At the film studio, on the set of the fantasy drama "The Divine One," green screens surrounded the area, and wind machines billowed the gauzy curtains.
Gu Chengyu, dressed in low-key black casual wear with a baseball cap and a mask, hid on the periphery of the busy crew. Yet, his gaze was fixed unwaveringly on the familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar figure at the center of the set.
Su Qianqian wore a moon-white, flowing fairy dress, her ink-black hair cascading like a waterfall, gathered up with a simple jade hairpin.
With elegant poise, she was filming a dialogue-heavy scene confronting a demonic tribe. Her expression was cool and resolute, showing none of the soft, delicate charm she usually displayed around him. She truly seemed like a goddess who held all living beings in her heart.
Gu Chengyu watched, somewhat transfixed.
He knew she was different when working versus in private, but he hadn't expected the contrast to be so stark.
This aura of focus, resilience, and even a touch of sacred inviolability made his heart flutter, yet also inexplicably created a sense of distance.
The next scene involved wirework.
Crew members carefully checked her equipment.
Gu Chengyu's brow furrowed, his heart tightening along with it.
So high! What if the wires weren't secure? What if the equipment failed? Would she be scared?
He subconsciously took half a step forward, almost rushing over to call for a stop, but was gently pulled back by his quick-witted assistant, Zhao, who was beside him.
"Young Master Gu, the facilities here are very professional, funded and overseen personally by the Gu Group. The safety measures are not an issue," Assistant Zhao reminded in a low voice.
Gu Chengyu's jaw tightened. He forced himself to stop, but his eyes remained locked on Su Qianqian as she was hoisted by the wires, performing graceful movements in the air. A thin layer of sweat dampened his palms.
Only when she landed safely did he let out a sigh of relief.
However, before that relief could fully settle, he saw the actor playing the male lead in the drama walk over to continue the scene with the now-landed Su Qianqian.
It was a scene of reunion after a long separation, which included a staged kiss shot.
Gu Chengyu watched as the actor's hand rested on Su Qianqian's shoulder, saw their faces drawing closer and closer...
He was furious.
That was his woman!
Even if they were temporarily separated, she was still his!
Who allowed another man to touch her? And get so close!
Amidst the gasps of everyone present, Gu Chengyu, like an enraged lion, charged into the filming area. He grabbed the male actor by the collar and landed a fierce punch.
A loud thud, accompanied by the crew's screams, instantly threw the set into chaos.
Su Qianqian was also stunned by this sudden turn of events.
She looked at the suddenly appearing Gu Chengyu and the male actor, stumbling back from the punch with a dazed expression, unable to process what was happening.
"Gu Chengyu! What are you doing?" she instinctively shouted.
But Gu Chengyu paid no mind to the surrounding chaos. He grabbed Su Qianqian's wrist, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at her. "Come with me!"
"Let go! We're still filming!" Su Qianqian tried to break free.
Gu Chengyu ignored her protests, pulling her towards the exit. The ferocity emanating from him made others shrink back.
Assistant Zhao reacted swiftly, immediately stepping forward to manage the situation. He helped the innocent, punched actor to his feet, apologizing profusely and promising to cover medical expenses and compensation. Simultaneously, he quickly communicated with the director and producers, his attitude respectful yet forceful, ensuring that not a single detail of what happened today would leak out.
Gu Chengyu pulled Su Qianqian all the way, roughly stuffing her into the car waiting outside before getting in himself and slamming the door shut.
The interior of the car felt cramped and oppressive.
Su Qianqian was still wearing that ethereal ancient costume, her hair slightly disheveled, breathing a little heavily. She looked at the man with the gloomy expression beside her, feeling both shocked and exasperated.
"Gu Chengyu, have you lost your mind?" she asked, a rare hint of anger in her voice.
Gu Chengyu whipped his head to look at her, his eyes full of hurt, his tone both aggressive and aggrieved. "You let him touch you! You even let him kiss you!"
Su Qianqian almost laughed in frustration. "That was for the scene! It was staged! Couldn't you tell?"
"Staged isn't allowed either!" Gu Chengyu roared.
"Just seeing it makes me sick! Makes me want to hit him!"
He paused, his voice dropping, tinged with a petulant accusation. "Besides, we haven't broken up!"
"You're still my girlfriend!"
"You're someone with a boyfriend. How can you act in scenes like that? Kissing, hugging, none of it is allowed!"
Looking at his frenzied yet wounded expression, Su Qianqian's pent-up anger inexplicably dissipated somewhat.
She rubbed her reddened wrist where he had gripped it and sighed. "Gu Chengyu, can we be reasonable about this?"
"No!" Gu Chengyu turned his face away, but his large hand honestly cupped her wrist. He lowered his head and blew on it gently, a hint of guilt showing.
Seeing his dejected, stubborn appearance, Su Qianqian suddenly couldn't be bothered to argue. It was better to smooth his ruffled feathers.
Her voice softened as she explained to him, "This drama is centered on the female lead. It's mainly about her growth and career; the romance subplot is minimal."
"There's only this one kiss scene. There aren't any other intimate scenes after this. That actor really doesn't have much screen time."
She paused, adding quietly, "And it really was staged. We didn't touch at all."
Hearing her soften her voice to explain, Gu Chengyu's expression eased slightly, but he still grumbled, "I just feel terrible about it anyway."
Su Qianqian: "..."
Looking at him, she ultimately shook her head helplessly and reached out to gently tug his sleeve. "Alright, don't be angry anymore."
Feeling her placating gesture, Gu Chengyu slowly raised his head to look at her.
Her makeup was exquisite, her eyes curved gently. She still wore that ethereal costume, looking both aloof and obedient.
The fire in his heart subsided a little, but he still muttered defiantly, "Then promise me you won't accept any scripts with intimate scenes from now on."
Su Qianqian didn't agree, nor did she refuse. She just leaned back softly into the seat, closed her eyes, and said quietly, "I'm tired. I want to rest for a bit."
Seeing her fragile appearance, Gu Chengyu immediately lost all his temper.
He pulled over a blanket and draped it over her, his movements gentle.
"Sleep," he said, his voice hoarse.
"I'll watch over you."
Gu Chengyu looked at Su Qianqian, whose breathing gradually evened out beside him, his gaze complex.
He knew his behavior just now had been out of control, embarrassing.
But he couldn't help it.
Just the thought of possibly losing her, of seeing others get close to her, drove him mad with jealousy.
