very hungry now, so she opened Gu Yu’s boxed lunch and brought a chopstick-full of pork with garlic sprouts to her lips.
In the past, it was always Gu Yu feeding Jiang Bomu. She’d never enjoyed this kind of treatment. She ate it with immense satisfaction, feeling completely recharged, ready to run another eight thousand meters.
She swallowed the food and refused, “Is there any assistant who quits after just half a day? How embarrassing would that be? No way.”
“So stubborn,” Jiang Bomu shook her head. “Since you’re not tired, eat it yourself.”
She pretended to be angry and shoved the lunchbox into Gu Yu’s hands.
“Hmph, fine, don’t feed me. I have hands,” Gu Yu turned her head away, acting proud. “Unlike some people who need me to feed them even grapes.”
In the front seat, Tao Tao silently ate her boxed lunch. I shouldn’t be in this car, I should be under it. How could they flirt so naturally even with a third person present?
“Um, Sister Mu…” she weakly poked her head out. “Should I go eat somewhere else?”
Jiang Bomu looked at her, puzzled, and asked, “Do you have something to do?”
A flash of inspiration hit Tao Tao. “Right! I suddenly remembered I left something at the hotel. I need to go back.”
Tao Tao clenched her fist. Only an observant assistant could last long!
“Okay, wait a moment,” Jiang Bomu looked at Gu Yu. “Do you want to go back too?”
Gu Yu frowned. “If Sister says that one more time, I’m ignoring you.”
She sighed helplessly and had no choice but to let Tao Tao leave.
Only the two of them left in the car. Jiang Bomu leaned back and closed her eyes to rest quietly. Filming continuously for two hours, her nerves had been taut. Only now could she truly relax.
Gu Yu finished her lunchbox, tilted her head slightly, and saw her tightly shut eyes. Her lashes fluttered slightly, her brow deeply furrowed. The fingers resting casually on her lap also fidgeted—clenching tight, then releasing—as if sleeping but not peacefully.
Carefully setting the lunchbox aside, Gu Yu leaned close to her side. Her left hand gently covered Jiang Bomu’s right hand, slowly holding it tight.
As if a magical spell had been cast, the fidgeting stopped. The tightly furrowed brow smoothed into peace.
Gu Yu’s own heart, however, began to surge with waves. Jiang Bomu always seemed to sleep especially soundly when near her.
She secretly rejoiced at this thought. Perhaps it was destiny.
Rest time always passed too quickly. Tao Tao, having returned, woke Jiang Bomu. Gu Yu checked her phone. It was almost two o’clock. She sighed. It felt like she’d just eaten and played on her phone a bit, and now they had to start filming again. Her face was full of reluctance.
“We’ll probably wrap up around five,” Jiang Bomu adjusted her costume. “I’ll treat you to a meal then.”
Gu Yu immediately perked up. Only three more hours!
Seeing her finally smile, Jiang Bomu also smiled and asked, “Are you happier about the mention of food, or the early wrap-up?”
Gu Yu blinked. “Of course, I’m happier about eating with Sister.”
Tao Tao: “…” I really shouldn’t have come back.
After the joking, they threw themselves back into the intense work.
Jiang Bomu was only filming for five days, so it was an intensive shoot. Almost the entire day today was opposite the male lead. Gu Yu had adapted a bit to the little assistant’s work and finally had time to watch a couple of scenes.
Only then did she realize how hard filming was. One scene passionately loving the male lead, the next keeping him at a distance, the scene after that loving him to death again. Jiang Bomu switched emotions seamlessly, rarely causing a retake due to her own issues.
Gu Yu was full of admiration. Being a star wasn’t something just anyone could do. If it were her, she’d definitely develop a split personality.
At four, the male lead wrapped up. The female lead, Song Zhiwei, arrived gracefully.
Jiang Bomu went off to the side to rest while the set was being rearranged. Song Zhiwei couldn’t help but chat with her idol. “Teacher Jiang, we have a scene together soon. I’ll need your guidance.”
Jiang Bomu took the water Gu Yu handed her and drank a sip, nodding gently.
Her idol being so cool, Song Zhiwei wasn’t discouraged. She continued, “My acting still needs polishing. If I do anything poorly, Teacher Jiang, please don’t hesitate to tell me. Let’s try to wrap up early.”
Jiang Bomu glanced at Gu Yu. Yes, they should wrap up early. She still had to treat the hardworking little assistant to dinner.
A while later, filming finally started.
Jiang Bomu’s performance was consistently stable, but Song Zhiwei had a bit of trouble keeping up. Sometimes she even forgot her lines. The director watched, his brow creasing deeper, until he had to yell cut, shouting through the megaphone, “What’s going on?”
Song Zhiwei was usually very hardworking, rarely forgetting lines except for long monologues. The director was satisfied with her and didn’t use harsh words this time.
She was too embarrassed to explain, only apologizing repeatedly, “Sorry for wasting everyone’s time.”
Jiang Bomu comforted her, “It’s okay. Adjust your state, and let’s continue.”
Wuwuwu, her goddess was so gentle. Song Zhiwei was so touched, she swore she absolutely wouldn’t forget her lines again. Yet she kept making mistakes.
The director was furious. “Cut, cut, cut! Five-minute break! Female lead, come here!”
At twenty past five, Song Zhiwei and Jiang Bomu wrapped up.
Song Zhiwei wore a face full of apology. “Teacher Jiang…”
“It’s fine. You didn’t mean it,” Jiang Bomu didn’t mind. “I’m going to remove my makeup now.”
The two parted ways for their respective dressing rooms.
The moment Song Zhiwei entered, she turned on her phone and sent voice messages to her friends. “Aaaah, I’m so embarrassed! I finally get to film with my goddess, and I forget lines multiple times because I’m too busy fangirling. How am I supposed to face her tomorrow!”
Her friends all replied: [Shameful!]
Another went crazy: [I want to film with Jiang Bomu too!]
[+1]
[+10086]
Song Zhiwei was about to type when a voice call icon appeared on her phone. It was Lin Sijia from the group chat.
Lin Sijia had debuted for ten years. Unremarkable for the first three, she later starred in the movie “Midsummer Youth” as one of the female leads, skyrocketing to fame, sharing the Best Actress honor with Jiang Bomu. Although she hadn’t produced any standout works since, she remained the pearl of Qinyi Entertainment, with all resources tilted towards her.
Such a senior calling her, she quickly answered.
“Weiwei, which set are you on? Can I come visit?”
Lin Sijia cut straight to the point. Song Zhiwei was stunned, barely reacting.
Visit the set?
They weren’t actually that close. The group chat was just for politeness. And Lin Sijia was so busy, rarely speaking in the group. Why today…?
Wait, she must have seen the group messages and decided to visit.
So… the Daydreaming CP was about to have a century-spanning same-frame moment?!
Song Zhiwei spun in a circle in excitement, exclaiming fervently, “Of course you can!”
In the dressing room next door, Jiang Bomu had just removed the full head of jewels and ornaments and finally felt more comfortable.
“Sister,” Gu Yu came forward attentively, “Let me massage your shoulders?”
“No need,” she leaned away awkwardly, speaking before Gu Yu could touch her. “Let’s get ready quickly and go eat.”
The couple’s behavior suddenly turning so unnatural, Tao Tao started to wonder if she’d been overthinking things. Then she understood. It must be because of her, the third wheel!
Sigh, but she couldn’t leave early. Tao Tao quickened her pace, removing the wig while saying, “Sister Mu, I won’t go with you later. I want to go back and sleep.”
Jiang Bomu didn’t insist. It had been a hot and tiring day; a good rest was needed.
At six, Jiang Bomu and Gu Yu went to eat.
“Where are we going?” Gu Yu looked around with novelty. Living together so long, this was the first time eating out with Jiang Bomu. She was a bit curious. Steak? Abalone and sea cucumber?
Jiang Bomu didn’t answer. After a few seconds, she lifted her chin. “We’re here.”
Gu Yu looked up at the sign full of expectation, thinking she was seeing things. It was actually an Iron Pot Stew place!
How wonderfully down-to-earth.
After all, it was summer; there weren’t many customers. The two randomly chose a corner seat and ordered a pork ribs and chicken pot.
Steam billowed. Gu Yu propped her chin on her hand and gazed at Jiang Bomu across the table, calm and collected. She never imagined the big star would bring her here. She burst out laughing.
Jiang Bomu glanced at her. “What is it?”
“In idol dramas, when the CEO takes Cinderella out to eat, it’s always a Michelin-starred restaurant. I fantasized about that so much when I was little,” she shook her head, sighing. “Never expected, my first meal with a CEO would be Iron Pot Stew. Dreams shattered.”
“Food has no hierarchy,” Jiang Bomu smiled. “And you’re not Cinderella. You’re my little assistant.”
“So you admit you’re the CEO?” Gu Yu blinked.
Jiang Bomu had guest-starred once as a listed company’s female CEO—dressed in a business suit, dashing and capable. Gu Yu revisited that role occasionally, drooling.
“I admit I’m your boss during the day.”
She asked subconsciously, “And at night?”
“At night, I am your customer.”
The person across from her had eyes like silk, bewitching. Though it was just an ordinary, factually correct sentence, Gu Yu somehow sensed an ambiguous flavor. How could someone be so effortlessly seductive?
She cleared her throat. “Providing services day and night. Sister, you have to pay me.”
The phrase “providing services” was worth a second thought.
Jiang Bomu dismissed the almost-warped thought in her mind, raised her eyes with a smile, and asked, “What do you want?”
To have… you.
That, of course, couldn’t be said. Gu Yu was deeply regretful. She hadn’t thought of anything else for the moment and said jokingly, “From now on, we always sleep together. Is that okay?”
Jiang Bomu stared at her steadily.
Having just played the Courtesan, traces of allure still lingered at the corners of her eyes and brows. When those eyes gazed at someone, it felt like a bewitchment, always making hearts sway.
Gu Yu couldn’t escape it either. Just as she was about to explain she’d only been joking, the person across from her lightly uttered two words: “Sure.”
