You Brought a Plus-One?

No.

Chu Tian suddenly thought of Gu Shiyan.

He remembered Gu Shiyan saying that he had chosen this script because the plot and characterizations were good.

But the portion of the script Chu Tian had received had a terrible plot and completely incoherent characterizations. Compared to the original novel, they were worlds apart...

Had Gu Shiyan been scammed?

Just as Chu Tian hesitated over whether to ask Gu Shiyan about it, the war on set finally came to an end.

The director's face was dark as he cursed the props team, telling them to either work or get lost, but he did not actually dare let them leave.

There were hundreds of productions, large and small, starting up in Hengdian every month. A competent props crew never lacked work, but the director lacked money.

Letting go of the cheap crew he already had and finding a new one would not only waste time—it would be an even greater financial burden.

If the director had money, he would have hired more famous, more popular actors. He would never have been willing to spend it elsewhere.

So after Sun Bo and the props team leader battled it out for ages, Sun Bo reluctantly took a step back. They decided to rearrange the shooting schedule and film other scenes first, giving the props team the morning to put up the new set.

With the show over, Zhou Han stretched and prepared to leave.

Chu Tian was about to leave with him. Since he already knew he had no scenes today, what was the point of staying on set? He might as well go back to the hotel and play on his phone—he had spent so much money buying it. It would be a waste not to use it more.

"Since we're both free, let's have dinner together tonight," Zhou Han warmly invited. "I know a barbecue place nearby that's insanely good. If we get there late, there won't even be seats."

The moment he heard the words "barbecue," Chu Tian's mouth began watering, and he nodded repeatedly.

After agreeing on a meeting time, the two went their separate ways.

Chu Tian sauntered back with his two right-hand men, looking utterly carefree and completely lacking in career ambition.

Little Cai and Little Huang exchanged looks behind him, filled with righteous indignation.

"They must have heard that Hui went back and are deliberately picking on Teacher Chu!" Little Huang was the first to fire. "I'm calling Hui to complain as soon as we get back!"

"Exactly, exactly." Little Cai nodded over and over like a recording. "We have to complain!"

"Oh?" Chu Tian laughed. "You two are more driven than I am, huh? Isn't it great not having to work like beasts of burden? Young people, once you've been corporate drones, you'll know how precious this leisure is."

Little Huang and Little Cai looked at each other. If they remembered correctly, Teacher Chu seemed younger than both of them, didn't he?

Why did he sound like some world-weary corporate drone who had endured society's brutal beatings?

But the thought only lingered for a second before the two of them consciously dismissed it.

Chu Tian was a young master born with a golden spoon in his mouth. The greatest hardship he had probably suffered in his life was coffee. That had definitely been an illusion just now.

Since Chu Tian did not need to film, he gave his two young assistants the day off as well and told them to do whatever they wanted. He curled up in the hotel and played on his phone all day, even ordering takeout for lunch.

As soon as night began to fall, Zhou Han bombarded Chu Tian with calls, urging him to head out.

Hengdian had no shortage of celebrities. Chu Tian believed being unknown was the best disguise, so he did not bother with any camouflage. He simply went out in casual clothes.

Zhou Han had gone ahead to claim a table and order food at the barbecue stall. He sent Chu Tian the location and told him to hurry over, or Zhou Han would not be blamed for eating first without regard for their friendship.

As Chu Tian bickered with Zhou Han over WeChat, he unconsciously quickened his pace, full of anticipation for the supposedly heavenly barbecue Zhou Han had been praising to the skies.

Then, while walking with his eyes on his phone, he crashed into someone's chest.

"..." Chu Tian hurriedly stepped back and apologized. "Sorry, sorry. I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"Don't use your phone while walking."

Hearing that familiar voice, Chu Tian looked up and met Gu Shiyan's disapproving gaze. He froze for a second. "Y-you're back."

Zhou Han and Chu Tian had no scenes to film, but Gu Shiyan did.

Seeing the exhaustion written all over Gu Shiyan's face, Chu Tian could not help feeling sorry for him.

The character Gu Shiyan played was the martial arts powerhouse of the drama, the sort who could leap across rooftops and wield spears and swords.

Whenever he had scenes, he was either suspended on wires and flying through the air or fighting extras. Whenever he had a little free time, he still had to stay in the training room learning combat techniques from the action director.

Chu Tian knew better. Knowing Gu Shiyan was rushed off his feet every day, he had tried to avoid all contact with him, afraid that one wrong look from Gu Shiyan might awaken murderous intent.

This was the first time the two had met alone since joining the production.

Gu Shiyan's gaze fell on Chu Tian's fair, luminous face. "It's getting dark. Where are you going?"

"I made plans with Zhou Han to have barbecue." Chu Tian paused, then politely extended an invitation. "You probably haven't had dinner either, right? Want to come with us?"

But as soon as he said it, Chu Tian felt it was inappropriate. Gu Shiyan did not seem to like him much because of what had happened before. He definitely would not want to eat while looking at his face. "It's fine if you don't want to go. I was just saying it. You don't have to take it—"

"Okay."

"—to heart... Huh?"

Chu Tian nearly bit his tongue. His round almond eyes widened as he almost wondered whether he had misheard.

"Let's go." Gu Shiyan turned and headed out first. Seeing Chu Tian standing there blankly, he raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you say we were having barbecue?"

"Huh? Ah!" Chu Tian followed in a daze, pressing his lips together as he could not stop himself from secretly glancing at Gu Shiyan again and again.

Gu Shiyan looked straight ahead and walked beside Chu Tian.

Neither of them spoke. The silence was so complete that only the mechanical voice of the navigation could be heard.

The barbecue stall Zhou Han had mentioned was not far from their hotel. It was set up beneath a crude canopy, hazy with smoke, and even from a distance they could smell food roasting over charcoal.

Growl~

Chu Tian's honest stomach happily sang its empty-city tune.

Gu Shiyan's gaze swept over Chu Tian's ears, which had instantly turned bright red, and a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes.

"Little Chu, over here~"

Pretending nothing had happened, Chu Tian looked toward the voice and saw Zhou Han bouncing up and down and waving frantically at him, seemingly afraid Chu Tian would not spot him. He looked like a husky that had slipped its leash. Quite a few people were drawn by the commotion and turned curious looks toward them.

Chu Tian: "..."

I really want to turn around and leave. Is it too late to pretend I don't know him?

Face red, Chu Tian shot over like a cannonball, hooked an arm around Zhou Han's neck, and dragged him into a corner of the barbecue stall.

"What were you shouting for? Tell me, what were you shouting for?" Chu Tian smacked Zhou Han on the forehead, gritting his teeth. "You're so huge, it's not like I couldn't see you. Aren't you embarrassed?"

After getting slapped, Zhou Han was aggrieved beyond measure. He had just puffed out his chest, ready to argue with Chu Tian for eight hundred rounds, when his gaze swept over the person walking toward them. His eyes instantly widened, and he clutched his chest in dismay.

"You brought a plus-one? Why didn't you tell me earlier?!"