Chapter 7: The Pseudo-Heartthrob

Yu Liang's car only had two seats, and since Qin Xiao had been drinking, he had to take him along. Only Yu Liang could see Gu Lingyi home; there was no other intention behind it.

Huo Qi persuaded himself silently, his expression cold and indifferent. "I'm just taking you home. Don’t read too much into it."

“?”

Gu Lingyi almost laughed in disbelief.

At that moment, a man outside the elevator suddenly spoke, blocking the door with one hand. "Miss Gu," he said politely, "my boss asked me to escort you home."

“Ah?”

The man before her was refined and handsome, wearing gold-rimmed glasses perched on a sharp nose, dressed in a neat and formal suit. Gu Lingyi was certain she had no memory of him and blinked in confusion.

The man spoke again, "My boss said you were drunk and insisted that I ensure you get home safely."

Gu Lingyi felt a moment of guilt but quickly straightened her posture.

Huo Qi frowned, a touch of irritation flickering in his eyes, as if his territory had been invaded. "Who is your boss?"

“Sorry,” the man replied politely but firmly, “I can’t disclose that.”

“Who the hell are you?” Qin Xiao snapped angrily, ready to step forward but was stopped by Gu Lingyi’s movement behind him.

She effortlessly freed her hand from Huo Qi’s grip, stepped out of the elevator, and moved behind the refined man. “Fine, take me home then.”

“Gu—Ling—Yi,” Huo Qi growled through clenched teeth, his voice tinged with anger, “Come here.”

“No,” Gu Lingyi replied firmly, giving him no room for argument.

“Miss Gu,” the man turned, raising his hand respectfully, “please.”

Gu Lingyi nodded and began to walk out. After a few steps, she suddenly stopped, turned back to the elevator door, and blocked it. She glanced coldly between Huo Qi and Qin Xiao, her tone laden with meaning: "The hotel cameras have all been removed, right?"

She paused, as if offering a friendly reminder, "Don’t disturb the other guests."

Without another word, she turned and left.

The elevator doors closed behind her. Qin Xiao’s confidence wavered. “How—how did she know…” The cameras had been installed by him.

“Is it your brother?” Huo Qi asked abruptly. Qin Xiao was caught off guard, but Yu Liang responded calmly, “The man is wearing an FT Tourbillon mechanical watch worth enough to buy all of Young Master Qin’s personal assets.”

So his boss couldn’t be Qin Yue.

“Besides,” Yu Liang’s voice was cold and clear, “Gu Lingyi didn’t drink a drop in the private room.”

...

Of course, Gu Lingyi had no idea who was behind the cameras. She was just bluffing, but unexpectedly...

Tsk! Qin Xiao’s nerves are no good at all!

The luxury car moved silently along the road. The refined man was extremely discreet; after confirming the address with Gu Lingyi, he remained silent the entire way.

Gu Lingyi slumped in the back seat, half-asleep, only rousing her spirit to thank him just before getting out.

Back at the apartment, she collapsed onto the sofa and fell asleep, completely unaware of how many people were kept awake because of her tonight.

She slept until noon, awakened by a barrage of urgent calls from Tang Shu, who reminded her that the afternoon’s magazine shoot might involve Gu Yanyue and advised her to prepare herself mentally.

The photography studio was located in a three-story villa in the suburbs, isolated from any village or town. Surrounding it were various shooting sets owned by the studio, rich and diverse in scenery.

Tang Shu didn’t come along personally but sent an assistant and a driver.

The assistant looked even younger than her, barely out of adolescence. When asked, she revealed she was just nineteen, working part-time to pay for her tuition.

The villa’s three floors each served distinct purposes: the first floor was an indoor studio, the second floor housed several dressing rooms as well as spaces filled with clothing and props, while the third floor was a special area reserved for a fashion designer’s office, off-limits to outsiders.

Gu Lingyi was led to the makeup area, where two stylists were already waiting.

“Teacher Gu,” they greeted her, then began explaining the styling concept.

“This magazine’s theme is ‘Escaping the Oil Painting,’ so the makeup and costumes will be relatively extravagant and ornate.”

Gu Lingyi nodded, “Alright.”

“The magazine cover will be modeled by Teacher Gu Yanyue. She’s also shooting today, so we can coordinate so the inner pages and the cover complement each other.”

“Okay.”

Gu Lingyi responded. Just then, noises came from outside the door. The two stylists exchanging a glance hurriedly rose to greet whoever had arrived.

The makeup area was open, and Gu Lingyi turned to see a petite figure surrounded by a crowd, like a star adored by all.

In the novel, Gu Yanyue was portrayed as a heartthrob—kind, gentle, brave, and resilient—beloved by everyone.

The previously quiet studio suddenly swarmed with staff.

They clustered around Gu Yanyue, affectionately calling her “Yueyue.” The crowd moved with her toward Gu Lingyi.

“Yiyi,” Gu Yanyue’s voice was soft and sweet, utterly charming. “You’re shooting here too? What a coincidence…”

Gu Lingyi was speechless.

Indeed, it was a coincidence. In the original story, Gu Yanyue had been startled at a dinner party and had been in poor condition for several days, causing her shoot to be postponed until today.

The staff, reluctant to let her words hang in the air, quickly jumped in, “Yueyue, you know Teacher Gu?”

“Yes.” Gu Yanyue nodded, her doe-like eyes moist and innocent. “Teacher Gu is a bit reserved; we haven’t had many chances to talk.”

The matter of the real and fake daughters of the Gu family circulated only within high society; outside circles knew nothing.

According to the Gu family, since both were public figures, staying low-key was best for everyone.

Seeing Gu Lingyi remain silent, Gu Yanyue looked concerned. “Yiyi, are you feeling unwell today?”

Her words drew several curious glances toward Gu Lingyi.

After all, the topics #GuLingyi’s Scandal# and #Artist G’s Love Triangle# were still trending on social media.

Gu Lingyi turned her chair to face the “heartthrob.”

Gu Yanyue wasn’t the delicate and stunning type, but her features were pleasing—soft contours, innocent and pure with no hint of hostility.

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the fine down on her full cheeks.

She seemed like an angel bathed in a faint, shallow halo—who wouldn’t like her?

Gu Lingyi smiled lightly. “You’re overthinking.”

She found the two stylists who had been speaking with her earlier. “Gu Yanyue has arrived; can we start now?”

Her casual use of Gu Yanyue’s given name, without the usual formal ‘Teacher’ in the entertainment industry, silently irked many around.

Gu Yanyue seemed unfazed. “Mm-hmm, let’s begin…”

At her word, the other staff dispersed.

The makeup area fell silent.

Finally, Gu Lingyi could confirm the voice she’d been hearing wasn’t a hallucination.

“You say Gu Lingyi’s favorability rating is abnormal?”

Gu Yanyue appeared to be speaking to someone, and the response was mechanical:

“Yes, Gu Lingyi’s favorability rating box has disappeared.”

The system database contained favorability rating boxes for everyone in this world toward Gu Yanyue.

Normally, whether or not someone had developed favorability, the box would still be present. Yet from the moment Gu Yanyue saw Gu Lingyi, the rating box that was there suddenly vanished.