Chapter 73: Atop the Wall

"Get up. If you don’t, you’ll be late."
Bai Chenxi kept her eyes closed. "Xiao Yu, let me sleep a little longer! Just five more minutes."
Xiao Yu’s expression didn’t change. "No. Not even one minute."
Chu Muyun listened with amusement to their haggling through his phone.
"Alright, I get it." Knowing she couldn’t win against Xiao Yu, Bai Chenxi resigned herself and tried her best to sit up.
After Xiao Yu left, Bai Chenxi picked up her phone to check it, only to realize she and Chu Muyun had been on the call all night and never hung up.
She raised the phone to her ear tentatively. "Chu Muyun?"
"I’m here."
Hearing Chu Muyun’s gentle voice, Bai Chenxi’s remaining drowsiness vanished instantly. How charming… If I had a voice like this waking me every day, would I ever want to stay in bed?
Much later, when all these things had come true, Bai Chenxi realized: no matter what, she’d still want to linger in bed—it just happened in a different way.
She shook her head. Was this really the point right now?
"Um, it seems we forgot to hang up last night."
"It’s fine. I fell asleep too, only just saw it."
"Did you hear anything just now?"
"No," Chu Muyun replied. Bai Chenxi just began to relax when he added, "Just someone’s valiant struggle to get out of bed."
Her face flushed red. Oh no, he heard everything.
"Don’t you know how to hang up a call?" She hadn’t realized how coy her tone had become, almost like she was flirting with her boyfriend.
Chu Muyun laughed softly. "Sorry, I forgot. But who could blame me when someone’s antics to stay in bed were so entertaining?"
Now her face was burning. "Enough, I’m hanging up!"

As soon as she ended the call, Bai Chenxi flopped back onto the bed. Oh heavens, he really heard everything. How can I face anyone now?
Xiao Yu came in and, seeing Bai Chenxi still lying there, assumed she was back to her old tricks.
Xiao Yu flexed her wrist, a glint behind her glasses. "Are you getting up yourself, or do I have to drag you out?"
Bai Chenxi pulled the covers over her head, her voice muffled. "I’ll get up myself."
She felt utterly defeated. Sigh! Another day of facing the monsters and ghouls at the film set.
But when she arrived and saw Mo Li, she suddenly felt the set wasn’t so bad. Clearly, having a crush was like a breath of fresh air!
After greeting the director, Mo Li went over to say hello to the rest of the main cast. Bai Chenxi wanted to greet him too, but remembering her situation, she stopped herself. No, she mustn’t trouble her idol!
As Mo Li approached, Bai Chenxi’s hands clenched nervously. Is he coming this way?
Well, of course. Mo Li was always polite and gracious; how could he possibly overlook her?
She coached herself inwardly: Bai Chenxi, don’t swoon. You can’t afford to make headlines with any strange behavior and trouble him further.
Believe in yourself, Bai Chenxi. You are a reserved fairy. Poised! You must be poised!
Mo Li came over, a polite, impeccable smile on his lips, and extended his hand. "Hello, I’m Mo Li."
There was no way Bai Chenxi could shake his hand. She knew all too well that everyone was just waiting for her and Mo Li to be rumored together, feeding their gossip-loving hearts.
So she gave a deep bow and called out, "Hello, Senior Mo Li!"
Mo Li looked at his outstretched hand and withdrew it calmly. "That’s far too formal for me."
Bai Chenxi straightened up. "Not at all, you deserve it."
Mo Li lowered his voice. "Before I came, your boyfriend made a special point of asking me to look after you. If you need anything, just say so."
Bai Chenxi hesitated. "Chu Muyun?"
Mo Li was amused by her reaction. "You sound so unsure. Do you have another boyfriend?"

Bai Chenxi smiled wryly. It was impossible to explain. Why did every co-star always catch her and Chu Muyun together—and always seem to misunderstand?
She turned her head and once again found Tang Ziyu’s watchful gaze. Bai Chenxi was nearly exasperated. Was Tang Ziyu a surveillance camera in a past life?
Every day, for no reason, he stared at her. Why not just be upfront if there’s a problem? No one likes being watched all the time.

[Mini Theater]
Mo Li and Yu Qing were in the midst of an endless debate about whose turn it was to wash the dishes. It wasn’t that there was no solution; even if Yu Qing lost at rock-paper-scissors, she’d always find a way to cheat.
Mo Li knew Yu Qing would cheat in the end, but still enjoyed arguing with her for a while before inevitably giving in and washing the dishes himself.
Yu Qing was leisurely eating fruit when the doorbell rang.
She opened the door, saw Chu Muyun, and—unable to believe it—closed the door right away.
A voice came from the kitchen. "Who is it?"
"Chu… Chu Muyun?" Yu Qing still couldn’t quite believe her eyes.
Stuck outside, Chu Muyun, in an uncharacteristically good mood, pressed the doorbell again.
Mo Li opened the door, a bit puzzled at seeing Chu Muyun, but invited him in nonetheless.
Chu Muyun glanced at the two of them. "Sorry to intrude," he said, then made himself comfortable in a chair.
Mo Li sat down to play host, while Yu Qing, for once showing a hint of domesticity, volunteered to get drinks.
Embodying the spirit of a good host, Mo Li spoke first. "Did you come to see me for something in particular?"
"Yes. Bai Chenxi."