Chapter 228: Mu Xiao’s Plot Blows up in Her Face
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Li Hanchen held his breath when Mu Sheng came close to him and looked at Mu Sheng deeply.
Mu Sheng raised her head when she detected Li Hanchen looking at her. “What are you looking at?”
Li Hanchen narrowed his eyes slightly like a snow leopard giving off a predatory aura. “Aren’t you going to get up?”
Mu Sheng frowned. “I refuse. What can you do about it?’
“Fine. Then be my guest,” said Li Hanchen as he leaned towards Mu Sheng and tightened his grip on her waist slightly to pull her into his arms.
Mu Sheng ended up sitting on Li Hanchen’s lap in his embrace.
Li Hanchen held Mu Sheng’s waist with his left hand and picked up the chopsticks with his right and continued eating.
They were sitting close to the dining table, so Mu Sheng could see the braised pork and rice and could even smell the fragrance in the air. She could not help swallowing her saliva.
Since Mu Sheng was dressed in the gown, she could keenly sense the warmth radiating from Li Hanchen’s hand at her waist, so she unknowingly moved.
Li Hanchen’s chopsticks froze in midair.
“Come on. Let me take you out to eat.” Li Hanchen put down his chopsticks and almost instantly pulled Mu Sheng up before running upstairs. “Let me go get changed. Give me a minute.”
Mu Sheng felt a little less annoyed. From the looks of it, Li Hanchen had a conscience.
However, Li Hanchen had yet to come downstairs 30 minutes later.
Mu Sheng went upstairs to look for him. The moment she got to the bedroom door, it opened. Li Hanchen had shockingly taken a bath and his hair was slightly damp.
Mu Sheng opened her eyes wide. “How could you do this? I was waiting downstairs for you on an empty stomach. How could you take a bath?”
Li Hanchen dried his hair with the towel. The moment he saw Mu Sheng’s red lips and bare shoulders, he instantly felt he needed another bath. “Let’s go downstairs now. I will take you out for lunch.”
“Are you deliberately trying to make trouble?” Mu Sheng was hungry, but Li Hanchen ended up keeping her waiting. She did not know why Li Hanchen was doing this to her and felt he must be messing with her.
Li Hanchen put the towel aside and put on his clothes before holding Mu Sheng’s hand and going downstairs. After helping her put on her coat, he led her out the door.
“Where are we going?” Mu Sheng was still annoyed with Li Hanchen.
After composing himself, Li Hanchen turned to look at Mu Sheng. “I’m taking you out for a feast. If you don’t come back satisfied, I will do whatever you want if it makes you happy, okay?”
No one was able to take it when Li Hanchen looked at them intently. No matter how oblivious Mu Sheng was, she was no different.
She veered her eyes slightly. “That depends.”
Li Hanchen smiled. He reached his hands out to touch Mu Sheng’s head, but she stopped him. “You can’t touch my head.”
A look of powerlessness swept across Li Hanchen’s eyes. “Fine.”
He pulled his hand back and started the car.
Since it was sometime after lunch and it took over one hour to get there, it was past 3:00 pm when they got to the mountain lodge.
After driving past an apricot tree forest, they arrived at a traditional-looking building with quiet surroundings nestled deep in a bamboo forest.
“Welcome. Your room is ready. Let me show you the way.”
“Uh huh.” Li Hanchen led Mu Sheng into the restaurant.
The restaurant was located in an ancient garden, so it had an antique flavor to it.
Even though Mu Sheng paid very little attention to restaurants, she could tell from the decor that the food at the restaurant was expensive.
“Is it very expensive to eat here?” Mu Sheng turned to look at Li Hanchen.
Li Hanchen pursed his lips. “It’s okay.”
Mu Sheng did not believe him, especially after she was done eating.
The food was exquisitely done and different from Auntie Lin’s style, but it was equally delicious.
Mu Sheng glanced at the bill when it was time to go.
Mu Sheng felt a pang in her heart when she saw the long string of zeros on the bill. She stopped Li Hanchen when he tried to pay. “Let me pay.”
She still had some savings in the bank.
Li Hanchen had already handed his card to the staff before he turned to look at her. “I told you I’m buying you lunch. How could I let you pay?”
Mu Sheng wanted to say Li Hanchen was a poor man, but she did not want to hurt his feelings.
She asked tactfully, “Do you still have any more living expenses left over after paying for lunch?”
Li Hanchen went quiet. He glanced at Mu Sheng as he pondered before he sighed softly and said, “I just don’t want you to be angry. I promised to give you a treat, right?”
Mu Sheng instantly felt a little guilty when she heard what Li Hanchen said.
Li Hanchen was an impoverished man. Now he was spending an entire month’s worth of living expenses just to make her happy. “I… I didn’t expect you to buy me such an expensive lunch.”
“It’s okay.” Li Hanchen consoled Mu Sheng. “It is not that expensive. If I’m low on cash, I just need to watch my spending.”
Mu Sheng was puzzled. “How?”
“I was planning to get a new suit, but it’s okay. I can wear my old ones for one more year. From now on, I won’t eat lunch either. I will only eat when I come home at night. This way, I ought to be able to get by,” said Li Hanchen with a serious look on his face.
Since he looked convincing when he spoke seriously, no one would have doubted what he said.
After the staff came back from swiping Li Hanchen’s card and heard their conversation, he could not help feeling bewildered in his heart.
Was this something the rich people said for fun these days? How could he have problems buying a suit if he was able to book the entire Bamboo Mist Restaurant? Was he joking? Just the money he spent reserving the restaurant was enough to buy plenty of suits!
Since the patrons were gods, the staff turned a blind eye no matter what they did. After giving Li Hanchen his card, the staff left reverently.
Mu Sheng felt even guiltier hearing what Li Hanchen said. “I wasn’t that angry… How about this? Since I can design, why don’t I make you a suit in exchange for lunch?”
Li Hanchen’s eyes lit up slightly. “Really? Are… are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“It’s fine. It’s a deal,” said Mu Sheng decisively. “Thanks for lunch.”
All her anger had already dissipated over lunch.
Although Li Hanchen was sometimes unreasonable, he was willing to spend an entire month’s living expenses to buy her lunch, so Mu Sheng had already forgiven him.
Li Hanchen smiled. “You are welcome.”
Li Hanchen contemplated as he watched Mu Sheng quietly eat her dessert.
Why was she so gullible?
After lunch, they went home. Mu Sheng headed to her room to design Li Hanchen’s suit while he went back to the office.
Mu Sheng sat in the study all afternoon. She went downstairs for dinner when it was time and forgot about her date with Mu Xiao.
Meanwhile, at a hotel in town.
Mu Xiao was all set.
After dinner, the waiter would serve Li Ming a glass of wine laced with drugs. A waiter would step forward and accuse Mu Sheng of drugging the wine after the drugs had taken effect.
Sadly, there was no cure for the drugs she prepared this time, and the only way to alleviate his agony was through sexual intercourse. Between Mu Sheng and Mu Xiao, it was clear who Li Ming would choose to sleep with.
After Li Ming regained consciousness, Mu Xiao could pretend that she had sacrificed her body to save him.
Li Ming would end up hating Mu Sheng even more and she could make Li Ming feel guilty towards her. Also, Mu Xiao had taken a secret prescription that might help her get pregnant.
This ruse would kill three birds with one stone. Mu Xiao wanted to laugh out loud triumphantly just thinking about it.
Li Ming had called to say he was on the way. Mu Xiao checked the time and frowned. “Where is Mu Sheng? Why isn’t she here yet?”
She called Mu Sheng again, but the line was busy.
Mu Xiao looked at the table in front of her and suddenly wondered if Mu Sheng lied to her. After all, Mu Sheng had been giving her a poor attitude recently. Why would Mu Sheng suddenly agree to meet tonight?
The more Mu Xiao pondered, the more she felt Mu Sheng was having her on.
Mu Xiao stood up with a worried look on her face. Why had Mu Sheng suddenly gotten so smart?
Mu Xiao thought about the drugged wine and felt worried. Without Mu Sheng, if anything happened tonight, she would not have a fall guy.
Mu Xiao opened the door and wanted to call the waiter.
The moment she walked out of the room, she encountered Ouyang He walking in her direction. Her eyes instantly lit up before she straightened her clothes and smiled as she walked over.
“Hi, Master Ouyang.” Mu Xiao smiled at Ouyang He politely.
Ouyang He raised his head and glanced at Mu Xiao and smiled.
Ouyang He could recognize her. He had left the city in a hurry the other day, but he had asked Metropolis University to find out who was playing the piano in the room that day.
Metropolis University told him it was none other than the girl before him called Mu Xiao.
Ouyang He even went online to look for footage of Mu Xiao playing the piano at Metropolis University’s school anniversary celebrations. Although her technique was average, the song she composed was divine.
“Hi.” Ouyang He nodded to Mu Xiao genially.
The piano masters following behind Ouyang He were stunned. Had Ouyang He ever treated a youngster so genially before?
Everyone knew Ouyang He was in town to pick a new disciple. Now that they had witnessed his interaction with Mu Xiao, everyone knew whom he would pick. This young woman would probably end up becoming Ouyang He’s future disciple.
Ouyang He had been dying to meet Mu Xiao. Now that he finally got to see Mu Xiao, he quickly waved at her. “Since we are having dinner, why don’t you join us so that I can introduce you to these piano masters?”
Excitement swept through Mu Xiao’s eyes. “Sure, Master Ouyang.”
Mu Xiao followed Ouyang He and his party to the private room. Ouyang He seemed to genuinely think highly of Mu Xiao. She introduced Mu Xiao to these renowned pianists and also invited her to stay for dinner.
However, Mu Xiao turned him down tactfully. She was worried Ouyang He would figure out she did not play the piano piece he had heard if she stayed any longer. Also, Mu Xiao was worried about Li Ming and wanted to check on him as soon as possible.
After bidding farewell to Ouyang He, Mu Xiao left the private room and went back to hers. The moment she entered through the door, she opened her eyes wide. “Ming, are you here already?”
Li Ming was drinking a glass of wine when he turned to glance at Mu Xiao. “Where have you gone? Come over and check out what I got you for your birthday.”
Mu Xiao looked uneasy as she went towards Li Ming. She kept scrutinizing Li Ming’s face to see if there was anything wrong with him. Since he looked normal, she felt slightly more relieved. “What did you get me? You didn’t have to. Just seeing you makes me happy.”
Li Ming handed Mu Xiao a box. Mu Xiao opened it to see an extravagant bracelet lying inside the box and her eyes lit up. She went towards Li Ming and said sweetly, “Ming, help me put it on.”
Li Ming put down the wine glass and held Mu Xiao’s wrist. The moment Li Ming touched her skin, it felt as though a fire had sparked inside him.
He frowned and felt a little giddy and parched. He reached his hand out for a glass of water, but he was so giddy that he stumbled. Mu Xiao hurriedly went over to help support him.
The moment Mu Xiao held him, the fire inside Li Ming raged even more wildly. He was unable to recognize her. The fire inside him simply kept trying to get out.
Li Ming pulled Mu Xiao into his arms and leaned down on her.
“Ming.” Mu Xiao pushed Li Ming worriedly. She had no intention of doing it here and had already booked a hotel room upstairs. They were at a restaurant. How could they do it here?
There was a huge gulf between a man’s and a woman’s strength. Even though Mu Xiao struggled for a long time, she was unable to escape Li Ming.
A lot of waiters were standing outside. Since Mu Xiao had already told them not to interrupt, they pretended not to hear anything and simply stood guard outside the private room.
Everyone could not help shaking their heads as they listened to the commotion going on inside the room. People with money could do it anywhere, even at a restaurant.
Since Li Ming was a big drinker, he had drunk quite a bit before Mu Xiao got here, so the drug was reacting strongly.
After three to four hours, the drug finally wore off. Li Ming was startled to see the half-dead unconscious woman in the chair when he regained consciousness.
Mu Xiao leaned against the chair as she breathed weakly. Li Ming reached his hand out to pat her face. “Xiaoxiao?”
Mu Xiao did not react, so Li Ming hurriedly called his assistant and sent for an ambulance.
The Li and the Mu families flew into chaos and went to the hospital when they found out what happened.
Meanwhile, at the villa.
Things were relatively peaceful for Mu Sheng.
After dinner, Mu Sheng played a couple of rounds of the game. She recalled her parts were airing on tonight’s episode of the television drama, so she turned off the game.
“I am done with live telecasting. I want to watch the TV drama.”
The viewers immediately protested.
[What do you mean? No, you can’t just stop! Keep doing the live telecast!]
[No way. God Mu, please focus on the live telecast, okay? If you sign off, I will cancel my subscription.]
Any other live telecaster would have given in to such threats, but not Mu Sheng. She saw the comments and said, “Why don’t you watch it with me then?”
People continued to keep saying no.
Mu Sheng replied, “In that case, I will sign off.”
The viewers had no choice but to compromise.
After watching the drama for a while, the viewers felt it was pretty good.
Mu Sheng liked watching the television from the couch. After watching it from the desk for a short time, she finally moved the computer to the coffee table and pointed the camera at her and the screen.
She sat on the couch comfortably and started to watch the television drama.
Before the audience had the chance to gripe about Mu Sheng’s lack of professionalism, Mu Sheng appeared on the television drama.
It was evening time and the school bell was ringing and school was over. Students dressed in white uniforms swarmed to the school gate. They seemed young and innocent.
It was summer and the insects could be heard in the background as the students chattered.
A loud rumble could be heard and all eyes turned towards the source of the sound nearby.
The camera turned and a girl wearing a simple white T-shirt with her school jacket tied around her waist could be seen riding over in a heavy motorcycle.
Despite the warm light, it was impossible to erase the coldness in her eyes. Her exceptionally long legs could be seen as she got off the bike. It felt as though everywhere she went, the warm summer air instantly turned cool.
Gu Li turned her head when she got to the school entrance. She glanced into the crowd and saw the school heartthrob played by Qiao Siyu.
She had a proud aura and looked happy to see him, but she also briefly felt inferior as she furtively glanced in his direction. In an instant, Mu Sheng made Gu Li a well-layered character.
Even the viewers watching “Song of Youth” online were talking about the show. The show’s viewership soared to an all-time high in the two days it was aired.
[Omigod! She is so cool! She is perfect for Gu Li! It was incredible! She looks like the perfect rebellious teen!]
[Just look at her waist. I would kill for it. If only I could touch it. It looks as though I can hold it with one hand. Sobs. I decided to pass on dinner. I am so sad about my waist.]
Since Mu Sheng was only appearing in a supporting role, she only appeared once and did not appear for the rest of the episode.
However, it was already quite an achievement for people to remember her after watching a single scene.
Mu Sheng’s motorcycle scene rose through the ranks to become the talk of the town online.
The audience was blown away by Mu Sheng when she got off the bike.
[Why are her legs so long? Are they real? My legs are so short that I feel embarrassed.]
[Sobs. I thought Mu Sheng was an adorable girl, but I didn’t expect her to be so cool. I can’t stop thinking about her ever since watching her on the entertainment program. Now, I saw her on the drama getting off the bike.]
[Howl! My nose is bleeding already. I need to get some screenshots of her. See you at Bilibili. ]
Bilibili experienced a major surge in videos starring Mu Sheng with other beautiful celebrities in the entertainment industry.
Mu Sheng knew nothing about the sensation she had caused. She would read online news to pass time, but she did not read it in detail.
After watching the television drama, Mu Sheng turned off the live telecast and went to Li Hanchen’s room.
Li Hanchen was sitting at the desk looking at some data when he heard someone knocking at the door. He turned off the computer and put on a coat before answering the door.
“Why aren’t you in bed yet?” Li Hanchen stepped back and gave way when he saw it was Mu Sheng.
“I need to do one more thing before going to bed.” Mu Sheng entered Li Hanchen’s room, and he closed the door behind her before serving her a cup of tea.
Mu Sheng took a sip before she looked at Li Hanchen. “Take off your clothes.”
Li Hanchen went quiet. He knew Mu Sheng did not mean anything out of the ordinary, but Li Hanchen could not help thinking otherwise. He inhaled deeply before he said, “Why?”
Mu Sheng retrieved a measuring tape from her pocket. “Shall I do it? Or do you want to do it yourself? I need your measurements.”
Although he wanted to let Mu Sheng take his measurements, Li Hanchen ended up taking the measuring tape from her. “Let me do it.”
Li Hanchen took off his coat and carefully took his measurements.
Mu Sheng took note of his measurements as he took them. After he was done, Mu Sheng pondered with her eyes on the piece of paper.
Li Hanchen could not help laughing when he caught the expression on her face. “Yes?”
Mu Sheng scrutinized Li Hanchen innocently before she said candidly, “Your figure has an almost perfect ratio.”
Li Hanchen glanced at Mu Sheng powerlessly. “If you are done, please leave. I want to sleep.”
Since he wanted to sleep, Mu Sheng did not insist on staying. She stood up and left with her things.
After closing the door, Li Hanchen sighed. He pulled his tie off and went into the bathroom.
He proceeded to take his third bath for the day.
The moment Mu Sheng woke up in the morning, she saw the slew of text messages from Tang Tiantian.
Mu Sheng’s acting on the drama last night had won a lot of praise.
Fans of the novel tended to be more demanding since they expected to see the television drama reproduced perfectly in accordance with the characters in the story.
This was a difficult task, but the moment someone could achieve it, they would win the unwavering support of the fans.
Mu Sheng was acting as Gu Li. She had successfully reproduced the character in accordance with the novel.
In an instant, everyone started talking about Mu Sheng even more than they did about the lead actress.
Ruan Yingying gnashed her teeth furiously when she saw the praise everyone had for Mu Sheng online while she was at the hotel.
“I am the female lead!”
Mu Sheng was just a third-rate actress appearing in a supporting role. How could she steal her thunder?
