Chapter Nine: The Power of Imagination

Xiaowen huddled nervously in the studio, doing his utmost to minimize his presence. But life has a way of making the very things you dread come to pass. The moment Xiaowen entered, Zhang Kai grinned, “Here comes our heartbroken comrade! I thought for sure you’d call in sick today and nurse your wounds at home.”

Xiaowen shot a glance at Chu Muyun nearby and hastened to defend his goddess, “No, no! There’s no way the goddess is with Lin Yue! She’s innocent.”

For heaven’s sake, Brother Kai, could you not bring up the very thing we’re trying to avoid right now? Can’t you see Chu’s face is already dark as coal?

Of course, Zhang Kai was oblivious to Xiaowen’s inner turmoil and only continued to twist the knife: “After all that, you still don’t believe it? Lin Yue is supposed to be filming in Longcheng, but he flew back just to see Bai Chenxi. Would you buy it if he said it wasn’t true love?”

“I believe it, absolutely,” Xiaowen declared solemnly, one step away from swearing an oath, while sneaking a sidelong glance at the increasingly stormy face beside him.

Zhang Kai, seeing this, decided to let up. As for the one with the dark expression, Zhang Kai always ignored him—hadn’t Chu always worn that “itching-for-a-fight” look year-round?

Relieved that Zhang Kai had finally dropped the subject, Xiaowen began to relax. Now he realized that Brother Kai probably had no idea about the goddess and the boss. Xiaowen certainly wouldn’t be the one to spill it.

Thinking he might be the very first to know of their relationship, he was overcome with excitement and swore to himself that he would safeguard the love between his goddess and the boss.

At last, when Zhang Kai stepped out, Xiaowen no longer bothered to conceal his cautious gaze.

He braced himself and spoke up, “Brother Chu, please don’t be mad! You really have to trust the goddess.”

The mere mention of “goddess” made Chu Muyun’s brow knit involuntarily. He knew all too well whom Xiaowen meant. Lately, no matter where he went, that name haunted him like a persistent ghost.

Seeing Chu Muyun’s expression turn even gloomier, Xiaowen grew anxious, forgetting that the man before him was his stern superior.

He grasped Chu Muyun’s shoulders, nearly wailing, “Brother Chu, you can’t just stop believing in the goddess over a single photo! She only has eyes for you. Wasn’t it the goddess who looked after you when you were sick yesterday? You must—”

“Yesterday?” Chu Muyun cut him off. “You were at my house yesterday?”

“Of course! If I hadn’t gone, I wouldn’t have found out about you and the goddess!”

“What about me and your goddess?” Absorbed in his excitement, Xiaowen didn’t notice Chu Muyun’s clenched teeth.

“Oh, come on! You don’t have to hide it from me. I won’t breathe a word—not even to Brother Kai. I’ll defend your love with my life!” He even mimed zipping his lips.

Chu Muyun stared at the earnest young man before him, wondering how he’d never realized just how exasperating Xiaowen could be.

“Put a stop to your wild imagination. There’s nothing at all between her and me.”

Xiaowen nodded with a knowing look, clearly not believing a word. He figured the boss just wanted to keep things low-key; after all, he’d been so secretive up till now, it was understandable he’d deny it.

Seeing Xiaowen’s attitude, Chu Muyun knew further explanation was pointless. He was in no mood to dwell on the name Bai Chenxi any longer—the mere thought of her gave him a headache.

“What’s on my schedule today?” Unwilling to linger on the topic, Chu Muyun changed the subject decisively.

Work brought Xiaowen back to his senses. “Brother Chu, you have an interview with a magazine soon. This evening, there’s a gala—you just need to walk the red carpet, no performances required.”

“If that’s all, you can go now. I need to rest.” He pressed his fingers to his brow.

Seeing his boss genuinely unwell, Xiaowen swallowed the rest of his words. He had wanted to mention the goddess would also be attending tonight’s event, but decided to leave it as a surprise.

He didn’t know where his confidence came from, but he was convinced that the boss’s chilly demeanor was pure jealousy. Once he saw the goddess tonight, and she acted sweet, all his sulking would surely melt away.

With this hopeful thought, Xiaowen left the room in high spirits.

Meanwhile, Chu Muyun truly felt cursed when it came to Bai Chenxi. He had barely closed his eyes when his phone rang.

“My precious grandson! How’s your cold? Feeling better?”

For once, the perpetual frost on Chu Muyun’s face melted into a faint smile. “Grandma, I’m completely recovered.”

“Really? That’s wonderful. You must thank Chenxi for that!”

The moment he heard Bai Chenxi’s name, Chu Muyun’s headache returned. With a touch of exasperation, he replied, “Grandma, what does my recovery have to do with her?”

His grandmother was quick to scold him for his reluctance. “How ungrateful can you be? That sweet girl took care of you while you were sick. Would you have recovered so quickly without her?”

Chu Muyun wanted to say it was just a mild cold, that he’d have been fine after a nap, but he only dared grumble inwardly. He wouldn’t risk voicing such thoughts to his grandmother—unless he wanted an earful for days.

“In any case, no matter what you think, she cared for you when you were ill. We can’t be ungrateful. Make sure you invite Chenxi out for a meal when you get the chance.”

His grandmother emphasized “ungrateful” with particular severity, and Chu Muyun knew if he dared refuse, the consequences would be dire.

She paused, then added, as if to forestall any objections: “No need to wait for the right moment—do it today! If not today, then tomorrow, but you must have that meal with her in the next few days.”

Before he could protest, she hung up, preempting any excuses.

Grandma Chu, phone in hand, let out a sigh of relief and turned triumphantly to Grandpa Chu, “Well? Didn’t I tell you I had a way? If we left it to that blockhead of ours, when would we ever have a granddaughter-in-law?”

“Yes, yes, you have the best ideas. Still, maybe we should let the young folks sort things out themselves. With Muyun’s temperament, aren’t you worried your meddling will backfire?”

Grandma Chu gave him a look of knowing superiority. “With that boy, if he doesn’t want to do something, no one can force him. All I’m doing is giving them a chance—whether it works is up to them.”

“My dear, from the first time I met that young lady, I knew she was perfect for Muyun. You’ll see—my instincts aren’t wrong. He’s bound to fall for Chenxi.”

Back in his office, Chu Muyun stared at the dial tone on his phone, his expression nearly cracking. Grandma, could you make your matchmaking efforts any more obvious?

“Bai Chenxi,” Chu Muyun murmured, her name slipping from his lips like the whisper of a lover.

His voice was low and magnetic, made for singing. Fans once joked that even when he read ads, it sounded like sweet nothings.

But there was nothing tender in him now. All he wanted was to find a way to rid himself of the source of his constant headaches, once and for all.

[Mini Theater]
Grandma Chu: I’m being this obvious—are you going or not?
Chu Muyun: If I don’t go, I’ll lose my wife. I have to go!