Chapter 55

Tan Mian was yawning when the door was pulled open from the inside. A cool breeze drifted out, refreshing her face. The light seemed slightly dimmed, as if something was blocking it. She looked in puzzlement and saw a familiar handsome face. Her vision went black, her mouth hung open, eyes widened to the maximum, her mind screaming: This… this isn’t that devoted and loyal married man, is it?

!

Sensing the handsome man’s gaze, she quickly bent forward and bowed apologetically: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m in the wrong place.”

Before he could respond, Tan Mian turned and shuffled toward the elevator, looking around in confusion—wait, she hadn’t walked into the wrong place.

Then… who was mistaken?

!

The horror-movie BGM exploded in her ears. Tan Mian shivered, goosebumps rising on her arms. She slowly turned back and saw the man still standing at the doorway, black shirt and black pants, posture upright, like a pine tree standing in the moonlight and snow.

Her mind was a tangled mess, incapable of thought. Her shadow was quietly sealed on the ground. After digesting the shock, she finally identified the man, swallowed hard, calmed herself, and like a puppet on strings, stiffly retraced her steps.

Before she could think of an opening line, he stepped aside: “Come in.”

His voice, clear and almost emotionless, was more melodious than a cello. Even non-voice-control fans would feel weak. Heat rushed to her forehead; she was dizzy and didn’t even know how she ended up on the sofa.

His presence was overwhelming. Tan Mian sat perfectly upright, hands and feet neatly placed, more disciplined than a schoolchild in class, sweating profusely in a room at just over ten degrees Celsius.

Too shocked, she was practically dumbfounded.

And the culprit smiled with innocent purity: “Mianmian, are you hot?”

Tan Mian held back her eyes, which almost shot daggers, obediently took a tissue from his hand, and wiped her sweat: “I-I’m fine.”

Mu Yangyang, you can’t play like this!

Even given a hundred chances, Tan Mian never imagined that this man—whom she had praised endlessly, who made ginger-sugar water for his wife, wore a wedding ring outside, and firmly rejected female attention—was actually Mu Yangyang’s boyfriend!

Looking back, those odd clanging sounds in the kitchen weren’t her overthinking, and the two encounters on the plane weren’t coincidental. It was all intentionally arranged: the couple traveling together, openly showing affection in front of her, while she, a hundred-watt lightbulb, was oblivious, endlessly fed dog food without realizing it.

Mu Yangyang’s scheme was incredibly deep.

After knowing Mu He was in a relationship, Tan Mian became extremely curious about her boyfriend. She heard he was kind, handsome, and in the eyes of his lover, a perfect man—normal for someone with a filter. Learning that their love nest was in Golden Moon Bay, Tan Mian couldn’t help but get little ideas—wasn’t this a gender-swapped “hidden beauty in a golden house”?

Ennnn, no, not realistic—men who live off women easily ruin their charm.

However, seeing him in person, Tan Mian immediately discarded that thought. His beauty surpassed actor Lin Xiyu, outstanding temperament, long legs, charming voice—just sitting there, he was a visual delight. If it were her, she’d bankrupt herself just to keep him.

!

Ahem, hypothetical.

Seeing him calm and composed, like the master of the house, Tan Mian grew even more nervous.

“Mianmian,” Mu He’s eyes and brows glimmered with a crystalline smile, breaking the silence with an introduction, “this is my boyfriend, Xi Heng.”

“And my assistant, Tan Mian.”

Huo Siheng’s tone was polite but distant: “Hello.”

“Y-you…” Tan Mian’s tongue tied, words jumbled, “Hello!”

Mu He looked at him, feigning annoyance: “You scared her.”

Huo Siheng raised an eyebrow. Scaring the assistant wasn’t her idea?

Naturally, the girlfriend takes the blame: “Sorry.”

“No, no, no.”

Tan Mian waved her hands desperately: “I’m just… too… shocked.”

“Mianmian,” Mu He returned to serious tone, “I also need to apologize to you.”

“It’s okay, Yangyang,” Tan Mian said understandingly, “I can understand.”

It’s really not easy for a female star to be in love. When love’s seed just sprouts, everyone guards it carefully.

“I mean,” Mu He cleared her throat, “asking him to open the door was my idea.”

Tan Mian jumped in shock again, but under that calm yet oppressive gaze, had no choice but to sit back without backbone. Really, what’s the point of arguing with someone backed by her boyfriend? Not enough shocks for tonight?

After a short tea-time pause, Tan Mian prepared to leave. Mu He warmly invited her to dinner, and she made a silent kneeling gesture with two fingers: I was wrong, please forgive me.

Mu He returned a “victory” hand sign, smiling as she left: “Stay safe on the way, message me when you get home.”

After seeing her into the elevator, Mu He returned to the room. Xi Heng wasn’t in the living room. She walked into the kitchen and saw him taking two steaks from the fridge. Excited, she asked: “Steak for dinner?”

She hadn’t had his Western cooking before.

“Need help?”

“No,” he said, like coaxing a child, “go out and have fun.”

“Okay, I’ll go set things up.”

Mu He walked a few steps, then returned. As he bent down, she tiptoed and pressed a forceful kiss on his face, almost distorting it: “Your reward.”

Huo Siheng’s lips curved, a glint of amusement in his eyes—he seemed in very good spirits.

When he brought out the cooked steaks, the living room lights were off. Candlelight on the table provided illumination, next to a bottle of red wine and two glasses. His little lady sat cross-legged on the carpet, black hair like a waterfall over her chest, flawless pale skin partially revealed, lips slightly parted: “Ceremony.”

His Adam’s apple twitched uncontrollably.

They sat side by side, raising glasses in the dim candlelight: “Cheers.”

The world narrowed to candlelight, flowers, steak, wine, and the two of them.

Halfway through the meal, Mu He felt slightly tipsy, couldn’t sit steadily, and slumped into his embrace. In the hazy glow, he looked so good—sword-like brows, deep eyes, straight nose, thin lips—all her preferences.

They shared the intoxicating aroma of the wine.

When his large hand touched her, Mu He felt a slight burn, a faint realization, ears flushed, silently consenting…

She wore a front-buttoned X top. Huo Siheng fumbled for a while, couldn’t find the buttons, and let out a low, helpless laugh, breath hot: “How to undo it?”

Her long lashes trembled silently.

He seemed to lose patience, and simply pushed her. Her heartbeat completely fell under his control.

The candlelight flickered, their shadows on the wall almost merging into one.

Moonlight and starlight outside illuminated the lovers’ long night, and Tan Mian, single and restless, tossing in bed, carried secrets and turned over again and again.

After a short, sweet romantic break, Mu He returned to the set, fully immersed in filming Northern City Has a Beauty. During the famine era, enemy forces shifted control of the city from morale to food, leaving corpses everywhere. The air was thick with the scent of death. Bai Xiaoxiao sheltered refugees in the basement, rushing for their rations while pretending to be subverted, infiltrating the enemy.

Playing a double agent was difficult. Director Tang’s demands were perversely high: “Your eyes must show justice and hatred, even facing the enemy. But they must not see your true emotions. This part is crucial—how you conceal, how you reveal. If mishandled, Bai Xiaoxiao’s character collapses.”

After filming the scene, Mu He’s eyes suffered “work injury,” her right eyelid twitching incessantly. Would this twitch bring luck or misfortune?

That evening, Xi Yin wrapped her scenes. To atone for past sins, she became the Pearl of the South Sea, guarding peace. The audience did not anticipate such a tragic ending. Xi Yin shed no tears, but the viewers cried rivers, threatening to send knives to the screenwriter.

#HeartacheForXiYin#, #MuHeActing#, #MuHeEyeSkills# all trended on Weibo.

“Dragon King is right. Xi Yin just went home. May you live long in peace and joy.”

“The final leap was heartbreakingly beautiful.”

“Loved once, life is worth it.”

“Mu He is really skilled. Xi Yin’s transformation from innocence to darkness was conveyed entirely through her eyes, without heavy makeup or red lips.”

“She is the only character who turned dark that I couldn’t hate at all. I felt pity for her.”

“Her calmness is the audience’s greatest unrest. The farewell gaze seems calm but conceals myriad

“I guarantee it, this year’s Golden Leaf Award for Best Supporting Actress is mine for sure.”

……

Online voting started: which stunned you more, Xi Yin in the black dress or Xi Yin in the white dress?

Netizens unanimously protested: Please give an option for both stunning, thank you!

Mu He successfully shaped the character of Xi Yin, and Xi Yin in turn made her shine. Ratings broke 5%, setting the highest record since Fairy Tale Romance aired. Official media wrote a long article themed on staying true to one’s original aspiration, praising Xi Yin for embodying both feminine gentleness and the great righteousness of standing for the world and the people. The actress, Mu He, was described as low-key and steady, unhurried, taking one step at a time, accumulating strength before bursting forth, her acting commendable, and her future promising.

Receiving recognition from official media is the highest honor for any actor. Late at night, Mu He posted a long Weibo recalling her journey as an actress. There was no deliberate sentimentality in her words, just straightforward narration, full of sincerity.

The last sentence was added by Tan Mian for her: “It’s not that you use my light to see a broader world, but because of you, there is light on me.”

Qian Zhizhe: “Ma-dan, too emotional, I’m crying!”

“Help me up, staying up late to push rankings and do data, let’s go!”

Mu He consecutively held the No.1 spot on the celebrity power chart for ten days. Ye Xi brought her two pieces of good news: a permanent guest invitation for season three of Intelligence and Courage Challenge and a contract as the Asian ambassador for the internationally renowned D Jewelry brand.

Both were highly coveted opportunities that countless actresses would fight tooth and nail to obtain.

No need to mention variety shows—they’re versatile tools for gaining fans and earning money.

Fashion resources are always a high-status symbol. No matter how popular an artist is, if they can’t secure top-brand endorsements, their tier and value won’t rise, leaving them in an awkward position.

Mu He secured both at once—top-tier young actresses don’t necessarily get such treatment. Tan Mian couldn’t suppress her excitement, rushing over to hug her: “Yangyang, I really want to be your assistant for life!”

Ye Xi and Mu He exchanged a smile, the atmosphere light and happy.

Yuan Xin’er, the jewelry endorsement agent, was also in contact. During negotiations, her representative subtly hinted at a cooperation intention. If nothing unexpected happened, it would basically be finalized. Upon learning that the brand had already chosen Mu He, Yuan Xin’er’s pent-up anger erupted like a flood, knocking down all the bottles on her vanity, even damaging the mirror.

The manager’s expression was also grim, but she remained calm and analyzed: “A young, beautiful actress rises from eighteenth-tier obscurity to first-tier fame in just over a year—is that normal?”

Yuan Xin’er’s eyes flashed with a light beneath the anger: “You mean…”

Exactly. How had she not thought of this? She should have been the first to realize.

As long as Mu He truly had someone behind her, it could be investigated. Jewelry brands pay the most attention to the reputation of their endorsers, especially before the official announcement…

Monday is the industry’s default gossip day. A shocking bombshell emerged: #MuHeSugarDaddyScandal# topped the trending list, with a [BREAKING] tag beside it.