Chu Hao drove her to his own studio, located in a cultural industrial park in the suburbs. The car stopped in front of a two-story villa. Chu Hao pointed out the window:
"This is my and my friend's studio."
After saying that, Chu Hao took out his phone and sent a message to his friend.
Qin Wei asked him:
"Your friend, I know him, so his surname should be Gu, right?"
Chu Hao's smile grew even bigger:
"It's really enjoyable to be with you."
As he spoke, a man wearing a white shirt walked out of the villa. It was Gu Minghua.
"Qin Wei."
Gu Minghua called out her name,
"Long time no see."
Livestream comments——
【hayden!】
【Ahhhhh! Brother hasn't participated in any variety shows after finishing filming 《Against the Wind》. Someone said he went to be a teacher. Didn't expect he opened a studio with his friend!】
【The CP I ship finally appeared together...(weak, humble, helpless)】
Gu Minghua said this while opening the car door for her. Then he waved to Chu Hao, signaling him to go park the car.
"Chu Hao will come in a bit. Miss Qin please come in with me first."
Gu Minghua invited her in and gave her a simple tour of the studio, while introducing to her:
"The studio was opened by the two of us and a painter. The villa was bought by Chu Hao.
The painter mainly paints in his studio on the first floor, but he also composes music in his free time. I'm a university professor. When I don't have classes, I help out with the studio.
These past few days, Chu Hao has been busy with some variety show. I don't know the details, but he said today that he wanted to invite a friend I also know to come over. I was hoping it would be you, and it really is."
Qin Wei nodded. Chatting with an acquaintance was relaxing, so she directly told Gu Minghua:
"Yeah, I'm filming that variety show right now, 《Dating Like Geese》. I'm paired up with Chu Hao."
"Dating?"
Gu Minghua's expression changed. He thought for a long time before asking,
"Is my internet too slow? I didn't know dating could also be made into a variety show. Is that reliable? Dating in front of the camera."
Livestream comments——
【Of course it's not reliable. We watch this just for fun. No one should take it seriously! I'll bite anyone who takes it seriously!】
【Dating in front of the camera...isn't that just for show...】
Qin Wei didn't have much hope for "dating in front of the camera" either, but it wasn't good to say it outright on a livestream:
"Who knows? Let's just treat it as making friends. I feel Chu Hao is pretty good, I don't feel much pressure being with him..."
"That's good then."
Gu Minghua led her towards the small garden of the villa.
"Chu Hao, I've known him for many years. He's talented and comes from a good family... As for other things... I'm his friend, and your friend too. It would be impolite to judge him behind his back. Get to know each other slowly. Whether he is perfect or imperfect, you get to decide."
Qin Wei was curious what he meant, but before she could ask, Gu Minghua had already walked ahead a few steps and pushed open the garden gate. The garden wasn't big, but it made Qin Wei a little surprised——
The not-so-big garden was completely planted full of jasmine flowers.
The soil was freshly turned. They were newly planted.
Chu Hao stood in the garden, looking at Qin Wei gently:
"You said you like jasmine. I planted jasmine overnight here, I should have invited you after they bloomed, but we only have three days together. I don't know your feelings, and was afraid I wouldn't make it in time, so I brought you to take a look. I hope to have the honor in the future to invite you to appreciate the flowers."
Livestream comments——
【He planted overnight, just because you like it!】
【I'm a little touched...but this isn't fair to the CP I ship...】
【Life really needs this kind of romance!】
"Wow..."
Qin Wei softly asked Gu Minghua,
"What flowers were planted here before this?"
Gu Minghua honestly told her:
"Violets.
A bit of a waste. I took care of them for so long, and they had just bloomed..."
...
Since all three of them knew each other, there was no need for excessive introductions. Gu Minghua brought over three cups of coffee, and the three of them started chatting.
When Chu Hao picked up his coffee, some splashed out and spilled onto his sleeve. Gu Minghua came over with a napkin to help wipe his cuff, while telling him:
"Be more careful. Coffee stains are hard to wash off. This is your favorite jacket, so don't get it dirty."
"I was careless."
Chu Hao laughed and let him wipe the coffee off his sleeve.
Qin Wei rested her cheek in her hand, smiling as she watched the two of them.
Ah, what to do. This is a bit sweet!
Seeing Qin Wei react this way, Chu Hao was confused.
"She's 'shipping sugar'.”
Gu Minghua was unsurprised. In the past when he was with Daniel, whenever they interacted, he could see the production team girls reveal similar expressions. At first he didn't understand, and was even a little scared, but later a female artist surnamed Sun told him this was called "shipping sugar", it was some people's joy.
Although he still didn't really understand, seeing Qin Wei like this, he knew she was shipping sugar.
Chu Hao's internet was a bit faster than Gu Minghua's. Hearing his explanation, he immediately understood. He silently retracted his hand and took the napkin from Gu Minghua, explaining to Qin Wei:
"hayden and I are just partners! At most friends! We don't have any plans to further our relationship!"
"Tsk!"
Qin Wei clicked her tongue. She didn't feel good saying anything, just felt the CP she didn't even get to ship had suddenly become BE (bad ending).
How boring...
Gu Minghua didn't mind at all. He took another clean napkin and stuffed it in his hand:
"Just let her be happy for a bit, it's not like anything will happen..."
Chu Hao frowned and raised his cup to drink coffee to hide his displeasure:
"I just don't want her to misunderstand. If you like someone, then don't get involved with others."
Gu Minghua turned to glance at Qin Wei, then said to Chu Hao:
"But Miss Qin's job is acting. There will always be some rumors..."
"I don't mind those."
Chu Hao gave a straightforward reply. He looked at Qin Wei and told her very seriously:
"I respect your work and understand you get pursued by many because you're outstanding. What I said earlier is a requirement I have for myself. When I like someone, I devote myself wholeheartedly to her."
Gu Minghua lowered his eyes without speaking.
Chu Hao changed the subject, shifting to something else:
"But there's one thing I'm very curious about. Miss Qin, you've been embroiled in so many made up stories, some written quite explicitly or going too far. Do you not mind?"
"Hm?"
The question suddenly shifted to Qin Wei, catching her off guard. She thought for a bit before realizing he was probably talking about those fanfictions online.
"I don't mind. I occasionally read some too. I have seen some outrageous explicit paywalled content before that made me feel awkward, but that's about it. I think literary works shouldn't be strictly morally judged. It's just a form of expression, I respect their freedom to express."
Livestream comments——
【Spread this! Qin Wei reads fanfics about herself!】
【Spread this! Qin Wei reads explicit fanfics about herself!】
【Spread this! Qin Wei pays to read fanfics about herself!】
【Spread this! Qin Wei wants to read paywalled explicit fanfics about herself! So fanfic writers quickly produce more! Don't you see the original person is eagerly waiting to read them??】
Gu Minghua nodded:
"This is also one of the reasons I admire Miss Qin."
Chu Hao took the chance to ask Gu Minghua:
"hayden, you've known Miss Qin for a long time. It feels like you think quite highly of her too, and Miss Qin probably doesn't dislike you either. Why didn't you consider pursuing further, advancing the relationship?"
Gu Minghua and Qin Wei looked at each other and couldn't help laughing. Gu Minghua put down his coffee cup and said to his friend:
"Love breeds desire, needs nurturing, needs company, needs to build a family, needs..."
Gu Minghua shook his head.
"I've been attracted before, during certain moments, but most of my energy has to be spent on music. There wouldn't be enough nurturing and company...
I hope she can be my friend, we can communicate, but not let love breed sorrow, not let love breed hatred, not become unseemly. This point, Chu Hao, you understand more than me."
