Chapter 19: Then she really is wicked

Speaking of which, Gu Lanxi's entry into the entertainment industry was an accident.

Back then, when Hou Mingguang traveled south for casting, he was looking for a fresh face to play the second female lead and took an immediate liking to her.

At that time, Gu Lanxi was dating Lu Nanting. Because the gap between their social standings was too vast, she grew increasingly anxious and had to undergo regular psychological counseling just to maintain emotional stability.

Her doctor suggested she walk more, see more, and experience different kinds of lives.

So, even though she had never imagined pursuing this profession, after being pestered by the director for several days, she ultimately accepted his invitation.

The reason she continued to take on new film roles in the following years was twofold: first, Lu's mother had helped her make connections, leading her current boss to sign her with excellent benefits; second, she had graduated, and good investment projects didn't come around every day—she couldn't just sit around idle forever.

Coincidentally, her first film gave her confidence and sparked a deep interest in acting.

Thus, over the years, she filmed one movie after another.

Because she had helped her boss make a significant amount of money, the boss treated her exceptionally well even though she didn't take endorsements or engage in public promotion, maintaining a rather "zen" and detached lifestyle. Whenever a good script came along, she was given first pick.

Rumors swirled in the outside world that she was a "nepotism hire," and some even went as far as to claim she was being kept by a benefactor, but she couldn't be bothered to clarify.

Because anyone with half a brain wouldn't think that way.

Consequently, her life was very different from that of other female stars.

Lu Nanting knew a bit about this, but after hearing her explain it in detail now, he understood even more.

"Alright, I have a general idea of your situation. Now, let me tell you about mine."

Having finished her meal, Gu Lanxi felt a bit sleepy. She pulled her legs up onto the sofa and curled up with a pumpkin-shaped pillow in a very relaxed state.

Lu Nanting sat beside her; one downward glance allowed him to see her thick, slightly drooping eyelashes.

"I've been very busy these past few years. While our other classmates were all dating, I was dumped by my ex-girlfriend and could only focus my energy on my studies and work."

"Oh, she sounds truly wicked then."

She hadn't expected him to say that. Gu Lanxi tilted her head slightly, looking up at him from the corner of her eye, only to find him watching her with a smile.

Outside the window, the night had deepened. As their gazes met, it felt as though there were a thousand words left unsaid.

About the past, about the future, and about the present.

Finding the ambient light strip insufficiently bright—which made the atmosphere between them too ambiguous and her heart flutter too much—Gu Lanxi turned around and, with a *click*, switched on the floor lamp beside the sofa.

The silver lamp stand curved elegantly, with three milky-white silk shades hanging down, each slightly smaller than the last, making it look like a lovely sprig of lily of the valley.

Seeing her avoid his gaze, Lu Nanting gave a soft laugh and patted her head.

Her smooth, long, straight black hair felt like silk to the touch, shimmering with a magnificent, soft glow just like the lampshades.

Gu Lanxi frowned.

Before she could get angry, Lu Nanting withdrew his hand and said quickly

"It's not entirely her fault. If blame is to be assigned, I should blame myself first for not giving her enough security. If only I had been more mature back then."

Lu Nanting had always attributed Gu Lanxi's decision to leave to his own youth; Gu Lanxi had felt that dating him involved too many variables and lacked a clear sense of direction.

They had essentially had a peaceful breakup, but in reality, it had been painful for both of them.

Even half a year after the breakup, Lu Nanting would often come to sit in a daze beneath her dormitory building. Every time he appeared, the number of girls coming downstairs would increase; even if they were just going to the convenience store, they would put on makeup before heading out.

Later, she joined a film crew and began her own healing process, slowly climbing out of her rock bottom by constantly rebuilding her mental core.

Not long after, she heard that Lu Nanting had also entered the entertainment industry and had even signed with the same company as her.

Initially, there was a flicker of emotion in her heart, but since Lu Nanting never made a move, she gradually regained her composure.

Now that they were back together, discussing this topic for the first time, Gu Lanxi felt a bit ashamed, but she nonetheless offered a candid apology: "I'm sorry."

In Gu Lanxi's view, the reason they had separated back then wasn't Lu Nanting's fault, but rather her own lack of courage and conviction.

For a girl with strong self-esteem, perhaps the most painful thing is meeting a boy who is perfect in every way during one's youth, falling hopelessly in love with him, and only then realizing that an invisible galaxy separates the two.

A galaxy named "social class."

Back then, in order to find herself, she had chosen to take a step back.

Now, she had grown strong enough, and Lu Nanting's feelings had not changed. She thought, perhaps she could be brave just this once?

"Oh, then it's not your fault. It's your father's fault!"

Lu Nanting brushed a strand of her hair aside, twirling it around his fingers with a nonchalant tone.

"Why blame him? I barely saw him growing up; he never cared about me. I wouldn't want to be associated with him for eight lifetimes."

Gu Lanxi had never liked mentioning that man, and her brow furrowed immediately upon hearing his words.

A few years ago, when she heard he had gone bankrupt, she had even bought herself a four-inch cream cake to celebrate. She had been in a wonderful mood!

"If only he had worked a little harder, maybe we wouldn't have had to go through the trouble of dating; we could have just ended up together through a business marriage."

Gu Lanxi tried to hold it in, but eventually, she couldn't help but break into a smile, her eyes curving beautifully.

The regret she couldn't let go of in her youth actually had such an explanation.

She didn't need to feel guilty, and she didn't need to apologize.

He allowed her to shift the blame with complete righteousness.

If a man like that had a daughter, he would surely raise her wrong.

When it came to coaxing someone, he was utterly unreasonable.

Seeing her smile, Lu Nanting added, "It's still because he's too poor. If you had a butler, he would have popped up by now to tell me, 'The young lady hasn't smiled like this in a long time.'"

Gu Lanxi burst out laughing.

Sometimes she wondered if Lu Nanting possessed an invisible key labeled "Gu Lanxi! Smile for me!"—one gentle turn, and she would lose all composure.

"If the paparazzi caught us interacting privately like this, our reputations would collapse in minutes."

Gu Lanxi cared deeply about public perception, even though she had expressed similar sentiments several times without saying it explicitly.

Lu Nanting didn't debunk her; he simply followed her lead

"Then stop laughing. I don't care. If I use every trick in the book to make my wife happy, anyone would understand me. But you—you can't let your 'fairy' persona crumble."

Gu Lanxi laughed until her stomach ached, only avoiding rolling onto the floor because Lu Nanting had caught her.

She truly hadn't laughed like this in many years. Feeling a bit embarrassed, she turned her back to him, pretending to admire the night view outside the window.

The study faced the courtyard, and the view of the residential complex was excellent with wide spacing between buildings. With her keen eyesight, Gu Lanxi could faintly see children running on the circular balcony across the way.

Lu Nanting went out and brought her a cup of warm water.

"Stop laughing. You've made me focus only on you, and I haven't done any actual work. Sigh~"

Gu Lanxi forced back her laughter: "You make yourself sound like a tyrant."

Tyrants never had good endings.

Lu Nanting didn't respond, he just watched her.

With her eyelashes damp and her cheeks flushed, she looked over while holding the glass cup—a small, soft, white bundle. She was absolutely adorable!

Lu Nanting immediately pulled out his phone to snap a photo.

"Great, keep that smile! Don't block your face with your hands! At least show your chin! Yes, yes, yes! Look at me! Open your eyes wide and look at me! Keep that fierce expression! Great! One more!"

He even gave directions while taking the pictures.

Gu Lanxi covered her face and scolded him: "Don't take ugly photos of me!"

"Come on, look. I'll delete the bad ones and send you the good ones."

"I'm not looking! If you post them everywhere, you're dead!"

"My wife—how could I let anyone else have the privilege? Are you silly? To say such a thing."

Gu Lanxi took several deep breaths to steady her emotions before turning her head away from him again.

Lu Nanting had intended to tease her into looking at his phone, but unfortunately, she didn't take the bait.

Sigh, all those breathtakingly handsome selfies were going to waste.

Gu Lanxi held the cup and took small sips of water, only setting it down once she had finished.

"Hurry up and get to the point! Look at the time! You've been running around all day, aren't you tired?"

"Let me see... 9:52?"

Gu Lanxi was equally surprised: "It's almost ten?"

It felt like they hadn't been eating for very long.

Truly, handsome men are a distraction.

This was their usual dynamic.

The young master type: overtly flirtatious, constantly dropping smooth lines. Miss Gu type: secretly passionate, feeling wonderful inside but refusing to say it.

The details were sweet, the atmosphere was sweet—sweet from beginning to end.