Chapter 27: Eye-catching

Gu Yu was secretly pleased with her own scheme, but what answered her was a long silence.

At first, she waited patiently. Gradually, she grew bored. Her gaze drifted, landing on that warm little night light. She stared blankly at the only source of light.

“My story is even more boring, nothing worth telling.”

See? It was obvious she wouldn’t say a single word. Why had she even bothered?

How could she have forgotten? There’s no fairness in matters of the heart. The one who falls first is doomed to lose the worst.

Gu Yu closed her eyes and said calmly, “Then let’s sleep.”

Such private, intimate matters—what reason did Jiang Bomu have to tell her? It was her own wishful thinking, trying to warm a block of ice, only to freeze herself completely. Her feelings, along with her heart, sank to the bottom of the sea, never to see the light of day again.

The exhaustion of the entire day peaked at this moment. She was about to succumb to sleep, her consciousness fading, when she heard Jiang Bomu’s low, suppressed murmur.

“Xunxun, the reason I don’t want to talk about it is… sometimes, remembering it myself, I even feel disgusted.”

She sighed gently and tenderly. “So please don’t ask more, okay? Let your world always remain a utopia.”

Before sinking into dreamland, the last thought in Gu Yu’s mind was “So that’s how it is.”

But when she was woken by the alarm, she had completely forgotten what Jiang Bomu had actually said. She emptied her mind, yet still couldn’t recall a single word.

It was such an important thing to say!

Frustrated, Gu Yu slapped the blanket. Hearing movement in the bathroom, a flash of inspiration struck. Right, she could just ask the person directly!

“Sister, Sister, Sister!” She threw off the covers and ran straight over. Pushing the door open, she was about to continue speaking but choked on her words.

Her eyes landed on a perfectly round, pert peach-shaped bottom, curved at an angle that invited endless longing. The black camisole dress had ridden up slightly with her bending motion, revealing long, slender legs.

Gu Yu stood frozen in place. Coming to her senses, she subconsciously touched her nose. Thank goodness, no nosebleed.

Jiang Bomu, washing her face, was completely unaware. She asked as she washed, “What is it? Do you need the bathroom? I’ll be done soon.”

“No rush,” Gu Yu swallowed hard. Luckily, the sound of running water was loud enough to mask it. “Take your time.”

She restrained her gaze, looking upwards, only to see a pair of prominent shoulder blades. In the light, they glowed, poised as if about to take flight.

On the right shoulder blade was a tiny mole, like the mark of a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. Sensual beyond words.

Help. Why was every inch of her so eye-catching?

“Done,” Jiang Bomu straightened up. “I’ll leave first.”

Gu Yu nodded dazedly. It wasn’t until the other closed the bathroom door that she remembered—she hadn’t come here to wash up or use the toilet!

Beauty truly bewitched the senses!

She had no choice but to come out again, and asked indirectly, “Did you sleep well last night?”

“Alright, I suppose,” Jiang Bomu unscrewed her skincare products, answering absent-mindedly. “Didn’t suffer from insomnia too long. Drifted off hazily.”

That was good. Gu Yu breathed a sigh of relief, then asked, feigning casualness, “Before we slept last night, did you say something to me?”

Jiang Bomu’s hand paused for a moment before she replied, “Oh?”

Gu Yu was skeptical. “You didn’t?”

She looked as if suddenly remembering. “I recall now.”

Gu Yu looked at her hopefully.

“I said good night. You mumbled something back, slurring. I asked what you said, and then you fell asleep.”

Just like that?

Gu Yu still didn’t believe it, but she couldn’t find any clue in Jiang Bomu’s face. It was unverifiable.

Just as she was thinking how to probe further, Jiang Bomu reminded her lightly, “Xunxun, if you keep daydreaming, I’ll have to leave for the set.”

Gu Yu: “! I’ll wash up right away!”

She dashed off like a gust of wind. Jiang Bomu breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, she had fooled her.

People became much more emotional in the quiet depths of night. One truly shouldn’t talk too much in the evening.

Today was another busy day. Gu Yu had gotten much more adept at her assistant duties and could sneak a moment to reply to a few WeChat messages. The moment she opened the app, it was Jian Ya’s bombardment. The 99+ message count was glaring. The last one, sent at five in the morning, read: [Only the weak sleep. Are you weak?]

Gu Yu: “…”

Boldly, she replied: [I am.]

Summer break was leisurely for a college student. Jian Ya, once again, replied instantly: [Go die! I had insomnia all night! Meanwhile, you’re rolling around in bed with your darling sister! I’ve misplaced my devotion.jpg.]

Cough, it hadn’t quite reached that level yet.

Gu Yu retorted: [It’s my fault you couldn’t sleep?! We were all rooting for you!.jpg.]

Yesterday, Jian Ya had poured her heart out. She’d gone to the vet a few days ago to get her cat vaccinated and fell for the new veterinarian at first sight. She used the cat as an excuse to add her on WeChat, chatting her up every day.

But the little vet didn’t reply at all—unless she asked something about the cat. Then the response was incredibly attentive, like a completely different person.

But her cat was healthy and lively. Where were all these problems supposed to come from? Asking newbie questions made her look stupid; after all, she’d had the cat for two years. The pet records at the hospital were very clear.

Jian Ya’s flirting career had met its Waterloo. Dejected, she poured her grievances to her best friend, only to be mercilessly mocked, and then dealt a final blow. Triple hit. She almost coughed blood and died.

After a few playful jabs, Gu Yu suppressed her smile and asked with concern: [You haven’t slept until now, have you?]

Just as she hit send, someone tapped her left shoulder. She looked up, confused. A cameraman reminded her, “They’re calling you. Go on, quickly.”

Gu Yu then realized the scene had finished filming at some point. Jiang Bomu stood alone in the sun, looking at her calmly.

She immediately scooped up an armful of things and ran over. While holding the umbrella, she quietly apologized, “Sorry, Sister. I was just chatting with a friend and didn’t pay attention to over here.”

“It’s fine,” Jiang Bomu unscrewed her water bottle and drank. The slightly cool water soothed her parched throat, easing a bit of the heat in her heart. Yet her words couldn’t help but carry a slight edge, “You never had any obligation to help me with these things anyway.”

But her voice was so calm; Gu Yu didn’t catch the implication. She smiled, “These are all things I want to do. Sister, don’t be so formal with me.”

Jiang Bomu instantly cooled down. What was she doing? Accusing Gu Yu of not keeping her constantly in her thoughts? What right did she have to do that?

“By the way, where’s Tao Tao?” Gu Yu asked, puzzled. “Where did she go?”

“Coordinating something with the assistant director,” she answered, lowering her eyes. “She might not be around for the next half hour. I’ll have to trouble you to act as my assistant.”

“Okay, I won’t touch my phone,” Gu Yu put her phone into her bag and solemnly promised, “From now on, my eyes will only have you.”

Jiang Bomu’s lips moved slightly, but before she could say anything, filming was about to begin again.

Not daring to delay the shoot, Gu Yu quickly ran back to her spot.

For the rest of the time, she kept her promise, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on Jiang Bomu, promptly delivering whatever was needed. Even when Tao Tao returned, she didn’t let her mind wander, diligently completing her tasks.

The result of such focus was utter exhaustion the moment they wrapped up. The good news, though, was that they finished even a bit earlier than yesterday.

The three of them headed to the dressing room. Once the hair and makeup artist had removed the wig and left, Gu Yu immediately sat down, collapsing bonelessly against the wall. Finally, relief.

Tao Tao was still checking the next day’s schedule. “The exterior scenes are done. Starting tomorrow, it’s all interior shots. Sister Mu, take a look.”

Gu Yu immediately straightened up upon hearing this. Finally, no more sun!

The early August sun was the most scorching. Usually, she’d be hiding indoors, refusing to go out. Sigh, if it weren’t for love…

As Gu Yu was reviewing her arduous journey of pursuing a wife, there was a sudden knock on the door. A clear, sweet voice rang out, “Teacher Jiang, can I come in?”

It was Song Zhiwei’s voice. Gu Yu looked at Jiang Bomu, who nodded. Gu Yu got up to open the door.

“Sorry, Teacher Jiang,” Song Zhiwei clutched her phone, nervously twirling her fingers, “I’m not disturbing you, am I?”

“Is there something you need?” Jiang Bomu asked directly.

“It’s just… could I add you on WeChat?” she stammered. “Yesterday, I delayed your time and was too embarrassed to ask. Today, I couldn’t hold back anymore.”

Her goddess was only filming for five days. Today was the second day. She wouldn’t have many more scenes with her. If she didn’t ask now, it’d be too late!

She gazed at Jiang Bomu with hopeful, starry eyes.

“Okay,” Jiang Bomu nodded. “Anything else?”

Just like that, she had her goddess’s WeChat! Song Zhiwei’s eyes lit up. She hastily said, “No, nothing else. Ah, wait, actually, one more thing… never mind, you’ll find out tomorrow anyway. I’m off!”

Gu Yu closed the door, utterly baffled. So Song Zhiwei was like this in private? So eccentric.

But that wasn’t important. She asked, “Sister, what was that ‘thing’ she mentioned?”

Jiang Bomu shook her head, not paying it much mind.

“Back to the hotel,” she put on a mask. “I’m a bit tired. I want to sleep early tonight.”

She had several wire-work scenes today, consuming a lot of energy. Gu Yu felt both heartache and sigh inwardly. Being tired, she’d fall asleep easily. Would she still need her to coax her to sleep?

Recalling last night’s performance, she had seemingly done nothing, even falling asleep earlier than Jiang Bomu!

How could such service lead to repeat customers?!

Gu Yu was frantic internally, but outwardly she revealed nothing. She followed Jiang Bomu into the RV, heading away from the set.

Arriving at the hotel, they went their separate ways.

Before closing her door, Gu Yu secretly stole a glance at Jiang Bomu, but her expression was unreadable. She had no choice but to close the door and think of a plan.

Still, after a tiring day, she really didn’t want to use her brain. So she ordered takeout first. Only when full could she think.

While waiting for the food, she opened WeChat. Sure enough, another barrage from Jian Ya. Not in the mood for banter, Gu Yu explained: [Had something to do just now, didn’t see the phone.]

Jian Ya didn’t believe such a flimsy excuse: [You were doing it, right! Cat glaring.jpg.]

[…Stop it. My goddess and I are pure and innocent.]

Not waiting for Jian Ya’s reply, she sent another message: [Tonight, I might get kicked out by her.]

Jian Ya: [?]

[And you call this pure and innocent?]

Gu Yu scratched her head and briefly explained their sleep-coaxing arrangement, then pleaded for her friend’s help: [What should I do?]

Jian Ya ruthlessly mocked her: [All that fuss just to lie under the covers chatting. Gu Yu, can you please step up your game?]

Gu Yu: [I’m wronged but I won’t say it.jpg.]

If the other party was unwilling, she couldn’t force anything. That wasn’t love anymore.

She sighed. An idle glance at the time showed half an hour had passed. What if Jiang Bomu was already asleep?!

She typed furiously: [Emergency! Ya Ya, what do I do?!]

Jian Ya replied in a leisurely manner: [Don’t try any fancy tricks. Just strike directly.]

Gu Yu had an epiphany. Right! Why was she overthinking all this? Just ask directly!

She opened the pinned chat, thought for a few seconds, closed her eyes, and hit send.

[Still need sleep-coaxing services tonight?]