Chapter 135: A Trio's Journey

Bai Chenxi had made plans to meet someone, so she woke up early, but Chu Muyun had been reluctant to get out of bed since the crack of dawn.

Bai Chenxi had always thought that Chu Muyun should raise a cat; the image of a big and a small creature, both equally aloof and haughty, was a delightful one to imagine. The only downside would be for the person tasked with taking care of both, but since that wouldn't be her, she didn't mind.

When Bai Chenxi arrived with Chu Muyun, the sunglasses on Xia Yan’s face nearly slipped off in shock.

"Why are you here?"

"Why shouldn't I be here?"

As expected, the air crackled with tension the moment they met. Just as Bai Chenxi was wondering how to mediate, Chu Muyun added fuel to the fire.

"I heard Chenxi mention last night that you two were going to see a movie. I realized I wanted to see it too, so I came."

Chu Muyun spoke with an air of intimacy, as if he and Bai Chenxi were very close. Xia Yan gritted his teeth in irritation, finally managing to snap, "Buy your own ticket."

"Of course. I wouldn't dream of troubling you to pay." Turning to Bai Chenxi, he asked, "Do you want some popcorn? I’ll go get some for you."

Before leaving, he cast a provocative glance at Xia Yan, who was holding only two movie tickets.

"Chenxi, what would you like to eat? I’ll go buy it for you." Judging by the intensity in Xia Yan's eyes, she felt certain that if she asked him to buy the popcorn machine itself, he would have done it.

Bai Chenxi held back the impulsive Xia Yan. "No need, Chu Muyun already went to get some. We don't have to spend a dime; just eat!"

Watching Xia Yan abandon his plan to go buy more, Bai Chenxi breathed a quiet sigh of relief: Is it easy being the peacemaker between these two?

Chu Muyun returned with the popcorn. After handing it to Bai Chenxi, Xia Yan naturally reached out to take a portion for himself.

Chu Muyun glanced at him coldly. "Sorry, I only bought two servings."

Xia Yan recoiled, his face flushed with embarrassment and anger. "Fine, don't eat it! I didn't want it anyway!"

Chu Muyun acted as if he hadn't heard a word. "Chenxi, it’s about to start. Let’s go inside!"

Bai Chenxi looked at the two of them. *So childish! They are grown men, yet so troublesome.*

Once inside, they found a small corner in the very back to sit.

Bai Chenxi couldn't help but lament: Being a celebrity is truly pitiful. Even coming to see a movie with friends requires hiding in a corner. It really ruins the viewing experience, don't you think?

Chu Muyun and Xia Yan sat on her left and right with uncanny synchronization. Bai Chenxi felt pitifully sandwiched between them, feeling the heavy pressure.

She wondered to herself: Are they really not old friends whose relationship has soured due to some misunderstanding? They are just too in sync!

Not long after the film started, Xia Yan received an offering of popcorn from Chu Muyun.

As Xia Yan looked at the popcorn, he hadn't even had the chance to act aloof before he noticed Chu Muyun’s hand reaching uninvited into Bai Chenxi’s bucket.

Bai Chenxi glanced at him, and Chu Muyun pointed at Xia Yan. Bai Chenxi looked at Xia Yan, then at the popcorn Chu Muyun had left for her, and smiled contentedly.

She was happy to share her popcorn with Chu Muyun. See? Their relationship was still quite good!

Xia Yan was so frustrated he couldn't even speak. *Chu Muyun, you old fox.*

Chu Muyun returned a look: *You're welcome. You're still too young.*

Xia Yan spoke pointedly, "The female lead clearly won't end up with that old man."

Chu Muyun curled his lips into a smile. "Is that so? I think he’s quite mature and steady, unlike that kid, who doesn't even understand the world yet but is already busy falling in love."

Xia Yan was unconvinced. "Who says he doesn't understand? He cares about the female lead, too. Besides, what's the point of maturity if the female lead doesn't like him?"

Chu Muyun nodded rarely in agreement. "True! It really is useless. What matters is who the female lead likes. Isn't that right, Chenxi?"

Bai Chenxi nodded with difficulty. *I’ve tried my best to minimize my presence; can you two stop dragging me into everything? Thank you!*

Clearly, neither of them heard her silent prayer. Xia Yan wouldn't be outdone and asked, "Chenxi, do you prefer that kind of brooding, boring old man, or a sunny, handsome young man?"

"I..." Bai Chenxi pointed at the screen. "Let’s keep watching! We'll know who the lead chooses when it's over."

After saying that, she stared intently at the screen. *I love this movie, I love it deeply, don't bother me.*

Chu Muyun and Xia Yan exchanged silent glares for a moment before turning back to the film. Truth be told, the movie was quite boring, but their rivalry was anything but.

Both men were determined to see whom the female lead would choose in the end.

In the finale, the heroine abandoned what the world deemed "suitable" and chose her own love, ending up with someone much younger than her.

After it finished, Xia Yan smugly raised an eyebrow at Chu Muyun: *How about that? I won.*

Chu Muyun shook his head. *Who cares about a movie anyway!*

"Chenxi, what did you think of the film?"

"It was alright—just an ordinary romance. It was watchable, but there's nothing particularly memorable about it."

Chu Muyun glanced triumphantly at Xia Yan and nodded. "Indeed. I know of a film that's quite good, coming out soon. Let’s go see that one together."

"Sure! Sounds good." Bai Chenxi agreed without hesitation.

As they walked ahead, Xia Yan caught up with the popcorn. "Chenxi, it's getting late, let's go get some dinner!"

"Okay!" Bai Chenxi said, looking at Chu Muyun. "Brother Chu, do you know any good places?"

In Bai Chenxi's view, Chu Muyun was the go-to for dining; every place he recommended was delicious.

Xia Yan pulled Bai Chenxi aside. "Why ask him? Wherever you want to eat, we'll go there."

Bai Chenxi hesitated. "But I want to go to the places he recommends. You don't know, but his recommendations are always delicious."

Chu Muyun smiled without modesty. Xia Yan gritted his teeth. "Fine, I'll listen to Chenxi."

The look Xia Yan gave Chu Muyun clearly said: *I am not listening to you!*

Once inside the restaurant, the first thing Bai Chenxi said was, "Brother Chu, you don't own this place, do you?"

Chu Muyun chuckled. "No. Eat without worry, you don't have to say nice things just for me. This place is excellent; you'll know once you taste it."

As soon as the dishes were served, Bai Chenxi couldn't help but salivate; they looked, smelled, and tasted divine.

Before Bai Chenxi could even reach out with her chopsticks, Xia Yan spoke up. "Chu Muyun, how are you ordering? Chenxi needs to watch her weight; ordering all this meat is just harming her, isn't it?"

Bai Chenxi pulled back her chopsticks and coughed in embarrassment, weakly raising her hand. "Um, actually, I was the one who ordered this meat."

Xia Yan froze for a second, then immediately pivoted. "That's fine. I forgot your injuries haven't fully healed; eat more to build up your nutrition."

Bai Chenxi thought: *It's impressive that you could come up with an excuse about my injuries in such a short time. I had even forgotten about them.*

"Chenxi!"

"Chenxi, try this."

Their chopsticks landed on her plate simultaneously. The two met eyes, and another silent, intense battle of gazes ensued.