Did the Movie Emperor Blow His Cover Today? - Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Three days after the variety show aired, the highly anticipated historical fantasy drama Sheng Jue finally premiered online. Riding the reputation of veteran actors and the peak popularity of Han Buji and Tao Hui, the series’ viewership soared, earning rave reviews.

The only point of contention was that Han Buji and Tao Hui weren’t the main leads. After a week of intense buzz, Tao Hui and Han Buji finally made their belated debut in the series, appearing in only a few brief minutes of screen time.

Han Buji played Dongchuan, the Third Prince of the Ao Kingdom, fresh from a brutal battlefield. He stood isolated in a desolate wasteland, the blood of fallen soldiers still wet at his feet. His profound iron sword hung limply in his hand, crimson droplets tracing its dark blade.

Dongchuan’s body was covered in wounds, yet his stance remained unwavering, his eyes burning with a murderous intent. He looked like a hellish envoy who had just slaughtered the gods themselves, his sharp gaze piercing and his heroic aura overwhelming.

A sudden gust of wind swept through the scene. A white figure descended from the heavens like a celestial being. Dongchuan whirled around, his voice ringing out, “Who goes there!”

Tao Hui, as Qing Wan, held aloft a white jade sword, her presence radiating overwhelming power. Her expression cold and detached, she spoke calmly, “The one who will take your life.”

Clang! Dongchuan’s profound iron sword clashed against Qing Wan’s white jade sword, its hilt carved with peach blossoms.

One wore a dark battle robe, the other a flowing white gown.

One descended from the heavens, the other raised her sword in defiance.

The scene froze, the end credits rolled, and the long-awaited moment of Han Buji and Tao Hui sharing the screen ended all too quickly.

The audience’s enthusiasm for this pairing was evident in the viewership numbers. On the streaming platform broadcasting the show simultaneously with television, this episode’s viewership doubled that of the previous dozen episodes.

The internet exploded with GIFs, memes, and even fan-edited dialogue for Han Buji:

“Who goes there!”

“The one who will take your life!”

“Take me! Take everything! I’m yours!”

Netizens were in stitches, yet the edits felt surprisingly natural. Even the Han Meimeis, usually fiercely protective of their “Gege,” found themselves enjoying the scenes of him with Tao Hui, agreeing that their idol looked even more dashing with a female co-star.

Gege truly needs love!

One particularly resourceful Han Meimei took things a step further, creating a new version of the GIF with even Tao Hui’s lines altered:

“Who goes there!”

“The one who will marry you!”

“Okey-dokey!”

The internet erupted in harmonious laughter. For the first time since his debut, Han Buji was brought down from his pedestal by netizens. The aloof Best Actor Han had suddenly become remarkably relatable.

Someone even created a meme using a screenshot of Han Buji standing alone among corpses, sword in hand, with the caption: “Wife’s coming, gotta look cool.”

The keywords “Han Buji meme” and “Han Buji Tao Hui GIF” dominated trending topics for two consecutive days. Unfortunately, Han Buji only had a cameo role in Sheng Jue, and Tao Hui’s scenes were also limited and sporadic. After the initial frenzy, the pair disappeared from the show for several days.

Desperate, netizens began replaying their brief two-minute scene together daily. As if searching for a girlfriend for their own brother, they started digging into Tao Hui’s past.

Tao Hui had always maintained a low profile, and her appearances on trending topics were usually due to malicious campaigns by marketing accounts, which netizens found quite pitiful.

Then, someone leaked that Tao Hui had donated 3 million yuan to an orphanage through a foundation when she was just 18.

18? Wasn’t that the year Tao Hui won her first major award? She had only been in the industry for two years at that point, having filmed two movies and done a few commercials. She couldn’t have had much money then. How could she have donated such a large sum to an orphanage?

And she hadn’t even made a big show of it. If the insider hadn’t leaked the foundation’s donation records, no one would have ever known about Tao Hui’s generosity.

Compared to those female celebrities who visit rural schools for photo ops, posting over a hundred pictures to ensure everyone knows about their “charity,” Tao Hui’s quiet kindness made her even more endearing!

While netizens outwardly remained silent, they secretly hoped Tao Hui would indeed end up with Best Actor Han. Bilibili was flooded with fan-made videos pairing Han Buji and Tao Hui, and the “No Way CP” fandom grew stronger than ever.

One particularly endearing Han Meimei captured the collective sentiment of the fandom with a Weibo post:

[ After watching Han Tao edits, seeing Gege’s birthday cake for one, and imagining him spending Chinese New Year alone—eating dumplings alone, watching the Spring Festival Gala alone, staying up all night alone… My heart aches! Gege is so pitiful! ]

A new fan, confused, asked in the comments: “Why isn’t Gege celebrating New Year’s Eve with his family?”

An older fan kindly explained:

[ Because Gege’s parents go abroad every year during the Spring Festival holiday, hahaha! ]

Han Buji’s “lonely” plight, far from diminishing with the Han Meimeis’ discussions, only intensified.

On Monday, the Best Actor, whose Weibo account had long been dormant, appeared in the background of a photo featuring rising star Zhang Luxiao.

A group of handsome men and beautiful women from the entertainment industry had rented a club, reveling in the festivities. Only Han Buji sat with his back to the camera, bathed in the spotlight, holding a glass of vodka on the rocks.

[ Zhang Luxiao V: @Han Buji, hahaha, Gege, your silhouette is so lonely! It’s like that meme: “Human joys and sorrows are not mutually comprehensible; I only find them noisy.” ]

Han Meimeis: “……”

Gege’s wine isn’t wine, his hair turns white from love’s despair.

On Tuesday, Han Buji’s figure reappeared in someone else’s Weibo post.

Former Best Actor Gu Yuan celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary with a banquet for family and friends at his home. He posted a group photo on Weibo, showing pairs of couples. Han Buji sat alone among them, holding a spoon, his eyes lowered with a faint smile.

Han Meimeis: “……”

Gege’s soup isn’t soup, he suffers alone for love’s wounds.

On Wednesday, this solitary Gege made yet another appearance in someone else’s Weibo post.

Comedy star Lu Teng celebrated the one-month milestone for his second child. With a three-year-old daughter and now a newborn son, he had both a dragon and a phoenix, and hosted a special banquet to express his gratitude.

Lu Teng thoughtfully posted a one-minute Weibo video. The clip showed him cradling his children, guests laughing and chatting, and Han Buji, utterly alone and forlorn, carrying a plate of apple pie through the crowd, becoming the most stubbornly lonely backdrop.

Han Meimei: “……”

Gege’s pie isn’t a pie at all. Poor Gege, no one loves him.

On Thursday, Han Buji didn’t show up, but Sichuan-Chongqing tycoon Li Sijin announced his engagement and, for reasons unknown, specifically tagged Han Buji.

[ Li Sijin V: @Han Buji, bro, wanna be a groomsman? ]

The Han Meimeis collectively lost it, immediately replying to Li Sijin:

[ Our Gege is free! Our Gege will go! Um… could you ask Tao Hui to be a bridesmaid?! ]

Friday…

By Friday, the Han Meimeis had decided to disconnect from the internet and live like cavemen. But some couldn’t resist checking social media and spotted Han Buji in a short video of a bachelor party, posted by Gu Yi, the son of the former Best Actor.

Mom, my idol is so pitiful!

Tears welled up in the Han Meimeis’ eyes. They desperately wanted to crowdfund money to send to Tao Hui, urging her to treat Gege to a meal…

Gu Yi leaned back lazily in his chair, swirling a cocktail. “Brother Han, why are you even here at a bachelor party when you have a girlfriend? Are you trying to rub it in our faces?”

After speaking, Gu Yi glanced at the long row of sofas nearby. A girl in a pink sweater was reaching into the fruit platter with a small fork to spear a starfruit. Not content with just one piece, she then plucked a cherry from the bowl.

This was Tao Hui. Holding both hands up, she tilted her head back and beamed brightly, calling out softly over the RB music, “Boyfriend, which do you want—starfruit or cherry? I’ve tasted them both, and they’re both so sweet!”

Gu Yi: “Fuck, my future sister-in-law is too cute!”

Han Buji, who had cultivated a “cold and aloof, tragic and desolate” image on Weibo, suddenly turned around and smiled tenderly. “I don’t want fruit. I want you.”

Tao Hui’s face flushed, her bright eyes and pearly teeth gleaming. “You’re so annoying,” she said, but her body betrayed her words as she leaned in to give Han Buji a quick kiss.

Gu Yi: “Damn it, I feel personally offended! Isn’t this supposed to be my bachelor party?! Why is there a sickeningly sweet couple here?!”

As Gu Yi looked up again, Tao Hui popped the cherry into her mouth, her cheeks puffing out as she mumbled, “You can have the starfruit. The cherries are mine now.”

Gu Yi: “Ugh, the stench of love is overwhelming.”

That evening, after Tao Hui and Han Buji returned home, Han Buji emerged from the shower to find Tao Hui sprawled on the bed in her nightgown.

The bedside lamp cast a dim glow, highlighting the alluring curve of her butterfly bones. Her bare feet dangled in the air, swaying gently, while the hem of her nightgown barely covered her thighs.

It would have been a rather seductive scene, if not for Tao Hui’s incessant muttering.

She was intently studying her phone, mumbling to herself, “Pork belly, ginger, light soy sauce, salt, cooking wine, thirteen spices? What even are thirteen spices… sesame oil, scallions, ‘just enough’? How much is ‘just enough’?”

Han Buji chuckled softly as he leaned over beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “What are you up to, girlfriend?” he asked with a smile.

“Looking up how to make dumpling filling,” Tao Hui replied, glancing back. She pressed her nose against Han Buji’s pajama shirt, inhaling deeply the cedar scent of his skin before continuing, “I always just ate frozen dumplings for New Year’s Eve, or occasionally crashed Zhou Xun’s family dinner. But this year I have you, so I can’t just drag you along to freeload, can I?”

Han Buji kissed her cheek. “Auntie will prepare the New Year’s Eve dinner before she leaves.”

“That’s wonderful! I can learn from Auntie and then make dumplings for you,” Tao Hui said, dodging Han Buji’s stubble with a smile.

“Looks like I’ve found myself a virtuous girlfriend,” Han Buji raised an eyebrow.

“Shall we make dumplings while watching the Spring Festival Gala?” Tao Hui rolled over to face Han Buji, playfully touching the tip of his nose with a wide grin. “Even though it’s just the two of us, I’m so happy. It’s much better than spending New Year’s alone.”

Han Buji looked at her earnestly and said, “From now on, you’ll have me every Lunar New Year’s Eve.”

On Lunar New Year’s Eve afternoon, Tao Hui accompanied Han Buji back to his family’s villa. Father Han and Mother Han were traveling in Europe, leaving only Auntie at home.

Tao Hui, brimming with enthusiasm, tied on a small apron and followed Auntie around the kitchen, watching her knead dough and prepare the dumpling filling. Han Buji also donned an apron and joined in, learning how to knead dough from Auntie.

The villa’s underfloor heating kept the wooden floors warm and cozy. The whirring of the high-speed blender chopping ginger and scallions mingled with Tao Hui’s curious questions about the seasonings. Auntie hummed a Jiangnan folk tune as Sheng Jue replayed on the television, filling the villa with a warm, festive atmosphere.

Han Buji’s phone, resting on the kitchen counter, vibrated twice. He picked it up and saw a message from Wu Yue:

[ Boss, Happy New Year! Any early red envelopes for the holiday? ]

Han Buji, known for his generosity, immediately transferred 5,000 yuan.

Wu Yue sent another message:

[ Thank you, Boss! If I wish the Boss Lady a Happy New Year too, will I get another red envelope? ]

Han Buji promptly transferred another 5,000 yuan and pressed the voice message button: “Remember to wish the Boss Lady a Happy New Year. The red envelope is already sent.”

“What are you laughing at?” Tao Hui asked, curious, as she leaned closer and saw the chat history. “Boss Han, you’re so generous! What about me? Do I get a red envelope too?”

Han Buji pulled two red envelopes from his pocket, handing the thicker one to Auntie and the thinner one to Tao Hui.

Tao Hui watched Auntie open her envelope first, revealing 10,000 yuan in cash. Clutching her own thin envelope, she wondered aloud, “Mine isn’t a blank check, is it? The kind where I can write in any amount? How much should I fill in?”

Muttering to herself, she tore open the envelope. Inside was only a single item. Tao Hui pulled it out and saw it was a photo of Han Buji. “…Where’s the promised check?”

Han Buji playfully tapped Tao Hui’s nose with his flour-dusted hand, laughing heartily, “Aren’t I your red envelope?”

The Han family’s auntie, ever trendy, chuckled at Han Buji’s remark and promptly sent him the GIF of Han Tao’s scene from Sheng Jue, saying, “Oh, I just love this scene!”

Tao Hui, who had also seen the GIF, was suddenly seized by a playful mood. Grabbing a rolling pin, she crept up behind Han Buji. He picked up his own rolling pin and whirled around, shouting, “Who goes there!”

The two rolling pins clashed, sending flour scattering across the floor. Tao Hui doubled over with laughter, clutching her stomach as she delivered the line, “The one who’s come to take your life.”

Han Buji grinned. “Take it all! You can have everything, even me.”

“Ha ha ha! That’s a bootleg version! Third Prince Dongchuan would never say that!” Tao Hui roared with laughter.

Meanwhile, Wu Yue continued to bombard them with WeChat messages, his phone buzzing incessantly on the kitchen counter. He demanded to know what “secret business” the Boss and Boss Lady were up to, given their slow replies.

Han Buji and Tao Hui, wearing matching blue and pink aprons, posed for a photo. One’s palm was dusted with flour, while the other had a smudge on their nose. They sent the picture to Wu Yue.

Wu Yue replied almost immediately:

[ You two are just rubbing it in! We’re making dumplings too, but look at my disaster. I’ve barely wrapped a few, and my parents are already complaining they look crippled. ]

[ [Image] ]

Han Buji glanced at Wu Yue’s photo and replied:

[ Mind if I borrow your picture? ]

Three minutes later, the Han Meimeis, who were discussing how to send their beloved “Gege” New Year’s greetings at exactly midnight, were stunned to see their notoriously inactive idol had posted on Weibo.

[ Han Buji V: [Image] ]

The photo showed a row of crooked, misshapen dumplings on a cutting board—clearly the work of a novice or a man.

The Han Meimeis fell silent once more: “……”

The comments section erupted with sympathy: “Waaah, our Gege is suffering so much!”, “My heart aches for our Gege!”, “Miss Tao, please notice our Gege! He’s truly the best!”, “New Year’s wish: May our Gege find love!”

Wu Yue, who had eagerly opened Weibo to see his artist’s latest post, was greeted by the sight of his own disastrous dumplings.

Wu Yue: “……” Shouldn’t I be the one getting all the sympathy?!