Fake Love with the Movie Queen - Chapter 17

When Qiu Qing’an first saw the message, she was momentarily dazed, unable to imagine who would ask her such a question.

It wasn’t until she noticed a long-dormant grayed-out avatar in her friends list quietly light up and rise to the top that a certain face surfaced in her mind.

—How long had it been since they last saw each other? Perhaps eight or nine years.

The live-stream audience erupted instantly at the question:

Who asked this? Could it be one of the guests secretly crushing on the actress?

I don’t think so. Didn’t they just meet recently?

I feel like the sender must have some history with her.

Same. If they didn’t know each other, they wouldn’t say something like this.

I smell gossip brewing.

+1

After some discussion, viewers speculated that the sender might not be among the live guests.

The six guests weren’t using a program-exclusive chat app—anyone in their contacts could send anonymous questions as long as they were watching the stream.

So the question might have come from someone outside the show.

Qiu Qing’an’s words confirmed this guess.

She turned to the host. “This question probably didn’t come from any of the guests here. Maybe I should pick another one to answer.”

According to the host’s rules, the “Truth or Dare” segment was meant only for the six of them. External questions gave her grounds to skip.

“If it’s not too much trouble, Qing’an, you could give a brief answer,” the host pressed, unwilling to let go. After all, this was about the actress’s love life—something rarely discussed before this dating show.

Even when rumors surfaced, they were quickly debunked.

The host wasn’t the only one curious.

The skyrocketing viewer count proved just how much attention this topic was drawing.

Backstage, Xiang Ying, monitoring everything, kept messaging the host to push for a direct response.

If Qiu Qing’an answered, the show’s popularity would soar even higher!

Pondering the host’s words, Qiu Qing’an glanced at the person beside her.

Gu Nanxuan’s expression was cool, seemingly indifferent.

Her eyes were slightly lowered, as if she hadn’t noticed the gaze.

But that very detail betrayed her unspoken tension—she cared deeply about this.

“Alright then.”

Qiu Qing’an yielded to the host’s expectations.

The topic was sensitive. Even if she refused to answer, it would dominate tomorrow’s headlines.

Rather than clarifying later, she might as well address it now.

“Honestly, I don’t know who sent this. Probably a prank from a friend.”

“So my answer is—”

Her gentle tone carried a hint of seriousness.

“No.”

Live chat:

I was already imagining a grand reunion drama, and you tell me it’s just a prank!?

But the actress really hasn’t been linked to anyone before.

“This can’t be a prank! My intuition tells me there’s definitely more to this story!”

“Upstairs, care to elaborate on what that ‘more’ might be?”

“Ahem, well… intuition, just intuition.”

Qiu Qing’an’s answer was flawless, leaving the host with no opening to press further.

She could only say regretfully, “Is that so? Thank you, Qing’an, for your response.”

Shifting her attention to the last guest, she asked, “Nanxuan, would you like to share the question you received?”

The live stream camera followed her gaze, focusing on Gu Nanxuan.

Gu Nanxuan was dressed in a white off-shoulder long-sleeved top paired with loose silk chiffon trousers.

She sat casually in her chair, her demeanor understated yet captivating, effortlessly drawing attention.

Lifting her eyes slightly, she replied coolly, “I didn’t receive any questions.”

As the cameraman moved closer, she took out her phone, unlocked it, and showed the screen to the live audience—confirming that she hadn’t received a single message.

Live chat:

“How come Gu Nanxuan didn’t get a single question?”

“If it were you, what would you ask her?”

“Uh… honestly, I can’t think of anything.”

“Who’d even want to ask that vile woman anything?”

The host quickly adjusted her smile. “It seems everyone is less curious about Nanxuan, but I do have a question for her.”

“Nanxuan, have you ever been confessed to?”

Gu Nanxuan knew the host was trying to ease the awkwardness and didn’t resist, answering truthfully, “Yes.”

Live chat:

“Who in their right mind would confess to Gu Nanxuan?”

“Hey, come on, she’s actually pretty good-looking. I’d probably confess too.”

“Prioritizing looks over morals? You must be just like her. Blocked.”

“Oh?” The host had asked casually but was surprised to get a real answer.

She pressed further, “Did you accept the confession?”

Gu Nanxuan met her gaze, the corner of her lips curving slightly. “I only answer one question.”

Live chat:

“Pfft, as if anyone cares.”

“But… I’m kind of curious now. What do I do?”

“+1”

Not just the live audience—even the host’s curiosity was piqued.

Now that she couldn’t get an answer, it felt like an itch she couldn’t scratch.

But the game rules clearly stated only one question had to be answered, so she couldn’t force Gu Nanxuan to say more.

Reluctantly, she wrapped things up. “Well, that concludes today’s little game. Thank you all for participating.”

“Next, I’ll take everyone on a tour of the rooms where you’ll be staying tonight~”

With a bright smile, she led the six guests forward.

Gu Nanxuan and the others stood up and followed.

The cameraman dutifully trailed behind with his equipment.

The program crew and guests were provided accommodations within Scenic Town—a cluster of low-rise courtyards in a classical style.

The courtyards were connected by narrow, charming alleyways, exuding an old-world charm.

The guests were once again divided into three groups, each assigned to a different courtyard.

This time, however, each courtyard had multiple rooms, allowing the guests to choose freely.

Gu Nanxuan and Qiu Qing’an had no objections to the arrangement.

After all, once the live stream ended, no one would know whether they were living together or separately.

Zhu Ningyue was a bit unhappy. If they didn’t live together, she wouldn’t be able to secretly observe Ge Jiang while she slept.

This made her nights feel much less anticipated.

Ge Jiang, on the other hand, was easygoing—as long as things weren’t taken too far, she didn’t mind either way.

Meanwhile, Sikong Yuan and Yu Qianxue both breathed a sigh of relief. Their lifestyles were too different, and living together would have been unbearable.

Being able to stay apart now was simply the best outcome.

The host handed out the keys to them: “Each key has a corresponding room number on it, so make sure you don’t go to the wrong place~”

After giving her instructions, the host bid everyone farewell: “See you all tomorrow~”

“See you tomorrow~” the guests responded.

The cameraman stopped filming and left with the host.

Gu Nanxuan took her key and walked into one of the small courtyards.

Qiu Qing’an followed her inside.

Soon, the production crew staff brought over their luggage.

Once the staff left, Qiu Qing’an closed the courtyard gate and looked at Gu Nanxuan, who was dragging her suitcase toward the room. “Are you tired today? Do you want me to give you a shoulder massage?”

They had spent four hours in the car today and walked quite a bit afterward.

In the past, Gu Nanxuan would have clung to her, whining and complaining by now, but today she remained uncharacteristically silent.

Qiu Qing’an knew why and continued following her into the room.

But Gu Nanxuan suddenly turned around, blocking her at the door. “This is my room. Movie Queen Qiu can check out the other rooms.”

Her tone was cold, as if they were complete strangers.

This was the first time Qiu Qing’an had ever heard Gu Nanxuan speak to her so distantly. She reached out and grabbed Gu Nanxuan’s hand. “About what happened today, I can explain.”

Gu Nanxuan pulled her hand away and dragged her suitcase into the room without a word, though she didn’t stop Qiu Qing’an from entering.

“If I’m not mistaken, the person who sent me that anonymous message today is probably a friend I knew in college.”

Qiu Qing’an followed behind her, speaking softly.

“But it’s been so long that I can’t be sure if it’s really her.”

Hearing this, the coldness on Gu Nanxuan’s face eased slightly. She turned to look at her. “Then why would she ask you that?”

Qiu Qing’an met her gaze. “She did express some interest in me back then, but I turned her down clearly. Later, her family sent her abroad, and we lost contact. So I really don’t know why she’d ask that now.”

“Maybe she still has lingering feelings for you.”

Gu Nanxuan’s tone remained indifferent.

From her calm voice, Qiu Qing’an detected a hint of jealousy.

She moved closer to Gu Nanxuan, gently squeezing her palm. “We weren’t even that close back then, and it’s been at least eight or nine years since we last saw each other. How could there be any lingering feelings? She doesn’t know we’re together—maybe it really was just a prank?”

When Gu Nanxuan stayed silent, Qiu Qing’an deliberately complained:

“It’s all because you won’t let me go public. Only a few close friends know about us. When misunderstandings like this happen, I’m left ‘helpless to defend myself.’”

With these words, she firmly placed “that friend” outside the circle of close friends.

Gu Nanxuan’s mood visibly brightened. “Who knows if you’re really helpless or just unwilling to defend yourself?”

Qiu Qing’an knew she had already let go of her resentment—now she was just holding onto a bit of stubbornness.

She deliberately let go with a feigned look of disappointment. “If that’s how you feel, then maybe we should live apart for a while.”

With that, she turned to leave.

“Don’t go.”

Gu Nanxuan wrapped her arms around her waist from behind, her tone possessive. “You’re not allowed to go anywhere except here with me.”

Qiu Qing’an chuckled softly. “Not mad at me anymore?”

“That depends on you.”

Gu Nanxuan didn’t release her, burying her face against her neck as she spoke.

“If you behave, I’ll forgive you.”

Just as Qiu Qing’an was about to turn around, her phone suddenly rang with an incoming call.

Gu Nanxuan picked it up and saw an unfamiliar name displayed on the screen: Jiang Mengxi.