Spilling the Tea on the Movie Star Who Won't Leave Me Alone - Chapter 51

After Xu Chi finished fixing his hair and emerged from the restroom, he saw Lin Tao standing in front of Gu Jingxuan. The two were talking about something, and the atmosphere seemed somewhat tense.

Unaware of the situation, Xu Chi thought they had gotten into an argument for some reason and was about to go over to mediate. However, the moment they spotted him, they both returned to their seats, acting as if nothing had happened.

Feeling a bit bewildered, Xu Chi walked over and sat down beside Gu Jingxuan. He looked back and forth between the two of them before finally speaking up.

“What were you two just chatting about? Why did you stop as soon as I arrived?”

Judging by their expressions, they did not look like they had just been fighting.

“We were talking about how, despite being in the industry for so long, your company has never promoted a specific persona for you.”

As soon as Gu Jingxuan said this, both Lin Tao and Xu Chi fell silent. They exchanged a look but said nothing.

No one else knew about the true nature of the relationship between Xu Chi and his company. Even many of the artists and managers within the firm were in the dark; everyone simply knew that Xu Chi’s manager never showed up.

“Uh… that… between the company and me…”

Xu Chi spoke hesitantly, failing to provide any concrete information.

Gu Jingxuan knew there must be circumstances involved that others were not privy to, but he did not force Xu Chi to spill all his secrets.

“How about we create a persona for you right now?” Gu Jingxuan rested his chin on his hand, looking at Xu Chi with a smile that sent an unbidden chill down Xu Chi’s spine.

“Let’s hear it,” Lin Tao interjected before Xu Chi could speak. He had never managed to come up with a likable persona for Xu Chi, and it pained him that such a good kid had been neglected by the company for all these years.

Gu Jingxuan blinked, looking at Xu Chi’s helpless expression.

“Does he even need us to create one? He is the literal personification of ‘clueless and cute’.”

Gu Jingxuan emphasized the word “clueless” particularly hard. Xu Chi’s face flushed red instantly, but though he opened his mouth, he could not bring himself to say a single word of reproach.

How can someone be like this? He just confessed to me last night and now he’s teasing me like this. He is truly annoying!

Lin Tao burst into laughter upon hearing this, only stopping once he saw that Xu Chi was about to leave the table in embarrassment.

“Right, right. We don’t need to craft this persona; Chi is just playing himself.”

The atmosphere among the three was rare and harmonious as they finished their lunch amidst laughter and banter.

After the meal, the two of them ditched Lin Tao to enjoy some time alone as a couple.

Gu Jingxuan took Xu Chi’s hand and led him toward the back exit of the hotel, wearing a mysterious expression.

“Brother Gu, where are we going?” Xu Chi asked as he was pulled along. His steps were slightly unsteady, and he nearly stepped on Gu Jingxuan’s heels several times, almost tumbling forward.

A car was waiting outside the back entrance. Seeing them approach, the driver honked the horn to signal them to get in.

Once they were both settled in the car, Gu Jingxuan instructed the driver to start moving before finally telling Xu Chi their destination.

“I know a professor at M University who teaches Kunqu Opera. I’m taking you to meet him; he can give you some lessons during this period.”

This news clearly startled Xu Chi. He and Lin Tao had previously planned to find a Kunqu professor at a university to study under, but he had not expected Gu Jingxuan to solve the problem directly upon his arrival.

“You actually know a Kunqu teacher at the university?” Xu Chi’s admiration for Gu Jingxuan grew even deeper, his eyes practically sparkling.

“Director Jiang will be arriving with the crew soon. I’m afraid we’ll have to take extra classes to study these next few days.” Before coming south, Gu Jingxuan had contacted the professor in advance, intending to take Xu Chi to study immediately.

“Director Jiang said he would bring a Kunqu teacher with him, but the pressure of learning on set will be too high. It’s better to familiarize yourself beforehand.”

Gu Jingxuan had considered everything so thoroughly that Xu Chi had nothing left to say.

“Brother Gu, you’ve thought of everything.”

Initially, Xu Chi had only thought of watching a few Kunqu performances in the south and learning the southern accent from some elderly locals; he had not looked nearly as far ahead as Gu Jingxuan.

To his surprise, once they arrived at M University, Gu Jingxuan gave him an even bigger shock.

While the professor was explaining Kunqu to him, Gu Jingxuan slipped away. By the time Xu Chi thought to look for him, he had already changed into costume in the dressing room.

When he stepped out, he looked every bit the elegant young gentleman. The simple headwrap, which usually looked unremarkable, only served to make Gu Jingxuan appear even more refined.

“The most enchanting spring scenery is this year’s; why settle for anything less than the painted terrace? It turns out the heart of spring is suspended everywhere.”

The slight upward lilt at the end of the line made Xu Chi’s heart tremble.

He had absolutely no idea that Gu Jingxuan knew Kunqu. Seeing Gu Jingxuan with his face expertly painted, Xu Chi almost immediately slipped into his role from the script.

He had originally thought that anyone would look the same once they put on Kunqu makeup. However, he realized that even with such heavy makeup, he could still clearly see the contours of Gu Jingxuan’s face. Behind the Kunqu mask, Gu Jingxuan’s face remained captivateingly handsome, perfectly blended with a hint of roguish charm.

“This kid hasn’t forgotten everything I taught him, after all.”

Professor Wang nodded with satisfaction, smiling as he told Xu Chi about Gu Jingxuan’s past.

“This boy was disobedient when he was young, and his family couldn’t control him, so they sent him to me to learn Kunqu.” Professor Wang seemed to recall something amusing, coughing out a few low chuckles.

“During the winter, when it was snowing outside, if he didn’t behave, I would make him strip to the waist and practice his vocal opening outside. He wasn’t allowed back in until he practiced properly. Later, the boy would cry and shout until his throat went hoarse.”

“He wasn’t even in middle school back then. He became terrified of me after that and followed me to learn Kunqu seriously for two or three years. Later, he moved to Beijing with his parents.”

Xu Chi turned around to find Gu Jingxuan standing behind him. His eyes, lined with crimson eyeshadow, crinkled into a smile, as if he too felt a touch of sympathy for his younger self.

“I thought later that the reason this kid was able to achieve such success in the film industry was likely because he was tempered by the winter cold back then. He learned to persevere and withstand setbacks.”

“Gu’s foundation is quite good. You study with him for two days first, and I will personally teach you for the remaining three days.”