You Guys Wouldn’t Have Taken My Casual Acting Seriously, Right Chapter 42

“Sorry, I accidentally sprayed coffee out. If that suit is expensive, I can compensate you for it.”

Gu Zhidao pulled out a tissue and wiped the coffee stain from the shoulder of his suit. “It’s fine. No need.”

“Why would you think that? Think that I still, um…” Shen Fu found it very difficult not to laugh.

Instead of answering, Gu Zhidao asked: “Then why didn’t you take the five million?”

“I wasn’t doing it for money back then.”

At the time, the system hadn’t told her that money could be exchanged for life points. Otherwise, would she really have turned down five million yuan?

No matter how small a mosquito’s leg was, it was still meat.

Gu Zhidao leaned slightly forward, staring fixedly at her, his eyes carrying deeper meaning. “Then what were you doing it for?”

Shen Fu rubbed her forehead. That was impossible for her to answer. Everything involving the system and the Life Administration Bureau was confidential. If she revealed it, wouldn’t all her efforts go down the drain?

But Gu Zhidao completely misunderstood her silence.

Wearing an expression that said “Just as I thought,” he crossed his arms and leaned back against his chair, leisurely watching her.

Shen Fu: “…”

The system: “I’m seriously going to die laughing, Shen Fu. What do we do?”

Shen Fu asked: “So your conclusion that I can’t forget you is based solely on the fact that I didn’t accept that five million?”

Gu Zhidao said nothing, merely looking at her calmly.

“How about this?” Shen Fu said, struggling not to laugh. “Let’s reenact the situation. Your mother isn’t here right now, so you can play her role. Give me five million and tell me to leave.”

Gu Zhidao frowned slightly. “What do you mean?”

Since he had only just returned to filming, the production team hadn’t confiscated everyone’s personal phones yet, so Shen Fu still had hers in her bag.

She opened her bag, took out her phone, brought up her payment QR code, and held it out in front of him. “Why don’t you see for yourself whether I’ll accept it?”

Gu Zhidao hesitated before looking at her, assuming she was joking.

Five million wasn’t even that large a sum to him.

The copyright fee from a single composition could earn that much.

He casually scanned her code and transferred five million yuan.

Did she really think she would leave him over a mere five million?

The very next second, he watched Shen Fu accept the transfer with lightning speed.

Then she decisively stood up and said: “Thank you, Auntie Gu. I’ll immediately leave your son and stay as far away from him as humanly possible.”

Gu Zhidao: “…………….”

Another five million earned.

If there hadn’t been cameras in the booth, Shen Fu would have been grinning from ear to ear.

The livestream viewers couldn’t hear what they were saying, only seeing that the two appeared to be chatting happily.

Ever since joining the show, Shen Fu had rarely smiled.

Yet Gu Zhidao had somehow made her laugh again and again.

By the end, her delight was visibly written all over her face.

She had even excitedly stood up!【And why did they take out their phones?】

A few days ago, after the incident where a guest’s phone screen had accidentally been projected onto a large display, the production team had been savagely criticized by fans of the Film Emperor’s camp.

Now they were careful not to point cameras directly at the guests’ phone screens to avoid exposing private information and creating another disaster.

As a result, viewers couldn’t see what was on Shen Fu’s phone.

They could only vaguely make out what seemed to be a QR code.

【Don’t tell me it was a WeChat contact QR code? Male Guest Number Five has some serious charm. He met Shen Fu once and already got her WeChat? The other male guests are probably crying in the bathroom right now.】

【Ahhh! Why hasn’t D come upstairs yet? Your wife is about to get stolen away!】

Although everyone was wary of the newcomer, fresh grudges never surpassed old grudges. What irritated the other fandoms even more was that the Jiang Shu × Shen Fu shippers kept bringing up Jiang Shu at every possible moment.

【Why are the Crown Prince fans as domineering as the Crown Prince himself? Right now it’s Shen Fu’s scene with someone else. Show the new guest some respect, okay? You’re already calling her his wife? Be careful Shen Fu doesn’t slap you in the face with reality.】

The Jiang Shu–Shen Fu shippers immediately fired back:

【Then what? Your favorite isn’t even here. If he’s already one step behind, don’t blame other people for being proactive.】

By the time Jiang Shu arrived, the conversation had already ended.

Gu Zhidao’s expression didn’t look great.

There was still a coffee stain on his white suit, making him look somewhat more disheveled than the polished gentleman he had been upon arrival.

Of course, since he had only just joined the show, he still maintained his composure.

No unusual emotion could be seen on his face for the moment.

The production team couldn’t stop Jiang Shu and could only carry their cameras while chasing after him upstairs.

Jiang Shu squeezed himself between the two as they were walking down the staircase.

He shot Gu Zhidao a cold glance. “Male Guest Number Five is you?”

The staircase was narrow, and Jiang Shu’s tall frame completely blocked the way. 

“Mr. Jiang.” Gu Zhidao simply stopped walking and said calmly, “If people don’t follow the rules, then nobody should bother playing anymore.”

He had watched all the previous episodes.

Jiang Shu was absolutely the most unpredictable contestant.

While everyone else fought openly and secretly, Jiang Shu simply flipped the entire table over.

Like a dog guarding its food.

The Jiang family indeed possessed overwhelming power and influence.

But since Jiang Shu had joined this dating show to pursue someone, shouldn’t he follow the show’s rules?

The whole country was watching.

He refused to believe Jiang Shu would truly act without limits.

Jiang Shu snapped: “Do you own this café? How am I not following the rules? Can’t I just happen to walk past this staircase?”

Gu Zhidao replied: “I’m referring to the fact that it was my conversation time with the female guest. Since I joined later, according to the rules, I was given the privilege of getting to know Shen Fu one-on-one. Why did you interrupt?”

Jiang Shu said coolly: “You still wanted to get to know her one-on-one?”

Seeing that reasoning with Jiang Shu was pointless, Gu Zhidao turned toward Shen Fu.

【This is bad. Male Guest Number Five is asking Shen Fu for help. Somehow it feels like the Crown Prince’s straightforward personality can’t outplay this seemingly refined but secretly scheming newcomer.】

Jiang Shu also turned back and glanced at Shen Fu, looking somewhat uneasy.

Sounding a little exhausted, Shen Fu finally spoke: “He suddenly ran over here, and indeed…”

Gu Zhidao lifted the corners of his mouth and glanced at Jiang Shu.

No matter what, Shen Fu had once been involved with him. If it came down to old feelings, Jiang Shu might not necessarily win…

“He indeed didn’t break any rules.”

Gu Zhidao: “…”

Shen Fu said firmly, “Our ten minutes of conversation is already over. Jiang Shu didn’t break any rules. Mr. Gu, your accusation is completely unreasonable, so please move aside.”

Gu Zhidao: “…”

Move aside from what?! Jiang Shu was the one blocking his path. Could she not see that?

【Hahaha, Shen Fu is siding with the Crown Prince.】

Jiang Shu gave a cold snort, arrogantly put the sunglasses hanging from his collar onto his face, shot Gu Zhidao a smug glare, and turned to head downstairs.

Gu Zhidao frowned as he looked at the backs of the two of them. After a pause, he finally followed them downstairs.

The livestream comments had already exploded into discussion.

【Why does it feel like Shen Fu still favors D a little more?】

【But wasn’t she smiling at Male Guest No. 5 just now? We’ve watched this show for so long and never even seen her smile at the Crown Prince! Usually, verbally defending someone doesn’t mean much, but instinctive happy body language is definitely a sign of being attracted!】

This wave of “analysis” had the Jiang Shu × Shen Fu shippers sweating nervously.

When the three came down from the upstairs booth, Gu Qingshuang, who had been waiting on the outdoor walkway, quickly went up to them and cheerfully linked arms with Gu Zhidao.

“Ge, are we heading back to the villa? Let me introduce you to everyone later.”

Gu Zhidao gave almost no response. His expression looked much worse than when he had gone in earlier.

“…” Gu Qingshuang couldn’t help secretly pinching him.

What was wrong with her cousin? Hadn’t they agreed he would come on the show, act affectionate as siblings, and help her regain some face? Why did he look absent-minded after saying just a few words to Shen Fu?

It was actually a staff member from the production team who answered her instead:

“Yes, Teacher Gu. Everyone, please pack up your belongings and don’t leave anything behind in the café.”

Gu Zhidao strode directly toward the exit.

Gu Qingshuang: “…”

After Shen Fu’s group and the camera crew walked ahead, Zuo Mei quietly said to Gu Qingshuang: “Are you sure your Ge just mocked Shen Fu? Why does it look like the one whose expression is off is him?”

Shen Fu, on the other hand, looked like she had just picked up free money.

Gu Qingshuang bit her lip.

“It must be because Mr. Jiang showed up and caused a conflict.”

Zuo Mei couldn’t help glancing at Jiang Shu’s back. “Jiang Shu too… it’s like he’s possessed. Why is he so protective of Shen Fu?”

Gu Qingshuang didn’t like hearing that at all. “I heard they knew each other before, so maybe there’s some history there. Don’t worry, it’s still early.”

Back at the villa

Half an hour earlier, the three male guests had learned from the staff that Male Guest No. 5 was Gu Zhidao.

Before they could even react, Jiang Shu, who had just finished showering and hadn’t even dried his hair yet, heard the news and immediately grabbed his car keys and rushed out.

“Where did he go?”

Chu Wei was especially sensitive to Jiang Shu’s every move now.

“Don’t tell me he chased after the place where the female guests and Male Guest No. 5 are meeting?”

Xiang Lingyun thought for a moment.

“Gu Zhidao… that name sounds familiar. Isn’t he Gu Qingshuang’s older Ge? The one who briefly appeared as a guest before?”

The man was strikingly handsome and had the aura of an artist. Although Xiang Lingyun had never worked with him, he still remembered him.

“That’s him,” Chu Wei said. “He’s a pretty decent guy. Gentle personality too.”

Wen Zhenghan, who had been sitting on the single sofa reading a magazine, finally couldn’t hold back and asked calmly: “Is he a rival?”

At this point, everyone’s arrows of affection had already been exposed, so the three of them no longer bothered pretending.

“Definitely not,” Chu Wei lowered his voice. “When he was a guest last time, I chatted with him and mentioned my relationship with Shen Fu. He didn’t react at all.”

After Chu Wei said that, Wen Zhenghan didn’t ask further, and although Xiang Lingyun’s face showed nothing, he quietly relaxed a little inside.

It wasn’t that he absolutely had to win Shen Fu.

But at this point, he was already riding a tiger and couldn’t get off.

Their voices weren’t loud, just casual conversation, but the livestream comments could hear everything clearly.

【…Chu Wei Ge, honestly, what are we supposed to say about you? You’re constantly misleading people. Everyone else in the room is playing 5D chess while you’re happily hanging out on the first floor by yourself.】

【Hahaha, these three still look relieved right now. Wait until they find out Male Guest No. 5 is also a rival ,  it’ll be another bloodbath.】

The fans of the three male guests were practically coughing blood from watching their favorites get dissected by the comments, but at this point they no longer had the strength to resist stubbornly.

The return to the villa.

The café was only five kilometers away.

Gu Zhidao’s car arrived first, with the production team’s vehicle right behind it.

When Jiang Shu had rushed out of the villa earlier, his short black hair had still been dripping wet. Shen Fu had told him to borrow a towel from the café staff to dry it, which delayed him a little, so he was the last one to drive back.

Even though he started later, Jiang Shu still arrived only slightly behind the production team’s car.

When he came out of the elevator, Shen Fu had just changed her shoes and was standing by the bar counter drinking water, while Gu Zhidao had already gone inside with Gu Qingshuang’s group to meet the other guests.

Jiang Shu walked to the shoe cabinet by the entrance and was about to change shoes when he suddenly realized his slippers were missing.

“What’s wrong, Mr. Jiang?”

The camera crew hurried over.

Jiang Shu frowned. “Where are my slippers?”

The other male guests had already taken the four original pairs of men’s slippers, leaving only one unopened pair of white men’s slippers at the entrance.

The staff handed the unopened pair to him. “Would you like to wear this pair?”

“I mean the pair I was wearing before! The ones with the words ‘Get Rich’ on them!”

As he spoke, his gaze swept across the guests already inside. In one glance, he saw that the pair Gu Zhidao was currently wearing was exactly his old pair of slippers.

Jiang Shu’s expression instantly changed. “Did that surname Gu guy wear them?!”

When everyone had come in together earlier, the unopened pair had been placed in the corner. Gu Zhidao hadn’t noticed it and had probably just casually worn one of the men’s pairs.

The camera crew said, “How about wearing this pair instead? They’re brand new.”

Jiang Shu’s handsome face darkened. He stared at the crew with a look that clearly said, “Do I look that easy to brush off?”

The crew felt a chill run down their necks. “If you really want your old pair of slippers, then… should we go talk to Teacher Gu Zhidao and ask him to return them?”

Jiang Shu snapped, “Return them? As if I’d want them back! They’re dirty now. Who knows if he has athlete’s foot!”

The camera crew: “…”

Then what are we supposed to do, Your Highness?!

The comments were dying of laughter:

【Hahaha, he cares so much.】

【Is the Crown Prince a Leo? Why is his possessiveness so strong?】

【The person above, stop talking about our D.】The Jiang Shu × Shen Fu shippers were about to cry. 【They finally had matching slippers with Shen Fu, and now they’ve suddenly been stolen. What are we supposed to do now?】

After finishing her water, Shen Fu noticed Jiang Shu still standing by the entrance instead of coming inside. Even with his sunglasses on, they couldn’t hide how furious he looked.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Fu walked over.

Jiang Shu’s gaze drifted downward to the pair of women’s slippers on her feet with the words “Get Rich” embroidered on them.

His mood instantly became even darker.

Great. Now she and someone else were the matching pair.

But how could he possibly say something that petty out loud?

He felt annoyed and aggrieved at the same time. “Nothing.”

Reluctantly, he changed into the new white slippers.

Hearing that there was nothing wrong, Shen Fu nodded and walked away.

Jiang Shu: “……”

Depressed, Jiang Shu took a plate of spaghetti and went out onto the terrace, finding a secluded corner to sit in.

But staring at the slippers on his feet, he completely lost his appetite.

With a dark expression, he stabbed and mashed the noodles into a mangled mess with his fork.

【Teacher Gu Zhidao is doomed. He’s probably already made it onto the Crown Prince’s number-one hit list.】

From afar, Shen Fu glanced at the lonely figure sitting in the corner.

Then she walked over to a staff member.

“Do you have any spare slippers? A matching men’s and women’s set.”

…

Jiang Shu had only eaten a few bites of spaghetti when the camera crew hurried over carrying a pair of men’s slippers embroidered with a simple little sun drawing.

“Mr. Jiang, the pair from before was just a backup pair. These are the actual guest slippers. Would you like to change into these?”

Jiang Shu glanced at the slippers with little interest.

His bad mood hadn’t been because he disliked the pair he was wearing.

Still, since the crew had made the effort to bring them over, he accepted them and tossed them onto the floor before changing into them.

After quickly finishing his spaghetti, Jiang Shu carried his plate back into the living room.

Instinctively, his eyes searched for Shen Fu.

Then he suddenly noticed that Shen Fu had changed slippers too.

Her “Get Rich” slippers had become a pair decorated with little suns.

Seeing him staring at her feet, Shen Fu also looked down at their slippers.

“Eh? What a coincidence.”

Noticing that he was still looking at her, she casually stuffed her hands into her pockets and said, “My slippers got wet just now, so I randomly changed into another pair.”

So it was just a coincidence.

Yet it instantly dissolved all of his unhappiness.

Jiang Shu’s mood immediately went from cloudy to sunny. Underneath his sunglasses, even the tips of his ears turned slightly red.

Even heaven was supporting his brave pursuit of love!

He walked over and deliberately stepped on Shen Fu’s small slipper with his oversized one.

Shen Fu: “……”

Are you seriously sick in the head?

The livestream audience, who had witnessed everything:

【AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH】