Chapter 209 Those Tabloids Are All Fake

Lu Er put away his phone and sighed. “The main responsibility for this lies with Yan Huaijin.”

“Emperor Yan?” Ye Qingge blinked. “What’s wrong with him?”

“As long as Yan Huaijin shows me even a bit of concern, Gu Jinzhou acts like he’s been shot,” Lu Er said, shrugging. “I’m really at a loss. Honestly, I just want to give this kind of fortune away to someone else.”

Ye Qingge frowned. “Someone as narcissistic as Gu Jinzhou… would he really like someone as rigid and boring as Yan Huaijin? I don’t buy it.”

Lu Er looked at Ye Qingge and suddenly smiled.

“Wanna make a bet?”

“A bet on what?”

“Let’s bet on whether Gu Jinzhou actually likes Yan Huaijin.”

Lu Er’s eyes sparkled. “You go and test it. If it’s true, you give me two hundred yuan. If it’s false, I give you two hundred.”

Ye Qingge became interested and raised an eyebrow. “How do I test it?”

“Right now Gu Jinzhou is probably sulking with Yan Huaijin. And you know him—he’s definitely lecturing about principles.”

“You go, pretend it’s a chance encounter. Chat him up and invite him to that pavilion by the lake.”

Ye Qingge’s eyes lit up. “Then what?”

“Then I’ll drag Gu Jinzhou over to the café across the way.”

Lu Er grinned like a sly fox. “There’s a window seat on the second floor where we can see the lake pavilion perfectly.”

“I want to see whether Gu Jinzhou will still put on a tough act when he sees you alone with Yan Huaijin. Today, I have to teach him a lesson.”

Ye Qingge nodded. “Fine, I’ve got nothing better to do. But this plan of yours is kind of mean—what if Gu Jinzhou beats me up?”

“When dealing with someone like Gu Jinzhou, a little trickiness is fine,” Lu Er said confidently. “Don’t worry. As long as Yan Huaijin is there, he won’t be able to act up.”

The two of them high-fived to seal the plan.

3 PM, by the lake

Ye Qingge ran into Yan Huaijin, who had just come out of the restroom.

“Teacher Yan,” Ye Qingge greeted with a smile, holding a bottle of water, “what a coincidence! I have a professional question I’d like to ask you.”

Yan Huaijin nodded, a gentle smile on his face. “Of course, it’s an honor to help you, Teacher Ye.”

“Don’t be so formal, just call me Qingge,” she said brightly. “By the way, I have an audition coming up. Are you free now?”

Yan Huaijin glanced at his watch. “Sure. Will half an hour be enough?”

“Yes, plenty.”

Ye Qingge pointed to the pavilion in the middle of the lake. “Let’s go there—it’s quiet.”

Yan Huaijin didn’t think much and followed her to the pavilion.

Lu Er returned to the lobby and immediately spotted Gu Jinzhou in the corner, frowning at his phone.

Walking over, Lu Er smiled brightly. “Teacher Gu, want some coffee? My treat.”

Gu Jinzhou looked up, eyes sharp as knives. “Why?”

“Why what?”

Lu Er shrugged. “Just thought I’d invite you for a coffee to smooth over this morning’s unpleasantness. We’re all here for auditions, so it’s better not to let things get tense, right?”

Gu Jinzhou regarded him suspiciously, but Lu Er looked sincere, giving nothing away.

“Fine,” he said, putting away his phone and standing. “I can’t say no to a free drink.”

They went to the café across from the drama center.

Lu Er deliberately chose a window seat, perfectly aligned with a view of the lake pavilion.

The moment Gu Jinzhou sat down and glanced out the window, his whole body stiffened.

Inside the pavilion, Ye Qingge and Yan Huaijin sat face-to-face.

Ye Qingge smiled softly; Yan Huaijin kept his head down. They looked cozy and at ease, as if sharing a private world.

Gu Jinzhou’s expression darkened instantly, almost dripping with gloom.

“What’ll it be? American, no sugar, no milk?”

Lu Er smiled innocently. “Drink something bitter, and your heart won’t feel so bitter either.”

Gu Jinzhou glared at him. “A weasel wishing a chicken a happy new year.”

“Hey, don’t say it like that,” Lu Er chided, starting to place the order. “I’m treating, after all. Within fifty yuan, no need for American if you don’t want it.”

Gu Jinzhou: “I want it sweet. Two hundred percent sweet—so sweet it’ll rot your teeth.”

Lu Er casually said, “At lunch, Qingge told me she had something very important to do. Very mysterious… could it be she’s planning to confess to Teacher Yan?”

He deliberately paused and looked at the lake pavilion. “Gotta say, they do make a perfect pair.”

Inside the pavilion, Ye Qingge took a small notebook out of her bag and handed it to Yan Huaijin.

He took it and began writing.

Ye Qingge rested her chin on her hand, smiling.

The scene was sweet, comforting.

Gu Jinzhou suddenly stood up.

“Hey hey hey,” Lu Er quickly grabbed him. “Where are you going?”

“Step aside,” Gu Jinzhou’s voice was icy.

“Don’t be in such a rush,” Lu Er said, pointing at the barista making coffee. “A cup’s only thirty yuan. At least finish it before you go. I’m treating, show some respect, okay?”

“Ah, so that’s your trick—you dug a hole here waiting for me to jump in!”

Lu Er was speechless. “Gu Jinzhou, if you can’t learn to speak properly, no matter how gentle Yan Huaijin is, you’ll ruin it yourself eventually.”

“What do you mean?” Gu Jinzhou asked.

“Last time at the set, Yan Huaijin told me how hard it’s been for you to get to where you are today, how much you’ve suffered, and asked me not to bother you.”

“He even apologized for you a few times after you snapped at me, saying you’re still young and inexperienced.”

Gu Jinzhou snorted coldly. “He was just looking for an excuse to talk to you.”

Lu Er was speechless. “Last week you threw a tantrum and flipped over the makeup table. Yan Huaijin bought a whole set from a big brand to compensate the makeup artist, saying it was just a moment of emotional loss of control.”

“He can’t possibly like the makeup artist—she’s already a mother of three.”

Gu Jinzhou pouted. “He’s never liked me anyway.”

“Think about what you’ve done—your personal life is a mess. With his disciplined nature, there’s no way he’d like you.”

Lu Er said earnestly, “If you want his attention, you don’t have to resort to reckless methods.”

Gu Jinzhou glared at Lu Er, pulled out his phone, and transferred 500 yuan, still grumbling: “Can’t drink you to death.”

Lu Er: “……”

Gu Jinzhou strode downstairs, back radiating murderous intent, like he was going to catch someone in the act.

Lu Er looked at the 500 yuan in his phone and immediately transferred it to Song Jingmo.

“Earned 500 yuan, treat my darling husband to afternoon tea.”

Song Jingmo replied instantly: “Where did you scam this time?”

Lu Er: “It’s culture, not scamming—let’s call it clever strategy.”

Song Jingmo: “Thanks, wifey. How’s the audition going?”

Lu Er: “Not started yet. Evening video call, won’t bother you at work!”

The barista brought over the coffee. “Sir, your two Americanos.”

Lu Er looked at the cups and waved the barista over. “Please pack these to go.”

“Sure, sir.”

When the coffee was packed, Lu Er glanced out the window again.

Gu Jinzhou had already reached the lake, moving as fast as the wind.

Lu Er grabbed the packed coffee and sent a WeChat to Ye Qingge.

“Gu Jinzhou’s coming. Retreat quickly. Same place, brought coffee for you.”

Gu Jinzhou stormed into the pavilion; Yan Huaijin froze.

Ye Qingge grabbed her bag and ran. “Teacher Yan, I suddenly understand this question! My turn’s up, gotta go first!”

Yan Huaijin was surprised. “Your notebook…”

“No need for the notebook, it’s worthless.”

Ye Qingge didn’t look back, as if being chased by a ghost.

Yan Huaijin was still confused as Gu Jinzhou snatched the notebook from him.

“What are you doing again?”

Gu Jinzhou kissed him directly. “Not doing anything, just wanted to kiss you.”

Yan Huaijin pushed him away. “I don’t like fickle people, those who are two-faced.”

“All those tabloid rumors are fake.”