Chapter 81: You Have Caught My Attention

“Investor?” Immersed in his analysis, Jiang Jize was pulled back to reality by Tang Ziyu’s voice.

Then he heard her say, “If you’re asking about that, I’m afraid I have to tell you he’s dead.”

“He’s dead!” The words echoed in Jiang Jize’s mind, leaving nothing else.

His secretary cautiously glanced up to observe his reaction.

Jiang Jize’s face had darkened to an ashen hue, his whole being radiating a dangerous aura. “Tang Ziyu, you… truly impressive.”

Even when Tang Ziyu first said she wanted to leave him, he hadn’t been this angry.

When she told him she wanted to go, he’d been surprised, but he hadn’t protested. Jiang Jize had always thought she was merely throwing a tantrum—after all, she’d been obedient, gentle, and considerate for so many years.

Perhaps, after spending so long by his side, she’d grown a mind of her own, developed a little temper.

None of that mattered. For the sake of their years together, he was willing to indulge her little fits. He let her go, thinking she’d just play around and come back.

He never thought she had no intention of returning at all. That was when Jiang Jize grew truly angry. Why should you be able to leave simply because you say so?

As if staying with me is so hard. If I ever look at you again, I might as well take your surname.

After that, neither reached out to the other. But today, what had he just heard? “Tang Ziyu, you started this.”

Jiang Jize stared motionless at Tang Ziyu on the screen, as if he could bore a hole through her image.

Suddenly, a smile broke across his face, a spark of amusement in his eyes as he looked at her on the screen. “Anda, do you think she’s jealous?”

“Huh?” With such a random question, who could tell if he meant Miss Bai or Miss Tang?

“I suppose so!” Anda hedged—no matter who it was, it was safe to agree.

Jiang Jize frowned. “What do you mean, ‘suppose’? Is she or isn’t she?”

“President Jiang, I’m certain she’s definitely jealous.” For the sake of survival, Anda piled on the affirmations.

Sure enough, Jiang Jize’s brows eased as he said, “Alright, you can go.”

Anda glanced at her boss, who was still basking in his own delight, completely baffled. If he’d truly forgotten about Miss Tang and loved Miss Bai wholeheartedly, it didn’t seem so. Now, with both old flame and new interest in the same cast, and the boss still able to laugh, his heart must be vast indeed.

Jiang Jize watched Tang Ziyu’s expressions replay over and over, the smile on his face growing wider.

So you’re still thinking of me. When those reporters asked about his relationship with Bai Chenxi, she was obviously displeased. After all those years together, how could he not notice her little habits?

Whenever she’s upset, she picks at her nails—unchanged after all these years. She thinks she’s so good at pretending! It’s clear she’s jealous, yet still refuses to reach out.

Jiang Jize spun his chair, his voice buoyant. “Since you can still get jealous, I’ll give you a way out this time.”

He pointed his pen at Tang Ziyu’s image on the computer. “I’ll come pick you up myself—just wait and see how grateful you’ll be!”

But for now, there seemed to be some amusement to be had.

“Hello? Brother Chu, did you know someone’s eyeing your territory?”

The way Jiang Jize said this made him sound as if he was asking for a beating. Riding high on his own success, he was eager to see Chu Muyun squirm.

“I only know one place you should be right now.”

“Where?”

“The circus. Considering your current state, you’d fit right in.”

Jiang Jize slapped his mouth in regret—he knew exactly what kind of person Chu Muyun was, and still he’d teased him.

With a flourish, Jiang Jize waved it off. “Brother Chu, I’m fine, I won’t hold it against you. But Mo Li is clearly not going to let you off! Did you see today’s interview? If not, I’ll send it to you later.”

Determined to rile Chu Muyun, Jiang Jize exaggerated every detail. “You have no idea—throughout the whole interview, Mo Li was shielding Bai Chenxi. His wolfish ambition was on full display!”

Leisurely crossing his legs, Jiang Jize waited for Chu Muyun’s response. “Let’s see how long you can sit still.”

Chu Muyun was unfazed. “Oh. Hanging up.”

Jiang Jize immediately uncrossed his legs. “Come on, Brother Chu, don’t be stubborn. If you’re jealous, just admit it—it’s nothing to be ashamed of. We can figure this out together.”

“He wouldn’t, he—”

“He wouldn’t? Bai Chenxi wouldn’t, or Mo Li wouldn’t? Brother Chu, I know this is your first relationship, you’re inexperienced, but you—”

“Hmm?” Even over the phone, Jiang Jize could feel the heavy threat and quickly changed his tune. “Well, it’s fine, you’ve got me, your brother, by your side.”

“Brother Chu, I know you trust Bai Chenxi, as you should. But that Mo Li obviously has ulterior motives. I’ve even heard Bai Chenxi is a fan of his.”

As Jiang Jize spoke, Chu Muyun silently apologized to Mo Li in his heart.

Jiang Jize continued, earnestly advising him, “Brother Chu, you know what it means to be a fan, right? To fans, their idol is perfect in every way.”

They were filming together on set. Even if Bai Chenxi didn’t feel that way, who could withstand Mo Li’s months of attentive care, plus the thick filter of fandom? Tsk tsk. “Brother Chu, you really need to be careful!”

“Do fans really like their idols that much?” Chu Muyun finally spoke, piquing Jiang Jize’s interest.

Thus began a detailed lecture, as Jiang Jize explained to Chu Muyun the special, almost sacred place an idol holds in a fan’s heart.

As he listened, Chu Muyun recalled Bai Chenxi’s long list of celebrity crushes and the starry-eyed look she got whenever Mo Li was mentioned, and felt a headache coming on.

No, if she’s going to swoon, it should only be over me.

When Bai Chenxi saw the incoming call from Chu Muyun, her first reaction was: He’s actually calling me? Is he worried about the phone bill, or is his data or WiFi too expensive?

Of course, when she answered, she didn’t dare voice any of that. “Hello? Brother Chu.”

“Mm.” And then nothing more. Bai Chenxi was dumbfounded. Seriously? Did you call just so we could listen to each other breathe? Say something!

“Hello? Brother Chu, are you still there? Is it inconvenient for you to talk? Did something happen?”

She even lowered her voice, but still, there was only silence on the other end.

Hearing Bai Chenxi’s playful concern, Chu Muyun had no choice but to respond, “I’m here.” If he stayed quiet any longer, she’d probably call the police.

Hearing his voice, Bai Chenxi finally let out a breath. “Oh, you scared me! I thought something had happened and you were trying to send me a distress signal!”

“What could possibly happen to me?” Chu Muyun teased, “And even if I did need help, the odds of you saving me are pretty low, don’t you think?”

Bai Chenxi pouted in protest. “Brother Chu, that’s just cruel!”

“I’m just being objective, telling it like it is.”

After hearing that, Bai Chenxi gave up arguing. “Brother Chu, if you keep this up, you’ll never keep a girlfriend, you know? Girls want to hear sweet words—you can’t always be so blunt.”

You never embellish, you never compliment, but you always have a comeback. Even if you had a girlfriend, you’d drive her away in no time.

But what she said sounded different to Chu Muyun. He only heard the first part: girlfriend—was she talking about herself?

A gentle warmth crept into Chu Muyun’s expression, and even his voice softened with a trace of joy. “What do you want to hear? I’ll say it for you.”