AD Chapter 27
Chu Zichen wanted to show off his relationship with Gu Lingfeng in front of Su Ning, to make him understand that he couldn’t compare to him in the slightest—that in Gu Lingfeng’s eyes, Su Ning wasn’t even worth a single finger. But the effect was far from what he intended.
No matter what he said, Su Ning either looked calm or confused, as if he didn’t understand what Chu Zichen was trying to imply. Without being able to get a reaction, all the smugness and schadenfreude lost their appeal. Frustrated, Chu Zichen turned and stomped off.
As soon as he was gone, the indifference Su Ning had forced onto his face crumbled. His expression turned a little downcast.
After that, Chu Zichen started sneaking out of the film crew more and more often to see Gu Lingfeng—he was afraid that if he stayed cooped up filming for too long, Gu Lingfeng might forget all about him. Just like last time: if he hadn’t taken the initiative to visit, Gu Lingfeng probably wouldn’t have thought to check in on him at all.
Chu Zichen managed to get ahold of Gu Lingfeng’s schedule and would go visit whenever there was an opportunity. Of course, he didn’t dare to go too often—he still had to film, and if he kept taking days off, even with Gu Lingfeng’s backing, the director would eventually blow up at him. More importantly, if he visited Gu Lingfeng too frequently, he might end up annoying the man.
Except for the first visit, where Chu Zichen went on his own, every time afterward he had Su Ning drive him to Gu Lingfeng and pick him up again the next day.
Chu Zichen deliberately had Su Ning take him, partially to get under his skin and show off. But Su Ning always looked completely uninterested, just calmly doing his job like a proper chauffeur. Over time, Chu Zichen lost interest in provoking him and simply treated him as a convenient driver.
After all, he was a celebrity. If any of this got leaked to the media, it could seriously impact his career. And when it came to keeping secrets, no one was more tight-lipped than Su Ning.
The rest of the crew had pretty much figured out what was going on from how often Chu Zichen took time off, but no one said anything out loud. Only Fan Xin looked at Su Ning being his personal driver again and again with a growing expression of bitter disappointment.
One afternoon, Su Ning was once again scheduled to drive Chu Zichen to meet Gu Lingfeng—this time, it wasn’t exactly skipping out. Chu Zichen had finished his scenes early and had no night shoots, so he was free to stay out overnight.
As Chu Zichen went to remove his makeup, Fan Xin pulled Su Ning aside and stared at him, asking, “You’ve driven Chu Zichen so many times. Have you ever seen Gu Lingfeng?”
Su Ning didn’t understand her intent but still answered obediently, “No.”
Fan Xin narrowed her eyes. “So every time you take him there, Chu Zichen deliberately keeps you away so you won’t see Gu Lingfeng?”
Su Ning blinked, confused by how increasingly agitated she seemed. He replied cautiously, “Not really. President Gu always stays upstairs, and I wait in the car. Even if I wanted to see him, I wouldn’t get the chance.”
“What? He makes you stay in the car?!” Fan Xin nearly shouted, her eyes widening in disbelief.
Su Ning was startled, staring at her in a daze for a moment before murmuring, “...Yeah.”
Fan Xin clenched her fist and smacked her palm, eyes shining as if she’d just cracked a deep conspiracy. “What a manipulative move!”
Su Ning was utterly confused.
Really? From his perspective, Chu Zichen probably just didn’t want to see him around. Plus, the visits didn’t last long—rarely overnight like that first time. It wasn’t worth the hassle to get another room, and he didn’t feel like wandering around outside. Waiting in the car was just easier.
Suddenly, Fan Xin gripped Su Ning’s shoulders, eyes burning with conviction. She said seriously, “Su Ning, you can’t just give up. You have to fight for it, okay?”
Su Ning blinked. “……”
He had no idea what he was supposed to be fighting for.
Soon after, Chu Zichen finished removing his makeup, and Su Ning followed him out. From across the crowd, Fan Xin waved a small fist at him. Reading her lips, she seemed to mouth the words “good luck.”
Su Ning was helpless.
No idea what kind of drama Fan Xin had cooked up in her head this time.
The ride was uneventful. Su Ning dropped Chu Zichen off at the hotel where Gu Lingfeng was staying and was about to drive off and find a place to park. Just then, another car pulled up behind him at the hotel entrance. A valet hurried over and opened the car door. The first thing to step out was a pair of long legs, followed by a man in a perfectly tailored suit, exuding a cool, ascetic aura.
Gu Lingfeng.
Su Ning froze in place. It had been almost a month since he’d last seen Gu Lingfeng, and seeing him again so suddenly made him feel… strangely unfamiliar.
“Lingfeng, what a coincidence! I just got here and you're already back.” Chu Zichen chirped sweetly, practically ready to throw himself into Gu Lingfeng’s arms. But Gu Lingfeng didn’t even look at him. His eyes were fixed on the car ahead, narrowing slightly.
“Su Ning?” His deep voice carried no obvious emotion, yet it struck something deep within.
Su Ning’s heartbeat faltered. His grip on the steering wheel tightened unconsciously, even starting to sweat. He forced himself to stay calm, opened the door, and stepped out. Standing a respectable distance away, he bowed his head slightly and spoke respectfully.
“President Gu.” Then, almost reflexively, he added, “I’ve dropped off Mr. Chu. If there’s nothing else, you two go ahead. Just give me a call if you need anything.”
He turned to go back to the car.
“Wait.” Gu Lingfeng called out coolly, frowning slightly, as if displeased.
Chu Zichen’s heart dropped. Something felt off. He hurried forward, latching onto Gu Lingfeng’s arm and whining, “Lingfeng, I’m exhausted from filming all day. Let’s go to our room, okay?”
The valet kept his head down, eyes on the ground, pretending to be invisible.
Su Ning paused mid-step and looked back, confused.
Gu Lingfeng’s gaze swept over Su Ning, finally settling on his face. “Come with me,” he said, pulling his arm out of Chu Zichen’s grasp as if it were nothing, then added casually:
“You go back first.”
No explanation. No comforting words. Just an utterly matter-of-fact tone.
Chu Zichen’s expression shifted instantly, but he didn’t dare lash out at Gu Lingfeng. He turned his fury on Su Ning, eyes filled with venom.
Su Ning, utterly baffled by what was happening, could only think back to what Fan Xin had told him earlier:
—Su Ning, you have to fight for it, okay?
Su Ning: ……
Gu Lingfeng had taken a few steps before realizing Su Ning hadn’t moved. His brows furrowed again. “What are you waiting for?”
Snapped out of his daze, Su Ning instinctively started following, though his mind was still struggling to catch up.
As he walked past Chu Zichen, the look in the other man’s eyes was so furious it felt like he wanted to eat him alive.
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