Hubby, and You Still Say You Haven't Been in Touch with Him!

"According to the assistant director, someone came to visit the director on set today," Gu Shiyan explained, both exasperated and amused. "What were you thinking?"

"Oh, oh." Chu Tian accepted the explanation and smiled shyly. "His intention to steal you away was written all over his face. I thought you couldn't resist and..."

[No! Too many coincidences stopped being coincidences. For him to show up here at a time like this, he was definitely here for Gu Shiyan. Hubby, and you still said you hadn't been in touch with him!]

Gu Shiyan: "..."

Faced with Chu Tian's accusing, condemning gaze, Gu Shiyan nearly lost control of his expression.

He took a deep breath and decided not to argue with Chu Tian, who seemed to be missing a screw in his head.

"Let's go." Wisely skipping the subject, Gu Shiyan turned and led the way. "I still have a scene later. When I'm done, I'll take you out to eat."

Chu Tian froze for a moment, then eagerly trotted after him.

Gu Shiyan was taking him out to eat!

Did that mean their relationship was progressing rapidly, and that there was hope for him to escape his cannon-fodder fate?!

Even amid his excitement, Chu Tian thoughtfully did not continue the previous topic. Instead, he asked how Gu Shiyan felt about the drama he was currently filming, what he thought of the female lead and second female lead, and so on.

Listening to Chu Tian's clearly purposeful questions, Gu Shiyan paused mid-step and laughed in irritation.

No wonder Chu Tian had been in such a rush to visit the set. He had not come for Gu Shiyan at all—he had only been so eager because there was gossip to watch.

Heh. Little liar.

Chu Tian and Zhang Yang happened to visit the set at the same time. In Gu Shiyan's name, Chu Tian arranged coffee and milk tea for everyone on the crew.

Zhang Yang brought a whole pile of desserts. What a coincidence.

With food and drinks to enjoy, the crew warmly welcomed their arrival.

In his good mood, the director immediately announced a half-hour break.

Gu Shiyan brought Chu Tian over to greet the director, only to find Zhang Yang already chatting merrily with him behind the monitor.

"I still remember how you nurtured me back then and gave me an opportunity. Otherwise, my career in the industry would not have gone so smoothly afterward." Zhang Yang smiled as he flattered the director. "I only returned to the country a few days ago, and I already wanted to come visit you. What a coincidence—I heard that the older brother from my former neighbor's family was also on your crew."

Gu Shiyan and Chu Tian had just approached when they heard Zhang Yang's words.

Chu Tian narrowed his eyes, shot Gu Shiyan a meaningful glance, and let out a breath through his nose.

"Heh."

Gu Shiyan: "..."

The director was quite pleased by Zhang Yang's flattery and laughed heartily along with him. "That just shows we were fated. Who is this older brother from your neighborhood?"

Just as Zhang Yang was about to answer, he looked up and saw Gu Shiyan approaching. His eyes lit up.

"Speak of the devil—there he is."

Following Zhang Yang's gesture, the director looked up. He seemed somewhat surprised when he saw Gu Shiyan.

"So it's him." The director nodded. "Little Gu's acting is pretty good. He was specially invited for a guest appearance. Since you two are so familiar... let me take a look at the script."

The director did not say it outright, but everyone present understood that he intended to add scenes for Gu Shiyan out of consideration for Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang's smile became several degrees more genuine. He was just about to take the opportunity to settle the matter and make Gu Shiyan owe him a favor when he was interrupted.

"It was the director who gave me this opportunity." Gu Shiyan spoke naturally, neither humbled nor arrogant. "The scenes have all been set. Changing one part affects the whole production. Thank you for your kindness, Director, but unfortunately, my future work has already been arranged. I hope that when we have a chance to work together next time, you'll look after me."

The director had not truly intended to add scenes for Gu Shiyan in the first place. He had merely said it for Zhang Yang's sake.

Seeing Gu Shiyan so tactfully and proactively decline, the director felt much better and found him genuinely more pleasing to the eye.

"Your acting is good. There will be plenty of opportunities for us to work together in the future." The director laughed and immediately let the matter pass, then teased, "There's a role in my next drama that suits you quite well. I just don't know whether I'll still be able to afford you by then."

"You're joking, Director." Gu Shiyan smoothly picked up the thread. "I'm honored that you think so highly of me. As long as you need me, just say the word. I'll definitely come."

Gu Shiyan's words were polished and tactful, and they gave the director plenty of face. This time, the director's gaze held genuine additional appreciation.

Such a sensible young man who knew how to handle matters had limitless potential. He was worth befriending.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yang, who had been ignored the entire time, had already gone so dark-faced he could not possibly look any worse.

He had gone to such great lengths, spending money and effort to curry favor with the director, all so he could secure more scenes for Gu Shiyan and make him owe a favor.

Debts of gratitude were the hardest to repay. Once there was one, there would be a second. In the future, he could demand repayment for his kindness... and with a few more methods, winning Gu Shiyan over would not be difficult.

Zhang Yang had calculated everything perfectly, except for Gu Shiyan's reaction.

After all that trouble, he had spent money, effort, and time without gaining a single benefit. He was so furious that he nearly ground his back teeth to pieces.

Standing nearby with his arms folded, Chu Tian could not help laughing when he saw Zhang Yang's tightly clenched jaw.

His laughter drew the director's attention. When the man's gaze swept over, his eyes immediately lit up. "And this is...?"

The director had spent many years in the industry and had seen countless good-looking artists, but someone as strikingly beautiful and aggressive-looking as Chu Tian was truly rare.

"Hello, my name is Chu Tian." Chu Tian generously extended his hand to the director and introduced himself with a smile. "I'm Gu Shiyan's boyfriend. I came to visit the set. Is the coffee to your taste?"

"Hello, hello. The coffee is excellent." The director took a liking to Chu Tian. "Are you an artist too?"

"Yes." Chu Tian nodded, his smile shy. "But I only just debuted. Aside from filming a variety show, I don't have any works out yet, so please forgive the embarrassment."

At that, the director's eyes shone even brighter. "Then would you be interested in making a guest appearance in my drama? I have a role here that suits you perfectly."

Chu Tian's smile faltered. He had come to the set for gossip, yet somehow found himself a job.

"Would that be appropriate?" Chu Tian asked awkwardly. "I'm not professionally trained. I'm afraid I won't act well and disappoint you after your kindness."

"Appropriate, absolutely appropriate! It couldn't be more appropriate!" The director held onto Chu Tian's hand as though afraid he would disappear the instant he let go. "With that face of yours alone, if you make a guest appearance, our drama's ratings will jump by a huge margin."

Whether the director meant it sincerely or not, the words had reached this point. Chu Tian had no reason to refuse, so he politely accepted.

"Come, let's add each other's contact information. Send me your agent's business card." The director eagerly pulled out his phone. "I'll discuss the specific pay and everything else with him. I'll send you the script later."

Zhang Yang's face stiffened as he watched the entire exchange, his fingers trembling slightly with anger.

"Director, I..."

The moment Zhang Yang spoke, the director seemed to finally remember there was someone else beside him. He looked at him in surprise. "Zhang Yang? Why are you still here?"

Zhang Yang: "..."