Chapter 5, Part 5: The Sun That Can Never Catch Up with Her.

Unsurprisingly, Gu Lai recalled that when the executive broker mentioned Director He's project earlier, he had also asked Jiang Yi for his opinion.

Mr. Jiang, Jiang Yi.

Jiang Yi Jiang Yi Jiang Yi.

Gu Lai had been asked too many questions like "Does President Jiang know?", "Does Young President Jiang agree?", and "Can we ask Young President Jiang for his opinion?" At first, she felt apprehensive, confused, and embarrassed, but later she got used to it and felt occasional pride. After all, she was also vain and would secretly feel proud of her status as Jiang Yi's lover.

Later, it became mundane and numb, and now I'm even suddenly starting to feel annoyed and embarrassed.

I'm not the one making the movie, but I'm also involved in the film and television industry.

It seems that all her efforts over the years have been for naught, and she is still just an accessory to her lover, ultimately having to rely on him for everything.

She was like Kuafu chasing the sun, forever unable to catch up with her blazing brilliance.

Gu Lai's fleeting expression did not escape Kong Kang'an's notice; she hadn't intended to hide it anyway.

Kong Kang'an gave a puzzled "hmm".

"I was just thinking back, sorry," Gu Lai smiled politely. "I don't think so. But what does this have to do with my lover?"

Kong Kang'an had already lit his cigarette, tilted his head to take a puff, and consciously exhaled the smoke downwind. Compared to Jiang Yi, who used cigarettes as a stimulant and tranquilizer when he was agitated, Kong Kang'an was more like a seasoned smoker, addicted and enjoying even a puff to relieve his anxiety.

Perhaps because of the mention of her lover, Gu Lai unsurprisingly recalled Jiang Yi smoking, his eyelashes drooping listlessly, or looking over through the swirling white smoke, whether teasing or indifferent, all carrying the same burning, pungent sensation and desire for control as tobacco.

A cigarette costing the price of gold might only be enough for Jiang Yi to enjoy a single puff; even if she's addicted to entertainment, it's not her choice.

Kong Kang'an looked at the renowned superstar across from him with a gentle smile, as natural as the morning sun shining on snow.

Her work is not known in the industry for its visual aesthetics, but rather for its use of surgical lights and scalpels to pierce social issues, which is why she chose to make "Gansui".

At this moment, Kong Kang'an looked at Gu Lai and remembered the September issue of "ELEGANCE" that he had read the night before.

Gu Lai holds a pivotal position, so Kong Kang'an naturally had to treat her with caution. Last night, he even checked out a fashion magazine he doesn't usually pay much attention to, based on Gu Lai's recent interview. The interview itself wasn't particularly noteworthy, but like most people, Kong Kang'an spent a considerable amount of time looking at her several stunning photos.

The fashion photography is beautiful, and the beauty is very intuitive and straightforward.

Kong Kang'an was genuinely tempted. If Gu Lai were the female lead, funding wouldn't be a problem; her beauty, with its perfect balance of subtlety and allure, would attract the market, and she herself was certainly not some clueless idiot.

Kong Kang'an made no attempt to hide her regret, clicking her tongue as she said, "Actually, President Jiang could tell at a glance. Back then, Teacher Tang didn't sell the film and television rights to this one book because it was based on a real person, and that person was active both in front of and behind the camera, holding a high position of power. Besides, the subject matter was so sensitive. Why did they have to deliberately offend people? Now times have changed, and the script has been revised quite a bit... Ha, but I'm afraid the offense has become even deeper."

As he spoke, Kong Kang'an took a folder from his briefcase, opened it, and handed it to Gu Lai's colleague, pointing to the plot text on the open page. Gu Lai saw that he pointed to almost all the important characters, including Wen Xin, the female lead she wanted to play.

Gu Lai had already thoroughly read the novel "Gansui" and its adapted screenplay, which was why she was curious: "What prototype? Can you tell me?" What prototype was something she knew but I didn't?

She didn't say the last sentence, but her expression clearly conveyed that meaning.

Kong Kang'an stared intently at Gu Lai, his expression a little strange, as if he were in a dilemma, but also as if he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

She pointed to the two characters "Wen Xin" and said, "Do you know who this character is based on?"

Wen Xin, a female host in the article who is hailed as the "national voice" and is skilled in social interaction, rose to the top as the leading lady by relying on her lover's power. When the empire was about to collapse, she cut her losses to survive, and her lover's past misdeeds were exposed, leading to his imprisonment.

Gu Lai racked her brains, trying to recall all the prominent figures in the entertainment industry who were either in high positions or had been blacklisted and sidelined, but still couldn't think of a single woman who had once had a powerful and influential ex-girlfriend. Kong Kang'an, seeing that she was still completely confused, smiled and said, "Don't be angry if I explain it to you, Teacher Gu. When Teacher Tang and I were talking the other day, I asked her if she was involved in the story you wrote about Wen Xin, and she said yes."

Gu Lai suddenly realized, and felt a little disgusted. It wasn't that she disliked the character Wen Xin, but rather a conditioned reflex of disgust towards the common misconception people had about her—she didn't even know the renowned author Tang Tang.

Kong Kang'an said, "Actually, Teacher Tang also said that Teacher Gu is only the source of inspiration for some of Wen Xin's traits, and he is not the one with the most obvious prototype references. The most obvious references are in several supporting characters. Moreover, although the content of the adapted script is still an anti-corruption drama, the examples used for criticism are mainly focused on the platform economy. Teacher Gu, you also know that this subject matter is sensitive. I asked Producer Zhang Mei to help me take a look at the script before."

He Xiaoqing's family is involved in the platform economy, so Gu Lai's most frequent contacts and collaborations are naturally with He Xiaoqing's circle of people. Zhang Mei, whom Kong Kang'an mentioned, is from their Northwest circle; they know her but aren't close.

Gu Lai understood why Kong Kang'an was confident in the review, and she also realized the questions Kong Kang'an had raised for her.

How much help can she provide for this show?

Even if she has a powerful background, it is a fact that she and Producer Zhang are not in the same circle and are not close, not to mention that this is not a project that will completely belong to her.

Kong Kang'an subtly told her that he had never actually considered her before, and that it was, and would continue to be, a project under her control.

Gu Lai recalled Jiang Yi's question that day and suddenly a guess popped into her head.

Did she already think of this?

Did she think that was what bothered her?

Kong Kang'an, unaware of Gu Lai's thoughts, leaned back and spoke more bluntly: "Teacher Gu and Wen Xin aren't closely related, but other real-life figures are easy to find. Nowadays, films and television shows like to use real events and real-life prototypes as selling points. If Teacher Gu plays Wen Xin, we'll inevitably take up Teacher Gu's resources, and in the end, Teacher Gu's share of the profits will be impossible. Logically speaking, there's nothing wrong with that, but what will others think?"

Gu Lai lowered her eyes: "Let's all make money?"

Kong Kang'an was amused by her unexpected dry humor: "Teacher Gu really thinks highly of me. I wouldn't dare say that a serious drama is a sure thing. But, how could anyone easily give up money that they can earn all by themselves?"

She gave Gu Lai a knowing look and said meaningfully, "I don't compromise on camera work. If you want to work with me, you have to trust me, right? As for other business projects, I used to work with Producer Zhang a lot. She's a capable person and used to handling everything on her own."

Therefore, if a powerful figure exerts pressure, those closed-off "circles" are not incapable of giving back what they have taken.

Gu Lai smiled at her, her tone light and casual, just like she had done in front of Editor-in-Chief Xu Rui that day: "Oh, I've heard so much about you. I'd also like to collaborate with Producer Zhang once."

Gu Lai got into the car and arrived home, still reading the script Kong Kang'an had given her.

Kong Kang'an verbally declined, but then gave her the second version of the script. It's unclear whether he was playing hard to get or simply trusted her character.

Gu Lai felt the same way she did when she first read the original novel and the script: it was incredibly smooth and captivating. After returning home and changing her clothes and shoes, she sat down on the sofa and continued reading, finishing the book before she knew it.

After reading it, I sighed with a sense of melancholy.

She roughly understood what Kong Kang'an meant, and she was indeed very interested in the script; Jiang Yi had indeed said so.

But there are some things she simply cannot do, and she would never squander Jiang Yi's favors. Having known each other for ten years and been married for seven, there has always been a thread connecting her to Jiang Yi.

When I first met Jiang Yi, she was just a singing and dancing idol who debuted from a talent show. Not only was her false popularity fading, but her only works were electronic music songs and stage performances for her fans. She was able to rise to fame quickly because Jiang Yi gave her a high-end endorsement under Fenglu and led her own big shows. Her successful transition to a triple threat was due to Jiang Yi arranging for her to work with famous directors and big producers to build her career.

Jiang Yi wasn't a succubus, nor did he have the power to command the obedience of others. Gu Lai didn't know what Jiang Yi had exchanged for that assistance; Jiang Yi hadn't said, and she hadn't asked.

She always felt indebted.

She couldn't offer much help; she used to be just a parasitic vine, and now, somewhat better, she could probably barely be a "good helpmate." The only thing that distinguished her from others, Gu Lai believed, was her burning love, which never grew tired of it and never faded.

Now it seems even that pure enthusiasm is gone. Jiang Yi is like the blazing sun high in the blue sky, but she is almost parched under its radiance, a barren wasteland.

What is the manifestation of love? It is when the female ivy humbles herself and marries the dodder vine that only knows how to cling.

And what did she bring with her? A constant stream of vampires in the entertainment industry.

Gu Lai leaned back on the sofa, watching the sun slowly slide down the horizon before disappearing behind the gray-black horizon and dark brown skyscrapers.

As night fell, the villa resembled an empty, haunted house. Every particle in the air was filled with the scent of their shared life, but now, with one person missing, it felt even more desolate than if someone were living alone.

As Kong Kang'an said, this version of the script is indeed better and more concise. Holding this script, one can vaguely glimpse the bold and even brutal dissection that director Kong Kang'an will bring after his debut.

Gu Lai suddenly missed Jiang Yi terribly. If Jiang Yi were home right now, she would definitely have taken the script and gone to find her.

Gu Lai was captivated by Jiang Yi's talent from the very beginning.

...No, she thought, she could even say she was completely smitten.

Gu Lai was just an ordinary girl from a small fourth- or fifth-tier city. She barely got into an ordinary arts school and stumbled into the entertainment industry right after starting university. Acting was her only talent. At first, she thought she wasn't exactly a failure, and she even had some knowledge of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. But fate brought her together with Jiang Yi.

She should have hated Jiang Yi, after all, Jiang Yi was a playboy, arrogant, and mean-spirited man back then, exactly the kind of powerful and wealthy person she despised.

However, Jiang Yi was exceptionally talented and erudite.

It was no surprise that Gu Lai succumbed to depravity.

She later picked up the thick books she had always disliked and seriously learned those "skills" that only scratched the surface. Gu Lai also got into the habit of sharing what she saw and learned with Jiang Yi, whether it was words, pictures, music or videos.

Every time she shared something with Jiang Yi, it was something she looked forward to, anticipating Jiang Yi's sharp and insightful comments, his leisurely explanations, and the subtle smugness that she couldn't hide beneath her calm demeanor.

It's not that Jiang Yi couldn't hide it, but rather that this is how she is after revealing her true nature—awkward and nonchalant, just like how she never apologizes directly.

I understand you quite well, and I'm good at finding reasons for you, Gu Lai thought, and then chuckled.

"I understand you quite well, and I'm good at finding excuses for you," Gu Lai murmured repeatedly. The last syllable floated to the ground without echoing.

Gu Lai got off the sofa, slipped on her slippers, and wobbled to the wine cabinet. Upon opening it, she was greeted by a sight of white liquor.

Without a doubt, it is Jiang Yi's masterpiece.

This person has a particular fondness for strong liquor.

Gu Lai pointed at them and cursed, "I'll make you disappear from here sooner or later." After cursing, she wanted to record a video to send to Jiang Yi as a warning, but as soon as she picked up her phone, she remembered that they hadn't been in contact for half a month.

Forget about recording the video, we'll still drink the alcohol.

Too lazy to go downstairs to the wine cellar, Gu Lai sighed and continued to squat down and rummage through the bottles, eventually finding a bottle of Sauternes. He unscrewed the cork, downed it like a draft beer, then swayed back and tossed himself back onto the sofa.

As the name suggests, Sauternes is expensive. Gu Lai held the bottle and sipped it slowly, occasionally glancing down to smell it.

It smells of honey, nuts, and mimosa blossoms—in short, the smell of money.

"To your wealth." Gu Lai thought for a moment, then changed her words and repeated, "To you who uses wealth to be with me."

There was still no response.

Gu Lai opened her phone and scrolled through her contacts, starting with her agent, Sister Tan, and her parents whom she hadn't contacted in a long time, all the way to her few friends in the industry, Kang Su Ru. She swiped around and then scrolled back to the first contact.

AAA Jiang Yi

This was revised by Jiang Yi; they had known each other for less than a year when it was done.

At that time, Gu Lai still saved her as "older sister," an ambiguous and respectful term that, when applied to the combination of an artist and a powerful figure, conveyed a tacit understanding.

Jiang Yi saw the call on her phone, so he changed it to "Jiang Yi" first, then added "AAA" after thinking for a moment, and told her it would be easier for her to contact him when he returned it.

Gu Lai smiled as she recalled this, then sighed, resting her chin on the bottle opening in a daze.

I guess the alcohol was taking effect.

As the setting sun hid behind the tall buildings and the horizon, it outlined the gray-black still life with golden-red edges.

So when Gu Lai gazed into the distance, lost in thought, her eyes involuntarily fell upon those brilliant and dazzling lights. When she came to her senses, her eyes were already starting to sting.

She tilted her head back, forcing back the tears that were about to spill.

How can mortals gaze at the blazing sun? Even looking directly at its afterglow for too long will sting them, she thought.

Oh well, if I can't watch it, I won't.

Forget it, don't you know what kind of person Jiang Yi is?

They've been together for so many years, why should I keep going back and forth on this? I'm not Jiang Yi, who's ruthless and rational.

If both of them were rational, how could they have failed?

Gu Lai clicked on the familiar profile picture.

Gu Lai: [Are you busy?]