Accidentally Sold Myself (Rebirth) - Chapter 39

39: Did Gu Xi Leak Secrets?

Gu Xi slept soundly last night, feeling incredibly satisfied after successfully tricking Huai Anlu. She wasn’t seeking revenge—she wasn’t one to hold grudges. She was simply helping someone out of their troubles…

Gu Xi went next door and knocked. When Wang Xiaoya opened the door, Gu Xi asked, “Do you know where I can get a signal around here?”

Wang Xiaoya scratched the back of her head and smiled. “There is a place, but it’s a half-hour drive, so an hour round trip. The crew’s about to start filming the second scene soon, so there’s probably not enough time.”

“It’s fine if I’m not around. I just want to go out and have some fun.”

Wang Xiaoya shook her head. “The cars are all with the director. If you really want to go, you’ll need the director’s approval.”

Damn it, all because of Luo Ningshuang. Looks like she’d have to use some luck points. Defeated, Gu Xi returned to her room like a wilted rooster.

Flopping onto the bed, she muttered, “System, use one luck point to get me a signal.”

Ding~ Consumed 1 luck point, exchanged for 10 minutes of signal. Current luck points: 61/300.

It hurt to lose even a single point. Gu Xi quickly went online, logged into her Jinjiang account, and updated her story. With a few minutes left, she didn’t want to waste the signal and checked the comments—mostly filled with envy and jealousy…

~MoeLazyDog, has your Queen abandoned you?
~Yeah, check Weibo. That lovey-dovey display—looks like even the Queen gave up on you.
~You guys are right. The Queen hasn’t shown up in days.

Gu Xi frowned and checked her Queen’s subscription status. It was stuck at 70%. Maybe she really had been abandoned.

She felt a pang of reluctance. After all, since she started writing, the Queen had always been there for her. Though not talkative, seeing her always brought a bit of joy.

Sighing, Gu Xi opened Weibo and saw Luo Ningshuang’s bold @MoeLazyDog: Your stories, I’ve claimed them all.

~Poor wifey, this affair is too obvious.
~Sigh, but BossShuang is just too good-looking. Claim me instead!
~Me too!
~Bunch of idiots. Can good looks feed you? Cheating left and right, what a scumbag!

Gu Xi: “…” Dream on. Claimed them all but didn’t pay a dime, calling it “shared marital property.”

But when she saw the word “scumbag,” Gu Xi felt an odd sense of relatability. In a moment of impulse, her hand slipped, and she replied to @BossShuang: Scumbag, no money, no deal!

That one slip sent her trending, sparking fan wars and drawing opportunists into the fray.

Ding~ Congratulations, Author Ji, your fame has risen again. Gained 7 luck points.
Current luck points: 68/300.

Huh, stirring up drama could earn luck points this fast?

Ding~ Reminder, Author Ji, don’t go overboard.

Fine, better to behave. Suddenly, Xiang Erlan called. As soon as Gu Xi answered, Xiang Erlan blurted, “Why couldn’t I reach you yesterday? I thought you’d been arrested!”

Confused, Gu Xi asked, “Arrested for what?”

“You didn’t…” Beep beep.

Gu Xi checked the time—her 10 minutes were up. But Xiang Erlan’s words lingered, making her curious. “System, use another luck point.”

Ding~ Consumed 1 luck point. Current luck points: 67/300.

Gu Xi immediately called back. “What did you mean earlier?”

“I’m not entirely sure. Didn’t Luo Ningshuang tell you? Someone in her company was cooking the books, and there’s a leak. They’re saying you’re the one who leaked it, so I kept trying to call you.”

Gu Xi’s head spun. Leak what? She had no clue. And why had Luo Ningshuang sent her to this godforsaken place? “I don’t even have access to that stuff. Even if you put confidential files in front of me, I wouldn’t understand them.”

“I don’t know the details, but people at LS Company said you were the one guarding the files that day. Now some commercial investigation team is looking for you.”

Guarding files? Was it that day Jiang Wenxi asked for her help? Could it be Jiang Wenxi? Gu Xi found it hard to believe. “Alright, I get it. I’ll ask Luo Ningshuang. Don’t worry about it, just focus on your writing.”

“But…”

Gu Xi hung up, told the system to keep deducting luck points, and called Luo Ningshuang. She got straight to the point: “Did you trick me into coming to this nowhere place just to keep me in the dark about what’s happening at the company?”

Luo Ningshuang didn’t answer directly. “Where are you right now?”

“None of your business. Don’t change the subject.”

After a pause, Luo Ningshuang said softly, “I know it wasn’t you, which is why I sent you there. Stay put for a few days. Once I sort everything out, I’ll come get you, okay?”

Her voice was low, almost pleading, making it impossible for Gu Xi to refuse. Softening, Gu Xi said, “Fine, but I’m so bored here alone.”

Luo Ningshuang chuckled. “What? Miss me already?”

Did she? Maybe a little, especially in this unfamiliar place. But would Gu Xi admit it? Of course not. “I miss your sister. You two look so alike, every time I see you, I think of her.”

“Say that again?”

Her tone sounded angry, so Gu Xi backed off. “Good things don’t need repeating. Oh, by the way, is my little heart money still safe?”

“You little money-grubber. It’s just 100 yuan. You’re still hung up on it?”

Gu Xi grew anxious. That was no ordinary treasure. Afraid it’d get lost, she said seriously, “The money’s not important. What matters is the red pill inside. That pill’s priceless—it can bring people back from the dead and extend life. I’m telling you, don’t lose it.”

“Little money-grubber, you can exaggerate a bit more.”

Gu Xi sighed. “I’m telling the truth.”

“Alright, I get it. I won’t lose it. I’m busy, so be good and stay there. I’m hanging up.”

“Okay.” In the end, she didn’t believe her. Shaking her head, Gu Xi figured as much.

“System, how many luck points did I use this time?”

Ding~ Consumed 4 luck points. Current luck points: 63/300.

Did she talk that long? Checking the time, she really had.

“Gu Xi, can we talk?” Lu Wanrou ran over, panting, bursting in without knocking since the door wasn’t locked.

“What?” Gu Xi, still reeling from earlier, looked bewildered.

“This afternoon’s scene where the male lead pranks the female lead and accidentally kisses her—can we tweak it?”

Gu Xi frowned, thinking it over, but before she could respond, Lu Wanrou continued, “If we save the kiss for later, it’ll be more exciting and gripping!”

Gu Xi shook her head. “No way. That’s the pivotal moment where they fall for each other. Changing it would mean rewriting everything after.”

Seeing Lu Wanrou’s distressed look, Gu Xi teased, “What’s wrong? Our great actress Lu, haven’t you kissed all sorts in your past life? Scared of a little peck like this?”

“It’s not that. It’s just… this afternoon, Tong Xiaole’s lead actor had to take leave, so she’s coming instead. I’m worried she’ll get jealous.” Lu Wanrou confessed.

“I don’t think she’ll be jealous.” Tong Xiaole, despite her dark past, was truly dedicated to acting. She wouldn’t get upset over something like this.

“Why do I feel like you’re cursing me?”

“Am I that kind of person?” Gu Xi rolled her eyes. She was just stating facts.

“Yes.”

Gu Xi gave up. “How long have you two been together?”

“Not long, half a month. I was the one who confessed. She looked so adorably clueless back then…” Gu Xi: “…” The stench of romance—disgusting. Lu Wanrou probably didn’t even realize she had a girlfriend yet.

“Love can’t help you here. Good luck!”

Ignoring her, Gu Xi decided she’d lazed around all morning and it was time to check out the set.

“Hey, wait for me!”

…

The filming location this time was by a lake at the foot of a mountain.

“Where’ve you been? Making everyone wait for you—don’t you feel ashamed?” Huai Anlu scolded Lu Wanrou the moment she arrived.

“Actors, take your places. Scene 3, Shot 1, action!”

At that moment, Tong Xiaole arrived on set. She walked over to Gu Xi, gave a simple greeting, and then focused on watching Lu Wanrou.

After Gu Chengbin brought the woman back to his mansion, he noticed something different about her. She wouldn’t submit or bow to anyone, which piqued his interest.

“What’s your name?” Walking along the lake, Gu Chengbin flashed her a roguish smile, hands clasped behind his back.

“Wushuang.” Lu Wanrou gave him a disdainful glance. A man prettier than a woman? Total sissy.

“Unique, unparalleled in the world. Not bad!”

Lu Wanrou rolled her eyes. “When are you letting me go?”

Gu Chengbin raised an eyebrow. Such an interesting person—how could he let her leave? “Your legs are yours. Can I force you to stay?”

Snorting, Lu Wanrou turned to leave. But in that instant, Gu Chengbin, wanting to mess with her, kicked a pebble into her path. Ah… mmph.

The moment they kissed, Lu Wanrou noticed Tong Xiaole standing next to Gu Xi. She zoned out briefly but, thanks to her acting skills, no one noticed anything off.

“OK, pass.”

As soon as Huai Anlu called it, Lu Wanrou rushed toward Tong Xiaole. Gu Xi glanced at Tong Xiaole’s expression—she was frowning slightly, clearly displeased.

Seeing this, Lu Wanrou shot Gu Xi a fierce glare, as if saying, Who wouldn’t get jealous watching their lover kiss someone else?

Calming herself, Lu Wanrou started to explain, but Tong Xiaole looked at her with disdain. “You zoned out. That was unprofessional.”

Lu Wanrou: “…” She must’ve walked onto the wrong set.

Gu Xi: “…” Exactly as she predicted.