Did the Movie Emperor Blow His Cover Today? - Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Han Buji had originally planned to take Tao Hui to a private cinema for a movie date—they hadn’t had a proper date since getting together. But Tao Hui insisted on visiting a temple, so he let her have her way. Whatever made the girl happy was fine with him.

By the time they returned from the temple, there wasn’t enough time for a movie. They could only drive straight to Han Buji’s parents’ house.

Normally, when Tao Hui rode in Han Buji’s car, she’d be munching on snacks, wearing oversized sunglasses or a baseball cap, looking like a little hamster, crunching away.

But today, the girl was unusually quiet, clutching her white down jacket and absentmindedly tugging at a tuft of fur on the collar as she stared blankly at the road ahead.

It was nearly rush hour, and they were stuck in traffic at almost every intersection.

As dusk deepened, the red taillights stretched into a long, snaking line ahead. Han Buji answered a call through his earbuds, his voice gentle: “Yeah, it’s pretty jammed. We won’t be there for at least half an hour.”

The caller was likely his mother, who gave a few reminders before hanging up.

Tao Hui remained oblivious, still tugging at the fur and staring out the window in a daze.

After ending the call, Han Buji chuckled softly, the sound muffled by his mask: “Tao Hui.”

“Hmm?” Tao Hui blinked, snapping out of her reverie. “What is it?”

“Relax,” Han Buji said, his car stuck in rush hour traffic. He reached out to gently grasp Tao Hui’s fingertips, smiling reassuringly. “You’re going to pluck all the fur off your hat.”

Tao Hui startled, releasing her grip and noticing the stray fur clinging to her fingertips. She murmured, “Han Buji, what if your parents don’t like me?”

The car ahead inched forward, and amidst the impatient honking from behind, Han Buji let go of Tao Hui’s hand, teasing with a smile, “Yeah, what if?”

Tao Hui tilted her head, her clear, wide eyes thoughtful. “Your family is super rich, right? If your parents don’t approve of me, would they offer me ten million or something to break up with you?”

Han Buji glanced at Tao Hui, his gaze flat. Seeing the girl’s eyes sparkling with excitement, he shook his head in exasperation.

“Or maybe they’d slap a black card on the table,” Tao Hui continued, her imagination running wild. She loved these melodramatic scenes from novels and sat up straight in her seat, only to be pulled back by the seatbelt. Still lost in her fantasy, she added, “They’d say, ‘You can have any amount of money, but you must leave my son!’ Would they say something like that?”

Han Buji knew he’d never be the type to declare, “Even if my parents disapprove, I’ll still be with you.” Watching Tao Hui’s eyes grow brighter with each word, he asked in a dangerous tone, “What do you think?”

Tao Hui shrank back, her neck tensing. “Me? What should I say?”

Han Buji was clearly displeased. Why else would his tone be so stern?

Could it be because she seemed greedy?

This won’t do! I can’t let my boyfriend misunderstand me! I can’t let Han Buji think Tao Hui is the kind of woman who disrespects love for money!

I have my principles too!

After a few seconds of frantic thought, Tao Hui ventured, “If Auntie and Uncle offered me ten million to break up with you, I’d… I’d say no!”

A flicker of amusement crossed Han Buji’s eyes as he glanced at her.

Unaware that their thoughts were completely misaligned, Tao Hui patted her chest confidently. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t take that much. A million would be enough.”

Han Buji: “?”

The car left the city center’s congested streets and glided smoothly into the villa district. As one stunning villa after another came into view, Tao Hui pressed her face against the window, mentally guessing which one belonged to Han Buji.

This one’s gorgeous! Holy crap, that one’s even better! Oh my god, this one’s absolutely stunning too!

The lives of the wealthy are so understated and simple!

Suddenly, Tao Hui didn’t feel like talking anymore. No money, no confidence!

Lost in her thoughts, Tao Hui suddenly noticed a red, detached villa bathed in light. Han Buji stopped the car, and she saw a man and a woman standing at the entrance.

The man was about Han Buji’s height, wearing a navy blue cardigan over a dark gray shirt. Though in his fifties, he showed no signs of weight gain, his posture upright and his presence commanding.

The woman, her arm linked through the man’s, wore a light gray turtleneck sweater and a white fur stole draped over her shoulders. Her gentle smile mirrored the curve of Han Buji’s lips when he smiled.

These must be Han Buji’s parents, Tao Hui thought.

She suddenly gripped Han Buji’s hand and whispered, “Even if your parents don’t approve, I still want to be with you.”

Han Buji paused, then smiled, the warmth softening his usually aloof features. “Don’t worry,” he said. “My parents will love you. You’ll see. Come on.”

Tao Hui stepped out of the car with Han Buji. He turned to his parents and said, “Mom, Dad, this is Tao Hui.”

“Hello, Uncle and Auntie,” Tao Hui greeted them with a sweet smile.

“Huihui, welcome back! Come inside, it’s cold out here. Girls shouldn’t catch a chill,” Mother Han said warmly, taking Tao Hui’s hand. “Your uncle and I are so happy you could come.”

In that moment, Tao Hui desperately wanted to cry.

Mother Han’s hand was nothing like her own mother’s—cold, rough, and stained with blood. Instead, it was warm and delicate.

Mother Han led Tao Hui through the snow-covered courtyard into the cozy house.

The solid wood furniture, carved with intricate patterns from an unknown wood, gleamed with a golden sheen under the lamplight.

Definitely expensive, Tao Hui thought to herself.

The tea on the coffee table and the fruit in the fruit bowl mingled to create a warm, sweet aroma that filled the room with a cozy atmosphere.

Even more heartwarming was the attitude of Han Buji’s parents.

As the four of them settled on the sofa, Mother Han passed the fruit bowl. “Son, give Huihui some fruit. The green apple in the middle is her favorite. The strawberries are fresh too—just picked today, and they’re so sweet.”

Father Han pushed a teacup forward. “I heard Huihui likes fruit, so I made some fruit tea. Try it.” He chuckled. “I’m not very good at it. I looked up the recipe online. I hope it tastes okay.”

Tao Hui felt a little dazed. Han Buji’s parents were so gentle. Despite this being their first meeting, they treated her like family, without any of the condescension or formality she expected from elders.

Even dinner was tailored to Tao Hui’s tastes. Mother Han picked up a piece of boiled fish with a smile. “It’s been ages since I’ve had such a satisfying meal!”

Tao Hui glanced at Han Buji, who was leisurely sipping West Lake beef soup with a spoon, then at the spicy tripe and blood curd in chili broth, Hangzhou chili beef, and spicy stir-fried hairy crab on the table. She whispered, “…Will you be full? It’s all so spicy.”

“I told you, my parents adore you. They made everything according to your preferences. I’ve already lost my favored status,” Han Buji replied.

Mother Han chuckled and used serving chopsticks to place a crab on Tao Hui’s plate. “Huihui, don’t mind him. Let’s enjoy our meal. Now, try this—it’s incredibly fresh.”

“Thank you, Auntie. I can serve myself,” Tao Hui said with a polite smile.

Han Buji shrugged and turned to his father. “Dad, I finally believe you guys actually wanted a daughter all along.”

Seeing Tao Hui’s confused expression, Han Buji grinned and explained, “My parents always wanted a daughter, but they got a son instead. I heard they’ve never quite gotten over it.”

Father Han, though appearing stern, spoke with a dry humor: “Girls are like warm, comforting cotton jackets. Sons just get more boring the older they get, and they end up with faces as cold as ice.”

Tao Hui couldn’t help but laugh, noticing the striking resemblance between Han Buji and his father.

“Oh, seeing Huihui makes me so happy! I wish she were my daughter,” Mother Han exclaimed, piling food onto Tao Hui’s plate with serving chopsticks.

“You can treat your daughter-in-law like your own daughter,” Han Buji suggested.

Tao Hui’s face flushed crimson. “W-who said I’d marry you?” she retorted stubbornly.

The meal was filled with warmth and laughter. Afterward, Tao Hui chatted happily with Father and Mother Han. Her phone buzzed, and she glanced down to see a message from Zhang Ming:

[ Precious Piglet, your father doesn’t have any decent clothes—just this old, worn-out cotton jacket he’s had for years. Don’t be embarrassed of me tomorrow. ]

Precious… Piglet…?

You’re asking for money so subtly, and you’re calling me a pig?

Even if I were Guanyin Bodhisattva herself, I couldn’t give you any money.

Tao Hui was discussing her next film with Father Han, so she didn’t rush to reply.

This terrified Zhang Ming. For the past few days, Tao Hui had been contacting him strictly according to Daily Care and Training For Dogs, showing remarkable gentleness and patience.

Now, suddenly, she wasn’t replying immediately. Zhang Ming grew restless and sent several messages:

[ Baozhu, Dad made a typo. Dad’s not well-educated, please don’t be mad at him. ]

[ Baozhu, Dad’s not trying to guilt-trip you. He’s just afraid you’ll look down on him. ]

[ You’ve become so successful now… Sigh… ]

Her phone kept vibrating. Tao Hui apologized to Father and Mother Han and glanced at the messages.

When she saw the last one, her lips twitched.

Wait, he’s actually using ellipses? And a “sigh”? This guy’s barely literate, yet he’s throwing in ellipses like he’s some literary genius.

Noticing Tao Hui’s odd expression, Mother Han asked worriedly, “Huihui, have you been troubled lately? You can talk to Auntie about it. Maybe I can help.”

Han Buji squeezed Tao Hui’s fingertips and whispered in her ear, “If you’re comfortable, you could talk to my mom about it. She’s a psychology researcher.”

Tao Hui considered it. She didn’t see any reason to hide anything. She was going to be with Han Buji for the long haul, and even if she didn’t tell them now, his parents would eventually learn about her family situation. She decided to be open and honest.

After sharing her story, Tao Hui felt a pang of anxiety, but Han Buji’s parents showed only concern and sympathy.

“What a scoundrel!” Father Han, who rarely swore, spat out the words through gritted teeth.

Mother Han retrieved her glasses from a drawer, her expression grave. “Huihui,” she said, “the 10,000 yuan you transferred is enough to file a police report. And I suspect your biological father is still using drugs. If it’s not too much trouble, could you ask him to send a photo?”

Tao Hui reached for her phone to reply, but Mother Han gently took it from her hand, smiling warmly. “Let me handle this, Huihui.”

As it turned out, experience trumps youth. Mother Han’s message was even more disarming than anything Tao Hui, an actress, could have crafted. Zhang Ming quickly sent a photo in response.

The Zhang Ming in the photo was even thinner than the man Tao Hui had seen ten years ago. His face was frighteningly pale and ashen, his eyes like two glass marbles rolled in coal ash, embedded in a wax figure—lifeless and hollow.

Zhang Ming also sent an explanatory message:

[ Baozhu, you’re not disgusted by your dad’s appearance, are you? These past years have been so hard. I’m ashamed to let you see me in such a disheveled state. ]

Mother Han glanced at the message and removed her glasses. “Huihui, you must be careful tomorrow. I’ll have the bodyguard watch your house. Drug addicts are volatile and emotionally unstable. Your safety is paramount.”

Before leaving Han Buji’s house, Tao Hui handed Mother Han two peace talismans, scratching her head. “Auntie, it’s my first time here, so I didn’t know what to get. I got these peace talismans for you and Uncle.”

Mother Han happily accepted them, urging Tao Hui to visit often. She saw her all the way to the car and watched it drive off before she and Father Han went back inside.

As Tao Hui sat in the car, she said to Han Buji, “Han Buji, your parents are so wonderful! I really like them.”

“Hmm? More than you like me?” Han Buji raised an eyebrow.

“You’re even jealous of your elders?” Tao Hui murmured, leaning back in the car seat. Her cheeks were flushed from the few sips of fruit wine she’d had at dinner, and her eyes sparkled brighter. “I wish my parents were like yours. I’m so envious of you.”

“What’s mine is yours,” Han Buji replied, glancing at her. He reached out with one hand to pat her head, teasing with a smile, “But already thinking of calling them ‘Mom and Dad’ after just one meeting?”

You only start calling them ‘Mom and Dad’ after you’re married,

Tao Hui realized Han Buji’s implication, her face burning. Yet, a thought flickered through her mind: Marriage doesn’t sound so bad after all.

Han Buji noticed her reaction, his lips curving into a silent smile.

The next morning, January 2nd, Tao Hui drove herself to the airport, earbuds in, talking to Han Buji on the phone. “Boyfriend, I’m a little nervous. I need some sweet talk.”

To keep Zhang Ming off guard, Han Buji couldn’t show up. Tao Hui had to pick Zhang Ming up alone and bring him home.

Han Buji chuckled. “Don’t worry. There’s a car following you, license plate 3690. It’s Old Han’s people.”

“That’s hardly sweet talk,” Tao Hui retorted, her bean-paste-colored lips pursing behind oversized sunglasses. “One-star review!”

A few guitar strums suddenly echoed through the earphones. Han Buji began to sing softly, “You are not alone, I am here with you. Though you’re far away, I’m here to stay…”

Tao Hui froze. This was a very, very old song. When she was a child at the orphanage, they had a broken radio that played famous foreign songs. This particular song was often played, and though Little Tao Hui didn’t understand the lyrics, she found the melody vaguely melancholic.

Later, when Tao Hui grew up, her English wasn’t great, but she understood the lyrics: “You’re not alone, I’ll always be by your side.” She thought, Probably no one will ever sing this song to me.

But now Han Buji was singing it, and there was no melancholy in his voice, only tenderness.

It even felt as if Han Buji were gently caressing her earlobe with his fingertips.

“Though we’re far apart, you’re always in my heart…”

Tao Hui drove to the airport, Han Buji’s singing filling the car as the white terminal building gradually came into view.

“Han Buji,” Tao Hui called out.

“Hmm?”

Tao Hui tapped her fingers twice on the steering wheel before suddenly saying, “I want to be Best Actress.”

A soft chuckle came from the other end of the line. “Zhou Xun mentioned that.”

Miao Miao had once jokingly painted an empty toilet paper roll gold, written Tao Hui’s name on it, and congratulated her on becoming Best Actress.

Tao Hui had been puzzled at the time, but Miao Miao had a logical explanation: “Sister Huihui, what’s the emperor’s wife called?”

“The empress?”

“Exactly! So the Best Actor’s wife must be the Best Actress!”

Tao Hui’s eyes curved into a smile. The Best Actress I want to be isn’t the one holding a golden statuette, she thought. It’s the Best Actress who belongs to the Best Actor.

Come on, let’s settle everything. I need to get ready to become Best Actress.