Chapter 47: Awkward Atmosphere Part 1

Xuan Zhelu had always been the pampered type ever since she was little.

Yan Muyu had seen plenty of girls like her. As a child attending fancy banquets, she was often shoved by her father into clusters of other girls with instructions to get along nicely.

The unspoken message was clear: fail to get along, and you were in big trouble.

Of course, if Yan Kai had been there, Yan Muyu wouldn’t have had to play along so obediently.

But that year, Yan Kai wasn’t yet strong enough to take their father out of the picture. So even though Yan Muyu hated those events, she started convincing herself to enjoy them.

She took charge of the conversations, steering the topics herself and making sure they flowed on her terms.

Yet her assertiveness was so subtle that no one else picked up on it—like a soft spring breeze turning into nourishing rain, unnoticed by all.

In Yan Muyu’s eyes, Xuan Zhelu was far better than those truly spoiled, temperamental rich girls.

At least Xi Xi up on the mountain was way more over-the-top than Xuan Zhelu.

Right now, they were looping around the winding mountain road. Xuan Zhelu clutched her phone, snapping photos, then griped that the production crew was blocking her shot and told them to back off.

Yan Muyu took a sharp turn, a bit too fast.

Xuan Zhelu’s phone tumbled onto her lap. She let out a “Hey!”

Yan Muyu ignored her. Xuan Zhelu draped herself over the crossbar to the back seat and asked Yan Muyu, “Isn’t this electric tricycle of yours shaking way too much?”

【Hahahaha this variety show is just about watching people suffer, I really like it.】

【Xuan Zhelu is like a completely different person in front of Yan Muyu, I remember she was quite aloof during her time in the group.】

【I feel heartbroken just seeing this phone drop.】

【It’s almost dark…】

Yan Muyu said, “Count your blessings.”

Just then, a tractor rumbled past. Yan Muyu nodded toward it. “That one’s even worse.”

Xuan Zhelu replied, “Sitting with you makes the bumps feel kinda thrilling.”

Yan Muyu was speechless for a good long while.

【What’s wrong with all of you, talking like tigers and wolves.】

【Is it just me overthinking?】

【Yan Muyu’s expression is hilarious】

【Did Sister Qiu understand?】

Qiu Chao said, “A tractor can only carry one person anyway.”

The sun had dipped below the horizon, with the moon hanging high overhead, but full darkness hadn’t quite settled in yet.

The sky was a pale blue, dotted with stars, and the follow cams cast beams of light. From outside, the caravan of vehicles looked pretty impressive.

A villager driving back from town even slowed down for a closer look.

Qiu Chao sat beside Yan Muyu. Her profile looked utterly serene, but for some reason, Xuan Zhelu sensed hostility from her.

Wasn’t Qiu Chao Yan Muyu’s ex-sister-in-law?

What did any bad blood between them have to do with her?

Besides, they were all collaborators now—did Qiu Chao really need to act this way toward her?

Xuan Zhelu knew the hostility was subtle enough that viewers probably wouldn’t catch it.

She let out an “Oh.” “Then take me along. I’m Teacher Yan’s biggest fan.”

【She really loves Yan Muyu.】

【I’m starting to get curious about you, could you do a variety show with Yan Muyu’s ex-girlfriends hahahaha.】

The electric tricycle was noisy, its metal panels rattling with a dull thud every time the wheels hit a stone on the road.

Yan Muyu’s voice blended with the metallic clamor, laced with teasing. “Yeah, right. I’m no big star.”

Qiu Chao sat next to Yan Muyu. Since the driver’s seat was designed for one, any sharp turn meant Yan Muyu’s elbow bumped into her while gripping the handlebars.

Yan Muyu seemed to be avoiding contact, holding an awkward posture.

Qiu Chao simply scooted over to give her more room.

But that made the centrifugal force even stronger on turns—more dangerous.

The final bend was tricky to navigate. In that split second, Yan Muyu saw Qiu Chao about to slide off and instinctively grabbed her, pulling her into her arms. She was terrified the tricycle might veer off the road, so she fumbled desperately with the controls.

In the cargo bed, Xuan Zhelu got tossed around senselessly. Luckily, the luggage was secured, or it might have smashed into her.

She reflexively started whining toward Yan Muyu—only to see her still holding Qiu Chao.

Night was deepening, the distant mountains turning hazy. As they passed under a streetlamp, Qiu Chao glanced back.

Xuan Zhelu suddenly felt a surge of anger.

Something was off—definitely off!

The online fans weren’t just shipping randomly. When did Qiu Chao turn into one of those? Was she bi now?

This senior had always seemed straight as an arrow.

But for some reason, if the object of affection was Yan Muyu, Xuan Zhelu could almost forgive it.

After all, she’d thought the same at first—Yan Muyu was nothing special. Then after the shoot, she was hopelessly smitten.

Yan Muyu didn’t chase people aggressively.

During her time as Hree’s chief photographer, her work mode was worlds apart from her playful off-duty self.

Not cold, exactly—just intensely focused. She only smiled once she captured the perfect shot.

But Yan Muyu was great at putting people at ease.

She’d chat to adjust a model’s mindset between takes, covering everything from small talk to getting into the right headspace. “Hey, wanna try a different coffee? Might perk you up.”

Those years, Hree dominated the magazine scene, largely thanks to Yan Muyu holding it all together.

In the studio’s artificial tropical rainforest, complete with ambient forest sounds from the speakers, the chief photographer—who had just walked a brand’s new runway looks—stood by post-production, flipping through the shots from earlier. Xuan Zhelu hadn’t even realized she’d been staring at Yan Muyu the whole time.

Her assistant had to nudge her.

This feeling was so strange.

At their first meeting, she’d thought Yan Muyu was just okay.

But on the reshoot, every “Okay,” “Good,” “Darling…” from Yan Muyu hit her right in the heart.

Hadn’t she heard fans say those words a million times?

But coming from Yan Muyu, it was different. She was striking to look at, and when focused, she exuded this unique aura. The entire studio synced to her rhythm. Xuan Zhelu lost herself in the shoot, plunging straight into Yan Muyu’s world.

Yan Muyu could be warm and engaging, yet always kept just the right distance.

Her thoughtfulness and perfectly timed jokes melted away any tension.

When Xuan Zhelu asked for Yan Muyu’s contact info, the photographer was still tweaking shots with her assistant.

Insiders knew Yan Muyu’s shoots were lightning-fast when she was in the zone.

That day was average pace. When Xuan Zhelu spoke up, Yan Muyu hadn’t turned around yet; her eyes were fixed on a close-up of Xuan Zhelu.

The tropical rainforest theme didn’t really fit Xuan Zhelu’s image.

As the girl group leader, she was steady, commanding, top-tier in skills—fans called her an ice queen.

But in Yan Muyu’s lens, she was the rainforest, babbling brooks, fresh rain in empty mountains.

Even Xuan Zhelu found it refreshing.

Yan Muyu said, “Mine? I already have your team’s contact.”

The top photographer held a coffee cup in one hand, her skin pale, a watch and bracelet on her wrist.

During the shoot, Xuan Zhelu had spotted the ring-like tattoos on Yan Muyu’s fingers—rings of them—that sent ripples through her heart. The actual ring Yan Muyu wore was stunning too, accentuating those elegant, knuckled hands. Not overly masculine or feminine, they perfectly stirred the viewer’s gaze.

Xuan Zhelu said, “I want you—your personal contact.”

Yan Muyu chuckled. Tall enough to model herself, she could even look down slightly on the already statuesque Xuan Zhelu.

But she wasn’t overbearing. Her tone light and playful, she asked, “Why would I give it to you?”

…

Now Xuan Zhelu eyed the arm Yan Muyu had around Qiu Chao as the tricycle bumped along the crooked mountain path until it finally hit smooth road.

Up ahead at the village entrance, an old man with a matching tricycle was selling melons.

Yan Muyu called out, “Anyone want melon?”

Qiu Chao opened her mouth to reply, but Xuan Zhelu beat her to it. “Me!”

Yan Muyu went, “Oh? You got money? It’s on you.”

Xuan Zhelu: …

【No way, President Yan! Are you this broke?】

【Xuan Zhelu’s expression, hahahaha, it’s out of control!】

Yan Muyu added, “I didn’t bring cash. Qiu Chao, you got any?”

Qiu Chao was in a skirt and hadn’t brought any either.

Xuan Zhelu said, “Does that mean I get to treat you?”

As soon as Yan Muyu parked, Xuan Zhelu sidled up, all chummy, reaching to hook her arm.

Yan Muyu said, “Hey—it’s hot.”

The next second, she pushed Xuan Zhelu forward. “You’re paying, so you pick.”

【What’s so hot, weren’t you just hugging Qiu Chao a moment ago?】

【Is this considered double standards?】

Xuan Zhelu whined, puffing her cheeks. “Are you dodging picking the melon? Why do you always do this?”

The casual intimacy in her tone was enough to make anyone read into it.

It only fueled suspicions that these two had definitely hooked up before.

Yan Muyu said, “What do you mean ‘always’? Quit stalling and pick already.”

The melon seller just chuckled amiably, saying nothing.

Qiu Chao and Yan Muyu stood together, watching Xuan Zhelu mutter to herself as she inspected the melons.

Qiu Chao asked Yan Muyu, “Did you two used to buy melons together a lot?”

Yan Muyu replied, “Forgot.”

Her answer came quick. Mountain breeze lifted her stray hairs, revealing a face lit by the streetlamp with a hint of a smile.

Qiu Chao pressed, “Really forgotten, or can’t say?”

【We can all hear it.】

【I’m really curious too.】

Yan Muyu said, “I really don’t remember.”

She glanced at Xuan Zhelu, still thumping a melon. “How’s this one?”

Xuan Zhelu said, “This one. Should be sweet.”

Yan Muyu said, “Waiting for you to pay up.”

Xuan Zhelu scooted closer again. “Can I pay with something else?”

Yan Muyu took a step back, keeping some distance from her. “I sell my art, not my body.”

She even cracked a little joke, nearly making the cameraman laugh out loud.

【I always get the feeling Yan Muyu has actually sold herself before.】

【She’s always been popular with rich ladies, though. But she’s not short on cash, so no real need to.】

【If she won’t sell, how about buying me instead? (Not posted by the real me)】

【Wahhh, Xuan Zhelu, why are you like this? Your cool image from before is totally gone! You’ve let me down!】

Qiu Chao didn’t say much. She just watched Yan Muyu and Xuan Zhelu bicker. Once Yan Muyu had set down the watermelon and the car pulled up to the Little Mud House, as Xuan Zhelu headed inside…

Qiu Chao asked Yan Muyu, who was carrying the suitcase, “Why didn’t you help her with her luggage?”

Liu Song, ever the enthusiastic host, had already been waiting at the door. The moment Xuan Zhelu stepped out of the car, Liu Song hurried over to lend a hand.

The two of them had met at the gala before, so they were probably pretty familiar.

Yan Muyu carried the watermelon over to the well and drew a bucket of water. She lowered it in and said, “Wasn’t someone already helping her?”

The follow cam had gone inside to film Xuan Zhelu. In the yard, only the fixed camera was running, its audio muffled by the wind.

Qiu Chao said, “Isn’t she your ex-girlfriend?”

The words were too garbled for the audience to hear.

Yan Muyu poured icy well water over the watermelon. “We’ve been broken up for eight hundred years. What are you pretending not to know?”