Chapter Fifty-Two: Can It Be Rewound?

Early the next morning, the sound of knocking echoed at Bai Chenxi’s door.

Chu Muyun was at the doorstep, persistently knocking, but Bai Chenxi showed no sign of coming out. Instead, her grandparents emerged from their own room.

When they saw it was Chu Muyun and glanced at the tightly closed door, the two elders exchanged a look and gave Chu Muyun an encouraging nod, as if cheering him on, before quietly closing their own door again.

They didn’t say a single word to Chu Muyun throughout this process. He resigned himself to his fate and continued knocking.

Bai Chenxi had originally planned to feign sleep, but the knocking simply wouldn’t stop.

“Who dares disturb my precious morning dreams at this hour?” she grumbled, still half-asleep, as she stomped over to the door and flung it open.

She was about to launch into a tirade, but when she saw who was standing there, her words died in her throat, replaced by a look of confusion.

Why was he here so early? Oh, right—they’d agreed to go out today. But she had gotten caught up in a TV show last night, stayed up far too late, and forgotten all about it.

Chu Muyun spoke in his usual unhurried manner, “Are you planning to make me stand out here all morning?”

“Come in, then,” Bai Chenxi said, stepping aside and berating herself for forgetting their plans.

“Aiya! He finally made it in,” Grandma Chu murmured with obvious relief.

“Yes, now that he’s inside, whatever misunderstanding there was can be cleared up,” Grandpa added.

Ever since he’d come in, Grandma Chu had been peeping through the door viewer, watching everything unfold. Seeing Chu Muyun show up at dawn, knocking and not being let in, she was certain the two youngsters must have quarreled. Things between them had only just begun to progress; she couldn’t let them backslide now. She worried about these two every single day!

Meanwhile, the two objects of her concern sat in the living room, staring at each other wide-eyed.

Bai Chenxi ran her fingers through her wild hair. “Have a seat for a moment. I’ll get ready, just give me a minute.”

She dashed to the bathroom and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, groaning in silent agony as she knocked her forehead against the sink.

Was this the ghastly state she’d just greeted Chu Muyun in? The thought of her disheveled self facing him for so long filled her with despair.

If only she could rewind time!

Chu Muyun, recalling her appearance just now, couldn’t help but smile to himself. She was utterly unpretentious.

“All right, I’m ready. Let’s go,” Bai Chenxi said, still a bit too embarrassed to meet his gaze. She wished she could erase that recent memory from existence.

Noticing her discomfort, Chu Muyun deftly changed the subject. “So, could you help me think about what supplies we need to pick up?”

Seeing his calm expression, Bai Chenxi finally relaxed. “Of course! I’ll make sure your home is perfectly organized.”

But when she caught the subtle, teasing glint in his eyes, she suddenly realized that what she’d said sounded a touch ambiguous.

She hurriedly added, “Anyway, let’s get going!”

She tried to steer the conversation away, but Chu Muyun picked up her words with ease. “I’ll be waiting for you to put everything in order at home, then.”

Bai Chenxi wanted to explain herself, but before she could, Chu Muyun was already a few steps ahead. She had no choice but to catch up.

…

The car ride was as quiet as ever.

Bai Chenxi broke the silence. “Are we going to your place first or to the supermarket?”

Chu Muyun, eyes on the road, replied, “Let’s go home first. I’ll need your help figuring out what else needs to be bought.”

“Okay, then I’ll take a quick nap. Wake me when we get there.” As soon as she finished speaking, Bai Chenxi closed her eyes.

As she drifted off, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: Just one late night and I’m this tired. I must be getting old.

When they arrived, Chu Muyun parked and glanced at Bai Chenxi’s sleeping face. He didn’t wake her. Instead, he watched her in profile. Whatever pleasant dream she was having, she smiled in her sleep from time to time.

His own expression softened as he watched her, his eyes filled with a gentleness he’d never shown before.

Sunlight spilled gently through the windows, bathing them in gold. Beside him sat the person he cared for, watched over with tenderness. If any words could capture this moment, it would be the simple peace of time standing still.

As Bai Chenxi nodded herself awake, Chu Muyun quickly looked away.

“You’re up?” he asked calmly.

Bai Chenxi blinked, still disoriented. “We’re here? Why didn’t you wake me?”

“We just arrived. Also,” Chu Muyun glanced at her, “you were drooling.”

Bai Chenxi hurriedly wiped her mouth, then glared at him. “Chu Muyun, you’re lying!”

He reached up, as if to flick her forehead, but she protected it with lightning speed.

“I knew it!” she crowed triumphantly.

Chu Muyun lowered his hand. “So you’re awake now. Let’s go.”

Bai Chenxi, flustered at having lost the upper hand, dropped her hand with a huff: You always have a comeback for everything.

Back at the house, Bai Chenxi instinctively changed into the pink slippers—the ones only she had worn so far.

Caesar, the dog, rushed over to greet Chu Muyun, but when he saw Bai Chenxi, he actually retreated two steps.

He hesitated, but in the end decided Chu Muyun was more important, and walked over with the heavy gait of a martyr going to his doom.

Bai Chenxi nearly laughed out loud at the dog’s antics.

Suddenly, seized by a mischievous impulse, she stepped in front of Chu Muyun, blocking Caesar’s path. Caesar tried to walk around her, but she shifted to intercept him, mirroring his every move.

Chu Muyun watched the two—one big, one small—circling him, playing their game with great enthusiasm.

He pressed a hand to his forehead in resignation. Why did Bai Chenxi’s intelligence always seem to match Caesar’s when they were together? Actually, Caesar might even be the smarter one!

Chu Muyun finally caught Bai Chenxi, who was still chasing Caesar, and advised, “All right, stop teasing him. He might get mad and bite you.”

At his warning, Bai Chenxi froze, instantly reminded of her tragic childhood days of being chased by dogs.

Seeing her so suddenly obedient, Chu Muyun couldn’t resist reaching out to tousle her hair. “That’s enough. You can go ahead now.”

Bai Chenxi batted his hand away. “You’ve messed up my hair!”

The house had been empty for over a month, and dust had inevitably gathered. Bai Chenxi helped him tidy up, with Chu Muyun assisting her at every turn.

Suddenly, Bai Chenxi laughed. “Chu Muyun, doesn’t this remind you of the last time we helped Grandma clean her house?”

Chu Muyun shook his head, teasing her. “Not really. Last time, you just watched.”

His words sparked a new thought in Bai Chenxi. She crossed her arms and fixed him with a look. “That’s right, and I can’t work for nothing! Have you thought about how you’ll thank me?”

Chu Muyun smiled. “I’ll treat you to dinner.”

Bai Chenxi shook her head slowly. “A meal is the bare minimum. That’s not enough.”

His eyes brimmed with indulgence, and his tone was irresistibly persuasive. “Then, what do you want?”

The air seemed to still. Bai Chenxi felt as if she could hear her own heartbeat.

She looked away, avoiding his gaze. “I haven’t decided yet. I’ll let you know when I do.”

Chu Muyun’s expression remained unchanged. “Fine. I’ll wait until you do.”

As he turned away, Bai Chenxi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Heavens! Did Chu Muyun get possessed while he was away? Why is he suddenly so… so bewitching?

[Short interlude]

“Brother Chu, I’ve arranged for a cleaning service. They’ll come tomorrow morning,” Xiao Wen reported over the phone.

Chu Muyun didn’t answer. Xiao Wen continued, “Brother Chu, I haven’t been back in over a month—everywhere needs cleaning. When will I ever have the kind of life where someone welcomes me home and fusses over me after a business trip?”

“No need,” Chu Muyun interrupted.

“What?” Did Brother Chu just say there’s no need? No need for what?

Chu Muyun repeated, “You don’t need to send the cleaners tomorrow.”

“Huh? They’re not coming? Then you—”

Before Xiao Wen could finish, Chu Muyun had already hung up.

Xiao Wen stood for a long while with the phone still in his hand. As he thought back over the conversation, a sudden idea struck him.

Wow! Who would’ve guessed Brother Chu could be so smooth!