Chapter 128: An Argument

After ending the call, Bai Chenxi still felt a surge of indignation. Seeing how heartbroken Sister Wang had been—to the point of rambling incoherently—was simply unbearable. She wanted to call Zhang Kai, only to realize she didn't have his number. That was when she thought of Chu Muyun.

Chu Muyun raised an eyebrow as he looked at the incoming call. Since they had parted ways after filming ended, she hadn't called him even once.

"Where is Zhang Kai? Is he there?" Bai Chenxi asked the moment he picked up.

Her accusatory tone made it clear to Chu Muyun that she was calling to settle the score with Zhang Kai on behalf of her manager.

"Brother Kai isn't here. He took the day off."

Bai Chenxi grew angry at once. "He still has the nerve to take a day off?"

Chu Muyun furrowed his brow, his voice turning stern. "We don't know the full story between them. Don't make wild assumptions."

"What isn't clear? The video wasn't edited or dubbed; everything was stated plainly. If there was a misunderstanding, why hasn't he spoken up?"

Chu Muyun frowned. "Not everything in this world can be explained away."

"Why can't it be explained? Isn't that how misunderstandings happen? Remember that story you told me? If that old man had just walked out back then, the misunderstanding would have been cleared up. Would they have had to waste their entire lives and never see each other again until death?"

Bai Chenxi continued, "Yes, we aren't privy to their private affairs, but if there's a misunderstanding, it needs to be cleared up. Zhang Kai hasn't offered a single word of explanation. Do you have any idea how much that hurts Sister Wang?"

"Sister Wang has been by his side for so many years; she might not have been oblivious to Zhang Kai's choices. If he had known and formally rejected her, no one would have blamed him. But he knew everything and still used her—was she a backup plan, or just a shield? Doesn't he owe her an apology for that alone?"

Chu Muyun countered, "What if speaking up would only hurt her more? What if Brother Kai is doing this for Wang Ling’s own good?"

Chu Muyun had never believed Zhang Kai would treat Wang Ling this way; the affection he showed her was certainly not an act. If Zhang Kai wasn't explaining, it must be for Wang Ling's sake.

Bai Chenxi let out a cold laugh. "Could there be anything worse than the current situation? 'For her own good'—isn't that just you all being self-righteous?"

Chu Muyun teased intentionally, "Why 'you all'? Are you implying that I’m being self-righteous?"

"Aren't you?" In the past, if Chu Muyun had said that, Bai Chenxi would have immediately replied, "Not at all! Our Brother Chu is wise and brilliant."

Chu Muyun had intended to distract her, but he had ended up trapping himself. Sensing her anger, he said, "Calm down first, then we can talk."

"I am calm! You’re just shielding Zhang Kai." Since she couldn't reach Zhang Kai and Chu Muyun was protecting him at every turn, Bai Chenxi naturally vented her frustration on Chu Muyun.

"Shielding? Isn't that word a bit too strong?"

"How is it too strong?" The moment Bai Chenxi thought of the sincerity Sister Wang had poured out over the years, she felt even "shielding" was an understatement.

Chu Muyun called her name. "Chenxi, do you think your Sister Wang is a fool?"

"You're the fool!" The words were out before she realized she had spoken out of turn.

Chu Muyun didn't seem to mind and continued, "They have known each other for years. If Brother Kai had absolutely no genuine feelings, do you really think Wang Ling wouldn't have noticed?"

Bai Chenxi muttered, "Not necessarily. Don't they say women in love are fools?"

"Yes, they might be blinded for a while, but over time, it’s impossible not to notice. So, their situation isn't as simple as it looks on the surface. Just let them resolve it themselves."

Bai Chenxi thought about it and realized he had a point. Reluctantly, she said, "Fine, let them handle it themselves for now. But you tell Zhang Kai: if he dares to hurt my sister again, I won't let him off."

Chu Muyun responded gently, "Mmh, okay."

As her rationality returned, Bai Chenxi suddenly realized what she had just said and done. She let her head drop onto the desk with a thud. Hearing the sound, Chu Muyun asked with concern, "Chenxi, what happened?"

Bai Chenxi lifted her head in a panic. "Nothing, it's just..."

"Why are you stammering? You were fine just a moment ago."

With Chu Muyun saying that, Bai Chenxi felt even more mortified. "I'm sorry about earlier. I shouldn't have lost my temper with you."

Chu Muyun laughed upon hearing this. "Actually, I'm quite happy that you lost your temper with me."

Bai Chenxi: ??? Is that some kind of weird hobby?

"You losing your temper at me means you view me as a friend, rather than just someone you happen to know."

Every word and sentence Chu Muyun spoke was ordinary enough on its own, but to Bai Chenxi’s ears, they made her blush to the roots of her hair, as if he were whispering sweet nothings.

"As long as you're not angry, as long as you're not angry!" Bai Chenxi chanted, then decisively hung up the phone.

Chu Muyun looked at his phone and smiled. "What a silly girl."

Later, just as Chu Muyun had predicted, Zhang Kai and Wang Ling resolved the matter themselves. Both claimed there had been a misunderstanding and had since cleared it up. There was no "scumbag using someone," nor any "scheming over unrequited love."

Wang Ling gracefully acknowledged her secret crush and bid farewell to those feelings. Zhang Kai explained that his reserved nature was simply who he was, and the breakup wasn't because of Wang Ling. They parted ways as amicably as could be expected—or, at the very least, they parted ways cleanly.

Seeing that the parties involved were no longer speaking of it, the netizens lost interest and moved on. From the moment the news broke until it was resolved, the two never reached out to each other. Relying on years of tacit understanding, they managed to put the matter to rest.

Watching the news cycle fade, Zhang Kai slumped in his seat and let his hands drop. *This is for the best.*

He had never imagined Wang Ling could love him. Previous girlfriends had mentioned it, but he had never taken it seriously. He could honestly say he had never considered the possibility. He knew his own nature; he was never loyal to anyone for long.

He didn't even know if he loved Wang Ling. In the past, as long as he didn't actively dislike someone, he would give a relationship a try. But Wang Ling was different; if he tried and found he didn't love her, it would only hurt her.

This was better. If she hated him, she would eventually forget him. She would then be able to accept someone else—someone who could treat her well. Someone like He Kaici.

That night, after he had chased after her, he had seen He Kaici sitting by her side, comforting her. Zhang Kai had sat in his car, watching. When Wang Ling looked in his direction, he had hastily turned off his lights to remain hidden. He knew Wang Ling had been waiting for him to come for her.

But doing so would only have given her false hope, which would only lead to greater disappointment later. As he watched the two of them leave, Zhang Kai sat there alone for a long time.

From this day on, his little Ling'er would have nothing to do with him anymore. She would find someone who loved her, and he—he would likely remain truly alone from now on. That was fine, too.

Just as Bai Chenxi finished her work and returned to the hotel, she received a message from Tang Ziyu.

*Tang Ziyu: Come over. Keep me company for a drink.*