Chapter 137: An Old Acquaintance

For the new drama's casting, Gu Yan constantly shuttled between Hangzhou and Hengdian. As the screenwriter, she had to be present for both the preliminary rounds and the grand finale, which marked the beginning and the end of the process. It came as no surprise that the preliminary rounds had been 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 raised her glass in acknowledgment and downed the drink in a single gulp.

Sitting nearby, Li Min looked at Gu Yan thoughtfully. He could hardly believe that the "Gu" Mei often spoke of was none other than the acclaimed playwright Alisa. Though the woman before him was smiling warmly, she exuded an air of aloof detachment.

"Cai Mei, I'll toast you as well. May all lovers in the world finally be wed!" Cai Mei's gaze shifted between Zheng Yingqi and Gu Yan before she smiled and finished her drink. This "welcome banquet" went very smoothly, and during the gathering, Gu Yan spoke 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 would definitely go to Li Min. This was not due to unfair favoritism on Gu Yan's part, but rather the reality of the industry—connections are always a crucial component of capability.

Returning to her familiar hometown, Cai Mei's first stop was the hospital.

The ward was dead silent, save for the steady, rhythmic beeping of the electrocardiograph. Having not seen her in days, Gu Yan felt that the girl on the hospital bed looked even more emaciated. Cai Mei's lips trembled with deep sorrow as tears streamed down her face.

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

Unable to bear watching Cai Mei cry her heart out, Gu Yan turned away as a single tear slipped down her cheek. What Gu Yan did not know, however, was that the moment she turned around, a single tear also welled up and 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, "just like you, I have no home to return to. Let me stay and take care of the Great Immortal." Back at the hotel, Gu Yan collapsed onto the bed and fell fast asleep. With how hectic and relentless these past few days had been, it was no wonder she was so exhausted.

"Damn woman, you come back from Hangzhou and don't even come to see your big boss. Do you have any idea how much I've missed you?" Wei Hao said as he let himself in. Walking into the room and seeing Gu Yan fast asleep, his voice noticeably lost its bravado. "Fine, I'll forgive you this once," he murmured, his hand gently stroking Gu Yan's face.

"Dad... Mom..." A tear fell from the corner of the sleeping woman's eye.

Sitting by the bedside, Wei Hao felt as though his heart had been struck heavily. He had seen Gu Yan when she was unreasonable and fierce; he had seen her brimming with literary talent; he had seen her cold and aloof; and he had seen her weeping aloud. But he had never seen her looking so fragile and helpless. At that moment, he suddenly felt that despite their three years together, he had never truly understood her at all. He should have realized it sooner: upon returning to the hometown where she grew up, she had met with friends, but had deliberately avoided her closest family.

Suddenly, Wei Hao felt a deep ache in his heart for this woman a few years older than him, wondering how much hardship and how many tears she had endured.

***

The lingering subplots are coming to an end, and the story is about to enter its first major climax.