Shangyu Private Kitchen had indeed improved a lot since getting a new chef. Coupled with Mu Yanxi’s good mood, her appetite greatly increased.
Mu Yanxi didn’t forget to make every second count while eating. She searched for several design drawings of gift cabinets on her phone, forcefully pulling Yi Wulan over to help her choose.
While choosing, she didn’t forget to pull out a few photos of fan gifts that her manager had sent her, saying things like, “the compartments in this cabinet are too small,” or “this gift needs to be properly framed in a display case.”
Her requests were bizarre and varied, and it seemed like she was deliberately saying them for Yi Wulan to hear.
Yi Wulan looked like she wanted to say something but stopped herself. Still, she cooperated with Mu Yanxi, spending a long time choosing. In the end, when it was time to transfer the payment to the designer, she used her own card.
While waiting for dessert, just as Yi Wulan was about to speak, her phone rang. She picked it up and saw it was a call from Gu Yan. “What is it?”
“President Yi, the police have successfully traced the source of the new hallucinogenic drugs in Yi Zizhuo and Yi Jingming’s possession. When Yi Hongwei found out, he suffered a sudden cerebral hemorrhage at the branch company and collapsed.”
Yi Wulan was stunned, her brow furrowing deeply. “How is he now?”
Gu Yan replied, “According to his assistant, he’s still in emergency surgery, and the situation isn’t optimistic.”
“Alright, I understand.” Yi Wulan hung up, her expression sinking and looking very grim.
Yi Wulan hadn’t tried to hide while taking the call, so most of what Gu Yan said had reached Mu Yanxi’s ears.
Mu Yanxi looked at Yi Wulan’s expression, hesitated for two seconds, and then comforted her, “Yi Wulan, this isn’t your fault. If he had a sudden cerebral hemorrhage, the blame lies with that good-for-nothing son of his, Yi Zizhuo. What does it have to do with you?”
Yi Wulan came back to her senses and replied faintly, “Mm.”
Mu Yanxi wanted to say more, but just then, the waiter knocked on the private room door and placed several exquisite desserts on the table. Mu Yanxi scooped up a spoonful of crème brûlée and held it to Yi Wulan’s lips, gesturing for her to eat.
The golden-brown pudding had just been baked and exuded a rich, milky aroma.
Mu Yanxi’s eyes curved into crescents as she urged, “Hurry!”
Yi Wulan lowered her gaze and slowly took the spoonful of pudding into her mouth.
Once in her mouth, the pudding slowly melted on her tongue, but the sweetness of the caramel lingered on her taste buds for a long time.
“Is it sweet?”
Yi Wulan replied, “Mm.”
In truth, Mu Yanxi was quite speechless about the occasional familial affection Yi Wulan displayed, but she didn’t know how to say it directly. After all, as someone who had a god’s-eye view from reading that novel from another world, she had a general suspicion about who was behind Yi Wulan’s car accident last year.
It was a pity that the author not only wrote the protagonist’s halo to be overly brainless but also left many plot holes unfilled. The true culprit behind Yi Wulan’s car accident was one of them.
The novel had vaguely mentioned that the car accident was a conspiracy secretly planned by a collateral branch of the Yi family, who were unwilling to accept their failure in the family power struggle. However, Old Master Yi had so many children, and those children had so many grandchildren, that it was difficult to pinpoint the target, leaving only a general range.
In that car accident, the offending vehicle caught fire. The driver was later determined to have been drunk driving after tracing the route through surveillance footage. It could only be ruled an accident, and the matter was dropped.
Therefore, for Yi Hongwei and his son, who had always been the most active troublemakers, meeting such an end was not an injustice.
Mu Yanxi’s thoughts returned to the present. She looked at Yi Wulan and smiled. “It’s good that it’s sweet. Don’t take all that messy stuff upon yourself. They’re not worth your trouble.”
The corners of Yi Wulan’s lips curved. “Alright.”
After Yi Wulan’s mood improved, she mentioned to Mu Yanxi that she had already received Yi Hongda’s shares. Since the police could inform Yi Zizhuo’s father tonight, Yi Hongda would naturally receive a notification about Yi Jingming as well.
Although she couldn’t witness Yi Hongda’s expression firsthand, just imagining the scene made Mu Yanxi uncontrollably happy. On the way home, she stopped teasing Yi Wulan and just sat quietly in the back seat of the car.
When they got home, they went upstairs one after the other, with Mu Yanxi once again walking in front.
As they neared the side bedroom, Mu Yanxi turned around. “Our filming schedules in Fengcheng are scattered, but the workload isn’t heavy. Do you want me to bring anything back for you?”
“No need.” Yi Wulan walked straight ahead.
“Alright then.” Mu Yanxi said thoughtfully, “Then when I go out, I’ll buy some small gifts and put them in the nanny van.”
Yi Wulan’s steps faltered. “Buy some?”
“Yeah, you know I have a lot of fans. The schedule for Secret Room Rush Rush Rush was announced last week, so I might run into many of them.” Mu Yanxi paused and sighed. “They come from so far away to see me, give me things, and support me. It’s not too much for me to give them some gifts in return, right?”
Yi Wulan pursed her lips and forced out, “It’s not too much.”
“Mm, I think it’s very reasonable too.”
Just as Mu Yanxi was feeling satisfied, Yi Wulan suddenly spoke again. “Have Chen Xu go with you.”
Chen Xu was the bodyguard who had jumped into the river with Mu Yanxi to save someone last time. Although he usually just drove for Yi Wulan, among all her bodyguards, Chen Xu was the only one she took everywhere. His capabilities were beyond doubt.
Mu Yanxi raised an eyebrow. “I’m just going to film a show. Nothing should happen, right?”
Yi Wulan didn’t explain, merely insisting, “Take him.”
Having someone there to block the way would prevent those overly enthusiastic, handsy fans from taking advantage of her.
“Oh, thanks then.” Mu Yanxi walked towards the side bedroom, pretending not to see Yi Wulan’s body deliberately stopped in front of the door. She moved past Yi Wulan, squeezing her aside to reach for the doorknob.
Yi Wulan had no choice but to move aside.
Mu Yanxi suppressed a smile and counted silently in her head.
One, two, three.
Sure enough, just as Mu Yanxi finished counting to three, Yi Wulan spoke. “You…”
Mu Yanxi’s lips curved but she quickly composed herself.
Expressionlessly holding the doorknob, she turned back and asked, “What is it?”
Yi Wulan looked at Mu Yanxi’s calm, placid face and held back, her expression screaming, ‘You’re leaving tomorrow, and you’re still sleeping in the side bedroom tonight?’
The words swirled in her throat, her Adam’s apple bobbing, but she didn’t say them out loud.
In the end, she just forced out, “Nothing.”
Then she strode towards the master bedroom.
Mu Yanxi suppressed her smile and pushed the door open to enter.
That night, with the third female lead confirmed, the crew of Peach Blossom Debt finally made their official announcement.
To prevent Mu Yanxi from copying the wrong text again, her manager specifically called her, repeatedly reminding her to be careful when reposting the official Weibo post for Peach Blossom Debt and to avoid another blunder.
Mu Yanxi was in a good mood, so even though her manager was a bit long-winded, she listened patiently. Then she copied the text her manager gave her and, for once, checked it herself: 【Mu Yanxi: Blazing peach blossoms, awaiting your arrival. Looking forward to this collaboration @PeachBlossomDebtOfficialWeibo: Come to a grand…】
Perhaps because of the successful audition that afternoon, her manager had a few drinks that evening and was in even higher spirits. Seeing that Mu Yanxi, for once, hadn’t posted the wrong thing on Weibo, her much-tormented heart was greatly comforted, and she launched into a long speech with Mu Yanxi.
She compared Mu Yanxi to an A-list actress she had previously managed, saying how Mu Yanxi was still young and beautiful, while also painting a grand picture of her future.
It was as if all Mu Yanxi had to do was nod, and she would fill all twenty-four hours of her day with work engagements.
Mu Yanxi had no such grand ambitions. She had been reborn once and didn’t want to die so soon from overwork. So, she just gave noncommittal replies until she inadvertently clicked open Weibo and suddenly fell silent.
A few seconds later she asked, “Are you looking at Weibo?”
“I am, what’s up?” Mu Yanxi replied lazily.
The manager looked at Weibo and replied, “Hiss, I thought you wouldn’t get much attention as the third female lead. How does it feel like you’re managing to ride on some of the popularity?”
The official announcement for Peach Blossom Debt wasn’t just reposted by the main leads and major supporting actors; the nine-square grid also included animated GIFs of each actor in costume.
And Mu Yanxi’s GIF was the exact moment from the afternoon’s shoot when she looked back. Peach blossom petals blew past as the red-robed commandery princess turned back with a smile. Even though it was placed as the sixth image, it was instantly noticeable, with its rich and striking color palette.
Compared to the transmigrated female lead in her palace maiden attire right after crossing over, and the vicious second female lead who was born into nobility and wore a gorgeous palace gown, Mu Yanxi’s costume was bold and light, yet very eye-catching.
Normally, even if a moment like this was quite outstanding, the publicity would focus on the male and female leads.
But Mu Yanxi’s GIF happened to be seen by a Big V who was skilled at editing historical dramas. They specifically singled out Mu Yanxi’s image and posted it with the caption: 【I declare that once Peach Blossom Debt is released, all my historical drama compilation videos will have her in them!】
This Big V had over three million followers. Although it was less than half of Mu Yanxi’s, their followers were all genuine, earned through real editing talent. The post immediately attracted a crowd of fans, all asking who this person was.
【Aahhh! This person looks a bit unfamiliar. Has she appeared in Sister Luo’s previous edits?】
【This outfit is so beautiful! Which production crew’s costume and makeup department is so dedicated? Robbery! Hand over the drama’s name】
【A kind soul is here to point the way. This is the newly announced third female lead of Peach Blossom Debt. She’s literally the little commandery princess who walked right out of the book. A fan of the original is ecstatic】
【Is this the fucking little flower vase? No way, no way? I didn’t even recognize her face in a historical costume】
【As expected of the little flower vase I’ve been anti-fanning for two years. Daddy will promote your beauty to the whole world for you】
【It’s her, it’s her, it’s the one who’s been lazing at home for over half a month and only filmed one variety show. I was just about to go to her Weibo and curse her to get back to work, I didn’t expect her to be so proactive this time】
An animated GIF doesn’t prove much, but it did showcase an undeniably impeccable beauty. Mu Yanxi rode on the Big V’s popularity and was soon pushed to the tail end of the trending topic reserve list.
However, at this moment, a few discordant reposts appeared among the comments that had been fawning over her looks. One of them was: 【Mu Yanxi, huh? Do you guys know she debuted over two years ago? Do you know why she’s not famous even with a face like that? With such terrible acting, even the most talented editor can’t save her.】
The manager, who had been happy, frowned when she saw the rapidly increasing number of reposts for this comment. She had a gut feeling that something was wrong.
When she clicked on the reposts for this Weibo post, it was just as she expected. The users were all zombie accounts; a quick glance showed almost no real people.
Without a doubt, it was the water army.
And it was unclear which party had entered the fray to slander Mu Yanxi.
Things like this had happened countless times in the past two years. It was as if Mu Yanxi was possessed by a god of misfortune; any small sign of success would be snuffed out.
The reasons for extinguishing her popularity were endless, and Mu Yanxi herself loved to argue with anti-fans, which, in turn, played right into the other party’s hands.
The manager used to try and manage it at first, but later gave up. Even if Mu Yanxi didn’t argue with anti-fans, others could find reasons. It was better to let the little ancestor vent online for a while.
Having been in the industry for a long time, the manager knew that these attacks weren’t malicious targeting. It was just that the industry was too realistic, always fawning over the powerful and trampling on the weak. It was very difficult for a newcomer without backing to make a name for themselves.
The entertainment industry is large, and there are many resources, but the better the resources, the harder they are to get. When a newcomer rises, they naturally divert some traffic from established artists. For someone like Mu Yanxi, who had a face blessed by the heavens, it wasn’t strange for her budding popularity to be snuffed out every time.
Just like this time, as soon as she gained some traffic from an animated GIF, someone immediately compiled a video collection of Mu Yanxi’s past acting roles. It was clear they came prepared.
Some of the clips from those film and television dramas were deliberately exaggerated expressions during filming, some were intentionally made to look ugly, and others had no major issues in the original scene but had their flaws magnified when edited out of context. They were all put into a video compilation titled 【I Heard Even the Director Cried】.
The directing team of Peach Blossom Debt had considered that Mu Yanxi’s looks might overshadow the female lead. The manager hadn’t paid much attention at the time, but who knew that after this compilation video was released, fans of the first and second female leads of Peach Blossom Debt would all flock to join the commotion.
At the same time, it also influenced some bandwagoning netizens:
【I finally understand why someone called her a flower vase just now. I could act better with my feet. The money in the entertainment industry is really easy to make】
【Damn, it’s rare to see a young artist with such good looks. I was thinking of becoming a fan and watching her grow, but this acting… I really can’t praise it】
【After looking at this person for a while, she seems just average. @Director, do you think I’m good enough? I want to act casually too and easily earn 2.08 million a day】
【Stop hyping her up. It’s all filters and PS. Let’s wait until the drama airs and see what her co-stars look like. Don’t let her true form be revealed】
Where there was Mu Yanxi, there were naturally her devoted, haunting anti-fans who had been with her for two years.
However, today, for some strange reason, that group of anti-fans suddenly started fighting with the water army:
【Looks just average after a while? You fucking try looking like that?】
【What’s the meaning of this, what’s the meaning of this? You really think our little flower vase has no fans, huh? Her acting isn’t great, but it’s not this bad】
【Back then, to be an anti-fan of the little flower vase, I diligently went through every one of her dramas. I know which scene these clips are from. You really think no one knows?】
【@MuYanxi, Mommy is going to charge into battle for you tonight. Remember to pay me. One hundred per minute, fair price for all】
【I won’t charge you. Mu Yanxi, hurry up and post a selfie. I haven’t changed my profile picture in a long time. For every minute you’re late, I’ll charge you ten thousand yuan, thank you】
The manager was completely dumbfounded looking at these anti-fans’ comments.
After all, she was very familiar with the IDs of the most active netizens. These people had been tirelessly biting at Mu Yanxi for two years. Why were they suddenly speaking up for her?
She scrolled down and felt relieved only after seeing the familiar “extortion” quotes, confirming that the anti-fans hadn’t been abducted.
At the same time, because of the previous incidents where Mu Yanxi refused to be taken advantage of and jumped into the water to save someone, many netizens who recognized her also came to her defense, some even taking screenshots of the full clips from the compilation video.
They weren’t interested in Mu Yanxi’s obscure past web dramas; they simply couldn’t stand seeing the water army bully a good person.
Thus, before the manager could even contact the PR team to pull an all-nighter, the questions about Mu Yanxi’s acting were magically washed away. Mu Yanxi’s “look back,” which was originally just on the trending reserve list, shot up to number fourteen on the hot search, with the potential to climb even higher.
The manager felt as if she had really drunk too much tonight and was now hallucinating. She tentatively said to Mu Yanxi on the other end of the phone, “Hey, your public appeal seems to have improved quite a bit, huh?”
Mu Yanxi had also seen the subsequent developments, but she still replied coolly, “It’s just okay.”
The manager sighed. “If I had known doing good deeds could attract so much public appeal, I would have jumped into a river on the first day I met you two years ago, let you save me, and then found a reporter to say I was looking for my savior to launch your debut.”
Mu Yanxi was very disdainful. “Sister Ling, you should go to bed early. It’s almost two, and you’re still not sleeping?”
The manager felt light-headed. Seeing that it was 11 o’clock, she thought it was 1 o’clock and that she was seeing double. So she said, “I’m going to bed then. The flight is at 12:15 tomorrow. Should I pick you up?”
“No need, I’ll go by myself. See you at the airport.” Mu Yanxi finally hung up and started packing her luggage.
In the master bedroom next door.
After midnight, Yi Wulan sat up halfway, tidied her hair, and subconsciously pulled the collar of her nightgown together.
Then she slowly lay back down.
Quietly waiting for a certain little fox.
Over the past half month, Yi Wulan had figured out the pattern of Mu Yanxi coming to her room. It was almost always after midnight.
It was as if the little ancestor couldn’t rest until she came to find her before bed, like she couldn’t sleep in an unfamiliar bed.
But tonight was slightly different.
Five minutes past midnight, there was no movement at the master bedroom door. Yi Wulan used the remote to close the curtains.
Ten minutes past midnight, still no movement at the master bedroom door. Yi Wulan felt a bit stuffy and slightly lifted the quilt.
Fifteen minutes past midnight, still no movement at the master bedroom door. Yi Wulan sat up, checked the time, and got out of bed.
Having been lying down for a long time, her legs felt a bit strange when they first touched the floor. Fortunately, she held onto the edge of the bed and didn’t fall.
Only after taking a few slow steps did her recently healed legs recover.
Yi Wulan quickened her pace and walked out.
She didn’t turn on the main hallway light; only a few dim nightlights guided her way. It was easy to see the light seeping from under the side bedroom door.
Obviously, Mu Yanxi was staying up late.
And in the process of staying up late, she had forgotten about Yi Wulan.
Yi Wulan went forward and knocked on Mu Yanxi’s door.
The door opened after a while. Mu Yanxi came to open it, her shoulder half-exposed and her nightgown in disarray.
Mu Yanxi was wearing a black autumn nightgown set. The sash of the outer robe had long since slipped to the floor, revealing the slip dress underneath, making her figure seem somewhat slender.
She had clearly rushed to open the door. The nightgown on her shoulder had slipped down to her elbow, revealing a fair, rounded shoulder.
Mu Yanxi, completely unaware, casually tried to adjust the outer robe. Unfortunately, the silky material was too light, and she couldn’t find the belt for a moment. So, she simply took off the robe in front of Yi Wulan and yawned with half-closed eyes. “Is something wrong?”
The neckline of the slip dress was a bit low, with black lace trim faintly visible around her chest. She looked both alluring and lazy, like a fox spirit who went out at night to suck the life essence out of people.
Yi Wulan’s originally gloomy and angry expression instantly froze. Her gaze uncontrollably swept over Mu Yanxi’s body before she managed to look away.
Averting her gaze from Mu Yanxi’s neck to look at other things in the bedroom, she asked in a rather dry tone, “What are you doing? Why aren’t you asleep yet?”
“Packing.” Mu Yanxi pointed to the small carry-on suitcase behind her. “I have to do my makeup tomorrow morning, so I have to pack my luggage tonight, right?”
No wonder her clothes were so messy when she came to the door.
Yi Wulan looked at the small suitcase, feeling uncomfortable for some reason, and suddenly walked inside. “You said you’re going for several days, and you’re only bringing this little? Don’t you usually have a ton of clothes? Are you not going to shower or change clothes in Fengcheng? Isn’t that dirty?”
“I’ve contacted the brand representatives. They’ll send me clothes.” Mu Yanxi slowly walked to the suitcase, bent down to open it, and pointed to the contents. “So I just need to bring enough underwear.”
Yi Wulan glanced at it for a second before looking away, then stepped forward and gently pinched Mu Yanxi’s cheek. “You’re a grown-up, how can you be so careless?”
Mu Yanxi was stunned, only realizing what Yi Wulan was talking about after a moment. She said faintly, “It’s the twenty-first century now, you know that?”
“What do you mean?”
“Even if I cheated on you, I wouldn’t be drowned in a pig cage. What’s wrong with letting you see my underwear in front of you?” Mu Yanxi retaliated by pinching Yi Wulan’s cheek as well. “Last time you brought me the underwear I forgot, I didn’t see you being shy.”
Yi Wulan: …
Yi Wulan was somehow unable to retort.
But as if deliberately finding fault, she spoke again. “How can you not bring clothes? What if the clothes they send don’t fit? Anyway, Chen Xu is going with you, so can’t you just have him carry any luggage? He gets paid a salary too.”
Mu Yanxi shot back, “Rongjia pays you such a high salary every month, but I don’t see you taking weekends off.”
“That’s different.”
“It’s the same.” Mu Yanxi glanced at the time and asked doubtfully, “Haven’t you stopped staying up late recently? Why are you still not sleeping tonight?”
Of course, Yi Wulan couldn’t say it was because she was waiting for Mu Yanxi. Seeing the sleepy expression on Mu Yanxi’s face, she asked back coldly, “What about you? You’re still not sleeping?”
“I’m about to, I’m about to. Didn’t I just finish packing?” Mu Yanxi took Yi Wulan’s arm and led her towards the door.
“Wait.” Yi Wulan quickly stopped and pulled Mu Yanxi’s arm back. Her gaze lingered on Mu Yanxi’s slender fingers, then on her face.
“Is there anything else?” Mu Yanxi yawned, and it seemed like a tear welled up in the corner of her eye.
Seeing this, Yi Wulan paused for two seconds before asking, “Did… did you drink your milk tonight?”
Mu Yanxi heartlessly pushed Yi Wulan towards the door, smiled at her back, and then resumed her expressionless, sleepy look, letting out a soft ‘Ah’.
Her tone twisted and turned, clearly indicating she had more to say.
Yi Wulan turned around to see Mu Yanxi stretching lazily. “Now that you mention it, I think I forgot to drink it. I can’t fall asleep now, what should I do?”
Yi Wulan subconsciously repeated after Mu Yanxi, “What should I do?”
Mu Yanxi sized up Yi Wulan, then slowly revealed an extremely gentle smile, hooking the sash at Yi Wulan’s waist. “Then… you can just sleep with me, can’t you?”
Yi Wulan’s heart trembled. The tension she had felt since entering the room suddenly dissipated at that moment. It was as if that voice had invaded her entire body, a tingling numbness spreading through her limbs.
The anxious aura around Yi Wulan instantly vanished. She looked down at Mu Yanxi’s hand and frowned. “Can’t you sleep by yourself?”
“I slept quite well with you before.” Mu Yanxi hooked it again, simply pulling Yi Wulan’s robe sash loose. The outer robe instantly fell open. “Want me to help you undress?”
Yi Wulan: …
Yi Wulan’s expression became unnatural for a moment. Then, thinking she was being subtle, she pulled her nightgown closed. “You’re the most high-maintenance.”
After saying that, she walked towards the bed on her own, her steps noticeably lighter.
Mu Yanxi watched Yi Wulan’s back and chuckled softly.
Mu Yanxi’s flight was at noon, so she didn’t have to get up too early.
When she went downstairs, she was surprised to find that Yi Wulan hadn’t left yet. She was sitting at the dining table with a frown, looking at a tablet. Her breakfast was already finished, indicating she had eaten a while ago.
Mu Yanxi pulled her suitcase and sat down opposite Yi Wulan, placing her hand over the tablet. She asked with a grin, “Are you waiting for me?”
Yi Wulan finally looked up at her and took a sip of the fresh coffee the auntie had just added. “Why would I wait for you?”
Mu Yanxi wasn’t in a hurry. She ate her breakfast slowly, and surprisingly, Yi Wulan didn’t leave either, continuing to handle business on her tablet.
By the time Mu Yanxi finished her breakfast and was wiping her mouth with a napkin, Yi Wulan finally moved. She walked straight to the entryway, and just as she turned around after changing her shoes, she almost bumped into Mu Yanxi.
Yi Wulan’s legs had just recently recovered, so she naturally couldn’t wear high heels. The two were about the same height, but now Mu Yanxi was a good half-head taller than Yi Wulan, looking very pleased with herself. “I’m going to the airport.”
Yi Wulan grunted in acknowledgment. She put on her coat and was about to grab her bag when a pair of hands held out what she wanted.
Yi Wulan glanced at Mu Yanxi, took the bag, and said, “I’m leaving first. Be safe on your way.”
Mu Yanxi also pulled her suitcase and walked out. As she stepped over the threshold, she saw Yi Wulan’s solitary figure walking towards the gate and couldn’t help but stop.
Perhaps it was because the garden outside was too large and empty. A cool autumn breeze blew, lifting the strands of hair on Yi Wulan’s back. For some reason, she suddenly felt that Yi Wulan looked a bit lonely.
She quickened her pace, running a few steps forward with her light suitcase. “Yi Wulan, if you’re not busy, can you take me to the airport?”
Yi Wulan stopped. “Reason?”
“Umm…” Mu Yanxi thought for a moment and made up a reason. “Chen Xu has to get on the plane with me, so it’s not convenient to leave the car at the airport. We have to save some money.”
“You’re the one who’s so good at saving money.” Yi Wulan’s tone was sarcastic, but her voice was noticeably more relaxed than it had been at home. “Let’s go.”
But Mu Yanxi didn’t move. Yi Wulan took two steps and turned back. “Any other problems?”
Mu Yanxi pointed at her rolling suitcase and lied through her teeth, “I’m too tall, the height of this suitcase handle is uncomfortable for me to pull.”
“You’re so much trouble.” Although Yi Wulan said this, she still took the suitcase from Mu Yanxi’s hand.
Mu Yanxi walked behind her, her eight-centimeter high heels almost giving her a light, breezy gait.
Yi Wulan glanced at her. “So happy to go on a business trip?”
Mu Yanxi walked beside her. “It’s alright. I heard the scenery in Fengcheng is nice. The mountains and water nurture people. Many celebrities in the entertainment industry are from Fengcheng.”
Yi Wulan said no more, her steps towards the car noticeably quickening.
On the way to the airport, Mu Yanxi took out her makeup bag and started touching up her makeup. It wasn’t really a touch-up; she just patted her face with her makeup tools for show.
The third time Mu Yanxi asked Yi Wulan if the highlighter on her cheeks was symmetrical, Yi Wulan finally couldn’t take it anymore and started finding all sorts of faults. “The blush is too red. The eyeshadow is too dark and doesn’t match your lip color.”
Mu Yanxi covered it with a powder puff, thinking it matched perfectly well. “How about now?”
“The lipstick should be lighter too.”
Mu Yanxi looked at Yi Wulan thoughtfully, then deliberately took out a shimmery lip gloss and dabbed a tiny bit in the center of her lips. “How about now?”
“The powder is a bit thick. Use a clean puff to wipe some off.”
She clearly wasn’t looking closely, just focused on making her tone it down.
Mu Yanxi: …
Mu Yanxi forcefully turned Yi Wulan’s head to make her meet her gaze, smiling sweetly. “Say it again, what else is wrong?”
She was smiling sweetly, but the hands on either side of Yi Wulan’s cheeks held a powder-dusted puff and a lip gloss wand, as if these things would land on her face the next second if she said one wrong word.
Yi Wulan frowned and chided in a low voice, “Mu Yanxi, take these messy things away.”
“You haven’t answered my question yet.” Mu Yanxi moved the items slightly away from Yi Wulan’s cheeks, her meaning clear. “If you don’t say anything, what if the car brakes suddenly…”
Yi Wulan: “It looks good.”
“Really?” The little peacock’s feathers were smoothed in a second, and she put away her makeup weapons.
But in the next second, Yi Wulan, an outsider to the industry, voiced her confusion. “But aren’t you going to wear a mask later? What if your fans can’t recognize you?”
Mu Yanxi: …
Sorry, but even if she didn’t wear a mask, there was a high probability she wouldn’t run into a single fan.
However, Teacher Mu, who had once casually quoted an eighty-million-yuan salary in front of Yi Wulan, would absolutely not admit this fact.
She lifted her chin and asked coolly and aloofly, “With eyes as recognizable as mine, would those fans who love me so deeply not be able to recognize me?”
Yi Wulan thought of the room at home specially set aside for Mu Yanxi’s fan gifts, and her expression instantly darkened. “Then you watch the time. Don’t miss your boarding.”
Mu Yanxi said nonchalantly, “It’s fine. My fans are very understanding. They love me so much, they definitely won’t let me miss my flight.”
Yi Wulan ignored Mu Yanxi.
She opened her tablet to read her emails and didn’t give Mu Yanxi another glance for the rest of the ride.
When the car stopped outside the airport, Mu Yanxi looked at Yi Wulan and said, “You don’t have to get out. The airport is crowded. It wouldn’t be good if someone recognized you and bumped into your leg. Also, you’re not in good health, so work less and don’t stay up late. I’ll ask the auntie.”
Yi Wulan wasn’t angry anymore. She grunted in agreement.
Chen Xu, who was in the front passenger seat, had already gotten out. Mu Yanxi gathered her things. “I’m leaving then?”
“What’s the rush.” Yi Wulan took a card from her bag and stuffed it into Mu Yanxi’s hand. “This card is widely accepted, you can even use it in very remote places. Tell me if you run out of money.”
Mu Yanxi nodded. “The show’s crew will arrange everything. There’s not much I need to spend money on.”
“Just take it.” Yi Wulan stuffed the card into Mu Yanxi’s bag. “Call me after you land. Remember to have Chen Xu stay with you wherever you go. Go on.”
Mu Yanxi’s lips curved slightly. “Should he follow me when I shower too?”
“Chen Xu won’t.” Yi Wulan glanced at her, then couldn’t help but add, “Don’t interfere with his work.”
“I know.” Mu Yanxi chuckled softly, then suddenly stepped forward and hugged Yi Wulan, transferring all the supernatural energy she had accumulated this morning into Yi Wulan’s brain through her fingertips.
Yi Wulan was silent for a second, then raised her hand to pat Mu Yanxi’s back. “Tell me, why be an artist when you’re so delicate? You’re nothing but trouble when you go out.”
Mu Yanxi sped up the transfer of her power. When the last wisp of energy was sent into Yi Wulan’s body, she didn’t let go immediately. Instead, she slowly leaned in towards Yi Wulan’s neck.
Her voice was laced with a smile, and her breath against Yi Wulan’s ear brushed over her skin, light and slow, very provocative. “Yi Wulan, your heart is beating so fast.”
Yi Wulan stiffened, then quickly let her go as if she had touched a hot potato.
Her lips moved, about to say something, but Mu Yanxi had already grabbed her small bag and gotten out of the car. She bent down to wave at Yi Wulan through the window, then took the suitcase from Chen Xu and turned to walk inside.
Yi Wulan watched for a while before looking away, instructing the driver in front, “To the company.”
The car started. As the airport building grew more distant, Yi Wulan slowly placed a hand over her chest, feeling the normal rhythm of her heartbeat, and was stunned.
Then she tossed the tablet aside and muttered in a low voice, “She only knows how to talk nonsense.”
Get instant access to all the chapters now.
