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

Chapter 26 

Light snow had begun to fall outside the window, unnoticed by Tao Hui as she stood in the bathroom, toothbrush in her mouth.

Downstairs, an elderly man called out, “Old Xun, want to play chess after breakfast?”

Another elderly man replied with a robust voice, “Sure! Let’s take a walk first, then we’ll play a couple of rounds when we get back!”

It seemed like just another ordinary morning.

Tao Hui gazed at the birthmark in the mirror and smiled through the toothpaste foam.

But there was one small difference: the toothpaste in her mouth was a powerful mint flavor. A single breath filled her entire mouth with a refreshing coolness—this was Han Buji’s toothpaste.

Tao Hui usually used fruit-flavored toothpaste, and sometimes even bought children’s toothpaste.

The loungewear she was wearing was also Han Buji’s men’s size. The oversized sleeves had to be rolled up twice to reach her wrists.

The birthmark on her neck was uncovered, boldly exposed to the air.

Now there was someone in her life she could face without hiding her birthmark, without pretending to be the Tao Hui the public expected. She could finally be her true self.

That was something worth celebrating, wasn’t it?

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

Tao Hui hadn’t known Han Buji for long, yet they had inexplicably grown close, becoming neighbors under equally mysterious circumstances, and she had even spent a night at his place for reasons she couldn’t quite explain.

Tao Hui, many coincidences aren’t coincidences at all. Be careful. The words suddenly flashed through her mind.

These were the words Han Buji had spoken to her in the empty hotel corridor in the early hours of the morning after Miao Miao’s food poisoning incident.

Tao Hui stared blankly at her reflection in the mirror.

Now that she thought about it, Han Buji had seemed remarkably… tolerant of her from their very first meeting. Was it tolerance?

What would most people do if they saw a complete stranger drawing a turtle (bastard) on their photo?

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

Charge in with a flurry of punches and kicks, then snarl, “You dare draw a turtle on my photo? I’ll gut you!”

Ugh, that’s probably something only Li Sijin would do.

Han Buji seemed much more mature, and he was several years older than her—already 27. He probably wouldn’t say something like that, right?

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

As Tao Hui was lost in thought, a male voice suddenly sounded behind her. “What are you thinking about?”

“I was just thinking, Han Buji is almost thirty…” Tao Hui answered absently, then whirled around, towel in hand, when she realized who was behind her. Han Buji stood there, a knowing look on his face.

Han Buji tucked his hands into his pockets. “Han Buji is almost thirty. So?”

“Nothing, nothing!” Tao Hui chuckled nervously, flicking the towel in her hand, completely unaware that the gesture made her look like an old madam from a brothel.

Han Buji chuckled. “The locksmith from property management is here. Come take a look.”

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

“Buying breakfast,” Han Buji replied.

“Gao Meng is so thoughtful!” Tao Hui had stayed at Han Buji’s place the night before and had been too embarrassed to admit she was hungry in the middle of the night. Now, even the thought of her blueberry-flavored toothpaste at home made her mouth water.

Comparing Han Buji’s assistant to her own, Miao Miao, Tao Hui grumbled indignantly, “We’re both assistants, but Miao Miao would never buy me breakfast. She just shows up while I’m eating and steals my egg pancake and soy milk!”

Han Buji chuckled. “Even Gao Meng never buys me breakfast. I guess I’m getting lucky today thanks to you.”

Tao Hui suddenly felt a little embarrassed. She had experienced firsthand what it was like to have an assistant who was a fan of another celebrity. She still remembered her “I just ate shit” expression when Miao Miao had tried to promote Han Buji to her.

Besides, Gao Meng had gone out of her way to buy breakfast for Tao Hui. Deciding to offer some mutual flattery as consolation, Tao Hui said, “Well, you know, Miao Miao is also a fan of yours. Don’t be too upset…”

Han Buji, who had been walking ahead, suddenly turned around. Tao Hui instinctively ducked her head and muttered, “Really, really! I’m not lying!”

“Oh, this is Master Zhang from the property management office. You can explain the situation to him yourself,” Han Buji said calmly, gesturing to a dark-skinned, wiry old man standing behind him.

Tao Hui wanted to slap herself.

Coward! You’re such a coward!

He just turned around to talk to you, why did you duck your head like that?!

Since the property management office needed to verify the owner’s identity before unlocking the door, Tao Hui provided her ID number to Master Zhang. The wiry old man then began working with a collection of small, unfamiliar tools.

Tao Hui gazed at the wiry, dark-skinned locksmith with pure admiration, leaning close to Han Buji and showering the man with effusive praise. “Your skills are incredible, Big Brother! Wow, what’s that little wire? It’s just like the secret agents from those movies I used to watch as a kid—swish, swish, swish, and the door just pops open! You’re amazing, Big Brother! Look at those nimble hands of yours…”

With each word she spoke, Han Buji grew more silent. Tao Hui, completely oblivious, continued chattering happily.

Click. A faint sound came from inside the door.

“It’s open? Already? How long did that take? Two minutes? You’re truly incredible, Big Brother!” Tao Hui gave the locksmith two enthusiastic thumbs-up, her eyes shining as she stared at him.

The locksmith maintained a stern expression, then suddenly scratched his head awkwardly. “Um, Miss Tao, I’m sorry, but your lock is too high-grade. The only way to open it was to force it.”

Tao Hui’s thumbs were still raised when she caught Han Buji turning his head away, his shoulders twitching slightly.

That jerk is laughing at me!

Zhou Xun had said he’d be back by tomorrow morning. Breaking the lock wasn’t strictly necessary, and replacing it would be a hassle. But if she didn’t break it, she might have to stay at Han Buji’s place for another day.

Tao Hui felt conflicted. She and Han Buji were friends, and unlike him, who seemed to know everyone, her closest friends were likely Zhou Xun, Miao Miao, and now Han Buji.

Yet for some reason, she couldn’t quite relax while staying at his place.

She felt awkward asking for late-night snacks, spoke cautiously, and even found herself tidying her hair before leaving her bedroom that morning—a habit she couldn’t explain.

This is absurd!

The dark-skinned handyman repeated his question: “Miss Tao, should we break the lock?”

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

“No,” Tao Hui replied, shaking her head, puzzled by his sudden question.

“Then don’t break the lock,” Han Buji said. “Zhou Xun will be back tomorrow. You can just rest here.”

“No need to break the lock, then. Thank you for your trouble, Master Zhang,” Han Buji said politely to the handyman.

Throughout the exchange, Tao Hui remained detached, watching helplessly as Han Buji made the decision for her and escorted the handyman to the elevator.

It’s almost like Han Buji is the man of the house here.

The thought made Tao Hui shake her head violently.

What are you thinking?! Han Buji is the man of the house for thousands of Han Meimeis, not yours!

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

He snapped his fingers near her ear. “What are you daydreaming about?”

Startled, Tao Hui whipped around to face him, a hint of guilt in her eyes. “N-nothing! I wasn’t thinking about anything!”

Han Buji glanced at her, amused.

She reminded him of the little squirrels he’d seen outside his villa, furtively dragging their bushy tails as they scavenged for pinecones beneath the trees. At the slightest rustle of leaves, they’d dart away.

“Rabbit, Boss, breakfast is here!”

The elevator doors slid open, and Gao Meng bounded out, carrying a large bag. She thrust it into Tao Hui’s hands. “I’ve got work to do. Gotta get back to the office!”

Tao Hui carried the heavy bag back to Han Buji’s apartment.

On the dining table lay Han Buji’s invitation to the Weibo Night gala, delivered by Gao Meng that morning.

As the year drew to a close, major media companies were preparing their year-end celebrations. Tao Hui’s recent debut with the Sheng Jue production crew had landed her on several trending topics, earning her an invitation to Weibo Night as well. Her invitation was still with Miao Miao, yet to be delivered.

These media giants, flush with a year’s worth of profits, always spared no expense on appearances.

The invitations were works of art, crafted with exquisite texture, crimson embossed with gold filigree, and inscribed with the recipient’s name.

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

After all, she was a celebrity, and occasionally she needed to engage with her fans on Weibo to keep them happy.

Han Buji sat across from Tao Hui, taking out items one by one from the breakfast bag. Small labels were affixed to the transparent disposable containers: Brown Sugar Buns, Brown Sugar Flatbread, Brown Sugar Red Date and Lotus Seed Porridge, Brown Sugar Pastries…

Tao Hui stared at the table full of brown sugar-themed dishes, frowning. “Why is everything brown sugar? Did Gao Meng misunderstand something?”

Wasn’t brown sugar supposed to replenish blood?

Could it be that her complexion looked so poor when she opened the door this morning that Gao Meng mistook it for her period?

A flicker of amusement crossed Han Buji’s eyes. “Yes, she did misunderstand.”

“?” Tao Hui looked up, waiting for him to elaborate.

“This morning, Gao Meng asked if we had a ‘wild night’ yesterday.” Han Buji opened a container of brown sugar buns and slid it across the table to Tao Hui. “You tackled me last night and I fell pretty hard, so I told her, ‘It was pretty wild.'”

Tao Hui: “!”

Wild, my ass!

Is the “wild” she meant the same as the “wild” you’re talking about?!

“Han Buji!” Tao Hui grabbed a brown sugar bun and threw it at him, shouting, “What kind of nonsense are you telling your assistant all day?!”

Still feeling unsatisfied, Tao Hui threw a few more brown sugar pouches, not even sparing the invitation, which she flung across the room with a “biu!”

Finally, she didn’t look like a timid squirrel anymore.

Han Buji didn’t dodge, taking the barrage of pouches one after another. Suddenly, he pressed a hand to his forehead and began to laugh, a genuinely cheerful laugh that revealed a flash of white teeth, almost as if Xu Chang’s spirit had possessed him.

Startled by his reaction, Tao Hui blurted out, “Do you have some kind of masochistic personality?”

You’re laughing even after getting hit? Did my sugar pouches hit your funny bone?

One of the pouches, broken by Tao Hui’s violent throw, left a small brown sugar stain on Han Buji’s casual home wear. He didn’t even glance at it, still smiling. “No, I just enjoy being with you like this.”

Huh? What does he mean by “like this”? Why is he so happy?

Before Tao Hui could ask, Han Buji leaned forward, resting his arm on the table and closing the distance between them by half a meter.

His smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. “I like seeing you relaxed like this, Tao Hui. Please don’t be so cautious around me anymore.”