Caught in Affairs with Superstar

Gu Huaichun said, "Alright, I’m scared."

Wen Bing smiled.

Gu Huaichun said, "I’m just afraid my expression will get out of control when I don’t know it’s acting."

"I’ll edit it out," Wen Bing said.

Gu Huaichun nodded.

Gu Huaichun asked Zhou Yun, "Which room am I staying in?"

Zhou Yun said, "The guest room, inside, follow me."

Gu Huaichun really was going to stay here.

Just like in the movies.

Gu Huaichun took two steps and looked back, asking, "This isn’t still being filmed, is it?"

Zhou Yun, half-laughing and half-crying, said, "Don’t worry about whether they’re filming or not. You’ll get used to it. Sometimes they film without telling you, and you wouldn’t know. Sometimes, I’ll be woken up from sleeping, and it turns out they’re filming me while I sleep."

Gu Huaichun was astounded, "Even sleeping has to be real? Director Wen’s demands are quite perverse."

Zhou Yun laughed twice.

After she brought Gu Huaichun to the room, she said, "I’m going to make dinner now. You can rest for a bit."

Gu Huaichun nodded.

In the kitchen, Wen Bing had already arranged for a track to be laid.

Zhou Yun was making dinner tonight, and Wen Bing wanted to film it.

Zhou Yun got used to it and pretended they didn’t exist.

She washed her hands and began making dinner.

Yi Zhe was there with two cameramen filming, and because of the lighting issues, there was even someone adjusting the lights.

Zhou Yun pretended they didn’t exist, putting the boiled bacon on the cutting board and starting to slice it.

The bacon was made by Xiuxiu’s mother.

Zhou Yun had tried it and liked it very much.

Here, they like to stir-fry bacon with garlic leaves and garlic, and whether or not to add other vegetables is up to one’s preference.

Zhou Yun sliced some cucumber to fry with the bacon.

The bacon, chicken, and greens were all cut and ready.

Besides these, Zhou Yun also took out some chestnuts to add to the chicken soup later.

The chicken soup had been simmering for a while, as chestnuts couldn’t be boiled for too long or they would dissolve.

Just as she was busy, Gu Huaichun came in.

He had changed into more comfortable, loose clothing, and as soon as he reached the kitchen door, seeing the setup, he immediately knew filming was happening.

Wen Bing was nowhere to be seen, probably hiding in some room watching the monitor.

Gu Huaichun asked, "Do you need help?"

Zhou Yun didn’t even look up, asking, "Can you cook?"

"Uh, no."

"Then stay out of the way and don’t make trouble for me."

Gu Huaichun smiled awkwardly and gave no rebuttal.

He didn’t leave, just stood by with his arms crossed.

At this moment, one of the cameramen, perhaps following Wen Bing’s directive through his earpiece, suddenly turned the camera to Gu Huaichun.

Gu Huaichun immediately tensed up for a second.

After filming so many scenes, he relaxed his posture after a couple of seconds.

"Do you cook every meal yourself?"

"Yes, there’s no takeout here, so of course, I have to cook myself."

"Don’t you find it bothersome? Didn’t you always say people shouldn’t waste time on three meals a day?"

This was Gu Huaichun’s own line.

Zhou Yun had never said something like that.

Zhou Yun showed no unusual reaction and simply smiled faintly.

"Here, besides the three meals, there’s nothing else you need to think about." Zhou Yun never looked up at Gu Huaichun. "Besides, I used to say those things because I was arrogant, always thinking I should accomplish something big. Thinking back, it’s quite laughable. I never really thought about what I truly needed."

Gu Huaichun looked at Zhou Yun with deep eyes but said nothing.

Zhou Yun didn’t stop her actions.

With all the food chopped, she started washing the pan and turned on the stove.

First, she tossed the chestnuts into the soup, then prepared to stir-fry the vegetables.

"Did you cure the bacon yourself too?"

"No, I bought it from a neighbor." Zhou Yun said, "Didn’t you like it before? I saved a piece for you, so remember to take it when you leave."

Gu Huaichun said, "Alright, but I don’t really cook at home."

"No worries, it keeps well. You can have it for half a year, and it won’t spoil."

Gu Huaichun asked, "Aren’t you going back?"

Zhou Yun poured two spoons of oil into the pan.

Then, she threw in a handful of garlic and chili peppers.

The pan sizzled immediately.

Zhou Yun stirred with the spatula, and a spicy aroma filled the kitchen.

She then added the bacon in.

"I haven’t thought about it yet," Zhou Yun said, "I’m not planning to live here forever, but I don’t intend to stay only two or three months and leave, either."

Gu Huaichun nodded.

"Have you made any friends here?"

"No," Zhou Yun shook her head, "Well, maybe. I’m quite familiar with the neighbors, but not in that kind of way."

Gu Huaichun nodded.

The bacon was cooked.

Zhou Yun said, "Could you help me wipe the table? Then I’ll stir-fry some greens, and we can eat."

Gu Huaichun agreed.

...

After making dinner, Zhou Yun had a layer of sweat on her forehead.

The rice was also cooked.

She served two bowls of rice and placed them on the dining table.

"The soup needs a bit more time, so let’s start with the dishes," she said to Gu Huaichun.

Gu Huaichun nodded.

Zhou Yun said, "Ah, I forgot to open the wine. Hold on, I’ll get it. Do you want red wine or plum wine? The plum wine is local, and there’s also rice wine."

Gu Huaichun said, "I’m fine with anything, whatever you feel like drinking."

Zhou Yun said, "Let’s have some rice wine then. I’m not sure if you’ll like it, but give it a try."

"Alright." Gu Huaichun nodded with a smile.

Zhou Yun fetched the wine, brought two small glass cups, and poured it.

"Isn’t it a bit cold?"

"It’s fine."

Zhou Yun said, "I’ll set up a small stove and warm the rice wine on it."

"Can you do that?"

"Yes, I usually boil tea on it," Zhou Yun said, "But you can warm sake, too, it’s quite nice."

Gu Huaichun said, "It’s quite poetic."

"What poetry? It’s just practical skills," Zhou Yun said with a laugh, "Only people who haven’t lived in the countryside think everything is poetic."

"Alright, you’re right," Gu Huaichun reluctantly nodded in agreement.

Zhou Yun raised her glass, "Cheers."

Gu Huaichun clinked his glass with Zhou Yun’s.

"You’re doing better here than I imagined."

"Because it’s just me," Zhou Yun said, "After a rough patch, I stopped thinking about it. Every day, I wake up thinking about what to do, what to make for breakfast, lunch, and if you don’t think about it, no one will prepare it for you. Plus, there’s watering the vegetable garden, doing laundry, and lots of chores. If you slack off, problems arise. My life is gradually filled with these things. Sometimes, when the work is done and I have nothing to do in the afternoon, I brew a pot of tea or wander around town. I feel happy, a happiness I never experienced before."

"As long as you’re happy," Gu Huaichun said, "I hope you’re truly happy."

Zhou Yun blinked and replied with a smile, "Of course I’m truly happy."

Gu Huaichun lowered his head and grinned.

"Am I prattling on again? Oh, it seems I can never change this flaw."

"I know, you’re just concerned about me, I appreciate it." Zhou Yun smiled warmly.

...