Did the Movie Emperor Blow His Cover Today? - Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Light snow had begun to fall outside, and Tao Hui stood in the bathroom brushing her teeth.

Downstairs, an elderly man called out, “Hey, Old Xun! Wanna play chess after breakfast?”

Another robust voice chimed in, “Yeah, we’ll knock out a few games after our morning stroll!”

It seemed like just another ordinary morning.

Tao Hui smiled at the birthmark in the mirror, toothpaste foam lingering in her mouth.

Yet there was something different. The minty toothpaste in her mouth—strong enough to cool her entire mouth with a single breath—was Han Buji’s.

Her own toothpaste was always fruity, sometimes even child-flavored.

The loungewear she wore was Han Buji’s men’s size, sleeves rolled twice to reach her wrists.

The birthmark on her neck remained bare, exposed to the air.

She’d gained another person in her life who she could face without hiding her birthmark, without being the Tao Hui everyone expected. She could truly be herself.

It seemed like something worth being happy about.

Tao Hui spat out the toothpaste, rinsed her mouth, and faintly heard Gao Meng reporting work to Han Buji downstairs.

It hadn’t been long since Tao Hui met Han Buji. Yet inexplicably, they’d grown close, become neighbors, and now she’d even spent the night at his place.

“Tao Hui, many coincidences aren’t coincidental. Be careful,” a voice suddenly echoed in her mind.

She recalled the words Han Buji had spoken to her that early morning when Miao Miao was poisoned. They’d stood in the empty hotel corridor, his words lingering in the air.

Tao Hui stared at her reflection in the mirror.

Now that she thought about it, Han Buji had been… tolerant of her from their first meeting? Tolerant, perhaps?

What would most people do if they saw a stranger drawing a Wang Ba on their photo?

Tao Hui pondered. If it were her, what would she do?

Would she charge forward with a flurry of punches, then snarl, “You dare draw a Wang Ba on my photo? I’ll shark you to death”?

Uh, maybe only Li Sijin would do something like that.

Han Buji looked more mature, and he was several years older—a full 27 years old. He probably wouldn’t say anything like that, right?

So, maybe he wasn’t being particularly tolerant after all?

As Tao Hui pondered, a male voice suddenly spoke from behind her. “What are you thinking?”

“I was just thinking… Han Buji is almost 30 now…” Tao Hui answered the question before realizing who the voice behind her belonged to. She whirled around, towel in hand, to find Han Buji watching her with an enigmatic expression.

Han Buji kept his hands in his pockets. “So Han Buji is almost 30. And?”

“Nothing, nothing!” Tao Hui laughed awkwardly, shaking the towel in her hand. She completely failed to notice how her gesture resembled a brothel madam’s.

Han Buji chuckled. “The locksmith from property management is here. Let’s go check it out.”

Tao Hui followed Han Buji downstairs, scanning the area for Gao Meng’s presence. “Where’s Gao Meng?”

“Out buying breakfast,” Han Buji replied.

“Gao Meng’s so considerate!” Tao Hui thought. She’d stayed at Han Buji’s place last night and hadn’t dared mention her midnight hunger. Now even the memory of that blueberry-flavored toothpaste at home made her mouth water.

Comparing Han Buji’s assistant to Miao Miao, the idiot, Tao Hui grumbled, “Both assistants, but Miao Miao would never buy me breakfast. She only shows up when I’m eating, then steals my egg-stuffed pancake and soy milk!”

Han Buji smiled. “Gao Meng never buys me breakfast either. I guess I’m benefiting from your situation today.”

Tao Hui suddenly felt a bit embarrassed.

She had experienced the awkwardness of having an assistant who was a fan of another celebrity. She still remembered the disgusted expression on her face when Miao Miao tried to convince her about Han Buji’s virtues.

Moreover, Gao Meng had specifically gone to buy breakfast for her. Tao Hui decided to offer some commercial flattery to comfort Han Buji, “Well, you know… Miao Miao is also your fan. Don’t take it too personally…”

Han Buji, who had been walking ahead, suddenly turned around. Tao Hui reflexively shrank back, muttering in a small voice, “I’m serious, I’m not lying.”

“Oh, this is Master Zhang from property management. You can explain the situation to him yourself.” Han Buji remained calm, with a black-faced, thin old man standing behind him.

Tao Hui wished she could slap herself dead.

So pathetic! Absolutely pathetic!

He just turned to talk to you! Why did you cower like that?!

The property manager needed to verify the owner’s information before opening the lock. After Tao Hui provided her ID number to the black-faced, thin old man, he began working with a set of small, unidentified tools.

Tao Hui gazed at the black-faced old brother with starry eyes, leaning close to Han Buji to shower him with exaggerated praise, “Brother, your skills are truly amazing! Wow, what’s that little wire thing? It’s just like a spy from one of those movies I watched as a kid—whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!—and the door opens! You’re so incredible, Brother! Look at those dexterous hands of yours…”

With each sentence, Han Buji grew more silent. Unaware of his reaction, Tao Hui continued chattering happily.

Click.

A faint sound suddenly came from the door.

“Open? It’s open already? But how long did that take? Two minutes? Brother, you’re truly amazing!” Tao Hui raised both thumbs in victory, her eyes sparkling as she stared at the black-faced old brother.

The old brother’s face remained stern, but he suddenly scratched his head and said awkwardly, “Um, Miss Tao, I’m sorry. Your lock is too high-level. To open it, we’d have to destroy it.”

Tao Hui kept her thumbs raised. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Han Buji’s head turn slightly, his shoulders shaking twice.

He’s actually snorting with laughter!

Zhou Xun had said he’d be back tomorrow morning. Destroying the lock wasn’t strictly necessary—though they’d need to replace it if broken—but leaving it intact might mean staying another day at Han Buji’s place.

Tao Hui felt somewhat conflicted. She and Han Buji could be considered friends, and unlike Han Buji who had friends scattered everywhere, given her situation, apart from Zhou Xun and Miao Miao, Han Buji was probably her closest friend now.

But for some inexplicable reason, Tao Hui just couldn’t relax about staying at Han Buji’s place.

She felt awkward asking for late-night snacks when hungry, spoke with constant caution, and even this morning, before leaving her bedroom, she found herself standing at the door straightening her hair before opening it.

It was utterly absurd!

The black-faced old man asked again, “Miss Tao, do you want to break the lock?”

“Do you have work today?” Han Buji suddenly asked.

“No,” Tao Hui shook her head, a bit confused by Han Buji’s sudden question.

Han Buji said, “Then don’t destroy the lock. Zhou Xun will be back tomorrow, so you can stay at my place.”

“Let’s skip breaking the lock. Thank you, Master Zhang.” Han Buji exchanged some polite words with the property manager.

Tao Hui remained detached throughout the process, helplessly watching Han Buji make decisions for her before seeing her to the elevator entrance.

As if Han Buji is the male head of my household?

The moment this thought surfaced, Tao Hui violently shook her head.

What are you thinking?! Han Buji is the male head of Wanqian Han Meimei’s household! Not yours!

Han Buji returned after seeing off his guest to find Tao Hui still standing frozen in the hallway, lost in thought.

He snapped his fingers by her ear. “What’s got you so spaced out?”

Tao Hui jumped, whirling around to face him with a guilty flush. “N-nothing! I wasn’t thinking about anything!”

Han Buji glanced at her with amusement. This girl reminded him of the squirrels outside his mansion—stealthily gathering pinecones with their bushy tails tucked under their bellies, ready to flee at the slightest rustle.

“Rabbit! Boss, breakfast is here!”

The elevator doors opened to reveal Gao Meng bouncing out with a bulging sack. She thrust it into Tao Hui’s arms. “I’ve got work to do—back to the office!”

Tao Hui, now burdened with the sack, followed Han Buji back to his apartment.

The “Weibo Night” invitation sat on the dining table—delivered earlier that morning by Gao Meng.

With year-end approaching, media companies were preparing their lavish galas. Tao Hui’s recent appearance on the Sheng Jue production team had trended multiple times today, earning her an invitation to the Weibo Night. The invitation remained with Miao Miao, yet to be delivered.

These corporate giants, having raked in profits all year, always put on a grandiose display. The invitation itself resembled a work of art—its crimson edges intricately gilded, the recipient’s name embossed in elegant script.

Tao Hui held Han Buji’s invitation, pretending it was her own. She raised it for a photo and posted it on Weibo.

As a celebrity, she needed to occasionally engage with fans on social media to keep them happy.

Han Buji sat across from Tao Hui, unpacking the breakfast bag. Transparent disposable boxes were labeled with small tags: Red Sugar Steamed Buns, Red Sugar Flatbread, Red Sugar Red Date Lotus Porridge, Red Sugar Pie…

Tao Hui stared at the table full of “red sugar” creations, frowning. “Why is everything red sugar? Did Gao Meng misunderstand something?”

Red sugar is supposed to replenish blood, right?

Could it be that I looked too pale when I opened the door this morning? Did Gao Meng think I was on my period?

A glimmer of amusement flickered in Han Buji’s eyes. “She did misunderstand.”

Tao Hui looked up, waiting for him to explain.

“This morning, Gao Meng asked if we were particularly… vigorous last night.” Han Buji lifted a box of red sugar steamed buns and offered it to Tao Hui. “You threw yourself at me so hard that I got quite bruised. So I told her it was indeed very vigorous.”

Tao Hui: “!”

Vigorous my ass! You’re the one being vigorous!

The vigorous she meant! And the vigorous you meant! Are they even the same vigorous?!

“Han Buji!” Tao Hui grabbed a red sugar steamed bun and hurled it at him, shouting, “What kind of nonsense are you spouting to your assistant all day?!”

Perhaps feeling unsatisfied, Tao Hui threw several more red sugar sachets. Even the invitation couldn’t escape her wrath, getting sent flying with a resounding “biu” from her hand.

At last, she no longer resembled a cautious squirrel.

Han Buji didn’t dodge the barrage of projectiles. Suddenly, he clutched his forehead and laughed—a genuine, toothy grin that made him look as if Xu Chang had possessed his body.

Tao Hui recoiled at his reaction. “Do you have some kind of masochistic personality?”

He’s laughing after getting hit? Did my sugar sachet hit his funny bone or something?

One of the sachets must have burst during her violent toss, leaving a small red sugar stain on Han Buji’s loungewear. He didn’t even glance at it as he replied with a smile, “No, I just find it… refreshing.”

What? What’s refreshing?

Why is it refreshing?

Tao Hui opened her mouth to ask, but Han Buji suddenly leaned forward across the table, his arm resting casually as he closed the distance between them by half a meter.

The smile vanished from his face as he said earnestly, “I like seeing you so relaxed, Tao Hui. Don’t be so careful around me anymore.”