Chapter Eleven: Slaps in the Face and Innocent Victims (Part One)

In the recording studio, Xiao Wen was waiting for Chu Muyun to finish recording his song. She took advantage of her free time to scroll through Weibo, and what she saw nearly made her drop her phone. On the trending list, "#Chu Muyun Relationship Exposed#" was followed by a bold "Explosive" tag.

In the past, Xiao Wen wouldn’t have bothered clicking on such news—just another attempt to ride a celebrity’s coattails. But since she believed she had stumbled upon her boss and her goddess’s romance, she kept a vigilant eye on every online whisper and rumor, just in case.

Staring at the headline, Xiao Wen’s heart skipped a beat: Could it be that her boss and goddess were accidentally photographed on a date? She hurriedly clicked in, and sure enough—it was her boss and the goddess. Xiao Wen even wondered if they were about to make their relationship public.

But when she checked the comments, she found that apart from those expressing disbelief or offering blessings, most were speculating about the identity of the woman.

Xiao Wen couldn’t help but mutter internally: What’s wrong with these people? Even with the goddess bundled up and wearing a wig, anyone could tell from her eyes and height!

She hadn’t finished scrutinizing the news when the agent, Zhang Kai, burst in energetically.

“Xiao Wen, where’s Chu Muyun?”

“Kai, Chu is still recording. Why don’t you wait a bit?”

Xiao Wen looked at Zhang Kai in a flattering way: Oh dear, judging by his demeanor, Kai might be here to break up the lovers!

Zhang Kai gave Xiao Wen what he thought was a gentle smile. “Xiao Wen, let’s have a chat.”

The sinister smile made cold sweat trickle down Xiao Wen’s back. He could guess what Kai wanted to ask, but he dared not say anything reckless.

His voice was shaky. “Kai... Kai, what do you want to talk about?”

“Let’s talk about how your Chu has been lately.” Zhang Kai’s gaze was probing.

“Lately... he’s been great! Chu’s been writing and recording songs. Kai, you know all about it!”

Zhang Kai rolled his eyes. “I know that. I’m asking if there’s anything new in his love life that I don’t know about?”

“Ah! No way. Kai, you must have seen the news, right? Chu doesn’t even know about it. He only thinks about work all day—where would he find time for a girlfriend?”

Zhang Kai didn’t miss the brief panic in Xiao Wen’s eyes. He already had a rough idea and wasn’t about to listen to any evasions.

“Oh?” Zhang Kai responded calmly. “How long have they been together?”

“I...” Seeing Zhang Kai’s amused look, Xiao Wen quickly stopped himself. “Kai, Chu really hasn’t got a girlfriend.”

“Is she in the industry? Or outside?”

Xiao Wen was about to kneel: Chu, please come out soon!

“Xiao Wen!” Zhang Kai suppressed a grin and continued earnestly, “You know, we’re not the kind of agency that forbids artists from dating. If he’s in love, I’d be happy for him!”

“Who’s in love that would make you so happy?”

Hearing the voice, Xiao Wen instantly relaxed: Chu, you’re finally out—I can quietly be an ostrich now.

Zhang Kai teased, “Ah, here comes our eternal bachelor.”

Chu Muyun was confused. “What are you talking about?”

“Where were you last night?”

“At the gala, you know that.” Ever since coming out, Chu Muyun felt something was off—even Zhang Kai was watching the drama unfold.

Zhang Kai smiled slyly. “Oh, I know you went to the gala, but—afterwards—where did you go? That, we don’t know.”

Chu Muyun was about to say he went home, but suddenly realized something and asked tentatively, “What, is there some absurd news again?”

Zhang Kai clapped Chu Muyun’s shoulder, laughing loudly. “Finally caught on, have you?”

Without a word, Chu Muyun picked up his phone and checked the trending topics. Instantly, his head began to ache. He knew that whenever she was involved, trouble followed.

He opened the news, and unsurprisingly, he and Bai Chenxi had been secretly photographed dining together last night. Zhang Kai leaned in, commenting as he read.

“Tsk, tsk! People in love are different—even late at night, they’re out on dates. Ah, back in my day—”

Chu Muyun shot him a look, and Zhang Kai immediately got the message. “Alright! I’ll shut up. Keep reading, keep reading.”

When he saw the speculation that the woman was touching her slightly raised belly, possibly pregnant, Chu Muyun’s forehead was marked by several black lines.

Bai Chenxi was wrapped up like a dumpling; how could anyone see her belly?

Zhang Kai nudged Chu Muyun’s arm. “Tell me, brother—could it really be true?”

Even Xiao Wen’s eyes sparkled at the question.

“You’re the one with something! With all those layers, what eyes could see her belly?” Chu Muyun began to doubt Zhang Kai’s intelligence.

Zhang Kai insisted, “You can’t say that. It’s the gesture—you know, touching the belly, that’s what pregnant women do.” Xiao Wen nodded in agreement.

Chu Muyun looked at these two whose intelligence seemed to have gone missing and said helplessly, “Couldn’t it just be because she ate too much?”

“Too much... ate too much?” Zhang Kai couldn’t help but laugh.

“Eating with you, and she got stuffed? Maybe I should say you’re irresistible. Should I arrange a live eating show for you? Maybe it’d be a treat for your fans.”

He actually started considering it seriously.

Chu Muyun’s headache worsened. What sort of nonsense was this? Ever since he met Bai Chenxi, nothing good had happened.

“Kai, help me issue a clarification statement.”

Zhang Kai immediately moved in, gossiping, “Sure! But I need to know what your relationship is before I issue anything—don’t want to slap ourselves in the face later.”

“There’s nothing between us. We just had dinner. We probably won’t meet again.”

Chu Muyun wished never to see her again.

Zhang Kai teased, “Broke up?” Chu Muyun couldn’t be bothered to respond.

“It’s not true! I saw you two getting along really well. You’re not getting any younger—if you like her, give it a try.”

Zhang Kai sounded regretful. He thought this guy had finally escaped singlehood.

“What eyes saw me getting along with her?” Chu Muyun wondered if, aside from losing intelligence, he’d also lost his sight.

“Both eyes saw it. Look at how you smiled when you were with her—I can’t even bear to watch. When have you ever smiled at us like that? Xiao Wen, isn’t that right?”

Xiao Wen nodded vigorously: Of course, the boss is always different with the goddess.

Chu Muyun looked at the two. “Seems I’m too serious usually—should smile at you more.”

Zhang Kai quickly protested, “No, no, that’s too creepy. We couldn’t handle it. Save it for your friend, whom you’ll never see again!”

Chu Muyun heard the teasing and didn’t bother responding.

He closed his eyes to rest, and after all Zhang Kai’s probing yielded nothing, he left—someone had to wrap things up.

Xiao Wen gazed at her boss in admiration: He’s amazing—no matter how much Kai asked, he got nothing!

But the boss, so admired by Xiao Wen, felt utterly exhausted. Lately, everywhere he turned, Bai Chenxi’s name seemed unavoidable.

He recalled how, at dinner the night before, he’d confidently claimed no one would sneak photos. Now, his face burned with embarrassment.

Yes, it seemed he’d been slapped in the face.