Chapter 14

Return to Me in Joy (14)

Chapter Fourteen

Mu He only realized her words were inappropriate after speaking. After all, the place she was living in belonged to the company, and she was half a public figure. If she secretly let someone stay there and was found out, the consequences were easy to imagine.

But the words were already out; she couldn’t take them back.

She calmed down slightly and sorted out her thoughts. Xi Heng could not let his family discover his whereabouts and could not use his ID to check into a hotel. If she used her ID to help him… no, that wouldn’t work. That would directly expose her.

She didn’t know anyone in A City whom she could borrow an ID from.

The place she lived now was spacious; the guest rooms alone numbered three. Mu He wasn’t worried about a man and woman staying in the same room. She knew Xi Heng’s character—though reserved, he was extremely gentlemanly. If anyone were to lose control in front of beauty, it would definitely be herself, not him.

Moreover… she wasn’t unaccustomed to sheltering him. They had even shared the same bed before.

Mu He recalled what Tan Mian had said: security and privacy in Golden Moon Bay were top-notch. Just like yesterday when the whole internet was against her, countless reporters with long lenses searched everywhere, yet couldn’t find where she was living. They ended up running around aimlessly like headless flies.

The worst-case scenario would be the company finding out. She could just say Xi Heng was her brother, living with family. What problem could there be?

She decided to take things step by step.

With a plan in mind, Mu He’s gaze regained its clarity and charm.

Huo Siheng quietly observed the expression on her face, having already read her thoughts thoroughly. The dim light softened the lines of his side profile, tiny glimmers flickering in his eyes. His brows slightly furrowed: “Won’t cause you trouble, will I?”

“No, no.”

Mu He was practically ready to beat her chest in assurance.

The cold outside made her cheeks rosy, like they were dusted with blush. A gust of wind blew, and she instinctively touched her arms: “Let’s go inside first.”

Glancing around, she noticed he hadn’t brought any luggage. They had to trouble the driver to take them to a nearby mall for some daily necessities.

Getting out of the car, Mu He disguised herself from head to toe and even pulled out a disposable mask, handing it to him mysteriously: “Don’t let anyone see you.”

Huo Siheng took it, tore off the packaging, and put it on slowly. Only his forehead, eyes and eyebrows, and the upper part of his straight nose were exposed. Even so, Mu He still felt he drew too much attention. There was nothing to do; his looks were too striking.

Mu He quickly helped him pick toiletries: “Mm, let’s go check the men’s clothing section next.”

Huo Siheng’s clothes were all custom-made by professional tailors. Golden Moon Bay’s wardrobe had dozens of sets hanging. However, he only raised an eyebrow, said nothing, and let her pick out a few sets of change-of-clothes for him.

Mu He remembered he usually only wore black shirts. Considering the weather was turning colder, she picked a dark gray jacket for him: “Xi Heng, try this on and see if it fits.”

Huo Siheng stepped over. Mu He draped the jacket on him. After he wore it, she adjusted the collar and cuffs and stepped back. Her gaze brightened, a cheerful smile blooming at the corners of her eyes: “Looks good.”

Handsome, well-built, anything he wore looked good.

If he entered the entertainment industry, his face alone could captivate people.

Of course, Mu He was only thinking.

After buying almost everything, Mu He double-checked, and accidentally glanced at a section that made her ears warm. She couldn’t do anything about intimate clothing, only hinted subtly: “Did you forget… that one?”

Huo Siheng looked puzzled: “Which one?”

“That…” Mu He’s cheeks heated. She cleared her throat and pointed to the men’s underwear section: “That one.”

As soon as she said it, she heard him deliberately stifling a laugh. At the same time, a thought flashed in her mind—he must have connected it with the “bra” she accidentally sent last time…

Truly hitting where it hurts.

This was exactly what people called being humiliated on the spot.

Mu He wanted to dig a hole and disappear, but forced herself to remain calm, pushing him: “Go on, go.”

A few minutes later, Huo Siheng returned. Mu He didn’t even look at the paper bag he carried, rushing to the checkout herself. At Star Universe, she hadn’t earned any real income yet. Her previous savings weren’t much, and after paying, the number in her account lost a digit. Her left eyelid twitched, but she calmly retrieved the receipt.

She began to believe Huo Siheng’s take on eyelid twitches.

Previously, her right eyelid twitched. Although she was targeted online, she emerged clean and even gained fans. It truly was like she “shook off” the disaster. Now, her left eyelid twitched, which meant she had just “broken” another sum of money.

They returned to Golden Moon Bay past nine. As they entered the community, Mu He was still uneasy, fearing Xi Heng would be stopped and questioned. But the security guards in the booth didn’t notice her worry. They only saw the gentleman from the penthouse of Building C and the lady who had recently moved in, walking in cheerfully. Handsome man, beautiful woman—clearly a couple.

Having signed strict confidentiality agreements, they naturally didn’t pry or publicize the residents’ privacy.

Taking the private elevator to the top floor, Mu He entered the door code in front of Xi Heng and pushed the door open. She went to the kitchen and quickly made two bowls of noodles, bringing them to the living room, where she saw him holding her script.

Huo Siheng flipped through page by page. All of Xi Yin’s scenes were highlighted, with each line annotated for pauses and tone. She had even written nearly two thousand words of character backstory based on her understanding.

Serious and meticulous.

Not the playful whim he had previously thought.

Huo Siheng suddenly wanted to know why she had entered the entertainment industry.

Mu He placed the noodles on the table, her gaze clear: “Do you still remember Jin Lan River?”

It was the mother river of Mountain City, nurturing generations. The cliffs on both sides rose over two hundred meters, isolating the city almost entirely. She had naively thought that if a bridge were built across it, connecting to the neighboring province, the city’s poverty and backwardness could be transformed. That was why she studied bridge construction.

Later, she realized Mountain City didn’t need someone who could build a bridge.

Reality taught her that only economic foundation could determine the superstructure.

Her uncle, Mu Haoran—whom she still called “Dad”—was the village chief. Because he was incorruptible, their family was poor. She had grown up relying on meals from other families, and the costs for high school in the county were pooled from neighbors.

Her father always said, no matter where you go, never forget your roots. The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility.

He passed away still concerned about Mountain City… he left with regrets.

Mu He suppressed the wetness at her eyes and exhaled deeply: “If I hadn’t entered the entertainment industry, I’d probably be back in Mountain City now, taking my father’s place as village chief.”

A complex emotion flashed in Huo Siheng’s eyes. His thin lips pressed slightly. Not good at comforting, he just reached out and touched her hair, as if soothing her.

“I’m fine.”

Mu He shook her head, murmuring: “Eat the noodles. They’re getting cold.”

Huo Siheng wiped his hands with a wet tissue, held his chopsticks with long fingers, and took a bite. The taste was as familiar as ever. If he had returned to check on her these years, she wouldn’t have had such a hard time.

The thought was quickly dismissed. At that time, he could only bring her endless danger.

“Actually, I think I’m quite suited to being an actor.”

Mu He tilted her head playfully: “At least memorizing lines is easy for you.”

Huo Siheng knew she had developed a photographic memory as a child. With limited resources, she treasured books donated to her school, memorizing them completely. Even a small dictionary she learned thoroughly, able to quickly and accurately find any character.

He had a faint smile, tapping the script lightly: “All memorized?”

Mu He understood the meaning behind his words, shrugged: “About half of it, maybe.”

With nothing to do these past nights, she had memorized Xi Yin’s lines and glanced over others’ lines to prepare for scenes.

After a while, with no reply, Mu He lifted her eyes and met a deep gaze. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking, only felt her heart flutter, warmth slowly spreading.

Since splitting ways with Zhong Mingyu, Mu He had spent nights alone. Her apartment was empty; even talking to herself echoed. Despite the company of her cat, she still felt lonely.

This feeling of having someone to eat and talk with was both beautiful

!

However, Wanwan’s moment of pride didn’t last three seconds. With a single glance from Huo Siheng, she immediately became timid, jumping down from Mu He’s arms and slinking back to her cat bed.

Mu He: “……”

After Huo Siheng finished eating, Mu He collected the bowls and chopsticks, put them in the dishwasher, and carefully washed her hands with soap. She then went to the southeast-facing guest room with an en-suite bathroom, took out clean sheets and a comforter from the wardrobe, and made the bed.

Afterwards, Huo Siheng entered with practiced ease, putting away the newly bought clothes and toiletries. His eyes flicked to the wall behind the bed. The master bedroom was just on the other side—the room closest to hers.

Mu He casually lifted a corner of the comforter, surveyed the room to make sure everything was in order, chatted with him briefly, and then returned to her room.

Half an hour after taking a shower and lying in bed, possibly because Xi Heng was in the next room, memories of past times with him resurfaced. Her emotions surged and ebbed, yet she couldn’t summon any sleep.

Mu He hadn’t expected that after eight years, she would once again take him in.

It felt like a dream.

She couldn’t help but pinch her face and chuckle softly.

Silly, Mu Yangyang.

At that moment, a “thump” came from behind the wall. Mu He quickly sat up, puzzled. Was the wall really this thin?

Why could she hear sounds from the other side so clearly?

She held her breath and concentrated, listening.

Xi Heng was tapping a special code, one he had taught her before.

He was saying to her: “Good night.”

Mu He mimicked him, tapping back on the wall: “Good night.”

She picked up her phone and posted on Weibo: “Thank you everyone, I’m fine, and Wanwan is fine too. Good night [heart].”

Qian Zhizhi, monitoring Weibo, had over a thousand comments within a minute.

Mu He’s eyes were dazzled. After replying to dozens of comments, her consciousness grew hazy. She soon fell into a sweet, deep sleep, so deep that even the rain tapping on the glass ceiling outside went unnoticed.

Next door, Huo Siheng lay flat on his bed, one hand behind his head, his deep eyes still clear. Listening to the rain, his mood was unusually calm. From being forced into a marriage by the old man, to using her soft heart as an excuse to openly move into a place that already belonged to him…

Silly girl.

Huo Siheng let out a low, ambiguous chuckle. He didn’t know if it was for her ever-soft heart or for her unguarded behavior, just like before.

From now on, she wouldn’t suffer even a fraction of injustice.

Because it rained during the night, the sky only started to brighten around 6:30 a.m., the sun still unseen. When Mu He woke up, she saw misty water outside, looking as beautiful as a fairyland.

She lingered in bed as usual before going to the bathroom to freshen up. Previously, she would have gone straight to cook breakfast in pajamas with her hair loose, but now that Xi Heng was staying here—after all, he was a man—certain proprieties had to be observed.

Stepping into the living room, Mu He saw him sitting on the sofa with eyes closed, wearing pajamas. His short hair slightly messy over his forehead, long eyelashes casting shadows under his eyes. The usual coldness surrounding him was softened, giving off a gentle, homely vibe. His relaxed posture made him look like the master of this home.

Mu He’s thoughts stirred. She also felt that if she sensed awkwardness or discomfort, it wouldn’t be the Xi Heng she knew. Back then, when he stayed at her house, he was like a young master, ordering her around.

“Good morning. Did you sleep well last night?”

Even if her footsteps were light, Huo Siheng sensed her presence the moment she appeared. He could imagine the way she was looking at him. Opening his eyes, his voice low and husky: “Good morning. Not bad.”

The sleep monitoring system showed she had an hour and a half of light sleep last night, and even a rare ten minutes of deep sleep—already an ideal situation.

That was good.

Perhaps it’s true what they say: what you think during the day affects your dreams at night. Mu He dreamed that Xi Heng got married, but she couldn’t see the bride’s face clearly. She was curious: “Can I gossip a little?”

Huo Siheng’s voice rose slightly at the tail: “Hmm?”

“Was the woman you were forced to marry pretty?”

Huo Siheng had no impression of her. Aside from knowing she was a woman, he didn’t even know if her face was round or flat. After Mu He pressed him repeatedly, he shook his head helplessly: “Never seen her.”

After her initial surprise, Mu He looked at him with sympathy: “Isn’t this just a modern version of arranged marriages by parents and matchmakers?”

Knowing the man was unwilling, yet the woman still rushed forward, eager to marry, it was hard not to form judgments about her looks or character.

If Xi Heng truly compromised, wouldn’t that be like a flower in dung?

Mu He immediately felt the weight of responsibility: “I will protect you.”

Just like last time.

“Mm.”

A flicker of a smile passed through Huo Siheng’s eyes, but his face remained serious: “You must do what you say.”

While they chatted, some restless Coco fans were stirring on Weibo. Paid trolls mindlessly posted negative comments, collecting whatever fees they were paid. Once public opinion shifted, they slunk away.

But Coco fans genuinely felt their idol had been wronged. A great injustice—the loss of a role—had just been righted, and suddenly, a huge twist appeared. Mu He’s reputation was restored, popularity and fan support surged without restraint.

Qian Zhizhi, smug and victorious, was particularly insufferable!

Meanwhile, Coco fans felt immense grievance. They were accused of being behind Mu He’s “internet blackout,” and even if they were innocent, what difference did it make?

They felt guilty and useless, burdening the goddess to intervene personally, ruining the little fairy’s aura…

After checking Zhao Yike’s Weibo, Coco fans rallied again. The “abuse of a cat” scandal was cleared, but what about assistant abuse?

They believed they had a lead and began scouring the internet for Zhao Yike’s assistant allegedly abused by Mu He.

Poor sisters! Come out! Here’s your chance for revenge!

“Tell us how Mu He bullied you. We’ll back you up and bring justice!”

“Don’t be afraid. If you’ve been harmed, we’ll crowdfund a lawsuit for you! Always believe justice will prevail!”

…

While Coco fans passionately called for the supposedly abused assistant, a verified former Apple Entertainment agent, Ma Ru, posted on Weibo: “As Mu He’s former manager, I had no idea the company assigned her an assistant [shrugs].”

The onlookers laughed, realizing Coco fans had been searching in vain. The assistant didn’t exist.

Someone joked: “@Mu He, come reflect on your past. How did you manage so badly that you didn’t even have an assistant? [dog face]”

Ma Ru replied: “Sorry, the company was too poor.”

“Isn’t it worse now? No assistant, yet accused of abusing one…”

“For a moment, I didn’t know whether to laugh at the silly Coco fans or feel sorry for Mu He.”

Coco fans stubbornly believed Ma Ru had been paid by Mu He to mislead everyone. The more she clarified, the more guilty she seemed. They insisted on needle-in-a-haystack searches for Mu He’s former assistant on Weibo.

When Mu He arrived at the company, Tan Mian told her about Ma Ru’s post clearing the assistant abuse accusation. She immediately called to thank her. These days, help from others isn’t a duty, but a kindness. One more friend makes the journey smoother.

After hanging up, Mu He went to train with her martial arts teacher. Xi Yin’s role had fight scenes and required high-altitude stunts. She didn’t want to use a stunt double, aiming for perfection.

After training, Tan Mian excitedly brought her news: Coco fans found the “abused assistant”!

Mu He’s first reaction: impossible. She had never had an assistant. How could one appear out of thin air?

Tan Mian was familiar with her, and the martial arts teacher called her by her nickname: “Yangyang, do you know?”

To be heard clearly, Tan Mian was barely containing her laughter: “Coco fans weren’t trying to help the assistant get justice. Guess what? They really found one! But it wasn’t your assistant—it was Zhao Yike’s! Her Weibo trending went insane, even reaching number one.”

Zhao Yike exposed for abusing her assistant [explosive]

Shocking! Coco fans, trying to target Mu He, ended up exposing their own idol.

Not disappointing those opposed to violence and seeking justice, Zhao Yike’s former assistant, Xiaoying, came forward. She posted three injury records: first, burns with dense blisters on the back of her hand from Zhao Yike spilling

This is an organized, premeditated conspiracy!

They must unite to protect Coco!

Under the leadership of the fan club president, the anti-black group, the voting group… everyone worked together like a single rope, attacking Xiao Ying’s comment section with full force.

Zhao Yike, who had gone trending for allegedly abusing her assistant, rolled her eyes in fury. Assistant Lily watched in terror, her spine chilled as she recalled her former assistant’s miserable experiences. Zhao Yike’s eyes were nearly popping out as she shouted viciously: “Haven’t you contacted Sister Li yet?!”

Lily, legs weak from fright, ran out.

Before Sister Li could be reached, Xiao Ying, the former assistant who had been harassed by Zhao Yike’s brainless fans, driven into a corner, exposed a recording.

Xiao Ying: “Seeing you all fearlessly, head-on for Zhao Yike, even risking legal trouble and threats to my life, I truly feel immense sorrow and pain.

Do you know how Zhao Yike sees, thinks about, and evaluates you?”

The recording said: “Those useless Coco fans! Morons with negative IQs! What else can they do besides hold me back? They’ve embarrassed me completely. How could I have fans like this…”

The Coco fans, prepared with countless vicious words to attack, fell silent. They couldn’t deny it; they had no way to deny it. That enraged, gnashing voice came from the very Zhao Yike they held dear and fought to protect.

Their hearts sank completely, shattered into pieces.

They loved this pure, kind, talented girl almost as if she were a belief, staying up late, sacrificing themselves to support her, saving pocket money to buy gifts and support her, buying products she endorsed, always defending her when she was bullied, learning various curses for her…

They had given her their whole hearts, the best years of their youth, and tried everything to put her on a path of success. And yet, she saw them this way?

!

Useless?

Morons?

Only good for holding her back?

If they had known, they might as well have fed this true heart to a dog; at least a dog would wag its tail gratefully.

Since she doesn’t need fans like them, and they can’t love an idol like her, then let’s never meet in this world again!

The loyal fans, feeling disgusted as if they’d eaten half a fly, realizing they had been blind and foolish, unfollowed in unison and quietly withdrew from fandom.

Within an hour, Zhao Yike lost three million followers. Then, after her global fan club posted one last Weibo, it officially disbanded, with major fan leaders gradually announcing: “Those who like Zhao Green Tea on the homepage, please unfollow.”

Zhao Yike’s Weibo comment section was filled with bystanders’ mockery and rows of [candles]. Coco fans were nowhere to be seen; after being labeled like that, no one wanted to continue wearing the Zhao Yike fan hat—why act foolishly?

That day, the entire entertainment industry watched Zhao Yike’s humiliation. Some people she had offended even secretly fanned the flames. The hashtags #ZhaoYikeAbusesAssistant# and #ZhaoYikeLargeScaleFanCrusher# dominated Weibo trending, refusing to drop.

As for Zhao Yike… she ended up so furious she was hospitalized.

Mu He was busy training and didn’t pay much attention. At noon, the company sent a survey on life satisfaction. She filled it out carefully and wrote in the remarks section: “Maybe still missing a dining table.”

It was meant as a joke. Unexpectedly, when she returned to her Jin Yue Bay residence in the evening, she saw a new dining table in the living room. It felt more magical than wishing to Santa Claus. Star Yu Media truly lived up to its wealth—what efficiency!

Before she could digest the surprise, Mu He remembered that outsiders had come to the house in the afternoon. Had Xi Heng been discovered?

!

No one was in the living room or kitchen. She rushed to Xi Heng’s room in a panic, only to accidentally encounter a post-bath view of a handsome man.

She quickly turned her back, trying to cover her eyes with her hands, but the visually striking image still vividly appeared in her mind.

The Adam’s apple unique to males, delicate collarbones, taut wet skin, sharply defined abs, and the legendary difficult-to-achieve V-line… each told her—

This is a mature man’s body.

Previously, she had thought he was slender, but she hadn’t expected such a body hidden under his clothes. A tattoo, perhaps?

Black, shape unclear, located on the left side of the waist?

Blood rushed to her face. Mu He didn’t need to touch it to know her cheeks were burning, ears red like tiny tomatoes.

Why is he taking a shower at this hour?

Could this really result in styes?

She shouldn’t have rushed in.

While Mu He wrestled with herself, Huo Siheng stared at her guilty-looking back. His beautiful peach-blossom eyes flickered with subtle amusement, and a hint of a smile hid deep within. He bent down to grab a black shirt from the bed, buttoning it as he walked toward her.

Here he comes.

Mu He calculated his steps, gauging the distance between them. As he neared, she cleared her throat, preemptively saying: “Y-You… stop right there.”

This was just an accident.

She didn’t mean it.

Why feel guilty?

After all, she wasn’t the one at a loss.

A twisted logic arose: what loss could a grown man have?

So no one’s really losing, isn’t that fair?

With a single big problem reduced, small problems trivialized, Mu He regained her composure and curiosity: “When did you get the tattoo?”

Huo Siheng finished buttoning the last button, collar crisp, shoulder line straight. Even though he was fully covered, he seemed more alluring than before.

Mu He didn’t hear his answer, thinking he had forgotten the time, secretly relaxing her hands. From the corner of her eye through her fingers, she quietly asked: “What’s it of?”

This time, the response was the man’s gradually approaching, warm, steamy body temperature, crisp scent, and his low, magnetic, seductive voice:

“Want to see?”