Chapter 30: A Long-Awaited Breakfast

Perhaps it was because she wasn’t at home that Bai Chenxi couldn’t sleep well, and woke up early in the morning. Remembering that Chu Muyun had drunk last night and would surely feel unwell this morning, she decided to make him some breakfast in the kitchen.

When she opened the refrigerator, Bai Chenxi was stunned. Was this really a home, not a hotel? Other than water, there was only a lonely bag of bread and a carton of milk.

“No wonder his stomach’s bad, look at what he eats every day,” Bai Chenxi shook her head at Chu Muyun’s fridge. Clearly, he had no passion for food—utterly dull.

The next day, when Chu Muyun woke up, he saw the glass on the table and recalled that Bai Chenxi had brought him honey water last night. He had drunk it, half-awake, thinking it was just a dream.

Stepping out, he saw Bai Chenxi bustling in the kitchen. She was unfamiliar with the space, rummaging and searching for things.

Not long ago, he had woken to this same scene: her busy in the kitchen. Back then, he’d assumed she was scheming for publicity, and hadn’t shown her much kindness. But now, the same scene felt distinctly different.

Before he could ponder this, Bai Chenxi turned and spotted him. Surprised, she said, “You’re up so early! I thought you’d sleep in.”

“I’m used to it. Wake up at the same time every day.” As he spoke, Chu Muyun approached. “I saw you searching just now. What are you looking for?”

Bai Chenxi remembered her quest. “Oh, right. Where do you keep your spoons? I’ve looked everywhere and can’t find them.”

Chu Muyun walked up to her and slowly raised his hand, startling Bai Chenxi into stammering, “You… what are you going to do?”

Chu Muyun watched her nervous expression with amusement, then reached for the cabinet overhead, took out a spoon, and handed it to her.

He deliberately teased, “What? What did you think I was going to do?”

Bai Chenxi awkwardly took the spoon, mentally smacking herself. Why had she gotten so worked up? How embarrassing.

“Ah, oh—it was here all along. No wonder I couldn’t find it. Why do you keep the spoons so high? For something you use all the time, you could just hang them outside.” She rambled on to ease the awkwardness.

Chu Muyun didn’t expose her discomfort, instead replying, “I don’t usually cook, so I put everything away.”

“I can see that. Your fridge only has bread, milk, and water. No wonder Grandma says your stomach’s bad. You skip meals and muddle through.”

As a foodie, Bai Chenxi simply couldn’t imagine Chu Muyun’s lifestyle—what joy was there in it?

The more time she spent with him, the more Bai Chenxi realized that, though Chu Muyun was a bit proud, he was actually quite decent. Unconsciously, she grew more talkative, stirring porridge as she scolded him.

“You really don’t take care of yourself. Even if you don’t cook, at least keep some vegetables and fruit in the fridge—it’s much better than bread and water every day. With your stomach troubles, you need to eat regularly and take care of it…”

Bai Chenxi kept talking, while Chu Muyun leaned quietly against the fridge door and listened. The two of them seemed as natural as an old married couple, the wife fussing over her husband.

Before long, this domestic scene was shattered by unexpected guests. Chu Muyun’s expression darkened as he looked at Xiao Wen and Zhang Kai standing at the door. “Why are you here? Xiao Wen, why are you holding your phone?”

Xiao Wen swallowed nervously—what was wrong with Brother Chu today? He seemed terrifying. “Brother Chu, we agreed to film a vlog for the fans today.”

“Mm.” Chu Muyun’s face didn’t soften after the explanation.

Zhang Kai joked as he walked in, “With that sour face, did we interrupt something good? Don’t tell me you’ve been hiding a beauty at home all this time.”

He turned and spotted a woman cooking in the kitchen, and couldn’t help but gasp. His guess was spot on.

Xiao Wen, following behind, glanced over and cried out, “Goddess!”

The shout startled the “goddess” herself. Bai Chenxi turned to see Chu Muyun’s manager and assistant staring wide-eyed at her.

She felt embarrassed, wanted to wave, but realized she was holding a knife. She laughed awkwardly and asked, “Um, the porridge is almost ready. Would you like some?” The two nodded and shook their heads at the same time.

Chu Muyun said to Bai Chenxi, “Ignore them. They have work to do soon.” Bai Chenxi nodded, smiled at the two, and went back to tending the porridge.

Xiao Wen had forgotten all about the vlog; his mind was full of: The goddess just greeted me! She’s so beautiful!

Zhang Kai pulled Chu Muyun aside. “Brother, you’re something else, bringing her home and keeping it from us.”

Chu Muyun knew he was jumping to conclusions. “I got drunk last night. She brought me home, that’s all.”

Though Chu Muyun spoke with certainty, Zhang Kai was unconvinced.

Thanks to the interruption, the vlog was a mess, so the three moved to the doorway to start filming again.

Bai Chenxi called out, “Breakfast is ready, why don’t you have some first?”

Zhang Kai immediately ran over. “Perfect timing, I’m starving. Let’s see how good your cooking is.”

Chu Muyun sat down, took a sip, and frowned, while Zhang Kai gulped it down and declared, “Chenxi, your porridge is really good!”

Chu Muyun took another sip. Was there something wrong with his taste buds? He glanced at Xiao Wen, who was drinking happily, forgetting that anything Bai Chenxi gave him, he’d claim was delicious.

Meanwhile, Zhang Kai had already ladled himself another bowl, praising as he ate.

Chu Muyun couldn’t stand it. “Enough already. It’s just a bowl of bland porridge, yet you’re singing its praises.”

Zhang Kai gave Chu Muyun a mournful look. “Some people don’t know how good they have it.” Then he suddenly thought of something. “It’s so sweet, and you say it’s tasteless—don’t tell me you’ve lost your sense of taste!”

Bai Chenxi looked up and explained to Chu Muyun, “Yours is plain porridge, no flavor. You drank last night, so you should have something light this morning.”

Chu Muyun said nothing more, just finished his porridge.

Zhang Kai kept his head down, drinking his porridge: How desperate am I, chasing after dog food.

After breakfast, Bai Chenxi tidied up and prepared to leave, but Chu Muyun stopped her. “Are you busy today?”

“No, I just finished filming and have a few days off.” Bai Chenxi wasn’t sure why Chu Muyun was asking—was it just polite chit-chat?

“Then wait for me. I’ll be done soon, and need your help with something. I’ll send you home afterward.”

“All right, you go ahead. I’ll rest in the guest room.” Chu Muyun nodded, and Bai Chenxi went to the guest room to relax.

Perhaps because she’d gotten up so early, Bai Chenxi fell asleep after playing on her phone for a while.

After finishing his work, Chu Muyun sent his colleagues away. Zhang Kai, leaving, couldn’t help but tease, “We single dogs are off now, won’t disturb you two.”

Chu Muyun gently knocked on Bai Chenxi’s door, but received no response.

“Bai Chenxi.” He called her name several times, but still no answer. “Bai Chenxi, I’m coming in.”

He pushed open the door and saw Bai Chenxi asleep on the bed, phone still in hand. Chu Muyun walked over, took the phone, and placed it on the table. He opened the closet, took out a thin blanket, and covered her.

Squatting beside the bed, Chu Muyun watched Bai Chenxi sleeping soundly. He mischievously poked her cheek; she scratched her face in her sleep and kept on sleeping.

“She won’t wake up—such a little lazy pig.” Chu Muyun murmured, but his steps were light as he walked out, closing the door gently so as not to disturb her rest.