Chapter 10: Mutual Following

The next day, Lin Xi returned to the film set and resumed her acting duties. Along the way, she encountered many actors and celebrities, each expressing concern and warmth toward her. Now that she carried the title of the eldest daughter of the Gu family, countless people watched her closely, hoping to profit from her newfound status. Building a friendly rapport and becoming acquainted was a wise move for them.

Lin Xi understood well how the industry operated; whenever someone showed signs of rising to fame, both familiar and unfamiliar “friends” would suddenly emerge with concern. Recently, all she wanted was to act peacefully without being thrust into the spotlight for some “diva behavior.” She responded politely to everyone, her smile nearly frozen from overuse. But Lu Yuxiu, true to form, did not comply with her wishes.

She finally relaxed upon reaching her makeup room.

When Lu Yuxiu heard Lin Xi had arrived, his face remained aloof, but he hurried to her door, unable to contain himself. Miya opened it, unfazed by the routine.

Stepping inside, he saw Lin Xi looking exhausted, her eyes reddened from long hours.

Lu Yuxiu’s heart ached for her; without thinking, he said, “Xiao Xi, stop acting for now. You don’t need the money.”

Lin Xi was surprised to hear this from him and smiled, “Then, Yuxiu, you certainly aren’t lacking in funds either. Why do you act? Isn’t it because you love it? I do too.”

Lu Yuxiu lowered his gaze, his eyes dimmed as if dust had settled on them. Xiao Xi, I act for you—for you to see me, remember me, seek me out, wherever you are.

“Come on,” Lin Xi said after finishing her makeup, and the two walked to the set.

“Director Lu, I’m sorry for delaying filming yesterday,” Lin Xi apologized sincerely.

Lu Jin had already learned of Lin Xi’s background from his son and worried privately; with her powerful family, he wondered if his son could win her over. Still, he was quite satisfied with his prospective daughter-in-law.

“No matter, just focus on acting now that you’re back,” Lu Jin replied casually, showing leniency toward his daughter-in-law.

After rehearsing the scene, Lu Jin called out, “All right, get ready to shoot!” His voice was measured but carried authority.

Actors took their positions, and everything was set.

“All departments ready! Action!” Director Lu commanded.

This scene depicted Ye Mochen being entangled by a courtesan, with Ruan Wushuang helping him escape.

Ye Mochen was just a few stages shy of reaching mastery; lately, he had been trapped at the divine level, unable to break through. At the suggestion of a friend, he ventured out in search of opportunity, and by a twist of fate, found himself in a pleasure house called the Flower Pavilion.

Dressed in a black silk robe, tall and elegant, his hair as dark as clouds, Ye Mochen quickly drew the attention of the women—such rare beauty was seldom seen in years, and the courtesans flocked to him.

Ruan Wushuang, hidden in the shadows, was there on a mission but had come up empty-handed.

Just as she was about to leave, she heard the commotion in the hall. Looking closely, she recognized her “benefactor.” Seeing Ye Mochen about to lash out at the entertainers—something that would only complicate matters—she sprang out without hesitation to engage him.

“Hey! If you want to fight, take it outside! Don’t make trouble here!” the madam of the Flower Pavilion cried in panic.

People scattered in chaos.

Ye Mochen recognized her and understood her intention to help him. The two feigned a fight and exited the Flower Pavilion.

Once far from the establishment, they stopped at the entrance of a narrow alley.

“That’s it. I’ve helped you this time; we’re even now,” Ruan Wushuang declared briskly.

Ye Mochen’s face remained inscrutable; earlier, he hadn’t understood why she saved him. This was their second meeting.

Whenever he saw her, she was always bold and straightforward, so unlike ordinary women.

This time, he seemed to understand his heart—he wanted to claim her for himself, to make every smile and every frown hers bloom for him. The realization startled him; was this what the ancients called “love at first sight”?

He gazed at her without blinking—her face, that peerless beauty, once seen, could never be forgotten.

In truth, all love at first sight begins with a desire for beauty.

Ruan Wushuang looked into his deep eyes, feeling a faint ripple in her heart.

The two stared at each other for a long time.

“Good, cut!” Lu Jin’s voice snapped Lin Xi back to reality.

She had truly been drawn in by Lu Yuxiu’s intense gaze, immersed in the role. She patted her cheeks gently—how easily one could be misled by beauty!

Lu Yuxiu noticed Lin Xi’s little gestures and smiled to himself. He was looking forward to the upcoming kissing scene. Then, his demeanor returned to its aloof elegance, betraying nothing.

Several scenes later, it was lunchtime.

To the crew, Lin Xi and Lu Yuxiu seemed very close; it was rare for the austere “Master Xiu” to interact privately with a female actress from the industry.

But Lin Xi regarded their relationship as a deep camaraderie, and Lu Yuxiu was attentive and caring. So, at his initiative, the two often read scripts, rehearse, and dine together.

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That noon, Lu Yuxiu, as usual, brought a lunchbox to Lin Xi’s makeup room. Ostensibly, they could discuss the afternoon’s scenes, but only he knew his true intentions.

The crew’s meals were quite good, and Lin Xi ate with gusto. Lu Yuxiu poured her water, and she felt comfortable; nothing compared to Chinese food.

Suddenly, she remembered what Sister Zhou had said about updating her Weibo from time to time to maintain her fanbase.

She snapped a casual photo of her lunch, wrote a post, checked it several times, and published it.

Within seconds, comments appeared:

@LittleSunset: Ahhh, the young lady finally updated! I’ve been waiting for days!

@linxide: Xi Xi, look at me, I’m a little fan here to get acquainted. Take care of yourself! Eat well and rest well, looking forward to your work.

@SuperTeaCraver: Checking in, checking in! Xi Xi, make sure to eat more! You’re so thin, it pains me!

For the first time, Lin Xi felt the enthusiasm of domestic fans. When she was abroad, people knew her for her design work, and most were male fans.

This was a completely different feeling, and she was exhilarated—the pleasure of being liked was wonderful.

Lin Xi was engrossed in reading comments, oblivious to Lu Yuxiu beside her.

Lu Yuxiu saw her post on Weibo, his eyes flashing. Without hesitation, he picked up his phone, turned off the flash, quietly took a photo, wrote “Lunch,” and posted it.

Lin Xi was happily browsing her fans’ comments when she noticed everyone tagging her to check Lu Yuxiu’s Weibo.

She glanced at him; he was eating, seemingly unaffected.

Curious, she opened Lu Yuxiu’s Weibo and found he had posted almost the identical update as hers. Except for the caption, the photo was nearly the same.

Weibo exploded instantly.

It would have been nothing, but in the corner of the photo was a slender arm—clearly not Lu Yuxiu’s, but hers! Netizens, ever the detectives, quickly connected the dots with Lin Xi’s post and realized she and “Master Xiu” were having lunch together!

Suddenly, Lin Xi was trending again.

“Lu Yuxiu Lin Xi” hot

“Master Xiu dining with female co-star” boiling

Lin Xi looked at the trending topics and felt she was becoming a regular. She said helplessly to Lu Yuxiu, “You’re going to get me into trouble—surely many people will curse me.”

Lu Yuxiu’s eyes glimmered with amusement. He replied confidently, “They won’t.”

Lin Xi looked up in surprise, falling into his deep gaze. Within those eyes, it seemed as if stars were scattered—a cold, clear look tinged with tenderness and an irresistible pride.

He must trust his fans implicitly to speak so assuredly, without a hint of doubt.

Lu Yuxiu’s reputation in the industry was one of cool detachment—aloof and ascetic. Even the most renowned paparazzi followed him for months without uncovering any dirt; he was a breath of fresh air in the entertainment world, attending only film shoots and never any events, almost as if he weren’t part of the industry.

Veteran insiders joked that Lu Yuxiu was so unambitious, they wouldn’t be surprised if he became a monk one day. Thus, his fans were highly cultured; their mutual understanding and unconditional support for their idol was unmatched.

After “Master Xiu” publicly admitted to having someone he liked, his true fans gradually accepted it. They couldn’t stop him from pursuing happiness, after all!

Honestly, they worried he might actually go monk someday!

As expected, Lu Yuxiu’s comment section was zen-like, filled mostly with surprise:

—Oh my god, Master Xiu, you finally remembered your little darlings! Your Weibo was starting to grow weeds!

—Ladies, Master Xiu’s love is here!!! Go, go, go! These two are a perfect match!

—Unbelievable, did I see right? Master Xiu’s Weibo features a woman! Is this really our distant, aloof idol?

—I’m convinced that ‘she’ is Lin Xi! Waiting, waiting.

—Girls, don’t celebrate too soon; this looks like pure publicity!

Lin Xi stared in shock. “Do your fans really want you married off that badly?”

Lu Yuxiu was feeling quite pleased, but at her words his face darkened instantly.

“Hehe, just teasing you!” Lin Xi laughed sheepishly, realizing her slip.

Lu Yuxiu then followed Lin Xi’s account, changing his follow list from zero to one. With nearly two hundred million fans, any move he made was noticed instantly.

Lin Xi’s own followers shot up by over two million, and kept climbing.

Her comment section exploded:

“Watching Master Xiu’s only follow!!!” “Here for Master Xiu, I’ll follow this young lady.”

“She’s truly a winner in life; even Master Xiu is captivated! Unbelievable.”

“Sis, tell us how you won Master Xiu over? So curious.” Side-eye smile.

“Master Xiu’s taste can’t be wrong. Supporting this beautiful lady, looking forward to ‘Glorious Winds and Clouds’ becoming a hit.”

“I’m a fan of the original novel, ahhh, their looks are divine, casting is perfect, looking forward to the Emperor-Empress pairing.”

Lin Xi nearly wanted to reply: You’re overthinking it!

Most netizens assumed Lin Xi was the one Master Xiu liked, though they lacked proof. Of course, some passersby voiced dissent, but those were quickly drowned out by excitement and joy.

A few of Lu Yuxiu’s obsessive fans sent her private messages with insults, claiming she wasn’t worthy of “Master Xiu.” Lin Xi glanced at them once and closed it, not telling him.

She marveled at her nearly crashing Weibo, and quickly followed Lu Yuxiu back; he was her first follow as well.