Chapter 28: Gu Yao's Confession

That evening, Zhou Jun and Zhen Shuai returned with an armful of local delicacies from the ancient city, inviting the whole crew to share in the feast. Everyone dragged over tables and chairs, pushing them together into a makeshift long table. At last, the day’s tension melted away as they savored the moment.

The table was arrayed with all kinds of snacks—cold noodles, oden, crayfish, and more. Lin Xi sat between Lu Yuxiu and Wen Jin, with Wen Jin beside Zhen Shuai, and Zhen Shuai next to Zhou Jun. They were all huddled together on one side of the table.

Lin Xi nibbled on a bowl of tiny wontons, a small pastry in her other hand. She adored the street food of Huaguo, and the spread before her left her dazzled, wishing she could taste everything at once.

She was happily eating when a lock of her hair nearly fell into her bowl, but both her hands were occupied. She pursed her lips, motioning for Lu Yuxiu’s help.

Lu Yuxiu smiled at her small gesture, then reached over naturally, tucking that unruly strand behind her ear.

He soon noticed she hadn’t touched the crayfish and asked, “Don’t you like crayfish?”

“It’s not that,” Lin Xi replied with a shy smile, a little embarrassed. “I’m just too lazy to peel them.”

Her family all knew she loved to eat but hated the hassle, so anything with shells would be peeled for her in advance by the housekeeper—she only needed to eat, never bothering with the work herself. She had been spoiled like a little princess.

Even dining out, her brothers never let her do it herself, so she never learned how. Instead, she simply avoided such foods.

To her surprise, Lu Yuxiu immediately donned a pair of disposable gloves and started peeling crayfish for her. Watching his movements, Lin Xi couldn’t help but smile—her Yuxiu was always so considerate.

Beside them, Wen Jin was scrolling through her phone while eating cold noodles, when Zhen Shuai suddenly exclaimed, “The heroine is just too foolish!”

Curious, she leaned over to see Zhen Shuai’s phone screen, where a bold headline read: “Young Master Gu’s Relentless Pursuit.”

Wen Jin was instantly excited—that was the novel she’d been following lately! But what shocked her even more was that Zhen Shuai, a grown man, was reading women’s fiction—it was so unexpected!

“Mr. Zhen, you read novels too?” Wen Jin couldn’t hide her astonishment.

“Of course! This one’s pretty good, but the heroine is a bit weak,” Zhen Shuai nodded, sounding exasperated.

“I’m following this one too!” Wen Jin quickly pulled out her phone, showing him the same novel.

Zhen Shuai scanned her list, eyes lighting up. “Wow, Xiao Wen Jin, I’ve read so many of these! They’re all great! What a coincidence!”

They exchanged a look, both full of disbelief.

This scene was witnessed by Gu Yao, who’d come to visit the set. Seeing their “soulful eye contact,” his mind short-circuited, and without thinking, he strode over and pulled Wen Jin away from her seat.

“Hey? You two…” Zhen Shuai was puzzled and was about to ask, but one fierce glare from Gu Yao made him shrink back, touching his nose in confusion.

Lin Xi and Lu Yuxiu saw everything. Lin Xi’s smile deepened—finally, her fourth brother was showing a sense of crisis! Her future sister-in-law was about to be won over!

“Yao? Yao, what’s wrong?” Wen Jin was pulled along until they reached a quiet corner. Once they stopped, Gu Yao released her wrist, his face dark, eyes fixed on her with undisguised displeasure.

Wen Jin was startled by his demeanor, uncomfortably rubbing her aching wrist, unsure what she’d done to upset him.

Noticing her small movement, Gu Yao realized he’d gripped her too hard—her delicate skin was now reddened with his fingerprints.

A pang of guilt rose in him, and his expression softened. Wen Jin, mustering her courage, asked, “Yao, what’s wrong? Did someone upset you?”

Her clear gaze was full of concern, which made Gu Yao nearly explode with frustration.

“You! You’re the one who upset me!” He couldn’t hold it in any longer. He’d intended to take things slow and let her grow fond of him, but now she was almost being charmed away by that pretty boy. She’d never smiled so happily in front of him.

“Huh?” Wen Jin blinked, completely at a loss, her eyes full of innocence.

“Why were you smiling so brightly at that pretty boy? Is that novel really so interesting? He’s nothing but a sissy! You’re not allowed to like him! You can only like me!” Gu Yao blurted everything out in a rush, not caring whether she accepted it or not—she could only be his.

Wen Jin stood frozen on the spot.

“I don’t care! I like you! From now on, I’m going to pursue you! Whether you agree or not, you have to agree!” With that, Gu Yao turned and walked away.

He didn’t look at her expression or wait for her reply. He was afraid of being rejected on the spot, so he escaped before she had a chance to refuse him.

Wen Jin remained standing, unable to come back to herself for a long time. What had she just heard? Gu Yao said he liked her? That he wanted to pursue her? How could that be? She had never imagined that her long-time crush would confess to her like this!

How lucky it was, to have the one you like like you in return!

Wen Jin’s heart was far from calm. She drifted back to the table, where Lin Xi was already eating crayfish, waiting for her. As soon as she returned, Lin Xi pulled her into her dressing room.

“Jin, Jin, how did it go? What did my fourth brother say to you?” Lin Xi could barely contain her excitement.

Wen Jin was still a little dazed. “He… he said he likes me. That he wants to pursue me…”

“Wow!” Lin Xi clapped her hands, eyes shining. She hadn’t expected her fourth brother to move so quickly, but it was just like his style—never one for patience, not even in romance.

“Lin Xi, I still can’t believe it. Is this real? Does Gu Yao really like me?” Wen Jin finally came back to herself, but disbelief lingered. She doubted if she was dreaming.

“Of course it’s real! He said he likes you! My fourth brother isn’t a frivolous person—he must be serious!” Lin Xi reassured her, afraid that Jin would retreat.

Wen Jin’s face was tangled with doubt. “But… why would he like me? There are so many outstanding people around him. Who am I…”

Lin Xi saw that Wen Jin was feeling insecure again. She understood that her brother’s confession had come too suddenly, leaving Jin without a sense of safety—even making her doubt herself.

Lin Xi took her hand gently and encouraged her. “Jin, you have to believe in yourself! Didn’t I help you come up with ideas to chase after my brother? Now that he’s confessed, why retreat? He likes you because there’s something about you that attracts him. You don’t need to belittle yourself. Be confident!”

Her future sister-in-law was truly heart-wrenching—what had she been through to doubt her own worth so?

Wen Jin seemed to be digesting Lin Xi’s words.

“It’s okay, Jin. Anyway, my fourth brother said he wants to pursue you, right? Don’t agree too quickly—enjoy being courted!” Lin Xi added. She wasn’t trying to set her brother up, but since Jin still lacked a sense of security, let her brother chase her for a while—it would put her at ease.

—

The next day, Gu Yao appeared again, this time bringing two big boxes of milk tea for the crew. Everyone thought he’d come to see Lin Xi, each person with a cup in hand, silently admiring the sibling bond—unaware that his real attention was on Wen Jin.

Gu Yao was still uneasy, afraid that Wen Jin would reject his pursuit now that he’d shown up so openly. Yet if he didn’t come, it would seem irresponsible, insincere.

He hesitated outside Wen Jin’s dressing room, raising his hand to knock, then lowering it again—repeating the gesture several times.

“You’re such a coward, Fourth Brother!” Lin Xi’s voice echoed down the empty corridor.

“Damn!” Gu Yao jumped. Here he was, a grown man sneaking around like a thief, only to turn and see Lin Xi watching him with her arms folded.

“You… Lin Xi, can’t you walk more quietly? Keep your voice down!” Gu Yao pretended he would cover her mouth.

Lin Xi dodged and waved his hand away. “Fourth Brother, if you like her, don’t leave her guessing. Give her a clear answer.”

Her words struck a chord in Gu Yao’s heart. That’s right! Even if Wen Jin rejected him, he would shamelessly stick to her. He couldn’t care for any other girl anyway. What did pride matter in front of his beloved? Love was love—no need for so many messy twists and turns.

“Fourth Brother, Wen Jin is a good girl. Treat her well, or I’ll beat you up!” Lin Xi threatened with her fist.

For the first time, Gu Yao looked truly solemn in front of his sister. He nodded. “Don’t worry. She’s my girl—of course I’ll cherish her.”

Lin Xi smiled at his promise. Strangely, she felt he’d suddenly grown up. He’d always been so carefree before. Was it love that changed him?

Love was truly a marvelous thing. It could transform one’s character and make a person grow up overnight. Ah, where was her own big brother now?

After Lin Xi left, Gu Yao knocked on Wen Jin’s door.

Recognizing his voice, Wen Jin opened the door, unsure of how to face him, her head bowed.

Gu Yao entered, and they sat together, the air thick with uncertainty.

“Jin, what I said yesterday was abrupt, but I meant it. I truly like you. I don’t know when it started—maybe at the banquet, maybe earlier. So when you were laughing and talking about novels with Zhen Shuai, I was almost mad with jealousy. You’re always so quiet in a crowd, sometimes a bit silly, a bit lost. But for some reason, I just want to get closer to you, to know you better. So, will you give me a chance to pursue you?” Gu Yao looked at her intently, his voice earnest.

As Wen Jin listened to his every word, her heart felt sweet as honey.

She thought for a moment and spoke softly, “Yesterday you asked why I like reading novels. Do you want to know the reason?”

Gu Yao blinked in confusion, then nodded.

Wen Jin’s voice deepened as she looked down. “Because my youth was too quiet, a life of routine, as still as dead water. I wanted to glimpse the blatant favoritism and the courage to love and hate in others’ youth. There’s a rare kind of salvation in those stories—every novel is like living another life, each character vivid and unrestrained. It’s the same reason I love acting—I get to experience different lives.”

“So I’ve always longed to believe in love, hoping someone would love me unconditionally. But I’m not sure if that person is you.” Her eyes were full of yearning as she smiled gently.

Gu Yao was momentarily stunned, then realized her underlying meaning.

“You agreed! You’re willing to let me pursue you, right?” Gu Yao nearly leapt up in excitement.

Face flushed, Wen Jin nodded.

Gu Yao immediately embraced her, holding her tightly by the waist. “Jin, don’t worry. I’ll treat you well. Everything the novels have, you’ll have too!”

Wen Jin’s face grew even redder as she buried it in his chest. That wasn’t quite what she meant—she was just envious of the love in those stories.

Wrapped in each other’s warmth, both wished they could hold the other even closer—close enough to blend into one.