Did the Movie Emperor Blow His Cover Today? - Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Tao Hui was a bit of an extremist. She seemed docile and cheerful when she smiled, and her easygoing, carefree demeanor gave people the impression that she was exceptionally approachable.

In reality, she wasn’t easy to get close to. She had fewer than a hundred WeChat friends, a fact that once prompted Zhou Xun to worry and grumble, “Hui-ah, stop holing up at home playing games all the time. Make more friends and go out more. Even middle schoolers have over a hundred WeChat friends these days, and you only have ninety-three!”

She had almost no casual acquaintances, and her close friends were few. The number of people she could confide in was even smaller.

There was Zhou Xun, Miao Miao, and then there was the puppy-like Little Fanboy, a personality split from Han Buji, and Han Buji himself—just four people.

Then Little Fanboy and Han Buji merged, leaving her with only three friends.

To Tao Hui, these three people were incredibly precious. So when Han Buji said he was “jealous,” her heart overflowed with affection, and she immediately wanted to comfort him.

But the man was utterly shameless!

A kiss was fine, but it was far too lingering, too sensual, too passionate.

Tao Hui felt like she had encountered a vampire. All her reason and vitality were draining away with Han Buji’s kiss. If she didn’t grab something, she might fall off the table.

Her eyes closed, she reached out and clutched something silky, gripping it tightly until Han Buji’s lips and tongue finally withdrew. He chuckled huskily, reminding her, “Tao Hui, I’m not wearing anything underneath. Stop pulling, hmm?”

Tao Hui finally opened her eyes and glanced at Han Buji.

He was leaning against the table, his silky black robe half-open, revealing his eight-pack abs in full view. Lower down… just a glimpse of underwear peeked out, the gray waistband embroidered with the Armani logo.

Perhaps the kiss had been too long and too intense. Han Buji’s sensual lips were flushed, the corners slightly upturned, and even the corners of his eyes were faintly reddened. His long lashes drooped, and his gaze burned with a deep, smoldering fire as he looked at Tao Hui.

This image was a stark contrast to his usual gentlemanly, restrained demeanor—he looked like a captivating demon.

Tao Hui’s hand still gripped the robe’s sash tightly. The bow, once neatly tied, now hung loosely, barely secured in its loop. With just a gentle tug, she could strip the Best Actor bare.

Tao Hui seriously doubted that even if she let go of the robe tie and let it fall freely, it would still come undone…

This… this is a real problem.

Han Buji, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease, as if he didn’t mind Tao Hui looking. He stared at her with a half-amused, half-teasing gaze.

Can’t you show a little restraint? Just a little restraint in front of an innocent, naive girl! Would it kill you to pull your robe closed?

Would it?!

Sometimes, Tao Hui could be incredibly stubborn, refusing to back down. Seeing Han Buji’s calm and collected demeanor, she flushed crimson, stiffened her neck, and blurted out, “Didn’t you say you weren’t wearing anything?! I can see your underwear!”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she wanted to die.

Forget borrowing a tie from Zhou Xun—I’ll just hang myself with Han Buji’s robe tie.

I’m killing myself!

Han Buji chuckled, having teased her enough. Seeing Tao Hui’s flustered yet vaguely dejected expression, he smiled, straightened his robe to cover his chest, and patted her head soothingly. “There, there. Don’t be angry.”

Tao Hui had to admit, she really liked the way Han Buji patted her head. She closed her eyes in contentment for a moment before asking curiously, “Han Buji, have you kissed someone before?”

“Mm,” Han Buji murmured, leaning closer until he was only an inch away from Tao Hui.

Tao Hui suddenly grew agitated and shoved him away. “You! You… you must have a lot of romantic history!”

Han Buji struggled to suppress a smile as he pulled her back into his arms. He whispered in her ear, his voice deep and husky, “Just teasing you. I haven’t had any. I haven’t even filmed a kissing scene.”

Tao Hui knew this to be true. Han Buji’s films rarely featured romance, focusing instead on tough guys, crime thrillers, mysteries, slice-of-life dramas, and coming-of-age stories. It was entirely possible he’d never filmed a kissing scene.

“Really?!” Tao Hui’s voice rose with delight as she asked, her tone brimming with happiness.

She couldn’t quite explain her feelings. Han Buji was 27, six years her senior. It was perfectly normal for him to have some romantic experience, to have kissed a few people…

Yet she still secretly hoped she would be the first woman he had ever kissed.

Han Buji smiled gently. “Yes, today was my first time with you.”

His voice was low and husky, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe like an electric current, sending shivers from her earlobe down to the palms of her hands. He continued, “When people are nervous or excited, adrenaline makes their mouths dry. Can you feel it?”

As Han Buji spoke, he gently placed Tao Hui’s hand over his heart.

His palm, which held her wrist, was slightly damp, and his heart pounded rapidly with a muffled thud.

Feeling the strong rhythm of Han Buji’s heartbeat, Tao Hui turned her head to meet his deep, phoenix eyes. She heard him say, “You and I are the same.”

I don’t have more experience than you, nor have I been through more. When it comes to matters of the heart, we’re the same—equally nervous, equally excited.

This is also my first time kissing someone I love.

Tao Hui closed her eyes as Han Buji leaned in slowly, his lips brushing hers in a tender, lingering kiss.

“Brother Han’s still up! Wanna come out and play cards? We’re one short!” Xu Chang’s booming voice suddenly echoed from outside the door, followed by a loud rendition of a song: “Brother Han across the way, look over here! Look over here! Look over here! The mahjong’s exciting! Don’t ignore us! Don’t be so cold!”

Startled by Xu Chang’s sudden outburst, Tao Hui’s eyes snapped open, her lashes fluttering. She covered her mouth, asking nervously and cautiously, “He won’t come in, will he?”

Han Buji patted Tao Hui’s head reassuringly. “No, don’t worry. Just relax.”

“Brother Han! Brother Han! I can see your shadow on the table! Why are you sitting on the table? Brother Han! Mmmph! Mmmph!” Xu Chang continued his wailing, only to have Lu Teng clamp a hand over his mouth.

“Shut up, you idiot! If the Director wakes up, our beer-stealing will be exposed. Let’s get out of here and go back to our rooms to sleep,” Lu Teng hissed.

Xu Chang, still dazed, began singing drunkenly, “Is beer even alcohol? Brother Han! Waaah! Brother Han barely acknowledged me today. I know he doesn’t love me… he doesn’t love me! His eyes betray his heart!…”

The voices faded into the distance, followed by the sound of Lu Teng struggling to drag Xu Chang into his room.

This is terrifying, Tao Hui thought. I’m afraid Xu Chang will shout, “Brother Han, why is there a woman in your room? Who is she?!” Thankfully, the curtains were only slightly translucent, obscuring the view inside.

Tao Hui’s tense shoulders relaxed. She lowered her hand from her mouth and whispered, “Han Buji, I should go back to sleep.”

“Mm, go ahead. We have to get up early tomorrow,” Han Buji said softly as he lifted Tao Hui off the table. “My fault for picking the wrong spot. We can continue this at home.”

Continue? Continue what?

No way! Is he suggesting we’re going to… you know… have sex already?!

This is moving way too fast!

“Han Buji! I’m not ready!” Tao Hui tugged nervously at his sleeve, stammering, “I… I… I don’t really know much about this… You’re moving too fast! I’m getting nervous!”

Han Buji had initially planned to chat with Tao Hui after their kiss, but Xu Chang’s shout interrupted them. He then noticed the time—it was already past midnight, and Tao Hui should get back to her room to rest.

With so many people around the crew, it wasn’t a good place for private conversations. Han Buji casually said, “We can continue this at home.”

He never imagined Tao Hui’s imagination would run wild like this.

He chuckled and ruffled her hair. “You’re overthinking things, silly.”

“R-really? I’m overthinking it?” Tao Hui’s face flushed, but she still looked worried, frowning as she asked, “Are you sure?”

Han Buji sighed. “Absolutely. It’s your decision. Don’t worry.”

Tao Hui slipped out of Han Buji’s room and scurried back to her own like a thief. She slammed the door shut, covered her face, and let out a soft squeal.

I’m so excited! So, so excited!

I’m dating Han Buji!

I have a boyfriend!

La la la!

La!

After taking a shower, Tao Hui’s excitement hadn’t waned; it had only intensified. She couldn’t wait to share her joy with someone.

Pulling out her phone, Tao Hui fell silent. It seemed only Zhou Xun and Miao Miao were suitable confidantes.

Should I text Han Buji’s secret account? she wondered. Hey, Little Fanboy, I’m dating Han Buji now! La la la!

Nah, better just tell Miao Miao.

Tao Hui opened Miao Miao’s chat window, her eyes crinkling with laughter as she typed and sent:

[ Miao Miao, I’m in love! ]

After sending the message, Tao Hui flopped onto her bed, her pale legs swinging rhythmically in the air as she hummed:

[ It’s love at first sight, I can’t hide my gaze, we look at each other and want to run away, you and I are like a comet colliding with Earth~ ]

Just as she finished humming, her phone suddenly buzzed violently.

See that? That’s what sisters are for!

Miao Miao, hearing about Tao Hui’s new relationship, was so excited she didn’t even reply with a text—she called immediately!

My sister’s in love—it’s like my own wedding day!

Tao Hui answered the phone, her voice lifting into a song-like lilt: “Miao Miao~”

Let me tell you, I’m dating Han Buji—the guy with the insanely rich portfolio, a voice that’s off-the-charts cool, and a back view that alone can attract countless fans!

Tao Hui was so excited that her mind flooded with Northeast dialect, but before she could blurt anything out, Miao Miao’s earth-shattering roar cut her off.

“Sister Huihui!” Miao Miao’s booming voice erupted from the phone. “What’s going on? Did you lose a dare? Or are you in an online relationship?! Don’t trust those smooth-talking guys online! They’re just after one thing! No matter what they say, don’t believe a word! The news warns about the risks of meeting online dates in person—be careful! He doesn’t actually like you! He just wants your body!”

Tao Hui: “……”

How did this turn into an online relationship?

Miao Miao continued her barrage: “Which scumbag has the nerve to trick my Sister Huihui?! What did he even say?!”

Tao Hui, stunned by Miao Miao’s shouting, stammered, “He… he said we could continue when we get home?”

“What?!” Miao Miao exploded. “He wants to come to your house?! The shameless liar! He’s definitely just trying to hook up!”