Chapter Forty-One: Lin Yue Has Returned

After Wang Ling left, Bai Chenxi sat alone, listless. Would things always be like this in the future? Even if she did nothing wrong, would there always be people ready to sling mud at her in the name of “resources”? This time, she managed to clear things up, but what about next time? What if there was no way to explain, or no one believed her?

As she was lost in thought, Chu Muyun sent her a video call request. Lately, because of Caesar, the two of them would video chat whenever they had time. Most of the time, Bai Chenxi did all the talking, venting her frustrations about Caesar, while Chu Muyun quietly listened and occasionally chimed in. But both enjoyed it, and with time, they grew much closer.

“What’s wrong?” The moment the call connected, Chu Muyun sensed something was off. Normally, as soon as the call went through, Bai Chenxi would start complaining non-stop about Caesar. But today, she said nothing.

Bai Chenxi forced a smile. “You noticed?”

“Wang just came by. She found the person who tried to smear me.”

Chu Muyun said nothing, simply waiting for Bai Chenxi to finish speaking. “Just because we were on the same show, and I have more followers than she does, she decided to attack me online. Isn’t it ridiculous?”

“Bai Chenxi,” Chu Muyun called her name solemnly, ignoring her question. “Do you want to keep acting? Will you never give up, no matter what happens?”

With equal seriousness, Bai Chenxi replied, “I do.”

Chu Muyun continued, “Would you ever maliciously slander someone else, the way she did?”

“Of course not,” Bai Chenxi answered firmly. What other people did was beyond her control, but she would never stoop so low herself.

“Then what are you worried about? You’ve already made your choice. Why deny your own path because of someone else’s mistake?”

That’s right. Since she had already decided to act and act well, she would keep going. If such things couldn’t be avoided, the only thing to do was stick to her own principles. Besides, not everyone in showbiz was like that—there were plenty of warm, good-hearted people. Like Sister Wang, Lin Yue, Blue Sky, and… him.

Looking at Chu Muyun on the screen, Bai Chenxi broke into a sweet smile. “Thank you!”

As he watched her smile so brightly, Chu Muyun’s heart skipped a beat. He quietly slid a finger across the screen, taking a screenshot.

“Glad you figured it out. Your brain’s not the sharpest to begin with, so don’t waste energy overthinking things like everyone else. Overheating might crash the system,” he teased, the familiar sharp tongue making a return now that Bai Chenxi was back to normal.

Bai Chenxi rolled her eyes. Here he went again. With his level of sarcasm, only someone as broad-minded as herself could stand him—who else could be his friend?

Bai Chenxi glanced at Chu Muyun on the screen and suddenly called out, “Hey! Turn your phone to the sides for a bit.”

“What for?” Chu Muyun asked, but his hands were already moving.

Bai Chenxi burst out laughing. “Wow—Chu Muyun, where have you been? You’re tanned! At first, I thought it was just the lighting, but it looks the same from every angle. You’re definitely darker.”

She seemed delighted with this discovery.

“Why does it make you so happy that I’m tanned?”

Her gloating vanished and she switched gears in an instant. “Of course! You look even better. You were handsome before, but now you’re even more attractive.”

Chu Muyun looked at her, amused. “So do you prefer how I looked before, or now?”

Bai Chenxi thought to herself: What a loaded question. Isn’t this usually the kind of thing girls ask guys? How did it get flipped on me?

“I like both! You’re always handsome, Brother Chu.” She flashed her most sincere smile to make her words more convincing.

Chu Muyun was very pleased with her answer.

Then Bai Chenxi changed the subject. “But, I think your fans probably prefer how you used to look. Be sure to wear sunscreen when you go out! Otherwise, your fans will worry, thinking you’ve been suffering terribly.”

“I bet that last part is what you really meant,” Chu Muyun said, seeing right through her. Over the past days, he’d realized that Bai Chenxi was a total sucker for good looks.

Being exposed didn’t bother Bai Chenxi one bit. Instead, she sighed, “People like you, blessed with godlike looks, really ought to take better care of themselves! Don’t waste such handsomeness!”

She looked at him earnestly. “Brother Chu, seriously. Use a face mask now and then, and treat your face a little better.”

This time, Chu Muyun had no retort. Over the past days, he’d grown used to Bai Chenxi’s ways.

At first, he thought she was cunning, then he realized she was actually quite caring. Only after a while did he see that she was simply an adorable oddball.

Bai Chenxi had just finished showering and was towel-drying her hair when her phone chimed. She hurried over to the bed and picked it up.

Seeing it was a message from Lin Yue, her enthusiasm faded a bit.

Lin Yue: Bai Chenxi, your emperor is returning tomorrow. Prepare to welcome me.

Bai Chenxi glanced at the message and replied with casual indifference: Your Majesty, this concubine is exhausted; Little Linzi can return to the palace by himself.

No sooner had she sent the message than Lin Yue called.

“Hello?”

“Bai Chenxi, I’m coming back tomorrow and you’re not going to pick me up?”

Still drying her hair, Bai Chenxi replied, “How could I? Are you trying to provide gossip fodder for the tabloids?”

Lin Yue feigned sudden understanding. “Oh! I almost forgot, our dear Chenxi is now spoken for and must avoid suspicion. I get it!”

Bai Chenxi’s face turned red at once. “Who’s spoken for? Don’t be ridiculous, Chu Muyun and I are just friends.”

Lin Yue caught the change in her tone and teased, “I never said it was Chu Muyun—you admitted it yourself. Who’s to say I wasn’t talking about Blue Sky?”

Bai Chenxi gritted her teeth. “Lin Yue!”

On the other end, Lin Yue laughed uproariously before finally calming down. “Alright, I’ll stop teasing. When I’m back, let’s have a meal—remember to bring that so-called boyfriend of yours.”

Easter Egg:

After hanging up, Chu Muyun turned to Xiao Wen beside him. “Xiao Wen, do you think I’ve gotten tanned lately?”

Xiao Wen looked at Chu Muyun, feeling a sudden wave of panic. Good heavens! What’s gotten into Brother Chu today, asking about something he’s never cared about before?

This couldn’t be a simple question—he needed to think carefully. If he told the truth, would Brother Chu get mad? But if he tried to flatter him, Brother Chu wouldn’t like that either.

Then a light bulb went off in Xiao Wen’s head: Brother Chu was acting so strangely, it must be because of the goddess.

Of course! When you’re in love, it’s normal to care more about your appearance.

Glancing up nervously, Xiao Wen said, “Brother Chu, I have some face masks here—they’re whitening. Would you… like to use one?”

With a mask on his face, Chu Muyun stared at his reflection in the mirror. Before long, he tore the mask off. He must be going insane!