Lu Youze understood the subtle hint in Gu Xuance’s words. It seemed that the Gu brothers would need some time to talk things through, so it would be better if he didn’t disturb them.

As soon as Gu Xuhao stepped out of Lu Youze’s room, he saw Gu Xuance standing at the corner of the hallway. His older brother’s face was still unreadable, and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

“Big Brother,” Gu Xuhao jogged up to him, “It’s done.”

Even though he had completed what his older brother asked, Gu Xuhao didn’t feel any joy. In fact, he couldn’t help but worry about his big brother.

“Big Brother, are you really…?”

Before Gu Xuhao could finish, Gu Xuance raised his hand to interrupt him. He glanced at Lu Youze’s room, then motioned for his younger brother to go downstairs to discuss it later.

Back in the living room, the two of them sat back on the sofa.

“Big Brother, is this really the right thing to do? Didn’t you just say that Lu Youze shouldn’t know how you feel about him at this time? You could have just brushed it off with some excuse. Why did you decide to tell him the whole truth?” Gu Xuhao didn’t fully understand Gu Xuance’s reasoning, and though he followed his big brother’s advice, he couldn’t help but ask.

“It’s fine, this way is better,” Gu Xuance answered calmly. “Ahao, thank you. Chef Fang has prepared lunch, you should go to the restaurant.”

A single lie requires countless others to cover it, and when the truth eventually comes out, the other person is sure to be angry. Rather than trying to hide it now and eventually be forced to say something, it’s better to just be honest from the start. Gu Xuance wanted Lu Youze to know that he was fully aware that Lu Youze didn’t like him, so the idea of Lu Youze “using” his feelings to “profit” from him wasn’t true.

Moreover, if he denied his confession, he would appear like someone who carelessly expressed his feelings. He didn’t want to be seen that way.

Instead, he chose to build the image of someone deeply in love.

After much inner struggle, Gu Xuance felt that this was the best course of action, though it still left him with one final monologue.

“Aren’t you eating, Big Brother?”

Gu Xuance shook his head. “I still need to talk to Youze upstairs.”

With that, Gu Xuance went upstairs.

Standing outside his room, Gu Xuance adjusted his emotions, raised his hand, and knocked on the door.

“Youze, it’s me,” Gu Xuance called out to the person inside.

Lu Youze hadn’t expected Gu Xuance to arrive so soon, but he knew this conversation was inevitable. It was better to resolve the issue quickly to avoid future awkwardness at work. After taking a deep breath, Lu Youze invited him in.

The two made eye contact, but quickly looked away. Lu Youze realized that whenever their gazes met, his heart raced—an incredibly subtle and dangerous feeling that set off alarms in his mind.

“Youze, if my confession caused you any trouble, I apologize. I hope you won’t take it to heart,” Gu Xuance began, breaking the awkward silence. He looked at Lu Youze and continued, “I acted impulsively yesterday, without thinking things through. I hope you aren’t upset.”

Lu Youze intended to offer comfort, but then reconsidered. Since he didn’t feel the same way, he thought it would be better not to offer any false kindness. He decided to remain silent.

“Youze,” Gu Xuance continued, “Don’t worry. I keep work and personal matters separate. I hope you can do the same and not let this affect your professionalism.”

Lu Youze raised his eyes to look at Gu Xuance. He wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing.

“By the way, Ahao just told me that you rejected me.” Even though he was the one rejected, Gu Xuance appeared calmer than Lu Youze. His face remained expressionless as he continued, “Though it was expected, being rejected for the first time… it still hurts. But don’t worry, I’ll get over it quickly. And I promise, my feelings won’t affect our work.”

Lu Youze wanted to say something, but Gu Xuance interrupted him. “Youze, I know you’re concerned. I know exactly what I’m doing. Gu’s Corporation isn’t a charity, and the reason I’m so invested in this project is because I believe in you. I think you can bring me greater returns. So, don’t think that you’re taking advantage of my feelings for you. Everything I do is for the benefit of Gu’s Corporation.”

Lu Youze felt a pang in his heart. He couldn’t explain why, but it wasn’t because of the mark left on him.

“Thank you,” he said after a long silence. Many thoughts flashed through his mind, but in the end, only those three simple words came out.

He wasn’t sure what he was thanking him for—whether it was for his love, for all the silent things he had done for him, or for comforting him now to prevent him from feeling guilty.

“You don’t need to thank me,” Gu Xuance said, showing a faint smile. “Rather than that, I would prefer if you prove my judgment right with your abilities.”

Lu Youze, who also had his ambitions, didn’t want to linger on awkwardness anymore. As long as it didn’t affect their work, he smiled, as if everything were perfectly natural. “Of course!”

“This matter is settled then. Let’s not bring it up again. Now, let’s talk about something else,” Gu Xuance said, his tone suddenly turning sharp.

“Something else?” Lu Youze looked at him in confusion, his eyes asking.

“Like the affair you’re involved in… I can’t let my top actor suffer such a grievance,” Gu Xuance’s eyes grew colder, but to avoid alarming Lu Youze, he controlled his tone to keep it casual.

Lu Youze was momentarily surprised, but kept his expression neutral. “Do you believe me?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them, feeling they were over the top. Maybe Gu Xuance had heard about it from Gu Xuhao, but… something inside him hoped Gu Xuance would believe him. What exactly he was hoping for, though, he didn’t dare to think too much about.

Gu Xuanze gave Lu Youze a complicated glance, but in the end, he simply nodded lightly.

“The public opinion against me right now is very unfavorable. What does Mr. Gu plan to do about it?”

“There’s always a way,” Gu Xuanze said confidently. But when he looked at Lu Youze, there was a hint of hesitation and unease. “The thing is, I’m not sure if Youze is willing to cooperate. Honestly, after you rejected my confession, asking you to do this still feels like I’m taking advantage of the situation. If you don’t want to, you can refuse, and I’ll think of another way.”

If there were any better alternatives, he wouldn’t have asked him in such a tentative way. Lu Youze silently mocked him in his mind, but didn’t call him out on it.

“Go ahead and tell me what you have in mind.”

The two of them talked for about twenty minutes, and after that, the plan was finalized.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave now. Oh, by the way, the meal is ready. You should get ready and come down to eat. We’ll go to the set together later.”

“Mm, okay.”