My Wife's Ears Are Fuzzy - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

In the conference room, Tang Sarah held a thick script while her assistant opened a PPT to present the story outline, world-building, character designs, and key supporting roles.

Based on the high-end 3D rendering alone, it was clear that a fortune had been spent on this presentation. Tang Sarah had hated studying since she was a child; her father had essentially bought her a degree from a foreign university. Being image-conscious, she loathed it when people called her uncultured. Deep down, she envied figures like CEO Lin of the ZL Company—women who were beautiful, noble, mysterious, and possessed an IQ high enough to launch into the atmosphere.

Her grades might have been poor, but her PPTs had to be top-tier! They had to be intellectual, technical, and aesthetically stunning. Because of this, Tang Huan’s script presentations were the industry gold standard.

After watching the PPT, Gu Xiaofeng understood immediately: this was another Eastern fantasy period drama, but with a tragic twist. Unlike the gentle, lingering romances of previous scripts, this one featured a “love-hate” dynamic where the leads were both ruthless.

For a moment, Gu Xiaofeng thought of her dream. That hazy dream where she wanted to both passionately kiss the girl and strangle her. In a script, that was the ultimate “enemies-to-lovers” trope.

“Xiaofeng, you’re the lead for this one, but the second and third female leads have significant screen time. It might dilute your presence. Do you accept?” Tang Sarah was remarkably fair to her artists; she never simply dictated roles but communicated based on their temperament and acting style.

Gu Xiaofeng nodded. She wanted to try a role with that kind of intense, conflicting passion.

Tang Sarah leaned back in her chair, a smirk playing on her lips. “Good girl. You’re so sensible!”

Gu Xiaofeng gave her a sharp eye-roll.

Xiao Yuan chimed in with a report on Gu Xiaofeng’s current schedule. “Filming for Hidden will take about two more months. After that, we fly to France, the UK, and Italy for commercial shoots.”

Tang Sarah interrupted, “Push that film back a bit. There’s a variety show you need to do first.”

“A variety show?” Xiao Yuan asked, puzzled.

Gu Xiaofeng finally looked up. “I haven’t heard anything about me joining a variety show.”

“It’s a life-experience reality show. I just got the notice from the group headquarters myself. Besides, variety shows are huge right now. If you’re famous, they make you a superstar; if you’re not, they give you a nice boost.”

Gu Xiaofeng said coldly, “You know I hate those shows. I have no life skills. I only know how to act.”

“I know,” Tang Sarah smiled, ignoring the icy glare. “You can’t even boil noodles without burning them. In all of Tang Huan, you’re the undisputed champion of ‘Life Incompetence.’ So, just bring someone with you who can handle life. They cook, you eat.”

“What do you mean?”

“The producers want to see real interactions. You bring a lover, a relative, or a friend. It gives the audience something fresh and boosts the ratings.”

Gu Xiaofeng straightened up, her eyes narrowing. “And who is this meant to promote this time?”

“My darling, you always see right to the heart of things,” Tang Sarah said, personally pouring Gu Xiaofeng a coffee. “Have you heard of Yuna?”

Gu Xiaofeng gave a flat reply: “Yes.”

“She’s a new signee. Beautiful, can sing and dance—the company is planning to give her a massive push. To be honest, she’s my brother Jack’s new girlfriend. I have to show him some face, right? Rumor has it she could be the next Su Manni.”

Su Manni was a legendary diva, a goddess of her era. To be called the next Su Manni was high praise indeed.

…

While Gu Xiaofeng and Tang Sarah were talking, Tu Yiyi was glued to the TV, binge-watching her neighbor’s filmography. Gu Xiaofeng had starred in thirteen films, and every single one was a critical and commercial hit.

Tu Yiyi watched them with absolute devotion, refusing to fast-forward. When “Gu Cao-cao” cried, Yiyi cried; when she laughed, Yiyi laughed. Zhuo Jin asked twice if she wanted dinner, but she impatiently waved him away.

Only after four movies did Tu Yiyi rub her sore eyes and declare, “Dinner!”

They had roast chicken paired with Jian Lei’s specialty: Hundred Flower Soup—a broth made by simmering one petal from a hundred different flowers for four hours. Individually, the petals were bitter, but together with a hint of sugar, the taste was divine.

As Tu Yiyi sat on the balcony eating her chicken and soup, Gu Xiaofeng returned.

The setting sun bathed Gu Xiaofeng in a golden glow. Her long hair flowed in the breeze; her lips were pressed thin, and her deep, calm eyes sat in a face so pale it looked holy.

The moment Yiyi saw her, she dropped her bowl, wiped her mouth, and leaned halfway over the railing. “Cao-cao! You’re back!”

Her face was a mask of pure joy, her eyes shimmering with tears, her smile as bright as a lark.

Gu Xiaofeng: “…” Are we really that close?

Then, Gu Xiaofeng paused. That posture… that expression… that shy, joyful look of love in her eyes…

Wait. That was the exact performance of “A-Sheng” from Gu Xiaofeng’s movie last year, With My Lord, during the scene where she sees her long-lost lover return.

She had to admit, Tu Yiyi’s emotional range was incredible. The tears and the vulnerability were just as good as her own performance. But the point was: I’m not her lover, so why is she waving at me like a maniac?

By the time Gu Xiaofeng reached her own gate, Tu Yiyi had already snapped out of her “movie-watching trance” and was back to tearing into a chicken leg. The aroma of the roast chicken and the glisten of oil on Yiyi’s lips caught the actress’s attention.

It looks… really good.

Gu Xiaofeng paused between the two villas, her pride holding her back.

“Cao-cao, you haven’t eaten yet, have you?” Yiyi asked.

It sounded like an invitation. Gu Xiaofeng nodded slightly. “Not yet.”

“Then you’re going to order takeout, right?” Tu the Fool asked excitedly. “Tell me when it arrives, I want to see!” She took a huge bite of chicken and sighed with regret. “You know, I’ve never had the chance to order takeout before.”

Gu Xiaofeng: “…”

Is this fool… throwing shade at me? Mocking me for having no life skills and only being able to order takeout?