After Spectating Gossip, the Entertainment Industry Thinks I’m a Big Shot – CH69

Chapter 69

The box office for The Ghostly Gate kept climbing, and so did its popularity.

No one expected a niche horror film to achieve such a high box office return, especially since this was Gu Xingshi’s first attempt as a producer. When Wen Yue initially invested in Gu Xingshi, many privately mocked him for letting attraction cloud his judgment, but now they were all keeping their mouths shut.

Now, everyone envied Wen Yue’s sharp eye… in more ways than one.

After listening to Tang Ling’s report, Wen Yue’s gaze sharpened slightly. “Anything else?”

Tang Ling hesitated. “?”

Normally, Wen Yue had no interest in the industry gossip Tang Ling was reporting on.

But as an attentive assistant, Tang Ling quickly grasped his boss’s intention. “Mr. Wen, The Ghostly Gate has now passed the 700 million mark, breaking the box office record for domestic horror films. It’s time to hold a celebration banquet.”

With Wen Yue’s approval, Tang Ling was about to leave when Wen Yue called him back.

After a moment of silence, Wen Yue added, “Choose a formal venue.”

Following Wen Yue’s directive, Tang Ling booked the celebration at the top luxury hotel in Beijing.

On the day of the celebration, everyone from the film crew arrived in formal attire.

This recent phase of their lives felt like a dream to everyone. Receiving praise, gaining recognition, and even celebrating in a place they’d never dared to imagine before—it was all surreal.

Moreover, the celebration included all cast and crew members, which touched everyone deeply as they felt truly valued.

However, despite the gratitude, the first-timers in such a prestigious setting couldn’t help but feel nervous.

The actors managed fine, but the crew—especially those who worked behind the scenes—felt deeply out of place, especially in the intimidating presence of Wen Yue. None of them dared to speak more than a single word to him.

It wasn’t until Gu Xingshi arrived that the atmosphere seemed to thaw.

Just as it had been on set, no matter what problems came up, his presence guaranteed a solution.

Unknowingly, Gu Xingshi had established an unshakeable sense of trust among this group of a hundred or so people.

Wen Yue also looked up.

Tonight, Gu Xingshi wore a light gray suit, his hair, for once, styled back to reveal his fair forehead. He didn’t have his usual cute, harmless look; instead, he exuded an unexpectedly sharp aura.

Wen Yue’s gaze slid down from Gu Xingshi’s neck to his chest, then to his wrist.

Gu Xingshi’s look was clean and simple, without a single accessory.

Wen Yue’s eyes darkened slightly.

So, did Gu Xingshi simply dislike wearing accessories, or did he just not like the ones Wen Yue had given him?

But the next second, he heard Gu Xingshi’s cheerful, spirited voice: “President Wen!”

In an instant, Wen Yue forgot his small disappointment and walked toward him. “President Gu, congratulations.”

Gu Xingshi smiled brightly. “Same to you! Congratulations all around!”

The two exchanged a few words, but soon enough, Gu Xingshi was swept away by others eager to greet him.

Yun Yuxia and the other two screenwriters, who had been huddling shyly in a corner trying to avoid attention, brightened up as soon as they saw him. Like swallows returning to their nest, they flocked to his side, sticking close and not leaving him for a second.

Wen Yue noticed that, in such a short span, he was already edged out from Gu Xingshi’s side.

As the core figure of the movie, Gu Xingshi didn’t even need to say much before the atmosphere became lively. The previously hesitant crowd seemed suddenly emboldened, crowding around him with toasts.

Gu Xingshi accepted every drink offered, refusing no one.

Wen Yue, well aware that tonight’s spotlight belonged to him, initially just watched from the sidelines. But soon, his brow began to furrow.

What were they doing?

They’d already toasted once—why were they still at it?

Wen Yue stood up and walked over to Gu Xingshi.

“President Wen?”

His presence was unmistakable, and Gu Xingshi couldn’t help but look at him in surprise.

Gu Xingshi’s cheeks were flushed, his eyes shimmering. Perhaps because of the warmth in the room, a slight sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead. A loose strand of hair clung to his cheek, adding a touch of unintentional allure.

Wen Yue’s fingers tightened around his glass, but he said in a low voice, “With the film’s success, I should also toast everyone here.”

The lively scene suddenly went silent.

Everyone stared at Wen Yue, astonished. No one had expected the high-and-mighty President Wen to join them in their celebration.

Gu Xingshi, however, remained calm, tapping his glass gently against Wen Yue’s and grinning. “What’s this, everyone getting shy now that President Wen is here? Where was all that energy when you were pushing drinks on me earlier? I’m also a producer, you know!”

Laughter filled the room, and the tense atmosphere lightened considerably.

Gu Xingshi winked at Wen Yue, mouthing, “You’re welcome.”

Wen Yue couldn’t suppress a soft chuckle.

Watching their interaction from nearby, Qin Wen felt a pang of urgency and started to approach, only to be pulled back by Sun Hongfei, who hooked an arm around his neck. “Come on, Qin, let’s have a chat…”

Qin Wen tried to dodge, relying on his quick reflexes, but Tang Ling appeared on the other side and pressed him down firmly.

With a friendly smile, Tang, the ever-present assistant, teamed up with Sun Hongfei to lead Qin Wen away.

Qin Wen: “!!!”

How underhanded!!

With Qin Wen out of the picture, Wen Yue stayed beside Gu Xingshi, smoothly intercepting anyone who tried to offer him more drinks.

When Tang Ling finally returned after successfully getting Qin Wen tipsy, he was surprised to see Wen Yue downing drinks one after another.

But as far as he knew, Mr. Wen rarely drank!

What on earth…

What had happened while he was away?

At first, everyone had been a bit cautious around Wen Yue, but as time went on, they realized that although he wasn’t talkative, he wasn’t nearly as serious as they’d thought. They all began to relax completely.

And so, drinks kept flowing, and before they knew it, everyone had had a bit too much.

Fortunately, Tang Ling had anticipated this and had reserved rooms at the hotel. Those who were still somewhat steady on their feet were assigned people to help them get home.

Gu Xingshi, in his high spirits, had also ended up drinking more than usual. Despite his usual tolerance, he felt a little tipsy and leaned back in his chair to rest.

From across the room, he saw Wen Yue approaching, looking concerned. “How are you doing?”

Gu Xingshi waved him off dismissively.

After a moment’s pause, Wen Yue said, “I’ll have the driver take you home.”

Gu Xingshi had assumed Wen Yue meant he’d call a driver to take him home alone. But as soon as he got in the car, Wen Yue climbed in from the other side.

Gu Xingshi didn’t think much of it, figuring it was just along the way and that the driver would drop him off before taking Wen Yue home.

When they reached his apartment, Gu Xingshi struggled to stay steady as he thanked Wen Yue. But as he stepped out of the car, his legs gave way, and he stumbled a few steps.

In the next instant, a warm hand gripped his arm.

Gu Xingshi looked up in surprise. “President Wen?”

Wen Yue seemed to hesitate, then said, “You’re drunk. I’ll take you upstairs.”

Gu Xingshi protested, “I’m not—”

But Wen Yue ignored his attempt to argue and firmly guided him into the elevator.

Seeing no point in further protests, Gu Xingshi fell silent.

As he followed Wen Yue’s steady steps, he couldn’t help but marvel at his resilience. Wen Yue really was impressive—skilled at his job, and apparently a heavy drinker as well. He’d had quite a few drinks tonight, yet he showed no sign of being affected.

Once they were inside the apartment, Wen Yue helped Gu Xingshi inside.

The place was cluttered with unopened boxes, and the furniture was still covered with protective sheets.

With LeShi’s growing success, Gu Xingshi had recently upgraded to a new place. But he’d been so busy lately that, despite the move, he hadn’t found the time to unpack and set everything up.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, he muttered, “Um…”

But Wen Yue didn’t seem to mind at all. He helped him to the bedroom, saying, “It’s fine. Just rest.”

A short while later, Wen Yue came back in with a glass of warm water and a warm towel. “Drink some water and wipe your face—you’ll feel better.”

Gu Xingshi blinked, a bit dazed.

Was he… being taken care of?

He took a sip of the water, finding it to be the perfect temperature.

Then he placed the warm towel over his face, the gentle heat opening his pores and making him sigh in relief.

Just then, a sudden clattering sound came from the kitchen.

Startled, Gu Xingshi quickly went to see what was happening, only to find Wen Yue leaning against the sink, with broken pieces scattered at his feet.

Wen Yue had somehow shed his jacket. His black shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing his well-defined forearm muscles.

Noticing Gu Xingshi, Wen Yue seemed to come back to himself. “Sorry, I’ll clean this up right now…”

Gu Xingshi, seeing the faintly dazed look in Wen Yue’s eyes, asked with concern, “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Wen Yue replied.

Only then did Gu Xingshi notice a small pot simmering on the stove. Surprised, he asked, “What’s this?”

Wen Yue followed his gaze to the pot and answered in his usual precise manner, “It’s a hangover soup. The ingredients are orange peel, mulberries…”

Gu Xingshi was momentarily speechless.

He had assumed that someone like Wen Yue, raised in an environment of privilege and luxury, would be unfamiliar with household tasks. Yet here he was, handling it all like a pro.

After listing the ingredients, Wen Yue looked at Gu Xingshi intently.

Gu Xingshi hesitated. “President Wen… this is pretty impressive.”

Wen Yue’s eyes lit up. “I actually know how to make over a dozen types of hangover soup. Would you like to try some?”

Gu Xingshi: “…No need, really.”

Wen Yue’s expression dimmed.

Gu Xingshi noticed that Wen Yue seemed a little different tonight, so he ventured, “Aside from hangover soup, what else can you make, Mr. Wen?”

“Chinese, French, and Italian dishes. Japanese and Korean are rare, but if I have a recipe, they’re manageable…” Wen Yue’s tone was steady, but for some reason, Gu Xingshi felt like he could almost see an enthusiastic tail wagging behind him.

Clearing away his odd imagination, Gu Xingshi asked, “Do you enjoy cooking?”

Wen Yue shook his head.

Gu Xingshi blinked. “Then why…”

Wen Yue explained, “At Wen Group, we follow a ‘raise-them-rough’ philosophy. I’ve been studying abroad since middle school, so I got used to taking care of myself…”

Gu Xingshi hadn’t expected his simple question to prompt Wen Yue to reveal so much about his past.

Since when was President Wen so chatty?

Just as he was wondering, the hangover soup finished cooking.

Wen Yue fell silent, ladled a bowl, and passed it to him. “Be careful, it’s hot.”

Gu Xingshi took a sip and was pleasantly surprised to find it tasted quite good.

Wen Yue watched him expectantly. “How is it?”

“It’s delicious,” Gu Xingshi replied.

Only then did Wen Yue smile, looking content.

It suddenly struck Gu Xingshi that since Wen Yue had arrived, he’d been doing all sorts of things—warming towels, cooking hangover soup—while Gu had simply accepted his care without even thinking to offer him a glass of water. Such an oversight was something his old self would never have let happen.

But Wen Yue didn’t seem to mind. Once he saw that Gu Xingshi had drunk the soup, he picked up his coat and said, “Get some rest. I’ll be heading out.”

Wen Yue left Gu Xingshi’s apartment, striding steadily into the elevator.

But as soon as the elevator doors closed, a wave of dizziness hit him. He leaned heavily against the wall, his brow furrowing as a deep flush crept across his cheekbones.

Wen Yue’s tolerance for alcohol was actually quite low.

In the past, people had always been too intimidated by his authority to push him to drink much.

He’d already felt tipsy back at Gu Xingshi’s apartment, but had forced himself to stay composed to take care of Gu.

Reaching the elevator had already pushed him to his limit.

Just then, the elevator doors unexpectedly opened.

Wen Yue looked up, his vision swimming, but he could barely make out a familiar figure standing there.

Gu Xingshi let out a soft sigh.

Back in the kitchen, Gu Xingshi had sensed that something was a bit off.

After Wen Yue left, his unease grew, so he followed him and discovered that the elevator hadn’t moved at all.

He pressed the button to open the doors, only to see Wen Yue in a thoroughly inebriated state.

Gu Xingshi stepped into the elevator and helped Wen Yue back to his apartment.

Fortunately, drunk Wen Yue was rather well-behaved. Aside from gazing at him continuously, he obediently followed every instruction.

For a moment, Gu Xingshi almost felt like the man in front of him—overly compliant and docile—wasn’t the legendary Wen family head that everyone in the investment world feared.

But why, when he was this drunk, would he still insist on escorting him home and even making him hangover soup?

“Because… I wanted to take care of you.”

Hearing Wen Yue’s answer, Gu Xingshi realized he had unknowingly voiced the question out loud.

Though he’d always been accustomed to looking after others, this response tugged softly at his heartstrings.

*

The next morning, Wen Yue opened his eyes to an unfamiliar setting. His gaze was momentarily unfocused, but soon returned to its usual sharp clarity.

In an instant, the memories of everything that had happened last night came flooding back.

Recalling his actions, Wen Yue couldn’t help but feel a wave of regret.

How could he have made such a mistake?

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. “President Wen, are you awake?”

Wen Yue: “…I’m awake.”

The door opened, and Gu Xingshi walked in.

Only then did Wen Yue notice Gu Xingshi’s sporty attire, with a headband holding back his hair, giving him a fresh, youthful look.

Gu Xingshi made no mention of last night’s events. Instead, he smiled and said, “I’ve put some toiletries in the bathroom, and there are spare clothes on the rack. Freshen up and come have breakfast.”

A faint scent of oranges lingered in the air, brushing past Wen Yue’s nose, and his heartbeat inexplicably quickened.

When Wen Yue finished getting ready, he was surprised to find that the cluttered living room had already been tidied up.

Gu Xingshi was dressed in casual homewear, with a cartoon apron over it, setting out bowls and chopsticks. Noticing Wen Yue’s arrival, he gestured for him to join.

For a brief instant, Wen Yue felt a strange illusion, as if they were newlyweds settling into their home.

As he sat down across from Gu Xingshi, he finally noticed that the table was covered in takeout boxes.

Gu Xingshi smiled. “You don’t mind eating takeout, right?”

Wen Yue: “…I don’t mind.” He paused, then added, “Takeout can be quite good, actually.”

Gu Xingshi’s smile widened. “I think so too.”

Wen Yue experienced what felt like a surreal morning, still basking in its warmth even after arriving at his office.

Tang Ling had been reporting updates for a while, but noticing Wen Yue’s inaction, he couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Wen, are you all right?”

After last night’s banquet, Mr. Wen and the driver had disappeared, and they hadn’t been able to contact him. Tang Ling worried whether the heavy drinking had taken a toll.

Wen Yue snapped back to reality. “What is it?”

Seeing Wen Yue’s usual calm expression, Tang Ling suppressed his worries and continued, “It’s about the guest list from the banquet…”

Wen Yue nodded, finally catching on.

This was the banquet intended to help Gu Xingshi expand his network.

With that in mind, Wen Yue suddenly said, “Go and ask Mr. Gu’s stylist what he plans to wear that day, and then send over a matching watch.”

Tang Ling: “???”

Wait a second.

Boss, I was asking about the guest list, not about Mr. Gu!

*

Since The Ghostly Gate had set a box office record, Gu Xingshi had become a hot commodity among investors, who eagerly sought his time and attention. With several hit series and movies in a row, it was clear his success wasn’t just a fluke.

Back then, Gu Xingshi had needed Yao Hui’s help to enter this industry. Now, wherever he went, investors flocked to him. Even Yao Hui, who shared a good relationship with him, had seen her status rise along with his.

True to his promise, Gu Xingshi also found suitable homes for the scripts from the writers he’d worked with. As soon as word got out, investors practically wore down LeShi’s doorstep.

Now everyone knew Mr. Gu had a sharp eye—if he picked a project, it was as good as slated for success. Who wouldn’t want to hold on to this golden ticket?

More importantly, working with him was like passing the “entertainment industry background check.” In today’s industry, rife with scandals, this was as good as insurance for his collaborators.

After all, who hadn’t been burned by a scandalous artist? It was a painful lesson learned by many.

Consequently, it wasn’t long before investors began posting their excitement on social media every time they secured a deal with him: [Got it, got it!]

This became jokingly referred to as the “modern-day Scholar’s Success.”

And where there were “scholars” rejoicing, there were also those who were left “devastated by failure.”

The married couple, Ruan Yi and Xiang Li, were among those upset.

Though they’d only started investing in film and television in recent years, the Ruan family held significant standing in Beijing’s elite circles. Ruan Yi had assumed that with his family’s reputation, securing a project from Gu Xingshi would be a breeze. To his surprise, Gu Xingshi turned him down.

“How dare he?!” Xiang Li exclaimed in disbelief.

Ruan Yi fumed. “I told you young people are unreliable, but you insisted on cozying up to him. Now our family’s name has been trampled in the dirt! If word gets out, we’ll be a laughingstock!”

Xiang Li’s voice grew louder in irritation. “Didn’t you also want to invest in his project at the time? And now you’re blaming me?”

“Enough! Stop yelling; I have enough to worry about already!” Ruan Yi snapped, furrowing his brow. “Forget it. It’s not like his project is the only one worth investing in. Don’t we have Wen Yue’s banquet coming up? Now that’s a circle with some real class, way above his level!”

Xiang Li hesitated. “But I heard that he and Wen Yue have a… special relationship. What if…”

“What’s there to worry about?” Ruan Yi scoffed. “He’s nothing more than Wen Yue’s plaything. There’s no way he could influence Wen Yue’s decisions.”

Xiang Li replied, “That might not be so certain. Didn’t Wen Yue practically bankrupt Huanyang Capital just for his sake?”

Ruan Yi’s expression froze slightly, but he quickly brushed it off. “That could’ve just been a coincidence. If it were really that serious, don’t you think we’d have seen Wen Yue bring him to a formal event by now?”

Xiang Li considered this. “That does make sense.”

Ruan Yi continued, “Men fool around before they settle down. In the end, he’ll still marry and have kids, just like anyone else…”

At that moment, a delicate and beautiful young girl descended the staircase. “Dad, Mom, were you looking for me?”

Ruan Yi’s face lit up with satisfaction as soon as he saw her. “Wen Rou, have you picked out the outfit we talked about?”

“All set. The hairstyle and makeup are ready, too,” Ruan Wenrou nodded obediently. Then she asked curiously, “Dad, Mom, what kind of occasion is this? You both seem to be taking it so seriously.”

Pleased with his daughter’s gentle demeanor, Ruan Yi replied, “It’s for Mr. Wen’s banquet.” Then he added, “Mr. Wen is handsome and wealthy. If you can win his favor, your future will be secure.”

Ruan Wenrou’s eyes glinted briefly as she asked softly, “Will my sister be there?”

“That wild girl?” Ruan Yi’s face twisted in disgust. “Forget about her.”

Xiang Li quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Wen Rou, just make sure you give it your best. Our entire Ruan family is counting on you.”

Ruan Wenrou lowered her eyes demurely. “I understand, Mom.”

*

The day of the banquet arrived.

Ruan Yi, Xiang Li, and Ruan Wenrou were dressed to the nines, entering the Wen family estate alongside members of the Lan family.

As soon as they stepped inside, Ruan Yi was stunned by the opulence before him. His eyes sparkled with a barely concealed greed as he muttered, “Now this is what you call a top-tier family…”

Compared to the Wen family, the Ruans looked downright impoverished.

Normally, they wouldn’t have been qualified to attend, but thanks to a distant connection on Ruan Yi’s mother’s side with the Lan siblings, they had managed to gain entry under the Lan family’s wing.

The Lan family member escorting them in said coolly, “Once inside, be mindful of what you say and do. Don’t cause trouble or embarrass the Lan family.”

Ruan Yi nodded repeatedly. “Of course, don’t worry. We know how to behave.”

Once their guide left, Ruan Yi’s face darkened. “Tch, a mere branch member of the Lan family putting on airs in front of me. Just wait until we’re in-laws with the Wen family…”

With that thought, he turned to his daughter, who looked particularly stunning tonight. “Wen Rou, remember to be smart and attentive.”

Ruan Wenrou nodded submissively.

Only then did Ruan Yi, satisfied, lead his family into the main banquet hall.

As soon as they entered, their gaze was instantly drawn to Wen Yue.

Tall and strikingly handsome, he exuded a natural aura of authority that captivated everyone.

Surrounding him were members of elite families and top investors. But even among such an illustrious crowd, Wen Yue, seated with casual ease, remained the unmistakable focal point.

Ruan Yi, however, only noticed that Wen Yue was alone, without a female companion by his side.

Overjoyed, he prepared to bring his daughter over.

But just then, a server leaned down and whispered something into Wen Yue’s ear. Ruan Yi thought he saw Wen Yue’s expression change. After saying a few words to the people around him, he stood up and began walking toward the entrance.

Every move Wen Yue made was closely watched by the guests.

Ruan Yi overheard people murmuring nearby.

“Why did Mr. Wen leave?”

“Judging by the direction, it looks like he’s going to greet someone.”

“For Mr. Wen to personally welcome someone… could it be some extraordinary VIP?”

Ruan Yi’s curiosity was piqued. When he and the Lan family had arrived, Wen Yue hadn’t personally come to greet the Lan siblings. Could there really be someone even more important than them?

As he craned his neck to look toward the entrance, he saw Wen Yue leading someone into the hall.

He could only make out that the person had a slim build and appeared to be slightly shorter than Wen Yue.

While Ruan Yi was still racking his brain, wondering which powerful family this guest might be from, the two had already entered the main hall, surrounded by an entourage.

Then he saw the guest’s face clearly—and his expression turned to shock.

That person—

It was… Gu Xingshi?!