Chapter 155 Qingyuan

For the casting of the new drama, Gu Yan constantly shuttled between Hangzhou and Hengdian. As the screenwriter, her presence was required at both the preliminary rounds and the grand finale. It was well within expectations that the preliminary rounds would turn out to be such a success.

"Cheers!!" Inside a minimalist yet elegant private dining room sat a gathering of extraordinary individuals.

"I must propose a separate toast to our most accomplished Gu. Bottoms up!" Cai Mei said boldly, holding her glass high.

"To our reunion," Gu Yan gestured with her glass and downed the drink in a single gulp.

Sitting nearby, Li Min observed Gu Yan thoughtfully. He could hardly believe that the "Gu" Mei often spoke of was none other than the acclaimed playwright Alisa. Although the woman before him was smiling warmly, she emanated a sense of cool detachment and aloof pride.

"Cai Mei, I'll toast you as well. May all lovers in the world finally tie the knot!" Cai Mei swept her gaze between Zheng Yingqi and Gu Yan with a knowing look, then finished her drink with a smile. This welcome-back banquet proceeded smoothly, during the course of which Gu Yan said only two words to Li Min: "Cherish."

The next day, Gu Yan took Cai Mei and returned to Hengdian. Before leaving, she promised that the male lead role this time would undoubtedly go to Li Min. It was not a matter of Gu Yan playing favorites; such was reality, for connections have always been a crucial component of strength.

Upon returning to her familiar hometown, Cai Mei chose to head straight to the hospital.

The ward was dead silent, broken only by the steady beep of the electrocardiogram. Having not seen her for days, Gu Yan thought the girl in the hospital bed looked even more frail and emaciated. Cai Mei's lips trembled with sorrow, and tears streamed down her face unceasingly.

"Immortal... Immortal... Vain Mei is here... Immortal... Vain Mei doesn't want Li Min anymore, Vain Mei is back. Gu is the same, Gu doesn't want Shen Hong anymore. Wake up, please. It's been so many years, don't let Jiang Yunkai torture you anymore, and don't let us look down on you. I know you can hear me. Wake up, please wake up..."

Unable to bear watching Cai Mei weep like a brokenhearted child, Gu Yan turned away as a single tear slipped down her cheek. Yet, what Gu Yan did not know was that the moment she turned around, a solitary tear also slipped from the corner of the hospital patient's eye.

In the end, Cai Mei decided to stay at the hospital. "Xiao Yan," she said, "you and I are both people with nowhere to call home. Let me stay and take care of the Immortal." Back at the hotel, Gu Yan collapsed onto the bed and fell fast asleep. She had been so rushed and relentlessly busy these past few days that it was no wonder she was utterly exhausted.

"Damn woman, you come back from Hangzhou and don't even bother to come see your big boss. Have you any idea how much I missed you?" Wei Hao muttered as he walked in. Entering the room and seeing Gu Yan fast asleep, his voice noticeably lost its bravado. "Fine, I'll forgive you this once." With that, he gently stroked Gu Yan's face.

"Dad... Mom..." A tear rolled down the sleeping woman's eye.

Sitting beside the bed, Wei Hao felt as though his heart had been struck heavily. He had seen Gu Yan when she was unreasonable and willful, when she overflowed with literary talent, when she was cold and aloof, and when she wept out loud, but he had never seen her looking so fragile and helpless. At that moment, he suddenly realized that after three years of being together, he had never truly understood her at all. He should have realized long ago—upon returning to the hometown where she grew up, she had met with friends, yet completely avoided her own closest family.

Suddenly, Wei Hao felt a pang of deep heartache for this woman a few years older than him, wondering how much hardship and sorrow she must have endured.