Chapter 109: When Rivals Meet

When Chu Muyun saw the door open, she said, "In my heart, Chenxi matters more than I do." With that, she stepped out of the elevator, Xiao Wen following behind, silently giving Chu a thumbs-up in her mind: Chu is impressive!

Chu Muyun pushed the door open and immediately saw Xia Yan sitting by Bai Chenxi’s hospital bed, smiling so brightly it almost hurt the eyes.

Lin Yue frowned as he saw Chu Muyun enter. "Why are you here?" he asked unwillingly.

Without hesitation, Chu Muyun retorted, "You can come, why can't I?"

Lin Yue glanced at Xia Yan walking in behind her and then at Chu Muyun, who was looking down while getting food. He thought to himself, "Looks like there's some good drama about to unfold."

Xia Yan approached and asked, "How are you feeling? Any better?"

Bai Chenxi greeted him warmly, "Much better. They said you brought me to the hospital. Thank you!"

"Thank what? It's my duty," Xia Yan replied.

Bai Chenxi smiled, "Come to think of it, you've saved me twice now. I..."

Chu Muyun, who had been silent until then, suddenly spoke up: "Aren't you hungry? Eat."

Lin Yue watched inwardly, amused: “So, this is your day. What, afraid if you keep talking, you'll owe them so much you’ll have to offer yourself?”

Bai Chenxi looked down at the sumptuous meal before her. If she wasn’t mistaken, that was bone broth, and an entire table full of meat. Were they planning to fatten her up like a pig?

She looked at Chu Muyun, who was setting the tableware. "Didn't you say it was going to be white rice porridge?"

Chu Muyun affectionately stroked her head and said gently, "You’re injured. You need to eat something good."

Bai Chenxi completely forgot what she had just said and happily began to sip the soup. Chu Muyun watched her, occasionally reminding, "Eat slowly! Eat more!"

Normally, under these circumstances, one would expect people to avoid the situation. Yet, no one in the room seemed to have any intention of leaving.

Lin Yue was enjoying the spectacle. Xia Yan, of course, was not going anywhere. Wang Ling stared at the group warily. Xiao Yu maintained an expression as if none of this concerned her.

Only Xiao Wen glanced around before ultimately retracting her step forward.

"Brother Chu, don’t blame me. You’re alone, and while you’re arguing with your rival, I can at least back you up a bit."

Of course, she wouldn’t admit that she actually wanted to stay for the sweet moments.

The atmosphere in the ward was awkward and hard to describe, but the main characters only had eyes for the food, blissfully unaware of everything else. They ate with such relish.

Wang Ling couldn’t help but chide Bai Chenxi, "Eat slower. What, you think I won’t stop you? Your manners are terrible."

She meant to remind Bai Chenxi to be mindful, at least to avoid making those who liked her question their faith.

Unexpectedly, Bai Chenxi clutched her soup with a look of accusation and said, "You just don’t want me to eat and threaten me with vegetables every day."

Wang Ling felt a bit embarrassed herself and looked at the men present. Not one of them appeared surprised; it was as if this was perfectly normal.

Even Chu Muyun gazed at her with fondness as she took large bites.

Wang Ling turned her eyes away and thought, fine, I was overthinking it.

Everyone busied themselves with something, yet no one spoke of leaving.

Then Zhang Kai, unaware of the tension, arrived at the ward.

Seeing the situation inside, even someone like Zhang Kai, who had weathered many storms, was momentarily taken aback.

Wang Ling’s eyes flickered when she saw Zhang Kai, then she feigned annoyance, asking, "What are you doing here?"

Zhang Kai looked at Wang Ling with joy, "Xiao Ling’er, long time no see. Have you missed me?"

He reached out to hug her, making Wang Ling blush deeply.

She hurriedly pushed him away, only to notice the entire room watching them with gossiping eyes, especially Bai Chenxi, whose eyes sparkled.

Wang Ling scolded, "Keep your distance. Speak properly."

Zhang Kai stopped teasing and called out seriously, "Muyun."

Chu Muyun glanced at Bai Chenxi and reminded her, "Eat well," then followed Zhang Kai out.

"What’s going on?" Once outside, Chu Muyun’s gentle demeanor vanished, replaced by a sharp look.

"It's complicated. The person who planted the bomb has been taken by the police. But he insists he didn’t plant it there. Surveillance footage also showed no issues," Zhang Kai explained.

Chu Muyun said gravely, "Where there’s human action, there are traces left behind. I’ll have someone else investigate. If this is deliberate..."

She didn’t finish her sentence, but Zhang Kai felt a chill run down his spine.

"By the way, I already spoke with the production team. Once you get back, you’ll have to re-record, and you’ll need to appear on several other shows at the station," Zhang Kai said bluntly, leaving no room for negotiation.

To minimize the impact, Zhang Kai had no choice but to agree to the extra recordings.

There was no room to refuse since this mess was his doing. Chu Muyun understood and nodded in agreement.

Without hesitation, Chu Muyun said, "Postpone all my work for now. Clear my schedule for the next few days."

Zhang Kai immediately caught his meaning. "In a few days, you’ll be busier than ever. Don’t blame me."

"You can leave now."

"What? You don’t want me to help you get these people to leave?"

Though he had only been in the room briefly, Zhang Kai could immediately tell the situation was grim. His brother’s situation did not look promising.

Chu Muyun remained silent.

Zhang Kai patted his shoulder. "Wait here. I’ll handle it."

Inside, Zhang Kai turned on the charm. "Xiao Ling’er, long time no see. Dinner’s on me. Pick anywhere you want."

Chu Muyun approached, and Bai Chenxi looked at her with questioning eyes. Chu Muyun shook her head, "Finish your meal."

Bai Chenxi pouted, "I can’t eat anymore. Are you really fattening me up like a pig?"

Chu Muyun glanced at her leg. "How different will your life be after this?"

Bai Chenxi glared at Chu Muyun defiantly. "I’m already like this, is there no sympathy? And you still scold me."

Seeing Bai Chenxi’s aggrieved expression, Chu Muyun found her adorable and couldn’t help but smile.

Bai Chenxi got even angrier and turned around to give him a playful tap on the back of his head.

Meanwhile, Zhang Kai was still coaxing Wang Ling, who thought it was time to discuss Chu Muyun’s matters with him and agreed.

As they prepared to leave, Wang Ling suddenly called out, "Bai Chenxi!"

Bai Chenxi looked over, confused. Wang Ling quickly snapped a photo, then said, "Done!"

Bai Chenxi asked, puzzled, "Wang Jie, why are you taking pictures?"

Wang Ling put away her phone, "Your fans are waiting for news. You have to let them know you're okay."

Hearing this, Bai Chenxi, as a female celebrity, finally awakened her professional instincts. "Sister, I just woke up and don’t look good. Let me freshen up and take another picture."

Wang Ling mercilessly teased, "You’re a patient. If you don’t look a little haggard, what else do you want?"

Bai Chenxi: …What did I do wrong? Why is everyone picking on me?

After Zhang Kai and Wang Ling left, Xiao Wen looked meaningfully at Xiao Yu. "Xiao Yu, I have a few questions for you. Shall we step outside to talk?"

Xiao Yu glanced at Bai Chenxi, who nodded, then followed Xiao Wen out.

What followed was an atmosphere that could only be described as awkward and complicated beyond words.