Chapter 268: Chapter 268 - 268 - 194: The Wrists We Wrestled in Youth

The elevator in the apartment complex requires an access card. Xu Qingyan hung up the phone and timed his move to meet someone.

It was now eight o’clock, and he needed to head to the studio by nine.

Pei Muchan had work to deal with, and he planned to swing by and leave quickly. He had agreed to meet with Lin Wanzhou in the morning to record “Dàoxiāng” and estimated it would take all day.

A car gradually approached the entrance of the underground garage, and in the driver’s seat with a mask on was Pei Muchan, whose pale skin and gentle eyes could be seen through the windshield.

After parking, she pulled down her mask, revealing slightly reddened eyes.

“Have you been crying?” he asked.

Pei Muchan: “… Can you ever say anything normal?”

“Alright, let’s go, and talk upstairs.” Xu Qingyan took out his elevator card and flashed it in front of her, “Knowing you’d come, I bought an extra breakfast.”

With a click, the door opened, and when he left, there was no light on the balcony, the curtains fluttering in the wind. The room was a bit dark, so Xu Qingyan turned on the lights as a matter of course.

“Take a seat wherever you like, I’ll get you breakfast.”

“Okay.”

Pei Muchan lifted her eyes slightly; the living room was clean, as if seldom used. The doors of the three rooms were open, and without much furniture, they seemed empty.

One room housed a computer, with a slightly cluttered desktop.

She withdrew her gaze and sat down on the sofa.

Xu Qingyan came back wearing an unbuttoned shirt, sleeves rolled up, carrying a cup of warmed soy milk. The two of them had breakfast across the table from each other, neither starting the conversation.

They were used to each other’s company, and even if they just bowed their heads and scrolled through their phones without speaking, it wasn’t awkward.

The sofa was close to the balcony, and the sound of rain on the railing could be heard. It wasn’t oppressive, slightly crisp, and Pei Muchan suddenly set down her soy milk and said with a raised gaze.

“Will this thing turn into a big problem?”

“No.” Xu Qingyan almost guessed what she meant by “having something to say” on the phone, “If you don’t want trouble, just stay in and don’t become famous.”

Upon hearing this, Pei Muchan pursed her lips; she was barefaced but still looked as if she was wearing makeup. Her phoenix eyes were dull at the moment, her skin white like porcelain.

It seemed that the heavens always favored beautiful people, their lips naturally rosy without any lipstick.

Xu Qingyan took a few more glances, and when his eyes were caught, he coughed awkwardly.

“Did you do your makeup?”

“No.” She shook her head.@@novelbin@@

This interruption somehow made it tough for her to speak again. She hesitated repeatedly but ended up not asking, merely sharing a breakfast with Xu Qingyan.

“Don’t worry about me; I’m not as fragile as you think.” Xu Qingyan moved closer, both of them sitting on the same sofa, with a slight distance between them.

“I just have to deal with those assholes in the show crew. I’ve had my eye on them for a long time. From start to finish, they’re the only ones in the wrong.”

“Instead of doubting yourself, you should deny others. Those who are bullied and dare not speak out are not strong enough, not famous enough, but you are different.”

Pei Muchan turned her head and glanced at him, her voice lukewarm.

“I’m not much of a name either.”

“But you have me; becoming famous is just a matter of time,” he said, “Being patient will only make you angrier over time, and stepping back will only make you feel more wronged. When you’re in the right, you have to be relentless.”

“Whoever bullies you, just hit back hard. Let them realize the world does have bad people. If everyone were kind, who would deal with the bad ones?”

“You always like to talk nonsense, and I can never win against you.” Pei Muchan pursed her lips and looked down, “I just feel like I’ve caused you trouble.”

“You’re always helping me; it seems like there’s nothing left I can offer you.”

At her words, Xu Qingyan was slightly stunned.

The living room suddenly fell silent. Pei Muchan was puzzled, wondering why he wasn’t speaking. When she turned her head slightly, she met Xu Qingyan’s piercing gaze.

Unabashed and sincere, she could feel his gaze roaming over her face. Sharp as a thread, ready to invade her eyes without hesitation.

Neither moved as the room stayed quiet, maintaining their intense eye contact.

Beneath them, this empty house seemed to have someone fanning red-hot coals, the atmosphere inadvertently heating up. In the unremarkable living room, a striking hue suddenly prevailed.

A dog barked a few times in the corridor, instantly annoying.

Buzz buzz buzz, Xu Qingyan’s phone rang.

He snapped back to reality, shifting his gaze away from Pei Muchan’s face, his heart skipping a beat uncontrollably. It seemed like the son was more important than the dad, rightfully putting him in his place.

He hadn’t wanted to answer the call at such a critical moment, but the caller ID showed Lin Chuan. He was about to swipe it away when he paused, giving her a heads-up.

“From Lin Chuan, I’ll take this.”

“Okay.”

They were close enough that Lin Chuan’s voice was distinctly audible after the call was answered.

“Brother Xu, good news.”

“You got some?”

“… What the hell!” Lin Chuan was taken aback, his brain freezing for a few seconds before saying, “Not mine, your good news. Didn’t I mention something to you yesterday?”

Mention something?

Xu Qingyan shook his head, dispersing the cool fragrance on the tip of his nose. His mind started to actively search, recalling something about his teacher Hou Xueheng, a recommendation…

“Hou teacher recommended me for an MV?”

“That’s right, after he mentioned you in the group, some bigwig saw it and really liked it.” Lin Chuan’s words were vague, “Hou teacher plans to take you to meet them soon.”

“…Ah?”

Xu Qingyan was taken aback, glancing over at Pei Muchan, who also wore a look of disbelief. As they exchanged glances, surprise shone in their eyes.

“What leader? Can you give us a hint?”

“Can’t say, Brother Xu, don’t be nervous,” Lin Chuan comforted from the other end of the phone, “It’s just a meeting, probably the leader just wants to hear your ideas about making MVs.”