Sitting in the nanny van on the way back to the city, Gu Lina Zha was still immersed in a soft emotion.
She leaned back in the comfortable seat, her eyes unfocused as she watched the rapidly receding streetscape outside the window.
Her mind replayed every moment she had spent with Lu Mingyu.
His embrace, his kisses, his deep and focused gaze when he looked at her.
Everything felt so unreal, like a beautiful dream.
Xiao Lu sat across from her, holding a tablet and checking the upcoming schedule.
She looked up at her artist, who seemed to be out of sorts, and couldn't help but remind her.
“Naza-jie, rest tonight; we’re joining the crew tomorrow.”
“You haven’t finished reading the new script, have you?”
“Remember to memorize your lines in advance.”
“I heard the director for this drama is very strict; we can’t afford any mistakes.”
A series of work arrangements brought Gu Lina Zha back to her senses.
She sighed softly, her expression a little troubled.
“Xiao Lu, I can’t read a single word right now.”
“What should I do? My mind is completely filled with him.”
She covered her face, her voice carrying the adorable innocence and helplessness of a young girl.
“I’ve never met a man like him—so tough and cold, yet so gentle when he’s good to me.”
“I feel like I’ve fallen in too deep, and I can’t pull myself out.”
Xiao Lu looked at her, her expression becoming serious.
As Gu Lina Zha's assistant for many years, she was both a work partner and like half a family member.
She asked, “Naza-jie, are you serious this time?”
“I mean, do you really want to be with him forever, even… get married?”
Gu Lina Zha lowered her hand, her eyes clear and resolute, without the slightest hesitation.
“Of course, I’m serious.”
“I’ve never been so sure as I am now that I want to be with him, for a lifetime.”
Hearing this affirmative answer, Xiao Lu fell silent for a moment.
She knew that some words, though unpleasant, had to be said.
“Naza-jie, I’m not trying to pour cold water on your feelings.”
“Lu Mingyu is a true hero; I admire him greatly.”
“However, living life is a very realistic matter.”
“It’s about daily necessities, about bills you have to face every day.”
Gu Lina Zha looked at her with some confusion.
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
Xiao Lu took a deep breath and made her words clearer.
“What I want to ask is, do you know approximately how much his salary is?”
“In the military, his monthly salary plus various allowances might only be ten to twenty thousand yuan.”
“This amount is quite good for ordinary people.”
“But what about for you?”
Xiao Lu’s gaze swept over the Chanel jacket Gu Lina Zha was wearing—seemingly low-key, but actually quite expensive.
“Naza-jie, think carefully about how much your own expenses are.”
Gu Lina Zha was stunned.
She had never considered this question.
Money, to her, had always just been a number, a symbol used to measure the value of her work.
She subconsciously thought of the cosmetics she used.
A single bottle of high-end face cream could cost several thousand, or even tens of thousands.
A full set of top-tier skincare products could easily run into tens of thousands.
That might be several months of Lu Mingyu’s salary.
She then thought of her enormous walk-in closet.
It was filled with the latest seasonal collections from major brands.
Many clothes still had their tags on, having only been worn once, or not at all.
The shoes she was wearing were also a limited edition.
And her bags—Hermès, Chanel, Dior… each one was worth a fortune.
Xiao Lu was right; just the clothes and bags combined were already worth several million in assets.
This didn’t even include her daily expenses, the cost of maintaining her team, and social obligations.
She suddenly realized that she and Lu Mingyu lived in two completely different consumer worlds.
His world was one of discipline, dedication, and the simple, rugged military style.
Her world was one of flashing lights, the glitzy entertainment industry, and the exquisite luxury built with money.
Xiao Lu watched her changing expression, knowing that she had understood.
“I’m not saying Lu Mingyu can’t support you, nor am I telling you to look down on him.”
“I just want to remind you, Naza-jie.”
“If you truly want to be with him, these are all issues you will inevitably face in the future.”
“Love cannot rely solely on romance; ultimately, it must be grounded in reality.”
A long silence fell in the car.
Gu Lina Zha pressed her lips tightly together, her brows slightly furrowed, clearly in the midst of an intense internal struggle.
Xiao Lu’s words were like a sharp awl, piercing her pink romantic bubble.
They made her see the cruel and true reality beneath.
She loved Lu Mingyu; there was no doubt about that.
But she also couldn’t immediately abandon the lifestyle she had been accustomed to for over twenty years.
What to do?
Should she give up on the man she had decided on just because of money?
No, absolutely not.
A thought suddenly became clear in her mind.
If his income couldn’t support her world,
Then she would work hard, becoming strong enough to support both of their futures.
She could earn money; she had the ability to earn money.
She could rely on herself to bridge this huge gap created by money.
At this thought, Gu Lina Zha’s eyes became bright and resolute again.
The confusion and distress from before vanished, replaced by an unprecedented fighting spirit.
She looked up and said to Xiao Lu:
“Xiao Lu, you’re right.”
Her voice was calm but carried an undeniable power.
“Give me my earbuds and the script.”
Xiao Lu was startled for a moment, then quickly reacted, immediately fumbling in her bag for the items and handing them over.
Gu Lina Zha took the script and turned to the section she needed to familiarize herself with today.
She put on her earbuds, instantly shutting out all external sounds.
The bustling city outside the car window, the quiet space inside the car—none of it concerned her anymore.
Her entire focus was poured into the lines before her.
Her expression was focused and serious, as if she were a soldier about to rush into battle.
Xiao Lu watched Gu Lina Zha like this, quietly breathing a sigh of relief.
She knew her words had worked.
She didn't truly intend to measure this relationship with money.
She simply hoped Gu Lina Zha could clearly recognize reality.
Only by being fully prepared could they go further through the storms of the future.
She sincerely hoped Gu Lina Zha and Captain Lu could achieve a happy ending.
Because she could see that it was a happiness Naza-jie had never experienced before.
But at the same time, she was deeply worried.
Naza-jie had fallen too deeply this time, loved too truly.
If this relationship ultimately broke down due to various realistic problems,
The blow to her would be devastating.
In the lounge of a certain film and television crew, the atmosphere was somewhat subtle.
This was a common space specially prepared for the actors.
Although it was spacious enough,
It was currently packed with various costumes, props, and assistants.
Several female artists who had just finished filming gathered together.
Holding thermos cup, they chatted casually.
The center of their conversation was Gu Lina Zha, who had just made up her mind and was now diligently studying her script in another nanny van.
“Did you hear?”
A female actress in a pink down jacket spoke first.
Her eyes held unconcealed curiosity.
She lowered her voice, as if sharing a shocking secret.
“What is it? Why so mysterious?”
The actress next to her replied, casually twisting open her cup lid.
“It’s about Gu Lina Zha,”
The pink down jacket said, “I heard she’s going to participate in that variety show, if i were a female special forces soldier.”
“Didn’t you all know?”
“It’s all over the internet!”
As soon as she finished speaking, the surroundings instantly fell silent for a few seconds.
The gazes of several people met, and they all saw the same surprise and confusion in each other’s eyes.
“Special Forces? Her?”
The first actress to reply almost spilled her water.
“Are you sure you’re not mistaken?”
“I know that show; it’s real military training, extremely tough, not just for show.”
“Exactly, I heard a male celebrity in the last season threw up on the first day and directly dropped out.”
“What is she thinking, such a delicate beauty, going to participate in a show like that?”