After Spectating Gossip, the Entertainment Industry Thinks I’m a Big Shot – CH83

Chapter 83

The room suddenly fell silent.

Cheng Xin rubbed his eyes and looked again at the number on Wen Yue’s wristband—16. He muttered instinctively, “No way…”

Not only did Cheng Xin find it hard to believe, but Gu Xingshi also thought the coincidence was unbelievable. Out of the hundreds of LeShi employees and invited guests, nearly five hundred people total—the odds…

Meng Yuansheng, however, was the first to recover, quickly saying, “This was just a lighthearted joke. We’re grateful to President Gu for leading LeShi to where it is today.”

They didn’t mind missing this opportunity, but they certainly didn’t want to give Wen Yue a chance to get close to President Gu.

As if picking up on this, Cheng Xin chimed in, “Right! I bet President Gu was as surprised as anyone, hahaha…”

Other LeShi employees began to help smooth things over.

But Gu Xingshi held up a hand to stop them.

He knew perfectly well they were just kidding; after all, he’d said during the annual gala preparations that they should do whatever sounded like the most fun.

Who could have guessed that this little joke would actually end up landing on Wen Yue?

But with the whole company watching, and LeShi’s reputation on the line—even if it was just a joke—he couldn’t go back on his word.

So Gu Xingshi smiled and said, “President Wen has looked out for us at LeShi over the years, and I’d always intended to treat you to a meal. I didn’t expect that even a random prize draw would bring us together like this—seems it’s destiny that I owe you this dinner.”

He defused the situation with a light touch, saving face for everyone present.

Wen Yue, however, only responded by looking at him deeply. “Yes, fate, indeed.”

Gu Xingshi: “…”

Meng Yuansheng and the others furrowed their brows, glowering in unison at Wen Yue.

But Wen Yue didn’t spare them a glance, his legs crossed, radiating indifference.

Only Sun Hongfei, nearby, sat trembling.

He could practically feel the killing intent aimed in his direction, and he’d never felt less welcome at LeShi.

But the undercurrent of tension dissolved as soon as Gu Xingshi took the stage to speak.

Standing before the crowd, he looked out at the sea of faces.

He felt a rush of nostalgia.

Who would have thought that LeShi, which had once consisted of just him and Cheng Xin, scraping by on side jobs to meet operating costs, would come so far? Back then, he’d been focused on keeping the company alive for a year, planning to sell his apartment and retire in comfort.

Yet, somehow, without realizing it, the company had grown to this scale.

Despite his reflections, he didn’t say much, keeping his remarks brief before announcing the end of the gala.

The employees, with arms full of prizes, began to trickle out in small groups, hailing taxis to head home.

Gu Xingshi’s work, however, wasn’t quite done. He personally saw each partner off to their car.

Wen Yue shrugged on his coat but, just before getting into his car, paused as if remembering something. He took out the wristband from his pocket. “This… mind if I keep it as a memento?”

Gu Xingshi paused, though he couldn’t see what sentimental value a cheap wholesale wristband could possibly hold. But since Wen Yue asked, he nodded. “Of course.”

Wen Yue’s lips curled slightly. “Since I won the grand prize, may I choose the place for our dinner?”

Gu Xingshi: “Sure.”

It was just a meal, after all; it hardly mattered where they ate.

Wen Yue, satisfied, settled into his seat. “See you soon, Xingshi.”

His voice was low and husky, the last syllable tinged with a warmth that hinted at something intoxicating, like the lingering notes of wine.

It stirred something subtle within Gu Xingshi.

After all the guests had left, Gu Xingshi returned to the empty gala hall.

Most of the staff had already gone home, but Meng Yuansheng and the others were still there, caught in what seemed to be an intense debate.

Seeing Gu Xingshi approach, the group stopped arguing.

Gu looked at them, puzzled. “What’s going on with you all?”

They exchanged glances and then looked away, mumbling, “Nothing…”

Gu Xingshi didn’t buy it. His suspicious gaze landed on Sheng Yueqing. “Xiao Qing, spill it.”

Sheng Yueqing went pale. “Uh… I…”

Gu Xingshi: “Hmm?”

Sheng, never good at lying and now under Gu’s intense stare, could only confess honestly, “We were, um… just planning how to stop you from going to that dinner with President Wen…”

Gu paused, taken aback.

He vaguely remembered that the group seemed to have a long-standing aversion toward Wen Yue.

But as far as he knew, Wen Yue had never wronged them.

Seeing there was no point in hiding it now, the group decided to come clean and laid everything out for him.

Gu Xingshi was dumbfounded. “Wait, who said I broke up with President Wen? And hold on, last I heard, the rumor was that we were dating. When did it escalate to us breaking up?!”

The group looked just as stunned. “Rumor…?”

Gu rubbed his temples, exasperated. “Wait, where did this rumor even come from?”

All eyes immediately turned to Meng Yuansheng.

Gu Xingshi: “…”

Meng Yuansheng?!

How could it be you, with your trustworthy face, spreading this nonsense?

But Meng Yuansheng frowned, insisting, “It was Sun Hongfei from Sweet Orange who said it. He’s practically Wen Yue’s lackey. There’s no way he’d be spreading this unless Wen Yue himself put him up to it—it has to be true!”

Just then, the system chimed in eagerly: [Host, I forgot to tell you earlier, but the rumor about you dating Wen Yue was also started by Sun Hongfei. He’s the top ‘Wen-Gu CP’ fan of the ‘Wen Gu and Fresh Love’ ship!]

Gu Xingshi: [???]

What on earth?

There’s even a ship name for us already?!

Back then, he’d only met Wen Yue twice in total. Were these shippers completely out of their minds?!

Meng Yuansheng, generally quite rational, had pried some info out of Sun Hongfei and done his own follow-up investigation, growing increasingly convinced of the rumor’s truth.

Hearing Meng describe things, even Gu himself felt a bit dazed.

Uh… was that how it was?

Why did it sound like he and Wen Yue really had something going on?

When Meng finished, he looked at Gu with sympathy. “Wen Yue is so cold and ruthless—he doesn’t seem like someone easy to get along with. If it weren’t for our company, President Gu wouldn’t have had to endure so much, dealing with him all these years.”

Gu Xingshi: “…That’s not it.”

He wanted to explain that Wen Yue wasn’t the way they described him; he was actually a good person.

Plus, it hadn’t been hard on him at all—it was just a regular business relationship.

But with Meng’s “ironclad proof,” Gu knew he couldn’t expose the gossip-mongering system and could only feebly insist that he hadn’t been wronged in any way.

The group’s response: President Gu is still comforting us, even now… sob sob…

Gu Xingshi: …

Forget it.

At that moment, he truly understood the meaning of “there’s no arguing against a flood of rumors.”

*

Before Gu Xingshi could even wrap his head around the situation, Wen Yue contacted him to schedule their dinner, as if trying to preempt any sabotage.

Shrugging off his jumbled thoughts, Gu agreed readily.

He’d assumed they would meet at some restaurant, so he was surprised when Wen Yue invited him to his home.

The Wen family’s old residence was located in the heart of Beijing, occupying a vast area with extensive gardens.

The car sent to pick up Gu drove him straight to the main estate.

When the butler opened the car door, Wen Yue emerged from inside to greet him.

He was dressed casually, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and the soft fabric gave his entire demeanor a gentler feel.

Against the backdrop of the traditional and elegant courtyard, Wen Yue looked so at home that it almost gave Gu a surreal sense of domesticity.

Wen Yue descended the steps, his voice warm. “It’s chilly outside—come in.”

Following Wen Yue inside, Gu was immediately enveloped by the cozy warmth of the room, and he felt a slight sweat begin to form on his brow.

Gu Xingshi took off his coat.

Wen Yue reached over naturally. “I’ll hang this up for you.”

“Oh—thanks!”

It was then that Gu realized the butler and driver had quietly left, leaving only him and Wen Yue in the house.

Whether it was due to Meng Yuansheng’s influence or something else, Gu couldn’t help recalling the “details” Meng had pointed out, making him feel a bit uneasy.

Fortunately, Wen Yue seemed composed. After hanging up the coat, he courteously invited Gu to tour the house.

Suppressing his stray thoughts, Gu followed Wen through the rooms.

The Wen family estate was over a century old, with many pieces that were now antiques, embodying the depth of an old-money family’s heritage.

Gu’s curiosity was met with Wen’s patience; whatever Gu asked, Wen answered.

“Did you grow up here?” Gu asked.

Wen shook his head. “The Wen estate is only for the family head. When I was young, I lived with my parents in a different house in the city.”

The Wen family believed that only those who proved their capability could live here; everyone had to earn their place in the family or live as ordinary trust-fund heirs.

As a member of the main branch, Wen Yue hadn’t received many resources growing up. In fact, due to his parents’ lack of influence, he had remained relatively unknown within the family.

It wasn’t until later, after he outperformed all competitors and became the head of the family, that he earned the right to live in this estate, a symbol of authority.

His words held an unmistakable air of ambition and assertiveness.

Since Gu Xingshi had gotten to know him, Wen had always been considerate and gentle, often making Gu forget that he was dealing with the ruthless, calculating head of the Wen family.

Listening to him now, however, Gu couldn’t shake the feeling that Wen was showing off a hard-won prize.

After the tour, Wen led him to the dining room.

Somehow, the previously empty table had been filled with an array of gourmet dishes.

Wen pulled out a chair for Gu, and after he sat down, poured them both glasses of red wine.

In the fireplace, logs crackled softly, filling the air with a faint, woody scent of cypress.

Surrounded by the cozy ambiance, Gu gradually relaxed.

For once, their conversation drifted away from work, touching instead on various everyday topics.

Gu had assumed that someone like Wen, a top-tier business executive, would spend his free time absorbed in business journals or finance books, leading a rather dry lifestyle.

To his surprise, Wen enjoyed films and concerts, and they even shared a few common interests.

What’s more, Wen could play the cello, which piqued Gu’s curiosity. At Gu’s interest, Wen offered to take him to the music room.

To reach the music room, they had to cross the courtyard.

The courtyard was lit by warm yellow lights, creating an inviting atmosphere, though it was considerably dimmer than the indoor lighting.

Wen cautioned Gu, “There’s a step here, be careful…”

Before he could finish, Gu misstepped.

Wen instinctively reached out, catching Gu in his arms.

Gu had reacted quickly, steadying himself almost instantly, but with Wen’s firm grip, he ended up leaning forward into him instead.

Their faces were suddenly inches apart.

Gu had been standing a step above Wen, which just closed the gap between their heights.

Their noses brushed, warm breaths mingling.

The dim golden light, like a gentle veil, enveloped Gu Xingshi’s face in a soft glow.

Gu Xingshi’s eyes, like clear glass resting in a tranquil pool, flickered with a delicate sheen as his long, dark lashes trembled like butterfly wings. The play of light on them sent ripples across his gaze, mesmerizing and serene. Beneath them were his soft red lips, like a ripe cherry atop a cream cake, an enticing invitation.

Wen Yue’s breathing grew heavier.

He leaned in, drawn by the irresistible lure of that “cherry,” lips nearing.

Gu could feel Wen’s arm, firm and searing around his waist, like iron. Feeling slightly uneasy, he shifted.

That small movement snapped Wen Yue out of his trance.

He clenched his eyes shut, the hand at Gu’s waist tightening into a fist, veins pulsing, knuckles pale as he fought to suppress his thoughts. With a restrained breath, he stepped back and steadied Gu before letting go.

In a slightly hoarse voice, he asked, “Are you alright?”

The moment had passed so quickly.

Gu Xingshi looked up, catching a glimpse of Wen Yue’s adam’s apple shifting as he swallowed, his jawline taut. A drop of sweat trickled from his neck, disappearing down past his strong chest.

Gu felt his own heart skip an unexpected beat.

The slight buzz from the wine vanished, leaving him entirely sober.

Clearing his throat, he muttered, “Uh… it’s getting late. I should head home. The cello… maybe next time.”

Wen Yue, though a bit disappointed, nodded in understanding.

The two made their way back to the main hall.

This time, Gu Xingshi walked carefully, avoiding any missteps on the stairs.

Wen Yue handed him his coat.

Just as Gu slipped it on, Wen Yue leaned in to help wrap his scarf around him, his fingers brushing Gu’s face as if by accident—a fleeting warmth that played on Gu’s heartstrings like the touch of a bow across a cello.

Gu looked up, only to find Wen Yue’s expression focused, as if that touch had meant nothing at all.

Once the scarf was snug, Wen Yue accompanied him to the door.

The butler and driver reappeared from seemingly nowhere.

Strangely, Gu felt a wave of relief wash over him at their presence.

He waved goodbye to Wen Yue.

Wen’s expression was as calm as always, but as soon as Gu left, he found his own fingers curling slightly.

*

The next morning, Gu Xingshi was getting ready for work. Just as he wrapped his scarf around his neck, he paused, recalling the events of the previous night. An odd feeling crept into his chest.

At that moment, he heard the system timidly pipe up: [Host, there’s some gossip… Interested?]

Gu asked: [What gossip?]

The system perked up instantly: [It’s about Yao Zidong, an artist Zhou Chengyan managed for a while. Zhou had mapped out a career path suited for him, but Yao thought it was taking too long to get famous, so he backstabbed Zhou and joined another manager.]

[This new manager is ruthless in chasing fame, and both he and Yao have set their sights on a major IP drama. They’re trying to squeeze in for a piece of the action. However, the investor of this drama is a sadist who likes to play letter games. If they want to get the role, they have to serve him well first.]

[Zhou Chengyan rejected the show to protect Yao Zidong, but now the agent doesn’t care about that. He used sweet words to deceive Yao Zidong and sent him to the investor’s bed. Yao Zidong was played all over and bruised. He finally got a role, but the show was a failure and the project was directly lost.]

Gu Xingshi: [! ]

Faced with such a big piece of news, he instantly threw all those strange thoughts into the depths of his mind.

[What happened next? ]

System: [After experiencing this incident, Yao Zidong finally realized how good Zhou Chengyan was. He is now secretly running to Zhou Chengyan, wanting to kneel down and beg for his forgiveness!]

Gu Xingshi: [Where is morality! Where is the bottom line! Where is the address! ]

System: [……]

Under the guidance of the system, Gu Xingshi drove the car to a TV station.

Zhou Chengyan is going to take Yan Jingxi to attend a notice today.

While instructing Yan Jingxi, he was flipping through the next schedule.

Suddenly, a figure rushed out from the side.

Zhou Chengyan subconsciously stood in front of Yan Jingxi and asked sternly, “Who is it?!”

There was a commotion at the scene.

Until the man lifted the hat on his head, revealing a face that was familiar yet unfamiliar to Zhou Chengyan.

“Yao Zidong?”

Zhou Chengyan looked at him in shock.

It had only been a few months, but Yao Zidong had become emaciated, with dark circles under his eyes and a gloomy expression. He had completely lost the agility he had when he was under his command.

When Yao Zidong saw him, the corners of his mouth trembled and tears welled up in his eyes instantly.

He was about to speak, but was interrupted by Zhou Chengyan: “Where is your agent?”

Yao Zidong was stunned.

Zhou Chengyan frowned slightly: “You shouldn’t have any notice here today, right? You came here without permission, does Liang Xiaowei know?”

Yao Zidong: “I…I…”

Zhou Chengyan had already explained to the staff and security guards who came over, and then he took Yan Jingxi away in a neat and tidy manner.

Yao Zidong hurriedly called him: “Brother Zhou, I know I was wrong! Please forgive me! I will listen to you in the future…”

Zhou Chengyan turned around and saw that his face was covered with tears and his expression was a little fluctuating.

After all, he was the person he had carefully cultivated. Seeing his miserable appearance now, Zhou Chengyan felt uncomfortable.

When Yao Zidong saw his expression change, he was delighted and cried even more pitifully.

However, Zhou Chengyan shook his head: “You should tell this to your current agent.”

After saying this, he turned around without any reluctance.

Yao Zidong panicked instantly, his knees softened, and he knelt down: “Brother Zhou, I really know I was wrong! Please forgive me…”

Zhou Chengyan turned around and completely shattered his hope word by word.

“Not all apologies can be forgiven,” he said, leaving Yao Zidong behind as he walked away with Yan Jingxi.

After catching up on the latest gossip, Gu Xingshi felt satisfied, as if he’d just finished the last episode of a gripping series.

Since he was already there, he decided to stop by the set to check in on things and headed toward the makeup room.

On the way, he stepped aside to avoid a staff member dressed in a bulky mascot costume, but in doing so, accidentally bumped into someone.

“Oh, sorry, sorry…” Gu quickly reached out to help the person up. “Are you alright?”

The person he’d bumped into had strikingly refined features, with smooth, gentle lines—a face that seemed suited for a variety show guest.

The man’s brows knitted briefly, taking a moment before he responded. “I’m fine… thank you.”

Gu released his hold, and they passed each other.

When Gu finally reached the set and greeted everyone, he noticed a familiar figure in the corner—it was the person he’d bumped into earlier in the hallway.

While the other guests mingled, this man sat alone in a corner, his expression detached, gaze lowered as if lost in thought.

Gu glanced his way briefly before shifting his attention elsewhere.

Only after Gu turned away did the man slowly lift his head, his gaze following Gu’s direction.

Unconcerned by the brief encounter, Gu finished his visit and prepared to head back to the office.

As he left the TV station, he was surprised to find a large group of fans gathered outside, holding posters, banners, and even cardboard cutouts.

Recognizing the person on one of the boards as the man he’d bumped into, Gu remarked, “He’s got a lot of fans!”

The system cleared its throat: [Actually, to be precise, those are his anti-fans.]

[Huh?] Gu asked, surprised.

[His name is Shen Hanyuan. He’s got what we call a ‘Natural CP Halo.’ Whether it’s men, women, young, or old, he has undeniable CP chemistry with just about anyone he interacts with. Even if he hasn’t officially worked with someone, fans can create pairings with him. He’s only acted in three dramas, but he already has over thirty CPs!]

[His most popular pairing is from a recent show he starred in—a dual male lead drama where fans went wild over his chemistry with the other lead. But Shen Hanyuan didn’t want to play along with the fanservice and tore down the pairing publicly. The CP fans went ballistic and now show up at even his solo events with CP material just to spite him…]

[Since he refused to engage, his fans mostly migrated to the other male lead, which upset his agency. Now, they want to use his ‘CP magnet’ quality to promote their other artists…]

Gu was dumbfounded. [Is this… for real?]

[Absolutely. Just making eye contact with someone for three seconds can spawn enough material for CP fans to edit a whole video. Don’t underestimate the power of the CP fandom!]

Gu: […]

A faint sense of foreboding washed over him.

*

That night, a video began circulating online, gaining traction rapidly.

Within hours, a new super-topic called “XingHan CP” emerged out of nowhere and shot up to the top of the CP ranking list.

The system chimed in: [Told you so!]

With a sinking feeling, Gu opened Weibo and clicked into the CP super-topic community.

The place was buzzing, filled with countless [Ahhhhh!] and [I’m dying from this ship!] comments.

It was packed with fanfiction, edited photos, and endless compilation videos.

Gu clicked on the most popular video, and the title alone made him stiffen.

[Gu Xingshi X Shen Hanyuan] Heart-Wrenching Love Edit | Loving You Is My Secret

Gu: …???

What is this?!

CP fans, isn’t this a bit too wild?!