Chapter 1003

Keep acting, but Ning Chen could never find his rhythm; under constant pressure, the director told him to take a break.

Ning Chen walked dejectedly to the side, inexplicably distracted, utterly clueless about what to act.

Maybe he'd hit a bottleneck period?

Ning Chen refused to believe it, but the facts were undeniable.

Without warning, Gu Yanqi had appeared beside Ning Chen again.

Seeing that familiar face, Ning Chen wanted to flee.

Unbeknownst to him, the guy had followed.

Couldn't shake him off—had to deal with it.

"Why are you following me?"

"We've known each other a while—I'd like to take you to dinner."

Such initiative caught Ning Chen off guard; he didn't know how to respond.

Ning Chen always felt that refusing now might seem rude.

He nodded in agreement.

The two walked side by side onto the street, where many people appeared before them.

Ning Chen's heart was uneasy, but Gu Yanqi's expression remained perfectly natural.

Ning Chen couldn't tell if he was nervous—yet if one trusted appearances, he showed no sign of tension.

But he didn't even know Ning Chen—why would he be nervous?

"Let's go eat Western food—it'll be quiet."

Ning Chen had no choice but to agree; after all, it was his invitation—he wouldn't impose his own preferences.

Inside the restaurant, attire was elegant, decor formal.

Everything here was perfect; most importantly, the atmosphere had reached its peak.

They found an empty table, sat down, and the waiter hurried over.

"Sir, madam, what would you like to order?"

The waiter handed the menu to Ning Chen with ease—but upon seeing Ning Chen's face, his body trembled slightly.

Yet this was a place to serve others—he couldn't act on impulse; he suppressed his emotions.

When ordering, Ning Chen passed the menu to Gu Yanqi.

"You order first, then I'll order mine."

Ning Chen shook his head, rejecting his words.

"No need to order yours—I'll have the same as you."

Smiling, Gu Yanqi took the menu, scanned the steaks and sides, and ordered one steak with red wine.

The waiter turned to Ning Chen.

"Same as him."

Nodding, the waiter took the menu to the kitchen; now it was just the two of them.

Facing that familiar face, Ning Chen had nothing to say, didn't know what to say.

"I heard I look just like your girlfriend?"

Ning Chen froze—how did he know about his girlfriend?

Word must have spread fast—it reached his ears already.

But what he intended to do next, Ning Chen still didn't know.

"Stop. I don't want you mentioning him to me. You do resemble him, but in others' mouths, I don't want to hear anything about him."

Ning Chen cut straight to the point.

Gu Yanqi understood fully and dropped the subject; Ning Chen staying at all was already a great courtesy.

Gu Yanqi accepted it gracefully, asking no more; when the steak arrived,

Both silently picked up knife and fork and ate—finishing almost simultaneously.

"How was the meal?"

"Fine, I guess."

In the awkward silence, neither knew what to say.

"What do you think of me?"

With nothing left to say, Gu Yanqi's forced small talk made Ning Chen smile.

"You're fine—I think you're great. As long as you work hard, you'll shine."

"Thank you. You've finished? Let's go."

Ning Chen nodded; the two walked out of the restaurant again.

"Nothing else—I'm heading back to the set. Want to come with me?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Yanqi shook his head.

No further words were exchanged; they parted ways.

Unbeknownst to them, their conversation had been captured by a paparazzo hiding deep in the shadows.

It would surely trend soon.

Unaware, Ning Chen walked straight to the set, where the crew was rehearsing Yang Mi and the male lead's scene.

Watching the lead's performance, Ning Chen marveled—it was truly excellent.

Clearly, the lead's success wasn't all capital-driven—he had real talent.

Lin Yi stood nearby, staring blankly at Yang Mi's scene; Ning Chen had already arrived, and he didn't notice.

He stretched out his arm and patted Lin Yi, and amidst a wave of surprise, Lin Yi looked toward Ning Chen.

"No, when did you get back? You nearly scared me to death!"

"Who were you staring at so fixedly just now?"

His face suddenly flushed red; Ning Chen knew things were not that simple.

"This look... never mind, I won't ask you."

Only then did Lin Yi breathe a sigh of relief.

"Where did you go? I was just looking for you, but I couldn't find you."

"Gu Yanqi invited me to dinner just now."

"Someone invites you and you just go? Don't you know how to refuse? Besides, why didn't you bring me?"

"I felt it wouldn't be right to refuse. Besides, why should I bring you?"

His teasing was met with a retort, and for a moment, Lin Yi didn't know what to say.

Ning Chen also knew he didn't know what to say.

Watching Yang Mi's performance before him was quite spectacular, and the male lead acted very well too.

Immersed in it, Ning Chen didn't even blink; it seemed Lin Yi was also quite appreciative of the acting before him.

At some point, Lin Yi stopped sighing and took out his phone.

Seeing the trending topic on the phone screen, he was stunned.

It was actually a photo of Ning Chen and Gu Yanqi; no matter how much Ning Chen changed, he would recognize him even if he turned to ash.

And at this moment, Lin Yi was deliberating whether to tell Ning Chen.

After thinking it over, he called out to Ning Chen, but Ning Chen showed no intention of paying him any heed.

So he could only go over and deal with it later.

【Did you see the trending topic? A photo of Ning Chen and that Gu Yanqi together has been exposed, and it's even on the trending list.】

【Now there's going to be a show. Why aren't those who support Ning Chen speaking up?】

【Right here! Isn't it obvious that's a bought trending topic? What are you all talking nonsense about?】

【Who cares if it was bought? Anyway, it's on the trending list, and Ning Chen's reputation will soon be swept out the door.】

The arguments continued endlessly, with neither side yielding.

Once it ended, he looked at Ning Chen again; Lin Yi knew this was a good opportunity.

"Ning Chen, don't rush to refuse me. I have something to tell you, and it's a big matter."

"What is it? Speak quickly; you look very anxious."

"You're on the trending list. You and that Gu Yanqi are on the trending list."

Ning Chen was somewhat puzzled; he hadn't done anything, so how could he be on the trending list?