The Movie Queen is Flirtatious and Doting - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

The filming continued as usual.

Members of the crew were specifically tasked with recording short videos to promote the drama, capturing moments both in front of and behind the cameras, including makeup sessions. Fans were always eager to see their idols’ dynamics on set, so these clips were quite popular.

In front of the lens, Ye Yansheng was a master of acting cute and pleasing the crowd. Whenever Gu Yinglian saw that incongruously sweet smile, she felt a bit of a “cringe” in her heart. As expected of a professional actress, she thought, the persona must never slip in front of the camera.

Aside from filming, Ye Yansheng and Gu Yinglian would occasionally appear in these short videos together. As an unknown minor character—someone who wasn’t even officially considered an “actress” yet—Gu Yinglian was expected to be eternally grateful for the favor shown by a big star like Ye Yansheng. But Gu Yinglian wasn’t.

She believed Ye Yansheng was only acting kind for two reasons: one, she had designs on her; and two, she wanted to showcase her “approachability” to show the world how friendly she was to newcomers, thus maintaining her persona as a gracious senior.

Ye Yansheng teased her, “You seem to hold quite a prejudice against me.”

Gu Yinglian replied, “Sister Ye, you must be joking. I’m just a newcomer; how would I dare to have prejudices?”

Ye Yansheng asked, “So, do you plan on developing a career in the film and television industry?”

Gu Yinglian said, “I can’t say much about the future. For now, I just want to focus on doing a good job with this role.”

Ye Yansheng remarked, “Your acting is very natural. It seems you’re just playing yourself.”

Gu Yinglian replied, “It’s all thanks to your guidance, Sister Ye.”

Gu Yinglian wasn’t just being sycophantic. Ye Yansheng’s acting was indeed exquisite. When Gu Yinglian shared a scene with her, she found herself getting into character quickly, though she was often overwhelmed by Ye Yansheng’s sheer presence. When Ye Yansheng played a CEO, she was a CEO—completely domineering. During a scene where her character exploded at her subordinates in a meeting, Gu Yinglian, standing to the side, couldn’t help but tremble along with them. That heart-pounding panic and those sweaty palms were genuine reactions to being suppressed by Ye Yansheng’s aura. Gu Yinglian would think she was truly angry, only for Ye Yansheng to break character and become perfectly pleasant the second the director shouted “Cut.” She was truly a phenomenal talent.

Seeing Gu Yinglian politely and mildly “playing along” with her, Ye Yansheng couldn’t help but smile. Talented people always had a bit more pride. Gu Yinglian wasn’t part of the “inner circle,” so she didn’t feel the need to kiss the feet of the veterans. If she found acting fun, she did it; if she found it boring, she could just go back to writing songs. It wasn’t a do-or-die career for her. This challenge actually interested Ye Yansheng. After all, she had seen enough flattery in the entertainment industry to grow bored of it. With about a month of filming left, they had plenty of time to “nurture” their feelings.

One day after filming, Ye Yansheng said to Gu Yinglian, “You mentioned last time that you’d treat me to a meal in return. Do you remember?”

“Ah,” Gu Yinglian remembered. She said, “I did say that, but… it’s inconvenient for you to go out, isn’t it?”

“Then how about we eat at your place?” Ye Yansheng smiled.

“At my place?” Gu Yinglian hesitated. “My home is small and messy. I’m afraid it won’t meet your standards, Sister Ye. Let’s eat out instead.”

Ye Yansheng: “Whichever you prefer.”

As they left the company, fans began screaming frantically. Gu Yinglian felt apprehensive. Is eating out really okay? She weighed the cost of Ye Yansheng being recognized by fans against the “cost” of eating at her own home. She decided eating out was safer—she couldn’t exactly “lead a wolf into her house.”

Gu Yinglian followed Ye Yansheng into her car. Once inside, Ye Yansheng asked, “Where should we go?”

Gu Yinglian ran through the few good places she knew in her mind, but it was noon, and they would be crowded. If they went out like this, they would definitely be surrounded.

Gu Yinglian asked awkwardly, “Where would you like to go?”

“Hmm? Aren’t you treating me? Why are you asking me?” Ye Yansheng laughed.

Gu Yinglian said, “I don’t know where the good food is.”

Ye Yansheng said, “Then I’ll take you there. You’re still paying, right?”

Gu Yinglian nodded. “Whatever you decide, Sister Ye.” She silently prayed they wouldn’t go back to that insanely expensive place from last time.

Ye Yansheng smiled. “Then let’s go to my house. I’ll make a call.”

To her house? Before Gu Yinglian could even refuse, Ye Yansheng was already on the phone making arrangements, telling the other side to prepare lunch.

When they arrived at Ye Yansheng’s home and saw the standalone villa, Gu Yinglian was stunned. I knew she was rich, but I didn’t know she was THIS rich…

A private villa with its own garden and pool, a beautiful housekeeper, maids, bodyguards… What kind of fairy-tale place is this?

Gu Yinglian almost didn’t dare step onto the villa stairs, fearing her “commoner feet” would dirty the floors of the wealthy.

“Let’s go.” Ye Yansheng turned back on the stairs and smiled at her. “Aren’t you hungry?”

“Oh, yes.” Gu Yinglian followed her inside. Once she saw the interior, she could hardly move. The level of luxury far exceeded her imagination—it was even more extravagant than that celebrity restaurant.

The beautiful housekeeper ordered the food to be served, and a swarm of pretty maids bustled about. Gu Yinglian sat nervously at the dining table. She truly couldn’t fathom why someone who already lived surrounded by beauties would feel the need to flirt with her. Was it just “aesthetic fatigue”? Had she grown bored of these beauties and decided to go hunting outside, only for Gu Yinglian, the little white rabbit, to walk straight into her line of fire?

Ye Yansheng sat across from her. On the long table were over a dozen exquisite dishes—mains, sides, appetizers, desserts, soup, drinks, fruit… everything you could imagine. In such a setting, Gu Yinglian sat bolt upright, terrified of being ridiculed for any improper behavior.

She did, at least, know a bit of table etiquette.

“Eat, don’t just stare,” Ye Yansheng prompted.

Gu Yinglian nodded. “You’re too kind, Sister Ye.”

“Who’s being kind?” Ye Yansheng laughed. “I’m certainly not holding back with you.”

Gu Yinglian said, “I was supposed to be the one treating you, but it ended up being your treat again. I feel quite embarrassed…”

Ye Yansheng said, “It’s just a meal. What does it matter where we eat? Try it; see if my chef’s cooking suits your taste.”

Gu Yinglian carefully picked up a bit with her chopsticks. After tasting it, she couldn’t help but praise, “Mm, it’s very good.”

As she looked at the spread, she tried to estimate the cost. In reality, she couldn’t. Even the most unassuming side dish could be worth a fortune; the world of the ultra-rich was beyond her imagination. These dishes might as well be plated in gold.

Gu Yinglian made a comfortable living writing songs, but she wasn’t living a life of luxury. She rarely had the chance to indulge. To her, a big meal with friends once in a while was a major event.

Now, Gu Yinglian began to understand those girls who wanted to get close to Ye Yansheng. With her being this generous, she must be quite the “sugar mommy,” right? If it was just for fun, what was the harm? For those girls, there seemed to be no loss… unless Ye Yansheng had some sort of dark, hidden vice…

Gu Yinglian suddenly thought: If I sell myself out for just a meal or two, that’s way too cheap! She still had her principles. She could be friends, but she definitely couldn’t be a girlfriend! Don’t think a couple of meals could win her over!

Ye Yansheng ate quietly with elegant, graceful movements. She truly was a perfect woman. Looking at her now, Gu Yinglian almost forgot all her flaws. Is this the same woman who was mocking me just a short while ago?

Noticing the gaze, Ye Yansheng smiled. “Does looking at me make the food taste better?”

Gu Yinglian quickly looked down and whispered, “It’s… alright.”

Ye Yansheng looked at her and asked, “Am I beautiful?”

Gu Yinglian: “…”

Gu Yinglian really wanted to say: You’re beautiful when you don’t talk—cold and stunning. But the moment you speak, the value drops… Instead, she said, “Your beauty doesn’t need my confirmation.”

Ye Yansheng asked, “Do you like my beauty?”

Gu Yinglian glanced up. Those jewel-like eyes were staring right at her. Gu Yinglian’s heart skipped a beat. She stared blankly for a moment, speechless.

Ye Yansheng laughed. “What’s wrong? Are you mesmerized by me?”

Snapping back to reality, Gu Yinglian hurriedly looked down, her ears turning red. Ye Yansheng teased, “Look at you, even your ears are red.” Gu Yinglian wished she could find a hole to crawl into.

“Stay and rest here for a bit after lunch,” Ye Yansheng said.

Gu Yinglian didn’t want to run back and forth right after eating, so she silently accepted the arrangement.

The two continued to eat in silence, followed by dessert and fruit—all of which were delicious. Since Gu Yinglian was the type who didn’t gain weight easily, she ate boldly. Ye Yansheng, needing to manage her figure, ate more sparingly.

Ye Yansheng smiled at her. “Watching you eat gives me an appetite. It’s been a long time since I felt the joy of food.”

Gu Yinglian said, “That’s a shame.”

Gu Yinglian picked a green grape. It was incredibly delicious and refreshing—hundreds of times better than any she’d ever had.

She couldn’t help but ask, “What kind of grape is this? It’s so good.”

Ye Yansheng glanced at it and said, “Imported. That small plate is probably over six thousand yuan.”

“Wha—!” Gu Yinglian nearly choked. Ye Yansheng picked one up and said nonchalantly, “Money isn’t the issue, as long as it tastes good.”

Then this whole table… must be tens of thousands again? Gu Yinglian felt that the world of the rich was far, far beyond her reach. Her previous offer to “treat her” now felt like a joke. Could she even afford to feed this woman? What kind of food would even impress her?

Ye Yansheng said, “You don’t need to feel pressured.”

Gu Yinglian thought: I am BEYOND pressured!

As she ate the grapes, she couldn’t help but count—each one was three hundred yuan! She suddenly thought of “Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden” in Dream of the Red Chamber, eating an egg worth two taels of silver—before she even tasted it, the money was gone.

Gu Yinglian began to eat slowly and carefully. She had to make sure each three-hundred-yuan grape provided its full value; she couldn’t just swallow them whole!