Chapter 16: Old Scores

That night, Qiu Chao’s news tags blew up across every platform.

At first, everyone assumed it was just another one of her romantic scandals. The marketing accounts spun elaborate tales of midnight rendezvous and boozy bar seductions, as if they were afraid the words wouldn’t stick to the idea of flirtation. They overdid it, though, making it sound like titles from some shady site’s erotic fanfic.

It took over an hour before anyone set the record straight.

—@Not1818CopperEye: What date? Isn’t that Yan Muyu? Yan Muyu and Qiu Chao together? The sky would have to fall first!

[Image][Image][Image]

The photos released were high-res shots. In the first, Yan Muyu stood outside, the streetlamp missing her lower body but stretching her shadow long across the ground.

She was dressed fairly formally—at least her women’s suit pants hung straight down the legs, the fringe at the cuffs caught mid-flutter by the night breeze.

But her formality fell apart at the shoes: a pair of super-casual sneakers.

A collab model from some brand that hadn’t even hit shelves yet.

They looked killer on Yan Muyu, the logo catching the glow from a distant light. The puddle in the alley reflected the faint glow from overhead, giving Yan Muyu a rundown vibe in the flickering light that was nothing like her usual self.

The second shot captured Qiu Chao shoving Yan Muyu into the car.

This one made Qiu Chao’s killer figure pop—if Yan Muyu’s profile was all sharp angles like a paper cutout, Qiu Chao was all curves like a sponge. The contrast hit hard, even though they were both women.

Compared to the blurry shots the marketers had posted earlier—where you couldn’t even tell if the other person was male or female—these nailed down the stars.

And it didn’t look like a date at all. More like some personal grudge fueling the shove-and-pull.

[Holy crap! When did these two get tangled up? Wait, doesn’t feel like hooking up—more like a brawl.]

[Didn’t Yan Muyu hate Qiu Chao’s guts?]

[Are you all goldfish with three-second memories? Qiu Chao signed back with Whale Entertainment when she returned to the country. These two ex-sisters-in-law burying the hatchet makes sense, right? Even if it’s all for show.]

[Wasn’t tonight the wrap party for A World Starting Anew? Yan Muyu went to a bar after?]

[Yan Muyu isn’t even a real celeb, guys. Chill.]

[They say she’s top-tier in bed. I wanna find out… That first pic has vibes. Legs for days…]

[Anyone else think Yan Muyu and Qiu Chao are kinda hot together? The height difference kills me—abusive but tense AF.]

[It’s Qiu Chao. Standing next to her gives anyone that tension…]

…

The clarification hadn’t even settled when the official account for Pastoral Idyll: Me and My Agent dropped a casual promo post—finally ditching the cryptic teasers from the past few days.

—@Pastoral Idyll: Me and My Agent: Follow your heart to the pastoral life. Our show premieres in three days as a live variety program.

No idea if this “casual” vibe was the show’s whole style, but the first post didn’t tag anyone. The edit added Yan Muyu and Qiu Chao’s handles.

[You guys… so half-assed…]

[So the rumors are real. Yan Muyu and Qiu Chao on a show together…]

[Pastoral Idyll… I remember seeing it pop up, but zero hype.]

[Variety with your agent? Save me—this is like doing a show with your homeroom teacher. So cringey.]

[How many pairs of guests? Live stream—24/7? We getting Qiu Chao-sister sleeping on cam?]

[How long do Yan Muyu and Qiu Chao have to live together?]

The first retweet didn’t come from the tagged stars—it was Shen Tianqing.

Her recent variety stint had boosted her followers, and she wasn’t one to miss the drama. She chimed in with:

Looking forward to the pig rearing.

Her retweet thread was nothing but question marks and laughing emojis.

Back at the hotel, Yan Muyu spotted Shen Tianqing’s post racking up tens of thousands of retweets while she was in the elevator. She took a deep breath, fuming.

Qiu Chao was still standing beside her. Xia Yuanyuan had forwarded her the Twitter link.

“This promo drop is really something,” Qiu Chao said.

Yan Muyu shot back, “Is ‘half-assed’ too spicy for you?”

Qiu Chao blinked at her. “‘Spicy’?”

She met Yan Muyu’s eyes. “Care to elaborate?”

For the first time, Yan Muyu found the top-floor VIP elevator agonizingly slow. She wondered if she should complain to the head of housekeeping about an upgrade.

Xia Yuanyuan: …

She hadn’t expected Sister Qiu to be so… forthright. Cough.

Qiu Chao had always brushed off suitors with icy disdain, the picture of aloof elegance. Yet here she was, all boldness around Young Boss Yan.

Wasn’t Young Boss Yan supposed to be a total player? Why the silent treatment?

Lou Haiyan had bombarded Yan Muyu with messages too. Opening them, Yan Muyu saw she’d been added to the variety show’s main group chat.

The production team channels were perfectly organized, and they’d already dropped some key commentary on tonight’s photos.

-Such a perfect match!

-Totally agree.

-New house set is ready [Image]. One room for them?

-Young Boss Yan’s wardrobe prepped?

…

Yan Muyu’s lip twitched. These people were forgetting who signed their checks.

Sure, she was just temp CEO right now, but shipping her in public? What were they even shipping? Choking hazard much?

She had the public’s tastes pegged by now, but she hadn’t figured her variety stint would drag her into this.

Talk about self-sacrifice.

And it was with an agent, of all things?

Yan Muyu racked her brain. If memory served, the other two pairs were senior-junior colleagues and cousins.

Nothing shippable there, right?

Pastoral variety shows scraping for couples? The genre was doomed.

The group chat was heating up—now debating extra cameras—when Yan Muyu finally snapped.

She dropped an emoji.

The entire group went dead silent for a full minute.

Then it exploded.

-??? Who added Young Boss Yan?!

-Shit!! I’m done for!!!

-Can I bail now?

…

The elevator doors slid open. Yan Muyu admired the chaos in the chat with satisfaction. She barely glanced at Qiu Chao as she headed for her suite—but the moment she reached the door, Qiu Chao grabbed her arm and yanked her away.

“What the hell?” Yan Muyu demanded.

“You need to do your agent’s job,” Qiu Chao replied.

“What?”

Qiu Chao shoved her phone under Yan Muyu’s nose. It showed the latest schedule rundown—lite version—plus a packing list for the show.

Even some crash course on agronomy and animal husbandry.

Yan Muyu’s head throbbed just skimming it. She regretted agreeing more than ever.

She stayed quiet for a long beat. Qiu Chao chuckled. “Not backing out, are you?”

Yan Muyu nodded. “Tomorrow. I need sleep.”

Qiu Chao tightened her grip on Yan Muyu’s hand, refusing to let go.

Xia Yuanyuan tactfully vanished.

Qiu Chao and Yan Muyu stood in the shared hallway between the suites in the hotel’s A and B blocks. City lights glittered on either side. The summer night breeze was warm, stoking Yan Muyu’s irritation as it brushed her face.

She stared at Qiu Chao’s hand on hers. “I agreed to be your agent. Nothing else.”

Qiu Chao’s hand was small and delicate. A pinky ring set with a sapphire matched the necklace nestled against her chest.

Compared to Qiu Chao’s powdered, flawless complexion, Yan Muyu’s expression was ice-cold as she pulled her hand free, all traces of exasperation gone.

The night wind tousled Yan Muyu’s stray hairs, her tiny stud earrings catching Qiu Chao’s eye brighter than any stars.

Just having Yan Muyu stand before her was enough to set Qiu Chao’s heart racing.

She knew she’d missed the perfect window to explain everything. Now, she didn’t even want to.

Back then, if she’d truly ended up with Yan Muyu, her hopeless romantic side would’ve kept her from clawing her way up the industry ladder.

Yan Muyu’s affections never lasted.

Like morning dew or a flash storm—intense enough to shatter someone’s once-in-a-lifetime passion. It felt like the start of bliss when you met her, only to realize it was a limited-time thrill you’d never get over.

“Can’t it be me?” Qiu Chao asked.

Yan Muyu replied, “Don’t you know?”

She loomed half a head taller than Qiu Chao even in heels, her downcast gaze laced with subtle emotion.

“Know what?” Qiu Chao pressed. “Because of me and Yan Kai?”

She let out a laugh. “Little Yan, I thought you weren’t the rigid type.”

Qiu Chao had heard the rumors about Yan Muyu’s open ways.

She didn’t care if partners cheated—even tales of her bonding with her girlfriend’s side piece over drinks.

Wilder still: whispers she got kicks from swapping partners.

With her stunning looks, skills in bed, and easy humor, some craved slow-burn romance while others chased the thrill of dew that evaporated by noon.

When vibes matched, breakups stayed civil.

Yan Muyu never went for the forever-after crowd.

Yet players reformed around her, like she ran a rehab clinic. It even became a meme.

She’d set exes up with new matches too.

Her work and play networks blurred, but she always hooked up former flames—or those who’d crushed on her—with solid prospects.

Attending an ex’s wedding was routine for her.

Abroad, marriage was legal—blessings under flowers and red carpet. Church doves soaring, the bride on the lawn introducing Yan Muyu to the crowd.

That bride called Yan Muyu her guardian angel.

It was frankly blissful to be led by the hand by Yan Muyu on that journey.

Qiu Chao had come across the video on social media.

That year, Yan Muyu had dyed her hair jet black, and it was quite long. She stood on the lawn, playing the violin.

Her smile was radiant, her eyes full of blessing.

But Qiu Chao didn’t envy it. She certainly wouldn’t chase after a marriage vow that only death could end.

Yan Muyu said, “I’m not the conventional type.”

She looked at Qiu Chao. “But you’re really getting under my skin.”

Qiu Chao replied, “Getting under your skin? That’s exactly what I want—from you.”

Qiu Chao took a step forward, nearly pressing herself against Yan Muyu’s body.

The lights in the public corridor were long strips, casting a soft filter-like glow over Qiu Chao’s face.

She wrapped her arms around Yan Muyu’s neck, her whole body leaning into the other’s chest, listening to Yan Muyu’s strong yet steady heartbeat.

This woman was utterly calm toward her now.

But only for the moment.

Qiu Chao said word by word, “From now on, I won’t care. But during this time, instead of going out to find someone else, come to me.”

Her voice was blurred by the wind, yet clear enough for Yan Muyu to hear every syllable.

“Otherwise, I won’t mind hyping us up excessively on the live variety show.”

“Let everyone think you have illicit designs on me.”

Yan Muyu neither embraced Qiu Chao nor pushed her away. Their pose resembled an intimate cuddle.

Yet both were trading sharp words.

Yan Muyu asked, “Illicit designs on you?”

She let out a laugh. “Qiu Chao, who harbored those designs for so long?”

But Qiu Chao seemed determined to embrace shamelessness to the end.

“Yes, yes—me.”

Her voice carried a laugh. “I hope you’ll make me completely let go.”

Yan Muyu had always tried not to think about what happened back then, but the memories were inescapable. Before Qiu Chao, Yan Muyu had dated but never gone all the way. It was only after Qiu Chao that she changed.

After many gatherings ended late into the night, when all was quiet, Yan Muyu would always hate that day—hate how full of affection she had once been for Qiu Chao.

She felt guilty toward Yan Kai too. She had let down her own brother after all those years of his protection.

After all, Yan Kai had seemed to truly like Qiu Chao.

Even if their beginning had stemmed from him being a stand-in.

Qiu Chao’s voice was like a cassette tape playing from an old DVD player, warped by the cold rain of a plum rain season—with that unique allure of a vintage relic.

After admitting it so frankly, she smiled and asked, “Didn’t you enjoy it plenty of times afterward too?”

Yan Muyu wanted nothing more than to strangle Qiu Chao, but Qiu Chao just tilted her neck back, her laugh laced with ambiguity.

“Since we’ve been together so many times already, what’s one more?”

Qiu Chao said, “Little Yan, we only have that kind of relationship. Isn’t that fine?”

It would turn her from feeling no burden at all to bearing the heaviest one imaginable.

And then she’d stay by my side forever.