Chapter Eighteen: A Call from Little Ling

The popularity of Chu Muyun was not to be underestimated. What began as idle speculation among a few people quickly escalated; once Chu Muyun was involved, clarifications, gossip, haters, and arguments inevitably pushed the hashtag #ChuMuyunBaiChenxi# to the top of the trending list.

The hashtags #BaiChenxiBlueSky#, #BaiChenxiLinYue#, and her own individual trending topics had only just begun to subside, but Chu Muyun’s appearance was like adding fuel to the fire. Not only did the heat not die down, it soared even higher. There were even topics like #BaiChenxiPregnant# making the rounds.

“Bai Chenxi, dear, can you give it a rest? The Blue Sky incident had just faded away, and now here comes Chu Muyun...” Bai Chenxi sat up straight, quietly listening to the lecture on her phone. Even though Wang Ling wasn’t physically there, Bai Chenxi’s petite frame was perfectly upright, as if she were.

“Tell me, was it you who had dinner with Chu Muyun that night?” Wang Ling demanded.

“Yes!” Bai Chenxi replied and immediately moved her phone farther away, but she could still hear Wang Jie’s roar: “I knew something was off with you that day! So you weren’t gossiping because you were guilty yourself!”

After a few heavy breaths from the other end, Wang Ling said, “Bai Chenxi, you’re really something.” Remembering the news online, she tentatively asked, “You… you’re not pregnant, are you?”

“No, no, absolutely not! We just had dinner. There’s nothing between us,” Bai Chenxi hurried to explain.

“Nothing between you? You go out for dinner in the middle of the night and expect me to believe that?” Wang Ling could believe she wasn’t pregnant—after all, Bai Chenxi was always under her watchful eye, and something that big would be impossible to hide. But as for there being nothing between her and Chu Muyun? Wang Ling wasn’t buying it.

Neither of them were outgoing or enthusiastic types. Who would believe two people with no connection would share a midnight meal?

“It’s true. I barely know him. Didn’t I tell you my neighbor is an elderly lady? He’s her grandson. He only treated me to dinner to thank me for helping his grandmother.”

As for the real reason—that Chu Muyun was grateful for her care while he was ill—she didn’t dare mention it. It was the grandmother who made him invite her, so it was more or less the same.

“With you, it’s more likely he was taking care of you.” Wang Ling recalled the neighbor and believed most of the explanation.

“Look at how many trending topics you’ve had today, and they’re all rumors, all involving different men. Be more mindful of your reputation from now on.” Wang Ling sighed, then reluctantly added, “I’ll talk to Chu Muyun’s manager. That’s it for now.”

On the other side, Zhang Kai was browsing Weibo when he suddenly flinched and tossed his phone onto the desk.

The noise caught the attention of both Chu Muyun and Xiao Wen, who were resting nearby. Zhang Kai stared blankly at the caller ID on his phone and asked in disbelief, “Did my phone just ring? That wasn’t my imagination, right?”

Chu Muyun glanced over. “No, you’re not imagining it. Xiao Ling’er is calling you.” His tone was calm, but his eyes betrayed an unmistakable hint of mischief. He’d never seen a woman elicit such a reaction from Zhang Kai.

Zhang Kai coughed, pretending to be composed as he picked up the phone—though his slightly trembling fingers gave him away.

“Hi, Xiao Ling’er, it’s been so long since you called. Were you missing me?”

Here we go again, Chu Muyun silently remarked. That tone was simply intolerable.

Wang Ling, used to Zhang Kai’s antics, was unfazed. “I’m calling about the trending topics.”

“Oh, the trending topics. No worries. I’ve already discussed it with Muyun. We’re not going to make any statements. How could someone mentored by you ever stir up rumors? Pure coincidence, obviously.” Zhang Kai felt pleased with himself for once, managing to save face in front of Wang Ling.

“Coincidence? Is that what Chu Muyun told you?” Wang Ling suppressed her laughter, keeping her voice steady.

Zhang Kai was oblivious. “Of course! The person he had dinner with was just a friend. The media is making wild guesses.”

“A friend? Do you know who?” Wang Ling, realizing Zhang Kai was still in the dark, began to probe.

“No idea! I don’t know all of Muyun’s friends.”

Hearing Zhang Kai’s cluelessness, Wang Ling decided to throw him a bone. “Why don’t you ask Chu Muyun who that friend was?”

Zhang Kai still didn’t catch on. “Well, well, even you’re turning into a gossip, Xiao Ling’er.”

Wang Ling rolled her eyes on the other end but held back, thinking she’d soon have something to laugh about.

“Zhang Kai, ask Chu Muyun now who that woman at dinner was. Let’s see what he says.”

“Why should I…” Zhang Kai muttered, but then something clicked. Glancing at Chu Muyun, a trace of nervousness in his voice, he asked, “Muyun, who was that woman you had dinner with the other night?”

Listening to their conversation and connecting the dots, Chu Muyun guessed it was Bai Chenxi’s agent—Zhang Kai’s so-called junior. He saw no reason to keep it a secret anymore.

“Bai Chenxi,” he replied coolly, uttering a name that nearly made Zhang Kai break down.

“What? Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“You never asked.” Chu Muyun’s tone was even, but the truth was brutal.

Laughter erupted from Wang Ling on the other end—this time with zero restraint.

Only then did Zhang Kai remember he was still on the call. Mortified, he stammered, “I’ll call you back later,” and hung up at lightning speed.

As soon as the call ended, Zhang Kai pounced on Chu Muyun. “It was Bai Chenxi! Why didn’t you tell me? Xiao Ling’er already knew, and I didn’t! Who knows how long I’ll be the butt of the joke this time!”

Chu Muyun brushed off Zhang Kai’s hand. “You never asked, and I never said otherwise. You used to spot things much faster. Now your mind’s full of Xiao Ling’er—you’ve lost your wits.”

“So what’s going on between you and Bai Chenxi?” Despite his earlier fluster, Zhang Kai quickly regained his composure—he was a top agent, after all—and began to assess the situation.

“There’s nothing between us, and there won’t be in the future,” Chu Muyun replied firmly, hoping that would be the case.

“We can’t outright deny it, since you two did have dinner. Last time the news didn’t name names, but you’ve already stated you’re single, so there’s no need to issue another statement. The less attention, the better.”

“Fine. Handle it as you see fit.” All he wanted now was to keep as far from Bai Chenxi as possible.

“Sis, have you got a plan yet? Can I clarify things now?” Bai Chenxi was growing impatient. If she weren’t worried about complicating matters with a careless statement, she’d have clarified things herself already.

The online comments were making her angrier by the minute. She could put up with being accused of stirring up rumors, but she could never tolerate people saying she wasn’t worthy of Chu Muyun.

How was she not his equal? That man was sharp-tongued, petty, and unreasonable—she didn’t even care for him! And to think she once found his fans endearing. Now, ha! Like fan, like idol.

Most outrageous of all, even some of the crew members were sneaking glances at her stomach. Was it forbidden to have a little belly after a meal?

“Chu Muyun’s side says they won’t respond, so we won’t need to say much either. I’ll use your official account to clarify that you’re still single, and that’s that,” Wang Ling said. Then, as if remembering something, she added, “Once we’ve responded, the matter is closed. As the buzz dies, people will stop caring. Don’t go posting anything on your alt account. These days, netizens can uncover anything with frightening accuracy.”

“Understood,” Bai Chenxi agreed, though she still felt a lingering indignation she just couldn’t swallow.