Spilling the Tea on the Movie Star Who Won't Leave Me Alone - Chapter 41

Before Xu Chi could figure out how to solve the problem, he drifted off to sleep amidst the turbulence of the plane.

He was eventually woken up by Lin Tao. Still half-asleep, Xu Chi had forgotten to put on his sunglasses, and he could hear the passing flight attendants letting out soft gasps of admiration.

Lin Tao reached out and snapped the sunglasses onto Xu Chi’s face. “Pay a little attention when you’re out in public. You’re technically a semi-celebrity now.”

A year ago, Xu Chi didn’t need sunglasses to go out because hardly anyone knew him. However, once Director Jiang’s Childhood Sweethearts began airing, Xu Chi’s follower count skyrocketed by several million.

“Oh,” Xu Chi replied, pulling the brim of his baseball cap as low as it would go. He followed Lin Tao out of the airport.

As soon as the damp, icy winter wind of Jiangnan hit him, every trace of Xu Chi’s sleepiness vanished.

“Hiss—” Xu Chi blew a breath into his cupped hands, hoping to get a bit of warmth. “How is winter in the South even colder than in Beijing?”

Lin Tao, having checked the weather forecast beforehand, had worn an extra down vest and wasn’t feeling the chill as much as Xu Chi.

“There’s a cold wave in the South this year; it’s colder than the North. I told you to bring more clothes. If it gets too cold, go buy a few more pieces later.”

Xu Chi was too cold to even speak; he simply nodded in agreement.

The car they had pre-booked was already waiting outside the airport. The moment the door opened, Xu Chi dove inside. It took a long time for the heater to bring him back to his senses.

“The South really is freezing this year.” Xu Chi pressed himself right up against the car’s air vent, only then feeling his body gradually begin to thaw.

“Tell me about it. This year is exceptionally cold. It’s even supposed to snow in a few days.” The driver was a cheerful man. Hearing Xu Chi speak, he couldn’t help but join the conversation. “It hasn’t snowed in the South for years. This year is quite a rare sight.”

While Lin Tao and the driver began chatting about the weather, the first thing Xu Chi did was take out his phone to send Gu Jingxuan a message to let him know he had arrived safely.

Gu Jingxuan was currently looking through the old files his manager had sent him regarding Xu Chi’s background. When he heard the WeChat notification, he picked up his phone immediately.

By his calculations, Xu Chi should have just landed. At this hour, Xu Chi was likely the only person who would be messaging him.

Sure enough, as soon as Gu Jingxuan opened WeChat, a red dot appeared on the pinned conversation at the top.

Xu Chi: Brother Gu, I’ve landed.

It was a plain sentence, yet Gu Jingxuan could sense that Xu Chi must have been in high spirits while typing it.

Gu Jingxuan didn’t feel like typing, so he sent a voice message while continuing to look through the files.

“How is the South? Is the weather cold?”

Xu Chi: It’s so cold. I almost lost all sensation the moment I stepped out of the airport.

“Why aren’t you sending voice messages?”

Gu Jingxuan wanted to hear Xu Chi’s voice. His own use of a voice message was a clear enough hint, yet Xu Chi continued to reply with dry text.

Xu Chi: I’m in a taxi; it’s a bit awkward to send voice notes.

Lin Tao already knew about Xu Chi’s feelings for Gu Jingxuan. If Xu Chi sent a voice message in front of the driver and Lin Tao, Lin Tao would definitely know exactly who he was talking to.

“Then message me again once you reach the hotel.”

Xu Chi: Okay!

After putting his phone down, Gu Jingxuan looked at the documents on his iPad, his brow furrowed deeply.

Xu Chi used to have a promising career in the music industry, he was even dubbed the “Little Prince of Musicals.” For some unknown reason, he had suddenly quit the musical theater world, found a random talent agency, and essentially sold himself short.

“Both parents deceased; went out to work alone. Scouted by Yan Qiu and signed to the agency.”

Xu Chi had never told Gu Jingxuan that his manager was Yan Qiu; Gu Jingxuan had always assumed it was Lin Tao.

Seeing the name “Yan Qiu” made Gu Jingxuan’s frown tighten. Yan Qiu had a terrible reputation in the industry; most people knew he loved forcing “casting couch” arrangements on the company’s newly signed artists.

Thinking of Xu Chi’s unique body, Gu Jingxuan felt a surge of possessiveness, wondering if his “property” had been tainted by someone so shameless. However, he immediately dismissed the thought.

Xu Chi’s physical condition was virtually unheard of. If Yan Qiu had truly set his sights on him and followed through, a man like Yan Qiu would never have let Xu Chi go. Furthermore, he wouldn’t have left such a talented artist sitting on the sidelines for three years without giving him any good resources.

While he felt a sense of relief, Gu Jingxuan also felt that his previous train of thought was unfair to Xu Chi. He couldn’t assume Xu Chi was involved with someone like Yan Qiu just because of Yan Qiu’s poor character.

Gu Jingxuan knew most of what had happened after Xu Chi signed with Yan Qiu. However, the files sent by his manager didn’t contain a single word about the years Xu Chi spent studying music and his departure from the musical theater scene.

When Gu Jingxuan messaged to ask, he was told that no information could be found.

That meant the history had been intentionally scrubbed by someone. Someone didn’t want those events known, so they had destroyed the record.

Gu Jingxuan shook his head, a headache forming. He pinched the bridge of his nose firmly with his thumb and forefinger. It seemed that uncovering Xu Chi’s past relationships and history wasn’t going to be easy.

Just as his head was throbbing, Xu Chi called him.

“Hello, Brother Gu.” Xu Chi had just walked into his room; his voice was a quiet, breathy whisper. “Brother Gu, are you asleep? Did I wake you up?”

The phone hadn’t even rung three times before Gu Jingxuan picked up, making it obvious he wasn’t sleeping, yet Xu Chi couldn’t help but ask anyway.

“Not yet. I was specifically waiting for your call.” Gu Jingxuan leaned back in his chair, his tone much more relaxed. “I was just thinking that if you didn’t message me tonight, I’d have to figure out how long I should stay mad at you.”

Xu Chi laughed at Gu Jingxuan’s words. The crisp sound of his laughter traveled through the phone into Gu Jingxuan’s ear, making his heart itch.

“Brother Gu, you wouldn’t have the heart to cut me off.” Since their relationship had improved significantly, Xu Chi could tell Gu Jingxuan was joking, so he grew bold enough to joke back.

Gu Jingxuan loved this side of Xu Chi—the version of him that was completely different in private than he was in public. It made him feel like he held a very special place in Xu Chi’s heart.

Gu Jingxuan stopped teasing him. He knew a long flight was uncomfortable and it was getting late.

“Go to sleep early, then.” Gu Jingxuan wanted to study Xu Chi’s files a bit more and also wanted Xu Chi to get some rest.

To Xu Chi’s ears, however, it sounded like Gu Jingxuan didn’t want to talk anymore and wanted to hang up quickly.

His mood instantly plummeted. He gave a dull, lifeless response and prepared to end the call.

Gu Jingxuan caught the change in his tone and knew the little guy was overthinking again. He quickly added, “Get some good rest tonight. I’m coming to see you tomorrow.”

Xu Chi’s eyes lit up instantly, his smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. “Mm-hmm! I’ll come pick you up tomorrow.”

“Alright. Goodnight, kiddo.”

“Goodnight, Mr. Gu.”