Huayu: Traffic is king

Chapter 193 So, I'm with my childhood sweetheart.
Filming is always tedious and long, and before you know it, it's time to say goodbye.

As the plot progresses, the difficulty increases, placing higher demands on the actors and creating greater dramatic tension.

Today's scene is a duet between Gu Jingyi and Zhou Ye.

An abandoned factory in a mountain city

The air conditioner's outdoor unit was buzzing, and the weather was so hot and humid that it felt like being wrapped in a soaked coat.

Gu Jingyi leaned against the rusty iron wall and unscrewed a bottle of ice-cold mineral water. He tilted his head back, and water droplets trickled down his jawline.

Zhou Ye sat on the steps opposite him, her knees together. She clutched the script in her hand, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the edges of the pages.

In today's scene, she plays Wei Lai, who leads a group of people to ambush Xiao Bei, played by Gu Jingyi.

"Jingyi, are we really going to fight later?"

Zhou Ye suddenly looked up, her eyes shining excessively in the dim light.

With her pretty face and youthful school uniform, she looks more like a school beauty from a youth movie than "Wei Lai".

Gu Jingyi threw the water bottle into the trash can, making a soft "click" sound.

Upon hearing his childhood sweetheart's question, a roguish smile crept across his lips.

"What, are you scared?"

Unlike the usual Gu Jingyi, as the plot deepens, the characteristics of "Xiao Bei" are also incorporated into him.

Zhou Ye pouted, looking somewhat unhappy.

Why would she be afraid? She was just worried that Gu Jingyi would use too much of the "method acting" technique and it would be hard for him to break character.

Acting can be divided into two types: method acting and technique acting, excluding those with formal training. Most non-formally trained actors use method acting techniques.

However, if an actor resonates too much with a character, they are also prone to picking up the character's traits.

Just like Gu Jingyi now, he has a bit of a reckless and unruly quality.

Zhou Ye lowered her head and continued flipping through the script, her voice muffled: "I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it."

Gu Jingyi didn't reply; he walked over and sat down next to her.

The concrete steps were rough and uncomfortable, but the two of them stood shoulder to shoulder. Their sweat-soaked T-shirts stuck together, making it impossible to tell whose was hotter.

Zhou Ye blushed slightly, and a smile quietly crept into her beautiful eyes.

The rest of the crew were already used to it, even after someone asked the question.

Gu Jingyi casually leaned on Zhou Ye's arm, openly acknowledging that she was his childhood sweetheart.

They were separated due to their upbringing, but by chance they reunited in the entertainment industry.

This unexpected beauty is just like a beautiful scene in a movie.

They were childhood sweethearts, no wonder they had such a good relationship on set.

"Alright, actors, please take your positions."

"3, 2, 1"

"Action!"

After the director said "Action," Zhou Ye appeared completely different on camera.

It's still the same person, but their demeanor is completely different.

She is no longer that little dog who loves to laugh in private, and her eyes no longer hold the pure innocence of a spring.

Those smiling eyes were both beautiful and wicked, like shards of glass coated with poison.

This isn't Zhou Ye, it's Wei Lai!

The girl in the school uniform approached Gu Jingyi step by step. Her slender, pale fingers poked at his chest, her nails scraping against the fabric.

She looked at Gu Jingyi with a beaming smile, her voice saccharine: "Brother Xiao Bei, why are you protecting her?"

Gu Jingyi stared at her, his throat tightening slightly.

According to the script, Xiao Bei should have sneered at this point and pushed her away, but he was instead affected by this unfamiliar Zhou Ye, who was completely different from the Zhou Ye in his memory.

Zhou Ye's fingertips were still pressed against his chest, the force not strong but it poked into a soft spot.

Seemingly noticing Gu Jingyi's absent-mindedness, her eyelashes trembled.

As a character in the film, Wei Lai shouldn't have such an expression—but the director didn't yell "cut," and the camera was still focused.

"Cut!" the director finally spoke, frowning as he walked over. "Jingyi, where are the lines?"

Gu Jingyi snapped out of his daze, raised his hand to wipe the tip of his nose, and then wiped the sweat off his pants. "Sorry, I was spacing out. Let's start over."

Zhou Ye withdrew her hand and turned her head away.

In a corner where no one was watching, the corner of her mouth subtly curled up slightly.

Another one came, and this time Gu Jingyi, who was prepared, caught it.

Xiao Bei pushed Wei Lai away, her eyes cold and ruthless.

But when Zhou Ye fell to the ground, he instinctively reached out to help her up.

His outstretched fingertips had barely touched her wrist when he abruptly pulled them back.

This is still filming; the movie can't stop until the director yells "cut." The actors are like puppets, waiting for the director's commands to perform.

After watching the entire clip on the monitor, Derek Tsang suddenly smiled and said, "This one is good; the mood is right."

As for what kind of emotion it was, he didn't say, and no one dared to ask.

Gu Jingyi reached out and helped Zhou Ye, who had fallen to the ground in a disheveled state, to her feet.

They continued filming like this for several hours before finally finishing.

By the time we finished work, it was already past 7 p.m.

Zhou Ye squatted by the roadside waiting for her agent's car, crunching a mung bean popsicle in her hand.

Gu Jingyi walked past from behind, casting his shadow over her.

"Zhouye, did it really hurt?" he asked.

Zhou Ye looked up at him, the syrup from the popsicle dripping down her fingers.

The two shadows intertwined under the streetlight, appearing intimately close.

Her eyes sparkled, "No."

"Then why aren't you looking at me?" Gu Jingyi chuckled, his tone tinged with amusement.

She paused for a moment, then finally turned her face to look at her.

"I'm afraid if I watch too much, I won't be able to control myself off-screen."

How can one describe that glance? Zhou Ye, dressed in her blue and white school uniform, under the streetlights. It was Wei Lai's attire in the movie, yet Gu Jingyi's heart still skipped a beat.

The school uniform was plain and simple, but it couldn't hide Zhou Ye's beautiful face.

This is what Gu Jingyi had imagined many times when he was a child, what Zhou Ye would look like when they attended the same high school.

A night breeze swept by, carrying the unique dampness of Sichuan and Chongqing and the aroma of hot pot broth permeating the air.

Gu Jingyi's thoughts were drawn back to the present, and he remained silent.

He simply bent down, half-squatting, and reached out to wipe away the melted sugar water that had accidentally gotten on his chin with his thumb.

Zhou Ye's breath hitched for a moment, and she dared not look directly at Gu Jingyi's face.

She just lowered her head and continued biting her popsicle.

But her ears, hidden among her beautiful hair, quietly turned red.

"You're getting more and more prone to overthinking. Since you've called me Brother Jingyi, how could it be that it's none of your business outside of the drama?"

Gu Jingyi looked at the little ear, his eyes suddenly becoming dull.

He couldn't resist reaching out and rubbing that ear.

"Well…"

The warm touch on her ear made Zhou Ye hum aloud.

The voice was weak, like that of a newborn puppy.

"What, are you dissatisfied with Brother Jingyi?"

Gu Jingyi intensified his efforts, becoming even more excessive.

Ears are not places to be touched casually, and Zhou Ye was quickly defeated and forced to the ground.

Those big, bright eyes looked at Gu Jingyi with a hint of grievance, "Do you know that a girl's ears are just like her feet, you can't just touch them casually?"

As the words were spoken, time ticked by, second by second.

Just as Zhou Ye's eyes were starting to sting, she suddenly fell into an embrace. Gu Jingyi sighed, "Why are you still so affectionate, just like when you were little?"

Huh? When did she start acting cute?!

Please, she's a girl with Sichuan and Chongqing ancestry. How could she possibly be fond of acting cute? That's slander!

Zhou Ye raised her head, and her clear eyes became even more beautiful because of her anger.

"Why not?" Gu Jingyi patted her little head again.

"You know perfectly well that our story will never end just because the movie ends. Why would you say something like that? Are you trying to be cute in front of me?"

"You already knew?" Zhou Ye said, somewhat surprised.

However, I remember this guy always being very smart, so it's normal that he guessed it.

"Yes, even if I guessed it all. I will still spoil you; my favoritism towards you needs no reason. Maybe it's just a habit, or maybe it comes from the heart. So, please don't worry anymore, okay?"

Gu Jingyi lifted Zhou Ye's chin with one hand and looked intently into her eyes as he spoke.

"So what kind of relationship do we have now?"

Zhou Ye, however, was still not satisfied and wanted to wait for an answer.

"What kind of relationship we have depends on how you think about it."

Gu Jingyi laid it all out directly, "As you probably guessed, my romantic history is more extensive than you imagine. I've had more than one girlfriend, which is why I didn't intend to get involved with you in the first place."

His frankness surprised Zhou Ye, when the truth came out of this person's mouth.

Although she had guessed it from the beginning, it was still somewhat unexpected.

"So, what's your answer?"

Gu Jingyi moved closer, carefully observing every change in Zhou Ye's facial expression.

Given his status, he naturally wouldn't stoop to playing any "forced love" games. If Zhou Ye truly couldn't accept it, then before the relationship completely soured, he should restrain himself and return to their previous way of getting along.

If Zhou Ye can accept it, that would be even better.

Childhood sweethearts, innocent and carefree, is a relationship that many people envy.

Their separation lasted ten years, and Zhou Ye eventually returned to his side after many twists and turns, which is quite a beautiful story.

"You idiot, that's not how you confess your feelings."

Zhou Ye smiled helplessly, cupping Gu Jingyi's face in her hands. She kept rubbing his handsome face, saying, "If you want to say something nice, why would you reveal your true intentions right from the start?"

"That's just how I am. I like to be upfront about things from the beginning. I don't like to hide things, and I disdain deception."

Seeing that he was unmoved by reason, Zhou Ye intensified her actions.

"You have to say nice things. You can't win someone over with just a few words."

Gu Jingyi paused, then pushed Zhou Ye away. He asked tentatively, "So, I'm not going to pursue her now?"

Seeing that Zhou Ye did not react, he turned around and pretended to leave.

In my mind, I was silently counting down: "Three, two, one!"

As he counted down to "one", a small firecracker pounced on him.

"If you leave, don't come looking for me again..."

Zhou Ye's voice was nasal and sticky.

"Ok, I know."

Gu Jingyi nodded and was about to take another step.

"tear"

But Zhou Ye bit him on the shoulder, and he felt a little pain.

"It doesn't taste good, it's so dry."

Zhou Ye felt wronged and even blamed him.

Gu Jingyi was both annoyed and amused, so he flicked her forehead with his finger.

"Isn't that obvious? Chongqing has always been known as a 'hot pit.' When I filmed with you, it was like a sauna from morning till dusk. The whole day was like a steam room. My sweat would come out and then dry, how could I not smell?"

"Zhou Yeye, have you gone silly from all this wind...?"

"Although I wasn't exactly smart before either."

Gu Jingyi muttered the last sentence in a low voice.

"Hey, be serious. He was just confessing his feelings!"

Zhou Ye started making a scene, and to this day she no longer cared about the theory that whoever confesses first loses.

All she knew was that if tonight passed, the small opening in Gu Jingyi's heart would be sealed up again.

"Do you really want to get involved in this mess?"

Gu Jingyi's voice came from beside her, but she felt it was somewhat ethereal.

"What muddy water? It's clearly Brother Jingyi's holy water, hehe."

Zhou Ye buried her face in Gu Jingyi's arms again and bounced around like a playful puppy.

"Alright, alright, you're right. Let's get to know each other again. My name is Gu Jingyi. I'm 20 years old. I used to have a childhood sweetheart, but thankfully, things have come full circle. We're still us. Hello, my girlfriend."

"Yes, my name is Zhou Ye, and I'm 21 years old. I used to have a childhood sweetheart, but before I recognized him, I saw his news countless times. He just passed me by in my life. Fortunately, after many twists and turns, I still found him. Boyfriend, I left a mark on the back of your hand. From now on, you're mine."

Under the lamplight, Zhou Ye smiled through her tears.

"Drip drip"

When Gu Jingyi saw the Bentley parked not far away with its hazard lights flashing, he knew that Lin Ze had arrived.

He simply hoisted Zhou Ye onto his shoulder and carried her across that short stretch of bumpy road.

Ignoring Zhou Ye's protests, they put her in the car.

Lin Ze glanced in the rearview mirror and, upon seeing Zhou Ye, didn't find it strange.

He's not stupid; what man would let go of such a lovely childhood sweetheart?
In particular, she went to great lengths to attend audition after audition to secure the role, all for your sake.

With a face like that, it's too easy to run into scumbags in the entertainment industry without a top-tier childhood friend to protect you.

Someone like Lai Kuan-lin, with his slicked-back hair and powdered face, is obviously no good.

It's more reassuring to entrust him to our own artists; aside from being a bit of a womanizer, he's top-notch in every other aspect.

There aren't that many pure-hearted heroes in the entertainment industry. Anyone who's willing to provide resources and support to their girlfriend is already a great person.

Fortunately, Gu Jingyi has an abundance of fashion resources.

Gu Jingyi can easily secure a spot with brands or fashion magazine editors that other artists can only dream of.

Don't underestimate this step; countless artists have been blocked from entering the industry because of it.

Noticing Zhou Ye stiffen in his arms, Gu Jingyi cursed Lin Ze in annoyance.

"Drive carefully, stop glancing around so much."

"Oh ho, so you're protecting her now?"

Gu Jingyi rolled his eyes. "She's my girlfriend. If I don't protect her, who else will?"

After saying that, he deliberately lifted Zhou Ye's chin and kissed her.

"Oh my god, I shouldn't be in the car, I should be under the car. Am I also part of your plan?"

Lin Ze let out a wail and began to act out his wails.

Gu Jingyi ignored him and whispered in Zhou Ye's ear, "Actually, I know that you didn't even ask your manager to pick you up today."

Zhou Ye froze, not expecting that he had guessed it.

Gu Jingyi gently patted her back, "It's okay, it's cute when girls have a little bit of scheming."

"Xiaoye, you can be more frank with me in the future. You can rely on me more, just like when you were little."

"Shall we make a pinky promise?"

Zhou Ye hooked her finger and smiled innocently like a child.

"it is good"

Gu Jingyi naturally agreed and hooked his finger to complete the vow.

Moonlight streamed through the car window and fell on Zhou Ye's face, revealing a joyful smile.

Finally, she got her childhood sweetheart back.

This time, she will not let go.

(End of this chapter)