A week later.
When Brother Wang called, Su Qianqian was practicing her audition lines in front of the mirror in her apartment.
"Qianqian, the crew of Youthful Days reached out to me again," Brother Wang said, his voice tinged with excitement. "Remember that role of the campus goddess, the unforgettable first love? The one we turned down earlier because it clashed with Lin Wan's schedule?"
Su Qianqian set down her script. "Yeah, I remember. What about it?"
"The director saw your geisha clip and thought you’d be perfect for that kind of... lingering, unforgettable presence," Brother Wang chuckled. "They still haven’t cast the role and wanted to know if you’re interested now."
Su Qianqian hesitated.
She did have free time lately, but the audition was coming up...
"It’s not a heavy role—just a few flashback scenes. They can wrap it up in a week of concentrated shooting," Brother Wang added. "Plus, school dramas are easygoing. Not exhausting at all."
"Brother Wang, let me think about it. I’ll give you an answer today."
"Great! The director said if you’re willing, you can join the set next week."
Curled up on the sofa, Su Qianqian flipped through the script again.
The campus goddess character was named Ye Yan, the male lead’s unattainable first love during high school.
Her solo scenes were indeed few: a fleeting glance by the basketball court, a profile shot reading by the library window, and a valedictorian speech at graduation. The rest were just background appearances in group shots.
Basically, she just had to look ethereal and remain an indelible mark in the male lead’s memories.
It suited her current state—no heavy emotional demands, just being quietly beautiful.
When Gu Chengyu returned, he found her grinning at her tablet.
"What’s got you so happy?" He shrugged off his coat and walked over.
Su Qianqian handed him the script. "I’m going to shoot that drama I turned down before—a school romance."
Gu Chengyu skimmed it and raised a brow. "The campus goddess?"
"Mm!" Her eyes sparkled. "It’s filming locally, so it won’t be tiring."
He pinched her cheek. "And who was it that said acting was exhausting and needed a break? Now you’re reading new scripts and taking roles again so soon."
"This time’s different!" She wrapped her arms around his neck, pouting. "School dramas are light, and I only have a few scenes."
He looked down at her. "You really want to do it?"
She nodded emphatically.
"Fine," he agreed readily. "But have Brother Wang send me the contract first."
Su Qianqian cheered and kissed his cheek. "Chengyu, you’re the best!"
He caught her before she could dart away. "That’s it?"
Her face flushed as she pushed him lightly. "I still need to practice my lines. The audition’s coming up."
Gu Chengyu studied her for a moment before pressing two quick kisses to her lips. "I’ll let you off for now, but you owe me later."
The next day, Brother Wang brought the contract.
Gu Chengyu reviewed it personally, adjusting a few restrictive clauses—especially the working hours.
The last medical checkup had revealed how fragile her health was; she couldn’t handle exhaustion.
During the Lin Wan shoot, he hadn’t noticed, letting her work nonstop. The guilt still weighed on him.
Ever since, he made sure to oversee everything in her life, ensuring she didn’t overextend herself.
Gu Chengyu insisted on a strict schedule: no more than six hours of filming and commuting combined, with a mandatory two-hour midday break.
The crew agreed without hesitation.
Filming began the next day.
Gu Chengyu personally drove her to the school set.
Adjusting her uniform tie, he said, "Come straight home after filming. No detours."
Dressed in the blue-and-white school uniform with her hair in a high ponytail, Su Qianqian looked every bit the high schooler.
She grumbled softly, "Chengyu, what’s gotten into you lately? You’re treating me like a kid..."
He sighed and pulled her into his arms.
"Qianqian, what happened at South Bay Resort scared me."
"You made me realize I’ve been a terrible boyfriend—being with you for so long and never noticing how frail you were."
Her cheeks warmed. She couldn’t tell him the real reason—that she’d been running low on energy back then.
"Alright, alright, Chengyu, I really need to go in now."
"I’ll take care of myself."
The shoot went smoothly over the next few days.
Su Qianqian only had to stand by the basketball court, offering the camera a soft smile,
or sit by the library window, sunlight casting shadows on her lashes as she read.
The director was thrilled. "Yes! Exactly that elusive, untouchable aura!"
For the final scene—the graduation speech—Su Qianqian stood on the auditorium stage in her uniform skirt, delivering her lines with sweet, unwavering clarity.
The extras playing students stared in awe, as if she truly were the unattainable senior they’d all admired.
