Demon Consort Runs into the Beijing Crown Prince - Chapter 26

Chu Muyun came panting back, gulping down the water Xiao Xing handed him as he negotiated with Director Zhu to finish his scenes ahead of schedule.

Fortunately, this scene was with “Father Gu” and “Mother Gu,” both seasoned actors. They nailed it on the second take.

If they’d needed more takes, Chu Muyun considered squeezing out tears and feigning distress to guilt-trip them into performing better.

“Thank you, Director Zhu! Thank you, teachers! My friend’s visiting the set, so I’ll be leaving now!” Chu Muyun rattled off, then turned to his assistant, Tian Xingzi. “You can drive back yourself. No need to see me off.”

“Oh, okay. Safe travels, Teacher Chu,” Xiao Xing nodded.

There was nothing slow about it. Chu Muyun bolted off, but after a few steps, he suddenly remembered something. He darted into the adjacent house, temporarily rented by the crew as a makeup room and lounge. He sat down at the vanity and began furiously removing his stage makeup, scrubbing away the bruises on his cheeks.

He then applied a subtle, artful look—one so natural that even a straight man like the Great King wouldn’t suspect he was wearing makeup!

Not that the Great King was actually straight!

He also grabbed a carefully curated outfit from the stylist’s wardrobe, one he wouldn’t wear again during filming but looked particularly good, and changed into it.

After making himself look his best, Chu Muyun hurried out again.

He bumped into Luo Yi’s manager in the hallway, whose expression was dark and intimidating, but he paid no mind, sidestepping him and jogging down the stairs.

The car was still parked there, and Lu Hanzhang was waiting.

Seeing him, Lu Hanzhang stepped aside and gentlemanly opened the car door for him.

Chu Muyun slid into the car, followed by Lu Hanzhang, who closed the door behind them.

“You look…” Lu Hanzhang’s gaze lingered on Chu Muyun’s face for a moment.

“Especially good-looking today?” Chu Muyun smiled sweetly.

“Mm.”

Lu Hanzhang couldn’t help but glance at Chu Muyun’s lips—pink, moist, and… tempting.

In the next instant, Chu Muyun’s face suddenly filled his vision, his soft lips seeming to draw closer, their faces inches apart.

Lu Hanzhang’s breath hitched.

The air-conditioned car felt like it had suddenly grown warmer, as if they could feel each other’s breath and the heat radiating from their bodies.

“Let me check if you’ve fastened your seatbelt,” Chu Muyun said with a mischievous smile, buckling Lu Hanzhang’s seatbelt before settling back into his seat.

He wore an innocent expression.

“…” Lu Hanzhang regained his composure. His voice, when he instructed the driver, was cold and detached once more. “Go to the New Arrivals Chronicle.”

Is this considered a date with the Great King?

Sitting in the car, Chu Muyun let his mind wander, a slight nervousness creeping in. He’d never been on a date before.

With his striking looks, he’d naturally attracted many admirers during his school days, both male and female. Back then, unsure if he’d ever see the Great King again and not particularly concerned with remaining celibate, Chu Muyun had subconsciously compared every suitor to the Great King. None had measured up, leaving him single to this day.

Now, of course, his eyes held only the Great King!

The car pulled into the parking lot, and the two entered the restaurant, settling into a private dining room. Chu Muyun mentally reviewed dating tips he’d stumbled upon online.

Should he eat less to appear more reserved?

“Is the food not to your liking?” Lu Hanzhang asked, noticing Chu Muyun’s light eating. “We can order something else or change restaurants.”

“N-no, it’s delicious!” Chu Muyun stammered.

He hadn’t mentioned it, but after two meals together, Lu Hanzhang seemed to have perfectly guessed his preferences, ordering dishes Chu Muyun loved.

“Then eat more. You’ve lost a bit of weight.”

“Mhm,” Chu Muyun replied, picking up a piece of stir-fried sea snail with his chopsticks.

The crew’s box lunches were decent, but after eating them for over a month, Chu Muyun was thoroughly tired of them. The chef at this restaurant was truly skilled, and Chu Muyun found himself eating more than he intended.

Chu Muyun’s imagined date: holding hands while strolling, playing claw machines, watching a movie, receiving a bouquet of flowers, enjoying a candlelit dinner, and sharing kisses in a secluded, dimly lit spot.

The reality: burying his face in his food, eating and eating and eating.

After the meal, Lu Hanzhang drove him back to the hotel.

“Want to come up to my room for a bit?” Chu Muyun invited.

“Sure.”

He actually agreed. As they rode the elevator, Chu Muyun couldn’t help but let his imagination run wild again.

Now that we’re alone in the room, will things naturally progress? Should I wear that silk pajama set when I come out of the bathroom for him to take off, or just go completely bare?

Lu Hanzhang had simply wanted to see what Chu Muyun’s room looked like after he’d been staying there for a month. He glanced around from the doorway, found it acceptable, and said, “I should head back now. Get some rest.”

Hmph, I knew I couldn’t expect anything from him! He won’t even hug me. How could anything else possibly happen?

“You’re in such a hurry to leave,” Chu Muyun said, lowering his eyes. Tears welled up in his eyes as he spoke in a dejected tone, “This might be the last time you see me.”

“Why?”

Lu Hanzhang’s heart skipped a beat, Is Chu Muyun giving up because I’ve been avoiding the word “love”?

“Because—once filming wraps, I won’t be the little-known Chu Muyun anymore! I’ll be the big star Chu Muyun! I won’t be the same person I am today!”

Chu Muyun had deliberately tried to scare him, and he secretly chuckled at Lu Hanzhang’s momentary frozen expression. Then, with a sweet wink worthy of a top-tier idol, he offered, “Want an autograph now? It’ll be worth a fortune later.”

“Sure,” Lu Hanzhang replied with a complicated smile, already outmaneuvered by this little trickster.

“Alright, I’ll sign it for you.” Chu Muyun glanced at the desk across the room, where the hotel had provided stationery.

Before he could turn away, Lu Hanzhang said, “Don’t sign it on a blank sheet of paper.”

“Mhm, I know. But I also know you’d never try to scam me,” Chu Muyun said with a grin. “How about I sign it on your hand instead?”

He grabbed a pen, took Lu Hanzhang’s left hand, and carefully wrote his name in the palm, adding a heart at the end of the character “Yun.”

Chu Muyun had practiced his signature. He’d always believed he’d become a big star someday and would need it. Though over the years, he’d rarely had occasion to use it.

Lu Hanzhang lowered his gaze to the dark ink, “This will fade easily.”

“That’s okay,” Chu Muyun said cheerfully. “I’ll sign it again next time we meet.”

Late that night, when the hotel was quiet, Lu Hanzhang sat alone in his room, repeatedly examining the signature on his palm.

But he couldn’t avoid showering forever. After stepping out of the bathroom, he glanced at the signature again. The ink had blurred, and the writing had faded considerably.

Hesitating for a moment, Lu Hanzhang walked to the desk, dried his hand with a tissue, and picked up a pen. He carefully traced over the signature, but when he reached the heart, he suddenly froze.

What am I doing?

The next day, during a networking event at the industry conference, Lu Hanzhang shook hands with other attendees. As he extended his right hand, he couldn’t help but think, Thank goodness Chu Muyun didn’t sign my right hand. Otherwise, his name would silently and secretly transfer to everyone I shook hands with. The mere thought of that scenario left a sour taste in his mouth.