Did the Movie Emperor Blow His Cover Today? - Chapter 29

Chapter 29

“Han Buji, do you really have someone you like?” Tao Hui asked.

It was dusk, and only the entryway light illuminated the room. Though bright, it couldn’t fully light the living room.

Han Buji stood with his back to the light, his expression obscured. Tao Hui didn’t notice the subtle twitch of his index finger, which was hooked around the crayfish bag.

Faced with Tao Hui’s sudden question, Han Buji lowered his phoenix eyes and parted his lips slightly. “Yes, I do.”

In the dry winter of Beijing, Han Buji, a man with a science and engineering background, suddenly recalled a line from the internet: “The greatest distance in the world isn’t between life and death, but when I stand before you, and you don’t know I love you.”

Should I tell this listless girl that the person I like is her?

It felt as if 27 years of hesitation had crystallized in this moment. No one could tell that beneath his calm exterior, Han Buji’s mind was racing.

But the next second, Tao Hui shattered the silence.

She pulled the bag of crayfish into her lap, tilted her head back, and asked, “Does your mom like her? Does she ever talk to you about what kind of girls she likes? Do you have a dad? Does he ever tell you what kind of girlfriend he hopes you’ll find? Do your family members watch the dating show you’re on? Do they think any of the female guests would be a good match for you?”

Han Buji: “……”

Han Buji, who had been pondering whether to confess and how to do it, was left somewhat dazed by Tao Hui’s barrage of questions. Before he could answer, Tao Hui opened the crayfish container, sniffed deeply, and exclaimed, “It smells amazing! I wish I had a mom.”

Han Buji raised a hand to his forehead, a helpless smile spreading across his face.

Ever since realizing Tao Hui was the person he’d been searching for, Han Buji had researched her family background. He knew she had grown up in an orphanage without any family.

He desperately wanted to protect her, to take care of her, but most of all, he wanted to love her.

And what did this girl want?

A mom?

Life is full of surprises. You think you’re about to confess to the woman you love, but she just wants a mom.

Han Buji sat down on the sofa next to Tao Hui. The weight of his body caused Tao Hui to sway slightly. He reached out and gently stroked her head, asking softly, “What’s wrong? Who upset you?”

Tao Hui hadn’t spent much time with Han Buji, but she was surprised that he was the only person, besides Zhou Xun, who seemed to understand her emotions.

He seemed to understand her feelings even better than she did herself.

Tao Hui lowered her head and remained silent, feeling Han Buji’s large hand pat her head lightly.

So gentle, she thought, so gentle it makes me want to cry again.

The inexplicable restlessness that had been plaguing her vanished the moment Han Buji pulled her into his arms.

In its place came astonishment and a sudden surge in her heartbeat.

Han Buji’s arm wrapped around Tao Hui’s back, while his other hand gently pressed the back of her head against his shoulder. His voice, tinged with barely perceptible tenderness, murmured, “Tao Hui, the crayfish are getting cold.”

It was a polite, comforting embrace.

Han Buji’s embrace felt incredibly warm and real, unlike the staged hugs during filming, which were merely part of his character.

Tao Hui pressed her tear-filled eyes against Han Buji’s shoulder, her heart pounding like a drum.

By the time they were eating crayfish, Tao Hui had fully recovered her high spirits. Waving her red-oil-slicked claws, she declared cheerfully, “What can’t be solved with a meal of crayfish?! If one meal isn’t enough, have two!”

Her grand pronouncements completely overlooked the fact that her good mood stemmed not from the crayfish, but from Han Buji’s embrace.

Han Buji didn’t argue, good-naturedly placing peeled crayfish meat into the small dish in front of Tao Hui, his contributions going unacknowledged.

He had initially believed that her lack of resistance to his embrace marked a historic breakthrough. However, the very next morning, Tao Hui emerged from her bedroom, chatting on her phone with Miao Miao via video call, and walked right past him without even a glance.

Han Buji: “?”

“I know everything now! Sister Xun told me! That Han You! She’s no good! A shameless white lotus bitch! Ugh!” Miao Miao’s indignant voice boomed from Tao Hui’s phone. “She even had the nerve to tag you on Weibo! It’s infuriating!”

Tao Hui rubbed her temples, having slept poorly the night before. She had dreamt of being hanged by the Han Meimei fan group with their own neckties, all because she had embraced their idol, Han Buji. When Zhou Xun came to collect her body, he had remarked, “Hui-ah, hanged ghosts are truly hideous. Their tongues hang out like a dog’s.”

A chaotic dream left Tao Hui waking up in a cold sweat. Before she could fully regain her senses, Miao Miao called.

Sighing, Tao Hui spoke as gently as possible, “Miao Miao, I don’t have proof Han You poisoned you. Just be wary of her, okay? Don’t do anything rash.”

“It wasn’t just diarrhea! It was food poisoning, Sister Huihui! You have to help me get revenge!” Miao Miao wailed. “Did you see her Weibo post? It’s infuriating! She even posted her invitation to the Weibo Night event, tagging you and saying she misses you, Sister Tao Hui! Ugh! Gag me!”

Tao Hui frowned. “She was invited too?”

In the video, Miao Miao stuffed a sandwich into her mouth during a pause in the conversation, her cheeks bulging as she mumbled, “Yeah, she was invited. Be careful what you eat tonight! Don’t take anything she offers! You have no idea how awful it feels to be both nauseous and having diarrhea at the same time!”

Han Buji watched intently as Tao Hui chatted with Miao Miao for half an hour before Zhou Xun arrived to pick her up.

The heartless little girl hugged the housecoat she’d borrowed, shouting, “Han Buji, I’ll wash it and return it later!” before running off with her manager, the words barely out of her mouth.

As if he were some kind of monster!

Tao Hui returned home, and the moment she stepped inside, Zhou Xun’s makeup artist and stylist pinned her to a chair. From exfoliation to face masks, they meticulously prepared her for the evening’s event. The entire day was dedicated to getting ready.

Attending events as a female celebrity is truly a hassle. The eye makeup alone took over forty minutes.

A light brown eyeshadow served as the base, layered with cocoa-toned hues for depth and dimension. Galactic shimmer highlighted the inner corners, followed by a pearlescent starry khaki shade for added sparkle.

Mascara, eyeliner, concealer, highlighter, and brushes of all sizes danced before Tao Hui’s eyes. By the time she stood up to change, the woman reflected in the mirror was unrecognizable from the melancholic homebody who had been sipping milk tea the previous afternoon.

The stylist teased her hair at the roots for volume, creating cascading waves. A vibrant crimson lipstick blended with a brownish-red lip gloss made every smile and frown radiant.

Her gown was a black backless ballgown. After changing, Tao Hui twirled before the mirror, her radiant smile captivating even the makeup artist behind her.

Satisfied with the look, Tao Hui asked Zhou Xun to take a photo for her Weibo account, keeping up appearances.

After the makeup artists and stylists left, Tao Hui followed Zhou Xun as he prepared to leave. Just before stepping out, he cautioned her, “Miao Miao knows about Han You now. Don’t let your emotions get the better of you. We still need to maintain appearances. I don’t want rumors spreading that you’re being mean or bullying other actresses at the event.”

Tao Hui lifted her skirt hem and grinned. “Oh, I was planning to spit in Han You’s wine. Can’t I do that?”

Zhou Xun knew she was just being playful because she was in a good mood again. He shot her a warning glare before turning to head to the underground garage to start the car.

Having learned her lesson from being locked out a few days earlier for forgetting her keys, Tao Hui checked her handbag repeatedly before leaving, making sure she had them before changing into her high heels.

The formal gown had a wide skirt and a simple, unadorned front. The stylist suggested adding a brooch, but Tao Hui disliked the sharp pin on the back and declined.

As she bent down to adjust her dress, Tao Hui suddenly remembered the long necklace her Little Fanboy had given her.

A black gown with a sparkling long necklace… that might actually look pretty good.

Tao Hui clicked into the room in her high heels, rummaged through her jewelry box, and put on the long necklace. The pendant settled just above her lower abdomen. She smiled and called Little Fanboy. “Thank you for the necklace! I’m going to a year-end party tonight, and it’s perfect.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Little Fanboy replied. After a brief pause, he asked, “Are you heading out now?”

“Yes, I just wanted to call and thank you. Let’s chat later,” Tao Hui said with a smile.

“Okay, talk to you later,” Little Fanboy replied.

After hanging up, Tao Hui pushed open the door and immediately saw Han Buji leaning against the opposite door.

Han Buji was dressed in a well-tailored suit, the fabric shimmering under the hallway lights. His hands were tucked into his pockets, as if he had been waiting for her.

Tao Hui had been busy since seeing Zhou Xun that morning, and the sudden sight of Han Buji made her feel awkward.

She had deliberately avoided Han Buji all day. The disastrous experience she had at eighteen had left a deep scar. She had heard every curse imaginable back then, and the memory still filled her with lingering fear.

After staying at Han Buji’s house for two days and hugging the “Brother” beloved by millions of his female fans, Tao Hui felt overwhelmingly guilty. Her first instinct was to avoid Han Buji.

Han Buji’s gaze was deep and unwavering as he stared at her intently.

Perhaps it was the lingering shock from last night’s nightmare, where Han Meimei had strangled her to death, but Tao Hui’s heart began pounding wildly the moment their eyes met.

What the hell is going on?

Did the Han Meimeis somehow transmit their “obsessed with Brother, crazy for Brother, banging my head against the wall for Brother” energy to me through my dream?

Both remained silent, each lost in their own thoughts. Feeling awkward, Tao Hui raised her hand and offered a tentative, “Hi.”

When Han Buji didn’t respond, Tao Hui desperately tried to make conversation, hoping to say something and quickly leave. Zhou Xun was waiting for her in the underground garage.

“Um, your hairstyle—the ‘douchebag foil perm’—actually goes pretty well with my ‘douchebag bombshell waves,’ ha ha ha…” Tao Hui forced a dry laugh, mentally slapping herself for the ridiculous remark.

Tao Hui, has your brain been completely plastered over with foundation by the makeup artist?!

Across from her, Han Buji’s lips twitched into a smile. “Tao Hui, is there something you want to tell me?”

Han Buji was genuinely puzzled. Even the highest emotional intelligence couldn’t decipher a woman’s heart, which was as unfathomable as the ocean floor. After all, just yesterday they had eaten crayfish shoulder-to-shoulder, embraced, and talked all night. Why was she suddenly ignoring him today?

Like a heartless man who runs after a one-night stand!

Tao Hui looked hesitant, stammering, “I’m afraid you won’t like what I have to say.”

“Say it,” Han Buji said tersely.

How could she explain? Tell him his Han Meimeis had visited her in a dream, warning her to get lost and stay away from him?

Tao Hui lifted her skirt hem and sighed deeply, waving her small handbag in the air. She muttered softly, “Um, could we… act a little less familiar today?”