006 You must be very happy

For the casting of the new drama, Gu Yan was constantly shuttling between Hangzhou and Hengdian. As the screenwriter, she insisted on being present at both the preliminary and final rounds, the first and last stages of the selection process. It was no surprise that the preliminary round was such a success.

“Cheers!” In a simple yet elegant private room sat a group of remarkable individuals.

“I have to make a special toast to our most outstanding Gu Yan. To her!” Cai Mei raised her glass boldly.

“To our reunion,” Gu Yan responded with a nod, lifting her glass before draining it in one gulp.

Limin, sitting beside them, observed Gu Yan thoughtfully. He hadn’t expected that the “Gu” spoken of by Xiao Mei was none other than the playwright Alisa. Though the woman before him smiled warmly, she exuded an aura of cool detachment and proud solitude.

“Cai Mei, I’ll toast you as well. May true lovers finally be united!” Cai Mei’s eyes flicked between Zheng Yingqi and Gu Yan as she downed her drink, smiling. The welcome banquet had gone smoothly, and during the evening, Gu Yan had only exchanged two words with Li Min: “Cherish blessings.”

The next day, Gu Yan took Cai Mei back to Hengdian. Before leaving, she promised that this time the male lead would definitely be Li Min’s role. Gu Yan’s favoritism was not without reason—it was reality. Connections would always be a pivotal part of power.

Back in her familiar hometown, Cai Mei chose to visit the hospital first.

The ward was quiet except for the steady beeping of the heart monitor. After several days apart, Gu Yan noticed that the girl in the bed looked even more emaciated. Cai Mei’s lips trembled in sorrow as tears streamed continuously down her face.

“Great Immortal... Great Immortal... Stinky Mei is here... Great Immortal... Stinky Mei doesn’t want Li Min anymore, Stinky Mei has come back. Gu Yan too, Gu Yan doesn’t want Shen Hong anymore. Wake up, it’s been so many years, don’t let Jiang Yun Kai torment you anymore, don’t let us look down on you. I know you can hear me. Wake up, wake up...”

Unable to bear seeing Cai Mei so broken, Gu Yan turned away, a single tear escaping her eye. Yet, what Gu Yan did not know was that at that very moment, a tear also slid down the corner of the girl’s eye in the hospital bed.

In the end, Cai Mei decided to stay at the hospital. She said, “Xiao Yan, just like you, I have no home to return to. Let me stay here to take care of the Great Immortal.” Back at the hotel, Gu Yan collapsed into sleep. These days had been so hectic without a moment’s rest; no wonder she was so exhausted.

“You terrible woman, you come back from Hangzhou and don’t even come see me. Do you know how much I’ve missed you?” Wei Hao spoke as he entered the room. Seeing Gu Yan asleep, his voice faltered, losing its usual confidence. “Forget it, I’ll forgive you this time.” He gently stroked her face with his hand.

“Dad... Mom...” A tear slipped from the corner of the woman’s eye.

Sitting by the bedside, Wei Hao felt as if his heart had been struck. He had seen Gu Yan as fierce and unreasonable, as talented and brilliant, as aloof and proud, as openly weeping—but never vulnerable and helpless. At this moment, he suddenly realized that after three years together, he had never truly understood her. He should have realized long ago that returning to the place where she grew up, she had met friends but had never reconnected with her closest family.

Wei Hao suddenly felt deep pity for this woman, several years his senior, curious about how much suffering and sorrow she had endured.

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The drawn-out scenes are about to end; the story will soon enter a phase of sharp satire.