Demon Consort Runs into the Beijing Crown Prince - Chapter 25

Lu Hanzhang hadn’t mentioned he was coming.

That day, Chu Muyun was filming as usual. During a break between scenes, while listening to the director’s instructions, he glanced at his phone.

Lu Hanzhang: [Send me your location.]

After sending his location, Chu Muyun asked: [Do you want to order milk tea for the set?]

[Mm.]

Forty minutes later, a small truck hired by the milk tea shop delivered a hundred cups.

Chu Muyun and Xiao Xing each took a cup and happily sipped their milk tea.

So when Lu Hanzhang messaged: [Are you still filming? I’m outside]

Chu Muyun didn’t immediately register it.

Outside? Which outside?

Chu Muyun froze for a moment before snapping out of it. He quickly informed the director and bolted out of the building.

Today’s scene was set indoors, in an old residential building. Gu Minglun, exposed for his misdeeds, had strategically moved out of the Gu Family home, feigning a miserable existence to tug at his parents’ heartstrings. Of course, there was also the contrived plot point of Bai Xiaoyang coincidentally bumping into a lost child in the hallway and helping them find their way home.

As a result, Chu Muyun’s current look was that of a pitiful underdog. A purplish bruise marred his cheek, his once-crisp shirt was now crumpled, and his jeans were stained with paint.

Ugh… No time to change before seeing the Great King!

Beneath the dilapidated apartment building, on the potholed asphalt road, Chu Muyun’s eyes immediately locked onto the luxurious car that stood out like a sore thumb against the surroundings, and the man standing beside it.

The man was tall and upright, his suit jacket draped over his arm.

Chu Muyun quickened his pace, flung his arms wide, and lunged forward—

But he didn’t reach his target. Lu Hanzhang didn’t sidestep to let him crash into the car. Instead, he raised his hands and gripped Chu Muyun’s shoulders firmly, his broad, strong palms pinning him in place, preventing him from taking another step forward.

“Don’t come any closer,” Lu Hanzhang said coldly, though a faint smile flickered in his eyes.

“Hmph!” Chu Muyun huffed through his nose, tilting his head to look up at Lu Hanzhang, his eyes sparkling like stars.

He resembled a small animal eagerly waiting for its owner to return home, ready to pounce and nuzzle.

Lu Hanzhang studied him intently, his brow furrowing. He released one of his restraining hands and gently touched the faint bruise on Chu Muyun’s cheek. “Your face…”

“It’s just makeup for the shoot! I’m not hurt.”

“Oh,” Lu Hanzhang relaxed.

Chu Muyun’s eyes curved into crescent moons, “You really came! Why did you lie and say you were just getting milk tea?”

“I didn’t say anything. You guessed. You seemed like you really wanted milk tea, so I ordered it.”

“I wasn’t that eager,” Chu Muyun said. “I just wanted the milk tea you ordered for me.” He added, “Boss, did you come all the way from the Capital just to see me?”

“I was in Shanghai for a conference, and I thought I’d…” Lu Hanzhang paused. “Yes, I came to see you.”

“Really? How long will you be staying?”

“I’m leaving tomorrow after the conference.”

“That’s so short,” Chu Muyun said, sounding disappointed.

“Do you have any more scenes today?” Lu Hanzhang asked. “I’d like to treat you to dinner.”

“W-well, there’s one more,” Chu Muyun replied. “Wait here! I’ll ask the Director to shoot my scene first. I’ll be right back! If my co-star messes up and the Director yells ‘Cut,’ I’ll give him a piece of my mind!” As he spoke, he widened his eyes, looking like a small wildcat hissing fiercely.

They wouldn’t be filming in this location tomorrow, and his makeup—including the fake scars on his cheek—would be removed. Forcing the crew to delay the scene until the next day would cause significant inconvenience and be highly irresponsible.

“Go ahead. I’ll wait here,” Lu Hanzhang said.

“Okay, okay! I’ll be back soon!” Chu Muyun turned and hurried back to the set.

Lu Hanzhang stood quietly, watching his retreating figure.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, he lifted his gaze to the upper floors of the old residential building. His eyes turned cold and sharp.

Someone was watching him from behind a window upstairs.

Lu Hanzhang glanced briefly and then looked away. Too many people wanted to meet him or talk to him, he didn’t need to pay them any mind. If they wanted to seize the opportunity, that was their business.

Moments later, a middle-aged man with unremarkable features and thinning hair emerged from the stairwell and approached him.

“Hello, let me introduce myself. I’m Wu Guodong, Luo Yi’s manager. You must be the… the influential figure behind Mr. Chu. A pleasure to meet you.” Wu Guodong’s face was plastered with a sycophantic smile.

He didn’t know Lu Hanzhang’s exact identity, but the luxury car and the man’s imposing aura made him wary. Moreover, Luo Yi Studio had suffered several recent setbacks.

Lu Hanzhang lifted his eyelids slightly, giving Wu Guodong a cold, dismissive glance.

“There might have been some misunderstanding between us and Mr. Chu. Upon closer examination, it’s really nothing serious. As you can see, we’ve already offered a sincere apology. Perhaps we could sit down and discuss this…”

The obsequious and hypocritical tone of Wu Guodong’s voice grated on Lu Hanzhang’s nerves, making his palms itch. Sometimes, he felt an inexplicable emptiness at his waist, as if a long blade were missing—a blade he could grasp with a flick of his fingers, swing, and sever the irritating head before him with a single kick.

The Crown Prince of the Lu Group was well-mannered, but his temper was far from mild.

He had come to see Chu Muyun, so he had left Li Weide to return to the hotel and rest. Normally, his assistant would shield him from having to deal with such tiresome characters.

“…I hope we can reach a reconciliation. Perhaps we could even collaborate in the future…”

“Impossible. Your methods are too dirty,” Lu Hanzhang interrupted.

Wu Guodong forced a fawning smile, “That’s just how the entertainment industry works. As an outsider, you might not understand, but actually…”

“Get out,” Lu Hanzhang snapped, unwilling to waste another word.

“Give us a chance! Luo Yi Studio would like to invite you and Mr. Chu to dinner tonight,” Wu Guodong persisted relentlessly. “Any misunderstandings can be cleared up over the meal…”

Lu Hanzhang sighed, his expression impatient. He pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts.

Then he made a call.

“Is this President Chen of Jiattai? Didn’t you recently sign Luo Yi as an endorser? Terminate his contract. Today.”