Chapter 61
Sweet Dreams Don’t Know Waking (01)
Chapter Sixty-One
Most of the entertainment circle was eagerly consuming Mu He’s scandal.
Haters jumped with joy: “@Mu He heehee, your cold dish is being served, please enjoy!”
“The entertainment industry is definitely not for you. Go back to your poor rural area.”
“Hahaha, raising pigs, ducks, or geese—there’s always one suitable for you.”
Passersby: “Why do female celebrities’ scandals always involve hotels?”
“Just one photo of an embrace behind a curtain. Damn it, even with a magnifying glass, you can only see a silhouette. Are you hiding under the bed, or did Taishang Laojun give you the Fire-Eyes Golden Sight?”
“Naming names without proof—this isn’t how you blacken someone properly.”
“The low-level black that treats netizens like fools.”
“This person has been repeatedly targeted; obviously, she’s too popular and got in someone’s way.”
“Speaking of which, she’s low-key. It’s said that her team suppresses hot searches every time, afraid that too much exposure will ruin her public image.”
“Endless hype, so annoying. Actors are always so dramatic.”
“Some may not know, Fu Chun City’s Fourth Young Master of the Huo family has long had a reputation as a female celebrity killer. Whoever gets involved, dies—not a joke [shrug].”
“Star Universe’s only remaining flower won’t fade so easily.”
“Yuan Xin’er is still a big flower. Where is she now? The power of capital is unimaginable.”
“Poor Mu He. If they really spent a night together, it wouldn’t even be a loss. I’m just afraid someone’s putting a black hat on her.”
“Off-topic, but I kinda want to ship this CP, the family heir vs. the popular high-beauty actress. Friends, check out some fanfiction?”
The comment section split into two camps: one newly formed “Fire and Wood” (Huo-Mu) CP fans posting sugar content, the other hater groups fiercely dissing and mocking. Both sides ignored each other.
In the fan group, after learning about the bloody lessons of the first four female celebrities, Qian Zhihe couldn’t help but worry for Mu He. President Yang Le frequently contacted Tan Mian for updates. Tan Mian, like an ant on a hot pan, barely calmed down after downing a whole bottle of “Happy Fatty Water”: “It’s nothing major. The PR department is handling it, don’t worry.”
In fact, Tan Mian’s hands were trembling while typing. Who the hell had the time and stomach to deliberately scheme and drag Ci’er onto someone unspeakable? Such hatred! She cursed that person a thousand times over.
Ye Xi also found it tricky. Since entering the industry, she had never faced such a crisis. Everyone could see the hotel overnight scandal was fabricated, pure black-for-black’s sake. But if Huo Family’s Fourth Young Master didn’t think the same and took action, even Star Universe might not save Mu He.
Maybe the situation wasn’t that bad. They didn’t want hype; just clarify the misunderstanding, and it might be fine.
The key was: how to contact him?
Reporters arriving at the scene were looking for Mu He. Ye Xi called her: “Stay home. Don’t post on Weibo. PR will issue a plan soon.”
“Xi-jie,” Mu He was troubled, “I’ll go to the company.”
“Okay, I’ll have the driver pick you up.”
After the call, Mu He exhaled deeply, changed in the wardrobe, came out to the living room, and wrapped her arms around Xi Heng’s waist, rubbing against his chest: “I hit the jackpot. I’m going to the company and will come back tonight to celebrate your birthday.”
Huo Si Heng, unaware of the online situation, softly asked: “What’s wrong?”
“Someone deliberately spread a scandal about me and Fu Chun City’s Fourth Young Master Huo.”
Mu He was extremely frustrated: “I don’t even know him. I don’t know what he looks like. If he really believes the rumor…”
Her previously good mood was ruined.
Huo Si Heng paused while stroking her shoulders, expression slightly stiff, defending himself unconsciously: “Perhaps he isn’t the type to confuse right and wrong?”
“You don’t know. Four girls have already been blacklisted because of him.”
Huo Si Heng really didn’t know. These matters were all handled by Huo Si Wen. He cleared his throat awkwardly: “Don’t worry, nothing will happen.”
Even as mere words of comfort, Mu He felt inexplicably reassured: “Mm.”
Meanwhile, Mu He knew that including Yuan Xin’er, there were five prior cases as reference. Her acting career could be ruined—worst-case scenario. Ultimately, the industry was controlled by capital.
Who dares offend the Huo family in Fu Chun City?
People like them could easily erase someone’s entire effort. The schemers hiding in the shadows must have calculated this.
Mu He felt so innocent, murmuring softly: “I hate Huo Si Heng.”
Huo Si Heng: “…”
“He’s so ungentlemanly.”
“From another perspective, he doesn’t want to get involved with other women,” Huo Si Heng analyzed realistically. “Maybe he’s afraid his girlfriend would get jealous?”
Mu He, intent on venting, instantly rejected: “He doesn’t know how to cherish women at all. How could he possibly have a girlfriend?”
Huo Si Heng was speechless again, feeling a helpless sense of poetic justice. He sent a message to Huo Si Wen.
Huo Si Wen instantly replied with “?”
He found the hot search and comments confusing. For a while, he suspected his Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt were playing some sort of game.
On second thought, something seemed off.
Normally, the manager and assistant wouldn’t know the truth. It was understandable they rushed PR to handle the crisis. But why was his Fourth Aunt also anxious?
Huo Si Wen carefully asked: “Fourth Uncle, is it possible Fourth Aunt still doesn’t know your identity?”
Huo Si Heng: “Mm.”
No wonder Fourth Aunt always spoke to him with detached professionalism. After a full minute, Huo Si Wen finally replied: “[ok]”
Huo Si Heng put down his phone. Mu He looked up at him: “Xi Heng, what if I get blacklisted?”
“It’s okay,” he held her soft hand, “you still have me.”
“Good,” her dark eyes sparkled with laughter, as if holding countless stars, “then you’ll take care of me.”
Just then, the phone rang. Ye Xi called, and Mu He swiped to answer: “Xi-jie.”
“Really? That’s great!”
Huo Si Heng tilted his face with a smile. Sure enough, after she hung up, she happily pounced: “Our company’s President Huo said it’s already been handled. It was a close call, but everything’s fine!”
She kissed him heavily. “I’m going to make the cake.”
What is this called?
When all seemed lost, a new path suddenly appeared, bright and clear.
Thanks to Yue Lao’s blessing!
Mu He ran cheerfully into the kitchen, busy for over two hours. The cake was finally done. She couldn’t do fancy cream decorations, so she cut fruit instead, and it looked decent.
As dusk fell, sunlight streamed through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the living room in a soft, hazy glow. Mu He sat cross-legged, the small table in front of her holding the cake. She smiled, singing sweetly: “Happy birthday to you…”
Bow Bow wagged happily, circling around them.
Huo Si Heng quietly watched her, eyes fixed, a faint light glimmering in them. After his mother’s death, no one remembered his birthday, and gradually, he forgot it himself, burying past memories.
That door remained tightly closed until she, holding the key, appeared—bringing light to a dark corner once again.
Huo Er said that his facial expression had changed, repeatedly asking why.
The answer was now sitting directly across from him.
Mu He finished singing the birthday song: “You can make a wish now.”
Seeing him not respond: “Xi Heng?”
Huo Si Heng came back to himself, staring steadily into her eyes, seriously, asking word by word: “Married before thirty… can this wish come true?”
Here we go again…
Mu He’s heart raced like thunder: “You should ask Yue Lao.”
Huo Si Heng changed to a relaxed posture, lightly laughing: “I’m not planning to marry Yue Lao.”
The air quietly heated up. Mu He’s cheeks burned; she didn’t need a mirror to know her blush was all over. She vaguely replied: “Um, maybe… it could come true.”
He gave a meaningful “oh.”
Mu He cut a piece of cake and handed it over: “Try it, see if it’s good.”
She finally had a proper excuse to indulge in food, took a bite: “Seems like there’s too little sugar, not sweet enough.”
Huo Si Heng leaned over, across the table, and kissed her.
After a long moment, he asked in a low breath: “Sweet enough now?”
“Not enough,” Mu He’s lips were kissed red, confused and dreamy, shaking her head: “It could be sweeter.”
“As you wish.”
That night, Mu He’s secondary Weibo account posted a new update: “Stop! Robbing a lollipop: Mr. X’s birthday wish is to be married before thirty. I think he will definitely have his wish come true!”
At the same time, Yuan Xin’er woke from a nightmare and hurried to check the trending topics. The entry #Mu He and Huo Si Heng hotel overnight# had disappeared. Thinking that Mu He would soon fade away too, she couldn’t contain her joy.
Although the person sending MMS had ill intentions, as long as they could drag Mu He into the mud and ensure she could never recover, she didn’t mind being used. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, all roads lead to the same destination.
Yuan Xin’er, Zhong Mingyu, and the haters were all waiting to see Mu He humiliated. Unexpectedly, she not only didn’t decline in popularity, her fame rose—big brand endorsements, variety shows, interviews, magazine shoots, even a nomination for the Golden Leaf Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Online discussions were rampant. Everyone speculated about Mu He’s backing. How could a celebrity offend Fourth Young Master Huo and still emerge unscathed, her career flourishing in all directions? She was unprecedented—what kind of terrifying background did she have?
Someone even threatened: “If Mu He doesn’t have backing, I’ll livestream eating shi!”
Mu He dismissed it as nonsense. How could she not know if she truly had backing?
Tan Mian laughed loudly: “Yang Yang, I saw comments guessing your backing is Fourth Young Master Huo!”
Mu He shrugged and said earnestly: “Seems they know nothing about my beauty or talent.”
Tan Mian nearly laughed herself to death: “Alright, alright, we know you’re the most beautiful! Hurry and try on the dress, guaranteed to stun!”
Besides the dress, the brand generously provided matching jewelry. Mu He finished trying on the dress. Tan Mian went to discuss modifications with the designer. Mu He sat in a chair and checked Xi Heng’s messages.
He had sent a screenshot of the trending topics.
Mu He had currently filmed six episodes of Wise and Brave Challenge. After each aired, she and Lin Xi Yu trended, with deep gazes and sweet smiles, practically forming a national CP. She asked Ye Xi and the production team not to hype the CP, but it had little effect. Fans were too fervent—organic traffic alone could boost trends. The production team could only watch with pleasure, unable to stop it.
Mu He asked timidly: “Are you jealous?”
Xi Heng: “Seems like this is the fourth time?”
Mu He: “All fake hype.”
While others weren’t paying attention, she sent a voice message: “Ya liu bu liu ji bi ya”
Huo Si Heng listened a few times, lips slightly pressed, pondering if he should find a chance to clear his name.
Late November, the Golden Leaf Awards ceremony proceeded as scheduled, held in a southern city with warm, comfortable weather. Female celebrities didn’t have to shiver in the cold, each appearing on the red carpet like a breeze in spring, splendid and radiant.
The scene was star-studded, unprecedented.
As this year’s ratings champion, the Xian Xia Romance crew received the most attention. Apart from Yuan Xin’er, most of the main creators attended. The most eye-catching were the sisters Mu He and Zhong Li Fei. Mu He wore a custom white feather gown, charming and bright, her temperament outstanding, every expression lively. Zhong Li Fei wore a black deep-V backless gown, sexy and alluring.
Two goddesses together, making Zhong Yang CP fans scream: “Ahhhh, I can ship this sugar for a hundred years!”
“She’s here! She’s here! At the New Year’s Gala, she brought the clear blue Lake Baikal; at the Year-End Night, she brought blooming spring; for the Golden Leaf Awards, she brought… a zoo?! Flowing feather dress, matching feather earrings, dolphin necklace, and double-headed bird ring!”
“The styling team is amazing. True immortal crane vibes!”
“My love is He, feathered and pure, seeming untouched by mortal smoke, stunningly beautiful yet harmless.”
After signing the autograph board and moving to the interview area, they entered the venue. The organizers arranged front-row seats for their crew, everyone seated according to their number.
Zhong Li Fei lowered her voice: “Teacher Mu, did you memorize your notes?”
The Golden Leaf Awards are renowned in the industry for fairness, high standards, and credibility. The nominees’ speeches are kept strictly confidential, of course, but pre-prepared in case of winning.
Mu He nodded with a smile.
Zhong Li Fei was particularly confident: “If you win, treat me to a meal.”
“Teacher Zhong, same for you.”
Zhong Li Fei was also nominated for Best Actress but felt her chances were slim: “Competition is too fierce.”
Mu He patted her hand: “Trust my instinct.”
Zhong Li Fei couldn’t help smiling.
The awards ceremony officially began. As each award was announced, applause erupted. Finally, the Best Supporting Actress award moment arrived. The big screen showed clips of the four nominated actresses, panning over Mu He as she smiled and greeted.
The award presenter was a veteran actor, not dragging suspense, he opened the winner list and announced directly: “The 36th Golden Leaf Awards Best Supporting Actress: Mu He, Xian Xia Romance.”
Host: “Well deserved, congratulations Mu He! Please come on stage to accept your award.”
Mu He could hardly contain her excitement, smiling until her eyes reddened. She stood, hugged Director Xie, Zhong Li Fei, and Qi Hao, and walked steadily onto the stage under everyone’s gaze.
“Now, please welcome the award presenter, the renowned filmmaker…” The host’s earpiece transmitted the director’s voice. She looked surprised but quickly composed herself: “Please welcome the mysterious guest, Mr. Huo Si Heng, to present the award!”